Saturday, August 31, 2024
Friday, August 30, 2024
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
EPA Announces About $70 Million in Grant Funding for Dillard University and the City of New Orleans
US EPA News Release:
EPA Announces About $70 Million in Grant Funding for Dillard University and the City of New Orleans
DALLAS, TEXAS (August 27, 2024)— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $19,944,576 in community grant funding for Dillard University and their partner United Way of Southeast Louisiana. The City of New Orleans will receive $49,975,589 from the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program (CPRG) to implement community-driven solutions that tackle the climate crisis.
“New Orleans, more than any other city, knows the importance of climate resilience. Projects funded through Climate Pollution Reduction and Community Change grant programs will not only strengthen infrastructure to build resilience, but will also cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act brings historic amounts of funding to community groups on the frontlines of climate change who are ready to implement solutions to the challenges they face.”
“I’m excited to celebrate the tremendous strides being made in our fight against the climate crisis and to recognize the impactful work being done right here in Southeast Louisiana. The grants we are highlighting today represent more than just financial support – they symbolize our collective commitment to environmental justice, sustainability, and the health of our communities. Together, we are building a brighter, greener future,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).
"Our community's strength lies in our collaboration, and today we celebrate the transformative climate investments made possible by the EPA and the Biden-Harris Administration," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "This historic level of funding will empower us to create a more resilient, sustainable New Orleans while directly addressing the needs of our residents. Together, we are leading the charge toward a brighter, greener future."
"Today marks a pivotal moment for Dillard University and the Greater New Orleans community as we celebrate this transformational grant from the EPA,” said Dr. Monique Guillory, Interim President of Dillard University. "This funding reflects our dedication to sustainability and resilience and highlights the power of collaboration with our community partners. Together, we are poised to address critical environmental challenges and empower our community, ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future for all."
“At United Way of Southeast Louisiana, we are committed to fostering financial stability for our families and empowering them to take meaningful action toward environmental resilience. Through initiatives like the new monthly orientations, job referrals, and sustainable infrastructure improvements at our Prosperity Centers, together with our partners, we are creating a community where every family has the resources and opportunities to thrive,” said Michael Williamson, President and CEO, United Way of Southeast Louisiana.
"Louisiana Green Corps is thrilled to be part of these historic awards for our city and is committed to shaping a sustainable future where racial equity, economic growth and environmental stewardship all go hand in hand. To grow the equity we seek for our region we need workforce development partnerships like these to ensure local residents benefit from our city's current and future economic and environmental revitalization efforts,” said Ryan Mattingly, Executive Director Louisiana of Green Corps.
"With over 70% of ridership by New Orleans locals, Blue Bikes provides a healthy, sustainable, and fun way for folks to move around town," said Interim Co-Executive Director Patrick Urbine. "We are thrilled to be able to partner with the City of New Orleans and Dillard University to continue to expand access to bikeshare and improve healthy, sustainable, and fun mobility options for the larger New Orleans community."
A total of $19 million is being given to Dillard University and their partners to reduce pollution and strengthen community resilience to natural disasters in the St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. This funding will improve transportation access by providing up to 300 families with e-bikes; expanding bike sharing programs; and installing EV chargers. Several buildings will be retrofit with energy efficient HVAC systems, solar, and energy storage so they can serve as community resilience hubs during emergencies. The university will also launch new non-degree certificate programs in clean energy and climate resilience.
The City of New Orleans will develop projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across multiple sectors by improving access to non-vehicle transportation, supporting adoption of energy efficiency measures in large buildings, installing rooftop solar panels, and implementing urban forestry programs. This nearly $50 million in funding will help New Orleans increase the Blue Bikes share fleet to 2,000 with a focus on historically underserved areas; construct seven miles of protected bikeways adjacent to downtown New Orleans to protect bikers from traffic; plant 7,500 trees in underserved neighborhoods over five years; and retrofitting 41 City buildings by installing rooftop solar panels on 14 municipal properties.
