District of Columbia

WASHINGTON – Tyzell Myrick, 30, a previously convicted felon residing in Bowie, Maryland, was sentenced today in the District of Columbia to 33 months in federal prison for possessing a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol while on supervised release following a conviction for a violent gunpoint robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Myrick pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras on June 12, 2026, to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the 33-month prison term, Judge Contreras ordered Myrick to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 41-month prison sentence. 

According to court documents, on August 17, 2025, about midnight, Metropolitan Police officers were on patrol near the Crown Gas station on Florida Avenue NW, just off the U Street corridor, when they spotted Myrick walking with the distinct shape of a firearm protruding from his pants. Myrick attempted to walk away and conceal his body from the police, but officers stopped him, recovered the Glock pistol, and arrested him. 

The recovered firearm was loaded with one round of .40 caliber ammunition in the chamber, and an additional 20 rounds in its 22 round capacity magazine. 

At the time of his arrest, Myrick was on supervised release for the July 2017 gunpoint robbery of a GameStop in Maryland.  On September 17, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland sentenced Myrick to six months in prison for the robbery and 84 months for brandishing a firearm. 

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Washington Field Office.    

The matter was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Liss. Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.  

Still from police body-worn camera showing the recovery of the firearm from Myrick’s pants. 

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WASHINGTON – Matthew Randall Gigot, 40, a previously convicted sex offender residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 56 months in federal prison in connection with his trafficking of child sexual abuse material and his failure to register as a sex offender, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“Matthew Gigot, a convicted sex offender, was required to report all of his online accounts. Instead, he hid them and used those accounts to seek out child pornography with other predators,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “He chose concealment and exploitation; this sentence shows those choices have consequences. We will keep exposing those who target children and those who try to hide in the shadows.” 

Gigot pleaded guilty on April 6 before U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan to sexual performance using minors and to failure to register as a sex offender. In addition to the 56-month prison term related to his conviction involving Sexual Performance Using Minors and 24-month sentence related to his conviction involving a violation of his requirement to register as a sex offender, Judge Chutkan ordered Gigot to serve 10 years of supervised release on each offense.  Gigot will also be required to register as a sex offender for life in D.C.   

According to court documents, between November 2024 and June 2025, Gigot traveled to a residence in the District to meet with other individuals to view child sexual abuse materials, at times engaging in sexual conduct with other adults while doing so. The material depicted young, prepubescent children being sexually abused by adults. Gigot also joined online video sessions from his D.C. home for the same purpose. 

Separately, between July 2024 and March 2026, Gigot failed to report a secondary email account, a Snapchat account, and several Telegram accounts he was actively using, despite his being required to report any change in his registration information within 72 hours.  

Gigot had been registered as a sex offender in the District of Columbia since 2016, following a prior conviction for sexual performance using minors. During a January 23, 2026, search of his residence, FBI agents recovered the unreported accounts from electronic devices.  

This marks Gigot’s second conviction for trafficking in child sexual abuse material. 

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department.  

It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard S. Kelley. 

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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

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WASHINGTON – Cornelius Welch, 28, a previously convicted felon residing in the District, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 33 months in prison in connection with shooting at a scooter rider in November 2025 in Northeast Washington, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

            “This defendant fired three shots in the direction of someone simply riding a scooter,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “By the grace of God, no one was struck. A convicted armed robber who was prohibited from possessing a firearm, he chose to open fire on a neighborhood street, showing a complete disregard for the lives of others. He now faces the consequences of that decision.” 

            Welch pleaded guilty on May 19, 2026, before Judge Rudolph Contreras to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and to endangerment with a firearm. In addition to the 33-month prison term, Judge Contreras ordered Welch to serve three years of supervised release.   

            According to court documents, on Nov. 22, 2025, about 4:15 p.m. Welch was at the Benning Courts apartment complex on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE, as an unknown person was riding a scooter on the sidewalk.  

            Welch drew a firearm, aimed at the scooter rider, and fired three times. The incident was captured on surveillance cameras. The scooter rider did not appear to be injured and continued to travel away from the scene of the shooting.  

            Metropolitan Police officers responded to the scene, canvassed the street, and recovered three .40 caliber shell casings.  

            On Jan. 10, 2026, investigators from the MPD and agents from the DEA executed a search warrant at an apartment in the 1700 block of Benning Road where Welch was staying with his girlfriend. Law enforcement recovered a loaded privately manufactured semiautomatic rifle, a loaded privately manufactured .40 caliber pistol, a loaded Glock 42x 9mm pistol, powder cocaine, crack cocaine and PCP. Welch and his girlfriend were arrested and charged the same day in D.C. Superior Court with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance while armed among other charges. 

            Welch has a previous felony conviction for armed robbery and therefore was prohibited from possessing any gun. 

            On July 29, 2026, Welch was convicted in D.C. Superior Court of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine) and unlawful possession of a firearm. 

            This case was investigated by the DEA, the ATF, and the Metropolitan Police Department.  

            The matter was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Lee.  

            Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful supports President Trump's Executive Order that cracks down on gun violence, prioritizes federal firearms violations, pursues tougher penalties, and seeks detention for federal firearms violators.    

Welch at the Benning Courts apartment building in a surveillance photo captured the day of the shooting.  

  Surveillance photo shows Welch (circled in red) and the scooter rider (circled in yellow). 

Welch takes aim at the scooter rider before firing three times. 

The .40 caliber pistol recovered from the apartment. 

The privately manufactured .22 rifle (left) and the Glock 43x 9mm pistol recovered from the apartment. 

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WASHINGTON — Keishawn Johnson, 23, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 204 months in prison in connection with kidnapping two girls and the sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“Keishawn Johnson terrorized two children, hunting them and holding them hostage. Now he’s headed exactly where he belongs: federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “We will not tolerate this violence and disregard for human life. Anyone who preys on children will meet the same fate.” 

Johnson pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2026, before Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to kidnapping while armed and sexual exploitation of a child. In addition to the 204-month prison term, Judge Kollar-Kotelly ordered Johnson to serve 10 years of supervised release.  

According to court papers, in September 2024, Johnson tricked a 15-year-old girl into getting into his car in the District by falsely telling her that her 14-year-old friend was inside. Johnson then held the teenager against her will and demanded she help him locate a missing firearm. When the teenager's mother tried to remove her from the vehicle at a gas station, Johnson drove away with the teenager still inside. Johnson later used the teen's phone to lure her 14-year-old friend to a location in the District, where he and an accomplice, Antoine Jones, pointed firearms at the younger girl and forced her into a vehicle. Police arrived as the abduction was underway, and the older teenager was left behind while Johnson fled with the younger girl. 

Johnson held the 14-year-old against her will overnight, driving her to multiple locations in the District and Maryland while continuing to search for the firearm, and assaulted her during that time. Police located Johnson again the following afternoon; he fled with the 14-year-old still in the car and crashed the vehicle before running from the scene on foot. Law enforcement recovered the girl at that time. 

Investigators also recovered a phone containing video Johnson had recorded weeks earlier showing him sexually abusing the 14-year-old girl. 

At the time of the kidnapping, Johnson was on probation in two Maryland cases involving theft, burglary and unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, and faced a pending burglary and grand larceny case in Fairfax County, Virginia. 

Jones, Johnson’s accomplice, also pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2026, before Judge Kollar-Kotelly, to kidnapping while armed. Jones was sentenced to 114 months in prison. 

Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office.  

This case was investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Burrell. 

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

Frame grab from surveillance video shows the abduction circled in yellow. 

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WASHINGTON – Louis Geri, 42, of Vineland, New Jersey, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 70 months in prison in connection with threatening to detonate more than 100 homemade explosive devices on the steps of St. Matthew's Cathedral during the annual Red Mass attended by U.S. Supreme Court Justices and other senior government officials, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Geri pleaded guilty March 5 before Judge Randolph M. Moss to a count of Hobbs Act extortion by wrongful use of force, violence, or fear, and to a count of possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device). In addition to the 70-month prison sentence, Judge Moss ordered Geri to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a prison term of 87 months. 

“The First Amendment will be respected in the District of Columbia. Threatening to detonate explosive devices at a house of worship during an important historic religious service, known as the Red Mass, is an attack on our community and on the fundamental right to worship freely,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Defendant Geri chose to terrorize a sacred space, St. Matthew’s Cathedral, and endanger officers and parishioners, thereby preventing Supreme Court Justices from attending an annual religious event. Seventy months in federal prison reflects the seriousness of his conduct and our commitment to protecting every community from extremist threats and violence.” 

According to the plea agreement, on the evening of Oct. 4, 2025, Geri rode his motorcycle to St. Matthew's Cathedral, on the 1700 block of Rhode Island Ave. NW, and erected a tent on the church's front steps. Inside the tent, he assembled more than 100 explosive devices he had manufactured from materials — including nitromethane, magnesium, charcoal, and thermite — purchased in Arkansas and assembled in Virginia. He also carried a nine-page list of written demands.  

The Red Mass, a high-profile annual religious ceremony attended by members of the Supreme Court, Cabinet, Congress, and the diplomatic corps, was scheduled at the cathedral for the following morning.  

About 5 a.m. on Oct. 5, 2025, Metropolitan Police Department officers approached Geri's tent while patrolling the area before the service. When officers told him he would need to move, Geri refused and threatened to throw one of his explosive devices into the street to demonstrate its destructive power. He told officers that "several of your people are gonna die from one of these" if federal agents did not come to negotiate his demands.  

Geri's written demands included hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments to himself and others, extended accommodations at the Mayflower Hotel, an expatriation flight to Japan, and requests that the Supreme Court remove Arizona from the United States and declare it a “foreign enemy.” He also made numerous demands directed at leaders of the Catholic and Jewish faiths.  

Law enforcement established a barricade around the tent and apprehended Geri about 5:53 a.m. when he briefly emerged. Officers found one explosive device in his pocket along with a butane lighter. A search of the tent revealed more than 100 additional devices. Testing by an FBI laboratory confirmed the devices were improvised explosive devices in operable condition.  

Following his arrest, Geri waived his Miranda rights and described the devices as “grenades” and “rockets.” He admitted that he intended to use the threat of force to coerce negotiations and that he was willing to use the devices to harm people and property — including St. Matthew's Cathedral, the White House, the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, and the Supreme Court.  

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department, with valuable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Division.  

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Satter for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.  

The defendant holding destructive devices in his tent. 

Items—including destructive devices—found inside of the defendant’s tent. 

One of the six homemade destructive devices examined by the FBI laboratory. 

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WASHINGTON – Deondre Rogers, 20, and Hanif Brown,20, both of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to 17 years and 14 years in prison, respectively, for their roles in anarmed carjacking and robbery spree committed in 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

“At 17-years-old in 2023, these defendants went on a crime spree—stealing cars, jewelry, and other personal possessions from their victims, with complete disregard for the people they harmed, and then callously showing off their stolen property on social media,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “This sentence sends a clear message: those who terrorize our community with violence and firearms will be held fully accountable.”

Both Rogers and Brown pleaded guilty on August 3, 2026, to one count each of carjacking, armed robbery, robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license. The defendants were originally charged in an 87-count indictment.Brown was 17 years old at the time of the offenses, while Rogers turned 17 in April 2023 during the crime spree; both defendants were charged as adults pursuant to Title 16. The government sought a 17-year prison sentence for each defendant. Superior Court Judge Jason Park imposed the requested sentence on Rogers but sentenced Brown to 14 years pursuant to the Youth Rehabilitation Act, citing Brown’s lack of criminal history and expressed remorse.

According to the government’s evidence, on the afternoon of April 7, 2023, Rogers and Brown rear-ended a white Jeep inside the Third Street Tunnel while driving a stolen Mercedes sedan. The defendants exited the Mercedes sedan, pointed firearms at the Jeep’s two occupants, and demanded that they exit the vehicle. After the victims complied, the defendants entered the Jeep and drove away. 

In the early morning hours of April 16, 2023, Rogers and Brown robbed another victim at gunpoint in the 1600 block of 5th Street NW. As the victim was walking with a friend, the defendants pulled up alongside them in a white Chevrolet sedan, and one of the defendants got out. Hepointed a firearm at the victim and demanded his keys and cell phone, as the second defendant remained seated in the Chevrolet sedan.  The victim handed over his vehicle keys and cell phone. The defendants drove away in the Chevrolet sedan and the victim’s vehicle.  

