MIL Security Engine-1

Source: US FBI

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jill Marie Jones, 37, formerly of Chandler, was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 78 months in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release. Jones pleaded guilty to Concealment of Funds Intended to Support Acts of Terrorism. 

As early as 2019, Jones regularly posted anti-American content on social media platforms because she believed the United States military unjustly treated Muslims overseas. In 2020, Jones began communicating online with a person she believed to be a member of al Qaeda, but who was in fact working for the FBI. On May 10, 2020, when asked by this individual if she supported al Qaeda and their struggle against the kuffar (non-believers), Jones responded, “Yes, I do.” Jones communicated with this individual about traveling to Afghanistan to support al Qaeda because “supporting AQ against the oppressors would be an honour.” 

On May 18, 2020, when asked whether she could spare any money to buy weapons for al Qaeda to kill American soldiers, Jones responded that, while she was not well-off financially, the U.S. government’s COVID stimulus checks presented an opportunity: “The timing is interesting. Since because of coronavirus we all got government money. Free money basically. … [I]t would be most ironic the money from that goes for this . . . They give us free money, and I turn it around on them.”

Jones agreed to send money, via a prepaid credit card. After researching prepaid cards online, Jones determined that an online purchase could be traced back to her because it required the disclosure of personal information. In order to conceal the source, ownership, and control of her funds, Jones traveled to a national retail store and purchased a $500 prepaid credit card using the COVID stimulus money provided to her by the U.S. government. She then sent the card information to the purported al Qaeda member with the message, “may it help them to be victorious.” Jones intended for these funds to be used by al Qaeda to purchase rifle scopes for use against American soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Chang, David Pimsner, and Lisa Jennis, District of Arizona, Phoenix handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:            CR-20-0634-PHX-DWL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-015_Jones

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

PHOENIX, Ariz. – David Allen Harbour, 50, of Scottsdale, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes, to eight years in prison. After a five-week trial, a jury convicted Harbour of crimes involving wire fraud and transactional money laundering on March 2, 2023. On March 7, 2023, Harbour also pleaded guilty to tax evasion, agreeing that he evaded more than $4 million in taxes.

According to the evidence introduced at trial, Harbour acted as a self-styled investment advisor and defrauded numerous investors between 2007 and 2021. Harbour misrepresented the nature of the various investments and omitted material facts. The total loss to investors exceeded $8 million. Harbour diverted money to pay for a lavish lifestyle including numerous private country club memberships, expensive jewelry, multimillion dollar vacation residences, private jet travel, speed boats, luxury vehicles, and extravagant parties that included a private concert at his 40^th birthday party by the 1970’s rock band the Eagles. Some of these items were seized by the government during the investigation, including a Patek Philippe watch, a Rolex watch, gold and diamond jewelry, and two country club memberships. The proceeds from these items will be used towards partial restitution for the victims. At sentencing, the judge specifically increased Harbour’s sentence for his efforts at tampering with witnesses prior to trial by paying or attempting to pay them off in exchange for not testifying against him.

“The defendant will have eight years in federal prison to reflect on his long-term pattern of deception,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino. “Justice for the victims continues, as we work to determine the final amount of restitution, and to use the forfeited assets to restore some of the losses.”

“This eight-year prison sentence stands as a reminder that IRS CI will diligently investigate and hold accountable those who seek to defraud the American public,” said IRS CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick. “And, by teaming with our federal partners, we will continue to aggressively investigate corruption at every level.”

“This sentence sends a clear message that those who commit financial fraud will be held accountable,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis. “Investors should expect nothing less than complete candor and truth from their investment advisors. The FBI and our agency partners will continue to identify, investigate and pursue those who perpetrate criminal schemes for their own profit.”

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin M. Rapp and Coleen Schoch, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-19-00898-PHX-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-013_Harbour

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

TUCSON, Ariz. – Jesus Hector Lagarda-Gil, 45, of Mexico, was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Scott H. Rash to 11 years in prison and five years of supervised release. The court also ordered that Lagarda-Gil forfeit a 2018 Mazda CX5 automobile and $148,000 in United States currency. Lagarda-Gil pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine on September 21, 2023.

A co-defendant, Jesus Omar Encincas-Burruel, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison and three years of supervised release on December 1, 2023.

Lagarda-Gil negotiated and coordinated the delivery of over 300 pounds of methamphetamine to undercover agents during a four-month period in 2022. On March 29, 2022, Lagarda-Gil met with an undercover agent in Las Vegas, Nevada, and personally delivered 45 pounds of methamphetamine to the agent after receiving the methamphetamine from Encinas-Burruel. In June of 2022, Lagarda-Gil traveled to Las Vegas again and delivered another 61 pounds of methamphetamine to the undercover agent. On July 1, 2022, Lagarda-Gil was arrested after delivering 217 pounds of methamphetamine to agents.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (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.

