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Posing As Teen To Get Underage Nudes Nets Area Man Decades In Prison Posing As Teen To Get Underage Nudes Nets Area Man Decades In Prison
Posing As Teen To Get Underage Nudes Nets Area Man Decades In Prison After confessing that he posed as a teenager in order to trick underage girls into sending naked pictures, a man from the region will spend decades in prison. Schenectady resident Thomas Ullman, age 47, was sentenced to 25 years behind bars in Albany federal court on Thursday, March 28. It followed his guilty plea to sexual exploitation of a child. Federal prosecutors said Ullman posed as a teenage boy on a dating website for teens and convinced multiple underage girls to text and video chat with him between March 2020 and June 2021. He then instructed the girls, some as young as 13, to en…

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by Michael Mashburn
Police & Fire
Honest Meth Dealer From Region Corrects Federal Agents: ‘21.7 Grams To Be Exact’ Honest Meth Dealer From Region Corrects Federal Agents: ‘21.7 Grams To Be Exact’
Honest Meth Dealer From Region Corrects Federal Agents: ‘21.7 Grams To Be Exact’ You gotta admire his honesty. A Schenectady man is facing years in federal lockup after admitting to selling hard drugs – and correcting agents on the exact amount. Ocyris Morgan, age 36, pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in Albany federal court on Monday, March 4. Prosecutors said a search of Morgan’s Schenectady residence in June 2023 turned up more than 21 grams of methamphetamine, which he admitted he intended to sell. When he overheard federal agents saying they found between one-half and one ounce of the drug, Morgan corrected them, saying…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Thousands Of Child Porn Photos, Videos Found On Area Man's Computer Thousands Of Child Porn Photos, Videos Found On Area Man's Computer
Thousands Of Child Porn Photos, Videos Found On Area Man's Computer A man from the region could spend decades behind bars after being found with thousands of images depicting child sex abuse. Albany County resident Scott Weinbloom, age 49, of Latham, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography in Albany federal court on Thursday, Feb. 1. According to prosecutors, a search of Weinbloom’s Latham residence in May 2022 turned up 1,300 photos and 1,500 videos of child pornography that had been stored on a USB flash drive. Investigators also found two computers that had been used to store and view the illicit images. Weinbloom faces up to 20 years in federal…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19 Fraud: Man From Region Gets Prison Time For $125K Loan Scheme COVID-19 Fraud: Man From Region Gets Prison Time For $125K Loan Scheme
Covid-19 Fraud: Man From Region Gets Prison Time For $125K Loan Scheme After bilking the federal government out of more than $100,000 through a fraudulently obtained loan, a 36-year-old man from the region is heading to prison. Christopher Mozone, of Albany, was sentenced to 3 ½ years behind bars in Albany federal court on Thursday, Aug. 31. It followed his guilty plea to wire fraud stemming from a government loan he received that was meant to help businesses struggling due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to prosecutors, Mozone admitted to obtaining a $124,800 Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the US Small Business Administration (SBA). I…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Child Porn Possession: Sports Hall Of Famer From Region Pleads Guilty Child Porn Possession: Sports Hall Of Famer From Region Pleads Guilty
Child Porn Possession: Sports Hall Of Famer From Region Pleads Guilty A retired teacher and former sports announcer who was inducted into the Westchester Sports Hall of Fame has admitted to receiving child pornography.  Somers resident Richard Leaf, age 74, who is well-known in Westchester for announcing Section 1 boys and girls basketball tournaments for more than three decades, pleaded guilty to a count of receiving child pornography on Thursday, June 29, according to federal court documents.   Earlier Report - Sports Hall Of Famer Identified As Man Accused Of Possessing Child Porn Videos, Images Leaf, who was inducted into the Hal…

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by Ben Crnic
Politics
Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt'
