U.S. Attorney’s Office Honors Ten Individuals For Outstanding Contributions To Public Safety

Press Release

SCRANTON -United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam honors ten individuals for their outstanding contributions to public safety. These awards are made each year to a select group of individuals who perform in an exceptional manner and who make significant contributions to the United States Attorney's Office's efforts to enforce federal laws and to protect society.

Exemplary Lifetime Service as a Law Enforcement Officer

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• FBI Special Agent Timothy K. O'Malley

This award recognizes FBI Special Agent Timothy K. O'Malley's tenacious work in a nearly 25-year career of federal service that included time as a Secret Service agent before joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During his many years in the Williamsport Office, he was responsible for the investigation of homicides and other violent crimes at a time when violence was at a peak at U.S.P. Lewisburg, and he achieved significant results in the investigation of bank fraud and other white-collar crimes. His career also included significant and tireless efforts in an investigation and successful prosecution of a years-long operation that manufactured and distributed hundreds of kilograms and millions of doses of fentanyl analogues.

Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement

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• PA Office of Attorney General, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Robert Smulktis

This award recognizes the outstanding legal support Attorney Smulktis provided the U.S. Attorney's Office in drug trafficking trials this past year. Attorney Smulktis played a critical role in preparing witnesses, participating in trial strategy sessions, and provided an excellent rebuttal to the defendant's closing argument. This award also recognizes Attorney Smulktis' exemplary work in United States v. David Darby, et al., a case that involved drug traffickers trafficking oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, where many of Darby's customers overdosed and one died. Attorney Smulktis' outstanding contributions during trial resulted in Darby's conviction and ultimately a life sentence and Malik Bonds being sentenced to 156 months in prison.

• FBI Resident Agent in Charge Special Agent Joseph Noone

This award recognizes Special Agent Noone's successful efforts to create a strong working relationship between the FBI, other law enforcement agencies, and the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate and prosecute individuals who pose a danger to our community. Special Agent Noone's work as both an agent and supervisor helped obtain numerous convictions in cases involving public corruption, drug trafficking, fraud, child exploitation, and violence in Pennsylvania for more than a decade.

Distinguished Service as a Law Enforcement Officer

Six individuals received the United States Attorney's Award for Distinguished Service as a Law Enforcement Officer for their exceptional work in multiple, significant criminal prosecutions:

• FBI Task Force Officer Shane Yelland
• FBI Task Force Officer Daniel Spath
• DEA Task Force Officer Francis A. Carito

This award recognizes the recipients' unending commitment to holding criminals responsible for their crimes. They have worked countless large-scale investigations involving the worse types of drug dealers including repeat and career offenders; those who traffic in deadly fentanyl; and those who possess firearms in furtherance of their crimes. Their relentless desire to serve and protect our communities is representative of the best in law enforcement.

• FBI Special Agent Eric Bailey

This award recognizes Special Agent Bailey's exceptional work in the investigation and prosecution of child exploitation cases. His commitment to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse has resulted in the identification and successful prosecution of dozens of individuals who committed such violations.

• IRS Special Agent Eric Conahan

This award recognizes Special Agent Conahan's tenacious work on numerous high profile sophisticated white-collar investigations over the last several years. These cases involved complex tax frauds, commercial bribery offenses, and some of the most significant pandemic fraud prosecutions brought by our district. His efforts have resulted in significant sentences for white collar defendants, and the recovery of fraudulent proceeds.

• IRS Resident Agent in Charge Carmine Pellegrino
• IRS Special Agent Jeff Decker

This award recognizes the recipients' exceptional work in United States v. Abrams. Abrams was the CEO of EthosGen LLC, a company operating in the clean energy industry, who defrauded investors out of $1.1 million. Abrams was convicted at trial of all 48 counts in an indictment. This relatively complex and sprawling investigation spanned several years, and the agents brought it to a successful conclusion, despite much of the investigation taking place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Abrams ultimately was sentenced to six years of imprisonment.

"We are pleased to recognize the achievements of our colleagues who have made outstanding contributions to promoting public safety, said United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam. "All too often their tremendous sacrifices go unrecognized and unnoticed. On behalf of the entire U.S. Attorney's Office, I congratulate them and thank them for their service.

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Updated January 8, 2025