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Former Turkey Leg Hut Owner Indicted for Arson

Source: US FBI

HOUSTON – A 42-year-old Houston man has been taken into custody on charges of conspiracy to commit arson of a commercial building and conspiracy to use an interstate facility to commit arson of a vehicle, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Lyndell “Lynn” Price, former owner of the Turkey Leg Hut who now owns The Oyster Hut, is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m. Also in custody and set to appear are Armani Williams, 27, and John Lee Price, 39, both also of Houston.

The indictment, returned April 8 and unsealed upon the arrests, alleges Price and others conspired to set fire to Bar 5015. The charges allege the owner of that bar was a former co-owner of the Turkey Leg Hut and Price’s business partner. 

In early June 12, 2020, Price had allegedly recruited a group which included Williams, John Price and others. The charges allege Williams, John Price and others were involved in pouring gasoline at the entrance ramp before igniting a fire at Bar 5015. Lynn Price later provided payment to them, according to the charges. 

Prior to the arson, the indictment alleges that in April 2020, Lynn Price also paid John Price and others to set fire to a stolen blue 1975 Chevy Nova.

Lynn Price and the others are charged with conspiracy to commit arson and arson and face up to 20 years in federal prison as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.   

Lynn Price and John Price are also charged with conspiracy to use an interstate facility to commit arson of a vehicle and could receive another five years as possible punishment, upon conviction.   

The indictment remains sealed to those charged but not as yet in custody. 

FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Houston Arson Bureau conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Harris County Constable’s Office – Precinct 4. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sebastian A. Edwards and Keri Fuller are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

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Marathon County Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Conspiring to Traffic Methamphetamine

Source: US FBI

MADISON, WIS. – Timothy M. O’Shea, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dustin P. Brunker, 37, Weston, Wisconsin, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 7 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The prison term will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Brunker pleaded guilty to this charge on January 28, 2025.

In early 2024, investigators with the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force began investigating a group of individuals who were distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine in the Marathon County area. Brunker was identified as a distributor for the group.

Following a series of controlled purchases of methamphetamine involving Brunker in March and April of 2024, task force officers executed a search warrant at a residence that Brunker shared with co-defendant Mercadys A. Perkins in Weston. Officers found over 300 grams of methamphetamine, over $2,000 in cash, drug ledgers, and other drug trafficking paraphernalia during the search.

Further investigation revealed that between February 18, 2024, and April 12, 2024, a co-conspirator provided Brunker and Perkins approximately 16 pounds of methamphetamine and 6 ounces of cocaine intended for further distribution.

At the time of these events, Brunker was serving a term of state supervision for two felony cases and out on state bond for a felony drug charge. His state supervision was revoked, and he was sentenced to a total of 3 years in state prison, which he is currently serving. Judge Conley ordered the federal sentence run concurrently with the remainder of Brunker’s state prison sentences.

At sentencing, Judge Conley called Brunker’s large quantity methamphetamine trafficking egregious. Judge Conley further observed that while Brunker had a lengthy prior record, the conduct in the present case showed an escalation in criminality.

Three others were charged in connection with this drug trafficking conspiracy. Mercadys Perkins was convicted of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and sentenced to 6 years in federal prison on April 17, 2025. Joshua Lake and Jessica Colby have pleaded guilty and are scheduled to be sentenced in the coming weeks.

The charge against Brunker was the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force comprised of investigators from the FBI, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Bay Police Department, Wausau Police Department and Wisconsin National Guard Counter Drug Program. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force also assisted with the case. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. The Marathon County District Attorney’s Office also assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven P. Anderson prosecuted this case. 

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Massachusetts Doctor Agrees to Plead Guilty to $35.5 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme

Source: US FBI

Defendant allegedly billed Medicare for genetic testing of patients she never communicated with for over three years

BOSTON – A doctor from Boston has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a multi-million-dollar health care fraud scheme in which she allegedly defrauded Medicare for genetic testing services she never provided.

Le Thu, 69, is charged and has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of making false statements relating to health care matters. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

According to the charging documents, from in or about March 2017 through in November 2020, Thu knowingly and willfully engaged in a scheme to deceive the Medicare Program in connection with payments for genetic testing for beneficiaries. Specifically, Thu allegedly signed and/or caused other individuals who had no medical training to sign and submit false medical documentation and orders for beneficiaries’ genetic testing – which was generally not covered by Medicare – therefore making it appear that Thu was providing legitimate services. Thu allegedly signed or caused these orders to be signed that falsely claimed she had consulted with beneficiaries, conducted examinations prior to ordering genetic testing, obtained consent, and/or would use the testing results to treat the beneficiaries.

However, it is alleged that Thu did not see, speak to, or otherwise communicate, examine or provide any medical services to Medicare beneficiaries in connection with any of the false orders submitted, without regard to whether the beneficiaries needed the genetic testing. It is alleged that in one of the orders, Thu stated, among other things that the test results would “assist [Thu] in making patient-specific clinical decisions” and would “directly impact [Thu’s] patient’s medical management.” In connection with that alleged false order, a third-party laboratory billed Medicare approximately $5,368, for which Medicare paid approximately $2,886. Thu allegedly falsely stated in another order for genetic testing that the results of the testing would “determine [a] patient’s medical management and treatment decision.” In connection with that alleged false order, a third-party laboratory billed Medicare for over $24,052.