Trio Of Schemes That Led To Santos Arrest Detailed By Feds; Rep Not Resigning Over 'Witch Hunt' Beleaguered New York Rep. George Santos is remaining defiant in the face of numerous federal criminal charges, refusing to resign from Congress and vowing to fight what he decried as a “witch hunt.” The 34-year-old Republican, whose 3rd District represents parts of Nassau County and Queens, pleaded not guilty to all 13 federal charges against him during his arraignment in Central Islip on Wednesday afternoon, May 10. He is charged with: Seven counts of wire fraud Three counts of money laundering Theft of public funds Two counts of making false statements on federal disclosure forms Follo…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
‘Drug Dealer In White Coat’: NY Pharmacist Admits Illegally Distributing Opioids ‘Drug Dealer In White Coat’: NY Pharmacist Admits Illegally Distributing Opioids
‘Drug Dealer In White Coat’: NY Pharmacist Admits Illegally Distributing Opioids A New York pharmacist is facing decades in federal prison after admitting that he made hundreds of thousands of dollars by illegally distributing opioid medications. Long Island resident Daniel Russo, age 44, of the village of Cedarhurst in Nassau County, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiring to distribute and possess oxycodone, in federal court in Brooklyn on Friday, Feb. 17. Federal prosecutors said Russo, who owned and operated Russo’s Pharmacy in Far Rockaway, Queens, conspired with other medical professionals and employees to fill fraudulent prescriptions for oxycod…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud $65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud
$65M Ponzi Scheme: Former NY Hedge Fund Manager Admits To Lending Fraud A former bond trader and hedge fund manager in New York could spend decades in federal prison for defrauding his friends and lending institutions out of over $65 million. Nassau County resident Jeffrey Parket, age 59, of Great Neck, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bank fraud in federal court in Manhattan on Wednesday, Feb. 15. According to the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District, Parket swindled his victims out of millions of dollars between 2016 and December 2021 by lying about his financial condition and pledging fake collateral in order to obtain short-term loans. He claime…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Man Who Attempted To Sexually Abuse 14-Year-Old In Region Sentenced Man Who Attempted To Sexually Abuse 14-Year-Old In Region Sentenced
Man Who Attempted To Sexually Abuse 14-Year-Old In Region Sentenced A man from the region who attempted to sexually abuse an underage minor will spend years in federal prison. Green County resident Thomas “Tommy” Squires, age 37, of Cairo, was sentenced to 10 years behind bars Tuesday, Oct. 25, in federal court in Albany. Squires admitted that between June and August 2020, he exchanged sexually explicit messages with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old and tried getting the “teen” to engage in sexual acts with him, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District. He repeatedly asked the presumed child for naked photos and sent them…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Ex-Owner Of NY Commercial Check Cashing Companies Sentenced For $9.5M Fraud Scheme Ex-Owner Of NY Commercial Check Cashing Companies Sentenced For $9.5M Fraud Scheme
Ex-Owner Of NY Commercial Check Cashing Companies Sentenced For $9.5M Fraud Scheme The former owner of several check cashing businesses in New York is heading to federal prison after admitting to a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme. Long Island resident John Drago, age 58, of Central Islip, was sentenced to four years behind bars Friday, Oct. 21, in federal court in Central Islip. It followed his September 2021 guilty plea to fraud charges, in which he admitted to illegally structuring financial transactions and evading payroll taxes at several of his Long Island businesses. Federal prosecutors said between January 2010 and October 2013, Drago told employees to cash multi…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Man From Region Sentenced For Role In Armed Cocaine Robbery, Smuggling Gun Into Jail Man From Region Sentenced For Role In Armed Cocaine Robbery, Smuggling Gun Into Jail
Man From Region Sentenced For Role In Armed Cocaine Robbery, Smuggling Gun Into Jail A Hudson Valley man who admitted to taking part in an armed cocaine robbery and later smuggling a loaded gun into jail will spend more than two decades in federal prison. Northern Westchester resident Deejay White, age 45, of Chappaqua, was sentenced to 21 years behind bars Thursday, Sept. 22, in federal court in Manhattan. It came over a year after White pleaded guilty in July 2021 to charges of armed robbery, conspiring to smuggle contraband into a federal detention facility, and possession of a firearm while incarcerated. Federal prosecutors said White and four co-conspirators got wind…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
