Serbian-Hungarian Dual Citizen Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court To Multi-Million Dollar Business Email Compromise Scheme

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that DEJAN MEDIC pled guilty to participating in a business email compromise scheme that stole over $3.7 million from 15 victim companies in the United States and Europe. MEDIC pled guilty to one count of wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Gregory Woods, to whom his case is assigned.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As he admitted in court today, Dejan Medic participated in a scheme to defraud Americans, and others worldwide, from thousands of miles away. Medic’s plea today should serve as a warning to those who think they can victimize others and hide behind the anonymity of the internet at a safe distance: the United States and its international partners will find you and hold you accountable.”      

According to the Indictment and other documents filed in the case, including the defendant’s statements under oath during his guilty plea:

From in or about July 2018, until approximately March 2019, the defendant engaged in a business email compromise scheme that used fraudulent phone calls and spoofed email accounts to obtain money from at least 15 victim businesses in the United States (the “Victim Companies”).  The scheme was typically initiated through a telephone call placed to the U.S.-based Victim Company from a European telephone number.  During this call, the caller posed as either a senior executive or a board member of the Victim Company’s Europe-based parent company.  During the call, the caller requested the Victim Company’s assistance with a purportedly urgent wire transfer of funds regarding purported debts of the parent company.  After the call, the Victim Company then received an initial follow-up email from an email address with a domain name that was either the same, or misleadingly similar to, the Victim Company’s foreign parent company email—a process known as email “spoofing.”  The members of the scheme would continue conversations using the spoofed and other email accounts regarding the payment of the alleged debt by the Victim Company’s European parent.  The members of the scheme then provided wire transfer information and worked to fraudulently induce the Victim Company into wiring funds to accounts controlled by a member of the scheme.

At least 15 Victim Companies suffered a total loss of approximately $3.7 million through the course of the scheme.  In addition, the investigation revealed that the scheme also attempted to obtain approximately $6.8 million in additional fraudulent payments from U.S.-based Victim Companies that were unsuccessful. 

As part of the scheme, at least several Victim Companies were fraudulently induced to send funds directly to Hungarian bank accounts opened and controlled by MEDIC.  In addition, some of the Victim Companies sent proceeds to other European bank accounts that were converted to gold.  Thereafter, on or about April 27, 2019, MEDIC was arrested by Hungarian authorities attempting to cross the border into Serbia in possession of, among other things, three serialized gold bars that were proceeds of the fraud scheme.

 MEDIC, 49, a resident of Szabadk, Serbia, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum prison term of 20 years. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Williams praised the FBI for their outstanding investigative work on this case.

The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in the investigation and securing the extradition of MEDIC from Hungary.

Alessandra Biaggi - Please let me explain

Friend —

In just a moment, I am going to ask you to become one of the first contributors to my campaign for Congress. Please give me a chance to explain why this request is so important.

When I first started talking about running for State Senate against a longtime, powerful incumbent, people said I wouldn’t have a chance.

But I looked at the leadership around the state, and I wasn’t able to see the type of leader I wanted, or that our communities deserved.

I am so proud of the work we have done in the State Senate, including codifying legal abortion as well as passing significant tenant protections and landmark climate change legislation.

But now, I want to take our fight to Congress — because there just aren’t enough representatives who prioritize the needs and the concerns of working people of ALL backgrounds and from ALL communities. We don’t just need to elect Democrats — we need to elect good Democrats.

That’s why I am running.

But this time, we aren’t going to be able to take corporate special interests who would love to beat someone like me by surprise.

That is why this Founding Donor drive is so important. It’s not even just about how much money we raise, but how many donations we receive toward our goal.

Thank you again for everything. It’s been an amazing twenty-four hours since we launched. Let’s keep it going.

Alessandra. 

Editor's Note: 

We omitted the part asking for a donation as we do on all such materials we receive, when we put them up on this blog.

Honduran National Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez Sentenced To Life In Prison And Ordered To Forfeit $151.7 Million For Distributing Tons Of Cocaine And Related Firearms Offenses

 

Fuentes Ramirez Conspired with High-Ranking Honduran Politicians and Members of the Honduran Military and National Police to Operate a Cocaine Lab in Honduras and Distribute Cocaine Using Air and Maritime Routes

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that GEOVANNY FUENTES RAMIREZ was sentenced today to life in prison for cocaine-importation and weapons offenses.  A jury convicted FUENTES RAMIREZ in March 2021 after a two-week trial.  The sentence was imposed by the Honorable P. Kevin Castel, who also presided over the trial.   

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez was convicted of importing tons of cocaine into the United States and protecting his illicit drug business with machineguns. In committing his narcotics crimes, Fuentes Ramirez bribed high-ranking Honduran officials and was responsible for brutal acts of violence and murder. Fuentes Ramirez’s path of destruction, both in violence and flooding the United States with cocaine, has finally come to an end, and he will now spend his life in federal prison.”