Both of these grant announcements advance President Biden’s historic Justice40 Initiative, which aims to ensure 40% of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. To learn more about the CPRG program, please visit this webpage and for more information on the community change grant, visit this webpage.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit our homepage.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Monday, August 26, 2024
Nevada, Mo., Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Leading Meth Conspiracy
Press Release
Nevada, Mo., Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Leading Meth Conspiracy
Friday, August 23, 2024
Troopers Seized Nearly 10 Kilos of Meth, Three Firearms in Traffic Stop
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Nevada, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for leading a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Trenton D. Wallace, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
On Dec. 14, 2023, Wallace pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and attempting to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
An Oklahoma State Highway Patrol trooper stopped Wallace, who was driving a Chevrolet Impala, on Interstate 44 on Feb. 16, 2022. Wallace denied being in possession of any firearms, but the trooper seized a Freedom Arms .22-caliber pistol (disguised to look like a belt buckle) when Wallace reached for it as a drug-sniffing dog was being deployed. Wallace also was in possession of $4,206 in cash.
When a police dog alerted to the presence of drugs, troopers searched the vehicle and found a duffel bag that contained approximately 25 pounds (9.9 kilograms) of methamphetamine, packaged in 10 large plastic bags. Troopers also found a loaded H&K 9mm semi-automatic pistol under the driver’s seat and a loaded Sig Sauer .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol under the passenger’s seat.
According to court documents, Wallace is an admittedly active and high-ranking member of the Southwest Honkey’s prison gang. The methamphetamine seized from Wallace would be enough to supply two doses (.25 grams) of methamphetamine to every man, woman, and child in Vernon County, Mo.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon. It was investigated by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team.
TODAY: EPA Announces Nearly $70 Million in Grant Funding for Dillard University and the City of New Orleans
US EPA Media Advisory
TODAY: EPA Announces Nearly $70 Million in Grant Funding for Dillard University and the City of New Orleans
DALLAS, TEXAS (August 26, 2024) – Today, officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Dillard University, the city of New Orleans, the United Way of Southeast Louisiana and other partners will celebrate nearly $70 million in climate change grants from two different EPA programs.
EPA Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance will be joined by Representative Troy Carter (LA-2), Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Interim President of Dillard University Dr. Monique Guillory, United Way of Southeast Louisiana COO and Executive Vice President Charmaine Caccioppi, Louisiana Green Corps Program Manager Joel Holton, and Interim Executive Director of Blue Bikes Patrick Urbine to celebrate these announcements.
Members of the media are invited to attend, please RSVP to R6Press@epa.gov.
Date: Monday, August 26th
Location: Professional Schools and Science Building (PSB) - Georges Auditorium, Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70122
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CST)
WHO:
- Dr. Earthea Nance, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 6
- Rep. Troy Carter, Congressman, (LA-2)
- Mayor LaToya Cantrell, City of New Orleans
- Dr. Monique Guillory, Interim President, Dillard University
- Charmaine Caccioppi, COO and Executive Vice President, United Way Southeast Louisiana
- Joel Holton, Program Manager, Louisiana Green Corps
- Patrick Urbine, Interim Executive Director, Blue Bikes
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Friday, August 16, 2024
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Leader of International Malvertising and Ransomware Schemes Extradited from Poland to Face Cybercrime Charges
Press Release
Leader of International Malvertising and Ransomware Schemes Extradited from Poland to Face Cybercrime Charges
Monday, August 12, 2024
Justice Department Unseals Charges Against Two Additional International Cybercriminals
NEWARK, N.J. – A Belarussian and Ukrainian national charged in the District of New Jersey and Eastern District of Virginia with leading international computer hacking and wire fraud schemes made his initial appearance in Newark today after being extradited from Poland.
As alleged in court documents unsealed today, Maksim Silnikau, also known as Maksym Silnikov, 38, led two multi-year cybercrime schemes. At different points, Silnikau has been associated with the online monikers “J.P. Morgan,” “xxx,” and “lansky,” among others. Silnikau appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen in Newark federal court and was detained.
In the District of New Jersey, Silnikau, along with alleged co-conspirators Volodymyr Kadariya, a Belarussian and Ukrainian national, 38, and Andrei Tarasov, a Russian national, 33, are charged with cybercrime offenses associated with a scheme to transmit the Angler Exploit Kit, other malware, and online scams to the computers of millions of unsuspecting victim Internet users through online advertisements – so-called “malvertising” – and other means from October 2013 through March 2022. In the Eastern District of Virginia, Silnikau is charged for his role as the creator and administrator of the Ransom Cartel ransomware strain and associated ransomware operations beginning in May 2021.
