Western District of Virginia

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke, Virginia man, who used the Kik social media app to send three videos containing child sexual exploitation material to an undercover FBI officer, pled guilty yesterday.

Christopher Allan Johnson, 54, pled guilty today to one count of possessing child sexual exploitation materials involving a prepubescent minor.

“Protecting young people from online predators is a key priority of law enforcement,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “This case serves as a warning to all parents - these threats are real, and they are ever-present in today’s online world. Please take steps to monitor what your children are doing online and who they are communicating with.”

“The FBI Richmond team dedicates countless hours to investigating subjects who seek to harm those who are most vulnerable, because there are few callings higher than protecting our children.  May today’s guilty plea sends a message to all child predators that we’re going to find them and bring them to justice,” Ian Kauffman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division said today.

According to court documents, on October 10, 2024, after leaving the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia, Johnson logged into Kik and joined a public group dedicated to incest. There, an undercover FBI task force officer messaged Johnson. During the conversation, Johnson talked about his sexual fantasies involving children.

The next day, without prompting, Johnson sent the undercover officer three videos depicting children being graphically sexually exploited. At least one of the videos involved a prepubescent minor.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ .

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The former acting director of the Lynchburg Community Corrections & Pretrial Services Department (LCCPS) was sentenced yesterday to 12 months and 1-day in federal prison for accessing a protected computer system to provide her then-boyfriend and probationer with sensitive non-public information, lying to federal investigators, and destroying evidence.

Jennifer Peters, 43, of Madison Heights, Virginia, previously pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy, one count of obstruction of a proceeding before a United States Agency, one count of making false representations, and one count of destruction of evidence.

According to court documents, in 2022, Peters worked for LCCPS and supervised a probationer named Brendon Cole Webber – who was being supervised by that agency. In 2023, Peters assumed the role of Acting Director of the LCCPS. In approximately August 2023, Peters and Webber began a romantic relationship. Peters directly or indirectly supervised Webber’s probation throughout his LCCPS supervision. Peters, because of her role with LCCPS, had access to certain non-public, law enforcement materials, including the Lynchburg Police Department’s Records Management System (RMS). The RMS was a protected computer system that housed confidential non-public, law enforcement material.

Between November 11, 2023, and January 9, 2024, Webber and Peters conspired to have Webber access RMS information without authorization. Specifically, Peters provided Webber with access to non-public confidential material on RMS, and Webber disseminated that non-public information to others.

On November 30, 2023, Webber was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm in violation of Virginia law and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Webber and Peters knew there was an active warrant for Webber’s arrest and knew there was an active U.S. Marshal’s fugitive manhunt for Webber’s apprehension.

On or around December 19, 2023, at Webber’s instruction, Peters drove Webber from Lynchburg, Virginia to Hughestown, Pennsylvania with the purpose of obstructing the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive mission. Webber further directed Peters to book a hotel room during the drive.

When questioned by federal law enforcement regarding her relationship with Webber, Peters lied. Peters told investigators she had not had physical contact with Webber since December, that she did not know if Webber had an active phone number, did not know where Webber was physically located, and did not know Webber was going to leave Lynchburg. In addition, Peters told investigators she did not know where her own cell phone was located, when, in fact, she had given her cell phone to a friend to keep it away from investigators. After her interview with federal law enforcement, Peters retrieved her cell phone and threw it in a local landfill to destroy evidence contained within.

Webber was arrested in Hughestown, Pennsylvania on January 9, 2024.

Webber previously pled guilty to state charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice, as well as to unlawfully possessing a firearm. Webber was sentenced to 57-months incarceration.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Ian Kauffman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Lynchburg Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vito Iaia is prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Catawba, Virginia youth pastor, who has been in federal custody since his arrest in August for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, pled guilty this week to related federal charges.

Jacob Ryan Barnett, 34, pled guilty to one count of attempted sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old child.

“Cases involving adults who use the internet to exploit young people are all too common,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “I urge parents to supervise their children’s internet use; vet their social media apps and caution them against answering unsolicited messages and friend requests. It’s disturbingly easy for predators to pose as children online. Barnett might have continued his online hunt for victims if the victim’s mother had not found the conversation between Barnett and the victim and reported it to the FBI.”

“Our children deserve to grow up in a world where adults protect them, not victimize them. Sadly, Jacob Barnett chose to do the latter, and now he will face justice for his crimes,” said Ian Kauffmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division. “The men and women of FBI Richmond will never stop pursuing these harmful predators and removing them from our communities.”

According to court documents, on May 18, 2025, Barnett used TikTok to message the Minor Victim (M.V.) and they began chatting. That same day, Barnett gave M.V. his phone number and the two began texting.

Early on, M.V. told Barnett she was 15. Barnett, however, claimed he was 17 and later sent M.V. images of a young man, which he falsely claimed was him. As their chat progressed, Barnett sent increasingly graphic sexual messages to M.V.

Barnett continued to engage in sexual conversations with M.V. and repeatedly asked her for photos. On May 20, 2025, Barnett told M.V. that he was starting to develop feelings for her. He also said he wanted to “use” M.V. and asked her to tell him about the last time she masturbated or to send him something that he could use to masturbate. In response, M.V. sent Barnett a video of herself masturbating in which her genitals were uncovered.

Evidence at Barnett’s detention hearing earlier this year showed that he continually prowled TikTok, Discord, Snapchat, and other social media apps to solicit minor girls for sexual chats and images. Barnett also solicited young men for selfies and images of their genitals, which he used to pose as a teenaged boy when soliciting girls.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

ABINGDON, Va. – A federal grand jury sitting in the U.S. District Court in Abingdon, returned an indictment in July 2024 charging Bryce Cleveland, the President and CEO of Scalpa, Inc., with mail fraud, wire fraud, and other charges related to Scalpa’s selling of skincare products that had not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Cleveland, 42, of Scottsdale, Arizona, made his initial court appearance in the Western District of Virginia yesterday following his arrest last month. Cleveland was apprehended in Colombia and arrested in Florida on an outstanding federal warrant by the United States Marshals Service. 

According to the indictment, Scalpa was a for-profit corporation incorporated in Arizona in 2015 that marketed and sold medical devices and drug products intended to affect the structure and function of the human body. These products included the Fibroblast Pen, Hyaluron Pen, Hyaluronic Acid, and Scalpatox.

The indictment alleges that between 2018 and December 2020, Cleveland devised a scheme to unlawfully enrich himself by marketing, and causing others to market, unapproved devices, including but not limited to the Fibroblast Pen and Hyaluron Pen, to consumers while representing that the unapproved devices were not regulated. In addition, the indictment alleges Cleveland concealed and omitted, and caused others to conceal and omit, the fact that the Fibroblast Pen and Hyaluron Pen were, in fact, regulated products. The indictment further alleges that Cleveland introduced into commerce an unapproved new drug, Scalpatox.

Cleveland is charged with 12 counts of mail fraud, nine counts of wire fraud, 12 counts of introduction of adulterated devices into interstate commerce, and one count of introduction of an unapproved new drug into interstate commerce, totaling 34 counts.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge Ronald Dawkins with U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and United States Postal Inspection Service - Washington Division - Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood made the announcement.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration—Office of Criminal Investigations is investigating the case, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corey Hall and Randy Ramseyer and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Justus Hogge are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The final defendant in the region’s largest-ever federal drug trafficking prosecution was sentenced this week to 20 years in federal prison.

Norman Eugene Goins Jr., 31, of Charlottesville, was sentenced this week to 20 years in federal prison. On August 27, 2025, a jury convicted Goins of possession with the intent to distribute over 4,000 fentanyl pills, nearly a kilo of fentanyl powder, and the possession of three firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense following a multi-week trial. The jury trial was prosecuted by Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Assistant United States Attorney Rachel B. Swartz.

“This sentencing concludes a multi-jurisdictional, cooperative investigation and prosecution that landed more than 15 defendants in federal prison for more than 186 years collectively,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “This prosecution took thousands of fentanyl pills out of the Western District of Virginia, any one of which could have resulted in a fatal overdose. Fentanyl is a uniquely pernicious and lethal toxin, so deadly that just one pill can kill. I am grateful to our local, state, and federal partners for their dedication to this case. Fentanyl has killed thousands of Virginians and hundreds of thousands of Americans and this office will continue to attach the highest priority to combatting those who traffic fentanyl and use firearms to protect their deadly trade.”

“The DEA, and all our dedicated law enforcement partners are using every tool and resource available to investigate and prosecute dangerous narcotics distributors. Our mission to save and protect lives is clear,” commented DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Goumenis. “Prominent drug traffickers like Mr. Goins and his organization destroy families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond by selling deadly illicit drugs, such as counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. This sentencing is the result of our collective efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks and defend American citizens.”

“This conviction and sentencing shows what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together to target dangerous criminals,” said Col. Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police. “Lives were saved because together we were able to get large amounts of fentanyl off of the streets.”

“This investigation and prosecution demonstrate what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners work together to hold those individuals who harm our community accountable for their actions,” said Colonel Sean Reeves, Albemarle County Chief of Police.

Goins was identified at trial as the leader of a drug conspiracy that distributed large amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine in and around the Charlottesville region beginning in February 2023 and continuing through February 2024.

Goins distributed fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and other drugs to members of the conspiracy for redistribution and profit.

A search warrant executed at Goins’ home revealed a safe that contained a brick of fentanyl and 4,000 fentanyl pills. In addition, investigators found at least 10 firearms at the home, including a loaded gun found with his baby’s clothes. Goins is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Previously convicted and sentenced as part of the conspiracy are:

• DuShaun Lamont Gregory -186 months
• Landon Devon Fields -180 months
• Bobby Eugene Christmas -120 months
• Michael Edward Cornett -120 months
• Antone Laron Harris -120 months
• John Ellis Turner, III -120 months
• Tyquane Pertell Gregory -108 months
• Dashard Brown -96 months
• Gary Wayne Woodson -84 months
• Brandon Carl Dent -75 months
• Shahiem Taishaun Michie -72 months
• Dustin Lee Welch -70 months
• Ashlee Renee Morris -54 months
• Brooks Lorenzo Woodfolk -52 months
• Wendy Nicole Shifflett -36 months
• Caleb Andrew Herndon -27 months

The Virginia State Police 3A Regional Drug and Gang Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Albemarle County Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security- HSI, the City of Charlottesville Police Department, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office, the Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Office, the Henrico County Police Department, and the United States Marshal’s Service are investigating the case. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Offices from the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, along with the Charlottesville Emergency Services and the Virginia National Guard have assisted in the investigation.

Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Swartz and retired Assistant United States Attorney Ronald Huber prosecuted the case for the United States.

ROANOKE, Va. – Nelson Deras-Pineda, 43, an illegal immigrant from Honduras with a history of driving under the influence and fleeing the scenes of traffic accidents, as well as entering the United States without authorization, was sentenced today to eight months in federal prison for illegal reentry by a previously removed alien.

