Success Stories

2010

Greater Houston RCFL

3/30/10— Federal Grand Jury Convicts Houston Man of Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Coercing and Enticing an Adult to Commit Prostitution – The Greater Houston RCFL (GHRCFL) supported the investigation, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. GHRCFL Deputy Director Larry Hovey testified at trial—click here for the full story.

Heart of America RCFL

5/27/10—Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Terrorism Charges—The Heart of America RCFL (HARCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to the Heart of America Joint Terrorism Task Force during the federal investigation of Khalid Quazzani, 32. The married father of two, and naturalized American citizen plead guilty in federal court to conspiracy to provide material support to al Qaeda. He now faces up to 65 years in prison without parole, plus a fine of up to $1 million and an order of restitution — click here to read the FBI’s Kansas City Division’s press release.

February 11, 2010—HARCFL Helps Send Long-Time Child Molester to Jail
Thanks in part to digital evidence recovered by the Heart of America RCFL (HARCFL); a judge gave registered sex offender Robin Roggenbuck, 57, the maximum prison sentence of 35 years. Click here for the full story.

Kentucky RCFL

6/15/10: Former Corrections Officers Sentenced on Civil Rights Charges— The Kentucky RCFL (KYRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to authorities investigating civil rights allegations at the Fayette County Detention Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more or read the FBI’s press release.

Miami Valley RCFL

	8/9/10: Former Teacher Sentenced for Distributing Child Pornography — The Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) assisted the FBI Columbus Cybercrimes Task Force in the investigation of Michael Highman, 43, a former teacher and coach who received an 11-year jail sentence for using an Internet site to share more than 200,000 images and movies of prepubescent teenage boys engaged in sexual acts — learn more.
	8/9/10— Former High School Coach Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography, Obscenity Charges – The Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) supported the investigation of attorney Marc Greenberg, 33, who plead guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of transferring obscene material to minors — learn more.
	3/30/10— Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography – Kendra L. Sasser, 33, received a 20-month sentence for enticing a 16-year old boy to create child pornography. The Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) supported the investigation which began in 2007—click here to learn more.
	February 10, 2010—Church Music Director Pleads Guilty to Sexual Assault Against Minors The Miami Valley RCFL supported this federal investigation—click here to read the full story.

New Jersey RCFL

8/5/10: Former Hoboken Mayor Sentenced — Peter J. Cammarano, III received a two year prison sentence for accepting illegal campaign contributions totaling $25,000, in return for aiding proposed development projects. The New Jersey RCFL (NJRCFL) is supporting the on-going investigation — learn more.

4/27/10— Former Hoboken Mayor Pleads Guilty to Corruption Charges—Peter J. Cammarano, III pleaded guilty on April 20, 2010 to accepting illegal campaign contributions in return for aiding proposed development projects. He was one of 44 people arrested last summer, as part of a massive public corruption and international money laundering investigation. The New Jersey RCFL (NJRCFL) is supporting the on-going investigation—learn more.

4/13/10— Former Lawmaker Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography Charges—The New Jersey RCFL (NJRCFL) supported the investigation of former New Jersey State Assemblyman Neil Cohen—learn more.

North Texas RCFL

5/27/10—Dallas Teenager Pleads Guilty to Attempted Bombing of Skyscraper—The North Texas RCFL (NTRCFL) supported the successful investigation of Hosam Smadi, 19, a Jordanian native who plotted to blow up the famed Fountain Place skyscraper in Dallas. Prior to the attempted bombing, the FBI was monitoring Smadi after discovering posts he made on an online Islamic extremist forum. Smadi’s fate rests in the hands of U.S. District Judge Barbara Lynn, who can either cap his jail term to 30 years or award a full life sentence. Click here to read the FBI’s Dallas Division’s press release.

Rocky Mountain RCFL

02/22/10— The Rocky Mountain RCFL (RCFL) supported the investigation into Najibullah Zazi, who plead guilty to conspiracy to use explosives against persons or property in the U.S., conspiracy to murder abroad, and providing material support to al Qaeda. Click here to read the FBI's press release.

