Western District of New York

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Joseph Leone, 23, of Holland, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with maliciously conveying a false threat to use an explosive device on a building, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

On April 26, 2026, Georgia Power (GA Power), which operates nuclear power plants in the State of Georgia, received a private message on its publicly available Instagram account (ga_power) stating the following: “I am active employee at GA Power. I have planted a detonation device inside your office headquarters. You have until Friday 5pm ON THE DOT to figure out a way to make things right to the citizens of Little Neck Rd in Savannah, where you cut down their 300 year old oak.” The message was sent from an Instagram account with the username “joe_1eone.” 

GA Power alerted law enforcement, which resulted in significant responses from federal, state, and local resources, as well as fire department resources for an extended period of time. The threat also halted work and led to evacuation and lock down at two headquarters facilities, one in Atlanta, Georgia, and one in Savannah, Georgia. Bomb squads, supported by police and fire resources, swept the facilities for explosive devices. The lockdown had significant operational and financial implications for both facilities and created a massive fear implication for Georgia Power. Ultimately, no explosive device was located.

Subsequent investigation traced the username “joe_leone” to the defendant. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly. The complaint is the result of an investigation by FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Basheer Saleh, 42, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 108 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

In July 2025, law enforcement began an investigation into Basheer’s drug trafficking activities. In July and August 2025, investigators conducted four controlled purchases of cocaine, totaling approximately 532 grams, at Basheer’s store, Sweet Puff's Smoke Shop, on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo. On September 2, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants at several locations, including the smoke shop, a vacant store next door owned by Basheer, and his Delaware Avenue residence. Investigators seized approximately 5,000 grams of cocaine, a quantity of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and ammunition.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt I. Kass and Monica Benjovsky. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Hassian Humphrey, 24, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit firearms offenses, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. In addition, co-defendant Keishawn Turner, 25, of Kannapolis, NC, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in the firearms business without a license, which also carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  

Between May 2022, and June 24, 2025, Humphrey and Turner conspired with Jylin Woods, Benjamin Martin a/k/a Benji a/k/a Ben10 a/k/a Gun Man, and Jerry Antonio Baine a/k/a Bank 3x, to illegally sell firearms. 

During the course of the conspiracy, Humphrey and Turner exchanged several photographs and/or videos of firearms and negotiated the price of various firearms with Humphrey indicating he was soliciting buyers for the firearms. In October 2023, Humphrey and Turner transported five firearms, including a ghost gun, from North Carolina into the Western District of New York to be sold. Two of those firearms were recovered during the execution of search warrants in Buffalo in December 2023.

In addition, in May 2022, Humphrey and Jylin Woods attempted to transport two firearms from North Carolina to Buffalo. However, their vehicle was stopped by law enforcement in Oak Hill, West Virginia, and the two firearms were seized. During the course of the conspiracy, Humphrey and Woods shared photographs of firearms they possessed, updated each other regarding the solicitation of buyers, and on at least two occasions, they successfully transported North Carolina-purchased firearms to Buffalo to be resold. Humphrey also communicated with Jerry Antonio Baine regarding firearms transactions, with Baine sending photographs of approximately 19 firearms to Humphrey, including several privately manufactured firearms bearing no serial number, indicating that they were for sale. Humphrey and Baine would then discuss potential sale prices for the firearms. Baine also purchased multiple firearms from retail establishments in North Carolina that were ultimately sold to Humphrey. One of those firearms was recovered in Buffalo, in July 2024, in a separate criminal investigation. 

None of the defendants involved in the conspiracy were licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, or collectors of firearms. 

Charges remain pending against Jylin Woods, Benjamin Martin and Jerry Antonio Baine. 

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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis A. Testani and Monica Benjovsky. The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Police Commissioner Erika Shields and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Timothee Tidwell, 26, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to commit mail theft, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Between October 9 and October 14, 2024, Tidwell conspired with co-defendant Alexandria Duncan to steal mail from receptacles in Hamburg, NY, and take articles from inside the letters and envelopes that were stolen. For instance, in the early morning hours of October 14, 2024, Duncan drove a vehicle to Camp Road with Tidwell, who exited the vehicle and approached a row of mailboxes outside the post office on Camp Road with a postal arrow key he was not legally entitled to possess. That same day, law enforcement recovered opened and unopened mail addressed to other people from the vehicle Tidwell and Duncan drove in to commit the mail thefts. The opened mail included checks from various individuals and businesses and totaled approximately $369,104.92.

Duncan previously convicted and sentenced.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Village of Hamburg Police, under the direction of Chief Richard Schara, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 23, 2026, before Judge Arcara.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Bernard J. Keller, 28, of Lakeview, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of child pornography following a prior conviction under New York law relating to possession of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years and a $250,000 fine. 

In August 2022, Keller was convicted of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child in New York State Court and sentenced to serve 10 years’ probation. In May 2025, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at his residence after he distributed child pornography to other individuals using the Kik application. During the search, Keller’s cellular telephone was seized and found to contain approximately 96 images and 248 videos of child pornography. Some of the child pornography involved a prepubescent minor, the sexual abuse of an infant or toddler, and depictions of violence against children.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and Hamburg Police, under the direction of Chief Peter Dienes.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date before Judge Sinatra.   

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jaquan Greene, 20, of Buffalo, with conspiracy to commit mail theft, bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, which carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. 

According to the indictment, between February 18 and April 23, 2026, Greene conspired with others to unlawfully obtain keys used by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to unlock mail collection boxes. Greene and others used the keys to unlock collection boxes and steal mail, including checks, which they deposited into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. Greene and the others then withdrew or transferred the funds for their benefit. During the conspiracy, Greene possessed checks stolen from collection boxes on Cayuga Road in Cheektowaga, NY, which were then deposited into an account at Citizens Bank controlled by members of the conspiracy. 

On April 23, 2026, Greene and two other members of the conspiracy drove to the USPS mail collection box on Cayuga Road with a stolen key, which they used to open the box and remove the collection basket containing letters, packages, and mail. As law enforcement arrived at the scene, Greene and the others fled in their vehicle, and then on foot and were taken into custody a short time later. 

Greene made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sasha Mascarenhas and Paul E. Bonanno. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page. 

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Chun Yan, 42, a native and citizen of China, who entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2023, has been denied a bond hearing as he awaits removal by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to court documents, on February 24, 2026, Yan traveled six hours from Brooklyn, NY, to the home of an elderly woman in Ogdensburg, NY, in the Western District of New York. The woman was falsely told that a federal agent was going to freeze her assets if she didn’t pay the Federal Trade Commission, so she handed over $53,000 in cash to Yan, who returned less than a month later in an attempt to take another $50,000 from the victim. On March 19, 2026, Yan was arrested by the Ogdensburg Police Department and charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. After being released by local law enforcement the next day, Yan was arrested and detained by ICE and remains in ICE custody until he is removed from the United States. 

In an attempt to obtain release, Yan filed an immigration habeas petition, stating that he “was randomly arrested by ICE.” U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca denied his petition, citing the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention for those arrested or charged with an applicable crime at the time of their immigration detention. 

