Southern District of Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A total of eight defendants now face federal charges related to the alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14. All eight men were charged together in a two-count indictment returned in Columbus today.

The indictment stems from an initial investigation and criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Ohio against Tycen C. Proper 19, of Danville, Ohio. Proper and four others charged federally by criminal complaint in Missouri, Nebraska and California were arrested the weekend of the UFC event. Two more defendants were charged by criminal complaint and arrested by the FBI approximately one week later in Washington and Missouri.

This week, an eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was taken into custody in West Virginia. Scaggs was allegedly assigned to be one of the snipers in the plotted attack. An affidavit details that Scaggs was to be picked up by Proper to travel to Washington, D.C. Scaggs and others lost contact with Proper upon Proper’s arrest, but Scaggs allegedly indicated to the group that he was still willing to participate in the attack and made new plans for another coconspirator to pick him up to travel to the UFC Freedom 250 event.

A full list of those charged in the indictment includes:

The indictment charges all eight men in two conspiracies: conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official. The indictment replaces the initial charges filed in criminal complaints in various Districts across the country.

According to the indictment, starting in May 2026, the defendants conspired to provide material support and resources to terrorists in the form of money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical equipment, communication equipment, personnel and other services.

The eight men allegedly participated in online chat groups and forums on Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram. Throughout these communications, they allegedly developed plans for attacks, recruited members and encouraged each other to prepare for attacks, including the attack on UFC Freedom 250.

The indictment details that, as part of their conspiracy, the defendants created a tier system to classify participants. Tier one conspirators allegedly committed to put themselves “in harms [sic] way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding.”

Besides amassing weapons, ammunition, tactical gear and other supplies, the defendants also allegedly engaged in marksmanship and combat training, agreed on targets for the UFC Freedom 250 event and created operational plans to commit the attack and escape after the attack.

Count two of the indictment charges a second conspiracy, namely, conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.

As part of this conspiracy, the defendants allegedly planned to murder the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, other federal officials, the Prime Minister of Israel, Elon Musk and “other high value targets” at UFC Freedom 250.

Conspiring to provide material support to terrorists is punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment. Conspiring to commit murder carries a potential penalty of up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice National Security Division John A. Eisenberg, FBI Cincinnati Division Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Jason Rees, Knox County Sheriff Daniel J. Weckesser, Danville Police Chief Monte L. Vance and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the indictment. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Nebraska, Western District of Missouri, Central District of California and Western District of Washington, as well as law enforcement partners in those jurisdictions, investigated and charged the previous related criminal complaints.

Assistant United States Attorneys Damoun Delaviz and David J. Twombly and Department of Justice National Security Trial Attorney James Donnelly are representing the United States in this case.

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

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A total of eight defendants now face federal charges related to the alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14. All eight men were charged together in a two-count indictment returned in Columbus today.

The indictment stems from an initial investigation and criminal complaint filed in the Southern District of Ohio against Tycen C. Proper 19, of Danville, Ohio. Proper and four others charged federally by criminal complaint in Missouri, Nebraska and California were arrested the weekend of the UFC event. Two more defendants were charged by criminal complaint and arrested by the FBI approximately one week later in Washington and Missouri.

This week, an eighth defendant, Chandler D. Scaggs, 21, of Chapmanville, West Virginia, was taken into custody in West Virginia. Scaggs was allegedly assigned to be one of the snipers in the plotted attack. An affidavit details that Scaggs was to be picked up by Proper to travel to Washington, D.C. Scaggs and others lost contact with Proper upon Proper’s arrest, but Scaggs allegedly indicated to the group that he was still willing to participate in the attack and made new plans for another coconspirator to pick him up to travel to the UFC Freedom 250 event.

A full list of those charged in the indictment includes:

The indictment charges all eight men in two conspiracies: conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official. The indictment replaces the initial charges filed in criminal complaints in various Districts across the country.

According to the indictment, starting in May 2026, the defendants conspired to provide material support and resources to terrorists in the form of money, firearms, ammunition, body armor, explosives, drones, medical equipment, communication equipment, personnel and other services.

The eight men allegedly participated in online chat groups and forums on Signal, SimpleX, Discord, TikTok and Instagram. Throughout these communications, they allegedly developed plans for attacks, recruited members and encouraged each other to prepare for attacks, including the attack on UFC Freedom 250.

The indictment details that, as part of their conspiracy, the defendants created a tier system to classify participants. Tier one conspirators allegedly committed to put themselves “in harms [sic] way, break the law, and potentially go into hiding.”

Besides amassing weapons, ammunition, tactical gear and other supplies, the defendants also allegedly engaged in marksmanship and combat training, agreed on targets for the UFC Freedom 250 event and created operational plans to commit the attack and escape after the attack.

Count two of the indictment charges a second conspiracy, namely, conspiracy to commit murder on federal government territory and to murder a federal government official.

As part of this conspiracy, the defendants allegedly planned to murder the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, other federal officials, the Prime Minister of Israel, Elon Musk and “other high value targets” at UFC Freedom 250.

Conspiring to provide material support to terrorists is punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment. Conspiring to commit murder carries a potential penalty of up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice National Security Division John A. Eisenberg, Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, FBI Cincinnati Division Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Jason Rees, Knox County Sheriff Daniel J. Weckesser, Danville Police Chief Monte L. Vance and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the indictment. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Nebraska, Western District of Missouri, Central District of California and Western District of Washington, as well as law enforcement partners in those jurisdictions, investigated and charged the previous related criminal complaints.

Assistant United States Attorneys Damoun Delaviz and David J. Twombly and Department of Justice National Security Trial Attorney James Donnelly are representing the United States in this case.

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

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Dublin, Ohio, man arrested in Utah in November 2025 pleaded guilty in federal court here today to coercion and enticement of a minor, an offense that carries a mandatory-minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. 

Wade S. Christofferson, 73, admitted to coercing and enticing minors under the age of 10. 

In November 2025, Christofferson was overheard on a sexually explicit FaceTime call with a minor victim. He had sent coded letters to the victim’s Utah home that referenced sexual activity for approximately six months. 

A few weeks after the FaceTime call occurred, the Dublin Police Department received a report regarding the alleged sexual abuse of an Ohio minor by Christofferson that occurred when the victim was approximately 7 and 8 years old. 

The defendant committed hands-on sexual abuse of the child in Utah and the second victim in Ohio approximately 20 times. 

In his letters and calls, Christofferson taught the 7-year-old Utah victim code words like “snow” for vagina, “friends” for nipples, “asterisk (*)” for naked, a drawn “smiley face” for rubs and “SS” for “Secret Spanks.” He was overheard on a FaceTime call asking the victim if he could see her “snow” and “friends.” Christofferson wrote the victim “Top Secret” hand-written messages and advised they were only for the victim to read. 

Dublin police officers executed a search warrant at Christofferson’s home in mid-November and seized his electronic devices. The FBI completed a forensic examination of Christofferson’s phone and discovered search history for “criminal defense attorneys sex crimes columbus ohio” and “In Ohio do clergy have to report child abuse confessions” as well as information about leaving the country.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Dublin Police Chief Justin Paez and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. 

U.S. Attorney Gerace commended the significant contributions to this case by the FBI Salt Lake City Division, the Payson, Utah Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury has indicted a Cincinnati man who was allegedly involved in the May 26 shooting at the Northside transit center for illegally possessing a firearm. 

Yecowniyah Beal, 26, is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. He allegedly possessed a rifle. 

According to police reports of the May 26 incident, Beal was present at the shootings and was seen on surveillance videos brandishing his weapon. He was one of four individuals injured.

Beal’s prior criminal history includes attempted felonious assault with a weapon resulting from an incident in which Beal shot a victim in the leg outside of a nightclub and then shot into the air. He also has two other previous firearms or weapons convictions.

“We continue to track all shootings in Cincinnati and will bring federal charges against those involved whenever we can,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Our determination to reduce violent crime in this city remains steadfast.”

Illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison. 

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie announced the charges. Special Assistant United States Attorney Allison B. Oswall from Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson’s office is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Blue Ash man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to sexual exploitation of children for hiding spy cameras in the home of minor victims.

David Mitsnefes, 32, faces a term of imprisonment of 15 to 30 years. Mitsnefes admitted to surreptitiously capturing videos of a minor in their bedroom in various states of undress without their knowledge and attempting to capture videos of another minor. 

According to court documents, between 2021 and 2025, on multiple occasions, the family of the teenaged victims found hidden cameras in the minors’ bedrooms. Mitsnefes used wifi to save videos of the minors to his iPhone. He also took the victims’ underwear and kept them in his bedroom.

In November 2025, the family’s Ring security camera caught an image of the suspect wearing a dark hoodie and pants entering the home while the family was out of town. A subsequent search of Mitsnefes’s electronic devices revealed videos of the victims as well as numerous images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material obtained over the internet. He possessed more than 5,000 images and 3,000 videos of child pornography on his electronic devices.

Mistnefes was charged federally and arrested in December 2025.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Blue Ash Police Chief Roger Pohlman and other members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus repeat felon whose jury trial was scheduled to begin on Monday pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to a firearms crime. 

Antonio Triplett, 47, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Triplett, who is also known as “Trip,” has at least six prior convictions that prohibit him from possessing a firearm, including robbery and domestic violence. 

According to court documents, on July 12, 2025, Columbus police officers were dispatched to Stevens Avenue in response to a 911 call about an armed man threatening a woman. Triplett was present at the property despite requests that he leave.

Officers discovered a pistol under an inflatable mattress in the residence’s living room. Triplett told officers he had been staying at the home and spending most of his time in the living room. He also told officers that if his DNA was on the firearm, it was because he picked it up while cleaning the house. Lab results issued on Dec. 31, 2025, showed Triplett’s DNA on the firearm in at least three areas.  

