HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., June 30 - The Sears Blue Appliance Crew(TM) is helping Nebraska residents access the $1,711,000 in rebates available for ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances beginning July 6 until funds are exhausted, as part of the "Cash for Appliances" rebate program. As the 2010 ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year, Sears has revamped its website, Sears.com/energystar to include even more tools to help Americans learn about ENERGY STAR, search for rebates and credits, find the right appliance and dispose of the old one properly, and take small steps to make a big difference. In an effort to help Nebraska residents better manage the rebate process, the Sears site also includes an interactive map, energy savings rebate calculator and information about ENERGY STAR products that qualify for the state rebates so customers can quickly and easily identify their favorite brands and models that are available for in-store purchase.
"At Sears, we're always looking for ways to make it easier and more affordable for Americans to swap out their old, inefficient appliances for new, ENERGY STAR models," said Doug Moore, president of Home Appliances for Sears. "This rebate money will go quickly, so we encourage our customers in Nebraska to take advantage of the stimulus plan as early as possible to ensure access to the state funds."
Under the U.S. Department of Energy-approved appliance rebate plan for Nebraska, residents are eligible for rebates from $100 to $200(I) at Sears. In order to qualify, residents are required to replace their old appliances with new, ENERGY STAR qualified models and must submit proof of purchase within 30 days. In addition, Nebraska residents must purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances from registered retailers, such as Sears, and "self-certify" replacement of their old units in order to qualify for the following rebates:
-- $150 for dishwashers (less than or equal to 307 kilowatt hours per
year and less than or equal to 5.0 gallons per cycle)
-- $100 for clothes washers (Tier I)
-- $200 for clothes washers (Tier II)
-- $200 for refrigerators (20% above Federal Standard)
Nebraska residents are also eligible for rebates on energy-efficient, whole-house heating and cooling systems including gas and propane furnaces, heat pumps and central air conditioners. Residents who are interested in purchasing these systems can visit Sears.com/energystar for a complete listing of qualifying products and available rebates, or call Sears Home Services at 1-800-766-6298 to arrange an in-home appointment.
"Sears is proud to be the first retail member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, which demonstrates our continued commitment to improving the environment through responsible appliance disposal," Moore said. "Not only are we helping the environment by reducing emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases, but we are also making it easier for customers, like those in Nebraska, to dispose of their old appliances responsibly."
Through the RAD(II) program, the Sears Home Delivery Haul Away Service provides removal of one old, inefficient appliance for each new appliance purchased and delivered. Once the old appliance is removed, Sears and its partners ensure that the disposal process takes place in an environmentally friendly manner to avoid the discarding of appliances in landfills. Many of the components of the old appliance are then recycled.
For Nebraska residents interested in purchasing energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, the Sears Blue Appliance Crew will assist shoppers from start to finish. They can:
-- Provide information about which appliances qualify for state rebates
in store and online at Sears.com/energystar
-- Help shoppers find rebates - searching by product category and
customer's zip code
-- Submit rebates for purchases electronically, before they leave the
store
-- Provide customers with the documentation required in order to receive
state rebates
-- Remove customers' old appliances and dispose of them in a responsible
manner through the Sears RAD program
Sears recently introduced a new initiative called "The Big Switch," to help families make the switch to five million ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. The Big Switch is aimed at helping families remove and recycle millions of inefficient appliances from the energy grid for good and saving families more than $2,500 on their utility bills(III). Sears is also launching a new website, searsbigswitch.com, where customers can take the Sears ENERGY STAR Pledge and learn more about how they can help reduce their energy and water consumption and reduce their impact on the environment.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
North Carolina MS-13 Members Sentenced to Prison for Role in Racketeering Conspiracy
WASHINGTON, June 30 - Seven members of the gang known as La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, were sentenced to prison Tuesday for their participation in a racketeering enterprise, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins for the Western District of North Carolina.
All seven defendants were sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. of the Western District of North Carolina.