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia will work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to hold accountable those individuals who flout the immigration laws of the United States,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today.

According to court documents, Deras-Pineda was arrested in June 2025 by the Roanoke City Police Department on felony DUI charges, his third DUI arrest in the last 10 years. Roanoke City officers contacted Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Washington to conduct an Immigration Alien Query.  At that time, it was determined that Deras-Pineda was in the United States illegally having previously entered the country in January 2003 and May 2006. He was subsequently removed following each of those illegal entries.

Deras-Pineda again reentered the United States, illegally and without authorization, at an unknown date following his 2006 removal.

Deras-Pineda has prior state convictions for fleeing the scene of an accident, driving without a license, and three DUIs.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, investigated the case for the United States.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlene R. Day prosecuted the case for the United States.

ROANOKE, Va. – A former Virginia Beach man, who repeatedly threatened the lives of former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris through a series of phone calls to local government offices, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison.

Kevin Butler, 47, was found guilty of seven counts of knowingly and willfully making various threats against the president and vice president of the United States following a two-day bench trial in December 2024.

“Threats of violence against elected officials affront the political process and the rule of law,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “This office will seek clear accountability against those who threaten public officials with acts of violence.”

According to evidence presented at that trial and other court records, in early December 2022, Butler made a series of phone calls to a Virginia Probation and Parole office in which he threatened the lives of then-President Joe Biden and then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Butler left several voicemails vocalizing his threats. For example, he threatened to get a MAK 90 (a semiautomatic firearm), “jump over the fence” outside the White House and “kill the President.”

This is the second time Butler has been convicted of making threats against the president and vice president. In 2014, Butler was convicted in the Eastern District of Virginia for making threats against then-President Barack Obama and then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia made the announcement. 

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Scheff and Keith Parrella prosecuted the case for the United States.

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A gang member associated with Sureno 13, who sold methamphetamine and possessed firearms, was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Hector Espinosa, 37, of Stephens City, Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 240 months in federal prison. Espinosa was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon following a jury trial in November 2024.

“This office will seek maximum accountability against transnational criminal organizations who prey on our citizens and communities,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “I am grateful for the outstanding work of our federal partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and the ATF on this case.”

According to documents and evidence presented at trial, Espinosa and Ivan Ruiz-Gonzalez conspired with each other, and others, to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in the Northern Shenandoah Valley in the Western District of Virginia.

On February 21, 2023, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from a co-conspirator in the case, Andres Vicencio. Vicencio had contacted Ruiz-Gonzalez to obtain methamphetamine. Agents observed Ruiz-Gonzalez enter Espinosa’s home, obtain a pound of methamphetamine and give it to Vicencio, who in turn sold it to a law enforcement source. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Espinosa’s home, he answered the door with a firearm in his waistband.

During his trial, Espinosa presented evidence that Ruiz-Gonzalez was at his home on the night of February 21, 2023, to purchase a pound of ‘carnitas’ because he and his wife owned a catering business. However, evidence and business records contradicted this claim.

Following the trial while awaiting sentencing, Espinosa was incarcerated with a witness in the case. Espinosa threatened the witness and the lives of his family to coerce the witness to “recant” his trial testimony.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Christopher C. Goumenis Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, and Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Taskforce.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Welsh prosecuted the case for the United States.

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 United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Virginia HSTF comprises agents and officers from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia with the prosecutions being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia.

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A citizen of El Salvador, who was found guilty of carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old girl after illegally reentering the United States on multiple occasions, was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in federal prison.

Leonel Hernandez-Zelaya, 39, previously pled guilty to illegal reentry of a previously removed alien.

According to court documents, Hernandez-Zelaya has shown a disregard for the immigration laws of the United States by repeatedly reentering the country after being legally removed. In September 2007, Hernandez-Zelaya was removed to El Salvador following his arrested for illegally entering the United States without proper authorization. 

Hernandez-Zelaya was again removed from the United States in May 2008.

At some point, Hernandez-Zelaya returned to the United States without authorization and has been living illegally in the Western District of Virginia, and elsewhere, ever since. 

In July 2025, Hernandez-Zelaya was convicted in state court of carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old without force out of Warren County, Virginia. The Warren County Circuit Court sentenced him to five years, with all but five months suspended, and three years’ probation.

According to facts presented at the sentencing hearing, Hernandez-Zelaya victimized a 14-year-old by having sexual intercourse with her on at least three occasions, acts that would not have occurred had Hernandez-Zelaya followed the immigration order of removal and remained in El Salvador.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Ian Kaufman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, made the announcement.

The case was investigated by The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlene R. Day prosecuted the case for the United States.

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

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

DANVILLE, Va. – A Danville, Virginia man was sentenced October 24 to 30 months in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl.

Bryan Eugene Whitehead, 44, pled guilty in May 2025 to distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents, investigators identified Whitehead as a distributor of fentanyl in early 2024. The Danville Police Department, Virginia State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, conducted controlled buys of fentanyl from Whitehead, including the purchase of an ounce of fentanyl.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Danville Police Department, and the Virginia State Police conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Parrella and Matthew Miller prosecuted the case for the United States.

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

DANVILLE, Va. – A Danville, Virginia man, who made more than ten controlled sales of narcotics and a handgun to confidential informants working with federal law enforcement, was sentenced October 24 to 114 months in federal prison.

Rashad Polk, 35, pled guilty in January 2025 to illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and distribution of methamphetamine.

“This office will seek maximum accountability against those who violate federal law in Danville and throughout the Western District of Virginia,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today.

According to court documents, in May 2024, Polk agreed to sell a confidential informant working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, (ATF) a handgun and an ounce of fentanyl. Polk and the confidential informant agreed to meet at a commercial establishment in Danville. Polk met a different informant in the same parking lot and exchanged the suspected firearm and fentanyl for cash.

In July 2024, a second confidential informant contacted Polk to arrange the purchase of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The two arranged a meeting at a shopping center in Danville. After arriving, Polk and the confidential informant exchanged narcotics for cash.

Law enforcement made approximately ten additional controlled purchases from Polk, totaling at least 627 grams of methamphetamine, 310 grams of fentanyl, and 13 grams of cocaine. In return, Polk received approximately $18,250.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Danville Police Department conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Parrella and Matthew Miller prosecuted the case for the United States.

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

DANVILLE, Va. – A Danville, Virginia man, who was caught with methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl during a traffic stop in September 2024, was sentenced on October 10 to 107 months in federal prison.

Jerrod Allen-Jamal Wimbush, 36, pled guilty in June 2025 to possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. 

“Illegal narcotics fuel addictions, violence and death,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “This office will aggressively prosecute those who traffic deadly drugs for profit.”

According to court documents, on September 13, 2024, officers with the Danville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Wimbush for driving over the posted speed limit. Minutes after the traffic stop, a K-9 officer walked his K-9 around Wimbush’s vehicle and the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics.

After an initial denial to the presence of drugs, Wimbush eventually told officers there were some drugs in the vehicle. A search warrant was executed and resulted in the seizure of 17 grams of methamphetamine, .254 grams of fentanyl, and 41.53 grams of cocaine.

A month later, on October 17, 2024, agents executed a search warrant at Wimbush’s residence in Danville and recovered 127 grams of fentanyl, and over 200 grams of cocaine.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Danville Police Department conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Keith Parrella and Matthew Miller prosecuted the case for the United States.

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise, Virginia man, who conspired to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and illegally possessed a firearm as a convicted felon, was sentenced November 7 to 10 years in federal prison.

Michael Wynn Whitaker Jr., 45, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Whitaker was a key distributor of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine in Wise County, Virginia from January 2023 through September 2024. Whitaker routinely traveled to West Virginia with co-conspirators to purchase two-to-ten ounces of methamphetamine and an ounce of fentanyl at any one time for further distribution in Southwest Virginia.

Further, Whitaker made at least 25 trips to Kentucky to purchase at least two ounces of methamphetamine per trip for further distribution. Despite being a convicted felon, Whitaker kept firearms at his home, where much of his drug distribution behavior took place.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and Southwest Drug Task Force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher and Danielle Stone prosecuted the case for the United States.

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, who robbed multiple Truist Banks in October 2022, was sentenced on October 17 to 10 years in federal prison.

Michael Anthony McCoy, 67, of Roanoke, previously pled guilty to one count of bank robbery with the use of a dangerous weapon and one count of bank robbery.

A second defendant, Dawn Davis, has previously pled guilty and was previously sentenced to two years in federal prison for her role in one of the robberies.

According to court documents, McCoy directed Davis to write a threatening note to use in a bank robbery. After Davis wrote the note as directed, on October 26, 2022, McCoy entered the Truist Bank location on Melrose Avenue NW in the City of Roanoke and handed the note to a bank teller. After McCoy handed the note to the teller, he approached a second teller and brandished a firearm.

McCoy stole approximately $6,485 from the Truist Bank location.

Two days later, McCoy then robbed another Truist Bank on McClanahan Street SW, stealing nearly $6,000 from that bank as well.

Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement.

The FBI and the City of Roanoke Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff and Special Assistant United States Attorney John Beamer, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, are prosecuting the case.

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A Citizen of Mexico, illegally residing in Charlottesville, Virginia, who was previously removed from the United States on at least three occasions, was sentenced this week to 24 months in federal prison for illegal reentry of a previously removed alien.

Jose Luis Saavedra-Escamirosa, 36, pled guilty recently in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville.

“Illegal reentry into the United States is a federal felony offense,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “This office will affirmatively prosecute those who violate the immigration laws of the United States.”

Saavedra-Escamirosa was arrested in April 2025 by the Virginia State Police and charged with driving under the influence. According to court documents, Saavedra-Escamirosa was in a vehicle stopped in the median on I-64 following a vehicle accident. He had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and smelled strongly of alcohol.

Further investigation revealed that Saavedra-Escamirosa was first removed from the United States in 2011. He illegally returned to the United States and in 2014 was convicted of two drug offenses in Colorado. Immigration officials once again removed Saavedra-Escamirosa to Mexico.

He again returned to the United States. In 2016, Saavedra-Escamirosa was convicted of illegal reentry in the Southern District of Texas and sentenced to 20 months in prison. After serving his sentence, he was once again removed to Mexico in January 2018.

Undeterred, Saavedra-Escamirosa, returned to the United States yet again where he lived illegally until his arrest for DUI in Virginia in April 2025.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement- Homeland Security Investigations – Harrisonburg- investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally J. Sullivan is prosecuting the case for the United States.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

ROANOKE, Va. – A federal grand jury returned a 30-count indictment October 2 charging Melissa Diana Simmons, 50, and James Patrick Brown, 59, with bank fraud, access device fraud, forging Treasury checks, and aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, Simmons, Brown, and others, attempted to execute a scheme to defraud a 75-year-old Navy and Vietnam War veteran.

