Category: Security

Source: US FBI

Newark, N.J. – A citizen and resident of Brazil was charged with making extortionate threats to publicize data stolen from the Brazilian subsidiary of a New Jersey company, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Junior Barros De Oliveira, 29, of Curitiba, Brazil was charged with four counts of extortionate threats involving information obtained from protected computers in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1030(a)(7)(B) and four counts of threatening communications in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 875(d) in an indictment unsealed today in Newark federal court.

According to the Indictment:

In March 2020, De Oliveira gained unauthorized access and exceeded authorized access to the computer systems of Victim 1-Brazil, the Brazilian subsidiary of a New Jersey company.  Exploiting this access, De Oliveira obtained confidential customer information relating to approximately 300,000 customers of Victim 1-Brazil.  In September 2020, De Oliveira began contacting U.S. representatives of Victim 1, including its CEO, in an attempt to extort money from Victim 1-Brazil.  De Oliveira demanded over approximately $3,000,000 in Bitcoin in exchange for keeping the stolen data confidential and not publicizing it.

Each of the four counts of making extortionate threats in relation to information obtained from protected computers carry a maximum prison term of 5 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the value of any gain or loss, whichever is greater.  Each of the four counts of threatening communications carry a maximum prison term of 2 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the value of any gain or loss, whichever is greater.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”)’s Newark Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David E. Malagold of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: US FBI

OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal Grand Jury has charged JACKIE ANTONIO DUNCAN, 35, and NIA HALL, 30, both of Lawton, with sex trafficking of children, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. 

According to public record, in May 2024, two juveniles ran away from a juvenile group home in Lawton, Oklahoma, and were entered into law enforcement databases as missing juveniles. One of the juveniles was located by officers with the Plano Police Department on July 16, 2024, at a motel in Collin County, Texas, where she disclosed she and the other missing juvenile had been sex-trafficked.  The juvenile told officers that after she and the other juvenile had fled the group home, they were approached by two people, later identified as Hall and Duncan, at a gas station. The juveniles began living with Hall and Duncan, who soon after transported the juveniles to various cities in Texas, where they performed sex acts for money, which Hall and Duncan kept. In return, the juveniles were provided food and shelter. The juvenile told authorities she had recently escaped Hall and Duncan’s car in the Dallas area. On September 30, 2024, the second juvenile was found and recovered in San Antonio, Texas.  She recounted a similar story of being sex-trafficked by Hall and Duncan in exchange for food and shelter. During the investigation, local and federal law enforcement reviewed sex advertisements associated with Hall. These advertisements contained photos of the juveniles.

Public record further reflects that Hall and Duncan were arrested on December 16, 2024. On January 21, 2025, a federal Grand Jury returned a three-count Indictment against Duncan and Hall, charging them with sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. If found guilty, Hall and Duncan face up to life in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count.

The public is reminded these charges are merely allegations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lawton Police Department, Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics & Dangerous Drugs Control, Fort Smith Police Department, Arkansas State Police, San Antonio Police Department, Plano Police Department, and Fort Worth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan Ganz and Brandon Hale are prosecuting the case.

Reference is made to public filings for additional information.

Source: US FBI

TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Jeannie Rene Romero, 25, for Child Abuse and Child Neglect in Indian Country. Judge Hill ordered Jeannie to serve 60 months, followed by five years of supervised release.

In October 2022, Jeannie was taking care of her three-week-old baby. While changing the baby’s diaper, Jeannie admittedly used unreasonable force, breaking the baby’s femur in half. She failed to seek medical attention for more than 48 hours. Doctors noted that the baby had additional injuries consistent with abuse.

In June, Judge Hill sentenced Jeannie’s husband, Jacob Alejandro Romero, 24, for Child Neglect in Indian County. Jacob was at work when the abuse occurred. However, the infant’s injury was noticeable, and he failed to seek help. Judge Hill ordered Jacob to serve 24 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

The baby and its sibling were removed from the home and placed in the care of the family members. Jeannie and the baby are citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.  

Jeannie will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Jacob was previously released on bond and taken into custody following his sentencing in June. 

The FBI and Sapulpa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie N. Ihler prosecuted the case.

