Tag Archive for: #departmentofjustice

U.S. Department of Justice

Henderson Man Sentenced to Prison for 21 Years Following Shooting of a Raleigh Police Officer

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From the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of North Carolina:

A Henderson man was sentenced yesterday to 252 months in prison for carjacking and aiding and abetting, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and possession of stolen firearms.  On March 10, 2020, Cedric Jamal Kearney, 26, pled guilty to the charges.

According to court documents and other information presented in court, on January 4, 2019, Kearney and a co-defendant, Sherry Marie Richmond, robbed a Raleigh man of his car keys and cellphone at gunpoint. The crime spree continued on January 9, 2019 as Kearney and other co-defendants broke into a Holly Springs, NC apartment and stole several firearms and pairs of shoes. Finally, later that night on January 9, 2019, the Raleigh Police Department responded to a reported sighting of the stolen vehicle in the area of Shaub Drive and Teakwood Place.  Upon arrival, the officers witnessed Kearney and another man attempting to get inside of the stolen vehicle. Officers gave out commands to the men and while one complied, Kearney fired shots at the officers and fled on foot. Kearney shot Raleigh Police Officer Charlie Ainsworth two times. Ainsworth had to be rushed to WakeMed hospital with life threatening injuries, but ultimately survived. Body Camera surveillance captured the harrowing incident in its entirety.  Kearney was found several hours later in a shed of a nearby homeowner; still in possession of the gun used to shoot Officer Ainsworth. Kearney had one prior conviction for reckless driving out of Virginia.

“Today was a good day for both the Ainsworth family and the justice system. The Court sent a very clear message that these type of assaults on law enforcement simply will not be tolerated,” Acting U.S. Attorney Acker said of Judge Flanagan’s sentencing.Norman Acker, III, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Boykin and Daniel Smith prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

HENDERSON MAN GETS MORE THAN 12 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR DEALING HEROIN

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2021

RALEIGH, N.C. – A Henderson man was sentenced last week to 144 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents, law enforcement in Vance County received information that Theodus Lewis Williams, 50, was distributing heroin from his residence, including from a tent in his front yard, and from his neighbor’s residence.  Law enforcement utilized confidential informants to conduct controlled purchases of heroin from Williams and his co-conspirators on several occasions.  As a result, on August 1, 2019, officers executed a search warrant on both residences and the tent, and found quantities of heroin laced with fentanyl, suboxone, more than $3,500 in U.S. currency, and firearms.  Williams pled guilty on August 20, 2020.  He is a convicted felon, having prior drug, gun, and assault convictions, including a 1996 conviction in federal court for possession of a firearm by a felon for which he received a 10-year prison sentence.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III on February 4, 2021.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Henderson Police Department, and the Vance County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Dodson  prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:19-CR-494-D.

U.S. Department of Justice

Fraud Alert: Scammers Claiming to be With DOJ, Preying on Elderly

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100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, Department of Justice

The Justice Programs’ Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has received multiple reports that individuals claiming to represent the Department of Justice are calling members of the public as part of an imposter scam. The department strongly encourages the public to remain vigilant and not to provide personal information during these calls, which appear to target the elderly.

Reports to the National Elder Fraud Hotline indicate these scammers falsely represent themselves as Department of Justice investigators or employees and attempt to obtain personal information from the call recipient, or they leave a voicemail with a return phone number. The return phone number directs users to a recorded menu that matches the recorded menu for the department’s main phone number. Eventually, the user reaches an “operator” who steers the user to someone claiming to be an investigator. That “investigator” then attempts to gain the user’s personal information.

“Phone scams are an ugly and pervasive act of victimization. The scams being reported to our National Elder Fraud Hotline are especially heinous because they show the perpetrators are preying upon one of the most vulnerable segments of our society – the elderly,” said OVC Director Jessica Hart. “As if this were not despicable enough, the scammers do so posing as employees of the Justice Department, usurping public trust in the agency that serves as a bastion of fairness and lawfulness while these scams exploit the elderly for financial gain. The first step to identifying these criminals is to have their crimes reported.”

“In a time of a national pandemic it is unconscionable for these scammers to prey upon our nation’s most vulnerable victims by pretending to be associated with the United States Department of Justice,” commented United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr.  “Your Department of Justice does not do business this way and does not seek your personal identifying information over the telephone.  We don’t make threats over the phone; we don’t cut deals over the phone and we don’t use investigators who do it for us.”

Those who receive these calls are encouraged not to provide personal information and to report these scams to the FTC via their website or by calling 877–FTC–HELP (877-382-4357). Fraud can also be reported to the FBI for law enforcement action at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/report-fraud.

The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a resource created by OVC for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older. Reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible, and within the first 2–3 days, can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open seven days a week. For more information about the hotline, please visit https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/.

