Category: Security

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Six Defendants Sentenced to Prison for Corruption at Rikers Island

Source: US FBI

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the sentences imposed on former Rikers Island corrections officers JASON SKEET, CHANTAL DE LOS SANTOS, and STEPHANIE DAVILA; former Rikers Island program counselor SHANEQUA WASHINGTON; former Rikers Island contractor KENNETH WEBSTER; and former Rikers Island inmate KRISTOPHER FRANCISCO, each for conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud in connection with their involvement in corruption at Rikers Island.  The last of the defendants to be sentenced, DAVILA, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison today by U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.  The remaining five defendants were previously sentenced to terms of prison ranging from 12 months to 40 months. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “The defendants—former Rikers Island employees, a Rikers Island contractor, and an inmate—engaged in corruption on Rikers Island by agreeing to have contraband smuggled into the Rikers Island jail facilities in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribes.  The defendants’ crimes contributed to a dangerous contraband market within Rikers Island, making Rikers Island less safe for inmates and officers alike.  The sentences imposed in this case demonstrate this Office’s commitment to hold accountable those who criminally abuse their positions of public trust and undermine the security of jails for their own benefit.”

According to the Complaints, Informations, public court filings, and statements made in court:

SKEET, DE LOS SANTOS, DAVILA, WASHINGTON, WEBSTER, and FRANCISCO engaged in conspiracies to smuggle contraband, including, among other things, controlled substances—such as fentanyl, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids, commonly known as “K2”—cellphones, and cigarettes, into Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribe payments.  Each of the charged conspiracies involved a Rikers Island insider—either a corrections officer, program counselor, or contractor—who was responsible for smuggling contraband into the facility; a co-conspirator outside of Rikers Island who provided the contraband and/or bribe payments to the insider; and an inmate co-conspirator who received the contraband smuggled by the insider.  The inmate who received the contraband from the insider typically sold at least part of the contraband to other inmates inside Rikers Island, in exchange for thousands of dollars in payments to the inmate or the inmate’s co-conspirators. In particular:

From at least January 2020 through June 2022, SKEET, who was then a corrections officer assigned to the Northern Infirmary Command on Rikers Island, smuggled contraband into Rikers Island approximately 100 times in exchange for more than $45,000.

From at least March 2022 through April 2022, WASHINGTON, who was then a program counselor assigned to the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island, smuggled contraband into Rikers Island in exchange for approximately $13,000.

From at least May 2022 through September 2022, WEBSTER, who was then an employee of a Rikers Island contractor and a former Rikers Island inmate , smuggled contraband into Rikers Island in exchange for more than $64,000.

From at least March 2022 through June 2022, DE LOS SANTOS, who was then a former Rikers Island corrections officer, passed contraband and made bribe payments to WASHINGTON and WEBSTER, so that they would smuggle the contraband to inmates inside Rikers Island.

From at least July 2021 through August 2021, DAVILA, who was then a former Rikers Island corrections officer, passed contraband and made bribe payments to a Rikers Island corrections officer (“CC-1”), so that CC-1 would smuggle the contraband to FRANCISCO inside Rikers Island.

From at least July 2021 through August 2021, FRANCISCO, who was then an inmate incarcerated in the Anna M. Kross Center on Rikers Island, directed DAVILA to provide bribe payments and contraband to CC-1, so that CC-1 would smuggle contraband to FRANCISCO inside Rikers Island.

*                      *                      *

Each of the defendants pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud.  A chart containing the sentences that the defendants received is set forth below.

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Z. Margulies and Jonathan Rebold are in charge of the prosecution.         

Defendant

Age

 Sentence of Imprisonment
Stephanie Davila

31

 12 months and a day
Chantal De Los Santos

31

 15 months
Kristopher Francisco

29

 37 months
Jason Skeet

47

 37 months
Shanequa Washington

40

 12 months and a day
Kenneth Webster

43

 41 months
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Irish and U.K. Nationals Charged with Multi-State Construction Fraud That Targeted Vulnerable Homeowners

Source: US FBI

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the unsealing of a Complaint in Manhattan federal court charging JAMES DINNIGAN, a/k/a “Charlie Ward,” and MARTIN MAUGHAN, a/k/a “Lawrence Rogers,” with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for their participation in a multi-year, multi-state organized construction fraud scheme that targeted at least 24 victims, including numerous elderly and vulnerable victims. MAUGHAN was transferred from state custody to federal custody this afternoon and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Robyn Tarnofsky.  DINNIGAN is in federal immigration custody and will be transferred to the Southern District of New York.  

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “As alleged, these defendants and their co-conspirators carried out a brazen scheme to defraud vulnerable members of our community by posing as legitimate home repair contractors and tricking homeowners into paying for thousands of dollars in unnecessary and unwanted home repairs.  Today’s charges should serve as a reminder that this Office and its law enforcement partners are committed to investigating and bringing to justice those who seek to enrich themselves by victimizing vulnerable members of our community.”

