Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: US FBI

PHOENIX and TUCSON, Ariz. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona announced the results of the last four years of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. 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. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

In the District of Arizona, the OCDETF program is a collaboration between the United States Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Diplomatic Security Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The collaboration has resulted in 536 defendants being charged in 174 separate indictments since January 2021.

Representative cases from the OCDETF program over the past four years include:

United States v. Nestor Hernandez-Morales: Hernandez-Morales pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Activity, and Attempted Smuggling of Firearms to Promote Drug Trafficking Activity on June 18, 2024, for his role in buying and arranging delivery of high-caliber weapons and ammunition to Mexican drug cartel members. On November 19, 2024, Hernandez-Morales was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

United States v. Jose Raul Diaz-Acedo: In January 2024, Homeland Security Investigations interdicted an arsenal of weapons and ammunition set to be smuggled into Mexico, including: AR-15 rifles, over 25,000 rounds of military caliber ammunition (including 1,800 rounds of .50 BMG), and 50 auto sears designed to convert rifles into fully automatic machine guns. Diaz-Acedo, the driver of this load, was sentenced to 37 months in prison on December 5, 2024.

United States v. Keivin Crosswell-Cervantes et. al: Three co-conspirators admitted that they delivered approximately 400,000 blue fentanyl pills, approximately 20,000 multi-colored fentanyl pills (“skittles”), and approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine to undercover officers on September 22, 2022. Law enforcement officers also seized an AK-47-style pistol, a .45 caliber Kimber 1911 semi-automatic pistol with two magazines, and a .45 caliber FN semi-automatic pistol. See October 11, 2022 press release. Keivin Crosswell-Cervantes was sentenced to 17 years in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. Carlos Alberto Castro-Ruiz was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison and Alexander Ortega-Islas was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

United States v. Maria Mendoza-Mendoza: Maria Mendoza-Mendoza, aka “La Guera,” was a high-level, Honduran-based human smuggling coordinator who, along with co-conspirators throughout Central America, Mexico, and the United States, was responsible for facilitating the illegal entry, transport, and harboring of numerous undocumented noncitizens. Mendoza-Mendoza was extradited from Honduras to the United States to face charges in June 2023. After pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens for Profit, Mendoza-Mendoza was sentenced to 10 years in prison in May 2024.

United States v. Jesus Ernesto Dessens-Romero: A federal jury convicted Dessens-Romero for his role as a human smuggling foot guide in an incident involving a migrant death. Dessens-Romero led a group of migrants on a perilous route through the mountains. When the victim became extremely ill, Dessens-Romero left her behind and continued with the other migrants until they were picked up by unidentified co-conspirators. The victim died; her remains were not discovered until nine months later. Dessens-Romero was convicted at trial and sentenced to 10 years in prison in July 2024.

United States v. Peter Vega: A federal grand jury indicted Vega for his role as a leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout the United States. Vega coordinated the shipping of methamphetamine and transportation of fentanyl and the laundering of the proceeds from the drug sales. After being indicted, Vega fled to Mexico. Through international cooperation, Vega was apprehended in Mexico and deported back to the United States in January 2023. Vega pleaded guilty to drug and laundering charges and was sentenced to 15 years in prison in June 2024.

United States v. Luis Salvador Flores: In October 2022, Luis Salvador Flores was sentenced to 84 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon. Law enforcement officers from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department stopped Flores for a suspected traffic code infraction as he was driving to oversee a methamphetamine sale in Tucson. Inside of Flores’s vehicle, officers found numerous weapons, as well as magazines and ammunition. Flores intended to provide “security” for the drug deal, which was anticipated to involve approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamine. The intended transaction never occurred because Flores was intercepted by the law enforcement officers as he was enroute to the drug deal location.

United States v. Hector Francisco Ramirez-Roman: Ramirez-Roman, a commercial truck driver, pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine. He had attempted to transport 332 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine in the gas tank of his tractor-trailer, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents discovered the methamphetamine when he was stopped for inspection as he was crossing from Mexico into the United States. In July 2023, he was sentenced to 108 months in prison, followed by 48 months of supervised release.

United States v. Martin Garcia-Velazquez, et al.: Garcia-Velazquez was convicted of Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Illegal Aliens for Profit for his leadership role in organizing the transportation of at least 1,000 undocumented noncitizens from the Mexico border to houses in and around Phoenix over several years. In March 2024, he was sentenced to 90 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release. As a result of this multi-year investigation, federal agents seized and forfeited over $1 million, numerous firearms, with accompanying magazines and ammunition, and five vehicles.

