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

Former Fiesta Bowl Chief Operating Officer Indicted

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

Unveiling of Clear Channel Outdoor digital billboards advertising BanditTrackerArizona.com

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

Prescription Drug Take Back Day - 4/30/2011

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

US Attorney's Office-AZ Mortgage Fraud

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

City of Phoenix Droid App for Reporting Blight‏

The city of Phoenix is the first municipality in the nation to launch a free Droid application that will allow residents with Droid phones to point, click and send photos of graffiti, over-height weeds, abandoned shopping carts and other blight violations to the city's Neighborhood Services Department.

Droid phone users may download the application for free from the Droid Market by searching for the keyword "myphoenix" and then clicking on My Phoenix. Once installed, users will simply open the application and follow the prompts to take a picture of the violation and then tap “submit.” Using built-in global positioning system technology, the application will attach a location to the picture and send the complaint to the Neighborhood Services Department. Residents also can choose an option to receive updates on the status of their request.

The My Phoenix Droid app follows the June launch of an iPhone app, which was enthusiastically received by residents and neighborhood groups, resulting in more than 400 downloads to date. Phoenix has received calls and e-mails from other government agencies around the nation interested in developing their own applications. “These applications allow us to provide Phoenix residents with convenient mobile options for reporting blight violations in the community to supplement our existing intake options.” said Chris Hallett Neighborhood Services Department Acting Director.

Phoenix residents may also continue to report blight to Neighborhood Services by e-mail at blight@phoenix.gov and by phone at 602-262-7844.

The Droid and iPhone applications were created at no cost to the city by Graffiti Protective Coatings, a graffiti cleanup company that serves government agencies in Arizona.

Neighborhood Services offers a wide range of programs to assist residents, including a graffiti removal program, a free tool-lending program, and classes and events designed to support neighborhood improvements. For more information, residents may visit phoenix.gov/cleanphx or call 602-534-4444, which is dedicated to answering residents’ questions about how to get involved.

Source: City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department

U.S. Marshals Make Arrest in Identity Theft and Parental Abduction Case‏

Eric Timberman, the United States Marshal for the District of Puerto Rico, would like to announce that Janeth Valenzuela, wanted by the United States Marshals Service for Identity Theft and by the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department for Parental Abduction, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals led Puerto Rico Fugitive Task Force today.

Source: U.S. Marshals

Another Tool To Fight Against Blight

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 makes Lou Ferrigno AKA The Incredible Hulk, an honorary deputy

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

Statement from the 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

U.S. Marshals Add Drug Trafficker to 15 Most Wanted Fugitive List‏

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

SHERIFF ARPAIO INTRODUCES A NEW VIDEO BOOK CLUB...

SHERIFF ARPAIO INTRODUCES A NEW VIDEO BOOK CLUB...AIMED AT LESSENING THE PAIN OF SEPARATION BETWEEN INMATE AND CHILD

Separation between parent and child is always difficult but no more so than when the parent is in jail. Visits can be awkward, phone calls are short and costly to the family and letter writing is quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Easing some of the pain of separation is the reason behind Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s introduction of a new literacy program called “A.B.C. -Arpaio’s Book Club.”

The program consists of inmates recording a book of their choice on a DVD which is then edited and mailed to the home of the inmate’s child. The inmate could be the father or mother or aunt or grandmother – whoever acts as a primary or secondary caregiver to a child.

Books for the program, Arpaio says, have all been donated from local sources including libraries, book vendors as well as from individuals.

The only costs associated with the program are minimal – the DVDs themselves and postage. The filming and editing are done by detention officers from the Inmate Programs division, a part of the office largely funded by canteen sales, vending machines sales and phone calls made to family and friends by inmates.

Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office

Texas Prison Escapee Added to U.S. Marshals '15 Most Wanted' List‏

The U.S. Marshals have added to their ”15 Most Wanted “ list a man serving three life sentences who escaped custody during his transport from Huntsville, TX. During the escape, Arcade Joseph Comeaux, Jr. allegedly produced a weapon and fired upon two correctional officers, took them hostage and forced them to drive to Baytown, TX where he restrained the officers in the back of the van, took their firearms and one of their uniforms.

Source: US Marshals

Wanted: The High Country Bandits‏

The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the High Country Bandits, an armed crew who have allegedly committed three bank robberies across Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, Prescott Valley, and in Payson. The unknown male identified as suspect number one points a semi-automatic handgun at the victim teller(s) and demands money. He obtains an undisclosed amount of money then orders everyone on the ground and exits the financial institution with a second suspect.

Suspect number one is described as a White male, 20’s - 40’s, approximately 5’5” – 5’7”, slight build, wearing dark clothing, gloves, baseball cap, sunglasses, and a facemask that covers at least the lower half of his face. There is no description for suspect number two.

