District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – A Springfield, Mass. man was convicted today of drug trafficking following a three-day trial in Springfield.

Marcus Hicks, 43, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine base, also known as crack cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Jan. 27, 2026. Hicks was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2023.

On Nov. 21, 2022, Hicks possessed 97 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of crack cocaine and two and one-half pounds of marijuana intended for distribution.

The charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England, Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan and Superintendent Lawrence Akers of the Springfield Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd E. Newhouse of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case. 
 

BOSTON – A Nigerian national was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in the theft of more than $2 million from at least six romance scam victims by transferring their money to cryptocurrency accounts that he controlled.  

Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, 35, of Abuja, Nigeria, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to two years in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. Nwadavid was also ordered to pay $2,724,810.41 in restitution. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Nwadavid pleaded guilty to mail fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering and money laundering. Nwadavid was arrested in April 2025 after arriving on a flight from the United Kingdom to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. In January 2024, a federal grand jury in Boston indicted Nwadavid on charges of mail fraud and money laundering.

“Romance scams” recruit victims through advertisements for online relationships on dating or social media websites. Individuals perpetuating romance scams create fictitious profiles and then use them to gain victims’ trust through a purported romantic relationship. Perpetrators then direct their victims to send money or to conduct financial transactions involving other victims’ money under false pretenses, such as an urgent need for money to secure a multi-million-dollar inheritance or to pay for an unexpected hospitalization.  

Between in or about 2016 and September 2019, Nwadavid participated in romance scams that tricked victims into sending money abroad. A victim from Massachusetts was tricked into receiving funds from victims around the United States and then passed the funds to Nwadavid through a series of cryptocurrency transactions. Nwadavid repeatedly accessed accounts in the victim’s name from overseas, to transfer the victims’ funds to accounts he controlled at LocalBitcoins, an online cryptocurrency platform.  

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth B. Kosto and Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – A Worcester, Mass. husband and wife were convicted on Sept. 22, 2025, of sex trafficking following a six-day jury trial.

Kiersten Soto, 32, and Moises Soto, 33, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion- both counts relating to the interfamilial trafficking of a younger relative. Kiersten Soto was also convicted of one count of traveling or using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activities. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Dec. 19, 2025. The defendants were arrested and indicted in December 2022. 
    
Evidence presented at trial proved that from February through May 2022, the Sotos used force, fraud and coercion to traffic the victim for commercial sex in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. A website was used to advertise the victim to sex buyers all over New England. Kiersten Soto regularly threatened the victim with violence, abandonment and involuntary commitment to a facility. Moises Soto used extreme physical violence including – beatings, assaults with wooden dowel rods and choking if he victim failed to make enough money. Videos from the defendants’ cell phones show the defendants cornering the victim in their home, threatening her, berating her, calling her a snitch, all while the victim suffered through agonizing drug withdrawals.

“Kiersten and Moises Soto built their so-called livelihood off of brutality and control. The Sotos compounded their cruelty by recording the abuse – immortalizing the victim’s trauma for their own depraved purposes,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s convictions send the unmistakable message that this office will relentlessly pursue those who traffic in human suffering, and we will not stop until they are exposed, prosecuted, and brought to justice.”

“HSI has no tolerance for those who exploit and traffic vulnerable individuals,” said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “With these two traffickers brought to justice, a victim is now free from exploitation and on the path to healing. HSI is grateful for the partnership and support of our local and state partners from the Marlborough Police Department, the Worcester Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police.”

The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and mandatory restitution to the victim. The charge of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution to the victim. The charge of traveling or using interstate facilities to promote unlawful activities, specifically prostitution, provides for a sentence oof up to five years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Foley and HSI SAC Krol made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Marlborough and Worcester Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen W. Hassink and Torey B. Cummings of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
 

BOSTON – A Honduran national unlawfully residing in Waltham, Mass. was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Samuel Cruz Alvarado, 63, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to time served (three and a half months). The defendant is now subject to deportation proceedings. In August 2025, Cruz Alvarado pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Cruz Alvarado was arrested on May 5, 2025 and indicted by a federal grand in June 2025.

Cruz Alvarado was previously deported from the United States two times, the last time on Nov. 26, 2012. Sometime after his November 2012 removal, Cruz Alvarado illegally reentered the United States without permission.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – The founder and CEO of Adapt & Evolve LLC, a Boston-based non-profit organization that purports to provide community re-entry support services, has been arrested and charged for allegedly distributing cocaine base (crack cocaine). According to court filings, the defendant has an extensive track-record of drug trafficking and other criminal conduct – including engaging in sex trafficking activity as well as a prior federal conviction for drug trafficking. 

Javan Tooley, 36, of Dorchester and Brockton, Mass., was indicted on Sept. 18, 2025 by a federal grand jury for distribution of 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Tooley was arrested on Sept. 23, 2025 and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for Sept. 26, 2025 at 11:30 a.m.

In 2010, Tooley was convicted in U.S. District Court in Boston of distribution of cocaine, following a hand-to-hand sale of crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement. He was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for the conviction. According to court filings, following his release from federal prison in or around 2015, Tooley violated of the terms of supervised release on at least five separate occasions. As a result, Tooley was sentenced to serve approximately 22additional months of incarceration. 

Additionally, according to court filings, Tooley allegedly targeted and recruited women, many of whom suffered from substance abuse disorders, to engage in commercial sex for his financial benefit and to distribute controlled substances for him. It is alleged that Tooley targeted his victims with acts of violence and provided victims with access to drugs. It is also alleged that Tooley created a climate of fear among the victims by claiming that he had connections to law enforcement and other powerful and influential officials through his non-profit. Tooley also allegedly coordinated drug transactions using the non-profit’s phone.

It is alleged that on Sept. 10 2025, Tooley distributed 100 grams of crack cocaine near Fields Corner in Dorchester, just a short distance away from Tooley’s non-profit Adapt & Evolve. Tooley is alleged to have distributed the drugs in his car, while a young child – approximately six or seven years old – was in the back seat.

Following the transaction, Tooley allegedly contacted a cooperating witness again stating that he had additional crack cocaine to sell and arranged to meet again on Sept. 23, 2025, at an area near the Roxbury District Court. Tooley was taken into custody upon his arrival and allegedly found in possession of approximately 160 grams of crack cocaine.

Because of Tooley’s prior federal drug trafficking conviction, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least eight years of supervised release and a fine of $8 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Arlington Police Chief Juliann Flaherty made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian A. Fogerty of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Pohl of the Narcotics &Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.
 
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – An Allston man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to trafficking methamphetamine and 1,4-Butanediol (BDO), an analogue of Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) – more commonly known as the “date rape drug” – out of his Allston home.

Peter Schiepers, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine; two counts of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute Butanediol (an analogue of GHB); and two counts of distribution and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Jan. 7, 2026. In April 2025, Schiepers was indicted by a federal grand jury.

In November 2024, law enforcement received information that Schiepers was supplying methamphetamine in and around the Boston area. Between November 2024 and February 2025, a cooperating source conducted multiple controlled purchases from Schiepers.

Specifically, in January 2025, Schiepers conducted a transaction for one ounce of methamphetamine. In February 2025 he sold four ounces of methamphetamine and a liter of BDO. 
 
The charge of possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney John O. Wray of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Marlboro man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Larry Stephen, 46, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution. In April 2025, Stephen pleaded guilty to one count each of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on July 18, 2023 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023.

Authorities identified Stephen as an individual using a social media platform to receive and post CSAM. During a search of Stephen’s Marlboro residence on June 7, 2023,  his cell phone was seized. A preliminary examination of the device revealed the presence of CSAM and that Stephen repeatedly posted images and videos depicting CSAM on a social media platform.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Marlboro Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney’s David G. Tobin and Eric Hawkins of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
 

The Justice Department’s Criminal Division today announced the expansion of its Health Care Fraud Unit’s New England Strike Force to the District of Massachusetts. This expansion brings enhanced federal enforcement resources to one of the nation’s most significant health care and life sciences hubs.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has a national reputation in health care enforcement and has developed a significant record of success in investigating and prosecuting health care fraud, including complex cases involving pharmaceutical and medical device companies, providers, and executives. In FY 2025 alone, working together on health care fraud enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit and Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit recovered more than $450 million in fraudulently obtained funds. Building on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s historic track record and the success of the Criminal Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit’s specialized prosecutors and data-driven, multi-agency Strike Force model, the Department is deploying a powerful force multiplier, allowing it to accelerate the detection, investigation, and prosecution of complex fraud schemes throughout the District of Massachusetts.