Homeland Security Investigations – Tucson office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Tucson office conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-1607-TUC-SHR 
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-009_LaGarda-Gil

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

TUCSON, Ariz. – Ryan Schlesinger, 31, of Tucson, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Raner C. Collins to life in prison for second-degree murder, plus consecutive sentences of 20 years for attempted murder and 50 years for discharging a firearm during the commission of a violent offense.

In November 2023, a federal jury convicted Schlesinger of second-degree murder of a federal officer, three counts of attempted murder of a federal officer, four counts of assault of a federal officer, and five counts of discharging a firearm during the commission of a violent offense.

On November 29, 2018, deputies with the United States Marshals’ Arizona Wanted Violent Offender Task Force attempted to serve a felony arrest warrant on Schlesinger for allegedly stalking a Tucson Police Department (TPD) sergeant. While the Task Force attempted to execute the arrest warrant, Schlesinger outfitted himself in body armor. Schlesinger refused to exit his residence and opened fire on the deputies who were outside his window. Deputy U.S. Marshal Chase White was shot twice in the upper torso and died a short time later.

Prior to the murder, Schlesinger had been in a yearlong dispute with the TPD. Schlesinger sent multiple threatening emails, went to a TPD officer’s parents’ home, and attempted to arrest a TPD sergeant. Despite being under multiple active injunctions against harassment, Schlesinger possessed three firearms in violation of those court-issued injunctions. Schlesinger sent a final threatening email to the TPD hours before the murder. After murdering Deputy White, Schlesinger surrendered to the TPD, wearing the body armor and a ballistic helmet.

Deputy White was 41 years old. He is survived by his wife and four children. He was also a lieutenant colonel with the United States Air Force Reserve. Deputy White was the first Deputy U.S. Marshal killed in the line of duty in Tucson in 66 years.

“The courage of survivors was on display this week in federal court,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. “I am grateful to the family of Deputy U.S. Marshal Chase White for sharing poignant memories of their wonderful son, husband and father; and I am mindful of the valor of the men and women of the Marshals Service.”

“This sentencing finalized the FBI’s efforts to hold Ryan Schlesinger accountable for his senseless act of violence. The diligence and fairness of the legal process has guaranteed Schlesinger will no longer be able to cause harm to law enforcement or members of the Tucson community,” said Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI’s Phoenix Field office. “The FBI will not waiver in its pursuit of justice no matter how long it takes.”

“Deputy U.S. Marshal Chase White tragically lost his life in the line of duty while bravely safeguarding the community from a dangerous and violent individual,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Van Bayless. “Chase epitomizes the ideals of a dedicated Guardian and compassionate man who extended his help to those in need. His legacy will live on through the United States Marshals Service and his extraordinary family.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Sarah B. Houston and Jane L. Westby, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-18-02719-TUC-RCC
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-006_Schlesinger

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

TUCSON, Ariz. – Flavia Annang, 60, of Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 48 months in prison and ordered to pay over $1 million in restitution to 19 victims. Annang pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering on March 9, 2023. 

Between May 2018 and April 2022, Annang laundered money for scammers who lured victims into various online frauds. In some instances, the victims believed they were sending money to support an online romantic partner who falsely stated they needed to pay taxes and fees to release an inheritance or gold bars. The stories told to the victims by the scammers were fraudulent. The scammers directed the victims’ monies into accounts controlled by Annang and her co-conspirator. When Annang and her co-conspirator received the fraudulent monies, they kept a fee for themselves, and then transferred the funds to Ghana. Annang and her co-conspirator set up phony businesses and then opened business bank accounts to hide the transfer of the fraudulently obtained funds. The FBI traced over $4 million, sent by 106 victims, through Annang’s and her co-conspirator’s bank accounts. One Arizona victim lost nearly $5 million to the scams, sending over $1 million to Annang’s and her co-conspirator’s accounts and the remaining money to multiple other individuals. Annang’s co-conspirator pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering and was sentenced to 48 months in prison on January 3, 2024.

This case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday-Friday. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Sue Feldmeier, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-00893-JCH-1
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-007_Annang

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

Source: US FBI

            WASHINGTON – A brother and sister from Arizona were sentenced today on a felony charge related to their conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

            Felicia Konold, 29, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced to 45 days in prison and 24 months of supervised release. Cory Konold, 28, of Tucson, was sentenced to 30 days in prison and 24 months of supervised release. The siblings were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Both pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder and aiding and abetting on Nov. 1, 2023.

              According to court documents, on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, Cory and Felicia made contact with a group of men that included co-defendants William Chrestman, Christopher Kuehne, Luis Enrique Colon, and Ryan Ashlock, all of whom were members of the Proud Boys from the Kansas City area. After joining with the Kansas City Proud Boys, the Konolds followed the men to the National Mall, where they joined with a larger group of Proud Boys members and associates from around the country.

