Eastern District of New York

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Justin Chen was sentenced by United States District Judge Orelia E. Merchant to 27 months in prison for insider trading conspiracy.  Chen was previously employed at an EDGAR filing company and was responsible for reviewing draft securities filings before they were filed on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s EDGAR filing system.  Chen misused material non-public information taken from his employer to trade in the securities of 13 publicly traded companies, making at least $2.38 million in profits.  In addition to the custodial sentence, Judge Merchant ordered Chen to forfeit $1,828,442.00 in ill-gotten gains and pay $115,437.19 in restitution.  A co-defendant, Jun Zhen, pleaded guilty in October 2025 for his role in the insider trading conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence. 

“Chen abused his position with his employer and misappropriated material non-public information to make millions,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “This sentence sends the message to the public that we are watching and will aggressively prosecute those who exploit their access to private information for personal gain and undermine the integrity of economic markets.” 

Mr. Nocella thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for their significant assistance in the prosecution.   

"Justin Chen leveraged his employee access to earn over two million dollars through trades made with non-public information of more than a dozen companies. The FBI continues to hold accountable those who attempt to establish an unfair financial advantage by undermining the integrity of our securities market," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As detailed in court filings and on the record statements, Chen was employed as an assistant manager at a company identified as “EDGAR Filer 1.”  EDGAR Filer 1 is a filing agent that assists issuers of securities with submitting required disclosures to the SEC and the investing public through the SEC’s EDGAR filing system.  Through his employment at EDGAR Filer 1, Chen had advance access to upcoming SEC filings for EDGAR Filer 1’s clients.  These filings routinely included significant, market-moving information—material non-public information, including Form 8-K announcements about upcoming mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, asset sales, and quarterly earnings reports.  As a part of his employment, Chen and his co-defendant Zhen, were responsible for reviewing draft securities filings and providing those filings to other EDGAR Filer 1 employees who would convert the filings to the format used by the SEC’s EDGAR filing system.  Chen and Zhen used their advanced knowledge of upcoming securities filings, which would disclose material non-public information about, for example, partnerships, mergers, and planned acquisitions, to trade in 13 NASDAQ-listed companies, making a total profit of at least $2.38 million. 

For instance, in the afternoon and evening on May 20, 2025, Chen and Zhen purchased approximately 186,275 shares of SigmaTron International, Inc. (ticker: SGMA), an Illinois-based provider of electronic manufacturing services.  The next morning, on May 21, 2025, SGMA announced that it had entered into a merger agreement whereby SGMA would be acquired by Transom Capital Group, LLC at a 134% price premium over SGMA’s closing price per share on May 20, 2025.  Following the announcement SGMA shares opened for trading on May 21, 2025 up approximately 127% from their closing price on May 20, 2025.  Chen and Zhen sold all their shares in SGMA approximately a half-hour after the announcement, making a total profit of approximately $290,005. 

Chen engaged in similar trading, sometimes within minutes of material announcements, in Ondas Holdings, Inc. (ticker: ONDS); Purple Innovation, Inc. (ticker: PRPL); Signing Day Sports, Inc. (ticker: SGN); Triller Group, Inc. (ticker: ILLR); ARB OIT Group Limited (ticker: ARBB); Asset Entities Inc. (ticker ASST); Rumble Inc. (ticker: RUM); Gryphon Digital Mining Inc. (ticker GRYP); New GenIVF Group Limited (ticker NIVF); Getty Images Holding (ticker: GETY); and Polyrizon Ltd. (ticker: PLRZ).

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Nick M. Axelrod and Sara K. Winik are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney Brendan King of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section who is handling forfeiture matters.

The Defendant:

JUSTIN CHEN (also known as “Jia Wei Chen”) 
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New York 

Co-Defendant Awaiting Sentencing:

JUN ZHEN
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-303 (OEM)

Earlier today, in federal court, in Brooklyn, Rohnique Posey, also known as “Pioneer,” pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo.  Posey’s four co-defendants, Karsem Allen, also known as “Short,” Carolyn Hicks-Torres, Henry McCummings, and Dominic Smith, all previously pleaded guilty to engaging in a firearms trafficking conspiracy.  In addition, Allen and Hicks-Torres pleaded guilty to possession of machine guns and McCummings pleaded guilty to possession of a defaced firearm. 

When sentenced, all five defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for the firearms trafficking conspiracy charge.  Posey also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for distribution of cocaine base; Allen and Hicks-Torres face a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of machineguns; and McCummings faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment for possession of a defaced firearm. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty pleas. 

“Illegal gun traffickers fuel violence, endanger innocent lives, and threaten the safety of our communities,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella.  “These guilty pleas hold accountable these defendants. who sought to flood Queens neighborhoods with illegal weapons, including semi-automatic and defaced firearms, and ghost guns.  Every illegal firearm taken off our streets is a step towards safer communities, and our Office, alongside our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue to stop the flow of illegal guns, combat gun violence, and protect the people of New York City.  I commend the brave members of law enforcement who took these deadly weapons off the streets and out of the hands of violent criminals. We are all safer thanks to their exceptional work.”

“These guilty pleas are the result of focused investigative work and the strong partnership between ATF New York’s Crime Gun Enforcement Team and the NYPD Ghost Gun Unit.  Together, we identified and disrupted a firearms trafficking network responsible for moving dozens of illegal firearms and machine gun conversion devices into Queens.  Our commitment to reducing violent gun crime and protecting the communities we serve remains unwavering.  We are grateful to the staff at U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for its continued partnership,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo.

“This case demonstrates once again that there will be consequences for those who attempt to bring illegal firearms into our city,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “That is the work behind the NYPD delivering record lows in murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims for the first half of 2026: comprehensive investigations that remove illegal guns, dismantle trafficking pipelines, and hold the drivers of violence accountable. I thank our NYPD investigators, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe.”

As set forth in court filings, between December 2024 and June 2025, Allen, Hicks-Torres, McCummings, Posey, and Smith made multiple illegal firearms sales totaling at least 29 firearms, including semi-automatic and defaced weapons, inside apartment complexes in the Rockaways.  On the day Allen and Hicks-Torres were arrested, July 1, 2025, they sold an additional 11 firearms.  Allen and Hicks-Torres illegally obtained these firearms in North Carolina from straw purchasers and then transported the weapons to New York City to be sold through Posey.  On one occasion, Allen and Hicks-Torres sold four machine gun conversion devices, which are designed for converting semi-automatic pistols into machine guns.  McCummings and Smith primarily sold “ghost guns” which typically do not have serial numbers and therefore are untraceable.  Posey also sold crack cocaine on four occasions. 

Several firearms and machine gun conversion devices trafficked by the defendants are depicted below.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Daniel Marcus and Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution. 

The Defendants:

KARSEM ALLEN (also known as “Short”)
Age:  50
Henderson, North Carolina

CAROLYN HICKS-TORRES
Age:  54
Henderson, North Carolina

HENRY MCCUMMINGS
Age:  44
Arverne, New York

ROHNIQUE POSEY (also known as “Pioneer”)
Age:  48
Arverne, New York

DOMINIC SMITH
Age:  35
Teaneck, New Jersey

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-216 (BMC)

An indictment was filed yesterday in federal court in Central Islip charging Saad Aziz and Zabed Chowdhury, also known as “Jared,” with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and pay health care kickbacks, paying health care kickbacks, and money laundering conspiracy.  The defendants allegedly offered and paid health care kickbacks and submitted fraudulent claims to Medicaid for ambulette services to medical appointments that were not performed, or the costs were artificially inflated.  The defendants were previously charged by complaint and will be arraigned at a later date.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), and Raymond A. Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney, announced the charges. 

“As alleged, the defendants turned a transportation program intended to provide vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries with access to critical medical care into a vehicle for personal enrichment,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “By paying illegal kickbacks, billing for rides that were never provided, and inflating reimbursement claims through false information, they allegedly stole tens of millions of taxpayer dollars.  It is a priority of the Office and the Administration to protect the integrity of federally funded health care programs and to hold accountable those who seek to profit through fraud.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York's Homeland Security Task Force John F. Kennedy International Airport Financial Crimes Group and the Office of the New York State Comptroller for their work on the case. 

“This scheme, as alleged, reflects an egregious abuse of the Medicaid program, diverting vital health care dollars away from the vulnerable individuals who depend on them,” stated HHS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Gruchacz.  “HHS‑OIG remains steadfast in working with our law enforcement partners to protect taxpayer funds and uphold the integrity of federally funded health care programs.”

IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge, Chavis, Jr. stated: “This scheme took advantage of a program meant to help people get to the medical care they rely on.  By gaming the system for their own benefit, the defendants didn’t just misuse taxpayer money — they made it harder for people who genuinely need support. We’re committed to protecting public funds and making sure anyone who tries to commit fraud is held responsible.”

“Medicaid's transportation benefit exists so that vulnerable people can get the care they need. These defendants allegedly exploited that lifeline, paying kickbacks and billing for trips that never happened in order to enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers,” stated Suffolk County District Attorney Tierney.  “I thank the United States Attorney's Office, HHS-OIG, IRS-CI, and the State Comptroller for their partnership in rooting out this alleged scheme.”

1. As set forth in court filings, the defendants owned and operated Tri-Hamlet Taxi Inc.  From approximately January 2019 to October 2025, the defendants paid illegal health care kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries to induce them to request medical transportation services from Tri-Hamlet Taxi, primarily for purported necessary methadone treatment.  In reality, the defendants often did not provide the medical transportation services for which they billed Medicaid, yet, fraudulently submitted millions of dollars in claims for these nonexistent trips.  

2. The defendants also systematically inflated their Medicaid reimbursements.  Although numerous addiction treatment centers on Long Island were available to beneficiaries, the defendants directed beneficiaries to request transportation to addiction treatment centers in New York City and to provide false pickup or drop-off addresses so they could bill Medicaid for longer, more expensive trips.  Through this scheme, the defendants submitted more than $18 million in claims for rides exceeding 75 miles and, overall, fraudulently billed Medicaid more than $35 million.

3. The defendants used the illicit proceeds of the scheme to, among other things, fund their lifestyles and purchase multiple investment properties and homes with a combined value of approximately $6 million. 

If convicted of the charges, the defendants each face up to 20 years in prison, and restitution and forfeiture of at least $35 million, including several real properties and 15 bank accounts.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Adam R. Toporovsky is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Janelle Robinson.  Assistant United States Attorney Madeline O’Connor of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people.

The Defendants:

SAAD AZIZ
Age:  52
Shirley, New York

ZABED CHOWDHURY (also known as “Jared”)
Age:  49
Lake Ronkonkoma, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-201 (NJC)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Leon Wilson, a former correctional officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn (“MDC-Brooklyn”), was sentenced by United States District Judge Pamela K. Chen to 200 months in prison for willfully depriving an individual of his constitutional rights and using a firearm during a crime of violence.  Wilson was convicted at trial in October 2025 on both counts of the indictment. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ryan Geach, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Region, United States Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG), and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence. 

 “Leon Wilson used the authority entrusted to him as a federal correctional officer not to protect the public, but to engage in a dangerous and unjustified pursuit that culminated in gunfire on the streets of Brooklyn,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “This sentence demonstrates our Office’s unwavering commitment to protecting constitutional rights and prosecuting those who abuse the power of their badges.” 

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for its work in this case. 

“We rely on Correctional Officers to do their work with honesty and integrity. Unfortunately, Wilson chose to exploit his authority," stated DOJ OIG Special Agent in Charge Geach.  “The DOJ OIG will continue working with its law enforcement partners to bring to justice anyone who violates their oath and engages in this type of conduct.”

“Leon Wilson’s flagrant abuse of authority injured a civilian and gravely endangered the lives of countless other New Yorkers. The FBI New York’s Civil Rights Task Force is dedicated to holding accountable public servants who use their badge as a shield to hide behind while engaging in violent criminal activity,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

Wilson was on duty at MDC-Brooklyn on September 4, 2023, when he chased a civilian car (the BMW) out of the facility’s staff parking lot and off MDC-Brooklyn property.  Wilson had no authority to pursue the BMW past MDC-Brooklyn’s property line, but he did so anyway and ultimately chased the car to the edge of the Brooklyn Bridge, approximately 3.5 miles from the facility.  During the chase, Wilson exceeded the speed limit, passed other vehicles, and ran red lights.  Approximately two minutes after the chase began—and nearly a mile from MDC-Brooklyn—Wilson fired several gunshots at the BMW, one of which penetrated the rear of the vehicle and struck the backseat passenger in the chest and lungs. Wilson continued to chase the BMW for several minutes after firing his weapon.  He never reported the on-duty shooting to the NYPD, MDC-Brooklyn or Bureau of Prisons personnel. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity and Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Sections.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Erin Reid, Eric Silverberg, and Raffaela Belizaire are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Daniel Arakawa and Melissa Bennett. 

The Defendant:

LEON WILSON
Age:  51
Bronx, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-465 (PKC)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging six defendants — former National Basketball Association (NBA) players Malik Beasley and Edward Davis, and co-conspirators William Brown, Robert Gorodetsky, Ernesto Plascencia, and current NBA player agent Paolo Zamorano—with wire fraud conspiracy, bribery in sporting contests, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy for their alleged roles in a scheme to bribe Beasley to manipulate his performance in NBA games and use inside information about Beasley’s intended performance to profit via illegal betting activity.  Several of the defendants were arrested today at locations across the country and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.

Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests and indictment.

“As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, bribing then-NBA player Malik Beasley to fix his performance in multiple games in order to place fraudulent wagers, enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Bribery and insider betting schemes like this one involving former NBA players and a current NBA player agent who exploited inside NBA information for profit erode the integrity of American sports and victimize the sports-watching public.  Our Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to corrupt sports through illegal means.”  

Mr. Nocella thanked the FBI Field Offices in Charlotte, North Carolina; Los Angeles, California; Omaha, Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; and Las Vegas, Nevada, for their valuable assistance.

“These defendants allegedly operated an illegal betting ring in an attempt to unlawfully earn hundreds of thousands of dollars. As alleged, Malik Beasley allowed himself to be bought and altered his gametime performance to line pockets of Ed Davis and his other co-conspirators. The FBI continues to dismantle fraudulent schemes that erode the integrity of any institution, including our nation's professional sports leagues,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As alleged, Beasley, then a player for the Milwaukee Bucks, agreed with his former NBA teammate Davis (known to the other co-defendants as Beasley’s “gatekeeper”) in advance of NBA games that Beasley would underperform, and at times overperform, relative to one or more of his betting statistics in those games.  Davis, Brown, Gorodetsky, Plascencia, Zamorano and other co-conspirators subsequently used this non-public information relating to Beasley’s intended performance to place fraudulent wagers conditioned on Beasley’s performance in the games at issue, all with the intention of profiting off the scheme.  As further alleged, in return for performance fixing, Beasley received bribes from the co-conspirators, typically by having Beasley’s gambling debts to Davis reduced or paid off. 

Examples of some of the influenced games are described below.

January 26, 2024 Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

As alleged, prior to the Bucks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 26, 2024, Beasley informed Davis that he intended to underperform with respect to rebounding in the game.  Beasley provided this information to Davis to obtain a promised bribe payment and for the purpose of enabling Davis and other co-conspirators to place wagers based on this non-public information.  Davis subsequently disseminated the non-public information regarding Beasley to multiple co-conspirators, including Gorodetskty, Plascencia and Zamorano, to enable them to place fraudulent wagers. Plascencia then provided this same non-public information to Brown to enable him to place fraudulent wagers. Many of the fraudulent wagers were successful.

February 27, 2024 Milwaukee Bucks vs. Charlotte Hornets Game

As alleged, prior to the Bucks game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 27, 2024, Beasley informed Davis that Beasley intended to underperform with respect to points and overperform with respect to rebounding in the game.  Beasley provided this information to Davis to obtain a promised bribe payment and for the purpose of enabling Davis and other co-conspirators to place wagers based on this non-public information.  Davis subsequently disseminated the non-public information regarding Beasley to multiple co-conspirators, including Gorodetskty, Plascencia and Zamorano, to enable them to place fraudulent wagers.  Plascencia then provided this same non-public information to Brown to enable him to place fraudulent wagers.  Many of the fraudulent wagers were successful.

March 10, 2024 Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Clippers

As alleged, prior to the Bucks game against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 10, 2024, Beasley informed Davis that Beasley intended to overperform with respect to rebounding in the game.  Beasley provided this information to Davis to obtain a promised bribe payment and for the purpose of enabling Davis and other co-conspirators to place wagers based on this non-public information.  Davis subsequently disseminated the non-public information regarding Beasley to multiple co-conspirators, including Gorodetskty, Plascencia and Zamorano, to enable them to place fraudulent wagers. Plascencia then provided this same non-public information to Brown to enable him to place fraudulent wagers. Many of the fraudulent wagers were successful.

In total, the defendants and their co-conspirators placed fraudulent wagers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars conditioned on Beasley’s fixed performance in the influenced games at issue via multiple betting operators.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the wire fraud conspiracy counts, 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering conspiracy count and five years’ imprisonment on the bribery in sporting contests count.  

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Kaitlin T. Farrell, Benjamin Weintraub and David I. Berman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Erika Ellis; former Paralegal Specialist Liam McNett previously worked on the case.

The Defendants:

MALIK BEASLEY (also known as “Beas,” “Bease,” “MB” and “5”)
Age: 29
Georgia

WILLIAM BROWN (also known as “Willo”)
Age: 39
Nebraska

EDWARD DAVIS (also known as “as “Ed,” “ED” and “E Davis”)
Age: 37
North Carolina

ROBERT GORODETSKY (also known as “Rob”)
Age: 34
Illinois

ERNESTO PLASCENCIA (also known as “Ernie,” “Erny,” “Ernie P” and “Erny P”)
Age: 39
California 

PAOLO ZAMORANO (also known as “PZ”)
Age: 39
California 

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-190 (LDH)

BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Natalya Ivanovna Mazulina, also known as “Natasha Mazulina,” a resident of Federal Way, Washington, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for crafting a scheme to circumvent U.S. export laws related to Russia.  Mazulina was the Western Regional Manager of Delex Air Cargo LLC, a freight forwarding company based in Jamaica, New York, which operated out of John F. Kennedy International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.  Mazulina was arrested in December 2024 and, in October 2025, pled guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act.  As part of her sentence, Mazulina was ordered to forfeit $77,000 in criminal proceeds.     

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), New York Field Office; and James Guanci, Special Agent in Charge, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston Field Office, announced the sentence.

“The Russian oil and gas industry is the lifeblood that fuels the Russian war machine,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “This defendant put her own profits above the national security of the United States by conspiring to illegally export industrial oil and gas equipment to Russia. Our Office will continue to use all our law enforcement tools to investigate and prosecute those who evade export control laws.”   

Mr. Nocella extended his appreciation to the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, the FBI’s Seattle Field Office, and the OEE’s Boston Field Office for their assistance in this case.

“Natalya Mazulina bolstered Russia’s military capabilities and jeopardized our country’s security by violating U.S. export regulations. The FBI maintains its unwavering commitment to quash threat actors who exploit American companies to support adversarial agendas of hostile nations,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“This case shows that BIS will work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue all those who violate our export control laws,” stated Special Agent in Charge Guanci.

As described in court filings, from at least December 2022 through December 2024, Mazulina conspired with Russian freight forwarding companies and others to unlawfully ship controlled items, including industrial oil and gas equipment, from the United States to Russia, through intermediary countries.  At one point, in June 2023, Mazulina told colleagues that her clients were paying through bank accounts in third party countries because “[m]ost of [her] clients [were] currently sanctioned with USA.”  Mazulina attempted to conceal the unlawful scheme by submitting and causing the submission of false export documents to the U.S. government, which omitted the information that the goods were destined for Russia.   

