FRESNO, CA—A federal grand jury returned a five-count superseding indictment today against Ramon Cano, 28, a resident of Bakersfield, and Gerardo Alvarez-Montanez, 32, an inmate at the Taft Federal Correctional Facility, charging them with conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison and with various substantive counts, including distribution and attempted distribution of a controlled substance and bribery of a public official. United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
According to court documents, Cano, a full-time contract correctional officer employed at the Taft Federal Correctional Facility, was involved in smuggling heroin, methamphetamine, and other items of contraband, including cash and cell phones, to Alvarez-Montanez in return for payments of cash.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the Inspector General U.S. Department of Justice. Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Cano and Alvarez face a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Showing posts with label inmate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inmate. Show all posts
Friday, March 28, 2014
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Three Individuals Sentened in Scheme to Smuggle Heroin into State Prison
WASHINGTON—A former correctional officer, a correctional nurse, and an associate of another former correctional officer were sentenced today in the District of Puerto Rico for attempting to smuggle and deliver heroin into Bayamón State Penitentiary.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico made the announcement.
Former correctional officer Angel López-Reverón, 39, of Hatillo, Puerto Rico, and former correctional nurse Victoria Rivera, 49, of Corozal, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty on November 20, 2013, to a one-count indictment charging them separately with attempt to distribute a controlled substance. Lopez and Rivera were each sentenced to serve 37 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Francisco A. Besosa.
López-Reverón was paid $1,000 to provide a package of heroin to an inmate at the Bayamón State Penitentiary, where López-Reverón worked as a correctional officer. On September 15, 2010, López-Reverón met with an undercover agent, whom he believed was a drug dealer, and was given what he believed to be a package of heroin. He delivered the purported heroin to an inmate in the prison that same day.
Separately, Rivera was also paid $1,000 to provide package of heroin to an inmate at the Bayamón State Penitentiary, where Rivera worked as a nurse. On July 1, 2010, Rivera met with an undercover agent, whom she believed was a drug dealer, and was given what she believed to be a package of heroin. She delivered the purported heroin to an inmate in the prison that same day.
Antonio Román-Medina, 39, of Isabela, Puerto Rico, was also sentenced today to serve 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Carmen C. Cerezo. He pleaded guilty on December 17, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Román-Medina and a co-conspirator, William Joel Medina, were paid $4,000 to deliver a package of heroin to an inmate at the Medical Center in San Juan. On September 9, 2009, Román-Medina and Medina met with an undercover agent, whom they believed was a drug dealer, and were given what they believed to be a package of heroin. Román-Medina delivered the purported heroin to the inmate that same day.
William Joel Medina, a former correctional officer with the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison for the same scheme.
The cases were investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division. The cases were prosecuted by Trial Attorney Menaka Kalaskar of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hector Ramírez-Carbó and Justin R. Martin of the District of Puerto Rico.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez of the District of Puerto Rico made the announcement.
Former correctional officer Angel López-Reverón, 39, of Hatillo, Puerto Rico, and former correctional nurse Victoria Rivera, 49, of Corozal, Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty on November 20, 2013, to a one-count indictment charging them separately with attempt to distribute a controlled substance. Lopez and Rivera were each sentenced to serve 37 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Francisco A. Besosa.
López-Reverón was paid $1,000 to provide a package of heroin to an inmate at the Bayamón State Penitentiary, where López-Reverón worked as a correctional officer. On September 15, 2010, López-Reverón met with an undercover agent, whom he believed was a drug dealer, and was given what he believed to be a package of heroin. He delivered the purported heroin to an inmate in the prison that same day.
Separately, Rivera was also paid $1,000 to provide package of heroin to an inmate at the Bayamón State Penitentiary, where Rivera worked as a nurse. On July 1, 2010, Rivera met with an undercover agent, whom she believed was a drug dealer, and was given what she believed to be a package of heroin. She delivered the purported heroin to an inmate in the prison that same day.
Antonio Román-Medina, 39, of Isabela, Puerto Rico, was also sentenced today to serve 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Carmen C. Cerezo. He pleaded guilty on December 17, 2013, to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Román-Medina and a co-conspirator, William Joel Medina, were paid $4,000 to deliver a package of heroin to an inmate at the Medical Center in San Juan. On September 9, 2009, Román-Medina and Medina met with an undercover agent, whom they believed was a drug dealer, and were given what they believed to be a package of heroin. Román-Medina delivered the purported heroin to the inmate that same day.
William Joel Medina, a former correctional officer with the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to serve 37 months in prison for the same scheme.