The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel B. Moar.

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Angela Kellogg, 35, of Dunkirk, NY, who was convicted of theft of government money, was sentenced to serve three years’ probation by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

In July 2020, Kellogg provided her identification information and social security number to a co-conspirator, knowing that it would be used to obtain money she was not entitled to. After she provided her personal information, Kellogg received a check totaling $11,586 from the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources. The money used to fund the check belonged to the United States as it was issued through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Kellogg did not reside or work in Puerto Rico and was therefore legally ineligible to receive Pandemic Unemployment Assistance funds from the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources. In September 2020, Kellogg deposited the check into a checking account at an Inner Lakes Federal Credit Union bank in Westfield, NY. She then withdrew some of the funds, which she provided to her co-defendants as part of the scheme. Kellogg kept $5,000 of illegally obtained federal funds for her own benefit. The Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources lost a total of $67,524 as a result of the scheme.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone, Northeast Region. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jesus Collins, 26, of Amherst, NY, pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.

In November 2025, the FBI executed a search warrant at Collins’ residence, during which multiple electronic devices were seized, including his cellphone. A review of the cell phone recovered approximately 20 images and 55 videos depicting child pornography.  The phone also contained messaging applications such as Signal, SimpleX, Telegram, and Teleguard, which Collins used to distribute and receive child pornography. 

On Collins’ Telegram account, investigators discovered that he exchanged child pornography with other users, often offering or agreeing to “trade” child pornography in exchange for images and videos that they had. Over approximately 2,500 unique video files and approximately 600 unique images files constituting child pornography were found in Collins’ Telegram chats, some of which depicted infants and the use of restraints on minor victims. In addition, Collins used Telegram to communicate with minors. These communications included sexually explicit conversations, during which Collins solicited the minors to send him images and videos of themselves engaging in various sexual acts, many constituting child pornography. Collins also sent the minors videos of himself engaged in sexual acts. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose. The plea is the result of an investigation by the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Earl Stone, 34, of Buffalo, NY, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. 

According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, late in the evening on April 12, 2026, Buffalo Police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle on Route 33 Expressway. During the stop, officers detected the smell of alcohol and asked the driver to step out of the vehicle to conduct a standard field sobriety test. Officers then asked the passengers for a New York State Drivers’ License so someone could move the vehicle to a safe location. All passengers refused, including Stone, who got out of the vehicle and sat on ground of the 33 Expressway. Officers noticed what appeared to be the outline of a slide of a firearm by the right shin of his pantleg. As he stood up at the request of officers, a loaded .40 caliber firearm fell out of his pant leg. Stone was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon- 2nd Degree: Loaded Firearm and Criminal Possession of a Weapon-3rd Degree: Large Capacity Feeding Device. In December 2013, Stone was convicted of a felony in Erie County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. 

Stone was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Eric Hagen, 57, of Fort Erie, Canada, who was convicted of importation of controlled substances, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

In June 2024, Hagen was convicted of possessing child pornography in St. Catharines, Ontario. On the morning of August 1, 2025, Customs and Border Protection encountered Hagen at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, and he was referred for a secondary inspection. During Hagen’s secondary screening, CBP found multiple cellular telephones, hard drives, a laptop, and a baby monitor, as well as two plastic containers, which contained methamphetamine and fentanyl. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Sasha Mascarenhas. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Aden Ibrahim, 30, of Buffalo, NY, with being a felon in possession of ammunition, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, and maintaining a drug involved premises, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to the superseding indictment and a previously filed complaint, on the morning of July 9, 2025, Buffalo Police responded to a Woodette Place residence for a report of an “Unwelcomed Guest.” Upon arrival, the complainant told officers that an individual known as “Beano” refused to leave the residence. The complainant also stated that “Beano” was in possession of crack cocaine and a firearm. Officers later observed “Beano,” exit the residence and attempt to flee on foot. He was in possession of a U.S. Permanent Resident Card identifying him as Aden Ibrahim. Detectives were then called to the residence, where they observed in plain view a revolver with tape on the handle lying on the floor in a bedroom. The complainant stated that “Beano” was staying in the room and that all the contents in the bedroom belonged to him.

Detectives subsequently executed a search warrant at the residence, seizing a revolver, ammunition, approximately 26 grams of suspected crack cocaine base, and drug paraphernalia. Ibrahim was convicted of felonies in March 2022 and January 2024 and is legally prohibited from possessing ammunition.

Ibrahim was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Romer and was detained.

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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys MacCaelin A. Sedita and Joshua A. Violanti. The superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael J. Hale, 65, of Lockport, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to making a materially false statement, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

In December 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) executed a search warrant at 3800 Highland Avenue in Niagara Falls, involving an investigation into the improper storage and disposal of hand sanitizer. The investigation began following a tip from a community member in October 2023 that a large quantity of hand sanitizer had been dumped outside. During the search, the EPA documented the presence of expired hand sanitizer that had been dumped on the property outside in a pile measuring 73 feet long, by 24 feet wide, by five feet high. Samples were taken of the hand sanitizer and determined to be ignitable according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), meaning, the hand sanitizer was considered a hazardous waste.

At the time, Hale was Vice President of Regional Logistics Group LLC, a warehousing business that was a tenant at 3800 Highland Avenue. Investigators called Hale during the search and asked how the hand sanitizer got on the property, to which he replied that he had no idea and didn’t know when the hand sanitizer had been brought to Highland Avenue. However, Hale knew and was aware that the hand sanitizer had been dumped outside 3800 Highland Avenue and had been originally brought to Highland Avenue between January and May of 2022.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Environmental Protect Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Charles Carfagno, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, under the direction of Commissioner Amanda Lefton.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 22, 2026, before Judge Arcara.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Leeladhar H. Tandel, 45, a native of India living of Mobile, AL, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, was sentenced to time served (approximately 14 months) by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Tandel was then turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Between July 2024 March 2025, Tandel conspired with others to sell Tapentadol, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Carisoprodol, and Zolpidem. During the conspiracy, MEDDZONLINE.COM, PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com, and related websites were part of a larger organized drug trafficking organization operating domestically and internationally using similar versions of the same website under different domain names. After orders were received, the organization sent bulk shipments of drugs via international mail to a US based bulk re-shipper. The drugs were then sent to smaller re-shippers, who were paid for each package they mailed out to customers.

Tandel was a smaller re-shipper. In June 2024, the DEA Buffalo District Office became aware of Tandel operating in the Mobile, Alabama region. On June 6, 2024, DEA Buffalo conducted an undercover purchase of 60 Zolpidem pills at a cost of $489.60 on PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com. In May 2025, law enforcement recovered 40 packages that had originated in Summerdale, AL, which had previously been mailed out by Tandel. The packages included nine parcels containing 1,620 suspected Tramadol pills; 14 parcels containing 2,100 suspected Zolpidem pills; 13 parcels containing 2,100 suspected Alprazolam pills; and four parcels containing 1,080 suspected Tapentadol pills. The packaging was indicative of shipments being mailed out to customers of the online websites. Labels showed the scope of customers spanning the entire country and individuals such as Tandel played a key role in aiding the online websites to provide controlled substances to their customers in the USA.

