NEWARK, NJ - Monday morning, Alaa Saadeh, 23, was arrested at his West New York home in Hudson County for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to ISIL - the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant," a designated foreign terrorist organization, US Attorney Paul J. Fishman 
announced.  

The FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) have been investigating a group of at least five individuals from New York and New Jersey who are allegedly involved with actively promoting ISIL. Saadeh, a United States citizen, is the fourth individual that the Department of Justice has noted is part of this current ISIL investigation. 

Charges
Saadeh was charged with the following:

• Conspiring with other individuals in New Jersey and New York to provide services and personnel to ISIL
• Aiding and abetting an attempt to provide services and personnel to ISIL
• Attempting to persuade a witness to lie to the FBI

Information Gathered from Case Documents
The FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) have been investigating a group of individuals from New York and New Jersey who have allegedly conspired to provide material support to ISIL.

"Conspirator 1"

• The first male individual - "Conspirator 1"
  - age 20
  - lived in Rutherford
  - Dual citizenship: United States and Jordan
  - brother of Saadeh
• "Conspirator 1" is suspected of traveling to the Middle East (with an ultimate destination of Syria and Iraq) out of John F. Kennedy International Airport and that Saadeh purchased his ticket

• On route to the airport, "Conspirator 1" was reportedly joined by "Conspirator 2" and Saadeh; they reportedly discussed reuniting as a group - along with Samuel Rahamin Topaz  - in a few weeks time overseas to join ISIL
• The group reportedly referred to this plan as "Hijra"

• "Conspirator 1" left the United States on May 5; it is alleged that he then joined ISIL
• The family of  "Conspirator 1" reportedly informed "Conspirator 2," Saadeh and Topaz that he had been arrested in Jordan and was suspected of supporting ISIL 
  
  

"Conspirator 2"

• The second individual - "Conspirator 2"
  - age 20
  - resides in Queens 
  - United States citizen
• After arrest of "Conspirator 1," Saadeh, Topaz, and "Conspirator 2" reportedly continue to discuss "Hijra" - their plans to reunite overseas 
  
  

Samuel Rahamin Topaz

• The third individual - Samuel Rahamin Topaz
  - age 21
  - resides in Fort Lee
  

• - United States citizen
  
• Text messages recovered from Topaz's phone allegedly reflect the group's plan to reunite overseas: 
  Text Message: May 21 
   - Saadeh and Topaz discussed the need to “lay low” and decide to refrain from taking any further action in an effort to avoid detection by law enforcement
  -The two also allegedly discussed needing to meet in person to discuss Hijra
  

Alaa Saadeh

• Reportedly, on May 22, Saadeh told a fifth individual that he suspected that either "Conspirator 2" or Topaz had "snitched" on "Conspirator 1" and caused his arrest in Jordan; Saadeh continued that - if that ends up being true - he would have to “kill someone”
• In recorded conversations with an informant, Saadeh allegedly stated:
  - he supported ISIL's use of beheadings and mass killings to impose its violent agenda 
  - he planned to travel overseas with "Conspirator 2" “at some point” 
  - he provided "Conspirator 1" with transportation and removed a SIM card from his phone to attempt to hide incriminating data
• Apparently this month, Saadeh became aware that he was under FBI surveillance and allegedly directed another New Jersey individual to not divulge to the FBI what was known about "Conspirator 1" 
  - he instructed the individual to “play dumb” and to be “honest up to a point” but to be sure not to tell the FBI anything about ISIL

Subsequent Arrests
Following the reported arrest of "Conspirator 1" sometime in May in Jordan, the following individuals were also arrested as part of this current investigation:

• "Conspirator 2" was arrested in New York, June 13, and charged with 
  conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization
  
  
• Samuel Rahamin Topaz was arrested June 17 in New Jersey and charged with conspiring to provide services and personnel to ISIL  
  
  
• Alaa Saadeh was arrested Monday, June 29, and charged with:
  - Conspiring with other individuals in New Jersey and New York to provide services and personnel to ISIL
  -Aiding and abetting an attempt to provide services and personnel to ISIL 
  - Attempting to persuade a witness to lie to the FBI 
  
  

Penalties
Each count in the complaint carries:

