Crime

May 16, 2008

Elizabeth Man Indicted on Charges He Fraudulently Attempted to Collect $7,000 from New Jersey Lottery with Altered Ticket

Media Release May 12, 2008

TRENTON - Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that an Elizabeth man was indicted today for allegedly attempting to collect $7,000 from the New Jersey Lottery Commission with a scratch-off ticket he knew had been altered.

According to Director Paw, Ishak Y. Boutros, 31, of Elizabeth, was indicted by a state grand jury on charges of third-degree attempted theft by deception and fourth-degree forgery. The charges resulted from a joint investigation by the New Jersey Lottery Commission and the Division of Criminal Justice - Major Crimes Bureau.

On Dec. 4, 2007, Boutros submitted a claim form seeking reimbursement from the Lottery Commission for a Magnificent 7 scratch-off ticket. He claimed he bought the ticket at the gas station and store where he worked on Spring Street in Elizabeth and scratched off the Tic Tac Toe game to find three 7's in a row, a combination worth $7,000. However, each time he tried to scan and cash the ticket, the lottery terminal indicated the ticket was invalid.

The investigation revealed that the ticket was not a winner, but had been altered to make it appear that there were three 7's in a row. It was determined that Boutros made repeated attempts to scan the ticket at the store where he worked on Dec. 3 and 4, and also had it scanned several times unsuccessfully at a deli in his neighborhood on Dec. 4.

The Lottery Commission investigated the case jointly with Detective John Neggia of the Division of Criminal Justice - Major Crimes Bureau. Deputy Attorney General Valerie Noto presented the case to the grand jury.

Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a fine of $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in state prison and a $10,000 fine. The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The indictment was handed up in Superior Court in Mercer County, where Boutros will be ordered to appear at a later date to answer the charges.

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View Indictment 

Pennsylvania Man Indicted on First-Degree Cocaine Charge

Media Release May 12, 2008

TRENTON - Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that a Pennsylvania man was indicted today for allegedly selling 9 ounces of cocaine to an undercover New Jersey State Police detective.

According to Director Paw, Michael P. Bissell, 28, of Norristown, Pa., was charged in a four-count state grand jury indictment with first-degree distribution of cocaine, second-degree possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and two counts of second-degree distribution of cocaine.

The first-degree charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $500,000 upon conviction, while each of the second-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine. The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Bissell was arrested on June 20, 2007, when he allegedly met an undercover State Police detective in Deptford and sold him approximately 9 ounces of cocaine. At the time of his arrest, Bissell allegedly was in possession of an additional 1.5 ounces of cocaine. The indictment further alleges that Bissell made two prior sales to the same detective in Deptford. On May 22, 2007, he allegedly sold the detective approximately 2 ounces of cocaine for $1,700, and on June 7, 2007, he allegedly sold the detective approximately 3 ounces of cocaine for $2,700.

The case was investigated by the New Jersey State Police Organized Crime Control Bureau - Drug Trafficking South Unit. It was presented to the state grand jury by Deputy Attorney General John R. Corson of the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau.

The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Maria Marinari Sypek in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Gloucester County.

View Indictment (111k pdf)

May 15, 2008

Cumberland County Motorcycle Gang Leader Found Guilty of Illegal Possession of Guns as a Felon

Media Release May 12, 2008

TRENTON - Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that a Millville man was convicted at trial today of three counts of possession of weapons as a convicted felon.

It is a second-degree crime under New Jersey law for a felon convicted of certain crimes to possess a gun.

Robert C. "Clean" Woodward, 54, of Millville, former president of the Cumberland County Chapter of the Pagans motorcycle gang, was convicted following a seven-day jury trial before Superior Court Judge John M. Waters Jr. in Cumberland County.

Woodward was prohibited from possessing firearms under New Jersey law because of a 1974 robbery conviction in Cumberland County. The jury found that he had two handguns and a shotgun in his possession or control when the New Jersey State Police searched his home in 2005.

For each of the three offenses, Woodward faces a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison, with a mandatory period of five years of parole ineligibility.

Deputy Attorney General Daniel Bornstein tried the case for the Division of Criminal Justice -Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau. The charges stem from an investigation by the New Jersey State Police.

The investigation led to execution of a search warrant on Nov. 11, 2005 at Woodward's home on South Wade Boulevard in Millville. Inside the house, State Police detectives recovered a Smith & Wesson .38 special revolver, a British Bulldog .44-caliber revolver, and a 12-gauge New England Firearms single-barrel shotgun.

Judge Waters scheduled Woodward's sentencing for June 20.

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May 13, 2008

Camden City: Police Arrest Man for Killing his Neighbor

Media Release May 12, 2008

Acting Camden County Prosecutor Joshua M. Ottenberg and Camden Police Chief Edward Hargis reported a 61-year-old Camden man was charged with killing his long-time neighbor Sunday.

Daniel Scott Winstanley, of the 900 block of State Street, was charged with Murder Sunday in connection with the death of Francisco Cordero, M/42, also of the 900 block of State Street. Winstanley was being held in the Camden County Jail Monday in lieu of $500,000 bail. An arraignment is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today in Superior Court of Camden County courtroom 36.