This investigation was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division. Additional assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Offices in St. Louis, MO, Atlanta, GA, and Mobile, AL. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Alexey Aleksandrovich Moskalyuk, 27, of Brooklyn, NY, with production and distribution of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. 

According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, law enforcement was alerted on August 3, 2026, to a report involving a missing minor. Investigators examined electronic devices provided by the minor’s parent, which revealed communications between the minor and Moskalyuk on social media.

The minor was located the following day in Niagara Falls, NY, accompanied by Moskalyuk, who had traveled from Brooklyn, NY. The investigation recovered evidence of sexually explicit communications and recordings involving the minor and Moskalyuk, as well as Moskalyuk’s participation in an online group that facilitated harmful interactions between adults and minors. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the FBI Buffalo Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II and the Albion Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Mogle. Additional assistance was provided by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the Honolulu FBI Office.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that James McClain a/k/a Jungle, 42, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

According to the complaint, in July 2026, investigators conducted an undercover purchase of approximately 12 grams of suspected fentanyl from McClain, which later tested positive for fentanyl. In August 2026, investigators conducted a second controlled purchase of suspected fentanyl from McClain. The purchase involved approximately 50 grams, which again later tested positive for fentanyl. 

McClain made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney MacCaelin A. Sedita. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Koran Leeper, 54, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. 

According to the complaint, on April 30, 2026, Jamestown Police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle Leeper was riding in. During the stop, the officers observed an unusual amount of a crystal-like substance on Leeper’s chest and legs. When questioned about it by one of the officers, Leeper stated it was cigarette ash. However, the officer did not believe that the substance was fully cigarette ash, but instead an illegal drug. Officers attempted to search the vehicle, but the driver declined. Officers did observe what they believed to be loose crack cocaine on the driver’s seat and the passenger’s seat in plain view. Officers also observed the corner of a ripped off baggie containing a white powdery residue. Believing that the driver and Leeper were in possession of controlled substances, officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located a clear container with the residue of a white powdery substance, as well as a glass smoking device. The driver and Leeper were taken into custody. Officers then located a plastic bag containing a large amount of a crystal-like substance in Leeper’s left pocket and a plastic bag containing a white powder-like substance in his right pocket. 

Leeper made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

This investigation was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nahtahna Castner, 46, of Dansville, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison pleaded guilty by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Between July 2020, and February 2023, Castner and another individual (co-conspirator) conspired to defraud an elderly victim. In July 2020, Castner had the trust of an elderly and vulnerable neighbor, who was over 90 years old. Using Castner’s position of trust, the co-conspirator gained access to the victim banking information. Castner and the co-conspirator then began withdrawing large sums of cash from ATMs, initiating wire transfers to Castner’s personal bank account, and making purchases using the victim’s debit card. Castner and the co-conspirator executed approximately $252,672.97 worth of unauthorized transactions. Over the course of the fraud, the victim bank account savings went from approximately $283,954.95 to $99.59. In addition, Castner and the co-conspirator also used the victim’s personal identifying information to apply for three credit cards in the victim’s name. They then used the credit cards to make purchases resulting in fraud against three financial institutions in the amount of $2,039.04, $819.33, and $809.74.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II and the New York State Department of Financial Services, under the direction of Acting Superintendent Kaitlin Asrow.

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BUFFALO, NY--The Western District of New York today announced the sentencing of an Oklahoma woman as part of a nationwide enforcement action led by the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Small Business Administration, and the SBA Office of Inspector General targeting fraud in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). WDNY was a key participant in this surge effort. 

From June 12 to September 1, federal prosecutors across the country facilitated fraud enforcement actions spanning over 160 criminal defendants, including approximately 80 newly charged defendants, reaching approximately $245 million dollars in intended loss to American taxpayers.

“The Paycheck Protection Program was designed to act as a safety net for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic by helping them maintain payroll and cover essential expenses,” stated Michael DiGiacomo, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York. “This defendant abused the program and defrauded the American taxpayer to the tune of more than $30-million dollars. While the COVID epidemic is behind us, my office remains focused on pursuing those individuals who defraud any government program.” 

“Pandemic loan relief was meant to keep American small businesses alive during government lockdowns—not line the pockets of fraudsters,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The defendants charged during our summer surge allegedly fabricated businesses, submitted false payroll and revenue claims, stole identities, and concealed foreign ties on their applications— but they will now be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“This summer surge shows what is possible when dedicated public servants across the country work together with a single purpose,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Our mission is clear: protect taxpayer funds, safeguard the integrity of federal relief programs, and deliver justice to those who exploited them. We will remain steadfast every day—standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners—to identify fraud, pursue those responsible, and restore confidence in the programs meant to help American small businesses thrive.”

“Today’s announcement represents the largest-ever action against perpetrators of SBA fraud, with 870,000 suspended borrowers tied to $39 billion in suspected fraudulent PPP and COVID EIDL activity. In partnership with Vice President Vance and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we’re putting fraudsters on notice: the federal government will no longer turn a blind eye to those who stole from taxpayers and exploited programs designed to sustain small businesses during the pandemic,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “With demand letters going out to suspected fraudsters, we’re also sending a clear message that they must repay their debts or face Treasury collections and possible federal law enforcement. Under this Administration, the free ride is over. We are restoring accountability, recovering taxpayer dollars, and protecting SBA programs for the legitimate small businesses they were created to serve.”

“Operation No Doze brings a focused and coordinated approach to pursuing fraud in SBA’s pandemic relief programs,” said SBA Inspector General William Kirk. “By concentrating our investigative resources and working closely with SBA and our law enforcement partners, we are strengthening our ability to identify fraud, recover taxpayer funds, and hold accountable those who exploited programs created to help small businesses in a time of extraordinary need. This initiative makes clear that the passage of time does not diminish our commitment to accountability.”

In the WDNY, U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo announced that Amanda J. Gloria, 49, of Altus, Oklahoma, was sentenced to serve 98 months in prison for attempting to defraud the PPP Program of over $43 million in COVID-19 relief loans. Gloria admitted that she conspired to submit at least 153 fraudulent PPP applications seeking a total of approximately $43 million on behalf of at least 111 entities between approximately May 2020 and June 2021. Gloria admitted that she falsified or aided and assisted with falsifying various information on these loan applications, including the number of employees, payroll expenses and documentation, and federal tax filings. Gloria then submitted or aided and assisted with the submission of the fraudulent PPP applications to financial institutions. In total, the recipient entities unlawfully obtained approximately $31 million in PPP funds. From those fraudulently obtained funds, Gloria personally received at least approximately $1.7 million.

In April 2022, Gloria pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived proceeds.  At sentencing, Gloria was ordered to pay more than $30 million in restitution and to forfeit more than $523,661. 

