District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – Charges were unsealed today against 30 defendants in connection with a large-scale, decade-long insider trading scheme that netted tens of millions of dollars in illicit profits. The defendants, who include corporate attorneys and other financial professionals, are alleged to have stolen and used confidential information on nearly 30 merger and acquisition deals from several of the nation’s premier law firms, including a firm headquartered in Massachusetts.

Nineteen defendants were arrested today and will make appearances in federal court in Los Angeles, Calif., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and New York, among other locations. Two defendants located in Russia and Israel are considered fugitives.

The first indictment charges the following 16 defendants with two counts of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, two counts of securities fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy:

1. Pedram Fejal, 39, of Brooklyn, New York;
2. Brian Fensterszaub, 45, of Hollywood, Fla.;
3. Mark Fensterszaub, 47, of Hollywood, Fla.;
4. Simon Fensterszaub, 50, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.;
5. Ilya Gavrilov, 56, of Russia;
6. Baruch Igal Hatanian, 39, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.;
7. Yisroel Horowitz, 50, of Hollywood, Fla.;
8. God Izraelov, 46, of Israel;
9. David Moradi, 35, of Brooklyn, New York;
10. Nicolo Nourafchan, 43, of Los Angeles, Calif.;
11. David Ostrov, 49, of Clifton, New Jersey;
12. Yechiel Salzberg, 51, of Far Rockaway, New York;
13. Abe Shilian, 35, of Brooklyn, New York;
14. Gavryel Silverstein, 43, of Hollywood, Fla.;
15. Joseph Suskind, 39, of Sunny Isles, Fla.; and
16. Robert Yadgarov, 45, of Long Beach, New York.

That indictment also charges Nicolo Nourafchan with two counts of obstruction of justice, and Mark Fensterszaub, Moradi and Suskind with making false statements to law enforcement.

A second indictment charges five defendants with two counts of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, two counts of securities fraud and one count of money laundering conspiracy:

1. Lorenzo Nourafchan, 38, of Los Angeles, Calif.;
2. Nowel Milik, 52, of Brea, Calif.;
3. Nicholas Rudela, 30, of Covina, Calif.;
4. David Makary, 35, of Covina, Calif.; and
5. Stjepan Vinski, 30, of Glendora, Calif.

Milik and Vinski are also charged with obstruction of justice. Makary is also charged with making false declarations before a grand jury, and Milik, Rudela and Vinski are charged with making false statements to law enforcement.

Charges against nine other defendants for securities fraud conspiracy were also unsealed today. The government’s investigation is ongoing.

“Our country’s financial markets and professional firms should be free from the rampant fraud and breaches of duty that these charges allege,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “The trading on unannounced financial news alleged here not only violated the securities laws, but it also took advantage of the special access and ethical duties that come with a law license. If the American people believe that trading is only for the connected, they will keep their investment and retirement savings out of the markets, which will hurt our economy. Today’s charges, the result of a years-long investigation with our law enforcement partners, are part of my office’s ongoing efforts to ensure a level playing field for all investors.” 

“With today's arrests, the FBI has dismantled a large-scale, decade-long, international organized criminal network of corporate attorneys and financial professionals who are accused of stealing and trading on material, non-public information from several of our nation’s leading law firms, including one right here in Massachusetts. Everyone charged today is accused of scoring significant profits from expected market moves and making out like bandits. That’s not merely gaming the system – it’s a federal crime,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “Anyone who engages in insider trading fundamentally undermines the trust necessary for our financial markets to function, and the FBI is committed to ensuring that those markets are a level playing field, not just profiting those with friends in the know.”

As alleged in the charging documents, Nicolo Nourafchan, who was a licensed corporate attorney at several large law firms, and others, accessed their law firms’ internal computer networks to view confidential documents relating to pending acquisitions, including confidential transactions on which Nourafchan did not work, and then provided the material non-public information (MNPI) to others in exchange for kickbacks. Nicolo Nourafchan and his partner, Robert Yadgarov, another New York attorney, allegedly recruited other attorneys and insiders to serve as sources of inside information. In exchange for the MNPI, Nourafchan and Yadgarov allegedly paid their sources kickbacks consisting of up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.

Nourafchan and Yadgarov also allegedly provided the MNPI to a network of traders and middlemen whom they also enlisted to join the scheme. The middlemen, including Gavryel Silverstein and Lorenzo Nourafchan, allegedly provided the MNPI to other traders and tippees as a way of attempting to obscure the connections between sources and traders. Meanwhile, the traders allegedly executed trades while in possession of MNPI, either on Nourafchan and Yadgarov’s behalf or on their own behalf, in exchange for their agreement to kickback illicit trading proceeds to Nourafchan, Yadgarov, and others. Many traders allegedly passed the MNPI onto other traders, again in exchange for their agreement to kick back illicit trading proceeds up the chain to the sources of the MNPI, including Nourafchan and Yadgarov.

In total, it is alleged that overseas traders (including Gavrilov and Izraelov) and traders located in California, Florida, New Jersey and New York, among other locations, traded while in possession of MNPI ahead of nearly 30 M&A deals involving public companies, including some of the largest M&A deals of the last decade, on national and foreign securities exchanges.

As alleged, the defendants and other co-conspirators sought to keep law enforcement from learning about the scheme by, among other means, using burner phones, encrypted applications, coded language, including about “flights,” and in-person meetups where conspirators turned off their electronic devices or put them elsewhere before communicating with each other.

For example, on or about June 7, 2022, Nicolo Nourafchan, while on a “leave of absence” from a law firm where he worked, allegedly viewed confidential materials on the law firm’s document management system regarding a potential acquisition of iRobot, which was a deal that he did not work on. Shortly thereafter, on or about June 16, 2022, Simon Fensterszaub allegedly purchased iRobot securities while in possession of MNPI. On or about June 16, 2022, and continuing through on or about July 8, 2022, Silverstein and Simon Fensterszaub allegedly exchanged the following coded messages before lapsing into an express discussion of the deal:

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            We cannot miss this boat!!

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            How’s the rabbi??

SILVERSTEIN:                      He’s stable

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            Is he still scheduled for surgery?

SILVERSTEIN:                      We are still waiting for the Dr to check if it’s still needed

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            Now I’m confused and worried at the same time

SILVERSTEIN:                      U shouldn’t be worried

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            Well have you gotten through to anyone at the hospital | Any chance you can find out today how the Rabbi is feeling | ?

SILVESTEIN:                         Unfortunately nothing

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            Dude that’s scary

SILVERSTEIN:                      Yeah

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            Should I tell ppl to pull out?

SILVERSTEIN:                      Stagnant. No movement on the situation

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            Find out if we should bail

. . .

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            So what should I advise ppl

SILVERSTEIN:                      Are they even

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            I could find out but based on the current price I would assume so

SILVERSTEIN:                      So pull. But we might go back at it shortly.

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            I have to remember to tell people tomorrow | Had the deal died? Or can we still be hopeful? Any way to find out

SILVERSTEIN:                      Still be hopeful. I will speak with him today

S. FENSTERSZAUB:            I can’t tell you how badly I need this

Defendants and other co-conspirators also allegedly traded in brokerage accounts in the names of shell companies and other corporate entities, enlisted others to trade on behalf of co-conspirators, traded in others’ brokerage accounts, and traded in foreign brokerage accounts, all to try to evade the detection of U.S. securities regulators and law enforcement. Conspirators allegedly transferred proceeds and kickback payments in cash and through intermediaries and shell companies, in locations like Panama and Switzerland. At times, such payments were allegedly disguised as purported “loans” or business transactions. 

The charge of conspiracy to commit Title 18 securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit Title 15 securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of Title 18 securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of Title 15 securities fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $5 million. The charge of money laundering conspiracy 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 transactions, whichever is greater. The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of obstruction of justice provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, as well as three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making a false declaration before a grand jury provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, as well as 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.

U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission provided valuable assistance in this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and Ian J. Stearns of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.

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 Dominican national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Mass. has been arrested and charged with healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Manuel Antonio Baez, 52, was charged with one count of falsely representing a Social Security number, one count of making false statements relating to health care matters and one count of aggravated identity theft.

According to the charging documents, Baez allegedly used the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen, including the citizen’s social security number, to obtain government benefits. Specifically, Baez allegedly represented that he was a U.S. citizen when applying for healthcare benefits in Massachusetts and submitted a sworn affidavit falsely alleging the same. It alleged that Baez ultimately obtained over $80,000 in MassHealth benefits using the stolen identity. Baez also allegedly committed drug offenses in the name of the U.S. citizen, including a 2018 conviction for trafficking heroin and other offenses and a 2007 conviction for possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance.

The charge for falsely representing a Social Security number provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of making false statements relating to a health care program provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $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.  

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the  National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin T. Missett of the Health Care Fraud Unit 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 Foxborough man was charged today in federal court in Boston with impersonating a federal immigration officer.

Francisco Soares, 56, was charged with impersonating a federal officer on April 29, 2026 and arrested on April 30, 2026. Soares was subsequently released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on May 1, 2026.       

The criminal complaint alleges that Soares told various Brazilian nationals that he worked for U.S. Immigration and that for a price, he could provide the individuals assistance with obtaining U.S. citizenship. Soares, who has never worked for the U.S. government, allegedly took thousands of dollars from his victims.

