<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Wednesday, June 7, 2023<br />
 Two Federal Bureau of Prisons Employees Charged with Violating the Civil Rights of an Inmate Resulting in His Death</p>
<p>A federal grand jury indicted a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) lieutenant and a BOP registered nurse yesterday with violating the civil rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs, resulting in his death. </p>
<p>The indictment alleges that on Jan. 9, 2021, Lieutenant Shronda Covington, 47, of Chesterfield, Virginia, and Registered Nurse Tonya Farley, 52, of Chesterfield, Virginia, were on duty and working in their official capacities at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg, Virginia. On that day, they allegedly each willfully failed to ensure that the inmate, a 47-year-old man identified as W.W., was provided with necessary medical care, resulting in W.W.’s death, even though each knew that W.W. had serious medical needs. Farley is also charged with writing a false report about the incident, and Covington and Farley are each charged with making false statements to federal agents about the incident.</p>
<p>The civil rights charges each carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, the false report charge carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and each false statement charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. </p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Russell W. Cunningham of the Justice Department’s Office of Inspector General (DOJ OIG) Washington Field Office made the announcement.</p>
<p>DOJ OIG investigated the case. </p>
<p>Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p><em>An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.</em></p>
<p> Topic(s): Civil RightsComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights Division</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/crm/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights &#8211; Criminal Section</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-edva" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; Virginia, Eastern</a>Press Release Number: 23-639 </p>
<p> Updated June 7, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-federal-bureau-prisons-employees-charged-violating-civil-rights-inmate-resulting-his>Original Article</a></p>

Category Archives: Fraud News From World
A “Fraud News From World” directory is a collection of news articles about fraud and scams from around the world. These directories can be a valuable resource for staying informed about the latest scams and how to protect yourself from them. The directory typically includes information about the scam, such as the type of scam, the target audience, the location of the scam, and the date of the scam. It may also include information about how to protect yourself from the scam, such as how to identify a phishing email or how to report a scam to the authorities.
Former Texas Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Sentenced for Using Unlawful Force on an Inmate
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Wednesday, June 7, 2023<br />
 Former Texas Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Sentenced for Using Unlawful Force on an Inmate</p>
<p>A former Van Zandt County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office jail sergeant was sentenced today to 42 months in prison for violating a jail detainee’s civil rights by using unlawful force against him. </p>
<p>According to court documents, David Yager, 30, previously pleaded guilty and admitted that on or about Feb. 28, 2021, while he was serving in his official capacity, he repeatedly punched detainee M.H. in the chest with a taser with the trigger held down, even though M.H. did not pose a threat to anyone. Yager admitted that the detainee was confined to a restraint chair at the time Yager used unlawful force against him. Yager also admitted that his acts caused bodily injury to the detainee, and that he used force on the detainee despite knowing that there was no legitimate, law enforcement need to use force.</p>
<p>“This defendant abused his authority as a jail sergeant to assault and injure a fully restrained detainee,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable detention officers and others who use unlawful force against detainees.”</p>
<p>“As members of law enforcement, we take an oath to support and defend the Constitution and uphold our nation’s laws,” said U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs for the Eastern District of Texas. “A crime like this betrays that sacred duty and the badge with which the defendant was entrusted. When officers violate the civil rights of citizens in the Eastern District of Texas through unreasonable and unjustified violence, they will be prosecuted and held accountable.”</p>
<p>“Law enforcement is bound by an oath to serve all citizens with equal compassion, professionalism, dignity and respect. The defendant failed this oath by using unlawful force against someone entrusted to his custody,” said Special Agent in Charge B. Chad Yarbrough of the FBI Dallas Field Office. “When law enforcement fails to fulfill its duty to protect and serve its citizens, it erodes the trust that citizens have in us. The FBI is committed to working with our partners to hold accountable any official that abuses their authority because no one is above or beyond the law.”</p>
<p>The FBI Dallas Field Office investigated the case. </p>
<p>Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Batson for the Eastern District of Texas and Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.</p>
<p> Topic(s): Civil RightsComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights Division</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/crm/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights &#8211; Criminal Section</a>Press Release Number: 23-638 </p>
<p> Updated June 7, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/former-texas-sheriff-s-office-sergeant-sentenced-using-unlawful-force-inmate>Original Article</a></p>

Statement from Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice on the Adoption of the Equal Access to Justice Resolution at the United Nations Crime Commission
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Wednesday, June 7, 2023<br />
 Statement from Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice on the Adoption of the Equal Access to Justice Resolution at the United Nations Crime Commission</p>
<p>The Office for Access to Justice today issued the following statement from Director Rachel Rossi following the adoption of the “Equal Access to Justice for All” resolution at the 32nd Session of United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, Austria:</p>
<p>“The Office for Access to Justice is pleased to have played a role in the recent adoption by consensus of the first UN-CCPCJ resolution on access to justice. This resolution recognizes that when access to justice is limited or restricted in criminal justice systems, the rule of law is undermined. The resolution emphasizes the importance of United Nations Member States taking ‘all necessary steps to provide fair, transparent, effective, non-discriminatory and accountable services that promote access to justice for all;’ notes the importance of cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships; promotes efforts that reduce inequities in justice systems; and requests that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime hold a first-ever convening of experts on enhancing equal access to justice for all. The adoption of this resolution is a significant step forward, as it establishes goals that reflect the same work and mission our Office has undertaken here in the United States.”</p>
<p> Topic(s): Access to JusticeComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/atj/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Office for Access to Justice</a>Press Release Number: 23-635 </p>
<p> Updated June 7, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-director-rachel-rossi-office-access-justice-adoption-equal-access-justice>Original Article</a></p>

Justice Department Co-Hosts Second Meeting of the Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Forum in Norway
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Wednesday, June 7, 2023<br />
 Justice Department Co-Hosts Second Meeting of the Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Forum in Norway</p>
<p>The Justice Department’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism (State CT) co-hosted the second annual meeting of the Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Forum (CTLEF) with the Government of Norway in Oslo from June 6 to 7. The CTLEF, which focuses on countering the global threat of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE), brought together law enforcement, prosecutors, and other criminal justice practitioners from Europe and North and South America, as well as specialists from INTERPOL, Europol, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law and other multilateral organizations to discuss how to effectively address and counter REMVE threats.</p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/assistant-attorney-general-matthew-g-olsen-delivers-remarks-second-annual" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">provided opening remarks</a> with U.S. Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ian Moss and Norway’s Minster of Justice and Public Security Emilie Enger Mehl. AAG Olsen noted that the United States remains committed to addressing REMVE extremism in conjunction with foreign partners. The complex challenges posed by REMVE actors require a coordinated international response that sees countries work together to understand and address REMVE recruiting, financing and attack-planning. Coordinated action by rule of law practitioners worldwide is a key strategy to degrading REMVE activities.</p>
<p>Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) and Counselor for International Affairs Bruce Swartz, along with a Norwegian counterpart, delivered closing remarks after the first day of CTLEF meetings. DAAG Swartz noted that this meeting continued the important work that began at last year’s first ever CTLEF and encouraged all participants to continue their ongoing efforts in preventing and addressing terrorism and REMVE threats.</p>
<p>OPDAT Director Faye Ehrenstamm, along with State CT’s Bureau and a Norwegian counterpart delivered the closing remarks at the end of the CTLEF. Director Ehrenstamm first thanked the delegations for attending and participating in this important initiative. She further emphasized the importance of international cooperation to learn about and address REMVE threats and pointed out participants had shared many important insights with each other during the forum. She concluded by emphasizing that the experiences exchanged and lessons learned at the year’s CTLEF illustrates the importance of working together on this critical threat.</p>
<p>The Governments of the United States and Germany co-hosted the inaugural meeting of the CTLEF in Berlin in May 2022. The initial meeting increased government’s focus, awareness and understanding about REMVE activity globally and focused on the strengthening of international cooperation to counter this terrorist threat. The June 2023 meeting built on the 2022 meeting and continued to increase international knowledge of this terrorist threat, as well as focusing on strengthening mechanisms and international cooperation to counter this threat. A more robust shared understanding and picture of REMVE global activity, including the overlap with anti-government and conspiracy theorist movements, will be critical in the years ahead as REMVE threats continue to build their transnational ties. This forum serves as a locale to begin building lines of communication between like-minded law enforcement and other partners and practitioners around the world who are working on this problem set. The CTLEF will convene again in the spring of 2024.</p>
<p>Officials from the U.S. Departments of State, Justice, and Treasury, as well as representatives from over 40 countries and various international and multilateral organizations, also participated in this meeting. </p>
<p>Please visit <a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-opdat" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/criminal-opdat</a> for more information about OPDAT’s capacity building efforts around the world.</p>
<p> Topic(s): Domestic TerrorismNational SecurityComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/criminal/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal Division</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-oia" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal &#8211; Office of International Affairs</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/nsd" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">National Security Division (NSD)</a> </p>
<p> Updated June 7, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-co-hosts-second-meeting-counterterrorism-law-enforcement-forum-norway>Original Article</a></p>

