Category: MIL-OSI

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Las Vegas Woman Pleads Guilty to Committing COVID Relief Fraud While on Federal Probation

Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Cristina D. Silva to filing fraudulent applications seeking thousands of dollars in loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

According to court documents, Mikaela Marie Cuevas (24) — while on probation for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer — submitted at least two fraudulent loan applications and received thousands of dollars of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding she was not eligible to receive. As part of the scheme, Cuevas submitted PPP loan applications in the name of a fake management consulting business, falsely claiming gross annual revenues of $106,000 from the non-existent business. Shortly after receiving the PPP funds, she filed fraudulent loan forgiveness applications, seeking to have her responsibility to re-pay the stolen loans absolved. In total, Cuevas caused a loss of about $47,000.

Cuevas pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 25, 2023, and faces a maximum statutory sentence of up to 20 years in prison. In addition to time in prison, Cuevas 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.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada; Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI; Special Agent in Charge Weston King for the Small Business Administration Office of the Inspector General’s (SBA OIG) Western Region Office; Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress for the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI); Acting Special Agent in Charge Cory Nootnagel for the Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (FRB-OIG) made the announcement.

The FBI, SBA OIG, IRS CI, FRB-OIG, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Frayn prosecuted the case.

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, among other methods, 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 https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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Pain Clinic Owners Convicted of Unlawfully Distributing Opioids and Multi-Million-Dollar Health Care Fraud

Source: US FBI

A federal jury convicted a Tennessee physician and his wife yesterday in the Northern District of Alabama for unlawfully distributing opioids, providing unnecessary services and defrauding insurers from their now-shuttered Alabama clinics.   

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mark Murphy, 65, and his wife, Jennifer Murphy, 65, both of Lewisburg, owned and operated North Alabama Pain Services (NAPS), which closed its Decatur and Madison offices in early 2017. Over the approximately five-year period leading up to the clinic closing its Alabama locations, Murphy and his wife, who was the office manager, caused over $50 million in fraudulent or unnecessary medical services to be charged to Medicare, TRICARE, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and others. Evidence at trial showed that NAPS provided pre-signed prescriptions to thousands of patients a month, including prescriptions written outside the usual course of professional practice without a legitimate medical purpose. The Murphys also solicited and received unlawful payments for referring fraudulent or unnecessary services to patients. Jennifer Murphy was also convicted of tax-related charges for underreporting clinic income.

Both defendants were convicted of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to commit health care fraud, along with various substantive counts related to the same. They were also convicted of conspiring to defraud the United States and receiving kickbacks. The Murphys face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the drug charges and a maximum of 10 years in prison for the health care fraud charges. Both defendants face a maximum of five years in prison for charges stemming from violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, and Jennifer Murphy faces up to three years in prison for the tax charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for June 30. 

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona for the Northern District of Alabama; Special Agent in Charge Bradford L. Byerly of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Orleans Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr. of the FBI Birmingham Division; Special Agent in Charge James E. Dorsey of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Atlanta Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Tamala E. Miles of the Department of Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Atlanta Region made the announcement.

FBI, HHS-OIG, IRS-CI and DEA investigated the case.

Assistant Chief Jillian Willis and Trial Attorney Emily Gurskis of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney J.B. Ward of the Northern District of Alabama are prosecuting the case.

The Fraud Section leads the Appalachian Regional Prescription Opioid (ARPO) Strike Force. Since its inception in October 2018, the ARPO Strike Force, which operates in 10 districts, has charged more than 90 defendants who are collectively responsible for distributing more than 105 million pills. The ARPO Strike Force is part of the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which since March 2007 has charged more than 4,200 defendants who collectively have billed the Medicare program for more than $19 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: https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to Prison for $12 Million Advance Fee Telemarketing Scheme Targeting Small Business Owners

Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson to 78 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for defrauding hundreds of small business owners – many of them elderly – of about $12 million.

Michael Jones (43) pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and 10 counts of wire fraud. In addition to the prison term, Jones was ordered to pay restitution in the total amount of $11,509,087.67 to the victims, and a forfeiture money judgment in the total amount of $7,934,095.32.