According to court documents and other evidence, Simmons met the victim in May 2022, when she was assigned as his in-home care provider, pursuant to a contract between her employer and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). Beginning around December 2022, the victim began withdrawing significantly more money from his bank account than normal, sometimes through checks made out to Simmons and her boyfriend, Brown.

In June 2023, Simmons’s company fired her, and, in violation of company policy, she persuaded the victim to move in with her and Brown at their residence in Boones Mill, Virginia. Beginning in July 2023, staff at the victim’s bank became suspicious as Simmons and Brown brought the victim to the bank drive-through for frequent and increasingly large withdrawals. Court records claim staff observed the victim’s condition deteriorate over time, from upbeat to hunched over, confused, and fearful.

In mid-August 2023, Simmons had the victim add her as a signatory to the victim’s bank account. Within 30 days of being added to the victim’s account, the victim allegedly lost around $30,000 from Simmons and Brown’s continual, large withdrawals.

In mid-September 2023, bank staff demanded Simmons come inside when she attempted another large withdrawal at the drive-through. Inside, staff saw the victim’s nose was burned from smoking while using his oxygen tank.  He was confused and reeked of urine and feces.  The victim could not remember when he last bathed, ate, or visited the VA Medical Center. Bank staff persuaded him to open a new account without Simmons as joint owner. As bank staff privately questioned the victim, Simmons grew belligerent, hitting the office window, barging in, and shouting at staff until police arrived.

According to court records, days later, Brown arrived at the bank with the victim, urgently asking how to get the victim’s VA benefits and social security checks direct deposited into the victim’s account. Brown also sought to have the victim withdraw between $60,000 and $70,000 from the account. The victim appeared to be in even worse physical condition than before. Bank staff observed an overwhelming stench of urine and feces. He was confused as to why he was withdrawing the money.

Soon after the incident, Franklin County Adult Protective Services (“APS”) opened an investigation. An APS staff member administered a mental status exam on the victim, which showed the victim was suffering from dementia.

On November 18, 2023, Simmons and Brown reported to the Roanoke County Fire and Rescue that the victim was non-responsive. Emergency responders rushed him to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he was admitted with acute respiratory failure and critically low oxygen saturation. Medical records showed methamphetamine in the victim’s system, even though he had no history of methamphetamine use and had no ability to independently travel.

From January 2024 into April 2024, while the victim recovered at the hospital and later a rehab center, Simmons received four of the victim’s VA benefits checks though the United States Mail, totaling close to $8,000. The indictment claims Simmoms forged the victim’s signatures on these checks and deposited them into the victim’s new bank account. Simmons and Brown then used the victim’s debit card for their personal use, including thousands of dollars at a casino.

In May 2024, Franklin County deputies asked Simmons and Brown about the victim’s vehicles, which were still at their house. Brown told one of the investigators he thought the victim was dead, and said he felt he should get a storage fee for keeping the victim’s property. Ultimately, the victim’s next-of-kin recovered the vehicles, and found one of them inoperable and both in poor condition, uninsured, and with expired registration.

On October 22, 2024, during an interview with agents of the VA Office of the Inspector General, Simmons admitted that she forged the victim’s VA checks, and that she and Brown spent the victim’s money with his debit card while he was in the hospital.

Acting U.S. Attorney Robert N. Tracci made the announcement.

The VA Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Drew O. Inman and Keith A. Parrella are prosecuting the case.

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

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

DANVILLE, Va. – Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Robert Tracci, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, the Danville Police Department and Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police, Danville Department of Probation and Parole, and the United States Marshals Service announced on November 3 the conclusion of Operation Washout – “No Limits,” a weeklong collaborative law enforcement operation targeting violent crime in Danville, Virginia.

Operation “No Limits” resulted in the apprehension of 96 offenders on outstanding felony arrest warrants, plus 23additional offenders located incarcerated in other jurisdictions with active arrest warrants. The coordinated operation also advanced multiple investigations into violent crime and drug trafficking networks, and recovered one missing child.

Local, state, and federal partners collaborated to open multiple federal and local investigations and seized substantial quantities of narcotics, firearms, and cash, including:

• Over 55 grams of Fentanyl (enough to kill more than 27,600 Virginians)
• 15 firearms
• 28 grams of cocaine
• Over 5 pounds of ammunition
• 65 grams of K2
• Over $14,000 in U.S. Currency

Violent offenders were arrested for crimes including: Homicide, Drugs, Failure to Appear, Identity Theft, Probation Violation, Cruelty Toward Child, Malicious Wounding, Burglary, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Assault, Indecent Liberties with a Child, Larceny, Weapons Offenses, Obstruction of Justice, Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Rape, Armed Robbery, Abduction by Force, and Federal Supervised Release Violations.

“I am grateful for the extraordinary work of our federal, state, and local partners who made No Limits a clear victory for Danville and the citizens we serve. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District is determined to build on the success of No Limits to target, prosecute, and ultimately eradicate violent crime, drug trafficking, and transnational criminal threats to our citizens and communities,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said.

“Operation No Limits is an exceptional example of our tireless work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to make Virginia communities safer, demonstrating once again the effectiveness of Ceasefire Virginia. We will continue partnering with law enforcement across the Commonwealth, particularly in our Ceasefire cities, to hold violent, dangerous, and repeat offenders accountable. My sincere thanks to all law enforcement who collaborated to the success of this operation and to U.S. Attorney Robert Tracci for continued partnership with our office,” said Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. 

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise, Virginia man who conspired with others to traffic methamphetamine into Southwest Virginia was sentenced October 23 to 120 months in federal prison.

Keith Edward Payne, Jr., 46, previously pled guilty to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. 

According to court documents, Payne conspired with Ashley Beverly, Brandon Boggs, Bradley Chester, Cody Rose, James Gamble, Thomas Houston Jr., and others, to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine into Southwest Virginia.

Payne served as a major distributor for the conspiracy, regularly supplying multiple co-conspirators with up to one-fourth a pound of methamphetamine at a time. Most of Payne’s drug sales took place at his residence in Wise.  Payne also combined drug distribution with the possession of firearms.  A search warrant executed at Payne’s residence on the day of his arrest revealed 24 firearms, 2,954 rounds of assorted ammunition, digital scales, and drug packaging materials.

In April, co-conspirator Gamble was sentenced to 151 months in prison for his role in the conspiracy.  Bradley Chester was sentenced to 84 months and Cody Rose to 49 months for their roles in the conspiracy. Early this year, Houston was sentenced to 72 months.

Acting U.S. Robert N. Tracci and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Southwest Drug Task Force, and Wise County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case for the United States.

Editor's Note: This matter occurred on the date indicated but was not published at that time due to a lapse in federal appropriations. Press releases are posted and made available following the return to normal operations

ABINGDON, Va. – The final defendant charged in a 17-member conspiracy who defrauded the United States, committed program fraud and mail fraud in connection with a scheme involving the filing of fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment benefits was sentenced October 14 in U.S. District Court in Abingdon.

On October 9, 2025, Jason Dale Worley, 47, of Meadowview, Virginia, was sentenced to serve 12 months and 1 day in prison for filing a fraudulent claim for pandemic unemployment benefits. Worley was also ordered to pay restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission in the amount of $9,698, which represents the total pandemic unemployment benefits for which he filed fraudulent claims or recertifications.

Earlier this year, Crystal Shaw was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for her role in the conspiracy. Shaw, one of the lead organizers of this conspiracy, was sentenced to the statutory maximum term of imprisonment. She was also ordered to pay $287,459 in restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission for her role in this conspiracy.

Previously sentenced as part of the conspiracy were 15 other co-defendants:  Joseph Hass, 27 months; Brian Addair, 24 months; Russell Stiltner, 24 months; Daniel Horton, 21 months; Christopher Webb, 20 months; Cara Camille Bailey, 19 months; Jessica  Lester, 19 months; Justin Meadows, 18 months; Terrence Vilacha, 18 months; and Clinton Michael Altizer, Stephanie Amber Barton, Jeramy Blake Farmer, and Hayleigh McKenzie Wolfe were each sentenced to 12 months and 1 day. Jonathan Webb, the individual charged with recruiting others to file fraudulent claims, mostly inmates at local jails, was sentenced to 48 months in prison and was ordered to pay $150,218 in restitution. Josef Brown, another incarcerated individual who recruited others to file fraudulent claims, was sentenced to 35 months in prison and was ordered to pay $119,660 in restitution.

In total, the defendants stole $341,205 in pandemic relief funds to which they were not entitled.

All defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to the Virginia Employment Commission for the fraudulent claims and fraudulent recertifications.

According to court documents, between March 2020 and September 2021, Josef Brown, Jonathan Webb, and Crystal Shaw developed a scheme to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment befits via the Virginia Employment Commission website. The scheme involved the collection of personal identification information (PII) of inmates housed at SWVRJA-Haysi and Abingdon, as well as personal friends and acquaintances of Brown, Webb, and Shaw. The conspirators used that information to file fraudulent claims and recertifications for pandemic unemployment benefits for incarcerated individuals and others who were ineligible for the benefits.

As part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Task Force, this investigation was conducted by the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General were charged with identifying major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending. According to the United States Department of Labor, Virginia paid approximately $1.1 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021.

Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, Ian Kaufman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, Syreeta Scott, Special Agent in Charge, Mid-Atlantic Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares announced the sentences.

Agencies that assisted with this investigation included the Dickenson County Sheriff’s Office, the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority, the FBI, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and the Virginia Employment Commission.

Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Senior Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Section Chief of the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Danielle Stone are prosecuting the case for the United States.

ABINGDON, Va. – Three individuals from West Virginia, who allegedly conspired with numerous others to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in the Western District of Virginia, were arrested last week on federal drug charges.

Terry Headen, Charles “Chuck” Williams, and Taylor Headen, all of Welch, West Virginia, were arrested last week on a criminal complaint.

Six of their coconspirators were arrested earlier this year: Stephen Stewart, of Appalachia, Virginia; Eric Mullins, of Appalachia, Virginia; Gerald McCoy, of Coeburn, Virginia; Danny Dearry, of Coeburn, Virginia; Lisa Poole, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia; and Jonathan Lake, of Artemus, Kentucky.  

Mullins, McCoy, Poole, and Lake have all pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Mullins further pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl, as well as an additional methamphetamine charge.  In July, a federal grand jury in this district indicted Stewart on twelve counts involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and firearms, related to this conspiracy.

According to court documents, Stewart, Mullins, McCoy, Poole, Lake, Dearry, and others traveled—or caused others to travel—from the Western District of Virginia to West Virginia to obtain pounds of methamphetamine, supplied by Terry Headen, Chuck Williams, and Taylor Headen, for redistribution in the Western District of Virginia. At times, fentanyl was also supplied for distribution.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, the Southwest Virginia Drug Task Force, and the West Virginia Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carrie Macon and Corey Hall are prosecuting the case.

