Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Monday, July 18, 2011

www.McNabbAssociates.com

Rapper Ja Rule Sentenced in Federal Tax Return Case

McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 2:46 PM July 18, 2011

The Associated Press (AP) on July 18, 2011 released the following: By SAMANTHA HENRY Associated Press NEWARK, N.J. (AP) Rapper and actor Ja Rule was sentenced Monday to more than two years in federal prison for failing to file income tax returns, and said a combination of youthful inexperience, bad advice and an inability to manage fame and fortune lead to his financial troubles. I in no way attempted to deceive the government or do anything illegal, he said, minutes before being sentenced in a New Jersey federal court. I was a young man who made a lot of money Im getting a little choked up I didnt know how to deal with these finances, and I didnt have people to guide me, so I made mistakes. The multiplatinum-selling artist, whose real name is Jeffrey Atkins, admitted in March that he failed to pay taxes on more than $3 million that he earned between 2004 and 2006 while living in Saddle River. Although he pleaded guilty to three counts of unfiled taxes, he admitted he hadnt filed for five years, according to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman. Ja Rule was sentenced in New York City last month to up to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted criminal weapon possession. The case stemmed from a gun found in his car in 2007. Police said they stopped Ja Rules $250,000-plus Maybach sports car for speeding and found a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic gun in a rear door. The gun

wasnt registered. He was charged under a New York law that generally bars people from having firearms outside their homes or workplaces. In the federal case, U.S. Magistrate Patty Shwartz in Newark ruled that the majority of his 28-month federal sentence could be served at the same time as the New York state prison sentence. Depending on his release date for his New York sentence he could serve as little as 18 months in that case by meeting good behavior requirements and other standards he could serve from four to 12 months of the federal sentence. The federal time will be served at the Oneida Correctional Facility in upstate New York, where he is serving the state sentence. He has also been ordered to pay $1.1 million in unpaid taxes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Mack had asked the judge not to let Ja Rule off with no jail time on the federal charges, saying a message had to be sent. The court should impose the same sentence it would impose on someone who is not a celebrity, Mack said. Now 35, Ja Rule first emerged as a hardcore rapper in the late 1990s but then became known for his collaborations with female pop singers, including Jennifer Lopez and Ashanti. He scored a best rap album Grammy Award nomination in 2002 with Pain Is Love and has sold nearly 20 million albums during his career. He also has appeared in more than a dozen movies, including the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious and 2003s Scary Movie 3. On Monday, he wore a bright yellow prison jumpsuit and was handcuffed at the

wrists. He turned to look at his wife, seated in the courtroom behind him, after the sentence was read. His wife, who was his high school sweetheart, declined to comment after the hearing, saying only that it was a stressful time. The couple have three children and still live in Saddle River. Ja Rules attorney, Stacy Richman, said her client was a talented high-school dropout who had not had the business prowess to handle sudden fame. When his business empire began to crumble, he became paralyzed by fear and inaction, she argued. She added that the Queens, N.Y., native never forgot his roots and made it a point to give back to his community after becoming famous. In asking the judge for leniency, Ja Rule said he wanted to get back to work as soon as possible. My business is very `out of sight, out of mind, he told the judge. The longer Im away, the longer itll take me to get back to doing what I need to do to actually pay these taxes." To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

D.C. Federal Court Bars Company from Promoting Alleged Tax Scheme Involving Improper Easements on Historic Buildings
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 3:41 PM July 18, 2011

Owner of Miami Company Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Scheme to Defraud the U.S. Export-Import Bank
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 3:30 PM July 18, 2011

Michigan Businessman Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Defrauding the Federal E-Rate Program
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 4:13 PM July 18, 2011

A District of Columbia federal court has entered a permanent injunction order against Steven McClain and the Trust for Architectural Easements Inc. (formerly known as the National Architectural Trust).

The owner of an investment planning company in Miami was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for his role in a scheme to defraud the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) of $5.2 million.

The president and part owner of a Michigan-based Internet and technology services company was sentenced today to serve 15 months in prison for defrauding the federal E-Rate program.

