Northern District of Texas

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould today announced that a federal jury convicted Phillip Daniel Peterson, 56, of Dallas, on six counts of transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce.

“Today’s guilty verdict affirms that violent threats carry real consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Cyber‑based threats are real threats, and those who misuse online communications to sow fear should expect meaningful federal consequences. We are grateful for the jury’s careful consideration and remain committed to protecting the public from those that misuse technology to harm or frighten others.”

“This verdict makes clear that conveying violent online threats is a serious criminal offense with substantial consequences,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI remains committed to protecting our communities and ensuring that individuals who exploit digital platforms to intimidate, coerce, or instill fear are held accountable.”

According to evidence presented at trial, Peterson sent a series of threatening emails on June 23, 2023, directing violent language toward multiple victims. The following six communicated threats transmitted across state lines resulted in each of the convicted counts.

1. “M.M., I am going to f**k you up.”
2. “I am going to put your f**king head on a stick.”
3. “I am going to a** f**k you M.M. you f**king c*nt.” 
4. “M.M. I am going to f**k you in the a** you stupid c*nt.”
5. “I am going to f**k both J.H. and D.W. in the a**.”
6. “You stupid f**gots better know I know where you live.”

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 11, 2027, before U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey. Peterson faces up to five years in federal prison per count on each of the six counts. 

The FBI Dallas conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ted Hocter and Caroline Poore from the National Security Division prosecuted the case.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that an illegal alien from Mexico, with seven convictions for driving while intoxicated, was sentenced to 6+ years in federal prison for illegally reentering the United States. 

Fernando Salvador Perez Morales, 46, was indicted in November 2025 for illegally reentering the U.S. Perez-Morales pled guilty in March. U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr sentenced him to 74 months in federal prison on Sept. 23. 

“Individuals who repeatedly violate our immigration laws and endanger our communities by driving drunk—especially after multiple removals—are not welcome in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “With seven DWI convictions, including hit and run crashes, Perez-Morales continued to illegally return and put North Texans at risk. This sentence underscores our commitment to protecting the public and enforcing federal immigration law. We appreciate the work of our ICE partners and the prosecutors who secured this conviction.” 

“After violating our nation’s laws to illegally re-enter the country three times, this criminal alien repeatedly put the lives of innocent Americans in jeopardy by driving while he was intoxicated on seven different occasions, fleeing the scene twice,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Dallas Field Office Director Miguel Vergara. “While sanctuary politicians and the media work to shield dangerous criminal aliens like this from deportation, our officers will continue to work tirelessly to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and remove illegal aliens who pose a threat to our communities.”

According to court records, between 2009 and 2025, Perez-Morales was convicted seven times of DWI, two of which involved hit and run accidents. In August 2025, Perez-Morales was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement his seventh conviction. Perez-Morales was removed from the U.S. in 2013 and 2020 and will be removed again once he fulfills his 74-month sentence in federal prison.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted the Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marbel Leonel Munoz and Eric Bales from the Major Crimes Section prosecuted the case. 

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced today that nineteen individuals have been federally charged in a sweeping 24-count indictment that alleges their involvement in a years‑long drug trafficking operation responsible for distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana throughout the Dallas area. 

“Today’s charges against 19 North Texas drug dealers reflect the unwavering commitment of the Homeland Security Task Force to protect our communities from violent criminal networks,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Through HSTF’s unprecedented interagency collaboration, we are able to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating near locations and public spaces where families and community members should feel safe. My office will use every tool available to hold drug traffickers accountable and to safeguard the people of North Texas.” 

“This investigation reflects what is possible when local and federal law enforcement agencies work together with a shared commitment to protecting our communities,” said Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux. “Our officers and investigators worked alongside our federal partners over an extended period to identify and disrupt an alleged drug trafficking network operating in Dallas neighborhoods. We will continue working with our partners to hold those who bring drugs, guns and violence into our communities accountable and to keep Dallas safe.” 

“As this investigation unfolded, the DEA and our law enforcement partners identified a highly organized, poly-drug distribution organization, feeding our streets with cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and fentanyl,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge, Joseph B. Tucker. “Working alongside our Homeland Security Task Force partners, the DEA Dallas Division dismantled this network and remains fiercely committed to removing these poison peddlers and violent organizations from our communities to ensure our neighborhoods and parks are safe for our children.” 

“This investigation highlights the mission of the HSTF, which includes targeting transnational criminal organizations engaged in drug trafficking,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We will continue our collaboration through the Dallas HSTF to produce real, impactful outcomes for the safety of our communities.”

“Task force cases make our communities safer. In this case, IRS Criminal Investigation special agents helped uncover alleged money laundering activities involving drug proceeds tied to drug houses near where our children learn and play,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of IRS-CI’s Texas Field Office. “HSTF is designed to bring together the expertise of its members, and IRS-CI contributes to the team by focusing on tracing the illicit funds.”

According to the indictment, the charges stem from a long‑term investigation into convicted federal drug trafficker Avery Wayne Davis, identified as a leader in the organization alongside Sterling Lawrence Taylor. Working with cultivated sources and historical investigative intelligence, Dallas Police Department officers and FBI, DEA, and IRS-CI special agents uncovered multiple narcotics distribution networks, four wire targets and numerous drug houses operating across Dallas, many of which are located adjacent to schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, and public parks.

Agents seized cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, multiple firearms—including a .50‑caliber Desert Eagle, Glock Model 33, Taurus pistols and other weapons—and more than $40,000 in drug‑related proceeds, along with additional currency and jewelry totaling more than $500,000. 

The indictment charges a wide range of alleged criminal conduct, including drug‑trafficking conspiracies, money laundering, firearms offenses, drug house operations and unlawful use of communication facilities.

The following are categories of the violations of federal drug trafficking and firearms law that the named defendants are alleged to have committed and the sentencing range if convicted:

Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, 10-life

• Avery Wayne Davis a.k.a. AD
• Sterling Lawrence Taylor a.k.a. Bo 
• Phillip Hernandez-Martinez a.k.a. Phillip Martinez-Hernandez

Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, 5-40 years

• Avery Wayne Davis a.k.a. AD
• Sterling Lawrence Taylor a.k.a. Bo
• Oltin Coneius Ward a.k.a. Lump 
• Tiffany Nicole Alphonse
• Samantha Rodriguez a.k.a. Sam a.k.a. Bonnie 
• Adonis Jamaal Moore a.k.a. Mall
• Anthony Taylor a.k.a. Ant

Possession with the Intent to Distribute 0-5 or 0-20 years 

• Paul Perkins
• Darrin DeShon Ray

Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, a mandatory 5 years consecutive to any sentence imposed in other counts

• Avery Wayne Davis a.k.a. AD
• Sterling Lawrence Taylor a.k.a. Bo
• Adonis Jamaal Moore a.k.a. Mall
• Paul Perkins
• Darrin DeShon Ray

Maintaining Drug Involved Premises and aiding and abetting

• Avery Wayne Davis a.k.a. AD 
• Sterling Lawrence Taylor a.k.a. Bo 
• Tiffany Alphonse 
• Reteecia Te Shane Handy a.k.a. Retecia Handy
• Adonis Jamaal Moore a.k.a. Mall
• Anthony Taylor a.k.a. Ant
• James Harrison
• Darrin DeShon Ray

Use of a Communications Facility to Further Drug Trafficking

• James Harrison

Money Laundering

• Avery Davis a.k.a. AD
• Tiffany Alphonse 
• Shydale McNickels a.k.a. Missy, and 
• Reteecia Te Shane Handy a.k.a. Retecia Handy

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Summary of All 24 Counts

• Count 1 – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine 
• Count 2 – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine 
• Count 3 – Conspiracy to launder monetary instruments involving drug‑trafficking proceeds 
• Counts 4–8 – Using or maintaining drug‑involved premises at multiple Dallas locations, including Roberts Ave., Munger Ave., Cedar Mountain Circle, Woodmeadow Parkway, and Abrams Road 
• Counts 9–10 – Possession with intent to distribute cocaine 
• Count 11 – Possession with intent to distribute marijuana 
• Counts 12–17 – Possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, involving multiple weapons including Taurus pistols, a Glock handgun, a Canik pistol, and a 300 Blackout rifle 
• Count 18 – Unlawful use of a communication facility, specifically a cellular telephone, to facilitate cocaine distribution 
• Count 19 – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine 
• Count 20 – Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base 
• Counts 21–22 – Maintaining drug‑involved premises on Coolidge Street 
• Counts 23–24 – Possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, involving a .50‑caliber Desert Eagle and a .357 Magnum revolver 

The FBI, DEA, IRS-CI and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myria Boehm from the Major Crimes Section is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Secret Service in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety, City of Dallas Police Department, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement entities.  

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that on Sept. 23, a federal grand jury indicted a former Senior Immigration Services Officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu and his associate Adeniyi Akeem Somoye based on allegations outlined below. 

A press release issued Friday, Sept. 4 alleges the following:

• A federal criminal complaint filed Aug. 31 charged the duo with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities as public officials.
• Federal agents arrested Ganiyu and Somoye on Sept. 2. 
• According to the complaint, from December 2019 through March 2026, Ganiyu used his official position to approve immigration applications—I‑130: Petition for Alien Relative; I‑485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; I‑751: Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence; and N‑400: Application for Naturalization—in exchange for money.
• Investigators allege he bypassed required interviews, supervisory reviews, jurisdictional limits, background checks, and USCIS processing protocols. 
• Ganiyu and Somoye collected hundreds of thousands of dollars from applicants, many of which corresponded to approvals issued by Ganiyu. 
• The scheme involved extensive thousands of WhatsApp messages and calls between the defendants and applicants. 

"The indictment makes clear that Ganiyu gravely betrayed his oath as a public servant, and that he and Somoye knowingly violated federal law. Their actions, as alleged, corrupted the integrity of our immigration system and jeopardized national security by letting individuals evade essential vetting requirements. These charges underscore that my office will relentlessly pursue anyone who abuses public trust for personal gain.”

USCIS Office of Investigations, DHS Office of Inspector General and the FBI Dallas Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham from the Fraud section is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that Rassian Nateray Comer, 21, from Louisiana, was sentenced to life in federal prison for his role in a fatal alien smuggling conspiracy that claimed the lives of a grandmother, her 7-year-old granddaughter and two illegally present Mexican nationals. 

“This case lays bare a heartbreaking human tragedy — a grandmother, a 7-year-old child and two Mexican nationals were all killed because of Mr. Comer’s criminal and depraved actions,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “These were innocent lives, stolen in an instant by an alien smuggler whose criminal actions showed complete disregard for everyone on the road.  No sentence can restore what was lost, but it does send a clear message: when criminals gamble with human lives, we will respond with the full weight of the federal government to ensure victims receive justice.”

“Comer’s reckless actions turned a human-smuggling run into an unimaginable tragedy that took the lives of four people, including a grandmother and her young granddaughter,” said Homeland Security Investigations Dallas acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Judy Pardo. “He showed a callous disregard for the lives of the people he transported, the law enforcement officers pursuing him, and the innocent family sharing the road that night. This sentence holds him accountable for that devastating choice. HSI will continue to work with our partners to pursue the smuggling networks that profit from human lives and leave tragedy in their wake.”

According to court records, on March 13, 2023, Comer was transporting 11 illegal aliens when he fled from a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. During the chase, he drove eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 and ultimately ran a red light in Ozona, Texas, colliding with a red pickup truck carrying the grandmother and her 7-year-old granddaughter. Both were killed at the scene. Two of the illegal aliens in Comer’s vehicle, identified as R.S. and I.C.G., also died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision, while the remaining nine suffered serious injuries. 

Further highlighting the defendant’s recklessness, at one point during the pursuit, Comer streamed the chase on Facebook Live, showing police lights in his rearview mirror and a speedometer reading 105 mph as voices in Spanish were heard in the background. 

Comer admitted that this was his fourth smuggling trip for an organization operated by a relative. He coordinated pickup locations through WhatsApp and on that day retrieved 11 migrants in Sheffield, Texas. Comer admitted that the 11 migrants had entered, come to, or remained in the United States in violation of the law. He also admitted he knew that the 11 aliens were in the U.S. in violation of the law and when he transported, moved, or attempted to transport or move them within the U.S., he did so with intent to further each alien’s unlawful presence. 

A Springfield XD9 9mm handgun was found under the brake pedal of Comer’s vehicle. Comer acknowledged possessing the weapon, admitting he believed that it was stolen. The firearm had traveled in interstate and foreign commerce prior to Comer’s possession. 

On June 18, Comer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens resulting in death, 11 counts of transportation of an illegal alien resulting in death and one count of possession of a stolen firearm. Today, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix imposed the Life sentence for Counts One through Twelve and 5 years of supervised release. Comer was also sentenced to 120 months for Count Thirteen to run concurrently with each other and 3 years supervised release, plus a $1,300 special assessment.

VICTIM STATEMENT

We want to thank U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould of the Northern District of Texas and his staff for the immediate and decisive action he and his office took to move this matter forward for us. A unique and special thank you goes out to Jeff Haag, West Texas Branch Chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Texas. Mr. Haag is a diligent force and means what he says. He built trust with our family by continuously keeping us informed and following through on his commitment at each step.

“Thank you!” to all the Texas teams and investigators for the extraordinary dedication, compassion, and determination you have shown throughout this tragic journey.

There are no words that can adequately express the unbearable impact of losing Mom and Emilia.  The killing of Mom and Emilia is immeasurable.  Losing our seven-year-old daughter, granddaughter and niece, Emilia Brooke Tambunga and Mom Coke, left us only with fierce commitment and determination to enact sweeping change and to hold this animal accountable. Losing Mom, wife, and Grandma Maria “Coke” Tambunga has left us untethered. Losing Emilia Brooke left us fractured with a gaping wound.  Nothing can undo what this animal did, but it does affirm something important: their lives mattered, their deaths mattered, and what was done to them could not simply go unanswered.

Today is not about closure—because a loss of this magnitude does not simply close.

This Texas team stood up as our voices—their voices, Mom’s and Emi’s—and they carried the facts into the courtroom and pursued justice. For that, we will always be grateful.

Thank you for standing with the victims, for standing with their families, and for seeing this case through to this moment. Your work has mattered more than words can say.

With deepest gratitude and respect,

Emilio Tambunga, Father & Husband
Elisa Tambunga, Mother and Daughter
Gin & Tim Jespersen, Daughter, Aunt & Uncle

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Border Prosecution Unit, and the 112th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey R. Haag, West Texas Branch Chief, prosecuted the case.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney Ryan Raybould and Criminal Chief Fabio Leonardi of the Northern District of Texas traveled to Guatemala this week to expand cooperative efforts with Guatemalan justice‑sector partners to prosecute transnational cartels and disrupt the financial networks that support them.

During the visit, Raybould met with the President of Guatemala, the Attorney General, vetted investigative units, Guatemalan prosecutors and leadership from the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

The trip focused on strengthening joint investigations targeting cartel money‑movement systems, including fraud networks, bulk‑cash operations, trade‑based laundering, cryptocurrency channels and other financial mechanisms that cartels use to move illicit proceeds across borders.