According to court documents, from October 2009 to February 2014, Jones and his co-defendants convinced more than 2,100 small business owners to pay nearly $12 million for what Jones and his co-defendants described as advance fees to fund expenses to apply for supposed government, private and charitable grants for the victims’ businesses. Following a script, Jones and others would falsely tell the victims that government, private and charitable organizations would provide grants to them regardless of the type of business they operated, but the victim first needed to pay thousands of dollars in fees to access those grants. Jones and his co-defendants induced the small business owners to give them money in exchange for services that were never provided. The scheme functioned solely to enrich Jones and his co-defendants.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

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FBI Seeks Identity of Serial Bank Robbery Suspect

Source: US FBI

NASHVILLE, TN—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an unknown male believed to be responsible for at least eight bank robberies and one attempted bank robbery in Tennessee and Alabama. The most recent robbery happened on February 9, 2022, at Citizens Bank located at 25530 AL-127 in Elkmont, Alabama.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 26 to 40 years old, standing 5’6” to 5’10” tall, 160—190 pounds, bald with possibly brown or green eyes, and a short brown trimmed beard. He walks with a straight-backed posture, arms swinging slightly away from his body. In each robbery, the suspect is disguised with a mask. He has worn different clothing at each robbery, to include a 2018 Chattanooga Turkey Trot shirt, a Nashville Predators cap, a University of Alabama face covering, a Champions sweatshirt, and a gray “STP” beanie cap.

The FBI believes these robberies were committed by the same suspect:

  • December 6, 2021, First Horizon Bank, 324 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee—The unknown male was wearing a black or dark-colored mask, light gray or cream-colored polo shirt with a long sleeve black shirt underneath, blue jeans, and black and white athletic shoes.
  • December 13, 2021, First Horizon Bank, 154 Cason Lane, Murfreesboro, Tennessee (formerly First Tennessee Bank)—The unknown male was wearing a black t-shirt with a gray or dark green Under Armor shirt underneath the t-shirt, a black hat, black face mask, and blue jeans.
  • December 17, 2021, First Citizens Bank, 100 S. Campbell Station Road, Knoxville, Tennessee—The unknown male was wearing a black mask, black baseball cap, black long sleeve shirt with “Rocawear” logo on left chest, dark-colored pants, and black “New Balance” athletic shoes with white trim.
  • January 7, 2022, Fifth Third Bank, 2437 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, Tennessee—The unknown male was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, black shoes, gray gloves, a tan hat, and a mask.
  • January 10, 2022, First Horizon Bank, 11865 Parkside Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee—The unknown male was wearing a gray beanie with “STP” logo on front, white mask, light gray hoodie with a large “Champion” logo on the chest, blue jeans, and white athletic shoes.
  • January 21, 2022, Fifth Third Bank, 525 Donelson Pike, Nashville, Tennessee—The unknown male was wearing a black mask, black beanie cap, white/gray arctic camo hoodie with a red design on arm, blue jeans, and black shoes with white soles.
  • February 2, 2022, Renasant Bank, 4422 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, Tennessee—The unknown male was wearing a gray mask, black baseball cap with red/orange logo, light gray hoodie, blue jeans, and dark shoes with white soles.
  • February 7, 2022, Citizens Bank, 25530 AL-127, Elkmont, Alabama—The unknown male was wearing a gray Chattanooga turkey trot shirt, Nashville Predators baseball cap, and a N-95 mask with yellow straps.
  • (Attempted bank robbery) February 7, 2022, Regions Bank, 1101 East U.S. Highway 72, Athens, Alabama—The unknown male was wearing a long-sleeve gray t-shirt with an orange turkey on the front, a gray face mask with circular Alabama logo, and a gray hat with black bill and Nashville Predators symbol on the front.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI Nashville Resident Agency at 615-232-7500, the FBI Knoxville Field Office at 865-544-0751, or the FBI Birmingham Field Office at 205-326-6166. Tips can also be submitted online at tips.fbi.gov.

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Birmingham Man Charged in Carjacking Appears in Federal Court

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man charged last month for carjacking and possessing a firearm was arraigned today in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Staci G. Cornelius arraigned Clearance Speed, Jr., aka Bo Peep, 24, on charges of carjacking and carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime in March 2021. Speed was ordered detained pending trial. 

The maximum penalty for carjacking is 15 years in prison.  The minimum penalty for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime is a mandatory seven years in prison.

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. 

The FBI investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Birmingham Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Baty is  prosecuting the case.

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

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Man Pleads Guilty to $55 Million Investment Fraud Scheme

Source: US FBI

A Florida man pleaded guilty today to orchestrating an investment fraud scheme that defrauded more than 10,000 victims of over $55 million.