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Skurnik is in charge of the prosecution. Significant assistance was provided by the Justice Department’s National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The Defendant:

NATALYA IVANOVNA MAZULINA (also known as “Natasha Mazulina”)
Age: 43
Federal Way, Washington

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-493 (EK)

A 13-count indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn charging Anthony J. Carone, Frank V. Carone, Crystal Chen, and Yan Po Zhu, also known as “Andy Zhu,” for their roles in a bribery scheme that capitalized on funding meant to address New York City’s migrant crisis. The charges include fraud, bribery, money laundering, obstruction of justice, and tax fraud.  All four defendants were arrested today and will be arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry. 

Michael Considine, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service‑Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI New York); and Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged in the indictment, the defendants exploited the unprecedented migrant crisis in New York City for their own personal gain,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Considine. “The defendants engaged in a bribery scheme to secure a migrant shelter contract worth millions of dollars from a city agency funded in part by billions of federal dollars.  Frank Carone and his brother Anthony Carone are also charged with evading taxes on the proceeds of that scheme.  This case demonstrates the Office’s commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars, and holding accountable those who misuse public funds for private gain.”

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle: “The alleged conspiracy resulted in a massive betrayal of the American taxpayers’ trust by steering millions of dollars in funding for asylum housing in exchange for illegal bribe payments, which were then funneled to cover personal expenses.  Frank Carone allegedly influenced and steered business to his brother and associates in exchange for cash. May today’s indictment emphasize the FBI’s determination to root out corrupt officials, and their co-conspirators, who use government funding for personal enrichment.”

“Today’s charges show how these defendants chose greed over integrity, exploiting a humanitarian crisis and siphoning taxpayer funds intended to support vulnerable migrant families.  IRS Criminal Investigation worked alongside our law enforcement partners to unravel the financial maneuvers used to conceal bribe payments and evade taxes. Our mission in this case was simple—follow the money, expose corruption, and protect taxpayer funds,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.

“The conduct charged in this indictment is the epitome of corrupt self-dealing. The former chief of staff in the prior mayoral administration allegedly used his connections and the influence afforded to him by his public office to push through a multimillion dollar, publicly funded contract to personally enrich himself. By allegedly engaging in this criminal scheme, as charged, all four defendants used the plight of migrants for their own profit, resulting in the inefficient use and approval of a shelter location that could house fewer people than more appropriate locations and required the City to expend additional resources to make up the difference. That two of the defendants are attorneys who allegedly violated their ethical duty to act with honesty and integrity underscores the seriousness of these charged offenses. DOI thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the New York Offices of the FBI and the IRS for their steadfast partnership on this joint investigation, which highlights the need to protect the integrity of City processes and public funds, particularly during a crisis,” stated DOI Commissioner Shihata. 

As alleged in court filings, beginning in approximately 2022, Anthony Carone and Frank Carone—who are brothers and attorneys both admitted to practice in the State of New York—Crystal Chen, and Yan Po Zhu, devised and executed a scheme to exploit the City’s migrant crisis for their personal profit. 

In 2022, New York City experienced an unprecedented influx of migrant asylum seekers.  New York City was a “right to shelter” city, meaning the City was legally required to provide shelter to all homeless individuals who sought it.  Because the volume of migrant asylum seekers who needed housing outpaced the City’s existing shelter system, the City instituted a process for contracting with local hotels to house migrant asylum seekers (the Emergency Shelter Contracts). Through the Emergency Shelter Contracts, the City agreed to rent entire hotels for one year or more and utilize the hotels as emergency shelters to house migrant asylum seekers. 

To identify and evaluate sites for potential Emergency Shelter Contracts, employees from the City’s Department of Social Services (DSS) solicited and reviewed proposals from local hotels. Following its own due diligence, DSS recommended to City Hall that the City enter into Emergency Shelter Contracts with certain local hotels.  To fund the Emergency Shelter Contracts and other asylum services, the City received over approximately $1.8 billion of federal grant money in 2022.

As the City’s migrant crisis reached its peak in 2022, Frank Carone accepted a series of bribe payments from Zhu and Chen to steer a multi-million-dollar shelter contract to the Microtel, a hotel in Long Island City, Queens, which allowed the Microtel to operate as an emergency migrant shelter.  Zhu, a wealthy businessman, owned the Microtel, and Chen was Zhu’s business manager. 

Repeatedly throughout 2022, DSS rejected the Microtel as a suitable location to be run as a migrant shelter. Frank Carone, however, used his official position as Chief of Staff to intercede on the Microtel’s behalf in exchange for $120,000 of bribe payments from Zhu and Chen.  Despite DSS’s prior independent assessment that the Microtel was not a suitable location for a temporary shelter, the Microtel was ultimately awarded an Emergency Shelter Contract due to Frank Carone’s directive to DSS to consider the Microtel for such a contract.  The Microtel ultimately received an Emergency Shelter Contract worth $6,825,000, which inured to the financial benefit of Zhu and Chen. 

To conceal the criminal nature of the bribe payments, Zhu and Chen directed the bribe payments to a bank account controlled by Anthony Carone in the name of his law firm (the Law Firm Account).  The bribe payments were commingled with legal fees from other clients that Frank Carone referred to Anthony Carone while Frank Carone served as Chief of Staff.  Anthony Carone then steered the majority of the funds paid into the Law Firm Account to Frank Carone, including by paying Frank Carone’s personal credit card bills while Frank Carone served as Chief of Staff.  Anthony Carone also used the funds paid into the Law Firm Account to write checks payable to Frank Carone.  In addition, Anthony Carone, Zhu, and Chen executed a sham retainer agreement to make the bribe payments to Frank Carone appear to be legitimate legal fees paid to Anthony Carone’s law firm.  Notably, Anthony Carone did not inform his law firm partners that Zhu had allegedly retained Anthony Carone or the law firm, nor did Anthony Carone inform his law firm partners that he was facilitating cash payments from the Law Firm Account to Frank Carone including while Frank Carone was Chief of Staff. 

The sham retainer agreement called for Zhu and Chen to make bribe payments totaling $120,000.  After those payments were made, Chen emailed Anthony Carone and requested to terminate the sham retainer agreement.  Despite the fact that the payments outlined in the sham retainer agreement had been made, Anthony Carone responded seeking additional payments.  After no further payments were made, Frank Carone communicated with Zhu and expressed that he was “not happy” and would “not discuss[] [any future deals] until past is worked out.”  In response, Zhu stated that he had “asked my partners to pay you for a year.”  

Neither Frank Carone nor Anthony Carone reported their income from the criminal scheme to the IRS in their initial 2022 tax filings.  Nor did Frank Carone report this outside income to the NYC Conflicts of Interest Board as required.  In 2025, however, after learning there was a federal investigation into his finances, Anthony Carone amended his 2022 personal and law firm tax filings to declare as income the client fees he received in the Law Firm Account. 

Similarly, in July 2024, after Frank Carone and Anthony Carone became aware of the federal investigation, they obstructed justice by fabricating evidence to create the false impression that the payments from the Law Firm Account to Frank Carone’s personal credit card were personal loans instead of a conduit to conceal bribe payments. Specifically, Frank Carone and Anthony Carone created and executed a document purporting to be a promissory note, which they backdated to January 2022, and subsequently provided to federal investigators.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charges, the defendants each face up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section and the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Sara K. Winik, Adam R. Toporovsky, and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Johnson Peow and Daniel Arakawa.  

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division).  The Fraud Division is focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. 

The Defendants:

ANTHONY J. CARONE
Age:  54
New York, NY and East Hampton, New York

FRANK V. CARONE
Age:  56
New York, NY and Boca Raton, Florida

CRYSTAL CHEN
Age:  39
East Williston, New York

YAN PO ZHU (also known as “Andy Zhu”)
Age:  51
Glen Head, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-177 (KAM)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, John Lowe and Richard Ringel pleaded guilty to securities fraud for their involvement in a multi-year insider trading scheme. Co-defendants David Cooper, a broker registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and Randy Grewal pleaded guilty to securities fraud on September 22, 2025 and April 30, 2026, respectively.  The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl.  When sentenced, the defendants each face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Pete Gizas, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York); and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, New York Division (USPIS), announced the guilty pleas. 

“For years, the defendants brazenly exploited their access to inside information to gain an unfair advantage over the investing public,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Insider trading destroys the public’s faith in the fairness and integrity of our markets. This Office is committed to protecting market integrity and rooting out bad actors, and it will continue to hold accountable those who engage in insider trading.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, New York Regional Office, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. 

“By admitting they conspired to steal confidential information from investment banks and trade ahead of multiple secondary stock offerings, these defendants have acknowledged a years-long scheme that corrupted the markets for their own gain and generated more than a million dollars in illicit profit,” stated HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Gizas.  “Insider trading erodes public confidence in our financial system, harms everyday investors who play by the rules, and sends a dangerous message that the wealthy and well connected can tilt the playing field in their favor. HSI New York, through meticulous financial analysis, a range of investigative techniques, and close coordination with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, will continue working alongside our law enforcement and regulatory partners to uncover complex financial crimes and ensure those who abuse access to sensitive information are held to account.”

“These individuals used their access to confidential information not available to the trading public to devise a scheme for their financial gain, profiting from MNPI. Let me be clear, it does not matter the type of scheme, postal inspectors will remain dedicated to exposing and bringing to justice anyone utilizing the U.S. mail to further criminal activity,” stated USPIS Inspector in Charge Larco-Ward. 

As detailed in the indictment and other court filings, between approximately January 2018 and May 2024, the defendants conspired to obtain material non-public information (MNPI) about upcoming secondary stock offerings and to trade on that MNPI in advance of those offerings.  The defendants illegally obtained MNPI from numerous sources, including through Cooper and another employee of a broker-dealer (Broker-Dealer), who had obtained MNPI from investment banks involved in and underwriting the secondary stock offerings. The MNPI included specific deal information such as the identity of the public company issuing the secondary offering; the timing of the deal; the structure of the deal; and the price at which the company would offer its stock in the upcoming offering.  Employees of the Broker-Dealer breached their duty of confidentiality to their employer by improperly disclosing the MNPI to Lowe, Ringel and others with knowledge that they intended to use the information to execute short sales in advance of the public announcement of the secondary offerings. Employees of the Broker-Dealer shared the MNPI to induce their customers, including Lowe and Ringel, to commit to buy shares in the offerings so that the Broker-Dealer would receive compensation from the underwriters.  Lowe, in turn, passed MNPI to Grewal.  Lowe, Ringel and Grewal illegally profited more than $1 million from trading based on MNPI. 

Evidence obtained from judicially authorized wiretaps revealed that in connection with numerous secondary offerings between approximately January 2023 and May 2023, Cooper and another employee of the Broker-Dealer (Co-Conspirator #1) obtained MNPI from investment firms that were underwriting the secondary offerings and provided MNPI to Lowe, Ringel and others, with knowledge that Lowe, Ringel and others intended to trade securities in advance of secondary offerings based on the MNPI.  Those secondary offerings included the companies Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSSE), Revelation Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: REVB) and Tivic Health Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVC).  

Fraudulent Trading on MNPI in the CSSE Secondary Offering

On or about March 30, 2023, Cooper obtained MNPI about the timing and pricing of the CSSE offering from the sole managing underwriter for the deal and shared that information with Ringel, who traded in CSSE in advance of the offering using the information, and with Co-Conspirator #1, who gave the inside information to Lowe.  Lowe traded based on the MNPI and tipped Grewal, who also traded using the MNPI. 

Fraudulent Trading on MNPI in the REVB Secondary Offering

Between February 6, 2023 and February 8, 2023, Lowe obtained MNPI about the timing of the REVB offering from a representative of the sole underwriter on the deal and passed it to Grewal, who traded in REVB using the information.  Between February 7, 2023 and February 9, 2023, Ringel traded REVB based on MNPI that Cooper received from another representative of the sole underwriter on the deal.

Fraudulent Trading on MNPI in the TIVC Secondary Offering

On or about February 6, 2023, Cooper called a representative of the sole managing underwriter for the TIVC offering.  The next day, Co-Conspirator #1 communicated to Lowe that TIVC intended to offer shares of its stock in a secondary offering. After learning this information, Lowe traded in TIVC and passed the MNPI he received from Co-Conspirator #1 to Grewal, who then also traded in TIVC.  Between February 6, 2023 and February 8, 2023, Ringel and Cooper spoke over the telephone numerous times and Cooper executed a number of short sales in TIVC.  In particular, on February 8, 2023 (after Co-Conspirator shared MNPI about the TIVC deal with Lowe), Cooper spoke with Co-Conspirator #1 and then with Ringel.  Approximately six minutes after Ringel and Cooper spoke, Ringel executed additional short sales in TIVC.    

* * * * *

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section and the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Jessica K. Weigel, Adam R. Toporovsky and Sophia M. Suarez are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Laura Mansour.  Assistant United States Attorney Laura Mantell of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.

The Defendants:

JOHN LOWE (also known as “Clams”)
Age:  63
Sayville, New York

RICHARD RINGEL
Age:  56
Boca Raton, Florida

Co-Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty:

DAVID COOPER
Age:  40
Larchmont, New York

RANDY GREWAL
Age:  55
Anthem, Arizona

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-10 (DG)

Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging John Christian Gelin, Heather Marquez, and Kaolee Vang-Thao with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.  The charges arise from a multi-year and multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud financial institutions, investors, and prospective investors in connection with potential real estate transactions.  Gelin was arrested today and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy.  Marquez was arrested earlier today in Oceanside, California and will appear in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.  Vang-Thao was arrested earlier today in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota and will appear in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.  Marquez and Vang-Thao will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests and charges. 

“As alleged, the defendants defrauded investors and lenders out of millions of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Because of their lies and greed, the defendants ruined the financial security of dozens of victims, leaving them on the hook for repaying loans they could not afford and causing some to declare bankruptcy.  Our Office will vigorously prosecute those who abuse the trust of others and profit through fraud.”

“Through repeated lies, these defendants allegedly forced trusting investors into financial stress – and for some, ruin – to illegally route more than four million dollars to their personal accounts.  The FBI’s Financial Crimes Task Force remains committed to apprehending fraudsters that steal from others to line their own pockets,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As alleged in the indictment, Gelin operated Kensington International, Inc. (Kensington), a purported real estate development company, and oversaw the Artist Financial Program (AFP), an affiliated entity that specifically targeted aspiring artists and musicians.  Gelin marketed the companies as real estate investment firms focused on purchasing distressed real estate that would be rehabilitated and resold for profit.    

The defendants raised investment capital by soliciting investors who generally had limited assets but high credit scores, and obtained loans and credit cards on behalf of the investors that they promised to repay.  Marquez and Vang-Thao, through their firms the Funding Club Consulting and the Financial Saver Network, respectively, submitted loan and credit card applications on behalf of the investors.  Unbeknownst to the investors, Marquez and Vang-Thao filed fraudulent applications with the lenders that often inflated the investors’ income to obtain higher loans.  Investors were not shown the applications before Marquez and Vang-Thao submitted them, and Marquez and Vang-Thao advised investors to lie to the lenders. Additionally, Gelin used the alias “Christian” to conceal from investors and potential investors his criminal history, which included serving three years in prison for committing a similar fraud scheme.   

Once the credit card and lending applications were approved, investors were instructed to wire 15% of the credit limit of the credit cards and loan proceeds to Marquez and Vang-Thao.  The remaining 85% was transferred to bank accounts controlled by Gelin.  Rather than using the loan proceeds entirely to invest in real estate as promised to investors, the defendants diverted investor funds to pay for their personal expenses and spent only a nominal amount of investor funds on buying and renovating homes. 

Also contrary to their promises to the investors, the defendants did not pay the lenders back in full.  As a result, the investors were unable to repay the full amount of the loans and credit cards taken out in their names.  Some investors declared bankruptcy.  In total, investors lost at least $4.2 million from the fraudulent scheme.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, they each face up to 30 years in prison.

If you believe that you or someone you know was victimized by the defendants, please contact the FBI by email at: KensingtonCase@fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business & Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States  Attorney James R. Simmons is in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Melina Piatti-Chayan. 

The Defendants:

JOHN CHRISTIAN GELIN
Age:  58
Brooklyn, New York

HEATHER MARQUEZ
Age:  45
Oceanside, California

KAOLEE VANG-THAO
Age:  53
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-157 (CBA)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Joseph Taylor McKeel, a public school teacher at a high school in New York City, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography.  The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg.  When sentenced, McKeel faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.

“McKeel possessed graphic images of child sexual abuse, including sexual abuse of infants and toddlers, all while employed in a position of trust as a high school biology teacher,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Prosecuting those who victimize children by feeding the market for child pornography will always be a top priority of our Office and our law enforcement partners.”

“Joseph McKeel, a New York City public-school teacher, exploited children by obtaining child pornography that included infants and toddlers. This is not just a horrific violation of law and abuse of children, but a profound betrayal of the trust placed in him as a teacher. Our FBI/NYPD Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force will relentlessly pursue those who engage in such despicable conduct,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As set forth in court filings, McKeel, a high school biology teacher, possessed hundreds of images of child pornography.  McKeel was arrested in March 2026 on his way to work carrying a backpack that contained a thumb drive with over 150 images of child sexual abuse, along with a pipe used for smoking methamphetamine.  An additional device containing child sexual abuse material was found during the execution of a search warrant at McKeel’s residence. 

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Sussman and Samuel Rackear are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

JOSEPH TAYLOR MCKEEL
Age:  33
Brooklyn, New York 

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-148 (RPK)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, an indictment was unsealed charging Latanya Brown with extortion and federal program funds theft. Brown is a Captain with the New York City Department of Correction (DOC).  The indictment charges Brown with two counts of extortion and one count of fraudulently obtaining funds from a federally funded government agency.  Brown was arrested today and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Seth D. Eichenholtz. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the indictment and arrest. 

“As alleged, the defendant brazenly abused her authority as a law enforcement supervisor to steal taxpayer money and terrorize her subordinates by shaking them down for money, expensive gifts, and chauffeuring her to run personal errands, including trips to a casino while she was on duty,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office will vigorously prosecute corrupt government officials who betray the public’s trust, and where applicable as in this case, seek forfeiture of ill-gotten funds.” 

“Captain Latanya Brown allegedly abused her rank and strongarmed her subordinates to support her lavish lifestyle. The FBI is determined to aggressively pursue and hold accountable government officials who steal American taxpayer dollars while engaging in corrupt misconduct for personal enrichment,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“As a New York City Correction Captain, this defendant was entrusted with great authority, including over those she supervised. Instead of setting the example by upholding the highest standards of integrity and fairness, as charged, this Correction Captain allegedly used her power to extort luxury gifts, money, and personal favors from her subordinates in exchange for approving overtime, schedule changes, and vacation time,” stated DOI Commissioner Shihata. “The indictment also charges that on more than 100 occasions in 2024 and 2025 the defendant allegedly collected thousands of dollars in regular and overtime pay for hours she did not work — coming to work late and leaving her post early, including to go to a casino. I thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York and the New York Office of the FBI for their continued partnership in protecting taxpayer funds and holding public employees accountable.”

As alleged in the indictment, Brown has been employed by the DOC since October 2001 and has held the rank of Captain since July 2007.  Between approximately July 2024 and November 2025, Brown was assigned to Rikers Island’s Facility Operations Department as a DOC supervisor.  Between approximately November 2025 and December 2025, Brown was assigned to New York State courthouses located in the Bronx.  As a Captain, Brown supervised other correction officers and was responsible for approving employee requests for shift-schedule changes, overtime shifts, and vacation time.  In 2024 and 2025, Brown regularly threatened to withhold approvals for shift changes, overtime shifts, and vacation time requests for her officers unless they agreed to pay her money, buy luxury items for her, and/or perform personal errands for her.  For example, in December 2024, Brown forced several officers to buy an expensive Louis Vuitton bag for her.  When Brown made her demand, she made statements to the DOC officers implying, in sum and substance, that their shift assignments, overtime shifts, and vacation time would be in jeopardy unless they purchased the luxury item.  Additionally, on numerous occasions, Brown forced officers to drive her while on duty for non-work-related purposes, such as visits to restaurants, bars, and a casino. 

