Category: Security

Source: US FBI

The Defendants Stole High-End Automobiles From Dealerships Across the United States

Source: US FBI

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”); Leslie R. Backschies, the Acting Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”); and Jessica S. Tisch, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the unsealing today of an Indictment charging EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo”; HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec”; JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little”; NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio”; DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank”; EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR”; JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine”; CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris”; JOHNNIE CAPELES a/k/a “Jon Boy”; JAMIL BANKS a/k/a “Mel”; EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E”; JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo”; HECTOR CEREZO, a/k/a “Red”; JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo”; JUAN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco”; STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz”; VICTOR MENDENG, a/k/a “Cali”; ANGEL VILLAFANE, YADIRA REYNOSO, a/k/a “Yadi”; ERIKA DAWSON; ARIYAN LABELLA, a/k/a “Ari”; DELILAH CARRIEL; ROSEMARIE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Rosie”; JOHANA ALCANTARA; JUAN CALDERON, a/k/a “Jazzo,” a/k/a “Juanito”; KAREEM SMITH, a/k/a “K”; and CHRISTOPHER MEADOWS with participating in a racketeering enterprise, committing multiple violent crimes in aid of racketeering, including murder, engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, distributing narcotics, and carrying and using firearms in connection with an armed drug trafficking operation based on Valentine Avenue in the Bronx, New York for well over three decades from 1993 to the present.  CARASQUILLO and ALCANTARA are also charged with the June 25, 2020, murder of Jozei Hullex.

CARRASQUILLO, HECTOR HERNANDEZ, JOSE HERNANDEZ, MANNING, MARCUS, MORENO, BANKS, RIVERA, CEREZO, VARGAS, KUANG, SANTIAGO, MENDENG, VILLAFANE, CARRIEL, SANCHEZ, ALCANTARA, CALDERON, and MEADOWS were previously taken into custody on related charges.  SAMUELS, SERRANO, CAPELES, REYNOSO, DAWSON, LABELLA, and SMITH were arrested either yesterday evening or earlier today.  BARRERA is still at large.  All seven of the defendants arrested yesterday or today are expected to be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger later this afternoon.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Today, we have filed charges against twenty-eight alleged members of a violent drug trafficking gang that held an entire neighborhood of this city hostage for over three decades.  On a daily basis, this street crew, including those arrested today, allegedly distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack along several blocks on Valentine Avenue, creating an open-air drug market in the middle of a Bronx neighborhood.  And to protect their territory, they allegedly carried guns, extorted people with substance abuse issues through violence, and attacked rivals and anyone else attempting to weaken their control on their block. This violence resulted in multiple shootings, as well as the murder of Jozei Hullex.  It is a brutal reality that has lasted for far too long.  It ends now.  The streets of this great city belong to its people, and the career prosecutors of this Office will not stop until our streets are returned to the law-abiding people of New York City and their families.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino said: “Today’s indictment against the Valentine Avenue Crew and its members, shows the commitment the Drug Enforcement Administration and our law enforcement partners have when targeting drug trafficking organizations and individuals who routinely use threats, violence, extortion, robbery, and murder in order to run their criminal enterprise and flood our neighborhoods with illicit and synthetic drugs. The DEA remains committed to ensuring our citizens and communities remain healthy and safe.”

FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Leslie R. Backschies said: “For over three decades, these 28 Valentine Avenue Crew members allegedly protected their illicit narcotics distribution scheme and the enterprise’s dangerous reputation through violent gunfights and murder. Their alleged commandeering of a Bronx neighborhood allowed criminality and violence to flourish, threatening the lives of innocent residents. The FBI remains committed to dismantling all criminal organizations that utilize our city as their personal playground to promote illegal racketeering operations and endanger our communities.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch said: “The Valentine Avenue Crew created immense fear within their community for decades, fueling our streets with senseless gun violence, polluting our sidewalks with deadly poisons, and costing lives through their ruthless gang behavior. These indictments send a clear message: this era of lawlessness ends today. The NYPD remains steadfast in its mission to remove illegal firearms from the hands of criminals—having already seized over 1,000 firearms this year alone—and to dismantle the illicit drug trade they are so often associated with. I commend the relentless NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners in the FBI, DEA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their unwavering commitment to placing members of organized networks such as these behind bars.”