The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2026.

Triplett faces up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea entered on July 6 before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geraghty and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – An Atlanta-area man who was found guilty of wire fraud and theft of public funds following a March bench trial was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 36 months in prison. 

Christopher Dowtin, 49, of Jonesboro, Georgia, fraudulently converted two businesses’ IRS accounts to his name and address. The defendant received tax refund checks – including one for more than $32 million – that were to be paid out to these two businesses. He was sentenced on June 26.

Today in federal court in Dayton, Bondary McCall, 64, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for filing a false, retaliatory lien against the federal judge originally assigned to Dowtin’s case.

Two months after Dowtin’s arrest on the tax crimes, McCall filed a false lien in the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation claiming that Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose owed Dowtin $32 million. Judge Rose was originally presiding over Dowtin’s fraud case. 

According to court documents and trial testimony, Dowtin fraudulently submitted IRS forms claiming to be the responsible party for two separate companies. 

In December 2024, the IRS processed eight Change of Address or Responsible Party-Business forms associated with Dowtin. Dowtin’s requests for changes were completed and accepted. He ultimately received two tax refund checks for those companies: one in the amount of $32,495,888.58 and one in the amount of $26,156.50.

Dowtin traveled from Georgia to Ohio with the two checks to open an account in the Southern District of Ohio.

On Feb. 13, 2025, Dowtin took the checks to a Morgan Stanley office in Beavercreek, Ohio, and attempted to negotiate the funds into a brokerage account in a trust in his name. Dowtin told the Morgan Stanley financial advisor that the two companies were paying him for illegally using his “personhood.” He said the payments owed to him had been transferred to him from the IRS. The financial advisor verified that the checks were valid U.S. Treasury checks.

On Feb. 19, 2025, an executive director at Morgan Stanley contacted the United States Secret Service and IRS Criminal Investigation regarding the suspicious nature of the checks and Dowtin’s supporting paperwork. The checks were seized by law enforcement.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Robert Kuszynski, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Jason Rees, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service; announced the sentences imposed by Senior U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Amy M. Smith and Assistant United States Attorney Erica D. Lunderman are representing the United States in the cases.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is 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.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Eleven illegal aliens from Venezuela and Colombia have been charged federally in a case involving the sex trafficking of a minor and an adult, drug trafficking, and firearms trafficking. Ten were arrested today in Ohio, Tennessee, North Carolina and Florida.

“These defendants—ten of whom are currently illegally present in this country—allegedly engaged in a panoply of illicit trafficking activity, from drugs to firearms to human beings,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “We have no tolerance for anybody who commits such crimes in our communities and we will prosecute them to fullest extent of the law.”  

“We will continue to work hard to keep Ohio safe and get narcotics, firearms, and violent criminals off the streets,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “These indictments would not be possible without the strong partnerships with our state, local, and federal partners.” 

“Today’s enforcement actions are the result of continued coordination with our law enforcement partners to investigate networks of criminals who illegally possess and sell firearms,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo. “The ATF will continue to hold accountable those who violate federal firearms laws.”

“This indictment demonstrates the Homeland Security Task Force’s unwavering commitment to protecting our communities from transnational criminal organizations that profit from exploiting vulnerable individuals and trafficking dangerous drugs and firearms,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “HSI, working alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate and dismantle criminal networks that threaten public safety.”

A Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation led to the 30-count indictment that was returned on June 11 and unsealed today.

According to the indictment, from July through August 2025, four of the defendants conspired to sex traffic a minor between the ages of 14 and 18 years old and an adult victim. The charging document details that, in relation to this alleged conspiracy, defendants traveled interstate to promote prostitution. Additional charges included creating online commercial sex advertisements in the central Ohio area.  

From at least May 2025 until April 2026, defendants allegedly participated in a narcotics conspiracy involving MDMA or ecstasy. Finally, the indictment alleges that some of the defendants unlawfully possessed firearms as illegal aliens and illegally trafficked at least nine firearms. 

Those indicted and a list of their charges includes:

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and  Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit announced the charges. The Columbus Division of Police, DEA, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and United States Marshals Service have provided significant assistance in this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Sheila G. Lafferty and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Columbus comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A federal jury found an Arizona man guilty on all counts for his role in leading narcotics and money laundering conspiracies. The government has seized more than 162 kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of fentanyl and $1.4 million of bulk cash in total.

Cesar Cervantes, 52, of Tucson, Arizona, was convicted of participating in drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies and of distributing five kilograms or more of cocaine. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

The verdict was announced following a trial that began on June 9 before U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland.

According to court documents and trial testimony, for several years, Cervantes supplied between 25 and 50 kilograms of cocaine bi-weekly to coconspirators. Cervantes used a network of couriers to deliver the drugs that originated from Mexico to multiple locations, including to designated couriers in Cincinnati. The drug trafficking conspiracy operated from at least July 2018 until August 2023. 

Cervantes used Colombian and Chinese money launderers to funnel the drug proceeds back to Mexico. For example, in July and August 2023, Cesar had other coconspirators deliver approximately $300,000 in drug proceeds to two separate money launderers, one who worked for a sophisticated China-based money laundering organization, and the other who worked for a separate sophisticated Colombia-based money laundering organization. 

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit, announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys David P. Dornette and Frederic C. Shadley are representing the United States in this case.

These cases are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Cincinnati comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II announced today with federal law enforcement partners the results of an eight-week operation to fight gun violence and drug trafficking in Dayton. Forty-seven defendants face federal charges, and 43 individuals are in federal custody following arrests last week. During the operation, which began on April 27, agents seized 176 firearms, as well as machinegun conversion devices and kilogram quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.  

“The goal of this operation was simple: to get guns and drugs off the street and out of the hands of the most violent and habitual offenders,” said U.S. Attorney Gerace. “Law enforcement at all levels took that mission seriously and I thank them for making our streets safer. I also thank the prosecutors in my office for the dedication and skill that it took to support this large operation. We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to maintain law and order and keep our communities safe.”

Special Agent in Charge Jorge A. Rosendo stated “I’m proud of the women and men of the ATF’s Columbus Field Division and all they accomplished in such a short period of time. Their dedication to duty and unwavering commitment to the citizens of Dayton, Ohio were truly remarkable throughout this operation. It is our sincere desire that our collective efforts will have a lasting and positive impact on their community for years to come.”

“Operation Fly City is a testament to the strength of the Homeland Security Task Force and HSI’s unwavering commitment to making our communities safer,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “By working together with our federal, state, and local partners, we were able to disrupt dangerous criminal activity and remove illegal firearms and narcotics from the streets of Dayton. HSI remains dedicated to protecting the public and ensuring that those who threaten our neighborhoods are held accountable.”

“This operation is another example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies work together toward a common goal,” said Dayton Police Chief Eric Henderson. “By targeting individuals responsible for violent crime, illegal firearms, and drug trafficking, we are making our neighborhoods safer and sending a clear message that those who threaten our community will be held accountable. I want to thank our officers and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment throughout this operation. The Dayton Police Department remains committed to reducing gun violence and improving the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and visits our city.”

“The arrests and seizures announced today are the result of extensive investigative efforts focused on identifying those responsible for drug trafficking, illegal firearms offenses, and other criminal activity,” said Sheriff Rob Streck. “This operation highlights the impact of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to addressing the criminal activity that affects our communities.”

The charges were brought via 20 federal indictments and three federal criminal complaints in Dayton over the past few weeks. Indictments and criminal complaints merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi, Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Amy M. Smith, Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly K. Rossi, Elizabeth L. McCormick, Rob Painter, Brendan Sullivan, Erica D. Lunderman, Christina E. Mahy and Ryan A. Saunders and Special Assistant United States attorney Allison Oswall are representing the United States in these cases. 

A complete list of those charged includes:

Operation Fly City Defendants 

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime

Dealing in firearms without a license

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine

Distribution of methamphetamine

Distribution of cocaine

Felon in possession

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Transfer of a firearm for use in a drug trafficking crime

Alien in possession of a firearm

Distribution of methamphetamine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Transfer of a firearm for use in a drug trafficking crime

Felon in possession of a firearm

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Transfer of a firearm for use in a drug trafficking crime

Felon in possession of a firearm

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine

Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to distribute 500+ grams meth and 40+ grams fentanyl

Distribution of various amounts of meth and fentanyl

Use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime

Felon in possession of a firearm

Trafficking in firearms

Conspiracy to distribute 500+ grams methamphetamine and 40+ grams fentanyl

Distribution of various amounts of meth and fentanyl

Felon in possession of a firearm

Trafficking in firearms

Distribution of fentanyl

Use and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime

Conspiracy to traffic in firearms

Conspiracy to transfer a firearm for use in a drug crime

Felon in possession of a firearm

Possession of a machinegun

Conspiracy to traffic in firearms

Conspiracy to transfer a firearm for use in a drug crime

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl

Distribution of 40+ grams fentanyl

Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl

Distribution of fentanyl 

Conspiracy to traffic in firearms

Conspiracy to transfer a firearm for use in a drug crime

Conspiracy to distribute cocaine Distribution of cocaine

Conspiracy to traffic in firearms

Conspiracy to transfer a firearm for use in a drug crime

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Conspiracy to transfer of a firearm for use in a drug crime

Dealing in firearms without a license

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Transfer of a firearm for use in a drug crime

Dealing in firearms without a license

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Dealing in firearms without a license

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Dealing in firearms without a license

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Dealing in firearms without a license

Conspiracy to distribute 40+ grams of fentanyl

Distribution of fentanyl

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Conspiracy to transfer firearms for use in a drug crime 

Possession of a machine gun

Distribution of fentanyl

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Conspiracy to transfer firearms for use in a drug crime

Distribution of fentanyl

Conspiracy to traffic firearms

Conspiracy to transfer firearms for use in a drug crime

Distribution of 40+ grams of fentanyl

Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5kg + cocaine

Possession of a machinegun

Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5kg + cocaine

Possession of a machinegun

Dealing in firearms without a license

Attempt to traffic firearms

Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams + fentanyl

Distribution of fentanyl

Possession with intent to distribute cocaine

Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine

*Defendants who are fugitives

If you have information on the whereabouts of any of the defendants at large, contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS or email ATFtips@atf.gov. ATF is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrests of Eucelf Sr. and Jr.