“These conspirators are alleged to have operated a multiyear scheme to distribute malware onto the computers of millions of unsuspecting internet users around the globe. To carry out the scheme, they used malicious advertising, or ‘malvertising,’ to trick victims into clicking on legitimate-seeming internet ads. Instead, the victims would be redirected to malicious internet sites that delivered malware to their devices, giving the conspirators access to the victims’ personal information. The conspirators then sold that access and information to other cybercriminals on the dark net. Throughout the scheme, the conspirators attempted to hide their identities from law enforcement, including by using fraudulent aliases and online personas.”
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger
“Today, the Justice Department takes another step forward in disrupting ransomware actors and malicious cybercriminals who prey on victims in the U.S. and around the world,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As alleged, for over a decade, the defendant used a host of online disguises and a network of fraudulent ad campaigns to spread ransomware and scam U.S. businesses and consumers. Now, thanks to the hard work of federal agents and prosecutors, along with Polish law enforcement colleagues, Maksim Silnikau must answer these grave charges in an American courtroom.”
“As alleged in the indictment, Silnikau and his co-conspirators distributed online advertisements to millions of internet users for the purpose of delivering malicious content,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These ads appeared legitimate but were actually designed to deliver malware that would compromise users’ devices or to deliver ‘scareware’ designed to trick users into providing their sensitive personal information. Silnikau’s arrest and extradition demonstrate that, working with its domestic and international partners, the Criminal Division is committed to bringing cyber criminals who target U.S. victims to justice, no matter where they are located.”
“This arrest underscores a long-term investigation by the U.S. Secret Service, in coordination with foreign, domestic and private partners, of cybercrime organizations that allegedly distributed the notorious Angler Exploit Kit, conducted malvertising, and operated the Ransom Cartel ransomware organization,” said Assistant Director of Investigations Brian Lambert of the U.S. Secret Service. “Cybercriminals should know that even if they attempt to hide their criminal conduct behind the anonymity of the internet that eventually, through the dedication of international law enforcement professionals, they will be apprehended and held accountable for their actions.”
“Silnikau and his co-conspirators allegedly used malware and various online scams to target millions of unsuspecting internet users in the United States and around the world,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “They hid behind online aliases and engaged in complex, far-reaching cyber fraud schemes to compromise victim devices and steal sensitive personal information. The FBI will continue to work with partners to aggressively impose costs on cybercriminals and hold them accountable for their actions.”
“The FBI will continue to work alongside our partners both overseas and in the states to identify and dismantle cyber threats, and to pursue those criminals who attempt to target and defraud victims in the United States,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office.
District of New Jersey Indictment
According to the indictment unsealed in the District of New Jersey, from October 2013 through March 2022, Silnikau, Kadariya, Tarasov, and others in Ukraine and elsewhere used malvertising and other means to deliver malware, scareware, and online scams to millions of unsuspecting Internet users in the United States and elsewhere. The malvertising campaigns were designed to appear legitimate, but often redirected victim Internet users who viewed or accessed the advertisements to malicious sites and servers that sought to defraud the users or delivered malware to the users’ devices. The conspirators’ scheme caused unsuspecting Internet users to be forcibly redirected to malicious content on millions of occasions, and defrauded and attempted to defraud various U.S.-based companies involved in the sale and distribution of legitimate online advertisements.
One strain of malware that Silnikau and others allegedly took a leading role in disseminating was the Angler Exploit Kit, which targeted web-based vulnerabilities in Internet browsers and associated plug-ins. At times during the scheme, the Angler Exploit Kit was a leading vehicle through which cybercriminals delivered malware onto compromised electronic devices. The conspirators also allegedly enabled the delivery of “scareware” ads that displayed false messages claiming to have identified a virus or other issue with a victim Internet user’s device. The messages then attempted to deceive the victim into buying or downloading dangerous software, providing remote access to the device, or disclosing personal identifying or financial information.