As alleged in the Indictment:[1]

CARRASQUILLO, HECTOR HERNANDEZ,  JOSE HERNANDEZ, MANNING, MARCUS, MORENO, SAMUELS, SERRANO, CAPELES, BANKS, BARRERA, RIVERA, CEREZO, VARGAS, KUANG, SANTIAGO, MENDENG, VILLAFANE, REYNOSO, DAWSON, LABELLA, CARRIEL, SANCHEZ, ALCANTARA, CALDERON, SMITH, and MEADOWS are charged for their involvement in an armed drug trafficking organization (the “Valentine Avenue Crew”) that took over the block of Valentine Avenue between East 194th Street and East 196th Street in the Bronx (the “Block”) and its surrounding neighborhood.

Since the mid-1990s, for multiple decades, the members and associates of the Valentine Avenue Crew, including the defendants, operated as a drug trafficking gang that was organized in a hierarchal structure and that took over and controlled the Block, working in shifts throughout the day and night to distribute fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base, in a form commonly known as “crack.”  These drugs were often manufactured and packaged elsewhere and then delivered to the Block, where members and associates of the Valentine Avenue Crew, many of whom were typically armed with firearms and other weapons, sold them to a large base of end-user customers.  In control of the sidewalks and the street of the Block, as well as the public spaces of multiple buildings along the Block, the Valentine Avenue Crew and its members and associates, including the defendants, worked freely, creating an open market for drugs, in which they extorted payments, including in-kind sexual acts, from customers through violence and the threat of violence. The members and associates of the Valentine Avenue Crew, including the defendants, also used violence—including multiple shootings—to compete with rival drug traffickers and within the Valentine Avenue Crew itself, principally to maintain dominance over the drug trade on the Block and control of the Valentine Avenue Crew.

On or about June 25, 2020, CARRASQUILLO, one of the leaders of the Valentine Avenue Crew, and ALCANTARA used fentanyl to poison and murder Jozei Hullex, a disfavored member of the Valentine Avenue Crew.

On or about June 25, 2020, CARRASQUILLO, HECTOR HERNANDEZ, JOSE HERNANDEZ, MANNING, MARCUS, and SAMUELS participated in a shootout for control of the Valentine Avenue Crew and in turn the Block.

On or about September 22, 2020, CARRASQUILLO and CEREZO participated in shooting at a rival gang member.

On or about January 1, 2021, CARRASQUILLO, MARCUS, MORENO, and SAMUELS used a chain and one or more firearms to assault a disfavored member of the Valentine Avenue Crew, who was seriously injured and hospitalized following the attack.

In addition, VILLAFANE remains charged for his commission of two non-fatal shootings in Manhattan in July 2020 and January 2021.  Specifically, in or about July 2020, VILLAFANE paid a co-conspirator (“CC-1”) to lure a victim to a location in Manhattan where VILLAFANE attempted to murder the victim over a drug debt, resulting in personal injury to the victim.  Additionally, on or about January 8, 2021, VILLAFANE committed another non-fatal shooting in Manhattan.

*                *                *

A chart containing the names, charges, and maximum penalties for the defendants is set forth below.

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

Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA, FBI, and NYPD.  Today’s operation was conducted by the Trident Task Force, a joint task force of the DEA and FBI, among other federal, state, and local law-enforcement authorities, which is working on this case together with the NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Violent and Organized Crime Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman, Timothy Ly, and Thomas John Wright are in charge of the prosecution.