8 NY Members Of Genovese, Bonanno Families Facing Charges, Including PD Detective, Feds Say 8 NY Members Of Genovese, Bonanno Families Facing Charges, Including PD Detective, Feds Say
8 NY Members Of Genovese, Bonanno Families Facing Charges, Including PD Detective, Feds Say Eight New York members of organized crime families, including six from Long Island, are among nine men who have been charged by federal authorities with racketeering and related offenses. The charging documents were unsealed on Tuesday, Aug. 16 in federal court in Brooklyn, naming the suspects, including a Nassau County police detective, from the Bonanno and Genovese organized crime families, said Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s arrests of members from two La Cosa Nostra crime families demonstrate that the Mafia continues to pollut…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Sex Offender From Region Sentenced For Child Pornography Convictions Sex Offender From Region Sentenced For Child Pornography Convictions
Sex Offender From Region Sentenced For Child Pornography Convictions A Capital District man will spend more than a decade in federal prison after copping to child pornography charges. Saratoga County resident Zachary Duchesne, age 27, of Stillwater, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars Friday, July 22, in federal court in Albany. It followed his guilty plea to charges of transporting and possessing child pornography. Federal prosecutors said Duchesne used a Dropbox account to store, possess, and view images that depicted child sex abuse between December 2017 and June 2019. He also admitted to periodically transferring child pornography videos into his Dro…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Man From Region Admits To Attempting To Entice Minor, Get Her To 'Run Away' With Him Man From Region Admits To Attempting To Entice Minor, Get Her To 'Run Away' With Him
Man From Region Admits To Attempting To Entice Minor, Get Her To 'Run Away' With Him A 26-year-old Capital District man who prosecutors say wanted to impregnate a 13-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to federal charges. Rensselaer County resident Brian Botsford, of Troy, appeared in federal court in Albany Monday, July 18, where he formally admitted that he attempted to coerce and entice the teen into engaging in sexual acts with him. Federal prosecutors said that between July and August 2020, Botsford sent sexually explicit text messages to an undercover police officer who was posing as the 13-year-old girl. Botsford repeatedly asked the teen for naked photos and sent sex…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
'Real Housewives' Star Admits To Running Telemarketing Fraud Scheme That Targeted Some NYers 'Real Housewives' Star Admits To Running Telemarketing Fraud Scheme That Targeted Some NYers
'Real Housewives' Star Admits To Running Telemarketing Fraud Scheme That Targeted Some NYers “Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jennifer Shah has admitted to running a decade-long telemarketing scheme that tricked thousands of victims, including some New Yorkers, into bogus investment opportunities. Shah, age 48, of Utah, appeared in a federal courtroom in Manhattan on Monday, July 11, where she pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing. Federal prosecutors said between 2012 and March 2021, Shah trafficked “lead lists” of potential victims that her co-conspirators used to convince victims to pay thousands of dollars for “…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Ex-NY Resident Admits To Multi-State Money Laundering Conspiracy Ex-NY Resident Admits To Multi-State Money Laundering Conspiracy
Ex-NY Resident Admits To Multi-State Money Laundering Conspiracy A former New York man could spend years in federal prison after admitting that he laundered tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits in a scheme involving numerous states. Christopher Vandermark, age 57, formerly of Gansevoort in Saratoga County, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy in federal court in Albany on Tuesday, June 28. Federal prosecutors said Vandermark spent more than a year texting a North Carolina woman who directed him to open multiple bank accounts and give her the associated routing numbers. Between June 2020 and April 2021, the …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Father, Son From Region Indicted For Cocaine Conspiracy Father, Son From Region Indicted For Cocaine Conspiracy