• a maximum of potential penalty of 20 years in prison
• a fine of $250,000
  

Investigative Team
Fishman credited the following in leading to today’s arrest:

• The FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel of the FBI’s Newark Division
  

Trial Representation
The US Government will be represented by:

• Assistant U.S. Attorneys L. Judson Welle, Dennis C. Carletta, and Francisco J. Navarro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Unit in Newark, with the assistance of Trial Attorney Robert J. Sander of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section
  

NEWARK, NJ - Today in Newark Federal Court, Nicholas DeGidio, of Union, admitted his role in distributing more than one-half a kilo of cocaine, US Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. DeGidio, 37, was named by the US Attorney as a known associate of the DeCavalcante organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra. He pleaded guilty before US District Judge William H. Walls. 

Information Gathered from Case Documents and Court Statements

• Between December 2014 and March 2015, working along with other family associates, DeGidio sold more than 500 grams of cocaine to an undercover FBI agent for at least $78,000

• In March, DeGidio was arrested and charged along with nine other alleged members of the DeCavalcante crime family
  

Penalties
For pleading guilty, DeGidio could receive:

• a maximum of 40 years in prison
• a $5 million fine 
  

Sentencing
Sentencing is currently scheduled for Sept. 29, 2015

Investigative Team
Fishman credited the following in leading to today’s plea:

• Special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel in Newark
• NJ State Commission of Investigation, under the direction of Executive Director Philip James Degnan
• Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor, under the direction of Executive Director Walter M. Arsenault
• Union County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park

Trial Representation
The US Government is represented by:

• Senior Litigation Counsel V. Grady O’Malley Sr. 
• Assistant U.S. Attorney James Donnelly of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime/Gangs Unit
  

The Defense counsel is made up of: 

• Ted Romankow Esq., Springfield, New Jersey
  

NEWARK, NJ - Today, Dr. Richard Goldberg, 65, and Dr. Gary Leeds, 61, both of Connecticut with practices in New York, were sentenced to 20-months today in Newark federal court, US Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
 
The two doctors had previously pleaded guilty before US District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to one count of accepting bribes in exchange for test referrals. Chesler imposed both sentences today in Newark.

The long-running and elaborate scheme was operated by Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services (BLS), of Parsippany. As of now, 38 people (26 of them doctors, including Leeds and Goldberg) have pleaded guilty in connection with the bribery scheme. Organizers have admitted that millions of dollars in bribes, which resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and private insurance companies, were involved in the far-reaching fraud plot. The investigation has so far recovered more than $11 million to date through forfeiture.

Information Gathered from Case Documents and Court Statements

• Goldberg and Leeds admitted to accepting thousands of dollars per month in cash between September 2010 and April 2013 in return for referring patient blood specimens to BLS. 
  
  
• The pair acknowledged they each accepted more than $100,000 in cash from BLS in exchange for referring at least a combined $1.8 million in lab business from their joint practice, Family Medical Group of Manhattan.
  

Professional Medical Practice
Besides sharing a Family Medical Group of Manhattan, both men are affiliated with the Beth Israel Medical Center

• Leeds earned his MD at Brown University and completed his residency at Georgetown University
  
  
• Goldberg earned his MD at the University of Michigan and completed his residency at Duke University. He is an active member of the American Academy of Family Physicians as well as the New York Academy of Family Physicians. His writing has been published in Medical Tribune, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Glamour Magazine and the Journal of Parasitology.

Penalties

• 20-months in jail
  
• Goldberg will also serve three years of supervised release
• Goldberg will also pay a $5,000 fine
• Leeds will also serve one year of supervised release
• Leeds will also pay a $15,000 fine
• Goldberg and Leeds must each forfeit $108,000
  

Investigative Team

• Special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel
  
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Scott J. Lampert; 
• IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen
• US Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates
  

Trial Representation
The US Government is represented by:

• Senior Litigation Counsel Andrew Leven
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph N. Minish
• Jacob T. Elberg, Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Ward, Chief of the office’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Unit
  

The Defense counsel is made up of: 

• Goldberg:
  Aidan P. O’Connor Esq., Hackensack, New Jersey
• Leeds:
  E. Scott Morvillo Esq., New York

NEWARK, NJ - Lucas J. Reinmann, 36,  of Boonton, was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for using his home computer to download hundreds of images of child sexual abuse, US Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

The sentencing took place in US District Judge Susan D. Wigenton's Newark federal court where Reinmann had previously pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly receiving images of child pornography over the internet.