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

COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAX. PENALTIES
1	Racketeering conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d)	All DEFENDANTS	Life in prison
2	Conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5)	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and JOHANA ALCANTARA	10 years in prison
3	Murder in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(1) and 2	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and JOHANA ALCANTARA	Death or mandatory sentence of life in prison
4	Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine”	20 years in prison
5	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
6	Attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering 18 U.S.C. §§ 1959(a)(3), (a)(5), and 2	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and HECTOR CEREZO, a/k/a “Red”	20 years in prison
7	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
8	Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine”	20 years in prison
9	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c) and 2	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” and JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years in prison
10	Narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 846	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine,” CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris,” JOHNNIE CAPELES a/k/a “Jon Boy,” EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E,” JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo,” HECTOR CEREZO a/k/a “Red,” JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo,” JUAN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco,” STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz,” VICTOR MENDENG, a/k/a “Cali,” ANGEL VILLAFANE YADIRA REYNOSO, a/k/a “Yadi,” ERIKA DAWSON, ARIYAN LABELLA, a/k/a “Ari,” DELILAH CARRIEL, ROSEMARIE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Rosie,” JOHANA ALCANTARA, JUAN CALDERON, a/k/a “Jazzo,” a/k/a “Juanito,” KAREEM SMITH, a/k/a “K,” and CHRISTOPHER MEADOWS	Life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison
11	Continuing criminal enterprise	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec,” JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little,” NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio,” DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank,” EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR,” JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine,” CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris,” JOHNNIE CAPELES, a/k/a “Jon Boy,” JAMIL BANKS, a/k/a “Mel,” EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E,” JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo,” JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo,” JUN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco,” and STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz”	Life in prison Mandatory sentence of life in prison for CARRASQUILLO and HERNANDEZ Mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison for other defendants
12	Murder while engaged in a narcotics conspiracy 21 U.S.C. § 848(e)(1)(A)	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo,” and JOHANA ALCANTARA	Death or life in prison Mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison
13	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	EDWIN CARRASQUILLO, a/k/a “Malo”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
14	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	HECTOR HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Hec”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
15	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	JOSE HERNANDEZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Little”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
16	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	NATHANIEL MANNING, a/k/a “Tio”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
17	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	DAMEL MARCUS, a/k/a “Shank”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
18	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	EDWARDO MORENO, a/k/a “AR”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
19	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	JERMAINE SAMUELS, a/k/a “Maine”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
20	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	HECTOR CEREZO, a/k/a “Red”	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
21	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	ANGEL VILLAFANE	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
22	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	CHRISTIAN SERRANO, a/k/a “Chris,” JOHNNIE CAPELES, a/k/a “Jon Boy,” JAMIL BANKS, a/k/a “Mel,” EMILIO BARRERA, a/k/a “Colombia,” a/k/a “E,” JASON RIVERA, a/k/a “Colombo,” JOSUE VARGAS, a/k/a “Leo,” JUAN KUANG, a/k/a “Jo Jo,” a/k/a “Jay,” a/k/a “Blanco,” STEVEN SANTIAGO, a/k/a “Swizz,” VICTOR MENDENG, a/k/a “Cali,” YADIRA REYNOSO, a/k/a “Yadi,” ERIKA DAWSON, ARIYAN LABELLA, a/k/a “Ari,” DELILAH CARRIEL, ROSEMARIE SANCHEZ, a/k/a “Rosie,” JOHANA ALCANTARA, JUAN CALDERON, a/k/a “Jazzo,” a/k/a “Juanito,” KAREEM SMITH, a/k/a “K,” and CHRISTOPHER MEADOWS	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
23	Murder for hire	ANGEL VILLAFANE	20 years in prison
24	Using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to, or possessing a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime	ANGEL VILLAFANE	Life in prison Mandatory minimum consecutive sentence 10 years in prison
25	Felon in possession of ammunition	ANGEL VILLAFANE	10 years in prison

Source: US FBI

Thomas John Sfraga Swindled Individual Real Estate and Cryptocurrency Investors Out of Over $2 Million Using Business Named After Fictitious “Seinfeld” Company

Source: US FBI

Defendant Allegedly Posed as Her Employers to Steal Funds from Their Bank Accounts and Spent over $1.8 Million to Purchase Luxury Merchandise

Source: US FBI

NORFOLK, Va. – A Virginia Beach man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for attempted production of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and distribution of CSAM.