It is alleged that, as a result of the orders submitted on false medical documentation, Thu caused laboratories to submit approximately $35.3 million in claims to Medicare based on doctors’ orders containing materially false representations, for which Medicare paid approximately $25.3 million.

The charges of making false statements relating to health care matters each provide for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General made the announcement today.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

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Stolen Art Returned to Iraq

Source: US FBI

In a March 8 ceremony at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington D.C., an Art Crime Team special agent delivered the artifact to the embassy for repatriation. The ceremony, which included the U.S. Department of State and Homeland Security Investigations, followed a conference at the embassy aimed at improving international cooperation in repatriating stolen artifacts.

“I appreciate always all the efforts from the U.S. law enforcement agencies,” said Salwan Sinjaree, the chargé d’affaires, or chief of mission, at the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq. Sinjaree formally received the artifact in a brief signing ceremony at the embassy and said he looked forward to more cooperation in the future.

Jake Archer, a special agent on the FBI Art Crime Team who presented the artifact to Sinjaree, said the repatriation could not have happened without the work of agents in Boston and Atlanta and the support of subject matter experts and partners in the U.S. and overseas. He said the FBI will keep pursuing criminals dealing in stolen art and antiquities even as the Bureau confronts myriad other priorities. “It will continue, wherever possible, to investigate the illicit trafficking of cultural property,” said Archer, “and seek to bring justice to both offenders and victims in this worldwide crime problem.”

The FBI’s Art Crime Team was established in 2004, in part as a result of the looting in Baghdad 20 years ago. The team includes agents from field offices around the country who are trained in all aspects of art, including history and the business of art. The Art Crime Team Unit at FBI Headquarters also manages the National Stolen Art File, a database of stolen art and cultural property submitted by agencies around the world.

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FBI Edges U.S. Secret Service in Charity Hockey Game

Source: US FBI

The FBI narrowly defeated its hockey rivals, the U.S. Secret Service, in a 2-1 win on March 4.

The sold-out charity game was expected to raise at least $20,000 to benefit the families of fallen law enforcement officers. It also paid special tribute to fallen FBI Miami Special Agent Daniel Alfin.

Following a fierce effort by both teams that saw them neck-and-neck at the start of the third period, the FBI clinched the game-winning goal in the matchup’s final minutes.

“Typically, these games are always close,” said Kyle Miller, an FBI auditor and analyst who plays defense for the Bureau’s hockey team. “It always comes down to who can make the plays in the end, and, fortunately, we were able to do that again this year.”

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Chinese High-Altitude Balloon Recovery

Source: US FBI

He said this investigation marks the first time the FBI Laboratory and OTD have responded to a “hot air balloon of this nature” and the processing of the corresponding scene. Paul said no “energetic or offensive material” has been detected but emphasized much of the evidence has yet to be recovered.

Asked about the manufacturer of the balloon or whether its design was based on stolen intelligence, Paul said the FBI is not in position “at this point to have that information.” He said both the FBI Laboratory and OTD are working to determine the source of the balloon components. Additionally, the FBI has no information or physical evidence at this time that contradicts previous statements made by other government agencies. 

The Laboratory Division leads the collection, transportation, and subsequent forensic examinations of evidentiary material. It is staffed with subject matter experts, including highly trained evidence response dive teams and hazardous evidence response teams, which contribute to the mission of collecting, analyzing, and sharing timely scientific and technical information within the FBI and with other government and law enforcement agencies.

The OTD is the FBI’s provenance for applied technology enabling and enhancing investigations. OTD personnel have been deployed to assist with recovery efforts and initial assessments of technological evidence.

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Director Wray Meets with Sheriffs to Discuss Partnerships, Progress, and Challenges

Source: US FBI

Wray addressed the winter conference of Major County Sheriffs of America on January 31. The professional organization represents approximately 110 of the largest elected sheriff’s offices in counties or parishes with populations of 500,000. Then this week, on February 8, he spoke at the National Sheriffs’ Association’s conference.

Topics included crime and national security challenges like violent crimes, gangs, drugs, border crime, terrorism, and violent extremism. During each meeting, Director Wray expressed concern about the continuing increase in murder rates, the release of repeat or dangerous offenders from prison, and the rise in radicalized juveniles inspired by violent radical ideologies and extremist groups.

And discussion of the brutal beating death of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis police officers, captured on video, was top of mind for leaders at both conferences. “What happened was tragic and inexcusable,” Director Wray said. “I was appalled by the video and deeply troubled by what I saw.” The video, he insisted, is not reflective of the men and women in law enforcement “who go about their job in the right way.”

