Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – Two people were sentenced yesterday by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to federal prison for distributing drugs and money laundering.

May Saelee, aka “The First Lady,” 47, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. She pleaded guilty in August 2019 to drug conspiracy and money laundering charges. Saelee’s husband, Cher Vang, aka “The President,” 47, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release. Vang pleaded guilty in July 2019 to drug conspiracy and money laundering charges. The couple was arrested in August 2018 as part of a months-long federal investigation into a drug ring operating out of Mountain View.

According to court documents, between August 2011 and 2018, Saelee and Vang distributed methamphetamine from their home and other locations in Anchorage. Through multiple drug sales during this seven-year period, they sold more than 306 grams of actual methamphetamine. The couple then used the proceeds of their drug sales to purchase various items including jewelry and personal property. Additionally, between March 2015 and August 2018, Saelee and Vang structured bank deposits totaling more than $150,000 into their accounts to avoid federal banking requirements and to conceal that the source of the money was from drug proceeds.

As part of the plea agreement, Saelee and Vang will forfeit to the United States any property derived from their illegal activities including but not limited to: jewelry, money, guns and personal property.

“With today’s sentencing, we have put an end to another drug trafficking ring responsible for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine in Anchorage and the surrounding area,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “These dangerous drugs are destructive poisons that threaten the health and safety of our communities. We will continue to work together with our law enforcement partners to ensure that drug traffickers are held responsible for the harm they cause.”

“Drug trafficking and money laundering cause immense harm to our communities,” said Bret Kressin, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Seattle Field Office. “IRS-CI will continue to use our expertise to investigate those who knowingly traffic these damaging substances and will continue to bring these individuals to justice.”

The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Alaska State Troopers (AST) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephan Collins prosecuted the case.

This case is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

###

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – A correctional officer at Goose Creek Correctional Center (GCCC) pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribery charges for smuggling contraband into the prison in Wasilla, Alaska.  

According to court documents, Angela Lincoln, 43, was a correctional officer at the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) facility from 2014 through mid-2020. Beginning in about 2019 she began smuggling contraband into GCCC including Suboxone strips and cell phones for an inmate who is serving a 100-year sentence. The inmate distributed the drugs within the prison and paid tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments to Lincoln. 

With support from his family members and non-inmate associates, who he called “grinders,” this inmate secretly arranged to deliver the contraband and cash payments to Lincoln. His associates would secretly visit Lincoln’s home and drop the contraband and bribe payments near her fence while no one was looking. They would hide the controlled substances inside books, plastic bottles or candy wrappers to avoid suspicion when dropping the package at the fence. Lincoln would then smuggle the contraband into Goose Creek using her official position to evade security screening, knowing that doing so was in violation of her official duties and knowing that she would be paid in exchange for delivering the contraband and drugs inside GCCC. To deliver the bribe payments to Lincoln, the “grinders” would launder the funds and hide cash in phony trinkets, greeting cards and stuffed animals. Lincoln continued to conceal the conspiracy when initially questioned by FBI agents, falsely reporting that the money was payments for old DVDs, video games and an old meat grinder. None of that was true, and the payments were really bribes paid in exchange for her smuggling efforts.

As a correctional officer she was required to protect inmates and staff by, among other things, ensuring that contraband – including drugs and cell phones – did not enter or remain in the facility where inmates could access them. 

Goose Creek Correctional Center is an Alaska DOC-run medium-security prison for men located in Wasilla, Alaska. The facility houses up to approximately 1,300 inmates and employs approximately 333 staff members. 

Lincoln’s sentencing hearing has not yet been set.  She faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison for the bribery and conspiracy charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson of the District of Alaska made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case with valuable assistance provided by the Alaska Department of Corrections.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Allen, Kelly Cavanaugh and Ryan Tansey are prosecuting the case.
###
 

Source: US FBI

ARIZONA—With kids back to school, the FBI Phoenix Division wants to educate parents and students on how to safely search and be online.

Students are spending more time on the Internet, whether for school, social media, or research. Technology continues to advance and there are steps that educators, parents, adults, and students can take to be successful and safe online.

