Southern District of Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Morrow County man was sentenced in federal court here today to 171 months in prison for robbing the same bank at gunpoint twice in the spring of 2025.

James Travis Scurlock, 44, of Cardington, stole a total of approximately $41,000 from a bank branch near the Polaris mall.

According to court documents, on March 6 and May 16, Scurlock robbed the Huntington Bank on Gemini Place while carrying a firearm. Scurlock wore a black sweatshirt, jeans, white Nike shoes, black gloves and a white camouflage mask during both robberies.

During the first robbery, he initially inquired about opening a bank account. After the teller asked him for two forms of identification, he pointed a handgun at the teller and told the teller to put money in his backpack. Scurlock then stole approximately $13,700.

During the May robbery, Scurlock pointed the handgun at a teller before walking to two tellers’ drawers and taking cash. He then ordered the tellers to the vault and placed more cash into his backpack. Scurlock stole approximately $27,700 during the second robbery.

The defendant was charged in June 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025. 

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 Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Noah R. Litton 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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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The owner of a company that fraudulently provided nonconforming critical application parts to the United States military was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 24 months in prison.

Andrew C. Nolan, 46, of Riviera Beach, Florida, and formerly of Westerville, defrauded the government of more than $800,000 by providing nonconforming parts through nearly 150 Department of War (DoW) contracts.

“Nolan knowingly provided cheaper, nonconforming parts to the U.S. military for use as critical application items on aircraft and other weapons systems,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “His actions dangerously disregarded the safety of our troops in pursuit of higher profits and he now will rightfully spend time in federal prison.”

“Outcomes of this nature protect the DoD from financial loss and operational risk, directly strengthening national defense capabilities,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Sargenski of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Southeast Field Office. “This result demonstrates the value of vigilant oversight and reinforces DCIS’s steadfast commitment to aggressively countering fraud, corruption, and misconduct that threaten military readiness.”

According to court documents, Nolan was the sole owner and operator of Nolan Manufacturing, LLC, a DoW contractor that supplied a variety of military parts from at least 2012 through 2020.

To execute his fraud scheme, Nolan intentionally supplied military parts that did not conform to his contracts with DoW. Instead of complying with the contracts, Nolan instead purchased the parts from unapproved manufacturers and then fraudulently shipped them to a third party to laser-etch the approved part numbers onto them before turning them over to the DoW.

In total, Nolan caused a loss of $829,512 through 148 contracts.

Nolan was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2022 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to wire fraud and money laundering.

Nolans’s sentence was imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Twombly and Tyler Aagard are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Mexican illegal alien who fired a shot in the garage at his residence has been indicted by a grand jury for illegally possessing firearms. 

Armando Rivera-Sereno, 41, was originally charged by a federal criminal complaint in November 2025.

According to charging documents, on Sept. 9, 2024, Columbus police officers were dispatched to Holly Hill Drive in Columbus on reports of shots fired. They discovered Rivera-Sereno in his garage, where they also found a pistol, loaded magazine, rifle, box of ammunition, spent shell casing, suspected narcotics and numerous empty beer cans.

Rivero-Sereno, who has also gone by Armando Rivera-Sanchez and Alejandro Aguirre, was convicted in 2022 of unlawfully reentering the United States as an illegal alien. He had been removed five other times before his arrest in that case.

Today’s two-count indictment charges him with illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and illegally possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, which each carry a potential penalty of 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 Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the charges. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez 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.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A defendant who served more than 11 years in prison for a child pornography offense then re-engaged with an individual he believed to be the mother of three minor girls to discuss his sexual desires with the girls was sentenced in federal court here today to 378 months in prison. 

This case marks the fourth federal child exploitation or pornography conviction for William Kisor, 57, of Columbus. Kisor was on supervised release for two prior offenses when he first communicated in 2012 with the undercover agent whom he believed was a mother of minors.

According to court documents, after being released from prison, Kisor contacted the same online undercover agent with whom he communicated prior to his 2012 conviction, never realizing that the person was an agent of law enforcement. The undercover agent used the persona of an adult mother with minor daughters. The defendant contacted the agent in hopes of beginning an incestuous relationship with the “mother” and “daughters.”

For several months, while the defendant was on supervised release, the defendant communicated with the purported mother via email, text message, and phone call and described in detail the sexual acts that he wanted to perpetrate on the fictional daughters whom he was told were 8 and 14 years old.

In November 2024, Kisor drove to a hotel in Canal Winchester to meet the woman and her children and was arrested by federal agents.

Kisor pleaded guilty in October 2025 to attempted coercion and enticement.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, 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 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill and Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer M. Rausch are 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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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Pickaway County man pleaded guilty in federal court here today after investigators seized 18 firearms, tens of thousands of dollars in cash and bulk amounts of narcotics from his Hilliard hotel room in October 2025.

Samuel A. Griffith, 35, of Ashville, Ohio, admitted guilt in six federal drug and gun crimes. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

According to court documents, in October 2025, Griffith sold fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine from a hotel room at the Red Roof Inn in Hilliard. When agents executed a search warrant in the hotel room, they discovered more than four kilograms of methamphetamine, 800 grams of fentanyl, a partial kilogram of cocaine, numerous firearms and nearly $40,000 in cash.

Griffith has prior felony convictions for robbery, aggravated possession of drugs and having weapons under disability. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Specifically, Griffith pleaded guilty to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.

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 & Explosives (ATF); Fairfield County Sheriff Alex Lape; Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea offered today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Norah McCann King. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin W. Kelley is representing the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury returned an indictment here today against a Dayton man who had been a fugitive in Missouri for approximately five years. The defendant fired shots at fugitive apprehension officers when they arrived at his Dayton home to take him into custody. 

Terrence Gay, 41, had been a fugitive since September 2021, when he failed to appear to begin serving a federal prison sentence for fentanyl crimes.

According to court documents, on March 19, the Southern District of Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) developed new information regarding Gay’s whereabouts and began surveillance on his residence.

On March 23, law enforcement officials surrounded Gay’s home, announcing their presence and purpose.

Gay allegedly failed to comply with agents to come out of his home and eventually fired approximately 12 rounds at officers, striking an unmarked Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office vehicle with deputies nearby.

Dayton Police SWAT and Montgomery County SWAT teams arrived to provide assistance.

During this time, United States Marshals received a phone call from Gay’s attorney, and a three-way call was made to arrange Gay’s peaceful surrender.

Gay is charged in the six-count indictment with assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, attempted murder of a federal officer, two counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and illegally possessing a firearm as a fugitive. He was originally charged by federal criminal complaint on March 25.

Besides his prior convictions in Missouri, Gay has prior convictions in Montgomery County for aggravated robbery, theft and kidnapping.

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; Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck; and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Erica D. Lunderman 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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DAYTON, Ohio – A Dayton man arrested three hours after he allegedly robbed a local bank has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

John Donald Butler, 62, was originally charged by federal criminal complaint on April 1. His indictment was returned today.

According to charging documents, on March 30, Butler entered the Key Bank on Miamisburg Centerville Road in Dayton at approximately 2:45pm. Butler was dressed as a construction worker. He allegedly passed a note to the bank teller, telling the individual to get everything out of the top drawer and not to include any dye packs. Butler received more than $9,000 in cash and fled the scene.

Law enforcement obtained security images of Butler, who was not wearing any sort of face covering. Officials also used license plate readers to track Butler’s vehicle before and after the robbery.

Approximately three hours after the robbery, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop on Butler and arrested him. Cash, drugs and the robbery note were all subsequently located on Butler or in his vehicle.

The defendant has previously been convicted of more than 20 other bank robberies in prior federal cases in Florida and Georgia.

Bank robbery is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Butler has remained in custody since his arrest.

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 Moraine Police Chief Craig Richardson announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth L. McCormick 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 – Patricia Flesch, 36, of Columbus, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 135 months in prison for conspiring to traffic bulk amounts of narcotics.

According to court documents, Flesch, who is also known as “Panda,” was a well-known mid-level drug dealer in central Ohio. Between September 2020 and June 2023, she distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to local users and other dealers in the Columbus area.

As part of her narcotics conspiracy, Flesch used houses and motels throughout the region to store drugs and facilitate drug transactions. She ran several drug premises and, at one time, was coordinating the delivery of 10 to 15 pounds of methamphetamine weekly from a source in Texas, according to her Facebook account.

Some of the drug premises included Flesch’s apartment on Hilton Avenue and other residences on Franshire Drive, East 14th Avenue and Helen Street. Law enforcement observed Flesch travel to different motels in Columbus and back to Helen Street nearly 440 times between March 16 and April 6, 2023.

Flesch was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine.

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 sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, and the Columbus and Pickerington police departments also coordinated throughout the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II announced today enforcement actions against violators of tax laws, including a social media influencer who orchestrated a $20 million real estate Ponzi scheme and committed tax fraud to further that scheme. 

“As we close out tax season for the year, I want to remind the public that this office will aggressively pursue those who cheat the tax system or otherwise steal from the U.S. Treasury,” said U.S. Attorney Gerace. “We will not tolerate fraud—whether committed against the government or private citizens.”

Tyler Bossetti

Tyler Bossetti, 31, of Columbus, was sentenced in federal court in Columbus today to 72 months in prison. He received more than $23 million in investments from victim investors throughout the United States and abroad. In total, dozens of investors lost more than $11 million.