An indictment and criminal complaint are merely an accusation. The defendants who have not pleaded guilty are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A Fort Defiance, Virginia man, who created more than 1,000 usernames on the web-based gaming and chat platform Medal to harass a victim he met online, was arrested today on federal cyberstalking charges.

Nicholas Andrew McMillion, 25, was arrested today at his home in Fort Defiance, Virginia and charged via federal criminal complaint with cyberstalking. McMillion made his initial court appearance today in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville and is being held pending a detention hearing.

According to court documents, between October 2024 and June 2025, McMillion used various online platforms, including Discord and Medal, to create online gaming and social media accounts for the express purpose of stalking and harassing a victim (“Victim 1”) from Canada. Records show that McMillion created at least 1,000 Medal accounts and used many of them to contact and harass Victim 1, despite Victim 1’s repeated attempts to block contact with him and being blocked by Medal customer support.

McMillion’s account names, through which he contacted Victim 1, conveyed death threats, sexually explicit acts, and threats of arriving at Victim 1’s physical location in Canada. McMillion’s harassing conduct caused a reasonable fear of death and bodily harm to Victim 1.

Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, and Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

Assistant United States Attorney Sally J. Sullivan is prosecuting the case for the United States.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia man, who spent two years on the run as a fugitive in Mexico before being arrested in March, pled guilty today to failing to register as a convicted sex offender.

Corey Richard Parton, 36, pled guilty today to failing to register and update a registration under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”) and failing to provide information required by SORNA relating to intended travel in foreign commerce.

According to court documents, in December 2018 Parton was convicted in Russell County, Virginia for proposing a sex act by a communications system and soliciting child pornography, both felonies. Based on these convictions, Parton was a sex offender who was required to register under SORNA. Records indicate that Parton completed his initial registration as a sex offender with the Commonwealth of Virginia on April 16, 2019. Parton was required to re-register every 90 days.

On August 8, 2023, the Virginia State Police (“VSP”) began an investigation into Parton’s SORNA registration information. The VSP investigation determined that Parton had failed to update his home address, vehicle registration information, place of employment, and use of social media - which he was prohibited from using - and place of employment. As a result, re-registration forms were sent to Parton with instructions for Parton to update this information.

However, these forms were never returned.

As a result, Parton was charged with three SORNA violations in Bristol, Virginia General District Court and subsequently arrested on August 16, 2023, and given a bond. Through further investigation, law enforcement discovered that, following his release, Parton had traveled to Galveston, Texas where he boarded a cruise ship that stopped in Cancun, Mexico. Parton got off the cruise ship in Cancun and never boarded the ship when it left port.

Authorities located Parton living at the Ocean Dream Hotel in Coco Bongo Beach, Cancun, Mexico living under the name Dominque Garcia. He was arrested on May 25, 2025.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia and Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, made the announcement.

The United States Marshals Service and the Virginia State Police are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Stone is prosecuting the case.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Three former employees of 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare, including the director of nursing, pled guilty today to healthcare fraud and misprision charges.

Shekita Gore, a.k.a. Shekita Steele, 38, of Clinton, Maryland, and Eno Utuk, 47, of Stafford, Virginia, pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. At sentencing, both defendants face a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Elizabeth Ilome, 41, also of Stafford, Virginia, pled guilty today to misprision of a felony. Ilome faces a maximum possible penalty of 3 years in prison.

In recent weeks, Carolyn Bryant-Taylor, 61, of Clinton, Maryland, Kafomdi “Josephine” Okocha, 49, and Samuel Okocha, 52, both of Upper Marlboro, Maryland all pled guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court documents, Bryant-Taylor, Josephine Okocha, and Samuel Okocha were owners and operators of 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare Service, a Medicaid-enrolled home health agency providing private duty nursing, personal care, and respite care services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, including in the Western District of Virginia. Gore was the director of nursing, while Utuk and Ilome were employed by 1st Adult to provide nursing and personal care.

The defendants conspired to submit false claims to Medicaid for services that were not provided to patients, including falsifying records and documentation in support of the fraudulent claims submitted for reimbursement.

Gore admitted to filling out blank nursing notes to support the nursing services that 1st Adult billed Medicaid for but were not provided.

As part of this scheme, between 2017 and 2023, Bryant-Taylor and her co-defendant, Josephine Okocha, planned arrangements to pay the parents or guardians of patients in exchange for blank, signed nursing notes which would be filled out and used to support billing to Medicaid. In these arrangements, the amount billed to Medicaid either reflected nursing services that were not provided at all, or an amount of nursing services that was in excess of what was provided.

Utuk and Ilome both worked to provide personal care to patients. They admitted to paying cash to the family members of those they provided care in exchange for signing blank nursing notes that would be used to bill Medicaid for skilled nursing services and personal care services that were not actually provided.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating the case, with assistance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Jones and Laura Taylor, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Terry, a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – A home health care attendant pled guilty today to fraudulently billing Medicaid for services she did not provide.

Vicki Lynn Dowdy, 55, of Roanoke, Virginia, pled guilty today to healthcare fraud. At sentencing, Dowdy faces up to 10 years in federal prison. In addition, Dowdy was ordered to pay $24,760 in restitution to the Virginia Medicaid program.

According to court documents, Dowdy was hired as a home health attendant (HHA) to provide home health care and respite care services to Medicaid recipients in the greater Roanoke region. Specifically, Dowdy was contracted to provide home health care and respite care services to two recipients of Medicaid, Individual 1 and Individual 2.

From January 16, 2021 through March 30, 2022, Dowdy submitted fraudulent timesheets and billed Medicaid for 1,970.5 hours of personal home health care and respite services that were not rendered to Individual 1 and Individual 2.

As a result, Medicaid issued $24,760 in total payment to Dowdy for services she never performed.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement.

The Virginia Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the United States Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlene R. Day and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Terry, a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – Seven people who conspired with doctors, including an Annandale-based doctor convicted of distributing more than 7,000 oxycodone pills, 34,000 milliliters of hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine solution (also known as “Tussionex”), and 107,000 milliliters of promethazine-codeine solution, were arrested this week.

A federal grand jury sitting in Abingdon indicted those arrested on August 26, 2025. Arrested this week were: Obioma Alozie Ndubuka, a.k.a. “Bankroll,” 31, of Gaithersburg, Maryland; Raymono Alfonzo Russell II, 24, of Bowie, Maryland; Cameron Isaiah Lewis, 23, of Bowie, Maryland; Elhadj Malick Diallo, 31, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Zion Oluwademilade Adeduwon, 24, of Bowie, Maryland; Kenechukwu Brian Okwara, a.k.a. “Kene,” 29, of Bowie, Maryland; and Yared Michael Tesfaye, a.k.a. “Yar,” 28, of Montgomery Village, Maryland.

The grand jury has charged all seven defendants with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine solution and obtaining promethazine-codeine solution by fraud, two counts of possessing with the intent to distribute hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine solution, and four counts of obtaining drugs by fraud.

According to court documents, in at least 2023 and 2024, Rotimi Iluyomade, and the named co-conspirators entered into an agreement to distribute more than 7,000 oxycodone pills and more than 34,000 milliliters of hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine solution to individuals in multiple states. In addition, the co-conspirators agreed to acquire and obtain promethazine-codeine solution by fraud.

As part of the conspiracy, multiple individuals visited Iluyomade’s medical clinic to obtain fraudulent prescriptions for promethazine-codeine solution, as well as fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone pills and hydrocodone-chlorpheniramine solution, also known as “Tussionex.” The individuals provided Iluyomade with lists of multiple “patients” with fake identifying information or different variations of names and false addresses, and requested prescriptions be sent to pharmacies throughout the United States for the “patients” on the lists.  At least 70 of the illegal controlled substance prescriptions were transmitted to and/or filled at pharmacies in the Western District of Virginia.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Virginia State Police, the Salisbury, Maryland Police Department, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Police, HHS-OIG, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating the case.

Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland (Greenbelt Division) and Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lena Busscher and Randy Ramseyer are prosecuting the case.

Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal Division made the announcement.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke, Virginia man, who used burner phones to pose as officials from both Major and Minor League baseball teams, was sentenced recently to 41 months in federal prison for failing to register as a convicted sex offender and making false statements.

Janike Dunbar Holt, 29, a.k.a. “Nike,” a.k.a. “Janike Tagovailoa” a.k.a. “Keanu Tagovailoa,” a.k.a. “Trey Tagovailoa,” previously pled guilty to one count of failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and one count of making a false statement to law enforcement.

According to court documents, in August 2018, Holt was convicted of three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child in North Carolina after he had sexual relations with a fifteen-year-old. Holt was released from custody in October of 2018 and, after initially complying with his required sex offender registration requirements, Holt failed to report an address change in June 2022.

In March 2022, Holt began dating a woman (Individual 1) who had a minor child (Minor A). Holt was not the father of Minor A, but he told others that he was. In addition, Holt was asking several other women for money that he claimed was to support Minor A, to visit Minor A, or to help obtain custody of Minor A. However, Holt did not actually use the money for these stated purposes or otherwise provide this money to Individual 1 or Minor A.

Around October 2022, Holt began dating Individual 2. Holt falsely told Individual 2 that he had a child (Minor A) and got Individual 2 to give him $65 for diapers for the child and for gas to go visit her. Individual 2 gave Holt access to her bank accounts, and Holt stole $5,000 from her. Individual 2 was able recover this money from her bank.

At other times in 2022, Holt also dated Individual 3. While living with Individual 3, Holt stole at least three checks from her, which he subsequently made out to himself. Holt filled out one of these checks and asked another person, Individual 5, to cash it for him. Holt made out another of these stolen checks for $225,000, with the memo line reading “Lawsuit Refund.” The check was never cashed. Holt later made out another of these stolen checks for $75,000, with the memo line reading “Law-suit settlement.” He asked two other people, Individuals 7 and 8, to cash this check for him, but they refused.

On February 6, 2023, Holt asked a friend to drive him from North Carolina to Virginia, where he was planning to move. Holt lived with his brother in Roanoke for a few days before moving in with a new girlfriend, Individual 6. Holt continued living with his new girlfriend until March 14, 2023. While living in Roanoke, Holt never registered as a sex offender in Virginia, despite being required to under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Despite living with Individual 6, Holt also spent a significant amount of time at a house where the mother of two of his brother’s children (Individual 7) lived with her mother (Individual 8). Holt falsely told his brother, Individual 7, and Individual 8 that he had been recruited to play for a Major League Baseball team. Holt used burner phones to send text messages to his brother, Individual 7, and Individual 8 while pretending to be actual individuals affiliated with a Major League Baseball team and a Minor League Baseball team. Holt used the names of these individuals without their knowledge.