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Investigation into Online Drug Vendor Illuminates Counterfeit Pill Danger

Source: US FBI

As she investigated the person who ordered that die piece, she learned that FBI Special Agent Kostic was pursuing the same individual, whom the FBI team had identified as a major online drug dealer, selling on both darknet and clearnet sites. Darknet sites require a specialized browser called Tor to view. Clearnet sites are available on any connected device.

Their joint work, and months of investigative efforts by FBI, DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigation teams, eventually led to six search warrants being carried out on the same early November morning. Partnerships among agencies are crucial to the success of these complex investigations and were the primary reason the Department of Justice created the Joint Criminal and Opioid Darknet Enforcement (JCODE) Team in 2018.

Altogether, investigators found six pill presses; 10 weapons, including one that had been modified to function as an automatic weapon; bundles of cash; and approximately 450 pounds of illegal drugs, which included tens of thousands of pills, powdered fentanyl, marijuana, mushrooms, heroin, and other substances that still need to be identified.

Many of the pills were the so-called “rainbow pills” that investigators believe are created to market to young people. They are often sold on popular social media platforms.

While searching the location believed to be the primary suspect’s residence, investigators also found packaging materials, heat sealers, and the computers and phones he used to run his active online business. One computer was left open.

“We were able to get a pretty comprehensive buyer list, which included approximately 2,200 unique buyer names for a total of over 4,000 sales,” said FBI Los Angeles Supervisory Special Agent Andrew Innocenti.

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Investigation Thwarts Brazen Bribery Scheme

Source: US FBI

Agents opened a case in 2014 after receiving a lead. Established sources reported large-scale corruption involving the garbage, construction, and engineering industries in the suburbs north of Detroit. The case began there, where public official Dean Reynolds was caught extorting people and selling his votes.

“We were able to intercept him in real time accepting and demanding bribes,” said Special Agent Robert Beeckman, who investigated this case out of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. Agents also saw Reynolds accepting a cash delivery. As a local legislator in the 10th largest Michigan municipality, Reynolds used his connections for capital gain.

Reynolds made sure to have connections in the garbage industry, one of the township’s biggest expenses. On the other end of several phone calls was Chuck Rizzo, president of Rizzo Environmental Services, Inc. Rizzo’s company had one of the largest and most lucrative garbage businesses in Southeast Michigan. He offered Reynolds bribes to secure favorable contracts. He spoke specifically about securing Reynold’s vote on an $18 million contract.

In exchange for the lucrative contract, Rizzo paid Reynolds’ divorce expenses.  

Rizzo asked his lawyer Jay A. Schwartz to provide a variety of services, including advice about how to commit bribery and divorce counsel for Reynolds. Schwartz agreed. A subpoena of his billing software confirmed that $40,000 worth of legal services were provided for free. 

As the divorce went on, Reynolds fought a custody battle that required a psychological evaluation. Another wiretap caught Schwartz proposing that a third party could pay for it; however, that person needed to have one very crucial ability.  

“[Schwartz] talked about finding a third party who could hold up on the witness stand if ever questioned under oath about where the money came from. You have an attorney, an officer of the court, proposing a bribery scheme with a view towards perjury if necessary…hiding it from a judge,” Beeckman said. Schwartz swindled an unsuspecting family friend into the scheme.

Schwartz was sentenced to 27 months in prison and fined $250,000. Rizzo was sentenced to 66 months in 2018. In 2019, Reynolds was sentenced to 17 years in prison. A total of 22 people were indicted in the scheme.  

The FBI prioritizes these cases because systemic corruption can cause a domino effect leading to general mistrust of authority. 

“There are places in the world that have given up. They have corruption at such a level that their governmental systems have completely failed,” Beeckman said. “The public there has no confidence in the people who run their country. We’re not there in this country, and we have no intention of getting there.”  

Bribery is a federal crime. If you suspect it, contact the FBI.  

A common worry is that if you submit a tip, you will be the sole cause of an open investigation about a public official. This is not accurate. Beeckman confirmed that a public corruption case cannot be opened based on a single source.  

“No detail is too small. You could be the person who supplies the last bit of information that we need—the puzzle piece that makes it all make sense,” he said.  

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Putting the Brakes on Catalytic Converter Thefts

Source: US FBI

What happens if I’m a victim of catalytic converter theft? 

If your catalytic converter is stolen, you’ll want to file a report with local police and contact your insurance company.  

“It’s disruptive,” said Fairbanks. “It takes time out of your day. There’s a cost to it. You have to go to your insurance or pay out of pocket, have to go to the dealer, and your vehicle’s inoperable until you get it fixed.

And it’s a pricey but essential piece to replace: catalytic converters are federally mandated. Installing a new one could cost upwards of $3,000. Even if your auto insurance covers it, you may have to pay a deductible, and your insurance premium could go up after filing a claim. 

Most importantly, if you encounter someone trying to steal your catalytic converter, Curran stressed that you not get involved.  

“If you see the crime in progress, call the police immediately. Don’t try to interfere yourself because there have been so many violent incidents associated with these thefts.”