According to court documents, from 2019 until 2023, Bossetti widely publicized what he described as a real estate investment program. Through his company Boss Lifestyle LLC, Bossetti guaranteed large rates of return for short-term investments. He advertised the investments, often promising a rate of return of thirty percent or more, through social media, especially Facebook and YouTube.

Bossetti also caused the issuance and filing of approximately 14 false and fraudulent 1099-INT tax forms. He filed the IRS forms to report interest income for investors who did not earn interest. Bossetti claimed he had reinvested victims’ interest earnings when in fact he had not.

Bossetti admitted to misappropriating investor funds to further his lifestyle and make purchases like rental payments on a condo in downtown Columbus, frequent travel, a $150,000 Mercedes SUV and various cryptocurrency investments.

Bossetti was charged by a bill of information in April 2025 and pleaded guilty in June 2025 to wire fraud and aiding in a false tax filing.

Tiauna Castro 

Also in Columbus, Tiauna Castro was convicted of submitting false federal tax forms related to a pair of sham businesses. Castro was part of a methamphetamine trafficking organization and mailed packages of methamphetamine from Las Vegas to Columbus. While on pretrial release in this case, Castro submitted false tax forms and received more than half a million dollars in refunds to which she was not entitled. Castro pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to the submission of false tax claims while on pretrial release. Castro awaits sentencing.

Christopher Dowtin

On March 10, a federal judge in Dayton found Christopher Dowtin, an Atlanta-area man, guilty of wire fraud and theft of public funds following a bench trial. Dowtin fraudulently received two tax refund checks—including one for more than $32 million—by falsely converting two businesses’ IRS accounts to his name and address. After receiving these tax refund checks, Dowtin then traveled to Ohio and attempted to negotiate the funds into a brokerage account in his name. Dowtin awaits sentencing.

Angela and Shonda Michael

On March 24, Angela and Shonda Michael were indicted by a grand jury in Dayton and charged with 15 counts of willfully failing to pay over taxes to the IRS. According to the indictment, the defendants own and operate Free To Be You Residential Services, LLC, a business in Eaton, Ohio, that provides healthcare and other services to disabled adults. As alleged in the indictment, since at least 2021, the Michaels failed to pay over employment taxes they withheld from their employees, totaling more than $400,000, and instead kept the money for their own personal benefit.

Marshae Love 

On April 29, Marshae Love is scheduled to plead guilty to aiding in the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns. According to the plea agreement, Love worked as a tax preparer at a Columbus business, and, over the span of two years, falsified tax returns that were submitted to the IRS. Specifically, the defendant filed Schedule Cs with fake businesses and claimed false tax credits for COVID-related sick leave and family leave. The total tax loss is nearly $1.6 million. Love’s plea agreement requires her to pay restitution of the full tax loss.

Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi, Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Amy M. Smith, and Assistant United States Attorneys David J. Twombly, Erica D. Lunderman and Timothy D. Prichard are representing the United States in these cases. These cases were investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI.

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DAYTON, Ohio – Kuron Evans, 47, of Dayton, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 130 months in prison for participating in a narcotics conspiracy involving more than two kilograms total of methamphetamine and cocaine.

According to court documents, in January 2024, Evans used the United States mail to send a package from a post office in Las Vegas to his nephew in Trotwood, Ohio. Evans used fictitious names for the sender and the recipient.

Law enforcement officials intercepted the package and discovered approximately one kilogram each of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Both Evans and his nephew, Dorian Evans, also age 47, were arrested in Trotwood in February 2024. Dorian Evans was sentenced in March to 60 months in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division; Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck; and officials with the Montgomery County Regional Agencies Narcotics & Gun Enforcement Task Force (RANGE) Task Force announced the sentence imposed on April 7 by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case.

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CINCINNATI – Charges have been filed in the Southern District of Ohio against a Tennessee man with whom a previously missing Colerain teenager was found in Florida on March 13.

Stephen L. Negron, 42, of Rogersville, Tennessee, is charged federally with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison.

“I want to commend the excellent work of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, recovery, and prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “My office is proud to partner with these outstanding public servants to ensure that our children remain safe from those who seek to prey upon them.”

According to charging documents, cell phone data revealed the victim’s cell phone was powered off on Feb. 13. Just prior to being turned off, cell site data placed the phone at an intersection near the victim’s home.

Subsequent review of area security cameras showed a silver Chevrolet pickup truck with a Tennessee license plate number registered to Negron in the vicinity at the same time. Investigators used license plate readers to track the truck’s previous travel southbound through Kentucky and into Tennessee.

Further investigation into Negron revealed an ongoing protective order issued out of Texas regarding an 18-year-old female who allegedly met Negron online in 2023 when she was 16 and Negron was 41. According to documents related to that matter, Negron traveled from Florida and Tennessee to meet up with the teenager and brought her back to Tennessee. He allegedly drugged her, sexually assaulted her and threatened violence to her and her family.

On March 12, FBI agents in Tennessee executed a federal search warrant at Negron’s home and found evidence of a new cell phone number. GPS pings on that cell phone number led agents to the Quality Inn & Suites Palatka Riverfront Hotel in Palatka, Florida.

Court documents detail that Negron had driven to Florida in a work truck, a White Dodge Ram, with a Virginia license plate. On March 13, law enforcement officials located Negron and the victim in Florida and arrested Negron on charges out of the Eastern District of Tennessee related to the former Texas victim.

Negron will be transferred to the Southern District of Ohio to face his charges here.

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; Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin C. Cordie III and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (Florida), Palatka Police Department (Florida), FBI Jacksonville, FBI Nashville, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee have all played integral parts in this investigation.

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.

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

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CINCINNATI – Quinten McCommons, 36, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 120 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, McCommons was a source of supply of methamphetamine for numerous street-level drug traffickers throughout the greater Cincinnati region.

In October 2023 and November 2023, McCommons distributed methamphetamine that was lab-confirmed to be between 81 percent and 98 percent pure crystal methamphetamine. He conducted drug sales transactions at the Beechmont Mall.

When law enforcement officials searched McCommons’s residence, they discovered methamphetamine, digital scales and more than $2,300 in cash.

McCommons has prior local convictions for aggravated drug trafficking, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of marijuana, as well as aggravated assault, domestic violence, disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.

The defendant was arrested in November 2023 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit; and officials with the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney David P. Dornette is representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Illinois man who traveled to Muskingum County to engage in sexual activity with a local teenager pleaded guilty in federal court here today.

Immanuel D. Nellum, 30, of Peoria Heights, Illinois, faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. He is convicted of coercion and enticement of a minor and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity with a minor.

According to court documents, Nellum met the victim on the online app Friend when she was 12 years old. Between August 2023 and August 2025, Nellum and the victim engaged in an online relationship and exchanged nude images and videos of themselves.

Nellum’s phone contained more than 141,000 messages between him and the victim, including approximately 5,500 attachments. Of those, more than 10,000 messages and 2,000 attachments were noted as being exchanged on social media platforms like Snapchat.

Nellum admitted that he traveled to Zanesville to engage in sex acts with the minor. In August 2025, law enforcement located Nellum at the Quality Inn in Zanesville with the minor and arrested him. Nellum’s phone showed that he made 75 videos of his encounters with the minor at the hotel.

The defendant was charged in Muskingum County and arrested on Aug. 19. He was charged by federal criminal complaint the next month.

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; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Zanesville Police Chief Scott Comstock announced the guilty plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. 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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CINCINNATI – A former financial advisor who stole $8.6 million from friends and relatives over the course of a 20-year Ponzi scheme was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 60 months in prison.

John Jay Kersey, 65, of Maineville, Ohio, pleaded guilty in June 2025 to wire fraud.

According to court documents, Kersey was a long-time, trusted financial advisor to friends and relatives. For approximately two decades, from 2003 through 2023, he convinced his clients to move their existing investments from his company to purportedly invest in other funds. Kersey then stole the funds and used the money to pay down credit card bills, pay insurance premiums and to provide a downpayment on real estate. Kersey also used the money to pay other clients, when required, to maintain his investment scheme.

To keep his scheme going, the defendant told his clients that their investments were performing well. He provided false documents that included fictitious financial summaries and bank account numbers. Kersey also fabricated charts and graphs to show his victims.

Kersey took advantage of and deceived his victims during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. For example, after a victim’s spouse passed away, Kersey assured the victim that he would take care of her finances – when in reality, he had stolen the victim’s funds and used them for his own benefit.

Kersey was charged federally in June 2025 by bill of information.

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 Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Deputy Criminal Chief Emily N. Glatfelter is representing the United States in this case.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – James Strahler II, 37, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today to cybercrimes that included both real and AI-generated sexually explicit images and threats of violence to numerous victims. 

Strahler had installed more than 24 AI platforms and more than 100 AI web-based models on his phone. The defendant used telephone calls, voicemails, text messages and web postings to engage in a campaign of harassment against his victims.

Specifically, Strahler pleaded guilty today to cyberstalking, producing obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse and publication of digital forgeries. His conviction of publication of digital forgeries is part of the Take It Down Act, a law enacted in 2025 that prohibits non-consensual online publication of intimate visual depictions and AI forgeries.

“We believe Strahler is the first person in the United States to be convicted under the Take It Down Act,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “We will not tolerate the abhorrent practice of posting and publicizing AI-generated intimate images of real individuals without consent. And we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to hold accountable offenders like Strahler, who seek to intimidate and harass others by creating and circulating this disturbing content.”

From December 2024 until June 2025, Strahler sent harassing messages to at least six adult female victims. These messages included nude images of the victims, both real and AI-generated.

