Eastern District of California

A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Dequan Lamar Mitchell, 22, of Vallejo, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Mitchell murdered a man when he was 16 years old and was convicted of murder. Because of that prior conviction, Mitchell is prohibited from possessing firearms. While on probation for that crime, investigators discovered Mitchell was involved in posting a firearm for sale in an illicit gun trafficking app. When police searched Mitchell’s mother’s home, they discovered a loaded Glock 23 handgun with an extended clip. That gun was the same gun Mitchell offered to sell for $1,200 in the gun trafficking forum. Subsequent investigation revealed that the gun was stolen from a carjacking victim in October 2025.

The Solano County Sheriff’s Office, the Solano County Probation Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are conducting the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hitt is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Mitchell faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Paxful Holdings, Inc., an online virtual currency trading platform, was sentenced yesterday to pay a criminal penalty of $4 million based on its ability to pay following its guilty plea to conspiracies to promote illegal prostitution, violate the Bank Secrecy Act, and knowingly transmit funds derived from criminal offenses.

“Paxful profited from moving money for criminals that it attracted by touting its lack of anti-money laundering controls and failure to comply with applicable money-laundering laws, all while knowing that these criminals were engaged in fraud, extortion, prostitution and commercial sex trafficking,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Crimes like this are a high priority for the Criminal Division because criminal money transmitters facilitate so many other crimes like money laundering, prostitution, fraud, romance scams, extortion and human trafficking. This sentence shows that companies will be held accountable when they create safe havens for criminal activity.”

“This sentence holds the company accountable for knowingly allowing its platform to facilitate serious criminal conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. “By putting profit over compliance, the company enabled money laundering and other crimes. This sentence sends a clear message: companies that turn a blind eye to criminal activity on their platforms will face serious consequences under U.S. law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to protect victims and ensure that the cryptocurrency ecosystem is not exploited by criminals.”

“This sentencing underscores IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who exploit financial systems to facilitate criminal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen of the IRS-CI Oakland Field Office. “Paxful’s deliberate disregard for anti-money laundering requirements and its role in promoting illegal prostitution and other criminal schemes enabled the movement of illicit funds at scale. This case sends a clear message: platforms that choose profit over compliance will face serious consequences and be brought to justice.”

According to court documents, Paxful, Inc., and later, Paxful Holdings, Inc. (collectively Paxful), owned and operated an online peer-to-peer virtual currency platform and money transmitting business (MTB) where customers negotiated for and traded virtual currency for a variety of other items, including currency like cash, pre-paid cards and gift cards. Paxful knew that its customers transmitted funds from criminal offenses, including fraud schemes and illegal prostitution. From Jan. 1, 2017, to Sept. 2, 2019, Paxful facilitated more than 26.7 million trades, totaling nearly $3 billion in value, and collected more than $29.7 million in revenue.

Paxful knowingly transferred virtual currency on behalf of its customers, including Backpage, an online advertising platform for illicit prostitution and similar sites. In various criminal proceedings, Backpage and its owners and operators admitted that Backpage advertised and profited from illegal prostitution, including illegal sex work depicting minors. Paxful’s founders boasted about the “Backpage Effect,” which enabled the business to grow. Between December 2015 and December 2022, Paxful’s collaboration with Backpage and a similar site caused nearly $17 million worth of bitcoin to be transferred from the Paxful wallet to Backpage and the copycat site from which Paxful obtained at least $2.7 million in profits.

As described in the plea agreement, from July 2015 to June 2019, Paxful and its founders marketed Paxful as a platform that did not require know-your-customer (KYC) information; allowed customers to open accounts and trade on the Paxful platform without gathering sufficient KYC information; presented to third parties fake anti-money laundering (AML) policies that they knew were not implemented or enforced; and failed to file suspicious activity reports, despite knowing that Paxful users were engaged in suspicious and criminal activity. As a result, Paxful knew it was used as a vehicle for prostitution, fraud, romance scams and extortion schemes.

Paxful pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting illegal prostitution through interstate commerce; conspiring to operate an unlicensed MTB by knowingly transmitting funds derived from criminal offenses or supporting unlawful activity, including illegal prostitution and fraud schemes; and conspiring to violate the Bank Secrecy Act’s (BSA) anti-money laundering (AML) program requirement. As a result of its illegal conduct, the virtual currency platform was used to transfer the proceeds of fraud schemes, illegal prostitution, hacks by malign state actors and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The Justice Department reached its resolution with Paxful based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offenses, which involved Paxful’s processing of millions of dollars of illicit transactions. Paxful did not make a timely and voluntary disclosure of wrongdoing, but it received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation, including among other things, collecting, analyzing and producing voluminous information, providing timely updates on facts learned during its internal investigation and engaging in extensive and timely remedial measures. According to court documents, Paxful agreed that the appropriate criminal penalty based on the law and the facts in its case is $112,500,000. Based on the Justice Department’s independent analysis, it determined that Paxful did not have the ability to pay a criminal penalty greater than $4 million.

On July 8, 2024, Paxful’s co-founder and former chief technology officer, Artur Schaback, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fail to maintain an effective AML program in relation to the same scheme.

Paxful’s guilty plea was part of a coordinated resolution with FinCEN.

HSI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.

Bank Integrity Unit Deputy Chief Kevin Mosley and Trial Attorneys Emily Cohen, Caylee Campbell and Katherine Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.

The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.

Paxful Holdings Inc., an online virtual currency trading platform, was sentenced yesterday to pay a criminal penalty of $4 million based on its ability to pay following its guilty plea to conspiracies to promote illegal prostitution, violate the Bank Secrecy Act, and knowingly transmit funds derived from criminal offenses.

“Paxful profited from moving money for criminals that it attracted by touting its lack of anti-money laundering controls and failure to comply with applicable money-laundering laws, all while knowing that these criminals were engaged in fraud, extortion, prostitution and commercial sex trafficking,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Crimes like this are a high priority for the Criminal Division because criminal money transmitters facilitate so many other crimes like money laundering, prostitution, fraud, romance scams, extortion and human trafficking. This sentence shows that companies will be held accountable when they create safe havens for criminal activity.”

“This sentence holds the company accountable for knowingly allowing its platform to facilitate serious criminal conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. “By putting profit over compliance, the company enabled money laundering and other crimes. This sentence sends a clear message: companies that turn a blind eye to criminal activity on their platforms will face serious consequences under U.S. law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to protect victims and ensure that the cryptocurrency ecosystem is not exploited by criminals.”

“This sentencing underscores IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who exploit financial systems to facilitate criminal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen of the IRS-CI Oakland Field Office. “Paxful’s deliberate disregard for anti-money laundering requirements and its role in promoting illegal prostitution and other criminal schemes enabled the movement of illicit funds at scale. This case sends a clear message: platforms that choose profit over compliance will face serious consequences and be brought to justice.”

According to court documents, Paxful Inc., and later, Paxful Holdings Inc. (collectively Paxful), owned and operated an online peer-to-peer virtual currency platform and money transmitting business (MTB) where customers negotiated for and traded virtual currency for a variety of other items, including currency like cash, pre-paid cards and gift cards. Paxful knew that its customers transmitted funds from criminal offenses, including fraud schemes and illegal prostitution. From Jan. 1, 2017, to Sept. 2, 2019, Paxful facilitated more than 26.7 million trades, totaling nearly $3 billion in value, and collected more than $29.7 million in revenue.

Paxful knowingly transferred virtual currency on behalf of its customers, including Backpage, an online advertising platform for illicit prostitution and similar sites. In various criminal proceedings, Backpage and its owners and operators admitted that Backpage advertised and profited from illegal prostitution, including illegal sex work depicting minors. Paxful’s founders boasted about the “Backpage Effect,” which enabled the business to grow. Between December 2015 and December 2022, Paxful’s collaboration with Backpage and a similar site caused nearly $17 million worth of bitcoin to be transferred from the Paxful wallet to Backpage and the copycat site from which Paxful obtained at least $2.7 million in profits.