In 2014, Soares was charged, and later convicted in 2015, with impersonating a federal officer, in the U.S. District Court in Boston and sentenced to three years of probation and 12 months of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 fine and $4,300 in restitution.

The charge of impersonating a federal officer or employee provides for a maximum sentence of three years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting 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 – A Brockton woman, who has been employed full-time as a Medical Technician with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs since August 2021, has been charged in federal court in Boston with wire fraud.

Denise Baez, 51, was charged on May 1, 2026 with two counts of wire fraud.

As alleged in the charging documents, Baez submitted two applications seeking Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans. In those applications, Baez made false claims regarding gross income purportedly earned from a sole proprietorship. To support these false claims, Baez allegedly attached fraudulent tax documents as part of the applications. The PPP loan applications were approved and Baez received $41,666. Baez allegedly used that money on personal expenses. However, in September 2021, Baez allegedly submitted loan forgiveness applications that falsely claimed the entire $41,666 was spent on payroll. Based on the misrepresentation the loans were forgiven.    

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 or twice the gain or loss, 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.  

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Algieri with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
 

BOSTON – A Leominster man was sentenced on May 1, 2026 in federal court in Worcester for embezzling from a labor union.   
   
Joe Scott, Jr., 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 42 months of probation, with six months of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $49,559. In January 2026, Scott pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union.

Scott was the Treasurer of the International Union of Electrical Workers, Communication Workers of America, Local 81154 (“IUE-CWA Local 81154”), a labor union chapter based in Gardner, Mass., that represents union members from various employers in Massachusetts. Scott used his position as Treasurer to embezzle approximately $49,559 from IUE-CWA Local 81154, by making debit card expenditures, withdrawing funds and issuing checks, from union bank accounts, all for Scott’s personal benefit. Scott used the money to pay for, among other things, storage costs, home internet and cell phone services, electrical and gas services, home improvement tools, dumpster rental and personal expense while on vacation.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jonathan Russo, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.   
 

BOSTON – A Roxbury man was sentenced on May 1, 2026 in federal court in Boston for surreptitiously providing an individual with the answers to exam questions for a Commercial Learners’ Permit. In the state of Massachusetts, you must have a CLP before obtaining a commercial driver’s license.

Frank Castro, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to time served (approximately 23 months in prison). In January 2025, Castro was convicted of unlawful production of an identification document. Castro was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024.

On or about Oct. 18, 2021, Castro told an undercover agent that he could help him obtain a CLP in Massachusetts for $3,000. On or about Dec. 10, 2021, Castro explained to the undercover agent that the agent would need to sneak a Bluetooth device into the testing area at a Massachusetts RMV, surreptitiously place the device into his ear, then cover it with headphones used during the exam. Castro said that he would be connected with the undercover agent via the Bluetooth device such that he could hear the audio questions and provide the undercover agent with the correct answers.

On or about Dec. 22, 2021, the undercover agent deposited $3,000 into Castro’s bank account before proceeding to the Danvers RMV to take the CLP exam. The undercover agent connected with Castro using the Bluetooth device, and Castro provided the exam answers to the undercover agent in real time during the exam. The undercover agent passed the exam with Castro’s unlawful assistance and received a Massachusetts CLP.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and David G. Tobin of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Brazilian national, unlawfully residing in Milford, Mass., has been charged for allegedly dealing firearms without a license. Specifically, the defendant allegedly sold firearms, including a ghost gun to a confidential informant.

Caua Da Silva, 21, was charged in federal court in Worcester with one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license.

According to the charging documents, beginning in July of 2025, an investigation began into Da Silva as a potential source of illegal firearms sales in Massachusetts. As part of the investigation, it was determined that Da Silva is not lawfully present in the United States. Between November of 2025 and April 21, 2026, Da Silva sold firearms to a confidential informant on several different occasions. One of the firearms that Da Silva sold was a privately manufactured firearm, or a “ghost gun.”

The charge of unlicensed dealing in firearms provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $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 Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Massachusetts State Police, the Milford Police Department, Worcester Police Department, Marlborough Police Department and the Hudson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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 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 – Two Massachusetts men pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to their roles in a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Victor Kolawole, 26, of Brockton and Keith Wainaina, 24, of Lowell, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Julie E. Kobick scheduled sentencings for July 23, 2026 and Sept. 9, 2026, respectively. In July 2025, Wainaina and Kolawole were arrested along with four others.

Beginning no later than December 2022, Kolawole and Wainaina conspired with Phalentz Vernot and others to defraud local banks. Specifically, Vernot obtained, without authorization, the names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and bank account numbers of customers of various local banks. Vernot and Wainaina then identified individuals to pose as these customers and procured fake identification documents with the victim customers’ names but the imposters’ photos. Vernot and Wainaina then drove the imposters to banks, where the imposters presented the fake identification documents and withdrew large sums from the victim customers’ accounts in the form of Cashier’s checks. Wainaina and Kolawole then deposited those checks into bank accounts they controlled and used the funds to purchase additional Cashier’s checks payable to Vernot. Vernot used some of the money to pay the individuals posing as bank customers as well as bank insiders who helped to facilitate their scheme, including by intentionally skipping customer verification protocols. Wainaina deposited, or attempted to deposit, more than $762,000 in Cashier’s checks drawn on victims’ accounts into bank accounts he controlled.  Kolawole deposited approximately $373,000 in Cashier’s checks drawn on victims’ accounts into bank accounts he controlled.  
    
Vernot pleaded guilty in December 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026.  

The charges of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud provide 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, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit 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 transactions, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to any sentence received on the other charges. 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 P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Connecticut State Police and the Gloucester (R.I.), Sutton, Concord (Mass.), Dracut, Westwood and Abington Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

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

 

BOSTON – A Gangster Disciple gang member from Peabody, Mass. was sentenced in federal court in Boston for making threats of physical violence to extort money from two victims.

Damien Willette, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 51 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2025, Willette pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make interstate communications with the intent to extort and making interstate communications with intent to extort. Willette was indicted in March 2025  along with co-conspirators William Walley and Michael O’Shea.

Willette, who was incarcerated with his alleged co-conspirators, threatened two individuals – a former Gangster Disciple who was recruited into the gang by Willette (Victim 2) and their romantic partner (Victim 1) – while serving state prison sentences.

Willette expected Victim 2 to provide him with financial assistance during his incarceration from November 2020 to May 2024, as well as to his fellow incarcerated gang members. Gangster Disciple gang members refer to this practice as “aid and assistance.” Willette told Victim 2 that he would be “blessed out” of the gang if he continued to provide “aid and assistance.” However, Victim 2 attempted to disassociate from the Gangster Disciples gang soon after his recruitment. When Victim 2 stopped providing assistance, Victim 1 continued on his behalf.

On or about March 2023, Willette and his alleged co-conspirators started threatening the victims with physical violence if they stopped providing money to them while they were incarcerated. For example, Willette warned the victims that if they failed to provide “aid and assistance,” Victim 2 would not be “blessed out” when Willette was released from state prison. Willette specified that he would have gang members pistol whip the victims that “it’s going to be bad for you and everyone you know” if they failed to provide “aid and assistance.”

Michael O’Shea was sentenced in January 2026 to 51 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.   

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 Department of Correction and the Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng 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 (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 remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

BOSTON – An East Boston man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possession of a machinegun. Three privately made firearms (ghost guns), four machine gun conversion devices, a 3D printer, five magazines and 31 privately made firearm receivers were allegedly found during a search on March 31, 2026.

Angel Negron, 47, was indicted on one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a machinegun. Negron was previously arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 2026. He remains detained pending a hearing scheduled for May 6, 2026.

According to the charging documents, between Jan. 14, 2026, and March 2, 2026, Negron ordered 29 firearm parts to his apartment via his eBay account. Additionally, on March 3, 2026, Negron allegedly submitted an online complaint to a firearm company, saying that a trigger he purchased from the company’s eBay store did not fire his firearm properly. In that communication, Negron allegedly included a photograph of a firearm with a 3D printed frame.

During a search of Negron’s apartment on March 31, 2026, three privately made firearms (ghost guns), four machine gun conversion devices, a 3D printer, five magazines and 31 privately made firearm receivers were seized:
 

In 2007, Negron was convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of possession of a firearm without a license and carrying a loaded firearm, for which he was sentenced to 30 months in the house of correction.

The charge of felon in possession of a firearm 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 of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 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; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson 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 – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts is hosting a virtual webinar on May 7, 2026 on how to keep children safe online. Topics will include social media, gaming, sextortion, extremist threats and the rise of generative artificial intelligence. The event will feature presentations from subject matter experts, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations; Homeland Security Investigations; and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. There will also be live Q&A with participants and resources for further education.

Registration is required for the event please find link below. The webinar will not be recorded:

Topic: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online

Date and time: Thursday, May 7, 2026 | 6:30 PM (EST)

Registration: https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r3e7ec6dd39529e1d1509dc763f5668f8

Members of the media who are interested in attending should contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office in advance at USAMA.Media@usdoj.gov. Media representatives are welcome to observe the event and report on the presentations and resources shared; however, out of respect for participants, media should not identify, approach, or interview attendees or quote questions posed by participants during the event.

If you are unable to attend the scheduled webinar but interested in attending other similar presentations in the future, please email USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov to be put on our mailing list.

Interested in promoting the event in your community? A media kit and additional resources can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/project-safe-childhood/project-safe-childhood-resources

BOSTON – A Hyde Park man has been arrested and charged for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).

