District of Maine

PORTLAND, Maine: A Gorham man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Cody J. Merrill, 33, to 25 years in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Additionally, Judge Walker ordered Merrill to pay $105,000 in restitution to identified victims whose images he possessed. Merrill pleaded guilty on June 18, 2025.

According to court records, Merrill, who had been previously convicted of unlawful sexual conduct involving a minor in York County Superior Court, sent video files depicting child sexual abuse material to undercover agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) over a messaging application. In February 2025, HSI executed a search warrant at his residence, resulting in the seizure of multiple digital media devices. During a recorded interview with investigators, Merrill admitted to accessing, viewing, and distributing child sexual abuse material over various internet-based applications. Investigators forensically reviewed his devices and located over 5,000 child sexual abuse images. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is limiting identifying information to protect the privacy of the minor victims who were depicted in these abuse materials.

HSI investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

BANGOR, Maine: A Salvadoran national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after prior removals.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Helmer Osmin Gutierrez, 43, to time served. Gutierrez had been incarcerated since October 18, 2025.

According to court records, in October 2025, an officer with the Farmington Police Department stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. A U.S. Border Patrol Agent responded to the scene in response to a call for assistance in identifying the four men in the vehicle. The responding agent was able to identify the four men, including Gutierrez. The agent conducted a field immigration inspection of the four men and determined that Gutierrez was a citizen of El Salvador and did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Gutierrez had been removed from the country in May 2008, at Miami, Florida and in May 2010 at Chandler, Arizona.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case with assistance from the Farmington Police Department.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

PORTLAND, Maine: An Auburn woman pleaded guilty on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Portland to filing a false tax return and interfering with the administration of federal tax laws.

According to court records, Rakiya Mohamed, 30, filed false federal income tax returns for 2018 and 2019 and provided false records to the IRS when those tax returns were audited. Mohamed owned a language interpretation business called Reliable Language Resources. Mohamed reported the income and expenses for the business on her individual income tax returns. Mohamed reported false and fraudulent expenses for contract labor and office expenses for Reliable Language Resources on those tax returns. The IRS audited Mohamed’s 2018 and 2019 tax returns, and Mohamed provided the auditors with falsified business records to substantiate the false and fraudulent expenses.

Mohamed faces a maximum term of imprisonment of three years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a maximum term of supervised release of one year. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor woman pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. 

According to court records, between July and October 2024, Nichole Kelley, 46, conspired with others to fraudulently obtain money by entering banks, impersonating legitimate bank account holders, and using fictitious identification cards to gain access to their bank accounts and withdraw funds. During a search of a coconspirator’s residence, investigators seized two fictitious driver’s licenses in other people’s names but with Kelley’s images on them. Kelley also agreed with coconspirators to travel to banks outside of Maine to impersonate customers and withdraw funds from their accounts.

Kelley faces up to 30 years in prison, a maximum fine of $1 million, and up to five years of supervised release. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Bangor Police Department, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles – Enforcement Services Division.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Hebron man was sentenced on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Portland for distributing and possessing child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Steven Parker, 47, to five years in prison to be followed by eight years of supervised release. Judge Neumann also ordered Parker to pay $25,000 in restitution to victims whose images he possessed. Parker pleaded guilty on September 15, 2025.

According to court records, Steven Parker, 47, sent a video file depicting child sexual abuse material to an undercover agent over a messaging application. In August 2024, the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit (MSPCCU) and the FBI executed a search warrant at his residence, resulting in the seizure of multiple digital media devices containing hundreds of image and video files of child sexual abuse material. When interviewed by investigators, Parker admitted to accessing, viewing, and distributing child sexual abuse material over the internet.

The FBI and MSPCCU investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Topsham man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to failing to surrender for service of sentence.

According to court records, Christopher Tucker, 34, had previously been ordered released on conditions of release in an earlier criminal case pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. In that case, Tucker pleaded guilty to firearms offenses and was sentenced to a term of 75 months in prison. At his sentencing hearing in September 2025, Tucker was permitted to remain out on release and to self-surrender to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons at a later date. Tucker failed to surrender for service of sentence as ordered. The United States Marshals Service (USMS) subsequently located and arrested Tucker in Bath, Maine.

Tucker faces up to 10 years in prison, consecutive to the 75 months he was previously ordered to serve; up to a $250,000 fine; and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The USMS investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Blue Hill man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for making a false statement during purchase of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Caleb Rhine, 22, to 12 months and one day in prison and 3 years of supervised release.

According to court records, on June 8, 2023, Rhine was indicted in Hancock County Superior Court on one count of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs. On May 5, 2024, Rhine, while still under indictment, attempted to purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Ellsworth. To make the purchase, Rhine filled out a Form 4473 required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In response to the question, “Are you under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or any other crime for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year . . .?,” Rhine falsely checked the box “No.” Rhine was able to successfully buy the gun a few days later based, in part, on his representations on the ATF form.

ATF and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after prior removals.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz, 41, to time served. Gonzalez-Peleaz had been incarcerated since November 11, 2025.

According to court records, in November 2025, a Border Patrol agent encountered Gonzalez-Peleaz and his brother, Alfredo Gonzalez-Peleaz, leaving a jobsite in Calais. The Border Patrol agent conducted a field immigration inspection of the two men and determined that they were Mexican citizens and did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Gonzalez-Peleaz had been removed from the country in November 2006, at Brownsville, Texas; December 2012, at Calexico, California; March 2013, at Calexico, California; and August 2018, at San Luis, Arizona.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case. Alfredo Gonzalez-Peleaz also received a sentence of time served, which was imposed by Judge Woodcock earlier today. 

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after a prior removal.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Alfredo Gonzalez-Peleaz, 43, to time served. Gonzalez-Peleaz had been incarcerated since November 11, 2025.

