FBI’s Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending September 17, 2010

1. New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Long Island Man with Engaging in Hawala Activity That Funded Attempted Times Square Bombing

Mohammad Younis was charged with operating an unlicensed money transfer business between the United States and Pakistan. One of the money transfers allegedly facilitated the May 1, 2010, attempted car bombing in New York City’s Times Square. There are no allegations, however, that Younis was aware of the intended use of the funds. Full Story

2. Newark: 53 Defendants Charged in Coordinated Identity Theft and Fraud Takedown

Fifty-three individuals were charged in connection with widespread, sophisticated identity theft and fraud, including 43 individuals charged with participating in one large-scale criminal enterprise. Full Story

3. Baltimore: MS-13 Gang Leader Sentenced for Racketeering Offenses, Including the Murder of a Witness

Juan Carlos Moreira was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise known as MS-13, conspiring to and committing murder in aid of racketeering, witness tampering murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering. Full Story

4. New York: Manhattan U.S. Attorney Announces Additional Charges against Two U.S. Citizens Alleged to Have Provided Material Support to al Qaeda

Additional terrorism charges were filed against Wesam El-Hanafi and Sabirhan Hasanoff for allegedly providing material support, including money and computer assistance, to al Qaeda. Full Story

5. Philadelphia: Former Liquor Enforcement Officer Sentenced for Extortion

Gina Marie Kepler, a former state police liquor enforcement officer, was sentenced to three years in prison for Hobbs Act Extortion. Full Story

6. Chicago: West Suburban Man Sentenced for Swindling 75 Victims in Ponzi Scheme

Matthew Scott was sentenced to 10 years in prison for swindling some 75 victims, many of whom lost their retirement funds and life savings. He lured victims to invest approximately $28 million over nine years in a business that he falsely represented. Full Story

7. Boston: Corporate Executive Pleads Guilty to Role in Illegal Campaign Contribution Scheme and Witness Tampering

Martin Raffol pled guilty to engaging in a scheme to conceal from the Federal Election Commission illegal public campaign contributions made to federal campaign committees and to witness tampering. Full Story

8. Little Rock: “Operation Hog Wild” Leads to Indictment of 25 Individuals

Arrests were made from 18 indictments involving drugs and firearms offenses. The indictments stemmed from Operation Hog Wild, which charged 25 defendants with federal firearm and illegal narcotics-related charges. Full Story

9. Minneapolis: Larry Reynolds Sentenced for His Role in Petters’ $3.7 Billion Ponzi Scheme

Larry Reynolds was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison on one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Reynolds assisted businessman Tom Petters in orchestrating a $3.7 billion Ponzi scheme. Full Story

10. St. Louis: Former Hayti Heights Police Chief Sentenced to for Social Security Fraud

Vernis Farmer was sentenced to 21 months in prison on one felony count of making a false statement to obtain Social Security disability benefits, and two felony counts of concealing information from the Social Security Administration. Full Story