Trial Attorney Jennifer Bilinkas of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Kruly for the Western District of New York prosecuted the case. The case was investigated by the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, and the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Amy Connelly, Boston New York Field Division. 

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the 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.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David Garrett, 56, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, Garrett was sentenced to time served and six years supervised release after being convicted on a federal charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. In August 2026, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and DEA began conducting a joint investigation targeting the shipment of narcotics to the Buffalo area. On September 6, 2026, the USPIS was alerted to a Postal Service parcel being shipped from Puerto Rico to Garrett in Buffalo. On September 9, 2026, investigators executed the search warrant on the parcel and found approximately two kilograms of suspected cocaine inside the parcel concealed inside a white box decorated with pink flowers. On September 11, 2026, investigators conducted a controlled delivery of the parcel, which was replaced with sham, to Garrett’s Sycamore Street residence. After the delivery, Garrett left the residence with the parcel and was arrested a short time later following a traffic stop. 

Garrett made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was detained.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, and the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Guy Deland a/k/a Mark a/k/a Security Prime, 68, and Charan Singh, 56, both from Quebec, Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Between November 2016 and April 2017, Deland and Singh conspired with others, including Aydan Sin, to export defense articles on the United States Munitions List (USML) in violation of United States law.

In November 2016, Singh began communicating with an undercover law enforcement agent (UCA), inquiring about whether the UCA could export firearms from the United States to the United Arab Emirates. During the communications, Singh, Deland, and Sin were advised by the UCA that a license was required from the United States Department of State in order to legally export the firearms. The defendants acknowledged the illegality of the attempted exports, provided an encrypted Blackberry device to the UCA for the purpose of secure, covert communications, and wired approximately $70,000 USD from Canada to the United States as a 50% down payment for the export of the goods.

On December 7, 2016, Sin, through telephone and email, requested the gun order include 9mm handguns and Uzi machine guns. On December 9, 2016, Sin told the UCA that rather than get an export license, he wanted the UCA to export the firearms “the wrong way.”

Subsequently, on January 10, 2017, the UCA emailed two revised invoices to Deland and Sin. One invoice was for the export to Dubai of three new Glock 9mm firearms, six magazines, two used Mini Uzi submachine guns, two suppressors, and 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition for the firearms, for a total cost of $20,575. The second invoice was for the export to Colombia (thru Panama) of 37 new Glock 9mm firearms, 74 magazines, 13 used Mini Uzi submachine guns, 13 suppressors, and 3,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition for the firearms, for a total cost of $121,175. Both invoices contained language stating that exporting these products was prohibited by law without an export license. On February 6 and 7, 2017, an undercover bank account, located in the Western District of New York, received two bank wire transfers from a bank account in Canada, each in the amount of $34,990 USD, representing 50% of the total purchase price of the firearms, suppressors, and ammunition.

On March 10, 2017, Sin contacted the UCA and asked if the shipment of guns to Columbia would occur in a few days. On March 20, 2017, the UCA used existing sea freight shipment tracking numbers and told Sin and Deland that the firearms, suppressors, and ammunition were shipped to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, and the shipment of guns to Columbia would occur on March 29, 2017. The UCA also provided them with tracking information.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango and Trial Attorney Beaudre Barnes from the Counterintelligence & Export Control Section of the National Security Division at the Department of Justice. The pleas are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone. Additional assistance was provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

Deland is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., Singh on January 16, 2027, at 11:00 a.m., both before Judge Arcara.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Esli Osman Diaz-Bejarano, 28, a native of Honduras, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

On September 2, 2026, Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol agents encountered Diaz on St. Joseph Road in Niagara Falls, NY, during an immigration enforcement action. As agents attempted to interview Diaz, he fled on foot. Agents then attempted to apprehend Diaz, who resisted their efforts to restrain him. He was brought to the ground after repeatedly pulling his arms away. During the struggle, Diaz bit the left wrist of an agent, causing a bleeding laceration. The agent was treated at DeGraff Memorial Hospital for the bite injury. 

Diaz made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald. The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, and U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal jury has convicted Simon Gogolack a/k/a Greek, 42, of Wellsville, NY, of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of fentanyl, which resulted in a death, narcotics conspiracy, maintaining a drug involved premises, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, kidnapping and witness tampering. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a maximum of life.

According to testimony presented by the Government, between July 2 and October 17, 2023, Gogolack conspired with others to sell fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, Xanax, and Adderall. Between July 31 and August 1, 2023, Gogolack distributed fentanyl, which resulted in the death of Crystal Quinn. During the course of the conspiracy, Gogolack used a Scott Avenue residence in Wellsville to conduct his drug trafficking activities. In addition, Gogolack possessed firearms during the conspiracy. He was previously convicted of a felony in 2007 and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Gogolack was also convicted of kidnapping and threatening an individual and threatening a second individual to prevent them from cooperating with investigators.

“Today’s verdict ensures that Simon Gogolack is being held accountable for the violence and devastation his drug trafficking brought into our community and reflects the commitment by my office to pursue and prosecute those that engage in such conduct” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo.

The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas T. Cooper, Casey L. Chalbeck, and Katerina Powers. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II. 

Sentencing is scheduled for February 9, 2027, before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford, who presided over the trial of the case. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jamie Anderson, 27, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction relating to the possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison and 40 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

In January 2022, Anderson was convicted of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child in New York State Court. In December 2024, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at Anderson’s Buffalo residence, after receiving a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that he uploaded files containing child pornography to Kik. During the search, law enforcement seized a tablet, which contained at least 10 images of child pornography. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II. Additional assistance was provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Andrew Yannello, 30, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography following a prior conviction under New York law relating to sexual abuse, was sentenced to serve 14 years in prison and 35 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. 

In September 2014, Yannello was convicted of Attempted Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree in New York State Court and sentenced to serve 10 years’ probation. In November 2017, following a probation violation, Yannello was sentenced to serve 1 1/3 to 3 years in prison. On August 23, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at Yannello’s residence after it was discovered that he uploaded files of child pornography to Facebook and distributed the images to other Facebook users. During the search, a cell phone, laptop computer and desktop computer were seized, and all were found to contain images and videos of child pornography child pornography. Some of the images contained prepubescent minors as well as the sexual abuse of an infant or toddler, and depictions of violence.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Corey Flatau, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.   

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Guodeng Chen, and Didi Huang, both of Pittsford, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr to transportation of stolen goods in interstate commerce, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 

On April 8, 2022, Chen and Huang caused 45,000 pounds of stolen, used cooking oil to be shipped from the Western District of New York to a refinery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Chen and Huang received $29,433.60 for this shipment. On April 28, 2022, Chen and Huang caused another 45,000 pounds of stolen used cooking oil to be shipped from the Western District of New York to a refinery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Chen and Huang received $30,618.00 for this shipment. The defendants knew there was a high probability that the cooking oil was stolen.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Anthony Licari, Special Agent-In-Charge, Midwestern Region.  