As described in the plea agreement, from July 2015 to June 2019, Paxful and its founders marketed Paxful as a platform that did not require know-your-customer (KYC) information; allowed customers to open accounts and trade on the Paxful platform without gathering sufficient KYC information; presented to third parties fake AML policies that they knew were not implemented or enforced; and failed to file suspicious activity reports, despite knowing that Paxful users were engaged in suspicious and criminal activity. As a result, Paxful knew it was used as a vehicle for prostitution, fraud, romance scams and extortion schemes.

Paxful pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting illegal prostitution through interstate commerce; conspiring to operate an unlicensed MTB by knowingly transmitting funds derived from criminal offenses or supporting unlawful activity, including illegal prostitution and fraud schemes; and conspiring to violate the Bank Secrecy Act’s (BSA) anti-money laundering (AML) program requirement. As a result of its illegal conduct, the virtual currency platform was used to transfer the proceeds of fraud schemes, illegal prostitution, hacks by malign state actors and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The Justice Department reached its resolution with Paxful based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offenses, which involved Paxful’s processing of millions of dollars of illicit transactions. Paxful did not make a timely and voluntary disclosure of wrongdoing, but it received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation, including among other things, collecting, analyzing and producing voluminous information, providing timely updates on facts learned during its internal investigation and engaging in extensive and timely remedial measures. According to court documents, Paxful agreed that the appropriate criminal penalty based on the law and the facts in its case is $112,500,000. Based on the Justice Department’s independent analysis, it determined that Paxful did not have the ability to pay a criminal penalty greater than $4 million.

On July 8, 2024, Paxful’s co-founder and former chief technology officer, Artur Schaback, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fail to maintain an effective AML program in relation to the same scheme.

Paxful’s guilty plea was part of a coordinated resolution with FinCEN.

HSI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.

Bank Integrity Unit Deputy Chief Kevin Mosley and Trial Attorneys Emily Cohen, Caylee Campbell and Katherine Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.

The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.

On Feb. 10, 2026, James Cargill, 44, of Vacaville, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, in January 2025, law enforcement officers arrested Cargill after they found him in possession of approximately 570 grams of a substance or mixture containing methamphetamine. In May 2025, officers arrested Cargill after they found him in possession of approximately 230 grams of a substance or mixture containing methamphetamine and a loaded Glock 20 semi-automatic pistol.

The Vacaville Police Department, the Fairfield Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Campbell is prosecuting the case.

Cargill is set to be sentenced on June 2, 2026, by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez. Cargill faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Mark Sigl, 63, of Antelope, was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, in March 2024, Sigl communicated with an individual he believed to be the father of a 10-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover officer. Sigl communicated his desire to perform sex acts on the child and planned to meet the undercover officer and child at a designated site to do so. When Sigl arrived at the designated site, he was arrested by law enforcement officers. Several sex items were recovered from his vehicle parked outside. Sigl pleaded guilty to the charge on July 1, 2025.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Taskforce conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zulkar Khan prosecuted the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

On Feb. 9, 2026, U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sheriff sentenced Stanislav Yelizarov, 36, to 10 years in prison for threatening to kill the family of the prosecutor who previously secured his conviction in another case, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

On Oct. 31, 2025, a federal jury in Fresno found Yelizarov, an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary at Atwater, guilty of this offense. Today’s sentence will run consecutively to his existing sentences.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on a recorded prison telephone line, Yelizarov threatened to kill the “whole family” of an Assistant U.S. Attorney who had previously prosecuted him in the District of Maryland. Yelizarov had previously sent threatening letters to the prosecutor and several judges.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Maryland and the Eastern District of Virginia. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Veneman-Hughes and Joshua Banister prosecuted the case.

On Feb. 9, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston sentenced Joseph Luis Alamo, 43, of Madera, to one year and a day in prison for assaulting a Veterans Affairs employee, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, on Nov. 10, 2025, Alamo encountered the victim, a Veterans Affairs (VA) employee, on the sidewalk outside the VA Hospital in Fresno. He then punched the employee, causing injury, and then swung a knife at the employee but missed. On Dec. 15, 2025, Alamo pleaded guilty to the charge.

The VA Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the Madera County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes prosecuted the case.

On Feb. 9, 2026, Joseph Rocha, 27, of Fresno, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, on March 21, 2024, law enforcement officers performed a traffic stop on Rocha’s vehicle. When he told them his license was in the trunk, officers asked him to step out of the vehicle, at which point Rocha turned the vehicle on and placed it in drive. Officers struggled with him to regain control of the vehicle through a half-open door. Rocha continued to fight as officers removed him from the vehicle, at one point trying to spring away from officers and grab an officer’s taser. Eventually, officers subdued Rocha, at which point they found him in possession of a loaded firearm. Rocha is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of multiple prior felony convictions in Fresno County including evading a peace officer, firearms offenses, assault, car theft, and drug trafficking.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Fresno Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.

Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff on May 26, 2026. Rocha faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Sandra Munagay, 44, of Atwater, a former Senior Correctional Officer at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atwater, pleaded guilty today to obstructing justice during the investigation of her alleged assault of an inmate, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, in 2023, while working as a correctional officer, Munagay had a verbal dispute with an inmate housed at the prison. The inmate turned and tried to walk away from Munagay, but she pursued him. When the inmate stopped and turned back towards Munagay, she punched him in the face.

The same day, Munagay falsified a report about the incident. In the report, Munagay stated that the inmate had walked towards her in an aggressive manner and that she had panicked due to his size and aggressive behavior. Munagay further stated that she tried to place her hand on the inmate’s shoulder to gain distance from him and that her hand inadvertently landed on his cheek.

The video surveillance of the incident showed that the statements Munagay made in the report were false and that she was the aggressor. As part of Munagay’s plea agreement, she admitted to making the statements with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence an official investigation of the incident by the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

Munagay is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Munagay faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Jawana Washington, 45, of Clovis, was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd for aiding and abetting a felon in possession of a firearm as well as disposing of a firearm to a felon, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

On Sept. 3, 2025, Jawana Washington was convicted following a one-day trial. According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, Jawana Washington knowingly provided her son, Taylor Washington—a documented gang member and convicted felon—her firearm. On March 25, 2022, she agreed to lend him her firearm, cautioning him not to do anything “crazy,” to use his own ammunition, and not to get her sent to jail. Minutes later, agents observed Taylor Washington arrive at his mother’s apartment complex, meet with her, and leave in a vehicle. During a subsequent traffic stop, officers recovered a Springfield Armory XD-9 handgun, registered to Jawana Washington, from the car’s center console. After the stop, Jawana Washington exchanged messages with others in which she acknowledged that Taylor Washington had her firearm and urged deletion of incriminating text messages.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Fresno Police Department; the Fresno-area Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC); the California Department of Justice Special Operations Unit; the California Department of Justice Human Trafficking / Sexual Predator Apprehension Team; the California Highway Patrol; the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office; the Kings County Sheriff’s Office; the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; and the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin J. Gilio and Antonio J. Pataca prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A member of an ATM robbery crew, Maite Celis Silva, 27, of Chile, pleaded guilty on Monday to bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank robbery arising from a string of robberies of banks and ATMs throughout California, Oregon, and Washington, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Celis and her co-defendants were part of a South American theft group that conspired to break into and steal money from financial institutions between May and October of 2024. To assist her co-conspirators, Celis rented short-term vacation properties near the banks and ATMs that the crew intended to target. Those vacation rental properties served as staging locations for the robberies. The conspirators rented cars on the black market to transport themselves to and from the robbery locations. Once they identified ATMs in vulnerable locations, they then used construction-crew disguises, blowtorches, and cellphone jammers, among other sophisticated tactics, to break into the banks and ATMs and steal cash. The total loss amount caused by the conspiracy while Celis was a participant was more than $5.5 million.