Winstanley purportedly was in a physical altercation with Cordero earlier Sunday. Investigators have developed information suggesting the defendant feared Cordero would report their fight and other information to police. It is alleged Winstanley shot Cordero on the street with a handgun about noon near the intersection of 9th and Federal streets to keep his neighbor silent.

Three Camden officers, Lt. Sam Carlin and Patrolmen Maurice Jenkins and Juan Rodriguez, responded to the shooting and found Winstanley nearby almost immediately. When arrested Winstanley had a handgun and a shotgun. He also had with him numerous rounds of ammunition. He was arrested without incident.

After his arrest, Winstanley informed officers he had a number of firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition in his home. The Camden Police Department is expected to remove all weapons there today.

Prosecutor Ottenberg applauded Lt. Carlin and Patrolmen Jenkins and Rodriguez’s quick response to the shooting. Their rapid apprehension of Winstanley ensured no one else was hurt Sunday afternoon.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

 

 

Crime: Shooting Death Reported in Camden City

Media Release May 11, 2008  

Interim Acting Camden County Prosecutor Gregory Smith and Camden Police Chief Edward Hargis reported
Sunday a shooting death in the city.

Shaheed Braxton, M/21, of Camden, was shot multiple times shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10, on the 1400 block of Princess Avenue in Camden.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Camden County Prosecutor's Office Investigator Matt Woshnak at (856) 225-8400 or Camden City Police Detective Julio Rios at (856) 757-7420.
 

 

 

May 12, 2008

FBI Warning: PHISHING RELATED TO ISSUANCE OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS CHECKS

Media Release 05/08/08— Related: Crime

The FBI warns consumers of recently reported spam e-mail purportedly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which is actually an attempt to steal consumer information. The e-mail advises the recipient that direct deposit is the fastest and easiest way to receive their economic stimulus tax rebate. The message contains a hyperlink to a fraudulent form which requests the recipient's personally identifiable information, including bank account information. To convince consumers to reply, the e-mail warns that a failure to complete the form in a timely manner will delay the issuance of the rebate check.

One example of this IRS spam e-mail message is as follows:

"Over 130 million Americans will receive refunds as part of President Bush's program to jumpstart the economy.

Our records indicate that you are qualified to receive the 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund.

The fastest and easiest way to receive your refund is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account.

Please follow the link and fill out the form and submit before May 10th, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible.

Submitting your form on May 10th, 2008 or later means that your refund will be delayed due to the volume of requests we anticipate for the Economic Stimulus Refund.

To access Economic Stimulus refund, please click here."

Consumers are advised that the IRS does not initiate taxpayer communications via e-mail. In addition, the IRS does not request detailed personal information via e-mail or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.

Please be cautious of unsolicited e-mails. It is recommended not to open e-mails from unknown senders because they often contain viruses or other malicious software. It is also recommended to avoid clicking links in e-mails received from unknown senders as this is a popular method of directing victims to phishing websites.

If you have received an e-mail similar to this, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov.

May 11, 2008

Crime: FBI's Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending May 9, 2008

Media Release        .................Related: Crime

1.   Boston: La Cosa Nostra Underboss and Associates Indicted

Carmen S. Dinunzio, underboss of the New England Family of La Cosa Nostra, and two associates were indicted on charges of conspiracy to bribe a state official. Full Story

2.   San Francisco: Radio Host Pleads Guilty

Radio station talk show host, Bernard V. Ward, pled guilty to distributing child pornography via the internet. Full Story

3.   Portland: Arrest in Mailing Communications Containing Simulated Biological Agent

David Albert Groves was arrested for mailing numerous threatening letters containing a powder substance. Full Story

4.   Boston: Guilty Plea in Theft of Military Items

Joseph Downing pled guilty to theft and attempted sale of stolen military items. Full Story

5.   San Antonio: CBP Officer Arrested for Accepting Bribes

Customs Border and Protection Officer Ramiro Villarreal, Jr. was arrested for accepting bribes for fraudulently making and delivering official travel documents. Full Story

6.   Anchorage: Former State Representative Sentenced on Public Corruption Charges

Victor H. Kohring, former member of the Alaska House of Representatives, was convicted on bribery charges, attempted extortion and conspiracy for soliciting bribes. Full Story

7.   Sacramento: Fake Vietnam Vet Pleads Guilty

Michael Allan Fraser pled guilty to violating the Stolen Valor Act. Full Story

8.   Phoenix: Contract Mechanic Indicted

James Williams, a contract mechanic employed at Customs, was indicted for stealing night vision goggles. Full Story

9.   Washington Field Office: Airline Executive Pleads Guilty to Price Fixing

The former highest-ranking Qantas Airways Limited cargo executive pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to fix rates on international air cargo shipments. Full Story

10.  Los Angeles: Police Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violations

Former Long Beach police officer, Joseph Ferguson, was sentenced for his role in a series of home invasion robberies. Full Story

 

 

May 10, 2008

Crime/FBI Files: HUMAN TRAFFICKING, Today's Slave Tradei

05/09/08  

 

Human Trafficking
A Western man negotiating for a young Thai girl (far right), who clutches the arm of her trafficker. After settling on a price, the man left with the girl, and the trafficker left with her payment. Photo courtesy of the U.S. State Department.

