FBI Norfolk Division #News Release:

Final Defendant Pleads Guilty in Massive Heroin Trafficking Case

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 04, 2015

Eastern District of Virginia(757) 441-6331

NORFOLK, VA—The final defendant in a major drug case that ultimately dismantled a massive heroin trafficking operation in the Tidewater area pleaded guilty today. All eight co-conspirators have now pleaded guilty for their involvement in the organization’s distribution of between 30 and 90 kilograms of heroin.

Deyonta Hinton, 31, of Portsmouth, pleaded guilty today for his involvement in a massive heroin trafficking operation. Hinton faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 10, 2015.

Alonzo Outten, the head of the Outten Organization, and seven of his co-conspirators were indicted by a grand jury earlier this month. In the early morning hours of July 14, 2015, search warrants were executed simultaneously on 14 properties in Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk, by more than 250 law enforcement officials from three states and the District of Columbia. Seven weeks later all eight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with the intent to distribute heroin.

Name	Date of Guilty Plea	Date of Sentencing
Jermaine Jones	July 29, 2015	Oct. 29, 2015
Garnett Brown	July 29, 2015	Nov. 2, 2015
Latina Jackson	July 29, 2015	Nov. 5, 2015
Alonzo Outten	July 30, 2015	Nov. 2, 2015
Troy Gay	Aug. 6, 2015	Nov. 5, 2015
Jerald Outten	Aug. 10, 2015	Nov. 17, 2015
Sherita Nicks	Aug. 10, 2015	Nov. 17, 2015
Deyonta Hinton	Sept. 4, 2015	Dec. 10, 2015

According to the statement of facts in Deyonta Hinton’s case, he set up a base of operations to sell his heroin at the Sleep Inn and Comfort Suites motels on Western Branch Boulevard in Portsmouth. Hinton used at least six identified individuals to help facilitate the distribution of heroin and paid for one family member to live at the Sleep Inn to help generate a consistent presence that would regularly bring in heroin addicts. Hinton, whose primary supplier of heroin was Alonzo Outten, admits to distributing more than 3.5 kilograms of heroin during the course of the conspiracy.

Alonzo Outten, the leader of the organization from November 2013 to July 2015, managed the manufacture and distribution of between 30 and 90 kilograms of heroin (an estimated street value between $1.5 and $4.5 million dollars). The Outten Organization supplied kilogram amounts of heroin to at least two Bloods gang sets: the Imperial Gangsta Bloods led by “Godfather” Chris Smith aka Killa, who pleaded guilty July 28, 2015, and the Gorilla Mafia Piru gang led by “Godfather” Theodore Vann aka Flatline, who pleaded guilty on June 25, 2015.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Mark R. Herring, Attorney General of Virginia; and John S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after the plea were accepted by U.S. District Judge Mark S. Davis.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office and the Chesapeake Police Department with the assistance of the Portsmouth Police Department, the Virginia State Police, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Virginia Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John F. Butler, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph E. DePadilla and Andrew C. Bosse are prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of theDistrict Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:15-cr-80 (Outten, et. al.); 2:15-cr-93 (Jackson); 2:15cr7 (Smith); and 2:15cr60 (Vann).

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FBI Newark Division #News Release:

Monroe Township, New Jersey Man Admits Embezzling $89,000 from North Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 02, 2015

District of New Jersey(973) 645-2888

NEWARK, NJ—The former treasurer of the North Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department No. 3 (“NBVFD”) today admitted embezzling at least $89,000, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Craig J. Snediker, 40, of Monroe Township, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made is court:

As NBVFD’s treasurer, Snediker had the authority to deposit and withdraw money from NBVFD’s bank account, which held public funds and private donations. Snediker admitted that from March 25, 2014 through May 19, 2015, he used ATM machines at banks in Middlesex County, New Jersey, to access the funds for his personal expenses. He later concealed his actions by misrepresenting the account balance to the Township of North Brunswick. Overall, Snediker admitted that he withdrew between $89,000 and $92,986 without NBVFD’s authorization.