According to court records, in November 2025, a Border Patrol agent encountered Gonzalez-Peleaz and his brother, Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz, leaving a jobsite in Calais. The Border Patrol agent conducted a field immigration inspection of the two men and determined that they were Mexican citizens and did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Gonzalez-Peleaz had been removed from the country in January 2012, at Calexico, California.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case. Isidro Gonzalez-Peleaz also received a sentence of time served, which Judge Woodcock imposed earlier today.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: A New York man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for possessing heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine base with the intent to distribute those substances.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Oscarlin Peguero Ortiz, 27, to 30 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Ortiz pleaded guilty on July 23, 2025.

According to court records, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the suspected trafficking of illegal narcotics from an Avon residence. In July 2020, investigators executed a search warrant and found Ortiz inside the residence. During a search of the residence, law enforcement seized approximately 85 grams of a mixture of heroin and fentanyl and 40 grams of crack cocaine. Investigators also seized digital scales, drug paraphernalia, and over $8,000 in cash.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Maine State Police, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Kenduskeag man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for two counts of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Stacy D. Neumann sentenced Justin Leonard, 24, to 27 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $20,000 each to the two minor victims.

According to court records, in February 2024, investigators with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a search warrant at Leonard’s home based on a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Leonard was home during the warrant’s execution and provided the password and Face ID to a hidden folder on his cellular telephone. In this hidden folder, investigators located multiple sexually explicit images and videos of two very young children. Leonard admitted that he had taken these images and videos. The parents of the children confirmed Leonard’s statements and identified their children in the images and videos. A subsequent forensic review of Leonard’s phone uncovered Facebook chats where he expressed an interest in children and a desire to acquire children. In addition, in the Safari history of Leonard’s phone, artifacts were found indicating an interest in Rohypnol or “roofies,” a powerful sedative. His queries included, “youngest age you can safely give a roofie” and “Is there any drug that can make a person unconscious for 2 hours?”

In imposing sentence, Judge Neumann observed that Leonard’s conduct constituted the “most heinous offense than can be committed,” noting that “not only did [Leonard] commit the act, [he] documented it.”

HSI and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

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BANGOR, Maine: A Connecticut man was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for trafficking cocaine and fentanyl.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Cyrus Griffin, 42, to 60 months in prison. Griffin pleaded guilty on April 1, 2025.

According to court records, Maine State Police stopped Griffin on I-95 on October 25, 2024. Griffin was on parole for a homicide and was not supposed to leave Connecticut. A search of Griffin’s person recovered over two thousand dollars in cash and a quantity of suspected drugs. Inside the vehicle, Maine State Police found a handgun under the driver’s seat, drug processing paraphernalia, suspected cocaine, and suspected fentanyl. Subsequent testing confirmed almost a pound of cocaine from the seizure and approximately 135 grams of fentanyl, as well as a suspected cutting agent and processing paraphernalia.

The DEA investigated the case, with the assistance of Maine State Police and the Maine Attorney General’s Office. 

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Mexican national pleaded guilty on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland to illegally entering the U.S. after a prior removal.

According to court records, on November 6, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol Agents encountered Edgar Mandujano-Aguilar, 37, after he requested assistance from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office to return to his home country of Mexico. After agents arrived at the Sheriff’s Office parking lot, Mandujano-Aguilar acknowledged to them that he was born in Mexico, was not a U.S. citizen, and did not have any authorization to be in the country. Records checks revealed that Mandujano-Aguilar had been previously deported multiple times from the U.S.

Mandujano-Aguilar faces a maximum prison term of up to two years and a maximum fine of $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office.

U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

PORTLAND, Maine: A New Gloucester man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to passing counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks and to a wire fraud scheme. 

According to court records, Keith Mitchell, 38, deposited eight counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks totaling $40,379 into his bank account in May and June of 2024. The checks contained the serial numbers and amounts of actual U.S. Treasury checks that had been issued to third parties, but were counterfeited to be made payable to Mitchell. In May of 2021, Mitchell also received $20,832 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds based on a false and fraudulent PPP loan application. The application falsely claimed that Mitchell owned a sole proprietorship business that had earned a gross revenue of $100,000 in 2020. Mitchell also submitted a falsified tax return in support of the application.

Mitchell faces a maximum term of imprisonment of up to 20 years and a maximum fine of $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

Paycheck Protection Program: The PPP was a COVID-19 pandemic relief program administered by the SBA that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses. The PPP permitted participating third-party lenders to approve and disburse SBA-backed PPP loans to cover payroll, fixed debts, utilities, rent/mortgage, accounts payable and other bills incurred by qualifying businesses during, and resulting from, the COVID-19 pandemic. PPP loans were fully guaranteed by the SBA.

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BANGOR, Maine: On November 12, 2025, a federal grand jury sitting in Bangor indicted Agasha Carvalho and Donovan Miller on charges related to child exploitation and sex trafficking.

According to court records, Carvalho, 45, of Bangor, was indicted for production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, possession of child pornography, and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Miller, 38, of Milford, was indicted for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and production of child pornography.

On November 18, 2025, Carvalho appeared in the U.S. District Court for an arraignment and pleaded not guilty. Miller appeared in U.S. District Court on November 20, 2025, for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty.

The FBI investigated the case with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bangor Police Department.

If you believe that you may be a victim of the alleged crimes, please reach out to the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force by filling out this short form. If you have information or questions about this investigation, or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking or child exploitation, please contact the FBI using this link.

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

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PORTLAND, Maine: Riverbird, LLC, a Portland-based mental health clinic, and its providers Matthew Stevens, DO and Selma Holden, MD, have agreed to pay $20,000 to resolve claims they violated the civil provisions of the Controlled Substances Act through reporting and recordkeeping violations.

The settlement announced resolves allegations that Riverbird and its providers improperly failed to report the diversion of controlled substances; failed to keep appropriate records of controlled substances stored, dispensed, or destroyed; and did not conduct regular inventories.

As alleged, following a November 2024 audit of Riverbird by diversion investigators employed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the following alleged violations were identified:

• Clinic practitioners were aware of drug diversion committed by Matthew Stevens, DO, yet failed to report the theft to DEA.
• Clinic practitioners failed to take an initial inventory of controlled substances after a change in ownership of the clinic.
• Clinic practitioners failed to maintain complete and accurate records related to controlled substances possessed by the clinic.
• Clinic practitioners admitted to investigators that a Schedule IV controlled substance (lorazepam) in the practice’s possession was disposed of, however, the only record of the disposal was a handwritten note on a slip of paper rather than a completed mandatory DEA form. 