In 2024 and 2025, Brown received more than $250,000 in regular pay and more than $400,000 in overtime pay.  However, on more than 100 occasions during this time period, Brown submitted documentation to the DOC claiming that she had worked the entirety of regular and overtime shifts, when in fact she actually arrived to work several hours late or left work several hours early on those occasions.  On some occasions, when Brown left her assigned posting early, she did so to spend time at the Empire City Casino in Yonkers, New York.  For example, on November 21, 2024, Brown claimed in documentation submitted to the DOC to have worked from 5:00 a.m. until 9:31 p.m. on Rikers Island.  However, Brown was not at Rikers Island during the entirety of that shift and instead arrived at the casino that day at approximately 2:34 p.m.  Nevertheless, Brown was compensated by the DOC as if she had worked her full shift and at least seven hours of overtime. 

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, Brown faces up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Andrew Grubin and Andrew Wang are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Johnson Peow. 

The Defendant:

LATANYA BROWN
Age: 51
Yonkers, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-168 (MKB)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Murielle Misczak pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud her former employer, a Brooklyn daycare (the Daycare), of more than $2.75 million.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis.  When sentenced, Misczak faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment as well as restitution of $2,805,871.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea. 

“The defendant took advantage of her access to bank accounts for the Daycare to steal millions in tuition payments in order to line her own pockets and fund trips to World Wrestling Entertainment events among other personal expenses,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office will continue to vigorously prosecute individuals like the defendant who abuse positions of trust and seek to enrich themselves at the expense of services for children.”

“Murielle Misczak’s selfish greed deprived a local daycare of nearly three million dollars in critical funding intended for services to support the development and care of our communities’ children. The FBI continues to pull back the curtain on fraudsters seeking to steal from innocent New Yorkers, regardless of their cover up attempts,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As set forth in court filings, Misczak was hired by the Daycare in 2013 as Program Coordinator and was later promoted to Director in 2020.  Starting in January 2022 and continuing through October 2025, Misczak stole more than $2.75 million in tuition payments by directing them to be paid into accounts she controlled and then transferring those payments into her own accounts.  Misczak hid her theft from the Daycare by deleting and altering information in the Daycare’s accounting systems.  Misczak spent over $600,000 in stolen funds on travel and entertainment, including over $350,000 on tickets to professional wrestling events, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars on luxury goods and various personal expenses such as food delivery and ride sharing services.”

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Shannon C. Jones and Sophia M. Suarez are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Melina Piatti-Chayan. 

The Defendant:

MURIELLE MISCZAK
Age:  43
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-65 (NGG)

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today a settlement agreement with New York Educational Technology Company, LangInnov Inc. (LangInnov).  The settlement agreement addressed allegations that LangInnov violated the federal False Claims Act (FCA) by 1) performing research and development funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program outside of the United States, which was expressly prohibited 2) double-booking payroll to both the SBIR program and a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, and 3) not primarily employing its principal investigator as required under the program. LangInnov agreed to pay $50,000 and to forgo $224,634.25 remaining unpaid on an SBIR award to settle these allegations. The settlement was based on LangInnov’s ability to pay. 

“SBIR awardees are required to conduct all research and development in the United States to ensure that funds are used to support small businesses and technological advancements in the U.S. and to protect national security interests,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “As alleged, LangInnov disregarded this requirement by improperly conducting federally funded work overseas.  The settlement in this matter demonstrates our commitment to holding those who defraud government programs accountable for their actions.” 

United States Attorney Nocella thanked the Office of the Inspector General for the National Science Foundation (NSF OIG) for its partnership in the investigation. 

“When companies fail to follow the requirements of the SBIR program, it is not only a misuse of taxpayer dollars but also takes away funding from deserving U.S. businesses. NSF OIG remains committed to pursuing oversight of these programs to ensure taxpayer funds are invested in the United States to benefit U.S. businesses, the U.S. economy, and national security. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for supporting this important proactive effort,” stated Megan E. Wallace, NSF’s Acting Inspector General. 

NSF participates in the SBIR program, a critically important and highly competitive program created to fund technological advancements within the United States.  Funding for this program strengthens the competitive free enterprise system and the United States economy.  To maximize that impact, SBIR regulations require all research and development to be conducted in the United States.  Additionally, the primary employment of the principal investigator for an SBIR project must be with the small business for the duration of the award. 

The PPP was intended to provide emergency financial assistance to American small businesses by providing forgivable loans for payroll and certain other expenses.  SBIR awardees were permitted by NSF to apply for PPP loans but were not permitted to receive or request compensation for the same costs for both programs.

LangInnov applied for and was awarded Phase I and Phase II SBIR awards by NSF to research and develop an innovative application for bilingual students. LangInnov also obtained a PPP loan which was subsequently forgiven by the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

The United States Attorney’s Office commenced its investigation based on NSF OIG’s proactive initiative to protect national security interests by identifying SBIR recipients who improperly operate outside of the United States. As alleged, LangInnov improperly booked payroll to the Phase I SBIR award for its Chief Operating Officer for 100 hours of work performed in Paris, France. LangInnov also falsely stated in its PPP application that the United States was the principal place of residence for all employees and double-booked payroll to both the SBIR award and the PPP loan, including payroll for work in Paris.  Additionally, LangInnov failed to primarily employ its principal investigator for the duration of the Phase I award.  NSF suspended payments on the Phase II award when it learned of the conduct. At the time, $224,634.25 was the unpaid balance remaining on the award.   

The claims asserted against LangInnov are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

The investigation is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bonni J. Perlin.

Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Victor Lopez, also known as “Curioso,” a member of the Indios Locos Salvatruchas clique of La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 35 years in prison for his participation in the murder of Abel Mosso in 2019 on a crowded No. 7 subway train platform in Jackson Heights, Queens.  Lopez, an El Salvadoran national, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to racketeering and causing Mosso’s death through the use of a firearm and has consented to be deported upon completion of his term of imprisonment. He is the fifth defendant convicted of Mosso’s murder to be sentenced. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Pete Gizas, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“The defendant is deservedly punished for participating in a targeted killing of a perceived gang rival that was carried out in broad daylight on a subway platform, which also endangered the lives of numerous bystanders going about their business,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “It is a priority of the Administration and our Office to eradicate local and transnational gangs that operate with no regard for human life.  The substantial prison sentences imposed on the defendants responsible for this brutal murder make our communities safer.”

Mr. Nocella also thanked the Queens County District Attorney’s Office for their valuable coordination with the investigation.

“MS-13 member Victor Lopez participated in the public execution of a perceived rival with complete disregard for human life or innocent New Yorkers. May today's sentence reflect the FBI New York Safe Streets Task Force’s commitment to working with our federal and local partners to eliminate gang violence that plagues our communities with senseless crime and murder,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

 “Few acts demonstrate more brazen depravity than an execution-style ambush carried out in front of terrified commuters on a crowded subway platform, with these MS-13 members openly announcing their intent to kill.  This cold-blooded murder was designed to send a message of fear to the public and to show that the gang believed it could operate with impunity.  Thanks to the relentless work of HSI New York and our law enforcement partners, these ruthless offenders are off the streets, our communities are safer, and we will continue to pursue any MS-13 member who threatens the people of this district,” stated HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Gizas.

“The defendant, who is a member of the notorious MS-13 crew, participated in the cold-blooded murder of a rival on a crowded subway platform in Queens,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “Today’s sentencing decision reflects the ongoing efforts of NYPD investigators to take down violent gangs, remove guns from our streets, and keep communities safe. I am thankful to our partners at HSI, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their hard work in this case.” 

On the afternoon of February 3, 2019, Lopez and fellow MS-13 members Ramiro Gutierrez, Tito Martinez-Alvarenga, Emerson Martinez-Lara, and Ismael Santos-Novoa went to the Flushing-Main Street subway station to locate and kill Mosso, whom they believed to be a member of the rival 18th Street gang.  Lopez, Gutierrez, and Martinez-Alvarenga followed Mosso onto the No. 7 train, while Santos Novoa and Martinez-Lara acted as lookouts for police.  On the train, Lopez and Martinez Alvarenga assaulted Mosso and then dragged him out onto the platform at 90th Street and Roosevelt Avenue station.  Lopez pulled out a gun, but Mosso wrestled it away.  When a crowd of people gathered around and tried to help Mosso, one of the defendants shouted in Spanish, “Nobody get involved, we’re MS-13, we’re going to kill him.”  Gutierrez then grabbed the gun from Mosso and shot him multiple times in the head, killing him.  Later, Lopez burned the clothing he was wearing during the attack to avoid detection by law enforcement.

Four defendants were previously sentenced for their participation in Mosso’s murder as well as other crimes committed on behalf of the MS-13.  Gutierrez and Martinez Alvarenga were sentenced to 55 years and 48 years in prison, respectively, for their participation in Mosso’s murder as well as the murder of Victor Alvarenga in 2018.  Santos Novoa was sentenced to 24 years in prison for his role as a lookout in Mosso’s killing, the nonfatal shooting of another victim, and other murder conspiracies.  Martinez-Lara was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role as a lookout in Mosso’s murder and other murder conspiracies.   

These sentencings are the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of the MS-13.  MS-13’s leadership was based in El Salvador and Honduras, but the gang has thousands of members across the United States.  Since 2003, hundreds of MS-13 members, including dozens of clique leaders, have been convicted on federal felony charges in the Eastern District of New York.  A majority of those MS-13 members have been convicted on federal racketeering charges for participating in murders, attempted murders and assaults.  Since 2010, this Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 75 murders in the district and has convicted dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by our law enforcement partners including HSI and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, comprising agents and officers of the FBI and NYPD.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force 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 U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes these organizations commit, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF New York comprises agents and officers from HSI; the DEA; FBI; the New York City Police Department; IRS Criminal Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; and U.S. Secret Service, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York leading this prosecution.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Siegel, Anna L. Karamigios, and Kam Ammari are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Timothy Migliaro and Danielle Barber.

The Defendant:

VICTOR LOPEZ (also known as “Curioso”)
Age:  27
Flushing, New York

Co-Defendants Previously Sentenced:

RAMIRO GUTIERREZ (also known as “Cara de Malo”)
Age:  33
Flushing, New York

TITO MARTINEZ-ALVARENGA (also known as “Imprudente”)
Age:  26
Flushing, New York

ISMAEL SANTOS-NOVOA (also known as “Profe”)
Age:  37
Flushing, New York

EMERSON MARTINEZ-LARA (also known as “Fugitivo”)
Age:  27
College Point, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-228 (S-3) (LDH)

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Jose Saez, Jr., a pastor at Iglesia Cristiana Alumbrando El Camino church located in Brentwood, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack to 210 months in prison for sexual exploitation of a child.  Saez communicated with minor victims over the internet, coerced them into creating and sending him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves, and coerced a minor to engage in sexual acts with the defendant at a public park on Long Island.  Saez pleaded guilty to the charges in March 2025. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence. 

“Today’s lengthy sentence holds the defendant accountable for his exploitation of children and his abuse of a position of trust,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “As a pastor, the defendant occupied a role that carries with it a profound responsibility to protect and guide others, particularly the most vulnerable. Instead, he used that position to harm children.  Protecting our community from predators like the defendant will always be a priority of our Office.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Suffolk County Police Department for their work on the case. 

“Jose Saez abused his position as a Pastor by coercing innocent children to send sexually explicit images and even forcing one minor to engage in sexual acts in a public space.  The pain he inflicted on the children who trusted him is indefensible, and the FBI with its partners brought this individual to justice.  The men and women of the FBI's Long Island Child Exploitation Task Force will never relent in their efforts to seek justice for victims and protect our communities children,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As set forth in court filings, and as established at both the plea proceeding and sentencing, Saez used an encrypted messaging service to engage in sexually explicit conversations with minors and with a law enforcement officer acting in an undercover capacity (the UC).  In August of 2023, Saez had online conversations with the UC.  During those conversations, the defendant stated that he had sexually abused an infant, that his “sweet spot” was molesting children between the ages of 11 and 15, and that he was able to find his younger victims at “church.” Pursuant to a court-authorized search, FBI agents recovered numerous images and videos of child pornography from the defendant, some of which he had solicited from minors.  The defendant also admitted to law enforcement officers that he encouraged at least one minor to produce child pornography and send it to him.

In addition to the defendant’s solicitation and distribution of child sex abuse material, in May 2023, Saez also raped a minor he told to meet him in a public restroom in Mount Sinai, New York.  

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone with information about sexual exploitation by the defendant is asked to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or (212) 384-1000.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Mark E. Misorek and Adam R. Toporovsky are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Dejah Turla. 

The Defendant:

JOSE SAEZ, JR.
Age:  30
Brentwood, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-480 (JMA)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Hadrian Crichlow was sentenced by United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez to 210 months in prison for sex trafficking a minor. In addition to the terms of imprisonment, Judge Gonzalez ordered Crichlow to pay $12,000 restitution to the victim. Crichlow pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2025. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence. 

“Sex trafficking is a crime that strips victims of their freedom, dignity, and safety, and today’s sentence reflects the profound harm he inflicted on a child,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Crichlow treated a child as a commodity, taking advantage of a vulnerable 15-year-old and selling her body for his own profit.  Today’s outcome should send a clear message that such exploitation will be met with serious consequences, and it is my hope that it brings a measure of justice to the victim who endured these abuses.”

"Hadrian Crichlow subjected a vulnerable child to unthinkable sexual abuse and psychological torment, including repeatedly trafficking this minor victim for profit.  May today’s lengthy sentence reflect the FBI’s dedication to holding accountable those who commit such vile actions that exploit children," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

Between September and October 2023, Crichlow, then 42-years-old, trafficked the victim – a 15-year-old unhoused runaway – and forced her to engage in commercial sex acts throughout New York City, including in Brooklyn and the Bronx, as well as in other states.  Crichlow took photographs of the victim and those images were posted in online advertisements for commercial sex.  Crichlow then forced the minor victim to meet with commercial sex customers multiple times per day in hotel rooms while transporting her between several states and required the victim to surrender all proceeds to him. Crichlow controlled the victim through a combination of isolation, dependency, drugging, and sexual violence. He prohibited her from possessing or using a cellphone outside of his presence, ensuring she could not contact family, friends, or law enforcement; he gave her drugs; and he forced her to engage in sex acts with him directly – separate from the commercial sex encounters he arranged – over her express objections, telling her on at least one occasion that he did not care whether she consented.  Crichlow sex trafficked the victim until she escaped in October 2023. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Rachel A. Bennek, Katherine Onyshko, and Sean Fern are in charge of the prosecution. 

The Defendant:

HADRIAN CRICHLOW
Age: 45
Bronx, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-120 (HG)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, John Bolden was sentenced by United States District Judge Diane Gujarati to 48 months in prison for wire fraud conspiracy in connection with a scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). At the time of his criminal conduct, Bolden was a detective with the New York City Police Department (NYPD).  In addition to the prison term, Judge Gujarati ordered Bolden to pay restitution in the amount of $303,138 and forfeiture in the amount of $112,002.  The defendant previously pleaded guilty on February 18, 2026.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence. 

“Despite being a police officer sworn to uphold the law, the defendant organized a scheme that enabled dozens of individuals, including clients, family members and NYPD co-workers, to obtain millions in federal funds using fictitious tax records,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Bolden brazenly took advantage of a COVID relief program created to help struggling businesses survive an unprecedented national crisis. The sentence imposed today reflects the seriousness of that misconduct and our Office’s commitment to prosecute fraud related to the pandemic.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Suffolk County Police Department; the Small Business Administration’s Office of the Inspector General; the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Office of the Inspector General; the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General; and the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau for their assistance on the case. 

“John Bolden betrayed his oath to protect the community he served by secretly helping his co-defendants, family, and friends in stealing millions of dollars in PPP funds,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.  “While an overwhelming majority of NYPD employees strictly adhere to values of integrity and honor, there are those who exploit the system for personal enrichment. The FBI, NYPD, and our federal partner agencies continue working together to hold those accountable who exploit federally funded relief programs.”

Then-detective Bolden owned partnership interests in a franchise for a tax-preparation business.  Between May 2020 and October 2022, Bolden engaged in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration by working with his clients to fraudulently obtain PPP funds.  Bolden obtained PPP funds for himself, his co-defendants and more than 65 individuals by helping submit online loan applications containing false and fraudulent information.  One of those loan applications belonged to co-defendant Anthony Carreira, also a former NYPD detective, who knowingly submitted false documentation to obtain PPP funds.  Co-defendant Christian McKenzie, who is Bolden’s cousin, also fraudulently obtained a PPP loan and steered other applicants to Bolden in exchange for fraudulent PPP proceeds.  As part of the scheme, Bolden prepared fictitious Internal Revenue Service Form Schedule C documentation, which accompanied the loan applications and contained false information about his, his co-defendants’ and his clients’ places of employment, gross income and net income.  Bolden sought to steal nearly $3 million from the PPP, and succeeded in stealing at least several hundred thousand dollars.

For their roles in the scheme, Carreira was sentenced on March 6, 2026 to time served, and McKenzie is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14, 2026.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Andrew D. Grubin and Eric Silverberg are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Johnson Peow.

The Defendants:

JOHN BOLDEN
Age:  47
Valley Stream, Long Island

ANTHONY CARREIRA
Age:  43
Staten Island, New York

CHRISTIAN MCKENZIE
Age:  48
Wheatley Heights, Long Island

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-361 (DG)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Timothy Spence pleaded guilty to assault in-aid-of racketeering and a firearms crime related to his involvement in the August 17, 2025 shooting at Taste of the City Lounge in Brooklyn, New York, during which thirteen individuals were shot and three died.  Spence, a member of the 5-9 Brims gang, waived indictment and pleaded guilty to an information charging him with assault in-aid-of racketeering in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1959(a)(3), and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Orelia E. Merchant. When sentenced, Spence faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea. 

“As part of a gang dispute, Spence and others opened fire in the middle of a crowded bar, leaving three people dead and ten other injured victims,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “As today’s guilty plea demonstrates, our Office is committed to prosecuting all gang-related gun violence and holding accountable those who perpetuate it.”

“The defendant and other members of the 5-9 Brims turned a crowded Brooklyn bar into a war zone when they opened fire on rival gang members, killing three people and injuring 10 others,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “Today’s guilty plea reflects the NYPD’s relentless pursuit of the violent gang members who wreak havoc in our communities and claim lives.  Thank you to the tireless work of our NYPD investigators and our partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for holding these dangerous criminals accountable."

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to FBI/NYPD Metro Safe Streets Task Force and the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Division for their outstanding work and assistance in this investigation and prosecution. 

As set forth in court filings, in the early morning hours of August 17, 2025, Spence was at Taste of the City Lounge, a restaurant and hookah bar in Brooklyn, New York, with members and associates of the 5-9 Brims.  Also present at the lounge were individuals associated with the Folk Nation Gangster Disciples (or “GD”), a rival of the 5-9 Brims.  At approximately 3:00 a.m., members of the 5-9 Brims began shooting at associates of GD, who returned fire.  Spence, who was armed when the shooting began, shot towards a group of individuals affiliated with GD.  Within approximately six seconds, over 40 shots were discharged into the crowded bar, killing three and injuring ten.  

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Dana Rehnquist, Daniel J. Marcus and Molly N. Delaney are in charge of the prosecution. 

The Defendant:

TIMOTHY SPENCE
Age:  21
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No.:  26-CR-140 (OEM)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Daryl Campbell was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to 37 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Metropolitan Detention Center (the MDC).  Campbell pleaded guilty in September 2025 to conspiracy to possess contraband.  The sentence imposed today will run consecutive to the 35-year term he is serving for a manslaughter conviction in New York County.  Campbell’s co‑defendants and fellow MDC inmates Ian Diez, Jonathan Guerrero, Abel Mora, and Mayovanex Rodriguez were previously sentenced to terms of incarceration ranging from six months to 30 months.  A sixth co-conspirator, Carl Kelly, is awaiting sentencing.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence.

“The message to inmates from today’s sentencing is clear: go fishing for contraband, and all you will catch is another prison term,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “The smuggling of drugs and weapons by inmates compromises the safety and security of the MDC.  Our Office will continue to ensure that any inmates who smuggle contraband will be prosecuted and face the consequences.”