Acting Assistant Director in Charge Leslie R. Backschies said: “James Dinnigan and Martin Maughan allegedly enticed prospective consumers with illegitimate home improvement advertisements before intentionally destroying their property to extort unanticipated additional costs. These illegal foreign nationals allegedly laid the foundation to prey upon a vulnerable population across the northeast, ultimately stealing a significant sum from elderly victims. The FBI remains committed to protecting our citizens from any fraudulent company attempting to cement false promises to garner illicit profits.”

As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

Between at least in or around October 2023 through at least in or about February 2025, DINNIGAN and MAUGHAN participated in a construction fraud scheme involving dozens of victims in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and several other states.  Participants in the scheme were usually foreign nationals from Ireland and the United Kingdom who were illegally in the U.S. and falsely posed as legitimate home repair contractors.

The scheme generally proceeded as follows: To get hired by the victims, members of the scheme made false statements to victims about their operation of legitimate home repair businesses, their occupation as contractors or engineers, and about home improvement and construction projects the victims needed to obtain. After being hired, members of the scheme tricked victims into paying for additional unwanted or unnecessary home repairs and other construction, including by purposefully damaging or destroying the victims’ property. The perpetrators of the scheme then forced victims, including through threats, into paying them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

DINNIGAN, MAUGHAN, and other perpetrators of the scheme communicated with victims using cellphones and email.  The victims frequently wrote checks and transferred money to bank accounts controlled by members of the scheme, including into an account at a particular financial institution in Manhattan, New York.  The perpetrators of the scheme also operated websites in the names of at least two purported construction companies:  Local Masonry and Construction and Pine Valley Home Improvements, Inc.  Below are screenshots from websites that the perpetrators used to lure victims into the scheme:

The FBI has identified more than two dozen victims—many who are elderly individuals—who have lost at least $1 million as a result of this scheme. 

DINNIGAN entered the U.S. on or about April 4, 2023, using a tourist visa.  A review of relevant records has revealed no known documentation showing that DINNIGAN departed the U.S. as required, or that DINNIGAN applied for and received authorization to legally remain in the U.S.  On or about February 25, 2025, DINNIGAN was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) in Champlain, New York.

On or about August 9, 2023, MAUGHAN was encountered by CBP officers in the vicinity of Laredo, Texas.  MAUGHAN was subsequently ordered removed from the U.S. to the United Kingdom on or about October 30, 2023.  According to MAUGHAN’s order of removal, he was prohibited from reentering or attempting to reenter the U.S. for a period of five years.  On or about February 7, 2025, MAUGHAN was found inside the U.S. when he was arrested at the Boston Logan International Airport moments before departing on a flight to Dublin, Ireland. 

If you believe that you have additional information about this scheme or if you believe you have been a victim of the defendants or their co-conspirators, please contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov, and reference this case.

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DINNIGAN, 27, of Ireland, and MAUGHAN, 31, of the United Kingdom, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum term of 20 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge. 

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York and Philadelphia field offices.  Mr. Podolsky also thanked CBP; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; Lower Merion Police Department; Cheltenham Police Department; Bernards Township Police Department; and Lambertville Police Department for their assistance in the investigation. 

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon D. Harper is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from paralegal specialist William A. Coleman IV.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact descried therein should be treated as an allegation. 

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Ten Chinese Nationals Charged with Large-Scale Hacking of U.S. and International Victims on Behalf of the Chinese Government

Source: US FBI

Eight Defendants Were Employees of i-Soon, a Chinese Company Hacking at the Direction of the Chinese Government, and Two Defendants are Chinese Officials Who Directed the Hacks

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Sue J. Bai, the Head of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division; and Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of a two-count criminal Indictment charging 10 defendants with a years-long hacking scheme committed through the Chinese company i-Soon.  At the direction of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) government, i-Soon employees hacked and attempted to hack victims across the globe, including a large religious organization in the U.S., critics and dissidents of the PRC government, a state legislative body, U.S. government agencies, the ministries of foreign affairs of multiple governments in Asia, and news organizations. i-Soon’s victims were of interest to the PRC government because, among other reasons, they were prominent overseas critics of the PRC government or because the PRC government considered them threatening to the rule of the Chinese Communist Party.  The 10 defendants remain at large.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “State-sponsored hacking is an acute threat to our community and national security. For years, these 10 defendants—two of whom we allege are PRC officials—used sophisticated hacking techniques to target religious organizations, journalists, and Government agencies, all to gather sensitive information for the use of the PRC. These charges will help stop these state-sponsored hackers and protect our national security. The career prosecutors of this Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to uncover alleged state-sponsored hacking schemes, disrupt them, and bring those responsible to justice.”

National Security Division Head Sue J. Bai said: “The Department of Justice will relentlessly pursue those who threaten our cybersecurity by stealing from our government and our people. Today, we are exposing the Chinese government agents directing and fostering indiscriminate and reckless attacks against computers and networks worldwide, as well as the enabling companies and individual hackers that they have unleashed. We will continue to fight to dismantle this ecosystem of cyber mercenaries and protect our national security.”  