San Diego RCFL

	6/30/10: San Diego RCFL Assists Successful Child Pornography Investigation — A San Diego man was convicted on June 24, 2010 on 18 counts of receipt of child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography in a case investigated by the FBI and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The San Diego RCFL (SDRCFL) provided digital forensics expertise to investigators in the case which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood — learn more.
	5/12/10—San Diego Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Assaulting Children—The San Diego RCFL assisted the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office in the investigation of Jared Ravin Yaffe, who paid a babysitter to bring children in his care to him, so he could molest them. On May 7, 2010, Yaffe plead guilty — learn more.
	5/12/10—Teen Hacker Found Guilty for Crashing PlayStation Website—The San Diego RCFL supported the federal investigation — click here to learn more.
	4/26/10— Southern California Man Pleads Guilty to Teens’ Murders—By pleading guilty to the murders of Chelsea King, 17 and Amber Dubois, 14, John Gardner will spend the rest of his life in a jail cell, and will not face the death penalty. The San Diego RCFL was involved in the forensic analysis of several computers from both investigations—learn more.

Western New York RCFL

6/15/10—Trucker Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter—Truck driver Thomas Wallace, 45, plead guilty to second degree manslaughter for running his rig into a disabled car on the New York Thruway. The driver of the disabled car, mother of two, Julie Stratton, was waiting for assistance after hitting a deer. The Western New York RCFL (WNYRCFL) provided digital forensics support to investigators and processed the trucker’s laptop two days after being submitted to the laboratory for examination — learn more.

2009

Chicago RCFL

July 13, 2009—Former Musician Found Guilty of Murder Although no physical evidence was presented during the trial of Steven L. Zirko, a jury found him guilty in less than six hours for the murders of Mary Lacey, 38, and her mother, Margaret Ballog, 60. The Chicago RCFL provided critical digital forensics support, and an Examiner testified for three hours at trial – click here for the full story.

Heart of America RCFL

October 26, 2009—Prominent Businessman Sentenced For Possessing Child Pornography – Ronald E. Elmquist, 63, the former CEO of QualServ Corporation, and once a member of the Board of Directors for Radio Shack and Winn-Dixie, received a 30-month sentence in federal prison for attempting to possess Internet child pornography. The Heart of America RCFL conducted the examination of Elmquist's company-issued laptop computer which contained the contraband – click here to learn more.

**To report someone who has child pornography in his/her possession, contact your local police department, FBI office, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's tip line, 1-800-THE LOST.

September 24, 2009—DRUG DEALERS RECEIVE HEAVY SENTENCE – HARCFL SUPPORTED INVESTIGATION – Roommates Benjamin Clarkson, 39 and John Williams, 30 of Kansas City collectively received 55 years in federal prison for manufacturing drugs which led to the death of a 24-year old woman. The Heart of America RCFL provided digital forensics expertise during the investigation – click here to read the full story.

Miami Valley RCFL

	September 24, 2009—Miami Valley RCFL Supports Successful Prosecution – The director of the Miami Valley RCFL (MVRCFL) testified during the trial of convicted child molester and kidnapper Daniel Keck. Click here for the full story.
October 26, 2009—Child Predator Receives Heavy Sentence - Miami Valley RCFL Supported Successful Prosecution – Convicted child molester and kidnapper Daniel Keck, 43, of Marietta, Ohio was sentenced to 70 years in prison for his crimes - click here for the full story. Click here for the full story.

2009—Forensics clear computer of ex-Miamisburg city manager of misuse - William Nelson, Jr's computer has been cleared of misuse. The Miami Valley Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory completed the examination following the March arrest of Nelson on the charge of importuning. Click here to learn more.

New Jersey RCFL

June 23, 2009—Man Who Moderated Website Dedicated to Child Pornography Sentenced to 90 Years: New Jersey RCFL personnel provided digital forensics support and testified at the trial of Russell Christie. Click here for the full story or read a press release issued by the Department of Justice.

North Texas RCFL

	August 17, 2009 – The North Texas RCFL (NTRCFL) The North Texas RCFL supported the investigation of an infamous bank robbery ring dubbed the "Scarecrow Bandits." On August 12, 2009, the five robbers were found guilty - click here to learn more.
October 9, 2009—FEDERAL JURY RETURNS GUILTY VERDICTS IN DALLAS CITY HALL CORRUPTION CASE - The NTRCFL supported the investigation and successful prosecution of former Pro Team Dallas Mayor Don Hill, his wife, and several colleagues, in what was known as the "Dallas City Hall Corruption Case." Click here to read the FBI's press release.

