Category: MIL-OSI

Source: US FBI

TUCSON, Ariz. – Kyle Adam Haney, 60, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker on August 31, 2023, to 120 months in prison. Haney pleaded guilty on October 6, 2022, to one count of Possession of Child Pornography. When Haney is released from prison, he will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Haney was identified in connection with an investigation into the production of child sex abuse material by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In the course of that investigation, agents discovered communications by Haney about sharing sexually explicit images of prepubescent children. Agents subsequently searched Haney’s phone pursuant to a search warrant and discovered several sexually explicit images of minor children which included infants and toddlers.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carin C. Duryee and Scott A. Turk, District of Arizona, Tucson, handed the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR 21-02970-TUC-JCH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-135_Haney

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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

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Michael Martinez, 28, of Fort Worth, Texas, but formerly of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 40 years in prison. Martinez pleaded guilty on March 8, 2023, to three counts of Producing Child Pornography, involving three minors, ages 7, 5, and 3. When Martinez is released from prison, he will be on supervised release for the remainder of his life.

In 2016, when Martinez was 22 years old, he lived in Phoenix, Arizona, in a house with Child Doe 1 (age 7). As an acquaintance of Child Doe 1’s mother, Martinez had access to Child Doe 1 and took sexually explicit pictures and videos of the minor in January 2016. Later in 2016, Martinez moved residences and lived with Child Doe 2 (age 5) and Child Doe 3 (age 3), because he was a roommate of the minors’ mother. In this house, Martinez acted as a babysitter where he had access to the minors and took sexually explicit pictures and videos of both of them in November 2016. Further, Martinez admitted engaging in sex acts with the three minors. In 2022, Martinez was arrested in Texas where he had moved in 2017 after these events.

“The pain and harm caused to these victims is irreparable,” said Gary Restaino, United States Attorney for the District of Arizona. “The court’s sentence sends a strong message of deterrence to those who seek to hurt children.”

“Children deserve to feel and be safe in their homes,” said Myron T. Byrd, acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Phoenix field office. “Today’s sentencing should bring some closure to the families knowing this predator will be in federal prison for a very long time. I want to thank the members of the FBI Phoenix Crimes Against Children Squad for their work on this case and their commitment to protecting our children to ensure justice is served for them,” Byrd added.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The case was investigated by the Phoenix Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Phoenix Division, Dallas Division, and FBI Headquarters). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gayle L. Helart and Brett A. Day, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-00272-PHX-DJH
RELEASE NUMBER:    2023-129_Martinez

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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

FAIRBANKS – A Delta Junction, Alaska, man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to 32 months in prison and a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to two counts of threatening to murder Alaska’s two U.S. Senators.

According to court documents, Jay Allen Johnson, 65, left 17 threatening voicemails for Alaska’s two U.S. Senators over a five-month period and said that the messages were intended to retaliate against them for performing their official duties. On September 2, 2021, Johnson left a voicemail at the Washington D.C. office of Senator Lisa Murkowski containing several threats, including a threat to “burn” the Senator’s properties. Johnson then asked if the Senator knew what a .50 caliber shell “does to a human head.” On September 29, Johnson left another voicemail threatening to hire an assassin to kill the U.S. Senator. Johnson also left threatening voicemail messages for Senator Dan Sullivan between April 2021 and September 2021, including one in which he threatened to get his “.50 caliber out,” hold a “GoFundMe page for the …shells,” and to come “with a vengeance mother*ucker.”

The investigation revealed that the calls originated in Delta Junction, Alaska from a cellular telephone number that the FBI and Capitol Police had traced back to Johnson. The FBI arrested Johnson on October 4, 2021, after observing him drive from Delta Junction to Fairbanks International Airport. During a subsequent search of Johnson’s residence, the FBI seized seven unsecured firearms, which were illegal for Johnson to possess due to his prior felony conviction.

Johnson pleaded guilty in January of this year to the charges. As part of the plea agreement, a three-year federal protective order will be in place prohibiting Johnson from contacting either U.S. Senator, their family or staff members following his release from prison. Johnson also agreed to forfeit the seven firearms seized from his residence.

“Nothing excuses this conduct, threatening our elected officials, an act that attacks our very system of governance,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr. of the District of Alaska. “The erosion of civility in our political discourse will never justify threats or acts of violence. Johnson’s actions must be punished, and the Department of Justice will always work to ensure our elected officials can serve without fear of harm.”

“Those performing their official duties should be able to do so without fear for their safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This case underscores the swift efforts by the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners as we worked together to address these threats before any potential acts of violence occurred.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Capitol Police investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case.