These cases are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Cincinnati comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – Marcus Gullatte, Sr., 38, of Dayton, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

Gullatte was on supervised release when he engaged in drug transactions. He has two prior federal drug trafficking convictions for which he was sentenced to 36 months and 60 months in prison respectively.

According to court documents, throughout the summer of 2024, Gullatte acquired bulk amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine from a source of supply in the Dayton area and then resold the drugs for cash. 

Gullatte was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024.

Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Deputy Criminal Chief Tabacchi is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – A career offender who coordinated drug sales over Facebook Messenger was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 200 months in prison.

This case marks the third federal conviction for Steven Waldon, 43, of Dayton. He was previously convicted in the Southern District of Ohio of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and distribution of fentanyl. In addition to these federal crimes, Waldon had also been convicted locally of trafficking heroin.

According to court documents, Waldon led a drug trafficking organization that sold fentanyl in the Dayton region. Between May and July 2024, law enforcement officers observed at least five drug sales from Waldon’s drug trafficking organization.

Conspirators stored drugs at a residence on Marburn Avenue in Dayton and Waldon had those drugs delivered to the sites of drug sales. Waldon also trafficked drugs from his residence on Porterfield Drive in Dayton. When agents searched both properties, they discovered trafficking quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, as well as more than $13,000 in cash. 

Waldon was arrested in charged in the instant case in July 2024. He pleaded guilty in April 2025.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Middletown Police Chief Earl Nelson announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi is representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Justice Department announced today charges against five men for an alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House last Sunday. 

The FBI launched an investigation into the plot and identified a group of conspirators who procured weapons and made plans to carry out the attack. The FBI made arrests over the weekend in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. The investigation remains ongoing.

“The FBI, our law enforcement partners and our U.S. Attorneys did what they do every day to make America Safe through quick response and vigilance in investigating, disrupting, and dismantling this alleged plan before it could be carried out,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We will take immediate and aggressive action to identify and prosecute those who incite and plan acts of violence.”

“On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region — and thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team — we are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens — particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight. That’s exactly what we did here. I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing and we will continue to update the public as permitted.”

U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II said: “The investigation of this plot began on June 10 here in the Southern District of Ohio. Thanks to the urgent and diligent work of our AUSAs, our law enforcement partners, and our sister U.S. Attorney Offices, five men from around the country are now in custody for an alleged plan to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the UFC Freedom 250 event held at the White House on Sunday.

“As alleged in our complaint, the investigation revealed that a man from Knox County, Ohio, amassed weapons, ammunition and tactical gear at his home in Ohio, connected with like-minded individuals online & had identified targets for an attack. 

“We are proud to have some of the Nation’s finest investigators and AUSAs in this District and are immensely grateful for their work to thwart this attack.”

“Protecting the President of the United States and the White House grounds is priority number one for the U.S. Secret Service,” said Director Sean M Curran of the U.S. Secret Service. “The landscape has changed, and as a result we have seen a dramatic rise in threats against our protectees. I am proud of the men and women of the Secret Service that vigorously monitor, investigate, and arrest those that plot to interfere with our protective mission. We are grateful for our extraordinary partnerships we share with DHS, DOJ, Acting Attorney General Blanche, FBI-JTTF, Park Police, and DC Police.”

According to the charges, Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, conspired to plan and execute a mass casualty event targeting U.S. officials in attendance at UFC Freedom 250 hosted on the White House grounds. The conspirators allegedly planned to deploy drones armed with explosives in and around the UFC Freedom 250 event in order to force an evacuation of the event and then planned to deploy snipers to fire upon “high value targets” within the fleeing crowd.

 Tycen Proper

According to filed complaints in the Southern District of Ohio, the Western District of Missouri, the District of Nebraska, and the Central District of California, investigators interviewed Proper at a medical facility on June 11. During the interview, he allegedly said he had planned with others a coordinated attack against the U.S. government during the UFC event at the White House. He said members of the group who wanted to participate in the attack began communicating with each other around March. More serious members of the group, including Proper, moved their communications to an encrypted chat app. They planned to fly small drones with explosives to detonate over the north side of the UFC arena, forcing high value targets to evacuate the premises; the group would then act as snipers and shoot these individuals. Before executing the plan, Proper and other conspirators allegedly planned to rendezvous in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Proper allegedly amassed firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and tactical gear at his home in Ohio, and he identified potential targets, including multiple members of Congress. 

Bryan Roa

According to the complaint filed in the Central District of California, law enforcement executed a search warrant of Roa’s residence and vehicle where they allegedly seized a rifle, handgun, tactical belt, ammunition and a rifle magazine, a two-way radio, and an infrared laser target pointer. A search of Roa’s phone allegedly found messages in a group with Thomas, Proper, and others discussing an attack at the UFC event at the White House, with some users discussing using drones rigged with explosives to initiate the attack, with rooftop snipers killing individuals. Law enforcement also allegedly found Instagram videos Roa had posted of himself shooting guns.

Michael Thomas

According to the complaint filed in the Central District of California, Thomas allegedly participated in a group chat planning an attack at the UFC event at the White House. In a group chat, on June 7, he allegedly wrote “$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in and we need it asap…”

In another group chat, Thomas, under a pseudonym, allegedly described “tiers” of operators within their anti-government group, with tier 1 being operators on the ground, tier 2 being drivers and drone operators, tier 3 being logistical suppliers, and tier 4 being social media influencers. “Tier one status is not something to take lightly. … We will make sure they have…All the tier 2 support we can provide. We will try to break them out of jail if we need to.” In the same group chats, Thomas discussed meeting with Roa in person in Southern California in order to conduct “marksmen training” and reflected that the group needed to train for “gorilla style warfare.”

In a June 13 search warrant, FBI agents allegedly seized from Thomas’ residence a rifle, 30-round extended magazines for the rifle, 180 of rounds of ammunition, and a pistol.

Daniel Eskridge

Eskridge was charged with conspiracy to commit murder on White House grounds. According to an affidavit filed in the Western District of Missouri, the FBI identified Eskridge while reviewing electronic communications on Proper’s cell phone. The co-conspirators had electronic chats on encrypted social media platforms. In those chats, members of the group allegedly discussed assassinating several U.S. Senators, Representatives, and prominent business executives. Members of the group targeted some legislators based on the group’s perceived belief that the legislators accepted money from pro-Israel lobbies. When discussing potential targets, Eskridge indicated that the target was “big and someone a majority of the country knows.” In the discussions, power grids were also identified as potential targets. On May 22, Eskridge distributed a picture of tactical equipment, including a rifle, helmet, and ballistic vest. 

Also according to the affidavit, in a separate chat group, a conversation took place in early June when Eskridge and some of the other chat group members discussed their plan to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event. Specifically, Thomas stated, “Pensilvania [sic] avenue.” Eskridge said the group should obtain $1,300 in U.S. currency and they needed “5 teams of 3 each team consisting of 1 sniper, 1 tier one operator as support/ look out, [and] one drone operator.” Eskridge said the money would provide them the funding to purchase “drones and charges,” and encouraged the group to all “pitch in.” On June 13, law enforcement officials executed a federal search warrant of Eskridge’s residence. Agents recovered rifles, a shot gun, pistol, and other tactical gear.

Abraham Alvarez

According to the charges filed in Nebraska, the FBI identified Alvarez as the individual using the name “Shepherd” in an encrypted chat app that was used to plan an attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event scheduled to be held at the White House on June 14. The FBI assessed that Alvarez, also known as “Shepherd,” was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the planned attack, based on conversation excerpts in June when Shepherd posted, “This is the best action I see. Position your teams in the purple dots (counter sniper and drones) Long range (circled area) (great shot) Easy out into the river.” Shepherd also allegedly posted other messages including replying to another member on making drones with explosives, “As many and as deadly as we can get.”; that he was working on drones; and had one drone and was working on more.

The complaint further alleges that Shepherd provided a picture and directions for a safe zone at an old church in Nebraska. He instructed the other members to take back roads or the river down to the “pick up location.” Later that same evening, Shepherd also provided locations in the area for drone launch points and sniper positions.

If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DAYTON, Ohio – Ernesto Villalobos, 48, of Los Angeles, was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 150 months in prison distributing kilograms of cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the United States, including in the Southern District of Ohio.

According to court documents, Villalobos served as the hub of a multi-state drug conspiracy for at least three years. The defendant personally packaged and shipped the drugs from his home in Los Angeles. Since at least 2021 until 2024, Villalobos mailed kilograms of drugs to Dayton, Ohio; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Charleston, West Virginia. The defendant worked with a drug trafficking organization in Dayton to locally traffic the narcotics he shipped.

Packages intercepted by law enforcement between January and April 2024 included three parcels bound for Dayton containing nearly five kilograms of pure methamphetamine and more than four kilograms of fentanyl.