Holt told his brother, Individual 6, Individual 7, and Individual 8 that they would all be moving as a result of his purported Major League Baseball career. In preparation, and at Holt’s urging, Individual 7 and Individual 8 sold some of their vehicles and gave Holt the proceeds. Holt also attempted to sell Individual 6’s vehicle without her knowledge.

On March 14, 2023, Holt was arrested on a warrant out of North Carolina. While being interviewed by a deputy marshal, Holt made several false statements, including that he had a child (Minor A), that he had not been living in Roanoke, Virginia but had been driving back and forth between Roanoke and North Carolina every other day, and that his probation officer was aware that he was habitually traveling between Roanoke and North Carolina.

Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci made the announcement today.

The United States Marshals Service is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff is prosecuting the case.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Two former owners of 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare pled guilty today to conspiring with others to commit federal healthcare fraud.

Kafomdi “Josephine” Okocha, 49, and Samuel Okocha, 52, both of Upper Marlboro, Maryland pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. At sentencing, both defendants face a penalty of up to 8 years in prison.

The defendants were charged in March 2025 along with Carolyn Bryant-Taylor, 61, of Clinton, Maryland; Shekita Gore, a.k.a. Shekita Steele, 38, of Clinton, Maryland; Elizabeth Ilome, 41, of Stafford, Virginia; and Eno Utuk, 47, of Stafford, Virginia.

Bryant-Taylor pled guilty last week to similar charges. All other defendants have pending charges.

According to court documents, Bryant-Taylor, Josephine Okocha, and Samuel Okocha were owners and operators of 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare Service, a Medicaid-enrolled home health agency providing private duty nursing, personal care, and respite care services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, including in the Western District of Virginia. Gore was the director of nursing, while Utuk and Ilome were employed by 1st Adult to provide nursing and personal care.

The defendants conspired to submit false claims to Medicaid for services that were not provided to patients, including falsifying records and documentation in support of the fraudulent claims submitted for reimbursement.

As part of this scheme, between 2017 and 2023, Bryant-Taylor and her co-defendant, Josephine Okocha, planned arrangements to pay the parents or guardians of patients in exchange for blank, signed nursing notes which would be filled out and used to support billing to Medicaid. In these arrangements, the amount billed to Medicaid either reflected nursing services that were not provided at all, or an amount of nursing services that was in excess of what was provided.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating the case, with assistance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Jones and Laura Taylor, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Terry, a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Martinsville-based doctor, who was found guilty of more than 450 counts of multiple drug charges at the conclusion of a three-week jury trial in December 2024, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to 40 years in federal prison.

Joel Smithers, 42, of Texarkana, Texas, was found guilty of one count of maintaining a place for the purpose of illegally distributing controlled substances and 466 counts of illegally prescribing Schedule II controlled substances.

“This defendant’s actions betrayed his oath to his patients, his community, and the healthcare system at large,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of these crimes, and the destruction wrought by the opioid epidemic in our communities, an epidemic fueled by the flagrant misconduct of Dr. Smithers. When doctors betray the trust placed in them, they must be held accountable.”

“Dr. Smithers failed his patients and the community he swore to serve. Healthcare providers play a vital role in dispensing medications that address their patients’ health requirements. By overprescribing and irresponsibly diverting dangerous controlled substances he put the citizens lives at risk.  Not only did we conduct a criminal investigation into Dr. Smithers, but the DEA also revoked his DEA Registration. This action, and today’s sentence prevents him from prescribing medications, ensuring the safety of the public from his negligent practices,” said Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Washington Division.

“Dr. Smithers operated like a drug dealer with a prescription pad, flooding communities with addictive and deadly opioids, all while pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Attorney General Jason Miyares. “I'm proud of the work done by my Major Crimes and Emerging Threats prosecutor M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, in partnership with our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and federal and local law enforcement, to hold him accountable.”

Smithers opened an office in Martinsville in August 2015 and prescribed controlled substances to every patient in his practice, resulting in over 500,000 Schedule II controlled substances being distributed.  The drugs involved included oxymorphone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and fentanyl.  A majority of those receiving prescriptions from Smithers traveled hundreds of miles, one-way, to receive the drugs. Smithers did not accept insurance and took in over $700,000 in cash and credit card payments prior to a search warrant being executed at his office on March 7, 2017. Effective April 17, 2019, the DEA Acting Administrator revoked Dr. Smithers’ DEA Registration Number.

Smithers was previously convicted in 2019 of these charges. However, after his conviction, the United States Supreme Court changed the law concerning jury instructions in cases involving illegal distribution of controlled substances by health care providers.  Accordingly, a new trial was ordered and occurred in December 2024.

At sentencing, the Court determined that Smithers obstructed justice by perjuring himself when he testified at trial.  The Court further found that Smithers was a leader of this extensive criminal activity extending from August 2015 to August 2017.  Finally, the Court determined that Smithers abused a position of public trust and misused a special skill when he unlawfully distributed numerous Schedule II controlled substances.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad (Roanoke and Bristol offices) and the Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General.  DEA Task Force Officers with the police departments of Bristol, Martinsville, Buena Vista, Roanoke, and Roanoke County; the Sheriff’s Offices of Henry County and Pittsylvania County; the Virginia State Police; and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Virginia Office of the Attorney General assisted in the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorneys Randy Ramseyer and Corey Hall and Special Assistant United States Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, prosecuted the case in this most-recent trial for the United States.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Fries, Virginia man, who mailed threats to harm multiple federal officials including a judge, probation officer, prosecutor, and a defense attorney from the Federal Public Defender’s Office, all while incarcerated on state charges, was sentenced today to 42 months in federal prison.

Jonathan Reed Stiltner, 50, pled guilty in March 2025 to one count of mailing threats to injure officers of the United States. 

“Every day, judges, the judiciary staff, prosecutors, and public defenders work for the American justice system and should be free to do their work for our great Nation without fear of violence or retaliation,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “This office will aggressively prosecute those who attack our justice system by threatening violence against those who serve it.”

According to court documents, while in custody pursuant to numerous state felony charges brought by Dickenson County, Stiltner handwrote a number of letters threatening to harm specific federal officials.

As a specific example, on November 13, 2023, Stiltner handwrote and mailed through the U.S. mail a letter threatening harm to a named federal judge, an Assistant United States Attorney, a federal probation officer, and a member of the Federal Public Defender’s Officer.

In his letter, Stiltner stated, in part, “Although Im (sic) incarcerated I still have people on the street who can do things and if Im (sic) not charged federally ASAP as I was told I would be Im (sic) going to send people to pay [specific government officials] visits.”

He also wrote, “Does someone have to get hurt to prove Im (sic) very serious.”

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals.

ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise County, Virginia man, who trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin into Southwest Virginia, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison.

James Edward Williams, 43, pled guilty in February 2025 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

“Methamphetamine and fentanyl have had devastating consequences on Southwest Virginia. This defendant contributed to that devastation by trafficking large quantities of these drugs into the region,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “Today’s sentence reflects the commitment of this office to aggressively prosecute those who poison our communities for profit.”

According to court documents, on two occasions in April 2024, Williams sold confidential informants approximately 41 grams of methamphetamine from his Wise County residence. In July 2024, Williams and another individual were involved in a single-car vehicle accident. Upon a search of the surrounding area, and the vehicle Williams was driving, police found a black back containing a loaded handgun, approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine, two baggies of green plant material, and two metal smoking devices.

Two weeks later, after leaving a known drug house in Wise County, Williams was pulled over and failed a standard sobriety test. A search of Williams’ person revealed a small plastic baggy containing methamphetamine. In his vehicle, officers found approximately 44 grams of methamphetamine and three lock boxes, each containing a pistol. Officers also found an illegal silencer and a plastic bag containing fentanyl and/or xylazine.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Thomas Cullen.

The case was investigated by the Southwest Drug Task Force, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, Norton Police Department, Virginia State Police, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher is prosecuting the case for the United States.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, who was a registered sex offender and on federal supervised release for a previous conviction on charges of soliciting minors, pled guilty yesterday to witness tampering after he sent a 16-year-old boy inappropriate text messages he knew violated the terms of his supervised release.

Lenny Baldwin Jr., 30, pled guilty yesterday to one count of witness tampering. At sentencing, Baldwin faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

According to court documents, on May 10, 2023, Baldwin was released from federal prison and began a term of supervised release. In the summer of 2023 while working at Dollar Tree, Baldwin met and befriended a 16-year-old boy (MV1). Baldwin eventually spent time with the boy and his mother at their Roanoke home.

In October 2023, Baldwin began exchanging sexually charged text messages with MV1 while using an iPhone. During the conversation, Baldwin used the iPhone’s “unsend” feature to unsend three of the messages to conceal these messages from being discovered, knowing that these communications violated the terms of his supervised release. The following day, Baldwin, using a different phone number, texted MV1 and asked him to delete the messages between the two of them, telling MV1 that he did not want “the wrong eyes” to see the messages.

On November 30, 2023, Baldwin began texting MV1 using a different phone connected to a different phone number. Baldwin did not notify his probation officer of this new phone or phone number. Again, the messages sent to MV1 were sexually charged, and Baldwin knew they violated the terms of his supervised release. Baldwin again asked MV1 to delete the messages.

Finally, on December 24, 2023, Baldwin sent MV1 additional messages of a sexual nature and in violation of his supervised release.

Throughout the totality of the text message conversations between Baldwin and MV1, Baldwin unsent multiple messages to conceal them from his probation officer, knowing they constituted a violation of the terms of his supervised release. In addition, Baldwin asked MV1 to delete their text messages to conceal from his probation officer the fact that he was sending sexual text messages to a minor.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement- Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the City of Roanoke Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff is prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – The fifth and final co-conspirator involved in a scheme to break into a Virginia pawnshop and steal firearms was sentenced yesterday to 86 months in prison.

Austin Blake Hixon, 36, of Christiansburg, Virginia, previously pled guilty to possessing stolen firearms and perjury.

Hixon is the final defendant to be sentenced for his role in the scheme.

Previously, Malcom Stanton, Ronald Perry, and Justin Cumbee were each sentenced to 10 years in prison. Michael Hall was sentenced to 27 months.

According to court documents, on November 1, 2022, Perry broke into1st Pawn in Fairlawn, Virginia and stole approximately 15 firearms which he divided up with Stanton & Hall. Several of those guns were later illegally sold or traded for drugs.

Law enforcement tracked three of the stolen firearms to Hixon’s residence.  When interviewed about the whereabouts of the stolen firearms, Hixon said that he threw them in the New River, a claim he testified to under oath. However, Hixon later admitted selling or trading the firearms for methamphetamine. 

