In The News
Man Accused of Mansfield Firebombing Arrested
Dye Was Found in Bucyrus
MANSFIELD, Ohio — Earlier today, Kevin Dye (age 40) was arrested in Bucyrus. Dye was wanted on charges of Aggravated Arson and Manufacturing of a Dangerous Ordnance for allegedly firebombing the Mansfield City Building in the early morning hours of Dec. 14th.
Investigators from Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Mansfield police and fire departments began the investigation into the attack on the Mansfield City Building within hours of the incident. A team of approximately 20 investigators quickly assembled and worked together to investigate the incident.
A manhunt for Dye throughout the Mansfield area culminated when Dye was found in Bucyrus. He was arrested without incident. Dye was transported to the Mansfield jail and was later transported to the Richland County Jail.
I would like to thank all the law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation. That cooperation resulted in a successful investigation,
said Phil Messer, Chief, Mansfield Police Department.
This investigation is an example of the outstanding results achieved when local, state and federal investigators combine their expertise and resources. This act of arson endangered lives, we are thankful no one was injured because of this violent act,
said Wayne L. Dixie Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Columbus Field Division.
The U.S. Marshal’s tip line resulted in numerous tips and leads that led to locating the suspect in the Bucyrus area. I commend the law enforcement officers and agencies that participate in the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force in Richland County,
said Peter Elliott, United States Marshal, Northern District of Ohio.
Over 30 officers from the following agencies participated in the manhunt and arrest: Mansfield Police, Richland County Sheriff, Crawford County Sheriff, Bucyrus Police, Shelby Police, Adult Parole Authority, Richland County ASORT, ATF, Division of State Fire Marshal and the United States Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
12/9/2009 – Six Members of Cuban Smuggling Ring Arrested and Indicted
12/3/2009 – Saline Resident Michael Hummel, age 35, Charged with Stealing Trade Secrets from Quicken Loans, Inc.
Identification Fraud
Eighteen Charged
A multi-year investigation into fraud relating to identification documents led to 18 being charged in multiple states.
Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, today announced that a federal grand jury returned a 23-count indictment charging 18 defendants with violating federal laws following a multi-year investigation into fraud relating to identification documents.
Named in the Indictment are the following individuals:
- Vitaly Fedorchuk, 30 , of Parma, OH;
- Pavlo Mostranskyy aka Pasha, 45, of North Royalton, OH
- Sonya Hilaszek, 45, of Cleveland, OH
- Azamjon Asadov, 34, of Cincinnati, OH;
- Martynas Bojarcius, 29, of Palatine, IL;
- Jaroslav Wladyka aka Bohdan Borsuk, 28, of Northbrook, IL;
- Valentina Denisova, 30, of Loveland, OH;
- Galyna Volochiy aka Galina Dobrova, 50, of Hackettstown, NJ;
- Dmytro Karabinovych, 47, of Hackettstown, NJ;
- Zdzislaw Kowalczyk, 52, of Chicago, IL;
- Jahongir Masudov aka Jonik, 23, of Cincinnati, OH
- Roman Matveev, 32, of Hackettstown, NJ;
- Artak Serobyan, 25, of Leola, PA;
- Vadym Churakov aka Michael Slepyan, 41, of Chicago, IL;
- Yuriy Fedkiv aka Hennadiy Vaskevych, 43, of Chicago, IL;
- Ivan Volochiy, 39, of Hackettstown, NJ;
- Piotr Vitvitzky aka Petro Vytvytskyy, 45, of Stroudsburg, PA; and
- Vasyl Yatskiv aka Flarid Ibragimov, 30, of Bensenville, IL.
The indictment alleges that from on or about January 24, 2007, and continuing through on or about October 28, 2009, the defendants conspired to illegally produce State of Ohio drivers’ licenses and personal identification cards. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Hilaszek, who was employed as a clerk for the Deputy Registrar of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Parma, Ohio, agreed to accept payment from Fedorchuk for her assistance in producing state-issued drivers’ licenses and identification cards for illegal aliens. The illegal aliens were not legally entitled to obtain State of Ohio drivers’ licenses or identification cards.