Nicholas J. McDonagh, 25, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of child pornography. McDonagh was arrested on April 23, 2026 and remains in federal custody pending further order by the court.

According to the charging documents, in June 2025, investigators with the Delaware State Police identified McDonagh as the potential suspect behind sexually explicit messages, photos and videos that had been sent to a 12-year-old Delaware girl via Snapchat earlier that year. It is alleged that McDonagh had been communicating with this girl over Snapchat from approximately January to March 2025, and that the two had engaged in “nude video chats.”

During subsequent searches of McDonagh’s residence and person on Aug. 6, 2025, several cellphones were seized. It is alleged that the devices were found to contain approximately 24 video files depicting CSAM, including several videos depicting girls who appear to be younger than 12 years old. It is further alleged that one of the devices contained several Snapchat messages with the minor victim from Delaware. The defendant was arrested and charged by state authorities that same day, on Aug. 6, 2025, and later released on bail with pretrial conditions, including GPS monitoring, internet restrictions and refraining from any unsupervised contact with minors.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.   

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. 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 Boston Police Commissioner Michael A. Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Delaware State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potapchuk 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. Attorney’s 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 – A Michigan man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. to a scheme to defraud a Northampton construction company.

Jonathan McCormack, 41, of Lapeer, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Aug. 17, 2026. In May 2024, McCormack was indicted by a federal grand jury.

McCormack was employed as a project supervisor for BluRoc, LLC., a construction company based in Northampton, Mass. McCormack also owned and operated JDM Site Services, LLC (JDM), a Michigan-based company that rented heavy equipment to BluRoc.  McCormack used his positions at BluRoc and JDM to conduct a scheme to divert labor, equipment and material to conduct work and renovate a hunting lodge in Lake City, Mich.

Between April 2020 and August 2020, McCormack directed four of his BluRoc crew members, including his brother, to work at the hunting lodge while approving their time (as well as his own) into BluRoc’s computer tracking system as work on BluRoc projects, thereby ensuring that they were paid by BluRoc. This work included laying approximately 300 timber mats, hay and seed that McCormack took from a BluRoc worksite without payment.  Specifically, on April 4, 2020, McCormack falsely approved the time for himself, his brother and three crew members for BluRoc projects in Indiana when they were actually working for McCormack at the hunting lodge.

McCormack agreed to forfeit six snowmobiles and repay BluRoc $98,087.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to 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; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil Desroches and Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A Lynn man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for a years-long drug conspiracy and a January 2023 armed robbery of a drug distributor, during which the defendant and another individual stole approximately $24,000 in drug trafficking proceeds intended for the purchase of cocaine.

Harvey Rodriguez, a/k/a “Big Opp,” 29, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In January 2026, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). In August 2025, Rodriguez was arrested and charged.

Rodriguez was a participant in a multi-year drug conspiracy that took place in the Lynn area and on the North Shore of Massachusetts. As described in the court papers, Rodriguez conspired with numerous other distributors including those he supplied, and others who have been previously charged with federal drug offenses, including Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz”, Lawrence Michael Nagle, Jr. and Schuyler Oppenheimer, a/k/a “SK”. The drug conspiracy involved the manufacturing of counterfeit prescription pills and the sale of kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl in Lynn and throughout Massachusetts. Over the course of the investigation, Rodriguez distributed cocaine and methamphetamine to a cooperating witness and confidential informant on four occasions.

Rodriguez also participated in an armed robbery of a drug customer. On Jan. 30, 2023, a drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Rodriguez was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Rodriguez and Claudio Melo entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash, which was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Rodriguez and Melo then forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced yesterday for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

Gilbert Morin, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to six years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2025, Morin was indicted by a federal grand jury. Morin was arrested and charged in state court on May 30, 2025, and has remained in custody since.

On May 30, 2025, police responded to a report of a man with a firearm outside of downtown nightclub. Unable to locate the individual at the scene, officers drove a short distance away and observed a man who appeared to be concealing an item in his hand. When police attempted to stop the individual, later idented as Morin, he led police on a foot chase. Upon being apprehended, Morin was found to have possessed a stolen Taurus pistol loaded with ammunition. Morin previously was convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. 

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Feld Division; and Paul Saucier, Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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.

BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to conspiring to damage a building on Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) campus using a large commercial firework.

Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, Mass. and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 21, of Bourne, Mass., each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to damage, by means of an explosive. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencings for Aug. 4, 2026. In November 2025, the defendants were arrested and charged.

At approximately 2:23 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2025, surveillance cameras located at Huntington Avenue and Longwood Avenue in Boston captured two males – later identified as Patterson and Cardoza – walking toward the HMS campus wearing face coverings and dark clothing. Surveillance video captured the defendants lighting what appeared to be roman candle fireworks at approximately 2:24 a.m.

At approximately 2:33 a.m., the defendants were seen climbing over a chain-link fence into a construction area surrounding the Goldenson Building and, minutes later, climbing scaffolding beside the building to access the roof. At approximately 2:45 a.m., campus police received a fire alarm alert from an explosion on the fourth floor of the Goldenson Building, which houses a research laboratory within HMS’s Department of Neurobiology. It was determined that the defendants detonated a large, commercial firework inside a wooden locker in the fourth-floor research laboratory.

Subsequent security footage captured the defendants visiting the fifth floor of the building before exiting via a first-floor emergency exit and fleeing in opposite directions; removing and discarding clothing items they had worn on the HMS campus; and returning to the nearby campus of Wentworth Institute of Technology, which they were visiting for Halloween social activities.

The charge of conspiracy to damage, by means of fire or an explosive, provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, 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 and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A Lynn man with multiple prior criminal convictions pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.

Derrick J. Poe, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition before U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy who scheduled sentencing for Aug. 4, 2026. Poe was charged by criminal complaint in February 2026 and is in federal custody pending sentencing.

Between Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 18, 2025, Poe distributed crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement in three separate controlled purchases in Salem, Mass. Poe was arrested after the third controlled purchase. A subsequent search of Poe’s Lynn residence resulted in the recovery of suspected crack cocaine and other evidence of drug distribution as well as three firearms and ammunition. Two of the firearms were privately made polymer-80 pistols, bearing no serial numbers, which are commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” The third firearm was a Springfield Armory 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen from Columbus, Ohio:

Poe is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions, including in Alabama. These include a 2006 conviction for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and robbery as well as a 2012 conviction for receiving stolen property. Poe received concurrent 10-year and 20-year sentences for the 2006 drug and robbery offenses – sentences which were later suspended and he was ordered to serve four years in prison followed by four years of supervised probation. As for the 2012 receipt-of-stolen-property offense, Poe received a 69-month prison sentence that was suspended, with credit for time served, and was placed on probation for 60 months. In 2016, he was convicted in Massachusetts state court of possessing Class B drugs with intent to distribute.

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 up to $250,000. 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 Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn and Salem Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – The leader of a violent criminal enterprise that operated in Hampden County was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for directing the trafficking of large amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine throughout Western Massachusetts, as well as for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The defendant used violence and threats of violence to control his territory in Holyoke, including an attempted violent armed kidnapping.

Vicente Gonzalez, 45, of Springfield, Mass. was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 220 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. In July 2024, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. In October 2005, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

Gonzalez was arrested and charged along with four others in March 2022.

In early 2021, Gonzalez was identified as the leader of a violent criminal enterprise that operated in Hampden County. Gonzalez’s organization included at least 10 individuals, who served as lookouts, runners, managers, enforcers and manufacturers to support the daily sale of cocaine and crack cocaine in the Holyoke and Springfield areas.  – The primary base of operations was an apartment building in Holyoke that was located in a highly populated residential neighborhood. The investigation revealed that Gonzalez’s drug trafficking operations were prolific – distributing approximately 500 grams per month in the area of the apartment building alone between April 2021 and March 2022.

In furtherance of the trafficking activity, Gonzalez used violence and threats of violence to control his territory in Holyoke – maintaining an arsenal of firearms at the apartment stash house.

In June 2021, Gonzalez led an attempted armed kidnapping of a rival drug dealer at the apartment building. Specifically, moments after the victim entered the building, Gonzalez and his co-conspirators were captured on surveillance video in broad daylight, attempting to abduct the victim, pulling him back into the building, brandishing firearms and attempting to detain the victim.

Gonzalez has a significant criminal history that includes violent offenses and narcotics activity. He has prior convictions for armed home invasion in Florida, for which he received a three-year sentence, and a narcotics conviction in Massachusetts, for which he received a sentence of three to five years.

Gonzalez is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in the case. The remaining fifth defendant, Ocasio-Ramos, pleaded guilty to his involvement in the drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense in February 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2026.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan; and Lawrence E. Akers, Superintendent of the Springfield Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neil L. Desroches and Annapurna Balakrishna of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

BOSTON – RelyOn Nutec USA LLC (RelyOn), a company headquartered in Houma, La., has agreed to pay $2,389,213 to resolve allegations that it fraudulently obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which it was ineligible.

Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and the 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, which the Small Business Administration (SBA) administered. The PPP provided for loans in two “draws”—first draw loans became available in March 2020, with a second draw announced in January 2021. To be eligible for PPP loans, businesses were required to certify on their loan applications that they met certain size standards based on, for example, the number of employees they, and their affiliated entities, collectively employed. In determining number of employees, businesses generally were required to count all employees of U.S. and foreign affiliates. Businesses with more than 300 employees were not eligible for second draw loans.