“Cartels are not just violent criminal organizations—they are global financial machines built to exploit international borders. And We will not allow those borders to protect them,’ said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Our message is unequivocal: we will follow their money, expose their networks and work with our Guatemalan partners to bring every facilitator, broker and launderer to justice. If you move cartel money, we will find you.” 

Officials emphasized that Dallas–Fort Worth is a critical choke point in cartel finance investigations due to its rapidly expanding financial sector, central transportation hub and concentration of federal agencies specializing in financial crime, cyber operations, cryptocurrency tracing and money‑laundering enforcement.

The Department of Justice and Guatemalan authorities reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated operations, expanded evidence sharing, and joint prosecution strategies targeting cartel financial infrastructures.

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Grand Prairie woman was federally indicted Sept. 15 alleging that she embezzled at least $1.2 million from an elderly Waxahachie couple who trusted her with their family finances.

Nancy Black, 69, was charged with ten counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. She had her Initial Appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Toliver Judge on Sept. 23.

“Stealing more than a million dollars from a family who relied on you is a profound breach of trust and betrayal of the highest magnitude,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Crimes like this don’t just drain bank accounts; they upend lives and inflict lasting hardship. My office will pursue anyone who targets vulnerable populations and weaponizes trust to commit fraud and identity theft.”

“For years Black allegedly lived a life of financial deception, stealing money and the identity of the family she worked for as a bookkeeper. Financial crimes like this one significantly and horribly impact everyday people. There are always victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus, of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Texas Field Office. “Our special agents are law enforcement officers who are experts in solving financial crimes. Working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are driven to hold these types of alleged criminals accountable.”

According to the indictment, from at least 2018 to 2024, Black worked as a bookkeeper for a Waxahachie couple who had originally hired her since at least in the early 2000s. In this role, Black allegedly stole from the couple by forging checks made payable to herself, using the victims’ bank accounts to pay offer her own credit card bills and withdrawing cash from an account she had been tasked with closing over a decade earlier.

If convicted, Black faces a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison for each of the bank fraud counts and two years for each of the two aggravated identity theft counts.

IRS-Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ignacio Perez de la Cruz of the Fraud Section is prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a member of the violent North Texas street gang Kiccdoe was sentenced Sept. 17 to more than 13 years in federal prison for his role in a racketeering conspiracy involving acts of violence, armed robbery and drug trafficking. 

Blake Aaron Scott, 22, of Arlington, Texas, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy on June 3. 

“This defendant fueled a violent criminal enterprise that terrorized North Texas neighborhoods with shootings, robberies and drug trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Let me be unmistakably clear: My office will not tolerate this type of violence in North Texas. We will dismantle any gang that threatens our communities and aggressively prosecute its offenders.” 

“This defendant’s role in a violent gang that terrorized the Arlington community warrants the sentence imposed in this case,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities.”

“This is a significant win for our community,” said Arlington Police Chief Al Jones. “In Arlington alone, we documented more than 180 criminal incidents, many of them violent, involving the members of this street gang. Our city is safer with these defendants of our streets. I’m extremely grateful to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas for partnering with us on this case and for successfully prosecuting everyone who was part of this conspiracy.”

According to court documents, Scott was a member and associate of the Kiccdoe gang—an organization whose members engaged in murder, shootings, armed robberies, intimidation and narcotics trafficking throughout Arlington and other North Texas communities. 

From at least August 2021 through 2025, Scott and other Kiccdoe members conspired to conduct the affairs of the enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, including:

• Conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder: On Jan. 20, 2022, during a shooting at a residence in Arlington targeting an individual identified as N.C., Scott urged Kiccdoe members to locate and kill rivals in Instagram communications. 
• Armed robbery: On May 7, 2022, Scott participated in a gunpoint robbery during which approximately $250 and personal items were taken from W.B. Scott later helped co-conspirators evade law enforcement. 
• Drug trafficking: From at least August 2022 through November 2025, Scott used Instagram to advertise drug sales, posted images of large marijuana quantities and engaged in hand‑to‑hand deliveries. Proceeds were used to purchase firearms for use in further violent crimes. 

The Kiccdoe Enterprise

Court records describe Kiccdoe as a criminal enterprise operating in Arlington, Texas, since approximately 2017. Gang members use violence, intimidation, narcotics distribution and social media promotion to maintain territory, influence and profits and climb in rank by trafficking controlled substances and committing violent acts, referred to as “standing on business.” 

In court papers, Scott admitted that he knew the enterprise’s objectives, agreed to its goals and committed essential elements of the charged racketeering conspiracy. 

U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman sentenced Scott to 157 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Scott was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following sentencing. 

Scott is the last of 21 defendants convicted and sentenced in this racketeering conspiracy.

The FBI’s Dallas Field Office and Arlington Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura G. Montes and Eric B. Chen from the Fort Worth Division prosecuted the case with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Capoccia.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a man who fired multiple rounds from an AR‑style rifle off the Margaret McDermott Bridge amid New Year’s Eve celebrations was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm as an illegal alien. 

Jose Raul Alarcon Sanchez, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey. In imposing the 35‑month sentence, Judge Godbey noted that although Alarcon Sanchez is young, his conduct was “incredibly dangerous” and warranted a significant term of imprisonment.

“Spraying rifle fire off a downtown bridge is a lawless act that puts our Dallas residents at risk. This sentence makes clear that anyone who turns a celebration into a crime scene will face swift and serious federal consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will not tolerate violent, brazen conduct that endangers the public, and we will continue to use every federal tool available to protect North Texans.”

“This case is a clear example of why we never stop working the evidence,” said ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner. “What happened on that bridge could have ended in tragedy, but our agents and our law enforcement partners methodically followed the evidence—from the shell casings recovered at the scene to the firearm and ultimately to the individual who pulled the trigger. When someone recklessly uses a firearm in a way that puts innocent people in danger, ATF will use every investigative resource available to identify that firearm, identify the shooter, and build the case necessary to hold them accountable.”

According to court records, just after midnight on Jan. 1, Alarcon Sanchez and another man stood among stopped vehicles and crowds gathered to watch celebratory fireworks from the Margaret McDermott Bridge. The two men took turns filming each other firing black rifles over the side of the bridge.

On Jan. 5, Dallas Police Department officers recovered significant ballistic evidence at the scene, including seventy‑nine 5.56/.223 caliber fired cartridge casings and multiple 9mm and .40 caliber casings both on and beneath the bridge. Additional matching cartridge casings and ammunition were recovered from Alarcon Sanchez’s pockets and his van when he was arrested by Grand Prairie Police later that night in response to a separate “shots fired” call.

A subsequent search warrant executed at Alarcon Sanchez’s residence on Jan. 28, resulted in the recovery of multiple firearms, including an AR‑15‑style pistol later linked to the fired cartridge casings found on the bridge. Agents also recovered his Mexican passport and confirmed that he had overstayed a temporary visitor visa issued in May 2025.

Investigators additionally located social media photographs and videos posted by Alarcon Sanchez days before and immediately after the New Year’s Eve shooting, depicting him holding and firing the same AR‑style rifles believed to have been used on the bridge.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Dallas Field Division and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Grand Prairie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh from the Violent Crimes section prosecuted the case.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced charges against four defendants for allegedly orchestrating a multi‑year mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in the funding of more than 20 fraudulent home loans totaling approximately $7,339,699. 

On Sept. 16, a federal grand jury indicted Shawna Randall (aka Shawna Porter), Cleophus Turner, Julie Shoumbert and Maurice Gardner. All four are charged with conspiracy to provide false statements to a mortgage lending business, while Randall and Turner are additionally charged with three counts of fraud and false statements. 

“These defendants allegedly conspired to corrupt the mortgage process by flooding lenders with fabricated finance and employment information to push through unqualified borrowers,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will pursue anyone who deceives federal loan programs, threatens the integrity of our housing system and harms American taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost of fraudulent schemes such as this.”

“The defendants allegedly engaged in a sophisticated loan origination scheme, using their knowledge and experience in banking and real estate to circumvent federal lending requirements,” said Special Agent in Charge Grant Permenter, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General. “At every stage, any one of them could have stopped these fraudulent transactions, but instead, they allegedly chose to participate. Their actions undermined the integrity of the FHA program and resulted in more than $7.3 million in fraudulently obtained loans. HUD OIG will continue working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement and oversight partners to hold accountable those who seek to profit by abusing HUD funded programs.”

“Stopping fraud in the VA Home Loan Program is not just about protecting resources—it’s about safeguarding the benefits that our veterans have earned,” said Inspector General Cheryl L. Mason, Department of Veterans Affairs. “Through our strong law enforcement partnerships and vigilant oversight, we will continue to halt these schemes and hold fraudsters accountable.” 

FHFA-OIG is committed to working with the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who engage in mortgage-related fraud, particularly when officers of financial institutions and lenders, who have a duty to conduct honest business, participate in that fraud” said Christopher Lane, Special Agent in Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Central Region. “We are grateful to HUD-OIG and VA-OIG for their partnership in the investigation of this case.

According to the indictment, from June 2020 through November 2022, Randall, Turner, Shoumbert and Gardner conspired to falsify income, employment, bank records and other financial documents in order to qualify unqualified borrowers for Federal Housing Administration, Veteran’s Affairs and conventional mortgage loans originated through Eustis Mortgage Corporation d/b/a Verity Mortgage. 

Randall, who worked for a real estate broker, allegedly recruited unqualified borrowers and prepared or directed the preparation of fraudulent W‑2s, pay stubs, employment verifications and falsified bank statements. Her real‑estate license was inactive during the conspiracy. 

Turner, a mortgage loan officer at Verity Mortgage, allegedly submitted the falsified documents as part of official loan applications, despite knowing the information was fabricated or altered. 

Shoumbert and Gardner allegedly produced falsified bank statements for borrowers at Randall’s request, which were then submitted to Eustis/Verity Mortgage as part of loan qualification files. 

The indictment outlines numerous overt acts showing the defendants created and transmitted fake employment documents and bank statements to support loan applications in Texas and Oklahoma. 

As a result of the alleged fraud, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has already paid partial FHA‑insurance claims exceeding $493,499. 

If convicted, Randall and Turner each face up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy and up to thirty years on each of the three false‑statement counts, fines and mandatory forfeiture. Shoumbert and Gardner, who are each charged with conspiracy, face up to five years in prison, fines, and forfeiture.

HUD, VA and Federal Housing Finance Agency Offices of the Inspectors General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham from the Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that on Sept. 16, a federal grand jury indicted Michael Raymond Roell, also known as “Johnathan Michael,” and Wendy Bailey, former principal of Crosby Elementary School in Forney ISD, for orchestrating a scheme that concealed Roell’s prior history of alleged abuse and misconduct, and enabled him to obtain a position as a special‑education teacher within the district.

The duo is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud for their alleged roles in facilitating Roell’s fraudulent entry into the school district.

“The allegations in this indictment represent a profound violation of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “A school is supposed to be a place where children are safe and protected, not a place where an educator with a known history of misconduct can walk back into a classroom because someone in a position of authority helped him hide who he really was – a predator that targets special needs children. This office will use every tool available to aggressively prosecute anyone who compromises the safety of children or undermines the integrity of our public institutions. These individuals did not just conspire to break the law, they actively and maliciously put children at risk.” 

“This indictment demonstrates the lengths these two defendants went to circumvent a hiring process meant to keep our schools and students safe,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that students not only receive a good education, but that education is provided in a safe environment.”

According to the indictment, on or about June 6, 2016, Roell was arrested and charged in Dallas County, with one count of indecency with a child – sexual conduct after accusations he touched at least one student in the groin area and observed the student as they used the restroom. Roell was terminated from his position with Garland ISD. These prior allegations, which were known to Bailey, were concealed during the hiring process, and were red flags that would have impacted his eligibility for employment if adequately disclosed.

The indictment alleges that to circumvent hiring safeguards, Roell, encouraged by Bailey, legally changed his name from Michael Raymond Roell to Johnathan Michael, then submitted an employment application to Forney ISD that concealed his prior identity, criminal charges, and misconduct and disciplinary history. Prosecutors allege that Bailey used her position as principal to promote Roell’s candidacy, participate in hiring communications and help move his falsified application forward.

The indictment details numerous electronic communications between Roell and Bailey — including emails, text messages, and application documents — that prosecutors say demonstrate explicit coordination to hide Roell’s prior criminal charges and ensure his hiring. In October 2025, Roell, using his new legal name, was successfully hired as a special‑education teacher at Crosby Elementary, earning approximately $67,700 annually.

Roell remained employed by Forney ISD until May 2026, when the Texas Rangers arrested him on state charges of felony child abuse and grooming. That arrest led to the federal investigation now culminating in these felony indictments.

As alleged in the indictment, the charges are related to Roell’s prior alleged wrongdoing and the alleged efforts by Roell and Bailey to conceal that information.

Roell has been in federal custody since Aug. 27. If convicted, both defendants face a federal prison sentence of up to twenty years and forfeiture of any proceeds derived from the offense.

The FBI’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations Dallas and the Texas Rangers. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ted Parran and Claire Demers are prosecuting the case. 

Project Safe Schools is a federal initiative aimed at protecting students, enforcing accountability and restoring transparency in public schools across North Texas. Project Safe Schools directly targets failures in mandatory reporting of educator misconduct and combats the practice known as “passing the trash,” where educators with known misconduct issues move between schools without disclosure of their prior wrongdoing. Project Safe Schools’ goals are to:

• Enforce mandatory reporting requirements tied to federal education programs.
• Hold school districts, administrators and teachers accountable through civil and criminal enforcement.
• Increase transparency in educator misconduct investigations.
• Strengthen student safety across schools in North Texas.          

An indictment is merely an allegation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a West Dallas man pleaded guilty today to bank fraud and admitted to using stolen identities and fake IDs to deposit over $15 million in U.S. Treasury checks intended for various business throughout the United States.

Kendrick Lamont Fugett, 34, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S District Court Judge Reed O’Connor. Fugett was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on Aug. 20. 

Mr. Fugett’s guilty plea reflects our office’s commitment to protecting federal funds,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who steal from the American taxpayer and Main Street Americans.”

As Fugett admitted in his plea agreement, he assumed the identity of the chief financial officer of a software company based in Austin, Texas, to open a business account at an Origin Bank branch in Dallas. To pass himself off as the company’s CFO, Fugett used a fake Texas driver’s license and forged corporate documents, later arranging the deposit of a Treasury refund check worth more than $13.8 million.

Fugett’s scheme extended to several other banks in the Dallas area. For example, court documents reveal that Fugett successfully deposited a refund check for more than $447,000 at a Bank of America branch in Mesquite, Texas, that had been made out to a real business. In connection with that transaction, Fugett assumed the identity of the billionaire chairman of the holding company that owns that business and presented a fake Illinois driver’s license bearing his own image. 

Fugett faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2027. 

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ignacio Perez de la Cruz and Alexander Schwab from the Fraud section are prosecuting the case.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a North Texas man was sentenced Sept. 16 to 17 months in federal prison for threatening to shoot and kill ICE agents. 

Robert Wilson King, 36, pleaded guilty June 16 to transmitting an interstate threat in connection with a post he made on a social media platform, stating, “If I see ICE agents in my neighborhood I’m opening fire. It’s time to stop being p****** and put the second amendment to work.  ICE are not real cops, they are a secret police force with no real legal authority. Kill them.”