“Boston is home to world-class health care institutions, cutting-edge life sciences innovators, and a robust health care startup ecosystem, making it one of the most influential and active regions in the national health care landscape,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The expansion of the New England Strike Force to Boston will ensure that we are focused, efficient, and coordinated in our efforts to root out both individual and corporate bad actors engaged in criminal misconduct in the health care marketplace.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts has a long history of leading the nation in health care fraud enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “The unique partnership between our criminal and civil health care fraud enforcement matters has led to groundbreaking and historic enforcement success and industrywide changes. The Office has cracked down on fraud committed by pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers as well as unethical doctors and corporate executives who put greed ahead of patient safety and steal from government programs. The Strike Force model will act as a force multiplier, increasing resources and promoting even greater successes.”

“Increasing law enforcement resources in Massachusetts is another step forward in our vigorous fight against healthcare fraud,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI, alongside our partners, remains committed to combatting criminals who seek to defraud Americans and our healthcare system. We look forward to the benefits this expansion will bring.”

“Healthcare fraud costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars every year, whether it is through the unlawful diversion of federal program funds or powerful prescription drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks of the FBI’s Boston Field Office. “That is why the FBI is working day in and day out to root out those who place a greater value on profits than they do on the well-being of patients. We welcome the expansion of the New England Strike Force to Massachusetts as we continue to work with our partners to hold anyone fleecing the U.S. government accountable.”

“The expansion of the New England Health Care Fraud Strike Force into Boston further strengthens our capacity to protect Medicare and Medicaid from criminal networks,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “As a national hub for health care innovation, Boston presents both extraordinary promise for HHS initiatives and increased exposure to sophisticated complex fraud schemes. This strategic expansion underscores our unwavering commitment to deploying investigative expertise where the stakes are highest, working in close collaboration with law enforcement partners to advance fraud detection, dismantle criminal schemes, and hold wrongdoers accountable.”

“Protecting the public from harm caused by criminal misconduct involving drugs and medical devices is a priority for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office. “The expansion of the Strike Force into Boston, a vital hub for life sciences, will enable more robust and coordinated efforts to dismantle criminal networks that introduce unlawful medical products into the market, ultimately protecting patient health and trust in our healthcare system.”

As part of the expansion, the New England Strike Force, which was launched in June 2022 and is led by Fraud Section Assistant Chief Kevin Lowell, will coordinate closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit, led by Chief Mackenzie Queenin. In addition to the FBI, HHS-OIG and FDA, the Strike Force will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, and key state agencies, including the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Massachusetts and the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts.

Through the establishment of this strategic partnership with the District of Massachusetts, the Justice Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit continues to build on its record of success during a historic enforcement year, which to-date has included the announcement of the largest-ever National Health Care Fraud Takedown in June 2025. In addition, the Unit has significantly expanded its focus on corporate accountability, resolving cases against companies engaged in systemic fraudulent conduct, including recent corporate resolutions with the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Troy Health, Inc. The Unit’s corporate enforcement efforts align closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Massachusetts and its reputation of successful prosecutions of corporate bad actors operating in the health care industry.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which was launched in March 2007. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

BOSTON – The Justice Department’s Criminal Division announced the expansion of its Health Care Fraud Unit’s New England Strike Force to the District of Massachusetts today. This expansion brings enhanced federal enforcement resources to one of the nation’s most significant health care and life sciences hubs.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts has a national reputation in health care enforcement and has developed a significant record of success in investigating and prosecuting health care fraud, including complex cases involving pharmaceutical and medical device companies, providers, and executives. In FY 2025 alone, working together on health care fraud enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit and Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit recovered more than $450 million in fraudulently obtained funds. Building on the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s historic track record and the success of the Criminal Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit’s specialized prosecutors and data-driven, multi-agency Strike Force model, the Department is deploying a powerful force multiplier, allowing it to accelerate the detection, investigation, and prosecution of complex fraud schemes throughout the District of Massachusetts.

“Boston is home to world-class health care institutions, cutting-edge life sciences innovators, and a robust health care startup ecosystem, making it one of the most influential and active regions in the national health care landscape,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The expansion of the New England Strike Force to Boston will ensure that we are focused, efficient, and coordinated in our efforts to root out both individual and corporate bad actors engaged in criminal misconduct in the health care marketplace.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts has a long history of leading the nation in health care fraud enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley for the District of Massachusetts. “The unique partnership between our criminal and civil health care fraud enforcement matters has led to groundbreaking and historic enforcement success and industrywide changes. The Office has cracked down on fraud committed by pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers as well as unethical doctors and corporate executives who put greed ahead of patient safety and steal from government programs. The Strike Force model will act as a force multiplier, increasing resources and promoting even greater successes.”

“Healthcare fraud costs taxpayers tens of billions of dollars every year, whether it is through the unlawful diversion of federal program funds or powerful prescription drugs,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “That is why the FBI is working day in and day out to root out those who place a greater value on profits than they do on the well-being of patients. We welcome the expansion of the New England Strike Force to Massachusetts as we continue to work with our partners to hold anyone fleecing the U.S. government accountable.”

“The expansion of the New England Health Care Fraud Strike Force into Boston further strengthens our capacity to protect Medicare and Medicaid from criminal networks,” stated Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “As a national hub for health care innovation, Boston presents both extraordinary promise for HHS initiatives and increased exposure to sophisticated complex fraud schemes. This strategic expansion underscores our unwavering commitment to deploying investigative expertise where the stakes are highest, working in close collaboration with law enforcement partners to advance fraud detection, dismantle criminal schemes, and hold wrongdoers accountable.”

“Protecting the public from harm caused by criminal misconduct involving drugs and medical devices is a priority for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA),” said Special Agent in Charge Fernando McMillan of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations New York Field Office. “The expansion of the Strike Force into Boston, a vital hub for life sciences, will enable more robust and coordinated efforts to dismantle criminal networks that introduce unlawful medical products into the market, ultimately protecting patient health and trust in our healthcare system.”

As part of the expansion, the New England Strike Force, which was launched in June 2022 and is led by Fraud Section Assistant Chief Kevin Lowell, will coordinate closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Health Care Fraud Unit, led by Chief Mackenzie Queenin. In addition to the FBI, HHS-OIG and FDA, the Strike Force will partner with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, and key state agencies, including the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Massachusetts and the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts.

Through the establishment of this strategic partnership with the District of Massachusetts, the Justice Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit continues to build on its record of success during a historic enforcement year, which to-date has included the announcement of the largest-ever National Health Care Fraud Takedown in June 2025. In addition, the Unit has significantly expanded its focus on corporate accountability, resolving cases against companies engaged in systemic fraudulent conduct, including recent corporate resolutions with the Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Troy Health, Inc. The Unit’s corporate enforcement efforts align closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in Massachusetts and its reputation of successful prosecutions of corporate bad actors operating in the health care industry.

The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, which was launched in March 2007. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. 

BOSTON – A Florida man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a sex trafficking conspiracy and for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Angelo Dominic Lombardo, 29, of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fla., was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 13 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Lombardo is also ordered to register as a sex offender. In January 2025, Lombardo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, threats of force, fraud, and coercion, and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

“This defendant preyed on vulnerable, lured them in with false promises, and then used violence and threats of violence to force them into sex trafficking for his own monetary gain. His calculated cruelty, including threatening a victim at gunpoint, is unconscionable,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Although today’s sentence cannot undo the harm he inflcited, we hope it sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can come to Massachusetts to traffic and exploit vulnerable people: you will be found, you will be stopped, and you will be held accountable. Our office will continue to stand with victims, fight for their safety, and bring traffickers to justice.”

“Angelo Lombardo felt entitled to treat women not as people, but as property to be sold for sex. Today’s sentence ensures he’ll stay locked up, unable to harm anyone else for decades to come,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Profiting from the sexual exploitation of another human being is reprehensible. The FBI and our partners will do everything in our power to protect trafficking victims from further harm and see the predators who so viciously and violently abuse them brought to justice for their deplorable conduct.”  

From in and around June 2020 to July 12, 2021, Lombardo conspired with others to traffic four victims to engage in commercial sex acts by physically assaulting the victims, coercing the victims psychologically, making false promises of a better life and making explicit threats to one of the victims with a firearm, among other things.

In June 2020, Lombardo recruited a victim in Florida to work for him engaging in commercial sex in various states, including Massachusetts. Lombardo promised the victim a better life, however the money that she was paid engaging in commercial sex was turned over to Lombardo. On multiple occasions, Lombardo was violent with the victim who reported that she did not feel able to leave him because she would leave with nothing.  

Another victim recruited by Lombardo in or around October 2020 in Florida, travelled with Lombardo to other states, including Massachusetts, to engage in commercial sex. Lombardo threatened the victim that if she did not do what she was told, she would not see her family again. On one occasion when the victim did not want to participate in any more commercial sex dates, Lombardo confiscated her license and punched her repeatedly.  

Around May 2021, Lombardo recruited a homeless victim in Portland, Ore., provided her with a place to stay and then advertised her on commercial sex websites. Lombardo would set up dates and drive the victim who travelled to Boston, Mass. on two occasions to engage in commercial sex. In addition to taking the money, he verbally abused the victim and on one occasion put a gun to the victim’s head and told her to go make more money.