United States v. Enrique Flores-Diaz, et al.:Flores-Diaz pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl for his part in a plan to sell approximately 90,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl with three other persons. In February 2023, Flores-Diaz was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison. In December 2023, one co-conspirator was sentenced to 144 months in prison, for his role in the plan to distribute the counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and his unlawful possession of a firearm.

United States v Dennis Kelly, et al.: A federal grand jury indicted Kelly and multiple co-conspirators for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine, and International Money Laundering in May of 2022. Kelly supervised and directed several co-conspirators to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl on his behalf between November 2020 and August 2021. Kelly pleaded guilty to all three charges and received a sentence of 14 years in prison in June 2024.

United States v Jesus Hector Lagarda-Gil: Lagarda-Gil was sentenced to 11 years in prison in January of 2024 after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Lagarda-Gil negotiated and coordinated the delivery of over 300 pounds of methamphetamine to undercover agents during a four-month period in 2022.

United States v. Charles Corey McCoy: In June 2023, McCoy was sentenced to 180 months in prison and five years of supervised release. McCoy had previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams of More of Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in November 2022.

United States v. Oscar Martinez-Miranda et al.: A federal grand jury indicted Martinez-Miranda and Jesus Ruiz-Reyes in March 2023 for Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Heroin. Investigators seized over 52 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.3 kilograms of cocaine, and 1 kilogram of heroin. Both defendants pleaded guilty in 2023. Martinez-Miranda was sentenced to 108 months in prison in January 2024 and Ruiz-Reyes was sentenced to 96 months in prison in May 2024.

United States v. Yvette Porras-Ochoa: Porras-Ochoa was indicted by a federal grand jury for her role as a supervisor of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization involved in the distribution of cocaine and prescription drugs. Porras-Ochoa pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Prescription Controlled Substances Oxycodone and Promethazine-Codeine, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in August 2024. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison in December 2024.

United States v. Gabriel Vejar-Cota: A federal grand jury indicted Vejar-Cota who was involved in the operation of a stash house in Phoenix where investigators recovered 49.855 kilograms of cocaine, 14.82 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately two kilograms of fentanyl, approximately one kilogram of heroin, $19,970, and two firearms. Vejar-Cota pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of a Mixture or Containing a Detectable Amount of Cocaine and 50 Grams or More of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine in October 2023. He was sentenced to over 10 years in prison in April 2024.

United States v. Jose Angel Rodriguez: A federal grand jury indicted Rodriguez for his role as a supervisor of a drug trafficking and money laundering organization involved in the cross-country distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl. Rodriguez pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of a Mixture or Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl and 50 Grams or More of a Mixture or Containing a Detectable Amount of Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering in December 2023. He was sentenced to 108 months in prison in October 2024.

United States v. Sally Joyce Nyemba: Nyemba – who was a practicing defense attorney – was indicted by a federal grand jury for her role in negotiating the purchase of two pounds of methamphetamine and 4,000 fentanyl-laced pills. Nyemba pleaded guilty to Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine in August 2023. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April 2024.

United States v. Heriberto Lopez-Landeros: Lopez-Landeros was responsible for importing large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin from Mexico and transporting these drugs across the United States. He recruited semi-truck drivers to transport the drugs. During the investigation, agents seized 83 kilograms of methamphetamine, 12 kilograms of fentanyl, and 645 grams of heroin. Lopez-Landeros pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine in August 2024. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in November 2024.
 

RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-004_OCDETF Program

# # #

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 X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

TUCSON, Ariz. – Eric Duane Ridenour, 58, of Douglas, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 438 months in prison. On July 11, 2024, Ridenour was convicted at trial of six arson and hate crimes counts stemming from the burning of two churches on May 22, 2023.

In 2023, Ridenour burned down two churches in Douglas, Arizona: Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church and First Presbyterian Church. The churches were located on Church Square, a historic district in the border town of Douglas, approximately two hours southeast of Tucson. It is believed to have been the only intersection in the nation containing churches from four different denominations: Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Methodist. Trial testimony established that Ridenour intentionally started the fires in both churches because of his hostility towards their practice of having women and members of the LGBTQ community serve in church leadership roles. Ridenour was arrested on May 23, 2023.

“This is a case about two separate arsons and the motivations behind each,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “Defendant burned a church because he disagreed with its position that women and LGBTQ individuals may serve as ministers, and then he burned a second church, in the same historic square, for the same reason. Destruction of religious institutions is abhorrent to our Constitution. I add my voice to the prayers for healing in the Douglas community.”