Acting Assistant Director in Charge Leslie R. Backschies said: “The charges announced today expose the PRC’s continued attempts to spy on and silence anyone it deems threatening to the Chinese Communist Party. As alleged in the indictment, the Chinese government tried to conceal its efforts by working through a private company, but their actions amount to years of state-sponsored hacking of religious and media organizations, numerous government agencies in multiple countries, and dissidents around the world who dared criticize the regime. The FBI will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt our adversaries’ use of emerging technology to silence dissent and undermine the rule of law across the globe.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

The PRC’s Ministry of State Security (“MSS”) had responsibility for the PRC’s domestic counterintelligence, non-military foreign intelligence, and aspects of the PRC’s political and domestic security. The PRC’s Ministry of Public Security (“MPS”) had responsibility for the PRC’s public and political security, including responsibility for law enforcement. To acquire information of interest to the PRC government in a manner that obscured their involvement, the PRC’s MSS and MPS used an extensive network of private companies and contractors in China to conduct unauthorized computer intrusions (“hacks”) in the U.S. and elsewhere.

One of those private companies was i-Soon.  From approximately 2016 through 2023, i-Soon and its personnel engaged in the numerous and widespread hacking of email accounts, cell phones, servers, and websites at the direction of, and in close coordination with, the PRC’s MSS and MPS. i-Soon generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue and at times had over 100 employees.

i-Soon’s primary customers were PRC government agencies.  It worked with at least 43 different MSS or MPS bureaus and charged the MSS and MPS between approximately $10,000 and $75,000 for each email inbox it successfully hacked.

The victims of i-Soon’s hacking included:

  • A newspaper based in New York, New York, that publishes news related to China and is opposed to the Chinese Communist Party.
  • An additional newspaper based in New York, New York.
  • The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, an agency within the Department of Defense that specializes in defense and military intelligence.
  • The U.S. Department of Commerce and the International Trade Administration, an agency within the Department of Commerce that promotes U.S. exports and defends against unfair trade practices.
  • A religious organization based in the U.S. that has thousands of churches and congregations and millions of members.
  • A Texas-based organization founded by a prominent critic of the PRC government focused on promoting human rights and religious freedom in China.
  • A news service funded by the U.S. government that delivers uncensored domestic news to audiences in Asian countries, including China, and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
  • A state research university in the U.S.
  • The New York State Assembly, a part of the legislature of the state of New York.
  • A religious leader who lived outside of China and the U.S.
  • A newspaper based in Hong Kong, China, that has actively covered the politics of Hong Kong and continues to do so today.
  • The foreign ministry of Taiwan.
  • The foreign ministry of India.
  • The foreign ministry of South Korea.
  • The foreign ministry of Indonesia.

In many instances, the PRC government was particularly interested in these victims because they had criticized the PRC government.  In other instances, the PRC government was particularly interested in foreign ministries because those foreign ministries were in communication with the U.S.

In some instances, i-Soon conducted its hacking at the direct request of the MSS or MPS. In other instances, i-Soon conducted hacks on its own initiative and then sold, or attempted to sell, the stolen data to different bureaus of the MSS or MPS.

i-Soon also trained MPS employees how to hack independently of i-Soon and offered a variety of hacking methods for sale to its customers.  i-Soon touted what it called a “industry-leading offensive and defensive technology” and a “zero-day vulnerability arsenal” used to successfully hack computer systems.  One of i-Soon’s products was software called the “Automated Penetration Testing Platform.” i-Soon advertised the platform’s ability to send email phishing attacks, to create files with malware that could provide access to victims’ computers if opened, and to clone websites of victims in order to induce them to submit personal information. An image of the interface for the Automated Penetration Testing Platform is below:

Another of i-Soon’s products was software that allowed the user to gain unauthorized access to online accounts or computer systems by deciphering passwords—also called “password cracking.” This platform was called the “Divine Mathematician Password Cracking Platform.” An image of the interface for the Divine Mathematician Password Cracking Platform is below:

i-Soon also sold software specifically designed to target victim accounts on a variety of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Outlook; Gmail, the email service provided by Google LLC; the social media network X, formerly known as Twitter; the cellphone operating system Android; and the computer operating systems Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. i-Soon advertised its bespoke software as being able to overcome the unique defenses of these systems.