As part of the settlement, RelyOn admitted that, in January 2021, it received a $1,279,707 second draw PPP loan. RelyOn certified that it was eligible for the loan under the PPP regulations in effect at the time of the application and represented that it had 99 employees, including affiliates’ employees. RelyOn later sought and received forgiveness of the full amount of that loan. When it applied for the loan and when it applied for forgiveness, RelyOn did not qualify for the loan because it had more than 300 employees, when considering employees of its affiliates. Prior to 2021 and through 2022, RelyOn was a wholly owned subsidiary of RelyOn Nutec Holding A/S Denmark (RelyOn Denmark), a global company based in Denmark. When it applied for the second draw loan and when it applied for forgiveness, RelyOn had more than 300 employees, when considering employees of its foreign affiliates.

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

BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Carver, Mass. was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for selling four firearms as well as fentanyl in 2024.

Talles Provette De Faria, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Angel Kelley to 32 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of the imposed sentence. In December 2025, the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of dealing firearms without a license, one count of conspiracy to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was charged by criminal complaint in September 2024.

On two dates between April and September 2024, Provette De Faria met with a cooperating witness in Eastern Massachusetts and sold a total of four firearms. In addition, Provette De Faria communicated with the cooperating witness on other dates about other firearms and also sold the cooperating witness fentanyl.

Specifically, on April 24, 2024, Provette De Faria sold two 9mm pistols and ammunition in exchange for cash at a Home Depot parking lot in Plymouth. Later, on May 15, 2024, Provette De Faria sold fentanyl to a cooperating witness at a parking lot in Barnstable.

On subsequent dates, Provette De Faria continued to send pictures and videos to the cooperating witness showing firearms – both pistols and rifles – and offering them for sale. This continued across several dates and into June. On several occasions, Provette De Faria indicated that he had an out-of-state source of supply for firearms.

On Sept. 19, 2024, before he was arrested by authorities, Provette De Faria sold a pistol, a rifle, as well as a 30-round magazine loaded with 27 rounds of ammunition to the cooperating witness in Plymouth. The pistol had previously been reported as stolen:

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; 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 Plymouth, Barnstable and New Bedford Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Reynolds and Michael J. Crowley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Gardner man has been charged with possessing fentanyl intended for distribution.

Jason Page, 41, was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. Page was arrested on April 15, 2026 and remains in custody following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester earlier today.

According to the charging documents, in the spring of 2024, an investigation began into Page for alleged drug trafficking activities. A search of Page’s apartment in Gardner and his storage locker in Leominster were in January 2026 and allegedly resulted in the discovery of more than $29,000 in suspected drug proceeds, digital scales, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana in his apartment. More than 60 grams of fentanyl pills, more than 47 grams of fentanyl powder, more than 95 grams of cocaine, more than 240 grams of methamphetamine and more than 60 grams of MDMA were allegedly found in his storage unit.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a no less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of $5 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 Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and the Gardner Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office 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 Minnesota woman, formerly of Holliston, Mass., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with her fraudulent receipt of emergency rental assistance funds intended to provide housing assistance for individuals unable to pay rent due to a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yvonette Joseph, 45, of Minneapolis, Minn., was indicted on two counts of theft of government money and two counts of unlawful monetary transactions. The defendant was previously charged by criminal complaint in August 2025 and released on conditions.

According to the charging documents, in or about November 2021, Joseph received more than $100,000 in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) funds from the California Department of Housing & Community Development, the administrator of the ERA program for the state of California, after purported tenants submitted applications identifying Joseph as the landlord of a property in Los Angeles. Upon receipt of the funds, Joseph allegedly moved the funds from one bank account she controlled to another account she controlled, before wiring some of the funds to a bank account in Nigeria and wiring other funds to a cryptocurrency exchange – a digital marketplace where users can buy, sell and trade cryptocurrency.

In 2021, Congress established the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to provide financial assistance to eligible low-income households to cover the costs of rent, rental arrears, utilities and other house-related expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The charges of theft of government money and unlawful monetary transactions each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, forfeiture and restitution.  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 Loren J. Sciurba, Deputy Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Inspector General made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is 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 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.

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 pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Jorge Junior Alvarez Rodriguez, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2026. Alvarez was charged in May 2025.

On May 3, 2025, upon arrival at Boston’s Logan Airport from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Alvarez was flagged for secondary screening. During a review of Alvarez’s cell phone, files depicting CSAM were found. Multiple files depicting children as young as four to seven years old were discovered.

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 defendant may 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 Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Boston Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Julissa Walsh of the Criminal Division 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 – The former Director of Plymouth Public Schools’ Food Services program has been charged in connection with a long-running fraud scheme that began in 2014 in which he allegedly stole food and commercial kitchen equipment for use and sale at his private business, the “Snack Shack” on Sandy Neck Beach.

Patrick Van Cott, 64, of Sandwich, Mass., was charged with one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud. The defendant will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging document, Van Cott was the Director of Food Services for the Plymouth Public Schools from 2003 until June 2025. Starting in approximately 2014, he also operated a seasonal business called the “Snack Shack” on Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, Mass.

It is alleged that, between 2014 and June 2025, Van Cott defrauded the Plymouth Public Schools by taking food and equipment purchased with funds including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds and using that food and equipment to run Snack Shack. The equipment Van Cott is alleged to have ordered with school funds includes two $2,200 refrigerators; a $3,950 two-door freezer; two 12-inch hot plates; a 24-inch griddle; a chargrill; a fryolator; shelving; a sandwich prep table; a convection oven; and hanging chalk boards. In addition, every summer starting in approximately 2014, Van Cott is alleged to have collected condiments, diced chicken, hot dogs, cooking oil, snacks, paper goods, coffee, food products and other miscellaneous items paid for by the Plymouth Public Schools or supplied by the USDA, which he then used and sold those items at Snack Shack. He is further alleged to have directed Plymouth Public Schools cafeteria workers to slice at least nine pounds of deli turkey and 4.5 pounds of deli ham, which he sold in various menu items at the Snack Shack, once or twice per week starting in 2014. Van Cott is also alleged to have ordered over $3,000 in premium burger patties with school funds, which he intended to and did sell in menu items at the Snack Shack.

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted program administered on the federal level by the USDA that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to public school children. In Massachusetts, meals for all students are free, and schools are reimbursed for meals through a combination of USDA funds and state funds.

The charge of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $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 $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; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Plymouth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit 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 – The Mitchell Eye Center, a Florida ophthalmology practice, and Dr. Alan Mitchell, an ophthalmologist and former owner of the Mitchell Eye Center, have agreed to pay $415,000 to resolve allegations that they caused the submission of false claims to Medicare in violation of the False Claims Act.

The United States alleges that from September 2018 through March 2020, Mitchell Eye Center and Dr. Mitchell caused the submission of false claims for transcranial doppler (TCD) tests to Medicare and the Veterans Health Administration. A TCD test is a non-invasive diagnostic test that can be used to estimate the blood flow through certain blood vessels in the brain by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off blood cells. As part of the settlement agreement, the Mitchell Eye Center and Dr. Mitchell admitted to and accepted responsibility for facts underlying the settlement agreement. Mitchell Eye Center had contractual agreements with an independent medical diagnostics company, Eyecuity, PLLC (Eyecuity). During the relevant time, Eyecuity paid Mitchell Eye Center for every referral that the Mitchell Eye Center made for TCD tests, even though the parties’ contracts called for payment based on fair market value of rent and administrative services rendered, and not per-patient or per-test that Mitchell Eye Center referred to Eyecuity. When documenting the purported medical necessity of the TCD tests for Medicare to cover the costs of the tests, Mitchell Eye Center physicians also signed order forms that Eyecuity had provided, indicating that patients had Vertebro-Basilar Syndrome or Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency (VBI), a very rare condition. But Mitchell Eye Center physicians did not have reason to believe that patients had a diagnosis of VBI.

The United States contends that the claims for the TCD tests that Mitchell Eye Center and Dr. Mitchell caused Eyecuity to submit to Medicare were false because the TCD tests were not medically necessary and because the Mitchell Eye Center received payments from Eyecuity that violated the Anti-Kickback Statute.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles B. Weinograd of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit is handling this case.

BOSTON – A Worcester man has been charged with assault of a federal confidential informant during a planned firearm transaction in connection with the armed robbery.

Joshua Guzman, 18, was charged with assault of a person assisting federal officers with a dangerous weapon. Guzman remains detained in federal custody following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester earlier today. 

According to the charging documents, beginning on Feb. 18, 2026, Guzman and another individual allegedly coordinated the sale of a firearm to a federal confidential informant through a series of WhatsApp communications. It is alleged that Guzman and the individual directed the informant to meet at a location in Worcester on Feb. 25, 2026, to complete the transaction.

There, Guzman and the other individual allegedly entered the informant’s vehicle. It is alleged that, after the exchange of money for a gun, Guzman suddenly removed a firearm from his waistband, racked the slide back and pointed it at the informant while stating, “Gimme everything n****.” Guzman then allegedly struck the informant in the head with the firearm and grabbed the firearm that the informant purchased from the center console before both individuals fled the vehicle. 