Facts Gathered from Case Documents and Court Statements

• Using a peer-to-peer file sharing network, Reinmann downloaded images and videos of child sexual abuse from the internet to his computer
• Reinmann's computers and USB drives were seized from his residence in July 2013

• He was found to possess more than 600 images of child sexual abuse

Penalties

• 5 years in prison
• 10 years of supervised release
  

Investigative Team
Fishman credited the following in leading to today’s sentencing:

• Special agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly 
• Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp 
  
• Boonton Township Police Department, under the direction of Chief Paul C. Fortunato

Trial Representation
The US Government is represented by:

• Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office OCDETF Unit in Newark
  

The Defense is represented by: 

• Edward V. Sapone Esq., New York

NEWARK, NJ - Raymundo Hernandez, 36, of Bronx, NY, was sentenced to 27 months in prison today for pleading guilty to being the ringleader of a conspiracy that stole $2.6 million in United States income tax refund checks US Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Hernandez had previously pleaded guilty to the charge; he was sentenced by US District Judge Madeline C. Arleo in Newark federal court. 

Stolen Identity Refund Fraud 
Stolen Identity Refund Fraud (SIRF) results in more than $2 billion in losses annually for the US and is a common type of fraud committed against the government. The schemes usually involve the following:

• Scam-artists gather information regarding personal identification including Social Security numbers and dates of birth
• Victims often reside in Puerto Rico 
• Scammers complete IRS-1040 tax return forms using the stolen information and then they falsify wages earned and taxes withheld to ensure the tax return will generate a refund
• The refund checks are then mailed to the scammer's location
• In some cases, mail carriers have been bribed to remove the refund checks from their mail routes
• Tax refund is then deposited into the scammer's bank

 Facts Gathered from Case Documents and Court Statements

• From November 2010 through October 2012, Hernandez recruited and oversaw a team of conspirators who filed false income tax returns with the IRS in order to obtain refunds
• The conspirators were located in Newark and the Bronx
• Hernandez paid the group with the treasury checks he received fraudulently
• Luis Pena, 32, of Bronx, was one of Hernandez' conspirators. Pena obtained at least 44 treasury checks for Hernandez and pleaded guilty to  this role in March 2014
• Also pleading guilty were mail carriers Gloria Rivera 40, of the Bronx, and Lourdes Ortiz, 42, of the Bronx who accepted bribes in exchange for delivering the fraudulent refund checks to Pena
• The  $2,659,718 worth of checks were deposited into bank accounts in the name of businesses the conspirators controlled; the proceeds were withdrawn in large amounts of cash
• Three bank accounts were controlled by Hernandez who personally deposited $171,589

• Some of the money was used to purchase cars and to gamble in Atlantic City

Penalties

• Hernandez was sentenced to 27 months in prison along with three years of Supervised Release
  
• Hernandez must pay restitution of $2,659,717.82 to the US government
• Pena was sentenced to 30 months in prison on Oct. 16, 2014
• Rivera was sentenced to six months in prison on Jan. 7, 2015
• Ortiz was sentenced to three years of probation on Jan. 7, 2015

Investigative Team
Fishman credited the following in leading to today’s sentencing:

• Special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen
  
• Postal inspectors of the US Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Maria L. Kelokates
  
• Special agents of the US Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Carl Agnelli
  
• Special agents of the US Postal Service-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Rafael A. Medina
  

Trial Representation
The US Government is represented by:

• Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara F. Merin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark
  

The Defense counsel is made up of: 

• Roy Greenman Esq., Union, New Jersey

NEWARK, NJ - Today, Patrick T. Deck, 54, of Watchung, was sentenced today in Newark federal court to 34 Years in prison for producing and transporting sexually explicit videos of children, US Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Deck had previously pleaded guilty before US District Judge Esther Salas to two counts of transportation of child pornography. Salas imposed the sentence today.

Information Gathered from Case Documents and Court Statements

• On Aug. 12, 2012, Deck was arrested by the New Jersey State Police at the Land of Make Believe amusement park in Hope for allegedly filming children in the men’s restroom, without any consent. 
  
