FedEx Corporation, Inc. Indicted By Feds For 15 Counts Including Distribution Of Control Substances

FedEx Corporation and two of its subsidiaries, FedEx Express, Inc. and FedEx Corporate Services, Inc. were named in a 15-count federal indictment for conspiring to distributing misbranded drugs and controlled substances since 1998.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 29, 2014

San Francisco, California - On Tuesday, FedEx Corporation, Inc. is scheduled to face a multiple count federal indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California resulting from a nine year investigation for distributing illegal drugs ordered from Internet pharmacies. The federal 15-count indictment charged FedEx with 1-count for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; 9-counts for distribution of controlled substances; 1-count for conspiring to distribute misbranded drugs in Interstate Commerce; 1-count for conspiring to distribute controlled substances;  2-counts for distribution of controlled substances; and 1-count for conspiracy to distribute misbranded drugs in Interstate Commerce. FedEx Corporation, Inc. could face a forfeiture of more than $820 million, if found guilty on all counts and restitution to victims, as well. Corporate individuals are also facing up to five years in prison, if convicted, according to the indictment. 

On July 17, a federal 15-count indictment was filed in Northern California alleging that FedEx Corporation, Inc. and two of its subsidiaries, FedEx Express, Inc. and FedEx Corporate Services, Inc. conspired to distribute controlled substances and misbranded prescription drugs for Internet Pharmacies and did nothing, except profiting from the deliveries, according to a federal indictment. For 15 years, FedEx Corporation, Inc. two of it subsidiaries conspired to traffic in controlled substances and misbranded prescription drugs for its role in distributing controlled substances and prescription drugs for illegal Internet pharmacies, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Jay Fitzpatrick, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Director of the Office of Criminal Investigations Philip J. Walsky.

The news release by U.S. Attorney Haag states that "Internet pharmacies began offering consumers prescription drugs, including controlled substances, based on the provision of information over the Internet. While some Internet pharmacies were managed by well-known pharmacy chains that required valid prescriptions and visits to the patient's personal physician, others failed to require a prescription before filling orders for controlled substances and prescription drugs. Rather, these Internet pharmacies filled orders based solely on the completion of an online questionnaire, without a physical examination, diagnosis, or face-to-face meeting with a physician. Such practices violated federal and state laws governing the distribution of prescription drugs and controlled substances."

As early as 2004, FedEx was notified by the DEA, FDA and members of Congress that illegal Internet pharmacies were using its shipping services to distribute controlled substances and prescription drugs in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), and numerous state laws. FedEx then implemented a "an Online Pharmacy Credit Policy requiring that all online pharmacy shippers be approved by the Credit Department prior to opening a new account. The stated reason for this policy was that many Internet pharmacies operated outside federal and state regulations over the sale of controlled drugs and many sites had been shut down by the government without warning, leaving a large balance owed to FedEx. According to the indictment, FedEx also established a Sales policy in which all online pharmacies were assigned to a "catchall" classification to protect the commission-based compensation of its sales professionals from the volatility caused by online pharmacies moving shipping locations often to avoid detection by the DEA."

Sales FedEx employees were expected to excel their previous year sales and if they lost an account, they were expected to immediately acquire another to replace the loses. The Pharmacy credit policy that FedEx implemented was to secure payments and gained profits, just in case a pharmacy was shutdown by the feds.
"FedEx is charged in the indictment with conspiring with two separate but related Internet pharmacy organizations: the Chhabra-Smoley Organization, from 2000 through 2008, and Superior Drugs, from 2002 through 2010. In each case, FedEx is alleged to have knowingly and intentionally conspired to distribute controlled substances and prescription drugs, including Phendimetrazine (Schedule III); Ambien, Phentermine, Diazepam, and Alprazolam (Schedule IV), to customers who had no legitimate medical need for them based on invalid prescriptions issued by doctors who were acting outside the usual course of professional practice. The indictment charges that FedEx conspired with these organizations to violate the CSA, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846, and the FDCA, 21 U.S.C. §§ 331, et seq."