Fedorchuk charged customers approximately $800-$1,200 for an identification card, $1,300 – $1,500 for a temporary driver’s permit, and $1,500 – $3,000 for an original driver’s license. Mostranskyy, Masudov, and Serobyan were three of the intermediate brokers who assisted the illegal aliens who wished to purchase identification documents. Hilaszek received approximately $400 from Fedorchuk for each license or identification card she produced for his customers.
The indictment also alleges that Mostranskyy and Yatskiv conspired to falsely make, forge, counterfeit, mutilate, or alter a passport. Mostranskyy charged a fee for the purchase of a passport that could be used as an identification document. Yatskiv obtained a genuine passport, and utilized a computer, scanner, and color printer to modify the passport.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew B. Kall following investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Public Safety-BMV Investigations Section, Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigative Division, and Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. Substantial assistance was provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Organized Crime Department and the U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service. The investigation is ongoing.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendants’ prior criminal records, if any, the defendants’ roles in the offenses and the unique characteristics of the violations. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases they will be less than the maximum.
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11/23/2009 - RICHARD AUBREY GARRETT, III, 36, of Rome, Georgia, Pleads Guilty in Bomb Incident
11/23/2009 - LOUIS JOSEPH APRILE, 49, of Alpharetta, Georgia, Pleads Guilty to Impersonation of National Security Agent
Bexar County, Texas, Corrections Officer Indicted on Civil Rights Charges
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:04:48 -0600
Daniel Melgoza, a Bexar County, Texas, Corrections Officer, was charged today in a four-count federal indictment with violating the civil rights of two detainees and obstructing justice.
11/17/2009 – Fumo’s Former Secretary Susan Skotnicki, a/k/a “Susan Swett,” 53, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Sentenced for Fraud
11/17/2009 – Apologetic Bank Robber Michael T. Maples, 40, Wichita, Sentenced
11/16/2009 – Former Goddard Police Officer Calvin Schaffer, 44, Sentenced to Probation for Wire Fraud
11/16/2009 - KENYATTA SYKES, 30, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, Sentenced for Participation in Drug Conspiracy in Halifax
11/16/2009 - RECO LARUE JOHNSON, 34, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina Sentenced for Participation in Drug Conspiracy in Halifax
11/16/2009 – Former City of Dearborn Employee Wanda J. Smith, 42, Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes
Child Sex Trafficking
Local Man James Patrick Grady Charged
A St. Louis man was indicted on charges of sex trafficking and enticement of children and possessing child pornography. Details
11/6/2009 – Elgin Man Darris Hyte, 31, Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possession of a Handgun and Crack Cocaine
11/6/2009 – Las Vegas Man Douglas Edward James, Indicted for Grand Junction Bank Robberies
11/6/2009 – Providence Man Craig Shacklock, 52 Sentenced for Bank Robbery and Attempted Robbery
11/6/2009 – Rock County Man Angel Servin, 20, of Beloit, Wis. Sentenced to 57 Months on Cocaine Charge
Boca Raton Defendant William Kirschner, 63, Sentenced in Connection with Ponzi Scheme
11/5/2009 – La Plata Woman Kimberly Jo Whisenand Sentenced for Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property
11/5/2009 - ELVIRA MITCHELL, age 42, of New Orleans Charged with Bank Theft
11/5/2009 – Former University Professor Sentenced to 63 Months for Attempting to Transmit Obscene Material to a Minor
11/5/2009 – Chicago Gang Fugitive Arrested in Wisconsin
11/5/2009 – Fruitland Man Russell Glenn Burnett, age 44 Indicted for Production of Child Pornography
11/5/2009 – Former CBP Inspector Sentenced for Alien Smuggling, Bribery, and Drug Trafficking
11/4/2009 – Robbery of Communications Federal Credit Union
11/4/2009 – Illinois Man Indicted for Gasconade County Bank Robbery
11/4/2009 – St. Peters Stockborker Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Involving a Ponzi Scheme
11/4/2009 – Last of Three-Man Los Angeles Robbery Crew Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Bank Robbery
11/4/2009 – Owner of Personal Care Provider, Two Assistants Indicted for Stealing $89,000 from Medicaid
11/4/2009 – Red Lake Man Indicted for Sexually Abusing Two Boys
11/4/2009 – San Carlos Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Murdering Phoenix Man
11/4/2009 – Ball, Louisiana Municipal Employee Pleads Guilty to Hurricane Disaster Fraud
11/4/2009 – East Valley Man Arrested and Charged with Robbing Two Banks with Hoax Bombs in Gilbert
11/4/2009 – Mississippi Man Indicted for Defrauding Local Business
11/4/2009 – Fomer Bank Employee Sentenced to 76 Months in Prison for Scheme to Steal $2.5 Million from Bank Customers
11/4/2009 – Cottage Grove Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing 142 Photos, 11 Videos of Child Pornography
11/3/2009 – Oglala Woman Pleads Guilty to Making False Allegation of Abuse Against Family Member
October 30, 2009
Senior Citizen Bank Robber Gets Lengthy Prison Sentence
Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas Scott Woodward announced that a 64 year-old Dallas, Texas man received a lengthy sentence in federal prison for bank robbery and gun crimes.