Finally, another victim was recruited to work for Lombardo in June 2021, in Portland, Ore., shortly after she turned 18 years old. Lombardo promised the victim financial stability and a better life if she worked for him. In reality, Lombardo kept the money that the victim was paid, for himself. The victim reported that Lombardo was verbally abusive toward her and isolated her from loved ones.

Ultimately, one of the victims went to the police and reported that Lombardo was trafficking her in July 2021. On July 12, 2021, following a traffic stop in Boston, Lombardo was arrested on state trafficking charges. At the time of his arrest, Lombardo had approximately $3,310 in his possession. A subsequent search of a hotel room in Revere, Mass. associated with Lombardo resulted in the recovery of a firearm with a laser attached matching the descriptions provided by at least two of the victims, and a loaded large capacity magazine with 20 live rounds of ammunition. Due to at least one prior felony conviction, Lombardo is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Members of the public who believe they may be a victim of this individual or alleged crime should contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov. If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please visit https://polarisproject.org/ for information and resources.

U.S. Attorney Foley; FBI SAC Docks; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; and the Revere and Arlington Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Mackenzie Duane of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley-Cunniffe, Chief of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit, prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – A Woburn man has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into the theft of U.S. Treasury tax refund checks in Massachusetts.

Nnamdi Opara, 30, was charged with two counts of bank fraud and five counts of money laundering. The defendant was previously arrested in June 2025 as part of an investigation into the theft of U.S. Treasury tax refund checks in Massachusetts.  

According to the charging documents, Opara wrongfully obtained two U.S. Treasury checks that were issued to a New York entity named AFGO Mechanical Services, Inc. After obtaining the checks, it is alleged that Opara established a company called AFGO Mechanical Services, Inc. in Massachusetts, for which he served as the President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, Director and Registered Agent. Opara then allegedly deposited the U.S. Treasury check into an account he controlled, payable to the Massachusetts-based AFGO entity he had established when, in fact, the Massachusetts-based AFGO entity had never filed a federal tax return. As a result, Opara is alleged to have stolen a total of $700,767 from the U.S. Treasury. It is further alleged that Opara conducted multiple illegal monetary transactions designed to conceal the source of the funds from the stolen Treasury checks.  

The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction.  Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.  

BOSTON – A Longmeadow woman has pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield, Mass., to a scheme to defraud commercial lenders by providing false and fraudulent rent rolls and forged lease agreements for properties located in Springfield, Mass.; East Longmeadow, Mass.; and Enfield, Conn.

Jeannette Norman, 57 pleaded guilty on Sept. 19, 2025 to one count of conspiracy to committed wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Jan. 22, 2026. In May 2025, Norman and her husband and co-defendant Louis R. Masaschi were indicted by a federal grand jury. In April 2025, Masaschi, pleaded guilty. In June 2025, Norman’s sister and other co-conspirator, Christine Gendron, pleaded guilty in a related case to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Masaschi and Norman were partners in dozens of limited liability companies, including JLL Realty Developers, LLC (JLLRD), through which they owned primarily commercial and some residential property in Western Massachusetts, Connecticut and elsewhere. Gendron was a certified public accountant and JLLRD’s financial manager. Between May 2016 and May 2019, Masaschi, Norman and Gendron conspired with each other and others to fraudulently obtain loans for their companies from financial institutions and commercial lenders by providing materially false, fictitious and fraudulent financial information – including false rent rolls and forged lease agreements. After receiving the loans, their companies made some or no payments and ultimately defaulted on the loans, causing substantial losses to the financial institutions and commercial lenders. In total, the fraud scheme involved $62,232,000 in loans and caused a loss of $20,099,295. 
    
The charge of conspiracy to committed wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow and Caroline Merck of the Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case.  
 

BOSTON – A former Sergeant with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Transit Police Department was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for aiding and abetting the filing of a false arrest report regarding another Transit Police Officer’s assault on a homeless man at the Ashmont MBTA Station.

David S. Finnerty, 49, of Rutland, Mass. was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to two years’ probation, with a special condition that he complete 150 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine. The government recommended a sentence of two years in prison. In May 2025, Finnerty was convicted on one count of aiding and abetting the filing of a false report. In August 2023, Finnerty was indicted by a federal grand jury.

“By falsifying a police report to cover up an unconstitutional assault, Mr. Finnerty betrayed his badge, the victim he was sworn to protect, and the public’s trust. Instead of protecting a vulnerable man who had been abused, he tried to shield the officer who assaulted him,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Our justice system depends on officers who follow the law, not those who violate it. Mr. Finnerty’s conviction affirms a simple truth: no one is above the law, and those who abuse their power will be held accountable.”

“As law enforcement officers, we must be held to the highest of ethical standards, and Sgt. Finnerty blatantly ignored those standards when he shirked his sworn duty and tried to cover up an unprovoked beating of a homeless man by one of his fellow officers,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “What he did was a gross betrayal of trust.”

Finnerty was the Officer in Charge for the overnight shift on July 27, 2018, and the supervisor of Transit Police Officer Dorston Bartlett. At 1:47 a.m. on July 27, 2018, at the Ashmont MBTA station, Bartlett, while acting in his role as an officer, physically assaulted a homeless man without legal justification – striking the victim in the leg three times with a steel, expandable police baton. Only after the victim reported the assault to local police, did Bartlett arrest the victim.

During the booking process, the victim repeatedly told Finnerty about the assault, and shortly thereafter, Finnerty watched videos of the incident several times with two other transit police officers. Although the two other officers knew that Bartlett used excessive force on the victim upon watching the videos, Finnerty claimed that he did not see enough video to make that determination.

Instead of immediately reporting Bartlett for excessive force and releasing the victim, Finnerty began an hours-long attempt to help Bartlett falsify an arrest report designed to coverup Bartlett’s unconstitutional use of force.

First, Finnerty reviewed Bartlett’s initial draft of the report – which was clearly inconsistent with the radio calls and videos – and instead of telling Bartlett it was false, he told Bartlett to add more details. Then, when Bartlett’s revised draft did not include enough falsehoods to justify the assault, Finnerty fed Bartlett more lies to include in the report – doing so via their cell phones so that the calls would not be recorded. Finally, still not satisfied with Bartlett’s draft, Finnerty used his own computer to input changes to the report while referencing the Transit Police Department’s Use of Force Policy.

The changes Finnerty made to the arrest report elaborated on falsehoods contained in the original draft and added additional falsehoods designed to justify Bartlett’s use of baton strikes on the victim. The changes included the addition of facts that were obviously false based on the videos, including that the victim “jerked” his body, that he displayed “assaultive” and “resisting” behavior, that Bartlett “perceived a threat to [his] immediate safety” when he struck the victim with the baton and that Bartlett was trying to place the victim in custody at the station. Finnerty did not ask Bartlett whether the changes were true or accurate, because he knew they were lies.

Finnerty then gave his revised version of the report to Bartlett and closed the document on his computer without saving it – believing that there would be no digital trace of his crime.

U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristina E. Barclay and Julien M. Mundele prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – The founder and former Chief Executive Officer of the local nonprofit Violence in Boston (VIB) pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to making misrepresentations in order to obtain thousands of dollars in donations to non-profit Violence in Boston (VIB) that she then diverted to pay for personal expenses, defrauding the City of Boston out of COVID-19 relief funds and rental assistance money, defrauding the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office out of Community Reinvestment Grant funds, filing false tax return for two years, and failing to file tax returns for two years.  

Monica Cannon-Grant, 44, of Taunton, pleaded guilty to 18 counts: three counts of wire fraud conspiracy; 10 counts of wire fraud; one count of mail fraud, and two counts each of filing false tax returns and failing to file tax returns. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Jan. 29, 2026. In March 2023, Cannon-Grant was charged along with her co-conspirator and husband Clark Grant in a 27-count superseding indictment. Clark Grant’s charges were dismissed in May 2023 due to his death. Cannon-Grant and Clark Grant had previously been charged in an 18-count indictment in March 2022.

Cannon-Grant was the founder and CEO of VIB, an anti-violence nonprofit formally established in 2017, the stated purpose of which was to reduce violence, raise social awareness and aid community causes in Greater Boston, among other purposes.

“Monica Cannon-Grant repeatedly scammed multiple public financial programs and stole money donated by members of the public who believed their donations would aid in reducing violence and promote social awareness. Instead, Cannon-Grant used donations to satisfy her own greed, while falsely portraying herself as a legitimate nonprofit organizer. She betrayed the trust of everyone who donated and the public who supported her fraudulent charity,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s plea demonstrates once again that no one is above the rule of law.”

“Today’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to investigating and holding accountable anyone who commits fraud. Ms. Cannon-Grant defrauded several state programs and exploited her position in the community to line her own pockets,” said Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division. “This investigation showcases the results that postal inspectors strive to achieve in collaboration with our law enforcement partners. The successful resolution through a plea is a result of the strong investigative work, dedication and partnership of postal inspectors and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. I commend the relentless work and commitment to ensuring justice was achieved by all those involved.”

