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7 July 2026
D.C. Felon with Two Prior Firearms Convictions Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Loaded Ghost GunRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Rhondell Williams, 39, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 14 months in prison in connection with his illegal possession of a loaded ghost gun while intoxicated on a residential road in Southeast, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Williams pleaded guilty on Dec. 15, 2025, before Judge Loren L. AliKhan to three firearms counts: unlawful possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a prohibited weapon. In addition to the 14-month prison term, Judge AliKhan ordered Williams to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 28-month prison term.
According to court documents, on April 4, 2025, about 6:15 p.m., officers from the Metropolitan Police Department's Violent Crime Suppression Division observed Williams walking on Pomeroy Road SE carrying an open bottle of tequila.
Officers approached and attempted to detain him for possessing an open container of alcohol. After Williams resisted, officers removed a cross-body satchel from Williams. Inside the bag was a loaded 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun, privately manufactured, bearing no serial number and untraceable by law enforcement. The ghost gun was loaded with five rounds of 9mm ammunition in a Glock magazine. While in custody, Williams tested positive for amphetamines.
Williams has two prior felony convictions for illegally possessing firearms, in 2007 and 2017. He repeatedly failed to comply with the terms of court-ordered supervision in each case.
This case was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative. Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office.
The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.
Body-worn-camera photo depicts a police officer reaching for Williams’ bag in which a 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun (below) was found.
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Convicted Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting a 7-Year-Old ChildRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Bobby Lequan Council, 39, of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty yesterday to sexually exploiting a 7-year-old child, possessing child sexual abuse material depicting a prepubescent minor, failing to register as a sex offender, and committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender, announced United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Because Council has a prior federal conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 35 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of 90 years.
"Protecting children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities," said U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek. "This defendant's repeated exploitation of children and disregard for sex offender registration requirements warrant the substantial penalties Congress has prescribed. We commend the Goodlettsville Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Marshals, for their swift and thorough investigations."
According to court documents, on April 16, 2025, detectives with the Goodlettsville Police Department responded to a residence in Goodlettsville after a woman reported discovering sexually explicit videos of a 7-year-old minor on an iPhone Council was using.
“Homeland Security Investigations is committed to protecting children from those who seek to exploit them,” said HSI Nashville Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting. “This case highlights the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies to ensure that offenders, especially those who repeatedly disregard the law, are held accountable and that vulnerable victims receive justice.”
Detectives obtained a state search warrant for the phone. A forensic examination recovered three sexually explicit videos of the prepubescent minor, all created on January 16, 2025. After waiving his Miranda rights, Council admitted to detectives that he had sexually abused the minor and recorded the abuse using the phone.
At the time he created the videos, Council was a registered sex offender based on a 2012 federal conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor. As a Tier III sex offender, Council was required to report in person every three months for life and to update his registration whenever he established or changed a residence.
In February 2025, Council registered a Nashville motel as his primary address but checked out four days later. Investigators determined that Council had, in fact, been residing at a Goodlettsville residence since at least December 2024, but never updated his sex offender registration to reflect that address.
Council pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Eli J. Richardson to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, second offense; one count of possession of child sexual abuse material depicting a prepubescent minor, second offense; one count of failure to register as a sex offender; and one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender.
The sexual exploitation offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 50 years. The child sexual abuse material possession offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years. The failure-to-register offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. The offense of committing a felony involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender carries a mandatory 10-year sentence that must run consecutively to the sentence imposed for the sexual exploitation offense.
Council also faces a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life, restitution, and mandatory special assessments.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 16. U.S. District Court Judge Eli J. Richardson will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Goodlettsville Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Marshals investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Monica R. Morrison and Carlin Hess are prosecuting the case.
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Columbus repeat felon pleads guilty to firearms crime on same day jury trial was to commenceRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus repeat felon whose jury trial was scheduled to begin on Monday pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to a firearms crime.
Antonio Triplett, 47, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Triplett, who is also known as “Trip,” has at least six prior convictions that prohibit him from possessing a firearm, including robbery and domestic violence.
According to court documents, on July 12, 2025, Columbus police officers were dispatched to Stevens Avenue in response to a 911 call about an armed man threatening a woman. Triplett was present at the property despite requests that he leave.
Officers discovered a pistol under an inflatable mattress in the residence’s living room. Triplett told officers he had been staying at the home and spending most of his time in the living room. He also told officers that if his DNA was on the firearm, it was because he picked it up while cleaning the house. Lab results issued on Dec. 31, 2025, showed Triplett’s DNA on the firearm in at least three areas.
The defendant was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2026.
Triplett faces up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced the guilty plea entered on July 6 before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth A. Geraghty and Jennifer M. Rausch are representing the United States in this case.
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Cleveland Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Possessing Meth and Crack with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 28-year-old Cuyahoga County man has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing distribution amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine base, more commonly known as “crack.”
Haroon Gaines, 28, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 170 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko after being convicted by a federal jury in March 2026 of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine Base.
According to court documents, Gaines was discovered unconscious in the hallway of the La Quinta Inn in Independence, Ohio. Law enforcement responding to the scene found distribution amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine base “crack” in his pockets. According to investigators, the drug amounts found equated to about a two-month supply of methamphetamine and 200 user doses of crack cocaine. Testimony and video footage evidence presented at trial revealed that Gaines was driving in donuts in the parking lot outside of the hotel, knocking on hotel patrons’ doors, and then eventually passed out on the third-floor hallway.
In total, investigators seized:
- 45.76 grams of methamphetamine (with 92% purity)
- 20.2 grams of cocaine base
- A Smith & Wesson, Model M&P, .22 caliber rifle, with magazines and ammunition
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Independence Police Department.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Brenna L. Fasko and Paul E. Hanna.
Chinese National Sentenced to Prison for Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving $2.2 Million in Walmart Gift CardsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jun Wang, age 64, a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison following his trial conviction for participating in a money laundering conspiracy.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement. This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
Evidence presented during the bench trial in December 2025 proved that, between June 2019 and June 2021, Wang redeemed $2,285,039.81 in gift cards originally purchased by defrauded victims throughout the United States (including in the Northern District of New York). Wang, who received the gift card information electronically from co-conspirators overseas, used the fraud proceeds to buy other gift cards at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in Florida to disguise the source and nature of the funds. To try to evade detection and disguise the volume of his gift card redemptions, Wang often used different registers within the same store and frequently drove from store to store to redeem gift cards, sometimes visiting several Walmart stores on the same day. Wang often redeemed gift cards just hours, and sometimes minutes, after they were purchased by victims. Multiple victims testified at trial about the gift cards they purchased after being scammed online or over the phone. Although the trial evidence proved that Wang’s role in the scheme was to redeem gift cards purchased by victims he never interacted with directly, he admitted to an FBI agent in a secretly recorded conversation that “[w]e all know” about the fraud, which is “[e]asy to know.” In relation to one elderly victim, Wang explained on the recording, “[t]he only loser is the lady,” and, “[o]ther than this lady, everybody’s happy.”
As part of his sentence, Wang was also ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $2,285,039.81 and to pay restitution in the amount of $275,634.27 to identified victims. Following his release from imprisonment, Wang will serve 3 years of supervised release. Because his offense of conviction is an aggravated felony, Wang also faces deportation to China upon release from imprisonment.
“Mr. Wang preyed on vulnerable victims to enrich himself and his co-conspirators to the tune of $2,285,039.81, and on recoding boasted about defrauding senior citizens,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated. “My office is committed to aggressively pursuing all acts of fraud to protect the American people from defendants like Mr. Wang and ensure justice for the victims who were defrauded.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated, “Mr. Wang once joked that everyone was happy in his scheme and the only person who lost anything was his elderly victim. With this sentence, the tables have turned, and he has now lost his freedom. Fraud is one of the most pervasive threats facing our communities today, but the FBI is relentless in our mission to aggressively investigate and bring to justice anyone responsible for stealing from hardworking Americans.”
FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Tamara B. Thomson prosecuted the case.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Cape Girardeau County Man Admits Meth Possession, SaleRead the Press Release
CAPE GIRARDEAU – A Cape Girardeau County man who led investigators to two pounds of methamphetamine in 2025 on Tuesday admitted possessing and selling the drug.