“There is no place for political violence in this country, and that includes hiding behind a keyboard to threaten the lives of the men and women who serve in federal law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents perform critical duties for our nation, and they should never have to fear for their own lives or the safety of their families simply for doing their jobs. Those who attempt to intimidate, harass or threaten federal officials will be tracked down and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The FBI takes all threats of violence seriously. Online threats directed at federal law enforcement officers is a federal crime and carries serious consequences,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We would like to thank our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners that contributed to the outcome of this investigation. Law enforcement’s collaborative effort ensured this offender was held accountable for his actions.”

“Threats of violence against federal law enforcement officers are not protected speech; it is a criminal act that will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly,” said HSI Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge Antwoine Jones. “This sentence sends a clear message that those who threaten officers or attempt to intimidate them from performing their lawful responsibilities will be held accountable.”

“This sentence sends a strong message that political violence will not be tolerated and those who threaten members of law enforcement will be held accountable,” said U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christina Foley. “Through strong partnerships with our federal, state and local counterparts—and by leveraging our unique technical and investigative capabilities—we remain committed to bringing to justice those who threaten the safety and lives of others.”

According to court documents, this was one of several politically themed violent threats King posted on social media.

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr sentenced King to 17 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release.

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation with assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office and the McKinney Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Brasher prosecuted the case.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Four Deuce Oakland Crip gang member was sentenced Sept. 16 to 90 months in federal prison for his role in an armed carjacking committed in Dallas’s Deep Ellum entertainment district.

Travion Williams, 23, pleaded guilty to carjacking and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on June 3, 2025. 

“Armed gang members who hijack public spaces and terrorize citizens in North Texas will face federal consequences—period,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. This defendant chose violence and fear and today, he is facing the consequences of that decision. We will not allow criminal organizations like the Four Deuce Oakland Crips to operate with impunity in this District.”

“This sentence sends a clear message to violent gang members: if you choose to use firearms to terrorize our communities and commit violent crimes, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and our law enforcement partners will come after you,” said ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner. “Through Operation Blue Laces, ATF and our partners will continue dismantling violent gang activity and holding those who threaten our communities accountable.”

According to court documents, Williams, an identified member of the Four Deuce Oakland Crips, participated in an armed carjacking on Dec. 6, 2023. The victim and a companion were returning to their 2020 Chevrolet Corvette parked near Elm Street in Dallas when Williams and two co‑conspirators approached. All three gang members were masked, and Williams brandished a Glock 19 pistol. They forcibly stole the victim’s keys, wallet, phone and other belongings before fleeing in the Corvette. 

Dallas police attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, but Williams evaded officers at high speed before abandoning the Corvette under a bridge. Williams fled on foot into an industrial area but, he was ultimately apprehended by Dallas Police Officers.

Williams’ sentencing is part of Operation Blue Laces, an ATF-led initiative launched in January 2024 to identify and disrupt gang members operating along the Malcolm X Boulevard corridor in South Dallas. Residents had reported that Four Deuce Oakland Crip members created an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness, using storefronts to stash firearms and distribute drugs, while also maintaining an open-air drug market on the 2800 block of Casey Street—known to the community as “the Dead End.” 

U.S. District Judge Brantley Starr imposed the 90-month sentence yesterday morning. 

To date, twelve defendants associated with the Four Deuce Oakland Crips have been convicted of federal offenses including drug conspiracy, firearms violations and carjacking. 

ATF Dallas and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert, Major Crimes Section Chief, prosecuted the case.

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FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that seven non‑citizens have been charged for unlawfully voting in federal elections or falsely claiming United States citizenship. 

Six defendants were indicted on Sept. 10, while the seventh was charged by criminal complaint on Sept. 11. Federal agents arrested one defendant on Sept. 11 and five defendants on Sept.14. One fugitive defendant surrendered to federal authorities today. 

“Federal elections belong to American citizens—period,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “When individuals who are not citizens cast ballots or falsely claim citizenship, they violate federal law, undermine the integrity of our electoral process and erode the public’s confidence in the fairness of our elections. These charges send a clear message: We will enforce the law. We will hold offenders accountable. And we will safeguard the voting process for the citizens it is meant to serve.”

“Election integrity is a national security priority, and HSI will continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate violations that threaten public confidence in our electoral process,” said HSI Dallas acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Judy Pardo. “These charges reflect HSI’s commitment to enforcing federal law, protecting the rights of U.S. citizens, and ensuring that only those legally eligible participate in American elections.” 

“Americans have a right to expect free and fair elections. This includes ensuring that the only people who vote in our elections are in fact eligible to vote,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI will continue to work with our partners to thoroughly investigate any allegation of voter fraud or other election crimes.”

The seven non-citizens are charged with the following offenses:

• Helen Sayen Adams, is a 67-year-old citizen of Nigeria and lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) since May 2024, is charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to register to vote. Adams allegedly falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on a Texas Voter Registration Application in June 2024 and voted in the November 2024 general election in Tarrant County. She later admitted she was not a U.S. citizen. 
• Joshua Nmelichukwu Akpom, is a 27-year-old citizen of Nigeria and lawful permanent resident since 2016, charged with false statements in relation to naturalization. As alleged, Akpom falsely denied on his 2026 naturalization application that he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship, registered to vote, or voted, despite registering in 2017 and voting in the 2018 general election. Due to the five‑year statute of limitations, prosecutors relied on the naturalization offense rather than the voting conduct. 
• Carlos Salas Barrios, is a 41-year-old Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident since 2018, charged by complaint with allegedly voting by an Alien in a Federal Election. Barrios unlawfully cast a provisional ballot in Tarrant County in the November 2024 general election despite not being a U.S. citizen and not being registered. Although the ballot was ultimately rejected, casting it was still unlawful under Texas and federal law.
• Khalwinder Singh Bhengura, is a 69-year-old citizen of India and lawful permanent resident since 2022, charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to register to vote. Bhengura falsely claimed U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in January 2024 and again when applying for a Texas driver license later that year in August. He voted in the November 2024 general election and later admitted he knew he was not a citizen. He was arrested on Sept. 11.
• Celestin Katubadi, is a 20-year-old citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo and lawful permanent resident, charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to vote. Katubadi cast a provisional ballot in Tarrant County during the November 2024 general election after falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on an affidavit of provisional voter. Although his ballot was rejected, casting it was still unlawful Texas and federal law.
• Rocio Thrasher, is a 38-year-old Mexican citizen and lawful permanent resident since 2017, charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to register to vote. According to the indictment, Thrasher allegedly falsely declared U.S. citizenship when registering in June 2024 and voted in the November 2024 general election. She later admitted knowing she was not a citizen.
• Moises Anwar Arellano‑Alba, is a 36-year-old illegal alien from Mexico ordered deported in July, charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to register to vote. He allegedly falsely claimed U.S. citizenship when applying for a Texas driver license in 2023 and voted early in the 2024 general election in Dallas County despite being a non‑citizen and convicted felon. He admitted in immigration proceedings that he had voted. Arellano‑Alba was a fugitive until this morning when he surrendered himself to federal agents.

These are not isolated incidents in North Texas. On the same day these several noncitizens were indicted, Eliseo Morales-Tapia, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for aggravated identity theft, identity theft, voting by an alien in a federal election and false statements of citizenship.

HSI and FBI Dallas field offices conducted the investigations with assistance from the Election Integrity Unit of the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Capoccia from the Fort Worth Division is prosecution the case. 

Indictments and complaints are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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LUBBOCK, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced today that Paul Rene Rocha, Jr., 36, of Lubbock, has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine following his arrest on Sept. 8, 2026. 

“Drug traffickers present a direct and destabilizing threat to the safety and security of our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This activity fuels violence erodes community trust and endangers families across Lubbock. Protecting the public requires unified action, and this case reflects the critical importance of partnerships between federal, state and local law enforcement. Together, we will continue to aggressively pursue those who profit from harming our communities and ensure they are held fully accountable under federal law.”

According to the complaint, narcotics agents in Lubbock discovered that Rocha was allegedly a major drug trafficker in the area and identified a storage building he visited frequently. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, agents observed Rocha entering and leaving the unit. After watching him meet with another individual in what appeared to be a drug transaction, agents stopped that person and recovered several ounces of cocaine. They then obtained a search warrant for the storage building. 

Inside, they located a firearm and approximately 18 kilograms of suspected cocaine:

Agents also obtained a warrant to search Rocha’s residence in Lubbock. Inside, they located another firearm and approximately $56,000 in currency hidden in an appliance. 

The full seizure is depicted below:

Rocha is currently in custody and will make his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at a later date.

This investigation was carried out by the Caprock Division of the Texoma High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and the Texas Anti-Gang initiatives with the collaboration of the Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Lubbock Police Department; Lubbock County Sherriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Lubbock Division are prosecuting the case. 

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that on Sept. 9, Tammy Sue Kerns, 58, pleaded guilty to second degree murder for killing her newborn son on or about Aug. 4, 1988, at the U.S. Air Force Regional Hospital at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. 

Kerns was charged via Information with unlawfully killing a newborn male infant with malice aforethought on Sept. 1.

“Forensic genealogy shattered the silence surrounding this crime and revealed the truth the defendant hid for nearly forty years: she deliberately and maliciously murdered her newborn baby,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This plea is a direct result of relentless investigative work and scientific advances that allowed us to identify both parents and bring justice to an infant who was denied his first breath. Time will never shield those who commit violent crimes. I am extremely grateful to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the forensic specialists for their diligence and extraordinary work in the case.”

“A case is never just a file on a shelf—it’s a promise. Decades may pass, but we do not walk away, we do not forget, and we will never stop fighting to find the truth and seek justice,” said Mr. John Fine, Chief, Cold Case Team, Air Force Office of Special Investigations. “When the AFOSI Cold Case Team was established in 2015, one of its first priorities was reopening the 1988 investigation into the murder of an infant at Sheppard Air Force Base. Our commitment to securing justice for the victim remained absolute. Through outstanding persistence, paired with advanced forensics and investigative genealogy, the team was ultimately able to resolve the case. We are deeply grateful to base leadership, local and federal law enforcement partners, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for working alongside us to bring about this resolution.” 

“Although this tragic loss occurred nearly four decades ago, the passage of time has not diminished our commitment to the truth,” said Deputy Commander of the 82nd Training Wing, Col. Joseph Wierenga. “On behalf of Sheppard Air Force Base, we are proud partners in this effort and hope these long-awaited answers bring a meaningful sense of closure and healing to our installation and our community. We extend our profound gratitude to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Cold Case Team, whose relentless determination and use of modern forensic science were instrumental in solving this case, as well as our sincere appreciation to U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould and the dedicated prosecutors of the Northern District of Texas for their tireless work.” 

According to court documents, on or about Aug. 4, 1988, a deceased full‑term infant was found in a laundry bin at Ponds Laundry in Wichita Falls, Texas, wrapped in linens from the Air Force Regional Hospital at Sheppard Air Force Base. At the time of discovery, all known pregnant patients and newborns at the hospital and on the base were accounted for. 

An autopsy conducted on Aug. 5, 1988, determined that the full-term male infant had no morphologic abnormalities. The report indicated there was evidence of live birth and the toxicology screen returned negative for all substances. The cause of death was ruled hypovolemia and anemia. With no suspects identified, the investigation was eventually closed. 

Forensic Genealogy Breakthrough

The case was revived decades later through advanced forensic genealogical methods. In 2015, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations reopened the investigation and conducted new interviews. In 2017, the U.S. Air Force pathology unit located genetic material from the deceased infant and sent it to the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory to build a familial Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, profile. 

In May 2022, forensic DNA laboratory and technology company Othram, Inc. performed laboratory testing of tissue samples from 1988 using advanced DNA sequencing and conducted forensic genetic genealogy research to identify biological relatives. This work led to a major breakthrough in 2023, identifying M.R. as the potential father of the infant. M.R. was interviewed on Dec. 10, 2024, and later confirmed as the biological father through DNA comparison.

“No child should be forgotten, no matter how much time has passed,” said Othram CEO David Mittelman. “We are honored to have supported AFOSI with the DNA testing that helped uncover the truth in this case.”

Identification of the Mother

AFOSI Cold Case Unit analyzed personnel rosters from Andrews Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base covering 1987–1988. Through this roster analysis, investigators determined there was only one female service member stationed at Andrews the same time as M.R. during the likely conception period and reassigned to Sheppard at the time of birth: Tammy Sue Kerns. 

On May 20, 2025, AFOSI conducted a non‑custodial interview with Kerns where she admitted she was the infant’s mother. She confirmed to investigators she concealed her pregnancy and never sought medical care. 

In plea papers, Kerns admitted she went into labor while working a night shift at the hospital, hid herself in the x-ray room so that no one would see her and locked the doors to prevent others from entering. Kerns gave birth during the shift and once she delivered Infant Male Doe, she placed her hand over his mouth until he stopped crying and/or breathing. Kerns then severed the umbilical cord from Infant Male Doe and the placenta and wrapped the cord around his body. Kerns then wrapped Infant Male Doe in hospital linens and placed the deceased infant in the laundry bin, cleaned up the room and returned to her shift. At the conclusion of the interview, Kerns voluntarily provided her DNA which confirmed she was the mother of Infant Male Doe.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Kerns faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release up to five years. Otherwise, this charge carries a sentence of up to life in federal prison. Her sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 8, 2027, before Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor.

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allyson Monte from the Fort Worth Division is prosecuting the case.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that four defendants — Donella Locke, Suekya Whitney (aka Suekya Locke), Shakoya Crenshaw (aka Shakoya Locke), and Krystle Locke (aka Krystle Edwards / Krystal Locke) — were indicted in two related fraud schemes involving the exploitation of elderly or vulnerable individuals entrusted to their care.

According to the Aug. 26 indictments, the family of alleged fraudsters operated unlicensed boarding homes across North Texas that housed elderly and disabled residents. Investigators allege that the defendants used their positions of trust to carry out schemes involving financial exploitation, fraudulent property transactions and theft of government benefits.

“Safeguarding our senior citizens is among the Justice Department’s most solemn obligations,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Whether through the manipulation of an elderly woman’s home or the theft of a deceased resident’s Social Security benefits, the alleged exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the defendants’ care represents a profound breach of trust and a serious federal offense. Social Security is not a personal piggy bank to exploit at the expense of the American taxpayer, and we will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to claw back any federal dollars lost to fraud, waste and abuse, and to ensure those who target our most vulnerable community members face swift justice.”

Fraud Scheme Involving Sale of Elderly Woman’s Home

A federal grand jury charged Donella Locke, Suekya Whitney, and Shakoya Crenshaw with one count of conspiracy to make false statements to a financial institution and four counts of making false statements to a financial institution. 

The indictment alleges the defendants obtained power of attorney over a 79‑year‑old woman, W.S., residing in one of their unlicensed boarding homes. They allegedly orchestrated the sale of W.S.’s longtime Garland residence to Whitney and Crenshaw, funneling more than $156,000 in proceeds through multiple accounts before transferring $147,000 to Locke. Locke then allegedly used these funds to purchase a new home, misrepresenting the money as a “cash gift” from her daughter. 

