SaturdaySunday 181920212223012345 http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/news.html News releases from the Southern District of California News http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/images/casdbldgrss.jpg http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/news.html Fri, 24 May 2013 14:50:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0524-SDCAEAFGP.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0524-SDCAEAFGP.pdf SAN DIEGO, CA - Eduardo Arellano-Felix, 56, the last of four brothers to be targeted by U.S. prosecutors for leading one of the world’s most notorious multi-national drug trafficking organizations, pleaded guilty today in federal court in San Diego to money laundering and conspiracy charges. Fri, 24 May 2013 13:29:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0524-ColabellaSentPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0524-ColabellaSentPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Mexican Mafia member Salvador Nicola Colabella was sentenced today by United States District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia to serve 262 months in federal prison based on his August 9, 2012 plea to RICO conspiracy charges, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(d). Colabella has been in custody since his arrest on January 25, 2012. Thu, 23 May 2013 17:29:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0523-EspudoPRPlea.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0523-EspudoPRPlea.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Rudy Espudo pled guilty today before United States District Judge Irma E. Gonzalez to three counts of a superseding indictment including: Conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity (commonly known as RICO conspiracy); Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; and Knowingly and intentionally brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and a drug-trafficking crime. According to the superseding indictment handed up on August 2, 2012, Espudo is a validated member of the Mexican Mafia who oversaw their activities throughout much of northern San Diego County. Wed, 22 May 2013 12:59:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0522-ThomsenSentPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0522-ThomsenSentPR.pdf Tax Preparer Neil Thomsen was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez today to 15 years in prison for a massive fraud that involved stealing hundreds of identities and filing false claims with the IRS for more than half a million dollars in bogus tax refunds. Thomsen was convicted by a federal jury in December 2011 of 32 counts of mail fraud, Social Security fraud, passport card fraud and aggravated identity theft. Tue, 21 May 2013 14:29:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0521-GarciaGuiltyPleasPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0521-GarciaGuiltyPleasPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Antonio Zermeno Garcia entered a guilty plea in federal court in San Diego today to count one of an indictment charging him and co-defendants Luis Miguel Salas Rodriguez and Carlos Alberto Andrade-De La Cruz with conspiracy to commit kidnapping, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1201(c). Co-defendants Luis Miguel Salas Rodriguez and Carlos Alberto Andrade-De La Cruz previously entered guilty pleas to the same charge on April 26, 2013. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:29:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0520-TuiseeSent.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0520-TuiseeSent.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that a Camp Pendleton defense contractor was sentenced today for his role in a scheme involving the theft of costly medical equipment that the military had planned to ship overseas to treat injured Marines. In today’s court hearing, U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo sentenced Michael Tuisee to serve 6 months in prison, followed by 6 months of house arrest with GPS monitoring, and 3 years of supervised release. Judge Bencivengo also ordered Tuisee to forfeit $8,250 in illegal proceeds and pay $179,698.50 in restitution to the U.S. Marine Corps. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:15:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0520-HidalgoSent.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0520-HidalgoSent.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Christian Hidalgo of Chula Vista was sentenced today to 57 months of custody by District Court Judge William Q. Hayes for a mortgage loan-modification scheme that cheated over 120 people out of over $670,000, and resulted in the loss of many homes to foreclosure. Hidalgo was also ordered to pay full restitution to all of his victims. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:10:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0520-CountryStoreVISentPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0520-CountryStoreVISentPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that two individuals and a corporation were sentenced by U. S. District Judge Larry Alan Burns in federal court in San Diego, in connection with their participation in a fraud and corruption scheme at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, in Coronado, California. The three defendants were Robert Ehnow, the owner and President of Poway defense contractor LN Industrial Tool and Supply Inc. (LN) Joanne Loehr, the owner and President of Poway defense contractor Centerline Industrial Inc. (Centerline) and Centerline itself, a California corporation. Thu, 16 May 2013 16:31:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0516-HensleyPLEA.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0516-HensleyPLEA.