Billy R. Davis, 66, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. As part of his plea, he admitted that during a court-approved search of his home on Feb. 27, 2025, investigators found 43 baggies of meth weighing about 104.6 grams, drug paraphernalia, two rifles and two shotguns. Davis told investigators that he used about 1.5 grams of meth per week and had been selling it to Russell S. Jackman for the last 12 to 18 months. He then led investigators to his next delivery – 952 grams of meth.
Investigators were alerted to Davis’ home when someone working on behalf of the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office tried to buy two ounces of meth from Jackman at Jackman’s home. Jackman did not have the meth on hand and traveled to Davis’ nearby home to resupply.
Davis is scheduled to be sentenced on October 15. The charge is punishable by 10 years to life in prison.
Jackman, 66, pleaded guilty in September to distribution of methamphetamine and is currently serving a 90-month prison sentence.
The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton is prosecuting the case.
California Man Sentenced in $39M Bank Fraud Scheme That Defrauded Seven Financial InstitutionsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A California man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison and three years of supervised release for perpetrating an elaborate bank fraud scheme that took in approximately $39 million from multiple financial institutions over the course of nearly 10 years. He was also ordered to pay over $19.4 million in restitution and $21.8 million in forfeiture.
According to court documents, Gary Topolewski, 64, of Northridge, engaged in the nearly decade-long scheme to defraud multiple financial institutions through the submission of false and fraudulent commercial loan applications on behalf of his purported companies, Topolewski America Inc., Morrison Knudsen Services Inc., and Metal Jeans Inc. As a result, these entities received more than $39 million in fraudulently obtained loan proceeds, with Topolewski unsuccessfully seeking millions more.
Topolewski falsely represented in the loan applications that the loans were for the purchase of large, industrial earth-moving construction equipment, and for business working capital purposes. In reality, Topolewski and his companies did not use the proceeds as represented and instead diverted, laundered, and misappropriated the proceeds for other purposes, including for the purchase of properties and to make Ponzi-like payments to financial lenders to perpetuate the scheme by using loan proceeds from newer loans to pay down the balance of other loans. Topolewski used several aliases, including the stolen identity of a victim, and company names that were similar to those of established companies in the construction and equipment industries.
In December 2025, Topolewski pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Delzotto of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Sara Hallmark of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
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Caddo County Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison After Embezzling from Caddo NationRead the Press Release
Defendant Also Ordered to Pay More Than $150,000 in Restitution
OKLAHOMA CITY – LARISHA LARELL WABAUNASEE, 39, of Anadarko, has been sentenced to serve six months in federal prison for embezzlement and theft from the Caddo Nation, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public records, while employed by the Caddo Nation, Wabaunasee worked in part at the Caddo Nation Tag Office. Between October 2023 and November 2024, she used an unauthorized point-of-sale account to divert customer payments intended for the Caddo Nation into her personal bank accounts.
On November 4, 2025, a federal grand jury charged Wabaunasee with embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization. On February 2, 2026, Wabaunasee pleaded guilty and admitted she embezzled and stole from the Caddo Nation Tag Office by diverting customer transactions to her personal accounts.
At a sentencing hearing on June 29, 2026, U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones, II, sentenced Wabaunasee to serve six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Wabaunasee was also ordered to pay $151,208.25 in restitution. In announcing his sentence, Judge Jones noted the need to impose a just punishment for the offense.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Armed career criminal sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for illegal gun possessionRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: A Savannah man has been sentenced to more than 30 years in federal prison for being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall, and announced by Margaret E. ‘Meg’ Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Duane B. Smith, aka “Flex,” aka “Dwayne Kelvin Smith,” 53, of Savannah, was sentenced to 405 months in prison, fined $1,200 and ordered to serve five years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term after being convicted at trial of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Smith was adjudicated as an Armed Career Criminal, which requires imposition of a mandatory minimum 15-year term of imprisonment for recidivists convicted of illegally possessing a firearm who have three prior state or federal convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses.
As described in court documents and testimony, on June 13, 2023, officers with the Savannah Police Department responded to the Goodwill Store at 220 Eisenhower Drive in response to a missing person report. Officers found the missing individual with Smith, and learned that Smith had driven the missing person to the Goodwill Store in his vehicle.
Investigators searched Smith’s vehicle and located a Cobra .380 caliber pistol under the back seat of the vehicle. Smith later was arrested by the Savannah Police Department SWAT team. Smith was prohibited from possessing firearms because of three previous state felony convictions and one federal felony conviction.
“Our partnership with local and federal law enforcement agencies is vital in our efforts to remove firearms from the hands of those who can’t legally possess them – especially those convicted of prior felonies,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “This conviction is a positive step in reducing violence in our communities.”
This investigation took place under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer.
“This should send a clear message that there are serious consequences for illegally possessing a firearm in Savannah,” said Savannah Police Chief Lenny B. Gunther. “I’m proud of my officers for getting both him and the weapons off our streets.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Savannah Police Department, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant United States Attorneys Makeia R. Jonese and Patricia G. Rhodes.
Andy Sanborn Pleads Guilty to Misusing over $250,000 of CARES Act FundsRead the Press Release
Andy Sanborn Pleads Guilty to Misusing Over $250,000 of CARES Act Funds
CONCORD – Anthony Sanborn, a/k/a Andy Sanborn, 64, pleaded guilty today to Theft of Government Funds, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. U.S. District Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for October 15, 2026.
“This office is dedicated to combating fraud and prosecuting those who wrongfully take money from American taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Creegan. “Today’s conviction was the result of incredible work done by a dedicated team of agents. We and our law enforcement partners will continue to diligently investigate those who target federal benefits programs.”
“This casino owner must’ve thought he hit the jackpot when he got more than a quarter of a million dollars set aside to keep businesses afloat amid a pandemic battering our economy. But the odds and the FBI finally caught up with him when he misused that money for his own financial gain,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “The FBI simply won’t stand for opportunists thinking they can defraud the federal government, live large, and get away with it. We will aggressively pursue anyone foolish enough to do so.”
“Today’s guilty plea of Andy Sanborn demonstrates IRS-CI’s continued commitment to root out fraud and theft from the United States Government at all levels,” said Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “Sanborn misappropriated federal funds designated to aid small business owners in their time of need, during a global pandemic. Instead of using these funds for their intended purpose and invest in his own business, Sanborn selfishly decided to use these funds for his own self-enrichment and to purchase luxury items.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service routinely seeks prosecution of individuals like Anthony Sanborn, who misused funds that were designated to provide financial relief during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Postal Inspectors, alongside our federal partners, uncovered a scheme where Sanborn spent over a quarter of a million dollars of the funds on personal expenses. We will continue to support and collaborate with our federal law enforcement partners to stop those who are engaged in these types of schemes.”
Sanborn owned and operated Win Win Win, a company that did business as Concord Casino. Sanborn applied for and obtained $844,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funding from the Small Business Administration. In applying for the loans, Sanborn certified that he would use the loan proceeds solely as working capital for Win Win Win. However, Sanborn misused $255,232.72 of the funds on personal expenditures. For example, on January 18, 2022, Sanborn used $48,750 of EIDL funds to purchase a 2006 Porsche Cayman.
The charge of Theft of Government Funds carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (‘Fraud Division’). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Alleged Leader of a Violent Wing of the Sinaloa Cartel Charged with Narcoterrorism, Material Support of Terrorism and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – An indictment unsealed today charges Carlos Paez Pereda, aka “Carlitos,” aka “Carlitos Rugrats,” alleged high-ranking lieutenant and leader of a violent wing of the Sinaloa Cartel called “Los Rugrats,” with Narcoterrorism and Material Support of Terrorism in connection with trafficking massive amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine into the United States.
“No se puede capturar a un personaje de dibujos animados. Pero a un narcoterrorista, sí,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
“Today’s indictment underscores the FBI’s determination to dismantle the most violent elements of the Sinaloa Cartel,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Los Rugrats has fueled brutal violence in Mexico that reaches into the United States along with a relentless flow of deadly drugs into our communities. Together with our federal and state partners, we will continue to target cartel leadership wherever they operate to bring them to justice and protect the public.”
“For years, Pereda allegedly fueled the drug crisis by trafficking deadly drugs into the United States while using violence, intimidation, and fear to protect his criminal enterprise,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge James Nunnallee. “As alleged in the indictment, his organization relied on murder, kidnapping, and armed enforcers to maintain power and ensure the continued flow of drugs that have devastated families and communities across our nation. DEA and our law enforcement partners remain relentless in our pursuit of those who profit from addiction and violence. Together, we are strengthening a global network of partnerships that is disrupting cartel operations, dismantling their criminal enterprises, and ensuring those responsible have fewer places to hide and nowhere to run.”
