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Name: Richard E. Lewis
Address: 3633 N. 3rd Avenue, Unit 2003
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Age: 48
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 200
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
On August 30, 2004, Offender Lewis was convicted of Distribution of Child Pornography in U.S. District Court.
During the offense, the offender sent images of child pornography over the internet to undercover law enforcement officers.
Source: City of Phoenix Police Department
Miko Dion Wady, 36, of Phoenix, Arizona, was sentenced late Monday by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg to nine years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay over $30 million in restitution and perform 250 hours of community service. Wady previously pleaded guilty to five counts of wire fraud and five counts of transactional money laundering.
At sentencing Judge Teilborg also ordered that Wady forfeit numerous seized items, and the proceeds from the sale of additional seized items, including a 41 foot Rinker Express Cruiser boat, a Ferrari, over $100,000 held in cash and accounts, jewelry, firearms and recreational equipment including a Weekend Warrior 5th wheel trailer.
“This individual sought to profit by creating a sophisticated money laundering scheme designed to scam investors out of their money,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel. “The court’s stiff sentence reflects the seriousness of his crime and this office’s resolve to prosecute individuals who profit from unsuspecting investors.”
In the course of his guilty plea, Wady admitted that he operated and had an ownership interest in various business enterprises that purportedly were engaged in the business of promoting concerts or tours of well known entertainers and artists. The enterprises included Dezert Heat Entertainment, Inc.; Dezert Heat, Inc.; Dezert Heat Worldwide, LLC; NATO Enterprises, LLC; and NATO Entertainment, LLC.
Wady admitted that he and others misled victim investors into believing that Wady entered into performance contracts and other business arrangements with nationally and internationally known entertainers, arranged performance venues throughout the world, and greatly profited by putting on these concert or tour events. Wady, with the assistance of others, falsely claimed during the period 2004 through 2007 to have promoted concerts for at least forty artists and entertainers, including many who were nationally and internationally known.
Through various entities and associates, Wady obtained victim investor funds to finance purported concerts and tours supposedly being promoted by Wady. From at least August 2004 through March 2007, Wady and associates entered into loan and event funding agreements, totaling approximately fifty million dollars, with approximately 250 victim investors. The “investments” were purportedly to finance approximately 150 concerts or concert tours “promoted” by Wady. At the time of Wady’s sentencing, approximately 240 investors and groups of investors were known to have sustained losses totaling $30,040,197.
The “investment” loan agreements victim investors entered into regularly specified that each “investment” loan was for the financing of a particular concert or tour of a designated performer. The “investment” loan terms regularly called for repayment to the victim investors within 30 days after receipt of the net concert proceeds for the designated concert or tour. Victim investors were typically promised interest rates of 4 percent per month for the first two months, and 2.5 percent per month thereafter until the investment loans were repaid.
Upon receipt of victim investor funds by associates of Wady, the associates transferred the funds to Wady for the purported financing of concert or tour events. Because Wady had no association or contractual arrangement with any of the concerts or tours, the investor funds given to Wady by his associates were never actually used as represented to the victim investors. Most of the funds were instead returned by Wady to his associates within a short period of time, typically one or two days, under the guise that these repayments represented the net proceeds from some other concert or tour that was recently completed. In essence, because no actual investments were used for the represented concerts or tours, new victim investor monies were simply used to repay old victim investors. From beginning to end, this was primarily a Ponzi scheme. The Ponzi scheme collapsed in March 2007.
From January 2004 through March 2007, Wady used no less than three million dollars of victim investor funds to pay for his lavish lifestyle. During this period, Wady purchased for himself and others, at least 30 vehicles, including a Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bentley. Wady also purchased a $175,000 luxury boat and $800,000.00 in real estate. All of these purchases were paid from funds Wady obtained from victim investors.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S Postal Inspection Service and the Internal Revenue Service - Office of Criminal Investigation with assistance from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Mesa Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Frederick A. Battista and Peter Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR 09-1485-PHX-JAT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2011-255(Wady)
Source: FBI - Phoenix, AZ Office
A federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a nine-count indictment yesterday against Natalie Wisneski, 47, of Tempe, Ariz., for making campaign contributions in the name of another, causing false statements to be made to the federal election commission, filing false tax returns and conspiring to commit the above offenses.