The defendants also allegedly made false statements to Capital Fund 1 and CrossCountry Mortgage, claiming the real estate transactions were arm’s‑length and that Locke received legitimate gift funds, assertions the indictment states they knew were false. In reality, the indictment asserts the defendants knew the transaction involved close family members and the funds originated from the sale of W.S.’s property.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison on the conspiracy count and up to 30 years on each false statement count. The indictment seeks forfeiture of any property traceable to the offenses. 

“This indictment demonstrates the actions these defendants took to defraud elderly victims in their care,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI remains committed to investigating those that engage in fraudulent schemes that target the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

Social Security Benefits Theft Scheme

In a related matter, the grand jury also indicted Krystle Locke for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 in Social Security benefits belonging to a deceased resident of one of her unlicensed boarding homes. Locke is charged with four counts of theft of government money and one count of aggravated identity theft.

The indictment alleges Locke owned and operated John Thomas Residential Care Home and other unregistered boarding homes. In December 2022, the victim — identified as S.T. — executed a durable power of attorney naming Locke as his agent. Locke allegedly applied for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income on S.T.’s behalf, later redirecting S.T.’s benefit payments into her own account. Social Security Administration records show deposits of $42,638.29 on Oct. 17, 2024, and $2,302.00 the next day. 

S.T. died on Oct. 19, 2024. Despite being notified of his death, Locke allegedly withdrew tens of thousands of dollars in the days that followed and failed to return the funds after being directed to do so. 

If convicted, Locke faces up to ten years in federal prison for each count of theft of government money, plus a mandatory consecutive two‑year sentence for aggravated identity theft.

The FBI Dallas conducted the investigation into the mortgage‑fraud scheme.

The Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General, Veteran’s Administration OIG and Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the Social Security benefits theft scheme.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elise Aldendifer and Chad Meacham from the Fraud section are prosecuting the cases.

An indictment is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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DALLAS — Less than one year after appointment as United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould marks a year of institutional transformation, historic prosecutions and measurable results across one of the nation’s largest and most complex federal districts.

Ryan Raybould was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney on Nov. 17, 2025, pursuant to an Attorney General Appointment. He was then appointed by the Northern District of Texas judges before being confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2026, following his October 2025 nomination by President Donald J. Trump. 

From his first day in office, U.S. Attorney Raybould established three guiding principles for the Northern District of Texas: reduce violent crime, disrupt cartels, and protect North Texans from fraudsters. 

Within his first 90 days, U.S. Attorney Raybould reorganized the Criminal Division to sharpen its focus on the threats facing North Texas and the nation. Over the following year, the office hired over 40 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and brought in the best and brightest leaders across the nation to reform its leadership team.   

At the same time, the office increased violent crime prosecutions by 26 percent, white collar prosecutions by 50 percent and charged the most immigration offenses in North Texas history. The office also ranked first among the extra-large U.S. Attorney’s Offices in cases charged per federal prosecutor. Empowered by U.S. Attorney Raybould to crush crime, the office has already charged more criminals than in 2025 and will end the fiscal year with more filed cases than at any point this decade.

“In less than a year, we’ve only just begun to transform the Northern District of Texas into the safest community it can be. With families, businesses and entire industries moving here from across the country, North Texas is booming and our office is meeting that growth with unwavering resolve. I’m proud of the extraordinary team we’ve built, men and women who bring unmatched talent and commitment to the mission every single day. As Y’all Street emerges as a powerful economic engine, drawing investment and opportunity from every direction, one thing remains constant: criminals will find no refuge in North Texas. We will continue driving violent crime down, protecting our borders and defending the rule of law with absolute determination.” — U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould

PROJECTS AND PRIORITIES

Project Safe Schools

U.S. Attorney Raybould launched Project Safe Schools, a federal initiative aimed at protecting students, enforcing accountability and restoring transparency in public schools across North Texas. Project Safe Schools directly targets failures in mandatory reporting of educator misconduct and combats the practice known as “passing the trash,” where educators with known misconduct issues move between schools without disclosure of their prior wrongdoing.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

Project Safe Neighborhoods is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that unites federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and public safety partners to coordinate efforts to reduce violent crime and strengthen community safety. The Northern District of Texas hosts several PSN operations. Under U.S. Attorney Raybould’s leadership, a second high‑risk area in Dallas – along Harry Hines Boulevard long known for trafficking, violence and public safety challenges – received PSN designation.  Through a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, federal, state and local agencies recently shut down a sex trafficking conspiracy operating out of the Paris Adult Bookstore, resulting in the indictment of eight defendants on related federal charges.  Additionally, U.S. Attorney Raybould expanded PSN to a second area in Fort Worth and is currently leading an operational surge there of state, local, and federal resources to ensure that violent offenders are brought to justice. 

Decentralize the District

U.S. Attorney Raybould has made enormous strides to decentralize the district, including filing more cases in West Texas and ensuring that the branch offices are staffed to meet the population growth. U.S. Attorney Raybould has assigned more Assistant United States Attorneys and Special Assistant United States Attorneys than ever before to the Fort Worth division, Abilene division and Amarillo division. As the chief federal law‑enforcement officer for the entire region, overseeing a vast jurisdiction that spans 100 counties and multiple metropolitan areas, his commitment is to deliver fair, effective and consistent enforcement of federal law to every single one of the almost nine million residents who call North Texas home, ensuring their safety and trust in the justice system.  As he often says, “I’m a U.S. Attorney for all 100 counties in North Texas. That is both an honor and an obligation that I aim to meet every single day by leaving it all on the field so that people can go about their lives free from violence, intimidation, and fraudsters.”  

RECENT CASES OF HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

• Antifa Cell Leader Gets 100-Year Sentence for Terrorist Attack: In the Country’s first prosecutorial response to Antifa-designated domestic terrorism, Benjamin Hanil Song, who was convicted of the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, was sentenced to 100 years in prison. Together, the 16 Prairieland terrorists received a combined sentence of 450 years in prison.
• Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Dismantle San Angelo Drug Trafficking Ring – 48 Arrested as Part of “Operation Concho Valley Shakedown.” This investigation and prosecution dismantled a major drug‑trafficking network operating across West Texas, leading to 48 arrests and the disruption of a supply chain responsible for fueling violence and addiction throughout the region.
• 60‑Year Sentence for Child Sexual Abuse Material: Victor Torres pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography leading to one of the lengthiest sentences handed down in the District for such crimes highlighting the District’s commitment to protecting minors and combating sexual exploitation.
• Homeland Security Task Force Investigations lead to indictment of 8 members of designated foreign terrorist organization TdA: Five of the eight indicted illegal aliens from Venezuela were charged in Northern District of Texas with kidnappings that resulted in death, racketeering involving murder and other violent offenses.
• Health Care Fraud Takedown – 13 Charged in NDTX, $360 Million Loss: This strategically coordinated nationwide law enforcement action resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death.
• Civil Fraud Enforcement – Nearly $75 Million in Settlements: The use of civil tools to protect the public fisc and recover taxpayer dollars lost to fraud, waste, or abuse is also a priority for U.S. Attorney Raybould, and so far in 2026 the office has reached civil settlements totaling $74,990,652.66, primarily under the False Claims Act.

These cases reflect U.S. Attorney Raybould’s and the Northern District’s concentrated efforts to disrupt cartels, domestic terrorist actions and cyber enabled crimes; dismantle fraud networks and protect children, reinforcing its strategic priorities in law enforcement.

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LUBBOCK, Texas – United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a former Muleshoe, Texas High School teacher has been charged in a federal enticement case involving a minor student.

A federal grand jury in Lubbock returned an indictment today charging Allegra Fey Mora, 28, with enticement of a minor for allegedly having sexual relations with one of her students. 

“The full force of my office will be brought to bear on teachers, administrators, and school districts who perpetuate a cycle of abuse in our schools,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “No one who abuses a position of authority over a child in the Northern District of Texas will escape scrutiny.  As I said before, Project Safe Schools is here to stay, and I’d encourage teachers, administrators and school districts to report any and all abuse that has occurred in the past to my office.  If we find out about it on our own, the consequences will be more severe.  And to North Texas parents, we will continue to fight for you to put bad actors in prison who abuse kids and create a culture of concealment in our North Texas schools.”

“Protecting children from exploitation is among HSI’s highest priorities, especially when allegations involve an abuse of trust by someone in a position of authority,” said HSI Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge Antwoine Jones. “HSI Dallas will continue working alongside our partners to identify, investigate and support the prosecution of those who target minors. Every child deserves to be safe from exploitation, including in the places where they should feel most protected.”

According to the indictment, from October 2025 to May 2026, Mora allegedly knowingly used a facility and means of interstate and foreign commerce, including a cellular telephone, to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexual activity. Texas Rangers initiated an inquiry in June 2026 after receiving a report concerning possible inappropriate sexual conduct between Mora and a 17‑year‑old Muleshoe High School student. During the investigation, law enforcement conducted interviews, collected electronic evidence and executed search warrants related to the case. The evidence reviewed by investigators corroborates alleged explicit communications and conduct underlying the federal charge.

Mora was arrested by state authorities earlier this year and was released pending further state proceedings. If convicted, Mora faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and up to life in federal prison.

The Texas Rangers conducted the investigation with forensic assistance from Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam from the Lubbock Division is prosecuting the case. 

Project Safe Schools is a federal initiative aimed at protecting students, enforcing accountability and restoring transparency in public schools across North Texas. Project Safe Schools directly targets failures in mandatory reporting of educator misconduct and combats the practice known as “passing the trash,” where educators with known misconduct issues move between schools without disclosure of their prior wrongdoing. Project Safe Schools’ goals are to:

• Enforce mandatory reporting requirements tied to federal education programs.
• Hold school districts, administrators and teachers accountable through civil and criminal enforcement.
• Increase transparency in educator misconduct investigations.
• Strengthen student safety across schools in North Texas.          

An indictment is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Dallas man who admitted to running a multi‑state marijuana distribution operation was sentenced today in federal court for conspiracy to use interstate facilities in aid of racketeering. 

U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay sentenced Dian Huang Jiang, aka “Danny Jiang,” to 60 months in federal prison.

“Drug traffickers who exploit interstate networks to pump poison into our communities will be met with the full force of federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Mr. Jiang built a sprawling, multi‑state drug enterprise that pushed thousands of kilograms of marijuana and funneled millions of dollars in proceeds through criminal channels. The Homeland Security Task Force unraveled that operation piece by piece, and today’s sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal organizations that threaten public safety.”

“This case sends a clear message; drug traffickers do not get a free pass simply because marijuana laws vary from state to state” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “Mr. Jiang moved large quantities of marijuana across state lines and supplied dangerous criminals who fuel violence and threaten our communities.  We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to dismantle networks and prevent drug proceeds from strengthening criminal organizations.”

According to court documents, Jiang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use interstate facilities in aid of racketeering. From at least January 2020 through August 2023, Jiang led a large‑scale distribution network responsible for moving marijuana from Oklahoma to customers across Texas and multiple other states. Jiang routinely used cellular telephones to coordinate marijuana deliveries, negotiate pricing and direct customers where to drop off large quantities of U.S. currency as payment for drug shipments. 

Court records show Jiang acquired multi‑ton quantities of marijuana, often distributing up to 1,000 pounds in a single day, and required customers to purchase between 20 and 300 pounds per transaction. He utilized multiple residences in Oklahoma and Texas to store, distribute and collect proceeds from the illegal drug enterprise. As part of the conspiracy, Jiang and his coconspirators transported drug proceeds between states, sometimes sending substantial amounts overseas to include the People’s Republic of China. On Aug. 8, 2023, federal agents seized more than $2.8 million from bank accounts and safe deposit boxes linked to Jiang’s operation. 

In addition to the prison term, Jiang faces forfeiture of several residential properties used in the drug‑trafficking operation as well as more than $4 million in drug proceeds traced by investigators.

The Drug Enforcement Administration – Dallas conducted the investigation with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Oklahoma City), the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Oklahoma, and the City of Mesquite Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph T. Lo Galbo and Rick Calvert prosecuted the case with assistance from AUSAs Phelesa Guy and Jonathan Penn. 

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, United States Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and United States Secret Service in partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety, City of Dallas Police Department, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement entities.  The prosecution was led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. 

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Thao Duong and Lam Mai, a wife and husband from Garland, Texas, were sentenced today in federal court to charges stemming from their operation of a website selling veterinary drugs and pesticides smuggled into the United State from Mexico. Duong was sentenced to three months in prison, two years of supervised release, and a forfeiture of more than $1.5 million. Mai was sentenced to two years of probation.

“The defendants in this case traded human safety and environmental health for illicit profit,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Justice Department will continue to investigate and prosecute transnational crimes to secure our border and protect the health and safety of Americans.” 

“No one should profit from bringing illegal chemicals into the United States and poisoning American communities,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Illegal Mexican pesticides and animal steroids are a dangerous combination. The sentence in this case underscores the importance of the cooperative efforts of federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt smuggling operations and secure our nation’s borders from foreign harm.”

“Trafficking toxic chemicals into the United States is a blatant assault on our national security and public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan R. Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “These defendants pumped dangerous, foreign sourced pesticides and drugs into our country recklessly putting American communities at risk. This sentence makes clear we will be uncompromising in the prosecution of those who engage in illicit activities that threaten our people, our environment and the integrity of our borders.”

“The FDA is charged with ensuring that veterinary drugs meet rigorous safety standards. When individuals smuggle and distribute misbranded and unapproved veterinary drugs, they jeopardize the health of animals,” said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Lamb of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Office of Criminal Investigations, Kansas City Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who distribute misbranded and unapproved animal drugs unlawfully.”

According to filings and evidence presented in court, in approximately 2011, Duong began using various online platforms to sell animal care products to customers throughout the United States. The products she sold were used primarily by people engaged in rooster fighting ventures. Duong was not a veterinarian and did not require customers to provide veterinary prescriptions to purchase veterinary drugs. She also sold products such as Cipio Vet, Baytril Max, and Caterrol, which are produced in Mexico and not approved by the FDA for use in the United States. In 2017, she added the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz to her inventory. Neither Taktic nor Bovitraz were registered with the EPA for sale or use and could not be sold legally in the United States. 

In 2018, Duong started a website, which she used as her primary means of selling and distributing veterinary drugs and pesticides. After launching the site, Duong entered into agreements with several co-conspirators to purchase veterinary drugs and pesticides that she knew had been smuggled into the United States from Mexico. 

The smuggled pesticides and veterinary drugs were brought into the United States through the Calexico Port of Entry in Imperial County, California, and placed in storage units near the border. Duong’s co-conspirators then shipped the products from California to Texas. Between 2018 and 2022, Duong obtained approximately $2.4 million worth of smuggled merchandise from her co-conspirators. 

Lam Mai was the shipping manager for the website. After orders were received, he packaged the pesticides and veterinary drugs and distributed them to customers throughout the country using the U.S. Postal Service and other shippers. 

