United States v. Travell Thomas, et al., S4 15 Cr. 667 (KPF)

On October 27, 2015, the United States Attorney’s Office announced charges against eleven defendants – TRAVELL THOMAS, ANTHONY SESSUM, ANTHONY BRZEZOWSKI, a/k/a “Anthony LaMarco,” JIMMY STOKES, a/k/a “Jimmy Barlow,” HEATHER GASTA, a/k/a “Heather Brez,” TACOBY THOMAS, a/k/a “Daniel Moreland,” a/k/a “Joseph Rawlings,”  a/k/a “Brian Kelly,” ANTHONY CABA, a/k/a “Anthony Davis,” COLUMBUS SIMMONS, a/k/a “Timothy Ham,” CHARLES STARKS, WILLIAM CLARK, a/k/a “John Harvey,” and MICHAEL CALANDRA, a/k/a “Michael Thaimani” (collectively, the “defendants”) – for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 and wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343 and 2.  The charges are contained in Indictment S4 15 Cr. 667 (KPF), unsealed on October 27, 2015. 

The Indictment alleges that the defendants were, variously, principals and employees of a Buffalo, New York-based debt collection company (the “Company”).  The Indictment further alleges that the defendants made various misrepresentations to consumers across the United States in order to collect “payday” loan and credit card debts, specifically, that the defendants, using a variety of aliases, knowingly and falsely told victims, among other things, that: (1) the Company was affiliated with local government and law enforcement agencies, including the “county” and the district attorney’s office; (2) the consumers had committed criminal acts, such as “wire fraud” or “check fraud,” and if they did not pay the debt immediately, warrants or other process would be issued, at which point they would be arrested or haled into court; (3) the consumers would have their drivers’ licenses suspended if they did not pay their debts immediately; (4) the Company was a law firm or mediation firm and/or that the Company’s employees were working with lawyers, a law firm, mediators, or arbitrators; and (5) a civil lawsuit would be filed, or was pending, against the victims for failing to pay their debts. 

Also unsealed on October 27, 2015 were the guilty pleas of four Company employees -- MARK LAVIN, JESSICA MANN, JOHN SALATINO, and JENNIFER SHERK – for their participation in the scheme.

On March 24, 2016, defendant CHARLES STARKS pled guilty to both counts in the indictment.  STARKS’ sentencing is scheduled for July 6, 2016 at 3 p.m. before the Honorable Katherine Polk Failla, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square.

On May 13, 2016, defendant MICHAEL CALANDRA pled guilty to both counts in the indictment.  CALANDRA’s sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2016 at 3 p.m. before the Honorable Katherine Polk Failla, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square.

A status conference is scheduled before the Honorable Katherine Polk Failla, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, 40 Foley Square, on June 16, 2016 at 3:30 p.m. 

Updates regarding the progress of this case will be posted on this site.

Federal crime victims* have the following rights, as set forth in the Justice for All Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. §3771:

(1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.
(2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused.
(3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.
(4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.
(5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.
(6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.
(7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
(8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.

*Under the statute, "the term ‘crime victim' means a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of a Federal offense or an offense in the District of Columbia. In the case of a crime victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardians of the crime victim or the representatives of the crime victim's estate, family members, or any other persons appointed as suitable by the court, may assume the crime victim's rights under this chapter, but in no event shall the defendant be named as such guardian or representative.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York is committed to protecting the rights of crime victims. If you believe you are a victim of the offense charged, our Victim/Witness Unit can make sure that you are notified of important stages of the case to help you exercise your rights. In addition, our Victim/Witness Unit can help refer you to agencies that provide other services to witnesses, such as compensation (under certain circumstances) and counseling.   If you believe you are a victim, of if you would like information or assistance with referrals, please contact:

Wendy Olsen Clancy
Victim/Witness Coordinator
United States Attorney's Office
One St. Andrew's Plaza
New York, New York 10007
(866) 874-8900
Wendy.Olsen@usdoj.gov