Sentencing for defendant Chen is scheduled on December 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. and sentencing for defendant Huang is scheduled for December 15, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., both before Judge Geraci. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Martino Carter, 39, of Sloan, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and being felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

On June 5, 2025, the Buffalo Police Department, ATF and FBI executed a search warrant at Carter’s Jackson Avenue residence in Sloan, during which they seized two loaded pistols and approximately 25 pounds of suspected marijuana. Carter was convicted of felony charges in January 2010, in Erie County Court, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Police Commissioner Erika Shields, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2027, before Judge Vilardo.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Bryan Gutierrez, 27, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 80 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Between December 2024 and April 2025, Gutierrez conspired with co-defendant Antonio Rivera-Perez and others to sell fentanyl. In February, March, and April of 2025, investigators conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Gutierrez. On April 22, 2025, a search warrant was executed at the Langfield Drive residence of co-defendant Rivera-Perez, during which law enforcement seized approximately 1,072 grams of powder cocaine, 198 grams of crack cocaine, and 190 grams of fentanyl, a firearm, ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $3,500 in cash. 

Antonio Rivera-Perez was previously convicted and sentenced to serve 60 months in prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett Fitzsimmons and Katerina Powers. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jacob D. Ortiz, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of assaulting a federal employee resulting in bodily injury, was sentenced to time served and three years’ supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.  

On September 9, 2025, a United States Postal Service (USPS) Letter Carrier approached the mailbox of a residence on Columbus Avenue in South Buffalo and observed Ortiz on the front porch of the house. Without any warning or provocation, Ortiz descended the front steps and lunged toward and tackled the letter carrier (victim) to the ground. Ortiz then began punching the victim repeatedly with his fists, forcing the victim to use their hands to protect their face as Ortiz delivered punches to the victim’s face, head, and midsection. Ortiz temporarily stopped, but then charged a second time, forcing the victim to flee the scene for their own safety. Ortiz gave chase but was unable to catch up, allowing the victim to get to safety. As a result, the victim sustained bodily injury, including a bump on the back of the head, several contusions to other parts of the head and face, and bruises and scrapes to their elbows and knees.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal jury convicted John Richard Wade, 51, of Hornell, NY, of receipt and possession of child pornography, which carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison. 

Wade was previously convicted in 2011 on federal charges of possession of child pornography and was on supervised release for those offenses when he committed these newest offenses. On April 11, 2024, probation officers searched Wade’s residence, seizing multiple unmonitored devices, including four laptops and a hard drive, suspected marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. An initial review recovered multiple videos of suspected child pornography on the seized hard drive, which was found hidden under some clothes in a laundry bin. A subsequent examination recovered over 40,000 images and videos of child pornography on the hard drive. Investigators also located the web browser Tore on the hard drive. Tore is frequently used by individuals in possession of child pornography to receive and distribute child pornography from the internet.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas M. Testani and Melissa M. Marangola. The verdict is the result of an investigation by the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II and the U.S Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Clifford Jackson.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., who presided over the trial of the case.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that John Vincent Ridgeway, 76, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of failure to disclose an event impacting eligibility for supplemental security income benefits, was sentenced to serve 15 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

In January 1974, Ridgeway began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), based upon his representation that he is disabled and does not own countable resources exceeding $2,000 in value. In January 2004, Ridgeway purchased property on Langmeyer Avenue in Buffalo, jointly with his wife. The value of the property at the time exceeded $2,000, which made him ineligible to continue collecting SSI payments. Ridgeway owned the property until March 2017.

Subsequently, in October 2004, Ridgeway purchased property on LaSalle Avenue in Buffalo, using the identity of J.J.R. The value of the property at time of purchase exceeded $2,000, which again made him ineligible to continue collecting SSI payments. Ridgeway owned the property until September 2011. In February 2005, Ridgeway purchased two properties on Northumberland Avenue in Buffalo, the value of which exceeded $2,000. He owned the properties until October 2020, once again making him ineligible to continue collecting SSI payments. In May 2010, Ridgeway purchased a property on Marigold Street in Buffalo, using the identity of his deceased mother. Once again, the value of the property exceeded $2,000. He owned the property until October 2023.

Ridgeway failed to disclose ownership of any of these the properties to the SSA, with the intent to continue fraudulently collecting SSI payments. In June 2021, Ridgeway completed an SSI redetermination with the SSA. On the redetermination form, he stated that he did not own any property and signed it under the following statement: “I understand that anyone who knowingly lies or misrepresents the truth or arranges for someone to knowingly lie or misrepresent the truth is committing a crime which can be punished under Federal law, State law, or both. Everything on this document is the truth as best I know it.” The SSA determined that Ridgeway’s concealment of his resources resulted in an SSI overpayment of $179,276 between February 2004, and October 2023.

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 case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is of the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Amy Connelly, Boston New York Field Division, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Shawn Rice, and the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Brian Wood. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Jason Goodsell, 41, of Wellsville, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. 

Between June 2020 and December 2021, Goodsell, then approximately 35 years old, was engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor girl, who was 16 years and 17 years old. During that time, Goodsell used a cellular device to record videos while they were engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In June 2022, Goodsell distributed multiple videos of that conduct through Facebook Messenger. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Franz M. Wright and Colleen M. McCarthy are handling the prosecution of the case. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the Wellsville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy O’Grady, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. Additional Assistance was provided by the Pittsburgh Office of the FBI.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 11, 2027, before Judge Vilardo.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Javaris Corbit, 36, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10,000,000.   

According to the criminal complaint, since March 2025, the Rochester Police Department has been investigating Corbit’s illegal drug trafficking activities, which include distributing large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in Rochester. Corbit utilized multiple locations to prepare, package, and sell narcotics, store the proceeds of his narcotics sales, and store illegal firearms, including residences on Elk Street and Manhattan Square Drive. The investigation also identified multiple individuals who worked for Corbit’s drug-trafficking organization.

On June 24, 2026, search warrants were executed at multiple residences in Rochester, including the Elk Street and Manhattan Square Drive residences, during which investigators seized approximately $42,418 in cash, four loaded firearms, ammunition, jewelry, drug paraphernalia and approximately 1.75 kilograms of fentanyl and 2.15 kilograms of cocaine. Corbit was previously convicted of four felony charges in 2012, 2017, and 2023, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.  

Corbit made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained pending trial.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon N. Gonzalez. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II. 

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Vance Ashley, 57, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

In January 2025, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Ashley was recruited by members of the conspiracy to pose as other persons and make unauthorized withdrawals from the other persons’ bank accounts. Ashley agreed to do this in exchange for money. Between January 28 and February 3, 2025, Ashley drove with co-conspirators Edwin Robles, Edward Richardson and Michael Herrera, to bank branches in Wilmington, Delaware, Liberty, NY, and Lock Haven, PA, where Ashely used the identifications of other individuals to make, or attempt to make, unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts. 

On February 5, 2025, the defendants drove to a Northwest Bank branch in Lockport, within the Western District of New York. Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal of from the account of an individual residing in Erie, PA. Ashley also purchased a bank check using funds from the account. That same day, the defendants drove to another Northwest Bank branch in Williamsville, within the Western District of New York, and again Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal from an account and purchased a bank check using funds from the account of a victim from North East PA. 