According to court documents, on March 10, 2024, Andrew Joseph Fernandez, 33, a married Machinist’s Mate in the U.S. Navy, contacted a victim, identified as Minor Victim 1 (MV1), by private message on TikTok and later continued to engage with her by text messages. The victim told Fernandez that she was 10 years old and Fernandez told her that he was under 13 years old, that his name was Levi, and that he previously attended her school before he moved to another state.

Fernandez’s text messages quickly turned sexual, sending a sexually graphic message within one minute of his first text and a video exposing himself two minutes later. Fernandez continued to engage the child in sexual conversations and sending graphic images, even after the victim declined his offers to send more. He also made the victim promise to keep their conversations a secret.

On March 14, 2024, a school bus driver overheard MV1 describing sexually explicit subjects and alerted the school principal, who contacted MV1’s parent. Law enforcement began an investigation and learned that MV1 was actually nine years old. An FBI agent assumed the victim’s identity and continued to engage with Fernandez, who continued to send sexually explicit images, which he directed the victim to delete. Fernandez attempted to persuade MV1 to produce CSAM depicting herself by telling her that the images would lead to a lucrative modeling audition.

On Oct. 3, 2023, Fernandez engaged Minor Victim 2 (MV2), a 14-year-old girl, in text and WhatsApp messages, introducing himself as 13-year-old “Levi.” Less than four minutes after his first text message to MV2, Fernandez sent her a video of himself engaged in a sexual act. MV2 reacted negatively, and no messages were exchanged for about two months. When their messages resumed, Fernandez offered to send more sexual images of himself, which the victim declined. On Dec. 3, 2023, Fernandez asked MV2 to produce CSAM, and she declined. When MV2 expressed concern after Fernandez threatened to end their relationship, Fernandez took the opportunity to again send sexually graphic images of himself and pressured her to provide CSAM.

On July 13, 2023, Fernandez began engaging in text messages with Minor Victim 3 (MV3), a friend of MV1 who was eight years old, but told Fernandez that she was 10. Fernandez told MV3 that his name was Levi and that he attended her school. Less than one minute after his first message, Fernandez asked MV3 whether she was dating anyone and if she wanted “to go out.” Then, after asking MV3 if she could keep a secret, Fernandez began sending sexually graphic messages.

On Aug. 19, 2023, after asking her age again, Fernandez sent to MV3 a video depicting himself in a sexual act, then became angry that she did not want to see images of that type of content. He nonetheless sent similar images and videos and requested that MV3 send him CSAM.

Messages found on Fernandez cellphone show that he engaged in similar conduct with several other victims, including sending sexually explicit images of himself, sending CSAM, and requesting CSAM from the victims, some of whom acquiesced to his requests.

Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Michael Feinberg, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Arenda Wright Allen. The FBI New York Field Office and Dutchess County (New York) Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Dutchess Child Advocacy Center provided valuable assistance in this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony C. Marek 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. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-cr-55.

Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Patrick Malloy, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. He was also ordered to pay $48,000 in restitution and must register as sex offender.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who handled the case, stated that on June 24, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Malloy’s residence and several electronic devices were seized. The devices contained approximately 28,000 images of child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

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Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Cameron Stroke, 43, of Depew, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography following a prior conviction, was sentenced to serve 124 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that in October 2019, Stroke was convicted on a federal charge of possession of child pornography and  sentenced to five years’ probation. On May 23, 2023, U.S. Probation Officers conducted a home inspection at Stroke’s residence and found an unauthorized cell telephone in his possession. A forensic review recovered approximately 181 images and 12 videos of child pornography stored on the device. Some images depicted prepubescent minors.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James P. Stauffiger. 

