“Alternative Medicine” Clinic Operator Sentenced to Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud Chaunsay Beckwith Defrauded Insurance Companies and Medicare

“Alternative Medicine” Clinic Operator Sentenced to Federal Prison for Health Care Fraud
Chaunsay Beckwith Defrauded Insurance Companies and Medicare in Hyperbaric Therapy Scheme


CHAUNSAY BECKWITH, 46, of Tucker, Georgia, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Marvin H. Shoob to serve nearly 5 years in federal prison on a charge of health care fraud.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said of the case, “Hyperbaric chambers have a number of legitimate medical uses, as varied as helping burn victims and scuba divers in their recovery. This defendant turned a hyperbaric chamber into a scheme for generating over a million dollars in fraudulent claims. Health care fraud raises the costs of health care for everyone, and those responsible for such fraud may end up prison like this defendant.”

BECKWITH was sentenced to 4 years, 8 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, ordered to pay $1,035,144 in restitution, and perform 50 hours of community service. BECKWITH pleaded guilty to the charge on April 7, 2009.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and other information presented in court: Between 2003 and 2007, BECKWITH, an owner/operator who does not hold any type of medical license, provided hyperbaric oxygen therapy to numerous patients in her clinic, International Alternative Medicine, Inc., located at 4450 Hugh Howell Road, in Tucker, Georgia. None of the patients were diagnosed with medical conditions that made them eligible to receive payments from health care benefit programs. BECKWITH submitted $1,577,827 in claims to insurance companies and Medicare, which included false diagnosis codes that enabled her to fraudulently receive $1,035,144 in payments for the hyperbaric chamber treatments.

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Telfair County Sheriff Sentenced to 36 Months' Imprisonment on Corruption Charges

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced that Jimmie W. Williamson, age 48, the former Sheriff of Telfair County, Georgia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Dublin, Georgia, before U.S. District Judge Dudley H. Bowen, Jr. to 36 months' imprisonment.

Booth noted that Williamson was charged by a criminal Information in December 2008 with devising a scheme to deprive the citizens of Telfair County of his honest services as their Sheriff from approximately 2004 to the present through a variety of corrupt activities, including:

* the embezzlement of fine and bond money paid by individuals arrested in Telfair County for his own personal use instead of properly sending such money to the Telfair County courts;
* the acceptance of bribes from individuals arrested in Telfair County in exchange for reducing or dismissing the pending charges against them; and
* the improper purchase of items for his own personal use with funds belonging to and for the exclusive use of the Sheriff’s Department.

Williamson pled guilty to those charges in January 2009.

Booth stated that the Court sentenced Williamson on those convictions to 36 months' imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. While on supervised release, Williamson will be required to perform 150 hours of community service. Booth further commented that Williamson was also ordered to pay restitution of the embezzled fine and bond money to the Telfair County courts.

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Former Investment Broker Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Defrauding Clients

Frederick Barton, 48, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash to serve over six years in federal prison on a charge of wire fraud, for having fraudulently diverted approximately $2 million from several clients and investors.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, "Among other frauds, this so-called securities professional stole nearly the entire life savings of an elderly client with Alzheimer's. His purposeful targeting of such a vulnerable victim appropriately resulted in a longer sentence. The prison sentence imposed today provides a measure of justice to all of the defendant's victims, and sends a message to other financial predators that these crimes do not pay."

BARTON was sentenced to 6 years, 6 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $878,100 in restitution. BARTON was convicted of these charges upon his plea of guilty on March 25, 2009. He was previously sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which obtained a judgment against BARTON and his former investment firms for over $4 million in penalties and disgorgement of profits, as well as various injunctive and other relief.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: BARTON, a registered broker and investment manager, defrauded several clients and investors of approximately $2 million dollars, including almost the entire life savings of a single, retired elderly woman in her 90's who was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. From at least 1995 through 2002, Barton was a manager at an Atlanta branch of a national brokerage firm. After he was terminated in 2002, he began his own investment advisory firms, "Barton Asset Management, LLC" and "Twinspan Capital, LLC," both based in Atlanta. On numerous occasions from at least 2001 through 2007, BARTON fraudulently diverted to himself client funds that he was entrusted with investing.

In his victimization of the Alzheimer's patient, identified in Court by her initials, "RF," BARTON first learned of her diagnosis in 2001. He had begun his fraud two years earlier in 1999, and it continued unabated through 2003. In all, BARTON fraudulently diverted nearly $1 million of RF's assets to his own checking account, which he spent on personal lifestyle expenses and to fund the development of Twinspan Capital. Mainly as a result of these frauds, the balance in RF's investment and bank accounts fell from approximately $1.3 million in 1999 to less than $100 in 2004. Prior to the criminal prosecution, RF's estate sued BARTON and his former employer, which repaid all but $200,000 of the improperly diverted funds.

In addition to diverting client money from RF and at least one other client, BARTON committed securities fraud by selling shares in his new company, Twinspan, based on false pretenses. Specifically, he raised over $1 million in investments in Twinspan by claiming that he would use the proceeds to operate and grow the business. However, he instead diverted at least half of these supposed investments to himself, which he used to satisfy personal debts and pay personal lifestyle expenses.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. United States Attorney Nahmias also expressed appreciation to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Securities Division of the Georgia Secretary of State's Office, both of which provided substantial information in the investigation of this case.

