BROOKLYN, NY - Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, two indictments were unsealed charging India-based companies Raxuter Chemicals and Athos Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (Athos Chemicals) and Bhavesh Lathiya, a founder and senior executive of Raxuter Chemicals, with criminal conspiracies to distribute and import fentanyl precursor chemicals to the United States. 

United States Attorney Peace stated, “It is critically important that law enforcement can communicate effectively with members of the community, regardless of the language that they speak.  Working collaboratively with FPD, we will improve public safety for all and hope to replicate this agreement with other law enforcement agencies throughout the Eastern District of New York.” 

BROOKLYN, NY – Today in federal court in Brooklyn, Manhattan resident Chen Jinping pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an agent of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in connection with opening and operating an undeclared overseas police station in lower Manhattan for the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security.

Breon Peace is resigning as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York on January 10, 2025. 

Earlier today, a two-count indictment was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn charging Jason Soto, also known as “Twin,” a member of the Cypress Gangsta Crips , a subgroup of the Eight Trey Crips based in the Cypress Hills Houses of East New York, Brooklyn, with the February 2015 murder of Shakim Rivera, the leader of the CGC.  

“Carlos Watson orchestrated a years-long, audacious scheme to defraud investors and lenders to his company, Ozy Media, out of tens of millions of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “His incessant and deliberate lies demonstrated not only a brazen disregard for the rule of law, but also a contempt for the values of honesty and fairness that should underlie American entrepreneurship.  On far too many occasions, Watson chose deceit over candor, grasping for the illusion of business success and personal acclaim at any cost. Today’s sentence should serve as a warning to those who would engage in fraud that justice will be swift and certain.”

“The defendant built a business in China to sell sensitive technology that belongs to a U.S. company.  His actions were bold—he even advertised that he was selling the victim’s products—because he thought, incorrectly, that he was outside the reach of U.S. prosecutors,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to would-be offenders: my Office will do everything it can to protect American innovation and national security no matter where you try to hide.”

Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Quadri Garnes of transmission of threats to injure. The verdict followed a five-day trial before United States District Judge Nina R. Morrison.  When sentenced, Garnes faces up to five years in prison.

Today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Carmelo Polito, also known as “Carmine Polito,” a former acting captain and soldier in the Genovese organized crime family, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano for racketeering in connection with operating an illegal gambling business at the Gran Caffé in Lynbrook, Long Island, and attempting to extort an individual who owed him money stemming from a separate online sports betting business. 

“As proven, Dr. Hassad was a drug dealer who disgracefully dispensed highly addictive oxycodone pills without any regard for the well-being of the patient but with plenty of interest in their cash,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Corrupt doctors like this defendant, who value greed over their oath to do no harm, fuel the opioid epidemic and my Office is committed to holding them accountable for the incalculable harm they have caused.”

“As alleged, the defendant exploited for his own personal benefit confidential information, including derogatory news of his own impending termination, that was meant to be available only for corporate purposes,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “In doing so before he was shown the door, Peterman breached the trust and confidence placed in him by his former employer and its shareholders.  My Office will vigorously prosecute those, like Peterman, who would seek to enrich themselves at the expense of ordinary investors and the integrity of the securities markets.”

BROOKLYN, NY – A 12-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Natalya Ivanovna Mazulina, also known as “Natasha Mazulina,” for her alleged involvement in a scheme to circumvent U.S. export laws and sanctions on Russia.  Mazulina, the Western regional manager of a freight forwarding company based in Jamaica, New York, which operated out of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK airport) in Queens, New York, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington State, was arrested earlier today in Seattle. 

Earlier today, Junior Zelaya Canales, also known as “Terco,” a Queens-based regional leader of the 18th Street gang, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges in connection with his participation in the September 12, 2016 murder of 15-year-old Joshua Guzman in Hempstead, New York.  

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, stated: “I am filled with pride and admiration for the honorees whose outstanding work has furthered the mission of our Office and the Department of Justice through aggressive, fair, and compassionate enforcement of the law, and dedication to crime prevention and reentry initiatives.”

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Charles O. Parks III, also known as “CP3O,” pleaded guilty to wire fraud for operating a large-scale illegal “cryptojacking” operation.  As part of the scheme, Parks defrauded two well-known providers of cloud computing services out of more than $3.5 million worth of computing resources in order to mine cryptocurrency worth nearly $1 million.  

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Atahualpa Rodriguez pleaded guilty to committing arson of an apartment building in Flushing, Queens.  

“Zeidman and his partners baited unsuspecting victims with false claims of an edge in sports betting only to feed them lies and pocket millions of dollars from their savings and retirement accounts,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Today’s guilty plea sends a message to all those who would prey upon the public by falsely advertising gambling as an ‘investment opportunity’: the only sure bet here is that this Office will work tirelessly to root out sources of disinformation and fraud and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The defendant, a serial bank robber, chose to terrorize hard-working bank tellers and customers, for his own selfish purposes.  The victims, including an elderly woman the defendant locked in a chokehold, will never forget that day,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “It is a vital part of our mission to protect our community, and my Office will continue to tirelessly prosecute repeat offenders who show no respect for the law.”

 “This settlement reflects this Office’s commitment to robust enforcement of the ADA and ensuring that patients with HIV have access to medical care,” stated United States Attorney Peace.