“This indictment highlights the collaboration and strength of the Homeland Security Task Force,” said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego. “HSI will continue to support our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as HSTF San Diego continues to dismantle the cartels and protect our communities.”
All photos are published in court documents and were pulled from social media accounts associated with Paez. The images depict drugs, guns and trafficking proceeds connected to the defendant.
According to court documents, Paez operates a prolific manufacturing and distribution network of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine for the Mayo Zambada faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Paez also enforces the Sinaloa Cartel’s operations in Sinaloa and Tijuana through murder, kidnappings, and other violent activity, using a group of armed fighters and hitmen. Paez also manages and controls a portion of the Sinaloa Cartel’s transportation operations from Sinaloa to Tijuana, and the surrounding municipalities, ultimately leading to the importation of these drugs into the United States and distribution in the Southern District of California and elsewhere.
Over the past decade, Paez has imported tens of thousands of kilograms of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, into the United States and laundered hundreds of millions of dollars in drug proceeds. Paez was designated by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, as a Drug Kingpin in September 2025.
Paez has also assisted the Los Mayos faction during their ongoing bloody conflict with the “Los Chapitos” faction of the Sinaloa Cartel. Paez has provided fighters, weapons, logistics, and money during the conflict.
This indictment follows a storied tradition in the Southern District of California for dismantling leadership and operations of powerful Mexican cartels – from the dismantling of the Arellano Felix Cartel to major strikes against today’s most dangerous, powerful and violent cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the Beltran Leyva Organization.
The indictment is a direct result of President Trump’s Executive Order 14157 which designated the Sinaloa Cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and the Secretary of State’s subsequent designation of the same on February 20, 2025.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Mellor and Peter Horn.
DEFENDANT Case Number 26cr1044-DMS
Carlos Paez Pereda Age: 30 City of Residence: Laguna Colorada, Sinaloa, Mexico
aka “Carlitos”
aka “Carlitos Rugrats”
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 960a and 841 – Narcoterrorism
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years in prison; $20 million fine
Title 18, U.S.C. Sec. 2339B – Providing Material Support to Terrorism
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 848(a) -Continuing Criminal Enterprise
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 20 years; $10 million fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 959, 960, and 963 - International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 841(a)(1) and 846 - Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years in prison; $10 million fine
Title 21, U.S.C., Secs. 952, 960 and 963 – Conspiracy to Import Controlled Substances
Maximum penalty: Life in prison, mandatory minimum 10 years; $10 million fine
Money Laundering Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $500,000 fine or twice the value of the monetary instrument or funds involved, whichever is greater
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Drug Enforcement Administration
Homeland Security Investigations
Chula Vista Police Department
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the California Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs were established by President Trump in 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. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. This grant program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). There are currently 33 HIDTAs, and HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.
2 Mexican nationals sentenced for reentering the country and using forged documentsRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – Two men from Mexico who reentered the country illegally using forged documents were sentenced today, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Isaias Martinez Araiza, 48, who pleaded guilty in May 2026, was sentenced to time served (78 days) on one count of possessing a fraudulent immigration document and one count of illegal reentry.
Omar Alfaro Aguilar, 41, who pleaded guilty in May 2026, was sentenced to time served (78 days) on one count of possessing a fraudulent immigration document and one count of illegal reentry.
Both defendants were remanded to the custody and control of Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Martinez and Alfaro, who had previously been deported, had returned to the United States and applied for access to the Montana Air National Guard base in Great Falls with forged immigration documents as part of a construction crew.
Black Eagle Construction in April 2026 had submitted paperwork to allow access for four men to work a construction site on the base. In verifying the paperwork, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations found inconsistencies in Martinez’s and Alfaro’s immigration documents, including forged lawful permanent residence cards.
Additionally, a background check on Martinez found a felony drug possession conviction in Texas from 2003, a misdemeanor DUI conviction from 2005 and a misdemeanor driving without a valid license from 2006. In 2017 he was deported from Brownsville, Texas, for being in the country illegally. A background check on Alfaro found that he had been deported in 2005 and 2018 from Freer, Texas.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation.
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.
6 July 2026
Winston-Salem Gang Member Sentenced to 38 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute NarcoticsRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. –Chrisshawn Lamont Mobley, age 32, of Winston-Salem, appeared yesterday before the Honorable William L. Osteen, Jr., United States District Court Judge, and was sentenced to 456 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute narcotics. The sentence will be followed by 4 years of supervised release.
Mobley, a high-ranking G-Shine Bloods gang member, was charged along with ten other individuals for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride. According to evidence presented at the sentencing hearing, Mobley conspired to distribute over two kilograms of fentanyl and over thirty kilograms of methamphetamine, in addition to smaller amounts of other narcotics. Mobley and other coconspirators were responsible for shipping illegal narcotics into the Middle District of North Carolina and distributing them around Winston-Salem and the surrounding areas.
All but one of Mobley’s codefendants have been found guilty and sentenced and are currently serving terms of imprisonment in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The codefendants and their sentences are as follows:
Daquan Deonte Moses, age 29, of Winston-Salem– 126 months
Malik Patience Smith, age 25, of Winston-Salem – 228 months
Michael Jerel Hayes, age 38, of Winston-Salem – 180 months
Kenan Orlando Balderas, age 28, of Winston-Salem – 120 months
Christian Gregory Horn, age 26, of Walkertown - 96 months
Kedrick Tyrone Burns, age 33, of Winston-Salem – 227 months
Rashad Hubert Blue, age 30, of Winston-Salem – 168 months
Robert Levon Jones, age 35, of Winston-Salem – 204 months
Marlow Edward Rousseau, Jr., age 32, of Winston-Salem – 210 months
The case against the remaining defendant, Eli Oliver Phelps, Jr., is ongoing.
Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, made the announcement and thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Winston Salem Police Department, and partner agencies including the Drug Enforcement Agency, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, and Stokes County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Martin, and Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Pousson and Terry Meinecke.
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Waverly Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Transportation and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Joshua Hecht, 26, of Waverly, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hecht to 135 months’ imprisonment for transportation of child pornography and 120 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography. The terms of imprisonment will be run concurrently to one another. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Hecht will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Beginning in October 2023, Hecht contacted Victim 1 over Snapchat. Victim 1 was a 16-year-old male residing outside of the United States. Hecht maintained contact with Victim 1 and used Victim 1 to create visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct over Snapchat video chat. Specifically, Hecht took screenshots of Victim 1 masturbating.
On January 26, 2024, Hecht flew from Omaha, to Chicago, Illinois, with the plan to fly to meet Victim 1 in person. HSI agents had previously become aware of Hecht’s intended travel and observed Hecht board the flight in Omaha and exit the flight in Chicago. Hecht was then contacted by HSI agents in the jetway, which is the functional equivalent of the border, as he was boarding his flight to leave the United States to meet Victim 1. The agents did a border search of Hecht’s phone and found the images of Victim 1 on Hecht’s phone. Agents then seized Hecht’s phone. Hecht’s phone was then extracted pursuant to a search warrant and reviewed. On Hecht’s phone, agents found multiple videos, depicting Victim 1 and Hecht masturbating on Facetime video calls.
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Venezuelan Citizen Sentenced for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Yohandry Jose Molina-Camacho, age 19, a native and citizen of Venezuela illegally in the United States, was sentenced on June 1, 2026, to 8 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Molina-Camacho admitted that in August 2025, he sold another individual a Hi-Point CF380, .380-caliber pistol in exchange for $500. At the time he possessed the pistol, defendant knew he was an alien who had been illegally residing in the United States for approximately one year. Molina-Camacho also admitted that he knew he was not allowed to possess a firearm.
“Thanks to the previous administrations failed border policies, criminal illegal aliens such as this defendant have been allowed to roam freely in our country,” said First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Mr. Molina‑Camacho’s illegal possession of a firearm serves as a reminder of the risks posed when individuals engage in criminal activity while unlawfully present in this Country. Thanks to the work of the ATF, he will now be held accountable for his actions and will face deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence.”
Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives said; “This sentence holds the defendant accountable for knowingly violating federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing and selling a firearm despite knowing he was prohibited from doing so. When prohibited individuals possess and traffic firearms, they put communities at risk. Thanks to ATF NY Albany, HSI, Albany PD & USAO NDNY. We will continue working to reduce illegal firearm trafficking and protect our communities from gun violence.”ATF investigated this Project Safe Neighborhoods case with Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney A.J Vickey prosecuted this case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Union Ex-President Pleads Guilty to Theft and Wire Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kye Carbone, 69, of Athens, New York, pled guilty on June 22, to 3 counts of wire fraud and 3 counts of theft from a labor union. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Erica Weber, District Director, Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, made the announcement.
Between 2003 and 2023, Carbone served as the president of United Federation of College Teachers Local 1460, the union representing faculty members at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Carbone pled guilty to stealing over $290,000 from the Local between 2011 and 2023, Carbone used the money for his personal expenses, restaurants, and travel. In 2023 Carbone was voted out of office.
“Unions exist to protect and uplift their members, yet this defendant chose greed over duty, stealing from the very people he was entrusted to serve,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “I commend our investigative partners at DOL‑OIG and DOL‑OLMS, whose diligent work brought Mr. Carbone to justice. Let this serve as a warning: if you steal from hardworking Americans, the United States government will find you and hold you accountable.”
“Carbone didn’t just steal money — he betrayed the union he served for nearly two decades, robbing the American taxpayer of hundreds of thousands of dollars. His actions represent a serious abuse of position and his blatant disregard for hardworking Americans. At the Office of Inspector General, we are unwavering in our mission to expose union fraud and ensure those who steal from American workers are held fully accountable. We will continue to work relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to crush these schemes, put fraudsters behind bars, and protect the integrity of our nation's labor unions,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor.“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards remains committed to safeguarding union financial integrity and combating fraud,” said New York District Director Erica Weber. “Alongside our partners in law enforcement, we will continue to identify criminal violations and pursue legal action when individuals unlawfully exploit their union positions without regard to the best interests of their members.”
The wire fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine per count, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. The embezzlement charges carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 per count, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Carbone’s guilty plea was accepted by the Honorable Anne M. Nardacci. Sentencing is set for October 20, 2026, in Albany, New York.
The Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Walter is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Tren de Aragua Members from Venezuela Charged with Kidnappings that Resulted in Death, Racketeering Involving Murder, and Other Violent OffensesRead the Press Release
Eight Illegal Alien Tren de Aragua Members from Venezuela Charged with Kidnappings that Resulted in Death, Racketeering Involving Murder, and Other Violent Offenses in Texas and Illinois Following Homeland Security Task Force Investigations
Note: A copy of the indictment in the Northern District of Texas can be found here. A copy of the complaint and affidavit in the Northern District of Illinois can be found here.
During a press conference held on July 1, 2026, in Washington, D.C., the Department of Justice announced charges filed in the Northern Districts of Texas and Illinois against eight alleged members of designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA) for murders, kidnappings, and firearms offenses. All eight defendants charged in these Homeland Security Task Force operations are illegal aliens believed to be from Venezuela who illegally enter the United States between December 2021 and April 2024. One defendant charged in Northern Texas is now in custody in Colombia for unrelated charges.
“Eight TdA members illegally entered the United States between 2021 and 2024 and are alleged to have committed horrific crimes, including murdering a father in front of his teenage daughter,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This should never have happened in the first place, but under the Biden administration, open-border policies left the doors wide open, and hundreds of suspected and convicted Tren de Aragua terrorists poured into this country. In the 18 months since President Trump stopped this madness, designating Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization, we have charged nearly 350 of its members and associates with egregious violent crimes – murders, sex trafficking, kidnapping – along with weapons and drug trafficking, robbery, and widespread financial crimes. This work requires an all government, all law enforcement approach, which is precisely what has happened under the leadership of President Trump.”
TdA is a violent transnational criminal organization that originated as a prison gang in Venezuela in the mid-2000s. TdA has expanded its criminal network throughout the Western Hemisphere and established a presence in the United States. TdA’s criminal activities include a variety of violent and criminal offenses, including drug trafficking, firearms trafficking, commercial sex trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, theft, fraud, and extortion. TdA members also commit murder, assault, and other acts of violence to enforce and further the organization’s criminal activities.
As alleged in court documents, in the United States, TdA is organized into subsets or cells based on geographic area of operation. Each regional cell typically has one or more leaders who are responsible for, among other things, managing the criminal enterprise’s activities in the territory, collecting money from other members and associates to finance gang activities and crimes, directing day-to-day management of the region, and planning and ordering acts of violence against rival gang members, associates, and other victims. The leaders of these subsets or cells report to, receive directives from, and distribute criminally-derived assets and proceeds to TdA leaders throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Since Jan. 20, 2025, the Department has federally charged over 300 members and associates of TdA across 28 districts.
“On this 250th anniversary of the birth of our great nation, I am reminded of how lucky we are to enjoy the many freedoms that our country provides. Which is why, as U.S. Attorney, I am laser focused on ensuring that North Texans can enjoy freedom and safety in all our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “This indictment of TdA gang members is a significant step to ensure that this dangerous transnational gang does not oppress, intimidate or harm our fellow North Texans. Let this serve as a warning to all TdA members: you will not gain a stronghold in the Northern District of Texas.”
“President Trump‘s historic leadership designating Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization has given this FBI and our law-enforcement partners the tools we need to wipe out their operations,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Now, every single day across this country, we are decimating their presence in America - dismantling and disrupting over 2,700 violent gangs, a 365% increase, with a 500% increase in Tren de Aragua arrests since 2024. Today, thanks to tremendous work from FBI Chicago, FBI Dallas, and our partners as part of the FBI’s nationwide violent crime initiative Summer Heat 2.0, eight more alleged TdA members who entered the United States under the previous administration have been indicted or arrested and will face justice for their crimes.”
“The complaint against these three TdA members should leave no doubt that the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office is going to aggressively pursue transnational criminal organizations and hold their members and associates accountable for their violent criminal acts,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois. “We will continue to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of TdA, which very deservedly has been designated by President Trump and his Administration as a terrorist organization. Our shared goal is crystal clear: to disrupt and dismantle TdA and not allow it to gain a foothold in the United States or Chicagoland. This Fourth of July weekend, as we celebrate the 250th birthday of the greatest nation on earth, many families in the Chicago area will celebrate with loved ones because the whole of federal government in Chicago is taking violent crime seriously and in a way that hasn’t been seen in years. The result is that the scourge of violence that has gripped Chicago for too long is beginning to see relief.”
“Violent transnational gangs like Tren de Aragua pose a significant and ongoing threat to the safety of our communities,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “This indictment is a testament to the dedication of our agents and the strength of our partnership through the Homeland Security Task Force. By working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement, HSI continues to disrupt violent criminal organizations and protect communities across the United States.”
Case summaries are below:
Northern District of Texas
On June 30, a grand jury in the Northern District of Texas returned charges against five alleged members of TdA. All five defendants are citizens and nationals of Venezuela.
The defendants Hector Asdrubal Garcia Zuniga, also known as “Murry” and “Munra,” 36; Carlos Luis Zambrano Bolivar, 27; Jhonny Jesus Martinez Serrano, 31; Jhonatan Nahin Toro Gonzalez, 23; and Ehiker Alexander Morales Mendoza, also known as “El Ingeniero” and “El Negro,” 39, were indicted on racketeering charges involving murder, kidnapping, and other violent offenses.
Each defendant is charged with racketeering conspiracy for allegedly conspiring and agreeing with one another, and with others, to conduct and participate directly and indirectly in the conduct of the affairs of the TdA enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity, which consisted of multiple acts involving murder, kidnapping, robbery, and bank fraud. Each defendant is charged with kidnapping in aid of racketeering for allegedly kidnapping three individuals on or about August 24, 2024, for the purpose of maintaining and increasing position in TdA. Garcia Zuniga, Zambrano Bolivar, and Martinez Serrano are also charged with murder in aid of racketeering for allegedly aiding and abetting each other in committing the murder of one of the individuals who was kidnapped on or about August 24, 2024. Additionally, Zambrano Bolivar is charged with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and causing death through the use of a firearm.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas, Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of the FBI Dallas Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Travis Pickard of HSI Dallas Field Office, and Chief of Police Kevin McCoy of the Farmers Branch, Texas Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Fugate and Caroline Poore for the Northern District of Texas and Joint Task Force Vulcan Trial Attorneys Jacob Operskalski, Kelly McGann, Stefani Hepford, and Josie Thomas are prosecuting this case.