Mr. Nocella thanked the U.S. Bureau of Prisons for its assistance with the investigation.

“Daryl Campbell jeopardized the safety of other inmates and employees by obtaining illegal drugs and weapons while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center.  May today's sentencing emphasize the FBI's commitment to holding accountable individuals who smuggle contraband into our federal jails,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

Between April and June 2024, Campbell used a contraband cell phone to send detailed instructions to his co-conspirators on how to bring additional contraband into the MDC.  As the organizer of the scheme, Campbell advised co-conspirators on how to package contraband, to deliver it to the MDC, and to get it into the jail, providing advice and guidance along the way as to how to accomplish each step in the process.  In several voice recordings, Campbell explained his method of throwing a “line” out of a window of the MDC on to which a co-conspirator on the outside was to “hook” contraband, which could then be pulled back inside.  On June 30, 2024, Kelly, Diez, Guerrero, Mora, and Rodriguez attempted to execute Campbell’s scheme.  Kelly approached the front of the MDC and threw a rope made of duct tape up to the fourth floor, where Diez, Guerrero, Mora, and Rodriguez tried to pull it through the window of the recreation room in their housing area.  Inside of the rope, correctional officers found papers laced with MDMB-4en-Pinaca (a synthetic cannabinoid), suboxone, marijuana, a scalpel, a phone charger, lighters, and cigarettes.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States  Attorneys Russell Noble and Michael Manzo are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Special Agent Danielle Williams.

The Defendants:

DARYL CAMPBELL
Age: 40
Brooklyn, New York

IAN DIEZ
Age: 22
Brooklyn, New York

JONATHAN GUERRERO
Age: 38
Brooklyn, New York

ABEL MORA
Age: 24
Brooklyn, New York

MAYOVANEX RODRIGUEZ
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-108 (NGG)

CARL KELLY
Age: 35
Long Island City, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-250 (NGG)

BROOKLYN, NY – Today, Olga Popovych was convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn for her role in an $8 million health care fraud conspiracy. Popovych was an office manager of several physical therapy clinics in Brooklyn that paid cash kickbacks to ambulette drivers who recruited Medicare patients to transport to clinics.  The verdict was returned after a one-week trial before United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, Naomi Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

As proven at trial, Popovych was personally involved with paying ambulette drivers cash kickbacks.  She also falsified medical records to indicate that physical therapists who were not actually at the clinic treated the patients.  Between 2018 and 2020, Medicare paid these clinics over $8 million. 

There was witness testimony that Popovych exchanged text messages with her co-conspirators that discussed the payment of kickbacks through the use of code words.  The evidence also showed that Popovych suspected that the clinics were being watched by law enforcement and took steps to conceal the scheme. 

Popovych was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, conspiracy to make false statements relating to health care matters, four counts of health care fraud, and three counts of making false statements relating to health care matters. When sentenced, she faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each health care fraud conviction and five years in prison for each false statements count. 

HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case. 

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

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

Trial Attorneys Patrick J. Campbell and John Howard of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trial Attorney Miriam Glaser Dauermann.

The Defendant:

OLGA POPOVYCH
Age:  43
New York, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 20-CR-373 (LDH)

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Julie Dotton pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud a company seeking to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Gary R. Brown.  When sentenced, Dotton faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment as well as restitution of at least $8.2 million in addition to $8.2 million in criminal forfeiture.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the guilty plea. 

“The defendant took advantage of a provider’s need for life-saving personal protective equipment to line her own pockets,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office will continue to vigorously prosecute defendants who shamefully seek to profit from global health emergencies and crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Julie Dotton deprived a personal protective equipment provider of critical supplies during a global pandemic, stealing more than $8 million for her own benefit. The FBI continues to track down those who exploited the COVID-19 crisis and ensure they face the consequences for their selfish greed,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

According to court filings, between March 2020 and October 2020, Dotton misrepresented her ability to obtain PPE to a Canadian company that was an official provider of PPE to two Canadian provinces during the earliest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Using a nominal entity she controlled, Dotton entered into a contract with the company to provide approximately 12 million face masks for $8.2 million.  Dotton then caused the company to wire the $8.2 million payment to a purported third-party escrow agent’s bank account.  After a superficial attempt to purchase PPE, and rather than use the funds to procure the PPE as promised, Dotton directed others to disburse the funds to various third parties for her benefit.  After Dotton failed to procure the agreed upon PPE for the company, and the company demanded delivery of the PPE or a refund, Dotton strung them along with excuses for several months, all the while continuing to have the money disbursed for her benefit. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Adam R. Toporovsky and Joshua Dugan are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Timothy Migliaro. 

The Defendant:

JULIE DOTTON
Age:  53
Orchard Park, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-394 (GRB)

A federal jury in Brooklyn this afternoon convicted Shlomo Patchiav, also known as “Slava Fatkhiev,” of participating in an extortion conspiracy in which he repeatedly threatened a victim to force the victim to pay him.  The verdict was returned after a three-week trial before United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.  When sentenced, Patchiav faces up to 20 years in prison. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the verdict. 

“Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for extorting a victim for money and threatening to hold him ‘hostage,’ and then covering up his connection to the victim after the victim’s murder by concealing his body,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.   

“Shlomo Patchiav agreed to extort a victim for money before trying to hide his connection to this conspiracy once the victim was found murdered. May today’s verdict emphasize the FBI’s commitment to ensuring violent intimidation tactics and attempts to cover up crimes do not go unpunished,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As proven at trial, Patchiav and a co-conspirator (the Co-Conspirator) engaged in an extortion conspiracy in which they used threats and violence against the victim, Shehroz Tokhirov, after the three men failed to reach an agreement in a luxury watch deal.   Patchiav owned a wholesale jewelry and diamond business.  In June 2022, Patchiav and the Co-Conspirator engaged in discussions with Tokhirov about the potential sale of several luxury watches for approximately $500,000.  Thereafter, Patchiav and the Co-Conspirator began demanding money from Tokhirov and threatening him. 

On the morning of June 25, 2022, Tokhirov left his apartment in the Kensington section of Brooklyn carrying a plastic bag full of cash.  Video surveillance footage showed Tokhirov and the Co-Conspirator at a TD Bank in Brooklyn, where Tokhirov withdrew approximately $10,000 in cash and obtained a cashier’s check for $20,000 that was made out to the Co-Conspirator.  The two men then went to a tax services store where Tokhirov signed a document turning over his Mercedes Benz SUV to the Co-Conspirator.  Tokhirov was not seen or heard from after that meeting, and, eight months later, his body was recovered from a residence in Ellenville, New York. Evidence admitted at trial, including cell phone location data, placed Patchiav and the Co-Conspirator in Ellenville, New York on June 26, 2022, the day after Tokhirov’s disappearance. 

On June 27, 2022, the Co-Conspirator purchased a ticket for a Turkish Airlines flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Republic of Georgia, departing on June 28, 2022.  On the date of his departure, law enforcement officers seized from the Co-Conspirator approximately $26,500 in cash and a receipt for the $20,000 check that Tokhirov had obtained at TD Bank on the day of his disappearance.

The Co-Conspirator remains at large.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Megan Larkin and Benjamin Weintraub are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Rehnquist and Paralegal Specialist John Schneider.

The Defendant:

SHLOMO PATCHIAV (also known as “Slava Fatkhiev”)
Age:  45
Kew Gardens, Queens

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-99 (DLI)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Justin Poon pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography.  The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho.  Poon was a registered sex offender in New York State when he committed the crimes. When sentenced, Poon faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment and up to 70 years’ imprisonment, as well as restitution to victims of his crimes.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the guilty plea. 

“The defendant is a depraved sextortionist and danger to the community who produced, collected, and distributed child pornography, and terrorized dozens of victims, including minors,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “His conduct reflects a total disregard for the trauma he inflicted on his victims and their families.  Although today’s guilty plea cannot undo the harm that Poon has caused to his victims, it does ensure that he will be incarcerated for decades.”

“Already a convicted child predator, the defendant continued to exploit minors through extortion and production of sexually explicit videos,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.  “The FBI/NYPD Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Task Force will continue to pursue those who seek to harm our children and ensure they face justice.  

According to court proceedings and filings, from at least December 2018 through his arrest in December 2023, Poon engaged in a pattern of exploiting minor girls for the purpose of creating child pornography.  Poon targeted his victims and solicited their production of sexually explicit materials for his gratification and financial gain.  For example, Poon induced a 16 year-old victim to create sexually explicit images of herself according to his specifications and then sold those images on the internet.  Poon also traveled across state lines to engage in sexual activity with another 16 year-old victim and created sexually explicit videos of that victim.   

Poon engaged in an extortion scheme during the same period. Poon obtained sexually explicit images and videos of minors and young women using deceptive means, including by pretending to be Snapchat customer support to trick them into sharing their passwords so that he could access private materials in their accounts. Once the defendant had the images and videos, he then threatened to share them directly with his victims’ friends and family if they did not comply with his demands for payment or additional sexually explicit materials.  When one of his 16-year-old victims pleaded with him not to “ruin [her] life,” because she “need[ed] to go to university,” the defendant responded: “I don’t care.”

As part of the government’s investigation, search warrants were obtained to search Poon’s electronic devices and DropBox accounts. He was found to be in possession of child pornography for at least 50 different victims.  Poon was previously convicted in 2021 of sexual misconduct with a 15 year-old victim.

If you believe you may have been a victim of the defendant, please contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/seeking-victim-information-in-justin-poon-investigation/view.  This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States  Attorney Kamil R. Ammari is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

JUSTIN POON
Age:  27
West Hempstead, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-533 (BMC) 

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, two criminal complaints were unsealed charging Cornelius Shannon and Arturo Hernandez with violations of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which was enacted one year ago and prohibits the nonconsensual publication of AI-generated digital forgeries (deepfake) pornography. Shannon and Hernandez allegedly posted thousands of images and videos that appeared to depict real people nude and/or engaging in sexual acts.  The victims included actresses, singers and political figures.  Hernandez also posted hundreds of depictions of non-public figures appearing to engage in sexual acts.  Hernandez was arrested today in Bedias, Texas, and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.  Shannon was arrested today in New Jersey and will appear this afternoon in Brooklyn before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrests.

“As alleged, the defendants used cutting-edge digital technology to create images that degraded and violated victims across the United States,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “This case makes clear that posting deepfake pornography is not a victimless crime, and our Office will pursue the criminals who engage in this reprehensible conduct with all the legal resources that the federal government can bring to bear, including new authorities granted by Congress to address these emerging forms of psychological, reputational, and financial abuse.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the FBI field offices in Houston, Texas, and Newark, New Jersey, for their assistance with the case.

“The individuals arrested today are being charged for their alleged roles in a scheme to create and distribute vile deepfake pornography using artificial intelligence,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.  “This predatory conduct represents a disturbing abuse of technology that inflicts emotional harm on victims, violating their privacy, dignity, and security.  The use of this emerging technology to victimize individuals is not innovative – it is criminal and will be pursued with the full force of the law.”

On April 28, 2025, Congress passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bill that criminalizes the nonconsensual publication of intimate images, including deepfakes.  The TAKE IT DOWN Act is an acronym that stands for “Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act.” The TAKE IT DOWN Act was intended to combat so-called revenge porn, or pornography posted of an intimate partner without their consent, and non-consensual deepfake material created to simulate a real person.

United States v. Cornelius Shannon

As detailed in court filings, Shannon has published deepfake pornographic material depicting female victims to an image- and video-sharing internet platform designed for creators to share adult and explicit content.  Since May 19, 2025, Shannon has published at least 360 albums containing AI deepfake pornography depicting approximately 90 different female victims. The content published by Shannon has been viewed millions of times. 

United States v. Arturo Hernandez

Hernandez is similarly alleged to have published deepfake pornographic material depicting female victims to a website.  Since approximately May 19, 2025, Hernandez has published approximately 113 albums on the website which contained deepfake content depicting approximately 50 different identifiable female victims, including individuals who are not public figures.  The albums contain non-explicit images of identifiable individuals which morph into deepfake depictions of the individuals in various stages of undress or engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  The content published by Hernandez has been viewed nearly a million times.

The charges in the complaints are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of the charge, the defendants each face up to two years’ imprisonment.

If you are aware of non-consensually published intimate visual depictions posted on the internet, you can advise the authorities through the Internet Crime Complaint Center, https://www.ic3.gov/, or through the FBI tip line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

As part of its enforcement role, the Federal Trade Commission has launched TakeItDown.ftc.gov, a website allowing victims and survivors to submit complaints about platforms that have failed to act on valid requests for the removal of nonconsensual intimate images. The website also accepts complaints about platforms that have failed to create a process for people to request removal of these images.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security & Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States  Attorneys Nicholas J. Moscow and Molly N. Delaney are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Eastern District of New York Investigator Jeffrey Tarkin and Paralegal Specialist Emily Woodruff.   Assistant United States Attorney Madeline O’Connor of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.

The Defendants:

CORNELIUS SHANNON
Age: 51
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

ARTURO HERNANDEZ
Age: 20
Bedias, Texas

E.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 26-MJ-96 and 26-MJ-97

Today, John Pena, also known as “Tragedy,” “Don Tragg,” “Last Don” and “Money Baggz,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly to life imprisonment for murdering Mark Bajandas on March 10, 2021, and Francisco Gonzalez on June 22, 2021.  Pena committed the murders in connection with his position as the leader of the Gorilla Stone Mafia (GSM), a subgroup of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation (UGSN), which is a faction of the nationwide Bloods street gang.  Pena was convicted at trial in September 2024 of all six counts of a second superseding indictment charging him with racketeering; murder in-aid-of racketeering; causing death through use of a firearm; unlawful possession, brandishing and discharge of a firearm; being a felon in possession of ammunition; and conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana and crack cocaine. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James Barnacle, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“Pena sought revenge against rivals and maintained his leadership position in the Gorilla Stone Mafia gang by any means necessary,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Killing a man as he slept in bed and gunning down another victim in a hail of bullets are shocking examples of Pena’s ruthlessness and disregard for human life.  Today’s sentence ensures he will spend the rest of his life in prison for his gruesome murders and for his role in the violence and drug trafficking unleashed on the citizens of a Staten Island community.” 

“Today, justice was delivered in full.  The leader of Gorilla Stone Mafia, a violent gang, has been sentenced to life in prison. This violent organization has terrorized our streets long enough. This should serve as a warning to every gangster who believes they are above the law: we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will put you away for the rest of your life. Our communities deserve to live without fear, and today, because of the FBI’s Metropolitan Safe Streets Task Force, they are one step closer,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

Pena committed the crimes of conviction in connection with his leadership of GSM, which operated out of the Stapleton Houses, a public housing development on Staten Island.  Members of GSM used intimidation, threats of violence, and acts of violence to preserve and protect GSM’s power, territory, and criminal activities.  They also used drug trafficking as a means of obtaining money.

In the early morning hours of March 10, 2021, Pena fired multiple gunshots from close range killing Mark Bajandas, a former GSM member who had defected to the rival Bugatti set of UGSN.  The murder occurred after Pena and Bajandas had attended a memorial earlier in the evening to commemorate the death of Avanti Brock, a former GSM member who was allegedly murdered by Bugatti approximately a year earlier.  A witness testified that the defendant admitted killing Bajandas, boasting “I spliffed him and walked off like I was John Gotti.” 

On June 22, 2021, Pena murdered Francisco Gonzalez, a former GSM member, by shooting him three times in the head while Gonzalez was asleep in bed next to Pena’s ex-girlfriend.

Law enforcement recovered writings from Pena’s jail cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center.  These included statements in which he took responsibility for the murders of Bajandas and Gonzalez, lyrics in which he wrote that “I feel like the reaper,” and descriptions of turning his “opps,” i.e., “opposition,” into “ghost[s].”  Pena also wrote about killing Gonzalez, including that Pena “left his brains on them sheets,” referring to his firing shots into Gonzalez’s head while Gonzalez was asleep in bed.

Witness testimony and evidence obtained from cell phones proved that GSM members enriched themselves by selling controlled substances in and around the Stapleton Houses and also in Vermont, and that Pena was involved in the sale and distribution of marijuana, crack cocaine and heroin.

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.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Dana Rehnquist, Andrew M. Roddin and Elias Laris are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of former Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed.

The Defendant: JOHN PENA (also known as “Tragedy,” “Don Tragg,” “Last Don” and Money Baggz”)
Age:  34
Staten Island, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-176 (S-2) (AMD)

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Anthony Santamaria was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 120 months’ imprisonment for his participation in an approximately $2 billion international health care fraud conspiracy.  Santamaria is the third member of a Moscow-based criminal organization sentenced this month in connection with the scheme.  Co-defendants Hershel Tsikman and Hafizullah Ebady were sentenced earlier this month to 120 months’ and 97 months’ imprisonment, respectively.  In addition to the terms of imprisonment, Judge Kuntz ordered Santamaria to forfeit $3.2 million and Ebady to forfeit more than $1.8 million. Additionally, all three defendants were ordered to pay restitution to their victims in an amount to be determined at a later date.  A fourth defendant, Dela Saidazim, was sentenced to time served in December 2022. Three additional co-defendants, David Bishoff, Brycen Millett and Joshua Alegria, are awaiting sentencing.  An eighth co-defendant and the leader of the criminal organization, Brian Sutton, a U.S. citizen who is believed to be residing abroad, remains at large.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentences.

“For over five years, the defendants built a sophisticated, international criminal organization that employed scores of call center employees and remote-billers to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from American businesses and launder the stolen monies overseas,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Despite the defendants’ aliases, encrypted messaging platforms, shell companies and straw owners, even operating from overseas, they are now being held accountable.  Our Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to dismantle complex health care fraud networks and hold every responsible actor accountable.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Office of Inspector General, for its work on the case.

“This Moscow-based criminal organization provided anything but health care,” stated Assistant Attorney General McDonald.  “Through aliases, encrypted communications, shell companies, and straw owners, these defendants siphoned nearly $2 billion from private insurers that provide services to American patients.  They executed a brazen international fraud scheme involving sham call centers, ghost telemedicine visits, and remotely controlled pharmacies—with many patients never receiving the medication.  The Justice Department will continue to aggressively identify, target, and prosecute those who defraud America’s health care system.”

“The takedown of this international criminal organization sends a clear message that those who exploit our American healthcare system for profit – no matter where they operate – will be identified, investigated, and prosecuted,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

According to court filings and proceedings, between 2017 and 2022, the defendants engaged in an international scheme to fraudulently bill private health care benefit programs (the “Private Insurers”).  They executed their scheme by having call centers they controlled, initially in Utah and later in Russia, contact beneficiaries enrolled with the Private Insurers and offer medications at no cost to the beneficiaries and without any medical exams to determine if the medications were necessary.  Regardless of whether the beneficiaries agreed to receive these medications, the defendants generated fraudulent prescriptions for the medications for these beneficiaries.  The defendants also recruited doctors purportedly to review prescriptions by nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants after telemedicine visits.  Contrary to what the recruited doctors were told, in most cases there were no telemedicine visits between the beneficiaries and any medical professionals.  The defendants generated fraudulent prescriptions under the physicians’ names and National Provider Identifier numbers.  Despite the prescriptions, many beneficiaries never received the medications.

The defendants also acquired pharmacies across the United States with pre-existing relationships with the Private Insurers and trained and managed teams of Moscow-based “billers” to input data and remotely submit electronic reimbursement requests for the fraudulent prescriptions through those pharmacies.  The defendants submitted over $1.97 billion in fraudulent prescriptions according to third-party billing records.  Private Insurers paid over $758 million as a result of those fraudulent submissions.

To conceal their involvement in the scheme, the defendants operated under multiple aliases, funneled hundreds of millions of dollars through pass-through shell companies and straw owners, used end-to-end encrypted communications and moved operations overseas. Specifically, the defendants purchased and operated dozens of existing brick-and-mortar pharmacies through straw owners, including in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Michigan and Alabama.  The defendants also laundered millions of dollars in fraudulent proceeds from overseas through pass-through shell companies that they used to purchase the scheme pharmacies and conceal the defendants’ involvement.