“Monica Cannon-Grant illegally enriched herself as part of a scheme that fraudulently diverted vital taxpayer resources away from those in need of unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Jonathan R. Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “Protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains one of our highest priorities, and we will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our other law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of U.S. Department of Labor programs and operations.”

As she admitted at today’s plea hearing, from 2017 through at least 2020, Cannon-Grant represented herself as an uncompensated VIB director to donors and other charitable institutions when, in reality, she and her late husband agreed to utilize their control over VIB’s accounts and funds to pay for personal expenditures by diverting VIB funds to themselves through cash withdrawals, cashed checks, wire transfers to personal bank accounts and debit purchases.

Over the course of the conspiracy, Cannon-Grant diverted thousands of dollars in donor money earmarked for VIB for her own personal use. She also applied for or certified the applications for grants offered by public and private entities that included materially false representations. For example, Cannon-Grant conspired to use VIB to defraud the Boston Resiliency Fund, a charitable fund established by the City of Boston to provide aid to Boston residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. After receiving approximately $53,977 in pandemic relief funds, Cannon-Grant withdrew approximately $30,000 in cash from the VIB bank account, made deposits of $5,200 and $1,000 into her personal checking account, and made payments on her personal auto loan and car insurance policy. Cannon-Grant did not disclose any of these personal expenses to BRF and, instead, falsely reported to BRF that all of its grant funds had been appropriately expended.

In addition, Cannon-Grant conspired to defraud Boston’s Office of Housing Stability by concealing thousands of dollars of household income in order to obtain $12,600 in rental assistance from the City of Boston. Instead of truthfully reporting accurate information about the family’s earnings and benefits, Cannon-Grant and her late husband misrepresented their actual household income to obtain rent relief funds that were intended to aid Boston residents who were facing housing insecurity.    

Cannon-Grant and her late husband also conspired to defraud the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance by submitting a fraudulent applications for pandemic unemployment assistance and certifying on a weekly basis that they were not working and did not receive over $89 in income during the prior week. In addition, Cannon-Grant filed false tax returns for 2017 and 2018 and failed to file tax returns for 2019 and 2020, omitting tens of thousands of dollars in income that Cannon-Grant received in salary from VIB and through work as a consultant.

The charges of wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and mail fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of filing false tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. The charge of failure to file a tax return provides for a sentence of up to one year of prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $25,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Foley; USPIS-IC Larco-Ward; DOL-IG SAC Mellone; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General; and Massachusetts Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Deitch and Dustin Chao of the Public Corruption Unit are prosecuting the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
 

BOSTON – A Mexican national unlawfully residing in Hudson, Mass. was sentenced in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Fredi Rios-Nolasco, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to six months in prison. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Rios-Nolasco pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. In April of 2025, Rios-Nolasco was indicted by a federal grand jury.

On March 6, 2025, immigration authorities lodged a detainer against Rios-Nolasco after he was arrested by the Hudson Police Department and charged in Marlborough District Court for trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine. Fingerprints taken during his arrest matched biometrics from his prior removals.  

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – An Easton man was convicted today, following an eight-day trial of using Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds to secretly purchase a home in the name of a close relative.

Bill Dessaps, 49, was convicted of two counts of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of money laundering, and one count of bank fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Jan. 15, 2026.In January 2024, five other individuals were charged for their alleged involvement in the PPP fraud scheme.

“Dessaps sought to defraud the American people through his misappropriation of COVID-19 relief loans. He scammed to enrich himself, at the expense of people in need” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s conviction is another reminder that fraud does not pay.”

“The guilty sentence of Bill Dessaps demonstrates IRS-CI’s continued commitment to prosecuting all those who took advantage of the CARES Act for their own undue self-enrichment,” said Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Dessaps defrauded a federal program designed to help those most in need at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic with the sole intent of living a lavish lifestyle, while others, who were truly in need, struggled.”

Dessaps – the operator of an Abington-based used car dealership – allegedly conspired with individuals in Massachusetts and Florida to submit a fraudulent PPP application on behalf of Dessaps’ dealership. The application they prepared and submitted for Dessaps’ dealership falsely stated that the dealership had 40 employees and average monthly payroll expenses of $334,720. As a result of the applications, the lender disbursed a PPP loan of $836,800 to Dessaps. After receiving these funds, Dessaps made kickback payments to one or more of the individuals who assisted with the application.

After Dessaps received the PPP loan, he purchased a $750,000 home in the name of a straw buyer—his close relative—because his credit score would have prevented him from obtaining a mortgage on favorable terms, and because he purchased the home using PPP funds, a purchase the PPP prohibits. Dessaps, his close relative, and a real estate agent submitted false mortgage application documents to a lender, including forms and forged records that inflated the relative’s income and assets. For a portion of the home costs, Dessaps transferred PPP proceeds into a joint bank account that he and his relative controlled. After a lender denied the close relative’s application for a secondary loan for the remaining funds, Dessaps and his real estate agent arranged a sham gift of $127,500 from the real estate agent’s girlfriend to the close relative, which Dessaps wired to the girlfriend. Through these and other misrepresentations, Dessaps obtained a $510,000 mortgage on the home and lived in it.

Dessaps also attempted to obtain a “Second Draw” PPP loan through another fraudulent application in March 2021.

The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the scheme, whichever is greater. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of money involved in the laundering transaction. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million, or twice the gross gain or loss from the scheme, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Foley and IRS SAC Demeo made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Holcomb and Meghan C. Cleary of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

BOSTON – A Dominican national residing in Methuen, Mass. has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for unlawfully re-entering the United States after deportation and possessing narcotics intended for distribution. 

Raul Fernando Lora, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to 66 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In March 2025, Lora pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of unlawful reentry of deported alien. Lora was charged in November 2023. 

Lora was previously removed from the United States on July 2, 2013 and June 5, 2018.  Before his first removal, Lora was convicted of aggravated identity theft for fraudulently using the identity of a Puerto Rican citizen. Additionally, Lora has prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute heroin, firearms offenses and assault and battery — all of which were under the name of the identity Lora had stolen.  

In 2023, immigration authorities became aware of Lora’s presence in the United States after being notified that his fingerprints were taken in connection with criminal charges in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Lora had default warrants outstanding for both cases. 

Lora was arrested on Oct. 3, 2023, at which time he was found in possession of a sock that contained over 200 grams of fentanyl and over 30 grams of cocaine in multiple plastic bags.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.  
 

BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Fall River has been indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Evaldo Ferreira Pinto, 51, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Pinto, who was arrested on Aug. 7, 2025, is currently in custody and will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Pinto was allegedly found in the United States on Aug. 7, 2025, after previously having been removed from the United States on or about May 31, 2019.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna J. Nuzum of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

BOSTON – The owner of a “virtual CFO” business from Rhode Island was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for laundering tens of millions of dollars in proceeds from internet fraud schemes by creating shell companies and opening fraudulent business bank accounts.  

Craig Clayton, 75, of Cranston, R.I., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to four years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Clayton was also ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution. In May 2025, Clayton pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering conspiracy and one count of obstruction of justice. In February 2023, Clayton was arrested and charged by criminal complaint. 
    
From 2019 to 2021, Clayton and others used his accounting and “virtual CFO” business, Rochart Consulting, as a front to launder the proceeds of internet fraud schemes. As part of the conspiracy, Clayton founded shell companies to open business bank accounts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, through which he laundered the proceeds of internet fraud schemes on behalf of his foreign-based clients. In total, Clayton laundered more than $35 million. Clayton also instructed his foreign-based clients on how to structure deposits, draft wire memos concealing the nature of fund transfers and create false business documentation to justify account inflows and outflows.  

In communications with one of his Rochart co-conspirators, Clayton stated that because they were “money mules complicit in [Rochart’s clients’] offenses” that “opens [them] up to charges.” Additionally, in encrypted communications with one of his client co-conspirators, Clayton expressed concern that his phone was “tapped” by law enforcement and sought to obtain “dirt” on a victim who had reported the fraud scheme in order to “distract the police.” In another exchange with a co-conspirator, Clayton proposed moving their electronic communications to Signal, noting that WhatsApp “can be tapped.”  

When banks and law enforcement began to investigate Rochart, Clayton falsely told investigators and bank personnel that his shell companies were legitimate businesses, among other things. Further, during a recorded conversation with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a potential client, Clayton noted that Rochart does not “deal with anyone who has law enforcement connections” and that some of his business’s clients were “fugitives from justice.” After he became aware that a federal grand jury was investigating him, Clayton attempted to obstruct the ongoing investigation by making several false statements to federal agents during an interview.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Ian J. Stearns and Kaitlin R. O’Donnell of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit and Alexandra Amrhein of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case. 
 

