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Canadian Man Extradited From Spain on International Money Laundering Charges

Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Houssam El-Atat, 44, of Montreal, Canada, was extradited from Spain and made an initial appearance today on a criminal complaint charging him with conspiracy to engage in international money laundering, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in February 2021, an individual in Buffalo, NY, (Victim 1) and a marine sales company (Vendor 1) engaged in email communication regarding the purchase of a boat. These communications included specifications, pricing, and payment. In March 2021, Victim 1 received an email from the person he believed to be Vendor 1 with wiring instructions for payment. Victim 1 arranged for the full amount ($295,373.75) to be wired to Vendor 1’s company through a Bank of America account. Victim 1 subsequently learned that Vendor 1 had not received the $295,373.75 and that the wiring instructions provided to him for payment were fraudulent. After reviewing the email correspondence between himself and Vendor 1, Victim 1 realized his email account had been compromised.

Subsequent investigation by the FBI determined that the Bank of America account where $295,373.75 was deposited was owned by an individual named A.Z., who was unaware that the funds he received from Victim 1 were the result of fraudulent activity. A.Z. stated to the FBI that he received the funds from an individual who claimed that he owed A.Z.’s recently deceased father $100,000 and was resolving the debt. Then, at the request of the individual, A.Z. sent $180,200.00 of the funds to an account at La Caisse Centrale Desjardins Bank in Canada. Bank records indicate that the funds were then rapidly disbursed to a number of apparent shell companies before being distributed to El-Atat.

El-Atat made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing on September 13, 2024. Today’s initial appearance follows the successful extradition of El-Atat from Spain. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Spanish authorities to secure his arrest and extradition.

The complaint is the result of of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the supervision of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. Additional assistance was provided by the Sûreté du Québec Provincial Police.

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

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Buffalo Man Sentenced for His Role in Three Armed Credit Union Robberies

Source: US FBI

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Adrian D. Applewhite a/k/a Boons, 37, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of aggravated bank robbery, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and violating supervised release, was sentenced to serve 229 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that Applewhite participated in the robbery of three credit unions:

  • On the morning of October 26, 2017, Applewhite and two other associates robbed the Lakeshore Federal Credit Union on Erie Road in Evans, NY. Applewhite planned the robbery and provided instructions and a firearm to a co-defendant to assist in the robbery.
  • On July 25, 2019, two co-defendants entered the South Towns Community Federal Credit Union on South Park Avenue in Lackawanna, NY, while Applewhite, the getaway driver, sat in a car nearby. The two co-defendants sprayed the bank tellers with pepper spray, and went to an unlocked safe, stealing $290,500 in United States currency. Applewhite took a share of the proceeds for his role. 
  • On November 7, 2019, two co-defendants, armed with a pistol and donning masks and gloves, entered the Clarence Community and School Federal Credit Union on Sheridan Drive in Clarence, NY, and conducted a bank robbery while Applewhite, the getaway driver, sat in a car nearby. A total of $148,793.90 in United States currency was taken. Applewhite took a share of the proceeds for his role.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Stanley Edwards; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Packard; the Evans Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gregory J Szarowicz; and the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James P. Stauffiger. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.

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Convicted Felon Going to Prison on New Child Pornography Charge

Source: US FBI

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Preston Herbst, 28, of Canandaigua, NY, who was convicted of transferring obscene matter, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The sentence will be served following completion of a 36-month sentence previously imposed by Judge Geraci.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that in July 2023, Herbst was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison after being convicted on a federal charge of possession of child pornography. Herbst was allowed to self-surrender to the Bureau of Prisons and was scheduled to begin his sentence on October 12, 2023. Prior to self-surrendering, on September 3, 2023, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received information from Snap Inc., that a user had uploaded child pornography to the Snapchat platform. Subsequent investigation traced the user back to Herbst’s residence. In October and November 2023, search warrants were executed on Herbst’s Snapchat account and at his residence. The search of the Snapchat account determined that Herbst used the account to trade child pornography in September 2023, after he had been sentenced, but before self-surrendering to the Bureau of Prisons. Herbst was under the supervision of United States Probation when the uploads took place and had been using a prohibited device in violation of his release conditions. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia. 

