PORTLAND, Ore.—A Deschutes County, Oregon sex offender with a prior felony conviction for encouraging child sex abuse was sentenced to federal prison today after he requested a sexually explicit image online from an individual he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Roger Clint Lee Vanwormer, 30, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and a life term of supervised release.

According to court documents, while on supervision and wearing an ankle monitor, Vanwormer requested a sexually explicit image online from an individual he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Vanwormer further engaged in explicit discussions with the purported minor and arranged to meet. On July 27, 2021, Vanwormer was arrested in Bend when he showed up at the arranged meeting location.

On February 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a three-count indictment charging Vanwormer with attempted sexual exploitation of a child, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and commission of a felony involving a minor by a registered sex offender. Vanwormer pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

This case was investigated by the Bend Police Department with assistance from the FBI. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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EUGENE, Ore.—A Lane County, Oregon man who negotiated the trade of methamphetamine for 17 firearms was sentenced to federal prison today.

Mark Villanueva, 38, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in August 2020, special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) obtained information that Villanueva was actively involved in distributing illegal narcotics, primarily methamphetamine, in and around Lane County, Oregon, and illegally possessed firearms as a convicted felon. In October and November of 2020, Villanueva sold methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer on five separate occasions. During the fifth transaction, Villanueva began discussing his interest in buying or selling ammunition and firearms.

In December 2020 and continuing into January 2021, Villanueva negotiated the trade of multiple firearms for a large quantity of methamphetamine with his Los Angeles-based source of supply. However, on January 11, 2021, before Villanueva could complete the transaction, he was arrested in Florence, Oregon on an outstanding state arrest warrant. Despite his arrest, the guns-for-drugs trade moved forward and was completed on January 13, 2021, the same day Villanueva was released from state custody. Following his release was custody, Villanueva confirmed that 17 firearms had been traded for three pounds of methamphetamine with his source of supply in Los Angeles.

On January 13, 2021, Villanueva was charged by criminal complaint with distributing methamphetamine. Later, on May 20, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Villanueva and three associates, including his then-wife and Los Angeles-based source of supply, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On February 16, 2023, Villanueva pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by ATF with assistance from Eugene Police Department. It was prosecuted by Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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MEDFORD, Ore.—A Cottage Grove, Oregon woman was sentenced to federal prison today for threatening violence against her coworkers on Facebook.

Elizabeth Ballestros West, 56, was sentenced to six months and three weeks in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in late September 2023, the FBI received an anonymous tip that West was threatening coworkers on Facebook. Later, in November 2023, the FBI learned West had established an account on X (formerly known as Twitter) that she used to post and repost memes, videos and statements containing violent messages targeting particular ethnic groups. Several of West’s posts included what appeared to be self-produced photos of firearms including several handguns, a shotgun, and an AR-style assault rifle.

On January 3, 2024, West admitted to posting and reposting messages on X that contained hateful and violent rhetoric. West also admitted to possessing multiple shotguns and AR-15 assault rifles at her Cottage Grove residence.

One week later, on January 9, 2024, the FBI executed federal search warrants on West’s person, vehicle, and residence. They located and seized 12 handguns, 16 rifles, thousands of rounds of ammunition and firearm accessories, and a journal that appeared to contain writings and drawings that included additional hateful and violent statements. On January 12, 2024, West was charged by criminal complaint with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce and arrested by the FBI the same day at her workplace in Eugene.

Approximately one week later, on January 18, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene indicted West on the same charge. On May 29, 2024, West pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Cottage Grove Police Department, Eugene Police Department, and Lane County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Adam E. Delph, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland has returned an indictment charging a Tacoma, Washington, man with damaging two Portland area energy facilities.

Zachary Rosenthal, 33, has been charged with three counts of damaging an energy facility.

According to the indictment, on November 24 and 28, 2022, Rosenthal is accused of knowingly and willfully damaging two energy facilities—the Ostrander Substation in Oregon City, Oregon and the Sunnyside Substation in Clackamas, Oregon—with the intent of interrupting or impairing the function of both facilities. The indictment further alleges that Rosenthal caused damages exceeding $100,000 to the Ostrander Substation and $5,000 to the Sunnyside Substation. Both facilities are involved in the transmission and distribution of electricity.

A single accomplice, Nathaniel Adam Cheney, 30, of Centralia, Washington, is named alongside Rosenthal in charges stemming from the November 28, 2022, damage to the Sunnyside Substation.

A second indictment was also unsealed today charging Rosenthal with stealing firearms from a federal firearms licensee and illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon. According to this indictment, in January 2023, Rosenthal is alleged to have stolen 24 firearms he was restricted from possessing from a federal firearms licensee in the Portland area.

Rosenthal made his initial appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned on both indictments, pleaded not guilty to all charges, and detained pending further court proceedings.

On April 10, 2023, Cheney made his first appearance in federal court. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and released on conditions pending a two-day jury trial currently scheduled to begin on August 20, 2024.

Damaging an energy facility and causing more than $100,000 in damages is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Damaging an energy facility and causing more than $5,000 in damages is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Parakram Singh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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EUGENE, Ore.—On July 10, 2024, an Oklahoma City man was sentenced to federal prison for sexually abusing a child and capturing the abuse on video.

Jeremy Lee Peterson, 44, was sentenced to the statutory maximum sentence of 360 months in federal prison and a life term of supervised release. 

According to court documents, on February 18, 2022, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding a video depicting child sexual abuse. Agents reviewed the video’s file data and suspected it was created in a specific apartment in Eugene, Oregon. The agents identified distinctive physical characteristics of the abuser in the video, including a scorpion tattoo on the man’s chest.