“DEA registrants are responsible for handling controlled substances responsibly and ensuring that complete and accurate records are being properly kept and accounted for in compliance with the Controlled Substance Act,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jarod Forget, New England Field Division. “Failure to do so increases the potential for diversion and jeopardizes public health and public safety. We are committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to ensure that these rules and regulations are followed.”

“Maintaining complete and accurate records is a baseline obligation of all DEA registrants, required to prevent controlled substances from being diverted from the legitimate drug supply,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Benson. “Investigations such as this—where investigators discovered undisclosed instances of actual drug diversion—reinforce the need to timely record and report such instances to the DEA.”

DEA diversion investigators conducted the investigation. As part of the settlement, Riverbird and its providers have also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the DEA, to further ensure compliance with applicable Controlled Substances Act laws and regulations.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. Riverbird and its providers cooperated with the DEA throughout the investigation.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A third New Bedford, Massachusetts man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to using a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. 

Jason Johnson-Rivera (a/k/a “Ouda”), 20, pleaded guilty to one count of the superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury on March 19, 2025. Johnson-Rivera’s codefendants, Joshua Estrada (aka “Mac”), 20, and Yancarlos Abrante (aka “Glizzy”), 22, pleaded guilty on September 25, 2025.

According to court records, on February 9, 2024, Johnson-Rivera, Estrada and Abrante fired at least five rounds from a 9mm handgun into another vehicle in a drug trade dispute. Shortly after they fired on their drug rivals and fled the scene, they drove their vehicle against traffic and through a red light, crashing into another passenger vehicle and a school bus. Video footage captured by another driver who witnessed the accident showed them exiting their vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot. Court records reflect that Estrada, Abrante and others had been trafficking cocaine in and around Saco and Biddeford since at least January 2024.

Johnson-Riverafaces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Saco Police Department, FBI’s Southern Maine Gang Task Force, U.S. Border Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the New Bedford (Mass.) Police Department. 

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

BANGOR, Maine: Two New York men pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to conspiring to defraud Maine banks of mortgage funding to buy houses used to illegally cultivate marijuana.

According to court records, Tony Liang, 37, of Brooklyn, New York, orchestrated the conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over half a million dollars in residential mortgage loans from two Maine banks. Liang and co-conspirators used the funds to purchase properties in Bucksport, Eddington, and Canaan. Throughout the loan application process, Liang emailed and DocuSigned materially false information to the banks, including by creating and submitting fake documentation. Liang and his co-conspirators misrepresented to the banks that the three properties would be used as residences. Instead, each property was used to illegally cultivate and manufacture marijuana.

Liang also pleaded guilty to maintaining a marijuana-involved premises at the Bucksport property. Liang maintained that property from January 2021 through February 2022 for the purpose of manufacturing marijuana, until a severe house fire disrupted the operation. The State Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the fire, discovering the remains of the illegal marijuana grow. The surviving portion of the property was filled with grow materials, chemicals, and high-powered lighting. Charred marijuana plants, processed marijuana, and hydroponics equipment also were found.  

Yongliang Deng, 35, of Queens, New York, provided his personal information and government-issued identification documentation to Liang, who used Deng’s information from November through December 2020 to apply for and obtain a residential mortgage loan from a Maine bank to buy the Eddington property. Deng used his own bank accounts to make the down payment and pay the closing costs required for the purchase, with money received through Liang. Deng granted a mortgage to the Maine bank for the Eddington property. He obtained the mortgage by misrepresenting that he would occupy and use the property as his primary residence. Liang agreed to pay Deng money each month in exchange for Deng nominally holding the property as its owner. In May 2024, federal law enforcement agents interviewed Deng. During the interview, Deng admitted that the property in Eddington was an investment which had been rented out, and that he had never resided there.

Neither defendant nor any property associated with the conspiracy was licensed through the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.

Liang and Deng each face up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million for the mortgage fraud conspiracy. Liang also faces 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 for maintaining the marijuana-involved premises. Each defendant will be sentenced after the completion of presentence investigative reports by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and IRS-Criminal Investigations investigated the case, with assistance provided by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office.

This prosecution 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. The Maine HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI; HSI; DEA; IRS-Criminal Investigations; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Border Patrol; Coast Guard Investigative Service; and Transportation Security Administration, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.

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PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson issued the following statement today:

“Every member of federal law enforcement swears to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. This oath guides the men and women of law enforcement as they fulfill their duty to enforce federal law, including the laws relating to illegal immigration.

The Constitution guarantees the right to peacefully assemble and to protest. These are fundamental rights that form the basis for a free society. What is not protected, however, are acts of violence against other individuals, destruction of property, or obstruction of lawful governmental activity.

In the coming days, if Maine citizens seek to exercise their rights to assemble and protest, it is vital that these protests remain peaceful. Anyone who forcibly assaults or impedes a federal law enforcement officer, willfully destroys government property, or unlawfully obstructs federal law enforcement activity commits a federal crime and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Finally, it is incumbent upon anyone with a public voice—whether that be an elected official, commentator or engaged citizen—to similarly urge peaceful protest and engagement. Divisive, bombastic public statements only inflame the situation and make violence more likely.

Force, intimidation and threats have no place in our public discourse and are contrary to our time-honored tradition in Maine of peaceful civic engagement.”

PORTLAND, Maine: A Plaistow, New Hampshire, man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to court records, on March 21, 2025, Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call at a residence in South Thomaston. Deputies encountered Dennis Duquette, 46, outside the home with a 9mm pistol in his hand. Duquette dropped the pistol after being ordered to do so by police and was subsequently taken into custody. Duquette is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of prior felony convictions.