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Anthony Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Radford Police Department, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case with assistance from the Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the Christiansburg Police Department, the Virginia State Police Search and Recovery Team, and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly McGann and Lee Brett are prosecuting the case.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The former director and one of the corporate officers for 1st Adult N Pediatrics Healthcare pled guilty yesterday to conspiring with others to commit federal healthcare fraud.

Carolyn Bryant-Taylor, 61, of Clinton, Maryland, pled guilty yesterday to one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud. At sentencing, Bryant-Taylor faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Bryant-Taylor was charged in March 2025, along with: Kafomdi “Josephine” Okocha, 48, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Samuel Okocha, 50, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Shekita Gore, a.k.a. Shekita Steele, 38, of Clinton, Maryland; Elizabeth Ilome, 41, of Stafford, Virginia; and Eno Utuk, 47, of Stafford, Virginia.

According to court documents, Bryant-Taylor, Josephine Okocha, and Samuel Okocha were owners and operators of 1st Adult N Pediatric Healthcare Service, a Medicaid-enrolled home health agency providing private duty nursing, personal care, and respite care services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, including in the Western District of Virginia. Gore was the director of nursing, while Utuk and Ilome were employed by 1st Adult to provide nursing and personal care.

The defendants conspired to submit false claims to Medicaid for services that were not provided to patients, including falsifying records and documentation in support of the fraudulent claims submitted for reimbursement.

As part of this scheme, between 2017 and 2023, Bryant-Taylor and her co-defendant, Josephine Okocha, planned arrangements to pay the parents or guardians of patients in exchange for blank, signed nursing notes which would be filled out and used to support billing to Medicaid. In these arrangements, the amount billed to Medicaid either reflected nursing services that were not provided at all, or an amount of nursing services that was in excess of what was actually provided.

On multiple occasions between 2017 and 2023, Bryant-Taylor provided payments to parents or guardians of patients. In exchange, the patients’ parents or guardians agreed to sign off on skilled nursing that had not occurred and Bryant-Taylor, or other employees at 1st Adult, received blank, signed nursing notes.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen Farina of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating the case, with assistance from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Jones and Laura Taylor, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Terry, a Senior Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, are prosecuting the case. 

DANVILLE, Va. – A Danville, Virginia woman, who claimed to receive almost 10,000 hours of personal care services from her estranged husband but never actually received those services, resulting in a loss to Medicaid of over $116,000, was sentenced today to five years’ probation, 12 months of which must be served on home detention. 

Jacquelyn Farrish, 62, pled guilty in February 2025 to one count of health care fraud. In addition to probation, Farrish was ordered to pay $116,536 in restitution to the Virginia Medicaid program and will be required to perform 200 hours of community service.

According to court documents, Farrish was married to A.L., a Medicaid recipient who was receiving Agency Directed Care Services. Until approximately 2017, Farrish and A.L. resided in Northern Virginia, at which time Farrish moved to Danville, Virginia, while A.L. continued living in Northern Virginia. A.L. later moved to Richmond, Virginia.

In October 2018, Farrish applied to receive services from the Consumer Directed Care Program. She listed A.L. as the paid personal card attendant who would be providing her with home health care and respite care services, even though A.L. did not live in Danville.

From October 2018 through February 2023, Farrish submitted and approved fraudulent timesheets, used A.L.’s personal information, and claimed A.L. provided services that were not rendered.

In total, Farrish claimed 9,819 hours of personal care attendant services that were not performed. As a result, the total loss to Medicaid was $116,536.

Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement.

The Department of Health and Human Services- Office of the Inspector General and the Virginia Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlene Day and Special Assistant United States Attorney and Assistant Attorney General Nicole Terry are prosecuting the case.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The former acting director of the Lynchburg Community Corrections & Pretrial Services Department (LCCPS) pled guilty today in federal court for accessing a protected computer system to provide her then-boyfriend with privileged information, lying to federal investigators, and destroying evidence.

Jennifer Peters, 43, of Madison Heights, Virginia, pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy, one count of obstruction of a proceeding before a United States Agency, one count of making false representations, and one count of destruction of evidence.

According to court documents, in 2022, Peters worked for LCCPS and supervised an individual named Brendon Cole Webber – who was being supervised by that agency. In 2023, Peters assumed the role of Acting Director of the LCCPS. In approximately August 2023, Peters and Webber began a romantic relationship. Peters directly or indirectly supervised Webber’s probation throughout his LCCPS supervision. Peters, because of her role with LCCPS, had access to certain non-public, law enforcement materials, including the Lynchburg Police Department’s Records Management System (RMS). The RMS was a protected computer system that housed confidential non-public, law enforcement material.

Between November 11, 2023 and January 9, 2024, Webber and Peters conspired to have Webber access RMS information without authorization. Specifically, Peters provided Webber with access to non-public confidential material on RMS, and Webber disseminated that non-public information to others.

On November 30, 2023, Webber was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm in violation of Virginia law and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Webber and Peters knew there was an active warrant for Webber’s arrest and knew there was an active U.S. Marshal’s fugitive manhunt for Webber’s apprehension.

On or around December 19, 2023, at Webber’s instruction, Peters drove Webber from Lynchburg, Virginia to Hughestown, Pennsylvania with the purpose of obstructing the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive mission. Webber further directed Peters to book a hotel room during the drive.

When questioned by federal law enforcement regarding her relationship with Webber, Peters lied. Peters told investigators she had not had physical contact with Webber since December, that she did not know if Webber had an active phone number, did not know where Webber was physically located, and did not know Webber was going to leave Lynchburg. In addition, Peters told investigators she did not know where her own cell phone was located, when, in fact, she had given her cell phone to a friend to keep it away from investigators. After her interview with federal law enforcement, Peters retrieved her cell phone and threw it in a local landfill to destroy evidence contained within.

Webber was arrested in Hughestown, Pennsylvania on January 9, 2024.

Webber previously pled guilty to state charges of conspiracy to commit computer fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice, as well as to unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Webber pled guilty to federal charges in May, admitting to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon and two counts of conspiracy against the United States.

Both Webber and Peters will be sentenced later this year.

C. Todd Gilbert, United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the City of Lynchburg Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Vito Iaia is prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – Tommie Lee Nelson, 65, of Miramar, Florida, was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Roanoke today and ordered detained on six counts of wire fraud, based on a two-year scheme that defrauded a Lynchburg doctor out of nearly a half million dollars. This arraignment follows Nelson’s initial appearance in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after FBI agents arrested him in July at his home near Miami.

According to the indictment, beginning around April 2020, the victim, a Lynchburg doctor, sought to purchase a commercial building in Danville, Virginia, in partnership with an agricultural cooperative. Nelson represented himself to the victim as a hard money lender who could assist in purchasing the building.

Through Nelson’s lies and machinations, he convinced the victim to wire him several payments from July 2020 and into 2021, ultimately totaling almost $500,000. Despite Nelson’s representations, these payments did not go toward the building purchase. Instead, the indictment alleges Nelson spent the victim’s money at casinos and for his personal benefit. By 2021, the purchase agreement had fallen through, and Nelson stopped responding to the victim’s calls.

In 2024, the victim won a civil judgment against Nelson’s corporation. In entering that judgment, the presiding United States district judge referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for criminal investigation. If convicted, faces a maximum punishment of 120 years in federal prison.

United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert made the announcement today.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

ROANOKE, Va. – A Catawba, Virginia man was arrested yesterday for his attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.

Jacob Ryan Barnett, 34, was arrested yesterday in North Carolina by FBI agents pursuant to a federal criminal complaint. He will make his initial court appearance early next week in U.S. District court in Roanoke.

“While the charges against Mr. Barnett are just allegations at this point, the facts presented do serve as a reminder for all parents to be aware of what their children are doing online,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “Our kids occupy a world where those seeking to harm them have countless avenues, like TikTok, Discord, Snapchat and others, to reach across vast distances directly into their bedrooms. Please, monitor their online activity, talk to them about the dangers that are out there, and let them know how to report folks who try to exploit them online.”

“The heinous crimes Barnett is charged with are what keep parents up at night. Educating our kids and communities about the threats posed by faceless, online personas is crucial to maintaining their safety. Working with our partners, FBI Richmond will bring the full weight of the justice system on anyone who attempts to harm our children. The FBI will never stop searching for these predators and bringing justice for victims,” said Ann Busby, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.

According to court records, the FBI received a tip that a then-unknown subject had attempted to groom a 15-year-old girl living in Michigan. Investigating agents discovered that on May 18, 2025, the victim first received a message from a TikTok account that appeared to belong to a teenaged boy who called himself “Jodie Johnson.” Johnson exchanged phone numbers with the victim, and through persistent messaging over the next few days, convinced her to send him a sexually explicit video of herself.

Agents were able to determine that “Jodie Johnson’s” TikTok account and phone number belonged to Barnett, an individual working in Catawba, Virginia who routinely interacted with young people. Phone records showed that Barnett was operating the number while talking to the Michigan victim.

Agents observed that Barnett’s TikTok account appeared to be following thousands of minor girls.  They also uncovered that Barnett was using Discord and Snapchat accounts to solicit sexually explicit material from other children while posing as a teenager.

If convicted, Barnett faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum punishment of life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert and Ann Busby, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, made the announcement today.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case for the United States.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ROANOKE, Va. – The former majority owner and operator of a home health care business who failed to pay over $600,000 in employment taxes was sentenced last week to three years’ probation with 12 months of home confinement. 

Julia Ann McKinnis, 66, of Danville, Virginia waived her right to be indicted and pled guilty in October 2024 to one count of willfully failing to pay taxes. McKinnis was also ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.

According to court documents, in 2007, McKinnis began operating a home health care business called Angel Wings Home Health. Since at least 2010, McKinnis has been the administrator and 90 percent owner of Angel Wings.

In 2011, the Collections Division of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched an investigation into Angel Wings’s failure to properly report and pay employment taxes. The investigation concluded in 2016, and Angel Wings entered into an installment agreement to pay the unpaid taxes.

However, beginning in the third quarter of 2018 and continuing through the fourth quarter of 2021, Angel Wings substantially understated its employee wages to the IRS and again failed to report and pay the employment taxes that the company owed.

C. Todd Gilbert, United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, Washington, D.C. Field Office made the announcement.

The Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation investigated the case

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff prosecuted the case for the United States.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Moneta, Virginia man, who was part of an online group that engaged in cyber stalking and extortion, was sentenced yesterday to 15 years in federal prison for stalking and possessing child pornography.

Evan Strauss, 26, a.k.a. “Reaper” and “Kobe Deonsons,” pled guilty in November 2024 to one count of stalking and one count of possession of child pornography.

“This sentence reflects the serious nature of these crimes and the real danger young people face in today’s online environment,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “Far too often we see young people get involved in an online relationship that quickly leads to bullying, harassment, abuse, and other abhorrent and predatory behavior. However, when that behavior turns criminal, like in this case, the Department of Justice will do everything within its power to protect victims of crime and hold perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent possible.”