Federal Criminal

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Manuel A. Munoz-Duran Charged in a Federal Criminal Complaint With Possession of Cocaine With Intent to Distribute
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 9:57 AM July 18, 2011

The U.S. Attorneys Office District of New Mexico on July 15, 2011 released the following: OHKAY OWINGEH RESIDENT CHARGED WITH FEDERAL COCAINE TRAFFICKING OFFENSE ALBUQUERQUE This morning in federal court in Albuquerque, a United States Magistrate Judge found that there was probable cause to support a criminal complaint charging Manuel A. MunozDuran, 48, with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. MunozDuran, a Mexican resident, resides within the boundaries of the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, but is not a member of the pueblo. If convicted, Munoz-Duran faces a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. Munoz-Duran entered a not guilty plea during this mornings proceedings, and waived his right to a detention hearing. He is detained pending trial. United States Attorney Kenneth J.

Gonzales said that Munoz-Duran was arrested as part of an investigation brought pursuant to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Safe Trails/Safe Pueblos Initiative and Southwest HIDTAs Native American Project (NAP) funded through the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Through these two initiatives, federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies work together to promote a comprehensive law enforcement and community supported partnership that seeks to eliminate drug trafficking and substance abuse in the Pueblos of Santa Clara, Ohkay Owingeh and Pojoaque, which are located in New Mexicos Espanola Valley. According to the criminal complaint, on July 5, 2011, New Mexico State Police officers executed a search at MunozDurans residence in the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, in Rio Arriba County. During the search, the officers found over 14 ounces of cocaine in Munoz-Durans basement. In addition, officers found narcotics trafficking paraphernalia and

firearms ammunition on Munoz-Durans property. This case was investigated by the FBI, the Espanola Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and Immigration Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark T. Baker. A criminal complaint is only an accusation. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Brent Farris Sentenced in St. Louis Federal Court for Bankruptcy Fraud After Five Years on the Run
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 9:30 AM July 18, 2011

The U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Missouri on July 15, 2011 released the following: St. Louis, MO The United States Attorneys Office announced today that Brent Farris, former owner of the Farris Gallery, was sentenced to 14 months in prison. In 2004 Farris was sentenced to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution. Farris was released on bond until such time he was directed to serve his sentence. When directed to appear to begin serving his sentence, Farris instead fled abroad. The U.S. Marshals tracked Farris through approximately 14 different countries on three continents for five years. Farris obtained a false British passport in order to aid his flight. Farris also used the passport to live and work in China, and attempt to travel throughout Asia and Europe undetected.

Based on information provided by the U.S. Marshals, Italian authorities arrested and detained Farris in Rome, Italy in 2009. He was confined in an Italian prison for a period of time, then released to house arrest while the United States sought extradition. Farris absconded from Italy while awaiting extradition. He was finally apprehended and detained in 2010 in Guadalajara, Mexico by Mexican Immigration officials acting on information obtained from U.S. law enforcement, and deported back to the United States, where he was met and placed into custody by the U.S. Marshals. He was charged with failure to appear, for which he was sentenced today. The new sentence will be served consecutive to the original sentence he is now serving. The Marshals Service deserves a tremendous amount of credit for their perseverance and tenacity in the pursuit of Mr. Farris, stated U.S. Attorney Rich Callahan. In July 2004, Farris pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud. He admitted

with his plea that in January 2002 he transferred ownership of an oil painting to another person. He then had the person auction the painting at Christies in New York City in order to conceal the proceeds in the bankruptcy. BRENT FARRIS, St. Louis, Missouri, appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Catherine D. Perry. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Federal Criminal

Robert L. Hedrick an Owner of Local Brownsville Airline Charged with Distribution of Child Pornography
McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 3:18 PM July 18, 2011

