Tag:

FBI

Police, Feds Offer $50K Reward For Info After 3-Year-Old Girl Killed In Southeast DC Shooting Police, Feds Offer $50K Reward For Info After 3-Year-Old Girl Killed In Southeast DC Shooting
Police, Feds Offer $50K Reward For Info After 3-Year-Old Girl Killed In Southeast DC Shooting The Metropolitan Police Department and FBI are offering a $50,000 reward as they continue the hunt for a shooter that killed a 3-year-old girl in Southeast DC last week. Investigators have identified Ty'ah Settles as the child who was killed on Friday night after suffering a gunshot wound and being taken to an area fire station, according to officials. At approximately 9:10 p.m. on May 3, officers responded to the 2300 block of Hartford Street SE, after hearing gunshots ring out. Commander Makal provides an update to the shooting that occurred in the 2300 block of Hartford Street, SE. p…
Newburgh Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds Newburgh Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds
Newburgh Veteran Lies About Earning Purple Heart To Defraud Gov't, Charity Donors: Feds An Army veteran from New York is accused of lying about earning one of the nation's highest military honors in order to rake in six figures from the government and donors to her charity. Orange County resident Sharon Toney-Finch, of Newburgh, was arrested by the FBI’s White Collar Crime Task Force on Wednesday, May 1, following a two-year investigation. According to federal prosecutors, Toney-Finch falsely claimed that she suffered combat-related injuries during a mortar attack and a separate vehicle rollover while serving in Iraq in 2010. Those claims reportedly led to her receiving hundr…
Dobbs Ferry Man Caught With Trove Of Stockpiled Firearms, Bomb Materials, Feds Say Dobbs Ferry Man Caught With Trove Of Stockpiled Firearms, Bomb Materials, Feds Say
Dobbs Ferry Man Caught With Trove Of Stockpiled Firearms, Bomb Materials, Feds Say A 61-year-old Westchester man with a previous conviction once again faces charges after authorities discovered a trove of stockpiled firearms, ammunition, and explosives materials during a search of his home and storage units, federal officials said. James Neff, who resides in Dobbs Ferry, was taken into custody on charges related to weapons possession. The arrest was made on Thursday, May 2. The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York confirmed that a search of his home and two storage units yielded a significant number of firearms and materials that could be used t…
Financial Advisor Stole Elderly Client's $1M Life Savings In 'Heartless' Maryland Scheme: Feds Financial Advisor Stole Elderly Client's $1M Life Savings In 'Heartless' Maryland Scheme: Feds
Financial Advisor Stole Elderly Client's $1M Life Savings In 'Heartless' Maryland Scheme: Feds The financial advisor in Maryland who stole the American Dream from a man who tirelessly worked his entire life to enjoy his retirement will spend years in prison after admitting to stealing his life savings during a long-ranging scam. Eddy Blizzard, 45, of Havre de Grace, pleaded guilty late last year in connection to a bank fraud scheme in which he embezzled upwards of $1 million from an elderly client's retirement account. On Thursday, May 2, federal authorities announced that Blizzard has been sentenced to 42 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. “Eddy Blizzard…
Ex-Chicopee Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced Ex-Chicopee Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced
Ex-Chicopee Schools Superintendent Who Sent Threats To Police Chief Candidate Sentenced The former superindentent of a Hampden County school district will avoid jail time for lying to FBI agents about sending nearly 100 threatening messages to a candidate for Chicopee police chief, authorities said.  Lynn Clark, 53, of Belchertown, was sentenced to a year of probation and a $1,000 fine on Tuesday, April 30, after pleading guilty to two counts of making false statements in January, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said.  Clark had been head of the Chicopee School District when she made the threatening texts, authorities said.  Acting US Attorney for Massachuset…
PA Sextortionist Sentenced After Swindling $150K From Victim: USDOJ PA Sextortionist Sentenced After Swindling $150K From Victim: USDOJ