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Birmingham Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge yesterday sentenced a Birmingham man in connection with his involvement in a 2018 cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced Prentice Delawrence Tanniehill, 46, of Birmingham, Alabama, to 180 months in prison.  Tanniehill pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, five separate instances of distributing cocaine, and five counts of using a telephone to commit a drug crime.

“Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together with our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force to disrupt this drug trafficking conspiracy and put Tanniehill in prison,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Our efforts to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into our communities depend on the skill and determination of our law enforcement partners, and we are grateful for their excellent work in this case.”

“I’m proud of the outstanding work by the FBI North Alabama Safe Streets Task Force to remove Tanniehill from the streets and hold him accountable for his actions,” said FBI SAC Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

The indictment charged Tanniehill with a cocaine distribution conspiracy that involved over five kilograms of cocaine and spanned from July 2017 to October 2018.  During this time, Tanniehill sold cocaine to an FBI confidential source on five distinct occasions.

This case is a part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

FBI investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and member agencies of the FBI North Alabama Safe Streets Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory R. Dimler prosecuted the case.

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Jackson County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Two Bank Robberies

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a Jackson County man in connection with two bank robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced John Lance Cameron, 58, of Dutton, Alabama, to 188 months in prison.  Cameron pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery in March.

“We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of the Hoover, Trussville, and Birmingham Police Departments and the FBI in tracking down this defendant and securing the evidence against him,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Focusing on the most violent repeat offenders, we will continue to work with law enforcement partners to make our communities and individuals who are impacted by violent crimes safer.”

“The FBI and our partners are committed to making our communities safer by bringing these violent offenders like Cameron to justice. Thanks to the work of dedicated law enforcement officers, Cameron is now in custody and facing the consequences of his crimes” said FBI SAC Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

On November 25, 2020, Cameron entered the Pinnacle Bank located on Gadsden Highway in Trussville and demanded money from a teller.  Cameron told the teller he had a firearm and threatened to shoot her.  Cameron appeared to get spooked and left the bank with no money.

About two hours later, Cameron entered the BBVA Compass Bank located on Montgomery Highway, in Hoover. Cameron approached a teller, pulled a plastic bag from his shirt and handed it to the teller. Cameron told the teller, “I want your money.” Cameron lifted his shirt and showed the teller a dark colored firearm with a wooden handle in his waistband, and said, “Don’t die over a few dollars.” The teller gave Cameron $19,100 in U.S. currency.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

FBI investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department, Hoover Police Department, and Trussville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples prosecuted the case.

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Former Huntsville Business Executive Charged with Wire Fraud

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Federal prosecutors have charged a Round Rock, Texas man with wire fraud for embezzling from his employer, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr.

A one-count information filed yesterday in U.S. District Court charges Steve Ray Shickles, Jr., 43, of Round Rock, Texas, with wire fraud.

According to the information, between January 2012 and January 2019, while employed as the Chief Operating Officer for Simple Helix, LLC in Huntsville, Shickles devised and executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain money from Simple Helix. As part of the scheme, Shickles gained access to PayPal accounts of Simple Helix and made multiple unauthorized charges, withdrawals, and transfers from those accounts to pay for personal expenses. Shickles also created a fraudulent email account for Simple Helix and caused funds intended for Simple Helix to be deposited into personal accounts of Shickles. Shickles took steps to conceal his fraudulent activities by causing a computer-generated report of financial activities of Simple Helix to exclude his fraudulent transactions. The fraudulent transfers caused by Shickles resulted in a loss to Simple Helix of over $2.1 million dollars.

“White-collar crimes imperil the livelihood of every employee and their families. Vigorous enforcement against white-collar criminals is the best deterrent and means to protect the integrity of our community institutions,” said United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona.

The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

FBI investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Pillsbury is prosecuting the case.

An information contains only charges.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Rochester Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Home Invasion Targeting Drug Dealers

Source: US FBI

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Raekwon Green a/k/a Bundy a/k/a Bundles, 28, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of Hobbs Act Conspiracy and Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery, was sentenced to serve 14 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between February 2020 and April 1, 2020, Green conspired with Robert Forbes, Jr., and others, to commit four home invasion robberies in Rochester and Greece, NY. During some of the home invasions, individuals were restrained, pistol-whipped, and/or suffered injuries, while the defendants took controlled substances and U.S. currency from the homes.

