Russian national extradited in $16 million Phobos ransomware scheme

BALTIMORE, MD—Evgenii Ptitsyn, a 42-year-old Russian national, was extradited from South Korea to face charges related to his alleged role in the Phobos ransomware scheme. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland on November 4th. The Justice Department alleges that Ptitsyn served as a key administrator of the Phobos ransomware operation, overseeing the […]

Maryland men charged in alleged odometer tampering scheme based in Rosedale

BALTIMORE, MD—Federal authorities have charged two Maryland men with conspiracy to commit odometer tampering and securities fraud, alleging they sold hundreds of vehicles with falsely lowered odometers. Jerry John Mathins, 50, of Laurel, and Braysean Owens, 23, of Baltimore, were indicted by a federal grand jury, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland said in a news release. […]

Cybercrime conference held in Baltimore

BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland and the University of Maryland co-hosted a cybersecurity conference on Thursday to address the growing threat of cybercrime. The conference brought together cybersecurity experts from government and the private sector to equip business and public sector leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to combat the rising tide of data […]

IT bid-rigging scheme uncovered by Justice Department

BALTIMORE, MD—The Department of Justice has indicted six individuals for their involvement in schemes to rig bids, defraud the government, and pay bribes and kickbacks in connection with the sale of IT products and services to federal government purchasers. These actions resulted in overcharges of millions of dollars to the U.S. government, impacting agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD). […]

Baltimore County woman sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining, attempting to obtain more than $3 million in COVID-19 CARES Act loans

BALTIMORE, MD—A 47-year-old Baltimore County woman has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds that she used to bankroll a lavish lifestyle that included a Mercedes-Benz and expensive jewelry. Tomeka Glenn, of Windsor Mill, was sentenced Friday to 65 months in prison and three years of supervised […]

Baltimore County man sentenced after pretending to be paralyzed to receive VA benefits

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County man who lied about needing a wheelchair for a service-related injury was sentenced to home confinement after prosecutors said he fraudulently obtained more than $750,000 in disability benefits. William Rich, 44, of Windsor Mill, was found guilty in June of wire fraud and theft of government property following a four-day trial. Rich, who served in the […]

Baltimore County man sentenced to 11 years for drug conspiracy

BALTIMORE, MD—A Baltimore County man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to drug distribution and money laundering charges, authorities say. Ronald White, 56, of Pikesville, was involved in a large-scale drug conspiracy that operated in and around Baltimore, according to the Department of Justice. He was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison followed by five years […]