The indictment alleges that Wisneski, as an officer and high-paid employee of the Fiesta Bowl, solicited campaign contributions from Fiesta Bowl employees for federal, state, and local candidates for elective office, and arranged to reimburse the employees for their contributions with Fiesta Bowl money.
Reimbursement for federal campaign contributions is prohibited under the Federal Election Campaign Act, and it also causes the political campaigns to file false information with the Federal Election Commission as to the identity of the true donor. The federal campaigns identified in the indictment have cooperated in the investigation, and no evidence suggests that the campaigns knew that the Fiesta Bowl reimbursed its employees.
The indictment also alleges that Wisneski filed false tax returns on behalf of the Fiesta Bowl when she denied in the tax returns that the Fiesta Bowl had any lobbying expenses or political expenditures. Wisneski will be summonsed to appear for her arraignment on Nov. 30, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. The overall investigation continues, and the Fiesta Bowl organization continues to cooperate with the investigation.
A conviction for conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of five years, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for making campaign contributions in the names of others in an amount greater than $10,000 in a single calendar year is punishable as a felony, and carries a maximum penalty of two years, a $250,000 fine or both; A conviction for making campaign contributions in the names of others in an amount between $2,000 and $10,000 in a single calendar year is punishable as a misdemeanor, and carries a maximum penalty of one year, a $100,000 fine or both.
A conviction for false statements carries a maximum penalty of five years, a $250,000 fine or both, and a conviction for filing false tax returns carries a maximum penalty of three years, a $250,000 fine or both.
An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation has been conducted by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation. Federal prosecutors and agents have also worked with state of Arizona prosecutors and agents who are participating in the continuing investigation conducted by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
The federal prosecution is being handled by Frank T. Galati and Gary M. Restaino, Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District of Arizona’s Phoenix Office.
Source: FBI - Phoenix, AZ Office
A former member of the Arizona Army National Guard was charged today for his alleged role in a widespread bribery and illegal drug trafficking conspiracy that operated from January 2002 through March 2004, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division.
The 10-count indictment returned today in U.S. District Court in Arizona charges Adalberto Valenzuela, 31, of Tucson, Ariz., with two counts of conspiracy, two counts of bribery, two counts of bribery involving programs receiving federal funds, two counts of Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charges arise from Operation Lively Green, an undercover FBI investigation that began in December 2001.
According to the indictment, Valenzuela was a corporal in the Arizona Army National Guard at the time he participated in the conspiracy. Valenzuela allegedly conspired to enrich himself by obtaining cash bribes from individuals he believed to be illegal narcotics traffickers, but who were actually FBI agents. The indictment alleges that in return for the bribes, Valenzuela used his official position as a corporal in the Arizona Army National Guard to assist, protect and participate in the activities of an illegal narcotics trafficking organization that was transporting and distributing cocaine within Arizona and from Arizona to other locations in the southwestern United States. In order to protect the shipments of cocaine, Valenzuela allegedly wore official uniforms and carried official forms of identification, used official vehicles, and used his official authority where necessary to prevent police stops, searches and seizures of the narcotics.
According to the indictment, Valenzuela transported cocaine on two separate occasions and, as a result, received bribe payments totaling $7,000 for the 40 kilograms of cocaine involved.
In 2006, an arrest warrant was issued for Valenzuela. Repeated attempts to locate and contact him have been unsuccessful. Valenzuela is now considered a fugitive and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to contact their local FBI office.
If convicted on the conspiracy charges, Valenzuela faces a maximum of five years in prison. The bribery and Hobbs Act charges each carry maximum prison sentences of 20 years. The federal program bribery charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, as do each of the drug conspiracy and possession charges. Valenzuela also faces a maximum $250,000 fine for each charged count.
To date, 57 additional defendants have been convicted and sentenced on related charges as part of Operation Lively Green. An additional 14 defendants have pleaded guilty in the Western District of Oklahoma in a related investigation known as Operation Tarnish Star.
Operation Lively Green cases are part of a joint investigation being conducted by the Southern Arizona Corruption Task Force (SACTF), which includes the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Department of Homeland Security, and the Tucson Police Department. The Arizona Air National Guard, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Defense Criminal Investigative Service and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service are also participating in the investigation.