Nine others are currently charged for their roles in the conspiracy. The charges against those defendants are only allegations; they are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Celis is set for sentencing on June 1, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff. Celis faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison for bank robbery and five years in prison for conspiracy to commit bank robbery. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the police departments of the cities of Fresno, Citrus Heights, Clovis, Elk Grove, Fresno, Modesto, Rocklin, Roseville, and Sacramento, as well as the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the investigation with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, and the Seattle Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert L. Veneman-Hughes and Justin J. Gilio are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Brian Stan Hindman, 50, of Madera, was sentenced today to three years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of counterfeit postal keys, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court records, on July 25, 2025, during a traffic stop, law enforcement officers arrested Hindman for an outstanding state warrant for burglary. Hindman was found to be in possession of a 9 mm Ruger pistol. Hindman is prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior felony convictions for which he spent more than four years in state prison. Hindman was also found with at least six counterfeit U.S. Postal Service keys that are commonly used by thieves to steal mail, and several driver’s licenses and debit cards in other individuals’ names.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph D. Barton and Arelis M. Clemente prosecuted the case.

Matthew Campbell, 43, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud in connection with a $9 million real estate investment fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, since 2012, Campbell operated two real estate investment companies, Preferred Property LLC and Ampez Rehab Investments LLC, which he used to buy and sell real estate, build, renovate properties, and solicit investor money to fund operations. Starting in 2018, Campbell began using his businesses to conduct a Ponzi scheme. He knowingly made false representations about his company’s finances, the return on investment, and distributions to attract new investors, and then he used the funds to pay returns to earlier investors. Between January 2018 and October 2025, Campbell obtained more than $9.1 million in investor funds that he used in unauthorized ways. At least $2,293,000 in new investor funds went to pay old investors and continue the scheme.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Arelis M. Clemente are prosecuting the case.

Campbell is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Campbell faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Marice Curry, 35, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to filing false federal income tax returns, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, in 2023, Curry filed more than 50 false tax returns for businesses claiming more than $1.5 million in fraudulent refunds. He did so by claiming refundable fuel tax credits for the businesses while knowing that they were not entitled to the credits. The credits are supposed to allow businesses to recover excise taxes that they pay on fuel used for nontaxable, off-highway purposes such as farming and fishing.

IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

Curry is scheduled for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on May 26, 2026. Curry faces a maximum statutory penalty of three years in prison and a $100,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced that Roy Richard Truitt III, 43, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to sexual exploitation of a minor and being a registered sex offender committing a felony offense involving a minor; and Amber Louise Lowe, 48, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor and receipt and distribution of child pornography.

According to court documents, between Aug. 28, 2018, and Sept. 2, 2018, Truitt and Lowe conspired to and did sexually exploit a minor victim, producing photographs of the sexual exploitation, which Lowe distributed to Truitt. During the relevant time period, Truitt was required to register as a sex offender in California.

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is prosecuting the case.

The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on May 4, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Truitt faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, a maximum of 50 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine for sexual exploitation of a minor. For committing a felony offense against a minor while a registered sex offender, he faces a mandatory consecutive sentence of 10 years in prison. Lowe faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a maximum of up to 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine for sexual exploitation of a minor. For receipt and distribution of child pornography, Lowe faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of up to 20 years in prison. The actual sentences for each defendant, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

After a two-day trial, a federal jury found Robert Jordan, 52, of Stockton, guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on Oct. 1, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on a silver Infiniti SUV with no license plates that Jordan was driving. In the location where the license plates should have been, the SUV instead had a laminated piece of paper that said “PRIVATE.” During the ensuing traffic stop, Jordan told the officers that he had a pistol in the SUV’s center console. Jordan is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior California felony conviction for attempted murder. The officers searched the center console and found a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver.

Jordan was initially charged in San Joaquin Superior Court. Jordan, who is a member of the so-called “sovereign citizen” movement, began harassing government employees in an attempt to intimidate them into dropping his case. His conduct escalated into threats to file frivolous lawsuits and property liens against members of the court and prosecution team. Eventually, Jordan filed more than $10 million in Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) liens against the prosecutor, the judge, and court staff.

Later, Jordan was indicted on federal charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. After firing his court-appointed defense attorney, Jordan chose to represent himself. Jordan was advised about potential consequences of filing frivolous liens against federal employees. Apparently undaunted, Jordan’s obstreperous behavior continued: he refused to withdraw the unjust liens he had filed against the state officials, made further UCC filings naming the federal court and federal prosecutors as potential targets of future liens, and attempted to initiate a seven-figure lawsuit against members of the prosecution team.

The Stockton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt and Charles Campbell are prosecuting the case.

Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced on May 18, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. Jordan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

A Folsom man, Paul Richards, 51, was arrested today after a federal grand jury indicted him for receiving child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, from December 2023 through April 2025, Richards used the peer-to-peer file sharing program BitTorrent to receive images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Harman is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Richards faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet safety education. 

Jashanpreet Singh, 27, of Lodi, pleaded guilty today to unlawfully dealing firearms and unlawfully possessing a machine gun, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Singh was the founder of the “Punjabi Devils” Motorcycle Club, a Stockton-based outlaw motorcycle gang associated with the Hells Angels. On June 6, 2025, Singh attempted to sell several weapons to an undercover officer, including a short-barreled rifle, three assault weapons, three machine gun conversion devices, and a revolver. A search of Singh’s residence resulted in the discovery of additional firearms, including a machine gun, another machine gun conversion device, and a silencer.

Firearms (including machine guns and a short-barreled rifle), firearms parts (including a silencer and high-capacity drum magazines), and other items seized from Singh’s vehicle and residence on June 6, 2025.

Officers also discovered a single “pineapple”-style capped and fused hand grenade, as well as what law enforcement believed was a military electronic capped “claymore” mine. The Explosives Ordinance Detail of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department bomb team destroyed these items at the scene.

Singh initially faced state charges in San Joaquin County related to these offenses. On July 21, 2025, he failed to appear in court, and the state court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. On July 23, 2025, the FBI received an alert from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that Singh had booked a ticket to India and was scheduled to depart from the San Francisco International Airport on July 26, 2025. On that date, officers located and arrested Singh at the airport before he could flee. Singh remains in federal custody.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Drug Enforcement Administration; Enforcement and Removal Operations; Homeland Security Investigations; the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office; the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Detail; the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit; the Stockton Police Department; and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Cárdenas and Adrian Kinsella are prosecuting the case.

Singh is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd. For his conviction for unlawfully dealing in firearms, Singh faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. For his conviction for unlawfully possessing a machine gun, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Trevor Clayton Morgan, 34, of Fairfield, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 25 years of supervised release, for sexual exploitation of a minor and attempted distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, in April 2023, Morgan persuaded a minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a video recording. In November 2023, Morgan attempted to distribute the video to another person on the Telegram app. Morgan also knowingly possessed hundreds of files containing CSAM. Morgan pleaded guilty on July 18, 2025.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force / Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Delaney prosecuted the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

Two Los Angeles County residents were charged Monday for their roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy and an assault on federal law enforcement officers, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

Kevin Guzman and Julian Alcantara-Aguirre, both 23, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Alcantara-Aguirre was also charged with assault on a federal officer.

According to court documents, on Jan. 22, 2026, Guzman and Alcantara-Aguirre traveled from Los Angeles County to Fresno to carry out a planned sale of 5 kilograms of fentanyl. When they spotted law enforcement officers in the area, Guzman and Alcantara-Aguirre fled in their black Toyota Matrix.

As Alcantara‑Aguirre attempted to escape, he rammed the Toyota Matrix into multiple government vehicles occupied by DEA agents. Guzman and Alcantara‑Aguirre then led agents on a high‑speed pursuit along State Routes 99 and 180 before coming to a stop and fleeing on foot. Both men were apprehended shortly after a coordinated law enforcement response. During the pursuit, officers recovered approximately 5 kilograms of fentanyl that had been thrown from the Toyota Matrix.

“Fentanyl is a poison in this District and throughout the nation,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “In coordination with DEA and our local and state law enforcement partners, this Office will vigorously prosecute those who traffic in that poison. And we will not tolerate violent assaults on federal officers who steadfastly enforce our drug laws.”