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that Timothy James Hensley, a local middle school teacher at Bell Middle School, pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego to a five count indictment charging him with receipt and possession of child pornography. Hensley entered his guilty plea before United States Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal, subject to final acceptance of the plea by United States District Court Judge Irma E. Gonzalez, at or before the time of sentencing Tue, 14 May 2013 16:01:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0514-CarlosPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0514-CarlosPR.pdf Vincent Carlos, a self-employed business owner who purchases discount food and other products at wholesale prices and sells them for a profit to discount stores, such as Big Lots, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in San Diego by United States District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia to serve two concurrent sentences of 12 months and one day in prison and a three-year term of supervised release, announced United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy. The sentence was based upon his December 6, 2012 guilty plea to two felony counts of wire fraud. In addition, Judge Battaglia ordered Mr. Carlos to pay restitution to the victims in the total amount of $335,106.80. Fri, 10 May 2013 14:55:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0510-Konkus-PetersenPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0510-Konkus-PetersenPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that two San Diego men were sentenced today for their roles in a long-running tax fraud that exploited both homeless and drug-addicted “customers” to defraud the United States out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In today’s court hearing, United States District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia sentenced Isaiah Konkus to serve 10 months in prison and his codefendant Justin Petersen to serve 10 months in prison. Judge Battaglia also ordered both defendants to pay $268,832 in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Wed, 8 May 2013 16:50:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0508-PRMortgageFraud.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0508-PRMortgageFraud.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that Timothy E. Shannahan pled guilty to conspiring to commit mortgage fraud by acting as a "straw buyer" in a $5 million mortgage fraud scheme. In pleading guilty before Magistrate Judge Nita L. Stormes, Shannahan became the fourth person to admit conspiring with Kathryn Sylvester, the former CEO of Sylvester Financial, Inc. According to court records, Sylvester was responsible for recruiting straw buyers – who she directed to submit false mortgage loan applications in order to purchase properties throughout Southern California between 2005 and 2008. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:50:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0429-CBPSentPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0429-CBPSentPR.pdf A retired United States Customs and Border Protection supervisor was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Marilyn L. Huff to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for downloading child pornography. Former Supervisory Special Agent Lawson Hardrick, Jr., who was the assistant director for the Calexico ports of entry, was found guilty by a federal jury in January of two counts of receipt of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, each a felony. The verdicts followed a two-day trial before Judge Huff. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:30:00 PDT http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0426-Sylvester.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0426-Sylvester.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that an indictment was unsealed today charging Kathryn Sylvester on charges arising from a mortgage fraud conspiracy to submit fraudulent loan applications for various properties in San Diego County, and elsewhere. Sylvester was arrested earlier today by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents. The indictment was unsealed and Sylvester was arraigned today before Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0426-HedleyArrgnPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0426-HedleyArrgnPR.pdf San Diego, CA - United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that David Hedley, a former Executive Director of the Indian Human Resource Center (“IHRC”), was arraigned yesterday on an indictment charging him with eight felony counts of theft from the San Diego-based non-profit that received federal funds. The defendant was arrested by Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) agents on April 25, 2013, in Riverside, California. According to the indictment, Hedley served as the Executive Director of IHRC between approximately September 10 and December 11, 2012. During that time, Hedley is believed to have stolen approximately $140,000 from the non-profit. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0425-ArmstrongGuiltyPleaPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0425-ArmstrongGuiltyPleaPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy and Federal Housing Finance Agency Inspector General Steve A. Linick announced today that Mary Armstrong, an unlicensed mortgage broker who operated a nationwide loan origination fraud and kickback scheme from San Diego, pled guilty today before United States District Judge John A. Houston to all five counts of an indictment charging her with wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy. Armstrong was indicted on May 10, 2012, and apprehended in Las Vegas, Nevada, in July 2012; she has been held in custody since her arrest. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0425-BenaventePR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0425-BenaventePR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that former Chula Vista Wells Fargo banker Ricardo Adolfo Benavente, III was charged with defrauding Wells Fargo and several of its customers by stealing and laundering approximately $750,000 from Wells Fargo customer accounts. According to an indictment unsealed in federal court today, Benavente used his access privileges at Wells Fargo to move hundreds of thousands of dollars from the accounts of Wells Fargo customers into accounts controlled by Benavente himself. The indictment further alleges that in many instances Benavente laundered the stolen funds in order to disguise the fact that he had stolen them. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/totoabaPR.html http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/totoabaPR.html When Song Shen Zhen came through a border crossing in Calexico recently, an officer noticed something under the floor mats in the back seat. But the plastic grocery bags he found weren’t filled with typical border contraband. They contained 27 dried swim bladders taken from the endangered Totoaba macdonaldi fish. The Totoaba’s large swim bladder – which is an internal gas-filled organ that helps a fish control its buoyancy - is highly prized for use in Chinese soups and is considered a very expensive delicacy. But because the species is federally-protected in both the U.S. and Mexico, it’s illegal to take, possess, transport or sell Totoaba. On Friday, Zhen became the seventh person charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with Totoaba smuggling since February, when border officers first started noticing the rare fish under floor mats and concealed in coolers in the vehicles of border crossers. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0424-MoraPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0424-MoraPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the arraignment this afternoon of Damian C. Mora on an indictment charging him with one count of possession of images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4)(b), a felony. According to the criminal complaint filed earlier in the case, the defendant posted about collecting photographs of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct on a website relating to the sexual exploitation of children and also posted about his sexual interest in children. According to the complaint, the defendant’s collection included depictions of children, as young as one to two years of age, sexually exploited by adults. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/candlelighttrib13.html http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/candlelighttrib13.html National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is celebrated each year in communities across the nation to honor, acknowledge and support crime victims. In San Diego, the 24th Annual Candlelight Tribute for Crime Survivors will be held on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. Enforcing victims’ rights protects victims, enhances public safety and fosters public confidence in our criminal justice system. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-PRSheriffDeputyCharged.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-PRSheriffDeputyCharged.pdf A reserve Imperial County Sheriff’s Deputy was charged today with smuggling illegal aliens in the trunk of her car as she drove through a checkpoint wearing her uniform and department-issued firearm. Elizabeth Hernandez, a reserve Deputy Sheriff of Imperial County, and Edna Yanie Calderon, were arrested yesterday and charged with transportation of illegal aliens and aiding and abetting. Court records said Hernandez wore her uniform because she expected to be waived through the Highway 86 checkpoint by Border Patrol. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 15:15:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-GarmoPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-GarmoPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Richard Francis Garmo was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by the Honorable Anthony J. Battaglia to serve 24 months in custody, followed by three years supervised release, for his role in a criminal conspiracy. Garmo is the eighth and final defendant to be sentenced in the FBI investigation known as “Operation Hook Shot.” Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-BittnerPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-BittnerPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that a Julian resident pled guilty today to the unlawful taking of a Golden Eagle, in violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, before the Honorable David H. Bartick, United States Magistrate Judge. At the time of the plea, wildlife researcher John David Bittner acknowledged that he makes his living conducting studies of birds and wildlife. His work includes the capture and banding of eagles and other migratory birds, and the tracking of their movements. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-TaylorIndictmentPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0418-TaylorIndictmentPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Lloyd Irvin Taylor was arraigned in federal court today on an indictment charging him with three counts of making false statements on passport applications. According to the indictment, Taylor made a host of false statements on each passport application, including: his true name, place of birth, date of birth, social security number, father's name, father's birthplace, father's birth date, mother's maiden name, mother's birthplace, mother's birth date, and applicant's signature. This false information was derived from over a half dozen identities that Taylor stole from other people. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0417-PRCorridor.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0417-PRCorridor.pdf Eighteen suspected methamphetamine and heroin traffickers were arrested during pre-dawn raids around the North County today. More than 200 agents and detectives from the multi-agency North County Regional Gang Task Force made the arrests in Oceanside, Vista, Escondido and elsewhere in the North County. Task force members confiscated 35 weapons during the course of the investigation. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0415-PRLozano.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0415-PRLozano.pdf Cynthia Lozano, a tax preparer from Lemon Grove, was arrested today and an indictment was unsealed in connection with a scheme to steal Social Security numbers, file false tax returns, and defraud the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). She was taken into custody by IRS agents in Phoenix, Arizona, where she will make her first appearance in U.S. District Court tomorrow. Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0415-UnitedStatesUniversityPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0415-UnitedStatesUniversityPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that United States University, a for-profit college located in San Diego, has agreed to pay a civil settlement in the amount of $686,720 and that the school’s former Financial Aid Director has pled guilty, resolving allegations that between December 2008 and February 2011, the school submitted falsified financial aid applications to the U.S. Department of Education in order to obtain Pell Grant funds for which students were not eligible. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0412-MartinezSentPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0412-MartinezSentPR.pdf Former Internal Revenue Service agent-turned-tax preparer Steven Martinez was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge William Q. Hayes to almost 24 years in prison for defrauding clients out of more than $11 million and then plotting their murders to prevent them from testifying about the theft. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0411-ThweniPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0411-ThweniPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Paul Joseph Thweni was sentenced today by the Honorable Anthony J. Battaglia to serve 30 months in custody, followed by three years supervised release, for his role in a criminal conspiracy. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0404-BrownPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0404-BrownPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Thaddeus Brown was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by the Honorable Anthony J. Battaglia to serve 12 months in custody, followed by three years supervised release, for his role in a conspiracy to commit sports bribery. The indictment charged that Brown and others influenced the outcome of basketball games at the University of San Diego during the 2009-2010 season, and then attempted to recruit players to do the same during the 2010-2011 season. Brown pleaded guilty to the indictment on November 13, 2012. To date, eight of the ten defendants indicted have pled guilty. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0328-CBPOfficerRodriguezPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0328-CBPOfficerRodriguezPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Hector Rodriguez, a former Customs and Border Protection Officer, and Gerardo Rodriguez pled guilty today in front of Magistrate Judge David Bartick to conspiracy to bring in aliens for financial gain and to receive bribes, bringing in aliens for financial gain, and bribery. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0325-Soto2PRSent.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0325-Soto2PRSent.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Alejandro Avilla-Soto was sentenced on Monday, March 11, 2013 before the Honorable Judge Roger T. Benitez, United States District Court Judge to serve 216 months in federal prison based on his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846. Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0325-DavidGarciaScanlonSent.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0325-DavidGarciaScanlonSent.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that David Raymond Garcia, a methamphetamine dealer and associate of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to serve 262 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. At today's hearing, U.S. District Judge Marilyn L. Huff also sentenced Jason Scanlon, another methamphetamine supplier charged in the case, to serve 188 months in custody. These two defendants were prosecuted as part of an FBI Violent Crimes Task Force investigation that ultimately resulted in 36 defendants being charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0315-RanchCateringPRSent.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0315-RanchCateringPRSent.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that today Robert Peltier, one of the two principal owners and operators of Ranch Catering (dba ARanch Events@), was ordered to pay $222,822 in restitution for committing tax evasion stemming from the operation of his business. United States District Judge Janis L. Sammartino also sentenced the defendant to serve six months home incarceration and six months home detention. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0314-EdrisiBandRobberyPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0314-EdrisiBandRobberyPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Vahid Edrisi was found guilty by a federal jury earlier today in San Diego of six counts of bank robbery and one count of robbing a pharmacy. The verdicts follow a two-day trial before United States District Judge Larry A. Burns. The evidence presented at trial showed Edrisi accessing cellular towers in the vicinity of six of the seven robberies committed by Aaron Hyman, dubbed the 'Chubby Bandit', in October 2012. Edrisi himself was captured by video surveillance just prior to one of the robberies, and Edrisi's black 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible was captured on video surveillance at three of the seven robberies. Hyman entered guilty pleas to seven counts of robbery on January 24, 2013. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0308-TeaguePR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0308-TeaguePR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Troy Teague, former Executive Director of the La Posta Gaming Commission (ACommission@) pled guilty today in front of Magistrate Judge Jan Adler to embezzling $57,000 from the La Posta Band of Mission Indians. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0307-MezaGarciaExtradition.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0307-MezaGarciaExtradition.pdf Cesar Alfredo Meza-Garcia, a leader within the powerful Tijuana Cartel, was extradited from Mexico to the United States today to face drug charges in the Southern District of California. Meza-Garcia was arrested by Mexican law enforcement officers on September 26, 2012, at the request of the United States. Since his arrest in Mexico, Meza-Garcia has remained in custody pending extradition to the United States. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0307-BonillaetalGuiltyPleas.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0307-BonillaetalGuiltyPleas.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that three civilian contractors who until recently worked at Camp Pendleton appeared today in federal court, and pled guilty to charges stemming from their theft of expensive medical equipment that the military had planned to ship overseas to treat injured Marines. Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0304-GarciaSent.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0304-GarciaSent.pdf San Diego - Carlos Alberto Garcia, who made thousands of dollars pimping out underage girls using internet ads, was sentenced in federal court this morning to 12 years in prison plus 10 years supervised release for sex trafficking of children. Garcia pleaded guilty in August and has been in custody since his arrest on June 26, 2012. Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0304-CountryStorePR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0304-CountryStorePR.pdf A federal jury today convicted two San Diego area defense contractors and one corporation of conspiracy and bribery in connection with a fraud and corruption scheme at Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, in Coronado, California. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0301-JohnsonPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2013/cas13-0301-JohnsonPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Brandon Johnson was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by the Honorable Anthony J. Battaglia to serve six months in custody, followed by one year of supervised release, for his role in a conspiracy to commit sports bribery in connection with influencing the outcome of University of San Diego (USD) basketball games during the 2009-2010 season and soliciting a USD player to do the same during the 2010-2011 season. Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0718-AsgardPlea.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0718-AsgardPlea.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Asgard Associates, LLC, a Delaware corporation, entered a guilty plea today to unlawfully storing hazardous waste before United States Magistrate Judge David H. Bartick. In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted responsibility for maintaining chemicals and biological agents posing a threat of imminent and identifiable harm to the public health and safety in a laboratory located in San Diego. Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0713-RodriguezEtAl.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0713-RodriguezEtAl.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today the filing of a complaint charging Hector Rodriguez, a Customs and Border Protection Officer, Gerardo Rodriguez, and Vanessa Moya, with conspiracy to bring in aliens for financial gain and to receive bribes, and bringing in illegal aliens for financial gain. Agents of the Border Corruption Task Force arrested all three defendants earlier today after defendants Gerardo Rodriguez and Vanessa Moya each drove a vehicle containing illegal aliens through the inspection lane manned by Hector Rodriguez. Hector Rodriguez was arrested while on duty at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Thu, 03 May 2012 16:15:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0503-Sanders.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0503-Sanders.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Jonathan Jamar Sanders was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Dana M. Sabraw to serve 236 months in federal prison, followed by seven years of supervised release, and ordered mandatory registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Sanders pled guilty less than a week before the scheduled date for his jury trial in January 2012. Wed, 02 May 2012 11:05:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0502-BeanPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0502-BeanPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that employees at the California Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV") in San Diego County were charged in a criminal complaint for their involvement in a long-running bribery conspiracy that resulted in the production of hundreds of fraudulent driver licenses for applicants who had failed - or not taken - the required driver license tests. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:05:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0430-Galyen.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0430-Galyen.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the sentencing today of Michael Royce Galyen in federal court in San Diego based upon his conviction for production of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a) and (e). United States District Judge Marilyn L. Huff sentenced Galyen to serve 294 months in prison and also ordered the defendant to serve 15 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender. Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0430-RuizHidalgo.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0430-RuizHidalgo.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that telemarketers Jose Ruiz and Christian Hidalgo were arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo on two separate indictments arising from similar loan modification schemes. Each defendant was charged with operating a separate scheme that defrauded a large number of victims. Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0423-NatCrimeVictims.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0423-NatCrimeVictims.pdf National Crime Victims' Rights Week is a time to honor crime victims. The week of April 22 - April 28, 2012, "Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim," is designated to provide increased awareness and improve the assistance provided to all victims of crime and their families. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0418-Castro_Chrysler.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0418-Castro_Chrysler.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that after a one-week trial, a federal jury in San Diego convicted Carlsbad real estate agent Aida Agusti Castro and her son, Orange County attorney Stephen Kenneth Chrysler, of multiple counts of wire fraud for their roles in an $8 million mortgage fraud scheme involving 16 separate homes in Oceanside, Escondido, San Marcos, Lakeside, and Menifee. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:12:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0416-Fonseca.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0416-Fonseca.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the arraignment and unsealing of a criminal indictment charging Luis E. Fonseca, a United States Border Patrol Agent assigned to the Imperial Beach Border Patrol Station, with deprivation of rights under color of law. Border Patrol Agent Fonseca appeared in federal court today before United States Magistrate Judge William McCurine, Jr. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:08:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0416-BYW1343.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0416-BYW1343.