The informant immediately alerted monitoring agents, who had been conducting surveillance in the area. Guzman was observed fleeing on foot and was apprehended a short distance away after a brief pursuit. During the chase, a firearm fell from Guzman’s clothing and was recovered. The second individual was located and arrested nearby following the establishment of a perimeter. Investigators subsequently recovered clothing, a cellphone and approximately $1,600 in cash, consistent with the proceeds of the robbery.

The charge of assault of a person assisting federal officers with a dangerous weapon provides for a sentence of up to 20 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 Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Worcester Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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 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 Springfield, Mass. man has pleaded guilty to distributing and conspiring to distribute fentanyl.

Emilio Garcia-Cappas, 29, pleaded guilty on April 17, 2026 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for July 29, 2026. The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2024.

Between Feb. 5, 2024 and Feb. 22, 2024, Garcia-Cappas conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. On Feb. 12, 2024, Garcia-Cappas distributed and possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl. On three separate occasions, undercover law enforcement purchased fentanyl from Garcia-Cappas and his co-conspirators.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. The charge of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, at least six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 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 Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd E. Newhouse and Thomas A. Barnico, Jr. of the Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A Gardner woman was charged today in federal court in Worcester with fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits.   

Leidy E. Otero, 43, was charged with one count of receipt of stolen government money or property and one count of Social Security fraud – concealment. She will appear in U.S. District Court in Worcester at a later date.

According to the charging documents, from January 2015 through March 2025, Otero allegedly received approximately $185,266 in Social Security disability benefits that she knew she was not entitled to. It is further alleged that Otero concealed material information from the Social Security Administration with the intent to fraudulently obtain the Social Security benefits.

The charge of receipt of stolen government money or property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of Social Security fraud – concealment provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

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.

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The details contained in the charging document 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 unlawfully residing in Brockton, Mass., has been arrested and charged with healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Amaurys Arias Arias, 44, was charged with one count of making false statements relating to health care matters and one count of aggravated identity theft. The defendant was arrested and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for April 23, 2026.

According to the charging documents, Arias used the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen to obtain government benefits. Specifically, it is alleged that Arias falsely represented that he was a U.S. citizen when applying for healthcare benefits in Massachusetts and submitted a sworn affidavit falsely alleging the same. As a result, it is alleged that Arias ultimately obtained tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of MassHealth benefits using the stolen identity. It is further alleged that Arias used the stolen identity in connection with prior arrests, leading to convictions in the name of the U.S. citizen victim.

The charge of making false statements relating to a health care program provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year 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.

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

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

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jeff Grimming, Acting, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit 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 Boston man has been arrested and charged after allegedly being found with a loaded firearm in his waistband.

Hakeem Cooper, 21, was charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and appeared in U.S. District Court in Boston for an initial appearance.

According to the charging documents, on March 17, 2026, Cooper was arrested in Brookline, Mass., on a state warrant. During the arrest, a loaded firearm in the waistband of Cooper’s pants was allegedly found. The firearm was determined to be a Taurus PT111 Millenium G2 9mm pistol, loaded with 12 rounds of ammunition with one round in the chamber.

Cooper is prohibited from possessing ammunition due to his prior state court convictions, including prior convictions in Suffolk Superior Court for trafficking controlled substances and possession to distribute a class B controlled substance.

The charge of being a felon in possession provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, 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 and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and Brookline Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Allegra Flamm 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 Barre woman was charged in federal court in Worcester with stealing over $100,000 in Social Security benefits.

Jennifer Valley, 51, was charged with one count of theft of government money. Valley will make an appearance in federal court in Worcester at a later date.

The charging document alleges that Valley stole approximately $100,218 in Social Security retirement benefits from October 2022 through August 2025.

The charge of theft of public funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $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.

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

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

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

BOSTON – A Walpole man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in a 2018 scheme to smuggle gold, platinum and other precious metals into the United States from Colombia and then laundering the money.

Thomas Cataloni, 46, was sentenced on April 15, 2026 by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to four months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. In January 2026, Cataloni was convicted of one count of conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States, one count of international money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The defendant was charged in November 2022.

In 2018, Cataloni and his co-conspirators sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to bank accounts in Colombia to pay for gold and platinum to be smuggled into the United States without being declared at U.S. customs. To facilitate the smuggling, the gold and platinum were melted in Colombia and formed to look like crude, unfinished jewelry such as chains, keychains and purse straps. The supposed jewelry was then worn by individuals who flew from Colombia into the United States without declaring the gold and platinum.

Two of Cataloni’s co-conspirators previously pleaded guilty. One was sentenced earlier this year and the other is scheduled to be sentenced later this year.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs & Border Protection; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority; and the Canton and Walpole Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian J. Sullivan and Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for using an interstate facility to transmit information about a child.

Alex Bou, 22, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In January 2026, Bou pleaded guilty to one count of use of an interstate facility to transmit information concerning a minor. In August 2025, Bou was arrested and charged.

On Aug. 17, 2025, Bou responded to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts. The advertisement contained images of a young female and language purported to be written by a female describing herself as a “flower ready to blossom.” On Aug. 17, 2025, Bou sent a text message to the number listed on the advertisement saying, “U available,” to which an undercover agent posing as the purported minor responded suggesting Aug. 19, 2025.

On Aug. 19, 2025, Bou continued his conversation with the undercover agent. In their conversation, the undercover agent stated that she was a 15-year-old girl available to perform sex acts in exchange for money. Upon being informed that the purported minor was 15 years old, Bou responded with, “Ok are you a virgin?” Bou agreed to pay $175 to have unprotected sex with the purported minor and acknowledged that he was agreeing to have sex with an “underage girl.” Bou obtained her address via text message, and shortly thereafter arrived at the location where he was placed under arrest. 

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 in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig E. Estes of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit prosecuted the case.

If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

This case was brought in collaboration with 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 national who unlawfully resided in Dorchester has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally reentering the United States after having been deported on three separate occasions. The defendant has previously been convicted of drug trafficking, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud dating as far back as 1997.

Wilson Radhames Peguero Brea, a/k/a Jose Perez Antonio, 56, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien with a prior felony conviction. The defendant was previously charged by criminal complaint in February 2026. He is currently in ICE custody.

According to the charging documents, Peguero has illegally entered the United States at least four times, and used numerous aliases, including aliases belonging to U.S. citizen victims. In 1997, under an alias associated with a U.S. citizen victim, Peguero was convicted of drug trafficking. He was removed from the United States in 2005 and thereafter illegally reentered the country. In 2016, Peguero was arrested and charged by the state for possession of a fraudulently obtained driver’s license. That criminal case remains in default status. He was removed from the U.S. a second time in 2016.

After Peguero allegedly illegally entered the U.S. a third time, he was charged in Dorchester District Court with trafficking cocaine and fentanyl in a criminal case that remains in warrant status. According to court documents, his Massachusetts criminal history is associated with his alias Jose Perez Antonio.

In 2021, Peguero was arrested and charged with his true name in federal court for aggravated identity theft and wire fraud. He was convicted of both charges on Jan. 11, 2023, and sentenced to more than two years in federal prison. In 2023, Peguero was removed from the United States a third time. Peguero then illegally reentered the United States a fourth time and was encountered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on Feb. 5, 2026, while using a false identity document. 

The charge of illegal reentry by an alien with a prior aggravated felony conviction provides for a sentence of up to 20 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 David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh of the Major Crimes Unit 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 Leominster man has been arrested and charged with transportation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Camden MacLean, 25, charged with one count of transportation of child pornography. MacLean was arrested today and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester, was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for April 21, 2026.

According to the charging documents, MacLean was flagged for secondary screening at Boston’s Logan Airport upon arrival from Toronto, Canada in August 2025. It is alleged that during a review of MacLean’s cell phone, media files depicting CSAM were found in his Telegram Messenger app. A subsequent forensic examination of the device allegedly revealed additional media files depicting CSAM that appeared to have been exchanged over Telegram and Kik Messenger, including images showing the sexual abuse of toddlers.

The charge of transportation 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 Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Customs and Border Protection, Boston Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang 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 – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lynn has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Yodenny Michael Baez-Cabrera, 41, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. The defendant is currently in state custody and will appear in federal court at a later date.

According to the indictment, Baez-Cabrera was deported from the United States on July 18, 2017. It is alleged that sometime after his July 2018 removal, Baez-Cabrera illegally reentered the United States without permission.

In 2015, Baez-Cabrera was convicted of felony assault with a dangerous weapon and witness intimidation.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, 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 and David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang 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 – Four individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston in connection with a conspiracy to distribute multiple kilograms of fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. 

The following defendants have been indicted with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances:

1. Alexander Pineda Nunez, 32, residing in Methuen, Mass.;
2. Angel Luis Cedeno Moni, 31, unlawfully residing in Lawrence, Mass.;
3. Raymond Cedeno Calderon, 3, residing in Clifton, N.J.; and
4. Adrian Pena Rodriguez, 23, unlawfully residing in Haverhill, Mass.

Pena is also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Pineda, Moni and Pena were arrested and made their initial appearance in Boston on April 7, 2026. They remain in custody pending detention hearings. Calderon is currently in custody in Tennessee and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. 