“The men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration are dedicated to saving lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris of the DEA San Francisco Field Division. “As part of DEA’s Fentanyl Free America Campaign, this operation targeted large scale fentanyl dealers, peddling poison in our communities. There is no doubt this seizure saved lives. We are thankful for our law enforcement partners that worked with us on this operation.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Fresno Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chan Hee Chu is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, the defendants face a minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. If convicted of assault on a federal officer, Alcantara-Aguirre faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Cornelius Houston, 35, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 15, 2025, Houston was found in possession of a loaded Glock handgun. Houston is prohibited from possessing ammunition or firearms based on his prior felony convictions for robbery and transportation, sale, or distribution of a controlled substance.

The Sacramento Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Ng is prosecuting the case.

Houston is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta on May 14, 2026. Houston faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

Orest Shaynyuk, 33, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to 19 years and seven months in prison and for distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), United States Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, in 2013, Shaynyuk was convicted of possession of CSAM. After serving his sentence and while on supervised release, his probation officer found him to be in possession of an iPhone that contained CSAM. Simultaneously, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was investigating a tip from an internet communications platform that Shaynyuk was trafficking CSAM. Forensic reports and data from the communications platform showed that Shaynyuk distributed CSAM to other users of the communications platform.

“This sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant’s repeated crimes and the lasting harm caused to the most vulnerable members of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “When individuals continue to exploit children despite prior convictions, they demonstrate a clear danger to the public. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue repeat offenders and ensure they are held fully accountable under the law.”

“This case reflects the strength of coordinated law enforcement efforts focused on protecting children,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Working alongside our local, state, and federal partners, investigators disrupted criminal activity tied to the sexual exploitation of minors. The 235-month federal prison sentence underscores the FBI’s relentless pursuit of offenders who harm children and threaten the safety of our communities.”

The Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Probation, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Yang prosecuted the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

Isaac James Ocejo, 22, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between July 2023 and October 2024, Ocejo mailed several packages containing controlled substances, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, from post offices in Fresno to addresses in other states. In total, Ocejo and others shipped more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine.

Ocejo and others also sold large amounts of methamphetamine in Fresno. In September 2024, they brought 15 pounds of methamphetamine packaged in 1-pound bags to sell in Trolley Creek Park in Fresno and sold 10 pounds of methamphetamine in broad daylight.

Ocejo and co-defendant Isaac Joseph Estrada were indicted and charged with 18 drug-trafficking related counts. Estrada pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 46 months in prison on Nov. 7, 2025.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting the case.

Ocejo is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on April 20, 2026. Ocejo faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Jorge Luis Rivera, 56, of Fresno, was sentenced today to three years in prison and ordered to pay $3,499,999 in restitution for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud offenses, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, beginning in 2011 and continuing through August 2018, Rivera, the then-owner of El Ranchito Bakery in Fresno, exchanged Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for cash and also accepted SNAP benefits for unauthorized items at the request of customers. Rivera, in exchanging SNAP benefits for cash, did so at significant discount and thereby pocketed millions in ill-gotten profits. 

Rivera’s sentence was enhanced as he directed the participation of two lower-level employees of the bakery who engaged in the fraud. The two employees pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and were sentenced last year. Rivera pleaded guilty on Sept. 29, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chan Hee Chu and Joseph Barton prosecuted the case.

FRESNO, Calif. — Kyle Matthew Lisman, 29, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and possessing stolen mail, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between January and July 2023, Lisman devised a scheme to steal victim identities to defraud them. In July 2023, he used the name, social security number, and other personal information of another person to fraudulently buy a car at a Bakersfield car dealership. Under the victim’s identity, Lisman purportedly paid $40,000 to purchase the car on the dealership’s website before traveling to the dealership and picking it up. To do this, he presented the dealership with a fake driver’s license created from the victim’s actual driver’s license information but with Lisman’s picture.

Lisman also caused other peoples’ mail to be forwarded to his home by filing and submitting fraudulent change of address forms for the mail recipients. In September 2023, Lisman possessed several credit cards, checks, and debit cards in other peoples’ names. Between May and July 2023, he opened credit and debit cards in other peoples’ names and used those cards to withdraw thousands of dollars’ worth of cash and purchases.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple is prosecuting the case.

Lisman is scheduled to be sentenced on April 20, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Lisman faces a statutorily required sentence of two years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Kenneth Wayne Lorenz, 82, of Rio Linda, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to 14 years in prison for possessing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Lorenz came to the attention of law enforcement during an undercover operation in July 2024. Kevin Gipson, 60, of Oroville, a friend of Lorenz, responded to an undercover agent who had assumed the identity of a man who was interested in finding people to have sex with his 8‑year-old daughter. Gipson told the undercover officer that Lorenz might also be interested in having sex with the minor. Later in the operation, the undercover officer spoke with Lorenz by phone, and Lorenz confirmed that he would cancel a poker game so that the undercover officer could bring his daughter to Lorenz’s residence. A search warrant was later executed at Lorenz’s residence, and two thumb drives and a laptop computer were seized. Forensic examination of the devices revealed that they contained child sexual abuse material, including videos involving infants and bestiality. Lorenz admitted to law enforcement that he possessed the material on the two thumb drives and admitted that he viewed the material with his friends, including Gipson. 

Gipson has pleaded guilty in a separate case in this district and awaits sentencing, case no., 2:24-CR-272-TLN. Lorenz pleaded guilty on Aug. 8, 2025.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Delaney prosecuted the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment Thursday against Roberto Hernandez, 35, a Mexican national unlawfully in the United States and residing in Sacramento, charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, on Sept. 2, 2025, Hernandez was found to be in possession of at least 400 grams of fentanyl and two loaded Glock handguns. Hernandez is prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions in California including reckless evasion of a peace officer causing injury, driving under the influence causing injury, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance.

Additionally, in May 2021, Hernandez was deported from the United States, and on Nov. 6, 2025, was charged in a separate indictment for being a deported alien found in the United States.

The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Ng is prosecuting the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nchekube Onyima is prosecuting the illegal reentry case.

If convicted in the drug trafficking and firearms case, Hernandez faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; in each case, the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Sacramento is composed of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.

This case is also part of the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney program, a partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local District Attorney’s Offices. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys remain employed by local District Attorney’s Offices, but they work on federal investigations and can prosecute cases in both state and federal court. This partnership allows the U.S. States Attorney’s Office and local District Attorney’s Offices to partner to fight transnational organized crime and violent crime that impacts the region. The U.S. Attorney’s Office currently has Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the District Attorney’s Offices of Yolo, Placer, Fresno, and Sacramento Counties.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against Carlos Andrew Dominguez, 25, of Lincoln, charging him with distribution of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between March 6, 2025, and Jan. 9, 2026, Dominguez used peer-to-peer messaging apps to distribute hundreds of depictions of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Malinski is prosecuting the case.

Dominguez is currently in federal custody following his arrest on a criminal complaint. If convicted, Dominguez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. 

Michael Rubino, 38, of Vacaville, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 17 years and six months in prison for sexually exploiting an underage girl, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Rubino convinced a 17-year-old girl to live with him at his parents’ Vacaville residence in late 2024. During this time, Rubino engaged in aggressive sexual conduct with his minor victim and created approximately 15 videos of himself assaulting her. At least one recording Rubino made depicted himself taking a hit from a methamphetamine pipe and then blowing the smoke toward his victim.

Law enforcement officers recovered the minor victim after Rubino deposited her at a local hospital, where she underwent immediate surgery for infected drug injection sites on her body. Officers arrested Rubino after executing a search warrant for his room and seized evidence that on more than one occasion while she was under his control, Rubino provided the minor victim to his friends for sex in exchange for money and narcotics. On Aug. 21, 2025, Rubino pleaded guilty.

Rubino’s criminal history includes at least one prior conviction for domestic violence and assault. He is subject to four restraining orders entered for the protection of various women and girls in Solano County.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the Vacaville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki prosecuted the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.

Former Madera County benefits eligibility worker Leticia Mariscal, 55, of Madera, pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft for stealing identities and fraudulently obtaining CalFresh benefits in their names, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced today.

CalFresh, formerly known as a “food stamp” program, provides qualifying California residents with monetary benefits to help them purchase food. The benefits are funded by the federal government, while the administrative costs for running the program are shared among federal, state, and local governments.