PA Sextortionist Sentenced After Swindling $150K From Victim: Usdoj A Lebanon man has admitted to sextorting someone out of $150,000, according to a release by the US Department of Justice on Tuesday, April 30. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that 35-year-old John Anthony Zayas was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge Sylvia H. Rambo on Wednesday, April 24.  Zayas previously pleaded guilty to "extortion by interstate communication" as stated in the release. In the fall of 2022, he had threatened to "publicize intimate photos and images of the victim" if they did not…
$1.7M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme: Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Mount Vernon PD Sentenced $1.7M COVID-19 Fraud Scheme: Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Mount Vernon PD Sentenced
$1.7M Covid-19 Fraud Scheme: Daughter, Mom Who Worked For Mount Vernon PD Sentenced A mother-daughter duo has been sentenced to prison for defrauding the government of approximately $1.7 million.  Westchester County residents Alicia Ayers and her mother, Andrea Ayers, both of Mount Vernon, were found guilty of submitting more than 300 fraudulent applications for US Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  Andrea Ayers was a former Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Mount Vernon Police Department. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program to provide low-interest …
Former Pikesville HS AD Charged With Creating Viral AI-Generated Voice Recording Of Principal Former Pikesville HS AD Charged With Creating Viral AI-Generated Voice Recording Of Principal
Former Pikesville HS AD Charged With Creating Viral Ai-generated Voice Recording Of Principal A Pikesville High School employee was arrested at BWI Airport on Thursday morning after he allegedly created an AI-generated tape of the school's principal making racist and offensive comments. In January, the Baltimore County Police Department was made aware of a voice recording that circulated on social media purporting that Principal Eric Eiswert made offensive comments, though it was later determined that it was a fake, according. Eiswer was temporarily removed from the school, and the recording set off a chain reaction within the community and on social media. In the recording, which …
NJ Couple Convicted Of Turning Immigrants Into Slaves NJ Couple Convicted Of Turning Immigrants Into Slaves
NJ Couple Convicted Of Turning Immigrants Into Slaves UPDATE: A South Jersey couple was convicted of forcing a pair of undocumented immigrants into slavery after luring them to America. Bolaji Bolarinwa, 50, and Isiaka Bolarinwa, 67, of Moorestown were discovered when one of the victims told her college professor, who alerted the FBI, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger said. Originally from Nigeria, the couple were living in New Jersey as U.S. citizens when they recruited two victims to follow them, Sellinger said. They "engaged in an egregious bait-and-switch, luring the victims with false promises of a life and an education …
'Chameleon': Wife-Killer Facing Charges In West Windsor Murder Case Featured On Dateline NBC 'Chameleon': Wife-Killer Facing Charges In West Windsor Murder Case Featured On Dateline NBC
'Chameleon': Wife-Killer Facing Charges In West Windsor Murder Case Featured On Dateline NBC A convicted killer facing new charges in connection with his second wife's death in Mercer County will be featured in a two-hour broadcast titled "Chameleon" on Dateline NBC on Friday, April 26. John David Smith III has served 20 years in an Ohio prison for the murder of his first wife. Now, he faces murder charges in New Jersey for killing his second wife, Fran Gladden-Smith, 33 years ago in West Windsor. At 9 p.m. Friday, Dateline NBC said it will reveal a "gripping investigation exposing (the) man suspected of multiple murders." Victims' relatives and detectives who put Smith behin…
GOTCHA! Federal, State Team Seize Local Man, 24, In Rutgers Islamic Center Vandalism GOTCHA! Federal, State Team Seize Local Man, 24, In Rutgers Islamic Center Vandalism