In the early morning hours of May 4, 2023, the defendants robbed two victims at gunpoint in the 1400 block of U Street NW. Rogers and Brown exited a white sedan, carrying handguns, and demanded the victims’ property. The defendants took two necklaces, an iPhone, a Louis Vuitton belt, a rose/white gold Audemars Piquet watch valued at approximately $40,000, and a gold and silver Rolex valued at approximately $7,000. 

On the night of the robbery and in the days that followed, Rogers and Brown appeared in multiple videos, photographs, and a music video posted to social media that showed them wearing the stolen watches.

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

In announcing the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Travis Wolf and Brian Hanley, who prosecuted the case.  

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WASHINGTON – Tevon Stephens, 29, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 216 months in prison in connection with his distribution of child sexual abuse material and his sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“Stephens deliberately sought out vulnerable minors online, traded in images documenting their exploitation, and gained access to a child in person,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “My office will not relent in pursuing predators who target our community’s children, and we remain committed to protecting them.” 

Stephens pleaded guilty on January 14 before U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton to one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of first-degree child sexual abuse. In addition to the 216month prison sentence, Judge Walton also ordered Stephens to serve 15 years of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. Federal prosecutors had requested a prison term of 216 months. 

According to court papers, Stephens used a dating application profile that misrepresented his age. He then communicated with an undercover officer whom he believed was the father of a young boy. During the exchange, Stephens expressed a sexual interest in children and admitted to prior sexual contact with underage girls. He also sent the undercover officer videos of child sexual abuse material. 

In March 2025, law enforcement arrested Stephens at his home in Northeast Washington. Investigators recovered thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse material from one of his cell phones, including material Stephens is alleged to have personally produced depicting the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. 

Investigators also determined that Stephens had used two Instagram accounts to contact minor girls online. He later had sexual contact with one of the girls, who was 15 years old at the time, at his home. 

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caroline Burrell.  

It was investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.  

The matter 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

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WASHINGTON - Kamar Clayton, 23, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 24 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a loaded firearm equipped with an extended magazine after crashing a stolen car and fleeing police on foot, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Clayton pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition after having been previously convicted of a felony crime. U.S. District Court Judge Amy B. Jackson ordered Clayton to serve 24 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.  

According to court documents, on March 23, 2026, at approximately 7:26 p.m., Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers were patrolling with federal law enforcement officers in Southeast Washington, D.C. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a dark-colored car in a parking lot in the 4900 block of G Street SE. As that car stopped, an unrelated black Chrysler 300 sped out of the parking lot, struck three unoccupied parked cars, and fled the scene. 

Two of the Three Cars the Chrysler 300 Ran Into 

Law enforcement tracked the Chrysler 300 to the intersection of 46th Street SE and G Street SE, where the vehicle had crashed into a grassy lawn next to a residence. Officers observed the driver and a passenger exit the running vehicle and flee on foot. Following a short pursuit, officers apprehended the driver—identified as Clayton—in the 4600 block of G Street SE. Federal law enforcement officers apprehended the passenger. 

The Chrysler 300 Where Clayton Left It 

A law enforcement database search revealed that the Chrysler 300 had been reported stolen from Prince George’s County, Maryland, on February 6, 2026. Clayton, who did not have a valid driver’s license, was placed under arrest for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. 

During a search incident to arrest, Clayton informed officers, “I got a gun on me.” Officers recovered a Glock Model 21, .45 ACP-caliber semiautomatic pistol from Clayton’s left pant leg. The firearm was loaded with one round in the chamber and five rounds in an attached 26-round capacity extended magazine. Clayton did not have a license to carry a firearm. Officers also recovered the vehicle's keys, six clear bags, and $400 in cash from Clayton. 

Clayton’s Firearm with an Extended Magazine 

At the time of the offense, Clayton was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to a prior felony conviction. In 2023, Clayton was convicted in D.C. Superior Court of Carrying a Pistol Without a License, for which he received an 8-month prison sentence. 

This matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Ibanez. 

The case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro today announced the creation of the Fraud and Asset Recovery Division, a specialized unit dedicated to investigating and pursuing fraud cases, with a particular focus on the False Claims Act. The new division marks a significant expansion of federal civil fraud enforcement capacity in the nation’s capital. Recent years have seen record setting False Claims Act recoveries and qui tam lawsuits. By creating a new division with AUSAs and support staff devoted to investigating and litigating cases involving all types of fraud against the government, this office will be a premier destination to fight rampant fraud in the epicenter of the federal government.   

"President Trump has prioritized the elimination of fraud, waste, and abuse involving federal agencies and programs,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “This new Fraud and Asset Recovery Division will reinforce and consolidate our resources to hold fraudsters accountable and recover taxpayer dollars. We are sending a clear message: those who cheat the federal government will face decisive, coordinated action." 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office will significantly increase and realign its resources from its existing Affirmative Civil Enforcement unit within the Civil Division to form the new division.  The reorganization draws a clear line between affirmative civil enforcement and the important defensive workload of the Civil Division, centralizing experience and maximizing results. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has a long history of combatting fraud and recovering billions of dollars on behalf of American taxpayers under the False Claims Act. Working in partnership with the Justice Department’s Civil Fraud Section, federal investigative agencies, and whistleblowers, the office has successfully resolved major cases, including:   

• A large government contractor for improperly billing commercial and international costs to government contracts;
• A software manufacturer for defrauding the government through false disclosures and intentional overbilling;
• A medical device manufacturer for misbranding and off-label marketing; and
• A pharmaceutical manufacturer for failing to comply with laws regulating medication. 

In recent years, the overwhelming demands of the office’s civil defensive docket have limited available resources for affirmative investigations and litigation. The creation of the Fraud and Asset Recovery Division ensures dedicated resources to establish a premier anti-fraud enforcement unit at the epicenter of the federal government in Washington, DC. 

The Division will be comprised of dedicated AUSAs, investigators, auditors, and support staff. In addition to False Claims Act cases, the Division will handle other affirmative civil enforcement matters, including civil collections on behalf of federal agencies, enforcement of agency and OIG subpoenas, and civil asset forfeiture actions. 

The Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will also be part of the Fraud and Asset Recovery Division.  This unit collects special assessments, fines, and restitution debts imposed in criminal cases, and civil debts owed to the United States and Federal agencies such as civil judgments and settlements in affirmative cases, and student loan debts owed to the Department of Education.

Dan Schiffer will serve as Chief and Sean M. Tepe will serve as Deputy Chief overseeing the Division. 

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A federal jury in the District of Columbia convicted Devontee Parker, 38, of Dallas, today for sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, interstate transportation for purpose of prostitution, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. 

 “Devontee Parker trafficked vulnerable women by intimidating them with physical violence to make money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The courage of the victim resulted in compelling testimony that secured this important conviction, which will ensure that Parker will never be able to traffic victims again.”

“I am proud of the deep expertise our prosecutors bring to human trafficking cases,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “Their exceptional work is a key reason we hold a 100% conviction rate in these prosecutions. With FBI agents embedded in our office, we have strengthened both our commitment to eradicating human trafficking and the successful results we are seeing in court.”

“Today’s verdict underscores the victims’ remarkable courage and the unwavering commitment of our agents and partners who pursued justice in this case,” said Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office. “The FBI will continue to lead aggressive investigations that hold traffickers accountable and connect victims with the support they need to rebuild their lives.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Parker met the victim in 2021 while she was struggling with housing insecurity, financial instability, and grieving the loss of a beloved family member. Parker made the victim believe he cared about her and enticed her to come live with him in Texas. Once the victim agreed, Parker advertised the victim online, set prices for the commercial sex acts, and drove her to sex buyers in multiple states as well as  the District of Columbia. 

Parker demanded that the victim turn over all her earnings to him and controlled her access to money, food, and other necessities. He also set a daily earning quota for the victim and punished her with violence if she did not make enough money. The victim testified that during one incident, Parker strangled her until she lost consciousness. During another incident, Parker gave her a black eye. 

Parker also routinely looked through the victim’s phone to monitor her communications with others and forbade her from speaking with friends after they witnessed his abuse. Parker also introduced the victim to drugs, including cocaine, and routinely supplied her with illicit substances while instructing her to have sex with men for money. After several unsuccessful attempts to leave Parker, the victim escaped in 2024 when he was arrested on prostitution-related charges by state authorities. Parker was indicted in Texas on charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion related to additional victims in August 2026. 

The jury convicted Parker of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, interstate transportation for purpose of prostitution, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 3, 2027. Parker faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Trial Attorney Jessica Arco of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel Bohlen and Karen Shinskie for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case. 

The FBI Washington Field Office and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the case.

Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced significant outcomes from her multi-agency summer crackdowns aimed at reducing violent crime and dismantling narcotics trafficking networks throughout the District. Over the summer months, federal prosecutors partnered closely with the Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, and additional agencies to focus resources on individuals driving violence and drug distribution in D.C. neighborhoods.

“The results of this summer’s enforcement operations demonstrate the impact of sustained, coordinated, neighborhood‑focused federal action,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “We will continue prioritizing individuals driving violence, dismantling organized narcotics networks, and delivering meaningful accountability for those who endanger our communities.”

The achievements outlined below represent federal prosecutions and enforcement actions led by the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking and Federal Major Crimes Sections; they do not encompass local prosecutions pursued in D.C. Superior Court.

During the summer investigative push, law enforcement seized 533 illegal firearms and recovered substantial quantities of narcotics, including 64.1 kilograms of methamphetamine, 46.7 kilograms of cocaine, 3.4 kilograms of crack cocaine, and 3.0 kilograms of fentanyl. These efforts were supported by an aggressive prosecution strategy that resulted in more than 60 defendants being federally indicted. Of the individuals charged, 30 were involved in serious narcotics offenses and 30 were charged in felon‑in‑possession cases. In addition, authorities arrested 28 known gang members whose activities contributed to persistent violence in affected communities.

The summer enforcement push also produced several major takedowns. One investigation led to the dismantling of an 11‑defendant methamphetamine and GBL trafficking conspiracy with international ties to South Korea. Another operation targeted a 14‑defendant crack cocaine distribution ring operating within 1,000 feet of Hendley Elementary School; investigators seized 28 firearms, kilogram quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and additional narcotics during the course of the investigation. A third large‑scale case involved the operator of Forest Floor LLC, who was trafficking MDMA within 1,000 feet of Catholic University. In that case, law enforcement seized more than $250,000 in cash, $200,000 in jewelry, 74 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, and 18 pounds of marijuana.

The Office also reported significant progress from its International Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) operations. This included indictments of 19 defendants—among them, three Mexican nationals—along with 26 arrests and 15 convictions. Agents seized more than 2,300 kilograms of cocaine and recovered over $1.6 million in drug proceeds stemming from transnational trafficking routes.

Federal prosecutors secured convictions for 11 defendants across multiple federal jury trials during the summer period. These included four defendants convicted in a crew‑related murder conspiracy, who face mandatory minimum sentences of 40 years (lead defendant) and 30 years; three defendants convicted in a felony‑robbery murder case carrying a mandatory minimum of 30 years; and one defendant found guilty of carrying out a spree of armed robberies targeting convenience stores, who faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 31 years. Additional convictions included an Armed Career Criminal charged with felon‑in‑possession, a defendant convicted of felon‑in‑possession connected to a crime of violence, and a convicted sex offender found guilty of illegally possessing a firearm.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia remains committed to strengthening public safety through rigorous federal prosecution, intelligence‑driven investigations, and strong partnerships across federal, local, and community organizations.

WASHINGTON – Preston Fleming, 68, of Ducula, Georgia was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 6-months of home confinement in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $170,000 in COVID-19 disaster relief loans for a trucking company that had ceased operating years earlier, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“Fleming lied about his company’s operations, lied about how the money would be used, and then lied again to have the loan forgiven, all so he could build himself a new home with pandemic relief funds meant to save struggling small businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who treated disaster relief programs as a personal piggy bank.” 