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Former Accounting Manager for Historic Savannah Foundation Pleads Guilty to Fraud

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced that James Walter Boston, 53, of Savannah, Georgia, appeared in United States District Court on June 19, 2009 and pled guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344.

Boston had been charged with bank fraud and access device fraud in an indictment returned by the federal grand jury in March 2009. That indictment arose out of an investigation into allegations that Boston embezzled money from the general operating account of the Historic Savannah Foundation, a local non-profit organization, while he was employed as its Accounting and Finance Manager. The indictment alleged that on over fifty separate occasions between May 2, 2008, and December 23, 2008, Boston fraudulently wrote checks and made wire transfers from the Historic Savannah Foundation’s general operating account to his own personal bank account. It was further alleged that over the course of his employment, Boston embezzled approximately $74,000.

Booth stated that the evidence presented at the guilty plea hearing showed that Boston obtained that money from the Historic Savannah Foundation by fraudulent means. In fact, Boston admitted that he had obtained the money by fraud.

Booth noted that Boston faces a maximum statutory penalty of thirty (30) years' imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and five (5) years' supervised release. Boston remains on bond pending his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Booth commended Special Agent Josh Hayes of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for his work on the investigation. The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Tanner.

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Calvin Lee Stevenson, Jr. Sentenced to 42 Years for Convictions for Armed Robbery, Carjacking, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced that Calvin Lee Stevenson, Jr., indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2008, was sentenced June 22 in U.S. District Court in Augusta following his convictions by a jury in February 2009 of Conspiracy to Rob a Credit Union, Armed Robbery of a Credit Union, Carjacking and two counts of Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

Booth noted that the evidence at trial showed that in December, 2007 that Stevenson conspired with other individuals to rob the Richmond Community Federal Credit Union located at EZGO on Marvin Griffin Road in Augusta and that Stevenson carried out the plan when he and two other codefendants robbed the credit union of more than $30,000 in December, 2007. It was further proven by the evidence that immediately prior to the armed robbery that Stevenson and others carjacked a 74 year old victim and then used the carjacked vehicle during the commission of the armed robbery.

Booth stated that Stevenson was sentenced to a total of 42 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. According to Booth, Stevenson was sentenced to 5 years in prison for the conspiracy conviction, 10 years in prison for the armed robbery conviction, 10 years in prison for the carjacking conviction, and a mandatory minimum of 32 years in prison for the firearms convictions to run consecutive to the 10 year sentences.

The investigation involved the cooperative efforts of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; The government is being represented by Assistant United States Attorneys Patricia Green Rhodes and Stephen Inman.

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Former Atlanta Police Sergeant Sentenced to Federal Prison for Warrantless Break-In of Private Home

WILBERT STALLINGS, 45, of Conyers, Georgia, was sentenced to prison June 19 by United States District Judge Julie E. Carnes on the charge of conspiring to violate civil rights by breaking into a private residence to search for drugs without a warrant.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, "Breaking into a private residence without a warrant or provocation is the ultimate violation of our constitutional right to be secure in our homes. Indeed, it is the very definition of lawlessness. Thankfully, the vast majority of police officers understand that their badges and guns do not grant them authority to ignore the Bill of Rights. For those few who still don't get it, today's sentence should send a message that police officers are sworn not just to enforce the law but, like all citizens, to obey it. Officers who violate the law risk their careers and, again like all citizens, their liberty. Sergeant Stallings should feel fortunate that the resident in this case was not home and not armed, or this civil-rights conspiracy could have had the same tragic end as the one that took the life of Kathryn Johnston the following year."

STALLINGS was sentenced to 18 months in prison to be followed by 2 years of supervised release, and was ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. STALLINGS pleaded guilty to the civil-rights conspiracy charge on March 24, 2008.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: In October 2005, STALLINGS, a sergeant in the narcotics unit and a 23-year veteran of the Atlanta Police Department, joined several other APD officers in executing a search warrant at an apartment located at 1058 Dill Avenue in Atlanta. At the time, Gregg Junnier, one of the officers who would later be convicted for his involvement in the Kathryn Johnston shooting, was a member of the narcotics team under STALLINGS' command. Junnier had obtained a search warrant for the apartment at 1058 Dill Avenue. The apartment was part of a duplex, and the adjacent apartment was 1056 Dill Avenue. No search warrant had been obtained for 1056 Dill Avenue.

The officers executed the warrant at 1058 Dill Avenue and recovered some marijuana in bushes behind the apartment, but found no drugs inside the apartment. Having not found what they expected at 1058 Dill Avenue, STALLINGS and Junnier discussed and illegally agreed to make a forced entry, without a search warrant, into the adjoining apartment at 1056 Dill Avenue. The officers under STALLINGS' command then broke into the apartment. STALLINGS, Junnier, and other officers on the narcotics team then entered the apartment. No one was home, and the officers found no evidence of any illegal activity. STALLINGS then instructed his team to leave the apartment and shut the door. He made a statement to the effect of: "Just shut the door. They'll just think it was a break-in." This violation of the civil rights of the apartment's resident was uncovered and investigated only after the Kathryn Johnston shooting, when Junnier began cooperating with the FBI in identifying other polic

This crime was part of a larger pattern of misconduct by STALLINGS and his team. Specifically, (1) STALLINGS permitted his team to work so-called "extra jobs" through which they were paid by business owners to provide services on duty that should have been free for all citizens -- and STALLINGS himself shared in the profits from that enterprise; (2) he knew and allowed his officers to "trade" search warrants with each other, by which one officer would swear in an affidavit to have witnessed events he never actually saw; (3) he let his officers use unregistered drug informants as sources for information, but allowed the officers to identify such informants falsely as "confidential and reliable" for the purposes of procuring search warrants; and (4) he knowingly permitted his officers to inflate or "pad" payment vouchers for informants so that the officers could use the extra money for their own purposes.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys Jon-Peter Kelly and Kurt Erskine prosecuted the case.