Source: US FBI

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced today that Jordan Francis Toyne, 36, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a federal jury of three counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country.

The jury trial began with testimony on January 21, 2025, and concluded on January 23, 2025, with the guilty verdicts.

During the trial, the United States presented evidence that Toyne sexually assaulted a minor over a period of time beginning in the Summer of 2020 until 2023, when the victim reached 16 years of age.  The United States also presented evidence that Toyne sexually abused another minor in 2021.

At the time of the assaults, Toyne served as an investigator with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.  Toyne resigned from his post prior to the completion of an internal investigation conducted by the OSBI.  The victims were unrelated to Toyne’s official duties with the OSBI.  However, the United States presented evidence Toyne used his specialized knowledge as a Child Crimes Investigator to groom the victims and evade detection of his crimes.

The guilty verdicts were the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Owasso Police Department, together with cooperation and special assistance from OSBI.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma prosecuted the case because the victim is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe and the crimes occurred in Pittsburg County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation of Oklahoma, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the trial and ordered the completion of a presentence report.  The sentencing will be scheduled following completion of the report.  The defendant was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Paladino and Emily Wittlinger represented the United States.

Source: US FBI

TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa woman was sentenced today for Second Degree Murder in Indian Country and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge John F. Heil, III, sentenced Alexis Danielle Flanner, 26, to 240 months followed by five years of supervised release.

In July 2022, Tulsa Police officers were dispatched for shots fired. Upon arrival, officers found Estrella Mendoza, deceased from a gunshot wound. Officers watched security footage that showed Flanner and Estrella enter the store together. After the pair left the store, Estrella was seen crawling away from Flanner before she collapsed. Flanner was seen fleeing the scene.

A witness stated that he tried to help Estrella. Before going unconscious, Estrella said that Flanner shot her. Officers went to Flanner’s residence, where they found the vehicle she left in that had fresh blood splatter and the firearm used.

Flanner told officers that she was mad at her sister-in-law, Estrella because she would not return her marijuana grinder. 

Flanner is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Jolly and Valeria Luster prosecuted the case.

Source: US FBI

CLEVELAND, OH—FBI Cleveland announced it is seeking candidates to fill two positions during a mission-critical hiring campaign for its downtown Cleveland field office:

Data Analyst

This on-site role is well suited for the candidate with coding, mathematics, statistics, data analysis, and data visualization experience. Candidates must have the following education or combination of education and work experience, including a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college or university in:

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Information Science
• Information Systems Management
• Mathematics
• Operations Research
• Statistics – Technology Management

or, a combination of education and experience, to include 24 course hours in one or more of the fields above. Starting at $44k – range to $123,584

Digital Operations Specialist

This role is ideal for the technical expert who will serve on our investigative teams and specialize in criminals’ use of technology. The incumbent will be skilled in computer science and familiarity with different operating systems, physical computer components and architectures, virtual machines, and scripting. Additionally, have knowledge of networking and routing protocols, network securities methodologies, and operations of various communications media, and knowledge of common computer and network methods of infection, and attack methods and techniques.

Candidates must have a combination of education and work experience, including a bachelor’s degree from a U.S.-accredited college in a related discipline. Starting at $55k – range to $90k.

The FBI offers a full suite of benefits, including annual leave, 11 federal holidays, sick leave starting at 13 days, Military and Parental leave, wellness hours, and free on-site parking. For a complete listing of benefits and FBI employment eligibility requirements, visit FBIjobs.gov.

Interested candidates for these positions can send their resumes directly to the hiring manager at Applicants.cv@fbi.gov with the name of the position in the subject line. No phone calls, please.

The FBI is the nation’s premier law enforcement agency with a worldwide presence and 56 field offices across the United States and serves to uphold the U.S. Constitution and protect the American Public. FBI Cleveland covers the 40 northern-most counties of the state encompassing close to 6 million people and is home to over 300 Special Agents and professional staff among its downtown Cleveland headquarters and eight resident agencies.

Source: US FBI

CLEVELAND – An indictment was unsealed charging two Ohio men with a bribery scheme in which a municipal prosecutor agreed to help a criminal defendant with his pending cases in exchange for auto repair work.