Northern District of Illinois
On June 29, three alleged members of the transnational criminal organization, TdA, were charged in the Northern District of Illinois with participating in a conspiracy to kidnap and murder a man in Chicago.
The criminal complaint charges Josue Pacheco Torres, 26, Julian Pachano, 19, and Kleiver Monasterio Briceno, also known as “Goofy,” 20, with kidnapping conspiracy and committing a kidnapping that resulted in death. The three defendants are believed to be Venezuelan nationals. Pachano was arrested late last night, while Torres was arrested early yesterday morning. Monasterio Briceno was already in law enforcement custody.
According to the complaint, the defendants conspired to kidnap a man who was walking near Meyering Park on the South Side of Chicago on May 18. The victim was forced into a car and initially driven to a Chicago apartment. The defendants and other co-conspirators later transported the victim — while his wrists were bound together behind his back — to an abandoned building in Chicago, the complaint states.
The following night, the victim’s mother contacted Chicago Police to request a wellness check at the abandoned building. The mother told police that she had been directed to the building by an individual with whom the mother had been communicating on the online messaging application WhatsApp. According to the complaint, Chicago Police entered the building and found the victim deceased inside the bathroom of an abandoned unit. The victim, who was discovered facedown with his wrists bound behind his back, had been shot multiple times and had also suffered blunt force injuries to his head, arms, neck, hands, and torso, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, the conspiracy to kidnap and murder the victim was carried out in connection with the defendants’ involvement in TdA. Since 2024, law enforcement in Chicago has been investigating acts of violence, including murders and shootings, involving suspected members of TdA and its splinter faction, Anti-Tren.
Additionally, at the time of the murder, Pacheco Torres was wearing an ankle monitoring bracelet as a condition of his pretrial release in a criminal prosecution pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
The charges and arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Chicago Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino of HSI Chicago Field Office. The Chicago Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Office provided valuable assistance in this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sushma Raju, Simar Khera, and Michael Spitulnik for the Northern District of Illinois and Joint Task Force Vulcan Trial Attorneys Jun Xiang, Katelan Doyle, and Andrew K. Chan are prosecuting this case.
If convicted, the defendants in both the Northern District of Texas and the Northern District of Illinois and face up to life in prison. Pacheco Torres, Monasteria Briceno, Garcia Zuniga, Zambrano Bolivar, and Martinez Serrano also face the possibility of the death penalty.
These cases are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTFs Chicago and Dallas comprise of agents and officers from the FBI, HSI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ATF, IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), U.S. Secret Service (USSS), U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), HIDTA, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern Districts of Illinois and Texas.
These cases are also part of Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV). JTFV was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and now expanded at the direction of the Attorney General to target TdA. JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Western District of Virginia; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; District of Nevada; and District of Arizona; as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, and the Office of Judicial Attaché and DEA partners in Bogotá, Colombia. Additionally, the FBI, HSI, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV.
A complaint and indictment are merely allegations of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.SDTX adds 256 more cases in ongoing border enforcement effortsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 259 individuals have been charged in immigration and border security-related crimes from June 26-July 3, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The Southern District filed a total of 188 criminal complaints for felony reentry after prior removal, while another 40 people face charges of illegal entry. Most of those individuals have previous convictions, such as narcotics and violent crimes, immigration offenses and more. The cases also include 26 people allegedly involved in human smuggling, while the remaining five matters relate to other immigration offenses and assaulting officers.
Among those charged with felony reentry include a Guatemalan illegal alien with a prior conviction for rape of a child, according to the charges. However, law enforcement discovered Jelber Botello-Hernandez near La Grulla, with no authorization to be in the United States. Also found in the same area was Mexican national Rogelio Rodriguez-Jaimes who allegedly has a prior conviction for unlawful transportation of firearms.
Authorities also allegedly found Mexican nationals Armando Almaguer-Trejo and Eva Karina Gomez-Salazar in the McAllen area without legal authorization to be in the United States. According to the criminal complaints, Almaguer-Trejo has a prior conviction for DUI with a child, while Gomez-Salazar was previously convicted of drug trafficking, according to their respective charges.
All four had just been removed during various months this year, according to the charges. If convicted of felony reentry after removal, all face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Popular Wedding Venue Owner in North Carolina Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Jason Lottman, 43, of Charlotte, and former owner of Champagne Manor, a popular wedding venue in Monroe, North Carolina, appeared in federal court today and pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding customers and investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
“In North Carolina, we don’t mess with brides,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events where individuals spend significant savings, and we will be vigilant to ensure they are not defrauded while they plan their special day.”
According to court documents and today’s plea hearing, from October 2023 through January 2025, Lottman orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $1 million from customers and investors connected to Champaign Manor. As part of the scheme, Lottman solicited investments in Champagne Manor by promising ownership interests, guaranteed returns, or other financial incentives while making false statements to secure the investment money. In addition, Lottman marketed all-inclusive wedding packages to customers interested in using his venue, that required customers to pay upfront for vendors such as caterers, photographers, florists, DJs, and hair and makeup artists, representing that Lottman would pay those vendors directly or reimburse customers who chose to use their own vendors. Then, Lottman failed to pay those vendors, leaving customers to pay out-of-pocket for services they had already paid for through Lottman.
In mid-2024, Champagne Manor defaulted on its mortgage and foreclosure proceedings began. Even though Lottman knew the venue was in severe financial distress and would ultimately cease operations, he continued to solicit payments from customers and investors, while concealing the venue’s dire financial condition.
To induce victims to part with their money, Lottman made numerous false representations, including claiming that Champagne Manor was acquiring a glass ballroom that would serve as collateral for certain investment programs. In reality, the ballroom was never purchased. Lottman also offered customers investment-style programs and promotional discounts that promised future repayments or refunds that he knew he could not fulfil. In furtherance of the scheme, Lottman falsely represented to victims that they would receive payments by certain dates. When he missed making the payments, Lottman repeatedly misrepresented the reasons for the delayed payments.
The statutory maximum penalty for the wire fraud charge is 20 years in prison. Lottman’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not been set.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson credited the FBI for the investigation of the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution.
Pittsfield Man Indicted for Health Care Fraud, False Statements, and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Pittsfield man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with his alleged false impersonation of a United States Army veteran for over 30 years to obtain medical care at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and other benefits.
James D. Sommers, whose age is unknown, was indicted with one count each of health care fraud, false statements and aggravated identity theft. Sommers was previously charged by criminal complaint and arrested in March 2026 at Soldier On, a facility that provides transitional housing to United States military veterans in Pittsfield, Mass., where he was staying under the guise of the victim’s identity. He remains detained in federal custody.
According to the charging documents, beginning as early as 1994, Sommers has falsely impersonated a United States Army veteran who served honorably from 1979 to 1982. It is alleged that Sommers used the victim’s stolen identity to obtain thousands of dollars in Social Security benefits and nearly $30,000 in medical care and medications from VA medical centers. Most recently, Sommers falsely impersonated the victim on Feb. 20, 2026, to obtain medical care at the VA Medical Center in Northampton, Mass.
It is further alleged that Sommers has numerous prior convictions in New York State in 1994, 1997, 2001 and 2011 all under the victim’s name, for offenses including: criminal possession of stolen property; intent to obtain transportation without paying; sale of a controlled substance; possession of a forged instrument; attempted grand larceny; grand larceny; and forgery.
The charge of health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Christopher Algieri Special Agent in Charge of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Palmetto Man Sentenced to Prison for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Terry Brunning has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell to 24 months in federal prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release for tax evasion. The Court also ordered Brunning to pay $2,467,523.44 in restitution to the United States Department of the Treasury associated with tax evasion for tax years 1999, 2000, and 2001. Brunning pled guilty on April 2, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Brunning’s acts of evading taxes included the purchase of real property, vehicles, and the procurement of various cashier’s checks in the name of a business which served to conceal the property’s beneficial ownership and source, in order to avoid enforcement of a tax judgment against his personal assets. The defendant conducted these transactions through this business entity in a willful attempt to evade or defeat the payment of taxes due and owing for tax years 1999 and including 2001. As a result of the defendant’s actions, a tax loss, inclusive of penalties and interest, is due and owing to the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $2,467,523.44.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Whitney Mackay.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 14 years for Distributing Methamphetamine and Possessing Firearms as a FelonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Keith McDougald, 46, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 25, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for methamphetamine distribution and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced McDougald to 168 months’ imprisonment on each count to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After McDougald’s release from prison, he will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
Between the dates of January 29, 2024, and September 4, 2024, an Omaha Police Department confidential source purchased methamphetamine and firearms from McDougald and firearms from his relative, Demetrius Hunter. At that time, both McDougald and Hunter were prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. McDougald had a conviction for attempted first-degree sexual assault. Hunter’s convictions were for operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and possession of a firearm by a felon.