For years, the conspirators tricked advertising companies into delivering their malvertising campaigns by using dozens of online personas and fictitious entities to pose as legitimate advertising companies. They also developed and used sophisticated technologies and computer code to refine their malvertisements, malware, and computer infrastructure so as to conceal the malicious nature of their advertising.
As alleged, Silnikau, Kadariya, Tarasov, and conspirators used multiple strategies to profit from their widespread hacking and wire fraud scheme, including by using accounts on predominantly Russian cybercrime forums to sell to cybercriminals access to the compromised devices of victim Internet users (so-called “loads” or “bots”), as well as information stolen from victims and recorded in “logs,” such as banking information and login credentials, to enable further efforts to defraud the victim Internet users or deliver additional malware to their devices.
In the District of New Jersey, Silnikau, Kadariya, and Tarasov are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit computer fraud, and two counts of substantive wire fraud. If convicted, Silnikau, Kadariya, and Tarasov face maximum penalties of 27 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, 10 years in prison for computer fraud conspiracy, counts, and 20 years in prison on each wire fraud count.
The U.S. Secret Service and FBI Kansas City Field Office are investigating the charges in the District of New Jersey, and the U.S. Secret Service is investigating the charges in the Eastern District of Virginia. The Department also appreciates the extensive cooperation and coordination by the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service over the course of several years, as well as significant support provided by the Security Service of Ukraine Cyber Department and Prosecutor General’s Office; Guardia Civil of Spain, Spanish Ministry of Justice, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Audiencia Nacional; Policia Judiciaria of Portugal; Germany—Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) and Landeskriminalamt (LKA) Berlin; and Polish authorities, in particular assistance provided by Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau, Border Guard, Ministry of Justice, and National Prosecutors Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Fasanello, Chief of the Narcotics/OCDETF Unit, for the District of New Jersey, Senior Counsel Aarash A. Haghighat, Cyber Operations International Liaison Louisa K. Becker, and Trial Attorney Christen Gallagher of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS), are prosecuting Silnikau and his co-defendants in the District of New Jersey. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew M. Trombly of New Jersey and Christopher Oakley of Kansas City, Kansas also provided substantial assistance to the New Jersey case.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided substantial assistance in the extradition of Silnikau and collection of evidence.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Monday, August 12, 2024
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Friday, August 9, 2024
Lee’s Summit Man Sentenced to 20Years for Child Pornography, Sextortion Scheme
Press Release
Lee’s Summit Man Sentenced to 20Years for Child Pornography, Sextortion Scheme
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lee’s Summit, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for a sextortion scheme in which he threatened victims, including minors, to extort them into sending him pornographic images and videos of themselves.
Marek Redding, 20, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Redding to 25 years of supervised release following incarceration. Redding will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
On April 9, 2024, Redding pleaded guilty to two counts of producing child pornography, one count of distributing child pornography, and one count of extortion.
Redding, using a fake female persona on the Snapchat application, received nude photographs from multiple females, including minors. According to court documents, some victims reported that Redding threatened to distribute or publicly post their images if they did not continue sending nude images, some of which constituted child pornography.
Redding admitted that he induced two minor victims to produce child pornography in January 2022 and March 2022, and that he distributed the child pornography. Redding also admitted that he transmitted threats to injure the reputation of an adult victim in April 2022 in order to obtain more photographs from the victim.
According to court documents, the adult victim told investigators she had sent nude images to Redding. When she attempted to stop, Redding threatened to disclose her images to her family, school, and employer.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison D. Dunning. It was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department, the Grain Valley, Mo., Police Department, the Olathe, Kan., Police Department, and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Former Lawson Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography
Press Release
Former Lawson Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Registered Sex Offender Faces at Least 15 Years in Prison
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Lawson, Mo., man who is a registered sex offender pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing child pornography over the internet.
Lance M. Berry, 37, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to one count of distributing child pornography over the internet.
Berry, the owner of a business in Lawson at the time of his offense, has a prior Ray County, Mo., conviction for the deviate sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, which requires him to register as a sex offender.
By pleading guilty today, Berry admitted that he utilized a peer-to-peer file-sharing program on June 1, 2022, to make images and videos of child pornography available to other users over the internet. On that day, an undercover officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol was able to directly connect to Berry’s cell phone and download 14 videos of child pornography.