“Preston Fleming’s conduct reflects a blatant audacity to commit fraud. As a former HUD employee, he knew the responsibilities that come with public service, yet he chose to exploit a national emergency for personal gain,” according to HUD Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle.  “Applying for substantial COVID‑19 relief funds for a business he had already closed undermines the integrity of programs meant to support Americans in crisis. Our office remains steadfast in bringing accountability to those who abuse federal relief efforts.” 

Fleming pleaded guilty on April 17, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell to one count of wire fraud. In addition to 6-months home confinement, Judge Howell ordered Fleming to serve two years of supervised release and to pay the total remaining balance of fraudulently obtained funds. Prosecutors had requested a term of imprisonment.   

According to court papers, between 2018 and 2019, Fleming was a co-owner of Fleming Transport Services, Inc. (FTS), a Texas-based trucking company. FTS went out of business before the COVID-19 pandemic and was not an ongoing concern by January 2020. Despite that, between April 2020 and June 2021, Fleming submitted a series of false and fraudulent loan applications to the Small Business Administration in which he sought disaster relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. 

Fleming falsely certified that FTS was operational as of January 2020 and that the loan proceeds would be used for payroll and other covered operating expenses. Based on the misrepresentations, the SBA and third-party lenders funded about $172,500 in loans. Rather than using the funds to support FTS, Fleming spent the loan proceeds on personal expenses. He bought land in Dacula, Georgia, and spent loan money to build a personal residence on that property. He also disbursed thousands of dollars in loan proceeds to a relative. 

In August 2021, Fleming applied for forgiveness of the company’s $12,994 Paycheck Protection Program loan. On the application, Fleming falsely certified that he had complied with all program requirements. Based on those fraudulent documents, the SBA forgave the loan in full, plus interest. 

The investigation was conducted by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nickolas Reck, and Trial Attorneys Alexandre Dempsey and Aaron Jennen of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section. 

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. 

The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. 

26cr49 

WASHINGTON – Demetrius Beatty, 40, of the District of Columbia, was arrested and charged with first-degree felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children for the August 16 death of a two-month-old child in his custody, in Southeast, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.   

Beatty made his initial appearance September 17 before Superior Court Judge Dorsey Jones. Judge Jones found probable cause that Beatty committed the offenses and ordered him to be held without bond pending a preliminary hearing on September 28, 2026, before Judge J. Michael Ryan.    

According to court documents, on August 16, 2026, Beatty was left with two of his stepchildren, two-month-old twins, alone in his residence with three other minor children. Officers responded to 809 New Jersey Avenue Southeast and located a two-month-old child unconscious and unresponsive.  An autopsy was done on the baby where it was determined that her cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries to the head and the manner of death was homicide.  

Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

This case is being investigated by the Special Victims Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

Charges in a complaint are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  

2026 CF1 014643 

WASHINGTON – Vera Nyiawung, 34, a registered nurse from Bowie, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in connection with a $14 million health care fraud scheme that billed D.C. Medicaid for mental health services that were never provided or were grossly inflated, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“Padding call lengths, recycling notes, and billing Medicaid for care that never happened isn’t healthcare—it’s organized theft,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Vera Nyiawung was trusted to oversee care for vulnerable youth but instead used her position to validate fake records and facilitate a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme. My office will relentlessly prosecute those who exploit public healthcare programs for personal gain.”  

Nyiawung pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Nyiawung faces up to 10 years in prison a $250,000 fine and restitution. 

According to court documents, Nyiawung was employed as a nurse at a D.C. Medicaid provider authorized to deliver mental health rehabilitative services to youth and adolescents, beginning in January 2023. In addition to her nursing duties, Nyiawung performed Community Support Worker (CSW) duties, supervised other staff, and reviewed encounter notes for approval. 

Nyiawung conspired with company employees and other community support workers to siphon millions from D.C. Medicaid through thousands of fraudulent claims for reimbursement. Company employees directed Nyiawung and other workers to bill the maximum allowable time per consumer regardless of medical necessity or actual service. 

To execute the scheme, workers, like Nyiawung, billed a full hour for telephonic encounters even if the calls only lasted a few minutes.  Workers were trained to evade false claims detection by randomly selecting times a few minutes below the 60-minute maximum call length.  Workers were directed to bill three hours, and later one hour, for diagnostic assessments regardless of how much time was spent with the consumer. Community support workers were told to recycle information from a single telehealth session to generate multiple fabricated encounter notes. This resulted in bills to D.C. Medicaid for several days of services that were based on only one actual conversation with the consumer. 

Investigators determined that Nyiawung’s participation in the conspiracy resulted in a loss to Medicaid of over $550,000.   

Joining in the announcement was Matthew Wilcoxson, Interim Inspector General for the District of Columbia. 

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office, the D.C. Office of the Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The District Department of Health Care Finance’s Division of Program Integrity referred this matter and provided assistance during the investigation. 

The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Facci of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section. 

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. 

The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. 

26cr175 

WASHINGTON – Wali Shabazz, 51, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty yesterday, by a Superior Court jury, for a stabbing incident that took place on the sidewalk of Audi Field, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Shabazz was found guilty of one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon on September 16, 2026. The Honorable Judge Danya Dayson scheduled sentencing for November 13, 2026.  

According to the government’s evidence, on the early evening of April 27, 2024, just prior to a D.C. United soccer game, Shabazz and the victim, Martin Gross Jr., were scheduled to work at the bike valet service provided at the T and 2nd Street SW corner of Audi Field.  The two men barely knew each other. When Mr. Gross arrived very late to his shift and tried to apologize to the other valets, everyone but the defendant acknowledged Mr. Gross’s efforts.  The victim, feeling disrespect by Shabazz, began to confront Shabazz by calling him names and getting in his face.  When the bike valet owner dismissed Mr. Gross from his shift for this disruption, Mr. Gross gathered his bookbag to leave and again confronted Shabazz.  After Mr. Gross got in Shabazz’s face once again and jabbed at him with just his fists, Shabazz pulled out a sharp item, likely a knife, and stabbed Mr. Gross such that Mr. Gross fell to the ground.  As Mr. Gross laid face up on the ground, Shabazz stabbed him in the chest and then around the torso area a total of 12 times, ultimately killing him.  Shabazz was arrested on scene.   

Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jin Park.   

2024 CF1 004113 

WASHINGTON – Daveion Antonio Ervin, 28, a previously convicted felon residing in the District, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court to 27-months in prison in connection with his illegal possession of a loaded Springfield Armory pistol discovered after he was stopped by police for smoking marijuana on a public street, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.   

Ervin pleaded guilty on June 1 before U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In addition to the 27-month prison term, Judge Nichols ordered Ervin to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 33-month prison sentence.  

According to court documents, on Feb. 18, 2026, at about 8:55 p.m., U.S. Park Police officers were patrolling in the area of Dix Street at 63rd Street NE. Officers were driving west when they spotted Ervin holding a hand-rolled cigarette and exhaling a large cloud of white smoke.  

Moments later, the officers made a U-turn toward Ervin. The officers exited their cruiser, approached Ervin, and detected the strong odor of marijuana. Ervin attempted to flee the scene when officers ordered Ervin to stop. Ervin discarded the hand-rolled cigarette and continued running. After a brief foot pursuit, Ervin tripped and fell. Officers caught up with Ervin and told him to remain on the ground. When the officers asked Ervin why he ran, Ervin told the officers that he was in possession of a firearm and did not have a license to carry.   

Officers recovered a Springfield Armory XDS-9 9mm pistol from Ervin’s front waistband. It was loaded with one round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine. Officers also recovered the remainder of Ervin’s marijuana cigarette along his flight path.   

Joining in the announcement was Chief Scott Brecht of the U.S. Park Police. 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Park Police. 

The matter was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory V. Cole.   

Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful supports President Trump's Executive Order that cracks down on gun violence, prioritizes federal firearms violations, pursues tougher penalties, and seeks detention for federal firearms violators.    

The firearm in the defendant’s waist prior to its recovery  

Image of the Springfield Armory 9mm XDS-9 pistol, ammunition, and partially smoked suspected marijuana cigarette. 

26cr38  

WASHINGTON – Michael Garrett, 70, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced on September 11, 2026, to 25 years in prison, in D.C. Superior Court in connection with the December 3, 2021, murder of Sylvia Matthews, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Garrett pleaded guilty on March 19, 2026, before D.C. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz to one count of second-degree murder while armed. Garrett attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, but that request was denied by Judge Kravitz. In addition to the 25-year prison sentence, Judge Kravitz ordered Garrett to serve five years of supervised release. 

“Ms. Matthews deserved safety, dignity, and peace—rights that Michael Garrett repeatedly stole from her," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Especially given the fact that a prior judge gave Garrett compassionate release from prison on another assault charge against her, which allowed him the opportunity to come out and kill Sylvia. Nothing will bring back Sylvia, but today’s sentence delivers a measure of justice and ensures the defendant will no longer pose a threat to anyone in our community.”

According to court documents, on December 3, 2021, Ms. Matthews contacted 911 after Garrett broke windows in her home and her car window after trying to enter her home.  MPD officers responded twice and Garrett was no longer on scene.  At approximately 11:20 am, a 911 call was received for Ms. Matthews’ address for a burglary in progress. Officers were dispatched to the scene for a third time.  After speaking with a witness who told them Ms. Matthews was being held hostage, MPD officers entered the residence through a rear door. Once inside, officers located Ms. Matthews at the bottom of the basement stairs with severe head trauma.  First responding officers located Garrett in the basement, after seeing a blood trail from the victim. He was taken into custody at that time.  

Ms. Matthews was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Ms. Matthews died from blunt force injuries and ruled her death a homicide. 

Garrett has a long history of assaultive and threatening behavior toward Ms. Matthews. Garrett was released in March 2021 following a Compassionate Release motion after serving a 20+ year sentence in a case where he assaulted Ms. Matthews and broke into her same home. The government opposed the release citing the defendant’s previous abuse of the victim. 

Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department.  The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Natalie Hynum and Emma McArthur. 

2021 CF1 006899

WASHINGTON – Today, Steven A. Price, 70, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 24 months in prison for conspiring to defraud D.C. Medicaid of $3.4 million, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

            “Fraud against taxpayer‑funded programs will not be ignored, excused, or allowed to persist in the dark," said U.S. Attorney Pirro. "Mr. Price is going to prison and is ordered to pay $3.4 million in restitution. The days when individuals could hide behind complex billing schemes to steal from the American taxpayer are over. My office, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue those who abuse the public’s trust and ensure they are held fully accountable.” 

            In March 2026, after a 6-week trial overseen by District Judge Amit P. Mehta, a federal jury found Price guilty of 21 counts including charges of conspiracy. health care fraud, false statements, and wire fraud. In addition to Price’s prison sentence of 24 months followed by 36 months of supervised release, the Court ordered Price to pay restitution of $3.4 million to D.C. Medicaid and entered a criminal forfeiture money judgment. The government requested a 108-month prison term. Moore is scheduled to be sentenced by the Court on October 23, 2026. 

            Price is a dentist who operated the Washington Smile Center in Northwest Washington. His codefendant, Keidi Moore, 40, was employed at the Washington Smile Center as a dental hygienist and was also found guilty by the jury. 

            According to court papers, Price and Moore treated many elderly and disabled patients. Beginning in January 2017 and continuing through March 2022, Price and Moore conspired to defraud D.C. Medicaid by filing fraudulent claims for clinical crown lengthening and space maintainers, when in fact the patients had not received the procedures or devices.  Price and Moore included the false claims alongside procedures during actual patient visits. D.C. Medicaid paid out more than $3.4 million for the fraudulent claims. In some instances, patients were alleged to have been provided more than 30 clinical crown lengthening procedures and more than 20 space maintainers during the relevant period. As soon as D.C. Medicaid put in a pre-authorization requirement for the clinical crown lengthening procedure the false billing for both types of claims stopped. 

            “Today’s sentencing underscores our unwavering commitment to serving the American people, safeguarding taxpayer money, and preserving the integrity of the federal health care programs that support them,” said Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “Such schemes waste public funds and undermine trust in the Medicaid program. HHS-OIG, in close collaboration with our law enforcement partners, will continue efforts to identify and hold accountable individuals who exploit federally funded health care programs for personal benefit.” 