  
• Police executed a search warrant the next day at Deck’s home in Watchung and discovered multiple videos and images containing child sexual abuse on Deck’s computers and other electronic devices.
  

• Deck admitted that between 1997 and 2010, he transported two minors, beginning when they were approximately 11-years old, to locations across the country, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Montana for the purpose of filming them to creating sexually explicit films.
  
  
• Deck admitted to producing the videos and images of child pornography and then transported those images back to his home in Watchung.
  
  
• Deck was earlier convicted in 1988, in Burlington County Superior Court on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Those convictions had arisen out of prior incidents when Deck, then 27, photographed or filmed minors engaged in sexual acts.

Penalties

• 34 Years in prison; age 88
• Forfeit the video cameras and other devices that he used to commit the offense. 
• Deck will also be required to register as a sex offender.
• In addition to the prison term, Salas sentenced Deck to serve a lifetime of supervised release.

Sentencing
Fishman credited the following in leading to today’s sentencing:

• Special agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly 
• NJ State Police under the direction of Col. Rick Fuentes
• Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Richard T. Burke
  

Trial Representation
The US Government is represented by:

• Assistant US Attorney Francisco J. Navarro of the U.S. Attorney’s Office General Crimes Unit in Newark.
  

The Defense is represented by: 

• James Wronko Esq., Somerville, New Jersey

TRENTON, NJ - Today, Justin Kinney, 26, of Newark, admitted to sexually abusing two girls and recording the activity on his cellphone. 

US Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced that Kinney pleaded guilty in Newark federal court before US District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an indictment charging him with two counts of producing child pornography. Kinney was previously arrested and charged on April 20, 2014, and is currently in state custody.

Information Gathered from Case Documents and Court Statements

• On Oct. 25, 2012, Police executed a search warrant on Kinney’s laptop computer and cellphone, which revealed several files of child pornography that appeared to be taken with Kinney’s cellphone
  
  
• Kinney admitted that two of the images, dated Aug. 19, 2012 and Oct. 10, 2012, were taken by him while he sexually abused two girls

Penalties

• On each count of the production of child pornography, Kinney faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine
• Kinney will be required to register as a sex offender
  
  

Sentencing
Sentencing is currently scheduled for Sept. 9, 2015

Investigative Team
Fishman credited the following in leading to today’s plea:

• Special agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) 
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Newark Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly 
• Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray

Trial Representation
The US Government is represented by:

• Assistant U.S. Attorneys Danielle M. Corcione and Danielle Alfonzo Walsman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Health Care and Government Fraud Unit in Newark
  

The Defense is represented by: 

• Assistant Federal Public Defender John Yauch Esq., Newark

TRENTON, NJ - Two Atlantic City men and a Millville woman today admitted their roles in a criminal street gang that used threats, intimidation and violence to maintain control of the illegal drug trade in Atlantic City, US Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Defendants
All three defendants entered their pleas today before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton federal court.

Franklin "Fat Boy" Simms, 31
US v Franklin Simms Court Papers
He pleaded guilty to: 

• one count of conspiring to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute
  100 grams or more of heroin 
  
  

Rayshell "Big Truck" Strong, 34
US v Rayshell Strong Court Papers
He pleaded guilty to:

• one count of conspiring to distribute a detectable amount of heroin
  
  

Latasha "Tasha" Cherry, 31
US v Latasha Cherry Court papers
She pleaded guilty to:

• one count of conspiring to engage in money laundering

Dirty Block Crime Fam
All three defendants were members of a gang known as “Dirty Block,” also known as:

• Crime Fam
  
• 3.6.6.12
  
• 3.6
  

The group operated in a geographic area of Atlantic City that includes the public housing apartment complexes of Stanley Holmes Village and Schoolhouse Apartments. To date, 23 of the 34 defendants charged in this matter have been convicted, either through guilty pleas or following trial. 

The Facts Gathered from Case Documents and Court Statements

• Simms and Strong admitted distributing heroin on behalf of one of the gang’s alleged leaders, Tyrone "Rome" Ellis, 33, of Galloway, New Jersey, who was among the 34 defendants charged in May 2013. 
  