For example, Strahler used AI to create pornographic videos depicting at least one adult victim engaged in sex acts with her father. He then distributed those videos to the victim’s co-workers.  He also messaged the mothers of the adult females and demanded nude photos of them, threatening to circulate explicit or obscene images he created of their daughters if they did not comply. He often called the victims and left voicemails of him masturbating or threatening rape. He referred to the victims’ specific home addresses in his threats.

Strahler also posted online AI-generated obscenities he created of children. He generated these files using the faces of minor boys from his community. He then morphed the face of the minor boys onto the bodies of other adults or children and created videos that depicted the boys engaged in sex acts.  Strahler specifically created AI-generated obscenity of the minor boys having sex with their mothers and/or grandmothers.

Strahler created more than 700 images of both real victims and animated persons and posted them to a website dedicated to child sexual abuse. An additional 2,400 images and videos on his phone were flagged as depicting nudity, morphed child sexual abuse material or violence.

Strahler’s criminal conduct was first reported to the Hilliard Police Department and the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office before being referred to the FBI. He was arrested on federal charges in June 2025.

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; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and officials with the Maryland AI and Synthetic Media Threats Task Force (MASTTF); announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – Federal and local law enforcement officials announced today eight recent cases involving violations of federal firearms laws. 

“It’s my job as U.S. Attorney to keep our communities in Southern Ohio safe. Doing that requires strong partnerships between our local police departments and our federal law enforcement agencies. And we have those strong partnerships here in Dayton,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “We want to make it clear to criminals, if you illegally possess or use a firearm or ammunition in Dayton, or anywhere else in our district for that matter, expect to see federal charges.”

The federal defendants include:

JaMichael Craver

On Monday, March 30, federal charges were filed against JaMichael Craver for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Craver was arrested on Friday night during operations conducted by the Dayton Police Department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative between the City of Dayton and the State of Ohio.

According to charging documents, Craver fled on foot from a vehicle being tracked by Dayton police officers and an aviation unit from the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He was apprehended by officers after a foot pursuit and allegedly found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun. At the time of this incident, Craver was a wanted fugitive with multiple warrants for his arrest on state charges, including aggravated trafficking in drugs and having weapons while under disability. Craver has previously been convicted in state court of aggravated robbery and kidnapping.  

Terrence Gay

On March 24, Terrence Gay was charged with assaulting federal agents with a deadly weapon, attempted murder of federal agents, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

As alleged in the criminal complaint, Gay was a federal fugitive out of Missouri who had failed to surrender after being sentenced for drug trafficking in 2021. The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) tracked Gay to a home a Dayton on March 23. After strike team officers announced their presence and attempted to convince Gay to exit the residence, Gay opened fire on the officers. Officers ultimately secured Gay and recovered multiple weapons from the residence. 

Johnny Ray Perkins and Elisah Lobbley

On March 10, Johnny Ray Perkins and Elisah Lobbley were indicted for trafficking drugs in the vicinity of the RTA bus hub in downtown Dayton.  During these sales, Perkins allegedly kept a firearm on him and is charged with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Anton Hurston

On Feb. 10, a federal grand jury in Dayton indicted Anton Hurston for possession of a firearm fitted with a high-capacity magazine during a traffic stop in Dayton’s central business district. 

Rondell Coleman

On Feb. 10, a federal grand jury indicted Rondell Coleman for possession of a machinegun and possession of a stolen firearm.  As alleged in an earlier criminal complaint, while responding to a domestic violence incident on Feb. 1, Dayton police encountered Coleman carrying a stolen machinegun in his pants.

Dylan Hiner

On Feb. 4, Dylan Hiner pleaded guilty to illegally shipping, transporting and receiving ammunition while under indictment for a felony offense. Hiner repeatedly discharged a handgun near the University of Dayton’s campus. At the time of this shooting, Hiner was under indictment on state weapons charges.

Colby Smith

On Jan. 13, Colby Smith was indicted for kidnapping, carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  As alleged in an earlier criminal complaint, during the morning of Dec. 9, 2025, Smith used a handgun to rob two Dayton-area residents of their vehicles and personal belongings as they traveled to their jobs.

Jacquan Sims, Miyauhn Vineyard, Raheem Goff and Joshua Haggins

On Dec. 9, Jacquan Sims, Miyauhn Vineyard, Raheem Goff, and Joshua Haggins were federally indicted for conspiring to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Law enforcement officials seized multiple firearms in that case, including one machinegun.

Illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Possessing an unregistered firearm or a machinegun is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Illegally shipping, transporting, or receiving ammunition while under indictment for a felony offense is punishable by up to five years in prison. Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime requires a mandatory minimum of at least five years in prison in addition to any other sentence imposed. Brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence requires a mandatory minimum of at least seven years in prison in addition to any other sentence imposed. Discharging a firearm during a crime of violence requires a mandatory minimum of at least 10 years in prison in addition to any other sentence imposed.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and United States Marshal Michael D. Black announced the charges. Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi and Assistant United States Attorneys Christina Mahy, Erica Lunderman, Ryan Saunders, Rob Painter and Kelly Rossi are representing the United States in these cases.

Indictments and criminal complaints merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury in Dayton returned charges against six Chinese nationals and two Chinese pharmaceutical companies in narcotics and money laundering conspiracies involving chemical agents used to manufacture and cut fentanyl. Three defendants are also charged with attempting to provide material support to a Mexican drug cartel. 

“This new indictment marks the first time in the Southern District of Ohio that we have brought charges for providing material support to a Mexican drug cartel designated as a foreign terrorist organization by way of President Trump’s Executive Order of January 20, 2025, and Secretary Rubio’s February 20, 2025 designation,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “We are going after the entire chain of supply for these deadly drugs, from Mexican cartels and Chinese pharmaceutical companies to the high-level distributors on our streets in the Southern District of Ohio.”

“The FBI is aggressively pursuing individuals and companies in China that are selling dangerous narcotics and working with terrorist organizations,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “We will continue to use innovative approaches to investigate those peddling lethal drugs as we work to protect our communities.”

In September 2025, dozens of defendants were charged in the Southern District of Ohio in similar narcotics and money laundering conspiracies, including at least two defendants from the greater Dayton area. 

According to the indictment returned today, the defendants openly marketed, sold and delivered various chemical precursors that they intended for domestic and foreign drug traffickers to use in the manufacture and production of fentanyl for ultimate distribution in the United States.

Drug traffickers use chemical precursors to manufacture fentanyl and other substances known as “cut” to increase the quantity of retail doses available for sale. For example, drug traffickers often “cut” fentanyl with medetomidine, an animal tranquilizer that is up to 200 times more powerful than morphine. Medetomidine has the potential to increase the yield of a single kilogram of fentanyl at least twenty-fold, producing millions of dosages for street level sales. 

Three defendants also allegedly attempted to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization by selling chemical precursors and medetomidine to an individual who claimed to be a member of the Cártel del Golfo (also known as the Gulf Cartel), a violent transnational organization based in Mexico involved in drug trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, human smuggling and other crimes. purported

Those charged in the indictment include Chinese companies Shandong Believe Chemical Company Pte Ltd. and Shandong Ranhang Biotechnology Co. Ltd., as well as individuals Hanson Zhao, Gao Yanpeng, Xia Yi, Zhang Jian, Wang Zhoalan and Zhang Chunhai. 

The companies allegedly used Zhao, Yanpeng, Yi, Jian, Zhoalan and Chunhai to solicit, negotiate, and secure payments for illegal cutting agents from U.S. customers. It is alleged the foreign nationals generally directed U.S. customers to pay for the cutting agents using cryptocurrency transferred to crypto wallets under the foreign national’s control for ultimate deposit into financial institutions located overseas.

The defendants are charged with conspiring to manufacture, to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl mixture, which is a federal crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization and international money laundering are crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison. 

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 charges. Deputy Criminal Chief Brent G. Tabacchi and Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth L. McCormick are representing the United States in this case. 

China’s Ministry of Public Security provided the FBI with critical intelligence that helped advance its understanding and investigation of Shandong Believe Chemical Company and its criminal network.

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.

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

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – Federal charges were filed here against a Dayton man who had been a fugitive in Missouri for approximately five years. The defendant fired shots at fugitive apprehension officers when they arrived at his Dayton home to take him into custody. 

Terrence Gay, 41, had been a fugitive since September 2021, when he failed to appear to begin serving a federal prison sentence for fentanyl crimes.

According to court documents, on March 19, the Southern District of Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) developed new information regarding Gay’s whereabouts and began surveillance on his residence.

On March 23, law enforcement officials surrounded Gay’s home, announcing their presence and purpose.

Gay allegedly failed to comply with agents to come out of his home and eventually fired approximately 12 rounds at officers, striking an unmarked Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office vehicle with deputies inside.

Dayton Police SWAT and Montgomery County SWAT teams arrived to provide assistance.

During this time, United States Marshals received a phone call from Gay’s attorney, and a three-way call was made to arrange Gay’s peaceful surrender.

Gay is charged with assaulting federal officers with a deadly weapon, attempted murder of a federal officer, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

Besides his prior convictions in Missouri, Gay has prior convictions in Montgomery County for aggravated robbery, theft and kidnapping.

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; Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Erica D. Lunderman 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.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Hamilton, Ohio, man who secretly recorded young girls nude and committed hands-on offenses of a teenager was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 360 months in prison.

Johnathan Brown, 34, hid outside bedroom windows and placed cameras inside a laundry basket to record minors after they exited from showers. He told victims he needed to see their bodies for “medical reasons.”