According to court records, between July 2022 and June 2025, Mariscal improperly used county databases to which she had access through her job to obtain identifying information for individuals who either were not United States citizens, were elderly, or were deceased. She then secretly approved these individuals to receive or continue receiving CalFresh benefits, printed EBT cards in their names with the benefits deposited thereon and spent the money on herself and her family members.

For example, for the individuals who were not United States citizens, Mariscal would obtain their identifying information, contact them, and falsely inform them that they had to provide the county with certain immigration records to continue receiving benefits. She took these steps so that these individuals would fear suffering immigration consequences if they tried to continue receiving benefits and would stop using them. She would then take the benefits for herself.

Altogether, Mariscal stole more than $40,000 from more than 15 people.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the Madera County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph Barton and Arelis Clemente are prosecuting the case.

Mariscal is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. Mariscal faces a statutorily required sentence of two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Michael William Hutchison III, 24, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena M. Coggins to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between Jan. 26, 2023, and May 10, 2024, Hutchison was a leader and organizer of violent drug traffickers who distributed massive amounts of lethal drugs in the Sacramento region. Hutchison’s specific role involved orchestrating the transport of large drug loads while he himself was active in selling drugs in Sacramento.

During the investigation, undercover operatives conducted nine controlled buys directly from Hutchison and seized hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine from the drug trafficking organization. Hutchison’s role in these serious offenses was aggravated by his status as an influential figure in a violent Sacramento street gang. Hutchison pleaded guilty on Aug. 13, 2025.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sacramento Police Department, the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department, and the California Highway Patrol conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hitt prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Jaswant Singh Gill, 57, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud for orchestrating an investment fraud scheme, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between May 2024 and June 2025, Gill was the Chief Executive Officer of Kismet Capital Partners LLC. Using Kismet Capital, Gill executed a scheme to defraud that involved making false representations and promises in exchange for purported investments. Gill falsely represented to investors that Kismet Capital was an investment firm with about 20 employees. He falsely promised that funds invested into Kismet Capital would be used solely for investment purposes, and the investor would receive a specific monthly rate of return. Based on the promises, a victim investor sent approximately $777,470 in the form of cash and wire transfers to be invested into Kismet. The victim obtained these funds from sources including personal loans, loans against an IRA, and a home equity line of credit. Gill also used at least one of the victim’s credit cards to obtain cash advances.

Instead of using the funds for investment purposes, Gill used the stolen funds for his own personal use including, paying for dinners at restaurants, paying a personal driver, and purchases of luxury items. During the time that Gill was stealing the investor’s funds, Gill falsely assured the investor that their investment was growing, when in fact, the investment was not growing.

Also based on court records, Gill committed this scheme to defraud while on federal supervised release that was imposed after Gill’s 2018 conviction for wire fraud in another federal judicial district.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nchekube Onyima is prosecuting the case.

Gill is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2, 2026, before Chief U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley. Gill faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Daragh Finbar Hayes, 44, of Rancho Cordova, pleaded guilty on Jan. 9 to three counts of production of child sexual abuse material and one count of distribution of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between June 25, 2024, and Sept. 30, 2024, Hayes knowingly used a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct. Hayes kept images of the sex abuse in a “hidden” folder on his personal electronic device and distributed images of the sex abuse to at least one other person over the internet.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shea J. Kenny is prosecuting the case.

Hayes is in custody and will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins at a later date. For each of the three counts of production of child sexual abuse material, Hayes faces a mandatory statutory minimum of 15 years in prison, a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. For the count of distribution of child sexual abuse material, he faces a mandatory statutory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

Javier Aguilera Rosas, 43, of Los Angeles, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb to 15 months in prison for transfer of a false identity document, misuse of a social security number, and illegal reentry by a previously removed alien, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, from August 2020 through December 2023, Rosas transferred at least 20 false identification documents to multiple buyers in the Eastern District of California. On multiple occasions, buyers submitted orders to Rosas through text messages asking for fraudulent passports, driver’s licenses, and Social Security cards. After obtaining the fraudulent IDs as specified by the particular buyer, Rosas mailed the false IDs to the buyer. On at least four occasions, he provided IDs containing the true name, birthdate, and Social Security number of identity theft victims.

At least one buyer used the false IDs Rosas provided to sell marijuana out of state, rent Airbnbs, and travel, including passing through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints. Rosas pleaded guilty on Aug. 25, 2025.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Moody prosecuted the case.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Thomas Davis, 40, of Yuba City, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena M. Coggins to 15 years in prison for receipt of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between May 2023 and January 2024, Davis used the BitTorrent network to download child pornography. During this period Davis built a collection of more than 400 videos and 200 images containing child sexual abuse material, including some which depicted the sexual abuse of toddlers.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, the Yuba City Police Department, and the California Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Charles Campbell is prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. Learn more at Justice.gov/PSC.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Khursheed Haider, 50, of Roseville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena M. Coggins to nine years in prison for distribution of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

“Today’s sentence holds Khursheed Haider accountable for his proliferation of child sexual abuse material, each instance of which retraumatizes the victims shown in such material,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “My office is committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals who traffic in this abusive material, including those in positions of trust like Haider.”

“Khursheed Haider was known to many as a trusted physician and family man,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “However, he was a predator behind that facade who actively shared material depicting the horrific sexual abuse of infants and toddlers. The FBI works tirelessly to identify and apprehend individuals who consume and distribute child sexual abuse material to stop the ongoing victimization of our nation’s most vulnerable and innocent victims.”

According to court documents, Haider, a Sacramento Area pulmonologist, used an application called Wire to post, distribute, and request videos and images of prepubescent boys and girls being sexually abused. After a search warrant was executed, agents discovered more than 600 images and videos of prepubescent child sexual abuse material on Haider’s electronic devices. Haider pleaded guilty on June 18, 2025.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hitt prosecuted the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Shaminderjit Singh Sandhu, 52, of Tracy, was sentenced today to seven and a half years in prison for conspiring to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Sandhu conspired with Jagninder Singh Boparai, 49, of Manteca; and Ramesh Kumar Birla Jr., 47, of Dublin, to murder a victim identified as Victim 2. In February 2023, Boparai met with a person he believed to be a hitman at a Starbucks in Manteca. Unbeknownst to Boparai and his co-defendants, throughout their interactions, the hitman was in fact a confidential informant working for the FBI. Boparai told the supposed hitman that the first job involved the assault of another man with whom the defendants were feuding. Once the hitman proved his trustworthiness, he would be given another job.

The following day, Boparai met the confidential informant again and offered to pay $6,000 for the assault. In March 2023, in the presence of Birla and another individual, Boparai met with the confidential informant, and Boparai gave the confidential informant $1,000 as a down payment for the assault. After more time had passed, the confidential informant showed Boparai a staged photo of the supposed assault victim lying on the ground covered in bruises, dirt, and blood to show the assault had occurred. Boparai said he liked the photo and told the confidential informant that he had two other “jobs,” one of which involved robbing a business, and the other involved making a person “disappear.”

Then, in March 2023, Boparai met with the confidential informant to pay the confidential informant $10,000 as a down payment for the murder for hire job. Sandhu provided the second victim’s address, and Boparai instructed the confidential informant that the victim must disappear without any evidence remaining. On March 24, 2023, Sandhu and Birla met with the confidential informant in a parking lot in Manteca. Sandhu and Birla claimed that Boparai was out of town, but Boparai was observed remaining in a car in the same parking lot. Sandhu and Birla instructed the confidential informant to kill the victim and take his remains to Mexico in a suitcase. All three defendants were arrested on March 31, 2023, and are currently in federal custody.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Highway Patrol, the Ceres Police Department, the Dublin Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Lathrop Police Department, the Modesto Police Department, the San Joaquin County Probation Office, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, the Stockton Police Department, the Tracy Police Department, the Turlock Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian T. Kinsella and Kevin Khasigian are prosecuting the case.

Sandhu pleaded guilty on July 31, 2025. Boparai pleaded guilty to the same charge on January 23, 2025. On August 14, 2025, U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta sentenced him to nine years in prison.

