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On-going Investigations
The follow on-going investigations are being provided expert digital forensics services by the RCFL Program.
Chicago RCFL
- Illinois Mayor Faced Additional Charges The long-time mayor of Niles, Illinois, Nicholas Blase, was arrested by the FBI on June 8, 2006 and charged with fraud and taking bribes in exchange for pressuring businesses to buy insurance policies. Blase has denied any wrongdoing – vowing to stay in office despite his indictment. The charges were brought after federal authorities conducted an exhaustive covert investigation – tracing illegal activity involving the mayor back to 1989. Blase has served as Niles mayor, a suburb of 30,000 north of Chicago, for over 45 years... (Updated: 04/19/07)
Heart Of America RCFL
- HARCFL Supporting Murder and Kidnapping Investigation The Heart of America RCFL (HARCFL) is providing digital forensics expertise to investigators for a series of horrific crimes allegedly committed by Richard Davis, 42 and Dena Riley, 40. The pair were arraigned on May 30, 2006 and charged with capital murder, first-degree assault, kidnapping, forcible rape and forcible sodomy in the death of Marsha Spicer. Ms. Spicer’s body was discovered in a shallow grave east of Kansas City on May 15, 2006. Police initially interviewed the suspects about the murder, but they fled before authorities could obtain a warrant to search their home... (Updated: 04/25/07).
Intermountain West RCFL
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Update: Joseph Duncan Pleads Guilty to 10 Counts - December 4, 2007 - The Intermountain West RCFL is providing digital forensics expertise to authorities investigating the kidnapping of Shasta Groene, who was just 8 years old at the time of her abduction, and the murder of her family. The suspect, Joseph Edward Duncan III, admitted to killing the family so that he could abduct and sexually assault Dylan Groene, 9, and Shasta. Duncan was arrested after Shasta was recognized by a bystander, and has pled guilty last year to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree kidnapping. Click here to read the full story.
New Jersey RCFL
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April 16, 2008 - The once powerful ex-mayor of Newark, New Jersey, Sharpe James, was convicted of five public corruption charges, including fraud and conspiracy, along with his ex-girlfriend, Tamika Riley. The New Jersey RCFL supported the federal investigation – read more.
North Texas RCFL
NTRCFL FINDINGS HELP SECURE INDICTMENT FOR PLANO STEP-DAD The North Texas Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory (NTRCFL) is assisting the Plano Police Department with an investigation involving Eric Carlyle Russell, 37, who was indicted on July 19 for improper photography or visual recording of his stepdaughter and another underage girl. According to press reports and court documents, Russell allegedly hid a wireless camera in his stepdaughter’s bathroom wall, which was later discovered by a relative who called police. Click here to read the full story.
Philadelphia RCFL
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Update: Philadelphia's "Bonnie & Clyde of Identity Fraud" Face Federal Charges
[Photo, right: In this undated photo
released by the Philadelphia Police
Department, shown here are defendants
Jocelyn Kirsch and Edward Anderton.]
May 12, 2008 – The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Pat Meehan, announced the filing of an indictment against Edward K. Anderton, 25, and Jocelyn Kirsch, 22, charging conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. The couple was arrested on November 30, 2007 after going to a UPS store to retrieve a package they ordered on someone else’s credit card. According to the press release issued by U.S. Attorney Meehan’s office, the indictment alleges that between November 2006 and November 30, 2007, the couple stole identity information, credit cards, and credit card account information from numerous victims, including friends, co-workers, neighbors, fellow students, bar patrons, and others, and used these stolen materials to buy merchandise, obtain cash, and take trips.
If convicted of all charges, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 69 years in prison. The Philadelphia RCFL is supporting the investigation – click here to read the press release from U.S. Attorney Meehan. The Philadelphia RCFL is supporting an investigation involving a 14-year boy who was allegedly planning a Columbine-type attack against a high school in suburban Philadelphia. Click here to read the full story.
Philadelphia RCFL Supporting Investigation Involving Threats Against Colleges – The Philadelphia RCFL is assisting state and local authorities in an investigation involving a series of threatening e-mails against five college campuses outside Philadelphia. Click here to read the full story.
“Fort Dix Six” On May 8, 2007 , six foreign-born Muslim men were arrested and faced charges in federal court for plotting to attack Fort Dix and murder American soldiers serving at the Army installation in New Jersey. They are currently being held without bail. Click here to read the full story.
- One of the most powerful lawmakers in Pennsylvania, State Senator Vincent J. Fumo, was recently indicted on a slew of federal charges. The Philadelphia RCFL is providing U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan's office expert digital forensics expertise in support of this investigation. Click here to learn more.