The FBI has developed a free computer literacy program called “Safe Online Surfing” or “SOS”. Teachers, administrators, and parents can utilize this program to help protect children. The Safe Online Surfing program includes age-specific materials for third to eighth grade and is available in English and Spanish. The program is a series of grade-appropriate online games that allow kids to have fun while also learning online lessons.

This program can help students:

• Explore what good online etiquette looks like.
• Manage cyber bullies.
• Show the importance of good passwords and double authentication.
• Download safely – either a new app or game on your phone.
• Screen friend requests in a responsible way.
• See the dangers of plagiarism and privacy violations.

Here are some helpful tips for parents—

• Talk to your kids about what kinds of information, photos, and videos are appropriate to post online—and what’s not.
• Remind them that one picture to a friend can lead to an entire school seeing that photo.
• Teach your kids how to limit the information they put online.
• They shouldn’t be posting their full name, date of birth, and school information on social media platforms.
• Explain that free software, apps, and downloads can be illegal, and some may open up your phone and computer to potential malware attacks.

If you are interested in learning more about the Safe Online Surfing program—go to sos.fbi.gov. As always, if you have been victimized by cyber fraud, be sure to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your local FBI office.

Source: US FBI

FAIRBANKS – A Fairbanks man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline for stalking and attempting to arrange a murder for hire.

According to court documents and evidence presented at his sentencing, Roger Keeling, 55, devised and solicited a murder for hire plot targeting his former girlfriend while he was in custody on stalking charges. He was indicted in January 2021 and found guilty by a federal jury in August 2021.

At sentencing, the United States underscored the physical, emotional and mental abuse suffered by Keeling’s former girlfriend. In both her testimony and her victim impact statement, she described the terrifying and traumatic ordeal. As she became increasingly frightened by Keeling’s actions and mental state, she left him. He tried winning her back but when that didn’t work, his anger began to consume him as he stalked her and found someone to murder her.  

In October 2020 Keeling placed his hands around his girlfriend’s neck, told her he should rip her heart out and threatened to burn her house down. Keeling pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in state court. The victim applied for and was granted a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO) and it was served on Keeling before his release on the assault charges. Over the next six weeks, Keeling was arrested – and released by the state court – for violating this DVPO multiple times in an escalating pattern that included following the victim, slashing her tires, sending dozens of threatening emails from various “disguised” email accounts and planting disturbing handwritten notes along her usual running route.

Keeling was arrested for stalking the victim in December 2020. While in custody, Keeling told his cellmate he wanted to find someone to harm his girlfriend. During the next few days, Keeling agreed to pay his cellmate $1,500 to arrange for a hitman to kill her, and after being released by a state court judge, he made an initial payment of $500. During a search of Keeling’s home, Alaska State Troopers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation found numerous notes and documents confirming the existence of the plot, as well as multiple documents and drawings created by Mr. Keeling that showed his desire to see her harmed, including a hand-drawn picture of her home in flames.

“While no sentence can atone for the sense of security his victim lost, she no longer has to live in fear always looking over her back and worried about her personal safety,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “Every citizen has the right to feel safe as they go about their daily life and we will continue to seek justice for victims of such appalling acts.”   

“This investigation and disruption of Mr. Keeling’s deadly plot should serve as a reminder that the FBI and our partners will vigorously hold those accountable who plan such actions,” said Antony Jung, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Soliciting a murder for hire is a federal crime, and the defendant will now spend the next 12 years in federal prison.”

The Alaska State Troopers, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fairbanks Police Department conducted the investigated the case.  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Doty and Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

Domestic violence is a crime. If you are a victim of domestic violence or know someone who is, it is normal to feel scared, helpless and vulnerable. You are not alone. Help is available through local and state police departments as well as through national entities such as the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). 

During a search of Roger Keeling’s home, Alaska State Troopers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation found numerous notes and documents confirming the existence of the murder for hire plot, as well as multiple documents and drawings created by Mr. Keeling that showed his desire to see his former girlfriend harmed, including a hand-drawn picture of her home in flames.