BOSTON – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 (IBEW Local 103), a Dorchester-based union and 501(c)(5) nonprofit organization, has agreed to pay $2,033,205 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which it was not eligible.

As part of the settlement, IBEW Local 103 admitted that, in April 2020, it applied for and received a first-round loan before it became eligible. In March 2021, when Congress amended the PPP to allow unions to obtain PPP loans, the union applied for and received a second loan. On its application for the second loan, the union certified that it was eligible for the second loan under the PPP regulations in effect at the time of the application, and that it previously received a loan and used all the loan proceeds before applying for the second loan. Had IBEW Local 103 applied for the first-round loan when it became eligible in March 2021, it would not have spent the proceeds from that first loan before it applied for the second loan.  

Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses through the PPP. Under the program, if borrowers complied with the program’s rules, the SBA forgave their loans. The SBA administered the PPP in two rounds – the first began in April 2020 and the second began in February 2021. Certain nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(5) organizations like IBEW Local 103, were not eligible to receive loans from either round until March 2021, when Congress amended the PPP. To be eligible for a second loan, an entity, among other things, had to receive a first-round loan and exhaust the funds from that loan prior to applying for a second loan.

The settlement credits IBEW Local 103 for cooperation under the Department of Justice’s Guidelines for Taking Voluntary Disclosure, Cooperation and Remediation into Account in False Claims Act Matters.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and the U.S. Small Business Administration made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. LaMacchia, Chief of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter.

BOSTON – A Honduran national residing in Fall River, Mass., pleaded guilty today to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Denis Aguirre-Murillo, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2025. The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2025.

Aguirre-Murillo has been deported from the United States to Honduras on three occasions, in July 2007, March 2016 and January 2021. Sometime after his January 2021 removal, Aguirre-Murillo unlawfully re-entered the United States at an unknown time and place. Immigration authorities became aware that Aguirre-Murillo was unlawfully present in the United States on May 4, 2024, when he was arrested under an alias in Fall River for charges that included intimidation and rape. The rape charge was later amended to an indecent assault and battery charge.

Immigration authorities lodged a detainer for Aguirre-Murillo. However, on Feb. 19, 2025, Aguirre-Murillo was released from local custody without notification. He was later located and taken into immigration custody on May 29, 2025.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON– A Guatemalan national has been charged in federal court in Boston after allegedly resisting and assaulting federal officers during an immigration arrest.

Manolo Morales Lopez, 29, was charged with one count of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers while they carried out official duties, prosecutors announced. The defendant appeared in federal court in Boston on Sept. 12, 2025 and was released on conditions.

The complaint alleges that on Sept. 12, 2025, Morales Lopez forcibly resisted and assaulted agents as they attempted to arrest a woman for a violation of the immigration laws in Woburn, Mass. As agents attempted to remove the woman from a car, Morales Lopez allegedly leaned toward the woman and began holding onto her arm, preventing her removal. After the agents warned Morales Lopez repeatedly that he could be subject to arrest himself for interfering with the arrest of the woman, the agents attempted to remove him from the vehicle. It is alleged that after the agents succeeded in getting Morales Lopez out of the car, he raised his arm up and over the head of one of the agents and grabbed him around the neck from behind. The agent ducked under Morales Lopez’s arm to avoid being put in a choke hold or headlock. Morales allegedly continued to struggle and resist the agents as they attempted the put him in handcuffs.  

The charge of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers engaged in the performance of official duties provides for a sentence of up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert E. Richardson of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national residing in the Bronx, N.Y., was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in operating a fentanyl distribution hub in the Bronx that sent fentanyl laced with xylazine, a horse tranquilizer, throughout Massachusetts, Vermont and New York.

Jairo Collazo, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In May 2025, Collazo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, involving 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Collazo was charged by criminal complaint in April 2024 and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2024.  

Collazo, and others, operated a fentanyl distribution hub out of a basement in the Bronx, from which he distributed fentanyl to destinations including Boston, Mass.; Fitchburg, Mass.; Springfield, Mass.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and the State of Vermont. Collazo and his coconspirators, whom he called “employees,” used the basement to package fentanyl into glassine wax paper bags for distribution. Collazo traveled to Massachusetts on two occasions, in December 2023 and January 2024, to distribute fentanyl to a witness working with law enforcement. On April 12, 2024, during a search of the Bronx basement, fentanyl packaged for distribution, materials used for cutting fentanyl with other substances and bottles of xylazine were recovered. Collazo used xylazine to cut the fentanyl and offered to sell it to the cooperating witness. More than two kilograms of fentanyl was seized from Collazo.

According to court records, in 2021, Collazo pleaded guilty in New York Supreme Criminal Court to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (heroin) and was sentenced to two years in state prison. Collazo was deported to the Dominican Republic and returned.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Fitchburg Police Department and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Boston man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and stealing a U.S. Treasury tax refund check as well as a check from a New York law firm.

Lonnie Smith-Matthews, 33, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud; one count of theft of government funds; two counts of bank fraud; and two counts of money laundering. In June 2025, Smith-Matthews was arrested and charged by criminal complaint as part of a federal crackdown on stolen U.S. Treasury checks. He will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the indictment, in 2021, Smith-Matthews fraudulently obtained two PPP loans by falsely claiming business income of $128,000, when he actually made less than half that amount and did not actually have a business. Additionally, in 2024, Smith-Matthews allegedly obtained and deposited a U.S. Treasury tax refund check for $150,000 that had been altered and forged to be payable to a defunct clothing company that Smith-Matthews owned. In fact, the U.S. Treasury check had been issued to a married couple in North Carolina as a refund on their 2023 income taxes. After depositing the check, Smith-Matthews allegedly laundered the proceeds using cashier’s checks made payable to a purported roofing company. It is further alleged that later in 2024, Smith-Matthews obtained and deposited a $232,000 check stolen from a New York firm. Like the U.S. Treasury check, the law firm check had allegedly been altered and forged to be payable to Smith-Matthews’ defunct company.

The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Michael Carpenter, Special Agent in charge of the U.S. Dept. of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Northeast Field Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kriss Basil, Deputy Chief of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.  

BOSTON – United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced today that her office has collected the entire $48,344,036 in criminal restitution awarded to victims of a health care racketeering conspiracy committed by the founder and six former executives of Insys Therapeutics.  

John N. Kapoor, Insys founder and former Executive Chairman; Richard M. Simon, the former National Director of Sales; Sunrise Lee, a former Regional Sales Director; Joseph A. Rowan, a former Regional Sales Director; and Michael J. Gurry, the former Vice President of Managed Markets, were convicted by a federal jury in May 2019 in connection with bribing medical practitioners to prescribe Subsys, a highly-addictive sublingual fentanyl spray intended for cancer patients experiencing breakthrough pain, and for defrauding Medicare and private insurance carriers. Two other Insys executives – Michael Babich, the former CEO and President of the company and Alec Burlakoff, the former Vice President of Sales – pleaded guilty.

The court ordered the defendants to pay $48,344,036 in restitution to victims of the defendants’ crimes, including individual patient-victims, several insurance companies and Medicare. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is responsible for collecting criminal restitution. Since the defendants’ sentencings, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has diligently pursued enforcement of the restitution until it was collected in full.  

Subsys, a drug owned and manufactured by Insys Therapeutics, Inc., was a fentanyl-based, rapid-onset opioid approved to treat cancer patients suffering intense breakthrough pain.  From May 2012 to December 2015, the defendants conspired to bribe practitioners, many of whom operated pain clinics, in order to induce them to prescribe Subsys to patients, often when medically unnecessary. The defendants used pharmacy data to identify practitioners who either prescribed unusually high volumes of rapid-onset opioids, or had demonstrated a capacity to do so, and bribed and provided kickbacks to the practitioners to increase the number of new Subsys prescriptions as well as to increase the dosage and number of units of Subsys. The defendants measured the success by comparing the net revenue earned from targeted practitioners with the total value of bribes and kickbacks paid. The defendants used this information to reduce or eliminate bribes paid to practitioners who failed to meet satisfactory prescribing requirements.

The defendants also conspired to mislead and defraud health insurance providers who were reluctant to approve payment for the expensive drug when it was prescribed for patients without cancer. Medicare would not approve payment for the drug unless the patient was being treated for breakthrough cancer pain.

The Asset Recovery Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office oversaw restitution enforcement, which was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Amrhein and Raquelle L. Kaye. 

BOSTON – Seven Massachusetts men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to kidnap and torture a victim in February 2025.

The following defendants have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one count of obstruction of justice by tampering with a witness, victim, or informant by physical force or threat. Two additional unnamed defendants were also charged.

1. Brian Cardoso, a/k/a “B,” 33, of Dorchester;
2. Marcus Castaldi, a/k/a “Skino,” 29, of Revere;
3. Melvin Coleman, a/k/a “Mel,” 34, of Roxbury;
4. Anthony Lima, a/k/a “YT,” 37, of Quincy; and
5. Samuel Alouidor, 27, of Dorchester.