The case is prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Peter Koski and Monique Abrishami of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Source: FBI - Phoenix, AZ Office
On June 28, 2011, Clear Channel Outdoor, in conjunction with ETS, a Texas based leader in asset tracking and location systems, and the FBI Phoenix Field Office’s Bank Robbery Task Force, unveiled digital billboards highlighting wanted bank robbers on BanditTrackerArizona.com. These digital billboards, provided by Clear Channel Outdoor as a public service, will serve to expand the public’s awareness of BanditTrackerArizona.com and the rewards associated with identifying bank robbery suspects.
WHERE:
Digital Billboard located south of Chase Field At 7th Street and Lincoln (parking lot) Phoenix, Arizona
Since 2007, Clear Channel Outdoor and the FBI have worked together to form a partnership that would take advantage of the new digital outdoor networks ability to react to local conditions quickly and inform the public of important community information.
Source: FBI - Phoenix Division
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.
In an effort to address this problem, DEA, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, conducted the first ever National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The purpose of this National Take Back Day was to provide a venue for persons who wanted to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. This effort was a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation’s medicine cabinets. There were approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation that participated in the event. All told, the American Public turned in more than 121 tons of pills on this first National Take Back Day.
Due to the overwhelming success of the first event, DEA has scheduled the second National Prescription Drug Take Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2011, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the first event or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them.
The closest location to the Phoenix Central Neighborhood is:
DEVONSHIRE SENIOR CENTER
2802 EAST DEVONSHIRE AVENUE
PHOENIX AZ, 85016
Source: DEA
Dear community members,
Mortgage fraud scam artists know just what to say to give people false hope in saving their homes, especially consumers who are having trouble making their payments. When faced with the possibility of losing a home, anyone can fall prey. Don’t let yourself, or someone you know, be the next victim of a scam.
I am the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona; investigating and prosecuting mortgage fraud is a top priority for my office. My office is the chief federal law enforcement agency in Arizona and is responsible for prosecuting violations of federal law, including mortgage fraud and related fraud. As an example, we recently prosecuted an individual that received a 17-year prison sentence for leading a mortgage fraud scheme that exceeded $9 million dollars.
To raise awareness of these scams, my office is reaching out to the community and civic groups like yours to help us combat mortgage fraud. Our consumer awareness initiative gives groups the information needed to identify these scams and the resources to combat them. Enclosed you will find a brochure that highlights the information you need to get involved in stopping fraud in your neighborhood.
If you need assistance with a mortgage fraud matter. Please contact my Community Outreach Director at (602) 514-7629 or email him at manuel.tarango@usdoj.gov if you have any questions related to this effort.
For more information visit: http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/mortgagefraud.html.
Source:
Dennis K. Burke
United States Attorney for the District of Arizona
iPhone Application
In June, the city of Phoenix launched a free iPhone app that allows residents to report blight violations to the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) with a simple point, click and send. The iPhone’s built-in global positioning technology allows the user to attach an address to the picture.
iPhone users may download the myPhxAZ application for free from the iPhone App Store by searching for the keyword “myPhoenix” and selecting myPhxAz. Once installed, users will simply open the application and follow the prompts to take a picture of the violation and then tap “submit.”
The “myPhxAz” application was created at no charge to the city by Graffiti Protective Coatings, a graffiti cleanup company that serves Arizona city, county and state agencies.
NSD is receiving an average of 20 iPhone blight reports each week. In the future it hopes to roll out similar applications for residents who use Blackberries and other popular hand-held devices.
Phoenix has received calls and e-mails from other government agencies around the nation who are interested in developing their own iPhone app, ranging from Valley cities to counties and cities in Florida, Texas and California.
Phoenix residents without iPhones can continue to report blight by e-mail at blight@phoenix.gov and by phone at 602-262-7844.
Source: City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department
Sheriff Joe Arpaio moments ago made the renowned actor and body builder, Lou Ferrigno AKA The Incredible Hulk, an honorary deputy in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Ferrigno, a big supporter of Arpaio and of SB1070, agreed to take on his first assignment as deputy and will act as Sheriff Arpaio’s personal body guard during tomorrow night’s Stand Up Arizona rally at the Tempt Diablo Stadium.
