Associate of Former Fall River Mayor Sentenced for Extorting Marijuana Vendors and Making False Statements

BOSTON – An associate and co-conspirator of the recently convicted former Mayor of Fall River, Jasiel F. Correia II, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for extortion and lying to federal agents about his role in assisting Correia to obtain money and property from local marijuana vendors.

Hildegar Camara, 60, of Fall River, who testified during Correia’s trial, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to three years of probation, including 18 months of home confinement, and 150 hours of community service per year. In September 2019, Camara pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion conspiracy, two counts of extortion and two counts of false statements.

Camara conspired with Correia and others to obtain cash bribes and other payments from local marijuana vendors in exchange for non-opposition letters and community host agreements. Correia, as Mayor, was solely responsible for approving all non-opposition letters in Fall River. Camara facilitated the bribe payments between two marijuana vendors and Correia in return for non-opposition letters.

On May 14, 2021, Correia was convicted by a federal jury of nine counts of wire fraud, four counts of filing false tax returns, four counts of extortion conspiracy and four counts of extortion. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 20, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell; Ramsey E. Covington, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Christina Scaringi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Regional Office; and Glenn A. Cunha, Massachusetts Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Hafer and David Tobin of Mendell’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case.