            Joining in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and Matthew Wilcoxson, Interim Inspector General for the District of Columbia. 

            The case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, and the District of Columbia Office of Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The District Department of Health Care Finance’s Division of Program Integrity referred this matter and provided assistance during the investigation. 

            The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diane Lucas and Sarah Ranney.  

            On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.   

23cr122 

WASHINGTON – Isaiah Pushia-Keith, 26, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Pushia-Keith pleaded guilty before Judge Reggie B. Walton to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. Judge Walton scheduled sentencing for March 17, 2027.  

According to court documents, Metropolitan Police officers responded to a report of an assault in the vicinity of 214 Jefferson Street NW on May 10, 2025. A woman met officers and reported Pushia-Keith assaulted her and that she had left her phone at the location of the assault. The woman was able to track the location of her phone, which led police to a Safeway at 3830 Georgia Avenue NW. There, Pushia-Keith was located and detained by law enforcement. The defendant informed officers that he had the woman’s phone. The defendant was wearing a black cross-body satchel, and he confirmed to police that he was carrying a ghost gun with no serial number. Officers retrieved the firearm and removed the loaded 12-round, high-capacity magazine containing six live rounds. 

Photograph of the satchel bag containing the firearm and magazine. The magazine was detached from the magazine well and protruding from the bag in this photograph. 

Photographs of the firearm with the parts of a machine gun conversion device removed from inside the satchel. 

Pushia-Keith has a previous 2024 felony conviction in Alexandria, VA, making it unlawful for him to possess any firearm.  

The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Travis Wolf and Charles Klug.  

25-cr-0196 

WASHINGTON – Dajuane Goode, 25, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in connection with his possession of fentanyl in the 900 block of Franklin Street in Northeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“Trafficking fentanyl, a lethal poison, is inherently dangerous, but combining bulk narcotics with armed carjacking shows a reckless contempt for public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “We will not allow violent drug traffickers to treat D.C. as their personal escape route or poison our community with their deadly narcotics. Today’s plea ensures Dajuane Goode will be held accountable for the chaos he created.” 

Goode pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to unlawful possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Goode also pleaded guilty to carjacking in a separate case (26-cr-17). The Honorable Dabney L. Friedrich, who accepted the plea, scheduled sentencing for February 26, 2027.  

According to plea documents, on February 13, 2024, Goode contacted the victim to meet him in Southeast D.C.  When the victim arrived in a vehicle, Goode got into the passenger seat, unzipped his jacket and pointed a gun at the victim.  Two other individuals came over to the car and pointed guns at the victim.  Goode and the other individuals forced the victim into the trunk of the car and then Goode got into the driver’s seat and drove off.  The victim was ultimately able to open the emergency release from the trunk and dive out of the trunk while Goode was still driving the car. 

Further, on May 28, 2024, Goode was driving a 2023 Gray BMW X3 bearing Virginia tag, in Maryland, when he was spotted by an officer with the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). This vehicle was identified as the suspect vehicle from an armed robbery that happened on May 11, 2024. The officer activated his emergency lights and sirens and tried to stop the defendant, but the defendant fled. PGPD had a helicopter activated and positioned overhead and were authorized to pursue the vehicle as it entered the District of Columbia. The vehicle came to a stop in the 900 block of Franklin Street NE. The defendant got out of the driver’s door and fled on foot towards the area of 12th and Jackson Streets NE. While the defendant ran, footage from the helicopter camera showed him clutching a dark object under his right arm. 

During his flight, Goode entered the south alley behind the 900 block of Evarts Street NE and began jumping over residential fences. The defendant eventually entered the rear yard of 913 Evarts Street NE and threw two items over the fence into the yard next door—911 Evarts Street NE. He threw one item, regrouped, and then threw a second item. The defendant continued his flight and hid in the rear of 2624 10th Street NE. The officer found the defendant there, and tried to detain him, but the defendant continued running. Goode eventually tried to jump over a fence in the alley behind 10th Street NE, but the officer caught up to him and tried to detain him. The defendant threw the officer to the ground and ran back towards Evarts Street. The defendant was ultimately apprehended after jumping over a small fence into a gulch outside of an apartment building at 2607 Reed Street NE (across the alley from the yards he ran into on Evarts Street NE during the earlier part of his flight). 

                                                              The pills and the bag recovered from the yards in Evarts Street, NE.

The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office with valuable assistance from the DEA and the Prince George’s County Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caelainn Carney.  

25-cr-00329 

WASHINGTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced yesterday that it reached a civil settlement agreement with the Hawaii Commission for National and Community Service (“HCNCS”) and the University of Hawaii (the “University”) whereby the University will pay $499,950 to resolve allegations that HCNCS and the University violated the False Claims Act by making false certifications to AmeriCorps that the agency’s grant and sub-grant funds were used for authorized purposes and in compliance with grant and sub-grant terms.  

“AmeriCorps grant funds are designated to help enrich and strengthen people’s lives, but instead were misappropriated under the University of Hawaii’s watch,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “By requiring the University to pay half a million dollars, this settlement underscores a clear message: institutions that receive federal grant money have a responsibility to ensure proper oversight and to report the use of those funds honestly and accurately.” 

The Office’s investigation of HCNCS and University oversight of AmeriCorps grant and sub-grant funds arose from previous criminal prosecutions by this Office. In October 2021, a former Executive Director of HCNCS, Stacy Higa, pleaded guilty to embezzlement of AmeriCorps grant funds, which he used in part on personal expenses. In addition, Hanalei Aipoalani, Program Director for Olelo Community Media, an AmeriCorps subgrantee, pleaded guilty in March 2021 to embezzling AmeriCorps program funds.  In April 2021, Aipoalani’s wife, Angelita Aipoalani, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to embezzle. AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General also found evidence of the improper use of AmeriCorps funds by another HCNCS subgrantee.   

During the period in which AmeriCorps grant and sub-grant funds were being misappropriated, the University submitted semi-annual Federal Financial Reports to AmeriCorps certifying the grant and sub-grant funds were used for authorized purposes and in compliance with grant and sub-grant terms. The United States contends that those certifications were knowingly false as a consequence of the HCNCS and the University conducting inadequate oversight and supervision. 

AmeriCorps is a federally funded network of national service programs that address critical community needs, such as increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, and more.  

“The egregious crimes committed by Aipoalanis and Higa could have been mitigated by the University with proper oversight of AmeriCorps programs and HCNCS staff,” said Michael Pritchard, Official Performing the Duties of the Inspector General. “This settlement demonstrates that when an organization accepts AmeriCorps grant funding, it has the responsibility to have the people, policies, and procedures in place to ensure that funding is spent appropriately. We appreciate the USAO-DC's partnership in protecting the integrity of national service.” 

The settlement built on the previous work of the AmeriCorps Office of Inspector General, the FBI Honolulu Field Office, and criminal prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  The resolution of this Office’s False Claims Act investigation resulted from the work of Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Tepe and Auditor Timothy J. Hurley. 

The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. 

WASHINGTON - Fan Yang, also known as "Jocelyn Yang," 35, and her husband, Jing Tian, 36, of Carmel, Indiana, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to charges arising from an insider trading conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

“Fan Yang abused her corporate position by tipping confidential, market‑moving information about a multi‑billion‑dollar acquisition, fueling an insider trading scheme that gave herself, her husband Jing Tian, and others an unfair advantage over the investing public,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Insider trading destroys confidence in our markets. We are committed to safeguarding market integrity and ensuring that individuals who exploit their access for personal gain are held fully accountable.” 

Yang and Tian pleaded guilty before Judge James E. Boasberg to conspiracy to commit securities fraud. As part of their plea agreements, both defendants have agreed to forfeit all traceable profits derived from the scheme pursuant to federal forfeiture laws.  The pair face a maximum of five years in prison when they are sentenced on January 15, 2027.   

According to court documents, Yang was employed as a Corporate Development Manager and Strategy Finance Controller at a manufacturer headquartered in Indiana. Beginning in late 2021, Yang obtained material non-public information (MNPI) through her position regarding the company’s confidential negotiations to acquire a Michigan-based automobile component manufacturer for $3.7 billion.  

In breach of her fiduciary duties, Yang used this confidential information for her own financial benefit and illegally tipped the information to her husband, Tian, who was also employed at the same manufacturing company. Yang and Tian, knowing the information was confidential, executed securities trades and tipped third parties.  

The conspiracy resulted in illicit trading across multiple individuals—including individuals in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Washington state, and overseas—who collectively generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal profits prior to the public announcement of the acquisition on February 22, 2022. In one WeChat message exchanged during the scheme, Yang calculated that their unlawful profits would be enough to buy a Tesla without needing a loan.   

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sridhar Kaza of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  

The case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. 

25cr0369 

Andrei Samuilovski, 32, who has citizenship in Estonia, Switzerland, and Russia, pleaded guilty today in connection with a scheme to illegally export U.S.-origin aviation and aerospace parts to Russia in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Samuilovski pleaded guilty before Judge Carl J. Nichols to a one count information charging him with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act. A sentencing date is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2027. Samuilovski faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to court documents, beginning in or around early 2022 and continuing through September 2024, Samuilovski and others conspired to supply prohibited Russian end users with aerospace-related components without first obtaining the required licenses from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). BIS regulates the export of U.S.-origin technologies, including aerospace parts and other items controlled for national security, regional stability, and anti-terrorism reasons. A license from BIS was required to export the aerospace commodities to Russia.

Samuilovski was a co-founder of ITC Middle East FZ-LLC (ITC). ITC was officially established in March of 2022, approximately four weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to increased Russian export restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, and other countries.

Between the founding of ITC and September 2024, there were dozens of shipments from various U.S. companies to ITC, as well as other shipments of U.S.-origin goods to ITC. The U.S.-origin items exported or reexported consisted primarily of export-controlled aerospace-related commodities with a cumulative value of nearly $2,000,000. These items were ultimately reexported to Russia.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia, and Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division made the announcement.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the BIS.  

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Wasserman for the District of Columbia and Deputy Chief Sean Heiden and Trial Attorney Brett Ruff of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

WASHINGTON — Andrei Samuilovski, 32, who has citizenship in Estonia, Switzerland and Russia, pleaded guilty today in connection with a scheme to illegally export U.S.-origin aviation and aerospace parts to Russia in violation of U.S. sanctions. 

Samuilovski pleaded guilty before Judge Carl J. Nichols to a one count information charging him with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act. A sentencing date is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2027. Samuilovski faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 

According to court documents, beginning in or around early 2022 and continuing through September 2024, Samuilovski and others conspired to supply prohibited Russian end users with aerospace-related components without first obtaining the required licenses from the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). BIS regulates the export of U.S.-origin technologies, including aerospace parts and other items controlled for national security, regional stability, and anti-terrorism reasons. A license from BIS was required to export the aerospace commodities to Russia. 

Samuilovski was a co-founder of ITC Middle East FZ-LLC (ITC). ITC was officially established in March of 2022, approximately four weeks after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to increased Russian export restrictions and sanctions imposed by the United States, European Union, and other countries. 

Between the founding of ITC and September 2024, there were dozens of shipments from various U.S. companies to ITC, as well as other shipments of U.S.-origin goods to ITC. The U.S.-origin items exported or reexported consisted primarily of export-controlled aerospace-related commodities with a cumulative value of nearly $2,000,000. These items were ultimately reexported to Russia. 

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia, and Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division made the announcement. 

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the BIS.   

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Wasserman for the District of Columbia and Deputy Chief Sean Heiden and Trial Attorney Brett Ruff of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. 

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WASHINGTON – Today, Brittany Blalock, 35, of Washington, D.C., was ordered to pay $41,666 in restitution to Harvest Small Business Finance, LLC and sentenced to 48 months’ probation in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Blalock pleaded guilty on March 4, 2026, before U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.  

The prosecution of Brittany Blalock originated from federal law enforcement’s investigation into the wholesale fentanyl trafficking ring led by Alfredo Rodriguez-Gonzalez and his co-conspirators.  Through intelligence sharing and financial tracking between the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, investigators uncovered evidence of Blalock’s financial crime. 

According to court papers, beginning in March 2021, Blalock conspired to apply for and receive forgivable PPP loans from the Small Business Administration. Blalock submitted false PPP loan applications on her own behalf and helped a co-conspirator submit fraudulent applications. 

