Day: August 30, 2023

Franklin Township, Middlesex County, Somerset, South Brunswick

More Than a Dozen Charged in a Violent Crime Conspiracy That Includes Armed Carjacking, Armed Robbery

This case was investigated by the ATF, FBI, United States Marshal Service, with substantial assistance from Franklin Township (NJ), Jersey City (NJ), Paterson (NJ), Middlesex County (NJ), South Brunswick (NJ), Woodbridge (NJ) —

June 10, 2022: Virani Jewelers in Iselin, NJ;

October 25, 2022: Paradise Jewelry Store, in Paterson, NJ;

December 22, 2022: Chintamanis Inc., in Franklin Park, NJ;

August 30, 2023

WASHINGTON – A superseding indictment was unsealed today charging 16 alleged members (named below) of a violent crime ring that committed multiple armed carjackings, armed robberies, money laundering, and firearms offenses. Federal law enforcement arrested eight defendants this morning; the remaining defendants were previously arrested. Charges include conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce (known as Hobbs Act) robbery, interference with interstate commerce by robbery, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit carjacking, and conspiracy to engage in monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

            The case was announced by United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai with the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg, of the FBI Washington Field Office’s (Criminal and Cyber Division), Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy, of the FBI’s Newark Field Office, Marshal Peter Marketos, of the United States Marshals Service, and Acting Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            According to the indictment, between January 7, 2022, through January 27, 2023, the defendants conspired in the District of Columbia to commit robberies in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida. The robberies targeted jewelry stores owned by Asian Americans. Disguised in dark clothing, masks, and gloves, armed with a gun, one or more of the defendants used various vehicles, including stolen vehicles, to commit and flee from the robberies, including:

            January 7, 2022: Yasini Jewelers in E. Falls Church, VA;

            June 10, 2022: Virani Jewelers in Iselin, NJ;

            September 20, 2022: Sonia Jewelers & Boutique, in Springfield, VA;

            October 25, 2022: Paradise Jewelry Store, in Paterson, NJ;

            November 10, 2022: Baral Jewelers & Gifts, in Harrisburg, PA;

            November 27, 2022: Sara Emporium Jewelry & Boutique, in Springfield, VA;

            December 6, 2022: Kishek Jewelers, in Jacksonville, FL;

            December 22, 2022: Chintamanis Inc., in Franklin Park, NJ;

            January 27, 2023: Princess Diamonds, in Falls Church, VA.

            The indictment further alleges that William Hunter, a/k/a “Ill Will,” conspired to commit carjackings between September 11, 2022 and October 22, 2022, with others. Defendants Wright, Avery Fuller, a/k/a “Deavry Cordell Fuller,” William Hunter, and Franklin Hunter, a/k/a “Gino,” conspired to launder the proceeds of the stolen property.

            “This indictment alleges a conspiracy to engage in a violent armed robbery spree involving commercial establishments throughout the Eastern Seaboard,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “One defendant is also charged with conspiracy to commit carjacking as part of the spree, and others are charged with laundering the proceeds from the robberies. With an increasing number of robbery schemes that cross state lines, collaborative operations like this one are critical to holding accountable those who threaten the safety of our communities.”

            “It is devastating that firearm-related violence such as the crimes committed throughout this investigation have become so prevalent within our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig Kailimai. “We will continue collaborating with our law enforcement partners by holding those individuals who seek to harm innocent people accountable for their actions.”

            “The defendants targeted small businesses along the East Coast, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry from hardworking families,” said Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg. “For the past 20 months, the FBI worked with our partners across state lines to connect the defendants to these heists. Today’s indictment is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and the commitment we all share to eradicating violent crime.”

            “We allege these suspects took part in take-over style armed robberies meant to terrify and overwhelm store owners and employees,” said FBI-Newark Special Agent in Charge James Dennehy. “Many of the victim businesses are family owned and operated and lost large sums of inventory. The alleged violent and reckless actions of the subjects are astounding; they gave no thought to the people who could have been seriously injured or even killed. We have a message for criminals out there right now who believe these smash and grab robberies work in their favor because they mistakenly believe no one will hold them accountable. That’s not the case here – and it won’t be the case in the future. FBI Newark and our law enforcement partners will make sure if we can charge something federally, we will make that happen.”

            “I want to thank the detectives from MPD and the other agencies involved for their tireless work on this case. This is a prime example of how we, as law enforcement partners, come together as one to hold people accountable for committing crimes in the District of Columbia,” said Acting Chief of Police Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. “While this investigation took time, the message is clear: If you choose to recklessly disregard public safety in D.C., we, collectively as law enforcement partners, will do everything to find you and hold you accountable.”