The wire fraud charge to which Snediker pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney José R. Almonte of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division.

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FBI Newark Division #News Release:

California Man Admits Shipping One Kilogram of Cocaine to New Jersey Drug Trafficking Organization

U.S. Department of JusticeSeptember 02, 2015

District of New Jersey(973) 645-2888

TRENTON, NJ—A California man today admitted shipping large quantities of cocaine from California to a drug trafficking organization that operated in Ocean and Monmouth Counties and elsewhere in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Marlon Ramos, 31, of Redlands, California, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine.

In March 2014, 21 other alleged members of the drug trafficking organization to which Ramos supplied narcotics were charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute heroin. The complaint referred to the drug trafficking organization as the “Britt-Young DTO,” after its leaders, Robert Britt, a/k/a “True,” and Rufus Young, a/k/a “Equan,” a/k/a “E-Money,” a/k/a “Kintock.” Of those 21 individuals, 18 have pleaded guilty.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Between November 2013 and March 2014, Ramos conspired with others, including Thomas Shannon, a/k/a “Cuzzo,” 36, of Jersey City, New Jersey, one of the Britt-Young DTO’s primary heroin suppliers, to ship large quantities of heroin and cocaine from California to New Jersey. Afterwards, New Jersey conspirators re-packaged the narcotics for distribution to others, including members of the Britt-Young DTO, and deposited cash into bank accounts provided by the California suppliers. Ramos admitted today that he used a bank account in his own name to receive payments. He also admitted shipping at least one kilogram of cocaine as part of the conspiracy.

The conspiracy charge to which Ramos pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 17, 2015.

On June 5, 2015, Shannon was charged by indictment with narcotics distribution, illegal possession and use of firearms, and transacting in criminal proceeds. The charges against him are merely accusations and he is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, Red Bank Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Grippo of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Newark.

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FBI Newark Division #News Release:

California CPA Admits Defrauding New Jersey Religious Center, California Non-Profit of More Than $4 Million

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 01, 2015

District of New Jersey(973) 645-2888

NEWARK, NJ—A California CPA today admitted abusing his positions at a worship center in New Jersey and a non-profit in California to steal more than $4 million, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Donald Gridiron, 51, of Pomona, California, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.

According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court:

A religious facility located in Rahway, New Jersey, hired Gridiron based, in part, on his connections with individuals in the religious community as well as his standing within that community. The religious facility agreed to pay Gridiron a monthly salary and reimburse him for reasonable expenses related to his work. In addition, Gridiron was the treasurer for a non-profit entity registered in California.

Gridiron used his employment with the worship center and his status with the non-profit to illegally syphon money without their consent or authorization. In total, Gridiron transferred more than $4 million to accounts he controlled. Gridiron then used the funds for his own use, including mortgage payments, luxury car payments and gambling expenses. Gridiron also failed to report this income on his tax returns, including $950,000 he stole during the 2011 tax year.

The charge of wire fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The charge of filing a false tax return is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 14, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark, and law enforcement officers of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen, with the investigation leading to today’s plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Kogan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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FBI New York Field Office #News Release:

Long Island Man Charged with Sexual Exploitation, Enticement, and Child Pornography Crimes

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 03, 2015

Southern District of New York(212) 637-2600

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Diego Rodriguez, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced that HASSAN KHAN, a Long Island resident, was arrested today and charged in a criminal complaint with five counts stemming from his sexual exploitation and enticement of a minor and his receipt of child pornography. KHAN was presented today in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “As alleged, Hassan Khan sexually exploited an innocent child, beginning the grooming process when she was just 11 years old. This Office is dedicated to ensuring that those who sexually abuse children are held to account. I want to thank the FBI for their remarkable work in this case.” Assistant Director-in-Charge Diego Rodriguez said: “Khan was arrested today for allegedly targeting, grooming, and exploiting a minor for several years. He carried out this illicit behavior by enticing her online and engaging in sexually explicit conduct with her, both in the United States and abroad. As this terrifying ordeal comes to an end, the nightmare continues for the victim and her family. Innocence, once stolen, is not easily restored. The FBI, with assistance from our local and international partners, will continue to pursue sexual predators, remove them from their hideaway, and deliver them into the arms of the law.”