“The internet offers young people an accessible way to find a sense of belonging. Predators like Strauss and others involved in the “Community” hide behind their screens, preying on these unsuspecting victims. This sentencing should be a reminder that if you seek to manipulate, threaten, and extort minors you cannot hide. The FBI will work with our local, state, and federal partners to find you and bring you to justice,” said Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.

According to court documents, on November 1, 2023, Strauss and “Minor A,” a 17-year-old girl from Wyoming, met online and began to engage in regular communication. Over the course of several months, Strauss used various interactive computer services, electronic communications services, and other systems to harass and intimidate Minor A and to place her under surveillance.

Shortly after they met, Strauss became controlling and would scream at and threaten Minor A. He discovered the victim’s home address and threatened to retaliate against her if she did not do what he asked her to do, like send him nude pictures or cut herself. For example, Strauss threatened to “swat” (i.e., to place a fictitious call to emergency services) Minor A’s house. Strauss also threatened to show up and kill her, her family, and her cat, or to have Minor A’s sisters removed from the home by social services. As proof of his sincerity, Strauss boasted that he had killed animals before. He also researched Minor A and members of her family to discover personal identifying information about them that he could use to convince Minor A that he knew enough information to cause her and her family harm.

Concerned for her family, the victim gave into Strauss’s demands. Among other things, the victim, at Strauss’s direction, carved Strauss’s online username, Reaper, into her upper thigh.

On January 24, 2024, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed Strauss while conducting a search of his residence. Among the evidence seized as part of the search was an iPhone containing multiple videos and images of young girls who are naked and/or cutting themselves. These include pictures of Minor A with “Reaper” carved into her thigh and with other cuts on her legs, as well as a surreptitious recording that Strauss took of Minor A masturbating with a hairbrush.

Strauss also proclaimed to be an active member of a group of approximately 200 individuals known as the “Community,” and that he operated a sub-group within the Community known as “Purgatory.” According to Strauss, the Community participates in a variety of criminal activities online, including placing swatting calls, hacking, blackmailing individuals for money, and extorting women and girls to obtain explicit photos or videos of themselves and to commit acts of self-harm.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason M. Scheff is prosecuting the case

ROANOKE, Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia will join their law enforcement partners, neighbors, and communities in National Night Out events in nearly a dozen communities across the district next Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

“The Western District of Virginia is one of the most geographically diverse districts in the country, spanning from the Northern Shenandoah Valley all the way down to the North Carolina border and we will have AUSAs and staff at events throughout the entire region,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “National Night Out is an opportunity for folks in our community who might not know what the U.S. Attorney’s Office is, what we do, or the services we provide to meet us one-on-one. It’s a wonderful night where communities come together and reminds us, we have much more in common than we think.”

Assistant United States Attorneys and professional staff will travel throughout the Western District of Virginia to attend National Night Out events in Abingdon, Bristol, Chilhowie, Albemarle County, Louisa, Pulaski, Woodstock, Vinton, Roanoke, and more.

“Local law enforcement plays a crucial role in Department of Justice priorities, like Operation Take Back America, and we are proud to meet our partners in their communities to increase partnerships and trust during National Night Out,” U.S. Attorney Gilbert said. “These bonds strengthen relationships which makes our entire district safer.”

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.

National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.

Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.

For more information, visit https://natw.org/. 

ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke, Virginia man involved in distributing large quantities of marijuana and helping plan a robbery that ultimately led to the murder of his drug supplier, was sentenced yesterday to 150 months in federal prison.

Garrett Isaac Williams, 22, pled guilty in February 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery. In April, Williams’ co-defendant, Joseph Walker, was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

According to court documents, beginning no later than January 2023, Walker and Williams conspired to distribute marijuana and marijuana wax they sourced from E.B., who periodically traveled from Pennsylvania to supply the pair at Mr. Walker’s residence in Roanoke.

Eventually, the men fell into debt to E.B. Then, in an effort to collect money he was owed, E.B. attempted to phone Walker but instead inadvertently called Walker’s mother. This phone call caused Walker and Williams to set in motion a plan to end their relationship with E.B. However, instead of paying down their debt, they conspired to order more marijuana from E.B., rob E.B. of that marijuana upon delivery and, in so doing, scare him from returning to Virginia.

On April 17, 2023, E.B. traveled from Pennsylvania to Walker’s residence, bringing with him approximately 10 pounds of marijuana and two pounds of marijuana wax in a deal facilitated by Williams. During E.B.’s trip, Williams maintained communication with him and provided updates to Walker so that he was prepared for E.B.’s arrival. For his part, Walker concealed a Sig Sauer, .45 caliber pistol on his person, intending to use it as part of the robbery. Upon E.B.’s arrival, Walker confronted E.B. about the phone call E.B. made to his mother, before shooting him twice, killing him. Afterwards, Walker, as planned, took the marijuana that E.B. had brought with him and, to conceal his crime, moved E.B.’s body out of his residence, placed it in the trunk of E.B.’s car and drove to Bedford County, Virginia where he set the car on fire.

While not physically present at the time of the robbery, Williams admitted to planning to rob E.B by force.

C. Todd Gilbert, United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, and Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Virginia State Police, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,  Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Roanoke City Police Department, the Roanoke County Police Department, the City of Lynchburg Police Department, and the Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office are investigating the case.

The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force also aided in the investigation and is comprised of officers from the Roanoke City Police Department, Roanoke County Police Department, City of Salem Virginia Police Department, the Vinton Police Department, and Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Salem Field Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Coleman Adams and Kelly McGann are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A second man involved in a conspiracy to kidnap and transport aliens and hold multiple victims for ransom before instigating a deadly shootout in a quiet, Charlottesville neighborhood, pled guilty today to federal charges as part of Operation Take Back America.

Jordan Perez, 21, of Lockhart, Texas, pled guilty today to one count of conspiracy to kidnap and one count of transporting an alien resulting in death.

“Over the last four years, we have seen millions of people illegally cross the southern border, leading to chaos, heartache and tangential crimes like human trafficking, human smuggling, and kidnapping,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “Far too often, as in this case, individuals take advantage of those who illegally enter the country, and the results are tragic. Through Operation Take Back America, this Department of Justice aims to bring the rule of law back to our country.”

“Jordan Perez, and his co-conspirator Ricardo Ordaz, not only victimized families, they terrorized an entire town by initiating a shootout in one of our peaceful Virginia communities,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck. “We will not tolerate such actions from those who seek to bring violence upon our neighbors. ICE HSI Washington, D.C. will continue to investigate and apprehend anyone who threatens the safety of our Virginia neighborhoods.”

According to court documents, in early January of 2023, Perez and co-defendant Ricardo Ordaz, and other co-conspirators, kidnapped multiple victims and held them for ransom, knowing these individuals had entered the United States illegally.

As part of the scheme, Ordaz arranged to pick up two victims from an area near the United States-Mexico border and bring them to a house near Austin, Texas. Once there, Perez, and others, held both victims against their will and under armed guard. Ordaz then called and messaged the victims’ families and friends demanding cash ransom in exchange for their release.

Ordaz exchanged one of the victims in Texas for $5,000 cash, and on January 8, 2023, Perez and a co-conspirator transported another victim to Charlottesville, Virginia, where they arranged to exchange that victim for $10,000 in cash.

During the exchange, when it was revealed that the full $10,000 ransom was not available, an argument and shootout ensued, during which Perez, and another co-conspirator, brandished firearms that led to the shooting death of one of the kidnappers.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Harrisonburg investigated the case with assistance from the Charlottesville Police Department, Albemarle County Police Department, and HSI Austin, Texas.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally J. Sullivan is prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – A Buchanan, Virginia man, who exposed the genitals of a minor female during a party at his residence and took pictures of the victim on his cell phone, was sentenced today to 24 years in federal prison.

Christopher Buono, 45, pled guilty in January 2025 to one count of child sexual exploitation and one count of possession of child pornography.

“Individuals who take advantage of children, be it online or in person, must be held accountable for their actions,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “This sentence sends a clear message that anyone targeting children in the Western District of Virginia will be held accountable to the fullest extent possible.”

According to court documents, in January 2024, a party was hosted at the defendant’s home in Buchanan, Virginia. At one point in the evening, Buono took a minor female, who was approximately six years old at the time, to Buono’s game room, and either the minor victim or Buono pulled down her pants and underwear, exposing her genitals.

Buono then used his cellphone to take sexually explicit photographs of the minor victim. Later that night, Buono used a messaging application to send one of these photos to another individual with a sexual interest in minors.

The investigation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff prosecuted the case for the United States

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/. 

ABINGDON, Va. – A major supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl, who conspired with others to traffic over 20 kilograms of methamphetamine and fentanyl into Southwest Virginia, was sentenced yesterday to 145 months in federal prison.

Andora Lee Smith, 62, of Whitesburg, Kentucky, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

Smith conspired with others, including Eric Coffey, Daniel Hafemeister, Michael Hicks, Cody Rose, and Ashley Beverly Jr., to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Southwest Virginia.

Most of Smith’s distributions took place at her Kentucky residence, where she kept multiple pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl and distributed ounce-plus quantities at a time to her customers.  Smith also delivered drugs to Virginia and routinely traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, to obtain quantities of xylazine and fentanyl (“black”) for distribution.

Smith worked as a teacher at Norton Elementary School and John I. Burton High School in Norton, Virginia, for 15 years prior to committing her crimes.

C. Todd Gilbert, United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Southwest Drug Task Force, Kentucky State Police, and Wise County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lena Busscher prosecuted the case for the United States.

ABINGDON, Va. – The former Vice Chairman of the Smyth County School Board was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for using at least six minor, male victims to produce child pornography.

Todd Stewart Williams, 54, of Chilhowie, Virginia, pled guilty in April 2025 to four counts of persuading, inducing, enticing, and coercing and attempting to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce one or more minors to engage in any sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct, in interstate commerce. In addition to his prison term, the Court sentenced Williams to 10 years of supervised release and ordered him to pay more than $20,000 in assessments.     

“Children are spending more time online than ever before, which makes them susceptible to individuals looking to do them harm,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “It is our job in the law enforcement community to protect our kids and prosecute those who prey upon the innocent. Today’s sentence sends a clear message to anyone who exploits a child: you will be fully held accountable.”

“Todd Williams, who was entrusted with overseeing the education and welfare of students in Smyth County, committed indefensible acts, forever affecting the lives of his minor victims. FBI Richmond will continue working with state and local law enforcement, as well as our partners at the US Attorney’s Office to ensure the safety of our children. We will not let child predators escape justice,” said Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division.

According to court documents, Williams’s criminal activity came to the attention of law enforcement in September 2022 when a 15-year-old boy from Oklahoma reported to the FBI that Williams, using the Snapchat username “todd_w3411,” had offered to pay the boy for explicit images of himself. The FBI’s investigation eventually revealed that Todd Williams had sent the boy more than $2,100 in less than six months and exchanged numerous sexual messages with the boy.