-- Heverth Ulises Castellon, aka "Misterio" and "Sailor," was sentenced
to 240 months in prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Jaime Sandoval, aka "Pelon," was sentenced to 222 months in prison and
five years of supervised release;
-- Jose Efrain Ayala-Urbina, aka "Peligroso," was sentenced to 168 months
in prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Santos Canales-Reyes, aka "Chicago," was sentenced to 144 months in
prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Alexi Ricardo Ramos, aka "Pajaro," was sentenced to 108 months in
prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Mario Guarjardo-Garcia, aka "Speedy," "Iran Guerrero-Gomez," and "Luis
Angel Galindo," was sentenced to 94 months in prison and five years of
supervised release; and
-- Nelson Hernandez-Ayala, aka "Sixteen," was sentenced to 42 months in
prison and three years of supervised release.
"These prison sentences send a strong message that participating in a gang like MS-13 will have serious consequences," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. "The Department of Justice and our partners in state and local law enforcement will continue aggressively to prosecute and seek significant prison sentences for individuals who participate in violent, criminal organizations."
"The impact of gang-related criminal activities on a community like Charlotte is a major concern of law enforcement and residents. The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with our law enforcement partners, pledges to continue with our swift and thorough response to gangs who persist as substantial threats to our public safety," said U.S. Attorney Tompkins.
On May 18, 2010, four other MS-13 members were sentenced to prison for their participation in the same conspiracy.
-- Yelson Olider Castro-Licona, aka "Diablo," was sentenced to 75 months
in prison and three years of supervised release;
-- Oscar Manuel Moral-Hernandez, aka "Truchon," was sentenced to 34
months in prison and three years of supervised release;
-- Manuel Cruz, aka "Silencioso," was sentenced to 27 months in prison
and three years of supervised release; and
-- Javier Molina, aka "Big Psycho" and "Gringo," was sentenced to time
served and three years of supervised release.
All 11 defendants previously pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy (RICO) charge, admitting that they conspired to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity with others involved in the MS-13 gang in the Western District of North Carolina and elsewhere from approximately 2003 until July 27, 2009. This activity included murder, robbery, extortion, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and various federal firearms violations.
The RICO count to which all eleven defendants pleaded guilty charged that each defendant, along with others, were involved in the MS-13 gang throughout North Carolina, including Mecklenburg, Guilford, Wake, and Durham counties, and elsewhere. According to court documents, each of the individuals was required to complete an initiation process, often referred to as being "jumped in" or "beat in," in order to join MS-13. Court documents further describe that each member engaged in criminal activity and was sometimes required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang, including violence against rival gangs. Gang members were responsible for preserving and protecting the power, territory, reputation and profits of the gang through the use of intimidation, violence, threats of violence, assaults and murder.
The RICO conspiracy charge was part of an indictment originally returned by a federal grand jury in Charlotte, N.C., in June 2008. The indictment charged 26 members of MS-13 with conspiring to participate in the affairs of a racketeering enterprise and the related criminal charges. Six of the 26 members were convicted in January 2010 by a federal jury in Charlotte of criminal charges including the RICO conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, assault, cocaine trafficking and numerous related federal firearms offenses. Those six defendants are currently in federal custody awaiting sentencing.
According to the indictment, the MS-13 gang is a violent international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador. The purpose of the racketeering enterprise and conspiracy was to preserve and protect the power, territory and profits of the MS-13 enterprise through violent assault, murder, threats of violence and intimidation.
On April 19, 2010, a federal jury found Alejandro Enrique Ramirez Umana guilty of the RICO count; two counts of murder in aid of MS-13; two counts of murder resulting from the use of a gun in a violent crime; possession of a firearm by an illegal alien; one count of extortion; and two criminal counts associated with witness tampering or intimidation. On April 28, 2010, the federal jury voted unanimously to impose the death penalty against Umana. Umana is also currently in federal custody awaiting a July 27, 2010, formal sentencing hearing.