According to the charging documents, Pineda and Moni led a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that imported kilogram quantities of drugs to Massachusetts through the U.S. mail and other carriers. For example, Pineda, Moni, Pena and others allegedly arranged for kilogram quantities of cocaine to be mailed from Puerto Rico to various residential addresses in northeastern Massachusetts. Pineda and his co-conspirators would allegedly track the drug-laden packages and take them from the delivery address shortly after delivery, often at multiple locations on the same day. It is alleged that multiple packages mailed from Puerto Rico to the DTO in Massachusetts were seized—including one that was seized directly from Pena—and found to contain multiple kilograms of cocaine

It is further alleged that Pineda and Moni also travelled to Arizona and California to send packages of fentanyl and methamphetamine back to Massachusetts through the U.S. Mail. In August and September 2025, six packages that had allegedly been sent from California by Moni and Pineda were seized and found to contain multiple kilograms of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five 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; Ted. E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division; Jeff Grimming, Acting, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; 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 Watertown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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 document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law. 

BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a lawsuit under the False Claims Act against an Illinois-based doctor for allegedly causing the submission of claims to Medicare for medically unreasonable and unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME).  

The complaint alleges that between December 2018 and April 2019, Dr. Alexandria Williams signed orders for medically unnecessary orthotic braces for Medicare beneficiaries she never examined and who often did not want or need the braces. The orders that Williams allegedly signed were pre-populated based on telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries and contained multiple false statements, including, for instance, that Williams had completed an evaluation of the patient, discussed the use of orthotics with the patient, and instructed the patient on medical follow-up care. It is alleged that Williams generally did not contact the beneficiaries herself and had no medical relationship with the beneficiaries. At the time of the alleged conduct, Williams was a licensed physician in Massachusetts and ordered the braces for Massachusetts-based beneficiaries.  

The complaint further alleges that Williams received payment for each order she reviewed through a staffing company that had connected her with Integrated Support Plus, Inc., a telemedicine company whose owner pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme in 2020. The orders she allegedly signed became the basis for DME suppliers to submit claims to Medicare for orthotics. As a result of Williams’ alleged participation in this scheme, the government contends that Medicare paid approximately $630,000 in false claims for DME that were medically unreasonable and unnecessary.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. This matter is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross of the Foley’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit.

The claims are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

BOSTON – Two men from New Jersey have been sentenced in federal court in Boston for their involvement in a scheme to generate revenue for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs. The scheme involved the dispatchment of skilled information technology (IT) workers who, using stolen identities of U.S. persons, posed as domestic workers to obtain remote IT jobs with U.S. companies, including several Fortune 500 companies and a defense contractor. The multi-year scheme used the stolen identities of at least 80 U.S. persons and generated more than $5 million in illicit revenue for the DPRK government.

Kejia “Tony” Wang, 42, of New Jersey, was sentenced today by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to nine years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2025, Kejia Wang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to commit identity theft.

Yesterday, Zhenxing “Danny” Wang, 39, also of New Jersey, was sentenced by Judge Gorton to 92 months prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $200,000. On Jan. 7, 2026, Zhenxing Wang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

In addition to the prison sentences imposed, the defendants were also ordered to forfeit $600,000 that they received in connection with the scheme. To date, the United States has received $400,000 of the ordered forfeiture amount.

“This case exposes a sophisticated scheme that exploited stolen American identities and U.S. companies to generate millions of dollars for a hostile foreign regime. By operating so-called ‘laptop farms,’ these defendants enabled overseas actors to infiltrate U.S. businesses, access sensitive data and undermine our economic and national security,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “The sentences imposed this week reflect the seriousness of this conduct and our commitment to holding accountable those who facilitate sanctions evasion and foreign threats from within our borders.”

“For years, the defendants enriched themselves by assisting North Korean actors in a fraudulent scheme to gain employment with U.S. companies,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The ruse placed North Korean IT workers on the payrolls of unwitting U.S. companies and in U.S. computer systems, thereby potentially harming our national security. NSD will hold accountable those who facilitate North Korea’s illicit revenue generation efforts.”

“Today’s announcement sends a clear message: U.S. nationals who facilitate DPRK IT worker schemes and funnel revenue to North Korea will face FBI investigation and potential prison time,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “Working closely with our partners, the FBI will pursue their co-conspirators and hold accountable those who seek to empower the DPRK by defrauding American companies and stealing the identities of private citizens.”

“These sentencings should act as a deterrent to foreign individuals and entities attempting to illegally access and export critical defense information,” said John Helsing, Special Agent-in-Charge for the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “Investigating the theft, illegal export, diversion, or proliferation of sensitive Department technologies is a priority for DCIS, particularly where such compromises could enable foreign adversaries to use those capabilities against our nation’s warfighters.  We will continue to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute those who threaten our national security.”

“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is steadfast in its commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system from foreign adversaries and criminal actors,” said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego. “This case demonstrates the critical importance of collaboration across law enforcement agencies to disrupt schemes that threaten our economy and national security. HSI will continue to aggressively pursue those who exploit our financial institutions and technology infrastructure for illicit purposes, ensuring that the United States remains a safe and secure place to do business.”

“Today’s sentences should serve as a warning to those who continue to carry out schemes intending to deceive U.S. companies,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto. “We will relentlessly pursue those responsible! The FBI is committed to working with our partners to expose and mitigate these fraudulent IT schemes and provide unwavering support to victims of North Korean cyber actors. The FBI strongly advises organizations to closely monitor their data, strengthen their remote hiring processes, and report any suspicious activity or fraud to the FBI.”

From approximately 2021 until October 2024, the defendants and other co-conspirators compromised the identities of more than 80 U.S. persons to obtain remote jobs at more than 100 U.S. companies, including many Fortune 500 companies, and caused U.S. victim companies to incur legal fees, computer network remediation costs, and other damages of at least $3 million. Kejia Wang traveled to Shenyang and Dandong, China on two separate occasions in 2023, to meet with overseas actors about the scheme, including a former classmate that Kejia Wang knew was from North Korea. Kejia Wang went on to serve as the U.S.-based manager for the scheme, supervising at least five facilitators in the United States who collectively hosted hundreds of computers of U.S. victim companies at their residences. Zhenxing Wang was among the U.S. facilitators who received and hosted victim company laptops at his residence. He and the others also enabled overseas IT workers to access the laptops remotely by, among other things, connecting the laptops to hardware devices designed to allow for remote access (referred to as keyboard-video-mouse or “KVM” switches).

Kejia Wang and Zhenxing Wang created shell companies with corresponding websites and financial accounts, including Hopana Tech LLC, Tony WKJ LLC and Independent Lab LLC, to make it appear as though the overseas IT workers were affiliated with legitimate U.S. businesses. In fact, these companies had no employees or operations and existed only to further the scheme and enable the defendants and their co-conspirators to receive proceeds from the scheme. The financial accounts established by the two defendants for these shell companies ultimately received millions of dollars from victimized U.S. companies, much of which was subsequently transferred to overseas co-conspirators. In exchange for their services, Kejia Wang, Zhenxing Wang, and the four other U.S. facilitators received nearly $700,000 for their respective roles in the scheme.

IT workers employed under this scheme also gained access to sensitive employer data and source code, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) data from a California-based defense contractor that develops artificial intelligence-powered equipment and technologies. Specifically, between on or about Jan. 19, 2024, and on or about April 2, 2024, an overseas co-conspirator remotely accessed without authorization the company’s laptop and computer files containing technical data and other information. The stolen data included information marked as being controlled under the ITAR.

In June 2025, 17 web domains used in furtherance of this scheme were seized as well as 29 financial accounts, holding tens of thousands of dollars in funds, used to launder revenue for the North Korean regime through the remote IT work scheme. In October 2024, eight locations across three states were searched that resulted in the recovery of more than 70 laptops and remote access devices, such as KVMs. Simultaneously four web domains associated with Kejia Wang’s and Zhenxing Wang’s shell companies Hopana Tech LLC, Tony WKJ LLC, and Independent Lab LLC were also seized.

In June 2025 the defendants were charged along with eight overseas operatives who remain at large.

Concurrent with today’s announcement, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms of persons engaged in certain activities that support DPRK, including money laundering, exportation of luxury goods to North Korea, specified cyber-activity and actions that support weapons of mass destruction proliferation. The reward is offered for the following eight defendants who are alleged to have participated in the above-described scheme and one suspected IT worker:

• Xu Yongzhe (徐勇哲)
• Huang Jingbin (黄靖斌)
• Tong Yuze (佟雨泽)
• Zhou Baoyu (周宝玉)
• Yuan Ziyou (Samuel Yuan)
• Zhou Zhenbang (周震邦)
• Liu Menting (劉孟婷)
• Liu Enchia (刘恩嘉)
• Song Min Kim (a.k.a. Chengmin Jin)

Today’s announcement represents the Department’s latest actions to combat North Korean IT worker schemes as part of a joint NSD and FBI Cyber and Counterintelligence Divisions effort, the DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative. This effort prioritizes targeting and disrupting the DPRK’s illicit revenue generation schemes and its U.S.-based enablers. The Department previously announced sentencings of DPRK IT worker facilitators in July and December 2025 and February and March 2026.