Also, "FedEx began delivering controlled substances and prescription drugs for Internet pharmacies run by Vincent Chhabra, including RxNetwork and USA Prescription, in 2000. When Chhabra was arrested in December of 2003 for illegally distributing controlled substances based on a doctor's review of an on-line questionnaire, Robert Smoley took over the organization and continued the illegal distribution of controlled substances and prescription drugs through FedEx.
"FedEx began delivering controlled substances and prescription drugs for Superior Drugs in 2002. FedEx's employees knew that Superior Drugs filled orders for online pharmacies that sold controlled substances and prescription drugs to consumers without the need for a face-to-face meeting with, or physical examination or laboratory tests by, a physician."

If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 5 years of probation, and a fine of between $1 and 2.5 million, or twice the gross gain derived from the offense, alleged in the indictment to be at least $820 million. The defendants are also liable for restitution to victims of the crime, as well as forfeiture of the gross proceeds of the offense and any facilitating property. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553, according to the news release.

FedEx Corporation, Inc. federal indictment (PDF) at link: http://1.usa.gov/1nChXww

Javier Mendiola-Soto Charged With 21 Counts For Video Recording UD-Wilmington Students Using Restrooms

Mexican national doctoral student and employed at the University of Delaware-Wilmington under a work visa has been charged for placing hidden cameras to video tape women and men using in-and-off campus restrooms for more than two years.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 28, 2014

Wilmington, Delaware - The University of Delaware-Wilmington reported that Javier Mendiola-Soto, 38, of Mexico, enrolled as a doctoral student and who worked in the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) has been charged with 21 felony counts for invasion of privacy. Mendiola-Soto allegedly placed hidden cameras in on-and-off campus restrooms between May 2012 and June 28, 2014. Bail has been denied for Mendiola-Soto and remains in jail on an immigration hold. His immigration work visa has been revoked and has been expelled from UD-Wilmington.

Mendiola-Soto was arrested on July 1 and on July 24 was eventually charged after a camera was found in a restroom by a student. The suspect was taken into custody hours after a hidden camera was found in the DBI women's restroom. Police later recovered 1,500 video files at his residence showing women and men in compromising and revealing positions using the restrooms. A laptop, computer hard drive and two cellphones were also confiscated by police.

At least 40 victims have been identified and contacted from the videos and most are women. Police are seeking to identify all of the victims in the videos. The UD-Wilmington is offering counseling for students affected in the case.

Restrooms in the following locations have been identified as places where Mendiola-Soto hid cameras and recordings were made, according to police. At the,

● Delaware Biotechnology Institute, first floor lobby restroom and first floor women's restroom in a secured area;
● Hugh Morris Library, women's restroom in first floor commons area (Bleecker St.);
● ISE Lab, first floor women's restroom in the Gore wing of building; and 
● Willard Hall Education Building, first floor, unisex handicapped-accessible restroom.

Eduardo Rosas Cruz Sought By Stockton Police For Non-compliance Treatment And Health Risk

Eduardo Rosas Cruz

Cruz failed to continue treatment for tuberculosis in San Joaquin County.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 26, 2014

Stockton, California - On Wednesday, a public health warrant was issued for Eduardo Rosas Cruz, 25, for failing to comply with a tuberculosis (TB) treatment order and not showing up for a scheduled appointment at the San Joaquin County Public Health Department. Cruz is originally from Mexico and might be carrying a type of drug-resistance tuberculosis, according to health officials.

Tuberculosis is higly contagious and the result is death, if not treated. Police are trying to locate Cruz to get him treatment. He is considered a transient and disappeared from San Joaquin County. Cruz left no forwarding address. He could refuse treatment, but Cruz would be facing up to a year in jail for not complying to take treatment. 

In March, Cruz went to a hospital in San Joaquin County for emergency treatment claiming he couldn't breathe and had been coughing for some time. Tests results were conclusive for TB. Cruz had an appointment for treatment, but failed to show up, according to police.