According to court documents, Michael Glaspie, 72, of Palm City, marketed an investment opportunity under the name “CoinDeal” or “Coin Deal.” Glaspie claimed that CoinDeal would yield extremely high returns on the premise that one or more technology companies – operated under the banner of “ViRSE” and allegedly owned by Neil Suresh Chandran – was about to be acquired by a consortium of wealthy buyers. To entice investors to put money into CoinDeal, Glaspie falsely promised that in the event the returns from CoinDeal failed to materialize, he would repay investors their money with seven percent annual interest over three years. In fact, Glaspie knew he had no means of making such repayments.

“For his brazen and repeated lies that defrauded more than 10,000 victims out of more than $55 million, the defendant now justifiably faces a lengthy prison term,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.  “The Department of Justice is committed to rooting out investment fraud and holding wrongdoers accountable to protect the financial security of all Americans.”

To support his false repayment promise, Glaspie deceptively claimed that he had an exclusive and lucrative contract with AT&T to distribute government‑funded phones, and that an app that he developed was being distributed by the Better Business Bureau and would yield over $400 million in revenue, when he had no such contract or distribution agreement. Furthermore, when the promised sale of CoinDeal did not close, Glaspie transmitted investor funds to Chandran after falsely representing to CoinDeal investors that he would not do so. Glaspie also falsely claimed that he never paid himself with CoinDeal investor funds, when in truth, he misappropriated nearly $2.5 million of victim investments for personal purposes, including trading cryptocurrency, paying his employees’ salaries, and buying a life insurance policy for a family member. 

“Michael Glaspie admitted today to his involvement in a widespread scheme to defraud investors for his personal benefit,” said U.S. Attorney Steven A. Russell for the District of Nebraska. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners to untangle this fraud, Glaspie will now be held accountable for this serious crime.”

“This case identified a fraudulent online investment scheme that defrauded over 10,000 victims,” said Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The subject promised investors high rates of returns then misused investor funds for personal use. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work diligently to identify and pursue those who seek to deceive and defraud the American public.”

“This elaborate investment fraud scheme defrauded more than 10,000 victims of over $55 million,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Investment fraud schemes of any type will not be tolerated. The FBI will continue to do what we have done for over 100 years and investigate those who attempt to defraud unsuspecting Americans of their hard-earned money. I would like to thank our partners at FBI offices across the country and the Department of Justice for their work and collaboration to bring justice on behalf of these victims.”

Glaspie pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 16 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Separately, on June 14, 2022, a federal grand jury in the District of Nebraska returned an indictment charging Chandran with three counts of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property for his role in the scheme. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the wire fraud counts and up to 10 years in prison for each count of engaging in unlawful monetary transactions.  An indictment is merely an allegation.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The FBI Washington, Omaha, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles Field Offices are investigating the cases.

Assistant Chief William E. Johnston and Trial Attorney Tian Huang of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald J. Kleine for the District of Nebraska are prosecuting the cases.

All potential investor victims of this fraud are encouraged to visit the webpage https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/united-states-v-chandran to identify themselves and obtain more information on their rights, including the opportunity to submit a victim impact statement.

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Nigerian Nationals Sentenced for Role in Money Laundering Conspiracy

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge sentenced two Nigerian nationals yesterday for their role in an international money laundering conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. 

U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Paulinus Ebhodaghe, 40, of Clementon, New Jersey to 46 months in prison.  Ebhodaghe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in September 2021. Ohimai Asikhia, 37, of Glassboro, New Jersey, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Asikhia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering in March 2021.

“The defendants helped cybercriminals obscure the source of their ill-gotten gains and squirrel away fraud proceeds in overseas accounts,” U.S. Attorney Escalona said.  “Citizens are urged to carefully scrutinize any email directing the transfer of money via wire. I would like to thank the FBI for their hard work in tracking down and bringing these defendants to justice.”

“Business email compromise is one of the most financially damaging online crimes,” SAC Sharp said. It exploits the fact that so many of us rely on email to conduct business—both personal and professional. If you or your company fall victim to BEC, it’s important that you act quickly and notify your financial institution. Then, immediately file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, at www.ic3.gov.”

According to court documents, from June 2018 through November 2018, Ebhodaghe and Asikhia helped launder hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraud proceeds. During the course of the conspiracy, they would receive wire transfers from business email compromise, romance scam, and other fraud victims; move the fraud proceeds between bank accounts to disguise their origin and conceal their fraudulent nature; and then wire the proceeds to bank accounts in Nigeria or use them to purchase automobiles that were shipped overseas. Ebhodaghe and Asikhia typically received fees of twenty percent or more of the funds that they laundered.