Under Sutton’s direction, the defendants played various roles in the scheme, including as follows:

•     Alegria oversaw development of custom software and forwarded fraudulent prescriptions to licensed physicians for approval;

•     Bishoff coordinated logistics for the operations of multiple scheme pharmacies;

•     Ebady coordinated the purchase of and was the “boots-on-the-ground manager” for at least 30 scheme pharmacies;

•     Millett oversaw call centers in Utah, Russia and elsewhere overseas;

•     Saidazim recruited licensed physicians and acted as Sutton’s personal assistant;

•     Santamaria trained and managed teams of billers to input data and remotely submit fraudulent requests for reimbursement to insurers; and

•     Tsikman coordinated the laundering of fraud proceeds through straw owners and shell entities for at least 30 scheme pharmacies, and personally wired millions of dollars internationally. 

The charges pending against Sutton in the superseding indictment are merely allegations and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys John Vagelatos, Jessica K. Weigel, Jonathan P. Lax and Tara B. McGrath are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Melina Piatti-Chayan.  Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.

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

The Defendants:

HAFIZULLAH EBADY
Age: 48
Parsippany, New Jersey
(Sentenced to 97 months’ imprisonment on 5/6/26)

ANTHONY SANTAMARIA
Age: 33
North Hollywood, California
(Sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on 5/19/26)

HERSHEL TSIKMAN
Age: 33
Studio City, California
(Sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on 5/4/26)

Co-Defendant Previously Sentenced:

DELA SAIDAZIM
Age: 36
Moscow, Russia
(Sentenced to time served in December 2022)

Co-Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty (Awaiting Sentencing):

JOSHUA MANUEL ALEGRIA
Age: 35
Woodland Hills, California

DAVID GARY BISHOFF
Age: 41
Saint George, Utah

BRYCEN KAY MILLETT
Age: 35
Saint George, Utah

Co-Defendant Who Remains at Large:

BRIAN MICHAEL SUTTON
Age: 32
Moscow, Russia

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-564 (S-3) (WFK)

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today a settlement agreement with Queens-based home care agency Kris Agency & Home Care, Inc. (Kris Agency), and training center Career Development Center of Queens, Inc. (Career Development Center).  The settlement agreement addressed allegations that Kris Agency and Career Development Center violated the federal False Claims Act (FCA) when they applied for two pandemic-era second-draw paycheck protection program (PPP) loans and obtained forgiveness of those loans. 

“The Paycheck Protection Program was meant to help struggling small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic by offering loans that could be forgiven if program rules were followed,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “As alleged, Kris Agency and Career Development Center took government money to which they were not entitled.  Our Office will continue to hold accountable those who misused pandemic aid programs.”

United States Attorney Nocella thanked the Small Business Administration (SBA) for its partnership in the investigation.

“SBA is committed to identifying and pursuing those alleged to have perpetrated fraud on COVID Relief Programs to the detriment of small businesses.  By working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York and our other law enforcement partners, SBA continues its enhanced efforts to uncover fraud and pursue recoveries on behalf of taxpayers,” stated SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis.

On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide emergency assistance for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.  The CARES Act authorized the Paycheck Protection Program, administered by the SBA, to provide forgivable loans to eligible small businesses during the national emergency.  The PPP provided loans in two draws. For second-draw PPP loans, among other requirements, an applicant could not employ more than 300 employees, including all employees of its affiliates.

The United States Attorney’s Office commenced an investigation after whistleblowers alleged that Kris Agency had knowingly defrauded the federal government by obtaining a PPP loan and loan forgiveness when it was not eligible.  The government’s investigation determined that Kris Agency and Career Development Center falsely certified that they, including affiliates, had fewer than 300 employees, and failed to disclose each other as affiliates.

Under the terms of the agreements with the United States, Kris Agency and Career Development Center have agreed to pay $2,347,133.10 to the United States.  The claims asserted against Kris Agency and Career Development Center are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

The civil settlement resolves a case brought under the qui tam provisions of the FCA. The FCA authorizes private parties to sue on behalf of the United States and receive a share of any recovery. It also permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it did here. 

The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Logan J. Gowdicott and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Franka Cepele of the Office’s Civil Division, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Loan Nguyen and Jude Glashow.

Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Angela Aquino, a 2025 candidate for New York City Public Advocate, with wire fraud in connection with her scheme to defraud New York City’s campaign finance system to obtain public matching funds.  Aquino was arrested today and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon by United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and charge.

“The defendant, a former candidate for citywide office, allegedly engaged in a months’ long brazen scheme to obtain fraudulently $1 million in public funds, exploiting a matching funds program designed to reduce corruption in the city’s campaign finance system,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office will aggressively hold accountable would-be public officials out to steal taxpayer dollars.”   

“New Yorkers deserve political candidates who uphold the highest standards of public service, demonstrating their integrity and commitment to the City and its people. Instead, as charged, this defendant allegedly orchestrated a bold scheme to manipulate the public matching funds system in an illegal attempt to unlawfully secure $1 million for her campaign, none of which she was entitled to receive,” stated DOI Commissioner Shihata.  “I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the New York Office of the FBI for their partnership in rooting out corruption and protecting public funds.”

“Angela Aquino allegedly attempted to steal one million dollars from New York taxpayers by fraudulently inflating her campaign’s bank account to receive matching public funds. The FBI continues to hold accountable corrupt political candidates who try to buy the public’s support,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

New York City’s Matching Funds Program

The New York City Campaign Finance Board (“CFB”) offers a voluntary public financing program matching small-dollar contributions from New York City residents to candidates for city office.  The program is available to any candidate running for city office, including Public Advocate.  To be eligible for matching funds, candidates must meet a two-part fundraising threshold: first, they must collect a minimum number of contributions of $10 or more; and second, they must raise a minimum number of qualifying contributions from residents of New York City.  To be eligible for the matching funds program, a candidate for Public Advocate must have raised at least $125,000 from at least 500 qualifying contributors. In addition, cash contributions are capped at $100 per contributor for purposes of qualifying for matching funds.

For a candidate to apply cash contributions toward the threshold necessary to become eligible for public matching funds, a candidate’s authorized committee was required to submit contribution cards to the CFB that listed, among other information, each contributor’s name, residential address, employer, occupation, and date and amount of contribution.  The contribution cards also had to be signed by the contributors.

Candidates were prohibited from giving false information to the CFB.  Candidates were also prohibited from using public matching funds for purposes that were illegal, improper, or not in furtherance of the candidate’s nomination or election.  Violation of these prohibitions would render the candidate ineligible to receive public matching funds.

Once a candidate met the eligibility requirements to join the program, the CFB would provide the campaign with public funds at a matching rate of $8 to $1.  Therefore, if a candidate raised $125,000 toward the fundraising threshold, the CFB would provide that candidate with $1 million in public matching funds.

The Fraudulent Scheme

As alleged in the complaint, the defendant engaged in a scheme to obtain $1 million in public matching funds, knowing that her campaign committee was not entitled to such funds.  In particular, the defendant took numerous steps to artificially inflate the deposits into her campaign committee’s bank account to make it appear that the committee had met the $125,000 threshold for public funds.  In fact, very little of the deposits were eligible contributions from New Yorkers. 

In the first months of 2025, the defendant’s personal bank account received more than $130,000 that originated from the Philippines.  Of this amount, at least $34,000 was a loan to the defendant from a contact there. The defendant, with others, repeatedly withdrew funds from her personal bank account in cash and deposited cash into her campaign committee’s bank account.  These contributions were then identified to the CFB as contributions from residents of New York City that were eligible for public matching funds. Contribution cards submitted in support of these supposed contributions, which purported to identify the contributors and included their personal identifying information and their signatures, were falsified.

Aquino also cycled funds out of, and back into, the campaign committee’s bank account, sometimes using bank accounts of friends and associates as intermediary accounts to obscure the true source of the funds.  The purpose of cycling the funds in this way was to make the total amount of deposits into the campaign committee’s account appear higher, such that the total contributions would appear to meet the CFB’s threshold.

Aquino also used funds from the campaign committee account to pay for her personal expenses, including the rent for her apartment, falsely reporting to the CFB that the payments were for legitimate campaign expenses.  Aquino also lied to federal agents as to her relationship with the recipients of some of these expenditures.  For example, Aquino told federal agents that her landlords helped with petitions and with campaigning, justifying the campaign’s payments to them. In fact, Aquino’s landlords had nothing to do with her campaign.

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of the charge, the defendant faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Laura Zuckerwise and Sean Sherman are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Melissa Bennett.

The Defendant:

ANGELA AQUINO
Age: 47
New York, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-MJ- 93

BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Michail Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national also known as “Commander Butcher,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon for soliciting hate crimes and distributing instructions to make bombs and ricin.  Chkhikvishvili is a leader of Maniac Murder Cult, an international racially motivated violent extremist group that is also known as “Maniacs Murder Cult,” “Maniacs: Cult of Killing,” “MKY,” “MMC,” and “MKU.”  Chkhikvishvili recruited others to commit violent acts in furtherance of MKY’s ideologies, including planning and soliciting a mass casualty attack in New York City.  He was extradited from Moldova to the Eastern District of New York in May 2025 and pleaded guilty in November.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence. 

“The defendant is a hate-mongering menace who intended to hurt and kill children in the Jewish community and in other minority communities in New York City,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Thanks to our incredible law enforcement partners, he did not succeed and will now face justice for his cowardly acts.  Today’s sentence sends a strong message to hateful extremists, wherever you are, who seek to spread fear through unspeakable violence: we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”   

Mr. Nocella praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the government of Moldova for their crucial assistance in securing Chkhikvishvili’s arrest and extradition.

“Chkhikvishvili, a leader of the ‘Maniacs Murder Cult,’ repeatedly called for the murder of innocent civilians, including children, and schemed to attack and terrorize Jewish communities and racial minorities in the United States,” stated Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg.  “Chkhikvishvili, for example, tried to recruit a supposed associate to dress up as Santa Claus and pass out poisoned candy to minority children.  Today’s sentence takes a monster off our streets and protects our communities at least for a time.”

“The defendant plotted abhorrent acts of antisemitic and racially motivated violence,” stated Assistant Attorney General Dhillon.  “Individuals who plan and encourage this violence will not find refuge in the dark corners of the Internet. Together, with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue these criminals, and hold them accountable.”

This defendant’s repeated and consistent efforts to solicit violence resulted in irreparable damage to numerous families in the United States and around the world,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.  “His ideologically driven, racially-motivated, and anti-Semitic actions inspired followers, admirers and members of the Maniac Murder Cult and similar hate groups to commit heinous acts. This arrest and subsequent sentencing send a strong message to those who wish to engage in hate-filled violence; you will face the consequences regardless of your location. Being overseas will not shield anyone from the relentless pursuit of the FBI New York’s Joint Terrorism Task Force to deliver justice.”

“As a leader of the white supremacist group ‘Maniac Murder Cult,’ this defendant concocted hate-fueled, mass-casualty plans and inspired others to commit attacks based on his vile rhetoric,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “This violent extremist’s intentions were clear: harm and kill as many Jews and racial groups as possible. But thanks to the work of our NYPD investigators, along with the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, he is now off our streets and being held accountable for his hateful crimes.”

Maniac Murder Cult adheres to Neo-Nazi ideology and promotes violence against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems “undesirables.”  Since approximately September 2021, Chkhikvishvili has distributed a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook” to MKY members and others.  The Hater’s Handbook encourages people to commit acts of mass violence, including school shootings, and includes Chkhikvishvili’s assertion that he has “murdered for the white race.”

In June 2022, Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn, New York.  Beginning as early as July 2022, Chkhikvishvili repeatedly encouraged others, primarily via Telegram, to commit violent hate crimes and other acts of violence on behalf of MKY.  This included soliciting acts of mass violence in New York from an individual who, unbeknownst to Chkhikvishvili, was an undercover FBI employee (the UC).  

Beginning in approximately November 2023, Chkhikvishvili solicited the UC to commit violent crimes, such as bombings and arsons, for the purpose of harming racial minorities, Jewish individuals and others.  In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili began planning a mass casualty attack in New York City to take place on New Year’s Eve.  The scheme involved having an individual dress up as Santa Claus and hand out candy laced with poison to racial minorities.  In January 2024, the scheme evolved and Chkhikvishvili specifically directed the UC to target the Jewish community, Jewish schools, and Jewish children in Brooklyn with poison.  Chkhikvishvili sent detailed manuals about creating and mixing lethal poisons and gases, including ricin.

Chkhikvishvili has incited multiple attacks and killings around the world:

• In January 2025, a 17-year-old student killed one individual and injured another before dying by suicide inside Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee.  The attacker livestreamed part of the attack.  Prior to the attack, in an audio recording posted online and attributed to him, the attacker claimed he was taking action on behalf of Maniac Murder Cult.  The attacker’s manifesto explicitly mentioned Chkhikvishvili.
• In August 2024, an individual livestreamed himself stabbing five people outside a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, while wearing a tactical vest bearing Nazi symbols.  A manifesto attributed to the attacker included explicit references to Chkhikvishvili and his violent statements.  Before the attack, the attacker also distributed a link to the Hater’s Handbook and other violent propaganda.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew D. Reich and Ellen H. Sise are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, Special Agent Kristoffer Borch from the Eastern District of New York’s Criminal Investigations Unit, and Paralegal Specialists Rebecca Roth and Wayne Colon.  The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division also provided assistance.

The Defendant:

MICHAIL CHKHIKVISHVILI (also known as “Mishka,” “Michael,” “Commander Butcher” and “Butcher”)
Age:  22
Tbilisi, Georgia

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-286 (CBA)

Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Michail Chkhikvishvili, a Georgian national also known as “Commander Butcher,” was sentenced to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon for soliciting hate crimes and distributing instructions to make bombs and ricin.

Chkhikvishvili is a leader of Maniac Murder Cult, an international racially motivated violent extremist group that is also known as “Maniacs Murder Cult,” “Maniacs: Cult of Killing,” “MKY,” “MMC,” and “MKU.” Chkhikvishvili recruited others to commit violent acts in furtherance of MKY’s ideologies, including planning and soliciting a mass casualty attack in New York City. He was extradited from Moldova to the Eastern District of New York in May 2025 and pleaded guilty in November.

“Chkhikvishvili, a leader of the ‘Maniacs Murder Cult,’ repeatedly called for the murder of innocent civilians, including children, and schemed to attack and terrorize Jewish communities and racial minorities in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Chkhikvishvili, for example, tried to recruit a supposed associate to dress up as Santa Claus and pass out poisoned candy to minority children. Today’s sentence takes a monster off our streets and protects our communities at least for a time.”

“The defendant plotted abhorrent acts of antisemitic and racially motivated violence,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Individuals who plan and encourage this violence will not find refuge in the dark corners of the Internet. Together, with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue these criminals, and hold them accountable.”

“The defendant is a hate-mongering menace who intended to hurt and kill children in the Jewish community and in other minority communities in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Thanks to our incredible law enforcement partners, he did not succeed and will now face justice for his cowardly acts. Today’s sentence sends a strong message to hateful extremists, wherever you are, who seek to spread fear through unspeakable violence: we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The defendant recruited others to commit violent attacks against the Jewish community and racial minorities, and he will now pay a steep price for his crimes,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “His twisted plans included poisoning children with candy around the holidays, but that plot was stopped thanks to the good work of the FBI and our law enforcement partners. The defendant was extradited from Moldova, showing once again that those who try to harm our citizens will not be able to hide overseas from the FBI and Justice Department prosecutors. We will spare no effort to make sure these criminals face justice.”

“As a leader of the white supremacist group ‘Maniac Murder Cult,’ this defendant concocted hate-fueled, mass-casualty plans and inspired others to commit attacks based on his vile rhetoric,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “This violent extremist’s intentions were clear: harm and kill as many Jews and racial groups as possible. But thanks to the work of our NYPD investigators, along with the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, he is now off our streets and being held accountable for his hateful crimes.”

Mr. Nocella praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the government of Moldova for their crucial assistance in securing Chkhikvishvili’s arrest and extradition.

Maniac Murder Cult adheres to Neo-Nazi ideology and promotes violence against racial minorities, the Jewish community and other groups it deems “undesirables.” Since approximately September 2021, Chkhikvishvili has distributed a manifesto titled the “Hater’s Handbook” to MKY members and others. The Hater’s Handbook encourages people to commit acts of mass violence, including school shootings, and includes Chkhikvishvili’s assertion that he has “murdered for the white race.”

In June 2022, Chkhikvishvili traveled to Brooklyn, New York. Beginning as early as July 2022, Chkhikvishvili repeatedly encouraged others, primarily via Telegram, to commit violent hate crimes and other acts of violence on behalf of MKY. This included soliciting acts of mass violence in New York from an individual who, unbeknownst to Chkhikvishvili, was an undercover FBI employee (the UC).

Beginning in approximately November 2023, Chkhikvishvili solicited the UC to commit violent crimes, such as bombings and arsons, for the purpose of harming racial minorities, Jewish individuals and others. In November 2023, Chkhikvishvili began planning a mass casualty attack in New York City to take place on New Year’s Eve. The scheme involved having an individual dress up as Santa Claus and hand out candy laced with poison to racial minorities. In January 2024, the scheme evolved and Chkhikvishvili specifically directed the UC to target the Jewish community, Jewish schools, and Jewish children in Brooklyn with poison. Chkhikvishvili sent detailed manuals about creating and mixing lethal poisons and gases, including ricin. 

Chkhikvishvili has incited multiple attacks and killings around the world:

• In January 2025, a 17-year-old student killed one individual and injured another before dying by suicide inside Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee. The attacker livestreamed part of the attack. Prior to the attack, in an audio recording posted online and attributed to him, the attacker claimed he was taking action on behalf of Maniac Murder Cult. The attacker’s manifesto explicitly mentioned Chkhikvishvili.
• In August 2024, an individual livestreamed himself stabbing five people outside a mosque in Eskisehir, Turkey, while wearing a tactical vest bearing Nazi symbols. A manifesto attributed to the attacker included explicit references to Chkhikvishvili and his violent statements. Before the attack, the attacker also distributed a link to the Hater’s Handbook and other violent propaganda.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew D. Reich and Ellen H. Sise for the Eastern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Justin Sher of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, Special Agent Kristoffer Borch from the Eastern District of New York’s Criminal Investigations Unit, and Paralegal Specialists Rebecca Roth and Wayne Colon. The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division also provided assistance.

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, a complaint was unsealed charging Sam Sprei, also known as “Yechiel Sprei,” “Shimon Sprei,” and “Eli Shapiro,” and Edward Harold King, a former Kings County Supreme Court Justice, with wire fraud conspiracy.  Both defendants were arrested this morning and are scheduled to make their initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI New York), announced the arrests and charges.

“As alleged, the defendants stole millions of dollars from investors by cynically leveraging King’s position as a sitting judge to lend false legitimacy to supposed investment opportunities,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s arrests demonstrate that this Office will hold accountable those who exploit victims for their own financial gain.  Holding corrupt individuals accountable for the abuse of public trust will always be a priority of our Office.”

“Fraud that hides behind a veneer of legitimacy—especially the authority of a judge—strikes at the heart of public trust,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.  “IRS‑CI will relentlessly follow the money, expose deception, and ensure that those who manipulate and mislead investors are brought to justice.  Today’s arrests send a clear message: schemes dressed up as opportunity will not shield wrongdoers from accountability.”

As set forth in court filings, Sprei and King perpetrated numerous schemes to defraud, including multiple schemes to defraud real estate investors in which they solicited the victims’ funds in fictitious investment opportunities, represented to the victims that their invested funds would be returnable on demand if the victims decided to end their involvement in the investments, and then later refused to return the money based on false excuses and converted a significant portion of the victims’ funds for their own use.