NAMEAGEADDRESSCHARGES
Andrew Smith aka “Drewso” or “Drew” 29 MarylandHobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Antonio Tate, aka “Motion” or “T-Motion” 20 Washington, D.C.Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery 
Avery Fuller, aka “Ace”, “Fully”, or “Fully Ace” 28 Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Davon Johnson, aka “Yb”30Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Decarlos Hill, aka “Los”29MarylandHobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Delonte Martin, aka “DD”25Washington, D.C.Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
Franklin Hunter, aka “Gino” 29 Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Hesham Gomaa45VirginiaHobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Jameise Christian, aka “Safe Play”, “Safety”, or “Safe” 32 Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;Conspiracy to commit carjacking
Jaylaun Brown, aka “Lil Launy”21Washington, D.C.Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery
Keith McDuffie26CaliforniaHobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Robert Sheffield, aka “Real Lifaa”32Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Timothy Conrad, aka “Twin”32Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
Trevor Wright, aka “Taliban Glizzy” 32Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence
William Hunter, aka “Ill Will”28Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence;Conspiracy to commit carjacking
Lamont Marable27Washington, D.C.Hobbs Act Robbery;Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery;Firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence

Federal agents and local law enforcement arrested Smith, Johnson, Hill, Gomaa, Brown, McDuffie, Sheffield, and Conrad this morning; Wright, Hunter, Fuller, Tate, Martin, Brown, Christian, and Marable were already in custody. Search warrants were also executed resulting in the seizure of multiple guns and approximately $300,000 from a safe in one of the residences.

            The superseding indictment also contains a notice of forfeiture and seeks the proceeds of the illegal activities.

            The statutory maximum sentence for conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce (known as Hobbs Act) robbery is 20 years; the statutory maximum sentence of Hobbs Act robbery is 20 years in prison; the crime of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years with a maximum possible sentence of life; the statutory maximum sentence for conspiracy to commit carjacking is five years in prison; the statutory maximum sentence for money laundering is 20 years. A federal judge will determine the appropriate sentence after considering the appropriate sentencing guidelines and other factors.

            This case was investigated by the ATF’s Washington Field Division, the FBI’s Washington and Newark Field Offices, the United States Marshal Service, and the Metropolitan Police Department, with substantial assistance from the police departments of: Fairfax County (VA), Falls Church (VA), Franklin Township (NJ), Jersey City (NJ), Paterson (NJ), Middlesex County (NJ), South Brunswick (NJ), Somerset County (NJ), Woodbridge (NJ), Swatara Twp. (PA), the United States Secret Service-Uniformed Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service-Washington Division. Additional assistance was provided by multiple U.S. Attorney’s Offices including: the District of New Jersey, Eastern District of Virginia, the District of Maryland, the Central District of California, and the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.

            The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sitara Witanachchi and Andy Wang, of the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

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

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Assistant Director in Charge David Sundberg and our partners described the robberies during a press conference today. The defendants allegedly robbed nine jewelry stores in four states, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry at each heist.

Flemington, Hunterdon County

Flemington NJ Man And Northumberland PA Man Admit Conspiring With Twice-Convicted Fraudster To Defraud Investors More Than $35 Million

August 30, 2023

TRENTON, N.J. – Two individuals today admitted conspiring with a twice-convicted fraudster to defraud investors of more than $35 million, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Christopher Anderson, 47, of Flemington, New Jersey, and Richard Curry, 36, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to information charging them with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud. Anderson and Curry admitted conspiring with others, including Eliyahu “Eli” Weinstein, whose 24-year federal prison sentence was commuted after being twice convicted of defrauding investors of a total of $230 million.

“These two defendants admitted scheming with Eli Weinstein and others to rip off investors to the tune of millions of dollars,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “They admitted that this scheme used phony identities and false promises of access to deals involving scarce medical supplies, baby formula, and first-aid kits supposedly destined for wartime Ukraine to defraud their victims. They will now face justice for their crimes, and we will continue to pursue the other alleged conspirators.”

“Anderson and Curry are admitting they took part in a scheme that created millions of dollars in loss for the victims,” FBI – Newark Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy said. “Although it’s not easily understood, scams like this impact people’s lives in a very real way. We’re asking anyone who believes they are a victim or know of an investment that doesn’t pass the smell test, to reach out to us at the Newark FBI. We will do all we can to hold those fraudsters accountable and protect the next potential victim.”