On April 22, 2025, Cardoso was charged by criminal complaint in connection with the alleged offenses.

According to charging documents, Cardoso has been identified as a member/associate of NOB, a Dorchester-based street gang. NOB – an abbreviation for the Norton/Olney/Barry streets in Dorchester – is alleged to be a violent criminal enterprise whose members and associates are involved in numerous types of criminal activities, including murder, drug trafficking, sex trafficking, robberies, firearm offenses and other violent crimes.

It is alleged that, on Feb. 27, 2025, the kidnappers, with masks concealing their faces, assaulted the victim outside his home in Quincy and forced the victim at gunpoint into the passenger seat of the victim’s vehicle. The masked kidnappers allegedly drove the victim to a garage in Saugus where they demanded ransom from the victim, held the victim at gunpoint, threatened to kill the victim and beat, burned and assaulted the victim.

The kidnappers allegedly used the victim’s cell phone to videocall the victim’s contacts, including the victim’s spouse, to demand ransom. It is alleged that during these videocalls, the kidnappers displayed their torture of the victim. Some of the defendants allegedly picked up ransom from the victim’s spouse and an acquaintance of the victim.

The kidnappers allegedly obtained approximately $4,000 in cash from the victim as well as the victim’s credit and debit cards, and a total of $18,000 in cash and a Rolex watch from the victim’s spouse and an acquaintance of the victim whom the kidnappers had video called. The kidnappers then allegedly drove the victim back to Quincy and released the victim in the early morning hours of Feb. 28, 2025.

“The conduct alleged in this case is nothing short of barbaric. These defendants allegedly inflicted unimaginable suffering, not only on the victim but on his loved ones. Such lawless depravity is an affront to every value we stand for and it will not be tolerated in our communities,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Today’s arrests make clear that the law – not violence and intimidation – will have the final word, and those who commit such savage crimes will face the full weight of the federal justice system.”

“Today’s arrests by FBI Boston’s Violent Crimes Task Force ensures the men behind these alleged heinous acts of violence are brought to justice for what they’ve done and prevents them from terrorizing anyone else. What they’re accused of doing is nothing short of a terrifying nightmare brought to life; forcing a victim into their car at gunpoint and driving to a garage where the victim was beaten, burned, tortured, and used as a human bargaining chip for ransom,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Our goal is to provide some measure of justice for the victim in this case, and work with our partners to eradicate the drivers of violent crime in our communities.”

The charge of conspiracy to commit kidnapping provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of obstruction of justice by tampering with a witness, victim, or informant by physical force or threat provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; and the Quincy, Boston, Central Falls (R.I.), Everett, Wellesley, Braintree, Revere, Somerville, Malden and Dedham Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

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

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A New Bedford man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly possessing a firearm and ammunition on the grounds of the Charles G. Taylor Elementary School in Foxborough.

Jameel Clark-White, 32, was indicted on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and one count of possessing a firearm in a school zone. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the indictment, Clark-White allegedly possessed a .45 caliber Glock 41 pistol and 49 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition within 1,000 feet of the Charles G. Taylor Elementary School on June 12, 2025. The indictment also alleges that Clark-White was previously convicted of a felony.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possessing a firearm in a school zone provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $100,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Foxborough Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cutshall of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

BOSTON – Two Lawrence men were charged yesterday in connection with an investigation targeting a drug manufacturing ring. Over 18 kilograms of suspected controlled substances and a pill press were recovered during searches.

Jose Vasquez Lantigua, 47, and Manuel Santana-Soto, 35, both of Lawrence, Mass., were each charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute and manufacture controlled substances, and one count of manufacture and possession of controlled substances with intent to manufacture and distribute. Lantigua and Santana-Soto were both arrested and charged in state court on Aug. 28, 2025, along with a third alleged co-conspirator, Joshua Morales. Morales was charged with federal drug offenses in connection with this case on Aug. 29, 2025 and remains in federal custody. Lantigua and Santana-Soto remain in state custody and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, Morales was observed entering and leaving a known drug distribution and manufacturing location inside a third-floor apartment in Methuen. It is alleged that Morales then drove to a location in Lawrence, where he was detained. During a search of Morales’ vehicle, 10,000 counterfeit Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl were allegedly recovered.

During a search of the residence in Methuen, fresh footprints in powders believed to be controlled substances were observed upon entry into the premises. Those footprints led down an interior staircase to the second-floor apartment, where Lantigua and Santana-Soto were allegedly encountered. Lantigua and Santana-Soto were allegedly observed to be wearing flip flops with soles that matched the powdered footprints. According to the charging documents, Lantigua and Santana-Soto are believed to had fled the third-floor unit and broken into the second-floor unit of another tenant before officers made entry.

During the search of the third-floor apartment, an automated pill press was allegedly located, along with multiple kilograms of counterfeit Adderall and Percocet pills believed to contain fentanyl and methamphetamine. Numerous implements used in the pill manufacturing process, including cutting agents, blenders, scales, bowls and bags full of suspected fentanyl and methamphetamine powders and binding agents were also located.

The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute or manufacture, provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of manufacturing and possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute or manufacture provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Methuen Police Chief Scott J. McNamara made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Essex and Middlesex County District Attorney’s Offices; the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; and the Lynn, Medford and Peabody Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A former Master Sergeant of the 102 Security Forces of the Massachusetts National Guard stationed in Sandwich, Mass. pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to possession and distribution of child pornography.  

Nicholas Wells, 44, pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 6, 2026. In September 2024, Wells was indicted by a federal grand jury.

Wells engaged in chats on a messaging application, in which he discussed his interest in minors and distributed videos depicting child pornography. Over 300 images and 100 videos depicting child pornography were located on his phone. It was also determined that Wells distributed over 70 videos depicting child pornography, some of which involved infants.  

The charge of possessing child pornography provides for a sentence up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine up to $250,000.  The charge of distributing child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and not more than 20 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Barnstable and Sandwich Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

BOSTON – An Ecuadorian national unlawfully residing in Lawrence was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. The defendant attempted to enter the U.S. six times and was arrested in Lawrence, Mass., in November 2021 on state charges of assault and battery for which he received a suspended sentence and was released from state custody without notice to immigration authorities.

Carlos Guaico-Bano, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to six months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Guaico-Bano pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Rios-Nolasco was arrested in May 2025.

On Feb. 4, 2020, Feb. 10, 2020, Feb. 19, 2020 and March 3, 2020, Guaico-Bano was encountered by Border Patrol in Brackettville, Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. In each of these four instances, it was determined that Guaico-Bano had no lawful right to be present in the United States and returned him to the Mexican side of the border.

During his March 3, 2020, encounter with Border Patrol, Guaico-Bano was served with a Notice to Appear at removal proceedings on March 10, 2020. However, instead of appearing for removal proceedings as directed, Guaico-Bano attempted to enter the U.S. without permission for a fifth time. Guaico-Bano was immediately placed into custody and processed for removal back to Ecuador. He was ordered removed from the United States the same day.

In September 2020, Guaico-Bano was caught attempting to illegally enter the United States for a sixth time and was removed back to Ecuador.

On Nov. 23, 2021, immigration authorities became aware that Guaico-Bano had illegally reentered the United States following his arrest on Nov. 17, 2021, in Lawrence, for assault and battery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was later convicted of these charges and received an 18-month suspended sentence. However, Guaico-Bano was released from custody before immigration authorities could take action.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lawrence was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
        
Melvin Villar, 61, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Denise J. Casper to 10 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Villar pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Villar was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2025.

Villar was arrested by immigration authorities on Feb. 2, 2025, following his release from state custody on narcotics trafficking charges. In 2004, 2009, 2019 and 2021, Villar was previously removed following criminal convictions for immigration, drug and firearm offenses – including two prior convictions for unlawful reentry.  

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Grady of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – A Brockton man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possessing multiple kilograms of narcotics intended for distribution as well as a firearm equipped with a machinegun conversion device.

Zairi Andrade, a/k/a “Z-Money,” 19, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy to eight years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In June 2025, Andrade pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, fentanyl analogue and cocaine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On Dec. 3, 2024, Andrade’s residence was one of four locations searched pursuant to an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in Brockton. It was determined that Andrade’s bedroom was being used as a stash location for a drug trafficking organization. In Andrade’s bedroom, over two kilograms of fentanyl and nearly two kilograms of cocaine, as well as a 9-millimeter Glock 17 handgun equipped with an apparent machinegun conversion device, laser sight and an extended magazine were located. A 50-round drum-style magazine, a second extended magazine, numerous rounds of ammunition, and various items associated with the mixing and packaging of narcotics were also located.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Brockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cutshall of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Haverhill man was indicted for receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

John Giarrusso, 49, a former Seabrook, N.H., police officer, was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography. In August 2025, Giarrusso was arrested and charged by criminal complaint. He will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging documents, on or about Oct. 16, 2024 through Oct. 17, 2024 Giarrusso knowingly received video files that depict CSAM on Kik. The children in these videos appeared to be between approximately five to 11 years old.