For example, in November 2024, Spreipresented two investors (the Investors) with an opportunity to purchase commercial real estate located in Freehold, New Jersey (the Property).  Sprei told the Investors that to take advantage of this opportunity, they would first have to show “proof of liquidity” by depositing funds in escrow. In addition, Sprei told the Investors that King was an independent escrow agent and a New York judge.  Sprei also made numerous misrepresentations designed to deceive the Investors, including that if the Investors decided not to pursue the investment, they could so advise the escrow agent and would receive the full amount deposited within two business days.  Based on these representations from Sprei, the Investors wired a total of $6.5 million to a bank account in King’s name pursuant to written escrow agreements signed by the Investors and King.  In the days immediately following the wire transfers from the Investors to the bank account in King’s name, millions of dollars of the Investors’ funds were withdrawn or transferred to a bank account in Sprei’s name.  When the Investors subsequently wrote to King to request the return of their deposited funds, King provided false excuses as to why he could not return the $6.5 million. Months later, King and Sprei returned to the Investors $1.5 million, representing only a portion of the Investors’ investment.  To date, Sprei and King have not returned any further funds to the Investors.

The charge in the complaint is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of wire fraud conspiracy, the defendants face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Schuman and Andrew Wang are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Special Agent Anthony J. Cunder and Paralegal Specialist Melissa Bennett.

The Defendants:

SAM SPREI (also known as “Yechiel Sprei,” “Shimon Sprei,” and “Eli Shapiro”)
Age:  37
Brooklyn, New York

EDWARD HAROLD KING
Age:  72
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-MJ-91

Earlier today, at the federal court in Brooklyn, the defendant Jordan Khammar pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering for his role in a decade-long scheme to defraud a multinational media, brand management, and consulting company and steal over $7.9 million.  When sentenced, Khammar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment as well as restitution of at least $7.9 million in addition to $7.9 million in criminal forfeiture.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, New York (IRS-CI), announced the guilty plea.

“For over a decade, the defendant betrayed his employer’s trust and abused his access to its financial systems for side projects and personal gain,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office will relentlessly pursue justice for victims of economic crime and seek to hold accountable those who commit such offenses.”

"Khammar didn’t just steal—he engineered a years‑long deception to bankroll his own ventures and bury the truth under doctored records. IRS‑CI followed the money, exposed the scheme, and brought it down. When someone turns a company’s financial systems into their personal slush fund, we will unwind every transaction and make sure they answer for it," stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.

As set forth in court filings, Khammar was hired as a financial consultant in 2006 by a multinational media, brand management, and consulting company (Company-1).  He eventually became Company-1’s Finance Director with certain access to and control over a wide range of its financial accounts and systems including those tied to banking, accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll functions.  Between January 2015 and May 2025, Khammar abused that access and control to engage in a scheme to defraud Company-1 out of millions of dollars.  Specifically, during the ten-year period, Khammar initiated over 300 wire transactions sending himself more than $7.9 million that he was not entitled to from Company-1’s bank account.

Khammar took multiple steps to conceal his scheme from Company-1 including by manipulating its books and records, circumventing internal controls, and limiting other employees’ and consultants’ access to the company financial systems and accounts.  For example, Khammar created over 100 false entries in Company-1’s general ledger to disguise his fraudulent wire transfers as purportedly legitimate payments for Company 1’s expenses including corporate credit card bills, taxes, and costs associated with renovating its Brooklyn office.

Khammar wired most of the stolen money to an account held in the name of Olive Tree Ventures, Inc. (Olive Tree), a company that he founded, owned, and controlled.  From the Olive Tree account, he dispersed a large portion of the funds to finance his independent business ventures including his media production company, Sideswipe Media, Inc., to purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars-worth of real estate in Florida and Ohio, and to further pay himself and a variety of personal expenses.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax and Dana Rehnquist are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Liam McNett.  Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.

The Defendant:

JORDAN KHAMMAR
Age: 47
Columbus, Ohio

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-283 (AMD)

BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Dan Sohail pleaded guilty to damaging religious property.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano. When sentenced, Sohail faces imprisonment and restitution.   

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General of Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the guilty plea.

“By pleading guilty today, the defendant admitted that he intentionally damaged the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, a globally significant Jewish religious institution, by repeatedly crashing his vehicle into the building’s entrance,” said United States Attorney Nocella.  “At a time when acts of violence directed at Jewish institutions have dramatically increased, this prosecution underscores our Office’s commitment to ensuring that worshippers can gather safely and those who threaten religious institutions will be held accountable.”

“The defendant’s dangerous conduct was a targeted attack on the religious liberty and peace of worship to which every American is entitled,” stated Assistant Attorney General Dhillon.  “Today’s conviction sends a clear message: the Department of Justice will not tolerate acts of hatred and violence against religious institutions.”

“The defendant's actions caused panic within the community. The guilty plea holds him accountable for using a vehicle as a dangerous weapon and demonstrates the FBI's continued commitment to partner with our local law enforcement agencies to protect the public and pursue justice for those impacted,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“By repeatedly ramming his vehicle into the entrance of the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, the defendant targeted a sacred institution at the heart of the Jewish community,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “At a time of rising threats against Jewish New Yorkers, attacks on places of worship carry deep fear far beyond the immediate damage they cause.  Today’s guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for his actions, and the NYPD will continue working with our federal partners to protect every New Yorker’s right to practice their faith safely and freely.”

According to court filings and statements made during the plea hearing, on the evening of January 28, 2026, Sohail drove to the Chabad Headquarters located on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York.  The Chabad Headquarters was hosting an event marking the anniversary of the death of the movement’s leader.  After arriving at the side entrance of the building, Sohail exited his vehicle and moved barriers that had been set up to protect the building, which includes a synagogue and religious gathering spaces.  After gesturing for congregants to move away, Sohail returned to his vehicle and drove his car into the building’s side entrance.  He then reversed his vehicle and accelerated into the entrance four additional times, knocking the entrance door off its hinges.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights and General Crimes Sections.  Assistant United States Attorney Eric Silverberg and Special Assistant United States Attorney Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Marlane Bosler.

The Defendant:

DAN SOHAIL
Age: 36
Carteret, New Jersey

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-127 (ENV)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Dan Sohail pleaded guilty to damaging religious property. The proceeding was held before U.S. District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano. When sentenced, Sohail faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison and mandatory restitution.

“The defendant’s dangerous conduct was a targeted attack on the religious liberty and peace of worship to which every American is entitled,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Today’s conviction sends a clear message: the Department of Justice will not tolerate acts of hatred and violence against religious institutions.”

“By pleading guilty today, the defendant admitted that he intentionally damaged the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters, a globally significant Jewish religious institution, by repeatedly crashing his vehicle into the building’s entrance,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “At a time when acts of violence directed at Jewish institutions have dramatically increased, this prosecution underscores our Office’s commitment to ensuring that worshippers can gather safely and those who threaten religious institutions will be held accountable.”

According to court filings and statements made during the plea hearing, on the evening of Jan. 28, Sohail drove to the Chabad Headquarters located on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. The Chabad Headquarters was hosting an event marking the anniversary of the death of the movement’s leader. After arriving at the side entrance of the building, Sohail exited his vehicle and moved barriers that had been set up to protect the building, which includes a synagogue and religious gathering spaces. After gesturing for congregants to move away, Sohail returned to his vehicle and drove his car into the building’s side entrance. He then reversed his vehicle and accelerated into the entrance four additional times, knocking the entrance door off its hinges.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Human Trafficking and Civil Rights and General Crimes Sections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Silverberg for the Eastern District of New York and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Marlane Bosler.

Today in federal court in Brooklyn, Bronx resident Lu Jianwang, a U.S. citizen also known as “Harry Lu,” was convicted by a jury of two counts of a superseding indictment charging him with acting as an illegal agent of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in connection with opening and operating an overseas police station in lower Manhattan for the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS), and with obstruction of justice for destroying related evidence.  The verdict was returned following a one-week trial before United States District Judge Nina R. Morrison.  When sentenced, the defendant faces up to 30 years in prison.  Lu’s co-defendant, Chen Jinping, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiring to act as an agent of the PRC in connection with the overseas police station, and he is awaiting sentencing.

“We will not allow secret ‘police’ sent by a foreign country to harass people in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg.  “The jury rightly condemned this conduct, which took place right in the middle of New York City.”

“The Chinese government thought it could get away with operating a secret, illegal police station in the heart of New York City to export transnational repression and subvert our rule of law,” said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. “However, today’s conviction of Lu Jianwang for illegally acting as an agent of a foreign power proves we won’t allow authoritarian regimes to violate U.S. sovereignty. The FBI and our partners are dedicated to protecting everyone within our borders from efforts to undermine our democratic freedoms, and we’ll hold any state actors -- and those who help them -- accountable for breaking our laws.”

“A police station operating in New York City at the direction of the Chinese government has been exposed, its sinister purpose disrupted, and its founder held accountable for blatantly disregarding the law and our country’s sovereignty,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Our Office remains resolute in protecting the rights of people seeking freedom from repression and speaking out to bring democracy, reform, and human rights to China.”

As proved at trial, Lu and his co-defendant Chen Jinping acted as illegal agents of the PRC government. Beginning in January 2022, under orders from an MPS official, Lu, Chen and others worked together to establish the first known overseas police station in the United States on behalf of the MPS.  The police station—which was searched by the FBI in October 2022—was located in an office building at 107 East Broadway in Manhattan’s Chinatown.  A blue banner proclaiming “Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, New York, USA,” was recovered there.

The police station operated at the direction and control of the MPS.    The MPS is the PRC’s primary domestic law enforcement and intelligence agency.  The MPS routinely monitors Chinese political dissidents and others with views adverse to the Chinese government’s sovereignty who live outside the PRC, including in the United States.  The MPS has used cooperative contacts both inside the PRC and around the world to influence, threaten, and coerce political dissidents abroad, including in the United States, in an effort to silence them.  The New York police station was part of a global initiative by the MPS to establish overseas police service stations all over the world.  None of the participants in the police station scheme in Chinatown informed the U.S. government that they were helping the PRC government open and operate an undeclared MPS police station on U.S. soil.

Lu was tasked by his MPS handler with collecting information on behalf of the Chinese government, such as locating a pro-democracy advocate who had fled from China and moved to the U.S.

In October 2022, the FBI conducted a judicially authorized search of the illegal police station.  In connection with the search, FBI agents interviewed Lu and Chen and seized their phones.  In reviewing the contents of these phones, FBI agents observed that WeChat messages between the defendants and their MPS handler had been deleted.

The FBI has created a website for victims to report efforts by foreign governments to stalk, intimidate, or assault people in the United States.  If you believe that you are or have been a victim of transnational repression, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence/transnational-repression.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Antoinette N. Rangel and Lindsey R. Oken are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Magdalena St. Surin and Danielle Barber. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander A. Solomon played a critical role in the underlying investigation.

BROOKLYN, NY – Today in federal court in Brooklyn, Bronx resident Lu Jianwang, a U.S. citizen also known as “Harry Lu,” was convicted by a jury of two counts of a superseding indictment charging him with acting as an illegal agent of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), in connection with opening and operating an overseas police station in lower Manhattan for the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS), and with obstruction of justice for destroying related evidence.  The verdict was returned following a one-week trial before United States District Judge Nina R. Morrison.  When sentenced, the defendant faces up to 30 years in prison.  Lu’s co-defendant, Chen Jinping, pleaded guilty in December 2024 to conspiring to act as an agent of the PRC in connection with the overseas police station, and he is awaiting sentencing.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“A police station operating in New York City at the direction of the Chinese government has been exposed, its sinister purpose disrupted, and its founder held accountable for blatantly disregarding the law and our country’s sovereignty,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office remains resolute in protecting the rights of people seeking freedom from repression and speaking out to bring democracy, reform, and human rights to China.”

“Lu Jianwang used a police station in New York City to target PRC dissidents in furtherance of the Chinese government’s political agenda. May today’s verdict send a message to other foreign agents – the FBI maintains its unwavering resolve to reveal and disrupt the clandestine operations of adversarial nations,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As proved at trial, Lu and his co-defendant Chen Jinping acted as illegal agents of the PRC government. Beginning in January 2022, under orders from an MPS official, Lu, Chen and others worked together to establish the first known overseas police station in the United States on behalf of the MPS.  The police station—which was searched by the FBI in October 2022—was located in an office building at 107 East Broadway in Manhattan’s Chinatown.  A blue banner proclaiming “Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station, New York, USA,” was recovered there.

The police station operated at the direction and control of the MPS.    The MPS is the PRC’s primary domestic law enforcement and intelligence agency.  The MPS routinely monitors Chinese political dissidents and others with views adverse to the Chinese government’s sovereignty who live outside the PRC, including in the United States.  The MPS has used cooperative contacts both inside the PRC and around the world to influence, threaten, and coerce political dissidents abroad, including in the United States, in an effort to silence them.  The New York police station was part of a global initiative by the MPS to establish overseas police service stations all over the world.  None of the participants in the police station scheme in Chinatown informed the U.S. government that they were helping the PRC government open and operate an undeclared MPS police station on U.S. soil.

Lu was tasked by his MPS handler with collecting information on behalf of the Chinese government, such as locating a pro-democracy advocate who had fled from China and moved to the U.S.

In October 2022, the FBI conducted a judicially authorized search of the illegal police station.  In connection with the search, FBI agents interviewed Lu and Chen and seized their phones.  In reviewing the contents of these phones, FBI agents observed that WeChat messages between the defendants and their MPS handler had been deleted.

The FBI has created a website for victims to report efforts by foreign governments to stalk, intimidate, or assault people in the United States.  If you believe that you are or have been a victim of transnational repression, please visit https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence/transnational-repression.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States  Attorneys Antoinette N. Rangel and Lindsey R. Oken are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Magdalena St. Surin and Danielle Barber. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander A. Solomon played a critical role in the underlying investigation.

The Defendant:

LU JIANWANG 
Age: 64
Bronx, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-316 (S-1) (NRM)

BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Iranian national Sharon Gohari pleaded guilty to unlawfully smuggling aliens into the United States and intentionally receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). For years, Gohari, who is a naturalized United States citizen and resided alternately in Iran and Nassau County, New York, solicited and received payments from Iranian nationals and others seeking to enter the United States unlawfully in exchange for arranging and facilitating their entry.  At least one individual whom Gohari aided had associations with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been designated by the United States Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).  During the investigation into Gohari’s illegal activities, law enforcement discovered that Gohari received and stored multiple videos on his phone depicting the rape of children, as well as hundreds of photos and videos reflecting the stalking and surreptitious recording of women throughout New York City.  Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Donald Holstead, Assistant Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Counterterrorism Division (FBI); James C. Barnacle, Jr, Assistant Director in Charge, FBI, New York Field Office (FBI); Frank J. Russo, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea. 

“The defendant exploited and endangered vulnerable individuals for profit, over and over again,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “In doing so, he also put our national security at risk and circumvented the vital procedures that are in place to vet those entering our country.  Our Office will continue to aggressively pursue transnational criminal schemes operating here in the United States, especially when they involve terrorist groups like the IRGC that seek to do us harm.  And we will always prosecute the sexual exploitation of children to the fullest extent of the law.”

Mr. Nocella praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, for their crucial assistance.

Mr. Nocella also thanked the Homeland Security Task Force, 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.

“As this case illustrates, we cannot protect our national security without a secure border,” said Assistant Attorney General Eisenberg. “Gohari made a business of smuggling aliens into the United States, at least one of whom had ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization.  I applaud the investigators and prosecutors who made possible today’s plea, taking this defendant off our streets.”

“The defendant admits to helping people illegally enter the United States -- including someone associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – which endangers our country’s national security,” said FBI Assistant Director Holstead.  “It is essential to protect our borders, and the FBI works closely with our interagency partners to prevent anyone from being smuggled in, especially those connected to our adversaries. This individual will now face justice not just for that crime but also for sexually exploiting children, the most vulnerable members of our society.”

“Sharon Gohari threatened our national security by selling illegal entry into the United States – including a client with ties to a designated terrorist organization. With our federal and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to holding accountable criminals seeking to exploit our country’s border and our citizens,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“This case underscores the dedication and vigilance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Tactical Threat Response Team and Task Force Officers, whose actions were critical in identifying and stopping an individual who posed a significant threat to our national security and the safety of our communities," stated CBP Director of New York Field Operations Russo.  “Thanks to our close partnership with the FBI and the U. S. Attorney’s Office, Gohari was brought to justice. CBP remains committed to securing our borders and working with our partners to pursue those who circumvent our immigration system and endanger the American public.”

“Anyone who seeks to profit through the abuse and exploitation of other people – especially children – will be held fully accountable,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “Today’s guilty plea is the result of the NYPD’s unwavering commitment to bring human traffickers to justice. I commend and thank our NYPD investigators, as well as our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, for their dedicated work in this case.”

Gohari is a naturalized United States citizen from Iran who resided in Roslyn, New York, and traveled frequently to Iran.  From at least December 2020 up to his arrest in May 2025, Gohari solicited and received payments from Iranian nationals and others seeking to enter the United States unlawfully in exchange for arranging and facilitating their entry, primarily through Mexico.  Among other things, Gohari helped these individuals obtain travel visas at the Mexican embassy in Iran and helped arrange their travel to and through Mexico and into the United States in large groups.  Some passed through Central and South American countries with Gohari’s assistance.  Gohari worked with a network of associates in Iran and elsewhere and charged thousands of dollars per client for these services.  

At least one Iranian national Gohari aided had ties to the IRGC.  Specifically, in early 2021, Gohari facilitated the travel of an individual from Iran to Turkey, from Turkey to Mexico, and from Mexico into the United States, where the individual was detained by border patrol officers.  The individual ultimately confessed to law enforcement that he had previously carried out tasks in Iran and Malaysia for the IRGC.

During the investigation into Gohari’s alien smuggling activities, federal agents discovered that Gohari received and stored CSAM on his phone, including multiple videos depicting the rape of children apparently as young as five years old.  In chat communications following his receipt of the videos, Gohari stated his intention to seek out sexual partners in a high school.  Agents also found on Gohari’s devices hundreds of photos and videos of what appeared to be women in various public places throughout New York City, including on trains and at cafes, who did not seem to be aware that they were being photographed or recorded.  Some of the photos and videos appeared to be taken at close range, including several photos that were angled in an apparent attempt to see under the women’s skirts or other garments.  Other photos and videos depicted the same women in multiple locations, indicating that the women had been followed.  Gohari sent some of these photos and videos to an Iranian-based account from which he received CSAM, among other Iranian-based accounts.

For the child sex abuse material charge, Gohari faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 20 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum of three years in prison for alien smuggling and up to 10 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Andrew D. Reich is in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Paralegal Specialist Wayne Colon.

The Defendant:

SHARON GOHARI
Age: 48
Roslyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-183 (S-1) (AMD)

Earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn, Iranian national Sharon Gohari pleaded guilty to unlawfully smuggling aliens into the United States and intentionally receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

For years, Gohari, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen and resided alternately in Iran and Nassau County, New York, solicited and received payments from Iranian nationals and others seeking to enter the United States unlawfully in exchange for arranging and facilitating their entry. At least one individual whom Gohari aided had associations with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has been designated by the United States Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). During the investigation into Gohari’s illegal activities, law enforcement discovered that Gohari received and stored multiple videos on his phone depicting the rape of children, as well as hundreds of photos and videos reflecting the stalking and surreptitious recording of women throughout New York City. Today’s proceeding was held before United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly.

“As this case illustrates, we cannot protect our national security without a secure border,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Gohari made a business of smuggling aliens into the United States, at least one of whom had ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization. I applaud the investigators and prosecutors who made possible today’s plea, taking this defendant off our streets.”

“The defendant exploited and endangered vulnerable individuals for profit, over and over again,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “In doing so, he also put our national security at risk and circumvented the vital procedures that are in place to vet those entering our country. Our Office will continue to aggressively pursue transnational criminal schemes operating here in the United States, especially when they involve terrorist groups like the IRGC that seek to do us harm. And we will always prosecute the sexual exploitation of children to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The defendant admits to helping people illegally enter the United States -- including someone associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – which endangers our country’s national security,” said Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. “It is essential to protect our borders, and the FBI works closely with our interagency partners to prevent anyone from being smuggled in, especially those connected to our adversaries. This individual will now face justice not just for that crime but also for sexually exploiting children, the most vulnerable members of our society.”

