Category: Security

Source: US FBI

NEWARK, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey, disbarred attorney was sentenced to 30 months in prison for a wire fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Lawrence Coven, 61, of Hillsborough, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court to an Information charging him with one count of wire fraud. Judge Kirsch imposed the sentence.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Coven operated and controlled Sunrise Enterprises LLC, which purported to provide financial services to investors. In reality, Coven induced victim investors into sending him funds by falsely representing that he would invest their money through Sunrise in exchange for large profits by providing short-term loans to borrowers who could not obtain standard loans. He falsely guaranteed investors returns of between 10 to 15 percent on their investments and told investors that their investments were risk-free. But instead of investing the money as he promised, Coven diverted investor funds for personal expenses, including utilities, entertainment, real estate, credit card bills, and cash withdrawals. And when investors began asking questions, Coven provided them with false assurances that their money was safe and used money from existing investors to make payments to other investors in a Ponzi-like fashion.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kirsch sentenced Coven to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to this sentence.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Fatime Meka Cano and Olta Bejleri of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Jeffrey Chiesa, Esq. 

Source: US FBI

NEWARK, N.J. – Two Essex County, New Jersey men admitted their roles in an armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service employee, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Dyshawn Williams, 28, of Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to one count of conspiring to interfere with commerce by robbery and one count of assaulting certain federal officers or employees.  Karieem Stamps, 26, also of Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In November 2023, three individuals – including Williams – robbed a U.S. Postal Service employee at gunpoint in Newark, New Jersey.  The assailants stole the victim’s cell phone, keys, and wallet – including a credit card and debit card.  The robbery impeded the victim from delivering mail, which interfered with interstate commerce.  Shortly following the robbery, two individuals – including Stamps – used the stolen debit card to make purchases.  Both transactions passed through servers located outside of New Jersey.

On August 1, 2024, Stamps – who was convicted of a felony offense in 2020 – possessed a Glock 29 Gen5 handgun bearing serial number CCRT895 with an extended magazine and 26 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition.

As to Williams, the counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and assaulting or impeding a federal employee carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  As to Stamps, the count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine; the count of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence; and the count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited postal inspectors with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Christopher A. Nielsen, with the investigation.  She also thanked special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, deputies of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of United States Marshal Juan Mattos Jr., police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, officers of the New Jersey State Parole Board, under the direction of Chairman Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr., and special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Jacobs of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel:

Williams: Laura K. Gasiorowski, Westfield, New Jersey

Stamps: Joseph Z. Amsel, Newark, New Jersey

Source: US FBI

NEWARK, N.J. – A Queens, New York man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in a Paterson, New Jersey, kidnapping, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Reginald Law, 39, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court to an indictment charging him with kidnapping and Hobbs Act robbery. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On October 8, 2020, Law and his conspirator, Maurice Cottman, entered a retail store in Paterson, where they accosted the victim, who was working in the store. Law and Cottman physically removed the victim from the store, then transported him in the back of a U-Haul truck from Paterson to New York.  Law admitted that during the kidnapping, he and Cottman called the victim’s family and demanded ransom for his return.  Law and Cottman also forced the victim to give them his debit card and pin number, which they used to withdraw money from his bank accounts.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Padin sentenced Law to five years of supervised release.

Cottman previously pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an Information charging him with one count of kidnapping. On March 29, 2022, Judge Chesler sentenced Cottman to 15 years in prison with five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Habba credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentence.  He also thanked the FBI New York Field Office and the Paterson Police Department for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit.

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Defense counsel: Christopher L. Patella Esq., Bayonne, New Jersey

Source: US FBI

MIAMI – A 21-year-old Miami man who used social media messaging to threaten to “kill everyone” attending a high school junior prom in New Jersey pled guilty this week to transmitting threats through interstate communications, a felony offense.

During his change of plea hearing, Onil Compres Rodriguez admitted that on April 30, 2024, he sent a series of direct messages to social media accounts, including accounts belonging to schools in New Jersey. He wrote: 

• “I will kill everyone,”

• “they should never have hurt me,”

• “See you on May 2 at the junior prom . . . I will be charged for the damage they did to me,”

• “They don’t know who they messed with,” and

• “Wear your bulletproof vests there will be a lot of blood hahaha.”

Compres Rodriguez sent two photographs with the messages: one of an invitation to a New Jersey high school prom on May 2, 2024, the other of three firearms and ammunition.

The threats were reported to law enforcement, whose investigation led them to Compres Rodriguez in Miami. On May 2, 2024 (the date of the New Jersey prom) they learned that Compres Rodriguez had just booked a flight at Miami International Airport headed for Newark, New Jersey. When the flight landed in Newark, law enforcement was there, waiting for him. They arrested Compres Rodriguez, who never made it to prom. 

Senior U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno will sentence Compres Rodriguez in Miami on June 25. He faces up to five years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Acting Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of FBI Miami announced the guilty plea.

FBI Miami investigated the case, with collaboration from FBI Newark, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, and Clifton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Hannah is prosecuting it.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-20490.

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Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty on Feb. 21. to extortion, money laundering, stalking, and sending threatening text messages to injure and kill two people and their families in California.

Idriss Qibaa, 28, was charged by a superseding criminal information. He pleaded guilty to one count of extortion, two counts of money laundering, one count of stalking, and two counts of interstate communications containing a threat to injure. United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware II scheduled sentencing for May 22, 2025.

According to court documents and admissions Qibaa made in court, On April 29, 2024, he threatened force and extorted $200,000 from a victim. In part of the extortion, on March 7 and 8, 2024, Qibaa obtained $63,500 worth of cryptocurrency. In June and July 2024, Qibaa engaged in online direct messages, texts, and postings, to cause substantial emotion distress to his victims. On July 19, 2024, Qibaa sent text messages containing threats to injure and kill a victim and members of the victim’s family. Later, on July 24, Qibaa sent text messages containing threats to injure and kill another victim.