Arpaio is slated to be the rally’s keynote speaker and is poised to take the stage at 8:45PM, shortly after his 8PM scheduled arrival time.
With upwards of 20 to 30 thousand open borders activists in town this weekend for a rally of their own, Arpaio is grateful for all the protection he can get tomorrow.
“He’s one big guy,” Arpaio says. “And I hear you don’t want to make him angry….”
Source: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is confused and deeply concerned about the temporary county attorney’s recent decision to reverse the successful policies of the former elected county attorney.
Rick Romley’s statements today indicate the fact that he will no longer charge illegal immigrants under the felony state law as co-conspirators.
This approach is essentially an amnesty policy that protects illegal immigrants who have conspired to violate the state law by entering into agreements with smugglers to transport them into Arizona illegally.
The Sheriff’s Office feels this position is not consistent with the will of the people of Maricopa County who elected Sheriff Arpaio and former County Attorney Andrew Thomas in part because of their tough stance on illegal immigration enforcement and is inconsistent with Romley’s claim of getting tough on organized crime.
Despite Rick Romley’s decision to pick and choose which laws to enforce, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will continue to enforce all aspects of illegal immigration laws.
Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
The U.S. Marshals Service added Enrique Done to their 15 Most Wanted Fugitives list today. Done is wanted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Newark, N.J., and has been charged for his alleged role as the leader of an international drug trafficking conspiracy.
Source: U.S. Marshals
City employees, retirees and members of the community who are interested in donating their time and talent to the city will find a rewarding volunteer opportunity in COPS – Citizens Offering Police Support.
Last fiscal year, 210 Phoenix residents served as COPS volunteers, saving the city almost $620,000. The Police Department hopes to double the budget savings with a corresponding increase in volunteers, according to Officer Larry Horton, who coordinates the program.
COPS volunteers work in many capacities, including code enforcement, traffic control, crime analysis and research, and public affairs. They also support such programs as Silent Witness, the Motorist Assist Program (MAP) and Accessibility Compliance Enforcement (ACE).
While most people have heard of Silent Witness, MAP and ACE also provide vital services to the community. MAP volunteers help motorists who are experiencing vehicular problems on city streets, while ACE volunteers issue citations to motorists who park in spots reserved for drivers with disabilities.
Prospective volunteers must be at least 18, undergo a background check, take a polygraph and be interviewed.
For more information about COPS, call Larry Horton at 602-262-7218 or visit http://www.phoenix.gov.
Source: City of Phoenix
IMAGINE PHOENIX IN 2050. WHAT DO YOU SEE?
Go to www.phoenix.gov/planphx and go to Events to find a Visioning Workshop during the month of November.
The Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association participates in the Encanto Village group.
Source: City of Phoenix Planning Department
FBI agents and Scottsdale police officers arrested Michael Yanni, 26, of Phoenix, today for allegedly robbing eight banks in a 12-month time period in 2006 and 2007. Yanni was charged by a criminal complaint and made his initial appearance in federal court at 3:00 p.m. today. He will be detained pending a detention hearing set for Thursday, October 29th at 1:30 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint, an anonymous caller left a message for the Scottsdale Police Department on their TIP line in December 2008. Based on details provided by the caller, the Task Force investigated the case for 10 months. They located and spoke with victim tellers and witnesses, and showed them lineups to see if they could identify Yanni as the bank robber. Yanni, formerly of Scottsdale, was identified in all eight banks. Today, the Task Force located Yanni and arrested him without incident at his residence in Phoenix.
The complaint alleges that Yanni committed eight bank robberies in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Carefree and Marana, Ariz., between June 13, 2006, and June 29, 2007. He typically wore a bandana and mirrored aviator sunglasses. Also according to the complaint, after asking the victim tellers for money, he frequently asked them to “do it quietly.”
“The Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force has been extremely successful in bringing bank robbers to justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “When federal, state, and local law enforcement create and maintain partnerships to target specific crime, and the residents of Arizona also provide information, the result is safer communities.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan T. Gray, Phoenix Division, stated that, “The arrest of Michael Yanni by the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force is another fine example of the commitment and professionalism of task force members who represent their respective law enforcement agencies. Our law enforcement partners have been instrumental in the effectiveness of the bank robbery task force in its efforts to reduce bank robberies in the Valley. In addition, we are grateful to the public for its willingness to get involved and assist the law enforcement community.”
