Man Found Guilty on Bank Fraud Charges

Albert Greer, Sr., of Shelby Township, was found guilty on March 20, 2014, of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and of aiding and abetting bank fraud, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.
McQuade was joined in the announcement by Paul M. Abbate, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
They jury deliberated for three hours before returning the guilty verdicts, concluding a trial that began on March 11, 2014, before United States District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III.
Evidence introduced during the trial established that from 2004 through 2007, Greer devised and executed a scheme to commit bank fraud by locating residential properties in the Detroit metropolitan area, then recruiting and paying “straw buyers” to sign for mortgage loans they never intended to repay on homes they never intended to live in. Greer often made the mortgage payments on the loans for several months so the lenders would not immediately realize that the loans had been obtained by fraud, but then the loans went into default and the properties went into foreclosure.
Co-defendant and co-conspirator Carlton Davis (who pleaded guilty in 2013 to conspiring with Greer) would submit fraudulent loan applications to various financial institutions on behalf of the straw buyers. The applications were filled with material false representations that were supported by phony documents Greer created, including W-2s, earnings statements, verifications of deposit, verifications of employment, and so on. Greer attempted to insulate himself from criminal liability by acting through the straw buyers and through shell companies—including Detroit National Mortgage Associates—he established in the names of his family members. Greer also had his family members open bank accounts in their names, which he used to launder the proceeds of his crimes.
Greer not only scammed banks out of several million dollars, he also stole the sellers’ proceeds on occasion by submitting invoices for “consulting fees” owed to Detroit National Mortgage Associates; if the seller did not realize those fees were included on the HUD-1s, proceeds checks would be issued to the shell company at closing, and Greer would cash the checks. In this way, Greer stole $167,844.31 from the homeowner who sold 18630 Fairway in Detroit in 2005 and $21,948.92 from the homeowner who sold 16872 Huntington in Detroit in 2006.
Each count of conviction, conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aiding and abetting bank fraud, carries a maximum prison term of 30 years, a $1,000,000 fine, and five years of supervised release following the period of incarceration. No sentencing date has been set at this time.
“Some people rob banks with guns and masks,” McQuade said. “This defendant robbed banks with lies and false documents. White-collar criminals deserve to be seen as the robbers that they are.”
The investigation of this case was conducted by special agents of the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Oberg.

Lancaster Pair Charged in Bank Robbery

An indictment was filed today charging Kyle Costello, 27, and Matthew Hill, 29, both of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, armed bank robbery, carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and aiding and abetting, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. Hill is also charged with attempted bank robbery.
According to the indictment, on November 7, 2013, the defendants robbed the National Penn Bank, on Lancaster Pike in Shillington, Pennsylvania, at gunpoint. It is further alleged that on December 6, 2013, Hill tried to rob the Susquehanna Bank, on E. Market Street in York, Pennsylvania.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years consecutive to any other sentence imposed, and a fine of up to $1 million.
The case was investigated by the FBI, York City Police Department, Cumru Township Police Department, and Lancaster City Police Department, and it is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Salvatore L. Astolfi.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in FBI Sting

ALBANY, NY—Charles E. Fuller, 46, of Corinth, New York, a Saratoga County Deputy Sheriff, was charged today by criminal complaint with attempting to aid and abet the possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division. Fuller was arrested earlier today at the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel at 3:00 p.m. A detention hearing is scheduled before United States Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece on March 3, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. If convicted, Fuller faces a maximum of 40 years in prison, a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment of five years, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.
The complaint alleges that on or about February 27, 2014, members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of a FBI confidential source, arranged for a controlled delivery by Charles E. Fuller of what was purported to be one kilogram of cocaine. After Fuller transported the confidential source and one kilogram of a substance the confidential source claimed was cocaine from a location in Albany County to a location in Warren County, the FBI confidential source paid Fuller $4,000 in prerecorded currency. Fuller is alleged to have engaged in this conduct while he was off-duty.
U.S. Attorney Hartunian said, “This is a difficult day for law enforcement in Saratoga County and beyond. The conduct by Deputy Sheriff Fuller alleged in the complaint constitutes a betrayal of both the citizens in the community that he is sworn to protect but also the countless honest and dedicated law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. We will continue to work with the FBI and our state and local law enforcement officers to root out this conduct wherever it lies.”
Special Agent in Charge Andrew W. Vale stated, “Corrupt law enforcement officers insult the many honorable officers who serve with integrity. Any law enforcement officer who violates his oath to protect the community and instead takes part in criminal activity should expect the same outcome as a criminal. The public has the right to be assured of the integrity of its public servants, in particular those charged with enforcing the law. Today’s arrest serves as a reminder that no one is above the law and that the FBI is committed to working with the law enforcement community to prevent the erosion of public trust that accompanies such incidents. I would like to extend my appreciation to Saratoga County Sheriff Zurlo for his cooperation throughout this investigation.”
Saratoga County Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo stated, “The allegations against Fuller are an affront to and undermine the integrity of the hardworking men and women of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. We will not tolerate corruption among our ranks. Our promise to the people of Saratoga County is that we will continue to work diligently to ensure that every member of this office deserves the respect and trust of our community.”
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