The following credit union and banks have been robbed:

Arizona Central Credit Union, 1948 South Woodland Village Blvd, Flagstaff, Arizona, 10/14/09.

Country Bank, 3044 North Glassford Hill Road, Prescott Valley, Arizona, 10/30/09.

Compass Bank, 613 S. Beeline Highway, Payson, Arizona, 11/25/09.

Please contact the FBI at (602) 279-5511 with any information about the identity of the High Country Bandits.

Source: F.B.I. Phoenix Office

Transient in the area of 3rd Avenue and Osborn Road

Luis Bueno

Transient in the area of 3rd Avenue and Osborn Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013

Age: 39
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 158
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown

He is not wanted by the Phoenix Police at this time.

Source:
Phoenix Police Department, Sex Offender Notification Squad

On September 6, 1991, Offender Bueno pled guilty to two counts of Attempted Sexual Assault in Maricopa County Superior Court.

During the incident, Offender Bueno attempted to sexually assault two female victims, who were injured when they jumped out of a third floor window to escape.

In a separate incident, Offender Bueno attacked the female victim at her office. He knocked the victim to the floor, where he punched her in the face and attempted to sexually assault her. Offender Bueno was a stranger to the victim.

“Wig Bandit” Bank Robbers Sentenced to 18 and 20 Years in Federal Prison

Two of the so-called “Wig Bandits,” bank robbers who donned wigs during the commission of armed bank robberies, have been sentenced to federal prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell. Andrei Ulisses Chavez, 25, and Francisco Javier Serrano, 23, both Mexican citizens living in Phoenix, each pleaded guilty in June 2009, to one count of Armed Bank Robbery and one count of Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.

Serrano was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in federal prison. Chavez was sentenced in September 2009 to 18 years in federal prison. Four co-defendants are pending sentencing after pleading guilty for each of their roles in the robberies. A final co-defendant is pending trial.

“I applaud the continued success of federal and local law enforcement agencies in bringing bank robbers to justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “These sentences reflect the violent nature of this type of crime.”

“These sentences illustrate the cooperative efforts of our law enforcement partners and the FBI,” stated FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan T. Gray, Phoenix Division. “The Glendale and Phoenix Police Departments were instrumental in the investigation of the ‘Wig Bandits.’ When you reduce the number of violent takeover type bank robbers, it makes our communities safer. We remain committed to reducing the number of robberies in the Valley by working with our prosecuting partners at the County and Federal levels.”

In addition to the co-defendants who are pending sentencing, one additional co-defendant is pending trial. Julio Cesar Feliciano, Jr., 45, of Phoenix, is charged with five armed bank robberies involving multiple firearms and is set for trial beginning November 10, 2009, before Judge Campbell. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Glendale, Phoenix, and Avondale Police Departments. The prosecution is being handled by Alison S. Bachus and Dimitra H. Sampson, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-08-932-PHX-DGC

RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-338(Chavez & Serrano)

Source: FBI Phoenix Office

planPHX - Big Question #2‏

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

Man Accused of Sexual Assault During Harboring Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison‏

Feliciano Rojas-Vivar, aka Ruben Lopez-Lopez, 53, of Pueblas, Mexico, was sentenced on October 23, 2009, by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone to 15 years in federal prison. Rojas-Vivar pleaded guilty to three counts of Harboring Illegal Aliens for Profit at his Phoenix residence in 2007. His step-son, Juan Daniel Rojas-Perez, 30, also of Pueblas, Mexico, was sentenced on March 23, 2009, by Judge Martone to 46 months in prison. He pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Harbor Aliens.

In November 2007, Rojas-Vivar and Rojas-Perez worked together to harbor illegal aliens at a house owned by Rojas-Vivar. One of the aliens held at the residence was a juvenile female and at sentencing, Judge Martone found that there was credible evidence that Rojas-Vivar sexually assaulted her during the harboring. His step-son was not involved with the sexual assault. Both men had lived in the U.S. for an extended period of time and Rojas-Vivar had a history of alien smuggling. During sentencing, the judge stated that Rojas-Vivar had imposed a “reign of terror” on the juvenile victim and that his extreme conduct was unusually degrading.

The investigation in this case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance provided by the Phoenix Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Lisa Jennis Settel, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-07-1388-PHX-FJM

RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-335(Rojas-Vivar)

Source: FBI Phoenix Office

FBI Task Force Arrests Serial Bank Robber Based on Tip to Scottsdale Police‏

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

Federal, State, and Local Cooperation Nabs Homicide Suspect‏

The U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of State, Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Phoenix Police Department, members of the Arizona WANTED Task Force arrested Lazar Yousif Lazar as he re-entered the United States . In March 2009 a warrant was issued by the Maricopa County Superior Court for the arrest of Lazar after he failed to appear for court proceedings related to the prior charges of First Degree Murder, Assisting a Criminal Street Gang, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery.

Source: US Marshals