On February 24, 2022, investigators searched the apartment and identified furniture and bed sheets consistent with those appearing in the abuse video. Investigators also found photos of Peterson on social media and obtained a booking photo from a previous arrest, both of which matched the likeness and physical attributes, including the scorpion tattoo, as depicted in the abuse video. During their investigation, agents learned the minor victim and the victim’s parent had recently moved to a residence in Oklahoma that matched Peterson’s most recent address. 

On February 28, 2022, agents in Oklahoma executed a search warrant on Peterson’s address and found the minor victim and parent living there. Peterson was arrested and the child was rescued. Soon after, agents learned that Peterson had recently helped the victim and the victim’s parent move to his residence in Oklahoma.

On March 15, 2022, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a one-count indictment charging Peterson with sexually exploiting a child and producing child pornography. 

Months after Peterson was charged, his minor victim contacted law enforcement to discuss the abuse in Oregon and disclose additional abuse in Oklahoma.

On March 27, 2024, Peterson pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting a child.

This case was investigated by HSI in the District of Oregon and the Western District of Oklahoma, with assistance from the Eugene Police Department. It was prosecuted by William M. McLaren, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in a scheme to steal large quantities of mail and use victims’ personal and financial documents and information to fraudulently obtain apartment leases, open bank accounts without authorization, and acquire other goods and services.

Cody Joel Stewart, 43, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. Stewart was also ordered to pay $211,831 in restitution to his victims.

According to court documents, between April 2020 and April 2023, Stewart worked with multiple accomplices, including Portland residents Felicia Lynn Hawkins and Patrick Dorin Balan, both 35, to carry out a fraud scheme whereby the group would steal large quantities of mail to obtain victims’ personal and financial information.

Throughout the conspiracy, Stewart and Hawkins used and distributed stolen personally identifiable information and counterfeit identity documents and checks. In December 2022, during a search of their shared residence, investigators located and seized various counterfeit identification and financial documents, stolen financial documents and mail, paper used to make counterfeit checks, U.S. Treasury checks, counterfeit U.S. currency, and drugs.

Stewart was arrested in May 2023 after leading police on a high-speed chase reaching speeds of more than 100 mph. After safely ending the pursuit, officers located additional stolen identification and financial documents in Stewart’s possession.

On April 11, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 12-count indictment charging Stewart, Hawkins, and Balan with conspiracy to commit bank fraud; bank fraud; using or trafficking an unauthorized access device; producing, using, or trafficking a counterfeit access device; aggravated identity theft; and possession of stolen mail.

On March 27, 2024, Stewart pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

On January 29, 2024, Hawkins also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bank fraud. She was later sentenced to time served in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. Balan is on pre-trial release pending a four-day jury trial scheduled to begin on August 6, 2024.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), and U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). It was prosecuted by Rachel K. Sowray, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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EUGENE, Ore.—A Springfield, Oregon member of an international drug trafficking organization operating in Lane County, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison.

Rodolfo Arroyo-Segoviano, 38, was sentenced to 145 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. 

According to court documents, between April and August 2020, Arroyo-Segoviano managed the local distribution network for an international drug trafficking organization responsible for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine from Mexico into the United States. While the organization leaders operated out of Mexico, Arroyo-Segoviano was responsible for the local operations in Oregon. He coordinated the receipt, storage, and distribution of methamphetamine, the collection of drug proceeds, and payment to organization leadership in Mexico. Arroyo-Segoviano also supervised the local associates, including recruitment, pay, and directing activities.    

As part of this investigation, law enforcement seized more than 178 pounds of methamphetamine, 12 pounds of heroin, six pounds of fentanyl, 18 rifles, three rifle optics, and ammunition. Investigators also forfeited approximately $1.2 million from the organization, including more than $400,000 in cash. In total, 35 people—including sources of supply in Mexico, couriers, local cell operators in Lane County, and first and second level distributors responsible for sales in and around Eugene—were charged and have been convicted for their roles in the drug trafficking organization.

“The prosecution of this international drug trafficking organization represents the tireless dedication of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners combatting the drug trafficking plaguing our communities,” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

On July 31, 2020, Arroyo-Segoviano was charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On April 3, 2024, Arroyo-Segoviano pleaded guilty to a one-count superseding criminal information charging him with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by DEA, FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department, Lane County Sherriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (LINE), and Douglas Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (DINT). It was prosecuted by Joseph Huynh and Judi Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison for possessing 20 pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.

Isaac Kitashima, 48, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. 

According to court documents, from August 2020 through June 2021, Kitashima and co-conspirators conducted a multi-state drug trafficking operation. Kitashima used associates to assist with the purchase, shipment, and transport of methamphetamine between California, Oregon, and Hawaii. 

In August 2020, Kitashima hired a co-conspirator to drive a shipment of methamphetamine from California to Oregon. An Oregon State Police trooper attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle. The driver initially yielded to the stop but then fled at a high rate of speed. The trooper pursued the vehicle, which was later found abandoned. A search of the vehicle located almost 20 pounds of methamphetamine, along with items identifying Kitashima. 

Between February and May 2021, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and United States Postal Service (USPS) intercepted multiple packages of methamphetamine intended for Kitashima’s distribution into Oregon and Hawaii. 

On August 19, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Kitashima with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute. On September 2, 2021, DEA and Maui Police Department executed a search warrant on Kitashima’s residence in Makawao, Hawaii, where he was arrested. During the search, investigators located methamphetamine and firearms in the residence.

On February 27, 2024, Kitashima pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. 

This case was investigated by DEA, USPS, Oregon State Police, and Maui Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Delph. 

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