Robert Forbes, Jr. was previously convicted and sentenced to serve 19 years in prison.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.

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Birmingham Man Pleads Guilty to Interference with Commerce by Robbery and Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A Birmingham man has pleaded guilty to robbery and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

Henry Sirnard Russell, 42, pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco to the charges of Interference with Commerce by Robbery and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

He entered his plea pursuant to a binding Plea Agreement with the government, in which the parties jointly agreed to a sentence of 240 months (20 years) in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for October 26, 2022.

According to the Plea Agreement, on October 12, 2021, Hoover Police responded to the Chevron convenience store in Hoover.  The clerk of the store reported an armed male stole an undisclosed amount of money.  The clerk saw the suspect leave in a grey SUV, and the police issued a BOLO to surrounding agencies.  Vestavia Hills officers saw a vehicle matching the BOLO and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.  Henry Sirnard Russell was the sole occupant of the vehicle and appeared very nervous and was shaking.  Russell was asked to exit his vehicle, but he refused and drove away.  A short pursuit ensued, and Russell stopped his vehicle and fled on foot.  Various law enforcement agencies arrived on scene, set up a perimeter, used a drone, a K-9, and a helicopter to assist in locating Russell.  The search continued throughout the night until a Hoover Police Officer notified dispatch that he observed Russell on the northbound side of I-65 toward Hoover from Homewood.  Officers immediately converged on the area and Russell fled into the wood line where he was arrested.

“Federal and local law enforcement agencies prioritize resources on individuals and factors that drive violent crime in communities and that pose a continual threat to public safety,” said United States Attorney Prim F. Escalona. “People who persistently cause harm in our communities will receive the full attention of federal law enforcement.”

Russell has prior felony convictions for Domestic Violence, Assault (Second Degree), and Robbery (First and Second Degree).

FBI investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Homewood Police Department, Hoover Police Department, and the Vestavia Hills Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Darius Greene prosecuted the case.

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Hartselle Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Kidnapping and Sexual Assault

Source: US FBI

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  Yesterday, a Hartselle man pleaded guilty to using the internet to orchestrate an attempted kidnapping and sexual assault, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

Matthias Jacob Edward Mann, 22, of Hartselle, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon to attempted kidnapping and attempted inducement of an individual to travel in interstate commerce to commit an illegal sex act. As part of the plea agreement, the parties stipulated to a 180-month term of imprisonment for Mann’s crimes.

According to the plea agreement, on December 29, 2021, an undercover detective with the Owatonna, Minnesota Police Department was monitoring the public Kik group “Abduction and R@pe 3.” During that time, the Kik User “Dylan H.,” who was determined to be Mann, posted in the group, asking for someone to abduct and sexually assault a woman from Wisconsin. The undercover detective responded and told Dylan H. that he was in Minnesota and would be interested.

On December 30, 2021, the undercover detective recorded a telephone conversation with Mann. On the call, Mann confirmed that his request for the abduction and sexual assault of the victim was not a fantasy. Mann provided the undercover detective with photos and a physical address of the victim, who he stated was a former friend.  Mann requested a video to confirm that the abduction and sexual assault was carried out as requested.  During their subsequent conversations, Mann agreed to pay the undercover detective gas money to travel to Wisconsin from Minnesota and approximately $2,000.00 once the abduction and sexual assault had been completed. Mann paid the undercover detective $75 on January 5, 2022.

Federal agents arrested Mann on the morning of January 6, 2022, in Hartselle, Alabama.

“This case highlights the dangers of the internet and how an online relationship can quickly take a turn into dangerous territory. Law enforcement is to be commended for their quick response across four states and among several different local, state, and federal agencies. They coordinated their efforts to ensure that the victim was safe, and then worked expeditiously to identify the defendant and arrest him.” said U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. 

“The crimes that Mann has pled guilty to are deplorable. I’m proud of the work of my agents and our partners to bring him to the justice he deserves,” said Johnnie Sharp, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FBI-Birmingham Division investigated the case along with the Sun Prairie, Wisconsin Police Department; Owatonna, Minnesota Police Department; and FBI-Atlanta Division.  Hartselle Police Department also provided assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura D. Hodge and John M. Hundscheid are prosecuting the case.