According to court documents, Berry’s cell phone contained 944 unique images of child pornography, including 19 images of sadistic or masochistic violence against a minor, and 168 images featuring infants or toddlers. There were an additional 40 videos of child pornography, which also included depictions of sadistic or masochistic violence and/or infants and toddlers.
Under federal statutes, Berry is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of 40 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth W. Borgnino. It was investigated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
Monday, August 5, 2024
Sunday, August 4, 2024
Saturday, August 3, 2024
Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Brandishing Gun and Using Death Threats and Racial Slurs to Intimidate Two Black Children and an Adult
Press Release
Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Brandishing Gun and Using Death Threats and Racial Slurs to Intimidate Two Black Children and an Adult
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Defendant Also Pleads Guilty to Violating Housing Rights of a White Woman
A Kansas man pleaded guilty today to two counts of interference with federally-protected activities, two counts of interstate threats and one count of interference with housing.
Austin Schoemann, 30, of Wichita, admitted during his plea hearing that, on July 27, 2022, he brandished a firearm and used racial slurs in order to threaten two Black juveniles while they were entering a QuikTrip gasoline station, and that he also used his firearm to threaten a Black adult who intervened to support the juveniles.
“This defendant committed serious hate crimes when he used guns and death threats to terrorize two Black children and an adult who came to their aid,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant’s hate-fueled crime spree continued when he made threats to a white woman and her family that he would shoot and kill any Black person visiting her home. Racially-motivated threats and violence, in any form, are unacceptable in our society. The Justice Department is committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws to protect crime victims targeted because of race.”
“Racially based violence and threats of violence should never be tolerated. This reprehensible behavior is illegal and subject to federal criminal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas. “The Justice Department will defend civil rights and prosecute anyone who harasses and threatens people based on their race.”
“There is no place for race-based violence in the state of Kansas,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen Cyrus of the FBI Kansas City Field Office. “Every individual is entitled to the fundamental right to live their lives without fear and intimidation based solely on their race. Today’s plea underscores the FBI’s commitment to investigating and preventing racially motivated crimes. These crimes have a wide-ranging impact and the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, have no tolerance for these types of threats.”
Schoemann also acknowledged that, beginning in January 2022 and continuing through August 2022, he interfered with the federally protected housing rights of a white woman by making threats to hurt or kill any Black people who visited her home. Schoemann further admitted that he sent videos and messages to the woman’s family members and others in which he repeatedly threatened to shoot and kill Black people.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Schoemann faces a penalty of 63 to 84 months in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Kansas City Field Office and Wichita Police investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
California Man Sentenced for Interfering with Flight Crew, Forcing Plane to be Diverted to KCI
Press Release
California Man Sentenced for Interfering with Flight Crew, Forcing Plane to be Diverted to KCI
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A California man was sentenced in federal court today after he was subdued by several passengers and flight attendants when he tried to open the exit door on an American Airlines flight en route to Washington, D.C., forcing the plane to land at Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Missouri.
Juan Remberto Rivas, 52, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 19 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Rivas to pay $64,434 in restitution to American Airlines.
On Jan. 23, 2024, Rivas pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with flight crew members and flight attendants.
Rivas was a passenger aboard American Airlines flight 1775 traveling nonstop from Los Angeles, Calif., to Washington, D.C., which was diverted to Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 13, 2022.
Rivas admitted that he created a disturbance and knowingly intimidated a flight attendant of the aircraft. Rivas went to the front of the plane and was arguing with the flight attendant. Rivas grabbed some plastic silverware and placed the plastic silverware in his shirt sleeve to appear to create a shank. Rivas grabbed a small champagne bottle by the neck and attempted to break the bottle on the counter. Rivas then attempted to open an exit door by lifting the handle.
Another flight attendant grabbed a coffee pot and hit Rivas with it. Rivas was then restrained for the remainder of the flight.
According to court documents, Rivas assaulted the arresting law enforcement officers after the airplane landed and he was being taken into custody. A number of officers were injured in his attempt to flee, resulting in contusions, lacerations, and an injured hand. In addition to this federal case, Rivas faces a pending charge in Platte County, Mo., for assault against a law enforcement officer.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the FBI.