As reflected in the Superseding Indictment, public filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

Beginning in or about 2009, FUENTES RAMIREZ and others established and operated a cocaine laboratory in the Cortés Department of Honduras, where they produced hundreds of kilograms of cocaine each month.  FUENTES RAMIREZ worked with others to receive cocaine shipments sent to Honduras over air and maritime routes, and to transport cocaine that he produced at the laboratory.  FUENTES RAMIREZ provided security for the facility, and for the transportation of cocaine, using heavily armed workers and Honduran police and military personnel.  On several occasions between approximately 2010 and 2013, FUENTES RAMIREZ helped arrange or directly participated in drug-related violence.  In or about 2012, for example, after FUENTES RAMIREZ’s cocaine laboratory was raided by law enforcement, FUENTES RAMIREZ beat and tortured a law enforcement official who FUENTES RAMIREZ believed to have been involved in the investigation of the laboratory.  FUENTES RAMIREZ murdered the officer by shooting him in the head with what FUENTES RAMIREZ described as “mercy shots.”  FUENTES RAMIREZ also furthered his drug trafficking operation by bribing high-ranking Honduran officials.  

In addition to the prison term, FUENTES RAMIREZ, 52, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit, New York Strike Force, and Tegucigalpa Country Office, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.  Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating Covid-19 - FEBRUARY 8, 2022

 

Lowest Statewide Cases per 100k 7-Day Average Since November 30

Fewest Hospitalizations Since December 26

Fewest Patients in ICU Since December 20

71 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"We are improving in terms of lower positive cases, hospitalizations, and infection rates statewide," Governor Hochul said. "We cannot let our guard down now. Those who have yet to get their vaccine, their second dose, or their booster shot should do so as soon as possible. It's safe, effective, free, and widely available throughout the state. Keep your loved ones safe and healthy by utilizing the best tools at our disposal."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 99,004
• Total Positive - 4,281
• Percent Positive - 4.32%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.36%
• Patient Hospitalization - 5,019 (-50)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 425
• Patients in ICU - 790 (-24)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 426 (-26)
• Total Discharges - 277,916 (+345)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 71
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 53,789

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 67,553

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.

• Total vaccine doses administered - 36,246,761
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 33,556
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 311,783
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 82.3%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 84.9%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 80.4%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 70.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 80.5%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 72.3%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 88.0%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 74.6% 

North Carolina Man Arrested on Charges For Assault on Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

 

Defendant Accused of Assaulting Police With Metal Flagpole

 A North Carolina man was arrested today for assaulting law enforcement during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Matthew Jason Beddingfield, 21, of Middlesex, North Carolina, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers using a dangerous weapon or inflicting bodily injury, civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, and related offenses. He was arrested in Smithfield, North Carolina, and will make his initial appearance tomorrow in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, at approximately 12:58 p.m., Beddingfield jumped over a barricade and charged towards a group of U.S. Capitol Police officers who were near the scaffolding that had previously been erected outside the southwest side of the building. A crowd surrounded the officers. At approximately 1:06 p.m., Beddingfield attacked the officers, jabbing at them with a metal flagpole he brought with him. Soon thereafter, he can be seen throwing a metal rod at law enforcement. He remained on the restricted grounds, moving about, before entering the Capitol at approximately 2:38 p.m. through a door on the Capitol’s Upper West Terrace.

Once inside the Capitol, Beddingfield made his way to the Great Rotunda before joining a group of rioters who attempted to storm the Senate Wing. He was towards the front of the rioters and once again, appeared to use his metal flagpole to strike or attempt to strike law enforcement officers. He and the other rioters returned to the Great Rotunda after a chemical irritant was deployed. He continued walking around the Capitol and entered the office of at least one Congressperson before finally leaving the Capitol at approximately 3:07. Beddingfield spent approximately 30 minutes inside the Capitol and about two hours on the restricted grounds.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Charlotte Field Office’s Raleigh Resident Agency, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

In the one year since Jan. 6, more than 725 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 225 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

 An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Former Godfather Of Black Stone Gorilla Gang Pleads Guilty To Racketeering, Narcotics, And Firearms Offenses

Alexander Arguedas Admits Participation in December 2012 Murder of Gary Rodriguez 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS, a/k/a “Reckless,” pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman in connection with his role as a Godfather of the Black Stone Gorilla Gang (“BSGG”), a violent Bloods street gang whose members and associates had engaged in murders, assaults, robberies, narcotics trafficking, fraud, and witness tampering.  ARGUEDAS also admitted that he participated in the December 9, 2012 murder of Gary Rodriguez.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “For years, Alexander Arguedas stood at the top of a violent gang that flooded the streets of New York City with violence, drugs, shootings, assaults, and murder.  Now, Arguedas faces significant prison time for his crimes and the harm he inflicted on the community, including his role in murdering Gary Rodriguez.  We continue our daily work with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe and to vigorously investigate acts of gang violence.”

