FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending October 30, 2009

Washington, D.C. October 30, 2009

FBI National Press Office (202) 324-3691

Detroit: Eleven Members/Associates of Ummah Charged with Federal Violations

A federal complaint was unsealed charging Luqman Ameen Abdullah, a.k.a. Christopher Thomas, and 10 others with conspiracy to commit several federal crimes, including theft from interstate shipments, mail fraud to obtain the proceeds of arson, illegal possession and sale of firearms, and tampering with motor vehicle identification numbers. The eleven defendants are members of a group that is alleged to have engaged in violent activity over a period of many years, and known to be armed. Full Story
Louisville: Thirty-Six Indicted on Prescription Pill Charges in Historic Drug Sweep

Indictments were unsealed charging 36 individuals with various federal prescription pill charges as part of the largest drug sweep operation in Kentucky’s history. The defendants allegedly obtained thousands of pills – primarily in Florida – and distributed them in Pike, Johnson, Martin, Magoffin, Fayette, Floyd, and Menifee counties. The United States is seeking the forfeiture of approximately $1 million worth of assets including vehicles, real estate, a boat, and a bank account used to facilitate the illegal activity. Full Story
Chicago: Two Chicago Men Charged in Connection with Alleged Roles in Foreign Terror Plot That Focused on Targets in Denmark

David Coleman Headley and Tahawwur Hussain Rana were arrested on federal charges for their alleged roles in conspiracies to provide material support and/or to commit terrorist acts against overseas targets, including facilities and employees of a Danish newspaper that published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2005. Full Story
Anchorage: Bill Allen and Richard Smith, Former Officers of VECO Corporation, Sentenced for Roles in Alaska Public Corruption Scheme

Bill J. Allen and Richard L. Smith were sentenced for their participation in a corruption scheme in which they provided approximately $395,000 in corrupt payments to public officials from the state of Alaska. Allen, the former chief executive officer of VECO Corporation, was sentenced to 36 months in prison, a $750,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Smith, the former vice president of community and government affairs for VECO Corporation, was sentenced to 21 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. Full Story
New York: Two Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to Hizballah

An indictment was filed charging Patrick Nayyar and Conrad Stanisclaus Mulholland with attempting to provide material support to Hizballah, a designated foreign terrorist organization. The indictment also charges Nayyar with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. Full Story
FBI Headquarters: Fifty-Two Children Rescued During Operation Cross Country IV

The FBI, its local and state law enforcement partners, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children concluded Operation Cross Country IV, a three-day national enforcement action as part of the Innocence Lost National Initiative. The operation included enforcement actions in 36 cities across 30 FBI divisions around the country and led to the recovery of 52 children who were being victimized through prostitution. Additionally, nearly 700 others, including 60 pimps, were arrested on state and local charges. Full Story
Washington Field: D.C. Lobbyist Indicted for Conspiring to Violate Sudanese Sanctions and to Act as Illegal Agent of Sudan

Robert J. Cabelly was indicted for conspiracy to violate the Sudanese sanctions regulations and to act as an unregistered agent of a foreign power, four counts of violating the Sudanese sanctions regulations, as well as one count each of money laundering, passport fraud, and making false statements. Full Story
Sacramento: Second Man Charged in $40 Million Folsom Ponzi Scheme

Kenneth Kenitzer was charged for his role in a massive investment fraud scheme that caused losses of more than $40 million to approximately 150 investors. Kentizer agreed to plead guilty to mail fraud and money laundering charges and to cooperate in the investigation. The government previously charged co-defendant Anthony Vassallo with multiple counts of mail fraud and money laundering on March 20, 2009. Full Story
Portland: Law Enforcement Takes Aim at Gangs in “Operation Gang Strike"

Operation Gang Strike, a 10-month long investigation coordinated by the Metro Gang Task Force, resulted in 24 indictments. The investigation targeted criminal organizations and gang members responsible for dealing firearms and selling large amounts of crack and powder cocaine in the Portland area. Full Story
Cleveland: Members of International Criminal Organization Arrested

Eighteen people were arrested in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Newark, and Chicago for conspiracy to commit fraud and related activity in connection with identification documents and information. In connection with the investigation, seven members of a Ukraine-based criminal organization, including two embassy employees, were officially detained in Ukraine by investigators of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs for violation of Ukrainian laws. Full Story

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FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending October 30, 2009