In 1999, a teenage girl was taken from a Haitian orphanage and smuggled—using phony documentation—into Miami, where she was forced to work as a domestic servant for up to 15 hours a day, seven days a week. She was never paid, not allowed to go to school, occasionally beaten, and subjected to other inhumane treatment. After suffering for nearly six years, she managed to escape in 2005. This March, justice was finally served when three of her captors were convicted in the case.

This is just one of hundreds of heart-breaking human trafficking cases the FBI investigates each year, in conjunction with local, state, and federal partners such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Our Legal Attachés stationed in embassies around the world also support our investigations that have an international nexus—which many do—by coordinating with our global partners.

Using a multi-pronged strategy, we address human trafficking by:

  • Participating in joint law enforcement task forces (there are up to 30 such task forces around the country right now);
  • Using intelligence to identify traffickers and gain insights into how they conduct their operations (i.e., finances, logistics);
  • Looking at possible human trafficking elements in cases initially identified as human smuggling, Internet crimes against children, and/or sex tourism matters; and
  • Perhaps most importantly, working closely with trafficking victims—many of whom don't speak English—to enlist their help in prosecuting their captors AND to make sure they get the support they need to cope with the horrors they've been through and get back on their feet.

Training is another important aspect of how we address the human trafficking problem. In many instances, local police officers are the first ones on the scene in a suspected case, and it's important that they know what to look for. Bureau agents who have worked a lot of these cases can offer their own expertise and experiences to state and local officers at regional training sessions. 

And as more states pass their own anti-trafficking legislation (27 so far), additional human trafficking cases will be prosecuted locally, so it's even more important that local police departments fully understand the crime.

The majority of victims in FBI human trafficking cases are woman and young girls from Central American and Asian countries. They are primarily forced into the commercial sex industry and, like the young teen from Haiti, domestic servitude. Men and boys are typically victimized in the migrant farming, restaurant, and other service-related industries. However, there are an increasing number of young males being forced into the commercial sex industry as well.

But not all of the victims of human trafficking in the U.S. are foreign nationals; some are American citizens or residents. For example, an Anchorage man was found guilty in February of recruiting young women—mostly runaways from other parts of the country—to work for him as prostitutes. He controlled them by getting them addicted to crack cocaine, confining them to a small closet for days at a time, and beating them.

If you believe someone you know might be a victim, contact your local FBI office or the Department of Justice trafficking hotline at 1-888-428-7581.

Resources:   
- FBI Human Trafficking webpage
- Human Trafficking: FBI Initiatives
- Human Trafficking: An Intelligence Report

Crime: Area Car Wash Franchise Charged With Harboring Illegal Aliens

May 09, 2008

Philadelphia: Insult to injury

http://www.southphillyreview.com

Upon returning home from a police station to report a violent home invasion, a 27-year-old discovered the perpetrators had locked him out when they left the premises.

As the males were hauling out items they ransacked from the dwelling on the 600 block of Clifton Street, just off South Street, the victim saw an opportunity to run to the South Street Mini Station at Ninth and South, Detective Nancy Morley of South Detectives said.

At about 3 a.m. Friday, the victim was asleep when he heard a bang on his front door and thought it was his roommate who locked himself out. When the victim opened the door, three males forced their way inside, one armed with a black semiautomatic handgun, Morley said. The offenders demanded money and began robbing the place, taking two laptops; a 32-inch LCD TV; an Xbox 360; a cell phone; and a safe with unknown contents. Investigators did not have a value for the stolen items.

To report information, call South Detectives at 215-686-3013.

read more

Related: Philadelphia

Related: Crime

May 08, 2008

Crime: 54 arrested in NYC-area Mafia raids

http://www.usatoday.com

A federal indictment in Brooklyn named 62 people, including the three highest-ranking members of the Gambino clan and the brother and nephew of the late John Gotti, the notorious boss who ran the family in its heyday. State prosecutors separately charged 26 others with running a gambling ring that took nearly $10 million in bets on professional and college sports.

 

CBS3 Breaking News: Suspect Captured

Source http://cbs3.com/video/....................................

suspect captured 

Suspect_cardfloyd

Only in NJ: UMDNJ Cardiologists Admit They Violated Law

FBI Crime Tips: WI-FI SECURITY


Some Advice from the FBI
 
05/06/08  

 

Woman using portable computer with wifi connection in a public setting.

You’re at the airport waiting for your flight. With time to kill, you’re thinking of connecting your laptop to the airport's Wi-Fi to check your office e-mail...do some personal banking...or shop for a gift for your spouse.