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FBI Arrest of Child Predator in North Georgia

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, announces, on behalf of the Northwest Georgia Crimes Against Children Task Force, the following arrest at Whitfield County, Georgia:

On Friday, June 19, 2009, Anthony Brown, 26 years old, of Knoxville, Tennessee, was arrested in Whitfield County, Georgia on state charges of criminal attempt-child exploitation related to his attempt to have sexual activity with an underage female. Brown traveled to Whitfield County, Georgia from Knoxville, Tennessee after having previously engaged in Internet based “chats” and e-mails with undercover officers/agents of the above task force.

Brown is currently being detained at the Whitfield County, Georgia Detention Facility.

The Northwest Georgia Crimes Against Children Task Force consists of federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and officers from the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, Dalton Police Department, Dade County Sheriff’s Office, Rossville Police Department, and the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office.

The public is reminded that all persons are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Ten Indicted on Federal Drug Charges

Edmund A. Booth, Jr., United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced that a federal grand jury returned a 32-count indictment against ten individuals charging them with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and Cocaine Base over a fourteen-month period.

Booth stated that the indictment stems from a lengthy investigation of the drug organization operating in what is commonly referred to as the Smallworld or Southside area of Augusta, located in and around the Dogwood Terrace Government Housing Complex.. Booth noted that the defendants have been charged with conspiracy as well as drug distribution and firearms charges.

Those charged in the indictment are Reginald Darrell Beale, age 28 and Latria Grenise Smith, age 26, both of Hephzibah; Thomas Polonco Beale, age 36, Brian Christopher Harris, age 27, Mark Jones, age 52, Sylvester Ruben Lewis, age 33, Jaimere Prosser, age 26, and Marsignor C. White, age 26, all from Augusta; Sequoyah Elam, age 28 from Lincolnton; and Derrick D. King, age 31 from Milledgeville.

Booth stated that, if convicted of the drug conspiracy charge, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and a $4 million fine.

Booth stressed that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation, which led to the indictment, was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s CSRA Safe Streets Task Force which consists of officers and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshal’s Service also participated in the investigation. The United States is being represented in this case by Assistant United States Attorneys Nancy Greenwood and Charlie Bourne.

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Former DeKalb County Probation Officer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charge-Fixing Extortion Scheme

NATALIE NICOLE DUNN, 32, of Ellenwood, Georgia, a former DeKalb County State Court Probation Officer, pleaded guilty late June 10 to conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right in a criminal charge-fixing scheme.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This former DeKalb County Probation Officer has now admitted that she tried to use her position to assist a charged drug dealer in obtaining a dismissal of his case in exchange for cash. Now she will face a federal prison sentence for her intolerable attempt to corrupt the justice system.”

According to United States Attorney Nahmias, the criminal information and other information presented in court: In November 2008, an individual contacted the FBI regarding recent communications with DUNN. The source told the FBI that after his arrest for drug offenses in DeKalb County, Georgia, DUNN contacted him and offered to ensure that the source receive a dismissal of his pending criminal charges in exchange for a $25,000 payment to DUNN and a co-defendant in the case, Keith L. Hughes, who was the Coordinator of the DeKalb County Office of Pretrial Services. In December 2008, at the direction of the FBI, the source paid DUNN two $5,000 installments to ensure a dismissal of the source's criminal charges.

In December, 2008, the source also met with DUNN and Hughes inside Hughes’ office located at the DeKalb County Courthouse. During that meeting, Hughes told the source that DUNN and he would falsely report to the Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney that the source was cooperating in the investigation of others. By doing so, Hughes said that he could ensure that the source's pending drug trafficking charge would be dismissed.

DUNN, along with Hughes, was indicted in March 2009. DUNN pleaded guilty on June 10, 2009, to a criminal information charging one count of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. A sentencing date for DUNN has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

Hughes awaits trial on charges of conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right, and attempting to commit extortion under color of official right. No trial date has yet been set.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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Georgia Federal Court Permanently Bars Fulton County Man From Preparing Tax Returns

/PRNewswire/ -- A federal court in Atlanta has permanently barred Derrick Jackson and his businesses from preparing federal tax returns for others, the Justice Department announced today. The court said that since 2002, Jackson "has prepared blatantly fraudulent tax returns for customers." Jackson's businesses were called Tax Wisdom and International Tax and Accounting Services.

The court said that Jackson used an alias and false federal tax identification number to disguise his true identity from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) when preparing returns. The court also found that Jackson engaged in other unlawful conduct, such as filing phony W-2 forms and claiming false deductions and credits on customers' tax returns, including fraudulent fuel tax credits and false earned income tax credits.