Motorcyclist Wearing Helmet Reported Killed In Waukegan

Woman driver exiting private driveway didn't yield to motorcyclist and fatally struck him.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 24, 2014

Waukegan, Illinois - On Wednesday, Omar O. Chami, 23, of Chicago was reported killed just before 3:45 p.m. while driving his motorcycle in Waukegan, according to the Waukegan Police Department. Chami was also wearing a helmet when he was struck by Yolanda De La Rosa, 32, of Waukegan coming out of a private driveway at the 3500 block of Sunset Blvd.

Police reported that De La Rosa was cited for driving without a license and failing to yield from a private drive. The investigation is ongoing, according to the news release. 

Chami was originally from Beirut, Lebanon and in 2008, he studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Illinois in Chicago. Last year, he began working at Telefonix, Inc. as an Engineer. Chami also previously worked at Envoy Airlines (formerly American Eagle Airlines).

Darryl Morin, Interim LULAC VP-Midwest Wants 54,000 Of Undocumented Children To Remain In The U.S.

Darryl Morin, Margaret Moran, Rosa Rosales, Manuel Rendon and Mickie Luna

LULAC has launched a nationwide campaign to allow more than 54,000 of undocumented children to stay in the U.S.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 24, 2014

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Darryl Morin, the interim LULAC Vice President-Midwest announced at a Southside community event that LULAC has launched a nationwide partnership to allow more than 54,000 of undocumented children to stay in the U.S. under refugee status. Morin doesn't believe that the children should be quickly deported without legal representation by the Obama administration to their crime ridden countries. The Obama administration is expecting more than 80,000 of unaccompanied children from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to cross into the U.S. illegally before the year ends.
The Border Children Relief Project that was launched as a humanitarian act by LULAC and three other groups, Speak Hispanic, Border Kids Relief Project and Kids In Need of Defense are working to find donors, volunteers and attorneys to aid the thousands of undocumented children detained by ICE along the U.S. - Mexico border and are in the process of quickly being deported by the Obama administration. Most of the children voluntarily turn themselves in to U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents (border patrol) in the Texas border with Mexico.
On Tuesday, the Obama administration deported 13 children and 7 mothers including adults in three full planes to Guatemala, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed.

Morin wants to find sponsors to help temporarily house hundreds of children expected to arrive in Milwaukee from Texas during ICE processing for removal.

LULAC's action to help the unaccompanied children to seek refugee status and avoid deportation is expected to spread to foreign countries igniting another wave of thousands of undocumented children escaping poverty and crime in an attempt to enter the U.S. for a piece of the American dream. Morin and Nancy Hernández were selected as the King and Queen during this year's dinner event held by the Latino Carnival Parade 2014 organizers and sponsorship of LULAC at the Wherehouse Nightclub.

Morin made headlines last week after he resigned from the LULAC National Board due to controversial elections at the 85th LULAC National Convention in New York on July 12. Margaret Moran wouldn't accept his resignation because she needed his support to illegally extend her term as LULAC's National President and three other members, Rosa Rosales, Manuel Rendon and Mickie Luna to continue in control of the LULAC non-profit organization. 

Luis Roberto Vera Jr.who was appointed as Election Judge by Moran decided to postpone the LULAC National elections after getting a TRO in NY ordering Vera Jr., Moran and Manuel G. Escobar Jr., the National Legal Advisor from using Rules 12 to 21 in an attempt to influence the elections. It's the first time in LULAC's 85th history that elections had been suspended at a national convention.

About 825 delegates, including four former LULAC National Presidents took over the Assembly, reconvene and elected Maggie Rivera from Crystal Lake, Illinois as the new LULAC National President who defeated Roger C. Rocha Jr. from Laredo, Texas. Morin, who ran unopposed for VP-Midwest was re-elected, but had left the Assembly along with Vera Jr. and Moran. Vera Jr. told Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) that "there were no elections."

Moran, Rosales, Rendon and Luna have expired their four one-year terms on July 12 and can no longer serve as LULAC National officers as cited in the LULAC Constitution. Rosales and Elia Mendoza, including Vera Jr. as their attorney filed a TRO in San Antonio, Texas (Bexar County) enjoining Rivera and other National officers from taking office and to stop sending out correspondence concerning LULAC election results. Numerous LULAC Councils in Puerto Rico and in the U.S. have come out publicly recognizing Rivera as their new National President and a campaign to oust Moran, Rosales, Rendon and Luna has been launched this week.