The cases were investigated by the FBI’s San Juan Division. The cases were prosecuted by Trial Attorney Menaka Kalaskar of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hector Ramírez-Carbó and Justin R. Martin of the District of Puerto Rico.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Allenwood Inmate Charged with Possession of a Weapon
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that it has filed a criminal information charging possession of a weapon by an inmate today in federal court in Williamsport.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Paul Hernandez, age 42, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary-Allenwood, was charged with possession of a weapon. The weapon was discovered by corrections’ officers during a routine search of Hernandez on December 2, 2013.
At the same time the criminal information was filed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a plea agreement which is subject to the approval of the court.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Simmers.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational, and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Paul Hernandez, age 42, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary-Allenwood, was charged with possession of a weapon. The weapon was discovered by corrections’ officers during a routine search of Hernandez on December 2, 2013.
At the same time the criminal information was filed, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a plea agreement which is subject to the approval of the court.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Simmers.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is five years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances, and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational, and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Former Oklahoma Jail Superintendents Convicted of Using Excessive Force Against Inmates
Today, a federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma in Muskogee, Oklahoma, convicted Raymond A. Barnes, 43, and Christopher A. Brown, 32, the former jail superintendent and assistant jail superintendent, respectively, of the Muskogee County Jail (MCJ) on multiple counts of civil rights offenses related to allegations of excessive force on inmates at MCJ on or between August 2009 and May 2011. Brown was also convicted of making material false statements to the FBI.
Both Barnes and Brown were found guilty of conspiring to violate the rights of inmates housed at MCJ by assaulting inmates themselves or by directing other jailers employed by MCJ to do so. Specifically, the defendants did or caused the following to be done: unjustifiably strike, assault, harm, and physically punish inmates at MCJ who were restrained, compliant, and not posing a physical threat; organize “meet and greets,” whereby jailers would scare, punish, and harm incoming inmates from neighboring counties by throwing and slamming the handcuffed inmates to the ground upon their arrival at MCJ; threaten to fire MCJ employees if they reported abusive behavior directly to the sheriff or to outside law enforcement authorities; require and encourage MCJ jailers to write incident reports that falsely justified uses of force and contained misleading or inaccurate accounts of what had occurred when force was used; and perpetuate an environment within MCJ that allowed unlawful beatings and assaults against inmates to continue indefinitely and without consequence.
Both defendants were also convicted of violating the rights of an inmate identified as J.R. when MCJ jailers slammed and threw J.R. head-first to the ground while he was handcuffed. Barnes was additionally convicted of violating the rights of a second inmate, G.T., for similar conduct. Brown was acquitted of violating the rights of G.T.
In addition, Brown was convicted of one count of making material false statements to the FBI. Brown falsely claimed that, during meet and greets, the incoming inmate was ordered out of the transport vehicle and then “gently placed” on the ground. But in fact, Brown knew at the time of his statement to the FBI that during these meet and greets the MCJ jailers routinely threw and slammed inmates to the ground even though the inmates were restrained and posed no physical threat.
“Our constitutional system of government requires this nation’s jailers to abide by the laws they enforce and to protect the constitutional rights of all persons in their custody,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels of the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s verdict demonstrates that the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who abuses their official power to harm the people in their custody.”
The defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years for each of the civil rights convictions. Brown faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years for making material false statements to the FBI.
This case was investigated by the Muskogee Resident Agency of the Oklahoma City Division of the FBI and prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Fara Gold and Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division.
Both Barnes and Brown were found guilty of conspiring to violate the rights of inmates housed at MCJ by assaulting inmates themselves or by directing other jailers employed by MCJ to do so. Specifically, the defendants did or caused the following to be done: unjustifiably strike, assault, harm, and physically punish inmates at MCJ who were restrained, compliant, and not posing a physical threat; organize “meet and greets,” whereby jailers would scare, punish, and harm incoming inmates from neighboring counties by throwing and slamming the handcuffed inmates to the ground upon their arrival at MCJ; threaten to fire MCJ employees if they reported abusive behavior directly to the sheriff or to outside law enforcement authorities; require and encourage MCJ jailers to write incident reports that falsely justified uses of force and contained misleading or inaccurate accounts of what had occurred when force was used; and perpetuate an environment within MCJ that allowed unlawful beatings and assaults against inmates to continue indefinitely and without consequence.
Both defendants were also convicted of violating the rights of an inmate identified as J.R. when MCJ jailers slammed and threw J.R. head-first to the ground while he was handcuffed. Barnes was additionally convicted of violating the rights of a second inmate, G.T., for similar conduct. Brown was acquitted of violating the rights of G.T.