According to court documents, Brown also groomed a teenager, starting when she was 15 years old, eventually soliciting pictures and sexual behaviors from the victim. The defendant used emotional ploys of suicide or self-harm to manipulate the teenager. He also filmed himself having sex with the victim.

In August 2024, when he was discovered at a Dayton hotel with the teenaged victim, Brown led law enforcement on a prolonged, multi-jurisdiction, high-speed chase that required the deployment of stop sticks, the Ohio State Patrol Aviation team and SWAT. Brown drove his truck into a moving train and, even then, did not surrender to authorities but engaged in an hours’ long standoff with law enforcement until he was forced to exit his vehicle due to the deployment of tear gas and a K9 officer.

Brown pleaded guilty in October 2025 to producing and attempting to produce child pornography.

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.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, 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 U.S. District Court Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle J. Healey and Danielle E. Margeaux are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Los Angeles man admitted in federal court here today that he took part in a narcotics conspiracy involving more than 300 pounds of methamphetamine shipped to the greater Cincinnati area in 10 pallets of paver stones.

Jontah Jackson, 31, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, in January 2025, DEA agents in Cincinnati received intelligence regarding a potential shipment of methamphetamine awaiting delivery in West Chester.

Law enforcement conducted surveillance of the shipment and observed Jackson parked in the vicinity and observing the delivery as others loaded up the pallets onto a box truck and a flatbed trailer.

When all the vehicles began to depart the delivery area, law enforcement converged on the vehicles. Jackson fled from the police, collided with a law enforcement vehicle, crashed into a tree line and fled on foot before being apprehended on a nearby highway.

Law enforcement discovered fake paver stones of methamphetamine interspersed among real paver stones.

Jackson and co-defendant Ramiro Mendoza, 30, of Santa Maria, California, were indicted by a grand jury in April 2025.

Jackson faces at least 10 years and up to life 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; Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit; Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Middletown Police Chief Earl Nelson announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

CINCINNATI – Federal, state and local law enforcement officials announced today nine additional cases involving violations of federal firearms laws. All nine defendants have been arrested on these charges and were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 4. 

These nine defendants are in addition to three defendants—Shaquille Ferguson, Franeek Cobb and Derrick Long—who were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 11 for firearms crimes related to public shootings in Cincinnati on Fountain Square in October 2025 and at Riverfront Live on March 1, 2026.

“Shortly after becoming U.S. Attorney, I stood with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in Cincinnati and promised the public that we would aggressively prosecute federal firearms cases and seek harsh penalties for repeat violent offenders caught with guns,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “These nine cases, along with the prosecutions of the individuals allegedly responsible for the shootings on Fountain Square and at Riverfront Live, highlight our continuing determination to make good on that promise.”

The nine additional defendants, all from Cincinnati, are as follows:

Auston Page

Auston Page was arrested as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative involving the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Cincinnati Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, and other partner agencies.   

On Dec. 30, 2025, Page allegedly was a passenger in a vehicle that fled from law enforcement. As Ohio State Highway Patrol aviation followed the vehicle, Page allegedly ran and disposed of one handgun. After a Cincinnati Police officer deployed his taser, Page was taken into custody. A search of Page revealed another firearm. Page has previously been convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and aggravated robbery.

Rodrick Meatchem-White and Adrian Hardy

Eighteen-year-old Rodrick Meatchem-White and 19-year-old Adrian Hardy each allegedly possessed a Glock switch, which converts firearms into an automatic weapon or machinegun. 

Polo Alexander

Alexander was previously convicted of robbery with a gun specification and allegedly was found in possession of a firearm in October 2025.

Austin Fowler

Fowler has previous convictions for aggravated robbery, drug possession, drug trafficking, and weapons under disability and allegedly was found with a firearm in November 2025.

Lamont Golightly

Golightly has previous convictions for drug trafficking and receiving stolen property and allegedly was found with a gun on Jan. 14. 

Nathaniel Mack

Mack has multiple state convictions for trafficking heroin. He allegedly was found with a loaded, stolen gun in his pants during a traffic stop on Central Parkway in Cincinnati.

Reca Shelton

Shelton has multiple prior convictions for domestic violence and drug trafficking, as well as a conviction for robbery. He allegedly was found with a firearm on Jan. 13.

Naim Warren

Warren has previous convictions for felonious assault and burglary and allegedly was found with a gun in November 2025. 

A complete list of the defendants is included below:

Illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Possessing an unregistered firearm or a machinegun carry potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison.

As part of law enforcement’s targeted efforts to hold accountable perpetrators of gun violence, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has dedicated a state prosecutor to help bring federal cases as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cincinnati Police Interim Chief Adam Hennie; Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones; Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley N. Brucato, Julie D. Garcia, Matthew C. Singer, Ryan A. Keefe and Anthony Springer, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry are representing the United States in this case.

Indictments and criminal complaints merely contain allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #

A Tennessee woman was sentenced today to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release in connection with her involvement with online groups dedicated to creating and distributing videos depicting acts of extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys.

Katrina Favret, of Greeneville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, 2025, to conspiring to create and distribute so-called “animal crush videos,” and with creating animal crush videos.

According to court documents, Favret used encrypted chat applications to direct money to individuals in Indonesia willing to create videos depicting acts of sadistic violence against baby and adult monkeys. Favret would send specific instructions describing the acts of torture she wished to see and would then distribute the resulting videos to others in the online group.

According to a statement of facts Favret signed, the videos in question included numerous depictions of extreme violence and torture against monkeys that had been specifically requested by the defendant and her co-conspirators.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) and U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio made the announcement.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and FBI investigated the case.

Trial Attorney Mark Romley and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Pakiz for the Southern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.

DAYTON, Ohio – A Dayton man who preyed on minors online on multiple social media and messaging platforms was sentenced in federal court here today to 270 months in prison for coercion and enticement. 

David A. Snell, 37, used multiple usernames and fake identities to connect with victims. According to court documents, from May to July 2024, Snell used various Reddit accounts to identify and target vulnerable minors, and to communicate with two minor females, 16 and 17 years old. Snell groomed these minors and coerced and enticed them to send him child pornography images and videos – including degrading depictions of sexual activity and acts of self-harm – for Snell’s sexual enjoyment.

Snell was charged federally in August 2024 and pleaded guilty in September 2025.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, 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 Thomas M. Rose. Assistant United States Attorney Christina E. Mahy 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.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – A Dayton man has been charged federally in a narcotics trafficking case in which law enforcement seized approximately 11 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and cocaine.

Ke-Shawn Rivers, 46, appeared in federal court yesterday morning for a detention hearing. The Court ordered that he remain in custody pending trial. 

According to the indictment, 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 approximately 11 kilograms of suspected fentanyl and cocaine and $260,000 in cash as well as an additional firearm.

“Illicit fentanyl destroys lives and directly threatens our national security,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “My office will continue to fight alongside our law enforcement partners at all levels of government to rid our streets of this deadly drug.”

“Fentanyl has been a scourge on our communities and has sadly taken many of our family and friends too soon,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “HSI will continue to vigorously investigate and dismantle narcotics trafficking networks across Ohio and Michigan to protect our communities. I want to thank our partners from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for their partnership in this investigation.”

“Fentanyl’s catastrophic impact on our communities is well-documented – when a tiny speck can cause an overdose, taking pounds off the streets makes Ohio exponentially safer,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. “This task force and our BCI narcotics agents have my gratitude for a job well done.”

“Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities throughout Montgomery County,” said Rob Streck. “The amount of fentanyl seized in this case had the potential to cause unimaginable harm in our community. This case is another example of what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies work together to identify and hold accountable those responsible for trafficking these deadly drugs.”

Rivers is charged with 13 counts of distributing fentanyl, a federal crime 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; 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 United States Attorney Amy M. Smith and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Collins are 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.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – A former local AMVETS Post commander was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 41 months in prison for embezzling more than $620,000 from the non-profit organization’s bank accounts.

Danny Dale Gordon, 49, of Kettering, served as the commander for AMVETS Post #24 on Leo Street in Dayton from January 2022 until May 2024.

According to court documents, during that timeframe, Gordon engaged in more than 1,900 fraudulent banking transactions using the Post’s credit and debit cards to make ATM withdrawals.

Gordon used the money at various local gambling casinos, for travel and hotel expenses, to pay for his personal truck loan and to frequent a Dayton-area “gentlemen’s club.”

Gordon was indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to wire fraud.

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; Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal; and Lt. Col. Seth Newfang, Commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, 10th Field Investigations Squadron; announced the sentence imposed on March 12 by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Newman. Special Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Amy M. Smith are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An illegal alien from Jamaica who volunteered as a teacher and youth minister in Worthington was sentenced in federal court here today to 160 months in prison for distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography.

Andrew Brown, 51, of Columbus, possessed a total of 15 terabytes of child sexual abuse material across multiple devices. Brown’s IP address was flagged by the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) as the most active IP address in the state of Ohio using peer-to-peer software to download child pornography.

“This defendant, who overstayed his visa in the United States, was such a prolific perpetrator that when agents arrived at his apartment to execute a search warrant, he was at his computer actively downloading and exchanging images and videos of children being sexually abused, including child pornography depicting infants and toddlers,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Adding to the alarm, Brown placed himself in a position of trust with children as a religion teacher and youth minister. Our children undoubtedly are safer with Brown serving this significant term of imprisonment.”