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Source: US FBI

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Donald Campbell Sr., 62, of Elmira, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography following a prior conviction under the laws of New York State relating to the possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who handled the case, stated that between July 25, 2022, and January 9, 2023, he possessed digital devices including a cell phone and an SD card, both of which contained images and videos of child pornography. Campbell downloaded and distributed the images via the internet. In total, he possessed more than 600 images and videos, some of which depicted prepubescent children less than 12 years old being subjected to violent sexual abuse, and the sexual abuse of an infant. Campbell is a registered level-three sex offender (the highest risk level) following two prior felony child pornography offenses in New York State Court in December 2004 and March 2019.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Human Trafficking Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia and the Elmira Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kristen Thorne.

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Source: US FBI

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Orlando Justice, 37, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with transmission of threats in interstate commerce and stalking, which carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on November 23, 2024, a Rochester Police Officer (Victim) participated in the arrest of Justice at the RTS Bus Terminal on St. Paul Street for Trespass and Resisting Arrest. Justice was intoxicated at the time of arrest and was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital. While at Strong, he threatened the arresting officers, spit at them, and told officers that he would find them and come to their houses. Justice was charged and issued an appearance ticket. The following day, the Victim received a series of phone calls on his personal cell phone from an unknown number, which he did not answer. After receiving yet another call, the Victim answered, and Justice identified himself as the caller. Justice said, “I told you that I would find you,” and that he knew the Victim’s personal information and where he lived, reciting the Victim’s home address. Justice told the Victim he “messed with the wrong one” and that he was “a different breed of human.” The Victim told Justice not to call him again and hung up the phone. A few minutes later, the Victim received a FaceTime video call from Justice, who was demanding that the Victim give him the names of the other RPD officers who were present during his arrest.

On the evening of November 23, 2024, Greece Police and Rochester Police went to Justice’s residence in an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him. Moments later, the Victim answered a Facetime video call from Justice, who asked, “Why your friends come to my house?” A few minutes later, Justice called 911 and asked to speak with a sergeant, falsely claiming that the Victim was contacting him and harassing him. Justice asked to file a complaint against Victim 1 for use of excessive force. The sergeant, who was unfamiliar with Justice’s prior conduct and interactions with the Victim, offered to send officers to take his complaint, but he refused and insisted he would only meet with the sergeant one-on-one.

Justice made an initial appearance this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Payson and was detained pending a detention hearing.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Acting Major Kevin Sucher.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Michael Pryor, 27, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, cocaine, and distribution of fentanyl within 1,000 feet of public housing property, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that between June and October 21, 2022, Pryor conspired with co-defendants Shawn Pryor, Cameron Lee, and others to sell cocaine. Pryor, Shawn Pryor, and Cameron Lee, identified as members/associates of the Crips Gang, assisted each other with the distribution of narcotics by selling drugs to one another when one of them needed some drugs to sell to a customer. In addition, on October 7, 2022, Michael Pryor sold fentanyl to an undercover law enforcement officer within 1,000 feet of the Anthony Spallina Towers, a housing facility owned by the Niagara Falls Municipal Housing Authority, a public housing authority. He also sold cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl to the undercover officer and an individual working with law enforcement  during the course of the conspiracy.

On October 16, 2022, in furtherance of the conspiracy, Pryor, Shawn Pryor, and another individual drove to a convenient store on Ashland Avenue in Niagara Falls and beat up a rival drug dealer, who was selling drugs in their area. They later chased the victim into the convenience store before leaving the area. The victim was treated for a laceration to his right hand and a chip fracture of a wrist bone.

Shawn Pryor and Cameron Lee were previously convicted.

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 Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Niagara Falls Police Department, Superintendent Nick Ligammari, and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

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