Honolulu Man Involved in Trans-Pacific Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Kennard Hinano Boyd Kekona, 58, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by Senior United States District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and carfentanil, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carfentanil.  

Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Role in the Murders of a Couple and their Unborn Child During a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SAN DIEGO – Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta, a Mexican national in the country illegally who was living in Yakima, Washington, was sentenced in federal court today to 40 years in prison for his role in the murders of a man, his six-month pregnant wife and their unborn child during a drug-related dispute.  According to his plea agreement, Madrigal and co-conspirators fatally shot 44-year-old Cesar Murillo multiple times in the back of the head and torso on August 28, 2022, during an argument. The shooting took place at a remote ranch outside of Yakima, Washington. Madrigal’s co-conspirators then buried the victim’s body in a six-foot-deep grave under a gravel road near the ranch at Madrigal’s direction.

Security News: THREE ILLEGAL ALIENS PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO SEX TRAFFICKING BY FORCE, FRAUD, AND COERCION AND CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT SEX TRAFFICKING BY FORCE, FRAUD, AND COERCION

Source: United States Department of Justice

Maurilio Lazcano-Vargas, age 40, of Mexico, who is present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick to sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. Edyn Efrain-Arevalo, age 53, of Guatemala, and Zabdi Guzman-Diaz, age 41, of Mexico, who are also present in the United States without authorization, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion. 

Security News: Hedge Fund Founder Charged With Scheme To Misrepresent Fund Performance To Investors

Source: United States Department of Justice

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., and the Inspector in Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), Ketty Larco-Ward, announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging VUK VUKOVIC, founder of the hedge fund Oraclum Capital LLC (“Oraclum”) and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Orca Bason Fund, L.P. (the “Orca Bason Fund” or the “Fund”), with securities fraud and wire fraud. VUKOVIC was presented yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer E. Willis. 

Security News: Honolulu Man Involved in Trans-Pacific Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

Source: United States Department of Justice

HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Kennard Hinano Boyd Kekona, 58, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was sentenced yesterday in federal court by Senior United States District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi to 120 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and carfentanil, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carfentanil.  

Security News: Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Role in the Murders of a Couple and their Unborn Child During a Drug Trafficking Conspiracy

Source: United States Department of Justice

SAN DIEGO – Benjamin Madrigal-Birrueta, a Mexican national in the country illegally who was living in Yakima, Washington, was sentenced in federal court today to 40 years in prison for his role in the murders of a man, his six-month pregnant wife and their unborn child during a drug-related dispute.  According to his plea agreement, Madrigal and co-conspirators fatally shot 44-year-old Cesar Murillo multiple times in the back of the head and torso on August 28, 2022, during an argument. The shooting took place at a remote ranch outside of Yakima, Washington. Madrigal’s co-conspirators then buried the victim’s body in a six-foot-deep grave under a gravel road near the ranch at Madrigal’s direction.

Federal Firearms Offenses Weekly Roundup

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, working with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, are combining resources to protect Nevada’s communities from offenders who violate federal firearms laws. We are jointly committed to bringing to justice those who endanger our communities.

Prior sex offender going to prison on new child pornography charge

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Andrew Yannello, 30, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography following a prior conviction under New York law relating to sexual abuse, was sentenced to serve 14 years in prison and 35 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.  

Nationwide Alcohol Distributor Agrees To Pay Over $12 Million To Resolve Federal Investigation Into Bribery And False Invoicing Practices

Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

SAN FRANCISCO – Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, LLC (“Southern Glazer’s”), a nationwide alcohol distributor headquartered in Florida, has entered into a non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors, and agreed to make a monetary payment of $12.5 million and other remedies to resolve the investigation