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation Regarding Illegal Dumping in the City of Houston
<p><strong><em>Remarks as Delivered</em></strong></p>
<p>Good morning. I am Kristen Clarke, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Today is a good day. I am here with U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas, who you’ll hear from shortly as well.</p>
<p>We are here this morning to announce that the Justice Department has secured a settlement agreement in our environmental justice investigation involving the City of Houston. The City of Houston, as you have heard, has agreed to take a number of critical actions to address illegal dumping here in the city, an issue that has long plagued the predominately Black and Latino residents of Houston’s Trinity/Houston Gardens Super Neighborhood 48 and other similar communities in the city. The agreement memorializes the City of Houston’s – and Mayor Turner’s – efforts to ensure racially equitable responses to the environmental hazard and improve the quality of life of members of the Houston community.</p>
<p>Illegal dumping is a long-standing environmental justice issue, which, in many cities across the country, disproportionately burdens Black and Latino communities. Illegal dumping can contaminate surface water, groundwater and soil. It decreases property values and discourages economic development, often in communities that cannot afford to withstand these impacts. Illegal dumping contributes to increased flooding, when contaminated waste blocks the flow of water to appropriate outlets. And illegal dumping contributes to increases in rodents and mosquitoes, which can carry diseases.</p>
<p>Last summer, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas launched an investigation into whether the City of Houston complied with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, regarding the city’s response to illegal dumping. This investigation was in response to a complaint we received, which alleged that Houston engaged in racial discrimination in its response to illegal dumping in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Over the course of our 10-month investigation, we conducted an extensive review of the City of Houston’s efforts to address illegal dumping. We heard from residents and other impacted stakeholders about the effects of illegal dumping, and the impact on their lives and communities. We also worked cooperatively with the City of Houston at every step of the way. The city provided documents and information and made relevant officials available for interviews.</p>
<p>In March, as you heard, the City of Houston announced the One Clean Houston initiative, a truly comprehensive plan to address pervasive illegal dumping and its negative impacts on the health, safety and quality of life of Houston residents. One Clean Houston focuses on rapid cleanup, better enforcement and prevention and education. It increases funding for heavy trash, dumping and litter abatement; establishes efforts to better facilitate reporting of illegal dumping, targeting major repeat offenders and improved access to neighborhood depositories. Many of the aspects of the One Clean Houston initiative are responsive to the government’s concerns that were set forth in the Title VI complaint that we received, and we heard from residents and others during the course of our investigation. No doubt, this initiative is an important step in addressing illegal dumping here in Houston.</p>
<p>Today’s agreement builds upon the One Clean Houston initiative. In addition, to confirming the city’s ongoing commitment to One Clean Houston, the agreement outlines a series of additional actions that the city will take to address illegal dumping. As set forth in the agreement, the city has agreed to additional community outreach and engagement with neighborhood groups, community leaders and other residents. The city has agreed to monitoring and to providing additional data and information about its efforts to address illegal dumping. The city has also committed to exploring whether additional actions can be taken against commercial sources of illegal dumping.</p>
<p>In crafting this agreement, we made sure to center the experiences of impacted people and communities. This agreement is also built on principles of racial justice and racial equity. And I fully expect this agreement will bring about lasting and enduring change and transformation for communities that for far too long have been beleaguered by illegal dumping. In a few minutes, U.S. Attorney Hamdani will provide more details on the settlement agreement.</p>
<p>This agreement marks the second time that the U.S. Justice Department has reached a settlement in an environmental justice investigation under our federal civil rights laws. Advancing environmental justice is a top priority for the U.S. Department of Justice. We know the dire consequences that environmental injustice had on communities of color across this country. It has impacted the health outcomes of people who have been forced to endure unsafe and unsanitary conditions. It can also lower property values and impact the quality of life for residents and communities. And it is directly contrary to the fundamental principles that all people are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. Because of these harms, last year, the Justice Department announced a Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy, where we vowed to use all of our enforcement tools and authorities to confront systemic barriers that deny Black and Brown communities access to clean air, clean water and equitable infrastructure. The agreement we are announcing today makes clear our commitment.</p>
<p>This agreement should also send a strong message to jurisdictions across the country regarding our commitment to promoting environmental justice. We will remain steadfast on these issues. And we will do this work in communities across the country: big or small, North or South, East or West, urban or rural. We will leave no community behind.</p>
<p>I want to acknowledge again the City of Houston, under the leadership of Mayor Turner. The City of Houston, through the initiation of its One Clean Houston initiative, has committed significant money, time and other resources towards addressing illegal dumping, especially in its most underserved communities. The comprehensive nature of the One Clean Houston program reflects the city’s thoughtfulness and intentionality regarding this environmental hazard. Importantly, the City of Houston and the Justice Department are committed to engaging with Houston residents in affected communities to explore and implement strategies to address illegal dumping. The Justice Department is also committed to working with the city to monitor the implementation of the program and this agreement to improve the health, welfare and safety of impacted communities.</p>
<p>In closing, I also want to acknowledge the people, the residents of the City of Houston, and especially those in Trinity/Houston Gardens Super Neighborhood 48, as well as those in Kashmere Gardens, Sunnyside, 3rd Ward, 5th Ward and so many others who reached out to us. You – you – provided the vital information about your day-to-day experiences and efforts in this area, and you remained patient yet vigilant while we carried out this investigation. You shared with us your love for your city, your hope in the city’s and federal government’s efforts to work collaboratively to address these issues and your ideas and strategies that were targeted to your individual communities. It is through your energy and efforts that we have reached this historic agreement today, and we appreciate all that you’ve contributed to this moment.</p>
<p>I’ll now turn the floor over to my colleague, United States Attorney Hamdani who will discuss the resolution agreement in further detail.</p>
<p> Speaker: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/meet-assistant-attorney-general" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke</a>Topic(s): Environmental JusticeCivil RightsComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights Division</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/cor/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights &#8211; Federal Coordination and Compliance Section</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; Texas, Southern</a> </p>
<p> Updated June 6, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/assistant-attorney-general-kristen-clarke-delivers-remarks-announcing-agreement>Original Article</a></p>