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the unsealing of an 18-count indictment in federal court in San Diego charging ten individuals with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme which resulted in lenders funding over $10,000,000 in mortgage loans. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0416-Bartko.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0416-Bartko.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that today United States District Court Judge Michael M. Anello sentenced Steven Bartko to serve 24 months in custody for his role in a "ponzi scheme" that defrauded investors of over $5 million. Bartko was also ordered to pay $5,362,765 in restitution and was ordered to serve three years supervised release. Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0413-Velasquez.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0413-Velasquez.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Dr. Roberto J. Velasquez, a licensed psychologist, was arrested today in Chula Vista, California, on charges of selling false documentation certifying to patients' disabilities. The false certifications are alleged in the criminal complaint to have been used by patients in connection with: (1) securing exemptions from taking written examinations required for naturalization purposes (as charged in count one of the complaint); and (2) qualifying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 16:15:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0409-McElmurry.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0409-McElmurry.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that David Michael McElmurry was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge John A. Houston to serve a total of 25 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and mandatory registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:15:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0402-BAF_Sentencing.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0402-BAF_Sentencing.pdf San Diego, CA - Benjamin Arellano-Felix, the former leader of the Tijuana Cartel/Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO) was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in San Diego by the Honorable Larry A. Burns to serve 25 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy. Judge Burns also ordered Arellano-Felix to forfeit $100 million in criminal proceeds. The sentence followed Arellano-Felix's conviction for racketeering, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1962(c), and conspiring to launder monetary instruments, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0328-Vangundy.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0328-Vangundy.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that seven individuals, four Navy officials, Donald Vangundy, Kiet Luc, David Lindsay and Brian Delaney, and three defense contractors, Michael Graven, John Newman, and Paul Grubiss, each pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Bernard G. Skomal in connection with a wide-ranging fraud and corruption scheme at the Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, in Coronado, California. Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0326-ChapelPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0326-ChapelPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the sentencing today of Leonard Joseph Chapel, a tool shop repairman, in federal court in San Diego based upon his conviction for possession of child pornography with a prior sex offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4). Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0323-SHURN.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0323-SHURN.pdf United States Laura E. Duffy announced the unsealing of a 16-count criminal indictment today charging Leray Shurn with mail fraud, wire fraud, false statements to obtain federal employee's compensation, and false statements to a government agency. Shurn was arraigned today in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Jan M. Adler. The indictment alleges that Shurn defrauded the Department of the Navy and the Department of Veterans Affairs of approximately $400,000 by causing them to issue workers' compensation and disability benefit payments to which he was not entitled. Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0319-LuisGP.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0319-LuisGP.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that today real estate agent Marco Manuel Luis pled guilty before the Honorable Irma E. Gonzalez, United States District Court Judge to counts 16 and 25 of an indictment, charging Luis with felony counts of conspiracy to launder money, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1957 and 1956(h). Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0319-PhensombathPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0319-PhensombathPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Thongsavanh Phensombath was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge M. James Lorenz to serve 12 months in a residential re-entry center and a total of three years of supervised release following his conviction for tax evasion arising from his concealment of income generated from his business, JMP Precision Sheet Metal Fabrication (JMP). Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0316-Borzellino.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0316-Borzellino.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that former Carlsbad-based real estate consultant John J. Borzellino was sentenced by United States District Judge Janis L. Sammartino to serve 60 months in federal prison for his operation of a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud conspiracy involving properties in Georgia, Florida and California, and his attempts at evading federal income taxes owed on more than $1million in illegal proceeds. Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0315-MiceliPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0315-MiceliPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura Duffy announced the unsealing of a criminal indictment today charging James T. Miceli, Douglas McClain, Jr. ("McClain"), and Jeffrey Spanier with one count of conspiracy, seven counts of mail fraud, fifteen counts of wire fraud, one count of securities fraud, eleven counts of money laundering, and criminal forfeiture in connection with their participation in a $51 million stock loan fraud scheme. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0312-KlentschyPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0312-KlentschyPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that the former Superintendent of the El Centro Elementary School District, Michael P. Klentschy, pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges in two related cases alleging fraud in elementary school math and science grants. In conjunction with his pleas, Klentschy admitted that his fraud caused losses of more than $325,000. Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0306-GarciaSentencingPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0306-GarciaSentencingPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Armando Garcia, the former owner and operator of California Legal Services in Pico Rivera, California, with offices in National City, California, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in San Diego by United States District Judge Michael M. Anello to serve 81 months in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of supervised release, based on his convictions for aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0302-SandersRobinsonSent.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0302-SandersRobinsonSent.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Ella Louise Sanders and Eric Reginald Robinson were each sentenced today in federal court in San Diego before the Honorable Margaret M. McKeown based on their convictions on federal charges arising out of the May 4, 2008, bombing of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse. Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0302-WeLendMore.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0302-WeLendMore.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that on March 1, 2012, a federal jury in San Diego convicted We Lend More, Inc., a National City pawn shop, and its owner, Marc Vogel, of several environmental crimes related to their dumping of lethal hazardous wastes at the Miramar Landfill in March 2011. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0301-AtiyrsSettlement.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0301-AtiyrsSettlement.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that the former owners of three San Diego pharmacies have entered into a settlement agreement with the federal government and have paid $1.25 million to resolve allegations that the owners failed to conduct inventory controls and were unable to account for significant amounts of prescription painkillers. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0301-SiapnoPR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0301-SiapnoPR.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the guilty pleas today of three more individuals who participated in a mortgage fraud scam to secure millions of dollars in fraudulent loans. Al Siapno, Leila Siapno, and Matthew McIntyre each pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Al Siapno, a United States Border Patrol Agent, and his wife, Leila Siapno, admitted that they conspired with others to lie on mortgage loan applications and submit fraudulent documentation in order to refinance the mortgage on a property located on Winecreek Road, a part of the Ivy Gate development of 4S Ranch. Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0301-ReddSentence.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0301-ReddSentence.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Ralph Darnell Redd was sentenced yesterday by United States District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan to serve 15 years in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and mandatory registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. A federal jury found Redd guilty on July 11, 2011, following a four-day jury trial. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0224-Chelberg.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0224-Chelberg.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Travis Chelberg was sentenced today in federal court in San Diego by United States District Court Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz to serve 168 months in custody and three years of supervised release based on Chelberg's convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and assaulting a fellow inmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in an attempt to dissuade the victim from testifying. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0224-Erickson.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0224-Erickson.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that attorney Theresa Erickson was sentenced by United States District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia to serve five months in prison and nine months of home confinement for her involvement in a baby-selling ring that deceived prospective parents and the Superior Court of California. Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0223-Johnson.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0223-Johnson.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that on Tuesday Ricky Dean Johnson was sentenced in federal court in San Diego by United States District Court Judge John A. Houston to serve 30 months in custody and three years of supervised release, based on Johnson's conviction for Assault on a Federal Officer, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a) and (b), a felony. Johnson pled guilty to that offense on September 13, 2011. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0221-Elegado.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0221-Elegado.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the unsealing of an indictment today charging a local real estate agent, Eric Elegado, and eight other mortgage industry professionals, Charmagne Elegado, Theodore Cohen, Minh Nguyen, Regidor Pacal, Alexander V. Garcia, Roman Macabulos, Ramin Lotfi, and Roderick Huerto, with multiple counts of conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and criminal forfeiture. According to court proceedings, these defendants engaged in a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable, low-income, immigrants in San Diego. All of the defendants were arraigned today in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge William McCurine, Jr. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0214-Saffarpleas.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0214-Saffarpleas.pdf Three individuals charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud for their roles in operating a fraudulent mortgage loan modification business pled guilty today in federal court in San Diego, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy. According to the plea agreements, Ziad Nabil Mohammed Al Saffar and Sara Beth Bushore Rosengrant admitted that they operated the fraudulent loan audit and modification business, located in San Diego, California, under the names "Compliance Audit Solutions, Inc." ("CAS") and CAS Group, Inc., ("CAS Group"). Daniel Al Saffar admitted that he worked as a sales representative in connection with the operation. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0214-Alizadeh.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0214-Alizadeh.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Simon Saed Alizadeh was arraigned in federal court in San Diego today on an indictment charging Alizadeh and Kian Ashkanizadeh with conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme involving four expensive homes on Triton Street in Carlsbad, California. The charges were returned by a federal grand jury on February 2, 2012. Co-defendant Ashkanizadeh was arraigned on the charges last week. Mon, 6 Feb 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0206-Tinitsman.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0206-Tinitsman.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the sentencing today of Jerry Louis Tintsman, a self-employed air conditioning and appliance repair person, in federal court in San Diego based upon his conviction for possession of child pornography with a prior sex offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(4). United States District Judge Roger T. Benitez sentenced Tintsman to serve 240 months in prison, followed by a life time of supervised release. Judge Benitez also ordered the defendant to register as a sex offender. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0130-Alarid_Sentence.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0130-Alarid_Sentence.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Fernando Javier Alarid, of Chula Vista, California, was sentenced to serve 25 years in federal custody by the Honorable Larry A. Burns, United States District Court Judge, after a federal jury convicted Fernando Javier Alarid of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841 and 846; conspiracy to import marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections, 952, 960, and 963 and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and aiding and abetting in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0126-Berry.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0126-Berry.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced the unsealing of an indictment yesterday charging Sean M. Berry with four felony counts of communicating a false distress message to the United States Coast Guard, in violation of Title 14, United States Code, Section 88(c). The United States Coast Guard, Coast Guard Sector San Diego, is responsible for monitoring distress messages and communications, and executing search and rescue missions, within its area of responsibility. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:30:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0125-PresserONC_OC_12step.html http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0125-PresserONC_OC_12step.html United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy Announced Today Two Mexican Mafia Members and 117 San Diego County Street Gang Members and Associated With Ties to the Mexican Mafia Charged with Racketeering Conspiracy, Drug-Trafficking Violations and Firearms Offenses 119 Individuals Charged in Three County-wide Law Enforcement Operations Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0119-Lee.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0119-Lee.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced today that Ju Hea Kim and Sun Jae Lee each pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge William V. Gallo to felony charges of conspiracy to knowingly hiring ten or more undocumented aliens within a twelve-month period, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0113-SCRA_PR.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0113-SCRA_PR.pdf The United States Attorney's Office and the Camp Pendleton Joint Legal Assistance Office announced today that settlements have been reached with three Southern California apartment complex businesses to resolve allegations that they violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). In all three matters, the apartment complex staff charged Marine and Navy families excess rent after their leases were lawfully terminated pursuant to the SCRA. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0113-Wyly.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0113-Wyly.pdf United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Rachel Ann Wyly was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Janis L. Sammartino to serve 300 months in federal prison, followed by 20 years of supervised release, and to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. The defendant has been in custody since her arrest on November 8, 2010. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:00:00 PST http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0104-BenjaminArellano-Felix.pdf http://www.justice.gov/usao/cas/press/2012/cas12-0104-BenjaminArellano-Felix.pdf San Diego, CA - Benjamin Arellano-Felix, the former leader of the Tijuana Cartel/Arellano-Felix Organization (AFO) entered a guilty plea in federal court in San Diego today, announced United States Attorney for the Southern District of California Laura E. Duffy. Arellano-Felix was extradited by the government of Mexico to the United States on April 29, 2011, to face charges in the Southern District of California for narcotics trafficking, money laundering and organized crime-related offenses. Long-reputed to be one of the most notorious multi-national drug trafficking organizations to ever exist, the AFO controlled the flow of cocaine, marijuana and other drugs through the Mexican border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali into the United States. Its operations also extended into southern Mexico and Colombia.