But first, consider this: odds are there’s a hacker nearby, with his own laptop, attempting to "eavesdrop" on your computer to obtain personal data that will provide access to your money or even to your company's sensitive information.

Here's something else to consider: there are 68,000 Wi-Fi "hot spots" in the U.S. (see the graphic below for the top Wi-Fi countries), at airports, coffee shops, hotels, bookstores, schools, and other locations where hundreds or thousands of people pass through every day. While many of these hot spots have secure networks, some do not, according to Supervisory Special Agent Donna Peterson of our Cyber Division. And connecting to an unsecure network can leave you vulnerable to attacks from hackers.

How do hackers grab your personal data out of thin air? Agent Peterson said one of the most common types of attack is this: a bogus but legitimate-looking Wi-Fi network with a strong signal is strategically set up in a known hot spot...and the hacker waits for nearby laptops to connect to it. At that point, your computer—and all your sensitive information, including user ID, passwords, credit card numbers, etc.—basically belongs to the hacker. The intruder can mine your computer for valuable data, direct you to phony webpages that look like ones you frequent, and record your every keystroke.

“Another thing to remember,” said Agent Peterson, “is that the connection between your laptop and the attacker's laptop runs both ways: while he's taking info from you, you may be unknowingly downloading viruses, worms, and other malware from him.”

 

Top Ten Nations with Wi-Fi

Businesses that offer free or ad-hoc Wi-Fi often don't know their networks have been breached. Individual victims usually don't realize they've been targeted either until it's too late. That’s why, according to Agent Peterson, there aren't reliable stats on the number of these breaches, although the FBI does periodically receive reports on them. It's also very tough to trace a hack that originates on an open, unsecure network.

Agent Peterson explained that the criminal aspect comes into play once data taken by the hacker is used to commit a crime. If the hacker, armed with your personal or corporate information or access codes, tries to break into a secured network—whether it’s a case of intrusion, identity theft, bank fraud, theft of intellectual property, or any other type of crime—then law enforcement gets involved.

What can you do to protect yourself? Agent’s Peterson’s best advice is, don’t connect to an unknown Wi-Fi network. But if you have to, there are some precautions you can take to decrease the threat:

  • Make sure your laptop security is up to date, with current versions of your operating system, web browser, firewalls, and antivirus and anti-spyware software.
  • Don't conduct financial transactions or use applications like e-mail and instant messaging.
  • Change the default setting on your laptop so you have to manually select the Wi-Fi network you’re connecting to.
  • Turn off your laptop's Wi-Fi capabilities when you're not using them.

For more basic information on computer security, see our How to Protect Your Computer webpage.

May 07, 2008

Crime/Camden NJ: Drug Dealer Admits to Killing his Supplier

FBI Media Release: CEO OF ELECTRONICS COMPANIES PLEADS GUILTY TO BANK FRAUD

PHILADELPHIA - Carl Walter Spitko, of Rydal, PA, CEO of Maintech, Inc. and Sentek, LLC, both now defunct, which had offices and a warehouse in Huntingdon Valley and Horsham, PA, pleaded guilty today to 11 counts of bank fraud and 2 counts of aiding and abetting, announced United States Attorney Patrick L. Meehan. Spitko was indicted January 11, 2007 on charges that he engaged in a scheme to defraud Wachovia Bank and its predecessor in interest, First Union, from August 2001 to January 2005.

Maintech was in the business of manufacturing, distributing and selling laminators for the printed circuit board industry, selling various spare parts relating to that equipment, and servicing that equipment, as well as related handling equipment and preheater equipment. Maintech had a line of credit with Wachovia Bank, secured by, among other things, Maintech's eligible accounts receivable.

At today's hearing, Spitko admitted that he had schemed to defraud the bank by doing a number of things, including falsifying the amount of Maintech's accounts receivable, which were the security for the loan; concealing money and property from the bank, once Maintech had stopped paying on the loan; opening up a new company, Sentek, in order to use and sell Maintech's assets to avoid repaying the bank; and giving money to an employee to pay Sentek's expenses, out of the employee's personal bank account, to hide the business of Sentek from the bank. The defendant's scheme defrauded the bank out of approximately $1,454,879.84.

At today's hearing, Spitko admitted that in spring, 2002, the bank learned that Maintech was overadvanced on its line of credit by over $1,200,000. After Wachovia entered judgments by confession against Maintech, the defendant and his wife, due to Maintech's defaults under the line of credit, the defendant tried to conceal assets of Maintech from Wachovia by transferring Maintech's assets, employees, vendors and customers to a new entity, called Sentek.

Among other things, Spitko admitted that he closed down Maintech on Friday, June 6, 2003, and opened Sentek the following Monday morning, June 9, 2003, in the same location, using the same employees, and simply giving his employees new cellular telephones. The defendant admitted that he operated Sentek as merely a continuation of Maintech, using Maintech's assets, employees, vendors and customers in order to defeat Wachovia's rights under the security agreement and his personal guarantee.