Source: US FBI

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Derwin Davis Tsosie, Jr., 26, of Tuba City, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes on Monday to 12 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Tsosie pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder. 

On November 14, 2022, Tsosie was driving at approximately 135 miles per hour when he hit the victims’ car from behind, killing the driver and seriously injuring the passenger. Tsosie’s blood alcohol concentration was .323, more than four times the legal limit. At the time of the crash, Tsosie’s license was suspended for a previous DUI arrest. The crime occurred on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, where Tsosie is an enrolled member.

The Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR 23-8019-PCT-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-124_Tsosie

# # #

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office is conducting an investigation surrounding the death of an IRS special agent today, August 17, that occurred at the Federal Correctional Institution, Phoenix firing range.

While the firing range is on Bureau of Prisons grounds, an interagency agreement allows for other law enforcement agencies to use the facility for training purposes. Today, the IRS was at the range for routine training.

To preserve the integrity and capabilities of the investigation, details of the ongoing process will not be released. Findings of the FBI investigation will be turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona for review.

The FBI’s investigation will be methodical and thorough to address every element of the incident.

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – A Kotzebue man was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to seven years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for cyberstalking two individuals who were carrying out their professional responsibilities to protect a child from abuse or neglect. 

According to court documents, Louis Holger Eklund, 41, relentlessly stalked and threatened two victims and their family members for nearly three years causing them to fear being attacked in their homes and seriously harmed. The victims are an attorney with the Alaska Attorney General’s office and the then-President of the Native Village of Kotzebue. Following a report from the Alaska Office of Child Services that Eklund had abandoned his infant son, the victims followed their professional responsibilities initiating the Child in Need of Aid (CINA) proceedings. Since the CINA proceeding involved an Alaska Native child, the Native Village of Kotzebue became involved per the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Eklund caused extreme emotional distress to both victims through dozens of phone calls, voicemails and emails in an effort to intimidate their conduct in the proceedings and retaliate against the work they had already done. Even after his indictment and arrest and while trial was pending, Eklund made it clear that he believed his crimes were justified by the victims’ actions and that the laws did not apply to him. Eklund also has a criminal history and a pattern of violence, violating court orders and actively resisting law enforcement.

Eklund is the second person to recently be sentenced for terrorizing people working in child protection. In March, the U.S. District Court sentenced Peter Lee Norris, also known as Bjorn Erik Happaniemi, to nine years in prison for stalking and threatening an Office of Children’s Services case worker, her attorney and an FBI agent who investigated the case.

“The defendant’s incessant harassment and threats to both victims and their family members was terrifying,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Wilson, District of Alaska. “There is perhaps no higher calling than protecting children who may be in harm’s way. Stalking and threatening these individuals for carrying out their professional responsibilities is detestable and a criminal act for which we will always seek justice.”    

“Using online tools to scare and disrupt their daily lives, the defendant tormented and caused substantial distress to both victims, who were merely fulfilling their professional responsibilities,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “In Alaska, no one should feel unsafe in their own home, workplace or community, and the FBI will continue to hold accountable those who engage in such conduct.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of the case.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas Walker prosecuted the case.

###

Source: US FBI

ST. LOUIS, MO—Special Agent in Charge Jay Greenberg of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) St. Louis Division announces Daniel Harris, 65, was captured in Phoenix, Arizona, after more than six years on the run.

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/known-bank-robbers/daniel-harris

Through consistent investigations over the years, the FBI St. Louis Division was able to track down Harris to Phoenix, Arizona. The FBI Phoenix Division narrowed down the location of Harris within hours and arrested him without incident on August 9, 2023. “It may take years and it may not be a high-profile crime, but the FBI never gives up on bringing fugitives to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Greenberg. “I commend our St. Louis team as well as our colleagues at FBI Phoenix Division.”

Harris is charged federally with robbing the St. Louis Community Credit Union on March 15, 2017, in St. Louis, Missouri. A federal arrest warrant was issued for Harris on October 11, 2017. Harris is scheduled to be arraigned on August 29, 2023, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri.