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Source: US FBI

FRESNO, Calif. — Following a one-day trial in Fresno, Benjamin Martin, 46, of Madera, was convicted today of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to evidence presented at trial and other court records, in September 2021, the FBI executed a search warrant at Martin’s residence in Madera and arrested him on charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for the breach of the U.S. Capitol that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021. During the search, the FBI found eight guns, including an AR-15 style assault rifle, multiple high-capacity magazines for the AR-15, and more than 500 rounds of ammunition. Martin was prohibited from possessing these items because of his prior domestic violence conviction, and resulting restraining order, for choking his then girlfriend and dragging her back into the house after she tried to flee.

Shortly after his arrest, Martin was caught on a recorded jail call where he instructed his then fiancée to lie to authorities and tell them that the firearms seized from his residence belonged to her and her father and that he did not know about them. She agreed to do so.

Martin also recently went to trial in the Capitol breach case in Washington, D.C., where the evidence showed that he held a door to the Capitol open while officers tried to close it. He kept the door open so that other rioters could spray chemical irritants and throw objects at the officers. Martin was convicted on all counts, which included two felonies for civil disorder and obstructing an official proceeding.

This case is the product of an investigation by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Barton, Robert Veneman-Hughes, and Michael Tierney are prosecuting the case.

Martin is scheduled to be sentenced in the firearms case in Fresno on Nov. 25, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Martin faces up to 15 years in prison and a 250,000 fine for that case. He is scheduled to be sentenced in the Capitol breach case in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 15, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras. He faces additional imprisonment and fines in that case. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The press release for Martin’s conviction in the Capitol breach case can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/california-man-convicted-felony-and-misdemeanor-charges-actions-during-jan-6-capitol

Source: US FBI

FRESNO, Calif. — On Aug. 29, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Robert Lawrence Hunt, 40, of Bakersfield, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm, and manufacturing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in July 2022, Hunt possessed a destructive device that consisted of parts designed for conversion into an explosive and incendiary device containing screws, which meet the federal definition of a firearm. Hunt was previously convicted in Kern County Superior Court of two robberies and a burglary and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, Hunt faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 if convicted of possessing an unregistered firearm and manufacturing a firearm. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Source: US FBI

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. At the core of PSN is setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place. U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announces the following actions in federal PSN cases.

Sophondara Hun, 28, of Stockton, was sentenced on Aug. 8, 2024, to three years and four months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, law enforcement officers responded to a report of a prowler at an apartment complex. The caller advised there was a man inside her apartment and that he possibly entered through a window. When officers arrived, they saw an open window and observed Hun sleeping on a bed in the apartment. Officers arrested Hun and upon searching Hun, noticed a .22 caliber bullet on the ground in front of Hun’s leg. Two .22 caliber bullets were found in Hun’s pocket and an additional .22 caliber bullet on the ground. Hun is prohibited from possessing ammunition because he has multiple state felony convictions, including assault on a person with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon with force–possible great bodily injury, vandalism, and evading law enforcement in a vehicle. This case was the product of an investigation by the Stockton Police Department and ATF, with assistance from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid prosecuted the case.

Ramon Garcia Jr., 32, of Vacaville, was sentenced on Aug. 22, 2024, to seven years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, when law enforcement officers responded to a report of a domestic violence incident involving Garcia, he fled and eventually jumped over a barbed wire fence before being taken into custody. In Garcia’s vehicle, officers found a Glock 17, 9 mm handgun and an unloaded high-capacity, 31‑round Glock magazine hidden in the floorboard under the interior plastic molding on the passenger side. Garcia was on Post Release Community Supervision for a prior felony offense and is prohibited from possessing firearms because he has multiple state felony convictions, which include two prior domestic violence convictions. This case was the product of an investigation by the Vacaville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid prosecuted the case.

Dexter Weeks, 35, of Galt, was sentenced on Aug. 27, 2024, to seven years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, law enforcement conducted a parole search of Weeks’ residence, a known felon on parole. They found a loaded Glock 20, 10 mm semi-automatic pistol on the floor next to the bed in the master bedroom where officers located Weeks. The gun had previously been reported stolen. Weeks is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he has multiple state felony convictions. This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid prosecuted the case.

These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Source: US FBI

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury has indicted three individuals for conspiracy to distribute narcotics and introducing a controlled substance into prison as a result of an ongoing investigation into the death of a Supervisory Correctional Systems Specialist at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between July 15, 2024, and Aug. 9, 2024, Jamar Jones, 35, an inmate at USP Atwater; Stephanie Ferreira, 35, of Evansville, Indiana; and Jermen Rudd III, 37, of Wentzville, Missouri, conspired to introduce narcotics into USP Atwater for Jones to sell. As part of that scheme, Jones and Ferreira had Rudd mail a letter laced with narcotics to Jones that was fraudulently labeled as legal mail.

On Aug. 9, 2024, two correctional workers at USP Atwater opened the letter and minutes later began to feel ill. After evaluation by medical staff, the Supervisory Correctional Systems Specialist was subsequently taken to the hospital where he passed away. The other staff member, a Correctional Systems Officer, recovered.

The indictment charges that the narcotics in the letter consisted of two varieties of synthetic cannabinoids sold under the street name “Spice.” Synthetic cannabinoids are lab created chemicals that can be distributed in liquid form and are designed to produce a psychoactive effect.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California also received assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Missouri and the Southern District of Indiana. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.

Following an initial appearance in the Southern District of Indiana, Ferreira remains in custody and is pending transfer to the Fresno. Following an initial appearance in the Eastern District of Missouri, Rudd is also in custody and pending transfer to Fresno. Jones will appear Thursday in Fresno for his initial appearance.

If convicted of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, Jones and Rudd face a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. If Jones is convicted of being an inmate obtaining or attempting to obtain narcotic drug, he faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Ferreira, if convicted of conspiracy to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. If convicted of providing or attempting to provide an inmate with a narcotic drug, Ferreira and Rudd face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Source: US FBI

LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man was sentenced today to 87 months in federal prison for defrauding companies who in mid-2020 paid more than $3 million for COVID-related medical protective equipment that was never delivered.

Christopher John Badsey, 63, of Lake Forest, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who also ordered him to pay $1,938,990 in restitution.

Badsey pleaded guilty in April 2023 to four counts of wire fraud.

In June and July of 2020, Badsey lied to three victim companies when he told them he had access to millions of boxes of nitrile gloves through his Irvine-based company, First Defense International Security Services Corp. (FDI). This type of personal protective equipment was in high demand and short supply during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Badsey agreed by contract to sell millions of boxes of gloves to each of the three companies.  But he told the companies’ representatives that before they could inspect the gloves, which he claimed were stored in a Los Angeles warehouse, the companies would be required to pay deposits of upwards of $1 million to FDI. In fact, Badsey did not have any gloves stored in any warehouse.

Badsey instructed the companies to wire the deposits to accounts controlled by himself, FDI or a co-schemer. Relying on Badsey’s false statements, the companies wired a total of $3,231,990 to these accounts.

“[Badsey]…used the deposit money to make expensive purchases, all while stringing would-be purchasers along with false stories, including absurd claims that government agents were blocking access to his warehouse of gloves,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum.

He has forfeited all title and interest in money or items derived from his crimes, including a yacht, a pontoon boat, two Mercedes-Benz automobiles, two Ford pickup trucks, an RV, a tractor, three ATVs, miscellaneous fishing equipment, and $58,923 in cash.

The FBI investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin N. Spencer and Melissa S. Rabbani of the Santa Ana Branch Office prosecuted this case.

Source: US FBI

A fugitive was in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday for an initial appearance following his arrest earlier this month in Arizona on charges including the attempted enticement of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and possession of child sexual abuse material.

Christopher Michael Loza, 47, also known by his online moniker of “ChrisLewd,” was charged in the two-count indictment filed in United States District Court in Los Angeles in January 2024 following an investigation by the Ventura County Child Exploitation Task Force. Investigators conducted an undercover operation during which Loza allegedly made contact in an online chatroom with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old female. During the conversation, Loza allegedly made several comments indicating that he wanted to engage in sexual activities with the victim, who was actually an undercover officer.

According to the federal indictment, Loza sent messages, including, “How old are u…I’m 45. Is that ok?” Loza is alleged to have asked via text whether he could come to the minor’s house, followed by a series of lewd sexual messages, including questioning whether “to get condoms.” The indictment further alleges that Loza drove to a park in Camarillo to meet the minor and that he knowingly possessed a flash drive that contained child pornography which involved prepubescent minors and minors under the age of 12.

Loza was initially arrested in 2023 on state charges filed by the Ventura County District Attorney and released on bail. After failing to appear for his arraignment on the state charges of communicating with a minor with the intent to commit sexual acts and
arranging to meet a child for sexual acts, members of the Task Force made attempts to locate Loza but determined he may have fled.

On August 02, 2024, Officers with the Repeat Offender Program at the Phoenix Police Department (PD) came into contact with Loza during their outreach and enforcement efforts. While identifying city and state code violations, Phoenix PD conducted a records check on Loza, discovered his outstanding warrant, and took Loza into custody after Loza attempted to flee. Loza was later turned over to Agents with the FBI’s Phoenix Division and was transported to Los Angeles by the United States Marshals Service for federal prosecution.

During his initial appearance on Monday, the court granted the government’s request for detention and Loza was remanded to federal custody. A trial date has been set for October 7. If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Loza faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in prison.

This case was investigated by the Ventura County Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force which is comprised of investigators and prosecutors with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office; the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office; the Simi Valley Police Department; the Oxnard Police Department; the Ventura Police Department; the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office; the California Highway Patrol; the FBI’s Ventura Resident Agency; and United States Attorney’s Office. The Task Force is committed to identifying, rescuing, and protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse through education, enforcement and through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies. The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office and the Phoenix Police Department assisted with the transport of Loza.

The United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles is prosecuting the case against Loza.

Source: US FBI

LOS ANGELES – A former San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputy was sentenced today to seven months in federal prison for abusing a county jail inmate by dragging the victim by her hair on the ground from one cell by several feet and then throwing her into another jail cell.

Joshua Fischer, 42, of Grover Beach, was sentenced by United States District Judge André Birotte Jr.

At today’s hearing, Judge Birotte said Fischer’s actions toward the victim showed a “level of callousness” and “disdain” toward the victim and that his use of force was “unreasonable.” 

Fischer pleaded guilty on April 2 to one misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law. As part of his plea agreement, Fischer agreed to not seek future employment as a sworn law enforcement officer.

Fischer was a sworn law enforcement officer and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office senior correctional deputy assigned to work at the Intake Release Center in the city of San Luis Obispo between January 2017 and December 2018.

While on duty on November 18, 2018, Fischer instructed the victim, a jail inmate, to exit her cell, which she did. Fischer then directed her to enter an adjacent cell. After arguing with Fischer, the victim, who was shirtless, turned around, crossed her arms across her chest, and started to re-enter her original cell.

Fischer forcibly grabbed the victim by her hair and pulled her to the ground. He then dragged the victim across the floor by her hair several feet. Fischer then flung the victim, again by her hair, into an adjacent cell. After Fischer closed the cell door, the victim huddled in the corner of the cell.

Fischer then authored a report about the incident and saved it as “11-18-18 [victim’s last name] what a drag” on a San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office computer.

In his plea agreement, Fischer admitted that he knew his use of force during the November 2018 incident was unreasonable and unnecessary. He also admitted that he acted willfully, intending to deprive the victim of her right to be free from the use of unreasonable and unnecessary force by a law enforcement officer.

Prior to the filing of charges in this case, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office terminated Fischer’s employment.

The FBI investigated this matter with assistance from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Thomas F. Rybarczyk and Frances S. Lewis of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section prosecuted this case.

Source: US FBI

            WASHINGTON – U.S.-Iranian national Jeffrey Chance Nader, 66, of Arcadia, California, was arrested on an indictment charging him with crimes related to the procurement of U.S.-manufactured aircraft components, including components used on military aircraft, in violation of U.S. economic sanctions and other federal laws. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, FBI Assistant Director David Sundberg of the Washington Field Office, and Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod.

            According to the indictment, beginning at least in 2023, Nader and others conspired to purchase and export – and attempted to export – from the United States to Iran four types of aircraft components, totaling nearly three dozen individual pieces. Some of these components are for use on military aircraft operated by Iran’s armed forces, including the F-4 fighter jet.

            Nader, acting on purchase orders he received from customers in Iran, would coordinate the purchase of relevant aircraft components with business associates in Iran, by which they would reach out to U.S.-based suppliers of such components. In several instances, Nader identified himself and his company, California-based Pro Aero Capital, to these U.S.-based suppliers as the end-user of these items. Victim companies in this procurement scheme were located across the United States.