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Former Home Depot Employee Sentenced to Prison for Orchestrating Vendor Kickback Scheme

Anthony M. Tesvich, 42, of Atlanta, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Richard W. Story to serve over six years in federal prison on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and filing false tax returns, in connection with a scheme to defraud Home Depot.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This defendant and his co-conspirators inside Home Depot took payoffs from certain foreign vendors in exchange for giving those suppliers’ products an unfair advantage in the company’s many stores across the country. This corruption hurt competing vendors who played by the rules, Home Depot, and its customers. But the biggest losers in the end are those who took part in this criminal activity and then failed to pay taxes on their illegal income. They will now spend time in a federal prison, starting with this defendant, the ringleader of the conspiracy.”

“The receipt of kickbacks by purchasing officials undermines American businesses who depend on the honesty of their employees at all levels,” said Christine A. Varney, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Department’s Antitrust Division in Washington, D.C. “The Antitrust Division will hold accountable those executives who participate in kickback schemes that subvert the competitive bidding process by placing their own interests above those of the companies that employ them.”

IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent In Charge Reginael D. McDaniel said, “The sentencing of this defendant sends a clear message to any employee who may be considering taking illegal funds for personal profit - IRS Criminal Investigation and its law enforcement partners will diligently hold the line against corporate employees who succumb to greed and corruption.”

Tesvich was sentenced to serve six years, six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $8,292,949 in restitution. Judge Story also ordered Tesvich to forfeit all assets obtained with proceeds of the fraud scheme, including property in Smyrna, Ga.; Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; and Mobile, Ala. Tesvich pleaded guilty to the charges on June 30, 2008.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: From October 2002 through October 2007, Tesvich participated in a conspiracy to defraud Home Depot by taking kickbacks from vendors seeking to do business with Home Depot, paying kickbacks to fellow employees to further that scheme while he worked for Home Depot and continuing to pay kickbacks to his former colleagues when he left Home Depot to further the interests of those vendors. Tesvich took the payoffs from foreign suppliers/vendors to insure those vendors’ products were chosen for inclusion in Home Depot stores throughout the country. After Tesvich left the company, he gave substantial cash payments—which he called “french fries” and “milkshakes”—to co-conspirator employees at Home Depot. One co-conspirator also received a luxury SUV from Tesvich. This scheme involved payoffs totaling more than $2.5 million.

Tesvich also evaded federal taxes on his corrupt income for tax years 2003 ($212,937 in unpaid taxes); 2004 ($821,981in unpaid taxes); and 2005 ($386,997 in unpaid taxes).

This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the FBI. Home Depot has been cooperating in the ongoing federal investigation.

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Georgia Men Arrested for Impersonating NSA, MI-5 Officials

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, announces the following arrests yesterday at Alpharetta, Georgia:

Louis Joseph Aprile, age 49, of Alpharetta, Georgia, was arrested June 9, 2009, along with Michael Garveigh, age 45, of Roswell, Georgia. Aprile is being charged with violation of 18 USC 912, Impersonation of a Government Official, while Garveigh is being charged with violation of 18 USC 915, Impersonation of a Foreign Official.

The arrests of both Aprile and Garveigh by the FBI came after the two met with members of the Alpharetta Police Department as part of a scheme to recover funds allegedly on behalf of the U.S. Government from two locations, one in Alpharetta, Georgia and one in Marietta, Georgia. As part of this scheme, both individuals solicited law enforcement assistance from both the Alpharetta Police Department and the Marietta Police Department with Mr. Aprile allegedly misrepresenting himself as an agent of the National Security Agency (NSA) while his associate, Mr. Garveigh, a citizen of the United Kingdom, allegedly misrepresenting himself as a member of MI-5 (British Intelligence). Both individuals began meeting with representatives of these police departments approximately two weeks ago, stating that they were attempting to put together a counter-terrorism task force and were recruiting officers to work on this task force. During these meetings, Aprile and Garveigh briefed the law enforcement representatives of two locations that, according to them, held terrorism related money which needed to be recovered. As a caveat to this scheme, the law enforcement representatives were told not to contact the FBI regarding their efforts. Their efforts, however, did generate suspicion and the FBI was appropriately contacted.

Mr. Aprile and Mr. Garveigh had their initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Atlanta, Georgia on Wednesday, June 10, 2009.

The above are merely allegations and the public is reminded that all persons are innocent until proven guilty.

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Defendant Found Guilty of Conspiracy to Support Terrorists

After a bench trial held last week in the Northern District of Georgia, U.S. District Judge William S. Duffey, Jr., announced today that Syed Haris Ahmed, 24, has been found guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.

"This case has never been about an imminent threat to the United States, because in the post-9/11 world we will not wait to disrupt terrorism-related activity until a bomb is built and ready to explode," said David E. Nahmias, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. "The fuse that leads to an explosion of violence may be long, but once it is lit - once individuals unlawfully agree to support terrorist acts at home or abroad - we will prosecute them to snuff that fuse out. This investigation is connected to arrests and convictions of multiple terrorist supporters in Atlanta and around the world - all before any innocent people were killed. I commend the agents, prosecutors, and support staff who have worked so hard for so long to gather and present the evidence that led to today's guilty verdict."