Further investigation revealed that Brown was using the computer where he volunteered at Worthington Adventist Academy and Worthington Seventh-Day Adventist Church to download child pornography when not at home. In fact, the IP address for the church and school was flagged as the third most active IP address in Ohio downloading child pornography.

Between October 2023 and April 2024, Brown possessed more than 40,000 files of minors engaged in sex acts. 

Brown was charged by a bill of information and pleaded guilty in March 2025.

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 Sheriff’s Office’s ICAC Task Force; Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley; and Ohio ICAC Task Force Commander David Frattare announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. 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 the New York man who was arrested in late February on federal sexual exploitation charges filed in the Southern District of Ohio after investigation into a missing Colerain teenager revealed he was previously involved with the minor.

Kyle D. Lawrence, 43, of Buffalo, New York, appeared in federal court in Cincinnati on March 10 and was ordered to remain in custody pending trial. His two-count indictment was filed today.

According to charging documents, on Feb. 16, Colerain Township police began investigating the circumstances surrounding a missing teenager. Officers reviewed video surveillance from the minor’s home and discovered that in January, the teenager entered a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with New York license plates. License plate readers and receipts confirm that Lawrence allegedly rented the vehicle and that he and the minor stayed at a Cincinnati hotel together on Jan. 31.

It was discovered that Lawrence was the subject of a report to the FBI in May 2024. Lawrence was confronted by a citizen vigilante group while in Canada for allegedly traveling to Canada to have sexual contact with a purported 15-year-old girl. Agents in Buffalo had previously been in contact with Lawrence in response to the report.

Further investigation by the FBI revealed two cyber tip reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding Lawrence’s Snapchat account and child exploitation activity.

On Feb. 26, FBI agents in Buffalo executed a federal search warrant at Lawrence’s residence and seized several electronic devices, which contained child sexual abuse material.

An affidavit details that Lawrence told agents he communicated with the minor from Colerain on Snapchat and traveled to the Cincinnati area twice in January to meet up. He used the location services on Snapchat to locate the minor when he picked her up.

Law enforcement’s investigation into the whereabouts of the missing teenager remains ongoing.

The indictment charges Lawrence with transportation with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (a crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison) and transportation of child pornography (five to 20 years in prison).

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; Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin C. Cordie III and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the charges.

This is a joint investigation being conducted by the FBI divisions in Cincinnati and Buffalo, Colerain Township Police Department, New York State Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.

This case is being brought as 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

# # #

CINCINNATI – Three defendants allegedly involved in public shootings in Cincinnati have now been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Franeek Cobb, 24, and Derrick Long, 29, were originally charged by federal criminal complaint last week. They face felon-in-possession charges for their alleged involvement in a mass shooting on March 1 at Riverfront Live.

Shaquille Ferguson, 24, was allegedly involved in an October 2025 shooting outside the City Bird restaurant on Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati. He was also originally charged by criminal complaint last week.

According to charging documents for Cobb and Long, on March 1, Cincinnati police officers responded to Riverfront Live on Kellogg Avenue for a report of a shooting inside the night club and event venue. Nine individuals were wounded in the incident.

Cobb and Long were identified as the two alleged shooters based on a review of surveillance footage from Riverfront Live and the recovery of a firearm and ammunition.

Cobb is charged in an indictment filed today with illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition.

Long’s indictment charges him with illegally possessing eight .45 cartridge cases.

As previously convicted felons, Cobb and Long are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Cobb has a 2022 felony conviction of having weapons while under disability. Long has several prior felony convictions, including two separate cases involving trafficking in heroin, trafficking in fentanyl, failure to comply, carrying concealed weapons, arson and receiving stolen property.

According to Ferguson’s charging documents, in October 2025, Ferguson fired three shots and struck two individuals outside City Bird. He was allegedly involved in an altercation inside the restaurant. After exiting the restaurant, he allegedly brandished and fired his weapon. His indictment charges him with illegally possessing three 9mm cartridge cases.

In July 2025, Ferguson was convicted of aggravated assault, prohibiting him from possessing ammunition.

Each of the defendants faces 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); Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Henni; and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Members of the ATF & Cincinnati Police Department Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) participated in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in these cases.

These cases are 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.

# # #

CINCINNATI – A Green Township man was sentenced in federal court here today to 24 months in prison for constructing three pipe bombs. 

Robert Gilb, 51, caused the detonation of three improvised explosive devices (IED) in Hamilton and Butler counties in March and April 2025.

Specifically, on April 12, 2025, Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Miami Township for a report of a loud explosion. They discovered what appeared to be a blast crater and components of an improvised explosive device (IED).

Further investigation revealed that there were two prior incidents in Morgan Township

that had similar characteristics to the incident in Miami Township. Butler County sheriff’s deputies had responded to incidents there on March 23 and March 28. Witnesses saw Gilb in his white BMW near the site of at least one of the devices when it exploded.

A search of Gilb’s residence revealed materials consistent with the construction of destructive devices.

Gilb was indicted in June 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to possessing an unregistered destructive device.

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, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Butler County Sheriff's Office, Ohio State Fire Marshalls Office, Greater Cincinnati HAZMAT, Green Township Police Department and Green Township Fire Department, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – A federal judge has found an Atlanta-area man guilty of wire fraud and theft of public funds. In a separate bench trial, a second man was also found guilty of filing a false, retaliatory lien against a different federal judge. 

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.

Two months after Dowtin’s arrest on the tax crimes, Bondary McCall, 64, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, 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.

The verdicts were announced on March 9 following bench trials before Senior U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

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.

Dowtin was charged and arrested in April 2025. He is convicted of wire fraud (punishable by up to 20 years in prison) and theft of public funds (up to 10 years in prison).

McCall faces up to 10 years in prison for making a retaliatory lien against a federal official.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); and Jason Rees, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service; announced the verdicts. Assistant United States Attorneys Amy M. Smith and Erica D. Lunderman are representing the United States in the cases.

# # #

CINCINNATI – Richard Opoku Agyemang, 41, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 41 months in prison for laundering the proceeds of a romance fraud conspiracy involving more than $2 million in losses to dozens of victims.

For years, Agyemang laundered millions of dollars in fraud proceeds to others in the United States and abroad and kept a substantial sum for himself.

The targets of the conspiracy were elderly or recently bereaved people who were looking for love on dating websites. As part of the romance fraud scheme, other individuals used stolen photographs and false information to create profiles on dating websites and establish online romantic relationships with victims. Victims were tricked into sending money under the false pretense that doing so would support a romantic partner for things like medical expenses.

Victims in this case detailed having to sell their homes and vehicles, cash in life insurance policies and 401k accounts, and max out credit cards because of their financial losses from the scam.

Many perpetrators were individuals living in Ghana. Because Agyemang lived in the United States, he was able to open American bank accounts to receive the fraud proceeds, which he then laundered to other accounts in the United States and in foreign countries.

According to court documents, victims sent more than $2 million by either wiring money or depositing checks to accounts controlled by Agyemang.

Separately from his money laundering, Agyemang also defrauded the Small Business Administration during the COVID-19 pandemic by fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program loan requesting pandemic relief funds. He ultimately received a loan for nearly $21,000 that was later forgiven.

The defendant was charged federally in April 2024 and pleaded guilty in September 2025. As part of his sentence, the Court has ordered him to pay nearly $1.4 million in restitution to the individual victims who could be identified and approximately $20,800 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Lesley Allison, Inspector in Charge, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Pittsburgh Division, announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Matthew W. McFarland. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie D. Garcia and Ebunoluwa A. Taiwo are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – An illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced in U.S. District Court here today to 200 months in prison for drug trafficking and child exploitation crimes.

Anicleto Olvera-Sanchez, 35, of Columbus, was the target of a drug trafficking investigation. When law enforcement officers searched his residence, they recovered fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and multiple firearms.

“Olvera-Sanchez committed a smorgasbord of crimes while illegally present in this country, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “This is the seventh criminal illegal alien to be sentenced, convicted, or charged in this district during the past two months thanks to the fine work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners.”  

A search of Olvera-Sanchez’s cell phone revealed evidence that he paid a teenage girl to create and send him sexually explicit videos and images. The defendant continuously requested photos of the minor, often telling her how to pose or what to do in the images. He also asked her to meet with him for sexual acts in exchange for money, but the victim did not comply.

According to court documents, the MEGA app on Olvera-Sanchez’s cell phone contained more than 700 images and six videos of child sexual abuse material. A search of the defendant’s Apple account revealed another approximately 990 images and 270 videos of child pornography.

Olvera-Sanchez pleaded guilty in October 2025 to sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

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 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Watson. Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer M. Rausch and Emily Czerniejewski are representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Childhood. Operation Take Back America is 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.

Project Safe Childhood is 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 defendant who led a significant fentanyl trafficking organization in Cincinnati was sentenced in federal court today to 216 months in prison.

Quinell Hadden, 38, of Cincinnati, was responsible for obtaining and distributing hundreds of kilograms of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Hadden’s drug trafficking organization obtained at least 100 kilograms of fentanyl directly from the Sinaloa Cartel, 45 kilograms of cocaine from members of the Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG), precursor shipments from China, fentanyl and methamphetamine in the mail from Arizona, and drugs from at least two other local drug trafficking organizations.

Hadden ran his drug operation from January 2020 until 2023 when he was arrested. At times, he was receiving at least 50 to 60 kilograms of fentanyl and heroin per week.

Hadden cut and processed each kilogram of fentanyl into three-to-four kilograms of product that was nearly as potent. He used a variety of cutting agents to dilute the fentanyl, resulting in deadly and unpredictable narcotics.