Justice Department Announces Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation of Illegal Dumping in the City of Houston
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Tuesday, June 6, 2023<br />
 Justice Department Announces Agreement in Environmental Justice Investigation of Illegal Dumping in the City of Houston</p>
<p>The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement in its environmental justice investigation into the City of Houston’s response to illegal dumping in Black and Latino neighborhoods. The agreement builds upon the city’s recently announced One Clean Houston initiative, a comprehensive plan to address pervasive illegal dumping and its negative impacts on the health, safety and quality of life of Houston residents. Today’s agreement memorializes the city’s cooperation with the Justice Department as it implements these new steps to combat illegal dumping and develops improved waste management services for residents across Houston.</p>
<p>“Houston’s illegal dumpsites have contaminated water and soil, attracted vermin and created blight in historically under-resourced neighborhoods across the city,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “I appreciate Mayor Turner’s leadership in addressing these concerns and his resolve in developing One Clean Houston. This agreement will ensure that Houston fully addresses chronic illegal dumpsites, provides access to adequate waste management services and improves quality of life in communities of color. The Justice Department will continue advancing environmental justice and ensuring that people of color across our nation live in safe, clean and healthy communities.”</p>
<p>“No one should have to live next to discarded tires, bags of trash, rotting carcasses, infected soils and contaminated groundwater, all caused by illegal dumping,” said U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas. “For too long now, Houston’s underserved and low-income communities have had to bear the health burdens of the inaction and misdeeds of others. My hope is that this resolution is an important step in remedying those wrongs.”</p>
<p>In July 2022, the Justice Department <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-launches-environmental-justice-investigation-city-houston-texas" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">launched</a> its investigation after it received a civil rights complaint filed on behalf of Houston residents alleging that the city discriminated against Black and Latino residents of the Trinity/Houston Gardens neighborhood in northeast Houston in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits recipients of federal funds from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin in their federally funded programs and activities. </p>
<p>The department’s ten-month investigation focused on Houston’s efforts to address illegal dumping, a persistent and pervasive problem that occurs more frequently in the city’s Black and Latino neighborhoods. In March 2023, the city announced its One Clean Houston initiative. One Clean Houston focuses on rapid cleanup, better enforcement and prevention and education. In addition to confirming the city’s commitment to One Clean Houston, the agreement establishes a three-year period of federal monitoring; data reporting obligations; enhanced community outreach with impacted neighborhoods, including engagement with residents with limited English proficiency; consideration of additional actions to combat commercial sources of illegal dumping and reduce restrictions for residents seeking to use waste depositories; and a federal civil rights training program for specified city employees.</p>
<p>The Civil Rights Division’s Federal Coordination and Compliance Section conducted this investigation in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.</p>
<p>Addressing discriminatory environmental and health impacts through enforcement of the nation’s civil rights laws is a top priority of the Civil Rights Division. Today’s announcement marks the second environmental justice settlement under federal civil rights statutes. Last month, the division <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/departments-justice-and-health-and-human-services-announce-interim-resolution-agreement" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">announced the resolution of its environmental justice investigation</a> into the Alabama Department of Health and Lowndes County Health Department in Lowndes County, Alabama. In April 2022, the Justice Department <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-launches-comprehensive-environmental-justice-strategy" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">launched</a> its Office on Environmental Justice and its Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy.</p>
<p>Individuals who believe their civil rights have been violated or have environmental justice concerns can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division at <a href="http://www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.civilrights.justice.gov/report/</a>.</p>
<p> Attachment(s): <img title="application/pdf" src="https://www.justice.gov/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png"/> <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1586446/download" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Download Settlement Agreement.pdf</a>Topic(s): Environmental JusticeCivil RightsComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights Division</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/cor/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights &#8211; Federal Coordination and Compliance Section</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; Texas, Southern</a>Press Release Number: 23-631 </p>
<p> Updated June 6, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-agreement-environmental-justice-investigation-illegal-dumping>Original Article</a></p>

CEO of Dozens of Companies Pleads Guilty to Massive Scheme to Traffic in Fraudulent and Counterfeit Cisco Networking Equipment
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Tuesday, June 6, 2023<br />
 CEO of Dozens of Companies Pleads Guilty to Massive Scheme to Traffic in Fraudulent and Counterfeit Cisco Networking Equipment</p>
<p>A Florida resident and dual citizen of the United States and Turkey pleaded guilty yesterday in the District of New Jersey to running an extensive operation over many years to traffic in fraudulent and counterfeit Cisco networking equipment.</p>
<p>According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Onur Aksoy, 39, of Miami, ran at least 19 companies formed in New Jersey and Florida, as well as approximately 15 Amazon storefronts and at least 10 eBay storefronts (collectively, the “Pro Network Entities”), that imported from suppliers in China and Hong Kong tens of thousands of low-quality, modified computer networking devices with counterfeit Cisco labels, stickers, boxes, documentation, and packaging, all bearing counterfeit trademarks registered and owned by Cisco, that made the goods falsely appear to be new, genuine, and high-quality devices manufactured and authorized by Cisco. The devices had an estimated total retail value of hundreds of millions of dollars. Moreover, the Pro Network Entities generated over $100 million in revenue, and Aksoy received millions of dollars for his personal gain.</p>
<p>The devices the Pro Network Entities imported from China and Hong Kong were typically older, lower-model products – some of which had been sold or discarded – which Chinese counterfeiters then modified to appear to be genuine versions of new, enhanced, and more expensive Cisco devices. The Chinese counterfeiters often added pirated Cisco software and unauthorized, low-quality, or unreliable components – including components to circumvent technological measures added by Cisco to the software to check for software license compliance and to authenticate the hardware. Finally, to make the devices appear new, genuine, high-quality, and factory-sealed by Cisco, the Chinese counterfeiters added counterfeited Cisco labels, stickers, boxes, documentation, packaging, and other materials.</p>
<p>Fraudulent and counterfeit products sold by the Pro Network Entities suffered from numerous performance, functionality, and safety problems. Often, they would simply fail or otherwise malfunction, causing significant damage to their users’ networks and operations – in some cases, costing users tens of thousands of dollars. Customers of Aksoy’s fraudulent and counterfeit devices included hospitals, schools, government agencies, and the <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/military-scammer/" title="military" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="410">military</a>.</p>
<p>Between 2014 and 2022, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized approximately 180 shipments of counterfeit Cisco devices being shipped to the Pro Network Entities from China and Hong Kong. In response to some of these seizures, Aksoy falsely submitted official paperwork to CBP under the alias “Dave Durden,” an identity that he used to communicate with Chinese co-conspirators. To try to avoid CBP scrutiny, Chinese co-conspirators broke the shipments up into smaller parcels and shipped them on different days, and Aksoy used fake delivery addresses in Ohio. After CBP seized a shipment of counterfeit Cisco products to Aksoy and the Pro Network Entities and sent a seizure notice, Aksoy often continued to order counterfeit Cisco products from the same supplier. </p>
<p>Between 2014 and 2019, Cisco sent seven letters to Aksoy asking him to cease and desist his trafficking of counterfeit goods. Aksoy responded to at least two of these letters by causing his attorney to provide Cisco with forged documents. In July 2021, agents executed a search warrant at Aksoy’s warehouse and seized 1,156 counterfeit Cisco devices with a retail value of over $7 million.</p>
<p>Aksoy pleaded guilty to (1) conspiring with others to traffic in counterfeit goods, to commit mail fraud, and to commit wire fraud and (2) mail fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 6, and under the plea agreement that the court conditionally accepted yesterday pending sentencing, faces a sentence of four to six and a half years in prison. Also pursuant to the plea agreement, Aksoy must forfeit $15 million in illicit gains from his scheme and make full restitution to his victims. The court will determine the final sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.</p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna for the District of New Jersey; Acting Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Bryan Denny of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Western Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Floyd Martinez of the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG), Southeast and Caribbean Division; Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Economic Crimes Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Anthony Salisbury of the HSI Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel of the HSI Newark Field Office made the announcement today. </p>
<p>HSI, DCIS, GSA-OIG, NCIS, and CBP are investigating the case.</p>
<p>Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Trombly and Senior Trial Counsel Barbara Ward for the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p>The CBP Electronics Center of Excellence; the CBP Los Angeles National Targeting and Analysis Center; and the CBP Office of Trade, Regulatory Audit and Agency Advisory Services, Miami Field Office provided valuable assistance.</p>
<p>If you believe you are a victim of Aksoy or the Pro Network Entities, please visit <a href="https://www.justice.gov/largecases" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/largecases</a> or <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/united-states-v-onur-aksoy-pro-network" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/usao-nj/united-states-v-onur-aksoy-pro-network</a> for more information.</p>
<p>The Pro Network Entities include at least the following:</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Pro Network Companies</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Approximate Month and Year of Formation</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>State of Formation</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Pro Network LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2013</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>New Jersey</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Netech Solutions LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>November 2016</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Target Network Solutions LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>January 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Easy Network LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>April 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>New Jersey</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>ACE NETUS LLC (aka Ace Network)</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>April 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>New Jersey</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>My Network Dealer LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>April 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>New Jersey</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>1701 Doral LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>May 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>New Jersey</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Maytech Trading LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>NFD Trading LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>September 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Kenet Solutions LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>September 2017</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Team Tech Global LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>January 2018</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>New Jersey</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Tenek Trading LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>January 2018</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>The Network Gears LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>February 2018</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>All Networking Solutions LLC (aka All Network)</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>April 2018</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>San Network LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>October 2018</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Pro Network US Inc.</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>January 2019</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Jms Tek LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2019</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Renewed Equipment LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2021</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Pro Ship US LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2021</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Florida</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Pro Network Amazon Storefronts</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Approximate Date of Earliest </p>
<p>Known Activity</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Albus Trade Hub</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>January 2014</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>EasyNetworkUS</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>March 2014</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Get Better Trade</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>July 2015</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Mercadeal</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>February 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Netech Solutions</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>February 2018</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Netkco LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>September 2014</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>NFD Trading LLC</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>January 2018</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Palm Network Solutions</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>June 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Renewed Equip</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Servtaur</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2019</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Smart Network</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>July 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>SOS Tech Trade</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Target-Solutions</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>September 2020</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>TeamTech Global</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>March 2016</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>TradeOrigin US</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>August 2015</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Pro Network eBay Storefronts</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Approximate Date of Earliest </p>
<p>Known Activity</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>connectwus</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>March 2014</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>futuretechneeds</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>July 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>getbettertrade</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>July 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>getontrade</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>April 2016</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>maytechtradingllc</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>October 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>netechsolutions</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>April 2017</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>netkco</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>September 2014</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>nfdtrading</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>February 2018</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>smartnetworkusa</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>January 2014</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>tenektradingllc</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>May 2018</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> Topic(s): CybercrimeFinancial FraudComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/criminal/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal Division</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal &#8211; Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; New Jersey</a>Press Release Number: 23-629 </p>
<p> Updated June 6, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/ceo-dozens-companies-pleads-guilty-massive-scheme-traffic-fraudulent-and-counterfeit-cisco>Original Article</a></p>