The FBI’s investigation positively identified at least 11 victims and has also revealed other victims who have not yet been identified.  To conceal his criminal activity, Williams used Snapchat, Signal, and Telegram, all of which are designed so that messages and images can be set to disappear or “self-destruct” shortly after they are received. Williams’s pattern was to find a young boy on Snapchat, befriend the boy, find out what he liked, and solicit pornographic photos and videos from the boy in exchange for money or gifts.

From 2022 to 2024, Williams paid one teen to take photos and videos of the teen sexually abusing his younger stepbrother, who was 8 to 10 years old at the time. As directed by Williams, the teen would approach his stepbrother in his bedroom at night and force his stepbrother to watch pornography and engage in sexual acts.  Between November 2022 and May 2023, Williams sent the teen more than $3,600 spread across thirty-nine payments ranging from $50 to $200.  At one point, Williams mailed the teen a debit card hidden inside a box of new shoes. Williams instructed the teen how to lie to his mother about the origin of the new shoes.

Williams spent more than $10,000 buying nude images from at least six underage male victims.

In addition to serving on the Smyth County School Board, Williams worked with a school basketball team in Smyth County. Williams used his position with the basketball team to spend time in the youth locker room and surreptitiously record boys in various states of undress, though no genitalia are visible in the recordings. On one occasion, Williams set up a hidden camera to record a young boy using the bathroom on an overnight basketball trip.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Pierce is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – A federal grand jury in Charlottesville returned an indictment today charging a Lynchburg store owner with federal food stamp and wire fraud.

Rajan Babbar, 59, of Lynchburg, Virginia, the owner of Taste of India, a medium-sized grocery store in Lynchburg, is accused of fraud regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. SNAP was established by the United States Government to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among low- and middle-income families by increasing their food purchasing power and ability.

The grand jury has charged Babbar with one count of SNAP benefits fraud, three counts of wire fraud, and four counts of transacting in criminally derived property.

According to the indictment, in 2016 Babbar filed paperwork with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for Taste of India to become a SNAP retailer. In December 2016, FNS approved Babbar’s application.

Beginning in or around April 2021, it is alleged that SNAP sales at Taste of India skyrocketed from their previous levels. In the three-year span between 2018 and 2020, the average monthly SNAP sales at the store were approximately $5,324 per month. In 2021 and 2022, the average monthly SNAP sales were approximately $53,147 per month. In 2023 and 2024, the average monthly SNAP sales were approximately $60,385 per month.

The indictment alleges that Babbar permitted individuals to exchange their SNAP benefits for cash. Babbar allegedly rang-up false transactions for nonexistent food items and other products. He then provided those individuals with cash for approximately one-half the value of the SNAP benefits.

Along with the eight criminal counts, the indictment includes a notice of forfeiture seeking to criminally forfeit approximately $383,232 in funds, along with a commercial real estate property in Lynchburg.

United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert, Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the USDA-OIG, and Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division made the announcement. 

The USDA-OIG, FBI, and Lynchburg Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Brett is prosecuting the case.

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

ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia man, convicted of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine following a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Abingdon in June 2025, was sentenced this week to 96 months in federal prison.

Christopher M. Sullivan, 31, was convicted in June of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Sullivan is the final defendant in this 20-member conspiracy to be sentenced.

“Methamphetamine has ravaged Southwest Virginia for decades, causing cycles of addiction and misery in its wake,” United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert said today. “We must be vigilant in attacking this issue at its source and bringing to justice those who profit off the addiction of others. I am grateful to our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration and all of our local partners for their work on this case.”

“There has been a large increase in methamphetamine distribution in Virginia in recent years, especially the western part.  Local gangs and drug trafficking organizations are not only mixing meth with other substances but are also transforming it into fake pill forms to enhance its marketability,” commented Shane K. Todd, Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Washington Division. “I want to express my gratitude to the DEA teams, USAO-WDVA litigators, and our local and state partners for their hard work in investigating, arresting, and prosecuting this individual, who was a clear public safety threat to Virginians.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Sullivan conspired with Christopher David Johnson – an inmate in a Georgia state prison – and numerous others to traffic and distribute kilograms of methamphetamine from Georgia into Southwest Virginia.

Johnson used smuggled cell phones to operate a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation from his prison cell in Georgia. Johnson regularly communicated with his co-conspirators using Facebook, WhatsApp, Signal, phone calls, and text messaging to coordinate drug deliveries, set pricing, manage drug quantities, handle recruitment, intimidation, and sales.

Evidence showed that Sullivan regularly communicated with Johnson to accomplish the goals of the conspiracy. Sullivan also distributed methamphetamine for Johnson, wired money to Mexico at Johnson’s direction, and paid Johnson for methamphetamine.

In December 2024, Johnson was sentenced for his role in the conspiracy to 20 years in federal prison – to run consecutive to his state prison sentence – and ten years of supervised release. The eighteen other defendants received prison sentences ranging from three to fifteen years.

United States Attorney C. Todd Gilbert and Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of the DEA Washington Division made the announcement.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and multiple law enforcement agencies in Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia investigated the case, including the Bristol (Tennessee) Police Department, the Bristol (Virginia) Police Department, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Georgia State Patrol.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Pierce and Corey Hall are prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. – Christopher Todd Gilbert was sworn in yesterday as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. Appointed by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney Gilbert took the oath of office administered by United States District Judge Thomas T. Cullen.

“I am honored to serve as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia,” Mr. Gilbert said today. “In my heart, I have always been a prosecutor and to return to that role now is the opportunity of a lifetime. My wife and I have spent our lives in the Western District and to play a part in keeping it safe is a privilege. I look forward to working with all our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to make the Western District of Virginia safer for all its residents.”

As the United States Attorney, Mr. Gilbert serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer in the Western District of Virginia, responsible for representing the United States in all civil and criminal litigation. U.S. Attorney Gilbert leads an office of nearly 30 federal prosecutors and support staff.

The Western District of Virginia comprises approximately sixty percent of the land area in the Commonwealth of Virginia and approximately 2.2 million of its citizens. The district covers a large geographic area. While the northern corner is less than fifty miles from Washington D.C., Lee County, the western tip of the district, is farther west than Detroit and is closer to six other state capitols than it is to Richmond.

Before becoming U.S. Attorney, Mr. Gilbert was a state prosecutor with nearly fifteen years’ experience in four different Commonwealth's Attorneys offices, all located within the Western District of Virginia- Lynchburg, Shenandoah, Warren and Frederick. U.S Attorney Gilbert has significant experience prosecuting violent crimes, including homicides, as well as robberies, drug conspiracies, sex crimes, gun crimes, and fraud. He has also taught the art of trial advocacy to young prosecutors.

In addition, U.S. Attorney Gilbert served nearly twenty years in the Virginia legislature as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, serving as the 57th Speaker of the House from 2022-2024. A core focus of Mr. Gilbert's legislative experience was in the area of public safety. He served as a member of the Virginia State Crime Commission, the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission, the Criminal Justice Services Board, and The Commission on VASAP (Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program) as well as Chairman of the Criminal Subcommittee of the Courts of Justice Committee. He was named Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Sheriff's Association, the Virginia State Police Association and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.

U.S. Attorney Gilbert and his family have deep ties to the Western District of Virginia. He was raised in the Shenandoah Valley and graduated from the University of Virginia and the Southern Methodist University School of Law where he served as president of the Student Bar Association (student body) and won the school's annual mock trial competition. He and his wife Jennifer live on a small farm in the Shenandoah Valley with their two young boys. Jennifer Wishon Gilbert is a native of Bedford County, Virginia, attended Virginia Tech and worked as a broadcast journalist for WDBJ in Roanoke. 

ROANOKE, Va. – A local man, who robbed multiple Truist Banks in October 2022, pled guilty today to a pair of federal charges.

Michael Anthony McCoy, 67, of Roanoke, pled guilty today to one count of bank robbery with the use of a dangerous weapon and one count of bank robbery. 

A second defendant, Dawn Davis, has previously pled guilty and will be sentenced later this year.

According to court documents, McCoy directed Davis to write a threatening note to use in a bank robbery. After Davis wrote the note as directed, on October 26, 2022, McCoy entered the Truist Bank location on Melrose Avenue NW in the City of Roanoke and handed the note to a bank teller. After McCoy handed the note to the teller, he approached a second teller and brandished a firearm.

McCoy stole approximately $6,485 from the Truist Bank location.

Two days later, McCoy then robbed another Truist Bank on McClanahan Street SW, stealing nearly $6,000 from that bank as well.

Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee, Stephen Farina, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement.

The FBI and the City of Roanoke Police Department are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Scheff and Special Assistant United States Attorney John Beamer, an Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section, are prosecuting the case.

ROANOKE, Va. –The former chief operating officer and practice manager of several southwest Virginia pain clinics was sentenced yesterday to 36 months in federal prison for her role in healthcare fraud and drug conspiracies at the clinics.

Jennifer Adams, 52, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, served as the Chief Operating Officer of L5 Medical Holdings, a company doing business under the name “Pain Care Centers” that operated clinics in Woodlawn, Lynchburg, Madison Heights, Blacksburg, and Christiansburg.

In November 2024, Adams pled guilty to helping conceal illegal prescribing and healthcare fraud at the clinics.

According to court documents, in 2014, despite having no medical training, a former mortgage broker and L5 Medical’s owner, John Barnes, purchased and operated Pain Care Center clinics.  Among other things, providers at the practice prescribed opioids and opioid addiction treatment medications, including Suboxone.  Adams, who also lacked medical training, helped Barnes run the clinics.

As part of her plea, Adams admitted to encouraging medical providers with L5 to follow the opinion of non-medical professionals in making medical decisions, including whether a patient should be treated for opioid addiction or for pain management, whether a patient should receive a prescription, and what type of drug should be prescribed.

Adams also admitted to knowing that one practitioner, Dr. Wendell Randall, was not providing medically legitimate care to patients.  Court records show that L5 employees described Dr. Randall as a “quack” and “train wreck,” explained his files did not “justify continuing the medication” he prescribed to patients and questioned if “anyone check[ed] to see if he was real doctor.”

Adams acknowledged she knew L5 illegally used the prescribing credentials of some doctors – known as registration numbers –  to prescribe Suboxone, a Schedule III drug used to treat patients with opioid addiction, even when the doctors had not seen the patients who received the prescriptions.  Additionally, Adams helped implement drug testing policies at the clinics that improperly inflated bills to medical insurers.

Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee, Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian of DEA Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General’s Philadelphia Region, Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares made the announcement today.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of  Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, the Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Attorney General’s Office - Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Cagle Juhan and Jason M. Scheff prosecuted the case.