The long-term investigation was initiated by the FBI's North Carolina "Safe Streets" Gang Task Force when a witness came forward with information about the violent operations of a single MS-13 cell operating out of the Charlotte area. The Task Force is composed of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and the Gastonia, N.C., Police Department. The FBI's MS-13 National Gang Task Force played a significant role in coordinating the international aspects of the investigation, and additional critical assistance was provided by the Transnational Anti-Gang (TAG) Center. Additional investigative support was provided by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Greensboro Police Department and the Durham Police Department. Substantial assistance has been afforded by the U.S. Marshals Service for the Western District of North Carolina. The investigation of the wide-sweeping enterprise resulted in the prosecution of 26 MS-13 members. Eighteen of the defendants have pleaded guilty to the RICO conspiracy in the indictment. Eleven of those defendants have now been sentenced and seven other defendants who have pleaded guilty await sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Zolot, Jill Rose and Adam Morris from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Western District of North Carolina, and Trial Attorney Sam Nazzaro from the Criminal Division's Gang Unit.
All seven defendants were sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. of the Western District of North Carolina.
-- Heverth Ulises Castellon, aka "Misterio" and "Sailor," was sentenced
to 240 months in prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Jaime Sandoval, aka "Pelon," was sentenced to 222 months in prison and
five years of supervised release;
-- Jose Efrain Ayala-Urbina, aka "Peligroso," was sentenced to 168 months
in prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Santos Canales-Reyes, aka "Chicago," was sentenced to 144 months in
prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Alexi Ricardo Ramos, aka "Pajaro," was sentenced to 108 months in
prison and five years of supervised release;
-- Mario Guarjardo-Garcia, aka "Speedy," "Iran Guerrero-Gomez," and "Luis
Angel Galindo," was sentenced to 94 months in prison and five years of
supervised release; and
-- Nelson Hernandez-Ayala, aka "Sixteen," was sentenced to 42 months in
prison and three years of supervised release.
"These prison sentences send a strong message that participating in a gang like MS-13 will have serious consequences," said Assistant Attorney General Breuer. "The Department of Justice and our partners in state and local law enforcement will continue aggressively to prosecute and seek significant prison sentences for individuals who participate in violent, criminal organizations."
"The impact of gang-related criminal activities on a community like Charlotte is a major concern of law enforcement and residents. The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with our law enforcement partners, pledges to continue with our swift and thorough response to gangs who persist as substantial threats to our public safety," said U.S. Attorney Tompkins.
On May 18, 2010, four other MS-13 members were sentenced to prison for their participation in the same conspiracy.
-- Yelson Olider Castro-Licona, aka "Diablo," was sentenced to 75 months
in prison and three years of supervised release;
-- Oscar Manuel Moral-Hernandez, aka "Truchon," was sentenced to 34
months in prison and three years of supervised release;
-- Manuel Cruz, aka "Silencioso," was sentenced to 27 months in prison
and three years of supervised release; and
-- Javier Molina, aka "Big Psycho" and "Gringo," was sentenced to time
served and three years of supervised release.
All 11 defendants previously pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy (RICO) charge, admitting that they conspired to participate in a pattern of racketeering activity with others involved in the MS-13 gang in the Western District of North Carolina and elsewhere from approximately 2003 until July 27, 2009. This activity included murder, robbery, extortion, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and various federal firearms violations.
The RICO count to which all eleven defendants pleaded guilty charged that each defendant, along with others, were involved in the MS-13 gang throughout North Carolina, including Mecklenburg, Guilford, Wake, and Durham counties, and elsewhere. According to court documents, each of the individuals was required to complete an initiation process, often referred to as being "jumped in" or "beat in," in order to join MS-13. Court documents further describe that each member engaged in criminal activity and was sometimes required to commit acts of violence to maintain membership and discipline within the gang, including violence against rival gangs. Gang members were responsible for preserving and protecting the power, territory, reputation and profits of the gang through the use of intimidation, violence, threats of violence, assaults and murder.
The RICO conspiracy charge was part of an indictment originally returned by a federal grand jury in Charlotte, N.C., in June 2008. The indictment charged 26 members of MS-13 with conspiring to participate in the affairs of a racketeering enterprise and the related criminal charges. Six of the 26 members were convicted in January 2010 by a federal jury in Charlotte of criminal charges including the RICO conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, assault, cocaine trafficking and numerous related federal firearms offenses. Those six defendants are currently in federal custody awaiting sentencing.