Forty other defendants in six current federal prosecutions were identified through the investigation into Hadden. In January 2026, Braylon Carr, one of Hadden’s “top lieutenants” according to court documents, was sentenced to 158 months in prison. And today, in addition to Hadden, co-defendant Alantee Hulbert was sentenced to 144 months in prison. Several other defendants await sentencing.

Hadden, who is also known as “Nell,” “Q” and “Fat Boy,” pleaded guilty in October 2025 to participating in drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit; Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and other members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney David P. Dornette is representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A career criminal offender was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 240 months in prison for leading a narcotics operation, including from jail.

Petrocelli Robertson, 40, of Columbus, was part of a drug trafficking organization that sold fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. Robertson is also known as “Bible” and “Juice.”

According to court documents, from May 2021 until July 2024, Robertson trafficked narcotics out of Columbus residences on Racine and Dana avenues. After his arrest in this case, Robertson directed his other associates to continue his drug operations. 

Robertson’s criminal history started at least 20 years ago. In the early 2000s, he was convicted of kidnapping with a firearm and sentenced to serve eight years in prison consecutive to a federal sentence imposed for dealing cocaine base. After serving those prison sentences, he was convicted of illegally conveying drugs into Mansfield Correctional Institution and spitting on a corrections officer at Lebanon Correctional Institution. 

Two of Robertson’s four co-defendants in this case are also scheduled to be sentenced this week. Robertson’s former wife, Amber Limoli, pleaded guilty to continuing the drug operation while her husband was in jail. His doorman, Danny Hood, oversaw a residence on South Guilford Avenue where drugs were regularly sold and was in the process of establishing another stash house on Stevens Avenue. 

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.

Coconspirator Terrel L. Patterson has also pleaded guilty in this case and awaits sentencing later this month. 

Robertson pleaded guilty in July 2025 to conspiring to distribute and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, and to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon.

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); 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.

# # #

CINCINNATI – Two Cincinnati men previously arrested on local charges related to a shooting on March 1 at Riverfront Live now face federal charges. 

Franeek Cobb, 24, and Derrick Long, 29, are each charged federally with illegally possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon.

“Gun violence in Cincinnati must end,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Our top priority is protecting our communities and holding accountable those who threaten them. If you pull a trigger in an illegal act of violence or otherwise illegally possess a firearm or ammunition, rest assured we will do everything we can to send you to federal prison.”

“I am pleased with the aggressive and expeditious manner in which this offense was investigated. The full force of law enforcement — including the Cincinnati Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, prosecutors, and the United States Attorney’s Office — worked in close partnership to bring these alleged violent criminals to justice,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo. “This level of coordination and commitment is exactly what makes our communities safer for everyone.”

According to charging documents, on March 1, Cincinnati police officers responded to Riverfront Live on Kellogg Avenue for a report of a shooting inside the night club and event venue. Nine individuals were wounded in the incident.

Long and Cobb were identified as the two alleged shooters based on a review of surveillance footage from Riverfront Live.

An affidavit details that Cobb observed Long in his immediate vicinity, pulled out a firearm and began firing shots towards Long, causing patrons to seek cover. Long fell to the ground, then allegedly brandished a firearm and began firing multiple gunshots in the direction of Cobb.

Law enforcement seized a handgun that Cobb allegedly dropped at the bar while fleeing the scene. The ATF determined casings recovered from the area where Long was shooting were all fired from the same .45 caliber gun. National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) examination showed that only two firearms were discharged during the shooting.

As previously convicted felons, Cobb and Long are prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition. Cobb has a 2022 felony conviction of having weapons while under disability. Long has several prior felony convictions, including two separate cases involving trafficking in heroin, trafficking in fentanyl, failure to comply, carrying concealed weapons, arson and receiving stolen property.

Each defendant faces 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); Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Henni; and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the charges. Members of the ATF & Cincinnati Police Department Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC) participated in the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Brucato is representing the United States in this case.

These cases are 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.

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

# # #

CINCINNATI – A New York man was arrested last night on federal sexual exploitation charges filed in the Southern District of Ohio after investigation into a missing Colerain teenager revealed he was previously involved with the minor. 

Kyle D. Lawrence, 43, of Buffalo, New York, was arrested at his residence. He appeared in federal court in New York today.

According to charging documents, on Feb. 16, Colerain Township police began investigating the circumstances surrounding a missing teenager. Officers reviewed video surveillance from the minor’s home and discovered that in January, the teenager entered a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with New York license plates. License plate readers and receipts confirm that Lawrence allegedly rented the vehicle and that he and the minor stayed at a Cincinnati hotel together on Jan. 31.

It was discovered that Lawrence was the subject of a report to the FBI in May 2024. Lawrence was confronted by a citizen vigilante group while in Canada for allegedly traveling to Canada to have sexual contact with a purported 15-year-old girl. Agents in Buffalo had previously been in contact with Lawrence in response to the report.

Further investigation by the FBI revealed two cyber tip reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding Lawrence’s Snapchat account and child exploitation activity.

On Feb. 26, FBI agents in Buffalo executed a federal search warrant at Lawrence’s residence and seized several electronic devices, which contained child sexual abuse material.

An affidavit details that Lawrence told agents he communicated with the minor from Colerain on Snapchat and traveled to the Cincinnati area twice in January to meet up. He used the location services on Snapchat to locate the minor when he picked her up.

Law enforcement’s investigation into the whereabouts of the missing teenager remains ongoing.

Lawrence is charged with transportation with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (a crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison), travel with the intent to engage in illicit conduct (up to 30 years in prison) and transportation of child pornography (five to 20 years in prison).

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; Colerain Township Police Chief Edwin C. Cordie III and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the charges.

This is a joint investigation being conducted by the FBI divisions in Cincinnati and Buffalo, Colerain Township Police Department, New York State Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). Assistant United States Attorney Kyle J. Healey is representing the United States in this case.

This case is being brought as 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – United States Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II and Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck, Jr. announced today that Christopher Houck, 20, of Dayton, has been charged federally with child pornography crimes involving a child under the age of 5.

Allegations in the charging documents state that Houck created sexually explicit videos involving the victim.

Initial forensic review of Houck’s cell phones revealed that Houck also allegedly traded child pornography with other individuals online on platforms like Snapchat. He possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography of other victims.

Earlier this month, Houck allegedly messaged online with another adult male, discussing their sexual fantasies involving children and the possibility of meeting up to find children with whom to engage in sexually explicit conduct together.

This case originated with reports to the Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center. Houck was originally arrested on local charges of gross sexual imposition, voyeurism, pandering obscenity and child endangering, and he has been incarcerated in the Montgomery County Jail since Feb. 15.

Houck is now charged federally with producing child pornography (punishable by 15 to 30 years in prison), distributing child pornography (five to 20 years in prison) and possessing child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor (up to 20 years).

“We will work together across all levels of government to hold accountable offenders who perpetrate crimes against children,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “My office is grateful for the collaboration between the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI that led to these charges.”

“The allegations in this case are deeply troubling and involve the exploitation of a vulnerable child,” said Sheriff Rob Streck. “Protecting children is our top priority, and we will continue to work closely with federal and local partners to investigate these crimes, hold offenders accountable, and ensure victims receive the support they need.”

This case is being prosecuted in collaboration with the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are investigating. Assistant United States Attorney Christina Mahy is representing the United States in this case.

This case is being brought as 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Chicago man was sentenced in federal court here today to 240 months in prison for having bulk amounts of narcotics at a Guernsey County hotel.

A federal jury convicted Kenneth D. Triplett, 38, of three narcotics offenses following a trial in May 2025. The crimes include possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and heroin, cocaine, and cocaine base.

According to court documents and trial testimony, in April 2024, the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that Triplett was in the county to distribute drugs. Triplett had traveled to Guernsey County with distributable amounts of drugs after being in the Columbus area.

Within 12 hours of receiving the tip, law enforcement observed Triplett’s vehicle at a Quality Inn in Cambridge, Ohio, and arrested the defendant nearby. Triplett had an active full extradition warrant for his arrest from Minnesota.

After arresting Triplett, officers searched his hotel room and discovered hidden throughout the room: cocaine and more than 230 grams cocaine base, an open vacuum sealed bag of fentanyl mixed with heroin, and a digital scale.

Triplett’s criminal history includes multiple drug convictions in multiple jurisdictions, often rural communities. Sentencing documents also note that Triplett’s drug trafficking is tied to at least one nonlethal drug overdose.

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 Guernsey County Sheriff Jeffrey D. Paden announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler J. Aagard and Kevin W. Kelley are representing the United States in this case.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A repeat sex offender pleaded guilty in federal court here today to receiving and possessing child pornography. 

Christopher McInturf, 56, of Newark, Ohio, faces 15 to 40 years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material and 10 to 20 years in prison for possessing it.

According to court documents, in February 2025, the Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crime Center referred an investigative lead regarding McInturf using CashApp to pay for child pornography. Further investigation revealed that McInturf met an individual online who he believed to be in Paraguay. McInturf would pay the person typically $80 or $86 for bundles of child pornography.

In January 2025, McInturf messaged the individual asking for “something new? Rape is good. 10 to 15 yr…”

Investigators discovered child sexual abuse material of prepubescent female victims on McInturf’s digital devices. For example, one video was a 70-minute compilation of 55 children being sexually assaulted who were approximately two to 10 years old.