"This prosecution underscores the importance of international and domestic cooperation in combating terrorism," said David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security. "The agents, analysts and prosecutors involved in this case and in related investigations around the world deserve a special thanks for their efforts."

"Protecting the United States from terrorist attacks is the highest priority of every FBI employee," said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Gregory Jones. "Working with our law enforcement and intelligence community partners, the FBI was fortunate enough to have disrupted and dismantled a group whose stated goal was to provide support to those engaged in terrorism. I would like to thank the men and women of the Atlanta Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) who, for over a year and a half, painstakingly pursued this defendant and others as they conspired and devised ways to achieve their dangerous goals. The conviction in this case validates the FBI's approach that we do not need to wait, nor should we wait, for an individual to be caught with his hands on a bomb before we recognize and respond to the threat."

According to U.S. Attorney Nahmias and the evidence presented during the trial:

Ahmed is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Pakistan and raised in Marietta and Dawsonville, Ga. At trial, the government presented evidence that, beginning in late 2004 and early 2005, Ahmed unlawfully agreed (conspired) with others to provide material support to terrorists engaged in violent jihad. The evidence indicated that the material support consisted of: (1) Ahmed and other individuals who would provide themselves as personnel to engage in violent jihad, and (2) property, namely, video clips of symbolic and infrastructure targets for potential terrorist attacks in the Washington, D.C., area, including the United States Capitol, which were taken by Ahmed and his principal alleged co-conspirator and then sent to "the jihadi brothers" abroad.

At trial, the government presented evidence that Ahmed and his co-conspirators used the Internet to develop relationships and maintain contact with each other and with other supporters of violent jihad in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and elsewhere. In support of the conspiracy, in March 2005 Ahmed traveled with his principal co-conspirator to Toronto, Canada, to meet with other co-conspirators and discuss their plans to travel to Pakistan in an effort to attend a paramilitary training camp operated by a terrorist organization, as well as potential targets for terrorist attacks in the United States.

In April 2005, Ahmed and his principal co-conspirator traveled to the Washington, D.C., area to take the casing videos, which the government's evidence showed they made to establish their credentials with other violent jihad supporters as well as for use in violent jihad propaganda and planning. Ahmed's co-conspirator sent several of the video clips to Younis Tsouli, a/k/a "Irhabi007" (Arabic for "Terrorist 007"), a propagandist and recruiter for the terrorist organization Al Qaeda in Iraq, and to Aabid Hussein Khan, a/k/a "Abu Umar," a facilitator for the Pakistan-based terrorist organizations "Lashkar-e-Tayyiba" and "Jaish-e-Mohammed." Both Tsouli and Khan have since been convicted of terrorism offenses in the United Kingdom.

The government also presented evidence at trial that in July 2005, Ahmed traveled from Atlanta to Pakistan in an unsuccessful attempt to enter a training camp and ultimately engage in violent jihad. After returning to Atlanta to resume his studies at Georgia Tech in August 2005, Ahmed expressed regret at his failure to join violent jihadists, conducted internet research on topics such as high explosives and evading surveillance, and discussed his intent to make another attempt to enter a violent jihad training camp.

In March 2006, however, Ahmed was approached by FBI agents and agreed to a series of voluntary, non-custodial interviews over the course of eight days. Amid efforts to deny his illegal activities and mislead the agents, Ahmed made increasingly incriminating statements. Efforts by the FBI to obtain Ahmed's cooperation in the ongoing international terrorism investigation ended after the FBI discovered that Ahmed was surreptitiously contacting his principal co-conspirator, who was then in Bangladesh, to advise him of the FBI investigation and to warn him not to return to the United States. The conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists did not result in any known acts of terrorism.

Ahmed was arrested in Atlanta on March 23, 2006, on the original indictment in this case, which charged him with one count of material support of terrorism. He has been in custody since that time. The initial indictment was unsealed and publicly announced on April 20, 2006, after the arrest of the alleged principal co-conspirator in Bangladesh. Superseding indictments added three additional charges.

Ahmed recently waived his right to a jury trial on the conspiracy charge of the second superseding indictment (Count One) and agreed to have the verdict decided by the Court. The other three counts were severed. The bench trial was held on June 1-4, 2009, and the Court then took the verdict under advisement until today.

Judge Duffey delivered the guilty verdict in open court, but sealed his written findings supporting the verdict until the completion of the jury trial of a related case against the alleged principal co-conspirator, which is scheduled to begin on August 3, 2009. Judge Duffey set a hearing for tomorrow, June 11, at 11:00 a.m., for anyone interested in being heard on the sealing of the findings supporting the guilty verdict.

Ahmed could receive a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release up to life, and a fine of up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. A sentencing date will be set after the completion of the alleged co-conspirator's trial.

This case is being investigated by agents and officers of the Atlanta Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), which is led by the FBI, Atlanta Division.

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Georgia Amber Alert

The State of Georgia issued the Amber Alert Wednesday morning (6-10) after the girl was abducted in Lawrenceville on Tuesday (6-9). The suspect may be headed to Houston Texas and has threatened to kill the child. Lawrenceville is approximately 35 miles north east of Atlanta.

Ingrid Reyes a 4 year old Hispanic female, 3', 30 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair. She has straight, shoulder length hair and was last seen wearing pajama bottoms and a pink Barbie T-shirt.