Spitko also admitted that in May 2003, before he opened Sentek, he gave cash and checks drawn on banks other than Wachovia, to an employee of Maintech and directed that employee to deposit the cash and checks into the employee's personal bank account and pay a vendor of Maintech and certain start-up costs of Sentek, in order to facilitate the creation and operation of Sentek, while hiding Sentek's existence from Wachovia.

Under the now-advisory Sentencing Guidelines, Spitko faces a likely sentence in the range of 46 to 71 months in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2008.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Washington Resident Agency, and has been assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Mary E. Crawley.

 

 

Philadelphia: Reward Reaches $150,000 for Police Killer

source http://www.ppdonline.org/
Suspect_cardfloyd_2

Suspect wanted for the Murder of Philadelphia Police officer Reward NOW AT $150,000

read more

                         

                                     
                                                                                                                                  
 
 

U.S. Attorney Media Release May 5th: Local 825 Business Agent of Operating Engineers Pleads Guilty

May 06, 2008

Philadelphia: One Suspect Charged;One Sought in Philadelphia Cop Killing

Source http://www.kyw1060.com/

2408065 Authorities are still hunting Eric Floyd (left), 33, for the shooting death of Philadelphia police sergeant Stephen Liczbinski.  Levon Warner, 38, has been arrested and charged with murder, robbery, and other offenses.
continue

See video link below:



CBS Suspect Confesses

Related: Philadelphia

Related: Crime

Related: Blue Line 


United States Marshals Capture Murder Suspect

  Media Release, May 6th

A fugitive wanted by the Kingsland Police Department was arrested by the U.S. Marshals South Florida Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team in Florida City, Florida on May 2, 2008, based on information generated by the Savannah Office of the Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Amos Southall, 27, was being sought on a warrant issued in Kingsland/Camden County, Georgia charging him with Murder. Southall is charged in the death of Michelle Hainley at the Ramada Inn in Kingsland, Georgia on February 26, 2008. The investigation revealed that Southall had fled the area, possibly going to the area of southern Florida. The case was referred to the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force to help locate and arrest this subject. Numerous leads were worked by the Savannah Marshals' Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Savannah Task Force sent leads to the South Florida Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team in Miami, FL. The Marshals South Florida FAST team members went to a location provided by the Southeast Task Force and arrested Southall without incident. Southall is being held in jail in the Dade County Jail, awaiting extradition back to Georgia.

Annually, investigations carried out by the U.S. Marshals result in the apprehension of approximately 36,000 federal fugitives. More federal fugitives are arrested by the Marshals Service than all other federal agencies combined.

The Savannah Office of the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force is a team comprised of law enforcement officers from the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Chatham County Sheriff=s Department, the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department, and the United States Marshals Service. The task force objective is to seek out and arrest fugitives charged with violent crimes, drug crimes, sex offenders, and other felonies. Last year, U.S. Marshals task forces arrested more than 58,600 state and local fugitives on felony charges.

Body Found Identified as Homicide Victim Felicia Mikels

Media Release May 2, 2008

Acting Camden County Prosecutor Joshua M. Ottenberg, Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi, Pennsauken Police Chief John Coffey, the State Police and Maple Shade Police Chief Ed Vernier reported a body found earlier this week in Pennsauken Creek is that of homicide victim Felicia Mikels.

A surveyor spotted the body about 2 p.m. Tuesday in a marshy area along the Pennsauken Creek near Route 73 North and 5th Avenue. The Medical Examiner of Gloucester/Camden/Salem counties conducted an autopsy Wednesday morning and confirmed the victim's identity Friday using dental records.

Investigators believe Mikels, F/17, of the 6500 block of Rudderow Avenue in Pennsauken, was killed during the night of Jan. 18 at a parking lot in Pennsauken. It is alleged Douglas Mandichak, M/25, of the 200 block of Linwood Avenue in Maple Shade, and Christopher Mikels, M/26, also of the 6500 block of Rudderow, lured the teenager to the lot, where Mandichak beat her to death with a four-by-four piece of wood.

The two men are accused of leaving Mikels body in the creek near Fork Landing Road in Cinnaminson and abandoning her 5-week-old baby girl. The child was found off Marlowe Road in Cherry Hill the morning of Jan. 19.

Both men are charged with Murder. They are being held in the Camden County Jail awaiting a Grand Jury review of the charges.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of l

May 05, 2008

Monmouth County: Manasquan Woman Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing her son

May 04, 2008

SAN DIEGO COURTHOUSE EXPLOSION INVESTIGATION

MEDIA RELEASE  

05/04/08

 

Early Sunday morning, a suspected pipe bomb exploded at the entrance of the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse at 940 Front Street in San Diego, California. The explosion shattered a glass door, damaged the lobby, and punched a hole in a building window across the street. No one was injured.

The city fire department Metro Arson Strike Team responded at approximately 1:40 a.m. After quickly determining that an explosion had taken place, it notified the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is now conducting a vigorous investigtion. The crime scene was secured and turned over to the FBI's Evidence Response Team. No arrests have been made.