According to the EPA, the active ingredient in the pesticides Taktic and Bovitraz is amitraz, which is toxic to bees if released into hives, and then ultimately to humans when it ends up in honey, honeycomb, and beeswax. Misuse of amitraz-containing products in beehives can result in exposures that could cause neurological effects and possibly reproductive effects in humans from the consumption of contaminated honey. Signs of neurotoxicity from exposure to amitraz have been documented in multiple animal species and include central nervous system depression, decrease in pulse rate, and hypothermia.

The EPA and FDA investigated the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Trial Attorney Lauren D. Steele of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincent J. Mazzurco and Madeleine Case for the Northern District of Texas prosecuted the case. 

ENRD is a member of the Department of Justice’s Trade Fraud Task Force, a cross-agency law enforcement effort that also involves the Criminal and Civil Divisions’ Fraud Sections, ENRD, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide. The Task Force was created to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to prevent trade fraud that deprives the government of vital revenue, threatens critical domestic industries, undermines consumer confidence, and weakens national security. The Task Force is designed to pursue enforcement actions against parties who seek to evade tariffs and other duties, as well as smugglers who seek to import prohibited goods into the American economy. The Justice Department encourages whistleblowers to alert the government to credible allegations of fraud, including utilizing the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act or through the Criminal Division’s Corporate Whistleblower Program at CorporateWhistleblower@usdoj.gov using the form available here.

FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that federal prosecutors, in coordination with federal and local law enforcement partners, launched Operation New Day, a public safety initiative aimed at ridding the Fort Worth community of dangerous criminal offenders in advance of the upcoming holiday season.

Formally launched on Aug. 24, this 90-day operation focuses on prosecuting narcotics traffickers, dangerous illegal aliens and other violent offenders. By removing these threats from the community, U.S. Attorney Raybould aims to help ensure a safer and more family‑friendly holiday season.

Less than two weeks since its inception, Operation New Day has resulted in 23 new federal cases being filed by the Fort Worth Division. 

“Those who break our laws, flood our streets with drugs and commit violent acts in our community should understand that they are not welcome in Fort Worth,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “North Texas will not serve as a refuge for individuals who persist in violating federal law, nor will it provide a respite for those who believe they can evade justice.”

Since launching Operation New Day, the Fort Worth Division has seized more than 20 kilograms of methamphetamine, along with distribution quantities of crack cocaine, and powder cocaine. Additional charges have been filed against multiple individuals for offenses including possession of a machine gun, escape from detention, narcotics distribution and illegal reentry into the United States.

Fort Worth is the 10th‑largest city in the nation and Operation New Day represents a significant step toward making Fort Worth the safest big city in the nation.

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that Lukman Owolabi Ganiyu, a former Senior Immigration Services Officer with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Adeniyi Akeem Somoye were arrested on federal charges for their roles in an alleged multi‑year scheme to receive illegal gratuities in exchange for manipulating and expediting immigration applications.

A federal criminal complaint filed Aug. 31, charges the duo with conspiracy to receive illegal gratuities by a public official. Federal agents arrested both on Sept. 2.

“Selling immigration benefits for cash is a blatant abuse of public trust,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “When a federal official puts a price tag on lawful status, we will intervene immediately. Public corruption will never be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.”

“The alleged manipulation of immigration decisions for personal gain undermines the integrity of a process essential to our national security,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses their position of trust.”

According to the complaint, from December 2019 through March 2026, Ganiyu used his official position to approve immigration applications—including Forms I‑130: Petition for Alien Relative; I‑485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; I‑751: Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence; and N‑400: Application for Naturalization—in exchange for money. Investigators allege that Ganiyu bypassed required interviews, supervisory review, jurisdictional limitations, background checks and standard USCIS processing protocols to unlawfully expedite approvals for applicants, many of whom were not eligible under federal law. 

The complaint alleges that Ganiyu and Somoye together collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in payments from applicants, several of which correspond directly with immigration approvals issued by Ganiyu.

Investigators also identified extensive WhatsApp communications between Ganiyu, Somoye and numerous applicants whose immigration cases they handled, including thousands of messages and hundreds of calls during the charged period. 

Their initial court appearances were held on Sept. 2 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Each defendant faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

USCIS Office of Investigations, DHS Office of Inspector General and the FBI Dallas Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham from the Fraud section is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Dallas man was sentenced yesterday to 60 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and committing that offense while required to register as a sex offender.

Eduardo Brito Leaton pleaded guilty May 14 to sexual exploitation of a child and to committing that felony offense while required to register as a sex offender.

“Eduardo Leaton’s actions inflicted profound and lasting harm on a vulnerable child, and today’s lengthy sentence underscores this office’s unwavering commitment to protecting the most innocent among us,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “In this district, those who target minors will face the full measure of federal justice. We will use every lawful tool at our disposal to ensure offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable.” 

“Predators who target children, whether across the street or across international borders, will be held accountable,” said HSI Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge Antwoine Jones. “This 60-year sentence reflects the seriousness of Leaton’s crimes and the unwavering commitment of our HSI special agents, and all our law enforcement partners in the fight to protect children and pursue justice for victims.”

According to court documents, on June 15, 2024, Leaton used an internet‑connected cellular telephone to induce a 13‑year‑old minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual media, which were transmitted via the Internet, a means of interstate and foreign commerce. Investigators later traced the communications to Leaton, who was residing at the Dallas Transitional Housing Center. His cellular telephone was seized during a parole‑related contact, and a search warrant revealed digital evidence supporting the offense. 

Court documents revealed that Leaton was required to register as a sex offender due to multiple prior convictions, including three Dallas County convictions from 2021 for possession or promotion of child pornography, which require lifetime registration under Texas law, and several convictions from Los Angeles County, California, for sexual offenses involving minors. While under those registration requirements, he committed the June 2024 offense involving the minor victim. 

Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor sentenced Leaton to 600 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child and 120 months for committing a felony offense against a minor victim while being required to register as a sex offender. The sentences will run consecutively for a total of 720 months. 

Homeland Security Investigations Dallas; Waterloo, Canada Regional Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety; Dallas Police Department and Dallas County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandie Wade from the Violent Crimes section prosecuted the case.

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DALLAS — The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas today announced that it has surpassed 100 Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the largest onboarding of federal prosecutors in the office’s history. Since taking office in November 2025, U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould has led an unprecedented, district wide hiring initiative—bringing aboard more than 40 AUSAs in just 10 months and assembling what he describes as “a championship caliber team dedicated to protecting the people of North Texas.”

This hiring surge has stretched across the entire district, with prosecutors added in Dallas, Fort Worth, Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock and Wichita Falls, strengthening federal enforcement capacity in every corner of the Northern District of Texas. The expansion comes at a pivotal moment: the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex is on pace to soon become the third largest metropolitan area in the United States, reflecting rapid population growth, increased economic activity and the corresponding rise in complex criminal threats.

“When I stepped into this role, my immediate priority was to build the strongest, most capable prosecutorial team this office has ever had,” said U.S. Attorney Raybould. “We set out to hire the best of the best—no matter where they were, no matter their background, no matter the competition—and bring them to North Texas to serve the public. Like a general manager building a professional sports franchise, we sought out top talent with proven grit, skill, and integrity. Today, that vision has become reality.”

The surge of new prosecutors reflects a strategic effort to strengthen all aspects of federal enforcement, from violent crime and drug trafficking to financial fraud and corporate misconduct, cyber intrusion, national security threats, civil enforcement, and appellate advocacy. 

The office has drawn from a deep talent pool, recruiting experienced state and federal prosecutors, former federal judicial clerks, trial attorneys with complex litigation backgrounds, subject matter experts, and lawyers from the country’s leading private law firms. The new prosecutors are graduates of leading law schools across the country including the University of Texas, Texas Tech, SMU, Pepperdine, Harvard, Yale, UCLA, Baylor, Notre Dame, Mississippi, Tulane, Texas A&M, Case Western Reserve, Loyola Chicago, George Washington University, Georgetown, St. Louis University, and other nationally recognized institutions. Several are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Many of these hires relocated to Dallas specifically for the opportunity to serve in the Northern District of Texas.

“North Texas is one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and the challenges we face are evolving just as quickly,” the U.S. Attorney continued. “To meet those challenges, we invested aggressively in people, the most important asset any office has. The attorneys joining our ranks bring exceptional courtroom experience, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to justice. Together, we are elevating the strength and capacity of this office so that we can protect the almost 9 million folks in North Texas.”

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Grand Prairie woman was indicted Sept. 1 for attempting to interfere with commerce by robbery after allegedly planning an armed robbery of the Golden Chick restaurant where she worked.

According to the criminal complaint, Laura Gonzalez, 44, engaged in a series of communications between Aug. 3 and Aug. 6 with an individual she believed could assist her in committing a robbery. Unbeknownst to Gonzalez, the individual was working undercover with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who connected her with a special agent. Gonzalez allegedly sought their help to rob the Golden Chick restaurant located at 3051 East Mayfield Road in Grand Prairie, Texas.

“Thanks to the ATF’s swift action and thorough investigation, a dangerous scheme was stopped before anyone was harmed,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Our priority is keeping the public safe, and when someone plots violence in this district, even before a single shot is fired or a door is breached, they should expect to face serious federal consequences.” 

“An employee entrusted with access to a business attempted to use that position to orchestrate an armed robbery, putting her co-workers and the public at risk,” said ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner. “This investigation demonstrates the importance of proactive investigative work in stopping violent crimes before they occur. ATF will continue to work to identify and disrupt those who use firearms or threaten violence to further criminal activity.”

The complaint alleges that Gonzalez provided detailed information to facilitate the planned robbery, including employee schedules, the location and status of the safe, camera placement, expected cash on hand and instructions on how to enter through an unlocked rear door. She also allegedly produced a hand‑drawn sketch of the interior layout and repeatedly encouraged that the robbery take place in the early morning hours while employees were present.

Gonzalez allegedly discussed the use of firearms, stated she would be present at the restaurant during the robbery to reduce suspicion and sought a share of the anticipated proceeds, estimated at $3,000 to $4,000. On Aug. 6, she allegedly sent a video from inside the restaurant showing the route to the safe and Digital Video Recorder camera unit.

ATF agents arrested Gonzalez Aug. 6 before any robbery occurred. According to the affidavit, Golden Chick is a multistate restaurant chain that operates along major travel corridors and relies on interstate supply chains and internet‑based services; therefore, the conduct described would have affected interstate commerce.

If convicted, Gonzalez faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years post-release supervision.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Violent Crime section are prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced, that on Aug. 26, a federal grand jury indicted Joseph Dale Lewis, 45, from Dallas, for threatening to kill multiple federal judges in Indiana. 

Lewis was charged by criminal complaint July 31 for threatening to assault, kidnap or murder federal officials with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against such officials on account of the performance of their official duties.

“Threats against federal judges and elected officials strike at the foundation of our republic, and will not be tolerated by this office,” said the U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This office is committed to standing up for our other branches of government, at both the state and federal level, so they can exercise their authorities under our constitution free from intimidation and violence.” 

“The FBI thoroughly investigates anyone who threatens the life of a federal judge or elected official,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We take these offenses seriously and ask the public to report threatening behavior to law enforcement.”

According to the criminal complaint, an individual identifying himself as Joseph Dale Lewis allegedly called the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and stated, “Two of your (Federal) judges are going to die today, get the [expletive] out the building.” The caller’s number displayed the name Joseph Lewis.

That same day, three federal judges in the Southern District of Indiana reportedly received an email from jdlewis275@gmail.com with the subject line “Trump was murdered.” The message referenced “hitting Federal judges in Indiana with airstrikes … and the FBI in Indiana,” constituting a threat of violence against federal officials. The email was signed “Joseph Dale Lewis.” 

During an interview with the defendant’s mother, Laverne Barker, she allegedly confirmed Lewis’ telephone number, which was used to threaten two federal judges and also advised that his email address is jdlewis272@gmail.com, which closely resembles jdlewis275@gmail.com, the account used to send the threatening message to three federal judges.

Lewis’ Initial Appearance hearing was set for Aug. 3, but it was re-calendared because the defendant had to be forcibly removed from the courtroom after making multiple outbursts directed at the judge. During the second attempt on Aug. 5, Lewis again disrupted the proceedings with outbursts and threats directed at the judge and United States Marshals Service officers present, leading to his forcible removal from the courtroom. 

If convicted, Lewis faces 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The FBI and the United States Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Sterbcow from the Major Crimes section is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Dallas man has been charged with kidnapping a 14‑year‑old minor.

According to the federal criminal complaint filed on Aug. 27, David Michael Klepak, 63, allegedly kidnapped a minor in Dallas and held her captive from approximately July 30 to Aug. 2. 

“The conduct described in this complaint is brutal and predatory,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “As alleged, the defendant, a 63-year-old man, kidnapped, drugged and raped the victim, a teenage girl. The defendant will have his day in court but let this be a warning to would be predators on the streets: we will find you and lock you up for as long as possible under the law.”

The complaint alleges that Klepak approached the minor victim while she was lost in her neighborhood and offered her a ride home. But instead of taking her to her home, Klepak transported her to his residence in Dallas, where he proceeded to repeatedly sexually assault her. Klepak reportedly yelled at the minor victim if she refused to take narcotics with him, and at times, Klepak threatened to kill her. The minor victim escaped on or about Aug. 2 and was found by a family member who took her to a police precinct to report the incident. Dallas Police officers arrested Klepak that same day.

According to the affidavit, investigators identified Klepak after the minor victim provided, among other details, a physical description of the suspect’s luxury vehicles and distinct jewelry. 

If convicted, Klepak faces a sentence of up to life imprisonment. 

Homeland Security Investigations is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Claire Demers and Brandie Wade from the Violent Crimes section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Fort Worth couple was sentenced today for their roles in a yearslong fraud scheme involving dozens of victims and millions of dollars in losses. 

Christopher Judge, 35, and Raquelle Judge, 36, pled guilty in December 2025 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means sentenced Christopher Judge to 78 months in federal prison to be followed by two years of supervised release. Raquelle Judge was sentenced to one month in prison. Both defendants were ordered to pay $2,794,680.73 in restitution. 

“Fraudsters who exploit hard working families in the Northern District of Texas will face serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “The Judges didn’t just abandon construction sites; their entire business model was built on lies and deceit. This kind of brazen fraud strikes at the heart of consumer trust, and our office will ensure that those who engage in such criminal conduct face justice.”

According to court documents, the Judges were managing members of Judge DFW LLC, a Texas-based company they used to falsely market themselves as providers of custom architecture, construction and interior design services. From approximately August 2020 through January 2023, the defendants offered below‑market bids to consumers across six counties in North Texas, inducing them to enter into design‑and‑build contracts for custom home projects. 

Although victims paid multiple installment payments for their projects, the Judges failed to complete most of the work and often abandoned projects entirely, leaving victims without finished homes. The defendants also admitted to falsely representing that Christopher Judge was a licensed architect. 

Court records reflect that the couple defrauded more than 40 victims across at least 24 construction projects. The defendants commingled victims’ installment payments in the primary Judge DFW operating account, frequently using individual victim installment payments for unrelated construction projects. The total loss amount is estimated at approximately $4.2 million.

The FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Euless Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark McDonald and Laura Montes from the Fort Worth Division prosecuted the case. 