As described in Public Service Announcements published in May 2024, January 2025 and July 2025, North Korean remote IT workers posing as legitimate remote IT workers have committed data extortion and exfiltrated the proprietary and sensitive data from U.S. companies. DPRK IT worker schemes typically involve the use of stolen identities, alias emails, social media, online cross-border payment platforms and online job site accounts, as well as false websites, proxy computers and witting and unwitting third parties located in the U.S. and elsewhere.  North Korean IT workers leverage these third parties, which include U.S.-based individuals, to gain fraudulent employment and access to U.S. company networks to generate  revenue

Other public advisories about the threats, red flag indicators and potential mitigation measures for these schemes include a May 2022 advisory; a July 2023 advisory; and guidance issued in October 2023 by the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). As described the May 2022 advisory, North Korean IT workers have been known individually to earn up to $300,000 annually, generating hundreds of millions of dollars collectively each year, on behalf of designated entities, such as the North Korean Ministry of Defense and others directly involved in the DPRK’s weapons programs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Holcomb of the National Security Unit prosecuted the cases alongside Trial Attorney Gregory J. Nicosia, Jr. of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section. Valuable assistance was provided by FBI New York, Newark and San Diego Field Offices; HSI Newark Field Office; United States Postal Inspection Service’s San Diego Field Office; and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of New Jersey, the Eastern District of New York and the Southern District of California.

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

BOSTON – Six individuals have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking conspiracy that involved shipments of packages containing kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl from California for further distribution in Massachusetts:

1. Edwal Vargas, a/k/a “Max,” 34, of Swampscott, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; one count of money laundering conspiracy; and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;
2. Yanivel Gomez, a/k/a “Ashley,” 31, of Peabody, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of money laundering conspiracy;
3. George Salvatore Landingham, 33, of North Andover, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine;
4. Stephanie Tejeda, 33, of Hudson, N.H., was indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy;
5. Tyrone Shepherd, 41, of Chestnut Hill, Mass., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and
6. Gustavo Tavares, 44, of Studio City, Calif., was indicted on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances; and one count of money laundering conspiracy.

According to the charging documents, more than 260 UPS packages were shipped from California to various addresses in Massachusetts by members of the conspiracy. It is alleged that several of those packages were seized during the investigation and found to contain approximately 12 kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of fentanyl.   

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 million. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine provides for a sentence of at least 10 years in prison, 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; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Nathaniel Yeager of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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 document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.

BOSTON – A Salvadoran national and member of La Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his role in three murders. Defendant participated in beating, shooting and dismembering victims.

Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes, a/k/a “Mosca” or “Tony,” 28, unlawfully residing in New Bedford, Mass. pleaded guilty to racketeering involving murder, conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving murder and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2026. These charges stem from two indictments, one in the District of Massachusetts, the other in the Eastern District of Virginia. By agreement, Paredes’s Virginia charges were transferred to the District of Massachusetts.

“This defendant – an illegal alien who’s been residing unlawfully in our country – admitted to participating in three brutal murders across state lines to advance MS-13’s violent agenda and be rewarded within the gang’s ranks,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Let this serve as a clear message: individuals who come to this country and engage in this level of violence will be aggressively investigated, prosecuted and held fully accountable. This transnational criminal organization is far-reaching, but my office will continue to use every resource to dismantle it and protect Massachusetts communities from such barbaric devastation. As was the case here, my office will continue to work with agents and prosecutors across the country until MS-13 and other transnational criminal groups have been eliminated.”

“What Franklin Antonio Amaya Paredes did to his victims was particularly heinous – so much so that, years later, the circumstances of these three murders still stand out,” said Ted. E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The sheer brutality, cruel depravity, and terror he inflicted on behalf of MS-13 demonstrates a complete disregard for human life. Amaya Paredes belongs behind bars, and that’s exactly where today’s conviction will keep him. Meanwhile, the FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement and community partners to dismantle this transnational criminal organization, bring an end to their senseless violence, and obtain justice for the victims of their crimes.”

According to court documents, Paredes was a member of the Uniones Locos Salvatrucha (ULS) clique of MS-13. The ULS clique operated in northern Virginia, southeastern Massachusetts and elsewhere in the United States. The clique was responsible for committing numerous murders and other acts of violence and distributing marijuana and cocaine in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Money generated from drug sales was used for the ULS clique’s needs in the United States, to fund MS-13 activities in El Salvador, and to help incarcerated MS-13 members.

On Aug. 25, 2018, Paredes and other members of ULS met in New Bedford, Mass., to murder an associate of MS-13’s Directos Locos Salvatrucha clique. MS-13 leadership in El Salvador had approved the murder because they believed the victim had betrayed MS-13. They met the victim at the residence of an MS-13 member in New Bedford and after the group ate dinner, Paredes and other ULS members beat and strangled the victim to death. Paredes and other ULS members then dismembered the victim’s body and buried the remains in a nearby wooded area. Paredes and other members of the group were promoted within MS-13’s ranks for their participation in the murder. The victim’s remains have not yet been found.

In June 2019, Paredes and other members of ULS conspired to murder individuals who frequently gathered to drink in a wooded area in the clique’s perceived territory in Reston, Va. On June 23, 2019, ULS members armed themselves with firearms and machetes and traveled to the Hunters Woods area of Reston. There, members of the group murdered the first many they encountered by shooting him and slashing him with a machete, while Paredes and others remained in nearby cars ready to assist. After the murder, Paredes and other members of the group drove to a nearby hotel room and recounted the details of the murder.

On July 14, 2020, Paredes shot and killed another victim near Horseneck Road in Dartmouth, Mass. Text messages showed that Paredes, who was the victim’s cousin, invited the victim to a family party where he was murdered. 

After being charged with murder by state authorities, Paredes confided that he murdered his cousin because the cousin failed to “check in” with MS-13 leadership when he arrived in the New Bedford area from El Salvador and had done a poor job growing MS-13 in Southeastern Massachusetts. Paredes also conspired to kill a witness to the murder while in state custody.

As alleged in the indictments, MS-13 is a transnational criminal organization with tens of thousands of members located in the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and elsewhere. MS-13 branches, or “cliques,” operate throughout the United States, including in Massachusetts and Virginia. In furtherance of its mission, MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence, specifically against rival gang members; kill informants; and support and defend fellow MS-13 members in attacks. MS-13 members maintain and enhance their status in the gang and the overall reputation of the gang by participating in such violent acts.

The charge of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy involving murder provides for a maximum sentence of life in prison; supervised release for up to five years; and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross profits or other proceeds obtained by the defendant from racketeering activity. The charge of murder in aid of racketeering provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison; supervised release for up to five years; and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

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).

U.S. Attorney Foley; J. Frank Bradsher, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia; FBI SAC Docks; FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; Jeff Grimming, Acting, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Fairfax County (Va.) Police Chief Kevin Davis; Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden; and Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl, Meghan C. Cleary, and Brian A. Fogerty are prosecuting the case for the District of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Blanchard, Megan Braun, and Natasha Smalky prosecuted the case for the Eastern District of Virginia.

BOSTON – A Brockton man was charged yesterday in federal court in Boston for allegedly making false statements to law enforcement regarding his disposal of more than 20 firearms he purchased more than a dozen of which later surfaced at various crime scenes across the Northeast, including a Boston homicide.  

Klordenzsky Senecharles, 29, has been arrested and charged with making materially false statements. Senecharles was arrested yesterday and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.

According to the charging documents, between March 2020 and May 2021, Senecharles purchased a total of 28 firearms and later sold four of them. Of the 24 firearms still registered to Senecharles, 13 firearms were allegedly recovered in connection with criminal activity, including a Feb. 26, 2024 homicide in Boston. According to the criminal complaint, when law enforcement questioned Senecharles about the whereabouts of the 24 firearms, Senecharles claimed that he had sold 21 of the 24 firearms to various Massachusetts registered firearms dealers. When law enforcement contacted the firearms dealers, they allegedly reported that they had no record of purchasing from Senecharles any of the 21 firearms he claimed to have sold them.

The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of up to five 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 Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement today.  Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan C. Cleary and Colin T. Missett of the Criminal Division are 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 – Thirteen individuals have been charged for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in Central Massachusetts and Puerto Rico that distributed cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana.

The following defendants have been charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances:

1. Jack Saez Jr., 34, residing in Dayville, Conn.;
2. Christopher Rivera Rodriguez, 32, residing in Puerto Rico;
3. Jan Carlos Martinez Mendez, 23, residing in Puerto Rico;
4. Dayanara Mendez, residing in Dayville, Conn.;
5. Shaquille De Jesus Torres, 32, residing in Puerto Rico;
6. Gerardo Villegas Rodriguez, 28, residing in the Dominican Republic;
7. Sheldon Herring, 48, residing in Worcester, Mass.;
8. Duamel Ocasio, 55, residing in Worcester, Mass.;
9. Anthony Hines, 57, residing in Worcester, Mass.;
10. Stephen Bandilla III, 55, residing in East Brookfield, Mass.;
11. Justin Gilchrest, 34, residing in Webster, Mass.;
12. Alondra Daleishka Cruz Mendoza, 23, residing in Puerto Rico; and
13. Ushuuaniliz Hernandez Rios; 21, residing in Puerto Rico.

According to the charging documents, Saez was the leader of a DTO that was receiving packages through the mail containing kilogram quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico for distribution in Massachusetts. Over the course of the investigation, more than 10 kilograms of cocaine that had been shipped through the mail from Puerto Rico to addresses in Worcester County was seized. It is further alleged that Saez’s DTO also distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Searches of multiple stash houses and residences in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico allegedly resulted in the seizure of eight firearms along with distribution quantities of other narcotics.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 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; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations; United States Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms; Southern Worcester County Drug & Counter Crime Task Force; Puerto Rico Police Bureau; Massachusetts State Police; and the Auburn, Webster, Worcester, Southbridge, East Brookfield, Gardner, Leicester and Los Angeles Police Departments. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit are prosecuting the case.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal 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 document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law. 