For example, with respect to Twitter, i-Soon sold software with the capability to send a victim a spear phishing link and then to obtain access to and control over the victim’s Twitter account. The software had the ability to access Twitter even without the victim’s password and to bypass multi-factor authentication. After a victim’s Twitter was compromised, the software could send tweets, delete tweets, forward tweets, make comments, and like tweets. The purpose of this software was to help i-Soon’s customers, including the PRC government, use hacked Twitter accounts to understand public opinion outside of China. For example, the software could be set to keep track of keywords appearing in tweets or messages. i-Soon referred to this software as its “Public Opinion Guidance and Control Platform (Overseas).” An image from the “Public Opinion Guidance and Control Platform (Overseas)” is below:

The 10 defendants charged are WU HAIBO, a/k/a “shutd0wn,” a/k/a “Boss Wu,” a/k/a “吴海波,” the Chief Executive Officer, and leader, of i-Soon; CHEN CHENG, a/k/a “lengmo,” a/k/a “Chief C,” a/k/a “Jesse Chen,” a/k/a “陈诚,” the Chief Operating Officer of i-Soon; WANG YAN, a/k/a “crysolo,” a/k/a “王堰,” the leader of one of i-Soon’s “penetration testing” teams; WANG ZHE, a/k/a “ken73224,” a/k/a “王哲,” the Sales Director of i-Soon; ZHOU WEIWEI, a/k/a “nullroot,” a/k/a “周伟伟,” the leader of i-Soon’s “Technology Research and Development Center”; WANG LIYU, a/k/a “PICNIC350116,” a/k/a “王立宇,” an MPS officer based in Chengdu, China; and SHENG JING, a/k/a “sjbible,” “盛晶,” the defendant, an MPS officer based in Shenzhen, China.

If you have information leading to the identification or location of these 10 defendants, please reach out to the Department of State at rewardsforjustice.net.

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HAIBO, 43; CHENG, 40; GUODONG, 32; LI, 31; YAN, 35; ZHE, 44; WEIWEI, 37; LIANG, 28; LIYU, 36; and JING, 36, all nationals of China, are charged with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the FBI.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan B. Finkel, Steven J. Kochevar, and Kevin Mead are in charge of the prosecution.  Trial Attorney Gregory J. Nicosia Jr. of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section provided valuable assistance.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

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Former Nassau County Police Detective Convicted of Lying to the FBI to Cover Up His Work for the Bonanno Crime Family

Source: US FBI

The Bonanno Crime Family Paid Hector Rosario to Protect Their Illegal Gambling Parlors and Shut Down Rival Locations on Long Island Operated by Other Crime Families

Hector Rosario, a former detective with the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), was found guilty today by a federal jury in Brooklyn of making false statements to Federal Bureau of Investigation agents about his work for the Bonanno crime family.  The verdict followed a seven-day trial before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano.  Rosario was fired by the NCPD after he was indicted in August 2022.  When sentenced, Rosario faces up to five years in prison.

John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Anne T. Donnelly, District Attorney, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, announced the verdict.

“This corrupt detective chose to prove his loyalty to an organized crime family over the public he was sworn to protect,” stated United States Attorney Durham. “When police officers exploit their positions for personal gain, it erodes public trust in law enforcement. My Office has zero tolerance for corruption by any public officials, and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that it is punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Hector Rosario, a former Nassau County detective, allowed himself to be bought by the mob to blatantly lie during a federal investigation into the Bonanno family’s illegal gambling operations,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Backschies. “Rosario’s lies not only protected an organized criminal enterprise, but also eroded the public’s trust in law enforcement and is a disservice to all who wear the badge honoring their oath to protect and serve. The FBI remains committed to disrupting any corrupt officer who prioritizes personal wealth over integrity to the shield.”

“Hector Rosario cared more about lining his pockets with Bonanno family money and protecting his own interests than his fidelity to the law,” stated Nassau County District Attorney Donnelly.  “He disgracefully compromised the investigative work of his fellow detectives by tipping off a target and lied to federal agents as the walls were closing in on him. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will uncover and vigorously prosecute corruption in our law enforcement ranks in Nassau County, because no one is above the law.”

As proven at trial, Rosario was paid by the Bonanno crime family to protect its illegal gambling operations. For over a decade, the Bonanno crime family operated illegal gambling businesses inside various coffee shops and sports clubs throughout Queens and on Long Island.  During the same period, the Genovese organized crime family operated illegal gambling businesses out of their own locations in Queens and Long Island, including Sal’s Shoe Repair in Merrick, New York, and the Centro Calcio Italiano Club in West Babylon, New York.

The Bonanno organized crime family paid Rosario to attempt to shut down rival gambling parlors, including by conducting a fake police “raid” on the Genovese-run gambling spot located inside Sal’s Shoe Repair.  Rosario also provided a tip about a rival gambling spot to another detective in an attempt to get the location shut down.  He warned a Bonanno crime family associate that he was under investigation and not to speak on the phone because law enforcement might be listening, and Rosario also looked up the home address of a possible witness Rosario believed was cooperating against the Bonanno crime family.

In January 2020, during the course of a federal grand jury investigation into the racketeering activities of the Bonanno and Genovese organized crime families, Rosario was interviewed by FBI agents. Rosario falsely stated that he had no information about the Mafia or illegal gambling spots.  He denied knowing the identity of the crime family associate he had warned, and he further falsely stated that he was not familiar with the gambling business inside Sal’s Shoe Repair.