The New York TRO hearing is scheduled for Monday, August 4 to see, if Vera Jr., Moran and Escobar Jr. violated the TRO order. The Texas TRO hearing is set for August 1.

Darryl Morin's comments on unaccompanied children being deported at link: http://youtu.be/0u5SU083bew

Update: On Friday, July 25, 2014, President Barack H. Obama confirmed, most undocumented children to be deported, no refugee status for escaping poverty and crime. Obama's statement at link: http://alturl.com/7fi8s

Two Albuquerque Homeless Men Fatally Beaten By Three Teens

Alex Rios, Gilbert Tofoya and Nathaniel Carrillo

Teens charged with two counts of murder each in connection with the brutal murder of two homeless men.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 23, 2014

Albuquerque, New Mexico - Three teens, Alex Rios, 18, Gilbert Tafoya, 15, and Nathaniel Carrillo, 16, were charged with two felony counts each for murder of two homeless men. In addition, Rios was charged with conspiracy to commit felony murder and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, three counts of battery and one count each with tampering with evidence and robbery.

The three suspects were arrested where both Carrillo and Tofoya live. The two young teens are brothers, but don't share the same last name. Police found a debit card and a license belonging to one of the victims at the home. Tofoya was still wearing clothing with blood on it when he was taken onto custody.

The suspects told police that they covered their faces with t-shirts and then beat the victims with sticks, a baseball bat and smashed their faces with a cinder block.

A $5M dollar bail was set for each suspect. If convicted on both charges, each of the suspects is facing two life terms in prison. Both Carrillo and Tofoya are charged as adults. 

The faces of the two victims were so badly disfigured beyond recognition that police are having a difficult time identifying them. The bodies of both homeless men were found last Saturday around 8:00 a.m. in a vacant lot adjacent to where the two of the youngest teens reside.

The two victims were killed and a third victim, Jerome Eskeets was able to escape a fatal beating. Eskeets was taken to a local hospital and was treated for injuries. He told police that one of the suspects that beat him lived at a nearby home where the bodies were found, according to the criminal complaint. Tofoya told police that he had broken with his girlfriend and got mad, so they all decided to go out and beat up homeless people. He also confessed that they have also beaten at least 50 other homeless people in the area. Police are also seeking information about other possible victims as well.

The suspects were identified as Navajo and Native Americans by another homeless man, Emerson Roanhorse, 62, who told police that he witnessed the attack.

Undocumented Central Americans Being Stop In Southern Mexico To Check For Visas

Crackdown on undocumented immigrants initiated in Southern Mexico.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 23, 2014

Southern Mexico - The latest initiative by Mexican immigration agents in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico to stop and check for legal documents from suspected undocumented immigrants and unaccompanied children from Central America attempting to board buses at the Ado Bus Central Station. 

Ruben Figueroa, a immigration rights activists in Mexico posted a photo on his Facebook account depicting Mexican federal immigration agents checking for legal visas from suspected undocumented Central Americans attempting to board bus into the interior of Mexico.

The Mexican government deployed hundreds of Federal Police, Immigration agents, military and marines to stop the illegal crossings by Salvadoran, Honduran, Nicaraguan and Guatemalan children into Mexico from the Guatemala border.
The Mexican government has launched a Southern border crackdown of illegal crossings into Mexico and are deporting those found not to have the proper visas to be in the country. It is now prohibited for undocumented immigrants to ride in La Bestia (Beast) freight train for their protection, also known at the train of death.
Gangs and drug cartels extort thousands of immigrants and collect at least $300 dollars from each one to ride the freight train between Chiapas, Tabasco, Veracruz and Tamaulipas on their to the U.S. border. Immigrants are raped, thrown off the train and killed, if they don't pay a quota.
The Mexican government immigration operation has actually affected and began to cut into the multimillion profit making by criminal organizations, gangs, corrupt police, immigration agents and government local, state and federal public elected officials, including government judicial and bureaucracy workers in the area.