At sentencing, Qibaa faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for the extortion charge; 10 years’ imprisonment for each of the money laundering charges; five years’ imprisonment for the stalking charge; and five years’ imprisonment for each of the interstate communications containing a threat to injure charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

The FBI and the Beverly Hills Police Department investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

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Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who has prior felony convictions was sentenced today in two separate cases to a total of 26 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He admitted to committing armed robberies of two jewelry stores and assaulting a detention officer while in custody.

According to court documents, on December 12, 2016, Wyatt Scott Peterson (42) entered EZ Pawn in Las Vegas and demanded the keys to the jewelry case. During the course of the robbery, he brandished a 9mm semi-automatic handgun to intimidate employees into not resisting and complying with his demands. The firearm was discharged into a display case during the robbery. Peterson stole at least $40,000 and left the store. Then, on December 21, 2016, Peterson entered Super Pawn in Las Vegas and demanded the keys to the jewelry case. He stole 29 rings, three pairs of earrings, and five bracelets combined worth more than $20,000 before he left the store.

Peterson has prior felony convictions including identity theft in Colville, Washington; Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in Spoke, Washington; and Attempt carrying concealed firearm or other deadly weapon in Clark County, Nevada. He is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

In December 2016, Peterson was charged and detained pending trial for the armed robbery case. He was housed at Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, Nevada. While in custody, he confronted a detention officer at the stairwell and began punching the detention officer.

Peterson pleaded guilty to one count each of commerce by robbery, possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, felon in possession of a firearm, and assault on a federal officer.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jim Fang prosecuted the cases.

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Source: US FBI

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas business owner made his initial appearance in court yesterday for allegedly misrepresenting that his company was a profitable, up-and-running artificial intelligence company that mined cryptocurrency, verified cryptocurrency transactions, paid fixed rates of return on investments, and provided a 100% money back guarantee. In total, the defendant obtained approximately $24 million from at least 400 investors.

“Mr. Kovar allegedly stole victims’ hard-earned money by making false representations regarding his investment company, including misleading some victims to believe their investments were backed by the FDIC,” said Ryan Korner, Special Agent in Charge with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General (FDIC OIG). “FDIC OIG is committed to identifying, and holding accountable, those who endanger our Nation’s financial system by victimizing others for their personal gain.”

Brent C. Kovar, 58, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and three counts of money laundering. A jury trial has been scheduled to begin on April 8, 2025, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, from late 2017 to July 2021, Kovar owned Profit Connect, a Las Vegas, Nev., based company that purportedly used artificial intelligence software on a supercomputer to mine cryptocurrency and verify cryptocurrency transactions. He falsely represented to investors that Profit Connect paid a fixed rate of return of 15%-30% APR and provided a 100% money-back guarantee. In reality, Kovar used investor money to operate Profit Connect, buy gifts for employees, buy a house for himself, and repay investors as if those repayments came from mining cryptocurrency and verifying cryptocurrency transactions.

As part of the scheme, Kovar created a website, a YouTube video, and a PowerPoint presentation in which he made the misrepresentations to influence customers to buy investments. Furthermore, he leased office space for a sales office and a warehouse for a data center. As alleged, investments were sold through an entity known as Profit Connect Wealth Services. Kovar sent money via wire transfers to investors, he mailed checks through the U.S. Postal Service, and he engaged in monetary transactions greater than $10,000 that were derived from unlawful activity.

If convicted, Kovar faces a total maximum statutory penalty of 330 years in prison and a fine of not more than $4,500,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami, Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division, Special Agent in Charge Ryan Korner for the FDIC OIG, and Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick for the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI, FDIC OIG, and IRS-CI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel Schiess is prosecuting the case.

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

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Source: US FBI

RENO – A former Reno Police Department officer made his initial court appearance today for allegedly depriving two individuals of their civil rights under color of law by violating their right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Tyler Michael Baehr, 30, of Reno, with two counts of depravation of rights under color of law. Baehr appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Craig S. Denney who scheduled a jury trial to begin April 8, 2025, before United States District Judge Miranda M. Du.

According to allegations contained in the indictment and statements made in court, on December 31, 2023, Baehr willfully deprived an individual of the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by taking her cellular phone during a routine traffic stop and unlawfully seizing sexually explicit photos of her from her phone. On August 12, 2024, Baehr willfully deprived another individual of the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by taking her cellular phone during a routine traffic stop and unlawfully searching through her private photos and messages.

If convicted, Baehr faces the maximum statutory penalty of 2 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy N. Schwartz for the FBI made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Sparks Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Andolyn Johnson is prosecuting the case.

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

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Source: US FBI

A Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty to carrying out a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $137,000 from disaster programs.

Source: US FBI

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Beaumont man has been sentenced to federal prison for violent crime violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

Patrick Lee Bridgewater, 22, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on May 16, 2025.

According to court documents, on April 14, 2023, local law enforcement officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in progress at the Speedy Stop on College Street in Beaumont.  Witnesses reported two men entered the store and demanded money from the clerk at gunpoint. A description of the men and the vehicle they fled in was broadcast to law enforcement.  The vehicle was quickly located traveling eastbound on College Street. A traffic stop was initiated, but the vehicle evaded police resulting in a high-speed chase eventually ending in Nederland.  Bridgewater was a passenger in the vehicle, which had been reported stolen and was being driven by a minor.  Evidence from the robbery was found in the vehicle.

This case was sentenced as part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by FBI’s Beaumont field office and the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove.

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