Philadelphia RCFL

March 17, 2009—Former State Senator Found Guilty - One of Pennsylvania's most powerful and wealthiest public figures, Vincent J. Fumo, was found guilty after a five-month trial in federal court. The Philadelphia RCFL provided expert digital forensics expertise in support of the high-profile investigation which began in 2003, when the FBI and the IRS began investigating the former lawmaker. Read the press release issued by the FBI.

Rocky Mountain RCFL

June 24, 2009—Operator of Child Pornography Website Convicted - The Rocky Mountain RCFL (RMRCFL) supported an investigation originally launched by Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) of a website operator who sold subscriptions of still and video child pornography. Click here for the full story.

2009—Missing Persons Mystery Finally Solved - Missing since 2003 and 2004, Jennifer Marcum, Kaysi McLeod, Terry Kimball, and Leann Emry had but one thing in common – Scott Kimball. The Rocky Mountain RCFL (RMRCFL) examined Kimball's laptop computer in 2008, and located information about three of the four women, along with violent images of sexually related acts. Kimball is currently serving a 53-year jail sentence for theft and a host of other charges, and plead guilty to the four murders. In exchange for leading authorities to the victims' remains, he received a second-degree murder charge. He was sentenced on October 9, 2009 to 70 years in prison for the four murders, which will run concurrently with his current term.

Prior to Kimball's admission, only the remains of Kaysi McLeod, 19, were found in Northwest Colorado. Kimball led authorities to the remains of his uncle Terry Kimball, and Leann Emry. Jennifer Marcum's body has not yet been recovered. Although Kimball had connections to all of the victims, prosecutors still don't know what motivated him to kill them. Kimball is eligible for parole in 2044.

San Diego RCFL

September 15, 2009—Double Murderer Found Guilty – San Diego RCFL Provides Digital Forensics Expertise – Dennis Mickjale Potts, 25, was convicted of strangling to death his 10-month old son and the child's mother, Tori Vienneau, 22. Members of the San Diego RCFL conducted an examination of Potts' computer - click here for the full story.

Cunningham Investigation Draws to a Close February 25, 2009 - Kyle "Dusty" Foggo, once the third highest official with the Central Intelligence Agency, was sentenced to 37 months in jail. The San Diego RCFL supported the lengthy investigation - click here to learn more.

Silicon Valley RCFL

August 19, 2009—Fleet Mgt. Ltd. Agrees to Pay $10 Million for Pollution and Obstruction Crimes – Silicon Valley RCFL Supported Investigation – According to a U.S. Department of Justice press release, a Hong Kong-based ship management firm pleaded guilty to violating the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 when more than 50,000 gallons of fuel leaked from one its vessels into the San Francisco Bay. Read more.

2008

Intermountain West RCFL

CONVICTED CHILD KILLER SENTENCED TO DEATH 11/2008: Convicted pedophile and child murderer Joseph Edward Duncan III was sentenced to death – click here to read the full story and how the Intermountain West RCFL supported this investigation.

Miami Valley RCFL

Terrorism Suspect Pleads Guilty 2008: Christopher Paul, 44, a U.S. citizen born in Columbus, Ohio pleaded guilty on June 3, 2008 of "conspiring with others to use a weapon of mass destruction against targets in Europe and the U.S. He will serve 20 years in prison. The Miami Valley RCFL provided digital forensics support to the Southern Ohio Joint Terrorism Task Force, which conducted the five-year worldwide investigation. Click here to read the press release issued by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio.

New Jersey RCFL

Bilski Sentenced May 30, 2008 - Clement Bilski, 45, was sentenced to 80 years in New Jersey State prison with a minimum period of parole ineligibility of 61 years. Bilski was convicted of 143 counts, of which there were 52 counts of first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, 15 counts of second degree Sexual Assault, 74 counts of second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child (filming) one count of third degree Promoting Obscene Material and one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child (sexual conduct). All 143 counts involved the same victim and occurred between 1998-2003, when the victim was between the ages of two and six. The New Jersey RCFL was part of a task force, along with two of its participating agencies, Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the New Jersey State Police, which supported the investigation. Read more.

North Texas RCFL

Holy Land Conviction 11/2008: Five former leaders of a U.S.-based Muslim charity were recently convicted of funding more than $12 million to the Palestinians terrorist group Hamas. The North Texas RCFL supported the investigation - examining approximately 500 computers and an Examiner testified in Federal court. Click here to learn more.