The total loss amount, including actual loss and intended loss, is $61,800.00.

Robles, Richardson and Herrera were all previously convicted. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gerald Harper, 31, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250.000 fine. 

In June 2023, Harper was convicted on a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and sentenced to serve 60 months’ probation. As a result, he was prohibited from possessing firearms and/or ammunition. According to the complaint, on August 13, 2026, a North Tonawanda police officer conducted a traffic stop of Harper’s vehicle for a suspended registration. During the stop, when Harper lowered the window, the officer observed heavy smoke consistent with the scent of marijuana. The officer also observed an open backpack in the vehicle that contained bundles of United States Currency, later determined to be approximately $7,055 in cash. The officer asked Harper to step out of the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Harper is still on federal supervised release, which led to a search of his residence. During that search, investigators located two firearms and ammunition. 

Harper made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr. and was detained.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Alec Dierna, 32, and John Engler, 40, both of Boca Raton, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Between August 2020 and July 2022, Dierna, Engler, and five co-defendants conspired to defraud companies throughout the United States to fraudulently obtain money and property. To execute their scheme, Dierna, Engler, and their co-defendants sent mailers from Florida, California, and Rochester, NY, to tens of thousands of victim companies throughout the United States. The mailers were intended to deceive the victim companies into believing that they had previously ordered products from the companies of co-conspirators, for which they owed payment. The names used on the mailers included Office Outlet; America’s Best; United Chemicals; Hi-Tech Industrial; North Atlantic Supply; Top Tier Chemicals; Nationwide Chemicals; Direct Chemical; Easton Chemical; Safety Supply; and Union Gloves. As a result of the conspiracy, several thousand victim companies paid $8,010,543.50 to co-conspirators’ companies for products that they did not order. 

Co-defendants Dylan Paul Costanza, Nicholas Scarantino, Kyle Paul Edward Gibson, Tommy Lee Coburn, and Bryan Lantry were all previously convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and are awaiting sentencing. The company Five Star Warehouse, LLC, entered a corporate plea to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and is also awaiting sentencing.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa M. Marangola and Kyle P. Rossi. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the IRS Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., New York Field Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.

Dierna and Engler are scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vacca.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Rashad Rabah, 33, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.

In August 2025, Rabah attempted to collect a package containing a large amount of fentanyl from the U.S. Postal Service Jefferson Road Processing and Distribution Center in Henrietta, NY, which was shipped from Arizona. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted the package and staged a controlled delivery to Rabah. At the time of the delivery, investigators collected Rabah’s cellular telephone. A preliminary search of the phone revealed Rabah’s involvement in illegal activity, including child pornography and child exploitation crimes involving minors in the Rochester area. 

A subsequent analysis of Rabah’s phone and online accounts revealed that from at least April 2022, through August 7, 2025, he engaged in sexually explicit online and text conversations with a minor victim, a child in the Rochester area, during which Rabah solicited the minor victim to create and send to him sexually explicit images and videos. The investigation revealed that Rabah paid the minor to engage in this conduct and solicited other minors in the Rochester area. Rabah was also part of an online forum in a particular social media platform that was dedicated to the abuse and exploitation of minors.    

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a future date.   

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Andrew Klos, 21, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a fine of $250,000. 

Between August 2021 and May 2024, Klos communicated with a minor victim online. In May 2024, utilizing an online chat application, he coerced the 13-year-old minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions, specifically describing the images he wanted. The minor victim, at Klos’s direction, produced and sent the images to him via the internet. A search of Klos’s cell phone recovered the images of the minor victim. In addition, Klos also enticed her to produce images of her minor sibling for his gratification.

During the investigation, Klos admitted to investigators that he engaged in multiple online relationships with other minor females, via internet chat websites or social media applications. During these communications, Klos engaged in sexually explicit conversations. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II. 

Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Arcara. 

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nicholas Mangione, 45, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography following a prior conviction, was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.  

In April 2013, Mangione was convicted of possession of child pornography and sentenced to serve 48 months in prison. On August 15, 2024, a federal search warrant was executed at Mangione’s residence after it was discovered he uploaded a file containing child pornography to the Snapchat server. During the search, Mangione’s cellular telephone was seized. An examination of the device uncovered approximately 20 images and 52 videos of child pornography. It was also determined that Mangione distributed child pornography to other individuals using the Telegram application in exchange for other child pornographic files.

On August 16, 2024, the defendant was arrested on New York State charges and was found to be in possession of an additional cell phone, which also contained images and videos of child pornography. Some of the child pornography possessed by Mangione depicted the sexual exploitation of an infant or toddler and depictions of violence against children. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Fangfang Yan, 41, of Shanxi, China, and Pittsford, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr to misprision of a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. 

On April 8, 2022, Guodeng Chen and Didi Huang caused 45,000 pounds of stolen, used cooking oil to be shipped from the Western District of New York to a refinery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Chen and Huang received $29,433.60 for this shipment. On April 28, 2022, Chen and Huang caused another 45,000 pounds of stolen used cooking oil to be shipped from the Western District of New York to a refinery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Chen and Huang received $30,618.00 for this shipment. Fangfang Yan was aware that Chen and Huang were transporting the stolen cooking oil but failed to notify federal authorities. On May 6, 2022, when interviewed by law enforcement officers and asked about Chen and Huang’s illegal activity, Yan refused to answer the officer’s questions in order to conceal Chen and Huang’s crimes. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Anthony Licari, Special Agent-In-Charge, Midwestern Region.  

Sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2026, before Judge Geraci. 

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Talib Hussain, 75, of Pittsford, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca to misprision of a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, and a fine of $250,000. 

Between 2012 and July 23, 2024, Hussain’s son, Mirza Khan, and others engaged in a scheme to obtain social security numbers of victims and then use them, along with fictitious names, to apply for and obtain credit cards from various financial institutions, including Citibank, Discover Bank, First National Bank of Omaha, and TD Bank. The financial institutions were directed to mailed the fraudulently obtained credit cards to one of many addresses that Khan and his co-conspirators leased in and around Rochester, NY. They would then use the fraudulently obtained credit cards to make purchases or pay property taxes. Talib Hussain owned a property on S. Plymouth Avenue and was legally responsible for paying the taxes associated with that property. However, between 2021 and 2022, Mirza Khan used fraudulently obtained credit cards and his father’s email address to pay the taxes on the property. Talib Hussain knew that his son was engaged in the illegal scheme. He received tax payment receipts, which showed that the taxes were paid using credit cards that were not in Hussain’s or Khan’s names. Despite this, Hussain failed to notify the relevant federal authorities about the commission of the offense.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the IRS Criminal Investigation New York, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Michael McGill, New York Field Division. 