Duquette faces up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with the assistance of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A New Gloucester man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court records, officers with the Scarborough Police Department responded to a tip that Shawn Small, 29, was attempting to sell a pistol to another individual. Officers then located Small at a business in Scarborough. They approached and attempted to detain him. He physically resisted. During the ensuing struggle, a pack was removed from his person. Inside that pack, officers located a Smith & Wesson pistol with a loaded magazine. Small was a convicted felon at the time and on probation for a state robbery conviction.

Small faces up to 15 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case, with the assistance of the Scarborough Police Department.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Maine man was sentenced on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland for sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.

Chief U.S. District Court Lance E. Walker sentenced Patrick Hamlin, 48, to 35 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Hamlin pled guilty on May 29, 2025.

According to court records, in May 2024, federal and state law enforcement officers executed a residential search warrant following a cyber tip report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that Hamlin had uploaded child sexual abuse material on a messaging application. During the search warrant execution, investigators seized Hamlin’s digital media devices and observed a child-like sex device that the defendant admitted to acquiring. A forensic examination revealed thousands of child sexual abuse images, including sexually explicit photographs of a child under the age of 12 that the defendant had produced. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is limiting identifying information to protect the privacy of the minor victims.

The Maine State Police and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. The defendant is also being prosecuted for unlawful sexual contact and unlawful sexual touching offenses committed against a minor by the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office.

“Hamlin has earned every single year of his 35-year federal prison sentence. He not only sexually abused a young child, he photographed the abuse and shared it with like-minded predators on the internet, immortalizing his victim’s trauma. This sentence keeps him out of our community and away from children for a very, very long time,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol for Homeland Security Investigations in New England. “We are grateful for our law enforcement partners in Maine who share our dedication to bringing justice to victims of child sexual abuse.”

“This prison sentence sends a strong message that the kind of abhorrent conduct committed by Hamlin will be punished to the full extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Benson. “This office remains committed to relentlessly pursuing and prosecuting those who sexually exploit our most vulnerable, in coordination with our federal law enforcement partners and the Maine State Police.”

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

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PORTLAND, Maine: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine collected over $33 million in civil and criminal actions in Fiscal Year 2025, U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Benson announced today.

The office collected $2,762,120.92 in criminal and civil actions during the past fiscal year. Of this amount, $1,422,280.10 was collected in criminal actions and $1,339,840.82 in civil actions. The office also worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $29,563,154.06 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $29 million was collected as part of a January 2025 agreement by SVCMC Inc., formerly known as Saint Vincents Catholic Medical Centers of New York, to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly retaining erroneously inflated payments received from the Department of Defense for healthcare services provided to retired military members and their families.

“One of our most important jobs as attorneys for the Department of Justice is to recover funds on behalf of crime victims and the taxpayers of the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Benson. “Both our Civil and Criminal divisions work every day to ensure that victims and taxpayers receive money that is due to them, and that wrongdoers are not unjustly enriched.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the Department of Justice’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, working with partner agencies and divisions, also collected $871,012.00in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2025. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Falmouth man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for tax evasion.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Jeffrey Riddle, 59, to three years of probation. Riddle was also ordered to pay $590,912 in restitution to the IRS. Riddle pleaded guilty on December 16, 2024.

According to court records, Riddle filed federal income tax returns for 2006 through 2014, reporting that he owed substantial federal tax. Despite reporting that he owed taxes, Riddle did not pay.

The IRS began trying to collect Riddle’s back taxes in 2010, filing notices of federal tax liens on property and levies on his bank account. In 2015, while still owing substantial back taxes, Riddle created a new business, Silica Marketing LLC, and entered into a lucrative consulting agreement with a large tire retailer. Riddle put the ownership of the company under his then-wife’s name despite the company’s sole revenue coming from his consulting work and using the proceeds to pay personal expenses. When meeting with the IRS revenue officer assigned to collect his back taxes, Riddle stated that he earned $6,000 a month in wages from Silica and provided the IRS with a falsified letter showing he would be paid a $3,000 bi-monthly salary. He failed to disclose that he had signed a consulting agreement as Silica’s president and CEO and that Silica was receiving substantial income from that contract. Riddle also failed to disclose that money paid to Silica was being used to pay his personal expenses. Among the expenses paid for with Silica funds was the down payment on a home on Great Diamond Island in 2016, purchased in Silica’s name.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A New York woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to maintaining a marijuana-involved premises.

According to court records, Jiamin Liao, 30, of New York City, purchased a residence in Madison for the purposes of manufacturing and distributing marijuana. In March 2024, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office personnel executed a state search warrant at Liao’s property in Madison, as well as at a related property she owned in Norridgewock. Investigators found 551 marijuana plants at the Madison property, along with chemicals (including Eagle 20 EW) and a variety of grow equipment. Liao was located at her property in Norridgewock, where she was found with approximately 30 pounds of processed marijuana. When interviewed by law enforcement, Liao admitted that she grew the processed marijuana at the Madison property. She further admitted to packaging the marijuana into one-pound bags and storing the product at the property in Norridgewock.

Liao faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Neither Liao nor her property was licensed through the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.

The FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case, with assistance provided by the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.

This prosecution 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. The Maine HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI; HSI; DEA; IRS-Criminal Investigations; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Border Patrol; Coast Guard Investigative Service; and Transportation Security Administration, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Hermon man pleaded guilty on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of firearms. 

According to court records, on November 20, 2024, Bangor Police Department officers responded to a location near Benjamin’s bar in Bangor in response to a report of an assault with a firearm. A witness stated that she saw Todd Whitman, 38, with a firearm and that Whitman had fired the firearm twice. At the scene, officers observed a revolver on the passenger seat of Whitman’s vehicle. Officers obtained a state search warrant for the vehicle and seized the previously observed revolver as well as a pistol. During an interview with law enforcement, Whitman admitted to possessing both firearms. Whitman is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of multiple prior felony convictions.

Whitman faces a term of imprisonment of at least 15 years, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with the assistance of the Bangor Police Department.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Sidney man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to one count of receiving child pornography.

According to court records, in 2019 Jeremy Grignon, 29, used social media platforms to receive videos of child pornography over the internet using his home computer and cellular phone. He received some of the videos from minors themselves.