            The Konolds then followed the large Proud Boys group as it marched across the National Mall and in the streets near the U.S. Capitol while shouting, among other things, “Whose streets? Our streets!” The group ultimately made their way to the west side of the Capitol’s grounds, outside of the restricted, fenced-off perimeter of barricades guarded by uniformed United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers. At that location, the Konolds, Proud Boys, and other individuals gathered outside the barricades and chanted phrases including “Whose Capitol? Our Capitol!”

            Shortly before 1:00 p.m., members of the crowd breached the line of barriers and surged toward the Capitol building. The force of the crowd’s combined numbers caused the USCP officers stationed at the barricades to retreat. Just as the first police line was being overwhelmed, the Konolds made their way to the front of the crowd and became some of the first rioters to trample over the toppled barricades. The siblings then made their way past multiple subsequent lines of barricades and onto the Capitol’s Lower West Plaza, inside the restricted area.

            The Konolds remained in this area despite being commanded by the USCP and Metropolitan Police Department officers to disperse. The two remained in close contact with co-defendant Chesterman, who made various efforts to instigate the crowd and oppose police efforts to quell the riot. Near the base of the erected inaugural scaffolding, the Konolds and other members of the crowd came up against another line of police attempting to hold a series of barricades. Members of the crowd were trying to break through the line by force; however, the Konolds, Chrestman, and others opposed this effort, using the force of their bodies to try to push back the barriers and officers. Eventually, the Konolds made their way to the base of the Capitol building and onto the Upper West Terrace. The siblings illegally entered the Capitol building via the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:25 p.m.

            Once inside, The Konolds made their way into the Crypt. Here, the two witnessed a crowd of rioters prevent police from closing a large metal barrier, which would have prevented rioters from progressing further. After witnessing this incident, the Konolds progressed into the Capitol Visitor Center and eventually exited the building via the Senate Wing Door. While inside the building, Cory Konold took possession of a USCP riot helmet. He brought the helmet home with him, and a family member later voluntarily turned it over to law enforcement at the defendant’s direction.

            After the events of January 6, Felicia Konold made posts to social media in which she stated, in part: “I never could have imagined having that much of an influence on the events that unfolded today. Dude, people were willing to follow. You f— lead, and everyone had my back, dude… We f— did it.”

            The Konolds were arrested on Feb. 11, 2021, in Arizona

              This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

            This case was investigated by the FBI Phoenix and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

            In the 36 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

            Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – An Eagle River man was sentenced to a high-end guideline sentence of 78 months imprisonment followed by lifetime supervised release by Judge Timothy M. Burgess on Tuesday, March 28. John Daniel Brooks had previously pleaded guilty to one count of Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography.

In September of 2021, the State of Alaska contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Anchorage to report that a state employee was suspected of possessing images depicting child sexual exploitation. Two days later, the FBI conducted a search warrant at Brooks’ residence, where he worked for the state of Alaska remotely as an analyst programmer.

The FBI discovered that Brooks had installed an internal hard drive in his State of Alaska computer that was found to contain over 1.2 million images of suspected child exploitation. Those images included depictions of infants and toddlers being tortured and sexually assaulted by adults. All told, Brooks’ collection of child exploitation materials was one of the largest encountered to date by the FBI in Alaska.

“Large scale consumers of child sexual abuse materials like Mr. Brooks directly contribute to the exploitation of children worldwide,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker, District of Alaska. “The sentence imposed by the court reflects the seriousness of this type of abhorrent behavior and we will continue to prosecute these cases to the fullest extent of the law. Thanks to the hard work of the FBI and APD, in coordination with our State partners, Mr. Brooks has been brought to justice.”

“Our investigation revealed Mr. Brooks acquired and possessed one of the largest collections of child sexual abuse materials found in Alaska,” said Special Agent in Charge Antony Jung of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Possession of this material is not a victimless crime, and the FBI will use every legal authority we have to root out predators to protect children from these unconscionable offenses.”

The United States Attorney’s Office thanks the State of Alaska. The FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Anchorage Police Department investigated this case as part of the FBI’s Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander is prosecuting the case.

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – A Washington man was sentenced on March 9, 2023, for putting a flight crew in fear of being assaulted during a commercial airline flight.

According to court documents, on March 1, 2023, Marc Hetsler, 43, was a passenger aboard Aleutian Flight SRY 1102 with service from Dutch Harbor, Alaska to Anchorage, Alaska. While the aircraft was in flight, Hetsler laid down in the aisle and refused to let flight crew through. He then became combative and began behaving aggressively towards the crewmember. An off-duty police officer aboard the flight stepped in to assist the flight crew. Hetsler became confrontational with the officer as well. Other passengers then assisted in subduing Hetsler who was restrained for the remainder of the flight. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation placed Hetsler into federal custody upon the plane landing at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

Eight days after his arrest, on March 9, 2023, Hetsler pleaded guilty to an Information charging Fear Assault in the Special Aircraft Jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 46506 and 18 U.S.C. § 113. He was sentenced to time served for the eight days he spent in federal custody.