The FBI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward J. Canter.

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Huntsville Man Charged with Multiple Robberies in North Alabama

Source: US FBI

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury today charged a Huntsville man with committing a string of armed robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.  

A 12-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Christopher Maxwell Jacobie Owens, 27, of Huntsville, with 6-counts of Hobbs Act Robbery and 6-counts of brandishing a firearm. 

According to the indictment, in a span of six days in November 2020, Owens committed six armed robberies at businesses in Huntsville.  Owens robbed two Family Dollar locations, Dollar General, two MetroPCS locations, and Walgreens. 

The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery that affects interstate commerce and that involves the taking of property from another person by means of actual or threatened force or violence.

If convicted of a Hobbs Act Robbery, the defendant faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. If convicted of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison.

The FBI investigated the case along with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and the Huntsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Pillsbury is prosecuting the case.

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

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Two Men Plead Guilty to COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fraud Conspiracy

Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS – Two men pleaded guilty yesterday for their involvement in a conspiracy to apply for and use Nevada and California unemployment insurance benefits debit cards that were issued in other peoples’ names.

Luigi J. Montes (42), of Sugar Land, Texas, and Peter Alexander Stincer (34), of Sylmar, California, each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. U.S. District Judge Richard F. Boulware scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2023.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, from at least March 2020 to January 2021, Montes, Stincer, and co-defendant Alexander Hoyos Rivera, of Marion, Ohio, conspired to submit fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation (DETR) and the California Employment Development Department (EDD). As part of the scheme, they used stolen personal identifying information – such as victim names, dates of birth, and social security numbers – to defraud DETR and EDD. Once the claims were approved, unemployment insurance debit cards were sent to mailing addresses to which the defendants had access. After receiving the debit cards, they withdrew the funds at various ATMs located in several states, including Nevada, California, and Texas. In total, DETR, EDD, and other state agencies approved at least $934,129 in benefits for these fraudulent claims. During the conspiracy, the defendants fraudulently obtained at least $698,655 in benefits for their personal use.

At sentencing, Montes and Stincer each face a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Fang is prosecuting the case.

On May 17, 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, among other methods, 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 https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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Hartselle Man Charged with Attempted Kidnapping

Source: US FBI

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal grand jury today charged a Hartselle man with attempted kidnapping and attempted sexual assault, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr. 

A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court, charges Matthias Jacob Edward Mann, 22, of Hartsell, with attempted kidnapping and coercion and enticement.

“Over the course of a week, law enforcement moved swiftly to identify the defendant and victim. Federal and local authorities from four different states worked together to investigate and arrest this defendant and derail a dangerous online plot,”  U.S. Attorney Escalona said. “The internet is a tool that provides many opportunities for communication and connectivity, but also gives predators an easy way to access potential victims. One never knows who is lurking behind the keyboard. It is always important to exercise caution and protect your privacy in online forums.” 

According to court documents, on December 29, 2021, an undercover detective with the Owatonna, Minnesota Police Department was monitoring the public Kik group “Abduction and R@pe 3.” During that time, the Kik User “Dylan H.,” who was determined to be Mann, posted in the group, asking for someone to abduct and sexually assault a woman from Wisconsin. The undercover detective responded and told Dylan H. that he was in Minnesota and would be interested.

On December 30, 2021, the undercover detective recorded a telephone conversation with Mann. On the call, Mann confirmed that his request for the abduction and sexual assault of the victim was not a fantasy. Mann provided the undercover detective with photos and a physical address of the victim, who he stated was a former friend.  Mann requested a video to confirm that the abduction and sexual assault was carried out as requested.  During their subsequent conversations, Mann agreed to pay the undercover detective gas money to travel to Wisconsin from Minnesota, and approximately $2,000.00 once the abduction and sexual assault had been completed. Mann paid the undercover detective $75 on January 5th. 

Federal agents arrested Mann on the morning of January 6, 2022 in Hartselle, Alabama.

The maximum penalty for attempted kidnapping and attempted coercion and enticement is twenty years in prison.

The FBI investigated the case along with the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Police Department; Owatonna, Minnesota Police Department; and FBI (Atlanta Division).  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Hodge and John Hundscheid are prosecuting the case.

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