Father, Son From Region Indicted For Cocaine Conspiracy A father and son from the Capital District are facing years in prison for allegedly trafficking in cocaine. Jeffrey Civitello Sr., age 50, and Jeffrey Civitello Jr., age 22, both of Schenectady, were indicted on federal charges of trafficking kilograms of cocaine, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the North District. Federal prosecutors claim the duo worked with others to traffic more than 5 kilograms of the drug to Schenectady in March and April 2021. If convicted, they each face between 10 years and life in prison. Prosecutors are also seeking a monetary judgment against the Civi…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
Supervisor At NY Drug Manufacturer Sentenced For Theft Of Medication Supervisor At NY Drug Manufacturer Sentenced For Theft Of Medication
Supervisor At NY Drug Manufacturer Sentenced For Theft Of Medication A former supervisor at a Long Island drug manufacturer is heading to federal prison for stealing animal medication. Gregory Settino, age 60, of Bethpage, was sentenced to a year and a day behind bars Wednesday, April 20, in federal court in Central Islip. He was also ordered to pay restitution of more than $800,000. Settino had pleaded guilty to stealing approximately $750,000 worth of the drug Adequan from his employer, American Regent, in Shirley. Adequan is an injectable drug typically given to horses and dogs to treat the degenerative effects of arthritis. Federal prosecutors alleged …

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by Michael Mashburn
Business
Here's Why Walmart Is Suing Competitor BJ's Wholesale For Theft Here's Why Walmart Is Suing Competitor BJ's Wholesale For Theft
Here's Why Walmart Is Suing Competitor BJ's Wholesale For Theft A battle is brewing between two of the country's largest big-box franchises. Walmart is suing rival BJ’s Wholesale Club claiming that the retail giant stole technology to launch a self-checkout feature similar to the ones used at the company’s subsidiary Sam's Club, which boasts nearly 600 locations in the US. Walmart alleges that the company worked for years to develop a “Scan & Go” feature that allowed Sam’s Club customers to ring up purchases on smartphones while shopping, eliminating the need for a long checkout line. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court, alleges that inn…

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by Zak Failla
News
Gambino Captain From Region Sentenced For Racketeering, Must Pay $1M Gambino Captain From Region Sentenced For Racketeering, Must Pay $1M
Gambino Captain From Region Sentenced For Racketeering, Must Pay $1M A high-ranking member of the Gambino organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra living lavishly in Westchester will spend time behind bars and pay a million dollars for his role in a racketeering conspiracy. Scarsdale resident Andrew Campos, age 51, was sentenced in federal court to 37 months in prison for the conspiracy. The court also ordered him to pay $1 million in restitution and a $15,000 fine. In January 2021, Campos pleaded guilty and admitted to participating in various acts of wire fraud and money laundering. US Attorney Breon Peace said that Campos and his co-conspirators carried …

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by Zak Failla
News
Three NY Women Indicted For Assaulting Delta Airlines Security Officer At JFK Three NY Women Indicted For Assaulting Delta Airlines Security Officer At JFK
Three NY Women Indicted For Assaulting Delta Airlines Security Officer At JFK Three women from New York are facing charges for allegedly assaulting a security officer after refusing to leave a jetway at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, federal officials announced. Long Island residents Janessa Torres, age 21, Johanna Zavala, age 44, both of Central Islip, and Bay Shore resident Jordan Nixon, age 21, were charged in federal court for allegedly assaulting the officer and a second employee on Sept. 22, 2021. Prosecutors said that the three women refused to leave the jetway after they were informed that they would be denied boarding for a Delta Airlines s…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Hudson Valley Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme COVID-19: Hudson Valley Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme
Covid-19: Hudson Valley Duo Charged In $7.6 Million Fraud Scheme A pair of Westchester residents are among four facing charges for their roles in a multi-million dollar COVID-19 fraud scheme during the height of the pandemic. Mount Vernon residents Quadri Salahuddin, age 25, and Anwar Salahuddin, age 35, Los Angeles resident Christal Ransom, age 44, and Jacob Carter, age 35, of Capitol Heights, Maryland are facing charges for allegedly submitting more than 1,000 fraudulent applications for small business loans in various peoples’ names and accepting kickbacks. US Attorney Damian Williams announced this week that the four allegedly schemed to defraud the …

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by Zak Failla