According to the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court¹:

In or about 2007, KHAN initiated online conversations with a then-11-year-old girl (the “Victim.”). Between 2007 and 2013, KHAN, who was aware of the Victim’s age, coerced and enticed the Victim to engage in illegal sexual activity. The Complaint further alleges that KHAN engaged in a sexual act with the Victim, and coerced and enticed the Victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.

* * *

KHAN, 28, was arrested today in Manhattan, New York. The Complaint charges KHAN in five counts. Counts One and Two charge KHAN with coercing and enticing a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Count Three charges KHAN with sexual exploitation of a child. Count Four charges KHAN with sexual exploitation of a child outside of the United States. Count Five charges KHAN with receipt of child pornography. Counts One and Two carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Counts Three and Four carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Count Five carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the efforts of the FBI in this investigation. He added that the investigation is continuing. Any individuals who believe they have information concerning HASSAN KHAN that may be relevant to the investigation should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-212-384-1000.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Alex Rossmiller is in charge of the prosecution.

The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

1 As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

FBI New York Field Office #News Release:

Four Defendants Charged in White Plains Federal Court in Connection with Heist of More Than $1 Million Worth of Computers Bound for Public High School Students

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 02, 2015

Southern District of New York(212) 637-2600

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Diego Rodriguez, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Daniel McMahon, the Chief of the Yorktown Police Department, today announced the unsealing of a Complaint charging four defendants with participating in a scheme to steal, transport, and sell a shipment of approximately 1,200 computers, valued at over $1 million, that were bound for two public high schools in New Jersey. All four defendants were arrested this morning and will be presented in White Plains federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith.

As alleged in the Complaint¹ unsealed today in White Plains federal court:

On or about January 15, 2014, ANTON SALJANIN, a driver for a shipping company, drove a truck from Yorktown Heights, New York, to a technology company located in Massachusetts to pick up a shipment of approximately 1,200 Apple MacBook Air computers. ANTON SALJANIN brought his brother, GJON SALJANIN, with him. The computers were being shipped to two public high schools located in New Jersey, and were valued at over $1 million.

The next morning, ANTON SALJANIN reported to the Yorktown Police Department that the truck had been stolen from a parking lot located in Yorktown Heights. Later that day, ANTON SALJANIN reported to Yorktown Police that he had been driving around looking for the truck when he happened to spot it from the highway in a parking lot in Danbury, Connecticut. The truck would not have been visible in the Danbury parking lot to a driver passing by on the highway. Furthermore, historical cell site data for ANTON SALJANIN’s cellphone contradicts his claims about the route he took to look for the truck.

Yorktown Police detectives examined the truck and found that a window had been broken. The detectives found broken glass on the scene in the Danbury parking lot but found no broken glass on the scene in the Yorktown Heights parking lot, suggesting that the window had been broken at the Danbury parking lot rather than at the Yorktown Heights parking lot.

During interviews with the Yorktown Police, ANTON SALJANIN and GJON SALJANIN claimed that on the night of January 15, 2014, they drove directly from a convenience store outside of Yorktown Heights to the Yorktown Heights parking lot. Security camera footage from various locations in Yorktown Heights shows that a truck matching the description of the truck driven by the SALJANIN brothers departed from their claimed route, and instead traveled in the direction of the residence of UJKA VULAJ, a long-time friend of ANTON SALJANIN. The video surveillance footage also shows that the duration of the detour corresponds to the approximate length of time it would have taken to drive to VULAJ’s residence, unload the computers from the truck, and return to the route to the Yorktown Heights parking lot.