Gotcha! Federal, State Team Seize Local Man, 24, In Rutgers Islamic Center Vandalism UPDATE: An elite law enforcement team captured a 24-year-old local man on Monday who authorities said broke in and trashed the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University in New Brunswick earlier this month. Jacob Beacher was due for an initial afternoon appearance on federal hate crime charges in U.S. District Court in Newark on April 22. Beacher broke into the CILRU shortly after 2:30 a.m. April 10 and did an estimated $40,000 worth of damage, state and federal authorities said. It was during the Eid-al-Fitr -- the Islamic holiday commemorating the end of sunrise-to-dusk fasting during…
Undercover Sting Leads To Child Exploitation Charges For 4 In Hartford Undercover Sting Leads To Child Exploitation Charges For 4 In Hartford
Undercover Sting Leads To Child Exploitation Charges For 4 In Hartford Four men were charged for allegedly making deals with undercover police to have sex with a 15-year-old girl. The arrests occurred in Hartford County on Friday, April 19, at an undisclosed hotel in Hartford. According to Lt. Aaron Boisvert of the Hartford Police, the Special Investigations Division conducted an undercover sting operation to target and combat child exploitation.  The operation was located at an undisclosed hotel within the City of Hartford. Undercover law enforcement personnel assumed the identity of a 15-year-old girl’s aunt on the internet and engaged in dia…
Fugitive Caught After Overnight Standoff In Egg Harbor Township: Police Fugitive Caught After Overnight Standoff In Egg Harbor Township: Police
Fugitive Caught After Overnight Standoff In Egg Harbor Township: Police A fugitive was taken into custody after an overnight standoff in Atlantic County, authorities said. Prentiss Blaylock, 37, of Egg Harbor Township, was arrested on Friday, Apr. 19, according to an Egg Harbor Township police spokesperson. The scene on Ivins Avenue had been active for more than 24 hours, the police department said in a Facebook post. Blaylock was sought for unlawful possession of a weapon, child abuse, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, resisting arrest, and theft. He was listed on the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office's "most wanted" list. No in…
Man From Stroudsburg Convicted For Torturing Estonian In Iraq: FBI Man From Stroudsburg Convicted For Torturing Estonian In Iraq: FBI
Man From Stroudsburg Convicted For Torturing Estonian In Iraq: FBI A US Army veteran from Stroudsburg will spend the next 70 years in prison for torturing an employee at his illegal weapons facility in Iraq, according to the FBI.  Federal investigators said Ross Roggio directed Kurdish soldiers to kidnap the victim, his own employee, and hold him hostage at a military installation for 39 days.  The employee, an Estonian national, planned to blow the whistle on the illegal activities going on at Roggio's facility in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, according to authorities.  While in captivity, federal investigators said the employee was "…
Bomb Threats Disrupt Marlboro Schools For Second Day Amid Investigation Of Teacher For Abuse Bomb Threats Disrupt Marlboro Schools For Second Day Amid Investigation Of Teacher For Abuse
Bomb Threats Disrupt Marlboro Schools For Second Day Amid Investigation Of Teacher For Abuse Bomb threats caused a scare for parents for a second straight day in a Monmouth County school district investigating sexual abuse accusations against a teacher. In a news release, the Marlboro Township School District said the FBI and other law enforcement agencies investigated the second emailed bomb threats on Friday, Apr. 19. All schools delayed the start of classes for two hours. The school district said investigators determined the threat was "non-credible." "Although we are dealing with another non-credible threat, the district takes any instance of this nature seriously and will con…
Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds
Man Captures Images Of Young Girls With Hidden Cameras At Hudson Valley Park: Feds A 54-year-old man faces child pornography possession charges after placing hidden cameras in the bathroom of a public park in the Hudson Valley to capture images of young girls, officials announced. Putnam County resident John Towers of Mahopac was arrested on Thursday, April 18 on child pornography charges, the US Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York announced.  According to federal officials, from July 24, 2018, to December 9, 2019, Towers put hidden cameras in the bathroom of a privately owned public park in Putnam County to secretly record sexually explicit images…