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, of Gujarat, India, and Jersey City, NJ, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint, in January 2026, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division became aware of an internet and telephone-based fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims in the Western District of New York and other areas around the country. Those responsible for the scheme (perpetrators) fraudulently represented to victims, online and in phone calls, that their bank accounts, funds, and/or personally identifiable information (PII) were threatened or compromised in some manner. Elderly victims were convinced to liquidate their assets in the form of cash, gold, and/or gift cards. The perpetrators would then pose as either members of law enforcement or other pertinent figures to further their scheme to defraud elderly individuals. 

When the scheme involved either cash or gold, the perpetrators arranged for “money mules” to pick up the cash or gold from the victims and then deliver it to another member of the conspiracy. Defendant Goswami, who is from Gujarat, India but living in Jersey City, New Jersey, was a money mule. On at least nine occasions, he either personally collected or conspired to collect cash and gold from elderly victims in New York and New Jersey. The victims ranged in age from 59-years-old to 87-years-old. In total, the nine victims lost approximately $7,559,185.00.

The criminal complaint further states that Goswami opened an account at Bank of America. Between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026, he made deposits of more than $90,000 in cash. Investigators believe the deposits are consistent with Goswami receiving compensation for acting as a money mule in the fraudulent scheme.

Goswami made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen on August 17, 2026, and was released on conditions. On August 18, 2026, at approximately 10:25 a.m., he fled the United Stats by crossing into Canada at the Peace Bridge. Law enforcement subsequently learned that Goswami was booked on a flight to Doha, Qatar out of Toronto, Ontario, later that evening. The United States Probation Office submitted a Violation Report of Defendant Under Pretrial Supervision to the Court, which issued an Order and Warrant of Arrest. At approximately 7:13 p.m., Canadian law enforcement officials took Goswami into custody, pursuant to Canadian immigration violations, at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. On August 20, Canadian authorities arrested Goswami pursuant to the request for provisional arrest for extradition to the United States.  

The fraud case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., New York Field Division. Additional assistance was provided by the New York State Police, the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security Investigations. Goswami’s re-arrest is the result of the efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina, the IRS-CI, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, U.S. Border Patrol, Buffalo Sector, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato, the U.S Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Clifford Jackson, and Canadian law enforcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance with securing the extradition from Canada of Goswami to the United States.        

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nicholas Janes, 40, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of mail fraud, was sentenced to serve five years’ probation by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

In May 2023, law enforcement learned of many suspicious United States Postal Service Express Mail overnight flat-rate envelopes being mailed to the defendant’s address in Buffalo. The envelopes were addressed to variations of Janes’s name, or what appeared to be different law offices. Most of the address labels were hand-written, and the envelopes were mailed by individuals residing throughout the United States. A search of Janes’s address in various consumer complaint databases revealed a pattern of alleged debt collection fraud victims from throughout the United States. The names “Nicholas Janes,” “Nicholas James,” “The Nichols Law Group,” “The Nicholas Law Group,” and variations of the business name, The Offices of Pachulski, Mueller and Barnes (Muler, Muller, Burns, etc.) were consistently associated with Janes’s address. The defendant also controlled business mailboxes in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he received mail as a result of the fraudulent scheme. That mail was then forwarded to his residence in Buffalo.

As part of his fraudulent scheme, Janes contacted various individuals from around the country by telephone, advising them that they had a debt due on an alleged unpaid loan. He claimed that he was a local sheriff’s deputy, and would threaten the victims with criminal charges, if they did not immediately repay the alleged debt owed. Janes also pretended to be an attorney at fictitious law firms, so victims thought they were negotiating with a legitimate entity. He advised victims to make payment by USPS money orders payable to him, and send them via USPS, Federal Express or United Parcel Service overnight service to various addresses that he controlled and monitored the mail. 

In total, Janes victimized more than 500 people for $420,812.92.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Alexandria Duncan, 23, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail theft, was sentenced to serve two years’ probation by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

Between October 9 and October 14, 2024, Duncan conspired with co-defendant Timothee S. Tidwell to steal mail from receptacles in Hamburg, NY, and take articles from inside the letters and envelopes that were stolen. For instance, in the early morning hours of October 14, 2024, Duncan drove a vehicle to Camp Road with Tidwell, who exited the vehicle and approached a row of mailboxes outside the post office on Camp Road with a postal arrow key he was not legally entitled to possess. After Tidwell exited the vehicle, Duncan drove the vehicle across the street to a gas station where she was approached by a Village of Hamburg Police officer. While the police officer interacted with Duncan, Tidwell fled the scene. 

Duncan and Tidwell used a postal arrow key to open various mailboxes in the Hamburg area to steal multiple mail items. On October 14, 2024, law enforcement recovered opened and unopened mail addressed to other people from Duncan’s vehicle. The opened mail included checks from various individuals and businesses and totaled approximately $369,104.92.

Charges remain pending against Timothee Tidwell. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Village of Hamburg Police, under the direction of Chief Richard Schara, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.

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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Mohamed Patel, 40, of Ontario, CA, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute morphine, was sentenced to serve 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. 

Between October 2019 and September 11, 2024, Patel conspired with co-defendant Bashir Kasozi, and others, to possess with intent to distribute morphine. Patel arranged for bulk quantities of morphine tablets to be imported into the United States from India and paid multiple individuals in the Western District of New York to receive the controlled substances and store them at their residences. Subsequently, Patel employed Kasozi, a truck driver, to retrieve the morphine tablets and deliver them via tractor trailer across the border to him in Ontario, Canada.

On August 22, 2024, 62 packages of morphine tablets were delivered from India to the Western District of New York. On August 23, 2024, Kasozi, acting at the direction of Patel, entered the United States to collect the packages. That evening, Kasozi arrived at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry with a tractor trailer, with the 62 morphine packages concealed. During his outbound inspection, Kasozi told Customs and Border Protection that he had been in the United States for three days, and that he was coming from Massachusetts with a load of paper, and did not have anything to declare, including prescription or nonprescription narcotics. During a secondary inspection, the 62 packages were discovered and Kasozi was arrested.

On August 30, 2024, Patel arranged for an additional 26 to 28 morphine packages to be received in the Western District of New York, which he would pick up in the United States. On September 11, 2024, Patel traveled from Canada to the United States, arriving at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry. Patel did not retrieve the morphine packages as scheduled and was taken into custody upon attempting to return to Canada.

Patel admitted that between October 2019 and September 22, 2024, he imported multiple shipments of morphine tablets into the United States from locations in India, and that a number of those shipments were seized by law enforcement at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, FedEx, the Canadian border, and from various individuals in the Western District of New York.