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen Delivers Remarks at Second Annual Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Forum
<p>Good morning. Thank you all for joining us for the second meeting on the Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Forum. It is great to be here with so many distinguished colleagues to discuss these important issues.</p>
<p>I’ll add that I am especially pleased to be here in Oslo, as an Olsen, and someone who takes a lot of pride in my Norwegian heritage. For me, Oslo is a special place. It is also a place that has been touched by the violence and destruction of domestic violent extremism. So, it is poignant to be here working on this important challenge, with all of you.</p>
<p>Last May, we gathered in Berlin, for our inaugural meeting. I departed the forum daunted by the scale of the problem, but heartened to see the partnership of so many likeminded countries.</p>
<p>I returned to D.C. from Berlin on a Thursday. Two days later, on Saturday afternoon, I received the first alerts from the FBI that there was an active shooter in Buffalo, New York. What we would come to learn over the next hours and days was that an individual espousing white supremacist ideology took a semiautomatic weapon into a grocery store and murdered 10 people.</p>
<p>This tragedy in Buffalo – just over one year ago – is part of an alarming trend.</p>
<p>Over the last few years, our country has seen the threat posed by domestic terrorism and hate crimes increase. At the end of 2019, the FBI had approximately 1,000 domestic terrorism investigations; by the end of 2020 that number increased to 1,400 investigations. In 2021, the number of FBI investigations grew to 2,700, more than doubling from the prior year.</p>
<p>In particular, we face an increasing threat from racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist groups, including white supremacists and anti-government groups.</p>
<p>In the United States, the most significant domestic terrorism threat is posed by lone actors or small cells, who are often motivated by a mix of socio-political, ideological, and personal grievances. These individuals pose serious challenges for law enforcement for several reasons.</p>
<p>First, because of the insular and often rapid nature of their radicalization – which often occurs online – and then mobilization to violence, there are fewer opportunities to detect and disrupt plots before they occur. Second, once mobilized to violence, domestic terrorists often choose soft targets such as houses of worship, retail locations and mass public gatherings. These targets, by their nature, are very difficult to defend.</p>
<p>Third, in the United States, these actors have access to easily available, extremely powerful weapons. The simple truth is that the ability of violent extremists to acquire military-grade weapons in our country contributes to their ability to kill and inflict harm on a massive scale. A recent article in The Washington Post noted that about a shocking number of Americans – one in 20 adults, or roughly 16 million people – own at least one AR-15 assault rifle.</p>
<p>We know from experience that these factors, when combined, can be a deadly combination. And this poses a daunting challenge to our law enforcement and security agencies.</p>
<p>I recognize that I have just painted a pretty bleak picture. So let me turn to what we are doing about it at the U.S. Department of Justice.</p>
<p>The investigation and prosecution of domestic violent extremists (DVE) is one of our highest priorities. Last year, I established a new Domestic Terrorism (DT) Unit within the National Security Division, which I lead. This cadre of experienced prosecutors works to ensure that domestic terrorism cases are appropriately supervised and supported across the United States. The unit also provides guidance and training to investigators and prosecutors around the country on how to navigate the challenges in this area.</p>
<p>We have streamlined and centralized how DVE-related cases in prosecutor offices around the country are managed to increase our involvement and oversight. The department has also improved how we track domestic terrorism information and reporting. Those efforts have been key to developing a consistent approach driven by threat intelligence.</p>
<p>The DT Unit also coordinates closely with other components of the Justice Department to ensure we are using all of the tools in our arsenal to prevent, disrupt, and prosecute acts of domestic terrorism.</p>
<p>We have learned that, when it comes to racially and ethnically motivated domestic terrorism – which includes some of the most significant attacks we’ve seen – some of our most powerful tools are federal hate crime statutes, which are handled by our Civil Rights Division. Those laws often carry higher penalties and can sometimes be a better match to the offence.</p>
<p>The Buffalo attack, which I mentioned earlier, is a good example of that. The Department of Justice is prosecuting the perpetrator of that attack as a hate crime and as an act of racially-motivated violent extremism.</p>
<p>This reflects a core aspect of our approach – which is that we are one team. And we need to work together to bring the full range of our tools to bear, including legal authorities that we haven’t traditionally thought of as terrorism authorities. These acts of violence not only terrorize the individual victims, they harm entire communities. We are committed to delivering justice and accountability, however we can.</p>
<p>Our focus on domestic violent extremism also comes in the wake of the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol. That was a singular event in American history and a wake-up call about the threat that domestic violent extremism poses to our fundamental democracy.</p>
<p>The January 6 investigation is the largest in the history of the Justice Department. We have arrested and charged more than 1,000 individuals who took part in the Capitol assault. Nearly 500 people have pled guilty or been convicted at trial.</p>
<p>We have brought serious charges, including seditious conspiracy against numerous defendants – members of extremist groups who plotted to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power in our country. Two weeks ago, the leader of the Oath Keepers, Stewart Rhodes, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in seditious conspiracy. The federal judge who handed down the sentence included an enhancement for terrorism and said that Rhodes presented “an ongoing threat and a peril to this country, to the republic and the very fabric of our democracy.”</p>
<p>We believe our success in this case serves as a stark warning to those who would seek to violently attack our government and our democracy. It makes clear our determination that the rule of law will prevail.</p>
<p>It is important to be clear, the Department of Justice investigates violent extremists for their criminal acts and not for their beliefs or based on their associations, and regardless of ideology. In the United States, upholding our core values means respecting First Amendment rights and safeguarding the exercise of protected speech, peaceful protests, and political activity. We hold those rights sacred.</p>
<p>But when individuals or groups of individuals try to promote or impose an ideology through acts or threats of violence, those can be among the most dangerous crimes we confront as a society. When violent extremists seek to hurt others in the name of ideology – any ideology – we will use every tool we have to deter and disrupt plots, to keep people safe and to bring perpetrators to justice.</p>
<p>I’ve just spoken about what we are doing at the Justice Department to combat violent extremism. But we know we cannot do it alone. We are one part of a whole-of-government strategy to combat domestic terrorism. International law enforcement partnerships are also critical.</p>
<p>We have to be united in confronting domestic extremism within our countries. Collaboration and information sharing is essential to understanding and countering the threats that terrorist and violent extremist groups pose.</p>
<p>International partnerships are especially important where we observe transnational linkages in domestic violent extremism. We have seen some U.S.-based supporters of domestic terrorism attempt to establish links with likeminded foreign individuals and organizations. In some cases, U.S.-based domestic terrorists have traveled overseas to link up with counterparts who espouse the same beliefs.</p>
<p>These trends are one reason why international forums like this are so valuable. This is an opportunity to hear from foreign partners about the violent extremist groups and networks that are most concerning; where transnational linkages exist; how these actors are raising and moving funds; how groups are recruiting and training new members; how they are communicating and spreading their messages and propaganda; and the sources and drivers of radicalization to violence.</p>
<p>We hope the sessions over the next two days are the beginning of many conversations to come, as we work together to strengthen our partnerships and to keep our communities safe.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p> Speaker: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/nsd/staff-profile/assistant-attorney-general-matthew-g-olsen" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General</a>Topic(s): Domestic TerrorismNational SecurityComponent(s): <a href="https://www.justice.gov/nsd" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">National Security Division (NSD)</a> </p>
<p> Updated June 7, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/assistant-attorney-general-matthew-g-olsen-delivers-remarks-second-annual>Original Article</a></p>