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Grand Prairie attorney was arrested Aug. 31 on federal charges alleging he defrauded investors for years, used forged notary documents to mislead the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, falsely placed an innocent woman he barely knew at the center of that fictional operation and pressured the woman and her husband to “take a vacation” to Mexico to prevent authorities from learning the truth.

David Thomas Gilchrist, 70, is charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and witness tampering. He is expected to make his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge on Wednesday, Sep. 2.

“Mr. Gilchrist’s alleged conduct strikes at the heart of investor trust and the integrity of our financial system,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “He didn’t just defraud innocent people out of their savings, he allegedly forged documents, lied to federal regulators, and tried to intimidate witnesses to cover his tracks. We will not hesitate to pursue anyone who attempts to deceive investors or undermine federal investigations, and we remain committed to working with our great partners at the SEC to hold offenders accountable.”

“Attorneys play a vital role in the SEC’s investor protection mission,” said SEC Inspector General Kevin Muhlendorf. “Where any individual, but especially an attorney, seeks to obstruct SEC Enforcement investigations through lies, fake documents, or witness tampering, SEC OIG will use our law enforcement authority to pursue them with our partners at the Department of Justice.”

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Gilchrist entered partnerships and promissory notes with roughly twenty victims for the purpose of purchasing property tax liens in Texas counties as an investment vehicle. As alleged in the complaint, bank records show Gilchrist did not use his victims’ funds to purchase tax liens but instead commingled the money with other funds, which he used to make personal expenditures and repay earlier investors—classic features of a Ponzi scheme. Investigators estimate that between April 2023 and January 2026, Gilchrist received approximately $1.45 million from investors and returned only about $789,000.

The complaint alleges that when the SEC initiated an investigation and requested documentation, Gilchrist provided a set of purported quitclaim deeds that later proved to be forgeries. The deeds allegedly contained notary stamps and signatures belonging to real Texas notaries, none of whom authorized Gilchrist to use their credentials. 

According to the complaint, during sworn testimony before the SEC in April and May 2026, Gilchrist stated that he had redacted the homeowners’ names on the fraudulent quitclaim deeds because “they’re illegal,” and claimed that he used a woman — also “illegal”—as an intermediary to identify the homeowners and deliver cash to them in Bexar County, Texas. The complaint further alleges that days before testifying before the SEC, Gilchrist appeared unannounced at the woman’s home, told her husband that the FBI was looking for him and advised them to “take a vacation" for a couple of years, potentially in Mexico.

Gilchrist allegedly provided his victims with sporadic payments, misleading updates and implausible excuses such as a government shutdown, an arson investigation, and a hurricane‑relief deployment, that Gilchrist allegedly used to delay repayment. In at least one instance, while claiming to be hospitalized in Tennessee after a colectomy, Gilchrist was recorded as checking into a local gym in Mansfield, Texas.

If convicted of the charges alleged in the complaint, Gilchrist faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of the wire fraud and witness tampering charges and a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft.

In a separate case, the SEC’s Chicago Regional Office has also filed a civil complaint charging Gilchrist with securities fraud.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Inspector General is investigating this matter with substantial assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Schwab and Douglas Brasher of the Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a South African national with a long history of fraud and identity related offenses was charged in a federal criminal complaint Aug. 25 with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft following an extensive multi agency investigation.

Craig George McLachlan, who has used numerous aliases including “Craig Pritchard,” “Clive Morgan Pritchard,” “Jeffrey Moore,” “Joseph Robert Almond,” “John Paul Loisel,” and “Francis Castanho,” is alleged to have carried out a yearslong scheme involving thefts from gym patrons across Texas. 

“McLachlan didn’t just steal wallets, he stalked gyms across North Texas for years, hunting for victims and hijacking their identities with the confidence of someone who thought he could never be caught,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “His long trail of aliases and deceit shows a deliberate attack on hard working Americans just going about their daily lives. These charges make clear that those who treat fraud as a way of life will face swift federal consequences.”

“Identity theft is not a victimless crime. As alleged, this defendant preyed on everyday people across North Texas, stealing from gym patrons and using their identities to fuel a years-long fraud scheme,” said HSI Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge Antwoine Jones. “HSI Dallas and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue criminals who exploit stolen identities, drain victims’ accounts, and hide behind aliases to evade accountability.” 

According to the complaint, McLachlan entered gyms, stole wallets and credit cards and used those stolen cards to make thousands of dollars in fraudulent purchases across the Dallas–Fort Worth region.

Homeland Security Investigations, Southlake Police Department, Coppell Police Department, Plano Police Department, University Park Police Department, Richardson Police Department, Grapevine Police Department, Flower Mound Police Department, Austin Police Department and other agencies traced reports dating back as far as February 2018. Each case involved the same modus operandi: McLachlan allegedly stole credit cards from unlocked gym lockers or unattended bags, then purchased electronics, restaurant meals, groceries and other goods.

Law enforcement connected McLachlan to alleged thefts at gyms including YMCA locations, Texas Family Fitness, Summit Climbing Gym, Lifetime Fitness, Impact Fitness, and Club 4 Fitness, and fraudulent financial transactions at Whole Foods, Best Buy, REI, St. Bernards, Trader Joe’s, Spec’s, Central Market, Home Depot and other retailers.

The complaint also alleges that on Jan. 10, McLachlan used an alias “Jeffrey Tims” to obtain a day pass at Club 4 Fitness in Grapevine. He then stole a victim’s Chase Sapphire and AAdvantage MasterCard credit cards, charging more than $1,500 at stores and restaurants across North Texas. Surveillance images from Central Market and The Home Depot show McLachlan using the victim’s stolen card. Because the victim’s AAdvantage MasterCard transactions were routed through interstate servers in Texas, Georgia, Nebraska, and Arizona, the conduct constitutes wire communications in interstate commerce.

McLachlan was taken into custody on Feb. 5, after Grapevine Police located him driving a black 2020 Ford F 150 in Dallas. He has prior federal convictions for illegal reentry, firearms offenses, passport fraud, and aggravated identity theft, and he remains illegally present in the United States with an outstanding deportation order.

Homeland Security Investigations – Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation with support from multiple partner law enforcement agencies throughout Texas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen from the Fort Worth Division is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a former chief financial officer of a Dallas‑based charity has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for embezzling more than $2 million from the organization.

Jeffrey Scott Keehn, the 55-year-old former CFO of the Child and Family Guidance Center from Imperial Beach, California, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud after admitting he stole $2,109,786.56 from the non-profit over a period of approximately seven years. At Wednesday’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade sentenced Keehn to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay full restitution in the amount of $2,109,786.56.

“Stealing from a charity that serves families in crisis is unconscionable,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Mr. Keehn’s fraud didn’t just drain the charity’s finances; it forced them to divert time and resources away from their mission. This prison sentence and the restitution he now owes demonstrate that the Justice Department will pursue accountability for those who exploit nonprofits and divert funds meant to support critical community services.”

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions, which included embezzling charitable funds meant to help those in need of mental health services,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI will continue to investigate those responsible for defrauding organizations that provide critical services to members of our communities.”

According to court documents, Keehn abused his position as CFO by secretly accessing the charity’s checkbook, forging signatures and depositing fraudulent checks into his personal accounts. He also falsified QuickBooks entries and misrepresented the charity’s available cash to conceal the scheme.

As part of the investigation and forfeiture proceedings, the government successfully seized approximately $800,000 in assets, including multiple bank accounts, precious metals, a vehicle and his interest in a condominium in Oceanside, California.

At sentencing, two representatives of the Child and Family Guidance Center addressed the Court, describing the organization’s mission of providing mental health services to the indigent population. They emphasized not only the financial harm caused by Keehn’s actions but also the significant operational burden the fraud imposed, including extensive forensic audits and the challenge of rebuilding after years of concealed losses.

The FBI – Dallas Field Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marty Basu prosecuted the case. 

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that federal prosecutors have charged 184 defendants with illegal reentry after removal since June 1, marking one of the District’s most significant recent efforts to confront illegal aliens with egregious criminal history who have reentered the United States in violation of federal law.

By swiftly bringing these cases forward in coordination with federal law enforcement partners, the Department of Justice is reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding our communities. These prosecutions help ensure that individuals with prior removals who continue to engage in unlawful activity are promptly identified, charged and ultimately removed from the United States. 

“Those who repeatedly break our immigration laws, especially individuals with serious criminal histories, should understand that they are not welcome in the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Illegal reentry is a federal felony, and we are moving swiftly to charge and remove criminal offenders who endanger our communities. North Texas will not serve as a refuge for those who persist in violating federal law.”

“ERO Dallas remains focused on arresting and removing individuals who unlawfully return to the United States after removal, especially those with serious criminal histories,” said Miguel Vergara, ERO Dallas Field Office Director. “This initiative strengthens coordination with our partners and supports safer communities.”

“HSI Dallas works closely with our federal partners to identify and investigate individuals who illegally reenter the United States after removal, particularly those with serious criminal histories,” said Antwoine Jones, HSI Dallas Deputy Special Agent in Charge. “These cases reflect the value of strong law enforcement coordination and our shared commitment to protecting public safety and upholding federal law.”

Illegal reentry carries statutory penalties that may increase based on prior criminal history. Previous criminal convictions of defendants presently charged for illegal reentry include:

• Aggravated sexual assault of a child
• Indecency with a child
• Hit & run causing fatality
• Aggravated robbery
• Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
• Assault on a public servant

ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigations. This initiative is being led by the Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert, Major Crimes Section Chief, and the cases are being prosecuted by the following Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Myria Boehm, John Boyle, Alexander Fryer, Katy Garner, Ashley Koos, Michael Murtha, Eli Sterbcow, David Thomas and Patrick Vickery, as well as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys: Eric Bales, Paul Lichlyter, Marbel Munoz, and Sarah Stefaniak.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced new federal awards through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, designed to deepen multijurisdictional partnerships and ensure that federal resources directly support local efforts to fight crime and improve community safety.

As Fort Worth and the surrounding Tarrant County region continue to experience unprecedented growth, the Department of Justice is investing in key public safety initiatives to help law enforcement meet the evolving needs of a rapidly expanding metropolitan area. 

U.S. Attorney Raybould underscored that strong multijurisdictional partnerships are essential for a county facing the challenges of rapid development, diverse needs, and increasing calls for service.  

“As Fort Worth and Tarrant County continue to grow, effective public safety depends on deepening partnerships across jurisdictions and making sure federal resources are brought to bear where they’re needed most. These grants represent one of many steps the Department of Justice is taking to support local law.”

These grants reflect an important commitment: as cities grow, public safety must grow with them. In Tarrant County, one of the fastest growing regions in Texas, strengthening coordination among agencies and giving officers the tools they need to effectively serve a larger and more complex community are essential.

Under these awards, jurisdictions across Tarrant County will receive targeted federal support to modernize forensic systems, expand mental health crisis response, and strengthen officer readiness.

• Fort Worth has been awarded $577,626 to acquire a new Laboratory Information Management System to enhance forensic efficiency and evidence processing, allowing investigators to manage rising case volumes in a rapidly growing city.
• Tarrant County has been awarded funding to expand mental health assistance for police calls, ensuring that officers responding to individuals in crisis have expert support.
• Arlington will bolster officer safety by purchasing Glock MOS pistols with red dot sights, strengthening readiness in a city that plays a major role in the county’s public safety ecosystem.
• North Richland Hills has been awarded $12,033 to implement an indoor drone program, an innovative tool that improves situational awareness, supports de-escalation, and reduces risks during building searches, barricaded suspect events, and other complex operations.

“Every dollar we receive from the Department of Justice is investment in public safety,” said Fort Worth Police Chief Eddie Garcia. “Modernizing our laboratory systems allows our investigators and forensic professionals to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently, helping us deliver justice to our community. We are grateful for our partnership with the Department of Justice and for their investment in keeping Fort Worth Safe.”

“I’ve said for years that the Tarrant County Jail is the largest mental health facility in our county, and the continued rise in mental health incidents shows just how urgent this challenge has become,” said Tarrant County Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn. “This new funding equips our deputies with the tools, training, and support they need to respond with understanding — keeping the individual in crisis safe, as well as the deputy and the community we serve.”

“Effective policing means building strong partnerships and the federal funding available through the JAG grant is a strong example of the support our community receives through the Department of Justice,” said North Richland Hills Police Chief Jeff Garner. “Our department prioritizes the sanctity of all human life, and this indoor drone program will create additional response options that support both officer and community safety.”

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is a formula grant program which serves as the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. It was named after Edward “Eddie” R. Byrne, an officer in the New York City Police Department who was murdered while protecting a witness in a drug case. The JAG Program provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings.

###

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould announced that Kwanghee Anh, 46, from Dallas, was sentenced today to nearly 5 years in federal prison for her role in a multi‑year bank fraud conspiracy that defrauded lenders of more than $8.3 million. 

On March 17, Anh pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

“This was not a victimless paperwork scheme,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Ms. Anh and her partners flooded lenders with false documents and manipulated credit reports to steal millions. Their actions undermine confidence in the financial markets that North Texans and Main Street families rely on every day. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who threatens the stability of our region’s banking system and the financial security of hardworking consumers.”

“The sentence imposed demonstrates the lengths Ms. Ahn took to defraud North Texas lenders, several of which were federally insured, to benefit herself and her clients.” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI remains committed to investigating and holding accountable those who abuse their roles to further fraudulent schemes.”

According to plea documents, from January 2014 through March 2016, Anh and other charged co‑conspirators employed at Preferred Marketing Group, created and supplied fraudulent financial documents including false IRS Forms W‑2, fabricated paystubs and fictitious employment records to inflate clients’ incomes and misrepresent their jobs. Anh helped clients prepare loan applications that included this false information and assisted in transmitting fraudulent materials to lenders across North Texas.

Over the course of the conspiracy, Anh and her co-defendants caused lenders—many federally insured—to issue at least $10 million in fraudulently obtained loans and credit products.

At today’s sentencing hearing, the government explained that Anh fled the United States in 2017, shortly after initial plea discussions but before she could be indicted. She remained abroad for years until authorities arrested her in South Korea in September 2025 and transferred to U.S. custody in November 2025 to face federal charges. 

U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey sentenced her to 58 months’ imprisonment and ordered her to pay $8,340,647.46 in restitution to affected financial institutions.

The FBI Dallas Division conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise Aldendifer from the Fraud section prosecuted the case.

###

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced today that Aymancare PLLC, a medical clinic with offices in the Dallas area, agreed to pay $7.5 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overbilling the federal government in connection with COVID-19 testing services performed for uninsured patients.

“Aggressively investigating and pursuing healthcare fraud is a top priority for my office,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will use all available tools, including through civil enforcement mechanisms like the False Claims Act, to identify and recover any healthcare dollars lost to fraud, waste or abuse—the American taxpayer deserves no less.” 

“Ensuring that federal funds dedicated to the COVID-19 response are used appropriately remains a core oversight priority for HHS-OIG,” said Jason E. Meadows, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Billing for services that were never provided is a blatant abuse of the health care system and diverts critical resources away from patients who genuinely need them. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who exploit federal programs and to safeguard taxpayer dollars.”

As alleged by the United States, Aymancare operated “pop-up” testing sites during the COVID-19 pandemic and advertised “free” COVID testing that was in fact paid for by the federal government through a program for uninsured patients operated by the Health Resources and Service Administration – the COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program.