“ATF is dedicated to protecting the rights of all Americans. We strongly share the same concerns of United States Attorney Restaino and the community. The sentencing of Ridenour is a testament to the collaborative work between all agencies involved in this investigation,” said ATF Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Brendan Iber. “We are proud to provide the expertise of the ATF Certified Fire Investigators (CFI) to assist in this prosecution. We remain committed to seeking justice and ensuring the safety of our community”.

“There is no way to undo the damage Mr. Ridenour caused with his hateful and violent behavior, but we hope this sentence provides some measure of comfort,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and ensure those who perpetrate such acts of hate are held accountable.”

Vindicating the victim churches’ rights in this case is part of a larger initiative implemented by this Office. With the creation of a Civil Rights unit in the Civil Division, and the designation of a hate crimes coordinator in the Criminal Divisions, U.S. Attorney Restaino has made the prosecution of hate crimes and the protection of civil rights a cornerstone of his tenure in the Office.

On the civil side, the Office’s two civil rights AUSAs have participated in round tables, community meetings, and convenings with community and faith leaders and city and county officials to listen to community concerns and inform the communities about the work of the Office. On the criminal side, as part of the first cohort announced by Attorney General Merrick Garland in September 2022, the Office has participated in the Department’s United Against Hate (UAH) initiative, an effort designed to address and prevent unlawful acts of hate. For its UAH efforts, the Office has held five large-scale events, presenting on the importance of hate crime reporting to various underrepresented and often-targeted communities in Phoenix and Tucson. The purpose of the events was to hear from each community about its fears and concerns, start a dialogue between the communities and law enforcement, and get the USAO out into the communities it serves.

The initiative has also resulted in increased civil rights prosecutions. Hate crimes and other bias incidents are unique because they have a devastating impact on entire communities. The USAO prosecuted Eric Celaya for providing guns to a person who then used them to shoot two Jewish community members in California. Celaya pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight months in prison. The Office indicted Mark Adams Prieto for selling guns that he believed would be used in a mass shooting to incite a race war. In addition to hate crime charges, the Office has also prosecuted law enforcement agents for harming those they are sworn to protect, such as former Customs and Border Protection Officer Aaron Mitchell, convicted at trial for Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law arising out of the kidnaping and sexual assault of a cross-border student. This Office remains committed to investigating all potential hate crimes and color of law violations, and working closely with local and federal law enforcement to determine whether charges are appropriate.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Douglas Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Austin Fenwick, Ben Goldberg, and Adam Rossi, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR 23-00908-TUC-SHR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2025-001_Ridenour

# # #

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 X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker announced that a federal grand jury in Alaska returned five unrelated child exploitation indictments in September, emphasizing Alaska law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute cases to keep children safe.

“Those who target children for sexual gratification are an urgent threat to our communities,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska. “My office, alongside our dedicated federal, state and local law enforcement partners, maintains our steadfast commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting anyone who tries to harm our children—especially in this digital age, where predators can reach victims from anywhere in the world.”

“These arrests demonstrate the FBI’s continued prioritization of combatting child exploitation crimes in Alaska – no matter where these violations occur or who commits them,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Together with our law enforcement partners and the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, we will identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who put our most vulnerable at risk.”

“We, whether it is as a federal law enforcement agency such as HSI or as a community as a whole, have a duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, our children,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Victims of any type of child exploitation crime are survivors of unimaginable trauma. When we successfully stop child predators, we help victims attain safety and a chance to reclaim their lives.”

“The U.S. Secret Service stands firmly with our law enforcement partners to investigate crimes that exploit and target children,” said Glen Peterson, U.S. Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Seattle Field Office. “We continue to use our tools, resources and expertise to identify and arrest individuals that victimize children.”

U.S. v. Feltovic

According to court documents, on Aug. 22, 2024, William Alexander Feltovic, 36, an Anchorage U.S. Postal employee, allegedly attempted to coerce an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years to engage in sexual activity. Feltovic was arrested on Sept. 23 and is charged with one count attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Schroeder is prosecuting the case.

U.S. v. Hadley

According to court documents, in June 2023, Jesse Hadley, 31, of Kotzebue used a minor in Bethel to produce and possess visuals of child pornography. Hadley was arrested on Sept. 30 and is charged with one count sexual exploitation of a child—production of child pornography and one count sexual exploitation of a child—possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.

The FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Bethel Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Brickey is prosecuting the case.

U.S. v. Madros

According to court documents, on Aug. 27, 2024, George Floyd Madros III, 43, of Anchorage, contacted an individual he thought was a 13-year-old female on a social media platform. Madros and the individual began communicating through a private chat via the platform and text messages. Madros then allegedly asked the individual for sexually explicit content, asked to meet in person, and talked about potential sexual interactions if they met in person. Madros was arrested on Aug. 28 on related charges filed in a criminal complaint. The indictment charges Madros with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The FBI Anchorage Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney is prosecuting the case.