On a thumb drive, McInturf had an explicit photo of a minor previously identified as the victim in a case against the defendant in Licking County. McInturf was convicted in 2011 in Licking County of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in his local case.

McInturf was charged federally in February 2025. He will be sentenced at a future court hearing.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey, announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorney Tyler J. Aagard is representing the United States in this case.

This case was brought as 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

# # #

DAYTON, Ohio – Xiangyang He, 41, a Chinese national and illegal alien living in Los Angeles, was sentenced in U.S. District Court here to 96 months in prison for his role as a courier in a fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans. He personally picked up more than half a million dollars in cash and gold from older victims, including at least one victim in Ohio. 

“Retired Americans unknowingly give away their hard-earned retirement savings to criminals like He, an illegal alien who preyed on a vulnerable population,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “This sort of conspiracy uses deceptive tactics and fear to steal millions of dollars in savings and retirement accounts from hardworking Americans. My office will do everything we can to protect our elderly citizens. And we want folks to be aware of these schemes so they can protect themselves from future fraud attempts.”

According to court documents, victims of the scam are usually contacted initially through a message sent to their computer or cell phone or an unsolicited phone call by a person purporting to be an employee or customer service representative from a legitimate business.

A conspirator then directs the victim to contact either a “security official” for the given company or a “government employee” for more information. The conspirators represent to the victim that an IP address, bank account or other account has been compromised, and victim information has been used in some sort of criminal activity for which they are being investigated.

The scheme perpetrators often use fictitious employee identification numbers or names of legitimate government employees. They also tell victims there is a warrant for their arrest or their life savings will be seized.

Finally, elderly victims are instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash or purchase gold bars from online brokers and give the cash or gold to a “government employee” at a specific time and place for purported safe keeping in secure government accounts.

From late February through early April 2024, He flew to at least six different states to pick up approximately 17 packages from victims ages 65 or older. Packages included $35,000 to $73,000 in cash or gold. On April 4, 2024, He traveled to the Southern District of Ohio to retrieve funds from a victim and was subsequently arrested.

The defendant was indicted by a grand jury in April 2024 and pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiring to commit wire and bank fraud.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jason Rees, Special Agent in Charge, United States Secret Service, announced the sentence imposed on Feb. 23 by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth L. McCormick and Special Assistant United States Attorney Dwight K. Keller are representing the United States in this case.

Anyone who suspects they or a loved one is a victim of such a fraud can report it by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, or go to the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative website for more information at www.Justice.gov/elderjustice.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted a Columbus man, charging him with defrauding the United States through fraudulent GI Bill educational assistance, Federal Student Aid and military loan discharge. 

Adam L. Steinberger, 36, of Columbus, allegedly recruited several co-conspirators, including a family member and friends who served in the military, to enroll in college courses to fraudulently obtain financial assistance.

According to the indictment, from 2018 until 2024, Steinberger and others enrolled in college courses and applied for and received GI Bill-33 funds for tuition, monthly housing allowances and stipends for books and supplies. In addition, Steinberger and others also allegedly obtained Federal Student Aid while enrolled.

Once enrolled, Steinberger allegedly paid an individual in Africa to complete course assignments for the co-conspirators.

The defendant also allegedly caused fraudulent federal student loan discharge or forgiveness based on alleged Total and Permanent Disability status for veterans.

Finally, part of the fraudulently obtained government benefits and student loan discharge proceeds would allegedly be paid to Steinberger from co-conspirators through money apps. The indictment details a series of payments sent to Steinberger totaling nearly $15,000, with approximately $6,000 of the proceeds then going to the person in Africa completing the college coursework.

Conspiring to defraud the United States is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced the case, which is being investigated by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and Department of Education Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Kenneth F. Affeldt and Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Noah R. Litton are 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.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II announced today results of targeted enforcement actions in the Southern District of Ohio in support of Operation Take Back America. These results involve new charges, convictions and prison sentences for illegal aliens with prior criminal histories including violent crime, drug trafficking and sex offenses. 

“As our results over the last month have shown, my Office is laser-focused on prosecuting illegal aliens who illegally enter our country and commit crimes that threaten the safety of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Our ability to hold these offenders accountable is the direct result of the painstaking efforts of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners.”

Today, Cenuhe Zepeda-Vibanco, 37, a convicted felon who is an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced in federal district court in Columbus to 170 months in prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl, carfentanil and heroin to multiple counties in the Southern District of Ohio.

Zepeda-Vibanco possessed more than 1.3 kilograms of fentanyl and carfentanil, an animal tranquilizer that is 100 times more lethal than fentanyl. At the time that he committed this offense, Zepeda-Vibanco was on federal supervised release for illegal reentry.

Zepeda-Vibanco is the sixth illegal alien with a criminal history to be sentenced, convicted or charged in the Southern District of Ohio in the last month:

• Also in federal district court in Columbus today, Jaime Fernandez-Alacron, an illegal alien from Colombia, was sentenced to 37 months in prison for illegally reentering the United States after sustaining an aggravated felony conviction. Fernandez-Alacron has prior federal convictions for conspiracy to commit kidnapping in aid of racketeering, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and illegal reentry.
• On Feb. 3, in Columbus, Abel Velasquez-Avecedo, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and possessing cocaine and methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Velasquez-Avecedo fired multiple shots from a vehicle after an argument with another individual and was found to be in possession of a pistol and several baggies of cocaine and methamphetamine. He previously had been convicted of assault and operating a vehicle while intoxicated and had absconded from probation supervision prior to committing these offenses.
• On Jan. 27, a federal grand jury in Columbus indicted Luis Cabrales-Guerra, an illegal alien from Mexico, for allegedly conspiring to distribute fentanyl and for illegally reentering the United States following his previous federal conviction for an aggravated drug felony. Cabrales-Guerra was previously removed from the United States to Mexico multiple times in 2010 and 2011. In 2016, Cabrales-Guerra was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute heroin in the District of Minnesota. He was again removed from the United States to Mexico in 2019 after serving his sentence in that case.
• On Jan. 22, in Cincinnati, William Noe Cuellar Montufa, an illegal alien from Guatemala, pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States. He was convicted in Warren County in January 2006 for attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and in September 2007 for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Cuellar Montufa was deported in 2008 following his terms of incarceration and is the subject of a warrant for homicide in Guatemala.
• On Jan. 15, in Columbus, Daniel H. Rodriguez-Andrade, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for possessing with intent to distribute more than two kilograms of heroin and illegally reentering the United States. He had been deported from the United States on four previous occasions and, at the time of the offense, was on supervised release for a previous federal illegal reentry conviction in Arizona.

“We will continue to hold criminal illegal aliens accountable for their actions under Operation Take Back America. And we will do everything in our power to ensure that their unwelcome stay in the United States includes a trip to the Bureau of Prisons,” said U.S. Attorney Gerace.

Deputy Criminal Chief Brian J. Martinez and Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Pakiz, Elizabeth Geraghty, Sheila G. Lafferty and Danielle E. Margeaux prosecuted the cases as 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.

# # #

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury today indicted the man who allegedly had multiple loaded guns near the John Glenn Columbus International Airport last month.

William T. Griffith, 40, of Delaware, Ohio, was charged by federal criminal complaint in January. The indictment returned today charges him with illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

According to charging documents, on Jan. 9, local law enforcement responded to a 911 call at approximately 4am regarding Griffith trespassing in a construction area at the airport. Law enforcement officers discovered firearms at the scene.  The indictment details Griffith possessing a rifle, a pistol and a revolver.

At the time of Griffith’s arrest, he was dressed in military-style fatigue trousers. Body armor with ceramic plates and a ballistic helmet with night vision were also located nearby.

In 2011, Griffith was convicted of kidnapping, prohibiting him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

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, and members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Damoun Delaviz 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 – Four Cincinnati men were sentenced in U.S. District Court here this week for their roles in a large-scale narcotics conspiracy that provided drugs in the West End.

Kevin Deramus, 46, was the head of the drug trafficking organization. He obtained, cut, processed and distributed large quantities of drug mixes made with heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, xylazine and other drugs. He was sentenced on Feb. 11 to 294 months in prison.

Throughout this investigation, agents learned that Deramus purchased large quantities of heroin from a co-defendant before he and one of his top distributors, Dorian Freeman, cut and processed that heroin with fentanyl, cocaine, xylazine and other substances. The drugs were then sold to co-conspirators who helped run a handful of stash houses in Cincinnati.

Deramus was heard during law enforcement surveillance bragging about how potent his drugs were, while simultaneously complaining that they were too strong because it now took his “licks” longer to come back and buy more. He was also heard joking that one of his drug testers may have overdosed and died from the potency.

When law enforcement officials executed search warrants at associated residences in February and March 2024, they discovered $291,000 in cash at one stash house. They also seized bulk quantities of drugs and loaded firearms.

Freeman has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. Co-defendant Gregory Isham was sentenced on Feb. 11 to 57 months in prison. Damien Tribble and Edmond Hurt were each sentenced today to 36 months in prison. 

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit, and Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie announced the sentences imposed by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Former Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Oakley and Assistant United States Attorney David P. Dornette represented the United States in this case.

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DAYTON, Ohio – A federal grand jury has indicted four defendants for a federal crime related to the seizure of 119 kilograms of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, 170 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and 80 pounds of suspected marijuana. 

According to charging documents, on Feb. 2, DEA agents executed a federal search warrant on a freight package delivered to a distribution center in Dayton where agents discovered and seized the large quantity of suspected controlled substances.

