Category: U.S. Attorney’s Office

Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree Across Southern California

An Arizona man pleaded guilty May 15 in a Riverside federal court to a 2022 armed robbery spree across Southern California and Arizona that ended when he accidentally shot himself after a police chase, authorities said. Samuel Sven Smith, 27, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and two…


12 Federal Cases Filed Against Fentanyl Dealers Who Allegedly Caused Overdose Deaths

LOS ANGELES—Law enforcement officials on May 9 announced a dozen new federal cases targeting fentanyl dealers who—in all but one case—allegedly sold fentanyl and fake pills containing fentanyl that directly resulted in the death of at least one victim. The 12th case charges a person who allegedly distributed fentanyl to teenage girls who suffered overdoses…


Mistrial Declared in Corruption Trial of Former LA Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan

LOS ANGELES—A judge declared a mistrial April 13 in the federal criminal trial of former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Raymond Chan after doctors said Chan’s lead defense attorney would require months to recover from a sudden illness. U.S. District Judge John Walter ordered Chan to retain a new attorney by April 24, and set a…


2 Women Sentenced in San Diego for Part in Nationwide Grandparent Scam

SAN DIEGO—Two women who pleaded guilty to taking part in a nationwide racketeering scam targeting the elderly, which took more than $300,000 from at least 10 San Diego County residents, were sentenced Nov. 17 in San Diego federal court. Anajah Gifford, 24, of North Hollywood, and Tracy Glinton, 35, of Orlando, were sentenced Thursday for…


Man Agrees to Plead Guilty For Allegedly Operating Illegal Casinos

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 47-year-old Fountain Valley man has agreed to plead guilty to federal offenses for operating illegal gambling dens and paying over $100,000 in cash bribes to a Santa Ana Police Department officer to avoid law enforcement scrutiny of his underground casinos, according to a plea agreement filed Oct. 6 in federal court. Niem…


Florida Supreme Court Disciplines 19 Attorneys—Including a Former State Attorney

The Florida Supreme Court recently disciplined 19 attorneys, including a former state’s attorney, the Florida Bar Association announced on May 31. Former state attorney Jeffrey Siegmeister received permanent disciplinary revocation, which involves agreeing to surrender his license rather than contesting the disciplinary charges, according to the association’s senior communications coordinator Leslie Smith. Siegmeister pleaded guilty…


San Diego Man Arrested by Feds, Charged in $28 Million Investment Fraud

SAN DIEGO—A San Diego man has been charged with securities fraud and money laundering for allegedly running an investment fraud scheme that took at least $28 million from investors over the past five years, according to an indictment unsealed Dec. 14. Denny Bhakta, 39, allegedly solicited investments for his companies, Fusion Hotel Management, LLC and Fusion Hospitality Corporation, then…


Irvine Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion

SANTA ANA—An Irvine, Calif., man has agreed to plead guilty to tax evasion for failing to report interest income from his bank accounts in Hong Kong and Singapore, federal prosecutors announced April 13. Jean Guy Minn, 56, a South Korean national who lives in Irvine as a legal permanent resident, was charged April 13 with…