Villalobos was charged federally in March 2025 and pleaded guilty in July 2025.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division and Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi and Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth L. McCormick are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A previously convicted felon pleaded guilty in federal court here to crimes related to a straw-purchasing firearms conspiracy involving more than 20 guns seized from criminals in other states.

Delonte Robertson, 33, of Columbus, pleaded guilty to conspiring to and making false statements during the acquisition of a firearm and to transferring firearms interstate.

According to court documents, between 2021 and 2023, Robertson devised a scheme to recruit women with no criminal records to purchase firearms and then provide the guns to Robertson. The defendant then provided the firearms to criminals in other states.

More than 20 firearms were recovered by law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C. and Maryland that were purchased in Ohio as part of Robertson’s conspiracy.  

Making false statements during the acquisition of a firearm carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Conspiring to make false statements during the acquisition of a firearm and transferring firearms out-of-state are federal crimes punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), announced the guilty plea offered on June 11 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Geraghty is representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sonny Madumelu, 70, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to committing COVID-19 relief fraud. 

Specifically, Madumelu pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering. 

Madumelu admitted to submitting at least seven false applications for COVID-19 relief loans between June 2020 and September 2021. He filed for at least two Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and at least five Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. In total, the defendant sought approximately $405,000 in government aid and received more than $250,000. 

Court documents detail that Madumelu used the business names Uncle Sonny Traveling and Shipping, Uncle Sonny Traveling + Shipping LTD, Sonny Star Cleaners and Transworld Travel & Transportation to submit fraudulent applications. He claimed to be a shipping agent who brokered the shipment of shipping containers and that he had a cleaning business to clean offices. In reality, he did not operate such businesses and used fictitious financial figures in his applications.

Wire fraud and money laundering are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the guilty plea entered on June 11 before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. The case was investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). Assistant United States Attorney Peter K. Glenn-Applegate is representing the United States in this case.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is 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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DAYTON, Ohio – Nine defendants are now convicted in a case involving drug trafficking, money laundering and COVID-19 relief fraud conspiracies after the lead defendant pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here. 

Alex Garnett, 49, of Mason, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as wire fraud.

According to court documents, between September 2022 and March 2024, Garnett operated a drug trafficking organization, obtaining kilogram quantities of fentanyl and cocaine from co-defendant sources of supply and providing the drugs to other co-conspirators for resale.

Garnett and others deposited their drug proceeds into bank accounts in the name of fictitious businesses.  

Co-defendant Kimberly Hubbard, 50, of Griffin, Georgia, conspired with other defendants to prepare materially false and fraudulent claims for COVID-19 relief funds, namely Employee Retention Credits (ERC). In total, Hubbard filed 26 fraudulent IRS forms claiming more than $4.5 million in ERC. The IRS disbursed approximately $207,000 of the fraudulent claims. 

The others convicted include:

The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2024.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Cincinnati comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); announced the guilty plea entered on June 5 before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Amy M. Smith and Assistant United States Attorney Christina E. Mahy are representing the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – Clifford Bernard, 48, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 144 months in prison for dealing drugs within 1,000 feet of a public high school. 

According to court documents, between July and September 2024, Bernard possessed and distributed approximately one kilogram of fentanyl. Bernard sold the fentanyl at his residence on Angier Drive which is within 1,000 feet of Paul Dunbar High School.

Bernard was arrested in October 2024. At the time of his arrest, he had $5,000 in cash on his person. When agents searched Bernard’s home, they seized nearly one kilogram of fentanyl, a loaded firearm and luxury items like jewelry and a vintage Pontiac Firebird. 

Bernard pleaded guilty in February 2026 to possessing with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl within a school zone.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed on June 5 by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Rossi is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – A federal jury found a previously convicted felon guilty of seven federal robbery and firearms charges.

James Lockridge, 40, of Cincinnati, committed three armed robberies in February 2024.

“Lockridge fired shots during each robbery, endangering lives and terrorizing the workers and customers in the gas stations he robbed,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “My Office will not tolerate such violence in our communities. We will continue to aggressively prosecute—and win trials against—defendants like Lockridge. Thank you to the prosecutors and investigators on this case for their excellent work.”

The verdict was announced today following a trial that began on June 1 before U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole.

According to court documents and trial testimony, on Feb. 5, Feb. 10 and Feb. 21, 2024, Lockridge robbed a Cincinnati Marathon gas station. The first and third armed robberies occurred on Gilbert Avenue and the second robbery took place on Montgomery Road.

At each of the robberies, Lockridge was masked and brandished the same silver firearm. He fired his weapon and pointed it at store clerks. He also wore the same boots during each robbery and fled on foot towards a nearby apartment complex after the first and third robberies.

Lockridge was arrested 11 minutes after the third robbery. Officers discovered the firearm in his waistband. 

After his arrest, officers located the boots, gloves and other clothing items used during the robberies, as well as a cash register, in and around the space where Lockridge had been residing.

As a previously convicted felon, Lockridge is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Lockridge was convicted of three counts of robbery, three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces up to 20 years in prison for reach robbery and an additional 10 years in prison for using a firearm during the robberies. Illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) announced today’s verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley N. Brucato and Danielle E. Margeaux are representing the United States in this case.

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A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty in federal court in Cincinnati today to conspiring to create and distribute “animal crush” videos through his active participation in certain online groups. The videos depicted extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.

According to court documents, Hugh T. Campbell conspired with others to create and distribute videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against monkeys. Making and sharing such videos violates the federal anti-animal crush law. 

Campbell and his co-conspirators used encrypted chat applications to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to carry out requested acts of torture on camera. As stated in a court document, Campbell sent chats commenting on torture videos including “That video was awesome. Nice and gruesome,” and “It’s just so unsatisfying to see a live monkey at the end.” 

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s  Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gercace II for the Southern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie for the FBI’s Cincinnati Field Office made the announcement. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement, and the FBI investigated the case.

Senior Trial Attorney Adam C. Cullman of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section is prosecuting the case.

DAYTON, Ohio – Tony Houston, 40, of Germantown, has been arrested and charged federally with possessing unregistered firearms.

According to charging documents, in May 2026, Germantown police officers responded to the Windcliff Apartments because Houston allegedly threatened two individuals with a sawed-off shotgun. Subsequent investigation led investigators to obtain a search warrants for Houston’s residence. 

On June 3, FBI agents and the FBI’s hostage rescue team executed the search warrants at Houston’s home and recovered a sawed-off shotgun, as well as at least eight apparent destructive devices, including pipe bombs. Houston was not registered to possess the short-barreled shotgun or the destructive devices. 

Houston appeared in federal court in Dayton today. 

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division and Germantown Police Chief Matt Burns announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Painter is representing the United States in this case. The Dayton Police Department's bomb squad and FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force are also coordinating on the investigation. 

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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DAYTON, Ohio – A defendant who was arrested as part of the Dayton downtown violent crime reduction initiative pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to illegally possessing a machinegun. 

Rondell Coleman, 18, of Dayton, was indicted in February after Dayton police officers encountered Coleman during a domestic violence incident. Coleman admitted to carrying a stolen pistol with a machinegun conversion device in his pants. The pistol was loaded with ammunition and had a high-capacity magazine. 

Coleman faces up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Dayton Police Chief Eric Henderson announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Christina E. Mahy is representing the United States in this case.

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A Texas man and woman pleaded guilty on Monday to operating a significant under-the-table cash payroll at their nationwide nail salon business.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Vinh Q. Ho, 53, and Thanh Lan Do, 34, owned and managed a business comprised of over 60 high-end nail salons across the United States, doing business as the Anthony Vince Nail Salons, Prive Nail Spas, and Zen Nail & Spas. Ho was the de-facto CEO and Do oversaw management of the salons. 

The salons employed nail technicians, a significant portion of whose compensation was paid in cash. At the end of each year, the business prepared tax forms reporting each nail technician’s compensation. To help the technicians conceal that income and evade taxes, these forms did not include the cash compensation. Ho and Do trained salon managers to operate the under-the-table cash payroll. They also prepared false Forms 1099 and instructed employees to keep the true payroll hidden. 

Ho also underreported income on his 2020 and 2021 individual income tax returns.

As part of his plea agreement, Do agreed that between 2016 and 2024, the nail salons paid over $116 million in cash compensation that was not reported to the IRS, which caused an estimated actual tax loss of at least $32 million.

Ho and Do both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, and Ho also pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. They are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. Ho faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Do faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Christian Toms, 47, of Columbus, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 420 months in prison for child pornography crimes involving a non-verbal boy with autism.

According to court documents, between October 2024 and February 2025, Toms sexually exploited the 11-year-old, wholly non-verbal boy and created child pornography of the abuse. Toms distributed the child sexual abuse materials to others with whom he communicated online about their sexual interest in children.

Investigators searched Toms’s residence and electronics after cyber tips were submitted regarding one of the men with whom Toms was communicating online.

A search of Toms’s iPhone revealed more than 130 files, including images and videos, that depicted the non-verbal minor nude or being sexually abused by the defendant. The phone contained a total of 700 images and videos of child pornography.

In his online conversations, Toms shared photos of other minor males in his residence and discussed grooming a second victim. He messaged, in part, “…too bad [minor victim] is neuro typical…” and “I’m gonna get him I swear lol.”

Toms pleaded guilty in December 2025 to producing, distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio: Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

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An Ohio man was sentenced today to 71 months in prison and four years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to dog fighting and drug distribution charges.

As part of his plea, Joel Brown, of Columbus, Ohio, admitted to keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County, Ohio. He also admitted to possessing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in the community.

“Dog fighting is a crime, and it is often, as in this case, linked with other crimes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Communities are harmed when this kind of activity occurs. We’re grateful to the community members who called attention to the derelict condition of the dogs in Brown’s possession, which led to today’s sentencing. We are also grateful for the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, ATF, and others who investigated and prosecuted this case.”