According to the indictment, Nicholas Graham, 52, of Warren, was a prosecutor who represented the City of Warren in Warren Municipal Court. Brian Votino, 52, of Niles, had two criminal cases pending in the same court. The indictment alleges that in October 2019, Graham and Votino agreed that Graham would take action to benefit Votino with respect to Votino’s criminal cases in return for Votino performing repairs to Graham’s truck. To cover up the bribery arrangement, Graham instructed Votino through an intermediary to falsify a bill for the repair services and not to tell Votino’s criminal defense lawyer. According to the indictment, Graham and Votino ultimately carried out their agreement. In exchange for the repair work by Votino, Graham took official action to reduce the charges against Votino and advocated for a lenient sentence.

Graham and Votino are charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of honest services wire fraud, and one count of Hobbs Act extortion. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio; and Special Agent in Charge Gregory D. Nelsen of the FBI Cleveland Division made the announcement.

The FBI Cleveland Division is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Blake J. Ellison of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: US FBI

Dustin Michael Joseph was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to coerce a child to engage in prostitution.

Source: US FBI

Over 600 American flags will line the walkway along Edgewater Park during the fifth annual Flags for Honor event sponsored by the FBI Cleveland Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association.

FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen will be among several leaders delivering remarks during the opening ceremony at noon Wednesday, September 11, on the south walking path of the lower level of Edgewater Park.

Earlier in the morning, volunteers will install 600 American flags, creating a stunning display of patriotism. Each flag is complete with a medallion honoring active and fallen FBI agents, military personnel, police, firefighters, medical professionals, teachers, coaches, friends, and family.

The opening ceremony, free and open to the public, will officially begin the five-day Flags for Honor display.

This year’s speakers include:

• Father Doug Brown, Cleveland Police chaplain
• Greg Nelsen, special agent in charge, FBI Cleveland
• Anthony Luke, chief, Cleveland Fire Department
• Captain Mitch Houser, Euclid Police Department
• Dawn Derbin, mother of Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin
• Captain Tim Maffo-Judd, Cleveland Police Department, Jamieson Ritter

“As today marks 23 years since the tragic events of 9/11, we have since found heroes are among us all: Those who lost their lives because of the terrorist attacks in NYC, the Pentagon, and Shanksville; the 610 names on each flag you’ll see; and the many names you’ll hear during today’s honor call that represent fallen Northeastern Ohio veterans. Countless people. Many sacrifices. One common bond. Giving selflessly. Each year, I’m also amazed at the outpouring of commitment and dedication of the many volunteers who make this event happen so that you—and I will truly, never forget,” said Nelsen.

Flags for Honor will be on display through Saturday night, September 14.

For more information, go to flagsforhonor.org or contact John C KikolPresident of the FBICLECAAA at 440-263-8121.

About the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association

The mission of the FBI Cleveland Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association (FBICLECAAA) is to support the law enforcement community at the federal, state, and local levels. The funds raised from Flags for Honor support scholarships to students attending Tri-C Police Academy, donations to seriously injured Cleveland Safety Forces in Line of Duty incidents, and initiatives with Camp Forbes in an effort to encourage conversation between the students and law enforcement. 

The FBICLECAAA is a branch of the FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association, separate and apart from the FBI.

Source: US FBI

TOLEDO, Ohio – Aron McKillips, 30, of Sandusky, Ohio, was sentenced to 41 months in prison by Judge James G. Carr, after pleading guilty to interstate communication of threats and unlawful possession of a machine gun.

McKillips pleaded guilty to the offenses in court on April 9, 2024. According to court documents, from September 2021 to July 2022, McKillips made at least five online threats to harm or kill law enforcement officers. In one such threat, he submitted a photo he took from his residence while aiming a semi-automatic rifle at an officer who was parked in a police vehicle further down the street who was there to assist residents on an unrelated matter.

 Additionally, McKillips unlawfully possessed a machine gun, specifically, a drop-in auto sear that could convert an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle into a fully automatic machinegun. Expert testing confirmed that the sear allowed multiple rounds to be fired with a single pull of the trigger.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division-Toledo Office.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gene Crawford for the Northern District of Ohio.

If you witness threatening behavior toward members of law enforcement, visit tips.fbi.gov/home to submit a tip.