“Sharon Gohari threatened our national security by selling illegal entry into the United States – including a client with ties to a designated terrorist organization. With our federal and local law enforcement partners, the FBI is committed to holding accountable criminals seeking to exploit our country’s border and our citizens,” said Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI New York Field Office.

“Anyone who seeks to profit through the abuse and exploitation of other people – especially children – will be held fully accountable,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Today’s guilty plea is the result of the NYPD’s unwavering commitment to bring human traffickers to justice. I commend and thank our NYPD investigators, as well as our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, for their dedicated work in this case.”

Gohari is a naturalized United States citizen from Iran who resided in Roslyn, New York, and traveled frequently to Iran. From at least December 2020 up to his arrest in May 2025, Gohari solicited and received payments from Iranian nationals and others seeking to enter the United States unlawfully in exchange for arranging and facilitating their entry, primarily through Mexico. Among other things, Gohari helped these individuals obtain travel visas at the Mexican embassy in Iran and helped arrange their travel to and through Mexico and into the United States in large groups. Some passed through Central and South American countries with Gohari’s assistance. Gohari worked with a network of associates in Iran and elsewhere and charged thousands of dollars per client for these services.   

At least one Iranian national Gohari aided had ties to the IRGC. Specifically, in early 2021, Gohari facilitated the travel of an individual from Iran to Turkey, from Turkey to Mexico, and from Mexico into the United States, where the individual was detained by border patrol officers. The individual ultimately confessed to law enforcement that he had previously carried out tasks in Iran and Malaysia for the IRGC.

During the investigation into Gohari’s alien smuggling activities, federal agents discovered that Gohari received and stored CSAM on his phone, including multiple videos depicting the rape of children apparently as young as five years old. In chat communications following his receipt of the videos, Gohari stated his intention to seek out sexual partners in a high school. Agents also found on Gohari’s devices hundreds of photos and videos of what appeared to be women in various public places throughout New York City, including on trains and at cafes, who did not seem to be aware that they were being photographed or recorded. Some of the photos and videos appeared to be taken at close range, including several photos that were angled in an apparent attempt to see under the women’s skirts or other garments. Other photos and videos depicted the same women in multiple locations, indicating that the women had been followed. Gohari sent some of these photos and videos to an Iranian-based account from which he received CSAM, among other Iranian-based accounts.

For the child sex abuse material charge, Gohari faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 20 years in prison, and a mandatory minimum of three years in prison for alien smuggling and up to 10 years in prison.

Mr. Nocella praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which consists of investigators and analysts from the FBI, the New York City Police Department, and over 50 other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, for their crucial assistance.

Mr. Nocella also thanked the Homeland Security Task Force, 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.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Reich is in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Trial Attorney Kevin Nunnally of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section and Paralegal Specialist Wayne Colon. 

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Douglas Engstrom, a former officer in the United States Navy, pleaded guilty to attempted interstate coercion and enticement of a minor.  Additionally, as part of his plea agreement, Engstrom stipulated and admitted that he possessed and received over 600 images and videos of child sexual abuse material.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nusrat J. Choudhury.  When sentenced, Engstrom faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty plea.

“The defendant, who was a member of the Navy when he committed his crimes, was convicted of preying on someone he believed to be an innocent 13-year-old girl,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “This prosecution demonstrates that we will use every law enforcement tool available to prosecute and punish to the fullest extent of the law predators, like the defendant, who exploit the most vulnerable among us: children.”

“Instead of honoring his oath to protect this country, former U.S. Navy officer Douglas Engstrom exploited some of our most vulnerable citizens – children – to satisfy his perverted desires. The FBI maintains its commitment to hold accountable sexual predators that prey upon children. We will never stop in our pursuit of justice for victims,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As set forth in court filings and during today’s plea proceeding, Engstrom communicated online with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and attempted to meet this individual to engage in sexual activity.  In his communications, Engstrom admitted that he was a 36-year-old man in the Navy and said that he wanted to have oral, anal, and vaginal sex with the girl, including while she was unconscious.  He then agreed to meet the girl in Valley Stream, New York to have sex with her.  In reality, this purported 13-year-old girl was an undercover officer. 

After booking a flight and hotel room, Engstrom traveled from Maryland to New York.  On December 16, 2023, officers arrested him at the Valley Stream, New York Long Island Railroad train station.  At the time of his arrest, Engstrom was holding a large teddy bear, which the undercover officer had requested that he bring to the 13-year-old girl.  Members of law enforcement subsequently reviewed Engstrom’s electronic devices pursuant to a judicially-authorized warrant and discovered a significant volume of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material.

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone with information about sexual exploitation by the defendant is asked to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 212-384-1000.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorney James R. Simmons is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Adam Bernard and Legal Assistant Danielle Rompel.

The Defendant:

DOUGLAS ENGSTROM
Age: 38
Hanover, Maryland

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-12 (NJC)

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, a three-count indictment was unsealed charging defendants Alan Christhofer Cedeno-Ferrer, Michael Mejia-Nunez and Ennait Alexis Sirett-Padilla with Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before the Honorable Anne Y. Shields, United States Magistrate Judge.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) announced the charges.

“As alleged, these defendants committed a violent and brazen daytime robbery that terrorized the victims and endangered the public at one of the most popular shopping centers on Long Island,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Our Office will continue its relentless pursuit of violent criminals who prey on innocent victims and put our communities in harms way for their own financial gain.”

“The defendants allegedly held two innocent employees at gunpoint before hijacking and robbing their delivery truck out of selfish greed. The FBI remains in lockstep with our local law enforcement partners to stop violent criminals from wreaking havoc on our communities,” announced FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“These individuals came into Nassau County and committed a robbery with weapons that put people in fear. We didn’t stop pursuing them until they were brought to justice. County Executive Bruce Blakeman and I have zero tolerance for criminal activity here in Nassau County.  Thanks to our great partners in the FBI, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, these defendants have been indicted and will now have to answer for their crimes.” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder.

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the Bergen County, New Jersey, Prosecutor’s Office, and the New York City Police Department for their assistance on the case.

As set forth in court filings, at approximately 8:00 a.m. on January 3, 2026, the defendants, working with others, hijacked a delivery truck that was parked outside of the Apple Store at the Americana Manhasset mall, as two workers were preparing to deliver Apple products to the store.  The contents of the truck included more than $1.2 million worth of MacBook laptop computers, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and various accessories.  Three men approached the delivery workers armed with handguns, forced one of the workers into the back of the delivery truck and zip tied his hands.  They ordered the other victim into the driver’s seat to drive the truck.  The victim driver was directed to a secluded parking area behind an office building located on Northern Boulevard in Manhasset, New York, and was then ordered into the back of the truck with the first victim, where his hands were also zip tied.  A Home Depot box truck, rented by Cedeno-Ferrer using a fake Pennsylvania driver’s license, pulled into the parking area and backed up to the rear of the delivery truck so the cargo sections were aligned.  The men moved all of the Apple merchandise from the delivery truck to the Home Depot truck.  Once finished, they closed the cargo door to the delivery truck with the victims inside and left the location.  One of the victims was able to free himself and call 911.

The stolen merchandise was then taken to New Jersey and brought to a self-storage facility in Paterson, New Jersey. Upon arrival, as caught by surveillance cameras, Mejia-Nunez and Sirett-Padilla rented a storage unit that was used to facilitate transferring the stolen Apple goods from the Home Depot truck to a U-Haul truck and another vehicle being driven by a coconspirator.  The Home Depot truck was abandoned in the Bronx and located by law enforcement on January 5, 2026.  Cedeno-Ferrer’s fingerprints were found on a copy of the rental agreement that was recovered from inside the Home Depot truck.     

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of the charges, the defendants face up to 30 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States  Attorney Paul G. Scotti is in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of paralegal specialist Janelle Robinson.

The Defendants:

ALAN CHRISTHOFER CEDENO-FERRER
Age: 27
Bronx, New York

MICHAEL MEJIA-NUNEZ
Age: 29
New York, New York

ENNAIT ALEXIS SIRETT-PADILLA
Age: 24
New York, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-118 (SJB)

Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Dewitt John on both counts of a superseding indictment charging him with sexual exploitation of a child and accessing with intent to view child pornography.  The verdict was returned after a three-day trial before United States Circuit Judge Denny Chin, sitting in the Eastern District of New York by designation. When sentenced, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“From behind his computer screen, Dewitt John preyed on vulnerable children online, exploiting their innocence for his own gratification and using cash payments to coerce minors as young as 13 into producing sexually explicit videos of themselves,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “This conviction demonstrates our Office’s unwavering commitment to protecting children from online predators. We will continue working tirelessly to identify and hold accountable those who exploit the most vulnerable members of our community.”

“Dewitt John preyed on these children’s fear and innocence to force them to comply with his depraved demands.  These victims bravely faced their fears in court to testify against their abuser to ensure he can’t hurt anyone else.  May today’s guilty verdict serve as a warning to other predators that the FBI is determined to hold accountable those who sexually exploit vulnerable children,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

As proved at trial, in or about March 2024, John identified a 13-year-old girl who had posted photographs of herself on a Reddit forum and whose posts disclosed her age.  John offered to pay the girl for her for photographs and then initiated contact on Instagram.  John proceeded to groom the victim by sending her money through Cash App in exchange for sexually explicit videos of herself.  Despite the victim expressing discomfort and reluctance to comply, John continued to pressure and coerce her into producing the material.  During the course of this conduct, John sent the victim explicit and graphic messages describing the sexual acts he wanted her to perform.

As further demonstrated at trial, John also targeted a second 13-year-old minor victim through similar online methods, grooming her and inducing her to send him naked images of herself for his gratification.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to 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, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

* * * * *

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke Theodora and Special Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Elardo are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed.

The Defendant: DEWITT JOHN
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 24-CR-492 (DC)

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced today a settlement agreement with Brooklyn-based clothing company Lafayette 148, Inc. (Lafayette). The settlement addresses allegations that Lafayette violated the federal False Claims Act (FCA) by falsely certifying that it was eligible for a pandemic-era second-draw Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and obtaining forgiveness of that loan. 

“Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program to help eligible small businesses survive the severe disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic by offering loans that could be forgiven if program rules were followed,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Unfortunately, Lafayette applied for and took government money to which they were not entitled.  Our Office will continue to investigate and hold companies accountable who took advantage of pandemic relief programs.” 

Mr. Nocella thanked the Small Business Administration (SBA) for its partnership in the investigation. 

“SBA is committed to identifying and pursuing those alleged to have perpetrated fraud on COVID Relief Programs to the detriment of small businesses. By working closely with the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York and our other law enforcement partners, SBA continues its enhanced efforts to uncover fraud and pursue recoveries on behalf of taxpayers,” stated SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis.

On March 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to provide emergency assistance for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.  The CARES Act authorized the Paycheck Protection Program, administered by the SBA, to provide forgivable loans to eligible small businesses during the national emergency.  The PPP provided loans in two draws. For second-draw PPP loans, among other requirements, an applicant could not employ more than 300 employees.

The United States Attorney’s Office commenced an investigation after whistleblowers alleged that Lafayette had knowingly defrauded the federal government by obtaining a $2 million PPP loan and forgiveness of that loan when it was not eligible.  Based in  Brooklyn, Lafayette has a workshop and production facility in China.  The government contended that Lafayette was ineligible for a second-draw PPP loan because its certifications about the number of its employees and its operations associated with China were false. 

Under the terms of the agreement with the United States, Lafayette agreed to pay $3 million to the United States.  The claims asserted against the defendant are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

The civil settlement resolves a case brought under the qui tam provisions of the FCA. The FCA authorizes private parties to sue on behalf of the United States and receive a share of any recovery.  It also permits the United States to intervene and take over such lawsuits, as it did here. The relator will receive a 10% share of the government’s recovery in this matter.

The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Logan J. Gowdicott and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Franka Cepele of the Office’s Civil Division, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Loan Nguyen and Jude Glashow.

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Afrim Kupa pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo to obstruction of justice for attempting to bribe a juror (Juror-1) to vote not guilty in a criminal trial in the Eastern District of New York.  Kupa is the last of three defendants to plead guilty to this crime, following the guilty pleas of Mustafa Fteja and Valmir Krasniqi on February 19, 2026 and March 4, 2026, respectively.  In mid-November 2025, the defendants offered to pay a juror serving on the criminal trial of United States v. Goran Gogic (22-CR-493 JMA) up to $100,000 in exchange for the juror’s not guilty vote at the close of trial.  When sentenced, Kupa, Krasniqi and Fteja each face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the guilty pleas.

“Any attempt to interfere with the integrity of our justice system will be met with swift and serious consequences,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “These defendants admitted they obstructed a federal criminal trial in Brooklyn by attempting to bribe a juror, which strikes at the very heart of the rule of law.  Our Office is committed to protecting the judicial process and ensuring that those who try to corrupt it are held fully accountable.”

Mr. Nocella extended his appreciation to Homeland Security Investigations, New York, for their work on the Gogic case.

“The defendants’ attempt to influence the outcome of a criminal trial threatened the integrity of our country’s justice system.  May today’s plea highlight the FBI’s commitment to holding accountable any individual who tries to interfere with our judicial proceedings,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

The Gogic Trial

As alleged in the indictment and set forth in other court documents, the trial of Goran Gogic was set to commence before the United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack on November 17, 2025.

Gogic is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act and three counts of violating the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act.  As alleged, between May 2018 and July 2019, Gogic conspired with others to distribute massive quantities of cocaine via commercial cargo ships.  Gogic coordinated with the sources of the cocaine in Colombia, the crewmembers who transported tons of cocaine on commercial cargo ships on the high seas, and the network of port workers who transported and offloaded the cocaine in Europe via the United States. United States law enforcement seized three of these shipments, totaling nearly 20,000 kilograms of cocaine.  If convicted, Gogic faces up to life in prison.

The Juror Tampering Scheme

On November 3, 2025 and November 5, 2025, a jury was selected in Gogic’s criminal trial.  Juror-1 was selected to serve as a juror at trial.  Between November 13, 2025 and November 17, 2025, Kupa, Krasniqi, and Fteja attempted to bribe Juror-1 with a cash payment in exchange for Juror-1 agreeing to vote not guilty at Gogic’s trial. 

On November 13, 2025, Krasniqi arranged a meeting between Kupa and Fteja in Staten Island, New York.  At the meeting, Kupa explained to Fteja that he and other coconspirators wanted Fteja to offer Juror-1 money to vote not guilty at trial.  In a meeting on November 15, 2025, Fteja informed Juror-1 that he/she would be paid up to $100,000 to vote not guilty at trial.

On November 16, 2025, Kupa, Krasniqi and Fteja met at Krasniqi’s home in Staten Island.  There, the three discussed the plan to pay Juror-1 to vote not guilty at Gogic’s trial. During the meeting, Kupa indicated that Juror-1 would receive $100,000 in cash as payment. 

On November 17, 2025, Kupa and Krasniqi were arrested at their homes in Staten Island.  At that time, Kupa was in possession of a document containing Juror-1’s name, home address, and place of employment.  Krasniqi was in possession of a digital photograph of Juror-1 that he had sent via text message to Fteja in furtherance of the criminal scheme. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Emily J. Dean, Tanya Hajjar, and Stephen Petraeus are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

VALMIR KRASNIQI
Age:  35
Staten Island, New York

AFRIM KUPA
Age:  53
Staten Island, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-385 (JMA)

MUSTAFA FTEJA
Age: 54
Staten Island, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-23 (JMA)

Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Moeleek Harrell, also known as “Moe Money,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan to 60 years in prison for his crimes as the leader of the Bully Gang, a violent street gang based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.  Harrell was one of 53 defendants charged and convicted in connection with the Eastern District of New York’s case against the Bully Gang.  Harrell and three other high-ranking members of the gang were convicted by a jury in July 2024 following a 13-week trial.  Harrell was convicted of racketeering, two murder conspiracies, two assaults, two instances of using a gun during a crime of violence, two drug trafficking conspiracies, and two money laundering conspiracies. 

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), and Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the sentence.

“Moeleek Harrell learned today that there is a heavy price to pay for leading a gang responsible for extensive criminal conduct, and his sentence should serve as a warning to those underlings who foolishly obeyed the defendant’s orders.  They too will learn that following Harrell’s footsteps will lead a path straight to federal prison for a very long time,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “His sentence ensures that our neighborhoods will remain protected from Harrell’s criminal conduct and demonstrates our Office’s commitment to prosecuting the leaders of violent criminal organizations.”

“This case exposed a ruthless criminal organization responsible for murder conspiracies, brazen violence in public, and large-scale drug and weapons trafficking that stretched from New York to Maine,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo.  “This 60 year sentence ensures that a dangerous individual who directed countless acts of violence will never again threaten our communities. The men & women of ATF/ NYPD Joint Firearms Task Force will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations and protect the public.

“The Bully Gang carried out a series of brutal crimes that spread violence through Brooklyn and beyond, and today’s sentencing ensures that its leader, Moeleek Harrell, will never again threaten our communities,” said NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “This case reflects the NYPD’s focus on dismantling violent gangs and taking illegal guns off our streets.  I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the ATF for their partnership in bringing Harrell to justice.”

“Moeleek Harrell and his gang sowed terror and fear through their violent crimes, and trafficked drugs into the City’s jails, undercutting the security and safety of these facilities,” stated DOI Commissioner Shihata. “There is no outcome that can repair the deep and destructive impact of this gang in New York City and Maine.  But today’s decades-long sentence for the gang’s leader, and the dozens of convictions associated with this prosecution, demonstrate that New York City has zero tolerance for these crimes and will hold those who perpetrate them accountable.  I thank the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the ATF and the NYPD for their partnership on this significant investigation.”

Harrell, along with deceased gang member Charles Williams, was the founder and leader of the Bully Gang.  Harrell directed and oversaw the gang’s many crimes, including the gang’s violent rivalries.  In connection with these rivalries, Harrell was personally involved in two murder conspiracies, targeting Christopher King and members of a rival gang known as the Stukes Crew.  Harrell and the Bully Gang targeted King because King had killed Williams.  Over the course of several weeks, Harrell tracked dates on which King would be going to court (including for a case related to Williams’s killing) and confronted King at one of his court appearances.  On one occasion, Harrell and his co-conspirators went to King’s house to try to find King.  Harrell’s efforts to find King culminated in a shooting on October 1, 2017, in which King and an innocent bystander were both shot and wounded.

Harrell’s violent rivalry with the Stukes Crew lasted at least five years.  During this time, Harrell and his co-conspirators made multiple attempts to murder members of the Stukes Crew.  On October 1, 2017, the same day that Harrell committed the King shooting, Harrell also targeted members of the Stukes Crew in another shooting in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. No one was injured in this shooting. In March 2018, while at a gender reveal party for Harrell’s child, fellow Bully Gang member and co-defendant Derrick Ayers shot and killed Jonathan Jackson, an associate of the Stukes Crew.  Harrell praised Ayers for committing this murder, and taunted his rivals for allowing their associate to be killed.  Harrell then shot at members of the Stukes Crew on two consecutive days in June 2018. These shootings again took place in Crown Heights, and the second resulted in a car crash that injured multiple people.  Throughout the time that Harrell was targeting members of the Stukes Crew, he took extraordinary steps to learn personal information about his targets, including their addresses, Social Security numbers, license plates, phone numbers, and family members.  Harrell then used this information to locate and try to kill his targets.

Harrell was also deeply involved in the gang’s drug trafficking schemes.  Harrell ran the day-to-day operations of the gang’s Rikers drug smuggling scheme.  In connection with this scheme, from 2019 to 2021, Harrell and his co-conspirators arranged for papers and comic books soaked in synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “K2,” to be delivered to Rikers. Once inmates received the K2-soaked papers, they sold smaller quantities to other inmates at a substantial profit. Harrell made hundreds of thousands of dollars from this scheme.  To get drugs into Rikers, Harrell and his co-conspirators sent drugs through the mail, had visitors to the jail bring in drugs, and bribed corrupt corrections officers to bring drugs in themselves.

