MIL Security Engine-1

Source: US FBI

RAPID CITY – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Kyle, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Abuse. The sentencing took place on May 1, 2025.

Louis James Swallow, 22, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Swallow will be required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Swallow was indicted for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Abusive Sexual Contact by a federal grand jury in February 2024. He pleaded guilty on February 10, 2025.

The case was charged after an acute disclosure of forcible sexual assault by the 13-year-old victim.  She disclosed Swallow followed her while she was walking home, grabbed her, forced her to the ground, and then raped her.  In sentencing Swallow to 20 years in prison, Judge Schreier condemned Swallow’s “frightening conduct,” noting he had also been charged in Pennington County for raping and strangling a girlfriend in 2020. Judge Schreier further recognized the trauma Swallow’s violence inflicted on the 13-year-old victim.

This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Swallow was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

Source: US FBI

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Michael Thompson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been charged by complaint with one count of production and attempted production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

According to court documents, on December 29, 2024, Michael Benjamin Thompson, 37, drove from Minnesota to Iowa to visit a teenage minor, whom he had met online.   While there, Thompson engaged the minor in various sexual activities. Thompson and the minor continued messaging and on January 30, 2025, Thompson induced the minor victim to send him sexually explicit images.  

Thompson was charged via criminal complaint in U.S. District Court. He had his detention hearing on May 2, 2025 before Judge Elizabeth Cowan Wright and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.

“We are experiencing an epidemic of online-facilitated sex abuse in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.  “My office will continue to aggressively prosecute predators who use the internet to prey on our vulnerable children.”  

“Crimes against children violations are among the most reprehensible crimes we investigate,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to ensure that those who exploit or harm children are brought to justice. We will continue to work closely with our partners to pursue offenders and safeguard our communities.”

This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Ankeny Police Department.

If you believe you or your child may be a victim of Michael Thompson, please call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth S. Shnider is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

Source: US FBI

Federal Jury Finds Minneapolis Felon Guilty of Illegal Firearms and Machinegun Possession

Source: US FBI

ST. PAUL – Minnesota State Trooper Jeremy Francis Plonski was charged by criminal complaint today in U.S. District Court with one count of production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.  Plonski has been arrested on a federal warrant and remains in custody pending a detention hearing.  Plonski faces a mandatory minimum of fifteen years in prison if convicted.  

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office has zero tolerance for public officials who violate federal laws—particularly those laws that protect vulnerable children from sexual abuse,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “Plonski took an oath to protect and serve our community. While donning his uniform, Plonski committed one of the most vile and predatory offenses imaginable. This is abhorrent—to Minnesota as a whole and to our law enforcement community in particular. I am proud of the swift and decisive action of law enforcement, who responded immediately and worked cooperatively to take Plonski into custody.”  

“The conduct alleged in this case is horrifying and a gross betrayal of public trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Law enforcement officers are sworn to protect the most vulnerable among us — not exploit them. When someone in a position of authority commits such an egregious and despicable crime, the damage extends beyond the victim — it shakes the very foundation of our communities’ trust. The FBI and our partners will not hesitate to investigate and bring to justice anyone who preys on children, no matter their badge or title.”

“The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is committed to working with our federal, state and local partners to identify and hold accountable those who sexually abuse children,” BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said. “We will pursue anyone who wishes to harm children in our communities.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the FBI for their investigation and hard work, as well as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Shakopee Police Department.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office also thanks the Minnesota State Patrol for their work and assistance in safely apprehending the defendant.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W. Bobier is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: US FBI

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 17, 2023

SAN DIEGO – Christopher Toups, who at the time of his crimes was a chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, was sentenced in federal court to 30 months in prison after admitting that he and others defrauded an insurance program meant to compensate service members who suffer serious and debilitating injuries while on active duty.

Toups’ sentence followed his guilty plea to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to his plea agreement, participants in the scheme obtained approximately $2 million in payments from fraudulent claims submitted to Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance Program, or TSGLI, and Toups personally obtained about $400,000. TSGLI was funded by service members and the Department of the Navy.

Toups admitted that from 2012 to at least December 2015, he conspired with his then-spouse Kelene McGrath, Navy Dr. Michael Villarroel, and others to obtain money from the United States by making claims for life insurance payments based on exaggerated or fake injuries and disabilities.

“Lying and stealing funds meant for injured service members is appalling,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting those who serve, and this case is an excellent example of law enforcement collaboration to do just that.”

“Fraudulently filing claims for unearned benefits diverts compensation from deserving service members who suffered serious and debilitating injuries while on active duty,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebeccalynn Staples with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Western Field Office. “This sentence holds the defendant accountable for his egregious actions, and the VA OIG will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure schemes like this are uncovered, investigated, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Mr. Toups participated in a fraud scheme that defrauded the American taxpayer and diverted vital money, care, and resources from service members recovering from traumatic injuries,” said Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross of the NCIS Economic Crimes Field Office. “This sentence demonstrates the commitment of NCIS and its partners to combatting fraud that harms the Department of the Navy and its warfighters.”