Those charged today include Jason Heath, 40, of Dayton; Roderic Searcy, 60, of Los Angeles; Craig Worthen, 40, of Los Angeles; and Mark Lane, 33, of Cincinnati.

An affidavit details that Lane and Searcy drove a white Mercedes van to the distribution center on Feb. 3 to retrieve the shipment. Lane and Searcy then allegedly took possession of the freight and loaded two pallets into the van before leaving the distribution center.

From the distribution center, Heath and Worthen followed the van in a Honda Civic to an address in Dayton. The defendants discovered the suspected controlled substances had been removed when they started to unwrap the package inside the van, and all four defendants immediately attempted to leave the residence unsuccessfully. All four individuals were stopped and arrested by federal agents.

The defendants are all charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, a 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 Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Detroit, announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth A. McCormick 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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CINCINNATI – Two asphalt companies have agreed to pay $30 million total to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they submitted fraudulent test results to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for federally funded asphalt projects in Ohio.

Specifically, Kokosing Materials, Inc. will pay $17.5 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false or fraudulent asphalt test results from 2012 through 2024.

Barrett Paving Materials, Inc. will pay $12.5 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false or fraudulent asphalt test results from 2013 through 2025.

Ohio’s Construction and Materials Specifications require that companies performing asphalt projects must conduct certain mix design testing of their asphalt mixtures, known as Job Mix Formulas (JMFs). Companies are then required to submit the test results for ODOT to approve their proposed JMFs prior to beginning their asphalt work on federally funded projects. The companies are also required to conduct regular quality control tests as asphalt is being laid on Ohio roadways.

The settlements resolve allegations that, rather than performing these required mix design tests, the companies repeatedly submitted JMFs to ODOT containing data copied from prior JMFs. The settlements also resolve allegations that the companies submitted false quality control test results.

“The settlements announced today underscore our unwavering commitment to keeping federally funded transportation projects in Ohio and across the nation free from fraud, waste, and abuse,” said Elise Chawaga, Principal Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General. “Through sustained coordination with our federal, state, law enforcement, and prosecutorial partners, we will continue to investigate misconduct and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

“I applaud our federal partners for holding companies accountable and protecting the integrity of State contracts,” said Inspector General of Ohio Randall Meyer.

“The Trump Administration is rooting out fraud at all levels of government,” said FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster. “I commend Department of Justice attorneys, USDOT’s Inspector General and the Ohio Inspector General’s Office for going after bad actors, ensuring the integrity of the Federal-aid highway program, and protecting taxpayer dollars.”

The civil settlements include the resolution of claims brought by individuals under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. These provisions allow a private party, known as a relator, to file an action on behalf of the United States.

This matter was investigated jointly by agents from the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and investigators from the Office of the Ohio Inspector General.

Civil Chief Matthew J. Horwitz and Assistant United States Attorneys Linda Mindrutiu and Brandi Stewart are representing the United States in these matters.

Vipal J. Patel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Elise Chawaga, Principal Assistant Inspector General for Investigations, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General; Randall Meyer, Inspector General of Ohio; and Sean McMaster, Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration; announced the settlements.

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

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Tyler Thomas, the 39-year-old Columbus man arrested in January on local charges related to the disappearance and death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee, now faces federal exploitation charges. 

“The filing of these federal charges does not signal the end of the investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “Our prosecutors continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to collect and comb through evidence in pursuit of justice for Hailey and her family. We appreciate the public’s patience as the investigation proceeds.”

“The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue all evidence in this case as we seek the facts about Hailey’s disappearance and death,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “While we are deeply saddened that we cannot bring Hailey home, we are committed to holding accountable anyone involved in the crimes against her.”

In a federal criminal complaint that was unsealed today, Thomas is charged with sexually exploiting a minor and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. If convicted as currently charged, he would face up to 30 years in prison on each count.

The defendant appeared in federal court at 1:30pm today and his case was unsealed at that time.

Thomas allegedly met the victim online playing video games including Roblox and League of Legends.

According to charging documents, Thomas traveled from Columbus to Fortville, Indiana, during the overnight hours of Jan. 5 to Jan. 6 to pick up the victim and drive her back to Ohio with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity, specifically the production of child pornography.

Cell phone analysis reveals Thomas then allegedly traveled to an Airbnb residence in Logan, Ohio, on the afternoon of Jan. 6. At approximately 9:25am the next morning, Jan. 7, Thomas’s phone data shows he traveled near the North Country Trail Trailhead in Wayne National Forest, where the victim’s remains were later located. The phone remained in that location until approximately 2:15pm, when it began to travel back towards Columbus.

During a forensic review of Thomas’s cell phone, agents identified deleted communications and interactions between Thomas and the victim, including messages on SnapChat and sexually explicit images of the victim in Thomas’s Columbus residence and the Airbnb residence.

Columbus police officers searched Thomas’s residence on Hunter Avenue in Columbus and collected cell phones, computers and numerous other items of potential evidentiary value.

FBI agents also executed search warrants at the Airbnb residence in Logan and located potential traces of blood throughout the residence and seized numerous items that potentially contained traces of blood. Those items are awaiting further analysis.

Additionally, Thomas’s cell phone allegedly contained child sexual abuse material of a girl approximately seven to 10 years old and a sexual Discord conversation with another teenager. Specifically, in that Discord conversation, Thomas allegedly messaged: “Does baby carve parts of her own body?” and “…you’d look so good covered in red.”

The local charges against Thomas for pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor will be dismissed and the case will proceed in federal court.

The Fishers, Indiana Police Department, Columbus Division of Police, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Indianapolis, U.S. Forest Service, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI) are also investigating the case. The Perry, Hocking and Franklin County Prosecutor’s Offices are coordinating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Senior Litigation Counsel Heather A. Hill and Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski 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.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal jury found a Vinton County man guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography and AI-generated images of child sexual abuse. 

Cody L. Prater, 28, of McArthur, Ohio, was convicted on all four counts of crimes related to his receipt and possession of both child pornography and obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. 

The verdict was announced Thursday evening following a trial that began on Feb. 2 before U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson.

According to evidence presented at trial, Prater received and possessed videos depicting the rape and sadistic sexual abuse of real minors, primarily babies and toddlers. He also used an artificial intelligence text-to-image program to convert his text prompts into photorealistic depictions of child sexual abuse, including nude prepubescent children being mutilated and tortured, bestiality, and children engaged in sexual acts with adults.

“Prater collected vile videos of real babies and toddlers being sexually abused and created other AI-generated obscene material involving children,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “We will continue to crack down on those who victimize children through these horrific materials. I commend the investigators and trial team for their outstanding work.”

“Following a prior conviction for a state child pornography offense, the defendant continued to demonstrate his depravity through his possession and trafficking of images depicting the brutal sexual abuse of both real and photorealistic AI-generated infants and toddlers,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Child sexual abuse material, whether real or AI-generated, causes real harm to real children. As demonstrated by today’s verdict, the Department of Justice will continue to use all available tools to prosecute offenders who create, share, possess, or otherwise illegally engage with such material.” 

“Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting children from exploitation, whether that abuse is captured in traditional imagery or generated with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence,” said HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “This verdict underscores that there is no distinction under the law between child sexual abuse material involving real victims and AI generated depictions of such horrific crimes. HSI will continue to work tirelessly with our federal, state, and local partners to identify offenders, dismantle the networks that enable this abuse, and ensure that those who prey on children are brought to justice.”

Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Tyler Aagard of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Eduardo Palomo of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are representing the United States in this case.

This case was brought as 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. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Texas man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court here today to exploitation crimes related to traveling to Ohio to have sex with a minor he met online playing Call of Duty.  

Harrison Michael Barton, 38, of North Detroit, Texas, was arrested in February 2025 at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport while attempting to fly to Florida with the victim. Barton’s plea agreement includes a recommended sentence of 25 to 30 years in prison.

According to court documents, in February 2025, Barton took a Greyhound bus from Texas to Ohio to meet a 15-year-old approximately one month after connecting with the victim on the Call of Duty mobile game.

At the time, Barton was wanted on an outstanding parole warrant out of Texas stemming from a prior conviction for online solicitation of a minor, in which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Barton admitted that, in this instant case, the teenager picked him up in Newcomerstown, Ohio. Prior to arriving at the airport, the defendant admitted to having vaginal and oral sex with the minor and to taking sexually explicit pictures of the victim.

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; Coshocton County Sheriff Christopher Walters; Newark Police Chief Erik McKee; and John Glenn Columbus International Airport Police Chief Ronald Gray announced the guilty plea entered today before U.S. District Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily Czerniejewski and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.

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

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was indicted today and charged federally for allegedly threatening on social media to kill federal immigration agents. 

Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, is charged in a two-count indictment with threatening to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer and with making threatening interstate communications. Novoa was originally charged by criminal complaint on Jan. 22.

According to charging documents, HSI received information in December 2025 regarding threats to ICE employees on the social media platform X. Investigation revealed that, in June 2025, Novoa allegedly posted: “they should blast every ice agent they find.”

Later, in November 2025, Novoa allegedly posted “can’t wait to shoot these p***y ice agents and r******d maga maggots.”

Novoa used the screennames “Lord of Frenzied Flame” and “Father2High.”

Federal agents executed a search warrant at Novoa’s residence in December 2025 and seized multiple firearms, including two rifles, two shotguns and one handgun, as well as ammunition. Novoa also possessed two helmets and a body armor vest.

Threatening to kill a federal officer is a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Making threatening interstate communications carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jared Murphey, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy D. Prichard 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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