The U.S. Attorneys Office Southern District of Texas on July 18, 2011 released the following: BROWNSVILLE, Texas Robert L. Hedrick, 60, has been arrested following the filing of a criminal complaint alleging he distributed images of child pornography, United States Attorney Jos Angel Moreno announced today. Hedrick is president of the Brownsville-based Pan American Airways which provides cargo air service between the United States and Mexico. According to the complaint filed on Friday, July 15, 2011, Hedrick is alleged to have shared multiple images of child pornography with undercover investigators from Louisiana and Wisconsin in online chat rooms between Sept. 14, 2010, and Nov. 22, 2010. Hedrick was arrested this morning by Immigration and Customs EnforcementHomeland Security Investigations (ICEHSI) agents at his home in Brownsville

without incident. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Felix Recio in Brownsville on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. The United States expects to request that the court detain Hendricks in federal custody without bond pending further criminal proceedings. Distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum punishment of five years incarceration up to 20 years. Fines of up to $250,000 can also be imposed upon conviction for each offense. Additionally, each offense carries a maximum life term of supervised release during which the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and requires registration as a sex offender. The prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section,

Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http:// www.projectsafechildhood.gov./ Assistant United States Attorneys V. LaTawn Warsaw and Carrie Wirsing are prosecuting the case. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Stephen L. Morris Named Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division

McNabb Associates, P.C. (Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers)
Submitted at 2:53 PM July 18, 2011

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on July 18, 2011 released the following: Director Robert S. Mueller, III named Stephen L. Morris special agent in charge of the FBIs Houston Division. Mr. Morris most recently served as deputy assistant director in the Criminal Justice Information Services Division since March 2008. Mr. Morris joined the FBI in 1988 as an administrative file clerk in the Honolulu Division. He completed new agent training in Quantico, Virginia in 1991 and was assigned to the El Paso Division, where he investigated white-collar crimes, violent crimes, and drug cases. In 1996, he supervised the initiation and implementation of the El Paso criminal intelligence squad. Shortly after, he was promoted as supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters.

While at FBI Headquarters, he supervised the FBIs domestic and international criminal informant programs in support of violent crime, drug trafficking, whitecollar crime, and terrorism investigations. In 1999, he was promoted to the Cincinnati Division as supervisory senior resident agent for the Dayton Resident Agency. In 2003, he was promoted as assistant special agent in charge in the Houston Division. In this position, he managed the divisions white-collar crime and civil rights programs and directed the administrative and investigative operations conducted by Houstons six resident agencies. Mr. Morris was promoted into the Senior Executive Service in 2005 and was designated chief of the Programs Support Section in the Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Additionally, he served as program manager for the FBIs development of the Law Enforcement National Data Exchange program.

In 2006, he returned to FBI Headquarters and was appointed as chief of the Strategic Information and Operations Center. In this position, he managed the FBIs 24-hour global command center for strategic information and crisis management. Mr. Morris is a South Carolina native and graduated from Hawaii Pacific University in 1990. To find additional federal criminal news, please read The Federal Crimes Watch Daily. Douglas McNabb and other members of the U.S. law firm practice and write extensively on matters involving Federal Criminal Defense, INTERPOL Red Notice Removal, International Extradition and OFAC SDN List Removal. The author of this blog is Douglas McNabb. Please feel free to contact him directly at mcnabb@mcnabbassociates.com or at one of the offices listed above.

Justice FBI

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Tax Defendant Pleads Guilty in Florida to Filing False Liens for $48.489 Billion Against Federal Law Enforcement
(USDOJ: Justice News)
Submitted at 3:51 PM July 18, 2011

Stephen L. Morris Named Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division

fbi (Current)
Submitted at 6:00 AM July 18, 2011

Mark D. Leitner entered a plea of guilty in the Northern District of Florida to filing false liens against federal law enforcement and corruptly endeavoring to impede and impair the Internal Revenue Service.

Washington, D.C.

David A. Ford Named Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Springfield Division
fbi (Current)
Submitted at 6:00 AM July 18, 2011

Washington, D.C.

Christopher M. Piehota Named Special Agent in Charge of FBIs Buffalo Division

fbi (Current)
Submitted at 6:00 AM July 18, 2011

Washington, D.C.

James Turgal Named Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Division

fbi (Current)
Submitted at 6:00 AM July 18, 2011

Washington, D.C.