Birla is scheduled for a further status conference on February 12, 2026.  If convicted, he faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges against Birla are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rayshawn Williams, 20, of Stockton was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to six years and five months in prison for illegally dealing in firearms and possessing machine guns, United States Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between May and July 2024, Williams sold 10 firearms to a confidential informant in illegal deals conducted on the streets in exchange for cash. Of the ten firearms sold to the informant, two of them were Glock pistols with machinegun conversion devices, popularly known as “switches,” that allow the Glock pistols to fire in a fully-automatic mode. 

Williams pleaded guilty on Aug. 26, 2025. While sentencing Williams, Judge Mendez observed that Williams had boasted about his involvement with a burglary of a jewelry store in Oakland, that he was affiliated with a violent street gang, and that, despite his young age, Williams had already amassed a substantial criminal history.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Stockton Field Office for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Stockton Police Department Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Hitt and Zulkar Khan are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Javier Robert Barraza, 44, of Oroville, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to 21 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Barraza paid multiple women to sexually abuse young boys during video calls with him for his own sexual gratification. Barraza recorded these video calls, adding them to his collection of more than 1,000 videos and images of child sexual abuse material that he maintained on his phones and tablet. Barraza also shared his child sexual abuse material on internet sharing platforms and in text messages to individuals. Barraza made multiple attempts to pay for the services of “a girl around age 10” to perform oral sex on him.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Redding Police Department, the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Forest Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica M.A. Alegría prosecuted the case.

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. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Jasmeet Singh, 30, an Indian national who had been living in Fresno, charging him with transmitting threats to injure another person, United States Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, on May 27, 2024, Singh sent multiple threats to a victim living in Canada, threatening to kill the victim because of that victim’s prior cooperation with Indian law enforcement.  Singh sent the victim a picture of the victim’s car in front of the victim’s residence, told the victim he knew the victim’s daily habits, including the type of coffee the victim drank, and that the victim could not run because Singh and his associates would kill him/her.

This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Langley Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.  Assistant United States Attorney Adrian T. Kinsella is prosecuting the case.

Singh is currently detained in federal custody while awaiting trial.

If convicted, Singh faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.  Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.  The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Shyheim Jetton, 31, of Fresno, charging him with being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Jetton unlawfully possessed a firearm in that he is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. Undercover Fresno Police Department officers located Jetton, who had ducked inside a convenience store when uniformed officers came to arrest him. Inside the store, Jetton had hidden a backpack behind a freezer; the backpack contained a 9mm Taurus handgun and 23 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Veneman-Hughes is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Jetton a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, as well as a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Dallas Humber, 35, of Elk Grove — leader of the transnational terror group called the Terrorgram Collective — was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 30 years in prison and a lifetime period of supervised release for soliciting hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

“From the comfort of her suburban California home, Humber used online platforms to celebrate violence and solicit attacks that took the lives of innocent people and injured others around the world. Her incarceration makes the world a safer place,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The Department of Justice has shown that it can and will find these criminals even in the darkest corners of the Internet.”

“Today’s 30-year sentence sends an unmistakable message: if you plot acts of terror or use extremist networks to incite violence, you will be found, prosecuted, and incarcerated for decades,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This case demonstrates that our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will disrupt these threats and will pursue the maximum penalties the law provides.”

“Humber actively encouraged violence against, and the murder of, individuals based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity,” U.S. Attorney Grant stated. “Our office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners and with other Department of Justice components to stop these hate-fueled crimes and to ensure the safety of all people and public officials.”

“With today’s sentencing, Dallas Humber will pay the price for encouraging racially motivated violence, attacks on critical infrastructure, and the murder of federal officials,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “Humber led the Terrorgram Collective which inspired and guided individuals to commit violent acts around the world. Keeping our communities safe is a top priority of the FBI. Let there be no doubt, we will remain steadfast in identifying and holding accountable those who commit or encourage terrorism and other heinous acts.”

“Dallas Humber led the Terrorgram Collective as they conspired to murder federal officials and solicited individuals to commit hate crimes across the globe,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Through close collaboration with our domestic and international partners, we dismantled a dangerous network intent on inciting violence to advance its extremist ideology. Her 30-year sentence serves as a clear message that those who conspire to commit murder and solicit acts of terror in our communities will face justice.”

According to court documents, between July 2022 and September 2024, Humber served as a leader of the Terrorgram Collective, a white supremacist transnational terrorist group. To achieve their ends, she and other members of the Terrorgram Collective solicited individuals to commit hate crimes, terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure, and assassinations. They provided technical, inspirational, and operational guidance to equip those individuals to plan, prepare for, and successfully carry out those attacks.

Inspired and guided by Humber and the Terrorgram Collective, individuals committed attacks or plotted to commit attacks in the United States and elsewhere, including plotting to attack an energy facility in New Jersey, plotting to bomb an energy facility in Tennessee, plotting to murder two people in Wisconsin in furtherance of plans to assassinate a federal official, and attempting to assassinate an Australian official. In addition, individuals led by Humber and the Terrorgram Collective have committed acts of violence internationally, including shooting three people, killing two, at an LGBT bar in Bratislava, Slovakia; shooting 11 people, killing four, at two schools in Aracruz, Brazil; and stabbing five people outside of a mosque in Eskişehir, Turkey.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from a variety of foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

Dallas Humber, 35, of Elk Grove, California, — leader of the Terrorgram Collective, a transnational terrorist group — was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins to 360 months in prison for soliciting hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.

“From the comfort of her suburban California home, Humber used online platforms to celebrate violence and solicit attacks that took the lives of innocent people and injured others around the world. Her incarceration makes the world a safer place,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The Department of Justice has shown that it can and will find these criminals even in the darkest corners of the Internet.”

“Today’s 30-year sentence sends an unmistakable message: if you plot acts of terror or use extremist networks to incite violence, you will be found, prosecuted, and incarcerated for decades,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This case demonstrates that our prosecutors and law enforcement partners will disrupt these threats and will pursue the maximum penalties the law provides.”

“Humber actively encouraged violence against, and the murder of, individuals based on their race, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. “Our office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners and with other Department of Justice components to stop these hate-fueled crimes and to ensure the safety of all people and public officials.”

“With today’s sentencing, Dallas Humber will pay the price for encouraging racially motivated violence, attacks on critical infrastructure, and the murder of federal officials,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “Humber led the Terrorgram Collective which inspired and guided individuals to commit violent acts around the world. Keeping our communities safe is a top priority of the FBI. Let there be no doubt, we will remain steadfast in identifying and holding accountable those who commit or encourage terrorism and other heinous acts.”

According to court documents, between July 2022 and September 2024, Humber served as a leader of the Terrorgram Collective, a white supremacist transnational terrorist group. To achieve their ends, she and other members of the Terrorgram Collective solicited individuals to commit hate crimes, terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure, and assassinations. They provided technical, inspirational, and operational guidance to equip those individuals to plan, prepare for, and successfully carry out those attacks.

Inspired and guided by Humber and the Terrorgram Collective, individuals committed attacks or plotted to commit attacks in the United States and elsewhere, including plotting to attack an energy facility in New Jersey, plotting to bomb an energy facility in Tennessee, plotting to murder two people in Wisconsin in furtherance of plans to assassinate a federal official, and attempting to assassinate an Australian official. In addition, individuals led by Humber and the Terrorgram Collective have committed acts of violence internationally, including shooting three people, killing two, at an LGBT bar in Bratislava, Slovakia; shooting 11 people, killing four, at two schools in Aracruz, Brazil; and stabbing five people outside of a mosque in Eskişehir, Turkey.

The FBI Sacramento Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from a variety of foreign and domestic law enforcement agencies.

The Eastern District of California, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, and National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case.

James L. Kenney, 45, of West Sacramento, pleaded guilty Thursday to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between May 2025 and August of 2025, Kenney, his co-conspirator Kevin Leacy, 31, of West Sacramento, and others worked together as part of a drug trafficking organization selling fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin using a motel in West Sacramento. During three controlled purchases in May 2025, law enforcement officers purchased 100 grams of fentanyl and 540 grams of pure methamphetamine from Kenney and Leacy.