“Brown’s actions were cruel and illegal, endangering both the dogs that he trained to fight and the people of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio. “That he was a repeat drug dealer who possessed a firearm while engaging in such inhumane treatment of animals only further demonstrates that a significant sentence in federal prison is needed to protect the community from his criminal conduct.”

According to court documents, law enforcement first investigated a property owned by Brown following a complaint to Columbus Humane about the condition of the dogs being housed by Brown. Dogs being kept for use in animal fights are often kept outdoors on heavy chains close to other dogs, but far enough apart to prevent them from touching. The heavy chains force the dogs to build muscles. The dogs’ proximity encourages aggression because they are near each other but unable to interact naturally.

Eventually, 12 dogs were recovered from Brown’s property, many of which showed scarring and other signs of dog fighting. In addition, treadmills, veterinary medicine, and other equipment commonly used by dog fighters were located in the residence. Law enforcement also recovered 53.48 grams of methamphetamine, a shotgun and ammunition, and various items associated with drug distribution.

Brown had previously been sentenced to 108 months in prison on drug and gun charges as part of a multi-defendant prosecution involving the notorious Columbus street gang, the Short North Posse.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Columbus Division of Police, and Columbus Humane investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley for the Southern District of Ohio and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case. 

CINCINNATI – Federal authorities are warning citizens of a scammer or group of scammers—potentially outside of the United States—contacting American citizens around the country, posing as prosecutors or other federal law enforcement officials and attempting to defraud people of money.

According to the FBI, the perpetrators reach out via text message, email or phone call, impersonating federal prosecutors or agents and claiming you have been a victim of fraud or are a suspect in a fraud investigation. There are typically several contacts before personal information is requested, including credit cards, banking and other information.

Scammers often provide details like actual law enforcement titles, badge numbers, names, and addresses to increase their credibility. They may even “spoof” phone numbers to make calls appear to come from legitimate government agencies, further deceiving victims. In this specific scheme, callers are identifying themselves as “Prosecutor Dominick Gerace.”

“The Department of Justice and the FBI will never direct you to wire money,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “If you receive calls or messages of this sort, do not provide any personal information, credit card numbers, prepaid cards or money. Federal authorities do not call victims of crimes or suspects of crimes and ask for money or personal identifying information over the telephone.”

“Government impersonation scams are on the rise and scammers are getting more sophisticated,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “If someone contacts you claiming to be from the government and pressures you to send money, it’s a scam. Report this activity to ic3.gov and protect your hard-earned savings by never sending money.”
Here are some tips to avoid becoming the victim of this type of scam: 

• Always be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages and emails.
• Never give money or personal information to someone with whom you don’t have ties and did not initiate contact.
• Trust your instincts: if an unknown caller pressures you or says things that don’t sound right, hang up.
• If concerns remain about the caller’s claims, verify the information with the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officials.

If you believe you have been a victim of a fraudulent scheme, you are encouraged to file a report, including a description of the caller and any available caller ID information, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced today to 71 months in prison and four years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to dogfighting and drug distribution charges.

As part of his plea, Joel Brown, of Columbus, Ohio, admitted to keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County, Ohio. He also admitted to possessing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in the community.

“Brown’s actions were cruel and illegal, endangering both the dogs that he trained to fight and the people of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio. “That he was a repeat drug dealer who possessed a firearm while engaging in such inhumane treatment of animals only further demonstrates that a significant sentence in federal prison is needed to protect the community from his criminal conduct.”

“Dog fighting is a crime, and it is often, as in this case, linked with other crimes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Communities are harmed when this kind of activity occurs. We’re grateful to the community members who called attention to the derelict condition of the dogs in Brown’s possession, which led to today’s sentencing. We are also grateful for the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, ATF, and others who investigated and prosecuted this case.”

According to court documents, law enforcement first investigated a property owned by Brown following a complaint to Columbus Humane about the condition of the dogs being housed by Brown. Dogs being kept for use in animal fights are often kept outdoors on heavy chains close to other dogs, but far enough apart to prevent them from touching. The heavy chains force the dogs to build muscles. The dogs’ proximity encourages aggression because they are near each other but unable to interact naturally.

Eventually, 12 dogs were recovered from Brown’s property, many of which showed scarring and other signs of dog fighting. In addition, treadmills, veterinary medicine, and other equipment commonly used by dog fighters were located in the residence. Law enforcement also recovered 53.48 grams of methamphetamine, a shotgun and ammunition, and various items associated with drug distribution.

Brown had previously been sentenced to 108 months in prison on drug and gun charges as part of a multi-defendant prosecution involving the notorious Columbus street gang, the Short North Posse.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Columbus Division of Police, and Columbus Humane investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley for the Southern District of Ohio and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted an illegal alien from Venezuela for allegedly assaulting a federal officer.

Kendry Jose Cubian-Perez, 40, allegedly punched a federal officer during apprehension.

“We will not tolerate assaults against law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “As today’s indictment shows, those who threaten the safety of our federal law enforcement partners will be prosecuted.”

According to charging documents, on May 8, law enforcement officials were conducting surveillance of a residence in Powell, attempting to apprehend a known criminal alien. Cubian-Perez allegedly exited the residence and entered a vehicle registered to the target of the enforcement operation.

When an apprehension team officer turned on their emergency vehicle lights, Cubian-Perez allegedly attempted to flee. The defendant encountered an Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officer and punched the officer in the face, causing the officer’s tooth to puncture through his bottom lip.

Cubian-Perez allegedly continued punching the officer as the officer and others worked to apprehend the defendant. Officers were able to apprehend and arrest Cubian-Perez.

Cubian-Perez was charged by criminal complaint on May 8. The grand jury returned the one-count indictment against him today.

Assault of a federal officer inflicting bodily injury is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Kevin Raycroft, Acting Field Office Director, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit Field Office; announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Pakiz is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two illegal aliens from Mexico were sentenced in U.S. District Court today for their roles in a cocaine conspiracy and for violating immigration laws.

Cristian Melendez, 42, and Ismerio Garcia-Ontivaro, 39, were transporting more than three kilograms of cocaine in a hidden compartment in a car when they were pulled over by law enforcement on I-70 in June 2025 for a window tint violation.

Melendez and Garcia-Ontivaro received the Honda Accord from a car hauler traveling from Arizona to Columbus. The Accord had a hidden compartment from the console to the rear seats.

Melendez and Garcia-Ontivaro were each sentenced today to 60 months in prison.

“Both defendants previously were convicted of drug trafficking and subsequently deported from the United States, only to illegally return and continue to traffic dangerous drugs into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “This Office will continue to aggressively prosecute such repeat offenders and seek strong sentences to hold them to account.”

Both men were in the United States illegally after previously being removed and previously being convicted of aggravated felony offenses. Melendez had former convictions for trafficking heroin and illegally possessing firearms. Garcia-Ontivaro’s prior crimes include cocaine trafficking in North Carolina.

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.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; and Kevin Raycraft, Acting Field Office Director, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Detroit Field Office; announced the sentences imposed today by Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. Geraghty is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II presented today the District’s Hometown Hero award to Columbus Division of Police officer Gloria West.

The Hometown Hero award commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. It honors the enduring ideals of Liberty, Service, and Civic Responsibility. This award is dedicated in recognition of a steadfast commitment to these ideals and an embodiment of the spirit upon which our Nation was founded.

“Officer West represents the very best of the Columbus Division of Police,” said U.S. Attorney Gerace. “Her dedication to her community, her professionalism, and her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty make her an exemplary officer and a true hometown hero.”

Officer West is recognized for her extraordinary bravery, selflessness and unwavering commitment to public safety.

On Nov. 13, 2024, Officer West responded to a vehicle crash that quickly escalated into a life-threatening emergency when the car caught fire. The driver of the vehicle was trapped and in imminent peril after his vehicle’s brakes failed and he crashed into a pillar of a highway bridge.

While on the phone with 911 dispatchers, the driver told them that he was trapped and, fearing he was going to die, he asked them to, “Tell my wife I love her, please tell my wife I love her.” Without hesitation and fully aware of the danger, Officer West rushed toward the burning vehicle. While demonstrating remarkable courage under pressure, Officer West acted decisively, pulling the driver from the vehicle moments before the fire fully engulfed it. Officer West suffered significant burns to her hands; the driver lived.

“Officer West’s actions that day were nothing short of heroic,” U.S. Attorney Gerace added. “She placed the life of another above her own safety, embodying the highest ideals of law enforcement and public service. Because of her quick thinking and fearless response, a life was saved—an outcome that likely would not have been possible without her intervention.”

# # #

CINCINNATI – Ongoing investigation stemming from the arrest earlier this week of two Southwest Ohio relatives has led investigators to taking an additional 244 kilograms of suspected cocaine from the alleged drug traffickers.  

Damian Galan, 31, of Cincinnati, and Diego Galan, 19, of Fairfield, appeared in federal court on Monday following their weekend arrests by agents with the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). Their case was announced at that time and involved approximately 80 kilograms of cocaine.

During subsequent searches of properties, investigators discovered an additional 244 kilograms of suspected cocaine in locations near Columbus. In total, the case thus far involves 325 kilograms, or approximately 716 pounds, of narcotics. The street value of the drugs seized is more than $5.8 million dollars.

According to charging documents, the DEA Cincinnati District Office, the Cincinnati Police Department and other agencies within the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) received information regarding the Galans’ potential drug trafficking throughout the Southern District of Ohio and elsewhere.