New Jersey Man Found Guilty of Tax Evasion
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Tuesday, June 6, 2023<br />
 New Jersey Man Found Guilty of Tax Evasion</p>
<h2>Did Not Pay Taxes or File Returns Despite Earning Nearly $1.5 Million</h2>
<p>A federal jury convicted a New Jersey man today of tax evasion and failing to file personal income tax returns.</p>
<p>According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jonathan D. Michael of Springfield, New Jersey, worked as a mechanic in the crane shop at the Port Newark Container Terminal. For the years 2014 through 2018, Michael provided his employer with an Employee’s Withholding Certificate (Form W-4) that falsely claimed he was exempt from any federal income tax withholding. During the same five-year period, Michael did not file personal income tax returns even though he earned approximately $1.5 million in wages, resulting in a tax loss to the IRS of over $375,000.</p>
<p>Michael is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 23, 2023, and faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison for tax evasion and one year in prison for each count of willful failure to file a tax return. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.</p>
<p>Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey made the announcement.</p>
<p>IRS-Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.</p>
<p>Trial Attorney Michael C. Vasiliadis of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Feldman Nikic of the District of New Jersey are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p> Topic(s): TaxComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/tax/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Tax Division</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; New Jersey</a>Press Release Number: 634 </p>
<p> Updated June 6, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/new-jersey-man-found-guilty-tax-evasion>Original Article</a></p>

Jury Convicts Federal Correctional Officer for Sexual Abuse of Two Female Inmates
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Tuesday, June 6, 2023<br />
 Jury Convicts Federal Correctional Officer for Sexual Abuse of Two Female Inmates</p>
<p>A federal jury convicted a federal correctional officer of five counts involving sexually abusive conduct against two female victims who were serving prison sentences. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers presided over the trial.</p>
<p>John Bellhouse, 40, formerly of Pleasanton, California, was initially charged with sexual abuse of an inmate on Feb. 17, 2022. A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on Sept. 29, 2022, charging Bellhouse with two counts of sexual abuse and three counts of abusive sexual contact. The charges involved conduct that was alleged to have occurred against two female inmates from December 2019 to December 2020. On Monday, a jury convicted Bellhouse of all counts. </p>
<p>“Correctional Officer Bellhouse committed an egregious breach of trust by using the cover of the BOP facility’s Safety Office to sexually abuse individuals in his custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “This guilty verdict is yet another warning that any Bureau employee who abuses their authority will be held accountable. The Department of Justice is committed to rooting out sexual assault within the BOP and continuing to prioritize cases involving sexual abuse of individuals in BOP custody.”</p>
<p>“The heinous crimes in this case destroyed the sense of safety and security every human being is entitled to,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “While he was a federal corrections officer, the defendant sexually abused two victims in his care over the course of a year, an unimaginable violation of the most basic human rights. Today’s conviction demonstrates that the FBI remains unyielding in our protection of all people no matter where the crime occurs or who commits it.”</p>
<p>“Bellhouse violated vulnerable women under his custody and care, and a jury held him accountable for these despicable acts. Four other FCI Dublin employees, including the former Warden and Chaplain, have been convicted of sexually abusing inmates. Our investigation of sexual abuse at FCI Dublin remains ongoing, and we will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims of sexual abuse at the hands of BOP employees,” said Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz.</p>
<p>“As an officer in a federal correctional facility, Bellhouse had an obligation to ensure the safety of all the persons serving their sentences,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “Instead, Bellhouse used the power entrusted to him to serve his own corrupt purposes. The sexual abuse of inmates will not be tolerated, and Bellhouse will now face the consequences for committing his despicable crimes.”</p>
<p>Bellhouse was employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institute in Dublin, California (FCI Dublin), an all-female low security federal correctional institution. Trial evidence showed that Bellhouse sexually abused and committed abusive sexual contact against a victim beginning December 2019 through October 2020. The victim was incarcerated and serving a prison sentence at FCI Dublin under Bellhouse’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority. The trial evidence demonstrated Bellhouse engaged in oral sex with the victim in the prison Safety Warehouse and Safety Office and that Bellhouse touched the victim’s vagina and breasts in the prison Safety Office. </p>
<p>The trial evidence also demonstrated Bellhouse committed abusive sexual contact against a second victim between October and December of 2020. Trial evidence showed that the acts occurred in the Safety Office at the FCI Dublin Camp.</p>
<p>Bellhouse was convicted of two counts of sexual abuse of a ward and three counts of abusive sexual conduct. Each count of sexual abuse carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison. Each count of abusive sexual conduct carries a maximum term of two years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.</p>
<p>Judge Gonzalez Rogers scheduled Bellhouse’s sentencing hearing for Aug. 30. Bellhouse remains out of custody pending his sentencing.</p>
<p>The DOJ OIG and FBI investigated the case.</p>
<p>Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly Priedeman and Andrew Paulson for the Northern District of California are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Madeline Wachs, Sara Slattery, and Leeya Kekona.</p>
<p> Component(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/dag/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Office of the Deputy Attorney General</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; California, Northern</a>Press Release Number: 23-633 </p>
<p> Updated June 6, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/jury-convicts-federal-correctional-officer-sexual-abuse-two-female-inmates>Original Article</a></p>

Pharmacist Sentenced for $1M Prescription Drug Fraud Scheme
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Tuesday, June 6, 2023<br />
 Pharmacist Sentenced for $1M Prescription Drug Fraud Scheme</p>
<p>A Virginia man was sentenced today to two years in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud Medicare of over $1 million in prescription drug benefits.</p>
<p>According to court documents, Ronald A. Beasley II, 33, of Portsmouth, was the pharmacist in charge at NH Pharma, a pharmacy located in Lake Mary, Florida. Through NH Pharma, Beasley and his co-conspirators billed Medicare for expensive compound drug creams that they never actually purchased or dispensed, instead providing Medicare patients an inexpensive compound drug cream that Medicare did not cover. In fact, NH Pharma did not buy enough of the expensive prescription drugs to fill all the prescriptions NH Pharma billed to Medicare. In total, Beasley and his co-conspirators received more than $1 million in fraudulent Medicare proceeds.</p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division; Special Agent in Charge David Walker of the FBI Tampa Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Miami Regional Office made the announcement.</p>
<p>The FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.</p>
<p>Trial Attorneys Reginald Cuyler Jr. and Darren C. Halverson of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.</p>
<p>The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, comprised of 15 strike forces operating in 25 federal districts, has charged more than 5,000 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $24 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare &; Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at <a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit</a>.</p>
<p> Topic(s): Prescription DrugsFinancial FraudComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/criminal/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal Division</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal &#8211; Criminal Fraud Section</a><a href="http://www.fbi.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)</a>Press Release Number: 23-632 </p>
<p> Updated June 6, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/pharmacist-sentenced-1m-prescription-drug-fraud-scheme>Original Article</a></p>