Getaway Driver in Takeover-Style Armed Bank Robbery is Sentenced to 140 Months in Federal Prison

LUBBOCK, TX—Gabriel Tenorio, 30, the getaway driver in the May 1, 2013 armed robbery of a Lubbock National Bank, was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 140 months in federal prison. A resident of Lubbock, Tenorio has been in custody since his arrest in early June 2013. He pleaded guilty in August 2013 to one count of aggravated bank robbery and aiding and abetting as charged in a superseding indictment. Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
Tenorio’s co-defendant, Russell Eugene Heath, 44, also of Lubbock, was arrested in August in Calexico, California. He pleaded guilty last month to one count of aggravated bank robbery and aiding and abetting and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the robbery conviction and at least five years and up to life on the firearm offense. Each count of conviction also each carries a maximum statutory fine of $250,000. A sentencing date has not yet been set for Heath.
According to Tenorio’s factual resume, he and Heath planned and executed the robbery of the Lubbock National Bank located at 4420 19th Street in Lubbock. At approximately 12:45 p.m., Heath, wearing a mask and gloves and carrying what appeared to be a Glock firearm, entered the bank, pointed the firearm at the tellers and began yelling at them to give him money. He jumped over a counter, opened a teller drawer and began stuffing money in his pockets. He then ran from the bank to a waiting vehicle driven by Tenorio. Tenorio and Heath split the proceeds of the robbery.
According to the factual resume filed in Heath’s case, he and Tenoria also robbed the FirstBank Southwest Bank branch located at 5701 SW 34th Street in Amarillo, Texas, on May 20, 2013. In that robbery, Heath entered the bank carrying a short-barreled shotgun, vaulted over the teller counter, and stole money. Heath then ran to the vehicle being driven by Tenoria, and they fled the area.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Lubbock Police Department, the Amarillo Police Department, and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Williams is in charge of the prosecution.

Two Former New Jersey Residents Sentenced to Federal Prison for Multiple Armed Robberies in Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Carbon Counties

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two former New Jersey residents were sentenced Wednesday by Senior United States District Judge Richard P. Conaboy for their participation in multiple armed robberies of stores and businesses located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Carbon Counties between December 2011 and February 2012.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Tysheed Hargrove, age 20, also known by the street-name “Sincere,” formerly of Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and ordered to pay $7,986.78 in restitution to the businesses that he robbed. In addition to the prison term, Senior Judge Conaboy also ordered that Hargrove be supervised by a probation officer for three years following his prison sentence.
Hargrove previously entered a guilty plea to eleven counts of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting.
Specifically, Hargrove admitted to robbing the following businesses:

• Convenient Mart, 51 West Juniper Street, Hazleton, on December 21, 2011;
• Turkey Hill, 70 Station Circle, Hazle Township, on December 24, 2011;
• Unimart, Route 940, Foster Township, on January 5, 2012;
• Turkey Hill, 800 Alter Street, Hazleton, on January 6, 2012;
• Turkey Hill, 800 Alter Street, Hazleton, on January 10, 2012;
• Fegley’s Mini-Mart, 30-32 Center Street, Tamaqua, on January 20, 2012 ;
• Fegley’s Mini-Mart, 146 South Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, on January 26, 2012;
• Wawa, SR 940, White Haven, on January 29, 2012;
• Turkey Hill, 205 Claremont Avenue, Hometown, on February 3, 2012;
• Unimart/Exxon, 541, Altamont Boulevard, Frackville, on February 3, 2012; and
• Fegley’s Mini-Mart/Dunkin Donuts, 30-32 Center Street, Tamaqua on February 5, 2012.