John Lawrence Stanley was sentenced yesterday to 684 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (84 months for two Tulsa bank robberies plus two consecutive sentences of 300 months each for two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony). The lengthy sentences are partly because of previous gun convictions.
Stanley robbed the Tulsa National Bank located at 7120 South Lewis in Tulsa on March 2, 2004. At that time he entered the bank carrying a tan paper portfolio. He retrieved a firearm from the portfolio, pointed it at the teller and demanded all of the loose and strapped money in her teller drawer which amounted to $10,435 in U.S. currency. He instructed the teller to turn around and count to ten as he exited the building.
On April 14, 2004, Stanley was in Oklahoma on a family matter when he robbed BancFirst at 7136 South Yale in Tulsa. He was wearing a fake mustache and fake teeth and carrying a briefcase. He pulled a gun out of the briefcase and pointed it at the teller and told her he wanted all her large bills and no alarms. He repeated his demands with other tellers at their separate windows. Stanley left the bank with $3,258 in cash.
Stanley was arrested on June 10, 2004, shortly after robbing a Kansas City bank. He admitted to investigators to committing 34 bank robberies in six states including the two in Tulsa. He has been in custody since that time.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Tulsa PD. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Susan Morgan and Steve Sewell handled the prosecution of the case for the government.
West Des Moines Woman Indicted on 18 Counts
United States Attorney Matthew G. Whitaker announced that a grand jury returned an 18-count indictment on October 21, 2009, against Phyllis Rowe Stevens. The indictment alleges that Phyllis Stevens engaged in scheme to defraud Aviva USA during the period June 17, 2004, through September 23, 2009, fraudulently causing Aviva USA to make payments of approximately $5,997,825.66 to an account controlled by Stevens and her partner at First National City Bank in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The indictment alleges the following, specific violations:
- 12 counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both, for each count of conviction;
- one count of money laundering by concealment, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to either $500,000, or both;
- three counts of engaging in monetary transactions using the proceeds of unlawful activity, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to either $250,000 or twice the amount of money involved in the transaction, or both;
- one count of computer fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both;
- and one count of aggravated identity theft. which carries of mandatory, consecutive penalty of at least two years imprisonment, and a possible fine of up to $250,000.
Additionally, the Indictment seeks forfeiture of all proceeds involved in or derived from the charged offenses, including two properties located in Des Moines, Iowa, and a bank account at National City Bank.
The Indictment is on file with the Clerk of the United States District Court (Case No. 4:09-CR-176).
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation–Des Moines Resident Agency. In accordance with the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct, the public is reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Additionally, because this matter is pending in the United States District Court, the United States Attorney’s Office does not anticipate making any further comment or statement at this time.
‘Project Coronado’
Mexican Drug Cartel Takedown
A massive multi-agency takedown targeted the U.S. distribution network of the violent Mexican drug cartel known as La Familia. Details
Murder-for-Hire
Missouri Women Indicted
Two women have been charged with the death of one woman’s husband in a plot to collect his life insurance. Details
Three Plead Guilty to Violating Digital Millennium Copyright Act
United States Attorney Karen P. Hewitt announced that Jung Kwak, 33, also known as “Mr. Viewsat,” of Oceanside, California, Phillip Allison, 35, also known as “thebroken,” and Robert Ward, 54, also known as “TDG” and as “thedssguy,” both of Seminole, Florida, have tendered pleas of guilty to conspiring to violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The three defendants were charged in a one-count indictment handed up by a federal grand jury sitting in San Diego on July 9, 2009.