Harrell also had a leadership role in the gang’s scheme to sell heroin and cocaine base in Maine.  As part of this scheme, the Bully Gang and its associates transported large quantities of drugs, including cocaine base, heroin, and fentanyl, from New York and New Jersey to Maine, where they sold the drugs out of multiple stash houses spread throughout the state.  The gang made millions of dollars from these drug sales.  Harrell directed others who sold and transported drugs in connection with conspiracy and personally profited from the drug sales. He also ensured the discipline of the conspiracy, including by orchestrating the violent punishment of co-defendant Tyquan Lane when Lane violated the rules of the drug conspiracy. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nicholas J. Moscow, Lindsey R. Oken, Joy Lurinsky, and Victor Zapana and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew Rolle and Michael J. Castiglione are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Lead Legal Administrative Specialist Samantha Ward, and Paralegal Specialist Kavya Kannan.

The Defendant: MOELEEK HARRELL (also known as “Moe Money”)
Age: 36
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-239 (S-8) (BMC)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Julian Gonzalez was sentenced by United States District Judge William F. Kuntz II to 57 months’ imprisonment for attempted obstruction of justice.  Gonzalez was convicted of this crime following a one-week jury trial in October 2024.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence.

“Gonzalez was convicted at trial of intentionally trying to destroy evidence during an ongoing criminal investigation into his narcotics trafficking,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “The jury’s verdict and today’s sentence make clear that those who think they are above the law, seek to undermine our judicial system, and obstruct law enforcement will be prosecuted and held accountable.”

“Julian Gonzalez attempted to interfere with a federal investigation and destroy evidence linking him to drug trafficking in New York City,” stated FBI Assistant in Charge Barnacle.  “Today’s sentencing represents the FBI’s commitment to hold accountable individuals who try to conceal their crimes from law enforcement.”

During an investigation into Gonzalez’s drug trafficking and distribution of cocaine throughout New York City, the FBI obtained a judicially authorized warrant to seize and search his cell phone for evidence of criminal activity.  On March 17, 2023, Gonzalez arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York, aboard an international flight.  Shortly after he landed, FBI agents met Gonzalez, identified themselves, and provided Gonzalez with the search warrant for his phone.  Initially, Gonzalez reluctantly unlocked his phone and gave it to the agents.  The agents then began looking through the phone and photographing Gonzalez’s Signal messages that appeared to relate to drug trafficking, including the sale of one kilogram of cocaine for approximately $20,000.

Shortly after handing his phone to the FBI agents, and while the agents were conducting their preliminary search, Gonzalez asked to use his phone to call his wife.  When the agents handed the phone back to Gonzalez, Gonzalez slammed the phone on the ground, causing significant damage. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Sara K. Winik and Rebecca M. Schuman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of former Paralegal Specialist Nadya Osman.

The Defendant:

JULIAN GONZALEZ
Age: 51
Yonkers, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-179 (WFK)

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Erwin Bankowski and Karolina Bankowska pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and misrepresentation of Native American produced goods and products.  The proceeding was held before United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis. When sentenced, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, as well as restitution of at least $1.9 million.

Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); Doug Ault, Assistant Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); and Meredith Stanton, Director, U.S. Department of Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, announced the guilty pleas.

“For years, these defendants painted themselves as purveyors of fine art while selling lies on canvas to unsuspecting collectors,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Today’s convictions strip away the varnish and reveal the fraud underneath.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the, Office of Law Enforcement–Indian Arts and Crafts Investigations for their work on the case.

“These two individuals didn’t just sell counterfeit art – they undermined trust, exploited buyers, and attempted to profit from fraud. In this instance, the FBI with its partners has made it clear that those who manipulate the market for personal gain will be caught and held accountable,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“This artwork scheme doesn't just cheat buyers. It steals from Native American artists and undermines the integrity of an entire cultural marketplace.  These offenders also produced fake works attributed to well-known artists like Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Banksy, and Native American Luiseño artist Fritz Scholder,” stated USFWS Assistant Director Ault.  “Selling fake native America art is a serious crime, and our Special Agents investigate these cases to hold offenders accountable and protect authentic Indian artists, their work, and their livelihoods.”

“Due to the outstanding work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office – Eastern District of New York, FBI - New York Field Office, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Indian Arts and Crafts Act Investigative Unit, the defendants are being held accountable and the message is clear.  For those selling counterfeit Indian art it is important to know that wherever you are we will diligently work to find you and hold you accountable,” stated Indian Arts and Crafts Board Director Stanton.

From 2020 through 2025, the defendants, who are father and daughter, conspired to consign for auction over 200 counterfeit artworks (the “Counterfeit Works”).  The Counterfeit Works were allegedly painted by famed artists, including Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Banksy, Raimond Staprans, Richard Mayhew, and Native American artist Fritz Scholder.  To make some of the Counterfeit Works appear to be legitimate, the defendants generated false histories of prior custody and ownership, also known as provenance.  To do so, they conducted research to represent falsely that some of the Counterfeit Works had been in private collections of individuals associated with the artists, had been owned by since-closed art galleries, or had been in the private collections of corporations that were no longer in operation.  The defendants chose galleries and corporations that were no longer operating to make it difficult for galleries and potential buyers to verify the purported provenance of the Counterfeit Works.  In some instances, to further bolster the purported provenance of the Counterfeit Works, the defendants created and affixed forged stamps from art galleries to some of the Counterfeit Works, which they created by purchasing antique books to imprint custom-made stamps of forged certificates of authenticity onto aged paper, and then affixed to the Counterfeit Works.     

The defendants consigned the Counterfeit Works to art galleries and auction houses throughout the United States, which then attempted to auction the Counterfeit Works for sale to buyers for prices of up to $160,000.  Over the course of their scheme, the defendants defrauded victims at least $2 million, including through selling the following examples of Counterfeit Works:

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity and General Crimes Sections. Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Sherman is in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Johnson Peow.

The Defendants:

ERWIN BANKOWSKI
Age: 50
Lawrence, New Jersey

KAROLINA BANKOWSKA
Age: 26
Lawrence, New Jersey

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-90 (NGG)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Damon Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy in two separate cases: one count for his role in a scheme to use inside information derived from multiple National Basketball Association (NBA) teams, players and coaches, to profit from illegal betting activity; and one count for participating in a scheme to rig illegal poker games across the country. The loss amount for both cases totals more than $10 million.  Jones was a professional basketball player with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005 to 2008.  After his playing career, Jones served on the coaching staffs of the Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers.  The proceedings were held before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo.

Joseph Nocella Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI); Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD); and Phoebe S. Sorial, Executive Director, New York Waterfront Commission, announced the guilty pleas.

“As shown by his guilty pleas today, Damon Jones converted his fame and ties to professional basketball into a multi-faceted criminal betting operation.  He used private locker room and medical information from multiple NBA teams to cheat legitimate sportsbooks.  He also, separately, lured unsuspecting victims to high-stakes rigged poker games,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Jones will now face the consequences for his corrupt conduct.  Insider betting and rigged poker schemes erode the integrity of American sports and fair contest.  This Office will continue in its strong tradition of holding accountable anyone who seeks to profit through fraud and corruption.”

“Former NBA player Damon Jones admitted to exploiting his profession and fame to help others cheat in two separate rigged betting schemes. With our federal and local law enforcement partners, the FBI continues to hold accountable those who threaten the integrity of American sports,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

“As today's plea makes clear, Damon Jones used his presence at underground card tables to fuel fraudulent betting and fixed poker schemes that stole millions from victims. Status, access, and a high-profile career do not exempt any individual from answering for criminal conduct. This outcome is the product of a sustained, coordinated effort by HSI New York and our law enforcement partners, who together traced the money, unraveled the cheating technology, and exposed the full scope of these schemes,” stated HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Alfonso.

“The defendant in this case traded his reputation for greed and fraud,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “By exploiting his access to the NBA, and rigging illegal poker games across the country, Damon Jones attempted to orchestrate a scheme that defrauded victims of millions of dollars.  Thanks to our investigators, law enforcement partners, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, we are upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring accountability for those who break the law and betray the public’s trust.”

“While his unsuspecting victims believed Damon Jones was playing by the rules, he was playing an entirely different game. He used his celebrity as the opening bet and when it was time to cash in, he enriched not only himself but also some of the most notorious La Cosa Nostra crime families. His guilty plea today sends a clear message: exploiting trust for personal gain is not a game you can win,” stated New York Waterfront Commission Executive Director Sorial.  “The Waterfront Commission will continue to work side by side with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to combat organized crime and corruption, and to dismantle criminal enterprises in the New York metropolitan area by severing the illicit revenue streams that fuel them.

United States v. Earnest, et al.

As detailed in court filings, transcripts of court proceedings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, between December 2022 and March 2024, Jones and his associates obtained and misused non-public information about upcoming NBA games to place fraudulent sports wagers for profit.  Specifically, Jones used his NBA insider status to obtain confidential information from multiple NBA teams, players and coaches, and distributed that information through a network of bettors.  These bettors placed wagers through online sportsbooks and retail betting outlets, falsely representing that their wagers complied with the betting companies’ rules—which included, as relevant here, not betting on non-public information or using straw bettors—while concealing that their wagers were based on confidential team information.  

United States v. Aiello, et al.

Beginning as early as 2019, the charged defendants engaged in a series of schemes to use wireless cheating technology to rig illegal poker games in the Eastern District of New York and across the United States.  Co-conspirators in the scheme included game organizers, who arranged for unwitting victims to play in underground illegal poker games that were secretly rigged; suppliers of the rigged cheating technology; former professional athletes, who were enlisted as “Face Cards” in the scheme to entice the victims’ participation in the games; cheating teams who worked together using the cheating technology to defraud the victims; money launderers; and members and associates of the Bonanno, Gambino and Genovese organized crime families who backed games in the New York area and took a percentage of the crime proceeds from those games.  Jones admitted at his guilty plea hearing that he acted as a “Face Card” to entice victims to play in high-stake rigged games and also was a member of cheating teams who defrauded victims at poker tables.

* * * * *

The government’s Earnest, et al. case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Kaitlin Farrell, Benjamin Weintraub and David Berman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Liam McNett and Erika Ellis. The government’s Aiello, et al. case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Michael W. Gibaldi, Irisa Chen, Sean M. Sherman and Kamil R. Ammari are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist John Schneider. Assistant United States Attorney Claire Kedeshian of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.

The Defendant:

DAMON JONES (also known as “Dee Jones”)
Age:  49
Houston, Texas

E.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 25-CR-314 (RER) and 25-CR-323 (LDH)

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Jay Bryant, also known as “Bradshaw Dewitt,” “Jason Robinson,” “Morgan Bryant,” “Deshawn Sadler,” “Jay Sadler” and “Big Jay” pleaded guilty to the October 30, 2002, firearm-related murder of Jason Mizell, also known as “Jam Master Jay,” a member of the famed hip hop group Run-DMC.  The plea proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Cross-Goldenberg. When sentenced, Bryant faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and up to 20 years in prison.  This sentence also applies to separate narcotics trafficking and firearms charges to which Bryant already pleaded guilty and that were accepted by United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan on December 2, 2023.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF New York), and Jessica S. Tish, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD) announced the guilty plea.

“More than two decades after the cold-blooded, execution-style killing of Mr. Mizell, an exhaustive investigation revealed Bryant’s role and today he finally admitted his guilt,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “The prosecutors in our Office and our law enforcement partners never give up, no matter how long it takes, in the pursuit of justice for the victim and the victim’s family.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the NYPD Intelligence Division, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Queens County District Attorney’s Office, Columbia Borough Police Department in Pennsylvania, and the Dominican Republic National Police for their work on the case.

“Justice in the murder of Jam Master Jay has been pursued with determination and resolve for more than two decades. The defendant’s role in facilitating access for the killers was integral to this crime,” stated ATF New York Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo. “Today’s guilty plea reflects the dedication of law enforcement and prosecutors who never stopped working to bring accountability for the victim and his family.  We are grateful for the partnership of ATF NY’s Joint Firearms Task Force–Long Island, ATF Philadelphia Allentown Office, NYPD, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.”

“The defendant’s guilty plea reflects the relentless work of NYPD detectives to hold criminals accountable, no matter how much time has passed,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “Jason Mizell was brutally murdered over 20 years ago, but thanks to our investigators, along with our partners at the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, this case was never forgotten, and those who are responsible are now being held accountable.” 

As alleged in court filings, between the 1990s and 2002, separate from his music career, Mizell was involved in arranging for the sale of kilogram-quantities of cocaine in the Eastern District of New York and elsewhere.  In August 2002, Mizell acquired approximately 10 kilograms of cocaine on consignment from a supplier.  The cocaine was intended to be distributed in Maryland by co-defendants Karl Jordan, Jr., Ronald Washington, and other co-conspirators.  A dispute between Washington and one of the co-conspirators in Baltimore resulted in Mizell cutting Washington and Jordan out of the Maryland drug deal worth almost $200,000.  Following this betrayal, Washington and Jordan continued in the larger narcotics conspiracy until they ultimately cut out Jason Mizell by murdering him on October 30, 2002.

On October 30, 2002, Mizell was present at his recording studio, “24/7,” located on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens.  At approximately 7:30 p.m., Bryant entered the building containing the recording studio and opened a locked fire escape exit door to allow Jordan and Washington to enter the building without being seen by Mizell.  Jordan and Washington entered the recording studio, armed with firearms.  Washington pointed his firearm at an individual and demanded she lay on the floor, and Jordan approached Mizell and fired two shots at close range, striking Mizell once in the head and killing him.  The second shot struck another individual in the leg.

Assistant United States  Attorneys Mark E. Misorek, Miranda Gonzalez, and Andrew D. Wang are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder.

The Defendant:

JAY BRYANT (also known as “Bradshaw Dewitt,” “Jason Robinson,” “Morgan Bryant,” “Deshawn Sadler,” “Jay Sadler” and “Big Jay”)
Age:  52
Far Rockaway, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-305 (S-2) (LDH)

BROOKLYN, NY – Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Taesung Kim, also known as “Terry,” was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for conspiring to launder the proceeds of a $24.4 million pharmacy fraud scheme.  In December 2024, Kim pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.  As part of his sentence, the Court ordered Kim pay $24.4 million in restitution and to forfeit $6 million in fraud proceeds, including several bank accounts and real properties.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General, head of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Scott J. Lampert, Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) announced the sentence.

“Today, Taesung Kim was held accountable for the despicable crime of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, vital federal health care programs that provide insurance coverage to the elderly and those who cannot afford health insurance,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “Fraudsters who think the government is an ATM they can blatantly plunder should take notice of the price this defendant will now pay for his greed.”

“Mr. Kim’s scheme to pad his pockets with $24 million in taxpayer dollars by peddling unnecessary prescription drugs is despicable and dangerous,” said Assistant Attorney General McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This administration is making clear: we will hold accountable anyone who jeopardizes the health of millions of American adults by stealing from Medicare.” 

“Taesung (Terry) Kim attempted to hide years of health care fraud through illicit kickbacks and bribes.  Through the hard work of the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Service - Office of the Inspector General, we were able to peel back the layers of deception to uncover this criminal scheme,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.  “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable individuals defrauding the American people."

“The defendant deliberately exploited patients and the Medicare program by orchestrating kickback schemes and laundering millions in fraudulent prescription proceeds to fuel his own greed,” stated HHS-OIG Acting Deputy Inspector General Lampert.  “Today’s sentence reinforces HHS-OIG’s continued commitment, alongside our law enforcement partners, to dismantling schemes that abuse federal health care programs and ensuring those who perpetrate them are brought to justice.” 

Kim co-owned several retail pharmacies in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. Between 2015 and 2022, Kim’s pharmacies submitted approximately $24.4 million in claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary prescription drugs.  Kim, working with others, acquired prescriptions by paying bribes and cash kickbacks to medical providers and purported patients. He and his co-conspirators gave bribes to medical providers in the form of office rent and staff to induce them to direct prescriptions to the pharmacies, and he paid customers in the form of supermarket gift certificates and cash to induce them to fill prescriptions at their pharmacies.  Kim laundered the proceeds of the scheme through various trading companies which gave the appearance that he was conducting legitimate business; facilitated the kickbacks and bribes; and distributed profits among the pharmacies’ owners.  On October 16, 2025, Kim’s partner and co-conspirator, Feng “Jeff” Jiang, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for his role in the money laundering conspiracy. 

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

Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Tanisha R. Payne of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.

The Defendant Sentenced Today:

TAESUNG KIM (also known as “Terry”)
Age: 61
Harrison, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-191 (DG)

The Defendant Previously Sentenced:

FENG JIANG (also known as “Jeff”)
Age:  43
Flushing, Queens

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-264 (ARR)

Earlier today, at the federal court in Brooklyn, an 11-count indictment was unsealed charging Leny Cruz, Brandon Corona, Eddie Nunez, Jose Ramos, Savion Jones, and Justin Kenny with variously committing carjacking, attempted carjacking, Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and interstate transportation of stolen property. Nunez was arrested yesterday in Mount Vernon, New York, arraigned this afternoon before United States Chief Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon, and ordered detained pending trial.  The other defendants are in state custody in New York City and Suffolk County and will be arraigned at a later date.  

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), announced the charges.

“As alleged, these defendants used violence to threaten and intimidate, turning their victims’ everyday routines into terrifying ordeals,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Armed carjackings and robberies strike at the core of community safety, and our Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect our community from violent predators.” 

“The pattern of violent carjackings and home invasion robberies alleged in this case is exactly the type of gun-related violence ATF and our partners are working to stop,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo.  “Through coordinated enforcement and timely intelligence sharing, we are disrupting those responsible and preventing further harm.  This case reflects the impact of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to protecting our communities.  Special thanks to the diligent efforts of ATF/NYPD’s Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery Technical Apprehension (SPARTA) Group, NYPD’s Queens Robbery Squad, USAO Eastern District NY, Suffolk County DA and Suffolk County Police.”

As set forth in court filings, between July 12, 2025, and August 2, 2025, the defendants engaged in a sprawling and violent carjacking and robbery scheme, among other crimes, which involved stealing numerous luxury vehicles, cash, and other possessions from several victims.

On July 12, 2025, Cruz and Ramos carried out a carjacking of a BMW M240i from the driveway of a home in Malba, Queens.  Less than a week later, on the evening of July 17, 2025, Cruz and Corona carried out a carjacking of another victim’s BMW M3 in the parking lot of a smoke shop in Queens, New York.   Several hours later on July 18, 2025, Corona and Nunez carried out an armed carjacking of a BMW 540 stopped at a red light on Prince Street in Flushing, Queens, pistol-whipping the victim.  The following day, on July 19, 2025, Corona shot a victim twice in the leg on Blake Avenue in Brooklyn.  Then, on July 24, 2025, Corona and Nunez carried out carjacking of a BMW X5 luxury SUV from another victim in Bayside, Queens.

On July 30, 2025, Cruz engaged in an attempted home invasion robbery of an individual in Orlando, Florida, who was involved in drug trafficking.  Cruz then fled from Florida to Brooklyn in a stolen vehicle used during the robbery.  On August 2, 2025, Cruz, Jones, and Kenny engaged in a home invasion robbery of a residence in North Amityville, Long Island, where they entered the residence with firearms and stole a large quantity of money.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of all charges, Cruz, Corona, and Nunez face up to life imprisonment; Ramos faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment; and Jones and Kenny face up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen H. Petraeus and Alessandra V. Rafalson are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Marlane Bosler. 

The Defendants:

LENNY CRUZ
Age: 23
Brooklyn, NY

BRANDON CORONA 
Age: 23
Brooklyn, NY

EDDIE NUNEZ
Age: 28
Brooklyn, NY

JOSE RAMOS
Age: 21
Bay Shore, NY

SAVION JONES
Age: 22
Huntington Station, NY

JUSTIN KENNY
Age: 24
West Babylon, NY

E.D.N.Y. Docket No 26-CR-103 (PKC)