In March and April 2021, Blalock submitted two PPP loan applications to a small business lender in which she falsely claimed her sole proprietorship earned exactly $100,000 in 2020. Based on the falsified tax form, the lender approved and disbursed two loans of $20,833 each to Blalock. 

Blalock then helped her co-conspirator, Karon Blalock, obtain his own SBA-approved bank account credentials and Social Security number in order to submit fraudulent PPP loan applications on his behalf. Using a falsified tax form claiming the same $100,000 in fraudulent sole proprietorship earnings, Karon Blalock received two additional PPP loan disbursements of $20,833 each, which he then used in furtherance of his fentanyl trafficking in the District of Columbia. Karon Blalock has pleaded guilty for his role in a multinational drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed wholesale quantities of fentanyl-laced pills across the United States, and is set to be sentenced by Judge Kollar-Kotelly on October 6, 2026. 

In August 2021, Blalock submitted loan forgiveness applications for both of her PPP loans in which she falsely certified that she had complied with all program requirements. She also helped the co-conspirator submit forgiveness applications for his loans using the same false certifications. The lender approved all four forgiveness applications, and the Small Business Administration reimbursed the lender in full. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Solomon S. Eppel and Matthew W. Kinskey. 

This investigation was led by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General with valuable assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Postal Inspection Service.  

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars.  Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. 

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WASHINGTON – Joseph Knight, 32, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 120 months in prison in connection with two separate shootings and his unlawful possession of firearms as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

            “Knowing full well he was barred from possessing a firearm, Joseph Knight shot one woman seven times and later shot another woman three times after pistol‑whipping her,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “This defendant posed a grave danger to our community, and he is now headed where he belongs: prison.” 

            Knight pleaded guilty on April 8, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras to two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a previously convicted felon, one count of aggravated assault while armed, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. In addition to the 120-month prison sentence, Judge Contreras ordered Knight to serve 5 years of supervised release.  

            According to court documents, on Sept. 18, 2024, Knight went to the Anacostia Library in Southeast to charge his cellphone, then left the library and met with a woman, identified in court papers as S.F.  

            Knight gave S.F. $5 to buy a synthetic stimulant known as “boot.” A dispute arose between the two. Knight pulled out a pistol and shot S.F. seven times, hitting her in both legs and both hands. He then fled. Officers found S.F. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the sidewalk in the 1600 block of Marion Barry Ave. SE. Police collected seven spent 9mm shell casings from the ground. 

            On Sept. 25, 2024, Anacostia Library security called police after spotting Knight. An officer approached Knight and asked to speak with him. Knight ran off. As Knight fled police, he tossed a satchel containing a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P pistol under a car. 

            On Nov. 11, 2024, a woman identified in court papers as T.C. called 911 after Knight shot her three times. Officers responded to the scene, about a block and a half from the library, and learned the woman had engaged in an argument with Knight as she changed the locks on her front door. The dispute escalated and Knight pulled out a 9mm firearm and pistol-whipped T.C. in the head. He then shot her in her abdomen, ankle, and upper thigh. 

            On Nov. 15, 2024, Metropolitan Police Officers arrested Knight for the September 18 and November 11 shootings.  During a police search, officers recovered a 9mm Canik METE MCS pistol from the waistband of Knight’s pants. 

            Knight has several prior felony convictions including a 2013 conviction for carrying a pistol outside a home or business and a 2016 conviction on four counts of robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. 

            The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department with valuable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Washington Field Division.  

            The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared English. 

                                                       Still photo taken by police body-worn camera on Sept. 25, 2024, in front of the Anacostia Library.  

                                                   The loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P pistol found in Knight’s discarded satchel on Sept. 25, 2024.  

                                                                 The 9mm Canik METE MCS pistol used in the November 11, 2024, shooting.  

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WASHINGTON — Perry Young, owner and operator of the website “Forest Floor DC,” was charged in an indictment unsealed today for alleged drug trafficking operations involving illegal narcotics, including DMT, MDMA, marijuana, and hallucinogenic mushrooms, conducted near The Catholic University of America, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

            “Today’s indictment underscores my office’s unwavering commitment to protecting the public from illegal drug trafficking operations that threaten the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The defendant built a sophisticated online distribution network that delivered illicit substances directly into our neighborhoods, including proximity to Catholic University. This conduct endangers students, families, and the broader community, and it will be met with decisive action.” 

             Young, of the District of Columbia, is charged with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Dimethyltryptamine, Distribution of Dimethyltryptamine and MDMA Within 1,000 Feet of a Private College, and Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute MDMA. The indictment also includes forfeiture allegations seeking the surrender of illicit proceeds. Young made his initial appearance today before District Court Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya. 

            Young operated the website https://www.forestfloordc.com/, where customers could order Schedule I controlled substances, including marijuana, mushrooms, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Once an order was placed online, Young or an associate delivered the drugs in person. 

            During an undercover operation, law enforcement made several controlled drug purchases through the website, receiving in-person deliveries directly from Young and an associate. On one occasion, Young sold 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to an undercover officer. The alleged drug sales occurred within 1,000 feet of The Catholic University of America. 

            Search warrants were executed this morning at Young’s residence and a storage unit. Law enforcement discovered one Glock 43 handgun with a drum-style magazine, a Glock 43 magazine loaded with ammunition, and assorted ammunition and firearm accessories. Law enforcement also seized approximately $250,000 in U.S. currency and $200,000 in jewelry from Young. The warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 18 pounds of marijuana, 74 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, 30 pounds of tetrahydrocannabinol “THC” and a large amount of packaging material and drug paraphernalia. 

            This investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division High Intensity Drug Trafficking Task Force with valuable assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Metro Transit Police and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

            An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.  

WASHINGTON – Andrew Patrick, 38, of Washington, D.C., was convicted by a Superior Court jury yesterday of armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.   

The verdict follows a trial that occurred after the D.C. Court of Appeals reversed Patrick’s 2023 conviction for the same armed carjacking and remanded the case for a new trial. The Honorable Judge Judith Pipe scheduled sentencing for January 15, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.   

According to the government’s evidence, on September 22, 2022, the victim took her 2005 blue Chevy Suburban to the Good Hope Road gas station in Washington, DC. The defendant, dressed in a black jacket with white stripes and a hoodie, approached the victim and demanded her car keys while holding her at gunpoint. Patrick pushed her up against her own vehicle, took her keys, and drove away in the victim’s car. Investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department resulted in the arrest of the defendant within hours of the carjacking. He has been in custody since that time. 

In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department.  

The case is being prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys Gregory J. Evans and Monisha H. Rao. 

2022 CF3 005665 

WASHINGTON – David Key, 39, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty today in D.C. Superior Court, on charges stemming from the death of 33-year-old Devon Greenfield in Northeast, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.   

Key was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder while armed and one count of second- degree murder while armed. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz scheduled sentencing for November 20, 2026. 

According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 7:04 p.m., on April 1, 2024, surveillance video captured Key and Mr. Greenfield, who knew each other, standing on the sidewalk in the 300 block of 61st Street NE. The defendant got in the victim’s face to yell at him and then slashed Mr. Greenfield in the face. As Mr. Greenfield lay dazed on the ground, Key ordered him to empty his pockets. When the victim did not comply, the defendant repeatedly stabbed the victim in the chest and back – including three stab wounds to the heart. After several minutes, Key walked off, and the victim collapsed dead on the curb of the street.  

Key was stopped two days later on April 3, 2024, wearing the same gray coat, black backpack, and black shoes he was wearing in the homicide video. He also had a knife in his left pocket that was consistent with the type of knife used to inflict the decedent’s injuries. DNA evidence from the crime scene further linked Key to the offense.   

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Clarke and Joshua Hall. 

2024 CF1 006346 

WASHINGTON – Tavon Valentine Lee, 29, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 60 months in prison in connection with his possession of a loaded Glock 23 while participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

            Lee pleaded guilty on Jan. 30, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali to one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. In addition to the 60-month prison sentence, Judge Ali ordered Lee to serve three years of supervised release.  

            According to court papers, beginning in the summer of 2024, the FBI launched an investigation into a large-scale cocaine conspiracy spanning the District, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York.  The investigation revealed that Lee possessed a firearm as he distributed gram quantities of cocaine, which he obtained from co-defendant Marcus Devonta Williams, in the D.C. area. Williams in turn received multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine transported from New York by co-defendant Daryl Smith-Winfree.  

            On March 24, 2025, law enforcement observed co-defendant Daryl Smith-Winfree meet with co-defendant Marcus Williams in a parking lot in Wilmington, Delaware.  After entering and remaining in Smith-Winfree's vehicle for about two minutes, co-defendant Williams left Smith-Winfree's vehicle and reentered his own Ford Raptor holding a brown paper bag.  The next day, on March 25, 2025, investigators followed co-defendant Williams to a parking lot in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he met briefly with Lee. Investigators witnessed Lee as he got into co-defendant Williams’ Ford Raptor empty-handed and emerge about two minutes later carrying a brown paper bag. Lee threw the bag into a trash can before driving off alone in a Mercedes SUV. 

            Investigators recovered the discarded bag. Inside, they found packaging materials consistent with kilogram-quantity distribution, cocaine residue on cutting instruments, and a parking receipt matching the license plate of the Williams’s Ford Raptor. 

            Montgomery County police officers stopped Lee’s Mercedes a short time later. A search of the vehicle turned up about 257 grams of cocaine, roughly 65 pills suspected to be counterfeit oxycodone, and a loaded Glock 23 handgun with an extended 15-round magazine. 

            Co-defendant Smith-Winfree pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and was sentenced to 96 months in prison. Co-defendant Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and was sentenced to 70 months in prison. 

            The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Washington Division Office, the Montgomery County Police Department, Howard County Police Department, and the Arlington County Police Department. 

            Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael L. Barclay, Daniel Seidel, and Anthony Scarpelli prosecuted this matter. 

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WASHINGTON – Jamarea Grant, 33, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to six months in prison in connection with a kickback scheme in which he and his uncle, Kirk Perry, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture program director, conspired to bill the federal government nearly $400,000 for work that Grant did not actually perform, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

            “Jamarea Grant conspired with his uncle to line their pockets with hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “He will now join his uncle behind bars for their attempt to exploit the government for personal gain. Fraud will not be tolerated, especially when those entrusted with government authority use their positions to commit it.” 

            Grant pleaded guilty on Nov. 27, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly to conspiracy to commit money, property, and honest services wire fraud. In addition to the six-month prison term Judge Kollar-Kotelly ordered Grant to serve 36 months of supervised release and to pay restitution of $399,319. Federal prosecutors had requested restitution and a prison term of six months.   

            Perry, 62, of Loraine, Ohio, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money, property, and honest services wire fraud and was sentenced on August 7, 2026, to 24 months in prison, and ordered to serve two years of supervised release and to pay restitution of $399,319. 

            “This corrupt fraud scheme siphoned nearly $400,000 in taxpayer funds to a no‑show job orchestrated by a federal official and a family member,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Public funds exist to serve the American people, not to enrich those who abuse positions of trust. Protecting the integrity of government programs is essential, and the Department will not tolerate schemes that betray that trust.” 

            “The sentence issued today reflects our continued commitment to thoroughly investigate fraud, waste, and abuse. This individual benefited from his family member in a government position by receiving payment for work he never performed. The USDA OIG is ensuring oversight is in place to uncover these deceptive fraud schemes and we will relentlessly investigate these types of allegations in order to safeguard taxpayer dollars. We are grateful to our partners at the USAO for their support in bringing this investigation to its culmination,” said Jeldrys Lowry, Special Agent in Charge for USDA OIG Sensitive Investigations Office. 

            According to court documents, Perry was a senior director within the USDA’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and used his position to secure employment for Grant as an Equal Opportunity Assistant. They billed the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and Grant received about $399,319 from the government for work that was not performed.  

            In pleading guilty, Perry and Grant admitted that, from August 2015 through November 2022, Perry arranged for Grant to be hired by two companies under contract with the USDA Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. Grant reported directly to Perry, who also approved the invoices billing for Grant’s time, and the two of them conspired to bill the government for work that Grant did not perform. 