Surveillance of the men, as well as additional investigation, led law enforcement officials to locations in the Columbus area on May 9. Those involved in the organization were seen traveling in tandem to locations suspected of storing narcotics and drug proceeds.

The defendants then allegedly traveled to Diego’s residence in Fairfield, where they moved the four storage containers observed being placed in their vehicle.

Law enforcement officials executed search warrants at both Galan residences. They discovered four kilograms of suspected cocaine and a firearm at Damian Galan’s home.  The search of Diego Galan’s residence recovered the storage bins – which contained approximately 77 kilograms of suspected cocaine – along with bulk cash, firearms and suspected methamphetamine.

The men were arrested in the early morning hours of May 10.

They are each charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and members of the HSTF, including the DEA, Cincinnati Police Department, FBI, HSI and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office’s  Regional Narcotics Unit (RENU), announced the charges. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Cincinnati comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced in federal court here today to 410 months in prison for preying on high school girls by providing them with drugs and gifts in exchange for sexual activities or explicit images and videos.

Investigators initially identified at least four minors victimized by Terrance P. Cummings, 31.  After the news of Cummings’s arrest in 2024, at least 17 other females contacted the related law enforcement tipline to report similar interactions with Cummings.

“Despite previously being convicted of sex crimes against minors, Cummings continued to prey on a slew of young females, exploiting and manipulating his victims in order to maintain his reputation of a lifestyle of sex and drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Cummings has demonstrated time and again that he is a danger to society and must be imprisoned to protect our youth.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie stated: “This type of egregious victimization of minors cannot and will not be tolerated. We are grateful for our partnership with the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force that allows us to investigate and prosecute this type of conduct.”

According to court documents, in July 2024, the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force received information about a teenage victim allegedly receiving gifts and illicit substances from Cummings in exchange for sex acts.  Cummings was known on social media as “614 Terrance.”

Further investigation revealed that Cummings had sex with numerous minor victims and requested nude images and videos of the victims in exchange for marijuana, Xanax, cocaine, acid and ecstasy. The defendant bought the victims gifts like clothes and shoes and offered to buy lingerie and sex toys for at least one of the victims.

While executing a search warrant at Cummings’s apartment in August 2024, agents discovered two iPhones submerged in the water tank on the back of the bathroom toilet, which Cummings had attempted to destroy after learning about the warrant. Investigators also discovered fentanyl pills, Xanax, cocaine, methamphetamine, mushrooms and amphetamine in the apartment.

Cummings’s electronics contained approximately 62,000 chat messages, 26,000 emails and 150 instant messages about drug sales and to various females. In the messages, Cummings requested the females send him “content” videos and said he would give cash, clothes, concert tickets, drugs, alcohol or other items of value to them.

Between 2015 and 2023, Cummings kept information on his iPhone investigators later recovered and connected to his crimes, such as lists of the full names of hundreds of females, including some of the identified victims. He also kept track of his monthly spending on his iPhone, with one example where Cummings noted he spent $1,300 on a**, $400 on “nudes” and $400 on “gifts for hoes” one month. He also made a list of the ways females could make $250, which included seven different sexual acts and a time frame for which to complete the sex act.

Cummings has a criminal history of unlawful sexual conduct with minors dating back to 2016. He pleaded guilty in this case in June 2025 to sexually exploiting minors, sex trafficking of a minor and to distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force was formed under the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, and includes resources from the Columbus Division of Police, Homeland Security Investigations, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Powell Police Department, Bureau of Criminal Investigations, The Ohio State University Police Department, Marysville Division of Police, Salvation Army, Southeast Healthcare, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office.

# # #

CINCINNATI – As we observe National Police Week this week, United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II thanks all federal, state and local law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifice.

National Police Week is a week dedicated in May each year as a time when we honor America’s law enforcement community and pay tribute to those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives or were injured in the line of duty.

In the Southern District of Ohio, we remember the law enforcement officers who paid the ultimate price this past year for our safety and security, including Hamilton County Deputy Sheriff Larry Henderson, Morrow County Deputy Sherriff Daniel “Weston” Sherrer, Lorain Police Department Officer Phillip Wagner, and Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Cayton.

In the attached letter to all District law enforcement, U.S. Attorney Gerace highlighted the role of law enforcement in America as we approach the nation’s 250th birthday. 

He wrote: “Without a doubt, since our Founders wrote the Declaration 250 years ago, our country has prospered beyond even what they could have imagined. The foundation of that prosperity, unquestionably, is the security that we enjoy in this country.  And that security is provided by you—our dedicated law enforcement partners. It is your service that has allowed this country to grow and prosper. That is why it is critical that we support you at all levels of government and give you the tools necessary to firmly police our communities. Without that, we cannot be the country that our forefathers envisioned.”

U.S. Attorney Gerace added: “We know, unfortunately, that security is not free, and that sometimes the cost of security is exacted in the form of a fallen officer. As devastating as it is to lose an officer in the line of duty, we take solace in the fact that they died while living a life of honor and self-sacrifice—dedicated to their fellow citizens. That sacrifice reminds us that security and prosperity are not guaranteed, and they depend upon extraordinary public servants who willingly place the safety of others ahead of their own.”

For more information about National Police Week and related events, including the 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil, visit https://nleomf.org/events/.

# # #

CINCINNATI – Two Southwest Ohio relatives were arrested by federal agents for allegedly conducting large-scale cocaine trafficking. 

Damian Galan, 31, of Cincinnati, and Diego Galan, 19, of Fairfield, will appear in federal court today for initial appearances.

According to charging documents, the DEA Cincinnati District Office, the Cincinnati Police Department and other agencies within the Cincinnati Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) received information regarding the Galans’ potential drug trafficking throughout the Southern District of Ohio and elsewhere.

Surveillance of the men, as well as additional investigation, led law enforcement officials to a Holiday Inn Express in Columbus on May 9. Damian and Diego Galan allegedly traveled to the hotel in tandem and obtained four 17-gallon storage containers from two Hispanic males staying at the hotel. The storage containers were placed in the trunk and backseat of Damian Galan’s vehicle.

The defendants then allegedly traveled to Diego’s residence in Fairfield, where they moved the four storage containers.

Law enforcement officials executed search warrants at both Galan residences. They discovered four kilograms of suspected cocaine and a firearm at Damian Galan’s home.  The search of Diego Galan’s residence recovered the storage bins – which contained approximately 77 kilograms of suspected cocaine – along with bulk cash, firearms and suspected methamphetamine.

The men were arrested in the early morning hours of May 10.

They are each charged with conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and members of the HSTF, including the DEA, Cincinnati Police Department, FBI, HSI and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office’s Regional Narcotics Unit (RENU), announced the charges. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Cincinnati comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Hilliard man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 168 months in prison for two child pornography crimes. 

Austin Pittman, 35, admitted to distributing images of real child pornography and using AI to morph videos and photos of real children to whom he had access into images of child pornography.

According to court documents, in January 2025, the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received multiple cyber tipline reports regarding Pittman’s activity on Kik messenger. On the instant messaging app, Pittman distributed child pornography depicting an adult sexually abusing a child.

Further investigation revealed that, in 2024, Pittman was the target of an investigation at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, where he uploaded 47 files of child pornography to Kik.

A search warrant executed at Pittman’s residence in April 2025 led to the seizure of numerous devices. During a review of Pittman’s cell phone, law enforcement officials discovered images and videos of real children to whom Pittman had access. Some of the files Pittman had secretly recorded and created some of the images and videos himself. Pittman then used AI programs to alter these images so that the minor females depicted in them now appeared fully nude. He also distributed this content he morphed to others in online chat platforms dedicated to child sexual abuse material.

Pittman was charged federally and arrested in April 2025 and pleaded guilty in December 2025.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin; and other members of the Franklin County ICAC Task Force announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury has convicted a Westerville man of impersonating a federal law enforcement agent and making an arrest as an impersonator.

Brendan Conklin, 45, pretended to be a federal officer and unlawfully detained, searched and arrested a victim.

The verdict was announced yesterday following a trial that began on May 4 before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley.

According to court documents and trial testimony, in December 2023, Conklin, driving a former police SUV with police lights, unlawfully pulled over the victim. Conklin pointed a firearm at the victim, who had just departed her Westerville home with her minor child in the car.

Conklin told the victim that he was a federal officer and wore a vest with various badges and insignias suggesting he was law enforcement. Conklin also had an illegal license plate registered to the Columbus police headquarters.

Conklin searched and detained the victim. After handcuffing the victim and placing her in his vehicle, Conklin mistakenly locked himself out with the victim in the car and had to have Blendon Township officers let her out.

Conklin then called the Columbus division of police’s non-emergency line and inquired about a warrant with them. After that conversation, Conklin told the victim it was her “lucky day” and he would have to release her. He then released the victim.

Conklin had previously registered the Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Program (O.F.A.P.) as a nonprofit organization that provided the Columbus police headquarters as its address.

Conklin’s internet searches in winter and spring of 2023 included “howbto determine if a us marshal is legit,” “us marshals fugitive task force badge” and “fake federal license plate.”

He was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2026.

Impersonating a federal officer and conducting a search or arrest while impersonating are each federal crimes punishable by up to three years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Westerville Police Chief Holly Murchland and Blendon Township Police Chief John Belford announced the verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Damoun Delaviz and Kevin W. Kelley are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A repeat sex offender faces 10 to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty today in U.S. District Court to a child pornography crime.

Alan Martina, 37, of Columbus, admitted to possessing child sexual abuse material of infants and toddlers.

According to court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a cyber tipline report from Kik regarding the uploading of child pornography from Martina’s account.

In September 2025, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Martina’s residence and seized six electronic devices. A forensic examination of the devices revealed more than 170 videos and 215 images of child sexual abuse.