Rosario was acquitted by the jury of obstruction of justice.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Anna L. Karamigios, Sophia M. Suarez and Sean M. Sherman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Eleanor Jaffe-Pachuilo.

The Defendant:

HECTOR ROSARIO
Age:  51
Mineola, Long Island

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-355 (ENV) 

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Twenty-Five Metropolitan Detention Center Inmates, Their Associates and a Former Correctional Officer—Charged in a Dozen Criminal Cases at the Federal Jail in Brooklyn

Source: US FBI

Charges Include a Range of Violent Assaults and Contraband Smuggling in Continued Effort by Law Enforcement to Combat Crime Inside the Prison

Today the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced criminal charges against 25 defendants in 12 separate cases relating to violence and contraband smuggling at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC-Brooklyn) in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. These include charges against 15 inmates for violent assaults against other inmates from May 2024 to the present; a former correctional officer for attempting to smuggle contraband into the facility on January 21, 2025; an inmate for orchestrating a contraband smuggling operation between April and June 2024; an inmate for smuggling ceramic scalpels into the facility on October 12, 2024; an inmate for possession of contraband and continuing to commit fraud while detained at MDC-Brooklyn; and an MS-13 gang associate for attempting to smuggle a large package of contraband, including 18 cellphones and marijuana, to other MS-13 gang members incarcerated at MDC-Brooklyn.

Previously, nine inmates at MDC-Brooklyn were charged by the Office in September 2024 for violence and contraband smuggling.  In addition, the Office, in conjunction with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (USAO-SDNY) and more than a dozen law enforcement partners, assisted in October 2024 with a week-long multi-agency operation aimed at detecting and seizing contraband from MDC-Brooklyn.

John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Kathleen Toomey, Associate Deputy Director, Federal Bureau of Prisons, announced the charges.

“The safety and security of our federal detention facilities is paramount,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “As alleged, in several separate charging instruments, inmates viciously attacked fellow detainees, a correctional officer betrayed his duty by attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility, several inmates orchestrated elaborate contraband smuggling operations and yet another inmate continued to engage in fraud schemes while detained.  These actions undermine the order and security of MDC-Brooklyn and endanger everyone within its walls.  My Office is working tirelessly to hold accountable those who commit violent acts or introduce contraband into the prison, whether they are inmates or staff.  These charges serve as a warning to those who would engage in criminal conduct behind bars, and anyone else who facilitates those crimes: your conduct will be uncovered, and you will be held accountable.”

Mr. Durham thanked the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and the FBI New York Field Office for their investigative work in these cases, as well as the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General for their assistance.

“These 25 defendants, an array of inmates and a former correctional officer, allegedly committed numerous violent attacks against fellow inmates and orchestrated various schemes to smuggle contraband into the prison,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Backschies. “These cases reflect the alleged extreme disregard for adhering to the rules designed to protect the other inmates and correctional staff within the institution. The FBI will never tolerate any individual, regardless of their incarceration status, who engages in deviant behavior that threatens the safety and stability of our federal facilities.

“The Federal Bureau of Prisons would like to thank the FBI and the EDNY for their partnership and support to further prevent and prosecute violence and contraband in our facilities, through our unified efforts we are making our facilities safer for our employees and those in our custody,” stated Federal Bureau of Prisons Associate Deputy Director Toomey.   

A summary of the cases follows:

U.S. v. Mike Josie

Mike Josie has been charged by indictment with assault in a federal detention facility in connection with his participation in an assault of another inmate at MDC-Brooklyn on May 26, 2024.  As alleged, Josie brutally attacked another inmate in his housing unit who was sitting at a table in a common area of the unit.  Josie approached the victim from behind and made several slashing motions towards the victim’s face.  After the assault, the victim was taken to a nearby hospital to treat lacerations to his neck and face. If convicted, Josie faces up to10 years in prison.  Josie is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl. Assistant United States Attorney Sean Fern is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Daryl Campbell, Ian Diez, Jonathan Guerrero, Abel Mora and Mayovanex Rodriguez

Daryl Campbell, Ian Diez, Jonathan Guerrero, Abel Mora and Mayovanex Rodriguez are charged by complaint with conspiracy to smuggle contraband into MDC-Brooklyn.  As alleged, between April and June 2024, Campbell used a contraband cell phone to conspire with others to smuggle contraband into MDC-Brooklyn.  In several voice recordings found on the phone, Campbell explained his method of throwing a “line” out of a window of MDC-Brooklyn for a co-conspirator on the outside to “hook” or attach contraband, which could then be pulled back inside.  On June 30, 2024, Diez, Guerrero, Mora, and Rodriguez attempted to execute Campbell’s scheme by pulling a rope through the window of the recreation room in their housing area.  At the other end of that rope, correctional officers found what appeared to be suboxone, marijuana, a scalpel, a phone charger, lighters, and cigarettes.  If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorneys Russell Noble and Elizabeth D’Antonio are in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Sean Smith, Rasheed Chapman and Antwan Mosley