Grignon faces from five to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to a lifetime of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Mexican national was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland for illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Juan Mendez-Morales, 43, to time served (approximately 70 days). Mendez-Morales pleaded guilty on November 19, 2025.

According to court records, on October 22, 2025, Mendez-Morales was stopped by police for speeding. When a United States Border Patrol Agent arrived, Mendez-Morales admitted that he was a citizen of Mexico and had no immigration documents allowing him to be in the U.S. Mendez-Morales was previously removed from the country in October 2013 under an order from an immigration judge.

The United States Border Patrol investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Dominican national was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bangor today for his role in a Massachusetts-Maine fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Alexis De Leon, 30, to 60 months in prison. De Leon pleaded guilty on March 11, 2025.

According to court records, De Leon and coconspirators worked together to transport kilograms of fentanyl from Massachusetts to Maine for distribution. The investigation initially showed that an individual known locally only as “Leon Leon” was using a Facebook account and other means to contact associates and customers in Maine and arrange for drug distribution. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) developed evidence that De Leon was responsible for operating that Facebook page and arranged monitored purchases of fentanyl from “Leon Leon.” The DEA ultimately coordinated a traffic stop in June 2024, with the assistance of Maine State Police, during which De Leon was found in possession of a large quantity of fentanyl enroute to Bangor. The court found that De Leon was responsible for distributing over 20 kilograms of fentanyl in Maine. Co-defendants Ramon De Leon and Mandi Ford have also pleaded guilty in this case and are pending sentencing.

The DEA investigated this case, with the assistance of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Maine State Police.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Belmont man was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for three counts of possessing child pornography.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced John Haynes, 28, to 120 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Haynes pleaded guilty on August 5, 2024.

According to court records, between March 2022 and November 2023, Haynes possessed child pornography he had downloaded from the internet on four separate cell phones. Some of the images depicted prepubescent children under the age of 12. He was subject to enhanced penalties due to a prior state conviction for sexual misconduct with a child under 14.

The FBI and the Maine State Police Computer Crimes Unit investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child pornography: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as "child pornography" – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

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BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to illegally entering the U.S. after a prior removal.

According to court records, Alfredo Gonzalez-Pelaez, 42, was encountered by a Border Patrol agent conducting a field inspection. Gonzalez-Pelaez acknowledged to the officer that he was an alien who had illegally entered the United States years earlier. Immigration records showed that he had previously been removed from the U.S. in 2012 and did not have a visa or other documentation that would allow him to re-enter the country.

Gonzalez-Pelaez faces up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: An Ecuadorian national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after prior removals.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced William Leonardo Dutan Gagui, 33, to time served. Dutan Gagui had been incarcerated since September 14, 2025.

According to court records, in September 2025, Dutan Gagui was a passenger in a speeding van operated by an illegal alien. Border Patrol agents stopped the vehicle. When asked, Dutan Gagui admitted he was a citizen of Ecuador and that he did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Dutan Gagui had been removed from the country in November 2011 and again in August 2016, both times at New Orleans, Louisiana.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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PORTLAND, Maine: The Department of Justice announced on December 19, 2025, the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of two weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the country.

“We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes.”

“Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This year, the FBI has led multiple nationwide surges across the U.S. to find and arrest hundreds of child predators. We will not stop until every child can live a life free of exploitation. We will utilize the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners to protect communities across the nation from such horrific crimes.”

This month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine charged Christopher Colson, 24, of Lewiston, by criminal complaint with possessing and producing child pornography. In a separate matter, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine charged Spencer Lillie, 29, of St. Joseph, Missouri, by criminal complaint with sexual exploitation of a minor and the distribution and receipt of child pornography. Lillie is alleged to have met with a 10-year-old girl online, after which he convinced the victim to create and send him child pornography videos.  

Those arrested are alleged to have committed various crimes, including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking. Some of the alleged offenders include an airman out of Dallas, TX, who was arrested with his wife for producing child sex abuse material (CSAM), as well as a police officer from Raleigh, NC, who distributed CSAM to an undercover officer while discussing his interest in engaging in sexual contact with children. In another case involving enticement of a minor, the Miami Field Office arrested a Guatemalan national who was previously deported in 2011, and had previous arrests for battery, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed weapon.

As sextortion cases continue to rise, this operation highlights arrests of individuals who target vulnerable children online including the five leaders of Greggy’s Cult, as well as a Virginia man who persuaded a 14-year-old to produce CSAM. The victim attempted suicide after he allegedly told her to kill herself.

This effort follows two other successful operations, including Operation Restore Justice in May, which resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders, and Operation Enduring Justice in August, which resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders.

The FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) assisted victims during this operation and provided services, to include forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD’s mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.

These operations underscore the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Howland man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for making false statements on a passport application.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Eric Ericson, 73, to time-served (14 months and 8 days) in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. On October 16, 2025, Ericson was found guilty of passport fraud following a three-day trial.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Ericson applied for a U.S. passport at a U.S. Post Office in Bangor on March 24, 2023. When asked about any other names he had used, Ericson failed to disclose his multiple aliases on his passport application. Ericson also falsely reported that he had never applied for or been issued a U.S. passport before, when in fact he had previously applied for and obtained a passport under a different name. He falsely certified that the information in his application was true and correct.  Ericson is a registered sex offender, following his Maine state convictions for Gross Sexual Assault, Unlawful Sexual Contact, and Sexual Abuse of a Minor in 2010.

The Diplomatic Security Service Portsmouth Resident Office investigated the case with assistance from the Maine State Police.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Florida man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to court records, Richard Harris, 23, and a coconspirator, Paul Logugune, broke into unattended vehicles to steal purses and wallets to obtain driver’s licenses and checkbooks. Harris and Logugune forged checks using the stolen checkbooks and made the checks payable to the names on the stolen licenses. They then recruited others to cash the forged checks at credit unions throughout Cumberland County using the stolen IDs to impersonate the ID theft victims.

Logugune pleaded guilty to his role in the offense and has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

Harris faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a maximum term of supervised release of five years. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Maine man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Portland for possessing child sex abuse materials.