Passaic County Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues Passaic County Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues
Passaic County Jail Officer Admits Bringing Inmate To 'Blind Spot' For Beating By Colleagues 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A Passaic County correctional officer admitted that he brought an inmate to a "blind spot" at the county jail so two colleagues could beat him for squirting one of them with urine. Officer Lorenzo Bowden, 39, initially agreed with Sgt. Jose Gonzalez and Sgt. Donald Vinales not to talk after they'd received federal grand jury subpoenas two years ago this month, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Bowden eventually had a change of heart. The pretrial detainee was "transported through an area of the PCJ that does not have a video surveillance camera, which correctional officers …
NJ Teacher Who Posed As Woman To Lure 70 Boys Into Sending Him Nudes Gets 17½ Years: Feds NJ Teacher Who Posed As Woman To Lure 70 Boys Into Sending Him Nudes Gets 17½ Years: Feds
NJ Teacher Who Posed As Woman To Lure 70 Boys Into Sending Him Nudes Gets 17½ Years: Feds UPDATE: It's a measure of how despicably and disgustingly a former Union County grade-school teacher and youth soccer coach from Morristown abused dozens of boys he'd met online that a plea bargain got him "only" 17½ years in federal prison. Steven Brooks, 37, must serve at least 85% of the negotiated sentence handed down in federal court in Newark on Thursday, April 18, for posing as a woman to lure at least 70 underage boys into sending him nude photos and videos. That means he'll be in his early 50s before he'll be eligible to experience freedom again. FBI agents who investigated Brooks…
Teen Penned 129-Page Manifesto Planning To Carry Out Montgomery County School Shooting: Police Teen Penned 129-Page Manifesto Planning To Carry Out Montgomery County School Shooting: Police
Teen Penned 129-Page Manifesto Planning To Carry Out Montgomery County School Shooting: Police An 18-year-old high school student who reportedly had plans to commit a school shooting in Montgomery County has been arrested, according to police. Rockville resident Andrea Ye, whose preferred name is Alex Ye, was arrested on Wednesday, April 17 following an extensive investigation after the FBI notified Montgomery County Public Schools about a 129-page "manifesto" authored by the teen. Police say that in the document, Ye wrote about committing a school shooting and strategized about how to best carry out the act. The student also contemplated targeting an elementary school, stating that …
Tipster Outs Paranoid Baltimore Drug Ring Leader As Off-Duty DC Officer's Killer: Officials Tipster Outs Paranoid Baltimore Drug Ring Leader As Off-Duty DC Officer's Killer: Officials
Tipster Outs Paranoid Baltimore Drug Ring Leader As Off-Duty DC Officer's Killer: Officials An arrest has been made in the 2017 killing of an off-duty Metropolitan DC Police Department officer, thanks to a tipster who came forward last year, authorities announced. Dion Thompson has been arrested for his alleged role in the murder of MPD Sgt. Tony Mason, Jr., on Nov. 4, 2017 in the 2800 block of Elgin Avenue, Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced on Wednesday, April 17. Thompson, who was 18 years old at the time, has been charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy, and other related offenses, officials said. Thompson, now 24, was identified as a possible suspe…
Sixth Defendant Charged In Armed Edgewater Robbery Being Held In Westchester Sixth Defendant Charged In Armed Edgewater Robbery Being Held In Westchester
Sixth Defendant Charged In Armed Edgewater Robbery Being Held In Westchester 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The broad-daylight holdup of an Edgewater shopper last fall was committed by an armed robbery crew that included a Bronx man who was arrested this week in Westchester, authorities said. Jose A. Santana Torres, 22, and his partners followed the victim from Hudson County to an unidentified shopping center on River Road in last Oct. 24, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Two of them approached the victim and stole a watch at gunpoint while a third member of the crew served as lookout. The robbers then hopped into getaway vehicles driven by companions. The mid-afternoon holdu…