Sean Smith, Rasheed Chapman and Antwan Mosley have been indicted by a grand jury for the June 2, 2024 assault of another inmate at MDC-Brooklyn.  The defendants violently assaulted the victim, slashing him across the face and neck and causing serious lacerations.  The victim was then chased through the housing unit and struck repeatedly by his assailants. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney Kamil Ammari is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Adil Duran

Adil Duran has been charged in an indictment with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and possessing contraband in prison.  As captured on video surveillance footage, on July 11, 2024, Duran slashed another inmate in the face and neck with a sharpened weapon, causing serious lacerations that required sutures.  If convicted, Duran faces up to 20 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney Kate Mathews is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Erik Steadman and Javaughn Horton

Erik Steadman and Javaughn Horton have been charged by complaint with assault in a federal detention facility for the September 5, 2024 assault of another inmate at MDC-Brooklyn.  As alleged, Horton and Steadman approached another inmate in their unit and began punching him repeatedly in the face until he fell to the ground.  The defendants continued punching and kicking the victim in the face, causing a significant laceration to his face.  If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney Molly Delaney is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Angel Villafane

Angel Villafane, a member of the gang Valentine Avenue Crew, has been indicted for possession of 21 ceramic scalpels smuggled into MDC-Brooklyn on October 12, 2024.  As alleged, while sitting in the visiting room at MDC-Brooklyn, Villafane removed a ball full of ceramic scalpels from a bag of Doritos chips and placed them in his shirt.  Correctional officers later discovered the scalpels during a search.  If convicted, the defendant faces up to five years in prison. Department of Justice Trial Attorney Margaret P. Mortimer is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Juan Lopez and Jose Rivera

Juan Lopez and Jose Rivera have been indicted for assaulting another inmate and possessing contraband weapons.  As alleged, on November 11, 2024, Lopez and Rivera slashed and stabbed another inmate in their housing unit.  The victim was seated at a table when Rivera snuck up behind him and slashed him multiple times in the head and neck with a sharp object. As the victim ran to seek help, Lopez tried to prevent him from reaching the correctional officers’ station by swinging his own weapon, stabbing the victim in the arm.  The victim suffered three lacerations to the back of his head, one laceration to his neck and a puncture wound to his forearm.  If convicted, the defendants face up to 15 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney Russell Noble is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Tyquan Robinson

Tyquan Robinson has been charged in a five-count superseding indictment with conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and possession of contraband in prison.  Robinson was originally detained at MDC-Brooklyn for his alleged role in defrauding a court-appointed criminal defense attorney by obtaining a stolen $125,000 Treasury check issued to the attorney as payment for representing indigent defendants and stealing his identity.  In October 2024, officers at the MDC performed a search of Robinson’s cell. Inside his locker, the officers discovered that Robinson had hidden a contraband cellphone inside of a box of Raisin Bran cereal. An examination of this contraband cellphone revealed that even while incarcerated at the MDC, Robinson was participating in a separate fraud scheme from his original charges by discussing stealing checks issued to others, opening multiple bank accounts, and exchanging third parties’ personally identifiable information.  If convicted, Robinson faces up to 30 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney James R. Simmons is in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Special Agent Anthony Cunder.

U.S. v. Jairon Ortega-Corea

Jairon Ortega-Corea, an MS-13 gang associate, was charged by indictment with attempting to provide contraband to inmates at MDC-Brooklyn.  He was arrested on March 3, 2025 in Minnesota.  The charges stem from the December 2, 2024 discovery, by MDC-Brooklyn employees, of a package on the fourth-floor roof of the jail containing 18 cellular telephones, approximately 345 grams of marijuana and one liter of drinking alcohol, among other items.  The prior evening, a witness had observed the attempted smuggling of the package into MDC-Brooklyn, when it was pulled up by a rope dangled out of the window of an empty cell within the unit that houses MS-13 members.  An investigation subsequently revealed that the defendant, who is related to a high-ranking MS-13 member housed at MDC-Brooklyn, purchased several of the contraband items at a local Walmart the day prior to the discovery.  At the time of the purchase, Ortega-Corea was communicating with MS-13 inmates at MDC-Brooklyn who were using a different contraband phone.  If convicted, Ortega-Corea faces up to 20 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorneys Megan E. Farrell, Paul G. Scotti and Justina L. Geraci are in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Najee Jackson

Najee Jackson, a former correctional officer at MDC-Brooklyn, has been indicted by a grand jury for attempting to smuggle contraband into the facility.  On January 21, 2025, Jackson, who was employed as a correctional officer, arrived at MDC-Brooklyn to begin working a night shift. After making several failed attempts to clear the metal detector in the staff screening area, Jackson removed his Bureau of Prisons-issued protective vest, which was found to contain vacuum‑sealed bags of marijuana and cigarettes. Jackson resigned from the Bureau of Prisons two days later.  If convicted, the defendant faces up to five years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorneys Turner Buford and Russell Noble are in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Devone Thomas

Devone Thomas, who was previously charged with the June 7, 2024 killing of Uriel Whyte inside of the MDC Brooklyn, is now additionally charged by complaint with possession of a contraband weapon.  On February 28, 2025, Thomas was transported to federal court in Brooklyn for a status conference in connection with his murder case. Upon his return to MDC-Brooklyn after the court appearance, a blade was found in Thomas’s groin area.  If convicted, the defendant faces up to five years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth D’Antonio is in charge of the prosecution.