Chief U.S. District Judge Lance E. Walker sentenced Steven W. Freeman, 47, to 20 years in prison to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release. Freeman pleaded guilty on June 12, 2025.

According to court records, in July 2024, federal and state law enforcement officers executed search warrants following reports that Freeman had possessed child sexual abuse material. Investigators seized Freeman’s cellular telephone and a forensic examination of that phone revealed hundreds of child sexual abuse images. Freeman has a previous conviction in Sagadahoc County in 2003 for gross sexual assault.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

To report an incident involving the possession, distribution, receipt or production of child sexual abuse material: Child sexual abuse material – referred to in legal terms as “child pornography” – captures the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. These images document victims’ exploitation and abuse, and they suffer revictimization every time the images are viewed. In 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) received 36 million reports of the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse materials. To file a report with NCMEC, go to https://report.cybertip.org or call 1-800-843-5678. If you are in Maine and you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused, you can get help by calling the free, private 24-hour statewide sexual assault helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Farmingdale woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to theft of mail by a postal employee.

According to court records, Shannon Littlefield, 29, stole cash and gift cards from greeting cards entrusted to her at the Auburn Post Office. Littlefield worked as a Service and Distribution Clerk at the Auburn Post Office from May 2016 through March 2025. In March 2025, Littlefield was observed on surveillance footage on three different dates removing mail from mail bins and placing it under her clothing. When investigators with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General questioned Littlefield about her conduct, she confessed that she had been stealing mail for approximately eight months. Littlefield admitted that she would open greeting cards and steal cash or gift cards enclosed in the greeting cards.

Littlefield faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a maximum term of supervised release of three years. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A New York man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to submitting a false mortgage loan application and maintaining a marijuana-involved premises.

According to court records, Ken Yiu, 49, of New York City, purchased a house in Saint Albans using an $80,000 residential mortgage loan he obtained from a Maine bank. To receive the funding, Yiu submitted a loan application in which he answered “Yes” to the question, “Do you intend to occupy the property as your primary residence?” Yiu never intended to occupy the property in Saint Albans as a residence. From September 2020 through January 2024, he instead used the property to grow and distribute marijuana.

In December 2024, federal law enforcement agents interviewed Yiu. During the interview, Yiu admitted selling marijuana he grew at his property in Saint Albans to buyers in Massachusetts. A federal search warrant for the property was executed in January 2025. The search confirmed that the property had been used and maintained by Yiu to grow and distribute marijuana.

Yiu faces up to 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million for the mortgage fraud count and 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000 for the drug count. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Neither Yiu nor his property was licensed through the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.

The FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A New Jersey man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to conspiring to commit wire fraud and making false statements to an FBI agent.

According to court records, Bharat Awasarmol, 49, conspired with others in a multi-state scheme to defraud seven victims in five states, including Maine. As part of the scheme, victims received telephone calls from individuals posing as government officials. These imposters fraudulently instructed victims to withdraw cash and purchase gold to turn over to the government for safekeeping. The callers then arranged for victims to meet fake government agents to hand over the cash and gold. Awasarmol was intercepted when FBI agents caught him accepting a package from a victim in Maine. The Maine victim had been instructed by an individual posing as an employee of the Federal Trade Commission to meet Awasarmol and provide him with gold bars. Awasarmol made false statements to an FBI agent regarding his role in the scheme.

As part of the conspiracy, Awasarmol also accepted cash and gold from six additional victims in New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, all of whom had been deceived by individuals posing as government officials.

Awasarmol faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the wire fraud conspiracy charge. He also faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on the false statement charge.

Awasarmol will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Florida man was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Bangor for attempting to evade federal taxes and engaging in fraudulent transfers and concealment in a bankruptcy proceeding. 

U.S. District Judge Stacy D. Neumann sentenced Paul Archer, 46, formerly of Hampden and Orrington, to 24 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.

According to court records, Archer operated a profitable online marketing business for software installation on computers, earning several million dollars from 2013 through 2015. After an IRS audit in 2016 assessed a federal tax debt totaling approximately $1 million for those years, Archer concealed and transferred assets through two LLCs he controlled and began using third-party bank accounts to evade paying the tax debt.   

From April 2018 through November 2019, Archer transferred and concealed assets and income by using a series of bank accounts held in the names of Max Tune Up, LLC, Stealth Kit, LLC, his father, and his spouse. Using a bank account held by Stealth Kit, LLC, for instance, Archer received income via direct deposits, initiated and received over $2 million in wire payments, and used cryptocurrency trading platforms and online payment systems to transfer funds. Archer transferred an investment account held in his own name to an account held in the name of Stealth Kit, LLC, then engaged in trading activity, stock ownership, and dividend/interest distributions. Archer further owned and transacted in Bitcoin using two different cryptocurrency exchanges, purchasing and later trading several hundred thousand dollars in cryptocurrency.

In March 2019, Archer filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding. In his Chapter 7 petition and schedules, Archer falsely claimed less than $50,000 in assets; a single checking account; no other assets or property interests; no recent asset transfers; and no connections to any businesses or memberships in any LLCs. Archer repeated these falsehoods under oath during meetings of creditors convened by a Chapter 7 Trustee, as well as in statements made to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maine.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI investigated the case.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Jay man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for distributing narcotics and illegally possessing a firearm.

U.S. District Judge Stacy D. Neumann sentenced Thomas Ray Cook, 46, to four years in prison and three years of supervised release.

According to court records, Cook sold $600 worth of cocaine to a Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (MDEA) confidential information source (CI) in February 2025 from Cook’s home in Jay. In March 2025, Cook sold the CI additional cocaine and seven firearms for $1,600, from a different residence in Farmington. Cook is prohibited from possessing firearms because of multiple prior Maine state felony convictions, including Aggravated Operating after Habitual Offender Revocation and Eluding an Officer.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and MDEA investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Waterville man was sentenced on October 7, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Bangor for making threatening interstate communications. 

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Benjamin Brown, 47, to time-served, which is approximately 6 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Brown pleaded guilty on June 27, 2025.