The suspect is Alejandro Humberto Guzman, an Hispanic male, 29 years old, 5' 10", 180 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. His hair is short on top and long on the sides. He usually wears a blue baseball cap with a "T" on it.

The suspect vehicle is a gray 1993 Honda Accord with Texas tag number NCK 136

Anyone with information is asked to call the Gwinnett County Police Department at 770-513-5000 or dial 911. More information may be available at http://codeamber.c.topica.com/maam9EiabQSAtbLmA6JbafpLR8/

Child Predator Arrested in Georgia

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Gregory Jones, FBI Atlanta, announces, on behalf of the Conasauga Safe Streets Task Force, the following arrest at Walker County, Georgia:

On Thursday, June 4, 2009, Robert Lee Ervin, age 39, of Sweetwater, Tennessee, was arrested by FBI Agents and Task Force Officers on state charges of child pornography and criminal attempt-child exploitation related to his attempt to have sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl. Ervin had been engaged in a series of Internet chats with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Ervin traveled to Walker County, Georgia from Tennessee to meet with this “minor child” and was subsequently arrested.

Ervin is currently being detained at the Walker County, Georgia Detention Facility.

The Conasauga Safe Streets Task Force consists of federal agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and officers from the Whitfield Sheriff’s Office, Dalton Police Department, and Calhoun Police Department.

The public is reminded that all persons are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Seeking Information in Armed Bank Robbery

Gregory Jones, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Atlanta Division, along with the Dekalb County Police Department, are requesting the assistance of the public regarding information concerning the armed robbery Friday, June 5, 2009, at the Ironstone Bank, located inside of the Kroger grocery store, located at 3871 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia.

At approximately 10:20 a.m. this morning, a lone black male entered the above bank and brandished a black semi automatic handgun while calmly announcing a bank robbery. The robber waited patiently while he ordered the teller to pull money from multiple teller drawers at the bank. The robber, after spending an extended period of time at the bank branch, departed the bank without further incident, having obtained an undisclosed amount of money.

It is believed that this individual is also responsible for the 4/6/09 armed robbery of a Metro Atlanta area Suntrust Bank, located inside of a Publix grocery store.

The robber was described as follows:

Race: Black
Sex: Male
Age: 30's
Hgt: 6'0" -6'2"
Build: Medium
Misc: bright yellow construction type gloves, bright yellow construction helmet, dark framed prescription glasses, black semi auto handgun

Anyone with information regarding these robberies should contact the Atlanta office FBI at tel. (404) 679-9000.

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Head of English Language School Pleads Guilty to Immigration Fraud Conspiracy

SONGWOO SHIM, 47, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, pleaded guilty June 4 in federal district court to conspiracy to encourage and induce aliens to reside unlawfully in the United States, to manufacture fraudulent immigration and government identification documents, and to make false statements under oath on applications submitted to the Department of Homeland Security, Student and Exchange Visitors Program.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, "This defendant quickly pleaded guilty, and for good reason. The investigation clearly showed that he fraudulently obtained approval from the Department of Homeland Security to operate an English language school, by submitting an application that contained false statements and that was supported by fraudulent documents. Then he used the school as a front for his real business: manufacturing and selling fraudulent immigration documents to dozens of so-called 'students,' most of whom never attended the school, and who were not legally entitled to remain in the United States. Now he will face federal prison."

Kenneth Smith, Special Agent in Charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Atlanta said, "ICE strives to protect the integrity of our immigration system from those who attempt to abuse it by detecting and dismantling these fraud schemes. Disrupting these types of operations is crucial to stopping dangerous criminals and even potential terrorists from fraudulently entering the U.S. and obscuring their identities. ICE is committed to continue working with its law enforcement partners to identify arrest and prosecute those who violate our laws. Those who engage in illegal activity should know that we will hold them accountable for their actions."

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: SHIM submitted a fraudulent I-17 petition to the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), supported by letters supposedly issued by three educational institutions of higher learning. SEVP is the DHS program that provides approval and oversight to schools authorized to enroll nonimmigrant students. Non-accredited educational institutions seeking SEVP certification must submit letters from three institutions that are accredited by the United States Department of Education stating that the institutions have accepted transfer credits unconditionally on behalf of the students. The three letters submitted by SHIM in support of the I-17 petition for HLLC were forged or fraudulently obtained without the knowledge of the accredited institutions that supposedly issued the letters. In July 2006 DHS awarded SEVP-approved status to Humana Language Learning Center in Duluth, which SHIM managed and operated, based on the fraudulent I-17 petition he submitted.

After SHIM fraudulently obtained SEVP certification for Humana Language Learning Center, he and other individuals acting in concert with him, or at his direction, began facilitating the issuance of F-1 student visas to foreign-born individuals who were not eligible for those visas. Shim, or persons acting at his direction, manufactured and provided false documents, including resumes, school transcripts, diplomas, financial plans and statements, and I-94 forms, to the aliens to be used in support of applications for F-1 nonimmigrant student status. Shim maintained document labs with computer equipment and files, first in an apartment in Alpharetta and then at an apartment in Duluth, where the fraudulent documents were manufactured. Although Humana Language Learning Center reported to DHS that it had enrolled hundreds of students, the vast majority of the aliens who obtained F-1 status never attended Humana Language Learning Center. SHIM charged the aliens thousands of dollars, purportedly as "tuition" payments, but actually for the fraudulent documents he provided them for the purpose of obtaining F-1 status.