In addition, Brown was convicted of one count of making material false statements to the FBI. Brown falsely claimed that, during meet and greets, the incoming inmate was ordered out of the transport vehicle and then “gently placed” on the ground. But in fact, Brown knew at the time of his statement to the FBI that during these meet and greets the MCJ jailers routinely threw and slammed inmates to the ground even though the inmates were restrained and posed no physical threat.
“Our constitutional system of government requires this nation’s jailers to abide by the laws they enforce and to protect the constitutional rights of all persons in their custody,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels of the Civil Rights Division. “Today’s verdict demonstrates that the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who abuses their official power to harm the people in their custody.”
The defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years for each of the civil rights convictions. Brown faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years for making material false statements to the FBI.
This case was investigated by the Muskogee Resident Agency of the Oklahoma City Division of the FBI and prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Fara Gold and Dana Mulhauser of the Civil Rights Division.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Bureau of Prisons Inmate Sent Back to Prison for Indecent Exposure by Sexually Gratifying Himself
DENVER—Todd A. Lawton, age 31, an inmate who was housed at the United States Penitentiary (USP) in Florence, Colorado, at the time of his crime, was sentenced on Monday, January 27, 2014, by U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer to serve one year and a day in federal prison for indecent exposure, the Department of Justice announced. Lawton will also have to register as a sex offender. The defendant appeared at the sentencing hearing in the custody of the United States Marshals. He was remanded at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing.
Lawton was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on June 3, 2013. He pled guilty to two counts of indecent exposure on October 16, 2013. He was sentenced on January 27, 2014. According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, between May 21, 2012 and January 22, 2013, Lawton on multiple occasions would stand on the toilet or another object in his cell in order to make his groin area visible through the cell door window to those near his cell. Then he would sexually gratify himself when female medical or food service staff approached. He was ordered many times to cease his lewd behavior but failed to comply with correctional staff orders.
The defendant was being incarcerated in USP Florence for various crimes while incarcerated: federal inmate possessing contraband—weapon and assault on a federal officer. He was first incarcerated for distribution of cocaine, robbery, and carrying a pistol without a license, all out of the District of Columbia. Lawton was released from the Federal Bureau of Prison custody on July 18, 2013, but was picked up by U.S. Marshals Deputies to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on the indecent exposure charge. Lawton was later ordered to be detained without bond pending a resolution of his case.
“This case involved calculated acts of sexual intimidation aimed at female medical and food service staff at the United States Penitentiary at Florence,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “This case and sentence reflects our commitment to protect Prison staff—and also other prison inmates—from sexual abuse of whatever form.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services Department at USP Florence.
Lawton was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tonini.
Lawton was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on June 3, 2013. He pled guilty to two counts of indecent exposure on October 16, 2013. He was sentenced on January 27, 2014. According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, between May 21, 2012 and January 22, 2013, Lawton on multiple occasions would stand on the toilet or another object in his cell in order to make his groin area visible through the cell door window to those near his cell. Then he would sexually gratify himself when female medical or food service staff approached. He was ordered many times to cease his lewd behavior but failed to comply with correctional staff orders.
The defendant was being incarcerated in USP Florence for various crimes while incarcerated: federal inmate possessing contraband—weapon and assault on a federal officer. He was first incarcerated for distribution of cocaine, robbery, and carrying a pistol without a license, all out of the District of Columbia. Lawton was released from the Federal Bureau of Prison custody on July 18, 2013, but was picked up by U.S. Marshals Deputies to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on the indecent exposure charge. Lawton was later ordered to be detained without bond pending a resolution of his case.
“This case involved calculated acts of sexual intimidation aimed at female medical and food service staff at the United States Penitentiary at Florence,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “This case and sentence reflects our commitment to protect Prison staff—and also other prison inmates—from sexual abuse of whatever form.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services Department at USP Florence.
Lawton was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tonini.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Allenwood Inmate Indicted for Assault of Another Inmate
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that a federal grand jury in Williamsport returned an indictment on September 11 charging an inmate at the United States Penitentiary at Allenwood, Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Christopher Charles, age 30, is charged with assaulting another inmate at the Allenwood Penitentiary on June 26, 2012, causing the victim to suffer serious bodily injury.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Simmers.
Indictments and criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational, and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
According to United States Attorney Peter J. Smith, Christopher Charles, age 30, is charged with assaulting another inmate at the Allenwood Penitentiary on June 26, 2012, causing the victim to suffer serious bodily injury.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William Simmers.
Indictments and criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
In this case, the maximum penalty under the federal statute is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public, and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational, and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.
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