According to the indictment, the MS-13 gang is a violent international criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from El Salvador. The purpose of the racketeering enterprise and conspiracy was to preserve and protect the power, territory and profits of the MS-13 enterprise through violent assault, murder, threats of violence and intimidation.
On April 19, 2010, a federal jury found Alejandro Enrique Ramirez Umana guilty of the RICO count; two counts of murder in aid of MS-13; two counts of murder resulting from the use of a gun in a violent crime; possession of a firearm by an illegal alien; one count of extortion; and two criminal counts associated with witness tampering or intimidation. On April 28, 2010, the federal jury voted unanimously to impose the death penalty against Umana. Umana is also currently in federal custody awaiting a July 27, 2010, formal sentencing hearing.
The long-term investigation was initiated by the FBI's North Carolina "Safe Streets" Gang Task Force when a witness came forward with information about the violent operations of a single MS-13 cell operating out of the Charlotte area. The Task Force is composed of the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and the Gastonia, N.C., Police Department. The FBI's MS-13 National Gang Task Force played a significant role in coordinating the international aspects of the investigation, and additional critical assistance was provided by the Transnational Anti-Gang (TAG) Center. Additional investigative support was provided by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, as well as the Greensboro Police Department and the Durham Police Department. Substantial assistance has been afforded by the U.S. Marshals Service for the Western District of North Carolina. The investigation of the wide-sweeping enterprise resulted in the prosecution of 26 MS-13 members. Eighteen of the defendants have pleaded guilty to the RICO conspiracy in the indictment. Eleven of those defendants have now been sentenced and seven other defendants who have pleaded guilty await sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Zolot, Jill Rose and Adam Morris from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Western District of North Carolina, and Trial Attorney Sam Nazzaro from the Criminal Division's Gang Unit.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Nexus Technologies and 3 Employees Plead Guilty to Paying Bribes to Vietnamese Officials
Company Agrees to Cease Operations and Dissolve
WASHINGTON, March 17- Nexus Technologies Inc., a Philadelphia-based export company, pleaded guilty today in connection with a conspiracy to bribe officials of the Vietnamese government in exchange for lucrative contracts to supply equipment and technology to Vietnamese government agencies, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Michael L. Levy for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Janice K. Fedarcyk, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Field Office. The president and owner of the company, Nam Nguyen, and his siblings and fellow Nexus personnel, Kim Nguyen and An Nguyen, also pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Savage in connection with the conspiracy.
Nexus; Nam Nguyen, 54, of Houston and Vietnam; Kim Nguyen, 41, of Philadelphia; and An Nguyen, 34, of Philadelphia, were charged in a superseding indictment on Oct. 30, 2009, with conspiracy, violations of the FCPA, violations of the Travel Act in connection with commercial bribes and money laundering. Nexus pleaded guilty today to all the charges filed against the company in the superseding indictment. Nam and An Nguyen each pleaded guilty to conspiracy, a substantive FCPA violation, a violation of the Travel Act and money laundering. Kim Nguyen pleaded guilty to conspiracy, a substantive FCPA violation and money laundering. Former Nexus partner Joseph T. Lukas pleaded guilty on June 29, 2009, to conspiracy and to violating the FCPA.
According to court documents, Nexus was a privately-owned export company that identified U.S. vendors for contracts opened for bid by the Vietnamese government and other companies operating in Vietnam. The contracts allowed for the purchase of a wide variety of equipment and technology, including underwater mapping equipment, bomb containment equipment, helicopter parts, chemical detectors, satellite communication parts and air tracking systems. According to court documents, Nam Nguyen negotiated the contracts and bribes with the Vietnamese government agencies and employees. Kim Nguyen, vice president of Nexus, oversaw the U.S. operations and handled company finances. An Nguyen identified U.S. vendors to supply the goods needed to fulfill the contracts.
In connection with the guilty pleas, Nexus and the Nguyens admitted that from 1999 to 2008 they agreed to pay, and knowingly paid, bribes in excess of $250,000 to Vietnamese government officials in exchange for contracts with the agencies and companies for which the bribe recipients worked. The defendants admitted that the bribes were falsely described as "commissions" in the company's records. In pleading guilty, Nexus also acknowledged that, as a company, it operated primarily through criminal means and agreed to cease operations as a condition of the guilty plea.