“The safety and security of air travel is paramount, and we will continue to prosecute offenders in order to ensure that all passengers are able to travel without fear of assault or harm,” said U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker. “We hope that this case will serve as a warning to others who may consider committing similar acts in the future, and that it will encourage everyone to follow the rules and regulations designed to keep our skies safe and secure.”

U.S. Attorney Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Police investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Will Taylor and Karen Vandergaw prosecuted the case.

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – An information was filed yesterday charging Garrett Elder, owner of Tycoon Trading LLC, The Daily Bread Fund LLC, and other entities with executing an investment scheme that resulted in approximately $25 million in losses to over 130 victims.

According to the information, from about 2016 through October 2022, defendant Garrett Elder executed a scheme to raise between $30 and $34 million in investments from approximately 130 victims. The scheme began about early 2016 when defendant’s parents provided to defendant between $10,000 and $20,000 to invest in stocks and foreign currencies. Defendant deposited those funds into an entity he had created called Tycoon Trading, LLC (“Tycoon Trading”). Defendant lost all of those funds.

Despite the losses, defendant told his family and friends about his trading business, and some expressed an interest in investing. Defendant did not tell the potential investors that he had lost the money provided by his parents. Instead, defendant gave these victims the false impression that he was a successful trader.

Based on these omissions and false impressions, between 2016 and March 2018, investors transferred approximately $500,000 to Tycoon Trading for defendant to invest. Defendant again began losing money, but created false quarterly performance reports for his victim investors stating that the investments were earning positive returns. By March 2018, defendant had lost almost all the victims’ money while trading and only had approximately $10,000 to $15,000 left in his trading account. In March 2018, defendant disclosed to the victims that their investments had failed, but he did not disclose that he falsified the quarterly performance reports he had sent them.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the near total losses, defendant continued to seek new investors, claiming to be a successful trader. By the end of 2018, defendant had approximately 30 new investors who were investing substantially more money than the original group of investors.

In 2019, defendant created an entity called The Daily Bread Fund, LLC.

From 2019 through 2022, defendant continued to solicit new investors through Tycoon Trading and the Daily Bread Fund by claiming to be a successful trader and paying a limited amount of distributions to select investors to provide the appearance of investment successes.

Defendant successfully solicited significant new investments; however, in reality, defendant continued to steadily lose money.  Despite continued mounting losses, defendant again created and emailed to investors false reports indicating positive returns. Defendant also used some of the victims’ money on personal expenditures, including real estate investments, vehicles, a boat, a camper, bicycles, tools, and jewelry.

In total, the amount of funds transferred to defendant via Tycoon Trading, The Daily Bread Fund, and related entities is presently estimated to be approximately $30 million to $34 million from 138 victim investors.

By October 2022, although some money was distributed back to certain investors, defendant had lost the majority of investments while trading, resulting in approximately $25 million in losses to victims.

Garrett Elder agreed to the government filing an information charging him with wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.  He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The you believe you are a victim of Garrett Elder’s investment scheme, please contact the FBI at: (907) 276-4441.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Heyman and Seth Beausang of the Alaska United States Attorney’s Office are prosecuting the case.

An information is merely an allegation and defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: US FBI

ANCHORAGE – Robert Marley Chapas was sentenced on March 8, 2023, to 60 months in prison for bank robbery.

According to court documents, on April 27, 2022, Chapas entered an Anchorage Wells Fargo branch. Chapas approached a teller window and passed a note to the teller that stated: “This is a robbery, I have a gun. Empty your drawer & let me leave like a normal transaction. I am not alone, there are other people with me. Do not try to be a hero & get someone hurt. Do not call police or alert anyone! Until I leave the building or I will shoot, This can be easy your choice.” Chapas then obtained $2,450 from the teller.

In sentencing Chapas to a term of 60 months, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Judge Timothy M. Burgess noted the terrifying nature of the crime and Chapas’ history of committing other serious crimes, including a 2018 assault conviction from the State of Alaska that involved Chapas pointing a gun at a fellow motorist. The Court also ordered Chapas to pay $2,450 in restitution for the loss to Wells Fargo.

Chapas was indicted along with co-defendant, Isiah Ishom Perry. In January 2023, Perry pleaded guilty to his part in the Wells Fargo bank robbery. Perry is set to be sentenced in April 2023.

U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker of the District of Alaska made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Brickey prosecuted the case.

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