The United States alleged that, in addition to billing the government for the specimen collection and testing services that were provided through these testing sites, Aymancare also billed the government for separate “E&M services” (evaluation and management services, which typically represent services like office visits) as if the patients had been seen by a medical provider for some separate treatment or visit, when in fact no such separate services were performed. All that occurred during the testing encounters was that a technician or other personnel used nasal swabs to administer the COVID-19 tests.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. 

This year, the Trump Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s False Claims Act enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. False Claims Act matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s False Claims work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.

The matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Stoltz.  

The civil claims settled by the agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of civil liability.

###

WASHINGTON – Today, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced another False Claims Act resolution secured under the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which was launched by the Department in May 2025. Deloitte LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, and Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, (collectively, Deloitte) have agreed to pay the United States $21.5 million to resolve allegations that Deloitte violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with anti-discrimination requirements in its federal contracts and discriminating against employees and applicants on the basis of their race or sex.

Most federal contracts contain a provision that requires contractors to provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment.  As a condition to being a federal contractor, the company must certify that it will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race or sex and must further certify that it will take steps to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, “without regard to” race or sex. The settlement resolves allegations that from 2017 to the present, Deloitte falsely certified compliance with these conditions, while engaging in discriminatory race and sex-based employment practices.

“Government contractors cannot reward or penalize employees based on race or sex—and labeling the practice DEI does not make it lawful,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue government contractors that have used taxpayer dollars to fund unlawful discrimination.”

“Merit drives opportunity and promotion. Not someone’s sex or race,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. “Today’s settlement is yet another example of this Department’s commitment to eliminating woke, unconstitutional practices from American workplaces.”

“As this settlement shows, the government is committed to ensuring that those who receive the benefits of federal contracts or funding must play by the rules,” said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould. “The False Claims Act is a powerful tool for enforcing those obligations, and my office will not hesitate to use it to investigate and uncover any violations and to hold the responsible parties accountable.”

“Federal contractors are bound by clear legal obligations: they must certify that they will make employment decisions without regard to race or sex, and they must honor that commitment—not circumvent it through demographic targets or programs that allocate opportunities based on protected characteristics,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.  “When a contractor misrepresents its compliance with federal anti‑discrimination law to secure federal funds, it violates the conditions for receiving those funds and risks liability under the False Claims Act. Today’s resolution makes unmistakably clear that the Department will aggressively enforce these requirements, and companies who take taxpayer funds while engaging in illegal discrimination will be held accountable.”

The United States alleged that Deloitte took race or sex into account when making hiring, promotion, and staffing decisions to achieve progress toward non-public race and sex-based workforce composition goals. Business units within Deloitte received monthly summaries tracking the demographic goals within the unit, where representation or advancement toward the goal was highlighted in green, yellow, or red depending on whether the goal was exceeded, met or slightly missed, or significantly below the goal. In addition, the United States alleged that Deloitte’s Partners, Principals and Managing Directors (PPMDs) were evaluated, in part, based on their contributions to helping Deloitte achieve its workforce composition goals, while, for a two-year period, approximately 150 of Deloitte’s most senior PPMDs compensation could be impacted if their business units did not meet demographic goals set by Deloitte.

The United States alleged that these goals were also intended to impact Deloitte’s promotion decisions, as business units were assigned goals for racial and sex make up of their yearly PPMD classes. For example, where the class of PPMD candidates initially met Deloitte’s demographic goals, Deloitte identified candidates by race and sex in a spreadsheet when circulating the list of PPMD candidates, and suggested the individuals involved in selecting the PPMD candidates promote specific employees to “equitably maintain the current mix.” 

The United States further alleged that Deloitte set goals pertaining to the demographics of employees staffed to federal contracts and sought to make statistically equal the percentage of Deloitte identified Underrepresented Minorities (URMs) and non-URMs who were understaffed or “on the bench.” Deloitte identified employees that were available to be staffed on projects by race and sex and provided names of those employees to staffing managers and suggested that the managers consider staffing those employees whose utilization would help Deloitte achieve its goal of achieving parity between the percentage of URMs and non-URMs who were understaffed or “on the bench.” 

Finally, the United States alleged that Deloitte offered certain training, mentoring, leadership development programs, educational opportunities or resources, and/or similar opportunities only to certain employees, with eligibility limited on the basis of race or sex. For example, Deloitte ran the Springboard and Compass programs, where eligibility to participate was limited on the basis of race and sex. These programs were designed to boost the career prospects of these individuals over others through sponsorship and networking.

This civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Deloitte LLP, et al. (No. 4:25-cv-00458). Under the resolution, the Relator will receive $4,300,000.

This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

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

###

Today the Justice Department announced another False Claims Act resolution secured under the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which was launched by the Department in May 2025. Deloitte LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, and Deloitte Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, (collectively, Deloitte) have agreed to pay the United States $21.5 million to resolve allegations that Deloitte violated the False Claims Act by failing to comply with anti-discrimination requirements in its federal contracts and discriminating against employees and applicants on the basis of their race or sex.

Most federal contracts contain a provision that requires contractors to provide equal opportunity to employees and applicants for employment. As a condition to being a federal contractor, the company must certify that it will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race or sex and must further certify that it will take steps to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, “without regard to” race or sex. The settlement resolves allegations that from 2017 to the present, Deloitte falsely certified compliance with these conditions, while engaging in discriminatory race and sex-based employment practices.

“Government contractors cannot reward or penalize employees based on race or sex — and labeling the practice DEI does not make it lawful,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue government contractors that have used taxpayer dollars to fund unlawful discrimination.”

“Merit drives opportunity and promotion. Not someone’s sex or race,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “Today’s settlement is yet another example of this Department’s commitment to eliminating woke, unconstitutional practices from American workplaces.”

“Federal contractors are bound by clear legal obligations: they must certify that they will make employment decisions without regard to race or sex, and they must honor that commitment — not circumvent it through demographic targets or programs that allocate opportunities based on protected characteristics,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “When a contractor misrepresents its compliance with federal anti discrimination law to secure federal funds, it violates the conditions for receiving those funds and risks liability under the False Claims Act. Today’s resolution makes unmistakably clear that the Department will aggressively enforce these requirements, and companies who take taxpayer funds while engaging in illegal discrimination will be held accountable.”

“As this settlement shows, the government is committed to ensuring that those who receive the benefits of federal contracts or funding must play by the rules,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “The False Claims Act is a powerful tool for enforcing those obligations, and my office will not hesitate to use it to investigate and uncover any violations and to hold the responsible parties accountable.”

The United States alleged that Deloitte took race or sex into account when making hiring, promotion, and staffing decisions to achieve progress toward non-public race and sex-based workforce composition goals. Business units within Deloitte received monthly summaries tracking the demographic goals within the unit, where representation or advancement toward the goal was highlighted in green, yellow, or red depending on whether the goal was exceeded, met or slightly missed, or significantly below the goal. In addition, the United States alleged that Deloitte’s Partners, Principals and Managing Directors (PPMDs) were evaluated, in part, based on their contributions to helping Deloitte achieve its workforce composition goals, while, for a two-year period, approximately 150 of Deloitte’s most senior PPMDs compensation could be impacted if their business units did not meet demographic goals set by Deloitte.

The United States alleged that these goals were also intended to impact Deloitte’s promotion decisions, as business units were assigned goals for racial and sex make up of their yearly PPMD classes. For example, where the class of PPMD candidates initially met Deloitte’s demographic goals, Deloitte identified candidates by race and sex in a spreadsheet when circulating the list of PPMD candidates, and suggested the individuals involved in selecting the PPMD candidates promote specific employees to “equitably maintain the current mix.”

The United States further alleged that Deloitte set goals pertaining to the demographics of employees staffed to federal contracts, and sought to make statistically equal the percentage of Deloitte identified Under Represented Minorities (URMs) and non-URMs who were understaffed or “on the bench.” Deloitte identified employees that were available to be staffed on projects by race and sex and provided names of those employees to staffing managers and suggested that the managers consider staffing those employees whose utilization would help Deloitte achieve its goal of achieving parity between the percentage of URMs and non-URMs who were understaffed or “on the bench.”

Finally, the United States alleged that Deloitte offered certain training, mentoring, leadership development programs, educational opportunities or resources, and/or similar opportunities only to certain employees, with eligibility limited on the basis of race or sex. For example, Deloitte ran the Springboard and Compass programs, where eligibility to participate was limited on the basis of race and sex. These programs were designed to boost the career prospects of these individuals over others through sponsorship and networking.

This civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by the American Alliance for Equal Rights. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Deloitte LLP, et al. (No. 4:25-cv-00458). Under the resolution, the Relator will receive $4,300,000.

This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

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

DALLAS — The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas is proud to announce that Courtney Coker, currently serving as First Assistant United States Attorney, has been nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas.

Mr. Coker is a career federal prosecutor who has dedicated most of his professional life to public service and the fair administration of justice. Over more than two decades in the Department of Justice, he has built a reputation for steady leadership, meticulous legal work and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law.

As First Assistant, Mr. Coker has been instrumental in strengthening operations across the district. His leadership has elevated hiring and retention, improved team cohesion, and increased the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes. He approaches every challenge with humility, diligence, and a deep respect for the responsibilities entrusted to our office.

“Courtney has done an exceptional job leading our office,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “He is a career prosecutor in the truest sense—someone who has devoted his entire professional life to serving the public, mentoring our attorneys and ensuring that justice is done. His judgment, character and commitment to excellence make him an outstanding choice for the federal bench.”

Coker’s distinguished service includes time as Deputy Criminal Chief in the Northern District of Texas, Criminal Chief in the Southern District of Mississippi and Homeland Security Task Force Coordinator. In each role, he has led with integrity and has earned the trust of colleagues, partners and the communities he has served.

The Northern District of Texas has a strong tradition of elevating former federal prosecutors to the federal bench. Senior District Judge Jane J. Boyle began her career as an AUSA before later serving as U.S. Attorney; Chief District Judge Reed O’Connor, District Judge Mark T. Pittman, District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, and District Judge James Wesley Hendrix likewise spent formative portions of their careers as Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the District. Courtney Coker’s nomination continues this proud lineage of career prosecutors bringing deep experience, dedication and sound judgment to the judiciary.

His nomination now moves to the United States Senate for consideration.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that on Aug. 19, a federal grand jury indicted two individuals for allegedly orchestrating a multiyear scheme to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program of more than $11 million.

Latrina Dorsey, 50, from Chicago, Illinois, and Dushawn Nelson, 50, a resident of Dallas and Irving, Texas, were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud.

“The alleged conduct in this case represents a brazen theft of taxpayer‑funded relief at a moment when Americans needed it most,” said U.S. Attorney Raybould. “While small businesses were fighting for survival, these defendants treated a national emergency as an opportunity for profit. Vice President Vance and General Blanche have empowered us to relentlessly pursue anyone who steals from the American taxpayer.”   

According to the indictment, Dorsey and Nelson submitted or facilitated the submission of hundreds of fraudulent PPP loan applications beginning in June 2020 and continuing through September 2022. The PPP, administered by the Small Business Administration, was created to provide forgivable loans to small businesses struggling during the COVID 19 pandemic. 

The indictment alleges that Dorsey prepared false loan applications using fabricated financial information and fictitious IRS Schedule C forms. Many forms claimed applicants earned $100,000 in gross income in 2019, regardless of actual earnings. Nelson allegedly referred individuals to Dorsey for a kickback and later began submitting loan applications himself. 

Loan processors including Blueacorn, Womply, Bluevine, and Kabbage routed the falsified applications to SBA-approved lenders such as Celtic Bank and Cross River Bank, which funded loans of approximately $20,832 each. Lenders ultimately funded about 561 loans totaling approximately $11,049,548, depositing proceeds directly into accounts controlled by applicants. Applicants then allegedly paid Dorsey, Nelson, or other co-conspirators kickbacks ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, often via cash or electronic payments. In some instances, Dorsey allegedly forwarded portions of loan proceeds to Nelson or others.

If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release.

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board – Office of Inspector General and the FBI Chicago Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham from the Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that a West Dallas man was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging that he used stolen identities and fake IDs to deposit over $15 million in U.S. Treasury checks intended for various businesses throughout the U.S.

Kendrick Lamont Fugett, 34, was taken into custody pursuant to a complaint filed on Aug. 14 that charges him with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Fugett is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow morning in federal court in Dallas.

“Stealing identities to siphon millions of dollars from the U.S. Treasury is not just fraud, it’s an attack on the integrity of our financial system,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “As alleged, Mr. Fugett carried out a brazen scheme to impersonate corporate officers, fabricate documents and manipulate banks in order to pocket taxpayer funds. His arrest makes clear that our office, together with IRS Criminal Investigation, will aggressively pursue anyone who targets our financial institutions and the businesses they serve.”

“This arrest underscores IRS-CI’s unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system,” said IRS‑CI’s Texas Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. “The defendant’s alleged scheme was deliberate, sophisticated, and designed to exploit public trust. The women and men of IRS-CI worked tirelessly to uncover Mr. Fugett’s alleged patterns of deception and misrepresentation, and we will continue to pursue anyone who attempts to steal from taxpayers.”

According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, Fugett, described as a “recidivist identity thief,” allegedly assumed the identity of the chief financial officer of an Austin-based software company to open a business account at an Origin Bank branch in Dallas. Using a fraudulent Texas driver’s license and forged corporate documentation, he passed himself off as the company’s Chief Financial Officer and allegedly deposited a Treasury refund check valued at more than $13.8 million.

The affidavit further alleges that Fugett’s scheme extended to multiple financial institutions in the Dallas area. In one instance, he allegedly deposited a Treasury refund check exceeding $447,000 at a Bank of America branch in Mesquite, Texas. For that transaction, Fugett assumed the identity of the billionaire chairman of the holding company associated with the intended recipient business and presented a fraudulent Illinois driver’s license bearing his own image.

Fugett also has outstanding warrants from the Collin County Sheriff’s Office, Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, Denton County Sheriff’s Office, and Arlington Police Department for offenses including fraudulent use or possession of identifying information and providing false statements to obtain property or credit. The affidavit notes that Nashville Airport Police arrested Fugett in July 2024 after he allegedly attempted to open bank accounts using fraudulent identities.

If convicted of the charges alleged in the complaint, Fugett faces a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for the bank fraud charge and a mandatory two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft.

IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Schwab and Ignacio Perez de la Cruz from the Fraud section are prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that a Dallas man was charged Aug. 19 in a sweeping, multi‑count indictment alleging he defrauded banks and individual lenders out of more than $20 million.

A federal grand jury returned a six‑count indictment against Garrett Douglas Johnson, 41, charging him with five counts of bank fraud and one count of wire fraud.

“As alleged, Mr. Johnson repeatedly falsified his financial records to obtain millions in loans, inflicting significant losses on banks and private lenders,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This conduct strikes at the integrity of our banking system and financial markets, institutions that are foundational to North Texas’s rapid economic expansion and its emergence as a national center for the financial industry. As more companies and financial firms relocate to the region, maintaining trust in these markets is indispensable to sustaining that growth. We will continue to aggressively pursue major financial fraud cases and hold accountable those who threaten the strength and stability of our financial system.”