U.S. v. Brian Castro, Franklin Gillespie, Juan Lopez, Jowenky Nunez Jr., Hugo Rodriguez and Elvis Trejo

Brian Castro, Franklin Gillespie, Juan Lopez, Jowenky Nunez Jr., Hugo Rodriguez, and Elvis Trejo have been charged by complaint with assault in a federal detention facility for their roles in what became a unit-wide fight between inmates at MDC-Brooklyn. As alleged, on February 22, 2025, Castro, Lopez, Nunez, Rodriguez and Trejo, along with other as-yet uncharged individuals, approached another inmate in their unit, armed with weapons, and began chasing and stabbing him.  The victim was stabbed 18 times and required hospitalization for his injuries. The brawl ultimately resulted in at least five inmates, including the victim, requiring transportation to a local hospital for further treatment.  Gillespie, who was not a part of the initial group attacking the victim, joined the brawl after it began, and, also armed with a weapon, assaulted a fellow inmate in the course of the fight.  The fight resulted in more than 20 inmates requiring medical assessments, and at least 10 inmates appeared to have wounds consistent with being stabbed or slashed.  If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison.  Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Petraeus is in charge of the prosecution.

*          *          *

The Office’s General Crimes Section is principally responsible for handling these cases, with substantial contributions from the Public Integrity Section, the Organized Crime and Gangs Section and the Office’s Long Island Criminal Section.  In addition to the Assistant United States Attorneys and Special Agent listed above, Special Agent Danielle Williams, Law Enforcement Coordinator Specialist Herbert Martin and Paralegal Specialists Matias Burdman and Erin Payne have provided substantial support on these cases.

The charges in the indictments and complaints described above are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Defendants:

MIKE JOSIE
Age: 25

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-76 (FB)

————–

DARYL CAMPBELL
Age: 39

IAN DIEZ
Age: 20

JONATHAN GUERRERO
Age: 34

ABEL MORA
Age: 23

MAYOVANEX RODRIGUEZ
Age: 30

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-MJ-72

————–

SEAN SMITH
Age: 34

RASHEED CHAPMAN
Age: 21

ANTWAN MOSLEY
Age: 23

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-58

————–

ADIL DURAN
Age: 23

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-9 (ARR)

————–

ERIK STEADMAN
Age: 24

JAVAUGHN HORTON
Age: 30

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-MJ-70

————–

ANGEL VILLAFANE
Age: 40

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-71 (HG)

————–

JUAN LOPEZ
Age: 26

JOSE RIVERA
Age: 20

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-72 (CBA)

————–

TYQUAN ROBINSON
Age: 30

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-51 (AMD)

————–

JAIRON ORTEGA-COREA
Age: 23

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-83

————–

NAJEE JACKSON
Age: 32

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-67 (OEM)

————–

DEVONE THOMAS
Age: 25

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-360 (EK)

————–

BRIAN CASTRO
Age: 24

FRANKLIN GILLESPIE
Age: 34

JUAN LOPEZ
Age: 68

JOWENKY NUNEZ JR.
Age: 22

HUGO RODRIGUEZ
Age: 29

ELVIS TREJO
Age: 24

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-MJ-73

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Buffalo Man Sentenced for His Role in Narcotics Conspiracy Which Resulted in a Triple Homicide

Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that James Reed a/k/a Fatts,  42, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct justice, use of fire to commit a felony, and accessory after the fact, was sentenced to serve 166 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler, Maeve E. Huggins, and Joseph M. Tripi, who handled the case, stated that beginning in 2014, Reed, and others, began receiving and selling marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. Reed, and his co-conspirators utilized 973 Fillmore Avenue to store, package, and sell the illegal narcotics. In furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy, on September 15, 2019, Reed accompanied co-defendant Jariel Cobb to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from Miguel Anthony Valentin-Colon and Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred, who served as Cobb’s sources of supply. Valentin-Colon, along with his wife. Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud, their minor son, and Roman-Audiffred, arrived in their vehicle, a white minivan, at a residence on Roebling Avenue, as directed by Cobb. Roman-Audiffred exited the van and entered the residence’s kitchen, at which time co-defendant Deandre Wilson hit her in the head with a blunt object and she fell to the floor. Wilson then went outside and shot and killed both Valentin-Colon and Merced Plaud, in the presence of their minor son, who was seated in a child’s car seat. Wilson then drove the minivan and parked it on Scajaquada Street near Kilhoffer Street in Buffalo.