Philadelphia RCFL

Female Half of "Bonnie & Clyde" of Identity Fraud Sentenced 11/2008: Jocelyn Kirsch, who gained notoriety as the female half of the "Bonnie & Clyde" of identity fraud, received a five year prison sentence for stealing personal information from 50 friends, co-workers and neighbors, which they used to obtain fraudulent credit cards. She also had to pay $100,000 in restitution and must undergo mental health treatment while in prison. Judge Eduardo C. Robreno said her crimes were the result of "greed and a desire to fuel a lavish lifestyle." The Philadelphia RCFL is supporting the investigation – click here to read the full story.

December 22, 2008 - Fort Dix Terror Trial Ends With Guilty Verdict – After spending 38 hours over six days deliberating, a jury convicted five foreign-born Muslim men of plotting to attack Fort Dix and murder American soldiers, but acquitted them of attempted murder. The Philadelphia RCFL supported the investigation - click here to read the full story.

Philadelphia News Anchor Sentenced 2008: Former TV anchor Larry Mendte, 51, a well-known media personality in Philadelphia, completed his fall from grace after being sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary A. McLaughlin to six months of house arrest. Mendte pleaded guilty in federal court for hacking into former colleague Alycia Lane's s mail account and reading over 500 personal and confidential messages. The Philadelphia RCFL supported the investigation – click here for the full story.

Edward Anderton Sentenced for Identity Fraud Sentenced

November 14, 2008 - Edward Anderton, one-half of the aptly name "Bonnie & Clyde of Identity Fraud," received a four-year prison sentence for stealing personal information from friends, co-workers and neighbors to support a lavish lifestyle. The Philadelphia RCFL is supporting the investigation – click here to read the full story.

2008: Michael Curtis Reynolds of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for offering to help al-Qaida detonate propane trucks along the Trans-Alaskan and Transcontinental Pipelines, along with blowing up the Standard Oil company in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and the Williams Refinery in Opal, Wyoming. The Philadelphia RCFL provided support to this case. Click here to read the full story.

Western New York RCFL

December 18, 2008: Child Predator Pleads Guilty Admitted child predator Mitchell W. Brokob pleaded guilty to four counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, one count of kidnapping second degree and one count of kidnapping second degree as a sexually motivated felony. He kidnapped and sexual assaulted a 12-year old North Tonawanda girl. The Western New York RCFL supported the investigation - click here for the full story.

San Diego RCFL

Federal Courthouse Bombing Two people plead guilty to bombing the U.S. Courthouse in San Diego that occurred on May 4, 2008. The San Diego RCFL (SDRCFL) supported the FBI investigation – performing audiovisual analysis of footage from courthouse cameras. Click here to read the press released issued by the FBI Press Office.

09/26/2008: Prison Time for Man on Drug and Porn Charges SAN DIEGO - A San Diego man who sold 250 grams of cocaine and received obscene material on his computer was sentenced Friday to more than 11 years in federal prison. William Edward Fessler, 37, also known as Kareem Montano, had been charged with distribution of cocaine base and transportation of obscene matter. He pleaded guilty July 1. Fessler's 135-month sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw.

2007

Chicago RCFL

Somali Sentenced in Plot to Destroy Ohio Shopping Mall - 11/28/2007: A Somali immigrant was sentenced to 10 years in prison for plotting to blow up an Ohio shopping mall along with another man who was also convicted of being a terrorist with Al Qadea. The Chicago RCFL (CGRCFL) supported a federal joint task force investigating the crime, and one of its Examiners from the Will County Sheriff's Office, made significant contributions toward indicting Nuradin M. Abdi, 35, formerly of Columbus, Ohio. Click here to read the full story.

Former Illinois Governor George Ryan Sentenced (Chicago, IL) Although former Illinois Governor George Ryan was sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison in 2006 for accepting cash, gifts, free vacations, and favors in exchange for government contracts while in office—he has yet to serve one day in jail. That could soon change as Ryan's appeals have run their course, and U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer set a date of November 7, 2007 for Ryan to report to prison along with co-defendant Larry Warner... (Posted: 11/01/2007)

Heart of America RCFL

RCFL Program Named "Honorable Mention" in Government Computer News Awards - 2007: The RCFL Program's Case Agent Investigative Review initiative was named honorable mention in the annual Government Computer News (GCN) Awards--the only Department of Justice winner in this year's competition. According to its website, the GCN Awards, now in their 21st year, "recognize federal, state and local government for extraordinary IT accomplishments and significant contributions to the performance of their agencies." Click here to view a full list of the 10 winners and 10 honorable mentions.