Readout of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s Trip to Mississippi
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Monday, June 5, 2023<br />
 Readout of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke’s Trip to Mississippi</p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division traveled to Lexington, Jackson, Indianola, and Clarksdale, Mississippi, on June 1 and June 2 to continue the division’s tour to engage with stakeholders in underserved communities and reaffirm the department’s commitment to protecting the civil rights of all Americans.</p>
<p>On Thursday, Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca for the Southern District of Mississippi met with community leaders and stakeholders in Lexington at the Holmes County Circuit Court Complex. Holmes County is ranked as one of the poorest counties in the nation. In her remarks, Assistant Attorney General Clarke discussed the Justice Department’s commitment to address civil rights issues, including enforcing federal school desegregation orders, addressing jail and prison conditions and prosecuting hate crimes. The meeting focused on civil rights issues, like law enforcement accountability.</p>
<p>In the afternoon, Assistant Attorney General Clarke met with staff of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi. She thanked the office’s leadership and staff for their service and commitment to protecting civil rights. After the meeting, she toured the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. </p>
<p>In the evening, Assistant Attorney General Clarke participated in a community conversation at Jackson State University that was opened by NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson. The Mississippi Center for Justice’s President and CEO Vangela Wade moderated a conversation with Assistant Attorney General Clarke, who discussed her career as a civil rights attorney and the department’s efforts to protect the right to vote and to achieve economic justice, among others After the moderated discussion, local stakeholders raised concerns about local civil rights issues, including law enforcement accountability.</p>
<p>On Friday, Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner for the Northern District of Mississippi traveled to Indianola. There, she toured Lockard Elementary School, a majority-Black public school, and visited Indianola Academy, a majority-white charter school, with State Representative Otis Anthony. The school tours were followed by a community meeting at the Mississippi Center for Justice’s Indianola office. During the meeting, community leaders and educators discussed efforts to advance equitable educational experiences throughout the state.</p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Clarke ended the day at the Clarksdale City Hall for a community meeting with Mayor Chuck Espy, U.S. Attorney Joyner and local stakeholders. She reiterated the Justice Department’s commitment to work with state and local partners to address civil rights and racial equity issues.</p>
<p>In the upcoming weeks, Assistant Attorney General Clarke will travel to South Carolina to meet with stakeholders in underserved communities.</p>
<p> <img title="Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney LaMarca speak to community members in Lexington." alt="Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney LaMarca speak to community members in Lexington." src="https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/styles/width_6/public/press-releases/images/2023/06/05/20230605-crt-05_0.jpg?itok=Yz0o0wZF"/></p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S. Attorney LaMarca speak to community members in Lexington.</p>
<p> <img title="Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S Attorney LaMarca with the staff for the Southern District of Mississippi." alt="Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S Attorney LaMarca with the staff for the Southern District of Mississippi." src="https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/styles/width_6/public/press-releases/images/2023/06/05/20230605-crt-04_0.jpg?itok=SS_a2ll7"/></p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Clarke and U.S Attorney LaMarca with the staff for the Southern District of Mississippi.</p>
<p> <img title="Assistant Attorney General Clarke at the Mississippi Center for Justice." alt="Assistant Attorney General Clarke at the Mississippi Center for Justice." src="https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/styles/width_6/public/press-releases/images/2023/06/05/20230605-crt-03_0.jpg?itok=FY0slyQi"/></p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Clarke at the Mississippi Center for Justice.</p>
<p> <img title="Assistant Attorney General Clarke and Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy." alt="Assistant Attorney General Clarke and Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy." src="https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/styles/width_5/public/press-releases/images/2023/06/05/20230605-crt-02_0.jpg?itok=0sTc7nxf"/></p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Clarke and Clarksdale Mayor Chuck Espy.</p>
<p> <img title="Assistant Attorney General Clarke at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum" alt="Assistant Attorney General Clarke at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum" src="https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/styles/width_5/public/press-releases/images/2023/06/05/20230605-crt-01_0.jpg?itok=jxmTffKm"/></p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Clarke at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum</p>
<p> Topic(s): Civil RightsComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/crt/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Civil Rights Division</a>Press Release Number: 23-629 </p>
<p> Updated June 5, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/readout-assistant-attorney-general-kristen-clarke-s-trip-mississippi>Original Article</a></p>

Canadian Company Pleads Guilty to Illegally Selling Harp Seal Oil in the United States
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Monday, June 5, 2023<br />
 Canadian Company Pleads Guilty to Illegally Selling Harp Seal Oil in the United States</p>
<p>FeelGood Natural Health Stores Ltd. (FeelGood) pleaded guilty today to one count of violating the Lacey Act by knowingly transporting and selling harp seal oil capsules in violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The MMPA makes it unlawful to transport or sell any marine mammal, including harp seals, or products thereof, for any purpose other than public display, scientific research, or enhancing the survival of a species or stock.</p>
<p>According to the plea agreement, FeelGood is a Canadian corporation located in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. Between at least April 2019 and May 2021, FeelGood offered harp seal oil capsules for sale in the United States on both its own webpage and a third-party platform. It did so even though its website on the third-party platform acknowledged, “NOT ship to USA,” and though FeelGood received a notice that some shipments had been seized by the federal government for violation of the MMPA. Nevertheless, FeelGood shipped at least 936 bottles of capsules valued at over $10,000. FeelGood either shipped purchased items directly from Canada to the customer in the United States (in some instances a covert U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent) or shipped the items from or through fulfillment centers run by a third party in the United States. </p>
<p>“Our wildlife laws were passed to ensure the continued existence and enjoyment of these natural resources for future generations,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “Those who deliberately exploit marine mammals for commercial purposes in U.S. markets in violation of our wildlife laws will be criminally prosecuted.”</p>
<p>“This office takes the security of our borders very seriously. The illegal importation of marine mammal products not only violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act but also jeopardizes the safety of protected species such as harp seals,” said U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison for the Eastern District of Michigan.</p>
<p>FeelGood faces a maximum sentence of a fine of $500,000 and five years’ probation. Pursuant to the plea agreement the parties agree to recommend a fine of $20,000 and three years’ probation during which FeelGood must create and implement a compliance plan, train its employees, obtain any necessary licenses, and cooperate fully with the government. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 28.</p>
<p>The Lacey Act prohibits trafficking in fish and wildlife, or plants taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of underlying federal, state, foreign or Indian Tribal law. The Lacey Act also prohibits making or submitting a false label, record, or account of fish, wildlife, or plant that has been or is intended to be transported in interstate or foreign commence. </p>
<p>The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement investigated the case.</p>
<p>The Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan prosecuted the case.</p>
<p> Topic(s): EnvironmentWildlifeComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/enrd/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Environment and Natural Resources Division</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; Michigan, Eastern</a>Press Release Number: 23-628 </p>
<p> Updated June 5, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/canadian-company-pleads-guilty-illegally-selling-harp-seal-oil-united-states>Original Article</a></p>

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta Delivers Remarks at the Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing
<p><strong><em>Remarks as Delivered</em></strong></p>
<p>Thank you, Director Clements, for your tremendous leadership and a huge thanks to the COPS Office staff for all their work on this awards program and today’s ceremony. It is my honor to welcome our honorees, your families and all our distinguished guests to this ceremony and to the Justice Department.</p>
<p>Everyday law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe. The public expects this and too often takes it for granted. Today’s award ceremony allows us to take a moment to show appreciation for this immense public service. The Justice Department is proud to celebrate the individuals being recognized today. I have read your stories and know that you epitomize community policing at its best.</p>
<p>Community policing advances community safety by building trust, respect, and collaboration between police and communities. It’s a model of policing that respects civil rights and engages the community as a full partner in creating safer communities for police and residents alike.</p>
<p>The Justice Department knows that as we uplift policing, we must also invest in officer wellness programs. We have to support effective strategies for recruitment and retention, and we must build community-police trust.</p>
<p>Today’s awardees demonstrate problem-solving skills, a willingness to find and engage in innovative community-policing strategies, and above all, a commitment to the communities and people you serve. We received nominations not only from proud supervisors, but also from professional peers and others impacted by your work.</p>
<p>As Director Clements noted, we received hundreds of nominations from across the country, and we went through several stages of review to get to today’s honorees.</p>
<p>We started with a panel consisting of representatives from 10 leading law enforcement associations, some of whom are represented today in this room:</p>
<ul>
<li>International Association of Chiefs of Police</li>
<li>Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies</li>
<li>Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)</li>
<li>Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association</li>
<li>Major Cities Chiefs Association</li>
<li>Major County Sheriffs of America</li>
<li>National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives</li>
<li>National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives</li>
<li>National Sheriffs Association; and</li>
<li>Police Executive Research Forum</li>
</ul>
<p>Following that, there was a federal review panel consisting of executives from several Department of Justice components. And then finally, selection and approval by the Attorney General himself.</p>
<p>I hope that today’s honorees know just how much everyone here appreciates and deeply values your contributions to building trust and strengthening police-community relationships. It’s the backbone of safe and healthy communities.</p>
<p>And now, it is my great honor to introduce the Attorney General of the United States, Merrick Garland. I will not attempt to sum up the Attorney General’s entire distinguished career. We don’t want to take up two hours of time on that. But as many of you know, prior to his nomination by President Biden and confirmation as Attorney General in March of 2021, the Attorney General was Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. And before his time on the bench, he spent much of his career here, in the Justice Department, serving under five different Attorneys General in a variety roles, including as a prosecutor overseeing the Oklahoma City bombing, Unabomber and Montana Freemen cases.</p>
<p>As Attorney General, he has set out three coequal priorities for each of us at the Justice Department: upholding the rule of law, keeping this country safe and protecting civil rights. And in carrying out each of these priorities, in his daily work and during visits at U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and with our state and local law enforcement partners across the country, I have seen firsthand the Attorney General’s immense partnership and championing of law enforcement and community policing. And I am honored every day to serve with him.</p>
<p>And so, without further ado, it is my great pleasure to introduce the Attorney General.</p>
<p> Speaker: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/asg/staff-profile/meet-associate-attorney-general" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General</a>Component(s): <a href="https://cops.usdoj.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/asg/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Office of the Associate Attorney General</a> </p>
<p> Updated June 5, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/associate-attorney-general-vanita-gupta-delivers-remarks-sixth-annual-attorney-general-s>Original Article</a></p>

