BOSTON — Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev received a $1,400 COVID relief payment, and now federal prosecutors want that and other cash in his prison account for his victims from the 2013 attack.
In a filing Wednesday, Nathaniel R. Mendell, acting United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, asked the court for an order authorizing the Bureau of Prisons to turn over to the Clerk of the Court all funds, including any funds subject to administrative hold by BOP, held in the inmate trust account for Tsarnaev.
The feds want the money “as payment towards his outstanding criminal monetary penalties, including unpaid special assessment and restitution.”
Tsarnaev was sentenced to death after being convicted in 2015 for the bombings.
He’s in federal custody at the United States Penitentiary Florence ADMAX penitentiary.
“As of December 22, 2021, the Defendant has approximately $3,885.06 in his inmate trust account,” say prosecutors.
According to the document filed Wednesday, “After the Defendant’s sentencing, deposits into the Defendant’s inmate trust account became more frequent.”
Prosecutors say the deposits include:
a. The Defendant received a $1,400 COVID relief payment on June 22, 2021.
b. Between May 2016 and June 2021, the Defendant received multiple deposits from the Office of Federal Defenders of New York. The amounts varied between $40 and $250, totaling approximately $11,230.
c. Between August 2015 and August 2021, an individual residing in Indianapolis, Indiana made monthly deposits between $30 and $60, totaling approximately $2,555.
d. Between August 2015 and December 2017, an individual residing in Bloomfield, New Jersey made monthly deposits of $50, totaling approximately $1,450.
e. Between September 2013 and December 2018, an individual residing in Frederick, Maryland made periodic deposits between $50 to $200, totaling approximately $950.
Tsarnaev also received a total of $3,486.60 from 32 other individuals, according to the document.
Prosecutors say Tsarnaev, “although not making payments to his victims, has made payments to other third-parties. The largest payment the Defendant made from his account was paid to his siblings for items such as ‘gifts,’ ‘support,’ and ‘books.’ These payments totaled $2,000.”
“In light of the Defendant’s payment history and incarceration status, the United States requests that this Court enter an Order authorizing the BOP to turn over all funds, held in the Defendant’s inmate trust account, including any funds subject to an administrative hold by BOP, to the Clerk of Court as payment toward the outstanding criminal monetary penalties imposed against the Defendant.”
“The United States submits that the requested relief is reasonable and appropriate in this instance, especially in light of the Defendant prioritizing payments to his siblings over the victims of his crimes.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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