U.S. v. Rose

According to court documents, on Aug. 27, 2024, Robert Nicholas Roy Rose, 44, of Anchorage, contacted an individual he thought was a 13-year-old girl on a social media platform. Throughout the course of the chat, Rose allegedly had sexually explicit conversations with the individual, including explanations of actions he wanted to do or perform with the 13-year-old, and organized a time to meet in person.

In 2006, Rose was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree in the Superior Court for the State of Alaska. As part of the conviction, he was required to register as a sex offender in Alaska. Rose was arrested on Aug. 30 on related charges filed in a criminal complaint. The indictment charges Rose with one count of attempted exploitation of a child – production of child pornography, one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and one count offense by a registered sex offender. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison for the one charge of attempted production of child pornography, followed by an additional mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison that runs consecutively for the count of offense by a registered sex offender.

The FBI Anchorage Field Office is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney is prosecuting the case.

U.S. v. Steadman

According to court documents, William Steadman, 34, of Juneau, allegedly produced child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) depicting a minor known to him. Additionally, court documents indicate that he allegedly spent time with other children in his community. Steadman was arrested on Sept. 6 on related charges filed in a criminal complaint. The indictment charges Steadman with sexual exploitation of a child, also known as production of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison. 

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mac Caille Petursson, Jack Schmidt, William Reed and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

###

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE, AK—The FBI Anchorage Field Office is seeking information regarding an unknown suspect that robbed the Credit Union 1, Midtown Branch, located at 3525 Eureka Street in Anchorage, Alaska.

On Monday, September 23, 2024, at approximately 11:45 a.m., the unknown suspect entered the bank and produced a note demanding money to one of the bank employees. The unknown suspect then departed the bank and fled the area on a dark-colored bicycle.

Witnesses described the unknown suspect as a male, late 20s, and approximately 5’4” tall. The suspect was seen wearing a green zip-up hooded jacket with a gray hooded sweatshirt underneath, a dark-colored beanie, black pants, black and white gloves, and black shoes with a distinct white band near the sole.

Anyone with information regarding this bank robbery should contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment today charging an Anchorage man with threatening to injure and kill six U.S. Supreme Court Justices and some of their family members.

According to court documents, Panos Anastasiou, 76, was arrested today. The indictment alleges that between March 10, 2023, and July 16, 2024, Anastasiou sent over 465 messages to the Supreme Court through a public website the court maintained.

Beginning on Jan. 4, 2024, Anastasiou’s messages allegedly escalated to messages intending to threaten harm toward the victims. The messages contained violent, racist and homophobic rhetoric coupled with threats of assassination by torture, hanging and firearms.

Anastasiou is charged with nine counts of making threats against a federal judge and 13 counts of making threats in interstate commerce. The defendant made his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of making threats against a federal judge and up to five years in prison for each count of making threats in interstate commerce. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement.

The Supreme Court of the United States Police, Protective Intelligence Unit, with significant support from the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI Anchorage Field Office, is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Taylor is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – An Anchorage man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.

According to court documents, Peter Joseph Hickel Jr., 34, used social media to communicate with and attempt to meet an individual that he believed to be a 12-year-old girl for the purpose of sexual contact. Hickel asked the individual to chat with him on Kik, an encrypted chat platform, and within minutes began asking to meet up with the purported minor.

Hickel was arrested when he arrived at a meeting he arranged with the purported minor. He pled guilty in May 2024 to one count of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor. He was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, 15 years of supervised release, and a $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. In imposing the 10-year sentence, the court emphasized that society should protect, rather than exploit, vulnerable minors on the internet.

“Mr. Hickel disregarded the norms and laws of our society by attempting to sexually exploit a child on the internet,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska. “Our office will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to vigorously investigate and prosecute online child sexual exploitation and to apprehend online predators before they can do further harm.”

“The defendant’s abhorrent and brazen actions sought to exploit and victimize Alaskan children, all for his own gratification,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “With a task force approach, the FBI and APD will continue to work aggressively to protect our community’s children from individuals like Peter Hickel.”

The FBI and Anchorage Police Department investigated this case as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Ivers prosecuted the case.

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. Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines 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 www.justice.gov/psc.

If you are a victim of child abuse or suspect someone you know is a victim, you can report to APD at ReportChildAbusetoAPD@anchorageak.gov or 3-1-1/(907) 786-8900, the state OCS at reportchildabuse@alaska.gov or 1(800) 478-4444, or the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A New Mexico man was sentenced yesterday on two felony charges related to his online child sexual exploitation activities, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. 