FBI agents investigate the damage to the federal courthouse (left); Agents prepare to conduct an evidence sweep near the courthouse

Agents investigate the damage to the courthouse (left) and prepare to sweep for evidence (right)

Also responding to the incident were the San Diego Police Department; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Federal Protective Services.

If you have any information concerning the incident, please contact the San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force at (858) 565-1255 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-TIPS.

For more information:
- Press Release

U.S. Marshals Arrest Two of Newark's Most Wanted Fugitives Newark, NJ

Media Release May 3, 2008

Within a 24 hour period, two of Newark's most violent and wanted fugitives are behind bars in separate states after relentless pursuit by U.S. Marshals and Newark Police Department detectives. Lauren Cheeks and Lateef Livingston, both known members of the "Bloods" street gang, were wanted for two separate, unrelated crimes respectively, both of which occurred in the city of Newark.

Lauren Cheeks, age 20, was wanted by the Newark Police Department since February 28, 2005 for homicide and unlawful possession of a handgun. On February 25, 2005, Cheeks, allegedly shot and killed a male victim on a New Jersey Transit bus in broad daylight during a dispute in downtown Newark. Over a period of three years, U.S. Marshals and Newark police detectives pursued leads in and out of New Jersey. In 2007, Cheeks was even profiled on the television show "America's Most Wanted" (AMW). Based on a recent tip from AMW and information provided by authorities in North Carolina, U.S. Marshals and Newark police detectives attempted to locate and arrest Cheeks in North Carolina on Thursday April 10, 2008. With assistance from the U.S. Marshals' North Carolina Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Newark marshals and detectives developed a possible location for Cheeks in Bladensburg, Maryland. At 11:00pm on April 10, the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force attempted to arrest Cheeks in a seventh floor apartment in Bladensburg. Upon the marshals entering the room, Cheeks began to jump from balcony to balcony in an attempt to escape. However, Cheeks was later cornered on a fourth floor balcony and arrested without further incident. He is in custody in Maryland awaiting extradition back to New Jersey.

Lateef Livingston, age 28, was wanted by the Newark Police Department since January 23, 2008 for homicide and unlawful possession of an assault rifle. On 12/10/2007, Livingston allegedly killed a male victim on 7th Avenue in Newark by shooting him 13 times with an AK-47 Assault Rifle.

In addition to pursuing leads in the Cheeks investigation in North Carolina, U.S. Marshals and Newark Police detectives eventually traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina in an attempt to locate Livingston. The officers, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals' North Carolina Violent Fugitive Task Force, located Livingston at a residence in Fayetteville. After learning that Livingston left the residence only minutes earlier, the officers searched the surrounding areas and spotted Livingston walking in the neighborhood. As the officers moved in to arrest Livingston, he attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended without further incident. Livingston is in custody in North Carolina awaiting extradition back to New Jersey.

The U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey, James T. Plousis, commends every investigator involved and states, "… the arrest of these two dangerous fugitives is a direct result of the collaborative and exhaustive efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions in various states. All of whom are serving this country with one goal in mind- to keep our communities safe."

Mount Ephraim Police Report April Arrests

 

By Bill Bates 

NEWS Correspondent 

 

On April 3 at 3:15 am Officer Schaeffer stopped a motor vehicle for traffic violations on Fourth Avenue.  Through investigation the driver Steven Bednarczyk, 28, of Mt. Ephraim was placed under arrest for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

 

On April 4 at 8:48 am Officer Reichelderfer stopped a motor vehicle for on Second Avenue for attempting to scrap from the trash.  Subjects Allen Wilson, 41, from Wilmington, DE, and William Cox, 46, from Hockessin, DE were both charged with Borough Ordinance #76-4, Scrapping.  Passenger in vehicle Rosita Randolph, 46, from Camden, NJ, was also charged with active warrants for her arrest, Hindering Apprehension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

 

On April 5 at 12:09 am Officer Dobleman stopped a motor vehicle for suspicious activity on the Walgreen's parking lot. Through investigation the driver Dominic Maraldo, 19, from Philadelphia, PA, was placed under arrest for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana.

 

On April 6 at 12:25 am Officer Dobleman stopped a motor vehicle for traffic violations.  Through investigation the subject Laurence Glasco, 58, from Camden, NJ, was arrested for Possession of Heroin.  Passenger Jennie Williams, 48, from Camden, NJ, was also placed under arrest for Possession of Heroin.  Williams also had active warrants out for her arrest. 

 

On April 6 at 4:33 pm Sgt. Siefert observed a male lying on the ground adjacent to the 7-11 store.  Through investigation the subject Thomas Laird, 51, from Audubon Park, NJ, was placed under arrest for Public Intoxication.

 

On April 7 at 6:48 pm Officer Schaeffer was dispatched to the Budget Inn for a Suspicious person.  On arrival Officer Schaeffer spoke to Cynthia Grudzinski, 22, from Mt. Ephraim, who was then placed under arrest for possession of Heroin and crack cocaine.