In August 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the motel and seized approximately 3.5 kilograms of fentanyl, 2 kilograms of cocaine, as well as methamphetamine and heroin located in rooms used by members of the conspiracy, including Kenney.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the West Sacramento Police Department and the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Harman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew DeMoura are prosecuting the case.

Charges are pending against Leacy. The charges are only allegations; he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Kenney is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley on March 26, 2026. Kenney faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Former Madera County benefits eligibility worker Leticia Mariscal, 55, of Madera, was arrested today on charges that she stole tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of other people’s CalFresh benefits during a multiyear scheme, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced. CalFresh is a financial assistance program that provides qualifying California residents with monetary benefits they can use to buy food. It was formerly known as the food stamp program.

According to court records, between December 2020 and April 2025, Mariscal improperly used county databases to which she had access through her job to obtain identifying information for individuals who were elderly or deceased. She then secretly approved these individuals to receive CalFresh benefits, printed EBT cards in their names with the benefits deposited thereon and spent the proceeds. Altogether, Mariscal used the identities of more than 15 people to steal benefits totaling more than $40,000. She was placed on leave earlier this year when her scheme was discovered.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Madera County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

If convicted, Mariscal faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for stealing CalFresh benefits. She also faces an additional two years in prison for misusing other people’s identities to commit the crime. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Paxful Holdings Inc., an online virtual currency trading platform, agreed to plead guilty yesterday to a three-count information filed in the Eastern District of California and agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $4 million based on its ability to pay.

“Paxful made millions of dollars in part by knowingly moving cryptocurrency for the benefit of fraudsters, extortionists, money launderers and purveyors of prostitution,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendant attracted its criminal clientele by promoting its lack of anti-money laundering controls and its deliberate decision not to identify its customers. This conviction shows that no matter the means, the Criminal Division will hold criminals accountable for knowingly engaging in illicit finance to further dangerous criminal activity.”

“Yesterday’s guilty plea by Paxful Holdings holds the company accountable for knowingly facilitating serious criminal conduct in the United States and elsewhere,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. “Through its calculated lack of controls, the company made itself available as a vehicle for money laundering, sanctions violations, and other criminal activity, including fraud, romance scams, extortion schemes, and prostitution. This resolution sends a clear message: those who deliberately turn a blind eye to criminal activity on their platforms will face serious consequences under U.S. law. The Department of Justice remains committed to protecting victims and ensuring that the financial system, including the cryptocurrency ecosystem, is not exploited.”

“For years, Paxful disregarded its Bank Secrecy Act obligations and facilitated transactions associated with illicit activity and high-risk jurisdictions, such as Iran and North Korea,” said Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Director Andrea Gacki. “FinCEN is committed to mitigating risks to the U.S. financial system while fostering responsible innovation in the virtual asset ecosystem.”

“Paxful Holdings, Inc. knowingly enabled its platform to serve as a conduit for criminal activity — including fraud and illegal prostitution,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Oakland Field Office. “By willfully disregarding anti-money laundering laws and failing to report suspicious activity, Paxful profited in illicit trades while facilitating crimes with serious harm and consequences. IRS-CI remains steadfast in its mission to hold virtual currency platforms accountable when they are used to conceal and enable criminal conduct.”

According to court documents, Paxful Inc., and later, Paxful Holdings Inc. (collectively Paxful), owned and operated an online peer-to-peer virtual currency platform and money transmitting business (MTB) where customers negotiated for and traded virtual currency for a variety of other items, including fiat currency, prepaid cards and gift cards. Paxful knew that its customers transmitted funds from criminal offenses, including fraud schemes and illegal prostitution. From Jan. 1, 2017, to Sept. 2, 2019, Paxful facilitated more than 26.7 million trades, totaling nearly $3 billion in value, and collected more than $29.7 million in revenue.

Paxful knowingly transferred virtual currency on behalf of its customers, including Backpage, an online advertising platform for illicit prostitution and similar sites. In various criminal proceedings, Backpage and its owners and operators admitted that Backpage advertised and profited from illegal prostitution, including illegal sex work depicting minors. Paxful’s founders boasted about the “Backpage Effect,” which enabled Paxful’s business to grow. Between December 2015 and December 2022, Paxful’s collaboration with Backpage and a similar site caused nearly $17 million worth of bitcoin to be transferred from the Paxful wallet to Backpage and the copycat site from which Paxful obtained at least $2.7 million in profits.

As described in the plea agreement, from July 2015 to June 2019, Paxful and its founders marketed Paxful as a platform that did not require know-your-customer (KYC) information; allowed customers to open accounts and trade on the Paxful platform without gathering sufficient KYC information; presented to third parties fake anti money-laundering (AML) policies that they knew were not implemented or enforced; and failed to file suspicious activity reports, despite knowing that Paxful users were engaged in suspicious and criminal activity. As a result, Paxful knew it was used as a vehicle for prostitution, fraud, romance scams and extortion schemes.

Paxful agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting illegal prostitution through interstate commerce; conspiring to operate an unlicensed MTB by knowingly transmitting funds derived from criminal offenses or supporting unlawful activity, including illegal prostitution and fraud schemes; and conspiring to violate the Bank Secrecy Act’s (BSA) AML program requirement. As a result of its illegal conduct, the virtual currency platform was used to transfer the proceeds of fraud schemes, illegal prostitution, hacks by malign state actors and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The Justice Department reached its resolution with Paxful based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offenses, which involved Paxful’s processing of millions of dollars of illicit transactions. Paxful did not make a timely and voluntary disclosure of wrongdoing, but it received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation, including among other things, collecting, analyzing and producing voluminous information, providing timely updates on facts learned during its internal investigation and engaging in extensive and timely remedial measures. Accordingly, Paxful received a 25% reduction off the bottom of the applicable U.S. sentencing guidelines fine range. According to court documents, Paxful agreed that the appropriate criminal penalty based on the law and the facts in its case is $112,500,000. Based on the Justice Department’s independent analysis, it determined that Paxful did not have the ability to pay a criminal penalty greater than $4 million. The court will sentence Paxful on Feb.10, 2026.

On July 8, 2024, Paxful’s co-founder and former chief technology officer, Artur Schaback, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fail to maintain an effective AML program in relation to the same scheme.

Paxful’s guilty plea is part of a coordinated resolution with FinCEN.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) and IRS‑CI are investigating the case.

Bank Integrity Unit Deputy Chief Kevin Mosley and Trial Attorneys Emily Cohen, Caylee Campbell and Katherine Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.

The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.

Paxful Holdings Inc., an online virtual currency trading platform, agreed to plead guilty yesterday to a three-count information filed in the Eastern District of California and agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $4 million based on its ability to pay.

“Paxful made millions of dollars in part by knowingly moving cryptocurrency for the benefit of fraudsters, extortionists, money launderers and purveyors of prostitution,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendant attracted its criminal clientele by promoting its lack of anti-money laundering controls and its deliberate decision not to identify its customers. This conviction shows that no matter the means, the Criminal Division will hold criminals accountable for knowingly engaging in illicit finance to further dangerous criminal activity.”

“Yesterday’s guilty plea by Paxful Holdings holds the company accountable for knowingly facilitating serious criminal conduct in the United States and elsewhere,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant for the Eastern District of California. “Through its calculated lack of controls, the company made itself available as a vehicle for money laundering, sanctions violations, and other criminal activity, including fraud, romance scams, extortion schemes, and prostitution. This resolution sends a clear message: those who deliberately turn a blind eye to criminal activity on their platforms will face serious consequences under U.S. law. The Department of Justice remains committed to protecting victims and ensuring that the financial system, including the cryptocurrency ecosystem, is not exploited.”

“For years, Paxful disregarded its Bank Secrecy Act obligations and facilitated transactions associated with illicit activity and high-risk jurisdictions, such as Iran and North Korea,” said Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Director Andrea Gacki. “FinCEN is committed to mitigating risks to the U.S. financial system while fostering responsible innovation in the virtual asset ecosystem.”