According to court records, on February 8, 2024, Brown posted comments on YouTube threatening to hunt down and kill illegal immigrants. In his comments, Brown said that no one could stop him from killing illegal immigrants, not even law enforcement. Federal agents had previously met with Brown on two separate occasions to discuss other comments he had posted online and warned him about the federal crime of interstate threats.

“Words matter, and when those words are violent threats, the FBI takes them seriously,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “What Benjamin Brown did in threatening to hunt down and kill illegal immigrants was not only reprehensible but criminal, and he is now being held accountable. We will continue to work with our partners to identify and bring to justice those who use the internet to incite fear and threaten violence.”

“There is no online safe haven for threats to kill others,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Benson. “Indeed, threats posted online can have a much broader impact than those made in person. No matter how frustrated or angry you are, don’t post threats to kill someone else unless you want law enforcement to show up and hold you accountable. The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the hard-working investigators from the FBI and U.S. Secret Service for their work on this case.”

The FBI and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Waterville Police Department.

Editor’s Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated, but the press release was not published at that time due to the federal government shutdown. The release was posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Mexican national pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to illegally reentering the U.S. after a prior removal.

According to court records, on October 22, 2025, Juan Mendez-Morales, 43, was stopped by police for speeding. When a United States Border Patrol Agent arrived, Mendez-Morales admitted that he was a citizen of Mexico and had no immigration documents allowing him to be in the United States. Mendez-Morales was previously removed from the U.S. in October 2013 pursuant to an order from an immigration judge.

Mendez-Morales faces a maximum prison term of two years and a fine up to $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The United States Border Patrol investigated the case.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Lewiston man was sentenced on November 18 in U.S. District Court in Portland for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Kulmiye Abukar Idris, 35, to 18 months in federal prison to be served consecutively from a 42-month state prison sentence for Gross Sexual Assault. Following his terms of imprisonment, he will be on supervised release for three years.

According to court records, in January 2025, Lewiston police officers stopped a vehicle operated by Idris for traffic violations. Officers searched the vehicle and found a handgun. Idris had previously been convicted in 2024 for gross sexual assault in Androscoggin County and was, therefore, prohibited from possessing firearms.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Lewiston Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office.

Operation Take Back America: 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.

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BANGOR, Maine: Lucas Sirois, 45, and his father, Robert Sirois, 71, both of Farmington, were found guilty on November 18 in U.S. District Court in Bangor of multiple charges arising from their participation in a lengthy conspiracy to cultivate and distribute vast quantities of marijuana. The verdicts followed a five-day jury trial.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, from at least 2016 through July 2020, Lucas Sirois was the leader of a conspiracy that involved the cultivation and distribution of well in excess of 8,000 kilograms of marijuana from just one of several industrial grow locations he operated through corporate shell companies Lakemont LLC, Sandy River Properties LLC, and Spruce Valley LLC. Each corporation was found guilty of operating a drug premises.

Robert Sirois was also found guilty of participating in the conspiracy, based on his involvement at the grow facility located at 374 High Street in Farmington, referred to by the conspiracy members as the Shoe Shop. The Shoe Shop was divided into multiple rooms, and cooperating witnesses estimated that it produced upwards of 50 pounds a week of marijuana throughout the conspiracy period.

Five of the defendants’ drug coconspirators, including four cooperating defendants and one immunized witness, testified over the five-day trial. One cooperating defendant testified that for a three-year period, he purchased more than 30 pounds a week of marijuana for between $900 and $1500 per pound from Lucas Sirois, which he supplied to mid-level drug dealers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Lucas Sirois was also convicted of two counts of tax fraud, and one count of bank fraud at trial. Lucas Sirois’s tax preparer, Kenneth Allen, who had previously pleaded guilty to tax fraud himself for his role in the conspiracy, testified that at Sirois’s direction, he created false transactions among Sirois’s companies in order to zero-out more than $400,000 in federal taxes Lucas Sirois owed for 2017 and 2018. Multiple witnesses testified that Lucas Sirois had lied to a local credit union when he opened accounts there in order to hide that he was in the marijuana business. Millions of dollars in marijuana proceeds flowed through those accounts during the conspiracy period.

Robert Sirois was acquitted of one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Lucas Sirois faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, and up to a $10 million fine. Robert Sirois faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Both men will be sentenced after the completion of presentence investigative reports by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine their sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Trial proceeded in this case only after a lengthy evidentiary hearing on the defendants’ motion to enjoin the prosecution and subsequent litigation, including interlocutory review by the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. In the context of that litigation, the district court found, and the court of appeals affirmed, that the Sirois defendants had been unable to establish that they complied with Maine’s medical marijuana regime in force during the conspiracy period.

In addition to Lucas and Robert Sirois, the following individuals have been convicted of federal crimes for their roles in this case: Randal Cousineau, Alisa Sirois, Brandon Dagnese, Kenneth Allen, former Rangeley Assemblyman David Burgess, former sheriff’s deputies Derreck Doucette and Bradley Scovil, and former prosecutor Kayla Alves, who was convicted of destroying evidence related to the investigation in 2022.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI, and local and state partners investigated the case.

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces: This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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PORTLAND, Maine: The U.S. Attorney’s Office today filed lawsuits against two individuals alleging they fraudulently applied for and received CARES Act pandemic relief funds:

•    Ahmed Suja, of South Portland, is alleged to have fraudulently applied for and received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan in the amount of $20,833.

•    Kamil Suja, also of South Portland, is alleged to have fraudulently applied and received a PPP loan in the amount of $20,832.

As alleged in each of the complaints, the defendants misrepresented that they each owned and operated sole proprietorships with annual gross revenues of approximately $100,000. In reality, neither defendant owned any business. As alleged in the complaint against Kamil Suja, Kamil Suja used the PPP loan funds on a variety of non-qualifying expenditures, such as the purchase of a car and to fund securities purchases on an online trading platform. 

The complaints against Ahmed and Kamil Suja were brought by the United States pursuant to the False Claims Act (FCA) and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). The FCA provides that any person who “knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval” or “knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim” is liable to the United States for three times the amount of damages that the United States sustains, plus a civil penalty for each FCA violation. For FCA violations assessed after July 3, 2025, the minimum penalty per violation is $14,308.