 

 

On April 9 at 2:45 am Officer Schaeffer stopped a motor vehicle for traffic violations.  Through investigation the driver Maria Redman, 48, Glendora, NJ, was placed into custody for loitering and other traffic violations.  Passenger Robert Ritter, 47, Vineland, NJ, was also placed into custody after a foot pursuit for Possession of thirteen bags of crack cocaine, aggravated assaulted on a police officer and resisting arrest. 

 

On April 9 at 3:33 pm Officer Severance stopped two subjects on Davis Ave. for littering in public.  Through investigation the subject Shawn Stratton, 28, Gloucester City was placed under arrest for Littering and also had active warrants for his arrest.  Subject Isabel Melendez, 35, Mt. Ephraim was also placed into custody for active warrants for her arrest.

 

On April 9 at 8:45 pm Officer Sullivan was dispatched to 30 Glover Avenue for subjects on the roof smoking Marijuana.  On arrival subjects Timothy Tole, 18, of Audubon and Michael Borman, 18, also of Audubon were found on the roof and placed under arrest for possession of Marijuana.

 

On April 10 at 8:55 pm Officer Dobleman stopped a subject on West Kings Highway and Green Avenue for drinking in public.  Through investigation Leroy Costin Jr, 50, Yakima, WA, was placed into custody and charged for consumption of alcohol beverage while in public.

 

On April 10 Officer Reichelderfer was contacted by Egg Harbor Police who advised that they recovered a stolen vehicle from our town and had a driver in custody.  Subject Stephanie Pote, 21, of Williamstown, NJ, was placed into custody and charged with Theft of a motor vehicle.

 

On April 11 at 12:53 am Officer Dobleman was dispatched to the Budget Inn for a Domestic Dispute.  On arrival subject Cheryl Cuffee, 52, and Kirk Williams, 54, both of Camden were placed under arrest for Obstructing Justice and Hindering Apprehension.

 

On April 11 at 6:55 am Sgt. Conte, while on patrol, observed William Schulz III, 23, Mt. Ephraim sleeping on the park bench of the Mt. Ephraim Little League Field.  Subject was placed into custody for loitering.

 

On April 14 Officer Schaeffer stopped a motor vehicle for traffic violations.  Through investigation the driver Andrea Geonnotti, 23, Lumberton, NJ, was placed into custody for Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

 

On April 14 at 11:35 am Officer Sullivan was dispatched to Walgreen's Store for a shoplifting.  On arrival subject Angela Caracciolo, 42, Haddon Heights was placed under arrest for shoplifting.

 

On April 17 at 12:08 pm Capt. Beppel was dispatched to investigate a suspicious person in the 600 block of the Black Horse Pike.  Through investigation subject Ariella Polonsky, 28, Mount Ephraim was placed under arrest for Possession of Hypodermic Needle.

 

On April 17 at 7:04 pm Officer Schaeffer responded to Black Horse Pike and Valley Road for a Motor Vehicle accident.  On arrival the driver Thomas Lawson, 22, Audubon Park was placed into custody for Driving While Intoxicated.

 

On April 18 at 8:14 pm Officer Reichelderfer was dispatched to the Wawa for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance.  On arrival subject Tavares Avery, 29, Oaklyn was placed into custody for disorderly conduct.

 

On April 21 at 10:31 am Sgt. Conte was dispatched to CVS for a report of a shoplifting.  On arrival subject Wesley Robertson, 33, Camden was placed into custody for shoplifting.

 

On April 24 at 6:19 am Sgt. Conte was dispatched to the CVS for a report of a shoplifting.  On arrival subject Anthony Strazzullo, 23, of Mt. Ephraim was placed into custody for shoplifting.

 

On April 26 at 12:50 am Sgt. Conte stopped a vehicle for motor vehicle violations.  Through investigation the driver Wendall Horcey, 51, Sicklerville, NJ, was placed into custody for Possession of C.D.S.  The passenger of the vehicle Anika Pitts, 31, Camden was also placed into custody for possession of C.D.S. (crack cocaine).  The passenger also had active warrants for her arrest.

 

On April 26 at 2:59 am Officer Beach stopped a motor vehicle for motor vehicle violations.  Through investigation the driver Joseph Loughlin, 41, of Mt. Ephraim was placed into custody for D.W.I.

 

On April 27 at 7:19 am Officer Schaeffer was dispatched to the CVS for a shoplifter.  On arrival subject Staci Boothroyd, 26, Camden was placed into custody for shoplifting.

 

April 27 at 1:55 pm Officer Dunay was dispatched to the CVS for a shoplifter.  On arrival subject Jennifer Barone, 22, Audubon was placed into custody.  Also through further investigation subject Sajid Powell, 32, Camden was also placed into custody for being the look out for his girlfriend.  Powell was charged with Complicity.

 

April 30 at 8:59 pm Sgt. Errigo was dispatched to the Mt. Ephraim Dodge for an irate customer.  On arrival subject Daniel Hammer, 49, Penn Valley, PA, was found to have taken and concealed motor vehicle keys belonging to the business.  While being placed into custody subject began to fight with police.  Subject was charged with theft, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

 

April 30 at 8:29 pm Officer Beach was dispatched to the Budget Inn for a suspicious male.  On arrival subject Richard Cooklin Jr., 46, of Mt. Ephraim was placed into custody for public intoxication.