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

Weinstein, Aryeh “Ari” Bromberg, Joel Wittels, Shlomo Erez, and Alaa Hattab were previously charged by complaint with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice based on allegations arising from the same scheme in which Anderson and Curry pleaded guilty today. That complaint remains pending.

Anderson and Curry admitted, among other things, to conspiring with each other, Weinstein, Bromberg, Wittels, Hattab and Erez to make materially false and misleading statements and omissions to investors and potential investors. These statements included actively concealing Weinstein’s identity, history of fraud and role in purported investments, and falsely claiming that investors funds would be used to invest in lucrative deals.

Weinstein was convicted two times in New Jersey federal court for defrauding investors. His first case involved a real estate Ponzi scheme, and his second case stemmed from additional fraud Weinstein committed while on pretrial release. For these crimes, which resulted in combined losses to investors of approximately $230 million, Weinstein was sentenced to serve 24 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. On Jan. 19, 2021, after Weinstein had served less than eight years in prison, the President of the United States at that time commuted Weinstein’s term to time served, leaving intact the rest of his sentence.

Conspiracy to commit securities fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $5 million fine. Sentencing for Anderson is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2024, and for Curry, Jan. 18, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Dennehy, with the investigation leading to the charges in this case. He also expressed appreciation for the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the direction of Antonia Apps, Director of the SEC’s New York Regional Office.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Fayer and Emma Spiro of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

The charges and allegations against Weinstein, Bromberg, Wittels, Erez, and Hattab, are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel:
Anderson: Matthew E. Beck Esq., Roseland, New Jersey
Curry: Charles B. McKenna Esq., Morristown, New Jersey
Weinstein: Ilana Haramati Esq., New York
Bromberg: Ricardo Solano Esq., Newark
Wittels: Irving Cohen Esq., New York
Erez: Christopher Adams Esq., Roseland
Alaa Hattab: Brendan Quigley Esq., New York

Anderson.InformationDownload
Curry.InformationDownload
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Lawrence, Mercer County

Lawrence Township Couple Indicted For Conspiring To Commit Immigration Fraud

August 30, 2023

NEWARK, N.J. – A Mercer County couple was indicted for conspiring to prepare and submit fraudulent asylum applications, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Zuwairul Ameer, aka “Zuwairul Thowfeek,” 61, and Claudette Ameer, aka “Claudette Pieries,” 63, both of Lawrence Township, New Jersey, were both indicted on Aug. 29, 2023, on one count of conspiring to commit immigration fraud and one count of committing immigration fraud.

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

Applicants for asylum in the United States must show that they have suffered persecution in their country of origin on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, or have a well-founded fear of persecution if they were to return to that country. The process requires an application that is reviewed by an asylum officer with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who makes an initial determination whether to grant asylum. If the application has been prepared by someone other than the applicant, the preparer must disclose his or her name and address and must sign the application.

Since at least 2007, Zuwairul Ameer has been in the business of preparing fraudulent asylum application on behalf of his non-citizen clients. Claudette Ameer has managed that business, acting as the primary point of contact for clients, arranging meetings, and mailing completed applications to USCIS. With Claudette Ameer’s assistance, Zuwairul Ameer met with clients, listened to their stories of mistreatment in their countries of origin, and drafted applications on their behalf that were fraudulent because they exaggerated the stories of mistreatment, falsely omitted Zuwairul Ameer’s name as the preparer, or both.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI – New York Field Office, under the direction of Assistant Director in Charge James Smith and immigration officers with of the USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate at the New York Asylum Office, under the direction of Director Patricia Menges, with the investigation.

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

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Webman of the Criminal Division in Newark.

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Defense counsel:
Zuwairul Ameer: Mark G. Davis Esq., Hamilton, New Jersey
Claudette Ameer: Michael R. Rosas Esq., East Brunswick, New Jersey

Ameer.IndictmentDownload
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Edison, Middlesex County

Edison Middle School Teacher Arrested by The Internet Crimes Against Children Unit

August 30, 2023

EDISON, NJ (OCEAN)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Director Robert Hubner of the Woodbridge Police Department announced today, that Julius Coaccioli, 55, an Edison Township Middle School Teacher, has been arrested and charged with third-degree Possession of Child Pornography (under 1000 images).

After receiving a cyber tip from the New Jersey State Police, an investigation was commenced by Detective Ken McGarry of the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and Detective Stephanie Redline of the Special Victim’s Unit of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. As a result of that investigation Coaccioli was charged.

Coaccioli was arrested today, August 30, 2023, without incident at his home in Woodbridge Township.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective McGarry of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3140.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Julius Coaccioli are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.