On January 29, 2024, McDougald sold the confidential source 114 grams of methamphetamine in a parking lot. On February 19, 2024, McDougald sold the source 392 grams of methamphetamine in another parking lot. On April 29, 2024,
McDougald contacted the source and told the source that he and his nephew (Hunter) were available to meet near 30th and Lake streets to sell a firearm. They sold the source a Sig Sauer P220 .45 cal. handgun and magazine containing seven .45 cal. rounds. On May 14, 2024, McDougald brokered the sale of a Polymer 80 PFC940C 9mm handgun and a high-capacity drum magazine containing one live 9mm round, to the source, for Hunter. On May 22, 2024, McDougald brokered the sale of a Glock 26 9mm handgun and the three magazines, to the source, for Hunter. On May 27, 2024, McDougald and Hunter sold the source an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 multi-caliber pistol and an empty magazine.
On June 3, 2024, Hunter was arrested and booked at the county jail for unrelated charges and while he was incarcerated, he arranged for the sale of a Norinco SKS 7.62x39 cal. rifle, which McDougald sold to the source on June 12, 2024. On July 25, 2024, McDougald sold the source a Cobrayo M11/9 9mm handgun. On August 31, 2024, after Hunter’s release from jail, he sold the source an AM-15 short-barreled rifle and a 60-round magazine, a 100 round drum magazine, and twenty live .223 cal. rounds.
Demetrius Hunter pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm on November 25, 2025 and was sentenced to 92 months to be served concurrently and 3 years supervised release on both counts on March 12, 2026.
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “I want to congratulate the Omaha Police Department and ATF for taking an armed registered sex offender off the street and out of our communities. Unfortunately, it appears this defendant refuses to make better life choices no matter how many convictions have stacked up for him at this point. Nebraska is safer with McDougald behind bars. I am grateful to OPD and ATF for making this case and doing the community an invaluable service in the process.”
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. This case was primarily investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Omaha Police Department.
Northeast Missouri Felon Caught with a Firearm and Methamphetamine Sentenced to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig on Monday sentenced a felon from Palmyra, Missouri who was caught with a firearm, methamphetamine and other drugs to 11 years in prison.
On Oct. 4, 2022, the Northeast Missouri Drug Task Force (NEMO) learned that John R. Breault would be traveling to a home in La Belle, Missouri to sell meth. NEMO and Lewis County Sheriff’s deputies watched Breault as he spent time at the house and then went to a bank. They also watched as a known drug user withdrew money from an ATM and then got back into Breault’s vehicle. Investigators stopped the vehicle after it dropped off the drug user at his home. Breault unsuccessfully tried to get his driver to flee, attacking and kicking a NEMO special agent and then resisting arrest after he was removed from the vehicle. Investigators found meth, 282 morphine tablets and marijuana on Breault. They found a 9mm handgun, $746 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and a grocery bag containing about 381 grams of meth in the vehicle.
Breault, now 40, pleaded guilty in April to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Northeast Missouri Drug Task Force, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linda Lane prosecuted the case.
Mississippi Man Sentenced for Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS — A Mississippi man was sentenced on July 2, 2026, to 27 months for illegally buying and selling firearms that were later resold and subsequently recovered at multiple crime scenes.
According to court documents, between March 15, 2022, and July 27, 2023, Jonathan Levon Warner, 28, of Jackson, Mississippi, purchased at least 33 firearms, primarily Glocks, at gun stores and shows in the Southern District of Mississippi and elsewhere. Warner and another individual purchased these firearms to resell for profit to an individual from Chicago. Neither Warner nor the other individual possessed a federal firearms license to resell the guns. The individual from Chicago would travel to Jackson, Mississippi to purchase the firearms and pay Warner with cash or send him money using Cashapp. Nine firearms that Warner purchased and later resold were recovered in the Chicago area by law enforcement. At least five of the firearms were recovered by law enforcement during suspected crimes; three of which were recovered from individuals who could not lawfully possess a firearm, i.e., did not possess a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or Concealed Carry License (CCL), or were convicted felons. Six of the nine firearms were recovered in the Chicago area within nine months or less of the purchase date.
According to court documents, Warner admitted to law enforcement that he sold approximately 20 but no more than 40 firearms to the individual from Chicago. Warner also admitted that he would make a profit of $200 to $300 per firearm. Warner plead guilty on April 7 to the unlicensed firearms dealing charge.
“The illegal sale of firearms often arms the most dangerous criminals in our communities and directly contributes to ongoing violence,” said United States Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger. “I commend the Special Agents of ATF and our prosecutors for holding Warner accountable.”
“This defendant’s actions showed a complete disregard for public safety – illegally buying and selling guns without a license to individuals and convicted felons that resulted in violent crime incidents in Chicago,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Denham. “ATF will continue to work alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable with significant sentences to be served in prison.”
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Denham of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
The ATF investigated this case.
Trial Attorney Lakeita Rox-Love and Deputy Chief Kelly Pearson of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber Jones and Matt Allen for the Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal Drone Operation in Protected Airspace Before FIFA World Cup MatchRead the Press Release
A Mexican national was charged by criminal complaint for operating a drone without the proper authorization in violation of federal law, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Cristobal Torres Alvarez, 40, was charged by federal complaint on June 29, 2026, with operating as an airman without an airman’s certificate, in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 46306(b)(7).
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to be a success in North Texas. Fans from all over the world are getting a big Texas welcome. It is our duty to make sure that these fans as well as our great citizens of North Texas are protected from drone interference and potentially dangerous situations,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “If you operate a drone, you have a duty to know the law. And know that you cannot fly a drone over either Dallas Stadium or Fan Fest during the World Cup. If you disregard this warning, you should expect to be prosecuted in federal court.”
“The FBI and our partners will continue to identify drone operators who violate Temporary Flight Restrictions. Our collective goal remains that FIFA World Cup 2026 events are safe for all participants and attendees,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Before you fly a drone, I strongly encourage you to check for active flight restrictions using an FAA-approved B4UFLY service provider.”
According to the complaint, Alvarez allegedly flew his unregistered drone, a DJI Mini 4 PRO, in the flight-restricted airspace around Dallas Stadium (also known as AT&T Stadium) while a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) was in effect. To legally operate his drone within the flight-restricted airspace, Alvarez must have obtained an Airman’s Certificate and must have been a Part 107-licensed pilot with a current certificate or have a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization, among other requirements. Interception of Alvarez’s drone operation was part of the FBI’s drone counter-surveillance efforts for the FIFA World Cup match at Dallas Stadium that same evening.
So far, during the five FIFA World Cup 2026 games held in Arlington, over 70 drones have been seized. The FBI would like to once again state that there is a “no-fly zone” around the Dallas Stadium and Dallas Fan Fest for three hours prior to each match and three hours after each match. It is a federal crime to fly a drone into a “no-fly zone.”
If convicted, Alvarez faces up to three years in federal prison. The defendant remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation – Dallas Field Division, Federal Air Marshal, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Arlington, Texas Police Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric B. Chen is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Lakeland Man Who Fired Bullets That Killed 70-Year-Old-Grandmother and Injured Three Others Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Taqiy Lewis (29, Lakeland) has been sentenced by United States District Judge Kathryn Mizelle to 30 years in federal prison. On March 2, 2026, Lewis pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon in connection with a shooting. United States Attorney Gregory Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, on December 24, 2020, 70-year-old M.C. was outside her Lakeland home with her family, including young children. At approximately 5:30 p.m., Lewis and others engaged in a shootout outside of M.C.’s residence. M.C. was struck twice and killed. Three others, including a 13-year-old, were also shot and wounded outside the residence.
Two years later, on February 9, 2023, during an unrelated investigation, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and officers from the Lakeland Police Department recovered a Kahr CM9 9mm pistol while executing a search warrant in Lakeland. Forensic testing using the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (“NIBIN”) confirmed that this firearm was the one used to kill M.C. Further investigation revealed that six casings collected from the crime scene, two spent projectiles recovered from the residence, and a bullet recovered from M.C.’s body were all fired by Lewis and the Kahr CM9 pistol he had possessed.
At the time of the shooting, Lewis was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Subsequent evidence revealed that after the shooting, Lewis obtained a fake alibi and had the jacket and sandals he used during the commission of the shooting burned in a barrel. Lewis remains under investigation by state law enforcement for causing M.C.’s death.
This case was investigated by both the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lakeland Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.
Justice Department Reaches Proposed Settlement with Willow Bridge, One of America’s Largest Landlords, to Resolve Information Sharing and Algorithmic Coordination ClaimsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division filed a proposed settlement today to resolve the United States’ claims against Willow Bridge Property Company LLC, as part of its ongoing enforcement action in the Middle District of North Carolina against algorithmic coordination, the use of competitors’ competitively sensitive data, and other anticompetitive practices in rental markets across the country. Today’s proposed settlement builds on the Justice Department’s success in obtaining proposed settlements in the same enforcement action against RealPage Inc. and three other large landlords, Cortland Management LLC, Greystar Management Services LLC, and LivCor LLC.
As alleged in Plaintiffs’ Jan. 7, 2025 complaint, Willow Bridge, alongside five other landlord co-defendants, actively engaged in a scheme to set their rents using each other’s competitively sensitive information through pricing algorithms. Willow Bridge and these other landlords shared competitively sensitive data to generate pricing recommendations using RealPage’s algorithms, which also included anticompetitive rules that aligned pricing. Moreover, Willow Bridge and the other landlords spoke with one another on competitively sensitive topics, including pricing strategies, rents, and parameters for RealPage’s software.
“Affordability for American consumers is only achieved when competition thrives, which requires companies to make independent pricing decisions,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “Companies cannot share sensitive data and manipulate AI tools or algorithms to produce market aligned pricing. That is not only illegal, but exploitative of Americans’ everyday housing needs. This Department will not stand for it.”
“Corporate landlords have been destabilizing the rental housing market for too long,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole Sarrine of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “The Antitrust Division will remain proactive in taking affirmative measures to stop pricing algorithms from harming renters.”
If approved by the court, the proposed consent decree would require Willow Bridge to:
- Refrain from using any anticompetitive algorithm that generates pricing recommendations using its competitors’ competitively sensitive data or that incorporates certain anticompetitive features;
- Refrain from sharing competitively sensitive information with competitors;
- Accept a court-appointed monitor if it uses a third-party pricing algorithm that is not certified pursuant to the terms of the consent decree;
- Refrain from attending or participating in RealPage-hosted meetings of competing landlords; and
- Cooperate with the United States’ claims against other defendants.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any interested person should submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days following the publication to Danielle Hauck, Acting Chief, Technology and Digital Platforms Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW, Suite 7050, Washington, DC 20530. At the conclusion of the public comment period, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.
Willow Bridge is a residential property manager headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Note: See the Proposed Final Judgment here, the Stipulation and Order here, and the Competitive Impact Statement here.
Jacksonville Man Indicted by Federal Grand Jury for Producing and Attempting to Produce Child Sexual Abuse MaterialsRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Carlos Alvaro Canjura Ventura (44, Jacksonville) has been indicted by a federal grand jury for producing and attempting to produce child sexual abuse materials. Ventura faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison, and a potential life term of supervised release. He was arrested on December 18, 2025, in connection with a related state case. Ventura has been detained in this federal case, and his trial is set for September 8, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, from August 2024 through December 18, 2025, Canjura Ventura did employ or use and attempt to employ or use a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions of that conduct.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Northeast Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, which includes Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney D. Rodney Brown.
It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify, rescue, and seek justice for child victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Jackson Man Sentenced to over 27 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation, Cyberstalking, and Sextortion OffensesRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Jackson man was sentenced on July 2, 2026, to 27.5 years in federal prison for charges relating to a “sextortion” scheme that targeted multiple victims, including minors, across several states. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and pay restitution to his victims.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Marquez Cameron Jones Weston, 24, operated a “sextortion” scheme in which he engaged in cyberstalking, interstate threats, extortion, attempted production of child pornography, and transportation of child pornography over the internet. As part of the scheme, Weston attempted to and did extort money and sexually explicit photographic images and videos from numerous female victims, some of whom were minors, over the internet.
Weston was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Northern Division of the Southern District of Mississippi on September 25, 2024. Weston pleaded guilty to attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography over the internet, extortion, and cyberstalking on February 20, 2025.
“The facts in this case are some of the most egregious and disturbing I have ever seen. I am proud of the professionalism demonstrated by our investigative and prosecutorial team who worked diligently to bring justice to the victims of Weston’s heinous crimes,” stated United States Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger.
United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Sam Houston State University Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly T. Purdie and Dave Fulcher prosecuted the case.
The FBI provides the following six tips on how people can protect themselves from sextortion schemes:
- Be selective about what you share online. If your social media accounts are open to everyone, a predator may be able to figure out a lot of information about you.
- Be wary of anyone you encounter for the first time online. Block or ignore messages from strangers.
- Be aware that people can pretend to be anything or anyone online. Videos and photos are not proof that people are who they claim to be. Images can be altered or stolen. In some cases, predators have even taken over the social media accounts of their victims.
- Be suspicious if you meet someone on one game or app and this person asks you to start talking on a different platform.
- Be in the know. Any content you create online—whether it is a text message, photo, or video—can be made public. And nothing actually “disappears” online. Once you send something, you don’t have any control over where it goes next.
- Be willing to ask for help. If you are getting messages or requests online that don’t seem right, block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, or go to an adult. If you have been victimized online, tell someone.
If you, your child, or someone you know is being exploited via sextortion, contact your local FBI field office, call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or report it online at the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Additional resources can found at Sextortion and Financially Motivated Sextortion — FBI. If you believe you are a victim in this particular case, please also contact the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.
Illegal aliens indicted for having fake green cardsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, returned indictments charging three foreign nationals with having fake green cards.
According to court documents, on May 28, 2026, federal agents arrested a group of illegal aliens while executing a search warrant in Kansas City, Kansas. Three of the individuals were allegedly in possession of counterfeit immigration documentation in the form of forged permanent resident cards.
Mariano Jeronimo-Pacheco, 33, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents.
Yolanda Mendoza-Emiliano, 33, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents.
Santos Ramirez-Ramirez, 38, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents.
During these arrests, law enforcement took four other defendants into custody who have since been indicted on immigration charges. They include:
• Zenon Garcia Basurto, 36, and Pedro Antonio-Perez, 30, illegal aliens from Mexico, were indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation.
• Gustavo Adolfo Guardado-Menjivar, 39, an illegal alien from El Salvador, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation.
• Mario Perez-Morales, 48, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation.Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating all of the cases.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case against Jeronimo-Pacheco.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting the case against Mendoza-Emiliano.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle McFarlane is prosecuting the case against Ramirez-Ramirez.
OTHER INDICTMENTS
Arisdel Adame-Molina, 33, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of unlawful reentry after deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is investigating the case.
Francisco Becerra-Silva, 30, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Nefalty Sergio Chubaja-Chubaja, 26, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Deandre T. Irvin, 32, of Kansas City, Kansas, was indicted on one count of possession of machine guns. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case.
Yoni Ernesto Larios-Garcia, 36, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case.
Elder Gonzalo Lopez-Maderos, 35, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien and one count of possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Julio Martin-Ramirez, 44, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was indicted on one count of unlawful entry after deportation. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting the case.
Omar Pastor Mayorga-Munoz, 34, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Magdiel Villa-Martinez, 20, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Miguel Angel Rocha-Sanchez, 30, an illegal alien from Mexico, was indicted on one count to failure to register as a sex offender and one count of reentry of a previously removed alien. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Fadler is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood
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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Illegal Alien Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison for Carjacking and Discharging a FirearmRead the Press Release
A Peruvian national who committed an armed carjacking was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Omar Gayoso, 22, pled guilty in March 2026, to carjacking and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with a July 2025 armed carjacking. On June 24, 2026, United States District Judge Ed Kinkeade sentenced Gayoso to 168 months in federal prison. The Court also ordered Gayoso to pay $26,000 in restitution.