'RHONJ' Star's Stepson Arrested In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Thanks To Her Social Media Post: Feds 'RHONJ' Star's Stepson Arrested In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Thanks To Her Social Media Post: Feds
'Rhonj' Star's Stepson Arrested In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Thanks To Her Social Media Post: Feds The stepson of former "Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Sigalit "Siggy" Flicker has been arrested and charged for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the FBI said. To help nab Tyler Campanella, the FBI reviewed videos and images on social media — including one shared by Flicker, which shows him at the Capitol.  "I love patriots so much," Flicker wrote. "Stay safe Tyler. We love you. #StopTheSteal." Flicker later deleted the post, the FBI said. Witnesses also confirmed Campanella, who faces five misdemeanor charges, was at the Capitol wearing a blue Trump 2020 hat.…
Jersey Shore Reservist Admits Scamming Grieving Army Families Out Of $3.7M In Death Benefits Jersey Shore Reservist Admits Scamming Grieving Army Families Out Of $3.7M In Death Benefits
Jersey Shore Reservist Admits Scamming Grieving Army Families Out Of $3.7M In Death Benefits UPDATE: A ruthless now-former military reservist from Monmouth County admitted scamming the survivors of soldiers killed in war out of $3.7 million. Caz Craffy, 41, of Colts Neck, used his role as a counselor with the United States Army to pocket $1.4 million by exploiting the grief of Gold Star families, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. Craffy – who’s also known as “Carz Craffey” – “used lies and deception” to defraud two dozen families of what he told them were investments, the U.S. attorney said. For many, it was the only money they had. Whenever a member of the a…
Bethpage Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia Bethpage Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia
Bethpage Man Known As 'Sal The Shoemaker' Admits Running Illegal Gambling Operation For Mafia An associate of the Genovese organized crime family known as “Sal the Shoemaker” admitted to operating an illegal gambling business associated with La Cosa Nostra. Long Island resident Salvatore Rubino, age 60, of Bethpage, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, April 16, at federal court in Brooklyn to operating the business. Earlier this month, four co-defendant members and associates of the Genovese crime family admitted to various felony charges stemming from their long-running operation of several lucrative gambling operations in New York City. Of the five charged, four are from Long Isl…
Fourth Body Recovered From Baltimore Bridge Collapse Fourth Body Recovered From Baltimore Bridge Collapse
Fourth Body Recovered From Baltimore Bridge Collapse A fourth body has been recovered from the scene of the Baltimore's Key Bridge collapse, responders announced. Unified Command said only that the body was that of a construction worker presumed dead in the collapse on Tuesday, March 26. The body was recovered Sunday, April 14. The victim will not be identified at the family's request but was positively identified on Monday, April 15 by the medical examiner. On Friday, April 5, divers located the body of Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 38, from the Patapsco River, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott said. The bodies of 35-year-old Alejan…
New Haven Ex-Court Employee Impersonated FBI Agent, Falsely Reported Domestic Incident: Police New Haven Ex-Court Employee Impersonated FBI Agent, Falsely Reported Domestic Incident: Police
New Haven Ex-Court Employee Impersonated FBI Agent, Falsely Reported Domestic Incident: Police A former Connecticut court employee has found himself on the other side of the courtroom after allegedly impersonating an FBI agent. New Haven resident Perry Charnas, age 39, was arrested by New Haven Police on an open warrant Tuesday, April 9. According to Wilton Police, Charnas attempted to impersonate an FBI agent after making several phone calls to the agency in October 2022. During the calls, he allegedly made a false report about a domestic incident at an address in Wilton. No other details about the alleged crimes were released. Charnas is charged with criminal impersonation and …