After countless hours of investigation leading to the arrest of Yanni, Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell stated, “The entire investigation is like a puzzle with many pieces. When we are looking for that final piece that a member of our community is holding, we greatly appreciate their cooperation in partnering with us. This case is a prime example of how the public can partner with us to remove a criminal from our streets.”
There have been 183 bank robberies in the Phoenix metropolitan area since January 1, 2009. The Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force has solved 121 to date.
A conviction for each count of Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine or both. A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The FBI has partnered with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Mesa Police Department, the Phoenix Police Department, the Scottsdale Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to form the Violent Crime/Bank Robbery Task Force in order to investigate, arrest and seek prosecution of those responsible for robbing banks in the Valley. The prosecution in this case is being handled by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: 09-550M
RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-336(Yanni)
Source: FBI Phoenix Office
The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an unknown bank robber. On Tuesday, October 6, 2009, an unknown male entered the Wells Fargo Bank inside the Basha’s grocery store located at 5115 N. Dysart Road, Litchfield Park. He approached the teller window and presented a demand note containing a threatening message. The victim teller provided an undisclosed amount of money and he exited the bank on foot. No vehicle was seen.
The unknown male is described as a Middle Eastern male, 23 – 35 years, 5’5” to 5’6”, 160 lbs., beard, yellow or beige pageboy hat, light colored collared shirt, brown long sleeve pullover sweater with a Knight’s cross design on the front.
Please contact the FBI Phoenix Division at (602) 279-5511 or 480-WITNESS, with any information about the identity of the unknown bank robber and/or information about the bank robbery.
Source: F.B.I. Phoenix Office
The Phoenix Central Neighborhood Association has requested the City of Phoenix Planning Department to make its presentation about the General Plan Update available online for download.Click here to download a copy of this presentation. FYI: It's a 4.6MB pdf.Source: City of Phoenix
The FBI Bank Robbery Task Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the he "Blue Collar Bandit.” On Wednesday, September 16, 2009, an unknown male entered the Wells Fargo Bank located inside the Fry’s grocery store at 4202 W. Cactus in Glendale.
He approached the teller window and made an oral demand for money. The victim teller provided an undisclosed amount of money. He then demanded more money from another teller and threatened the teller with a semi-auto handgun. The unknown male received an undisclosed amount of money and exited the bank on foot. No vehicle was seen.
The unknown male is described as a Hispanic male, 20 – 30 years, 5’11” to 6’0”, 180 lbs., average build, green plaid long sleeve shirt, beige khaki pants, beige camouflage fishing hat, carrying a silver semi-auto handgun.
The unknown male has allegedly robbed the following additional banks:
Wells Fargo Bank, 8/6/09, 6601 W. Indian School Road, Phoenix
Wells Fargo Bank, 8/11/09, 6965 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale
Sun Bank, 8/20/09, 5010 N. 95th Ave., Glendale
Wells Fargo Bank, 9/3/09, 5115 N. Dysart Road, Litchfield
Wells Fargo Bank, 9/9/09, 20205 N. 67th Ave., Glendale
Wells Fargo Bank is offering a $5,000.00 reward.
Please contact the FBI Phoenix Division at (602) 279-5511, with any information about the identity of “The Blue Collar Bandit” and/or information about the bank robberies.
Source: F.B.I. (Phoenix Office)
Darryl Taylor is wanted for violations of his Federal Probation. Anyone with information concerning the location of Taylor should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for the ARREST of this fugitive.
Source: U.S. Marshals
Cornelius Ewing is wanted for violations of his Federal Probation. Anyone with information concerning the location of Ewing should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for the ARREST of this fugitive.
Source: U.S. Marshals
Kathlen Victorian is wanted for Federal firearms violations and is a convicted sexual offender. Victorian may be in the New Roads area or elsewhere in Pointe Coupee Parish. Anyone with information concerning the location of Victorian should call the Middle Louisiana Fugitive Task Force at 225-389-0360. A cash reward may be available for the ARREST of this fugitive.
Source: U.S. Marshals