 

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

FBI'S TOP TEN NEWS STORIES FOR THE WEEK ENDING May 2, 2008

Media Release

1.   New Orleans: Guilty Pleas for Violating Iranian Transactions Regulations 

James C. Angehr and John N. Fowler, owners of Engineering Dynamics, Inc., pled guilty to conspiring to export software to Iran. Full Story 

2.   Indianapolis: Head Teller Sentenced for Embezzling Over $7 Million from Credit Union 

Patricia H. Sherman was sentenced for embezzling funds from her employer, a credit union, which caused the credit union to be placed in conservatorship. Full Story 

3.   New Orleans: Guilty Plea in Federal Hate Crime 

Jeremiah Munsen pled guilty for his role in using nooses to threaten marchers who participated in the "Jena Six" civil rights rally. Full Story 

4.   Atlanta: 43 Year Sentence for Shooting at ATF Agents 

Chardriquez Durden received a 43 year sentence for assaulting federal agents with a firearm when they attempted to execute a search warrant. Full Story 

5.   Boston: Indictment for Sending Threatening Mail to Woman of Iranian Descent 

Earl F. McBride was indicted on charges of mailing threatening communications to a over a seven month period to a woman of Iranian descent. Full Story 

6.   San Francisco: Sentencing in Copyright Infringement 

David M. Fish was sentenced as a result of Operation Copycat, part of a larger federal crackdown against the illegal online distribution of copyrighted materials. Full Story 

7.   Newark: Mayor and Wife Convicted 

Guttenberg Mayor David Delle Donna and his wife were convicted of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right and income tax fraud. Full Story (pdf) 

8.   Buffalo: Safe Streets Task Force Arrests 30 

Thirty individuals associated with the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation gang were arrested on federal drug-related violations. Full Story 

9.   Jacksonville/Philadelphia: Guilty Plea in International Child Exploitation Enterprise 

Stepan Bondarenko pled guilty to his involvement in a vast global child pornography trafficking enterprise. Full Story 

10.  Albuquerque: Ten Special Interest Illegal Aliens Arrested 

Ten special interest illegal aliens were arrested pursuant to an ongoing investigation into an illegal alien smuggling operation wherein fraudulent identification documents were produced to obtain authentic New Mexico drivers' licenses. Full Story (pdf) 

FBI Files: Tennessee Waltz The Dance is Over


 
05/02/08  

 

One of the subjects in the Tennessee Waltz investigation (right) making a deal with our undercover agent.
One of the subjects in the Tennesee Waltz case (right) making a deal with our undercover agent

Bribery. Bagmen. Crooked politicians. Ethical lapses.

All ugly terms that were part of an FBI public corruption case that began nearly six years ago and recently came to a successful close.

Last month, the undercover sting known as "Tennessee Waltz" (coincidentally, also the official state song), ended where it started: a contractor working in Shelby County Juvenile Court Clerk's Office was sentenced for his role in a corrupt invoice scam, accepting money for work never performed.

He was the 12th and final subject brought to justice in the case.

Tennessee Waltz was a landmark investigation:  it not only led to the convictions or guilty pleas of a dozen state and local public officials—including several state senators, a state representative, two county commissioners, and two school board members—but also to new state ethics laws and the creation of an independent ethics commission in Tennessee.

It began in May 2002, when our Memphis office opened an investigation into reports of fraud and corruption in the Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office. One of the individuals we questioned—a well-known lobbyist who was consulting for that office— admitted to wrongdoing and agreed to cooperate and wear a wire to record conversations with suspects.

It wasn't long before our lobbyist was approached by an employee in the office who claimed to be a close acquaintance of several state legislators. The employee advised the lobbyist that he was a "bagman" for these politicians—and that, in exchange for money, these lawmakers would vote on legislation that would benefit the lobbyist's clients.

So our corruption investigation expanded—from local government to the state legislature. In the fall of 2003, we launched an undercover operation to address what appeared to be a widespread public corruption problem.

 

This man was one of 12 individuals who was convicted or pled guilty in the case.
One of the 12 subjects in the case

As part of the operation, we set up a fictitious company that recycled surplus electronic equipment to third world countries. We let it be known that we wanted legislation that would benefit our company, and we wanted exclusive contracts with local governments. Our undercover agents offered bribes to individuals who—based on information we had—we believed would take them...and they did. And then they told their colleagues, who in some instances took bribes as well.

Some of the corrupt politicians even introduced legislation that we drafted (but no legislation was ever passed). All told, we paid out more than $150,000 in bribe money by the time the undercover portion of Tennessee Waltz ended in 2005.

The case, worked with the help of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, is one of our most successful examples to date of how we use lawful sensitive techniques like undercover operations to investigate allegations of systemic corruption.   

For the FBI, public corruption continues to be our top criminal priority. Right now, we have more than 2,500 pending cases—an i