Martina used the apps Session and Teleguard to discuss and trade child pornography with other users. Some of his messages in response to receiving images and videos of infants and toddlers being sexually abused include: “Mmmmmmm I want to hear her cry and scream…” and “Mmmmmmm yes abuse and rape her and let me watch.”

The defendant was charged by criminal complaint in October 2025. Martina was previously convicted in Franklin County of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and is a registered sex offender.

Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin and other members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force announced the guilty plea offered today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury indicted two Cincinnati men for illegally possessing machineguns due to firearm conversion devices. 

Michael Goss, 18, and Felix Burnette, 22, are each charged in separate indictments with one count of illegally possessing a machinegun. They appeared in federal court in Cincinnati this afternoon and their cases were unsealed at that time.

“The two cases announced today demonstrate our continuing commitment to bring federal firearms charges whenever we can,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Public safety in Cincinnati is top priority. If you possess a firearm equipped with a Glock switch, you will be subject to federal prosecution regardless of age or criminal history.”

According to their indictments and local arrest information, each of the men possessed a firearm equipped with a Glock switch device. These devices convert semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic firearms or machineguns.

On March 12, Goss and Burnette were arrested near the Valley Shopping Center on Reading Road. The defendants were together in a vehicle that was stopped by Cincinnati police officers for having illegal window tint.

The federal charges announced today will supersede the local ones.

Illegal possession of a machinegun is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and Cincinnati Police Interim Chief Adam Hennie announced the charges.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Allison B. Oswall from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office is representing the United States in these cases. Oswall was designated this spring as a special prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help bring federal gun cases as part of the federal, state and local violent crime reduction initiative.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Highland County man was arrested today and is charged federally with sexually exploiting minors from California, Texas and Michigan. Mark A. Chandler, 37, of Mount Orab, Ohio, appeared in federal court in Cincinnati this afternoon. He faces charges of sexual exploitation of children, coercion and enticement, and receipt of child pornography.

According to charging documents, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office received a tip regarding Chandler in November 2025. The resulting investigation revealed that Chandler allegedly paid at least five girls he met online to engage in sexually explicit acts on video.

Chandler used multiple social media apps to connect with the victims, who were all approximately 14 years old. The criminal complaint affidavit details that Chandler groomed victims online for up to two years and allegedly paid the victims through Visa gift cards in exchange for sexual videos and images.

Screen recordings and messages on Chandler’s electronic devices allegedly show that he threatened to kill at least one of the victims if she “tattled” on him. Chandler referred to drowning the victim or using knives to cut the victim’s throat.

Chandler was originally arrested on local charges in Highland County.

Sexual exploitation of children is a federal crime punishable by at least 15 and up to 30 years in prison. Coercion and enticement carries a potential penalty of at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Receipt of child pornography is punishable by five to 20 years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Highland County Sheriff Randy Sanders and Highland County Prosecuting Attorney Anneka P. Collins announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # # 

CINCINNATI – A Latvian national was sentenced in federal court here today to 102 months in prison for his role as a negotiator in one of the most notorious ransomware groups in the world, known as Karakurt, TommyLeaks and SchoolBoys Ransomware.

Deniss Zolotarjovs, 35, was arrested overseas in December 2023 and transferred to the United States’ custody in August 2024. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to conspiring to commit both money laundering and wire fraud.

Ransomware is a type of cybercrime that typically involves an intrusion into a victim’s network to steal and/or encrypt the victim’s data via malware, followed by an extortion demand seeking the payment of a ransom in cryptocurrency. The attacks identified in this case included client records like Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, home addresses, healthcare information and the shutdown of a government entity’s 911 system.

“Ransomware groups disrupt victims’ lives, cruelly extracting money through psychological manipulation and fear. And they create lingering security issues,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio. “Cybercriminals might think they are invulnerable by hiding behind anonymizing tools and complex cryptocurrency patterns while they attack American victims from non-extradition countries. But Zolotarjovs’s prosecution shows that federal law enforcement also has a global reach, and we will hold accountable bad actors like Zolotarjovs, who will now spend significant time in prison.”

“With this sentence, a cruel, ruthless, and dangerous international cybercriminal is now behind bars,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Deniss Zolotarjovs helped his ransomware gang profit from hacks of dozens of companies, and even on a government entity whose 911 system was forced offline. He also used stolen children’s health information to increase his leverage to extort victim payments. The Criminal Division will continue to investigate and prosecute international hackers and extortionists from around the world, no matter where they live or operate.”

“Cybercriminals like Deniss Zolotarjovs may try to hide in the shadows, but the FBI will find them,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “This case demonstrates the relentless pursuit by our FBI special agents, working with partners across the globe, to hold this criminal accountable for the millions of dollars he extorted from U.S. organizations.”

During Zolotarjovs’s involvement in the ransomware conspiracy from June 2021 through March 2023, the group had at least 53 victims and caused more than $56 million in actual losses. Victim companies and clients of victim companies were located in the Southern District of Ohio.

According to court documents, Zolotarjovs was an essential part of the conspiracy in which data was stolen and then used for extortion. Online chats show that Zolotarjovs was personally involved in directly negotiating with victim companies and in strategizing on the extortion threats with coconspirators. Zolotarjovs did not personally execute cyber penetrations against victim companies. Rather, Zolotarjovs’s role was to analyze the data that was stolen and conduct or advise on ransom negotiations.

For example, Zolotarjovs helped escalate the pressure on a pediatric healthcare victim company who was refusing to promptly pay a ransom by deliberately leveraging “patient lists and histories.”. Zolotarjovs also recommend publishing pediatric patient data on the darkweb to punish the victim company for not complying with the organization’s demands.

The defendant would receive 10 percent of the ransom payments he negotiated. He was paid in cryptocurrency, which was then moved through multiple wallets before the funds were ultimately exchanged for Russian rubles.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; A Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division; and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett.

Law enforcement leaders commended the FBI offices in Cleveland, San Diego, Richmond and Salt Lake City for their vital roles in the investigation and officials in Georgia for their role in the extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing Zolotarjovs’s extradition from Georgia.

Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan, Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer and Department of Justice Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section Trial Attorney Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Senior Counsel Bryce B. Rosenbower are representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – Robert Isham, 41, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 51 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

According to court documents, on Aug. 20, 2024, in Hamilton, Isham possessed a loaded semi-automatic handgun.

Officers observed Isham walk into the middle of a street, causing disturbance to the traffic flow. When they approached Isham, he began to flee on foot. During the pursuit, Isham reached into his pocket, pulled out a handgun and threw it. He was tased by officers and taken into custody without further incident.

Isham’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, including for aggravated robbery and domestic violence. Isham previously served 10 years in state prison. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Police Interim Chief Adam Hennie announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Executive Assistant United States Attorney Christy L. Muncy is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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DAYTON, Ohio – An illegal alien from Mexico and a Dayton man have been charged in the Southern District of Ohio for a fentanyl crime.

Luis Gomez-Andres, 27, and Jonathan Salomon-Muguel, 22, were allegedly caught traveling with more than a kilogram of fentanyl they obtained in Philadelphia to bring back to Dayton.

They are each charged with charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, a federal drug crime that carries a penalty of at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Gomez-Andres is also charged by a bill of information with eluding inspection as an illegal alien.

According to charging documents, Gomez-Andres had been stopped by law enforcement in Dayton in September 2025 and was deported at that time as he lacked legal status in the United States.

Four months later, in January 2026, law enforcement observed that Gomez-Andres had returned to the Dayton area, and they obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On Jan. 21, 2026, the defendant was stopped while driving in the state of Delaware for a traffic violation. Gomez-Andres and Salomon-Muguel were both present in the vehicle, where officers located more than a kilogram of fentanyl – which was intended for distribution in Dayton – in a black metal safe on the backseat of the SUV.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit announced the charges returned on April 28. Assistant United States Attorney Rob Painter is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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CINCINNATI – Isaac Jackson, 32, of Cincinnati, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to stealing more than 700 parcels of mail intended for a national bank. 

Jackson admitted that, on Oct. 5, 2025, he used an employee’s badge to enter the U.S. Postal Service Network Distribution Center (NDC) in Sharonville, where he then stole mail parcels intended for the financial institution, packed them into two duffel bags, and left. Jackson did the same on Oct. 12 and 13.

On Oct. 26, 2025, Jackson attempted another theft at the NDC but was stopped by an employee. Jackson dropped the duffel bags and fled. He had 160 parcels of mail he was attempting to steal in the bags at the time.

The bank identified 769 mail parcels that were stolen from Jackson’s prior thefts.

As part of his conviction, Jackson will pay at least $235,000 in restitution.

Mail theft is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, David Cunningham, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), announced the guilty plea entered today before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – Three new charges have been added via a superseding indictment against a Dayton man who had multiple kilograms of suspected fentanyl in a safe. 

Ke-Shawn Rivers, 46, now faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.

According to the charging documents, between September 2025 and January 2026, Rivers, who also goes by “JayZ,” distributed fentanyl on multiple occasions.

On March 11, law enforcement executed a search warrant and seized narcotics, a firearm and a safe. The safe contained multiple kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine, and cutting agent, bulk amounts of cash, and an additional firearm.

Rivers’s original indictment in March charged him with 13 counts of distributing fentanyl, a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Those 13 counts remain in addition to the new charges of possessing with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck and members of the Regional Area Narcotics and Gun Enforcement Task Force (RANGE) announced the charges. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Amy M. Smith is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A New Albany man who sent 92 threatening communications targeting more than 30 public officials pleaded guilty in federal court here today.