            Once the aircraft components were obtained, Nader attempted to export the items on multiple separate occasions. The items were then transshipped to the ultimate customer in Iran. None of the transactions discussed in the indictment were successfully exported; they were detained on export by a Special Agent with the Department of Commerce.

            “Attacks by Iran and its proxies on U.S. allies in the Middle East and its ongoing supply of Russia with drones and other technology to be used in its illegal war against Ukraine demonstrate why we must do all that we can to stop Iran from acquiring U.S. parts, services, and technology.”  said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves. “The charges announced today represent the latest step in our ongoing effort to hold accountable those who illegally funnel goods and services to Iran and to deter others from doing the same.”

            “Today’s action demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to keeping military-grade equipment out of the hands of the Iranian regime,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “We will aggressively investigate, disrupt, and hold accountable criminal networks that supply sensitive technology to hostile and repressive governments in contravention of U.S. sanctions.”

            “Today’s indictment alleges that this defendant circumvented U.S. sanctions and illegally procured aircraft components on behalf of Iran,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg, of the Washington Field Office. “These violations not only undermine the impact of U.S sanctions but can also adversely affect national security. The FBI and our law enforcement partners at the Department of Commerce will continue to identify and disrupt those who seek to violate U.S. law and steal our technology on behalf of hostile nations.”

            “Iran has no business using U.S.-manufactured parts and components to keep their planes and drones in the sky,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod.  “Stopping these items before they get to our adversaries – like we did here – reflects the real-world impact we’re having through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force.”

            Nader was arrested yesterday and had an initial appearance in the Central District of California.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security. Significant assistance was provided by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.  

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven B. Wasserman for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Sean Heiden of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Significant assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

            This prosecution is being coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. Government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws. 

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

Source: US FBI

SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County man, who ran a business in which he served as the executor of the estates of wealthy people, pleaded guilty today to embezzling nearly $6 million from his clients over a period of several years.

David Robert McDonnell, 74, of Laguna Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.

According to his plea agreement, from 2018 to January 2024, McDonnell ran a Laguna Beach-based company, McDonnell Business Services. Through his company, high-net-worth individuals hired McDonnell to be the executor of their trusts. As an executor, McDonnell’s job was to manage the trusts’ assets and – when the individuals died – to sell the assets and distribute the proceeds to the trusts’ beneficiaries. Instead of doing this, McDonnell liquidated the assets and diverted funds to his personal bank accounts.

McDonnell admitted in his plea agreement to misappropriating approximately $5.9 million from approximately four trusts.

For example, in August 2020, McDonnell wrote a check for $300,000 from the account of a victim trust located in Capistrano Beach to his own personal bank account. These funds were processed by Bank of America through computer servers in Texas.

United States District Judge James V. Selna scheduled a December 9 sentencing hearing, at which time McDonnell will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

The FBI and the Laguna Beach Police Department are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier of the Santa Ana Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

Source: US FBI

Director Christopher Wray has named James A. Dawson as the special agent in charge of the Little Rock Field Office in Arkansas. Mr. Dawson most recently served as the SAC of Criminal and Cyber Division of the Washington Field Office.

Mr. Dawson joined the FBI as a special agent in 1999 and first worked on the Organized Crime and Drug Squad in the Milwaukee Field Office. He transferred in 2001 to the Kenosha Resident Agency, a satellite of the Milwaukee office, to cover multiple types of crimes. In 2003, he moved to the McAlester Resident Agency of the Oklahoma City Field Office, where he focused on public corruption. Mr. Dawson was named supervisory senior resident agency of the Muskogee Resident Agency in 2011, overseeing four offices in eastern Oklahoma.

In 2015, Mr. Dawson was promoted to assistant section chief of the Surveillance and Aviation Section in the Critical Incident Response Group. As assistant section chief, Mr. Dawson served as the national program manager of the FBI’s ground surveillance program. In 2016, he was appointed to lead CIRG’s front office—in charge of intelligence, finance, security, facilities, and technical units.

Mr. Dawson was promoted to assistant special agent in charge in the Criminal Division of the Washington Field Office in 2017. He supervised 12 squads, including those that worked public corruption, civil rights, and complex financial crimes. He returned to CIRG in 2018 as the section chief for the Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Section.

He was promoted to SAC of the Mission Services Division of the Washington Field Office in 2019, then transferred to SAC of the Criminal and Cyber Division in the office in 2020.

Mr. Dawson graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a surface warfare officer before joining the FBI.