Jury Sentences Lisa Montgomery to Death – 10/2007: A federal jury convicted Lisa Montgomery, 39, for the murder of 23-year Bobbi Jo Stinnett, and for kidnapping her unborn baby. Digital evidence helped lead investigators to Montgomery – with help from Examiners assigned to the Heart of America RCFL. Click here for the full story.

Intermountain West RCFL

Warren Steed Jeffs Found Guilty St. George Utah - On September 25, 2007, the trial of Warren Steed Jeffs, leader of a polygamous sect, ended with a guilty conviction. The eight-member state jury rendered a unanimous verdict—finding Jeffs guilty as an accomplice for the rape of a 14-year old follower to her 19-year old cousin. The young woman, now 21, testified that she was forced into the marriage which led to nonconsensual sex. After the trial ended, she spoke outside the courthouse and said, "The trial has not been about religion nor a vendetta. It is simply about child abuse and preventing further abuse." Under Utah law, even with parental consent, a 14-year old is not permitted to marry.

Rocky Mountain RCFL

Rocky Mountain RCFL is Recognized for Outstanding Work - The Adams County (Colorado) District Attorney praised the work of the Rocky Mountain Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (RMRCFL) in a press release dated January 30, 2007. The investigation involved unlawful sexual contact--click here to learn more.

2006

Chicago RCFL

Guilty: The Public Corruption Trial of Chicago Mayor's Former Aide n class="blacknormal">Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's ex-patronage chief Robert Sorich, 43, was convicted of two counts of mail fraud and acquitted of two counts of mail fraud on July 6, ending a five-week jury trial. Jurors convicted two other former officials of mail fraud, and a fourth was convicted of lying to an FBI agent... (Posted: 07/13/2006)

CHICAGO RCFL AIDS IN THE CONVICTION OF A CHILD PORNOGRAPHER One year ago, Barry Eytcheson, an unemployed computer engineer, was arrested for allegedly sharing child pornography over the Internet, and later admitted that he had collected child pornography for years. Investigators working with the Chicago RCFL, also learned that Eytcheson made a sexually explicit video and took lewd photographs of a child between June and November 2004... (Posted: 5/17/2006)

Former Trader Receives Heavy Sentence Although it appeared to be a suicide, an investigation supported by the CGRCFL that was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chicago Police Department (a CGRCFL participating agency), and the U.S. Attorney's Office revealed a far different conclusion... (Posted: 03/01/2006)

Greater Houston RCFL

GUILTY: JURY CONVICTS TWO TOP ENRON EXECUTIVES After six days of deliberations, a jury convicted Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling of conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud in one of the biggest business scandals in U.S. history. Lay was also convicted of bank fraud and making false statements to banks in a separate trial non-jury trial (regarding his personal banking) before U.S. District Judge Sim Lake ... (Posted: 05/25/2006).

SENTENCED: EX-ENRON CFO LEARNS FATE Former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow learned his fate after pleading guilty to a variety of charges related to the company's collapse in 2004. Click here to read the full story... (Posted 09/27/2006)

Heart of America RCFL

Alleged Abduction Was a Hoax On April 11, 2006, 16-year old Kelsey Stelting placed a frantic 9-1-1 call, claiming that she was abducted at gunpoint while outside her Independence, Missouri home. An Amber Alert was issued, and the FBI brought in 30 agents to join police and county officers in the search. The Heart of America RCFL was part of the team – as is often the case when an Amber Alert is issued within an RCFL's service area. Now safely at home, the teenager admitted that it was all a hoax. Click here to read a joint statement from the Independence Police Department and the FBI. (Posted: 4/14/2006).

San Diego RCFL

International Child Pornography Ring Busted Dubbed “Operation Hamlet,” the investigation of an international child pornography ring led by the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and supported by the SDRCFL - who invested over 500 man hours in this investigation - was dismantled, with one of the main participants recently sentenced to life in prison... (Posted: 03/06/2006)

Former Congressman Sentenced Ex-Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham was sentenced on March 3rd to 8 years and four months in prison for conspiring to commit bribery, honest services fraud, and tax evasion. The SDRCFL supported this investigation... (Posted: 03/06/2006)

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