U.S. Department of Justice

In Aftermath of Michael, Dept. of Justice Warns Public to Be Aware of Fraud

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when billions of dollars in federal disaster relief poured into the Gulf Coast region, which opened opportunities for criminals to exploit people during vulnerable times. The NCDF, a national coordinating agency within the Department’s Criminal Division, operates a call center at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and serves as a centralized clearinghouse for disaster fraud complaints and information relating to both natural and man-made disasters. The NCDF seeks to improve and further the detection, prevention, investigation, and prosecution of fraud related to natural and man-made disasters, and to advocate for victims of such fraud. More than 20 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which allows them to forward on complaints to the appropriate agency for investigation.

“Following Hurricane Michael’s landfall and as recovery efforts continue, it is important for people to be on the lookout for fraudsters who seek to profit from natural disasters through identity theft schemes, impersonation of government officials and solicitations for fake charities,” said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.  “The Department of Justice is committed to detecting this type of fraud, and we will aggressively prosecute the offenders. Through our National Center for Disaster Fraud, and in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, we are working to keep Americans from becoming victims of these schemes.”

Since Hurricane Michael’s landfall, many people are left without food, water, or shelter, and are experiencing devastating damage to life and property. Unfortunately, there are criminals ready to take advantage of victims before, during, and especially after a natural disaster. They are looking to strike those at their most vulnerable time.

While compassion, assistance, and solidarity are generally prevalent in the aftermath of natural disasters, unscrupulous individuals and organizations also use these tragic events to take advantage of those in need. Examples of illegal activity being reported to the NCDF and law enforcement include:

  • Impersonation of federal law enforcement officials;
  • Identity theft;
  • Fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government;
  • Fraudulent activity related to solicitations for donations and charitable giving;
  • Fraudulent activity related to individuals and organizations promising high investment returns from profits from recovery and cleanup efforts;
  • Price gouging;
  • Contractor Fraud;
  • Debris removal fraud;
  • Theft, looting, and other violent crime

Numerous U.S. Attorney Offices in districts impacted by recent hurricanes have established task forces comprised of local, state and federal agencies in their respective areas to combat disaster fraud.

“The NCDF has an excellent staff of investigators, analysts, call center operators, and managers who are well prepared to handle the anticipated volume of complaints after the recent hurricanes and help ensure that each report of fraud reaches the appropriate investigative agency,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon J. Fremin for the Middle District of Louisiana, who is also the NCDF’s Executive Director. “Raising public awareness is a great way for the NCDF to reach thousands of people who may one day be subjected to fraudulent schemes.”

Members of the public are reminded to apply a critical eye and exercise due diligence before trusting anyone purporting to be working on behalf of disaster victims. They should also exercise the same care before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations on behalf of disaster victims as well as being extremely cautious before providing personal identifying or financial information to anyone, especially those who may contact you after a natural disaster. Solicitations can originate from e-mails, websites, door-to-door collections, mailings and telephone calls, and similar methods.

Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll-free at (866) 720-5721. The telephone line is staffed by live operators 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707, or email it to disaster@leo.gov.  Learn more about the NCDF at www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud and watch a public service announcement here.  Tips for the public on how to avoid being victimized of fraud are at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/tips-avoiding-fraudulent-charitable-contribution-schemes.

U.S. Department of Justice

OXFORD MAN SENTENCED FOR FELON IN POSSESSION AND POSSESSION OF A FIREARM IN FURTHERANCE OF A DRUG TRAFFICKING CRIME

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— press release courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice

NEW BERN – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that yesterday afternoon in federal court, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced ROY LEE TERRY, 53, of Oxford to 101 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release.

TERRY was named in a three-count Indictment filed on August 23, 2016. On November 16, 2016, TERRY subsequently pled guilty to one-count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one-count of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug-Trafficking Crime.

The investigation began when the Oxford Police Department (OPD) received information that TERRY was dealing in drugs. On August 26, 2015, the OPD received information from a confidential source (CS) indicating that TERRY was storing and selling cocaine base at his residence. With the assistance of the CS, authorities conducted four purchases of narcotics from TERRY.

On September 10, 2016, the OPD executed a search warrant at TERRY’S residence. A cooperating witness (CW) informed law enforcement that TERRY had been seen with a handgun and cocaine in his bedroom prior to OPD’s arrival. Present at the time, in addition to Terry was Terry’s mother, who was charged by the State of North Carolina, two females and juveniles. During the subsequent search of the residence, authorities located the following in TERRY’S bedroom: a stolen .380 semi-automatic handgun loaded with 8 rounds; approximately 9.34 grams of cocaine base; approximately 15.5 grams of off-white powder; a plastic bag with cocaine residue; $680 in U.S. currency, a digital scale, plastic baggies, and other related items. In a bedroom next to TERRY’S bedroom, a box containing 42 rounds of 9 mm ammunition was located. After waiving his rights, Terry confessed to knowingly possessing the firearm. Further investigation revealed that the firearm was stolen.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

The Oxford Police Department, the North Carolina State Crime Lab, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney S. Katherine Burnette handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

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U.S. Department of Justice

Oxford Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition

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— courtesy U.S. Department of Justice and the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of NC

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced that today in federal court, Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt, sentenced TEVIN TIA’MANE NORWOOD, 25, of Oxford, NC to 100 months of imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release.