A short time later, Reed and Cobb moved the body of Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred from the kitchen into the residence’s basement, where they dismembered her body. Cobb placed the body parts into multiple trash bags and placed them into the trunk of his vehicle, and then Cobb and Reed drove to a residence on Box Avenue, removed the trash bags, and placed them into a burning fire in a fire pit area in the backyard.

The following day, during the early morning hours of September 16, 2019, Cobb and Wilson retrieved the minivan from Scajaquada Street, with the bodies of Miguel Valentin-Colon and Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud still inside, as well as their minor son. They drove the minivan into the yard of a residence on Tonawanda Street and doused the vehicle and the bodies with gasoline, lighting the vehicle and bodies on fire. They took the minor child and left him on a stranger’s porch on Potomac Avenue in Buffalo.

James Cobb and Deandre Wilson were previously convicted. Cobb was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison, while Wilson was sentenced to serve three life sentences.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia; the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory, under the direction of Commissioner James Jancewicz. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Michael Keane.

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Falconer Woman Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking and Drug Charges

Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Cora Waddington, 25, of Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and benefitting financially from trafficking in persons. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Maeve E. Huggins, who are handling the case, stated that between October and December 2022, Waddington conspired with Zaid Mendoza a/k/a Diamond, and Kelvin O. Thomas to conduct a sex trafficking operation utilizing two victims with drug addictions. Waddington, Mendoza, and Thomas provided shelter to the victims at a W. Main Street residence in Falconer, and provided them with food, clothing, and daily quantities of heroin and fentanyl in exchange for their performance of commercial sex acts for money. The proceeds went to Mendoza who then provided clothes, food, spending money, heroin, and methamphetamine to Waddington. The victims, through force and threats of force, performed commercial sex acts at both “in calls” at the W. Main Street residence, and “out calls.” Waddington transported the victims to “out calls.” Waddington, Mendoza, and Thomas utilized the website Skipthegames.com to entice customers for their sex trafficking scheme.

Waddington was also an organizer, leader, manager, and supervisor in Mendoza’s drug trafficking operation. She provided heroin and fentanyl, and methamphetamine to the victims, as well as Mendoza’s other drug customers. In October 2022, law enforcement stopped Waddington’s vehicle, which included Mendoza as a passenger. Waddington had an outstanding warrant and was arrested. Officers recovered methamphetamine on her person, as well as a bag of fentanyl on Mendoza’s person. On December 7, 2022, a search warrant was executed at the West Main Street residence, during which cash, drug paraphernalia, a semi-automatic pistol, and multiple plastic bags of narcotics were recovered.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson; the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino III, New York Field Division; and the Town of Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Ohnmeiss Jr.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

This investigation is also assisted by the Western New York Human Trafficking Task Force, a multi-disciplinary task force that brings law enforcement and social service agencies together to identify and investigate human trafficking utilizing a victim centered and trauma informed response, was also part of this effort.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 13, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.

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North Carolina Man Pleads Guilty to His Role in Scheme That Defrauded Hundreds of Companies Out of Millions of Dollars

Source: US FBI

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Nicholas Scarantino, 30, of North Carolina, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick, who is handling the case, stated that Scarantino owned Direct Chemicals in the State of California. Between July and November 2021, he and others mailed thousands of fictitious invoices in the name of Direct Chemicals to victim companies located all over the United States. Approximately 873 victim companies were tricked and defrauded into paying these fictitious invoices, totaling of approximately $861,268.66. Several companies in the Western District of New York were victimized. The companies are located in Henrietta, Lakewood, Brockport, Andover, Rochester, Avon, Tonawanda, and Niagara Falls.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas M. Fattorusso.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 17, 2025, before Judge Wolford.

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U.S. Attorney Ross Appoints 2024 District Election Officer

Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno will lead the efforts of her Office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. AUSA Bonanno has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western District of New York, and in that capacity is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

U.S. Attorney Ross said, “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election.  Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud.  The Department will address these violations wherever they occur.  The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.  It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice.  The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).   

U.S. Attorney Ross stated that: “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy.  We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.  In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Bonanno will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 716-843-5700.”

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 716-856-7800.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

U.S. Attorney Ross said, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency.

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Albany Man Sentenced for Trafficking Cocaine and Marijuana

Source: US FBI

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Brian Scott, age 44, of Albany, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute at least 5 kilograms of cocaine and 100 kilograms of marijuana, and for distributing cocaine.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James; and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.

As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Scott admitted that between June 2020 and October 2023, he was a member of a drug trafficking organization that trafficked cocaine and marijuana in the Capital Region and the North Country. Scott admitted that he and a co-conspirator routinely sent drug couriers, whom they referred to as “horses,” between the Capital Region and the North Country to transport cocaine to the North Country and marijuana to the Capital Region. Scott also admitted that he trafficked at least 7 kilograms of cocaine, which he obtained from another co-conspirator, and that he sold over 400 grams of cocaine to another person.

Scott was also ordered to forfeit $4,865 in seized drug money and to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $17,180.

FBI, New York State Police, and HSI investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Joseph Hartunian.