At sentencing, scheduled for July 13, 2010, Nexus faces a maximum fine of $27 million. Nam and An Nguyen each face a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison. Kim Nguyen faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kathleen M Hamann of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The case was investigated by the Philadelphia and New Jersey field offices of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement.
The Justice Department acknowledges and expresses its appreciation for the assistance provided by the authorities of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
WASHINGTON, March 17- Nexus Technologies Inc., a Philadelphia-based export company, pleaded guilty today in connection with a conspiracy to bribe officials of the Vietnamese government in exchange for lucrative contracts to supply equipment and technology to Vietnamese government agencies, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Michael L. Levy for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Janice K. Fedarcyk, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Field Office. The president and owner of the company, Nam Nguyen, and his siblings and fellow Nexus personnel, Kim Nguyen and An Nguyen, also pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Savage in connection with the conspiracy.
Nexus; Nam Nguyen, 54, of Houston and Vietnam; Kim Nguyen, 41, of Philadelphia; and An Nguyen, 34, of Philadelphia, were charged in a superseding indictment on Oct. 30, 2009, with conspiracy, violations of the FCPA, violations of the Travel Act in connection with commercial bribes and money laundering. Nexus pleaded guilty today to all the charges filed against the company in the superseding indictment. Nam and An Nguyen each pleaded guilty to conspiracy, a substantive FCPA violation, a violation of the Travel Act and money laundering. Kim Nguyen pleaded guilty to conspiracy, a substantive FCPA violation and money laundering. Former Nexus partner Joseph T. Lukas pleaded guilty on June 29, 2009, to conspiracy and to violating the FCPA.
According to court documents, Nexus was a privately-owned export company that identified U.S. vendors for contracts opened for bid by the Vietnamese government and other companies operating in Vietnam. The contracts allowed for the purchase of a wide variety of equipment and technology, including underwater mapping equipment, bomb containment equipment, helicopter parts, chemical detectors, satellite communication parts and air tracking systems. According to court documents, Nam Nguyen negotiated the contracts and bribes with the Vietnamese government agencies and employees. Kim Nguyen, vice president of Nexus, oversaw the U.S. operations and handled company finances. An Nguyen identified U.S. vendors to supply the goods needed to fulfill the contracts.
In connection with the guilty pleas, Nexus and the Nguyens admitted that from 1999 to 2008 they agreed to pay, and knowingly paid, bribes in excess of $250,000 to Vietnamese government officials in exchange for contracts with the agencies and companies for which the bribe recipients worked. The defendants admitted that the bribes were falsely described as "commissions" in the company's records. In pleading guilty, Nexus also acknowledged that, as a company, it operated primarily through criminal means and agreed to cease operations as a condition of the guilty plea.
At sentencing, scheduled for July 13, 2010, Nexus faces a maximum fine of $27 million. Nam and An Nguyen each face a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison. Kim Nguyen faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kathleen M Hamann of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The case was investigated by the Philadelphia and New Jersey field offices of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement.
The Justice Department acknowledges and expresses its appreciation for the assistance provided by the authorities of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Teamsters Urge Passage of Jason's Law
Hoffa Supports Rep. Tonko Bill To Create More Rest Areas for Tired Truckers
WASHINGTON, March 17- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today announced the Teamsters' support for Jason's Law, which would help alleviate the shortage of parking for tired long-haul truckers.
The bill is named after Jason Rivenburg, a long-haul truck driver who was murdered last year after he stopped to rest at an abandoned gas station in South Carolina. A news conference was scheduled today by the bill's sponsor, Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Jason Rivenburg's widow Hope.
"For many of our members, the highway is their workplace and we want to make sure it's safe," Hoffa said. "It's unusual for Teamsters to sleep in their trucks because they're covered by a good union contract, but if they do get tired they should have a safe place to pull over. And tired truckers pose as much of a threat to Teamster drivers as they do to the rest of the driving public.
"Whether it's keeping dangerous Mexican trucks off the highway or making sure tired drivers have a protected place to rest, safety is a top priority for us."