As alleged in the Indictment and statements made in open court:

ALEXANDER ARGUEDAS, a/k/a “Reckless,” was previously one of the Godfathers of the Black Stone Gorilla Gang, a racketeering enterprise that operated principally in the New York City metropolitan area and in the jails and prisons of New York City and the State of New York.  In order to enrich the enterprise, preserve and protect the power of the enterprise, and enhance its criminal operations, BSGG members and associates committed, conspired, attempted, and threatened to commit acts of violence, including murder and assaults; distributed and possessed with intent to distribute narcotics; committed robberies; engaged in bank fraud and wire fraud; and obtained, possessed, and used firearms.  BSGG members also evaded prosecution by law enforcement authorities through acts of intimidation and violence against potential witnesses to crimes committed by the gang.

On December 9, 2012, ARGUEDAS shot and killed Gary Rodriguez in the vicinity of 3089 Decatur Avenue in the Bronx, New York.  

ARGUEDAS, 32, of the Bronx, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life; narcotics conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of life and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison; and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of life and a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.  ARGUEDAS will be sentenced before Judge Rakoff later this year.

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by Judge Rakoff.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the New York City Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Mr. Williams also thanked Homeland Security Investigations and the New York City Department of Corrections for their assistance in the investigation.

Governor Hochul Announces Another Record Year for State Parks in 2021

Statewide Attendance Climbs More Than 427,000, Niagara Falls Leads the Way

Governor’s Executive Budget Includes $200 Million for State Park Upgrades to Welcome Surging Visitation

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York's State parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails welcomed a record-setting 78.4 million visits in 2021, continuing the robust level of visitation seen since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"From Niagara Falls to Montauk Point, our State Parks and Historic Sites are a treasure that every New Yorker should be able to enjoy," Governor Hochul said. "During the pandemic, parks and public spaces have become more important than ever -- providing New Yorkers with safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces for gatherings and recreation. New York was proud to welcome a record-setting number of visitors to our State Parks last year, and we look forward to modernizing our parks system as we approach its historic 100th anniversary in 2024."

Total visits statewide increased in 2021 by more than 427,000, driven by a dramatic rebound of more than three million visitors at Niagara Falls State Park compared to 2020, when international border tourism was curtailed due to COVID-19 protocols. More than nine million visitors went to Niagara Falls State Park last year.

State Park attendance has been steadily climbing, rising 41 percent since 2008. In addition to the total attendance, State Parks also set a new record for 2021 overnight visitation at campgrounds, with campsite, cabins and cottages booked for more than 787,000 nights.

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “I am grateful that even more people decided they wanted to go to our State Parks and Historic Sites in 2021, even as other recreation options were becoming more available to them. New York has invested significantly in recent years to make its facilities world-class and even more improvements are coming.” 

Governor Hochul’s proposed FY 2023 budget includes $200 million in capital funding for State Parks, an 80 percent increase from the current level, to enhance the NY Parks 100 capital initiative. Governor Hochul announced one such project – the creation of a new State Park at the High Falls area of downtown Rochester – in her State of the State address in January. Another new State Park is being created in the city of Kingston and is expected to open to the public later this year.

Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “With more travelers increasingly looking for new ways to experience the outdoors, our world class State Parks system offers visitors unparalleled opportunities. I LOVE NY proudly encourages travelers from around the state, nation and world to include our parks, trails, historic sites and campgrounds as part of their next getaway and come be a part of all.” 

Major Parks projects completed since the onset of the pandemic included a renovation of the swimming pool at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Westchester County, the opening of a first-of-its kind Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park, expansion of Niagara Falls State Park to improve access to the Niagara Gorge by removing a section of the former Robert Moses Parkway, creation of a new Visitor Center at Minnewaska State Park Preserve, the opening of the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center, and an expanded Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

NY Parks 100 will focus on creating places to recreate locally, relieving overcrowded parks, welcoming new visitors, and protecting New York State's environmental and historic legacy. This new plan will ensure people from all communities and across all ages and abilities can fully experience our outdoors, our culture, and our heritage.

Governor Hochul has also proposed a $4 billion “Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act” that will be on the ballot in November 2022. If approved by voters, the act would boost funding for climate change mitigation, restoration and flood risk reduction projects, and other environmental protection programs.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 78 million people annually.  For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518.474.0456. Also, connect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

New York Man Arrested on Civil Disorder and Other Charges Related to Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

 

Defendant Accused of Pulling Open Door to Let Rioters Inside

  A New York man was arrested today on civil disorder and other charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Eric Gerwatowski, 31, of New Hyde Park, New York, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with civil disorder, a felony, and related charges. He was arrested in New Hyde Park and will make his initial appearance today in the Eastern District of New York.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, Gerwatowski was at the front of a crowd just outside the Upper House Doors. U.S. Capitol Police were attempting to close these doors to prevent further rioters from getting into the building. Gerwatowski pulled open one of the doors that the Capitol Police had just closed. Two officers were standing directly inside and had just tried to secure the entrance, in plain sight to Gerwatowski and others. Once he pulled open the door, Gerwatowski turned to the crowd and yelled, “Let’s go!.” He directed more rioters inside and went in, too.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

The case is being investigated by the FBI New York Field Office’s Long Island Resident Agency, and the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which identified Gerwatoski as #244 in its seeking information photos.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police.

In the one year since Jan. 6, more than 725 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 225 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

An indictment or complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.