Year: 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

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the division’s LGBTQI+ Working Group convened the inaugural quarterly meeting of LGBTQI+ Rights Community Stakeholders at the Justice Department. Original Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 30, 2023
Michigan Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
Defendant Assaulted Law Enforcement with Flagpole
WASHINGTON — A Michigan man has been arrested on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, for his actions during the breach of the U.S. 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 presidential election.

Jeremy Rodgers, 28, of Midland, Michigan, is charged with felony offenses: assault on a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, civil disorder, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon, and act of physical violence in a restricted building or grounds.. […] Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 30, 2023
Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
WASHINGTON – Reginald Johnson, 31, of Philadelphia, P.A., pleaded guilty, today, to involuntary manslaughter (criminal negligence) and assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with a vehicular homicide. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Interim Chief Ashan Benedict, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

According to the Government’s evidence, on January 15, 2023 around 6:10 p.m., Reginald Johnson drove his Jeep eastbound into the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, Northwest and 15th Street, N.W crashing into an Uber driver in a Toyota Corolla who was turning left across eastbound traffic lanes onto 15th Street, NW. Mr. Johnson reached a speed of 61 miles per hour shortly before the crash, more than twice the 25 miles per hour speed limit. Mr. Johnson told an officer that he saw the car turning but thought .. […] Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Texas Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges For Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
WASHINGTON — A Texas man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to certify the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

Jeffrey David Reed, 48, of Rosanky, Texas, is charged with one count of civil disorder, a felony offense. Reed is also charged with various misdemeanor offenses, including entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon; disorderly conduct in a capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

Reed was arrested in Rosanky, Texas, an.. […] Read More