BOSTON – A Londonderry, N.H. man was arrested today for allegedly cyberstalking a Massachusetts victim through social media, text messages and various online platforms. Among numerous other things, the defendant allegedly posted sexually provocative statements, including a post that indicated the victim wanted to be sexually assaulted. The defendant also allegedly directed others on social media to produce, post and repost sexually explicit material of the victim.

Brad Cerullo, 46, was indicted on one count of cyberstalking and one count of sexual exploitation of children. Cerullo was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on March 25, 2026 and released by the Court on conditions, over the government’s objection.

According to the charging documents, between March 2021 and May 2025, the victim received approximately 72 text messages on her cell phone from at least 26 unknown senders, many from VoIP numbers. Several of the text messages referenced her photos or personal information on impersonation Twitter accounts. It is alleged that two of the unknown VoIP numbers were traced to Cerullo.

Over 340 of the victim’s images, including sexually explicit images and videos stolen from a secure device in the victim’s possession, and at least 10 accounts, including four accounts containing the victim’s name, were allegedly used to impersonate and/or further a campaign to shame, defame, harass, or otherwise cause the victim substantial emotional distress.

It is further alleged that child sexual abuse material of an approximately 12-year-old minor victim, who was known to the defendant, was found in some of Cerullo’s online accounts.

The charge of stalking by electronic means provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a sentence of no less than 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, five years to life of supervised release and fine of up to $250,000. 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; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Wayne Tracy, Acting Chief of the Haverhill Police Department made the announcement today. The Andover and Londonderry (N.H.) Police Departments provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and member 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 Florida man was arrested today for allegedly defrauding investors who believed they were funding short-term, high-return loans for real estate transactions or storm damage repair.

Jose Bello, 38, was charged with four counts of wire fraud. He made an initial appearance in the Southern District of Florida and will be arraigned in federal court in Boston at a later date.

According to the charging document, Bello told investors that he worked with a group that would invest its money in short-term financing that Bello variously referred to as “private lending,” “gator lending” or “hard-money lending.” It is alleged that Bello recruited investors through friends and family and over Facebook and Discord. Bello allegedly gave investors fake descriptions of the investment opportunities and claimed that the loans were for repairs caused by storm damage. It is alleged, however, that Bello did not invest any of the funds he received from victim investors. Instead, Bello allegedly used the money to pay purported returns to earlier investors and otherwise gambled with investor funds. It is further alleged that Bello made false statements and excuses to investors as to why he had not made promised interest payments and/or could not return the investors’ principal. It is alleged that Bello obtained at least $5.7 million from investors and caused them to lose at least $1.8 million in purported investments.

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 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, 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.

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. Attorney David M. Holcomb 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 Carver, Mass., man has been arrested and charged in connection with his alleged participation in a multi-year dogfighting conspiracy involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related animal cruelty and illegal gambling activities.

Corey Elliott, 49, has been charged with conspiring to participate in an animal fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Elliott was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at 3:30 p.m. today.

According to the charging documents, Elliott allegedly participated in a long-running dogfighting conspiracy spanning several years and involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related gambling and animal cruelty offenses.

Specifically, it is alleged that Elliott and a co-conspirator operated a dogfighting venture, at times using the kennel name “The No Name Gang,” through which they possessed, bred, trained and fought dogs for sport and profit. The defendant and his co-conspirator allegedly maintained a close partnership over a period of years, during which they communicated extensively about dogfighting activities, including arranging fights, discussing outcomes, placing wagers and coordinating the acquisition, sale and conditioning of dogs for fighting purposes.

Charging documents further allege that Elliott was directly involved in organizing and hosting dogfighting events, including at his residence in Carver, Mass., and assisted in constructing dogfighting pits and kennel structures designed to house and condition dogs for fighting. Elliott and his co-conspirator allegedly discussed plans for specific fights, including the dogs to be used, the location and timing of the events and preparations necessary to conduct the fights.

It is further alleged that Elliott engaged in acts of animal cruelty in furtherance of the conspiracy, including training dogs to fight, subjecting dogs to violent encounters and culling dogs that did not meet desired performance standards. Elliott also allegedly discussed disposing of deceased animals and, at times, taking steps to conceal evidence of dogfighting activity.

According to the charging documents, Elliott and his co-conspirator also took steps to avoid law enforcement detection. These efforts allegedly included the use of coded language when discussing dogfighting activities, concealing dogs from public view, advising one another on how to avoid scrutiny from law enforcement and animal control authorities and relocating dogs to avoid potential seizure.

Searches of the co-conspirator’s residence in June 2023 resulted in the seizure of multiple pit bull-type dogs and evidence consistent with dogfighting activity, including veterinary supplies, training equipment and implements associated with dogfighting. Analysis of electronic devices seized revealed numerous videos and communications related to dogfighting, allegedly including messages between Elliott and his co-conspirator spanning several years.

In June 2025, during a search of Elliott’s residence in Carver, Mass., multiple pit bull-type dogs were seized from an outdoor kennel area. According to the charging documents, several of the dogs exhibited scarring consistent with dogfighting. It is further alleged that multiple items consistent with dogfighting activity were also recovered, including dog pedigrees, harnesses, leashes, syringes and veterinary medications, as well as equipment used to train and condition dogs.

To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General complaint hotline at: https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.

The charge of conspiring to participate in an animal fighting venture provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, 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; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; Geoffrey D. Noble, Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Joseph F. King, Director of the Animal Rescue League of Boston – Law Enforcement Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Massachusetts State Police; Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Law Enforcement Division; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; United States Marshals Service; Maine State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the Acton, Boston, Carver and Hanson Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office 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 Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Dorchester, Mass. has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for unlawfully reentering the United States and for possessing child sexual abuse material. A second individual was also charged and deported from the United States.

Miguel Gomez-Lopez, a/k/a Miguel Hernandez, 32, was sentenced on April 9, 2026 by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to 13 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of the imposed sentence. In December 2025, the Gomez-Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien and two counts of possession of child pornography. The defendant was arrested and charged in June 2023 and has remained in custody since.

In June 2023, local law enforcement in Boston conducted a well-being check on a minor 14-year-old female who was believed to be in danger at Gomez-Lopez’s Dorchester apartment.  When officers arrived, they discovered not one, but two, missing 14-year-old females at Gomez-Lopez’s apartment. One of the minors (MV-2) was exiting the apartment with Gomez-Lopez as police were arriving. The other minor (MV-1) was eventually located in a bedroom in Mr. Gomez-Lopez’s apartment. She appeared intoxicated and naked from the waist down. A search of Gomez-Lopez’s phone revealed nude photographs and videos of MV-2. A second individual was charged with crimes against MV-1 and has since been deported.

Following his arrest, it was determined that Gomez-Lopez was a citizen of Guatemala unlawfully present in the United States. Gomez-Lopez was first ordered removed from the United States in September 2017. Just six weeks later, in October 2017, Gomez-Lopez was again encountered by U.S. Border Patrol and subsequently deported from the United States a second time.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Riley, Jessica L. Soto and Mark Grady of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Winthrop man was arrested today for Social Security fraud over a period of more than four years.

Kenneth Riel, 51, was charged by Indictment with one count of receiving stolen government money or property and one count of Social Security fraud-concealment. The defendant was arrested today and released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.

As alleged in the Indictment, Riel received approximately $88,383 in stolen Social Security retirement benefits from February 2019 through November 2023. Additionally, Riel allegedly concealed and failed to report to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that an individual receiving retirement benefits had died so that he could fraudulently receive the improper benefit payments.

The charge of receiving stolen government money or property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of Social Security fraud-concealment provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, 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 other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the SSA 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.

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

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

BOSTON – A Cranston, R.I., man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with his role in distributing cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.

Lengsy Prum, a/k/a, “Leon,” 39, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for July 8, 2026. Prum was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025.

In June 2024, Prum was identified as a Rhode Island-based distributor of cocaine, MDMA and ketamine. On three occasions between July and August 2024, Prum distributed ketamine to undercover law enforcement – personally delivering the ketamine in the parking lot of a home improvement store in Attleboro, Mass. In total, Prum distributed 3.2 kilograms of ketamine to undercover law enforcement. During an August 2024 search of Prum’s residence in Cranston, six kilograms of ketamine, 6.6 kilograms of cocaine and 4.2 kilograms of MDMA were recovered.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances 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; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Walpole Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

BOSTON – A retired Sergeant for the Massachusetts State Police has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to allegedly fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program loan, which was later forgiven.

Damian Halfkenny, 54, of Boston, was charged with one count of wire fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the court.

According to the charging document, in 2021, Halfkenny was employed full-time as a Sergeant with the Massachusetts State Police. He also owned and rented several real estate properties, a business for which he had no employees. It is alleged that in March 2021, Halfkenny submitted a PPP loan application for his real estate business, falsely representing that he had a monthly payroll expense of $8,488. In support of this application, Halfkenny allegedly provided a fabricated IRS Schedule C. Based on his alleged misrepresentations, the U.S. Small Business Administration issued Halfkenny, and later forgave, a $21,220 PPP loan.

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 $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 today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit 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.