From in or about January 2014 through at least in or about April 2014, VULAJ and a co-worker, CARLOS CACERES, sold at least dozens of Apple MacBook Air computers. They sold the computers, which had a retail value of approximately $1,000, for far below the market price. VULAJ and CACERES charged $500 to $800 in cash for each computer, and handed over each computer in plain brown cardboard packaging.

Count One of the Complaint charges all four defendants, ANTON SALJANIN, a/k/a “Tony,” GJON SALJANIN, UJKA VULAJ, a/k/a “Tito,” and CARLOS CACERES, with conspiring to commit theft from an interstate shipment, interstate transportation of stolen property, and receipt, possession, and sale of stolen property. Count Two of the Complaint charges ANTON SALJANIN, GJON SALJANIN, and VULAJ with stealing property with a value of at least $1,000 from an interstate shipment, and aiding and abetting such theft. Count Three of the Complaint charges ANTON SALJANIN, GJON SALJANIN, and VULAJ with transporting in interstate commerce stolen property with a value of at least $5,000, and aiding and abetting such transport. Count Four of the Complaint charges VULAJ and CACERES with receiving, possessing, and selling stolen property with a value of at least $5,000, and aiding and abetting such receipt, possession, and sale.

Charts containing the charges against the defendants and the maximum penalties they face, as well as the defendants’ ages and residences, are attached. The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the Yorktown Police Department, the Westchester County Police Department, and the New York City Police Department. Mr. Bharara also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its ongoing assistance in the case.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Won Shin, Benjamin Allee, and Scott Hartman are in charge of the prosecutions.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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COUNT	CHARGE	DEFENDANTS	MAXIMUM PENALTIES
1	Conspiracy 18 U.S.C. § 371	ANTON SALJANIN, a/k/a “Tony,” GJON SALJANIN, UJKA VULAJ, a/k/a “Tito,” and CARLOS CACERES	Five years in prison
2	Theft from an interstate shipment 18 U.S.C. § 659	ANTON SALJANIN, a/k/a “Tony,” GJON SALJANIN, and UJKA VULAJ, a/k/a “Tito”	10 years in prison
3	Interstate transportation of stolen property 18 U.S.C. § 2314	ANTON SALJANIN, a/k/a “Tony,” GJON SALJANIN, and UJKA VULAJ, a/k/a “Tito”	10 years in prison
4	Receipt, possession, and sale of stolen property 18 U.S.C. § 2315	UJKA VULAJ,    a/k/a “Tito,” and CARLOS CACERES	10 years in prison

DEFENDANT	AGE	RESIDENCE
ANTON SALJANIN, a/k/a “Tony”	43	Yorktown Heights, NY
GJON SALJANIN	40	Yorktown Heights, NY
UJKA VULAJ, a/k/a “Tito”	54	Yorktown Heights, NY
CARLOS CACERES	37	Bronx, NY

Follow us on Twitter: @SDNYnews.

¹ As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

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FBI New Orleans Division #News Release:

Kentwood Woman Sentenced for Stealing Money from United States Post Office

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 03, 2015

Eastern District of Louisiana(504) 680-3000

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that WANDA JAMES, age 46, of Kentwood, was sentenced today after previously pleading guilty to a one-count Bill of Information charging her with making false entries and reports of money belonging to the United States, and in the care, custody and control of the United States Postal Service.

According to court documents, on or about September 10, 2013 through and including on or about February 3, 2014, JAMES, being a Postal Service officer or employee charged with the duty of receiving, holding, or paying over moneys on behalf of the United States, knowingly and willfully made false reports of such moneys. On sixteen separate occasions, JAMES falsely recorded cash purchases of money orders as debit card purchases on her daily financial reports. She did this so she could steal the cash from the money order purchases and conceal the theft by reporting sales as debit card transactions, when, in fact, she well knew that no such purchases had been made. JAMES stole approximately $2,611.61 of United States funds in the custody of the Postal Service.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo sentenced JAMES to 36 months of probation, $100 special assessment, and restitution in the amount of $2,611.61.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharan E. Lieberman was in charge of the prosecution.

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