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing
<p><strong><em>Remarks as Delivered</em></strong></p>
<p>Thank you, Vanita for that overly generous introduction. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us for the sixth annual Attorney General’s Awards for Distinguished Service in Community Policing.</p>
<p>Can we have another round of applause to the students from McKinley Technology High School and Justice Department’s own Rhea Walker for starting this ceremony on such a lovely note?</p>
<p>I want to thank Director Clements and his entire team at the COPS Office for making today’s ceremony possible. And for the work they do every day to advance community policing.</p>
<p>The Associate Attorney General mentioned my long career at the Justice Department. I was here at the founding of the COPS Office, so I have an extra stake in this particular set of awards.</p>
<p>Today we are awarding 19 outstanding officers with the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. </p>
<p>These awards acknowledge their exceptional work in criminal investigations, field operations, and innovative community policing strategies.</p>
<p>It is an honor to be here as we recognize these extraordinary individuals.</p>
<p>At the Justice Department, as the Associate Attorney General said, our mission is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights. </p>
<p>But we do not – and we cannot – do this work alone. </p>
<p>Every day, law enforcement officers across the country work to protect their communities. </p>
<p>They forge and maintain strong community ties that are essential to ensuring public safety. </p>
<p>And they put their lives on the line to make their communities better places to live.</p>
<p>State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies are some of the Department’s most important partners in our efforts to keep our country safe.</p>
<p>We know that you shoulder the heaviest burden when it comes to protecting your communities.</p>
<p>And we are proud to stand next to you and to work alongside you.</p>
<p>It is a special honor to recognize officers like today’s awardees, who represent the very best of this noble work.</p>
<p>You led complex investigations and pursued justice on behalf of victims who can no longer advocate for themselves.</p>
<p>You collaborated with your law enforcement partners across government to get illegal guns and drugs off the streets.</p>
<p>You deescalated dangerous situations and prevented them from ending in tragedy.</p>
<p>You created programs for under-served youth and older adults. And even in the midst of the pandemic, you found ways to connect with your communities.</p>
<p>You are true public servants. You are heroes. </p>
<p>Thank you from the bottom of my heart.</p>
<p>I also am grateful to our awardees’ family members and loved ones, many of whom are with us today. Thank you for supporting these officers as they have pursued their careers in public safety.</p>
<p>At the end of the shift, you are there.</p>
<p>You are there through long hours and late nights.</p>
<p>You are there to support your loved ones as they bear the weight of the stress and the trauma that these jobs can inflict.</p>
<p>And you are there despite the sacrifices these jobs require of both the officers and their families. It is your care and encouragement that makes their service possible. Thank you.</p>
<p>Law enforcement is an indispensable profession.</p>
<p>At the Justice Department, we know it is also a difficult one.</p>
<p>Every day, law enforcement officers are asked to respond to some of the most difficult, most traumatic moments that our communities face.</p>
<p>You are asked to be on the frontlines of combatting violent crime. You are also asked to serve as first responders to some of our most entrenched social problems.</p>
<p>You confront devastating and dangerous situations. You witness horrible tragedies.</p>
<p>You endure extraordinary violence and threats of violence directed at you.</p>
<p>You do all of this as your offices continue to struggle with a crisis in recruitment and retention – increasing the already heavy load on those who serve.</p>
<p>And you did all of this during a global pandemic that strained your offices nationwide and made your jobs even harder.</p>
<p>At the United States Department of Justice, we are committed to doing everything in our power to support you. And to give back to the officers who have given so much to this country.</p>
<p>This year, the Department is seeking $2.7 billion for our COPS Office Hiring Program.</p>
<p>This funding will enable us to help our state and local law enforcement partners hire more full-time law enforcement professionals.</p>
<p>We are also investing in programs that support officer safety, health, and wellness; in incentives to improve recruitment and retention; and in initiatives that help law enforcement build trust between police and the communities they serve.</p>
<p>We are doing this because we know that when our officers are healthy and safe, our communities are, too.</p>
<p>Again, to every officer here today and to our honorees in particular: Thank you for all that you have done for our communities.</p>
<p>And thank you for all that you will continue to do.</p>
<p>The Justice Department, and our country, are grateful to you.</p>
<p> Speaker: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/staff-profile/meet-attorney-general" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Attorney General Merrick B. Garland</a>Component(s): <a href="https://cops.usdoj.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/ag/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Office of the Attorney General</a> </p>
<p> Updated June 5, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivers-remarks-sixth-annual-attorney-general-s-award>Original Article</a></p>

Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers in Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Monday, June 5, 2023<br />
 Justice Department Honors Law Enforcement Officers in Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing</p>
<p>Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the recipients of the Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing, recognizing the exceptional work of 19 law enforcement officers and deputies from 15 jurisdictions across the country.</p>
<p>The Attorney General’s Award recognizes individual state, local, and Tribal sworn rank-and-file officers, deputies, and troopers for exceptional efforts in community policing. The awarded individuals have demonstrated active engagement with the community in one of three areas: criminal investigations, field operations, or innovations in community policing. This year, the Department received nominations for almost 200 individual officers, deputies, and troopers. Nominations came from 49 states, representing state, local, campus, sheriff, and other agency types.</p>
<p>“Every day, law enforcement officers across the country are asked to respond to some of the most difficult, most dangerous, and most traumatic moments that our communities face,” said Attorney General Garland. “Today’s awardees exemplify the very best of the noble profession of policing.”</p>
<p>The work being honored this year ranges from individuals who created and run creative programs geared to marginalized youth and senior citizens; officers whose diligent and dedicated efforts solved cold cases after many years; and law enforcement who peacefully resolved situations that could have resulted in great harm to others, were it not for their heroic efforts.</p>
<p>The Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing is made possible through the Department’s work with national law enforcement stakeholder groups, who play a vital role in the review process. The various components throughout the Department also play a critical role, providing the review process with a depth of knowledge and experience that is inherent across the Department. The result is this annual awards program, which allows the Department to highlight a group of officers whose commitment to their communities is obvious through their exceptional efforts. </p>
<p>A list of award winners can be found <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1586306/download" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>. Complete information on the Sixth Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing can be found <a href="https://www.justice.gov/ag/policing-award#recipients" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p> Attachment(s): <img title="application/pdf" src="https://www.justice.gov/modules/file/icons/application-pdf.png"/> <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1586306/download" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Download AG Award Program.pdf</a>Component(s): <a href="https://cops.usdoj.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS)</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/asg/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Office of the Associate Attorney General</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/ag/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Office of the Attorney General</a>Press Release Number: 23-627 </p>
<p> Updated June 5, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-honors-law-enforcement-officers-sixth-annual-attorney-general-s-award>Original Article</a></p>

Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking Minors in the Philippines
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Friday, June 2, 2023<br />
 Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking Minors in the Philippines</p>
<p>A Wisconsin man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for sex trafficking multiple minors in the Philippines.</p>
<p>According to court documents, Donald A. Stenson, 67, of West Allis, traveled to the Philippines on multiple occasions starting in 2007 and repeatedly engaged in sexual activity with minors there. Between 2016 and 2019, Stenson lured five minor victims between the ages of approximately 11 and 17 into commercial sex arrangements, engaging in sexual activity with the victims and then providing them with money and gifts.</p>
<p>A search of Stenson’s electronic devices uncovered multiple images and videos of the minor victims, including a video depicting Stenson engaging in sex acts with a minor. The search also uncovered sexually explicit messages with minors and messages in which Stenson discussed engaging in sex acts with the minor victims with John Burgdorff, 66, of West Allis. Burgdorff traveled with Stenson to the Philippines, and Stenson encouraged the victims to meet with Burgdorff, who then also engaged them in commercial sexual activity.</p>
<p>Stenson was identified based on a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Stenson and Burgdorff were both arrested at Burgdorff’s residence in West Allis and charged as co-defendants in connection with their sex trafficking of these minor victims. Burgdorff was sentenced in November 2022 to two and a half years in prison for engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in a foreign place.</p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago made the announcement.</p>
<p>HSI Milwaukee, HSI’s Manila Transnational Criminal Investigation Unit, HSI Bangkok, and Philippine authorities investigated the case.</p>
<p>Trial Attorney William G. Clayman of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan J. Paulson and Abbey M. Marzick for the Eastern District of Wisconsin prosecuted the case, with assistance from CEOS Trial Attorney Kaylynn Foulon. </p>
<p>This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit <a href="https://www.justice.gov/psc" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/psc</a>.</p>
<p> Topic(s): Project Safe ChildhoodComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/criminal/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal Division</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal &#8211; Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-edwi" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; Wisconsin, Eastern</a>Press Release Number: 23-625 </p>
<p> Updated June 2, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/man-sentenced-sex-trafficking-minors-philippines>Original Article</a></p>

Four Additional Oath Keepers Sentenced for Seditious Conspiracy Related to U.S. Capitol Breach
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Friday, June 2, 2023<br />
 Four Additional Oath Keepers Sentenced for Seditious Conspiracy Related to U.S. Capitol Breach</p>
<p>Four members of the Oath Keepers were sentenced this week on seditious conspiracy and other charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.</p>
<p>Roberto Minuta, 39, of Prosper, Texas, was sentenced June 1 to 54 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release.</p>
<p>Edward Vallejo, 64, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced on June 1 to 36 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release, including the first 12 months to be served on home confinement.</p>
<p>David Moerschel, 45, of Punta Gorda, Florida, was sentenced on June 2 to 36 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release.</p>
<p>Joseph Hackett, 53, of Sarasota, Florida, was sentenced on June 2 to 42 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised release.</p>
<p>The four defendants were found guilty of seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to prevent Members of Congress from discharging their official duties on Jan. 23, following a seven-week trial. Hackett was also found guilty of destruction of evidence.</p>
<p>According to the evidence, in the months leading up to Jan. 6, the defendants and their co-conspirators plotted to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, including by amassing an armed “quick reaction force” on the outskirts of the District of Columbia. Beginning in late December 2020, via encrypted and private communications applications, the defendants and various co-conspirators coordinated and planned to travel to Washington, D.C., on or around Jan. 6, 2021, the date of the certification of the electoral college vote. The defendants made plans to bring weapons to the area to support the operation. The co-conspirators then traveled across the country to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in early January 2021, with paramilitary gear and supplies including firearms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, and radio equipment.</p>
<p>The defendants conspired through a variety of manners and means, including: organizing into teams that were prepared and willing to use force and to transport firearms and ammunition into Washington, D.C.; recruiting members and affiliates to participate in the conspiracy; organizing trainings to teach and learn paramilitary combat tactics; bringing and contributing paramilitary gear, weapons, and supplies – including knives, camouflaged combat uniforms, tactical vests with plates, helmets, eye protection and radio equipment – to the Capitol grounds; breaching and attempting to take control of the Capitol grounds and building on Jan. 6, 2021, in an effort to prevent, hinder and delay the certification of the electoral college vote; using force against law enforcement officers while inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021; continuing to plot, after Jan. 6, 2021, to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power and using websites, social media, text messaging and encrypted messaging applications to communicate with co-conspirators and others.</p>
<p>The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s National Security and Criminal Divisions. Valuable assistance was provided by numerous U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country.</p>
<p>The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, as well as the Metropolitan Police Department, with significant assistance provided by the FBI’s New York, Dallas, Tampa and Phoenix Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the U.S. Secret Service.</p>
<p>In the 28 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,000 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 320 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. </p>
<p>Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.</p>
<p> Topic(s): National SecurityComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/criminal/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal Division</a><a href="http://www.fbi.gov/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/nsd" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">National Security Division (NSD)</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-dc" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; District of Columbia</a>Press Release Number: 23-626 </p>
<p> Updated June 2, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/four-additional-oath-keepers-sentenced-seditious-conspiracy-related-us-capitol-breach>Original Article</a></p>

Owner of Several Key West Hospitality Staffing Companies Sentenced for Tax and Immigration Crimes
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Friday, June 2, 2023<br />
 Owner of Several Key West Hospitality Staffing Companies Sentenced for Tax and Immigration Crimes</p>
<p>A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to two years and eight months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States and conspiring to harbor aliens and induce them to remain in the United States.</p>
<p>According to court documents and statements made in court, between November 2010 and October 2020, Batyr Myatiev owned and operated several Key West labor staffing companies, including Best Results Total Services, Inc, Ameri Hosp LLC, and Golden Sands Management, LLC, that facilitated the employment of non-resident aliens in hotels, bars, and restaurants operating in Key West and elsewhere who were not authorized to work in the United States. Myatiev encouraged workers to enter the United States illegally and induced them to remain in the country, in violation of immigration laws. Myatiev’s labor staffing companies paid alien workers without withholding federal income and employment taxes from their wages and did not report said wages to the IRS.</p>
<p>In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore ordered Myatiev to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $6,869,869.80 in restitution to the United States.</p>
<p>Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida made the announcement.</p>
<p>IRS-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.</p>
<p>Senior Litigation Counsel Sean Beaty and Trial Attorneys Jessica A. Kraft, Nicholas J. Schilling, Jr., Matthew C. Hicks, and Wilson Stamm of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Senior Litigation Counsel Chris Clark for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.</p>
<p> Topic(s): TaxComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/tax/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Tax Division</a><a href="http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">USAO &#8211; Florida, Southern</a>Press Release Number: 23-624 </p>
<p> Updated June 2, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-several-key-west-hospitality-staffing-companies-sentenced-tax-and-immigration-crimes>Original Article</a></p>

Physician Sentenced for Stealing Approximately $250K from COVID-19 Relief Programs
<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />
 Thursday, June 1, 2023<br />
 Physician Sentenced for Stealing Approximately $250K from COVID-19 Relief Programs</p>
<p>A Colorado physician was sentenced today to two and a half years in prison for fraudulently obtaining and misappropriating approximately $250,000 from two separate COVID-19 relief programs.</p>
<p>According to court documents, Dr. Francis F. Joseph, 58, of Highlands Ranch, was the supervisory physician at Springs Medical Associates, a medical clinic with three offices in Colorado. From March through June 2020, Joseph applied for and received government funds for COVID-19 relief from the Accelerated and Advance Payment Program and the Paycheck Protection Program. Both programs were designed to provide emergency <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/tag/financial-fraud/" title="financial" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="1006">financial</a> assistance to medical providers and small businesses who were suffering economic effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, Joseph received approximately $250,000 from these programs and used the money to pay for his personal expenses. </p>
<p>Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Curt Muller of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Kansas City Region; and Special Agent in Charge Weston King of the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Western Region made the announcement.</p>
<p>The HHS-OIG and SBA-OIG investigated the case.</p>
<p>Trial Attorneys Jennifer Bilinkas and John J. Liolos of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.</p>
<p>The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with respect to the resources made available by Congress through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for programs including the Paycheck Protection Program, the Economic Injury Disaster <a class="wpil_keyword_link" href="https://www.fraudswatch.com/category/loans/" title="Loan" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked" data-wpil-monitor-id="325">Loan</a> program, and the Provider Relief Fund. Since the CARES Act passed, Fraud Section attorneys have prosecuted more than 210 defendants in more than 140 criminal cases related to CARES Act programs and funds. The Fraud Section has also seized more than $80 million in cash proceeds derived from CARES Act-related fraud schemes, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at <a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/cares-act-fraud" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/cares-act-fraud</a>.</p>
<p>In May 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit <a href="https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/coronavirus</a>.</p>
<p> Topic(s): CoronavirusFinancial FraudComponent(s): <a href="http://www.justice.gov/criminal/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal Division</a><a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Criminal &#8211; Criminal Fraud Section</a>Press Release Number: 23-622 </p>
<p> Updated June 1, 2023<a href=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/physician-sentenced-stealing-approximately-250k-covid-19-relief-programs>Original Article</a></p>