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Haverhill Police Department and Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

BOSTON – An Everett man pleaded guilty on Sept. 10, 2025 in federal court in Boston to possessing, distributing and receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The defendant committed these offenses within months of being released from federal prison.

Robert Sokolowski, 52, pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of child pornography; distribution of child pornography; and receipt of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor scheduled sentencing for Dec. 17, 2025.  

In September 2024, Sokolowski lost his cell phone on an MBTA Green Line trolley.  After the phone was turned in, an employee attempting to identify the owner of the lost phone discovered images of CSAM on the phone. The phone was found to contain hundreds of images and videos depicting CSAM, depicting children as young as toddlers.

This case is Sokolowski’s third federal conviction for CSAM offenses. In 2005, Sokolowski was convicted in U.S. District Court for possession of CSAM and was sentenced to 46 months in prison. In 2015, Sokolowski was convicted a second time in U.S. District Court for possession of CSAM and sentenced to 150 months in prison. He committed the offenses in this case seven months after being released from prison for the 2015 offense.  

Due to Sokolowski’s prior convictions, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of receipt and distribution of child pornography provide for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Special assistance was provided by the MBTA Transit Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican man, unlawfully residing in Boston, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Danny Miguel Tejada Hernandez, 29, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 37 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In June 2025, Tejada Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Tejada Hernandez was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025.

On an unknown date, at an unknown place, Tejada Hernandez entered the United States unlawfully. On March 9, 2020, in Chelsea District Court, Tejada Hernandez was convicted of one count of possession to distribute a Class A controlled substance, two counts of possession to distribute a Class B controlled substance and one count of distributing/dispensing a Class B controlled substance. Tejada Hernandez was deported in August 2021.

Sometime after his August 2021 removal, Tejada Hernandez unlawfully reentered the United States. On Feb. 1, 2024, in Suffolk County Superior Court, Tejada Hernandez was convicted of possession to distribute Class A controlled substance and one count to distribute/dispense of a Class A controlled substance. He is currently serving a three-year state prison sentence on those charges.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Soto of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted case.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for resisting multiple federal officers during an immigration arrest.

Cesar Pena Pimental, 29, was charged with one count of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers engaged in the performance of official duties.

According to the indictment, on June 6, 2025, Pena Pimental forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, or interfered with federal officers while the agents were engaged the performance of their official duties.  

The charge of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers engaged in the performance of official duties provides for a sentence of up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The defendant will be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra W. Amrhein of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for resisting federal officers during an immigration arrest.

Eddy Rafael Matos-Lara, 35, was charged with one count of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers engaged in the performance of official duties.

According to the indictment, on June 16, 2025, Matos-Lara forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, or interfered with federal officers while the agents were engaged the performance of their official duties.

The charge of forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with federal officers engaged in the performance of official duties provides for a sentence of up to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $584,741 in cryptocurrency alleged to be the property of Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, a/k/a Mohammad Abedini (Abedini), 39, of Tehran, Iran and/or his company San’at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak Co. (SDRA). The government seized USDT (Tether) from an un-hosted cryptocurrency wallet alleged to be controlled by Abedini. USDT (Tether) is a stablecoin, meaning its value is tied to the U.S. dollar.

Abedini was detained by Italian authorities on Dec. 16, 2024 but was later released in January 2025. He is believed to be in Iran.

According to court documents, Abedini is the founder and managing director of SDRA, an Iranian company that manufactures navigation modules used in the IRGC’s military drone program. SDRA’s main business is the sale of a proprietary navigation system—known as the Sepehr Navigation System—to the IRGC, which the United States designated as an FTO on April 15, 2019. The primary application of SDRA’s Sepehr Navigation System is for use in UAVs, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.

In December 2024, Abedini was charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the IRGC, specifically, the IRGC Aerospace Force, which is the strategic missile, air and space force within the IRGC. Since at least in or about 2014, SDRA has had multiple projects with the IRGC Aerospace Force, including projects for guided rockets and integrated navigation systems. As alleged, between 2021 and 2022, approximately 99% of SDRA’s sales of the Sepehr Navigation System, which are used in IRGC one-way attack drones, were to the IRGC’s Aerospace Force.

In January 2024, three U.S. service members were killed, and more than 40 others were injured, in a drone attack by IRGC-backed militants on a military base located in northern Jordan, known as Tower 22. According to court documents, analysis of the drone that was recovered from the site of the attack showed that the drone was an Iranian Shahed UAV and that the navigation system used in the drone was the Sepehr Navigation System, which was manufactured by SDRA.  

U.S. law authorizes the forfeiture of all assets of individuals or entities engaged in planning or perpetrating a federal crime of terrorism against the United States, citizens or residents of the United States, or their property and all assets, foreign or domestic, affording any person a source of influence over any such entity. U.S. law further authorizes the forfeiture of all assets acquired or maintained by any person with the intent and for the purpose of supporting, planning, conducting, or concealing any federal crime of terrorism against the United States, citizens or residents of the United States, or their property.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol E. Head, Chief of the District of Massachusetts’ Asset Recovery Unit is prosecuting the civil forfeiture action. Assistant United States Jared Dolan, Alathea Porter and Christopher Looney of the District of Massachusetts’ Criminal Division; Trial Attorney Christina Clark of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; and Trial Attorneys Jessica Joyce and John Cella of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the criminal case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing assistance.

The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint and criminal charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A former pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital pleaded guilty today to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Christopher Sheerer, 37, of Boston, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of child pornography; one count of possession of child pornography; and one count of sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Dec. 18, 2025. Sheerer was arrested and charged in July 2024 and has remained in federal custody since.

Sheerer was a fellow in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and previously a fellow in pediatric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.

In May 2024, an investigation began into a user of an online, encrypted chat application who belonged to a group described as a place for “dads, uncles, and babysitters” to chat, share live material and meet up. The group required prospective members to verify their status as a male guardian or family member by uploading a nude photo of a child under 13 years old, next to a handwritten sign bearing the group’s name. The target user was subsequently identified as Sheerer, with an IP address tracing to Johns Hopkins University. Sheerer uploaded imagery of a child known to him to gain admission to that group.

Following a search of Sheerer’s residence in Boston the night of his arrest, multiple chats were discovered on Sheerer’s phone, several of which contained pictures and videos appearing to be CSAM involving children as young as infants. A number of devices, including his phone, a tablet and computers were seized for further forensic analysis. Forensic analysis showed that Sheerer was involved in dozens of chats with users of the encrypted application, several of which included the exchange of CSAM. Several pornographic images of the child known to Sheerer which appeared to have been created in 2023 were also located.

The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Districts of Maryland and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Homeland Security Investigations in Baltimore and Harrisburg; and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Soto and Anne Paruti of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. 

BOSTON – An East Weymouth woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to fraudulently obtaining Social Security benefits.

Debora A. Siler, 68, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Dec. 15, 2025. Siler was charged in August 2025.

Siler fraudulently obtained approximately $61,685.13 in Social Security benefits from June 2015 through September 2020. Siler had access to the checkbook and debit card of a Social Security beneficiary who died in May 2015. Instead of reporting the beneficiary’s death to the Social Security Administration or the bank where the benefits were deposited, Siler accessed the improperly paid benefits by forging the deceased beneficiary’s name on several checks and regularly depleting the account funds through debit card transactions.

The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lawrence, Mass. was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Santo Beato Aybar-Aybar, 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to time served (five months). The defendant is now subject to deportation proceedings. In June 2025, Aybar-Aybar pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Aybar-Aybar was indicted in April 2025.

Aybar-Aybar was previously deported from the United States three times, the last time on or about Sept. 21, 2021. Sometime after his September 2021 removal, Aybar-Aybar again illegally reentered the United States without permission. Aybar-Aybar has been convicted of numerous crimes while residing in the country unlawfully, including a 2013 New Hampshire conviction for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, and a 2021 Massachusetts conviction for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. He was located by immigration authorities during a law enforcement operation in Lawrence, Mass.  

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric L. Hawkins of the Major Crime Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to their roles in a conspiracy involving the distribution and manufacturing of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other controlled substances.

Elmidio Crisostomo, 30, of Lynnfield and David Depena, 32, of Lynn, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencings for Dec. 10, 2025. In November 2023, both men were indicted by federal grand jury.  

Crisostomo and Depena used an apartment in Lynn to manufacture counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other controlled substances. The defendants then distributed thousands of these pills to customers in towns including Malden and Revere. During a search of the Lynn apartment in June 2023, a large hand-crank-style press used for manufacturing pills as well as multiple kilograms of pills and powder containing fentanyl and other controlled substances were recovered.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn Police Department and the Revere Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Honduran national, unlawfully residing in Lynn, Mass., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. This is the defendants third conviction for illegal reentry.