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Source: US FBI

FAIRBANKS – A Fairbanks man was sentenced yesterday to 14 years in prison followed by eight years of supervised release for distributing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl resulting in the death of another individual. In issuing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline noted that the 21-year-old victim had his entire life ahead of him when he overdosed on the counterfeit pills.

According to court documents, Andre Ronell Brown, 48, distributed counterfeit pills made to resemble pharmaceutical grade 30 milligram Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills, but which actually contained an unknown amount of fentanyl. On October 26, 2020, Brown distributed two of these pills via a co-conspirator to J.L. in Fairbanks. Two days later, J.L. was discovered deceased as a result of a drug overdose. The Medical Examiner confirmed that the cause of J.L.’s death was fentanyl, which was contained in the pills that originated from Brown.

Brown’s alleged co-conspirators, Christopher Kearney, 27, and Ladarius Edwards, 27, were each previously sentenced to five-years in prison based on their sales of pills obtained from Brown, which caused two additional non-fatal drug overdoses. Brown’s additional co-conspirator, Winston Crockett, previously pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

“Distributing counterfeit Oxycodone pills is a particularly insidious crime because the consumer is misled about how potent or potentially lethal they are,” said U.S Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr., District of Alaska. “When the pills are laced with fentanyl – as most are – the predictable outcome is a potentially deadly overdose.  Traffickers like Brown are directly responsible for killing Alaskans, and my office and our law enforcement partners will do everything in our power to bring them to justice.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alaska State Troopers, Fairbanks Police Department and North Pole Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Tansey prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). HIDTA was established in 2018 to enhance and coordinate efforts among local state and federal law enforcement agencies, providing equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of Alaska.

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Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – A federal jury convicted an Anchorage man on two counts of distributing heroin following two controlled operations in June 2020.  

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jason McAnulty, aka “Snoop,” 38, sold approximately 101 grams of heroin for $5,000 cash on June 17, 2020, and nine days later sold approximately 25 grams of heroin for $1,300 cash to a law enforcement source. Following the two controlled buys, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McAnulty’s residence in July 2020 where they found more than $34,000 cash and other drug distribution contraband.

“Opioids are fueling an addiction crisis that is killing Alaskans, destroying lives and causing unfathomable misery,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr., of the District of Alaska. “For the sake of a few dollars, drug dealers like McAnulty willingly become instruments and facilitators of this tragic carnage. With our law enforcement partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will work to stop these dealers and protect the public with consequential prosecutions.”

“Part of keeping Anchorage safe is arresting those who distribute drugs on our streets. Our HIDTA unit is designed for this purpose,” said Anchorage Chief of Police Michael Kerle. “Because of HIDTA’s focus on drug trafficking along with our strong relationships with our law enforcement partners we are able to arrest dangerous drug traffickers like Jason McAnulty.”

McAnulty was indicted on the charges in September 2020. Following his conviction at trial, McAnulty faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison given his State of Alaska conviction for a serious violent felony – Robbery in the First Degree. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD), in support of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys George Tran and Stephan Collins are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Alaska’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). HIDTA was established in 2018 to enhance and coordinate efforts among local state and federal law enforcement agencies, providing equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences in critical regions of Alaska. 

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Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – An Anchorage man was sentenced today to 27.5 years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release in front of U.S. District Judge Joshua M. Kindred after pleading guilty to two counts of online enticement or coercion in relation involving two victims. He also admitted to relevant conduct involving sex trafficking of a juvenile and the production of child pornography involving three total juvenile victims in Anchorage.

According to court documents, Alex Asino, 34, was indicted in November 2019 on counts involving child sex trafficking, production and distribution of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor.

Asino’s conduct came to the attention of the FBI in November 2019. During online communications, Asino told an undercover law enforcement officer he had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female that he met through a social media application. During his communications with the undercover officer, Asino sent images of the 15-year-old victim’s body and face and then directed the officer to a website where Asino had posted sexually explicit images of the victim. Additionally, Asino provided pornographic photos of a third minor victim to the officer along with how much he had paid her to have sex with him.   

Asino preyed on his minor victims through online social media applications, such as but not limited to Snapchat, Tagged and Whisper and would meet minor females through pay dating websites. Asino distributed meth, cash, food, gifts and cab fares to minors in exchange for sexual favors. He also posted images of child pornography and personal videos of sexual acts with minors on pornographic websites.

In September 2018, Asino was charged by the State of Alaska for delivering a controlled substance to a minor, sexual abuse of a minor and possession of child pornography. He was subsequently released on bail and placed under house arrest. While on house arrest, Asino continued to engage in the sexual exploitation of at least two additional minor victims.