“Paxful Holdings, Inc. knowingly enabled its platform to serve as a conduit for criminal activity — including fraud and illegal prostitution,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda Nguyen of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Oakland Field Office. “By willfully disregarding anti-money laundering laws and failing to report suspicious activity, Paxful profited in illicit trades while facilitating crimes with serious harm and consequences. IRS-CI remains steadfast in its mission to hold virtual currency platforms accountable when they are used to conceal and enable criminal conduct.”

According to court documents, Paxful Inc., and later, Paxful Holdings Inc. (collectively Paxful), owned and operated an online peer-to-peer virtual currency platform and money transmitting business (MTB) where customers negotiated for and traded virtual currency for a variety of other items, including fiat currency, pre-paid cards and gift cards. Paxful knew that its customers transmitted funds from criminal offenses, including fraud schemes and illegal prostitution. From Jan. 1, 2017, to Sept. 2, 2019, Paxful facilitated more than 26.7 million trades, totaling nearly $3 billion in value, and collected more than $29.7 million in revenue.

Paxful knowingly transferred virtual currency on behalf of its customers, including Backpage, an online advertising platform for illicit prostitution and similar sites. In various criminal proceedings, Backpage and its owners and operators admitted that Backpage advertised and profited from illegal prostitution, including illegal sex work depicting minors. Paxful’s founders boasted about the “Backpage Effect,” which enabled Paxful’s business to grow. Between December 2015 and December 2022, Paxful’s collaboration with Backpage and a similar site caused nearly $17 million worth of bitcoin to be transferred from the Paxful wallet to Backpage and the copycat site from which Paxful obtained at least $2.7 million in profits.

As described in the plea agreement, from July 2015 to June 2019, Paxful and its founders marketed Paxful as a platform that did not require know-your-customer (KYC) information; allowed customers to open accounts and trade on the Paxful platform without gathering sufficient KYC information; presented to third parties fake anti money-laundering (AML) policies that they knew were not implemented or enforced; and failed to file suspicious activity reports, despite knowing that Paxful users were engaged in suspicious and criminal activity. As a result, Paxful knew it was used as a vehicle for prostitution, fraud, romance scams and extortion schemes.

Paxful agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting illegal prostitution through interstate commerce; conspiring to operate an unlicensed MTB by knowingly transmitting funds derived from criminal offenses or supporting unlawful activity, including illegal prostitution and fraud schemes; and conspiring to violate the Bank Secrecy Act’s (BSA) AML program requirement. As a result of its illegal conduct, the virtual currency platform was used to transfer the proceeds of fraud schemes, illegal prostitution, hacks by malign state actors and distribution of child sexual abuse material.

The Justice Department reached its resolution with Paxful based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offenses, which involved Paxful’s processing of millions of dollars of illicit transactions. Paxful did not make a timely and voluntary disclosure of wrongdoing, but it received credit for its cooperation with the department’s investigation, including among other things, collecting, analyzing and producing voluminous information, providing timely updates on facts learned during its internal investigation and engaging in extensive and timely remedial measures. Accordingly, Paxful received a 25% reduction off the bottom of the applicable U.S. sentencing guidelines fine range. According to court documents, Paxful agreed that the appropriate criminal penalty based on the law and the facts in its case is $112,500,000. Based on the Justice Department’s independent analysis, it determined that Paxful did not have the ability to pay a criminal penalty greater than $4 million. The court will sentence Paxful on Feb.10, 2026.

On July 8, 2024, Paxful’s co-founder and former chief technology officer, Artur Schaback, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to fail to maintain an effective AML program in relation to the same scheme.

Paxful’s guilty plea is part of a coordinated resolution with FinCEN.

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) and IRS-CI are investigating the case.

Bank Integrity Unit Deputy Chief Kevin Mosley and Trial Attorneys Emily Cohen, Caylee Campbell and Katherine Nielsen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Thuesen for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case.

The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.

Devlin Hosner, 36, of Indio, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, between 2020 and 2022, Hosner and his co-conspirator Holly Adams, 35, of Palm Desert, operated vendor accounts on the dark web marketplaces known as ToRReZ and Dark0de. Hosner and Adams generated hundreds of thousands of dollars selling counterfeit oxycodone pills pressed with fentanyl, after which they laundered the proceeds using cryptocurrency mixers, wallets, and other online tools.

In September 2021, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at an address where Hosner and Adams resided. After the officers announced their presence, Hosner attempted to impede their entry while Adams destroyed pills by pouring them into a chemical solution. Adams and Hosner were arrested and subsequently released by state authorities and resumed selling fentanyl on the dark web a few months later while they were unknowingly under investigation by federal law enforcement agents.

In March 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at a hotel room in Riverside County where Hosner and Adams were temporarily residing. Officers seized nearly a kilogram of fentanyl-pressed oxycodone pills and 60 grams of methamphetamine from this hotel room. Hosner and Adams were arrested on federal charges.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Northern California Illicit Digital Economy (NCIDE) Task Force, a previously existing task force that included agents from the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The NCIDE Task Force was a federal task force focused on targeting all forms of illicit dark web and cryptocurrency activity in the Eastern District of California and beyond. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Stefanki is prosecuting the case.

Adams previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and to launder the resulting proceeds.  In June 2025, the district court sentenced her to serve 12 years in prison.

Hosner is scheduled to be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez on March 24, 2026. Hosner faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison, as well as a $1 million fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Following a 5-day jury trial, Shana Gaviola, 38, formerly of Clovis, was found guilty of interstate violation of a protection order for causing her estranged teenage son to be taken against his will and transported from California to Missouri, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

“Shana Gaviola paid individuals to kidnap her then-16-year-old son from an ice-skating rink in Fresno, California, drive him in handcuffs to Missouri, and forcibly restrain him there for a week—all in express violation of a state-court domestic violence restraining order and ostensibly in the exercise of Gaviola’s religious beliefs,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “No parent—indeed, no person whatsoever—has the right to subject a child to kidnapping and terror for that reason or any other reason. This office will continue to vigorously prosecute anyone who violates the basic rights and safety of minors in our district, especially in violation of lawful court orders.”

“We are grateful for our strong partnership with the Fresno Police Department. Together, we uncovered the facts that ultimately led to today’s verdict. Shana Gaviola manipulated others to help force her will upon her son. We are very proud of his resolve throughout this investigation and trial. He will rest easier knowing that justice has been served,” said FBI Sacramento Acting Special Agent in Charge Duel Valentine.

According to court documents and testimony at trial, in 2020, Gaviola’s then-16-year-old son began living apart from Gaviola with another family. He petitioned for emancipation from Gaviola and obtained a domestic violence protection order against Gaviola from the Fresno County Superior Court. The order prohibited Gaviola from harassing, blocking the movements of, or contacting her son in any way, including directly or indirectly.

Despite the protection order, Gaviola made plans for her son to be forcibly transported from California to Missouri. On Aug. 21, 2021, individuals acting on behalf of Gaviola abducted the minor from an ice-skating rink in Fresno, handcuffed him, and forced him into a car. He remained in handcuffs for more than 24 hours while they drove to Stockton, Missouri. He was then held at a youth facility until his father was able to free him.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Fresno Police Department and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Veronica M.A. Alegría and Heiko P. Coppola are prosecuting the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the Eastern District of Missouri.

Gaviola is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour on April 27, 2026. Gaviola faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. 

Julio Cesar Nevarez-Erunez, 24, of Salem, Oregon, formerly of Downey, California, was sentenced on Dec. 4, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to five years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, Nevarez-Erunez conspired with his co-defendant, Juan Niebla-Osuna, 28, of Downey, to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District of California and elsewhere. On July 13, 2022, Nevarez-Erunez and Niebla Osuna sold 15 pounds of methamphetamine to a confidential source. On Oct. 6, 2022, Nevarez-Erunez was arrested and found in possession of 40 pounds of methamphetamine and 5,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. A search of the residence shared by the co-defendants in the Los Angeles area uncovered 7 more pounds of methamphetamine and 2.5 pounds of fentanyl powder.

Niebla-Osuna previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. On Aug. 28, 2025, Niebla-Osuna failed to appear for sentencing. A bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.

This case is the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Haddy Abouzeid is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Sacramento is composed of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.