Douglas Mejia-Romero, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun to seven months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In May 2025, Mejia-Romero pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

Mejia-Romero was previously deported on May 15, 2020, and sometime after this removal, Mejia-Romero unlawfully reentered the United States. Additionally, between 2008 and 2020, Mejia-Romero was removed from the United States on five separate occasions. After each removal, he unlawfully reentered the United States.

This is Mejia-Romero’s third illegal reentry conviction. In May 2015, he was convicted in the District of New Hampshire and received a nine-month prison sentence followed by two years of supervised release. Thereafter, in April 2020, he was again convicted of illegal reentry, this time in federal court in Texas, and received a six-month prison sentence.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to submitting fraudulent information in an effort to obtain unemployment benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

Nelson Roche Diaz, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy and one count of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2026. In January 2025, Roche Diaz was indicted along with co-conspirator Dominik Manigo.

In May 2020, Roche and Manigo submitted fraudulent claims for PUA on the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance portal. Further, Roche and Manigo submitted fraudulent letters claiming the pandemic had impacted their employment at a restaurant in Boston. Neither Roche nor Manigo ever worked at the restaurant. Roche and Manigo each received over $43,000 in PUA and related funds.

Manigo pleaded guilty in July 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 18, 2025.

The charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud, Northeast Region; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Weymouth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud.  The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts.  For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus and https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/combatingfraud.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline via the https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/webform/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

BOSTON – A Bloods gang member from Lynn, Mass., was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for possessing a loaded machinegun that was recovered from his backpack in January 2025 during a motor vehicle stop.

Delvyn Liriano, 19, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to four years in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. In May 2025, Liriano pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Liriano was indicted on March 5, 2025.

According to court records, Liriano is a known member of the Bloods gang. In late December 2024, Liriano traveled into rival gang territory in order to confront rival gang members with a firearm. At the time, Liriano was on state probation for a 2023 felony firearm conviction in Lynn, in which he pointed a firearm in the face of a former girlfriend and threatened to kill her based upon his belief that she had associated with a rival gang member.

On Jan. 3, 2025, Liriano was observed entering a motor vehicle at his residence in Everett carrying a black backpack. Following a motor vehicle stop for a revoked registration due to lack of insurance, the black backpack carried by Liriano was found to contain a loaded Glock Model 27 firearm with a selector switch (also known as a machinegun conversion device) attached. Liriano was then placed under arrest. Based upon the presence of the selector switch, the firearm was capable of firing fully automatic and was therefore a machinegun. A subsequent search of Liriano’s cellular phones revealed pictures of him in possession of other firearms.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office; and the Lynn, Malden and Everett Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – A Rhode Island man pleaded guilty on Sept. 3, 2025 in federal court in Boston to drug possession and distribution charges.

Star Sirikhom, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Nov. 19, 2025. The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022 along with five alleged co-conspirators.
 

In 2019, an investigation began into a Colombia-based money laundering organization that was laundering drug proceeds on behalf of multiple drug trafficking organizations. During surveillance of a residence identified as a possible drug stash location, multiple people were observed entering the location with weighted bags or boxes and exiting with large trash bags, weighted bags, and five-gallon buckets which were placed in vehicles before departing the residence.
 

In June 2021, Sirikhom was observed entering the stash house carrying a black backpack and exiting six minutes later with the same black backpack, which appeared to be weighted. During a subsequent traffic stop of Sirikhom’s vehicle, the backpack was seized from his trunk and found to contain over six kilograms of orange pills containing methamphetamine.  

The charges of to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine each provide for a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian J. Sullivan of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.  

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

BOSTON – A Rehoboth man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to falsify records by giving passing scores to four Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants who did not take the CDL skills test as required by federal law. The defendant was also sentenced for lying to a federal grand jury.

Scott Camara, 44, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one month in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. In April 2025, Camara pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records and one count of perjury. In January 2024, Camara was charged in a 74-count indictment along with five others in the conspiracy and related schemes.

According to court documents, members of the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) CDL Unit were responsible for administering CDL skills tests. Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The CDL skills test is a demanding, in-person test that consists of three segments: Vehicle Inspection, in which an applicant is tested on their knowledge of the vehicle; Basic Control Skills, in which an applicant is tested on their ability to perform certain maneuvers; and the Road Test, in which an applicant is tested on their ability to drive a commercial vehicle on an open roadway.

In October 2021, Camara conspired with then-MSP Sergeant Gary Cederquist to give passing scores to four MSP troopers who had applied for Class A CDLs, but who did not actually take the required CDL skills test.

The test takers were given preferential treatment by Cederquist, who falsely reported that each trooper took and passed a Class A skills test. In reality Camara drove around the testing site with each of the four troopers in a truck cab which did not qualify as a Class A vehicle because it did not have an attached trailer, and neither Cederquist nor any other member of the CDL Unit administered a skills test to the troopers. Camara filled out portions of each trooper’s Road Test Application with false information, including the make, model and registration for an absent trailer, as well as the “Sponsor Information” section, in which Camara falsely claimed to be the sponsor for each of the troopers.

Camara was also sentenced for making false statements to a federal grand jury in May 2023. Testifying under oath before the grand jury, Camara falsely claimed that he had neither filled out the vehicle and sponsor information sections of three of the troopers’ CDL Road Test Applications, nor signed the forms.

All CDL recipients identified as not qualified during this investigation have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.  

In August 2025, former Trooper Calvin Butner, a co-defendant, was sentenced to three months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release with the first three months in home confinement. In August 2025, Former Trooper Perry Mendes, also a co-defendant, was sentenced to one month in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release with the first two months on home confinement. In September 2025, civilian co-defendant Eric Mathison was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In May 2025, Gary Cederquist was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, one count of extortion, six counts of honest services mail fraud, three counts of conspiracy to falsify records, 19 counts of falsification of records and 17 counts of false statements. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29, 2025.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Wichers and Adam W. Deitch of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lawrence pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to drug distribution charges.

Hector Santana Guzman, a/k/a “DJ Black,” 34, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. United States District Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Dec. 10, 2025.  

During an investigation of the transnational criminal organization 18th Street Gang, Santana Guzman met with a cooperating witness on two dates in June 2024 to sell fentanyl. On June 6, 2024, Santana Guzman sold approximately 50 grams of powder fentanyl to a cooperating witness. Later, on June 25, 2024, Santana Guzman again sold approximately 70 grams of powder fentanyl.

The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; Suffolk County and Middlesex County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Falmouth, Lynn, Medford, Nantucket and Revere Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred Wyshak of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national, who previously unlawfully resided in Lawrence under a false name, has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to conspiring to possess and distribute controlled substances.  

Eduardo Morales-Perez, a/k/a “Yenni Rafael Guerrero Aybar,” 41, pleaded guilty on Sept. 2, 2025 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Oct. 8, 2025.  

In March 2018, law enforcement arranged an undercover cash pickup as part of a money laundering investigation. An individual arrived at the pre-arranged meeting location for the controlled purchase and provided $275,090 in cash to undercover law enforcement. That individual was driving a white Volvo registered to Morales-Perez’s girlfriend.

Following the transaction, the white Volvo was observed at a property in Peabody. In May 2018, during surveillance of the Peabody location, Morales-Perez was observed exiting a truck with a can of acetone – a chemical commonly used in the illicit manufacturing process of fentanyl analogues – and carrying it into the Peabody residence. A subsequent search of the Peabody property in May 2018 resulted in the recovery of one kilogram pill press; drug distribution paraphernalia; over 2.8 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues; over five kilograms of ANPP (a controlled substance that is frequently used in the manufacturing process of fentanyl); and $130,000 in cash that was packaged like the cash provided in the March controlled purchase. The drugs and cash were located in a hidden compartment above a light fixture.

The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
        
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Medford, Peabody and Ipswich Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren A. Graber and Brian J. Sullivan of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Northampton, Mass. man pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield yesterday to firearm and narcotics offenses. The defendant was previously convicted in federal court of possessing a loaded ghost gun and ammunition.

Gabriel Lebron, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of felon in possession of firearm and ammunition and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and heroin. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Jan. 15, 2025.

On April 9, 2025, law enforcement Hadley responded to a 911 call about a man in the Howard Johnson hotel lobby brandishing a firearm where Lebron was found in possession of a Jimenez Arms, Model JA 25, .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with five rounds of .25 caliber ammunition, including one in the chamber, 10 “snap caps” of crack cocaine and two bundles of heroin. He was immediately taken into custody. At the time of his offense, Lebron was on federal supervised release for a Vermont firearms conviction for possessing a loaded ghost gun with a laser sight and multiple rounds of ammunition, for which he was sentenced to 27 months in prison and three years of supervised release in 2023.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of three years and up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of $1,000,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Feld Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance provided by the Hadley Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.