“The real tragedy in cases like this one is the incalculable damage experienced by the minor victims,” said U.S. Attorney John E. Kuhn, Jr., District of Alaska. “While nothing can erase that harm, this lengthy sentence ensures that vulnerable girls in our community will be protected from Asino’s predations for many years.” 

“The defendant’s disturbing pattern of committing sexual exploitation crimes against child victims is abhorrent,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working alongside federal, state, and local partners to identify, and hold accountable, those who abuse and exploit children in Alaska.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Anchorage Police Department (APD) investigated the case as part of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander 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.

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Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – Following a three-week trial in U.S. District Court, a federal jury convicted an Anchorage man on charges of murder in furtherance of a continuing criminal enterprise, using a firearm to commit murder in a drug trafficking crime, drug conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.  

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Matthew Wilson Moi, aka “Matt Matt,” 36, was involved in a drug trafficking enterprise that operated in Alaska between January 2017 and October 2019. The enterprise arranged for packages of multiple kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine to be sent from California to Alaska via the U.S. Postal Service to various addresses in the Anchorage area. The drugs were then re-packaged for sale and further distribution by other members and associates of the drug ring. In 2018, Moi began directing operations in Alaska, including coordinating distribution of narcotics through the mail, while other co-conspirators arranged for shipments from California. The enterprise also laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds through deposits into financial institutions, wire transfers, and bulk cash smuggling from Alaska to other parts of the country.

In April 2019, the enterprise mailed a package of heroin to the Anchorage residence of Navarrow Andrews. After Moi and other co-conspirators spent several days attempting to recover the package without success, Moi concluded that Andrews had stolen it. On April 8, 2019, Moi shot and killed Andrews in an Anchorage alley for stealing the drugs. Moi then fled Alaska, first to Louisiana and then to Los Angeles, where he continued to assist the drug ring with the direction and shipment of narcotic packages to Alaska. In September 2019, federal agents intercepted a shipment of five kilograms of heroin destined for Wasilla. Through a coordinated series of operations, law enforcement arrested co-conspirators in Alaska, California and Florida.

“Drug trafficking is truly one of the great scourges of the modern world,” said U.S. Attorney John Kuhn of the District of Alaska. “Not only do drug traffickers destroy the lives of their customers with their addictive and deadly products, but those like Mr. Moi engage in violent acts and murder as part of their trade. This conviction finally puts an end to a prolific and highly dangerous drug trafficking operation.  I commend the federal agencies and the Anchorage Police Department for their investigative work and our prosecutors for securing these convictions.” 

“Matthew Wilson Moi and his criminal enterprise of dangerous drug traffickers were pushing potentially lethal drugs and brought violence to the communities in Anchorage,” said Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in- Charge DEA Seattle Field Division. “This conviction sends a strong message that the DEA and law enforcement partners will work tirelessly to drive down drug-related violence through coordinated enforcement operations and hold those predatory drug traffickers responsible for causing the most harm in our communities.”

“The shipment of illegal narcotics has no place in the US Postal Service and the State of Alaska.  The conviction of Moi removes a dangerous criminal from the streets and provides closure to the family of his victim,” said Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti. “The US Postal Inspection Service will continue to aggressively investigate those who use the US Mail in support of their criminal activities. We thank our state, local and federal partners for their support and efforts in this investigation.”

“Unfortunately, no community is immune to the dangers of drug trafficking. This trial has shed additional light on the utter greed and brutality of those engaged in selling heroin and laundering its proceeds,” said Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS:CI), Seattle Field Office. “IRS:CI will not stand idly by while drug trafficking continues to irreparably harm our communities. We continue to stand with our law enforcement partners in our efforts to eradicate and dismantle violent drug trafficking organizations by exercising our expertise in tracing the ill-gotten gains of drug traffickers like Mr. Moi.”

“Ultimately this case came to fruition with the help of our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Alaska State Troopers,” said Anchorage Police Chief Michael Kerle. “Due to the many hours of work put in by all involved, the person responsible has been brought to justice.”

Co-conspirators in the drug enterprise included:

• Jordan Jerome Shanholtzer aka “Two-3 or 23,” 34, pleaded guilty to managing a continuing criminal enterprise and is awaiting sentencing.
• Kenneth Antonio Kiare Ford, aka “Keyes,” 31, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
• Myrick Anthoni Elliott, 36, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison.
• Isaiah Michael Roderick, aka “Izzy”, 22, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.  
• Marvin Nelson, aka “Unc or Old School,” 57, pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and IRS Criminal Investigation, investigated the case, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Anchorage Police Department and the Alaska Department of Public Safety.   

Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Klugman and Kelly Cavanaugh prosecuted the case.

This prosecution is a result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations that threaten communities throughout the United States. OCDETF uses 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 OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF. 

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