Hoffa thanked Rep. Tonko and Rep. Erick Paulsen, R-Minn., for sponsoring the legislation.
The bill, H.R. 2156, would authorize funds for constructing safe new rest areas where commercial truckers can park. It would also help pay for expansion and safety improvements at existing rest areas.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced a companion bill (S.971) in the U.S. Senate.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
WASHINGTON, March 17- Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa today announced the Teamsters' support for Jason's Law, which would help alleviate the shortage of parking for tired long-haul truckers.
The bill is named after Jason Rivenburg, a long-haul truck driver who was murdered last year after he stopped to rest at an abandoned gas station in South Carolina. A news conference was scheduled today by the bill's sponsor, Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Jason Rivenburg's widow Hope.
"For many of our members, the highway is their workplace and we want to make sure it's safe," Hoffa said. "It's unusual for Teamsters to sleep in their trucks because they're covered by a good union contract, but if they do get tired they should have a safe place to pull over. And tired truckers pose as much of a threat to Teamster drivers as they do to the rest of the driving public.
"Whether it's keeping dangerous Mexican trucks off the highway or making sure tired drivers have a protected place to rest, safety is a top priority for us."
Hoffa thanked Rep. Tonko and Rep. Erick Paulsen, R-Minn., for sponsoring the legislation.
The bill, H.R. 2156, would authorize funds for constructing safe new rest areas where commercial truckers can park. It would also help pay for expansion and safety improvements at existing rest areas.
Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced a companion bill (S.971) in the U.S. Senate.
Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents more than 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Georgia Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Pornography
WASHINGTON, March 17 - Jeffrey Alan Wasley of Kennesaw, Ga., pleaded guilty today to production of child pornography related to surreptitiously videotaping young boys using public restrooms in Atlanta-area establishments, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia Sally Quillian Yates.
Wasley, 38, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper to producing child pornography. According to court documents and information presented at today's plea hearing, Wasley was a church youth counselor and former performing magician who stalked young boys in retail stores and children's attractions. When Wasley observed young boys entering a restroom unaccompanied by an adult, he admitted he would also enter and secretly videotape the boys.
In July 2008, Wasley victimized five and seven year-old brothers in the men's restroom of a store in Kennesaw, according to information filed with the court and discussed at the plea hearing. These boys reported Wasley's conduct to their mother, who in turn notified store security. According to court documents, store security and Cobb County police were able to identify a likely suspect from store surveillance footage. When store security observed this same individual in the store several days later, they followed him to his car and noted his car's tag number, which was linked to Wasley. A subsequent search of Wasley's home yielded a computer containing six videos Wasley admitted he produced of boys in public restrooms, along with thousands of additional images of child pornography that Wasley had downloaded from the Internet.
Sentencing has been scheduled for June 10, 2010. At sentencing, Wasley faces a minimum mandatory prison term of 15 years, a maximum term of 30 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and the possibility of a lifetime period of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Cobb County Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert McBurney and Francey Hakes of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Andrew McCormack of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
Wasley, 38, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper to producing child pornography. According to court documents and information presented at today's plea hearing, Wasley was a church youth counselor and former performing magician who stalked young boys in retail stores and children's attractions. When Wasley observed young boys entering a restroom unaccompanied by an adult, he admitted he would also enter and secretly videotape the boys.
In July 2008, Wasley victimized five and seven year-old brothers in the men's restroom of a store in Kennesaw, according to information filed with the court and discussed at the plea hearing. These boys reported Wasley's conduct to their mother, who in turn notified store security. According to court documents, store security and Cobb County police were able to identify a likely suspect from store surveillance footage. When store security observed this same individual in the store several days later, they followed him to his car and noted his car's tag number, which was linked to Wasley. A subsequent search of Wasley's home yielded a computer containing six videos Wasley admitted he produced of boys in public restrooms, along with thousands of additional images of child pornography that Wasley had downloaded from the Internet.
Sentencing has been scheduled for June 10, 2010. At sentencing, Wasley faces a minimum mandatory prison term of 15 years, a maximum term of 30 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and the possibility of a lifetime period of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Cobb County Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert McBurney and Francey Hakes of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Andrew McCormack of the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section.
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