Home » Tag Archives: federal crime

Federal Crime

Valencia Man Charged With Taking $2.1 Million Bribe In International Oil Deal

gavel money 011124 bribe

A man who bought a home in Valencia using funds he gained via a $2.1 million bribe has been indicted on several felonies, including tax evasion and money laundering in connection with international oil deals. An immigration and personal injury lawyer, Paulinus Iheanacho Okoronkwo, 67, of Valencia, was indicted on five counts Wednesday, reported the Department of Justice (DOJ). Okoronkwo ...

Read More »

Ex-Valencia Mail Carrier Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges In COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

A former United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier who worked in Valencia pleaded guilty Monday to federal criminal charges for scheming to steal more than $250,000 in unemployment insurance (UI) funds by making false claims of COVID-related job losses and for stealing UI debit cards intended for other people on his mail route. Stephen Glover, 32, of Palmdale, an ...

Read More »

Santa Clarita Man Agrees To Plead Guilty To Securities Fraud For Bilking Investors Who Purchased Real Estate ‘Coupon Bonds’

arrest crime

A Santa Clarita resident who invested in real estate and sold “coupon bonds” that promised regular interest payments on top of principal repayment has agreed to plead guilty to a federal criminal charge for defrauding investors out of more than $1.7 million, the Justice Department announced Tuesday. Matthew Skinner, 45, who in 2014 founded a company called Empire West Equity, ...

Read More »

Music Teacher Sentenced To 183 Months In Federal Prison For Production Of Child Pornography

alleged-flutes-John-Zeretzke

A music teacher from Ventura County who gave flute lessons throughout Southern California, including in Santa Clarita, was sentenced Thursday to 183 months in federal prison for producing child pornography. John Edward Zeretzke, 62, of Ventura, was sentenced to 183 months — or 15 years, three months — in federal prison by United States District Judge Fernando M. Olguin, according ...

Read More »

SCV Ponzi Scheme Architect Faces Sentencing In May

When Celia Gallardo, 42, of North Hills, is sentenced in May in a federal courtroom, there will be plenty of Santa Clarita Valley residents paying attention, according to a victim who said Tuesday he was milked out of about $200,000.  Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking Santa Clarita news alerts delivered right to your inbox.               ...

Read More »