“Stealing from a program set in place to aid injured and disabled servicemembers diverts compensation from deserving individuals,” said FBI San Diego Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “Willingly defrauding the American people, especially those who protect our country, will not be tolerated. The FBI will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who commit such acts are held accountable.”

According to the plea agreement, in addition to submitting his own TSGLI claims based on fake injuries and disabilities, Toups encouraged numerous current or former Navy service members to submit claims and sometimes told them to provide medical records to McGrath. McGrath, a nurse, falsified or doctored medical records to exaggerate or fake injuries. Villarroel certified that he reviewed the records and determined activities of daily living were lost or impaired and consistent with the claimed injuries as required for claims to be processed and qualify, at times supporting the determination by falsely stating he interviewed the claimant. Villarroel also, at times, provided others’ medical records for McGrath to use in fabricating claims.

Toups admitted that he encouraged recipients of claim payments to give him part of the money, sometimes characterizing it as a “processing fee.” McGrath and Villarroel received part of the kickback depending on their involvement in the claim. Toups paid Villarroel in cash and by cashier’s check. At times, Toups and others conducted financial transactions in amounts under $10,000 to evade perceived financial reporting requirements.

According to court records, Toups and his co-defendants were part of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit One (“EOD ESU One”), based in Coronado, California. Toups was a Chief Petty Officer Construction Mechanic.

DEFENDANT           18CR1674-JLS

Christopher Toups      46        White, GA

RELATED CASES

Kelene Meyer                         18CR1674-JLS                       Jacksonville, FL

Dr. Michael Villarroel            18CR1674-JLS                       Coronado, CA

Paul Craig                               18CR1674-JLS                       Austin, TX

Richard Cote                           18CR1674-JLS                       Oceanside, CA

Earnest Thompson                  18CR1674-JLS                       Murrieta, CA

Ronald Olmsted                      20CR0659-JLS                       Mobile, AL

Anthony Coco                         20CR0197-JLS                       San Diego, CA

Stephen Mulholland               20CR0052-JLS                       Panama City Beach, FL

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Toups:

18 U.S.C. § 1349, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution

Others:

18 U.S.C. § 1349, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution

18 U.S.C. § 1343, Wire Fraud

Maximum Penalty: Twenty years in prison, $250,000 fine, forfeiture and restitution

18 U.S.C. § 287, Making a False Claim

Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine

AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Naval Criminal Investigative Service

Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Inspector General

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: US FBI

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 13, 2023

SAN DIEGO – Peter Griffin, a retired San Diego police vice detective, attorney, and private investigator, was sentenced in federal court today to 33 months in custody for his central role in a conspiracy to operate five California- and Arizona-based illicit massage businesses that profited for years by selling commercial sex under the guise of offering therapeutic massage services. 

Griffin’s three co-defendants – Kyung Sook Hernandez, Yu Hong Tan, and Yoo Jin Ott – who managed the illicit massage businesses in Griffin’s network and actively concealed the scheme from law enforcement, were each sentenced to six months in custody.

According to court documents and admissions in plea agreements, the defendants owned and operated “Genie Oriental Spa,” “Felicita Spa,” “Blue Green Spa,” “Maple Spa,” and “Massage W Spa,” located in the greater San Diego area and in Tempe, Arizona, between 2013 and August 2022.  The criminal scheme included incorporating their businesses with state agencies, managing the businesses’ illicit proceeds, advertising commercial sexual services online, recruiting and employing women to perform commercial sex services in the businesses, and benefiting financially from the illegal enterprises. 

The defendants leased multiple commercial properties as storefronts, leased and bought residential properties to use as housing for employees, and secured credit card processing equipment to facilitate the illegal businesses. Griffin oversaw nearly every aspect of the illicit businesses, making himself indispensable to their operation, and assumed the role of “boss.” 

Through the course of the scheme, the defendants exploited the victims, mostly vulnerable, non-English speaking immigrants from Korea and China with limited employment opportunities and financial resources; pressured and expected the employees to perform commercial sex services inside the businesses; and made substantial financial profits from the illegal commercial sexual activity. When one employee initially refused to perform commercial sexual services, one of the defendants instructed her to “leave [her] morals in China” in order to “make the customers happy.” 

