Month: July 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 6, 2023
Texas Man Sentenced on Felony Charge For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
Defendant Rifled Through Senator’s Desk on Senate Floor
A Texas man was sentenced today for felony obstruction of an official proceeding during the breach of the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Joshua Johnson, 32, of Sherman, Texas, formerly of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced to 24 months in prison for obstruction of an official proceeding. Johnson pleaded guilty, on March 21, 2023, in the District of Columbia. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered 24 months of supervised release, restitution of $2,000 to the Architect of the Capitol, and a $100 fine.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Johnson arrived at the .. […] Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 6, 2023
United States Files Forfeiture Action Against Over Nine Thousand Rifles and Over 700,000 Rounds of Ammunition En Route from Iran to Yemen
Action Continues Government’s Disruption of Weapons Shipments from Iran to Yemen
The Justice Department today announced the filing of a forfeiture complaint against over 9,000 rifles, 284 machine guns, approximately 194 rocket launchers, over 70 anti-tank guided missiles, and over 700,000 rounds of ammunition that the U.S. Navy seized in transit from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to militant groups in Yemen.

“The government of Iran, through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, remains bent on smuggling weapons of war to militant groups in violation of U.S. sections and international law,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “As this seizure demonstrates, the Department of Justice will work in lockstep with our U.. […] Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
D.C. Man is Fifth Defendant to Admit Role in Conspiracy That Sold Drugs Near a School
Group Ran Open-Air Operation Based on South Capitol Street
WASHINGTON –The fifth of five defendants engaged in a drug trafficking conspiracy entered a guilty plea today in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.

Kurtis Mathes, 33, of Washington, D.C, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute marijuana, acknowledging that the drug distribution transactions took place within 1,000 feet of a school. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2023.

The investigation focused on a drug trafficking organization that operated outside a gas station and within 1,000 feet of a school on South Capitol Street.

The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon, of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).. […] Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
U.S. Attorney Elected to Serve as Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for D.C.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves was elected to serve a two-year term as Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for the District of Columbia, beginning in July 2023. The CJCC, chaired by the District’s Mayor, is an independent District agency focused on enhancing public safety and the fair administration of justice in the District of Columbia. Mr. Graves was elected to this position by fellow members of the CJCC, which include the Mayor, members of the D.C. Council, the Chief Judge of D.C. Superior Court, the Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, the Attorney General of the District of Columbia, and other federal and District justice system agency leaders.

“I am deeply humbled and honored that a council of the stakeholders responsible for keeping our community safe—our elected officials, the Metropolitan .. […] Read More