Ronald Lidderdale, 40, admitted guilt to 31 counts of federal crimes including mailing threatening communications, transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce, false information and hoaxes and cyberstalking. As part of his conviction, law enforcement seized two 9mm pistols, ammunition, a lock-picking kit and tactical gear from Lidderdale’s residence.

“Threatening political violence against public officeholders is antithetical to our system of government and will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Public officials must be permitted to carry out their duties free from threats that cause concern for their personal safety and the safety of their loved ones. Perpetrators like Lidderdale, who use mail or the internet to engage in such conduct, will be taken at their word and prosecuted accordingly.”

“Ronald Lidderdale violently threatened public officials because he didn’t agree with their views,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “Threats of political violence have no place in our society and Lidderdale will be held accountable for his criminal actions.”

According to court documents, Lidderdale sent the communications threatening to kill and injure public officials in Ohio and elsewhere between July 2024 and May 2025. At the state level, the victims included the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, members of the supreme court, state senators and representatives, and a gubernatorial candidate. Federally, Lidderdale threatened several members of the United States Congress.

Lidderdale often mailed letters to the victims’ offices and homes. Several letters were addressed to public officials and their spouses. Return addresses were for staffers, law firms and other individuals in the community. Many of the letters contained a white powder purported to be poison.

One letter included a single round of 9mm ammunition with the Ohio Attorney General’s name etched on it.

In January 2025, Lidderdale mailed letters containing white powder to seven different locations threatening to kill the Ohio Governor. In total, Lidderdale sent nearly 50 letters containing a white powder that he sometimes referred to as ricin, a deadly toxin. 

Lidderdale used an email service based in Switzerland to create encrypted emails to anonymously send threatening electronic communications.

Throughout his messages, Lidderdale threatened to kill the officials by shooting them in the head and/or by poisoning them with a type of chemical agent. He repeatedly referred to his victims as “fascists” and “pedophiles.”

The defendant anonymously submitted an online tip to the FBI stating, in part: “My urge to act has hit a boiling point.  I believe that by removing those parasites will bring a renewed peace to all of Ohio…This is a fair warning that my urge to kill will break my patience…”

A forensic review of Lidderdale’s devices revealed that he used the AI-powered chat bot to discuss his criminal conduct and its legal implications. Lidderdale stated he had mailed threatening letters to politicians and described sending a bullet with the victim’s name etched on it. He asked ChatGPT about the charges he could face, the sentence that could be imposed and what to expect while in federal prison.

Lidderdale was arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint in May 2025.

Mailing threatening communications carries a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison per count. Making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, conveying false information and hoaxes, and cyberstalking are all federal crimes punishable by up to five years in prison per count.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and David Cunningham, Acting Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); as well as the U.S. Capitol Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol and several Ohio police departments; announced the plea entered into today before Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant United States Attorney Damoun Delaviz are representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – Myron Nichols, 29, of Mt. Healthy, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 80 months in prison for fentanyl and firearms crimes.

According to court documents, in November 2024, Nichols, driving a stolen vehicle, fled from Cincinnati police officers when they attempted to stop him for multiple traffic violations.

Hours later, police officers were dispatched to Kellogg Avenue for a reported fight or disturbance. Nichols was at the scene in the stolen vehicle. When officers told him to exit the vehicle, the defendant fled on foot and was ultimately apprehended after a short pursuit.

Upon Nichols’ arrest, officers discovered a pistol in his jacket pocket. After the stolen vehicle was towed to the Cincinnati police impound lot, officers located distribution quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl mixture in the vehicle’s center console area.

Nichols was arrested in July 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cincinnati Police Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie; and Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is representing the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – A Franklin County man who shot at law enforcement officials from inside a Springfield hotel room pleaded guilty today to attempted murder of federal officers. At the time of this latest crime, the defendant was a fugitive and had an active arrest warrant for aggravated murder out of Franklin County.

Andre Jordan II, 35, of Reynoldsburg, surrendered after an hours-long standoff with law enforcement at the hotel on Aug. 14, 2025. His plea agreement includes a sentencing recommendation of 25 years in prison.

According to court documents, in early August 2025, the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST), a federal task force, adopted the fugitive investigation of Jordan, which led officials to the Quality Inn in Springfield.

SOFAST tracked Jordan to a room at the hotel and set up to apprehend him. Law enforcement announced their presence to Jordan, who then looked out the window of the room. Following additional announcements, Jordan fired a shot through the window toward the pool area in the vicinity of officers and federal agents who then retreated to take cover. Jordan then fired a round through the middle of the hotel door into the hallway where federal agents had been standing just moments prior.

At the time Jordan discharged his firearm, there were three young children and two other adults in the hotel room with him. Hotel surveillance video shows the other adults and children fleeing the room before Jordan fired at least eight additional rounds through the connecting doors to the adjacent hotel room at an angle and direction where law enforcement officers had previously been positioned in the hallway.

The Springfield Police Division SWAT Team responded to the scene and hostage negotiators established communication with Jordan. After several hours of hostage negotiation, Jordan surrendered without further incident and was taken into custody.

Jordan was charged federally in August 2025.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; United States Marshal Michael D. Black; Springfield Police Chief Allison Elliott and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea offered today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline H. Gentry. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth McCormick and Rob Painter are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Federal charges were filed against a Bremen, Ohio, man who allegedly kidnapped a 12-year-old North Carolina girl after meeting the minor online. The defendant was discovered with the victim in Ohio when he crashed his car into a median. 

Virgil Larson, 45, is charged with kidnapping a minor and four other child exploitation or pornography crimes. He will appear in federal court today at 1:30pm.

According to charging documents, in early April, the FBI received information regarding a missing 12-year-old from North Carolina. Investigation revealed that Larson had been communicating with the victim on Snapchat and through text messages.

North Carolina law enforcement officials were still at the girl’s home investigating the missing person report when her parents received a call from the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office on the victim’s cell phone. Deputies confirmed that they were with the victim and that she had been in the front passenger seat of a vehicle being driven by Larson.

An affidavit details that Larson crashed his car into the median of Highway 33 near Hocking and Athens counties. Deputies were called to the single-vehicle crash and Larson claimed he had fallen asleep while driving and needed assistance getting his vehicle out of a ditch.

Larson allegedly told law enforcement officials that the victim was “just a friend” and that she was 18 years old. When the victim could not name her birth year, officers separated her from the defendant and learned she was 12 years old.

A forensic review of their online messages revealed that the victim was threatened and told others would be killed if the victim did not send a sexually explicit image.

Larson was arrested in Hocking County on local charges on April 7 and has remained in custody since.

His federal charges will supersede the local ones and include sexual exploitation of a minor, receipt or possession of child pornography, coercion and enticement of a minor, travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor and kidnapping a minor. If convicted as currently charged, Larson would face up to life in prison. Larson is a sex offender with at least two prior related convictions.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Hocking County Sheriff Lanny E. North; and Stokes County, North Carolina, Sheriff Joey Lemons announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

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DAYTON, Ohio – James Thomas Hurt, 25, of Dayton, was arrested by federal agents and charged with a firearms crime in connection with a shooting at the RTA bus hub in downtown Dayton in September 2025. Hurt appeared in federal court here this afternoon. 

According to court documents, Hurt possessed a machinegun during the shooting at the bus hub during the morning of Sept. 26, 2025. Surveillance video allegedly showed Hurt being assaulted by other individuals before running and returning fire.

Hurt allegedly discarded his firearm in a trash can in a parking garage near East Fourth Street. Hurt later returned to the trash can, allegedly to locate his weapon, but it had already been seized by Dayton police officers.

Officers subsequently discovered additional evidence, including ammunition and Glock switches, or machinegun conversion devices, buried in an area near the RTA bus hub where Hurt was observed on surveillance digging shortly after the shooting.

At the time of his arrest yesterday evening, Hurt was allegedly in possession of 10 suspected machinegun conversion devices, two of which were swift links made for AR-type firearms.

Hurt is charged with illegal possession of a machinegun, a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A repeat drug and firearms offender was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 160 months in prison for his role in a local narcotics conspiracy.

Terrel Patterson, 38, of Columbus, was part of a drug trafficking organization that sold fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. Patterson is a co-defendant of Petrocelli Robertson, 40, of Columbus, who was sentenced last month to 20 years in prison for running drug operations from Columbus houses and from prison.

According to court documents, from February until July 2024, Patterson was an active participant in the drug conspiracy. Patterson trafficked narcotics that he received from his girlfriend and co-defendant Amber Limoli. Limoli is Robertson’s former wife and admitted to continuing the drug operation while her former husband was in jail.

The couple exchanged messages often about which drugs were being sold and in what quantities. Patterson also messaged Limoli about obtaining more drug premises so they could “control the market.” Patterson’s contact was saved in Limoli’s phone as “Partner in Crime.”

Throughout their investigation in this case, law enforcement seized at least 19 firearms, more than $130,000 in cash, jewelry and ammunition from at least five different Columbus residences being used as drug premises.

Patterson’s criminal history includes federal convictions dating back to 2006. He was sentenced then to 60 months in prison for participating in a group that sold crack cocaine. He has at least two other former federal convictions for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Patterson pleaded guilty in July 2025 to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Fellow defendant Limoli was also sentenced last month and received a term of imprisonment of 172 months for drug offenses, including drug crimes committed within 225 feet of Westgate Elementary School.

Robertson’s doorman, Danny Hood, was sentenced to 170 months in prison for overseeing one of the drug houses. The investigation also revealed that Hood was renting rooms for women engaging in prostitution and was exchanging drugs for things of value. Hood exploited drug-addicted women, often letting them stay with him and assisting them as they engaged in prostitution so they would have cash to purchase drugs from him.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit and officials with the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geraghty and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

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