SHIM was indicted in April 2009. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. He could receive a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 10, 2009, at 2p.m., before United States District Judge Charles A. Pannell, Jr.

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Pimp Who Claimed To Be Modeling Agent Sentenced to Prison

THELENIOUS REED, a/k/a "Anthony Thomas," 35, of Mansfield, Texas, was sentenced June 4 by United States District Court Judge Orinda D. Evans to serve 6 years in prison on charges of transporting a victim interstate to work as a prostitute, and persuading, inducing, enticing and coercing a victim to travel across state lines to work as a prostitute.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, "The use of internet websites like 'Craigslist' to facilitate the sexual exploitation of vulnerable young women is a growing problem. Fortunately, the efforts of federal and local law enforcement agencies in this case have freed this victim, and another young woman, from the emotional, psychological and physical harm caused by sex trafficking."

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Greg Jones said, "The many websites and 'peer to peer' internet sites that provide much utility and enjoyment for our youth can also be used by selfish criminals as a conduit to this unassuming, unaware youth. Today's sentencing serves as an example of not only the perils facing young women on the internet, but also of the ability and determination of law enforcement to step into the cyber-arena to combat such criminal activity."

REED was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison. There is no parole in federal system. He pleaded guilty to the charges on February 2, 2009.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias, and information presented in court: On July 2, 2008, FBI special agents conducted an undercover operation in College Park, Georgia, involving the pimping of underage girls. The investigation began with information one agent saw on an erotic services internet site on "Craigslist" in the Atlanta, Georgia, area, that contained an advertisement for a young woman later identified as the victim. A topless picture of the victim was posted that listed her age as 19 years. However, the agent believed the victim to be younger than age 19. The agent then arranged a date for commercial sex with the victim for July 2, 2008, at a hotel in College Park, Georgia.

When the victim arrived at the hotel for the date, she agreed to be interviewed by the agent, who learned that she was actually 18-years old; that she was transported by REED from her home in Pennsylvania, on June 26, 2008, in his truck; and that REED persuaded her to travel with him because REED told her he was a modeling agent. REED was arrested minutes later sitting inside his truck in the parking lot of the hotel.

The victim told the FBI that after REED picked her up and transported her from her home in Pennsylvania, REED told her that she would be required to engage in sex acts with men to pay for photo shoots and travel expenses. REED then photographed the victim topless in a hotel room, and subsequently placed those pictures on "Craigslist" and other websites advertising erotic services. REED then caused the victim to engage in commercial sex acts with men, for which she was paid $200 - $400. She gave all the money to REED.

The victim then had to travel with REED to Virginia, where REED picked up another young woman from a Greyhound Bus station. This young woman traveled with the victim, REED, and REED's girlfriend from Virginia to the Atlanta area. Upon their arrival in the Atlanta area on June 30, 2008, REED arranged for the victim to engage in more commercial sex acts. Following his arrest, the agents discovered that REED also posted images, in the erotic services section of the "Craigslist" website, of his girlfriend and the other young woman traveling with REED and the victim.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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TSA Authorization Passes House of Representatives With Important Flight Attendant Security Provisions

/PRNewswire / -- The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) today hailed the United States House of Representatives for passing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Authorization -- with flight attendant security training included -- by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of 397 - 25. The bill, H.R. 2200 authorizes flight attendants to complete no less than five hours of hands-on self defense security training every two years. Currently, comprehensive flight attendant self defense training is strictly voluntary.

"Since the day after 9-11, AFA-CWA has demanded enhanced security and self defense training in order to provide flight attendants with the effective tools needed to increase safety and security onboard the aircraft," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. "Over the past seven years, the federal government has focused on cockpit security, but little has been done to protect flight attendants. This self defense language, if enacted into law, will finally provide all flight attendants with the training to protect themselves and the traveling public.

The TSA Authorization also calls for a study of wireless communication devices that can be used by flight attendants to discreetly communicate among flight crew. The study will evaluate current technology available and assess which would benefit flight attendants the most.

"The current, voluntary self defense training provides a decent foundation, but it is important that all flight attendants are equipped with the knowledge and experience to protect themselves, as well as the integrity of the cabin. A flight attendant should not have to worry whether their flying partners have had the same training, should a situation arise. By incorporating this self defense training and other existing security training programs as part of flight attendant recurrent training, flight attendants will further enhance their role as safety and security professionals," said Friend.

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Producer of Child Pornography Sentenced to Over 10 Years

TERRILL MARION CRANE, 47, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced May 29 by United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. to serve over 10 years in federal prison for producing child pornography.

United States Attorney David E. Nahmias said, “This defendant sexually exploited many young girls in Atlanta over the course of almost a decade. His crimes are unforgivable, as is the fact that when a citizen provided strong evidence of the crimes to the Atlanta Police in 2003, the investigation was squelched and the defendant's police-sergeant wife was tipped off and destroyed evidence. We commend the Atlanta Police officers who later advised the FBI about the case, and the FBI for promptly bringing to justice this serial sexual exploiter of children. He is off the streets and where he belongs - in federal prison for many years.”

