By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN
SDNY COURTHOUSE, Nov 5 – Frederick Scheinin was charged, and then convicted, for child pornography. He was a DEA diversion investigator.
And 24 hours after he was convicted in a jury trial Inner City Press covered below, he was dead in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn (where Ghislaine Maxwell is detained). On November 5 his case was closed, his death ruled a suicide, see below.
After his conviction, Scheinin was placed in the MDC Special Housing Unit: "he was alone in the cell and had no cellmate. The MDC SHU cells on that tier each have solid metal doors with a clear window. The SHU hallways have cameras but the individual cells do not.... The final results of the autopsy have not been received by the family." The request to Judge Jed S. Rakoff to probe is itself heavily redacted.
On July 22, the US Bureau of Prisons responded that Judge Rakoff should NOT see the records, that a report is being prepared that can be requested after August 8 - under FOIA.
On July 26, Scheinin's trial counsel wrote again to Judge Rakoff, noting that BOP has provided inconsistent accounts of the timing of the final checks on Mr. Scheinin and the discovery of his body," and insisting on an in camera probe. They cite the Noel (Jeffrey Epstein) case.
On July 28 from Judge Rakoff, this: "ORDER as to Frederick L. Scheinin the Court hereby schedules oral argument."
And it was held on September 13, and Inner City Press covered it. Judge Rakoff asked BOP to review the videos and report to him. It was floated that submissions can be "attorneys eyes only," as in a civil case. This is a criminal case. How much will be redacted, on this case of a death of a prisoner in government custody?
On September 14, Judge Rakoff docketed his questions, including: "ORDER as to Frederick L. Scheinin: The Court, without opposition from any party, directed the BOP to provide by no later than October 1, 2021 (the date requested by BOP counsel) the answers to the following questions, which for the benefit of all concerned, are here repeated and clarified: Which of the medications listed in the Court's June 22, 2021 medical attention order, which directed the BOP to administer certain medications to Scheinin, were in fact administered to Scheinin after his remand to USMS custody? If any listed medications were not administered on schedule, why were they not administered? When did the MDC Brooklyn medical staff receive the Court's medical attention order? (Signed by Judge Jed S. Rakoff on 9/14/2021)."
Late on October 1 the US filed a response about the drugs, and a note found in Scheinin's cell. It reads: "For DOJ OIG: AUSA Nicholas Chiucholo [sic]and AUSA Daniel Nessem are murderers. They allowed Dr. Adelson to continue prescribing opioids for two years and would not allow the DEA to perform its regulatory obligations to protect public health. They wanted 1 million pills on the streets before they made their arrest. The 1 million pills over a 2 year period was more important to them than protecting the public's health. The DEA could have revoked Dr. Adelson's DEA registration or confronted him on a regulatory basis. They would not allow DEA Diversion to do anything to stop his endless tirade of over-prescribing as they wanted him to continue doing it over 2 years so they could arrest him. They are personally responsible for all the destruction caused by not allowing DEA Diversion to do it's [sic] job."
But on November 5, 2021, this: "ORDER as to Frederick L. Scheinin. On June 22, 2021, a jury convicted the defendant, Frederick L. Scheinin, of attempted production of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251, attempted receipt of child pornography in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A, and attempted coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422. Following the jury's verdict, Scheinin was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshalls and transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn. Early the next morning, Scheinin was found dead in the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn's Special Housing Unit. The Court then conducted further inquiries that confirmed that the death was a suicide. There appearing to be no further action to be taken by the Court, the Clerk is directed to close the case. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Jed S. Rakoff on 11/5/21)."
Inner City Press will have more on this.
On April 16, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Lorna G. Schofield held a proceeding. Inner City Press covered it.
The defense said it is difficult to work with Scheinin while he is incarcerated amid COVID.
On May 7 SDNY Judge Jed S. Rakoff, to whom the case has been re-assigned, held a proceeding. The June 16 trial date was re-affirmed - and Inner City press has been covering it, including on Juneteenth, when the government's main witness was cross examined.
She, a 32 year old law enforcement officer, impersonated a 14 year old boy on Grindr. Scheinin asked her/him about meeting on the Staten Island Ferry, and (much) worse. The defense argument was, Scheinin knew she was an adult.
But this opens the door to 404(b) evidence, including photos that the defense on June 18 said is too prejudicial. It will be emailed to Judge Rakoff, who has promised fast rulings and a draft charge by midday Monday.
On Tuesday, June 22: "the conviction in Manhattan federal court of FREDERICK L. SCHEININ for attempted production of child pornography, attempted receipt of child pornography, and attempted enticement of a minor... Attempted production of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; attempted receipt of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and attempted enticement of a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and maximum sentence of life in prison. SCHEININ is scheduled to be sentenced on September 23, 2021, at 4:00 pm."
And Judge Rakoff to his credit signed a medical attention order: "MEDICAL ATTENTION FORM as to Frederick L. Scheinin. (Signed by Judge Jed S. Rakoff on 6/22/2021)."
The case is US v. Scheinin, 20-cr-133 (Rakoff)
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