Federal, State, and Local Cooperation Nabs Homicide Suspect
Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:05:49 -0500
October 25, 2009 – The U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of State, Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Phoenix Police Department, members of the Arizona WANTED Task Force arrested Lazar Yousif Lazar as he re-entered the United States . In March 2009 a warrant was issued by the Maricopa County Superior Court for the arrest of Lazar after he failed to appear for court proceedings related to the prior charges of First Degree Murder, Assisting a Criminal Street Gang, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery.
October 23, 2009
DEA Announces Unprecedented Strike Against Mexican Drug Cartels
DEA Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart joined Attorney General Eric Holder and other federal officials on October 22 to announce the results of Project Coronado, a 44-month multi-agency investigation which targeted the Mexico-based La Familia Michoacana drug cartel. It represents the largest such operation in law enforcement history.
La Familia is a violent drug trafficking cartel based in the state of Michoacan, in southwestern Mexico . It controls drug manufacturing and distribution in and around Michoacan, including the smuggling of vast quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine from Mexico into the United States . La Familia is philosophically opposed to the sale of methamphetamine to Mexicans, but readily sends it to the United States for consumption by Americans. La Familia is a heavily armed cartel that supports its narcotics trafficking business with murders, kidnappings, and assaults.
To date, Project Coronado has led to the arrest of 1,186 individuals, and the seizure of approximately $33 million in U.S. currency; 1,999 kilograms of cocaine; 2,730 pounds of methamphetamine; 29 pounds of heroin; 16,390 pounds of marijuana; 389 weapons; 269 vehicles; and two clandestine drug labs.
Click Here to Read the DEA Press Release
DEA Statement on New Department of Justice Marijuana Guidelines
The Department of Justice recently issued guidelines regarding the use of federal resources in investigations and prosecutions in states that have passed laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes and DEA issued the following statement on these guidelines:
“DEA welcomes the issuance of these clarifying guidelines pertaining to the use of federal investigative and prosecutorial resources in states that have enacted laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. These guidelines do not legalize marijuana. It is not the practice or policy of DEA to target individuals with serious medical conditions who comply with state laws authorizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Consistent with the DOJ guidelines, we will continue to identify and investigate any criminal organization or individual who unlawfully grows, markets, or distributes marijuana, or other dangerous drugs. Those who unlawfully possess firearms, commit acts of violence, provide drugs to minors, or have ties to other criminal organizations may also be subject to arrest.”
Click Here to Read the Department of Justice Press Release
Underground California Steroid Manufacturing Ring Busted
A ten-month undercover investigation into an illegal anabolic steroid manufacturing ring was announced October 15. The investigation led to three arrests, and the serving of three state search warrants in Sacramento and El Dorado Counties in California . As a result of this investigation, agents seized a large anabolic steroid lab in Elverta , California , more than 500 vials of steroids, and 1,850 capsules of anabolic steroid pills.
In January 2009, the West El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team (WENET) began this investigation, and in February, a WENET undercover officer purchased two vials of anabolic steroids from a dealer. During this meeting, the undercover officer learned where the supply of anabolic steroids has been purchased by the dealer for more than a decade. Between February and September 2009, the undercover officer purchased anabolic steroids on multiple occasions and visited the residence of the source of the supply. This case culminated on October 14, when 100 vials of anabolic steroids were delivered to the undercover officer, and three state search warrants were executed which resulted in the seizure of the large clandestine anabolic steroid lab.
Click Here to Read the DEA Press Release
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DID YOU KNOW?
Between last year’s Project Reckoning, which targeted the Gulf Cartel; this year’s Operation Xcellerator that focused on the Sinaloa Cartel, and this week’s Project Coronado which made major inroads into La Familia Michoacana, DEA and our law enforcement partners arrested more than 2300 individuals, and seized $152 million in cash; 29 tons of cocaine; nearly 5,000 pounds of methamphetamine; more than 80,000 pounds of marijuana; and nearly 600 vehicles. These massive operations against the Mexico-based cartels have helped DEA deny drug traffickers $12 billion over the past four years. For more information on these operations, click here, here, and here.
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