            Perry additionally had access to Grant’s bank account. As part of the criminal scheme Perry transferred approximately $125,000 of the USDA payments from Grant’s account to his own account. 

            This case was investigated by the USDA Office of Inspector General Sensitive Investigations Office. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Kelly.  

            The Department of Justice in April announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.   

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WASHINGTON – Cordell Simms, 32, a convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced yesterday to 37 months in prison for carrying a loaded semiautomatic pistol in a backpack while he was serving a period of supervised release and prohibited from possessing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Simms pleaded guilty Oct. 23, 2025, before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In addition to the 37-month sentence, Judge Sullivan ordered Simms to serve three years of supervised release.  

According to court documents, on Sept. 10, 2025, about 4:45 p.m. a Metropolitan Police officer responded to a report of a person with a gun in their waistband near 2nd and Farragut Streets NW. The officer canvassed the neighborhood in his marked cruiser and observed a man with a backpack – later identified as Simms. 

Simms spotted the police officer and handed his backpack to a minor child. The child immediately began walking toward the front door of a nearby home. The officer intercepted the child and told her to drop the backpack. Simms began to run and led police on a lengthy foot chase. 

Police caught and detained Simms and inspected the backpack. Inside the bag police recovered a Ruger SR40, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number that was fitted with a laser sight. The Ruger was loaded with one round in the chamber and 11 rounds in the magazine. 

Simms did not have a license to carry a firearm in the District. A criminal history check revealed he had been convicted of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, had been sentenced to 18 months in prison, and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm of any sort. At the time of his arrest in this case, Simms also was on supervised release following convictions of simple assault, second degree theft, and two counts of contempt.  

This case was investigated by the MPD with valuable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Eliopoulos of the Violent Crime and Narcotics Trafficking Section. 

Simms spotted the police officer and handed his backpack to a minor child. The officer intercepted the child and told her to drop the backpack.  

Inside Simms’ bag, police recovered a Ruger SR40, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol that was fitted with a laser sight. 

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WASHINGTON – Davon Willis, 28, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday to two years in prison, in D.C. Superior Court for charges related to strangling his pregnant girlfriend in August 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Willis was found guilty of one count attempted strangulation and one count of simple assault on June 23, 2026. The Honorable Carmen McLean ordered Willis to the prison term to be followed by three years of supervised release. 

According to the government’s evidence, on August 4, 2025, Willis and his pregnant girlfriend were having a verbal argument, when the defendant put his hands around his pregnant girlfriend’s neck after pushing her on to the bed. The defendant did this in front of his own mother, who ultimately called the police. Unfortunately, this was not a unique incident – the defendant had strangled the victim just a few months prior, which went unreported until a later date.  

Willis was arrested on August 5, 2025, and has been in custody since. 

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. 

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Fultz, who prosecuted the case. 

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WASHINGTON – Kwesi Pyne, 20, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today, for a series of robberies committed in October 2023 and February 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.   

Pyne pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to two counts of armed robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count each of assault with intent to commit robbery, attempted robbery and unauthorized use of a vehicle.  Each armed robbery offense carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison.  

Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe scheduled sentencing for December 18, 2026.  

According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 9:30 a.m., on October 30, 2023, Pyne approached the victim in the alley behind 940 Randolph Street NW. The victim was on his way to work when the defendant approached him from behind and demanded that he hand over his car keys. When the victim refused, Pyne struck him multiple times, insisting on the keys. A bystander attempted to intervene, until the defendant produced a firearm, pointed it at the victim, and again demanded the car keys from the victim. The victim complied and threw the keys away from himself, Pyne retrieved them and walked towards the victim’s car, and the victim followed. As the victim attempted to gain entry into his own car, on the passenger side, the defendant entered the vehicle and drove away. At the time of this offense, Pyne was 17 years old, and this offense was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office under Title 16 of the D.C. Code. 

On February 7, 2024, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Pyne approached another victim, as he was standing in an alleyway in the 3100 Block of Mount Pleasant Street NW, preparing to begin his work as a plumber. The defendant entered the alleyway, looked over the victim’s work tools and then turned to the victim. Pyne produced a firearm and demanded the victim’s wallet, and when the victim refused to hand it over, the defendant struck him in the face with the firearm before asking for it again. The defendant fled the scene without the wallet. The victim sustained a laceration to his face. 

On February 12, 2024, at approximately 5:35 p.m., Pyne and other accomplices rode to 915 Spring Road, NW, outside of Raymond Education Campus, on bicycles. The victim had just arrived at that location and parked her car, a black Honda CRV, on the side of the road. She went inside the school, leaving her car running. One member of the group entered the car without permission and drove it away. Later this same day, at approximately 9:30 p.m., three victims were standing nearby a liquor store on Mount Pleasant Street NW, waiting for a family member, when the stolen black Honda CRV arrived and Pyne got out of the driver’s seat. A second accomplice exited the rear passenger seat. Both Pyne and his accomplice were armed, and they approached the three victims. One of the victims began to run, but Pyne pursued him, dragging him to the ground by the backpack the victim was wearing. Pyne then tore the backpack off the victim while pointing the firearm at his head. At the same time, the accomplice, holding the other two victims at gunpoint, went through their pockets and took, among other things, one victim’s cell phone and wallet. Both Pyne and his accomplice then re-entered the stolen CRV, with the victims’ belongings, and Pyne drove away.  

Pyne was arrested on February 16, 2024, and has been in custody since. 

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey Comber. 

2024 CF3 001561 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, together with the Crown Prosecution Service of England & Wales and the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Scam Center Strike Force and its United Kingdom counterparts. The MOU is the first-of-its kind related to international cooperation on disabling scam centers committing cryptocurrency and cyber-enabled investment fraud (CIF) and other schemes, which are ravaging the American people of approximately $10 billion in losses per year.   

            "The United Kingdom is one of our oldest allies and partners. We've stood side by side to bring down global threats in multiple wars, and today we commit to stand together in the war on transnational organized crime, " said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. "Together we will disable the Chinese TOC networks that are operating these scam compounds and depriving our citizens of their hard earned funds, all while using human-trafficked labor to increase their profit. Standing together, we are invincible.” 

            At an event earlier today, hosted at the residence of Sir Christian Turner KCMG, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, U.S. Attorney Pirro was joined by Crown Prosecutor for England and Wales Stephen Parkinson and National Crime Agency Director General Graeme Biggar, who signed the MOU along with Pirro on behalf of their respective agencies. Under the terms of the MOU, each will conduct parallel investigation into common targets, share information targeting of organized crime syndicates, discuss which jurisdictions to bring specific cases of common interest, and generally prioritize cases on this threat to achieve mutual results.  

            Both the UK and US counterparts had already identified significant cases of overlap, and committed to joining forces for an in-person disruption event with private industry partners, hosted by the National Crime Agency in London in early October. The MOU and joint efforts mark a new phase of international partnerships for the Scam Center Strike Force, which seeks to maximize impact by building a coalition of like-minded prosecution and investigative teams.  

  ********************************************** 

About the Scam Center Strike Force 

            The Scam Center Strike Force was officially launched by U.S. Attorney Pirro in November 2025 to address the growing threat posed by Chinese organized crime syndicates operating scam centers primarily in Southeast Asia. The Strike Force targets cryptocurrency investment fraud, cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking, and money laundering operations that have cost American victims billions of dollars.   

            According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), cyber-enabled fraud schemes were responsible for almost 85% of all losses reported to IC3 in 2025. Within that category, CIF schemes have continued to grow, and the IC3 calculated the reported losses from CIF scams rose, from $4.57 billion in 2023, to $8.65 billion in 2025, an increase of 89%.[1] These figures, largely based on losses reported by victims, likely significantly under-represent the true loss amounts incurred by Americans, since most fraud victims do not report to IC3, if at all. 

            On March 6, 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing the Administration to prioritize cybercrime, fraud, and predatory schemes draining American families of their life savings. Through the Executive Order, President Trump is unleashing every available tool to stop foreign-backed criminal networks that exploit vulnerable Americans through cyber-enabled fraud. The Scam Center Strike Force is a critical node in executing the mission outlined in the President’s Order.  

            Founded by the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, the Strike Force has been joined it its work by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations-DC, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Alaska, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Western Washington. The Strike Force works in collaboration with other agencies, including the Treasury and State Departments. The Strike Force works in strategic partnership with private industry and calls on all U.S. businesses to take more proactive steps to protect users from scam operations.   

            The Scam Center Strike Force will use every tool available to help secure Main Street Americans from these scams. With its interagency and public partners, it will educate Americans on how to identify these scams, prevent generational wealth from flowing from America into the pockets of Chinese organized crime, and work with unwavering focus to return stolen funds to victims.   

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen P. Seifert for the District of Columbia directs the Strike Force. 

WASHINGTON – Marshall Day, 40, of Largo, Maryland, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 108 months in federal prison in connection with his possession of six videos on his cell phone that depicted child sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Day, aka “KingDaddy89” and “Mike LeRoy,” pleaded March 12, 2026, before Judge Jia M. Cobb to one count of transportation of child pornography. In addition to the 108-month prison sentence, Judge Cobb ordered Day to serve 10 years of supervised release and to register as a sex offender.  

According to court documents, on Oct. 8, 2025, Day logged into a fetish website and attempted to arrange a sexual encounter. One of the people with whom Day exchanged messages asked Day if he was “into taboo” because he had a “girl in his life.” Day replied that he was “very much into taboo” and had “no hard limits.” As the chat continued, the individual explained that he had a nine-year-old daughter and “when we play its more like a game.”  

After further text messages, on October 9, Day exchanged phone numbers with the person and arranged to meet in the District’s Chinatown neighborhood so that he could sexually abuse the purported girl. On October 10, Day arrived at the prearranged meeting spot. A man sitting nearby asked Day if he was “Mike.” When Day indicated that he was, law enforcement from the FBI and Metropolitan Police Department’s Child Exploitation Task Force arrested him. 

While traveling from Maryland to the District, Day had his cell phone in his possession. In the phone’s download folder, Day had stored six videos depicting child sex abuse that he had downloaded during the previous two days and a pair of still images of child pornography he had downloaded earlier that year. Day acknowledged that he had no legal justification for having the files on his phone as he traveled from Maryland into the District that day. 

This case was investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Kelley.  

It was brought as part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Childhood initiative. In February 2006, the Attorney General created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.  

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WASHINGTON – Richeline Anisso Fung, 46, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and formerly of Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims while working as a full-time employee for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS-CISA), announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

“Richeline Fung stole a quarter‑million dollars from the American taxpayer, and today she stands as a convicted felon who will be required to pay full restitution,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Let this be unmistakable: if you defraud the American people, federal agents will come knocking. Nationwide initiatives across federal agencies are rapidly detecting, rooting out, and prosecuting wrongdoing to protect every taxpayer dollar as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.” 

The Honorable Sparkle Sooknanan accepted Fung’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for Jan. 20, 2027.  

“No profession is immune from prosecution,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Richeline Fung abused her positions as a federal employee and government contractor to steal nearly $250,000 from the U.S. government. Public service is a public trust, not an opportunity to defraud American taxpayers. We will continue to hold accountable anyone who defrauds the United States, regardless of title or agency.” 

According to court documents, Fung was a full-time DHS-CISA employee between September 2016 and October 2025. She lived in Maryland when she started working for DHS-CISA but moved to Florida. Between January 2021 and August 2024, Fung served in multiple federal government contractor positions despite being a full-time U.S. government employee with DHS-CISA. She worked as a contractor for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Energy, Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She served in these positions as a direct employee or as an independent contractor/consultant through her business RAF Pro-Consulting, LLC, which she incorporated in Florida in 2020.  

In connection with her employment, Fung submitted timesheets certifying the number of hours she worked each pay period. Fung routinely overstated those hours, even claiming to work more than 24 hours in a single day on multiple occasions.  

For example, in February 2022, Fung was employed by DHS-CISA and three different federal contractors performing work for USDA, FHWA, and DOJ. For that month alone, Fung’s combined hours totaled more than 24 hours in a single day on 15 occasions. Shockingly, she claimed to work 33 hours on February 7, 8, 9, and 10, and 32 hours on February 11.  