Griffin, who left the department in 2002, previously worked as a detective with the Vice Operations Unit of the San Diego Police Department, a unit tasked with dismantling the very businesses he operated and promoted for personal profit.  Throughout the nine-year criminal scheme, Griffin used the experience and skills he acquired through his work as a vice detective – skills honed by his education as an attorney and work as a private investigator – and his reputation as a former police officer to help the businesses evade law enforcement; conceal evidence; pressure employees to engage in commercial sex; maintain a façade of legitimacy; and thwart regulatory inspections, investigations, and any official action against the businesses. 

According to his plea agreement, on several occasions, Griffin used his status as a former law enforcement officer to falsely assure local authorities that his businesses would be operated legitimately. On another occasion, Griffin flashed his badge to a local officer responding to a citizen complaint regarding one of his illicit businesses.  Additionally, Griffin told an employee that he was a former police officer and instructed her not to “open [her] mouth” about working at the illicit massage business. Griffin’s co-defendants similarly informed employees of Griffin’s law enforcement background and his resulting “connections” and promised he would protect the illegal businesses from law enforcement detection. Griffin also abused resources he had access to by virtue of his private investigator license to obtain information on customers and employees on behalf of the illicit massage businesses.

“Illicit massage businesses hide in plain sight in many communities in America, including our district,” said U.S. Attorney Tara K. McGrath.  “Operators of these businesses often profit through exploitation. For years, Peter Griffin used his connections as a former police officer for his own criminal profiteering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting these kinds of offenses, protecting our communities, and ensuring that legitimate local businesses are not tarnished by criminal activity.”

“No one is above the law. I’m appalled that someone who once took an oath to protect our community could prey on the vulnerable,” said San Diego Chief of Police David Nisleit. “I’m proud of our own SDPD officers who helped make this investigation possible and I commend our partner agencies for their diligence in holding Peter Griffin and his accomplices accountable. This is an important step toward justice for the survivors of these crimes.”

“Law enforcement professionals swear an oath to protect and defend our communities, and the spirit of that oath should live on even when we stop carrying a badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher, IRS Criminal Investigation, Los Angeles Field Office. “Mr. Griffin preyed on people who should have felt safer because of his presence. He and his co-conspirators failed in their attempts to conceal their illicit activities because of our special agents’ unique ability to follow the money and a strong cross-agency effort to find the evidence to bring these predators to justice.”

“Peter Griffin abused and exploited vulnerable women by pressuring them into providing commercial sex for profit while taking advantage of his status in the community,” said Chad Plantz, special agent in charge for HSI San Diego. “This sentence sends a clear message to those who mistakenly believe they can get away with such repugnant crimes. HSI, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue to work vigorously to bring to justice those who exploit and victimize vulnerable members of our community.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill S. Streja, Trial Attorney Caylee Campbell of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, and Trial Attorney Leah Branch of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.

DEFENDANTS                                             Case Number 22cr1824-JO                              

Peter Griffin                                                    79

Kyung Sook Hernandez                                 59

Yu Hong Tan                                                  57

Yoo Jin Ott                                                     46

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy, Interstate and Foreign Travel or Transportation in Aid of Racketeering (ITAR),

Maximum Penalty: Five years in prison, $250,000 fine

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud

Maximum Penalty: Thirty years in prison, $1 million fine

Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity

Maximum Penalty: Ten years in prison, $250,000 fine or twice amount of criminally derived property

Misprision of a Felony

Maximum Penalty: Three years in prison, $250,000 fine

AGENCIES

Homeland Security Investigations

Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation

San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force, a regional, multi-agency effort led by the California Department of Justice dedicated to supporting survivors and holding traffickers accountable.  The task force is comprised of numerous federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. 

U.S. Department of Justice, Money Laundering Asset Recovery Section, Special Financial Investigations Unit

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego Police Department

San Diego Sheriff’s Department

Escondido Police Department

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

Tempe, Arizona Police Department. 

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

Source: US FBI

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 5, 2023

SAN DIEGO – Ali Akbar Shokouhi, the primary investor of a technology company sold to Qualcomm for over $150 million, pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting his role in a massive fraud.

Shokouhi, a San Diego resident, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering related to a transaction involving proceeds of the fraud on Qualcomm. In his plea agreement, Shokouhi admitted that he schemed with co-defendant Karim Arabi and others to hide both Arabi’s and Shokouhi’s involvement in Abreezio—the tech firm that they marketed to Qualcomm. 

Arabi was a Qualcomm employee throughout the entire marketing period, and hiding his involvement in the firm and the development of its patented technology allowed Abreezio’s principals to claim that the company was an “angel-funded” outside firm while disguising its true connections to Qualcomm.  In that regard, Shokouhi admitted Arabi was intimately involved in Abreezio’s formation, development, and marketing to Qualcomm, including choosing the “Abreezio” name.  Shokouhi further admitted that he referred to Arabi by a different name in text messages with co-conspirators to obscure Arabi’s involvement in Abreezio.  According to court documents, Qualcomm agreed to pay roughly $180 million for Abreezio—$150 million of which was paid in October 2015. 