Federal Felon, Female Convict Nabbed In NY For Stabbing: Harrisburg PD Federal Felon, Female Convict Nabbed In NY For Stabbing: Harrisburg PD
Federal Felon, Female Convict Nabbed In NY For Stabbing: Harrisburg PD UPDATE: **"Dion Johnson and Yolanda Lower were taken into custody on April 19th in New York," Harrisburg Police announced late on Friday night.** ORIGINAL REPORT: A federally convicted felon and a woman with a misdemeanor record are wanted for stabbing a woman multiple times in Harrisburg on Saturday, the Harrisburg police announced on Monday, April 15.  Dion Dakota Johnson, 38 of Harrisburg, was arrested by the FBI back in 2009 for his gang-related activities in the city, although much of his federal records are sealed, he eventually was slapped with both federal and state felony co…
Crooked Cardio Doc Admits Pocketing $2 Million In Health Insurance Ripoffs Crooked Cardio Doc Admits Pocketing $2 Million In Health Insurance Ripoffs
Crooked Cardio Doc Admits Pocketing $2 Million In Health Insurance Ripoffs The owner and sole medical provider of a Middlesex County medical practice admitted in federal court that he pocketed nearly $2 million in a long-running series of blatant health insurance scams. Dr. Fazal Panezai, a 76-year-old cardiologist from Morganville, at one point submitted claims for a single day's worth of visits to his Matawan-Aberdeen Heart & Medical Center in May 2022 that totaled 27.9 hours, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Hei also billed health insurance providers more than $80,000 for office visits when he was out of the country, the U.S. attorney said. Panezai …
Shenanigans, Indeed: Manager At Schenectady Gentleman's Club Busted Selling Meth, Feds Say Shenanigans, Indeed: Manager At Schenectady Gentleman's Club Busted Selling Meth, Feds Say
Shenanigans, Indeed: Manager At Schenectady Gentleman's Club Busted Selling Meth, Feds Say The general manager of a gentleman’s club in the region is facing federal charges after he was allegedly busted in an undercover sting selling drugs. Luiggi Canessa, who manages Shenanigans gentlemen's club in Schenectady, is named in a complaint filed in US District Court in the Northern District on Tuesday, April 9. FBI agents began investigating a “wide array of crime” occurring at the club, as well as an adjoining business, Sheer Pleasure Lingerie, in late 2023, according to the complaint. That conduct allegedly included drug and sex trafficking, and wire fraud. Canessa, who manages…
Duo Accused Of Carjacking Takeout Customer In Newark Face Federal Prosecution Duo Accused Of Carjacking Takeout Customer In Newark Face Federal Prosecution
Duo Accused Of Carjacking Takeout Customer In Newark Face Federal Prosecution Two repeat offenders charged with carjacking a customer waiting for a pickup order outside a Newark restaurant are now in federal custody and aren't going anywhere. The victim was pumping air into the front passenger tire on Dec. 9, 2023 when the pair arrived in a 2015 Lexus that had been stolen from outside a Wawa on Route 34 in Wall Township. Arraqeeb Williams-Cook, 23, of East Orange, got into the driver's seat of the victim's car, then pulled a gun, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip R. Sellinger said. As the victim ran into the restaurant to call for help, ex-con Washir Singleta…
FBI Takes Down Philadelphia Drug Trafficking Ring: 17 Arrested, 43 Pounds Of Drugs Seized: AG FBI Takes Down Philadelphia Drug Trafficking Ring: 17 Arrested, 43 Pounds Of Drugs Seized: AG
FBI Takes Down Philadelphia Drug Trafficking Ring: 17 Arrested, 43 Pounds Of Drugs Seized: AG A months-long investigation involving the FBI led to the arrest of 17 drug traffickers in the Philadelphia area and the seizure of illegal guns, drugs, and cash. Vincent Lofton, 60, one of the alleged heads of the trafficking network, was arrested, along with 16 other people at various locations after search warrants were executed Tuesday, April 9, Attorney General Michelle Henry, said. He was arraigned Wednesday and bail was set at $1 million. Investigators served more than a dozen search warrants at homes and on vehicles vehicles, and a financial institution. Others arrested include…