NORWOOD was named in an Indictment filed on April 18, 2017. NORWOOD subsequently pled guilty to one-count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition. On July 18, 2017, NORWOOD pled guilty to the charge.

On October 10, 2016, Oxford Police officers observed NORWOOD driving erratically. After a short vehicle pursuit, NORWOOD jumped out of his vehicle while it was still in gear and fled; however, he was captured following a brief foot chase. The vehicle continued into an embankment, thus recklessly endangering anyone in the area. A search of the path of flight taken by NORWOOD resulted in the recovery of a stolen, Glock .40 caliber firearm with one bullet in the chamber. This firearm was positively identified as the same firearm used by NORWOOD in a previous shooting several days earlier also in Oxford. A box of .40 caliber ammunition was found in NORWOOD’S vehicle. NORWOOD subsequently provided an unprotected statement that the Glock firearm was his.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

The Butner Department of Public Safety, Oxford Police Department, Durham Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the criminal investigation of this case. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar handled the prosecution of this case for the government.

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U.S. Department of Justice

Public Returns Record Number of Potentially Dangerous Prescription Drugs

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— courtesy U.S. Department of Justice

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION COLLECTS RECORD NUMBER OF UNUSED PILLS AS PART OF ITS 14TH PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

Public Returns Record Number of Potentially Dangerous Prescription Drugs

RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina and William F. Baxley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Charlotte District Office announce that Americans nationwide did their part to reduce the opioid crisis by bringing the DEA and its more than 4,200 local and tribal law enforcement partners a record-setting 912,305 pounds—456 tons—of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for disposal at more than 5,300 collection sites. That is almost six tons more than was collected at last spring’s event. This brings the total amount of prescription drugs collected by DEA since the fall of 2010 to 9,015,668 pounds, or 4,508 tons.

The Eastern District of North Carolina collected the following amount of dosage units of prescription drugs: Raleigh 8,500, Jacksonville 4,000, and Greenville 1,108. All were collected at return sites set up by the DEA in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Now in its 14th year, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day events continue to remove ever-higher amounts of opioids and other medicines from the nation’s homes, where they could be stolen and abused by family members and visitors, including children and teens. The DEA action comes just days after President Donald J. Trump announced the mobilization of his entire Administration to address drug addiction and opioid abuse by directing the declaration of a Nationwide Public Health Emergency to address the opioids crisis.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. DEA launched its prescription drug take back program when both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration advised the public that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—posed potential safety and health hazards.

Helping people to dispose of potentially harmful prescription drugs is just one way DEA is working to reduce the addiction and overdose deaths plaguing this country due to opioid medications.

Visit Fort Lauderdale rehab to get help to remove the influence of drugs.

DEA’s next Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 28, 2018.

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Henderson, North Carolina Couple Sentenced for Heroin and Firearms Offenses

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ELIZABETH CITY – United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina John Stuart Bruce announced that in federal court yesterday, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle sentenced MICHAEL L. MILES and ROSLYN WYNN of Henderson, North Carolina for possession with intent to distribute heroin and firearms charges. MILES was sentenced to 108 months imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute heroin and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. WYNN was sentenced to 5 years of probation for her role in the possession with intent to distribute heroin.

MILES and WYNN were named in a three-count Indictment filed in the Eastern District of North Carolina on June 28, 2016. Count one charged MILES and WYNN with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Heroin from April 1, 2016, to June 28, 2016.

On May 26, 2016, Henderson Police Department officers executed a search warrant at MILES and WYNN’s house in Henderson, North Carolina. As a result of the search, the following items were seized: a FN Five-seven semi-automatic handgun; a 9 mm firearm; 50 bindles of heroin; multiple rounds of ammunition; a digital scale; ten cell phones; and $4,684 in United States currency. Officers also executed a search warrant at the storage unit rented by WYNN, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 63.44 grams of heroin, a stolen AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, a stolen AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, and ammunition. During an interview with law enforcement, MILES informed officers that he directed WYNN to rent the storage unit on his behalf.

This investigation was part of the Strategic Heroin Initiative, initiated by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina in partnership with the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF).

The case was investigated by the Henderson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). The federal prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Edward D. Gray.