Like co-defendant Sanjiv Taneja, who recently pleaded guilty and admitted his own role in the fraud, Shokouhi acknowledged that he never actually met the purported creator of Abreezio’s core technologies, who is Arabi’s family member and was never involved in the company’s technical or strategic decision-making as far as Shokouhi knew.

Shokouhi further admitted that he and Arabi concealed Shokouhi’s involvement in Abreezio in part because Shokouhi had previously been terminated from Qualcomm because of a conflict-of-interest violation.  As part of his plea agreement, Shokouhi agreed to forfeit over $16 million that he personally received from Qualcomm’s purchase of Abreezio, and to pay restitution.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas W. Pilchak, Janaki G. Chopra and Eric R. Olah.

DEFENDANTS                                 Case Number 22-CR-1152-BAS                                       

Karim Arabi                                        Age: 57                                   San Diego, CA

Sanjiv Taneja                                      Age: 60                                   Cupertino, CA

Ali Akbar Shokouhi                            Age: 64                                   San Diego, CA

AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Internal Revenue Services, Criminal Investigation

United States Marshals Service

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source: US FBI

SAN DIEGO – Dr. Javad Aghaloo, an Imperial County dentist, and Theresa Flores, his office manager, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday, admitting that they conspired to defraud Medicare and cover it up. 

Aghaloo entered a guilty plea to conspiring to commit health care fraud by billing Medicare for procedures that were not covered, not performed, or otherwise not necessary. As part of his plea, Aghaloo agreed to forfeit more than $1 million in property and pay restitution to Medicare in the amount of $8,476,466.23.  Flores entered a guilty plea to obstructing a Medicare audit.

According to court records, Aghaloo and others recruited Medicare beneficiaries to get dental work done at one of Aghaloo’s offices. To recruit Medicare patients, Aghaloo and Flores marketed dental services to individuals in Imperial County as being covered by Medicare. Aghaloo and Flores knew this was untrue since Medicare does not cover dental services.

Once a Medicare beneficiary was in one of Aghaloo’s offices, Aghaloo and others performed some type of procedure (usually a tooth extraction) and submitted false claims to Medicare using the person’s Medicare beneficiary number. Since tooth extractions are not covered by Medicare, Aghaloo’s offices instead submitted false claims for procedures like bone grafts that were never performed. 

Between March 1, 2016, and October 18, 2018, Aghaloo and Flores caused Aghaloo’s dental offices to submit over 7,000 false claims to Medicare, totaling over $18 million for which Aghaloo’s offices were paid $8,476,466.23 by Medicare. 

To conceal the fraud, between April of 2017 and October of 2018, Flores and Rosas caused false documents to be submitted to Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC. (“NHS”), a Federal auditor for the Medicare program.

Sentencing is set for January 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Jinsook Ohta.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Alexander. 

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 23cr0616-JO                                     

Javad Aghaloo                                                Age: 50                                   San Diego, CA

Theresa Flores                                                 Age: 45                                   San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.

Maximum Penalty:  Five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. 

Obstructing a Federal Audit, a felony, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1516.

Maximum Penalty:  Five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. 

AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.

Source: US FBI

The FBI San Diego Field Office invites community members to experience a behind-the-scenes look at how the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigates crimes and national security threats to our community by applying to the 2024 FBI San Diego Citizens Academy.

The mission of the FBI Citizens Academy is to foster a greater understanding of the role of federal law enforcement in the community through frank discussion and education.

Classes for the program will be held Tuesday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. March 5, 2024, to April 22, 2024. During the eight-week academy, students gain insight into the structure and operation of FBI field offices and resident agencies and learn about the services the FBI provides to local and state law enforcement agencies.

Attendees represent a diverse blend of multiple business sectors, community, academic, and religious leaders who are essential to developing an ambassador group for the field office to represent in the community we serve and live within.

Nominations for the 2024 class may be submitted by past and/or present FBI employees, Citizens Academy graduates, or any individual wishing to nominate themselves. The deadline for nominations is November 13, 2023. Please visit fbi.gov/sandiego for more information about the Citizen’s Academy and the nomination process. Questions about the Citizens Academy should be sent to FBI San Diego’s Community Outreach team at SD_Outreach@fbi.gov.

Source: US FBI

FRESNO, Calif. — Marcus Tatum, 32, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today to 12 years and five months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $45,000 in restitution, for receipt and distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between February 2012 and March 2018, Tatum used a laptop computer to knowingly receive and distribute over 600 files containing visual depictions of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The files contained images of children under the age of 12 engaging in sexually explicit conduct, as well as engaging in sado-masochistic conduct.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.