In addition, Jose Nunez, age 20, also known by the street-name “Skillz,” formerly of Newark, New Jersey, was sentenced to 90 months in prison and ordered to pay $2,936.20 in restitution. Senior Judge Conaboy also ordered that Nunez be supervised by a probation officer for three years following his prison sentence.
Nunez previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting Hargrove in the following seven robberies:

• Convenient Mart, 51 West Juniper Street, Hazleton, on December 21, 2011;
• Turkey Hill, 70 Station Circle, Hazle Township, on December 24, 2011;
• Unimart, Route 940, Foster Township, on January 5, 2012;
• Fegley’s Mini-Mart, 146 South Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, on January 26, 2012;
• Wawa, SR 940, White Haven, on January 29, 2012;
• Turkey Hill, 205 Claremont Avenue, Hometown on February 3, 2012; and
• Unimart/Exxon, 541, Altamont Boulevard, Frackville on February 3, 2012

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pennsylvania State Police, and numerous local law enforcement agencies, including the Hazleton, Tamaqua, McAdoo, Kidder Township, Rush Township, and Nesquehoning Police Departments; and the Luzerne County, Schuylkill County and Carbon County District Attorney’s Offices.
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara.

Wyoming Men Plead Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Aiding and Abetting

U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming Christopher A. Crofts announced today that on October 29, 2013, Alan Brown, 61, and his brother Vernon Lee Brown, 54, both Northern Arapaho Tribal Members, pled guilty in federal court to an information charging them with one count of involuntary manslaughter and aiding and abetting (Alan Brown) and involuntary manslaughter (Vernon Brown), in violation of 18 U.S.C. '' 1112, 1153, and 2.
The charges against Alan and Vernon Lee Brown stem from an incident that occurred on or about May 6, 2006, which resulted in the death of Tad Paul Barnson, 47, who was originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, but resided in and around Riverton, Wyoming, at the time of his death. Alan and Vernon Lee Brown are Wind River Indian Reservation inhabitants but are not believed to have any permanent residence. This crime is alleged to have occurred on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Alan and Vernon Lee Brown are each facing a maximum sentence of eight years’ imprisonment and could be ordered to pay restitution, a fine, and special assessment.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Shiprock Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Aiding and Abetting an Armed Robbery on the Navajo Indian Reservation

ALBUQUERQUE—Neilson McKensley, 49, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, New Mexico, was sentenced this morning to 57 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction for aiding and abetting an armed robbery in Indian Country.
McKensley was arrested on November 13, 2012, on a criminal complaint charging him with being an accomplice to an armed robbery of a residence in Shiprock on October 26, 2012. He subsequently was indicted on that same charge. McKensley has been in federal custody since his arrest.
According to court records, McKensley assisted Randy Coolidge, 46, in robbing the residence of an acquaintance in the early hours of October 27, 2012, by driving Coolidge to the residence. After putting duct tape over his face to conceal his identity, Coolidge approached the residence armed with a pistol. When Coolidge tried to push his way into the residence, the victim attempted to take the pistol away from Coolidge. As the two men fought over the pistol, the pistol discharged, and Coolidge was shot in the chest and stomach. Coolidge subsequently died of his wounds. The victim then realized that McKensley, whose face also was covered with black duct tape and who was armed with a steel pipe, was standing by his door. After attempting unsuccessfully to drag Coolidge from the residence, McKensley left Coolidge behind and drove away. Officers initiated the investigation leading to McKensley’s arrest after Coolidge’s body was found shortly thereafter.
On May 6, 2013, McKensley pleaded guilty to the indictment and admitted driving Coolidge to the victim’s residence knowing that Coolidge intended to take items of value from the victim by force and violence. McKensley also admitted that he intended to help Coolidge rob the victim.
This case was investigated by Albuquerque and Farmington offices of the FBI and the Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, and it was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark T. Baker.

Former Glendale Resident Arraigned on Charges Alleging She Defrauded Investors of $3.9 Million Using a Suspended Real Estate License