Fung admitted that she concealed her employment with DHS-CISA and the federal contractors from each other. She also acknowledged that she was able to conceal her employment because she teleworked for all the positions during the relevant period.  

Fung also admitted that her criminal conduct caused the U.S. government to suffer a loss of nearly a quarter million dollars. As part of her plea agreement, she must pay full restitution.  

This case was investigated by the Offices of the Inspector General for AmeriCorps, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI Washington Field Office. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman.  

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs. 

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WASHINGTON – Alvin Ponson, 67, of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 50 months in prison in connection with the armed robberies of two fast-food restaurants in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Ponson pleaded guilty on May 29 before Judge Tanya Chutkan to interference with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery). In addition to the prison term, Judge Chutkan ordered Ponson to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested an 87-month prison sentence. 

According to court documents, Ponson was carrying a black handgun when he entered the Chipotle restaurant on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE, just before 7 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2026. Ponson ordered a cashier to “open the register.” The cashier refused to comply. Ponson left without any of the restaurant’s money.   

Minutes later, Ponson walked into the adjacent Jersey Mike’s hoagie shop on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE. Ponson told the Jersey Mike’s cashier that he was picking up an order. The cashier went to look for it. When the cashier returned, Ponson was pointing his handgun at her. The cashier ran to the back of the store. Ponson approached another employee and ordered “Give me all that sh---!” The employee handed over cash from the register and Ponson fled in the direction of the Rhode Island-Brentwood Metro Station.  

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Washington Metro Transit Police with the valuable assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation- Washington Field Office.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.  

Surveillance photo of the Jersey Mike’s armed robbery. 

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Note: Please see seizure affidavits below.

March 25, 2025 link

June 25, 2025 link

Oct. 10, 2025 link

July 29, 2026 link

August 18, 2026 link

WASHINGTON — Today the Justice Department announced the disruption of an ongoing scheme by Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Hamas) –— a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization — to raise funds for terrorist operations and recruit supporters. As part of the Department’s efforts, over $560,000 in cryptocurrency donations destined for Hamas were seized and its fundraising and recruitment communication platforms and websites were disrupted. Hamas originally controlled the seized infrastructure and cryptocurrency addresses on behalf of its military wing, the Al Qassam Brigades. 

“These seizures deprive Hamas of resources it relies on to recruit and radicalize individuals online and finance barbaric attacks like the one on October 7, 2023,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “We will continue to tighten the vise on Hamas’s capacity for terror by infiltrating its online networks, confiscating its cryptocurrency, and shutting down its websites.”

“A message to Hamas: We will stop your fundraising for terror,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “Your networks are not secure, your crypto is vulnerable, and we will not stop until your ability to wage war is defeated.” 

“Hamas relied on cryptocurrency and online platforms to solicit funds from donors around the world and move that money outside the formal financial system,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI's Cyber Division. “The FBI seized online infrastructure and $560,000 in cryptocurrency, capturing donations intended for the organization. The FBI will continue to use its authorities to intercept illicit funds and prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting digital networks to finance their operations.” 

“Reducing the capabilities of foreign terrorist organization's ability to receive donations and creating distrust in communications to their donors was the primary focus of this latest operation,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. “This continued success demonstrates the unwavering commitment and determination of the FBI in fighting terrorism. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to shut off the flow of funds to this group and protect the American people.”

As alleged in court documents, a group chat claiming association with Hamas on an encrypted communications platform directed supporters to a fundraising website and provided donors with a rotating set of cryptocurrency donation addresses. As described in the three unsealed cryptocurrency seizure warrants, on March 25, 2025, June 25, 2025, and Oct. 10, 2025, investigators used information from multiple human sources to identify, trace, and seize approximately $560,000 in cryptocurrency intended to support Hamas’ Al Qassam Brigades.

In conjunction with these seizures, the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office worked with human sources to identify and seize domains and servers the Al Qassam Brigades that controlled its main website, AlQassam.ps. The FBI’s capture of these domains and servers enabled it to intercept cryptocurrency donations intended for Hamas. Using related sources and methods, the FBI also obtained information regarding thousands of individuals who contacted Hamas online in an effort to donate or attempt to donate to the terrorist organization using cryptocurrency and other traditional means. Such information will be used in the FBI’s future counterterrorism efforts.

The FBI Albuquerque Field Office is investigating the case, in coordination with the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Cyber Division, and New York Field Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tejpal Chawla for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Jacques Singer-Emery for the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Robert MacDonald of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and the October 7th Task Force is providing substantial assistance in the case.

            WASHINGTON —The Department of Justice today announced the disruption of an ongoing scheme by Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiyya (Hamas) — a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization — to raise funds for terrorist operations and recruit supporters, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“A message to Hamas: We will stop your fundraising for terror,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Your networks are not secure, your crypto is vulnerable, and we will not stop until your ability to wage war is defeated.”  

            As part of the Department’s efforts, more than $560,000 in cryptocurrency donations destined for Hamas were seized and its fundraising and recruitment communication platforms and websites were disrupted. Hamas originally controlled the seized infrastructure and cryptocurrency addresses on behalf of its military wing, the Al Qassam Brigades.  

            “These seizures deprive Hamas of resources it relies on to recruit and radicalize individuals online and finance barbaric attacks like the one on October 7, 2023,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “We will continue to tighten the vise on Hamas’s capacity for terror by infiltrating its online networks, confiscating its cryptocurrency, and shutting down its websites.” 

            “Hamas relied on cryptocurrency and online platforms to solicit funds from donors around the world and move that money outside the formal financial system,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI's Cyber Division. “The FBI seized online infrastructure and $560,000 in cryptocurrency, capturing donations intended for the organization. The FBI will continue to use its authorities to intercept illicit funds and prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting digital networks to finance their operations.”  

            “Reducing the capabilities of foreign terrorist organization's ability to receive donations and creating distrust in communications to their donors was the primary focus of this latest operation,” said Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. “This continued success demonstrates the unwavering commitment and determination of the FBI in fighting terrorism. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to shut off the flow of funds to this group and protect the American people.” 

            As alleged in court documents, a group chat claiming association with Hamas on an encrypted communications platform directed supporters to a fundraising website and provided donors with a rotating set of cryptocurrency donation addresses. As described in the three unsealed cryptocurrency seizure warrants, on March 25, 2025, June 25, 2025, and Oct. 10, 2025, investigators used information from multiple human sources to identify, trace, and seize approximately $560,000 in cryptocurrency intended to support Hamas’ Al Qassam Brigades. 

            In conjunction with these seizures, the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office worked with human sources to identify and seize domains and servers the Al Qassam Brigades that controlled its main website, AlQassam.ps. The FBI’s capture of these domains and servers enabled it to intercept cryptocurrency donations intended for Hamas. Using related sources and methods, the FBI also obtained information regarding thousands of individuals who contacted Hamas online in an effort to donate or attempt to donate to the terrorist organization using cryptocurrency and other traditional means. Such information will be used in the FBI’s future counterterrorism efforts. 

            The FBI Albuquerque Field Office is investigating the case, in coordination with the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Cyber Division, and New York Field Office. 

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Tejpal Chawla for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Jacques Singer-Emery for the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case. Trial Attorney Robert MacDonald of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and the October 7th Task Force is providing substantial assistance in the case. 

WASHINGTON – Hershel Andrew Green, III, 43, of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with distributing videos and images of adult males engaged in sexually explicit activity with young male children, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“Let me be clear: if you seek out, receive, or distribute child sexual abuse material, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Every image represents a real child who was victimized, and every person who trades in that material perpetuates that abuse. If you prey on children, you should expect federal law enforcement to come knocking.” 

Green, aka “FitddyG,” pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan to one count of distribution of child pornography, which carries a statutory penalty of five to twenty years in prison. Judge AliKhan scheduled sentencing for Nov. 30, 2026. 

According to court documents, the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force identified Green during an investigation into another individual’s distribution of child sexual abuse material.  In July 2025, an FBI undercover agent, exchanged messages with Green and received several videos of child sexual abuse material from him. 

Law enforcement identified Green through digital records, open-source research, and surveillance at his residence in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. 

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. 

The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Bohlen. 

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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

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WASHINGTON – Dereon Butler, 19, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 16.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to his participation in an armed robbery spree that occurred in December 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.   

“This defendant was just 17 years old when he and his co-conspirators drove into a Capitol Hill neighborhood and deliberately targeted innocent residents to rob,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “In all, eight people were held at gunpoint and ten were stripped of their valuables. This kind of violent conduct has no place in our community, and today, he is being held fully accountable.” 

Butler pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, on June 4, 2026, to three counts of armed robbery. At the time of the offenses, Butler was charged as an adult pursuant to Title 16.  Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur ordered Butler to serve the prison term to be followed by five years of supervised release.  

According to the government’s evidence, early in the morning, on December 2, 2024, Butler and his co-conspirators drove two stolen vehicles, a gray Kia Sorento and a red Lexus sedan, to a Capitol Hill neighborhood with plans to locate and target commuting pedestrians to rob them at gunpoint. In all, ten different unsuspecting pedestrians were approached, throughout numerous locations, and eight had a firearm brandished at them. These victims were robbed of their wallets, purses, cell phones, and other personal belongings. Butler fled the scene before police arrived. 

He was arrested on July 22, 2025, and has been in custody since.  

Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.   

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Levy, who prosecuted the case.  

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WASHINGTON – An indictment was returned yesterday charging Melissa Farris, 41, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, with two federal counts related to vandalizing the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on August 13, 2026, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

 “The World War II Memorial stands as a lasting tribute to the courage of 16 million Americans who served during World War II and the ultimate sacrifice of the 405,399 who gave their lives defending our nation and the freedoms we hold dear. Defacing it is an affront to their service and sacrifice,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “We will use every tool available under federal law to ensure this conduct is met with justice.” 

On August 27, 2026, a grand jury in U.S. District Court returned an indictment charging Farris with one count of Destruction of Veterans’ Memorial and one count of Destruction of Government Property. A court hearing is scheduled for September 3, 2026. 

According to the criminal complaint filed on August 14, U.S. Park Police were called about 2 p.m. on August 13 for a report of a disorderly person. A witness told officers that they had observed a woman spray painting graffiti on portions of the Atlantic Theatre Pavilion of the World War II Memorial at the eastern end of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.  

A United States Park Ranger arrived at the scene and observed foam in the fountain area of the Atlantic pavilion. Multiple people were gathered around the balcony watching a woman shooting video of herself. The woman fled when she became aware of the Ranger’s presence.   

Orange-colored paint had been sprayed onto the wall with the words: “Clean Hands Dirty $.” Additionally, green-colored paint was also sprayed onto the wall just under the orange spray paint, and pink-colored paint was splattered on the ground. In a trash can near the north entrance of the balcony, law enforcement recovered a white sign with painted letters. The paint used on the sign appeared to match the paint that was used to vandalize the northern entrance balcony.   

A witness had taken a photo of the woman defacing the Memorial. One U.S. Park Police officer recognized her as someone police had arrested on August 10 for unlawfully camping on federal property near 18th Street NW and Virginia Ave. NW, just a few blocks away from the World War II Memorial.   

On August 10, as she was being arrested by Park Police, she live streamed the event over her Facebook and Instagram social media accounts on which she identified herself as “Melissa Lovewell.”   

In a review of Farris’s public social media accounts, investigators discovered that she had recorded multiple livestream videos on August 13. In one recorded video, she allegedly admitted to damaging the World War II Memorial.   

Before Farris defaced the World War II Memorial, she had allegedly recorded and posted a video in which she stated, “I am cognitively aware and executively (sic) of the choices I am making and I am doing so to push my whistleblower case into the courtroom . . . someone has to make choices that are different and I am accountable for my actions. I am going to make these choices today and I will step foot into the courtroom, and I will wait to be arrested . . . I am accountable for the things that I do and the choices that I make and our government needs to be accountable for their choices too.”   

The Memorial honors the 16 million American service members who served during World War II, the millions more who supported the war effort from the home front, and the 405,399 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. The Memorial contains two main pavilions, the Atlantic and Pacific pavilions, named for the two main theaters of the war. Over four million tourists pay their respect at the memorial annually. 