CRANE was sentenced to 10 years, 1 month in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. CRANE pleaded guilty to charge of producing child pornography on January 22, 2009.

According to United States Attorney Nahmias and the information presented in court: Beginning in 1999, CRANE approached numerous young girls in the Atlanta area and attempted to solicit them for sexual favors in exchange for cash. In most cases, CRANE took photos or directed photos to be taken of the sexual activity. In 2003, CRANE's wife, who was then a Sergeant with the Atlanta Police Department, got a call from an unidentified person at APD Headquarters advising that APD had photographs of her husband in the sexual activity. CRANE's wife said she found and burned some of the photographs. Even after that, CRANE’s sexual activity with young females, continued. In October 2007, APD officers advised the FBI of photographic evidence involving 11 girls, most of them middle school age, which had been provided to APD by a film development store in 2000.

After the FBI agents began investigating the case, and with the assistance of the APD, on November 20, 2007, FBI agents executed a federal search warrant for CRANE's Atlanta residence on Beecher Road. Agents found undeveloped film, including some from disposable cameras, later shown to be CRANE engaged in sexual activity with the girls, including two additional girls, and nude photos of some of the girls alone. Some of the girls in the photos found at CRANE's residence have still not been identified. CRANE claimed to agents that some of the girls in the photographs were 20 years old, but several of the identified victims were minors at the time of the sexual activity and photographs and others appear to be minors. Some of the photos depicting young girls seized from CRANE's residence are identical to some of the photographs initially provided to APD in 2000.

Anyone with victim information is asked to call the FBI at 404-679-9000.

This case is being brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, the Attorney General launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices around the country, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI with assistance from the Atlanta Police Department.

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FBI Releases Preliminary Annual Crime Statistics for 2008

According to the FBI's Preliminary Annual Uniform Crime Report released today, the nation experienced a 2.5 percent decrease in the number of violent crimes and a 1.6 percent decline in the number of property crimes for 2008 compared with data from 2007. The report is based on information that the FBI gathered from 12,750 law enforcement agencies that submitted six to 12 comparable months of data to the FBI for both 2007 and 2008.

Violent Crime

* In 2008, all four of the violent crime offense categories declined nationwide compared with data from 2007. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter declined 4.4 percent, aggravated assault was down 3.2 percent, forcible rape decreased 2.2 percent, and robbery decreased 1.1 percent.

* Violent crime declined in all city groups. Those cities with populations of 250,000 to 499,999 saw the greatest decline in violent crime (4.0 percent). Violent crime in nonmetropolitan counties decreased 3.3 percent and in metropolitan counties declined 2.5 percent.

* Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter dropped 9.1 percent in cities with 100,000 to 249,999 in population. However, in cities with populations less than 10,000, murder and nonnegligent manslaughter increased 5.5 percent.

* Cities with 250,000 to 499,999 inhabitants experienced the greatest decline in forcible rapes at 4.4 percent; cities under 10,000 in population showed the only rise in forcible rapes at 1.4 percent. Forcible rape offenses decreased 7.3 percent in nonmetropolitan counties, but increased 0.6 percent in metropolitan counties.

* Although robbery overall showed a decrease, cities with populations less than 25,000 showed increases in robbery. Robberies also increased in both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, 0.7 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.

* Aggravated assault decreased in all city groups. Cities with 250,000 to 499,999 inhabitants experienced the greatest decrease at 6.0 percent. Aggravated assaults declined in both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, 3.9 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.

* Violent crimes decreased in all four regions of the country in 2008. However, slight increases in murder were reported in the Northeast (0.7 percent) and in the Midwest (0.4 percent). The Northeast also showed increases of 2.5 percent for forcible rape and 0.3 percent in robbery.

Property Crime

* Nationwide, burglaries were the only property crime to show an increase (1.3 percent) in 2008 compared with 2007 data. Larceny-thefts were down 0.6 percent, and motor vehicle thefts declined 13.1 percent.

* Property crimes decreased in all city groupings. Cities with 250,000 to 499,999 inhabitants had the greatest decrease in property crimes with a decline of 5.1 percent. Property crimes decreased 0.9 percent in nonmetropolitan counties but increased 0.2 percent in metropolitan counties.

* Burglary offenses increased 3.3 percent in cities with 500,000 to 999,999 persons. Burglaries also increased in both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties, 2.1 percent and 1.0 percent, respectively.

* Larceny-theft increased 0.5 percent in the nation’s largest cities (one million and over in population) but decreased in all other city groups. In metropolitan counties, larceny-thefts rose 1.4 percent but in nonmetropolitan counties declined 1.2 percent.

* For motor vehicle theft, declines occurred in all population groupings. Cities with 250,000 to 499,999 inhabitants experienced the greatest decline at 16.8 percent.

* Three of the nation’s four regions had decreases in property crimes in 2008 when compared with data from 2007. The greatest decrease in 2008 was in the West, where property crimes were down 4.2 percent. In the Northeast, however, property crimes increased 1.6 percent.

Arson

* Arson offenses, tracked separately from other property crimes, decreased 3.9 percent nationwide. But law enforcement agencies in cities 250,000 to 499,999 in population recorded the only increase in arson (2.1 percent). Arson offenses declined in all four regions in 2008. The largest decrease (5.9 percent) was in the West.

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