According to the indictment, Johnson, who maintained residences in Dallas, Texas, and Kingston and Edmond, Oklahoma, held himself out as the manager, owner, or partner of several business entities, including Federal Employee Services, LLC; American Select Partners, LLC; Marina Del Rey, LLC; Hard Knox Holdings, LLC; Hilyard Capital, LLC; Sloan Ventures, LLC; 30Days Holdings, LLC; Jet Texas Oil, LLC; Jett Holdings, LLC; and Blue Duck Energy, LTD. 

The indictment alleges that from 2018 through 2024, Johnson engaged in a long‑running scheme in which he secured loans by submitting falsified financial documents, overstated revenue claims and fabricated trust‑account balances. In many cases, prosecutors say Johnson failed to disclose substantial existing loan obligations while claiming to hold millions of dollars in escrowed funds in law‑firm‑managed trust accounts that did not exist. 

Johnson allegedly obtained more than $40 million in loans, largely from FDIC‑insured financial institutions including Texas Capital Bank, Happy State Bank, American National Bank & Trust, Gateway First Bank and others. He is accused of using new loan proceeds to pay off previous fraudulent loans, diverting funds for unrelated business ventures and moving more than $100,000 into a personal account to pay the IRS. 

Among the specific acts outlined in the indictment:

• In August 2020, Johnson secured a $1.5 million loan from Texas Capital Bank after falsely claiming he held more than $6.6 million in a trust account.
• In December 2021, he obtained a $9.23 million loan from Happy State Bank intended for marina improvements but instead diverted millions to purchase oil and gas interests.
• In April 2022, Johnson secured a $6.5 million revolving line of credit by falsely representing that American Select Partners held over $9 million in accounts receivable.
• In December 2022, he obtained another $1 million extension on that line of credit based on further misrepresentations.
• In July 2022, he secured a $5 million loan to 30Days Holdings using similar fraudulent claims about trust‑account balances and accounts receivable.
• In one instance, Johnson allegedly induced an individual lender (“Individual A”) to wire $2.5 million based on false assurances about purchasing a partner’s stake in Blue Duck Energy, an interest Johnson knew was not actually for sale.

If convicted, Johnson faces up to 30 years in federal prison on each bank fraud count and up to 20 years on the wire fraud count. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of any property traceable to the offenses. 

The FBI – Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham from the Fraud section is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced today the launch of Project Safe Schools, a federal initiative aimed at protecting students, enforcing accountability and restoring transparency in public schools across North Texas.

According to the Texas Education Agency, more than 9,720 educator‑misconduct investigations have been opened in the past two years, resulting in hundreds of disciplinary actions and placements on the Do Not Hire registry. Yet, districts across North Texas continue to underreport abuse and retain educators with known misconduct issues.

Project Safe Schools directly targets these failures by coordinating federal and state resources to enforce mandatory reporting laws and protect students.

“Protecting children is not optional—it is the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will support those who follow their obligations and put students first, and we will rigorously pursue accountability for anyone who conceals misconduct or allows harm to continue. Project Safe Schools is about transparency, responsibility and ensuring every child is safe in the classroom.”

“The FBI is proud to partner in Project Safe Schools to ensure that our students not only receive a good education, but that education is provided in a safe environment,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We all share a role in protecting students, and through this partnership, we can succeed in making our schools safer.” 

FORNEY ISD: CIVIL SETTLEMENT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES

As part of this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced two coordinated enforcement actions involving Forney Independent School District: a civil settlement under the False Claims Act and criminal charges against a former principal and a teacher.

To resolve allegations that it submitted false or misleading certifications regarding compliance with mandatory reporting laws when applying for federal funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Forney ISD agreed to pay $14,308 and adopt enhanced compliance measures designed to prevent future reporting failures and strengthen protections for students across the district. U.S. Attorney Raybould stated that “the settlement amount reflects Forney ISD’s decision to come forward and cooperate; districts that fail to self‑report similar violations should expect significantly harsher consequences.”

On the criminal side, former Principal Wendy Bailey and teacher Michael Roell, also known as Johnathan Michael, have been charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Both allegedly played a role in concealing Roell’s prior arrest, facilitating his legal name change to evade background checks, and falsifying hiring documents—conduct that allowed him to obtain a special education teaching position despite repeated misconduct concerns.

U.S. Attorney Raybould praised the outstanding work of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, General Services Administration Office of the Inspector General, Texas Education Agency, Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers and Kaufman County District Attorney.

The civil matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Javan Porter and Brian Stoltz. The criminal matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore Parran and Claire Demers.

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

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CALL FOR VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE FROM NORTH TEXAS SCHOOL DISTRICTS

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is urging all North Texas public school districts to proactively review their reporting practices and come forward if they identify past failures that occurred within the last five years. Districts that knowingly concealed educator misconduct, failed to submit mandatory reports, or certified compliance inaccurately when receiving federal education funds should self‑report through the Project Safe Schools Voluntary Disclosure pathway.

Voluntary and timely disclosure will be considered in accordance with Department of Justice guidance and may lead to significantly different outcomes than misconduct uncovered through enforcement actions. Coming forward demonstrates a district’s commitment to compliance and to protecting students.

Districts should submit disclosures to: USATXN.ProjectSafeSchools@usdoj.gov

DALLAS — U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that on Aug. 14, the Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of two consolidated lawsuits seeking derivative U.S. citizenship and immigration related relief. 

The plaintiffs asked the Court to adopt a “constructive presence” doctrine to bypass the statutory physical presence requirements for transmitting citizenship. The Fifth Circuit firmly rejected that theory, emphasizing that Congress, not the courts, defines who may acquire U.S. citizenship.

In a key line summarizing the Court’s approach, the panel wrote: “The applicable law for transmitting citizenship to a child born abroad is the statute in effect at the time of the child’s birth.” The Court concluded the plaintiffs could not satisfy those statutes and made clear that judges may not rewrite them: “We reject the constructive presence doctrine…none of the statutory exceptions apply here, and we will not create judicial ones.”

Judge Ho’s concurrence reinforced the ruling in direct terms: “Federal courts may not confer U.S. citizenship on any individual who fails to comply with all of the conditions and requirements set forth in our naturalization laws, and that includes the requirement of physical presence.”

The Court also held that the plaintiffs’ claims were barred under 8 U.S.C. § 1252(g), that their declaratory-judgment claims were unexhausted and that their APA claims lacked any reviewable final agency action. 

U.S. Attorney Raybould praised the ruling:

“This opinion brings essential clarity to citizenship transmission law. The Fifth Circuit confirmed that Congress’s rules govern, and that those rules must be applied exactly as written. AUSA Brian Stoltz did outstanding work securing this clean and decisive victory.”

The Fifth Circuit’s decision was issued in the consolidated cases Guerra Quezada v. United States, No. 25-10372, and Guerra Vasquez v. United States, No. 25-10555.

For more information, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

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DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Anderson Condoll, Jr., 44, from The Colony, Texas, pleaded guilty in court filings to one count of tax evasion on Aug. 10.

Condoll, Jr. was indicted in April 2026 on five counts of tax evasion for years 2019-2023. He entered into a plea agreement on Monday to one count of tax evasion.

“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Every dollar stolen from the Treasury is a dollar that cannot support the men and women who defend our country, care for our veterans or provide a lifeline to Americans who truly need one. This defendant admitted to stealing money from Americans, and we will seek a stiff prison sentence at his sentencing hearing for his crimes.” 
 

“American workers must file an accurate IRS Form W-4, so the correct taxes are withheld,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus Jr. of IRS CI’s Texas Field Office. “When someone falsely claims exempt status to evade paying taxes, it’s a crime that shifts the burden to everyone else. The women and men of IRS-CI and our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, will continue to aggressively pursue those who would attempt to defraud or defeat the United States tax system."

In plea papers, Condoll, Jr. admitted that he owed $437,245 in federal income taxes spanning 2014-2025. Condoll, Jr. admitted that he would file Forms W-4 with his employers falsely claiming to be exempt from income taxes, causing his employers to not withhold income taxes from his wages.

Condoll, Jr. faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted. His sentencing date has not been set.

IRS Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ignacio Perez de la Cruz from the Fraud section and Katy Gardner from the Major Crimes section are prosecuting the case. 

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ABILENE, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that on Aug. 12, a federal grand jury indicted James Michael Decker, the elected Mayor of Stamford, Texas, on five counts of wire fraud for diverting more than $300,000 from multiple community, estate, trust, and livestock association accounts.  

“Mr. Decker didn’t just break the public’s trust, he shattered it,” said U. S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Stealing from charitable foundations, estates and community groups is a deliberate betrayal of the people he was elected and entrusted to serve. We will not hesitate to hold accountable any public official who uses their office as a personal funding source.”

“This indictment is a further example of the means that people will use to defraud members of our communities,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI remains committed to investigating those who abuse their positions of public trust for their own personal gain.”

According to the indictment, Decker served as Stamford’s mayor and as a licensed attorney, trustee and executor for several estates and trusts. Those positions gave him access to accounts belonging to the Community Foundation of Stamford, the F.H. Estate & Family Trust, the Estate of J.D.B., the N.W. Estate, and the T.A. Livestock Association—despite having no personal ownership in any of these funds.

Prosecutors allege Decker moved money from those accounts into his own personal and campaign accounts, then sent funds to two individuals in Oklahoma with whom he had formed a secret personal relationship. Those individuals had no legitimate business with the city or any of the estates or trusts.

The indictment alleges approximately $308,000 in losses, including:

• $133,000 from the Community Foundation of Stamford
• $84,000 from the F.H. Estate & Family Trust
• $52,000 from the Estate of J.D.B.
• $27,000 from the N.W. Estate
• $12,000 from the T.A. Livestock Association

If convicted, Decker faces up to 20 years in federal prison per count. The indictment also includes a forfeiture notice seeking any property derived from the offenses.

The FBI Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. 

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

FORT WORTH, Texas — U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced today that Samad Hamid Castro, 41, from New Jersey, was sentenced to 164 months in prison for the illicit distribution of Oxycodone to the Northern District of Texas and elsewhere. Castro pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance on April 1. 

“Samad Castro’s opioid trafficking enterprise flooded dangerous pills into North Texas neighborhoods, saturating our communities with an illicit drug that fuels addiction, breaks up families and strains local resources,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Thanks to the decisive work of the DEA and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, we’ve dismantled a nationwide network that exploited the dark web and the mail system.”

“Mr. Castro’s actions contributed to the opioid crisis by disturbing dangerous narcotics through sophisticated dark web traffic,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “DEA and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in identifying and dismantling those who exploit technology to profit from addiction and endanger our communities.”

“The USPIS strives to provide a safe environment for postal employees and Postal Service customers — the American public.  This includes the investigation of illicit trafficking of narcotics through the U.S. Postal Service,” said Inspector in Charge Kai Pickens of the Fort Worth Division. “We are thankful for our partnerships with the DEA and USAO. The USPIS will exhaust every resource to hold individuals accountable, even those who believe the dark web provides anonymity. For over 251 years we have protected the mail system and effectively enforced the laws of this nation.”

In plea papers, Castro admitted that from October 2023 through August 2025, he knowingly and intentionally possessed and mailed parcels containing Oxycodone to various of his customers located in Fort Worth, Keller, Euless, Hurst, Mansfield, Watauga, Weatherford and elsewhere. The illicit narcotics transactions occurred through online dark web marketplaces, on which Castro was a listed seller. As part of his plea of guilty, Castro also agreed to forfeit over $700,000 worth of cryptocurrencies, over $10,000 in cash, and a 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Limited—all of which he admitted were proceeds of or derived from his drug-trafficking conduct. 

Upon conducting a warranted search of Castro’s residence in New Jersey, law enforcement found over 24,000 Oxycontin pills of varying dosages. Many of the recovered pills were mixed together with and concealed in bags of a Polish-branded breakfast cereal. Others were found stored in large prescription-type containers. The criminal complaint also noted that a shipping account associated with Castro shows that by September 2025, Castro had sent nearly 4,000 parcels to over 1,000 separate customers across 48 states plus the District of Columbia. 

U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman sentenced Castro to 164 months in federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Drug Enforcement Administration Fort Worth District Office – Dallas Division’s Synthetic Precursor Enforcement and Regulatory Team and U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Fort Worth Division conducted the investigation, with assistance from DEA Newark – New Jersey Field Division and USPIS Newark Field Office – Philadelphia Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen from the Fort Worth Division prosecuted the case.  

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FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Jeffrey Don Gesford, 47, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Aug. 7 for distribution of child pornography. 

On April 22, Gesford pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with two counts of distribution of child pornography. Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor imposed a sentence of 360 months per count to run concurrently followed by a life term of supervised release. 

“This sentence sends an unmistakable message: those who trade in the exploitation of children will face the full force of federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Every image traded represents a real child who has been victimized, and this office will not tolerate offenders who perpetuate that harm. Our commitment to protecting children is absolute, and we will use every resource at our disposal to bring these predators to justice.”

“This sentence reaffirms our commitment to identify and hold accountable those who prey on and exploit our children,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Operation Wolf Pack is another example of how the FBI works together with our law enforcement partners to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.” 

According to court documents, from 2025 to 2026, Gesford admitted to trading thousands of images of child pornography while he was living in a transitional center following his prior release from state prison for a possession of child pornography conviction. 

Gesford was arrested as part of Operation Wolf Pack, a joint law enforcement initiative carried out by the FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency and the Fort Worth Police Department, targeting individuals involved in the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aisha Saleem from the Fort Worth Division prosecuted the case.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was 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 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 sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.

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

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FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that Melvin Leonard Mitchell III, from Arlington, pleaded guilty on Aug. 5 to conspiring to commit wire fraud, unlawfully using another’s identity, and piloting a drone in flight-restricted airspace without a license.

“Mitchell didn’t just steal identities and money, he repeatedly flouted the law,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Those who exploit victims, jeopardize public safety and ignore clear warnings from federal authorities will face decisive consequences in the Northern District of Texas.”

“The FBI is committed to working with our partners to identify perpetrators that violate federal laws meant to protect our communities, said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The safety and security of our community remain our top priority.” 

In plea papers, Mitchell admitted that between January 2022 and May 2026, he, along with several co-conspirators, procured counterfeit driver’s licenses bearing the names, dates of birth and addresses of real persons. He then used those false identities and stolen credit card information to make luxury purchases for personal gain. Mitchell’s illicit purchases included a four-wheeler ATV, a Rolex watch, and original artwork by Pablo Picasso, among other goods and services.

Mitchell further admitted in plea documents to knowingly and willfully serving or attempting to serve as an airman without a valid license—a felony under federal law—when he piloted his drone while a temporary flight restriction was in effect during the 2026 Grand Prix Race in Arlington. Plea documents show that Mitchell had been warned in August 2023 of the federal requirement to obtain an airman’s certificate with the Federal Aviation Administration before operating a drone in flight-restricted airspace. 

Mitchell faces up to ten years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. His sentencing hearing has been set for Nov. 13 before Chief U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor.

The FBI–Dallas Division conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Air Marshal Service, Arlington Police Department and Coppell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen from the Fort Worth Division is prosecuting the case.