A former resident of Glendale was in court this week to face charges alleging she defrauded numerous victims in a series of real estate investment schemes, announced Bill L. Lewis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office; and André Birotte, Jr., the United States Attorney in Los Angeles.
Sona Chukhyan, 48, of San Francisco, was named in a federal grand jury indictment returned in United States District Court in Los Angeles on September 26, 2013. The indictment, which was unsealed upon the defendant’s arrest, alleges Chukhyan executed a variety of real estate schemes in which she convinced victims to invest and specifically charges her with wire fraud; aggravated identity theft; and aiding and abetting. Chukhyan was arrested by the FBI in San Francisco on October 3 and was recently returned to Los Angeles to face prosecution.
Acording to the indictment, Chukhyan operated the schemes with others, two of whom are identified in the indictment only as “co-schemer 1” and “co-schemer 2.” Co-schemer 2, Chukhyan’s spouse, owned JBA Company LLC, a business that purportedly rented real estate and rented and repaired shoes in northern California.
The indictment alleges that Chukhyan solicited investors in a variety of ways. In some cases, Chukhyan told victims they were investing in deals on a semi-exclusive basis before the deals were available to the general public. In other cases, Chukhyan offered victims an opportunity to “flip” homes for a quick profit and often misrepresented that she already had buyers lined up once the title was obtained. In other cases, Chukhyan encouraged victims to extend short-term loans to third parties who could not obtain hard money loans from a traditional source and advised victims they would earn back their principal investment and interest on the purported loans. The indictment alleges that Chukhyan sometimes provided victims with fictitous documentation to lend legitimacy to the fraudulent schemes. The indictment alleges that, beginning in or about December 2004 through at least June 2010, victims transferred approximately $4,600,000 to Chukhyan and co-schemer 1.
Chukhyan allegedly told victims that she was a licensed real estate agent in Califrornia when, in fact, her license had expired in 2000 and had been suspended in August 2003. In addition, Chukhyan allegedly made material misrepresentations to victims, assuring them their money was safe and that their investment was without risk. In fact, Chukhyan did not use investors’ money as intended but instead spent victim money on her residence, personal purchases, cash withdrawals, and to make Ponzi-style payments to early investors in order to avoid suspicion, according to the indictment.
When victims did become suspicious, Chukhyan gave false reasons for delays or told victims that she “rolled” their principal investment and purported profits into another deal that would generate yet more profit, according to the indictment.
The indictment further alleges that Chukhyan sent various e-mails and text messages to victims vowing to repay them in order to forestall investors from suing her or reporting her to law enforcement. Ultimately, Chukhyan stopped responding to victims’ demands for their money to be returned. As a consequence of the scheme, victims lost approximately $3.9 million, according to the indictment.
The indictment outlines wire transactions made from victims located in areas in Southern California and other U.S. states.
If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Chukhyan faces a statutory maximum penalty of 242 years in federal prison—20 years for each fraud count, plus a mandatory two-year sentence for the aggravated ID theft charge.
Chukhyan had an initial appearance in U.S. District Court Monday afternoon and was released on $250,000 bond. A trial date of December 17 has been scheduled.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Chukhyan will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angleles.
Media Contact:

• United States Attorney’s Office: 213-894-6947
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Cazares: 213-894-0707
• FBI Los Angeles Press Relations: 310-996-3343

Vince Lee Whiteman Sentenced in U.S. District Court

The United States Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on September 19, 2013, before U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy, Vince Lee Whiteman, a 23-year-old resident of Lame Deer and an enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, was sentenced to a term of:

• Prison: 62 months, consecutive to another sentence
• Special assessment: $200
• Supervised release: three years

Whiteman was sentenced after a federal district court trial in which he was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon and aiding and abetting assault with a dangerous weapon.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan P. McCarthy prosecuted the case for the United States.
At trial, the following evidence and testimony was presented to the jury.
On the evening of July 29, 2011, the victim was with his nephew and they were drinking together. At some point, they met up with Whiteman and then, later, met up with Zachary Knows His Gun. All four drove to Soldier Gulch Road, where they parked the car and continued to drink. The victim and Knows His Gun were in the back seat of the car. Whiteman had a knife with him.
An argument about who was tougher led Knows His Gun to ask Whiteman for his knife. Whiteman gave him his knife. Knows His Gun then stabbed the victim in the neck. The victim fought back, which resulted in Whiteman joining the fight and, according to the victim and Knows His Gun, also stabbing the victim in the neck. The victim got out of the car and was able to run away. The victim identified both Knows His Gun and Whiteman as the assailants.
After hiding in the hills for a period of time, the victim went to a house for help.
Whiteman was interviewed and admitted that he gave Knows His Gun his knife but claimed that he did not know why Knows His Gun wanted the knife. He denied stabbing or assaulting the victim and, in fact, claimed that he pulled Knows His Gun away from the victim and tried to help the victim.
Knows His Gun, the nephew, and another witness were interviewed and described the knife that Whiteman was carrying the day of the assault. Knows His Gun and the other witness provided law enforcement with drawings of the knife during the investigation.
Whiteman was arrested on tribal charges, and his pants, which appeared to have blood on them, were seized. DNA analysis confirmed that the major contributor of the DNA extracted from the blood stain on Whiteman’s pants was the victim’s.
Knows His Gun pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and is serving a 37-month federal sentence.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that Whiteman will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, Whiteman does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15 percent of the overall sentence.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.