FIRREA provides that the Attorney General may recover civil penalties against persons who knowingly make a false statement for the purpose of influencing a decision by the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration or to obtain a loan, money, or anything of value under the SBA’s 7(a) program, including the PPP. For FIRREA violations assessed after July 3, 2025, the maximum penalty per violation is $2,513,215.   

The complaints filed by the United States are a result of the District of Maine’s ongoing efforts to identify and investigate fraudulently obtained pandemic relief funds. Recent amendments to federal law have extended the statute of limitations for civil and criminal fraud enforcement actions concerning PPP loans and other CARES Act pandemic relief funds from six to 10 years.

The civil actions are docketed United States v. Suja, 2:25-cv-00576-SDN (D. Me.); and United States v. Suja, 2:25-cv-00577-SDN (D. Me.).

The claims asserted against the defendants are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A South Berwick woman pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Portland to theft of government money. 

According to court records, Cori Godin, 46, falsely claimed to be unemployed in order to receive unemployment insurance benefits, including federally funded benefits intended to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment insurance is a joint state and federal program that provides monetary benefits to eligible beneficiaries. Payments are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to lawful workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. Beginning in about March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several federal programs expanded unemployment insurance eligibility and benefits. For a period of approximately 13 months in 2020 and 2021, Godin falsely claimed to be unemployed in order to receive benefits. She received approximately $37,105 in benefits.

Godin faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a maximum term of supervised release of three years. She will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

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PORTLAND, Maine: The United States Attorney’s Office announced that Andrew B. Benson has taken the oath of office to become the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maine.  U.S. Attorney Benson was nominated for the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maine by President Donald J. Trump on September 30, 2025. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed him U.S. Attorney effective October 22, 2025, pending Senate confirmation of his presidential nomination, and he was sworn in on the same date by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Lance E. Walker.

U.S. Attorney Benson is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the District of Maine. He oversees a staff of 45 employees and contractors located in Portland and Bangor, including 21 attorneys, 21 non-attorney support personnel and three contractors. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

U.S. Attorney Benson was born in western Maine and grew up in Bethel, attending local schools.  After high school, he attended the University of Maine at Orono and received an honors degree in German literature.  He then attended the University of Maine School of Law and received his Juris Doctorate in 1988.

A veteran prosecutor, Benson worked for a district attorney’s office in central Maine, trying serious and violent felonies.  In 1999, he was appointed one of three senior homicide prosecutors for the Maine Attorney General’s Office by Maine Attorney General Andrew Ketterer and was assigned with the responsibility of overseeing and trying homicide cases throughout the state. During his fifteen-year tenure in the Attorney General’s Office, he dealt with over 100 murder and manslaughter cases.   

In 2014, he was nominated to the bench of the Maine District Court by Governor Paul LePage. He was renominated by Governor Janet Mills in 2021.  After each nomination he was unanimously confirmed by the Maine State Senate.

While a member of the district court bench, he presided over hundreds of trials, including dozens of serious criminal jury trials.  He resigned from his judicial position in order to accept the position of United States Attorney for the District of Maine.

Editor’s Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated, but the press release was not published at that time due to the federal government shutdown. The release was posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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BANGOR, Maine: A Texas man was sentenced on October 7, 2025, in U.S. District Court in Bangor for four counts of wire fraud.

U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Kyle Lawless Pollar, 28, to 21 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $360,000 in restitution.

According to court records, in October 2022, the FBI began an investigation after a Maine couple reported a loss of nearly $400,000 via unauthorized wire transfers and purchases from their bank account. The couple stated that after returning from a vacation, they unsuccessfully attempted to log into their bank account and called the bank to request their username and password be reset. Once able to view the account, they found multiple wire transfers on the statement.

The investigation showed that in August 2022, an unknown person called the bank pretending to be the account holder, requesting the account balance and updating the contact phone number. Shortly after, they also changed the contact email address. Over a two-week period, several transfers were made between the victims’ home equity line of credit account to their savings account. Multiple wire transfers were then made to a Texas bank account held by Pollar. The four wire transfers totaled $360,880. $66,000 from one wire transfer was transferred to a jeweler also located in Texas. Pollar withdrew funds from his account in cash and cashier’s checks, and the cashier’s checks were deposited in other Texas bank accounts in his name. Security cameras captured him making deposits and withdrawing funds.

The FBI investigated the case. 

Editor’s Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated, but the press release was not published at that time due to the federal government shutdown. The release was posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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PORTLAND, Maine: A Brunswick man was found guilty on October 29, 2025, of aiding and assisting the preparation of false tax returns for others and of filing false tax returns for himself following a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Portland.

According to court records and testimony at trial, Lawrence Okeyo, 48, was a professional tax return preparer in Portland. He prepared tax returns for others in exchange for a fee. Okeyo often collected his preparation fees, which sometimes exceeded $1,000, from the tax refunds issued to his clients. Okeyo falsified his clients’ tax returns by claiming bogus, unreimbursed employee expenses that can be deducted only by a limited set of professionals: Armed Forces reservists, qualified performing artists, fee-basis state or local government officials, and employees with impairment-related work expenses. Neither Okeyo nor his clients met these qualifications. By falsifying tax returns, Okeyo generated or inflated unwarranted tax refunds for his clients and himself. Okeyo also prepared a false tax return for an undercover IRS agent posing as a client. During his interactions with the undercover agent, Okeyo told the agent, “I know that you should pay [taxes]. What I’m wanting to do is save you from paying.” Okeyo then fabricated supposed business expenses on the tax return he prepared for the undercover agent. Okeyo advised the undercover agent that, if he was audited, he would not be able to prove that he was entitled to claim the expenses.

Okeyo faces up to three years of imprisonment for each of the 18 false tax returns he was convicted of preparing and filing. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation investigated this case.

Editor’s Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated, but the press release was not published at that time due to the federal government shutdown. The release was posted and made available following the return to normal operations.

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