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Tag: US Attorney's Office
Covid-19: NY Duo Steals $8M From Company Seeking Surgical Masks, Feds Say
Two New York residents are accused of conning a medical supply company out of millions of dollars in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Long Island resident Jonathan Cannon, age 58, of Miller Place, and Erie County resident Julie Dotton, age 51, of Orchard Park, are both charged with wire fraud in a complaint unsealed in Central Islip federal court on Thursday, May 2.
According to prosecutors, a Canadian company serving as an official provider of personal protective equipment paid Cannon and Dotton $8.2 million for surgical masks needed due to the pandemic.
In exchange, Dotton agreed…
NY Man Admits To Opening Capitol Door, Directing Rioters Inside On Jan. 6
A New York man pleaded guilty to pulling open a door to the US Capitol Building to let rioters inside during the attack on the building on Jan. 6, 2021.
Long Island resident Eric Gerwatowski, age 32, of New Hyde Park in Nassau County, admitted to opening the door after US Capitol Police had closed it to prevent more rioters from entering the building, according to an announcement by US Attorney Matthew M. Graves from Tuesday, Nov. 22.
After opening the door, Gerwatowski turned to his fellow rioters, shouted "let's go!", and directed the mob into the building, disrupting a joi…
'Animal Abuse In Service Of Greed': Hudson Valley Duo Sentenced In Racehorse Doping Case
A veterinarian and racehorse trainer from the Hudson Valley have received their sentences for their role in a racehorse doping scheme.
Orange County Veterinarian Louis Grasso, age 65, of Pine Bush, and trainer Richard Banca, age 47, of Middletown, were sentenced to 50 months in prison, and 30 months in prison, respectively, for producing, distributing, and administering performance-enhancing drugs as part of the doping case, according to an announcement by the US Attorney's Office from Wednesday, Nov. 16.
A third man, 35-year-old trainer Rene Allard of Canada, was also sente…
Covid-19: Capital District Woman Admits To Pandemic Relief Fraud
A woman from the Capital District is facing years in prison after admitting that she took advantage of loan programs meant to help businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Debra Hackstadt, age 67, of Albany, pleaded guilty Thursday, May 19, to fraudulently obtaining 32 government-backed loans, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
The loans were issued to Hackstadt herself, various friends and relatives, and several companies that she controlled, prosecutors said.
In all, investigators said she received more than $1.6 million between April 2020 and June 2021 through two separat…
Man Accused Of Traveling To NY To Meet Minor For Sex, Feds Say
A New England man has been accused of traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, federal authorities in New York announced.
Martin Connearney, age 32, of Lenox, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County, was arrested Thursday, May 5 and charged with traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in a sexual act with a minor, the Department of Justice's US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and the FBI's Albany Field Office announced.
The criminal complaint alleges that between Wednesday, April 6, 2022 and Wednes…
29-Year-Old From Region Sentenced For Distributing, Receiving Child Porn Images, Videos
A man from the region will spend the next decade in federal prison for possessing child pornography.
Ulster County resident Anthony Hadden, age 29, of Modena, was sentenced Friday, April 29 to 121 months behind bars after pleading guilty to possessing, distributing, receiving, and transporting child pornography, the US Attorney’s Office said.
Federal prosecutors said Hadden admitted to using a group messaging app on his phone to send and receive the material.
His phone also contained numerous images and videos showing minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, prosecutors said.
Followin…
Capital District Man Sentenced After Admitting To Selling Meth
A Capital District man will spend more than six years in federal prison after admitting to selling methamphetamine.
James King, age 33, of Schenectady, was sentenced to 78 months behind bars Thursday, April 28, after pleading guilty to possessing and intending to distribute meth, the US Attorney’s Office said.
King told investigators that between February and March 2021, he sold meth twice and possessed the drug with intent to distribute in March 2021, prosecutors said.
Altogether, he admitted to selling more than 150 grams of meth.
Once King is released from prison, he will have to compl…