U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Wesley Alan Crownover, II, 37, to 330 months in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release.  In August 2023, Crownover pleaded guilty to one count of advertising child pornography and one count of sale of child pornography. These convictions will require Crownover to register as a sex offender in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

According to the plea agreement, Crownover was a member of 10 separate online groups dedicated to users who have a sexual interest in children. Within some of these groups, Crownover marketed his child pornography collection comprising of thousands of images and videos for sale. When contacted by an FBI undercover agent in one of the online groups, Crownover sold 30 videos containing child sexual abuse material for $25.

A federal complaint and arrest warrant were obtained in the Northern District of Alabama, and a search warrant for Crownover’s residence was obtained from the District of New Mexico. When the warrants were executed, Crownover was not on the premises. Nonetheless, he saw law enforcement at his residence and fled the state. Crownover was a fugitive from justice for only a few months before he was located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and arrested by the United States Marshals Service.

FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case along with the assistance of FBI Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys R. Leann White and Kristen Osborne prosecuted the case.

If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s 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 and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

 

Source: US FBI

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A New Hope man pleaded guilty today to stalking and extorting a woman and producing child pornography involving two minor victims, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples. 

Donald Wayne Carmody, 30, of New Hope, Alabama, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke to cyberstalking, two counts of extortion, and two counts of production of child pornography. 

According to the plea agreement, Carmody used anonymous text messages to threaten to release pictures of the victim on the internet if she did not send him intimate photographs. Carmody also obtained the victim’s login credentials for her social media accounts and accessed their contents. After Carmody was arrested on cyberstalking and extortion charges for this conduct, investigators discovered a USB thumb drive belonging to him that contained images of child pornography that involved two victims under the age of twelve. The FBI’s Video Forensic Analysis Unit compared the images from the thumb drive, which showed a person’s hand, to pictures of Carmody’s hands taken during the investigation. The Unit identified similar class and distinguishing characteristics between the images, demonstrating that the hand in the images on the thumb drive belonged to Carmody.     

As part of the plea agreement, Carmody stipulated to a 480-month sentence of imprisonment for the offenses. If the Court rejects the stipulated sentence, Carmody or the United States could withdraw from the plea agreement. 

The maximum penalty for cyberstalking is five years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for extortion is two years imprisonment. The maximum penalty for production of child pornography is 30 years imprisonment. Each offense also carries the possibility of a $250,000 fine.

The FBI investigated the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John M. Hundscheid is prosecuting the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) and the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) have partnered and released a digital series to educate parents and caretakers about sextortion and how they can help prevent kids and teens from being victims. This series offers three-to-five-minute videos about current online safety topics and provides essential information about the true dangers of online activities.  These videos titled “Sextortion Prevention” can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@nationalcac/videos. 

If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s 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 and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. For more resources on cybercrime, visit www.ic3.gov.

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two individuals have been indicted on multiple child sexual exploitation charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples.

A five-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Wisam A. Sharieff, 43, of Euless, Texas, and Blake Miller Barakat, aka “Hamna,” 50, of Shelby County, Alabama, with conspiracy to engage in the sexual exploitation of children, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, sexual exploitation of children, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. 

According to the indictment, between September 27, 2024, and October 15, 2024, Sharieff and Barakat conspired together to coerce a minor child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct; and they conspired to receive and distribute child pornography.

FBI Birmingham’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated the case along with the FBI Dallas-Fort Worth Violent Crimes Task Force and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney R. Leann White is prosecuting the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s 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 and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

An indictment contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.    

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Pelham man was sentenced today on charges of sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon.

U.S. District Court Judge L. Scott Coogler sentenced Neal Richard Goodacre, 54, to 960 months in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release.  In July, Goodacre pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. These convictions will require Goodacre to register as a sex offender in accordance with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

According to the plea agreement, in July 2023, the Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force discovered images of child pornography on a Russian file-sharing website. Queensland officers connected the account used to post the images to Goodacre at a residence in Pelham, Alabama. On September 13, 2023, HSI executed a search warrant at Goodacre’s residence.  Agents recovered two electronic devices containing 29 images and one video of child pornography. Goodacre produced some of the child pornography he possessed.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case along with the Queensland, Australia, Child Exploitation Task Force and the Pelham Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel S. McBrayer prosecuted the case.

If you suspect or become aware of possible sexual exploitation of a child, please contact law enforcement. To alert the FBI Birmingham Office, call 205-326-6166. Reports can also be filed with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) or online at www.cybertipline.org.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s 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 and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.