Bashir Kasozi was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns, LLC, Safire Rehabilitation of Southtowns, LLC, and Williamsville Suburban, LLC, have agreed to pay $9,000,000 to resolve allegations arising under the Federal False Claims Act and the New York False Claims Act regarding false claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid. This action is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

The United States alleges that between approximately January 1, 2015 and approximately October 1, 2019, Safire submitted false claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs for skilled rehabilitative therapy services that Safire knew were not reasonable or necessary, supported by the documentation in medical records, documented as provided, or provided at all. The United States specifically alleged that Safire fraudulently inflated reimbursements from the Medicare and Medicaid programs by: (a) scheduling skilled rehabilitative therapy and setting skilled rehabilitative therapy goals for residents based on the reimbursement policies of the residents’ insurer, rather than medical need, such that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries were scheduled for more skilled rehabilitative therapy than was necessary; (b) pressuring treating therapists to provide therapy even when treating therapists recommended against therapy; (c) pressuring residents to attend therapy sessions even after the residents repeatedly refused to participate; and (d) manufacturing and/or altered therapy referrals and medical records to justify unreasonable and unnecessary therapy.

“Medicare and Medicaid fraud drains taxpayer funds and weakens these vital government programs”, stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “This settlement reinforces our commitment to safeguarding federal funds and ensuring seniors receive the care they deserve.” 

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 civil settlement is the result of a matter brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act in the matter captioned United States and the State of New York ex rel. Ciavarella v. Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns, LLC., et al., 20-cv-07078-EAW (W.D.N.Y.). Of the $9 million settlement, $5.4 million constitutes the federal portion of the recovery and $3.6 million constitutes a recovery for State Medicaid programs. The Relator/whistleblower will receive a share of the federal recovery in this case. 

The resolution of this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell and Investigator Peggy McFarland handled the matter on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act.  Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).

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

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Sean Reed, Jr., 38, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to illegally transport firearms and obtaining controlled substances through fraud, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

Between September 2018 and May 2019, Reed conspired with others to transport at least 25 firearms to New York State that had been purchased in the State of Kentucky. Reed traveled to Kentucky, purchased the firearms from an individual living in Kentucky, and then transported the firearms back to New York. The firearms were purchased at various flea markets and pawn shops. 

In addition, beginning in July 2021, Reed began receiving fraudulent prescriptions for hydrocodone from a secretary at a medical practice in Niagara Falls. The secretary had illegally accessed a doctor’s e-prescribing token and used it to issue hydrocodone prescriptions for herself, Reed, and others. The doctor was unaware of the secretary’s unlawful use of his e-prescribing token. Reed submitted the prescriptions to various pharmacies in the Niagara Falls area to obtain the hydrocodone pills. Reed received a total of 68 hydrocodone prescriptions, with each containing between 20 and 28 pills.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Christopher Rankin, 40, of Washington State, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to transmitting a program, information, code, or command to a protected computer and causing damage, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, and a fine of $100,000. 

In July 2021, Rankin was hired by a bitcoin mining company located in Niagara Falls, NY. Bitcoin mining is the process of validating bitcoin transaction information on the ledger of transactions on which bitcoin is based. The company connected to mining pools, which consist of multiple miners who combine their computing power and split the resulting profits. Rankin accessed, without authorization, 100 computers used by the company and manually reset the computers, directing them to a mining pool that he created. Rankin then sent bitcoin from the fraudulent mining pool to bitcoin wallets that he controlled. While doing so, Rankin put the computers in “high-performance” mode, causing damage to the computers by severely limiting their lifespan, and impairing the integrity and availability of information contained on the computers. Rankin’s actions led to the company losing 1.06683386 BTC bitcoin, which, at the time of offense, amounted to $53,315.75 being stolen by Rankin.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly. The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, Buffalo Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charles T. Perras.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2026, before Judge Roemer.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kaevon Raymere Leonard, 33, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with unauthorized possession of U.S. postal service key, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, in July 2024, a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier was robbed of their arrow key at gunpoint while working their delivery route in Buffalo. The arrow key is used to access several hundred USPS blue collection boxes located within Buffalo and surrounding towns and cities. Soon after the robbery, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, financial institutions, and local law enforcement started receiving numerous complaints from individuals and businesses, claiming they mailed envelopes containing checks from Buffalo metro-area blue collection boxes, which were stolen, altered and cashed, rather than delivered to their intended recipients. 

In addition, law enforcement also identified individuals, including Leonard, posting pictures of USPS arrow keys on social media. In July 2024, a picture was posted to a Facebook account showing Leonard holding an arrow key attached to a USPS issued chain, which letter carriers use to secure the arrow key to their belt loops. A caption below the picture states, “Willing to die behind this metal it’s a trophy takes alot to understand me if you know me #vizagangceo.” On August 22, 2025, another image of Leonard was posted to his Facebook account showing an arrow key attached to his belt loop with a carabiner. On September 23, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Leonard’s North Park Avenue residence. During a search of Leonard’s person, investigators recovered a USPS arrow key, which was attached to his belt loop with a carabiner. The arrow key included the same serial number of the arrow key stolen from the letter carrier in July 2024. Investigators also recovered additional evidence of Leonard recruiting check cashers, also known as “mules,” on social media, and possessing stolen mail and checks.    

Leonard made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and released on home detention. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Iftekhar Latif Nieon, 24, of Bangladesh, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 

In 2025, Nieon conspired with others to commit wire fraud against three victims, including:

• In March 2025, Nieon’s co-conspirators obtained the credit card information of a 68-year-old woman residing in the Western District of New York and placed an unauthorized charge on the card for “virus protection software.”  The woman noticed the unauthorized charge and called a number that she believed belonged to the “virus protection software company.” Co-conspirators answered the call and fraudulently represented that they were “representatives” of the “virus protection software company,” and that she needed to give the “representative” remote access to her computer so that the “representative” could process a refund. The woman did so but, instead of processing a refund, the co-conspirator transferred $20,000 from her savings account to her checking account, without her knowledge or permission. The “representative” executed the transaction in a way that made it appear as if the “representative” had accidentally deposited a $20,000 refund into the checking account. The “representative” then falsely represented that the woman had to “return” $19,500, instructing her to withdraw the funds in cash and meet Nieon at a particular location, which the woman did. 
• In April 2025, a 73-year-old man residing in the Western District of New York received an email from a co-conspirator who falsely claimed to be from “Geek Squad.” The man was told that his “Geek Squad subscription” was going to be renewed within 12 hours and that he was going to be charged $329.99 unless he contacted “Geek Squad” at a particular number. The man called the number and received a return call from a co-conspirator, who falsely identified him or herself as a “Geek Squad supervisor” and advised the man that he would be refunded $440. The man was then told that $30,000 was accidently refunded to his account and that he needed to give back $28,000 of the refund. The man checked his account and confirmed there was a “pending” $30,000 deposit. At the instruction of a co-conspirator, the man withdrew $28,000 in cash and turn it over to Nieon and a co-conspirator at a particular location. The following day, the man checked his account and realized that the $30,000 deposit never cleared. 
• Also in April 2025, a co-conspirator called an 82-year-old man in Ohio, falsely identified him or herself as a representative of PayPal, and claimed that there was an “error” in his account. The man was instructed to withdraw $15,000 from his account and give it to Nieon at a particular location. The man complained but met Nieon at a predetermined location and gave him $14,500. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGurire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation New York, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the Pepper Pike, Ohio Police Department, under the direction of Chief Karl Dietz. 

Sentencing is scheduled for November 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Wolford.

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