  
• Simms and Strong admitted that from October 2012 through March 2013, they conspired to distribute between 400 and 700 grams of heroin. 
  
  
• Cherry stated that she conspired with Ellis and others to launder the proceeds by transferring cash onto reloadable prepaid debit cards.
  

Penalties

• The drug conspiracy charge to which Simms pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. 
  
  
• The drug distribution conspiracy charge to which Strong pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
  
  
• The money laundering charge to which Cherry pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. 
  

Sentencing
Sentencing for all three defendants is scheduled for Sept. 21, 2015.

Investigative Team
Fishman credited the following in leading to today’s sentencing:

• Special agents of the FBI’s Newark Division
• Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel
• Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor James P. McClain
• Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Chief Henry White
• South Jersey Safe Streets Violent Incident and Gang (Safe Streets) Task Force
  

For their contributions, Fishman also thanked:

• NJ State Police
  
• Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office
  
• Northfield Police Department
  
• Brigantine Police Department
  
• Millville Police Department 
  

Trial Representation
The US Government is represented by:

• Assistant US Attorneys Patrick Askin
• Justin Danilewitz of the US Attorney’s Office in Camden
• Special Assistant US Attorney Edmund Burgos of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office
  
  

The Defense counsel is made up of: 

• Simms:
  Troy A. Archie Esq., of Cinnaminson, New Jersey
  
• Strong:
  J. Michael Farrell Esq., of Philadelphia
  
• Cherry:
  Richard Sparaco Esq., of Cherry Hill, New Jersey
  

FAIRFIELD, NJ - In Trenton today, Daniel Metz, 34, of Fairfield, was sentenced to prison for his role in a scheme to defraud hospitals of more than $800,000, according to US Attorney Paul J. Fishman.  In August, Metz had pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a count which carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He was sentenced today to nine months in prison and nine months of home confinement. Charles B. Carey Jr., 35, of Clark, whose cooperation led to Metz’ conviction, was sentenced to three years of probation. 

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Metz and Carey  both worked for Integra LifeSciences Corporation of Plainsboro, a provider of orthopedic products such as devices and implants for the spine, foot and ankle, hand and wrist, and shoulder and elbow.

Integra initially employed Metz as a Product Specialist in July, 2005. Apparently, surgeons routinely allow product specialists to be present during surgeries and, should they need any of the items which the sales person has with them, they use the items and the hospital is later billed for the items used. Integra Product Specialists bring with them consignment trays with pre-packaged products and they, and their supervisors, are compensated based on salary, sales target-based commission and bonuses. 

Metz eventually became Northeast Regional Manager, supervising 16 Product Specialists and Assistant Sales Representatives in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. While working in his managerial role, Metz oversaw Carey, who was a Product Specialist from January, 2009, until he resigned in April, 2011.

During court proceedings, Metz admitted that he used various fraudulent methods to overcharge hospitals and surgery centers, including sometimes charging for a greater quantity or a more expensive product than was actually used. He also admitted in court that he taught his fraudulent schemes to those he supervised, including Carey, who admitted to also employing the methods. 

Together, Metz and Carey admitted to fraudulently causing medical facilities to pay more than $800,000 in inflated bills. When the fraud was brought to the company's attention, Metz was fired from Integra in April, 2013.  

In addition to the prison term and home confinement, US District Judge Joel A. Pisano sentenced Metz to three years of supervised release. As part of their plea agreements, Metz will pay $100,000 and Carey, $77,000, which represents the amounts of money they personally made through the fraud scheme. The defrauded hospitals have already been reimbursed by Integra for the fraudulent charges. 

Assisting Fishman with the investigation were special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office detectives, under the direction of Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp.

The US Attorney's  stand-alone Health Care and Government Fraud Unit handles both criminal and civil investigations and prosecutes health care fraud offenses. Since 2010, the office has recovered more than $635 million in health care fraud and government fraud settlements, judgments, fines, restitution and forfeiture under the False Claims Act, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and other statutes.

The government was represented by Jacob T. Elberg, Chief of the US Attorney’s Office’s Health Care and Government Fraud Unit, in Newark.

The defense counsel for Metz was Lawrence Lustberg Esq., Newark, and for Carey, Timothy Donohue Esq., of West Orange.