Charges in an indictment are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.  

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WASHINGTON – Gregory Grooms, 27, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 60 months in prison in D.C. Superior Court for charges related to an assault on a 31-year-old District resident on August 7, 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

“After this defendant and his accomplice spent hours lying in wait for their victim, they ambushed him at gunpoint, repeatedly pistol-whipped him, forced him to strip, and paraded him naked through his apartment building,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “For this calculated and brutal attack, the Government asked for the top of the sentencing guidelines—13 years in prison. The court imposed five. While we respect the court’s decision, five years does not reflect the full severity of what this defendant did to his victim.” 

Grooms was found guilty by a Superior Court jury on March 30, 2026, of one count each of conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, and carrying a pistol without a license. Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel ordered Grooms to serve the prison term to be followed by three years of supervised release. The Government recommended a sentence at the top of the sentencing guidelines for a total of 13 years of imprisonment. 

According to the government’s evidence, on the night of August 6–7, 2024, Grooms and an accomplice drove to the parking lot of the victim’s apartment building and waited in Grooms’ car for more than three hours. At 1:12 a.m., just minutes after the victim came outside to have drinks with a woman in front of the building, Grooms and his accomplice got out of Grooms’ car and walked toward the victim. Grooms and his accomplice pointed handguns at the victim and then repeatedly pistol-whipped the victim in the head and face, leaving the victim injured and bloodied. The assault continued for several minutes as the victim, Grooms, and Grooms’ accomplice made their way inside the apartment building lobby and into an elevator. Once in the elevator, Grooms and his accomplice forced the victim to remove his clothes at gunpoint. Grooms and his accomplice then paraded the victim out of the building, naked from the waist down. On August 14, 2024, Grooms was stopped by police while driving his vehicle; during a subsequent search of the vehicle, a handgun was located under the driver’s seat.  

Grooms was arrested on August 14, 2024, and has been in custody since. 

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department. 

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the work of Assistant United States Attorney Michael Roberts, who prosecuted the case. 

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WASHINGTON – Said Nassor, 46, of Silver Spring, Maryland, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in connection with a scheme to bill D.C. Medicaid for mental health services that were never provided or were grossly inflated, causing a loss to Medicaid exceeding $250,000, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Nassor pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.  

According to court documents, Nassor was employed beginning in August 2022 as a Community Support Worker at a D.C. Medicaid provider authorized to deliver mental health rehabilitative services to youth and adolescent beneficiaries. 

From approximately January 2022 through at least February 2025, Nassor conspired with company employees along with other community support workers, to submit false and fraudulent claims for reimbursement to D.C. Medicaid. 

According to court documents, Nassor and other community support workers were directed by company employees to bill the maximum number of units allowed for each consumer regardless of medical necessity or whether the services were performed.  

Community support workers were instructed to bill a full hour for every telehealth encounter no matter how long the call actually lasted, and were trained to shave a few minutes off each claim, for example billing 54 minutes instead of 60, to make the calls appear more realistic. Workers were also directed to bill three hours, and later one hour, for diagnostic assessments regardless of how much time was spent with the consumer. 

From July 27, 2022, through June 23, 2023, Nassor documented over 701 hours of telehealth services across six patients when, according to call records, he only actually spent roughly 172 minutes with them on the telephone.  

On October 21, 2024, Nassor created and billed for three telehealth encounters to an undercover FBI employee who posed as a patient. None of the telehealth encounters took place.  

Investigators determined that Nassor’s participation in the conspiracy resulted in a loss to Medicaid of over $250,000.  

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office and the D.C. Office of the Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Facci of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section. 

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WASHINGTON – Brandon Tyriq White, 31, of Maryland, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 198-months in federal prison in connection with the violent kidnapping, choking, and sexual assault of his former girlfriend, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

“Brandon White’s victim fought to escape her attacker twice, and twice White caught her, bound her, and terrorized her,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Domestic violence will not be tolerated. White is now a convicted felon and will spend more than 16 years in federal prison.” 

White pleaded guilty on Feb. 18, 2025, to a charge of kidnapping. In addition to the 198-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta ordered White to serve five years of supervised release and to register as a sex offender. Federal prosecutors had requested a 210-month prison sentence. 

According to court documents, White was in a romantic relationship with a woman with whom he lived in October and November 2023. The woman left White without telling him in late November. Following her departure, she terminated the relationship. She left some of her belongings at White’s home.  

The next month, the woman sought to recover her belongings and arranged to meet White at a restaurant in Prince George’s County. They sat at a table and ordered drinks and food. The woman received a phone call and stepped away. She returned to the table to find the food was gone, the check had been paid, and White had left the restaurant.  

White approached the woman in his car as she walked through the restaurant parking lot. The two argued about her taking the phone call. The dispute intensified and White forced the woman against her will into the back of his car. The woman tried to escape. White bound her with zip-ties. Then he drove her from Maryland to a residence in Southeast D.C.  

When they arrived in the District, the woman tried to escape by running away and crying for help. White caught her on the front steps of the residence and choked her. He released her when she promised not to scream or run. White led the woman to a bedroom on the second floor. He placed a firearm on a bedside table and sexually assaulted her. 

The woman convinced White to drive her back to Maryland. On the way, they stopped at a convenience store. The woman attempted to flee. A surveillance camera captured images of White trying to force her back into his car. She slipped from his grasp and ran. White caught her, beat her, and broke her front tooth. Ultimately the woman escaped. White drove away. The woman later was treated at local hospital. 

Police arrested White on Dec. 23, 2023, in Charles County, Maryland, and recovered a Glock semi-automatic pistol from the hotel where he was staying. The gun was registered to White in the state of Maryland, but White had no valid license or registration to carry the gun within the District.  

This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Janani Iyengary. 

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WASHINGTON – Angelo Harris, 39, of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today in connection with the armed robbery of a Northeast D.C. tire shop on April 29, 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. 

Harris pleaded guilty before Judge Ana C. Reyes to one count of interference with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). Judge Reyes scheduled sentencing for Dec. 1, 2026. 

According to court documents, Harris, armed with a black handgun, and a co-conspirator, armed with a rifle, arrived at Mac’s Tire Shop on the 400 block of Florida Avenue NE, and brandished their weapons at an employee of the store. Using the threat of the firearms, they forced the employee out of his chair in the garage area of the establishment into the office in order to complete the robbery. The two forcibly took cash and other items from the shop before fleeing the scene. 

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Levy and Caelainn Carney. 

Surveillance photo taken the day of the tire store robbery.

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WASHINGTON – Dartanian Owens, 22, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced yesterday for a carjacking and robbery spree between April 6-8, 2025, in Northeast and Southeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.   

Owens pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, on April 9, 2026, to one count of carjacking, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of robbery and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. On August 24, 2026, Superior Court Judge Andrea Herzfeld sentenced the defendant to 162 months’ incarceration according to the government’s recommendation and declined to sentence the defendant under the Youth Rehabilitation Act. 

According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours on April 6, 2025, Owens, while armed with a firearm, carjacked the first victim, who was delivering food for DoorDash in Northeast D.C. The following day, between 4:00 a.m. and 5:20 a.m., the defendant used the carjacked vehicle to commit three armed robberies in Southeast D.C. Specifically, at 4:05 a.m. Owens approached a victim, who was on his way to work and waiting at a bus stop in front of 2701 Naylor Road SE. The defendant pointed a pink and silver handgun at him, stated “lay it down,” and robbed the victim of his AirPods, cash, and phone. Approximately one hour later at 5:05 a.m., Owens approached another victim, who was walking to the Anacostia Metro Station on his way to work. The defendant robbed this victim at gunpoint, taking a backpack containing construction tools, keys, a phone, a wallet, cash, and an ID. Around fifteen minutes later at 5:20 a.m., Owens and a co-conspirator robbed a third victim, who was waiting for an Uber to take him to his dialysis appointment. The co-conspirator exited the vehicle first and took the victim’s backpack at gunpoint. Owens then exited the driver’s side of the vehicle and demanded more from the victim while pointing a firearm him. The victim, however, had nothing left to surrender.  

In the early hours of April 8, 2025, police in Prince George’s County spotted the carjacked vehicle in a McDonald’s parking lot in Maryland and attempted a felony stop. Owens, who was alone in the vehicle, refused to pull over and fled from police. The defendant led police through Maryland and D.C., at one point driving 44 miles per hour over the speed limit through a residential neighborhood. Police disabled the vehicle using spike strips and Owens jumped from the vehicle while it was still moving. The defendant then fled on foot through a neighborhood, hiding behind houses, on porches, and behind sheds. Once apprehended, the defendant gave a false identity to the police. Along the defendant’s flight path, officers recovered a black and pink Walther PK380 handgun and a key fob belonging to the carjacked vehicle. 

                                                                                   Photo of Walther PK380 firearm recovered by law enforcement. 

Owens was arrested on April 8, 2025, and has been in custody since. 

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force, and other officers and Detectives with the Metropolitan Police Department. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eliot Folsom. 

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WASHINGTON – Linda Laird, 62, of Cordova, Maryland, was found guilty yesterday by a federal jury in connection with a scheme to abuse her position as the co-guardian and co-conservator of an 81-year-old vulnerable adult, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

The federal jury deliberated approximately four hours following a three-day trial before finding Laird guilty of conspiracy to commit Social Security fraud and theft of public money; conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and elderly person; and fraud in the first degree against a senior citizen.  

U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss scheduled sentencing for Dec. 17, 2026. 

According to court documents, in November 2017, Laird, her late father, James Blizzard, and her late mother, Joyce Blizzard were appointed by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia as co-guardians and co-conservators of Laird’s grandmother, who was a vulnerable adult. At the time, Laird’s grandmother was 81 years old and suffered from severe cognitive impairments. After Joyce Blizzard passed away in June 2018, Laird and James Blizzard continued as co-guardians and co-conservators. 

While Laird’s grandmother resided in the nursing home, Laird and Blizzard were required to act as fiduciaries and apply her money towards her support, care, and treatment. Instead, Laird and Blizzard used their authority as co-guardians and co-conservators to redirect U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits intended for, and checking account funds belonging to, the vulnerable adult to their personal bank accounts for their own benefit. In total, Laird and Blizzard stole more than $21,000 in Social Security benefits and obtained over $100,000 from the vulnerable adult’s bank accounts for their personal use. Laird spent these funds on jewelry, designer shoes, and expensive football tickets. 

This case was investigated by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.  

The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Facci and David Deitch of the Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Section. 

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WASHINGTON – James Callen, 42, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today to 20.5 years in prison in D.C. Superior Court for stabbing his then-romantic partner multiple times on July 13, 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

“Domestic violence is a relentless cycle of control and intimidation, and breaking that cycle is essential to protecting victims,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “James Callen’s brutality nearly cost this woman her life, and but for the grace of God, she survived. Callen is now headed to where he belongs: prison.” 

Callen was found guilty of one count each of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and three counts of contempt on June 11, 2026. Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered Callen to the prison term to be followed by five years of supervised release.  

According to the government’s evidence, on July 12, 2024, Callen and the victim went to Callen’s brother’s apartment in southeast Washington, D.C., to hang out. While there, Callen asked the victim to move in with him but became angry when the victim said she did not want to live with him. The next morning on July 13, 2024, while Callen and the victim were in the living room, he went to the kitchen and retrieved a knife and returned to the victim. He stabbed the victim multiple times, slicing her neck, which lacerated her jugular vein. When the victim started to bleed out, Callen panicked and called 911. EMTs arrived and immediately rushed the victim to the hospital before law enforcement arrived. When police officers arrived, Callen told them that the victim had arrived at the apartment already bleeding and injured. Despite the violent attack, the victim survived her injuries. 

From September 2024 to February 2025, Callen called the victim numerous times from the D.C. Jail in violation of a court order to stay away from and have no contact with the victim. In those calls, Callen changed his story and attempted to convince the victim that she had accidentally injured herself. The jury learned during trial that Callen had previously assaulted the victim and this was part of a pattern of abuse. Callen broke her leg in August 2023 and gave her two black eyes in January 2024.  

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.   

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged Assistant United States Attorneys Olivia Hinerfeld and Anne Cotter, who prosecuted the case.   

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