“This defendant not only entered our country illegally, but once he got here, he committed horrendous crimes, including carjacking, assault, and discharging a firearm while committing a violent crime,” said U.S. Attorney Raybould. “It doesn’t end there. He led officers on a high-speed chase around the streets of Dallas, jeopardizing the safety of dozens of other North Texans as well as our great DPD officers. This 14-year sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes, and once he is done serving all that time, he will be on a one-way flight back to Peru.”
“This defendant committed serious crimes that put the community and police officers in danger. Violent acts like this cannot and will not be tolerated in North Texas. ATF will leverage its resources to ensure that people who commit acts like this end up exactly where they should end up . . . Federal Prison,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner of the ATF Dallas Field Division.
According to court documents, Gayoso discharged several shots into the air to intimidate the victims and forcibly took their car keys, vehicle, and other property. After driving off in the stolen vehicle, he proceeded to flee from DPD officers and initiated a high-speed chase—at one point reaching a speed of 123 miles per hour—that ended only after he struck another vehicle.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Luis Suarez and Ashley Koos prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Emerson Reyes-Andrade, 32, of San Salvador, El Salvador, was sentenced on July 2, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Reyes-Andrade to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Reyes-Andrade is released from prison, he will be deported as he is not a United States citizen and was in the country illegally.
Reyes-Andrade was charged as a result of his involvement with a Mexico source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. On September 4, 2024, a cooperating witness working with law enforcement contacted the Mexican source and ordered two pounds of methamphetamine. The source sent Reyes-Andrade who met the cooperator at an Omaha location where he delivered approximately two pounds of methamphetamine to the cooperator.
On November 21, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Reyes-Andrade’s Omaha residence revealing approximately seven grams of methamphetamine. On that same date another search warrant was served on an Omaha residence where Reyes-Andrade had been seen frequenting, and approximately 110 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered.
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. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Honduran illegal alien guilty after flight from trooperRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 46-year-old illegal alien who resided in Corpus Christi has been convicted of illegally reentering the United States, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
A federal jury deliberated for approximately 15 minutes before returning the guilty verdict against Carlos Lopez-Mejia aka Eddi Alberto Lopez-Mejia following a one-day trial.
On Sept. 6, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with excessively tinted windows and a non-complaint stop lamp. The driver presented a Mexican identification card and admitted he was present in the United States illegally.
Lopez-Mejia was the passenger in the front seat. Authorities also asked for his identification, but he refused to provide it or answer any questions. Upon the arrival of additional members of law enforcement, Lopez-Mejia exited the vehicle and fled on foot to a nearby apartment, but was quickly taken into custody.
The investigation revealed Lopez-Mejia had been removed from the United States in 2001 and 2019.
At trial, the jury heard from several members of law enforcement who provided details about the arrest, his prior removals from the United States, fingerprint analysis confirming his identity and that Lopez-Mejia had never sought status to legally enter or remain in the United States.
The defense attempted to convince the jury that the records of the prior removals were unreliable. They did not believe those claims and found Lopez-Mejia guilty as charged. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for Oct. 7. At that time, Lopez-Mejia faces up to two years in federal prison.
He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Izaak Bruce and Zachary Bird prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Machinegun Possession Indictment of Tallahassee ManRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Omarion Laparis Rashad, 21, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a machinegun. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Rashad appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Rashad faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
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. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Hammond Woman Indicted for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute; Faces up to life in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On June 17, 2026, a federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment charging Kimberly Deshay Hill, 52, of Hammond, with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and § 841(b)(1)(A)(ii). Hill faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for the charges.
According to court documents, on March 31, 2026, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office CAT Unit deputy stopped Hill’s vehicle on I-10 for a traffic violation. Hill had no valid driver’s license, an unrestrained child in the car, and gave conflicting statements about her travel plans. A K-9 alerted to narcotics and a search of the vehicle uncovered twelve kilogram-sized packages of cocaine weighing about 29.8 pounds, as depicted below:
Homeland Security Homeland SecurityU.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case, led by Special Agent Matthew Moon. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Sarver with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Joanne Henry-Mills.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 2:26-cr-00238-01.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
USALAW-News@usdoj.gov www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Hairstylist aboard cruise ship charged with abusive sexual contact with two cruise guestsRead the Press Release
Tacoma – A 26-year-old citizen of India will appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma today charged with two counts of abusive sexual contact aboard a cruise ship, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Pranit Narayan Pawar was arrested late last week when the cruise ship Brilliant Lady docked in Seattle. Pawar was employed on the ship as a hairstylist. The complaint alleges he sexually molested multiple passengers under the guise of giving them a massage. Pawar will make his initial appearance in Tacoma at 2:00 today.
According to the criminal complaint, Pawar was hired to provide hair care services, but during a recent cruise to Alaska he began offering massages to women who booked hair appointments. In one instance he allegedly offered a free massage to a victim if she agreed to book three appointments with the salon. In the two cases charged in the complaint, Pawar allegedly moved the victims into a small room next to the salon, and while offering a massage, Pawar allegedly moved his hands under the victims’ shirt and onto their breasts. In at least one instance Pawar allegedly locked the door before assaulting the victim.
The case is being prosecuted in federal court because the crimes occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The FBI is tasked with investigating physical and sexual assaults within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction.
If you have been a victim of one of these crimes on a cruise or have witnessed one take place, report it to cruise ship security staff immediately. If you are no longer on the cruise and want to report the above, contact your local police and the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov. Learn more about FBI investigations of crimes committed onboard cruise ships: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/crimes-onboard-cruise-ships
Abusive sexual contact is punishable by up to two years in prison.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sean H. Waite.
pawar_complaint.pdfGreen Bay Man Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on July 2, 2026, an indictment was unsealed charging Ian C. Froelich (age 21) of Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Production of Child Pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
According to the indictment, on or about December 31, 2025, Froelich caused a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct.
If convicted of the charge, Froelich would face a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment. The charge also carries up to a $250,000 fine and from 5 years to a lifetime on supervised release. He also would be required to register as a sexual offender under state and federal law.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Green Bay and Atlanta. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Georgia Man and Florida Man Indicted for Trafficking Heroin on the DarknetRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL – Eric Turner (30, Georgia) and Jose Smith (29, Valrico) have been charged in a federal indictment with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. If convicted, Turner and Smith each face a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Eric Turner and Jose Smith have been operating a drug-trafficking organization since at least 2024, starting with distributing illicit pills to eventually trafficking kilogram-quantities of heroin through the Darknet. Digital evidence, postal records, surveillance, drug seizures, and an undercover operation, established that Turner (based in Lizella, Georgia) sourced kilogram-bricks of heroin and shipped them to Smith at his residence in Valrico, Florida, where Smith would break them down into smaller quantities to ship to their Darknet customers. As of April 2026, their Darknet vendor account showed more than 2,500 fulfilled heroin orders, as well as thousands of reviews from customers praising the quality of the heroin.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia State Patrol. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.
Gardner Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Tampering with OxycodoneRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Gardner man has agreed to plead guilty to tampering with opioids intended to be dispensed to patients in hospice and memory care in a healthcare facility in Fitchburg, Mass.
Andrew Milgrim, 37, agreed to plead guilty to one count of tampering with a consumer product. He will make his initial appearance, waive indictment and plead to the Information at a date to be set by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman.
According to court filings, beginning in or about September 2024 and continuing through in or about February 2025, Milgrim allegedly diverted Oxycodone from patients in the skilled nursing and dementia care units of the Fitchburg healthcare facility. It is alleged that he began by taking Oxycodone pills that were prescribed to be dispensed to certain patients “as needed.” Rather than provide the “as needed” doses to patients, Milgrim would allegedly consume the pills himself. Milgrim began taking 5 mg Oxycodone pills from various patients and replacing the diverted pills with Loratadine, an allergy medication, whose appearance resembled the appearance of the 5 mg Oxycodone pills. In or around January 2025, Milgrim also allegedly diverted 10 mg Oxycodone pills from an elderly patient in the locked unit, and replaced those pills with Levothyroxine, a thyroid medication.
The charge of tampering with a consumer product provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Michael Ahearn, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and Robert H. Goldstein, MD, PhD, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Gainesville Felon Pleads Guilty to Armed Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Eddie Jerome Scott, 38, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl; carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Time’s up for the armed drug traffickers in the Northern District of Florida who think they can flood our streets with narcotics and violence without consequence. Through Operation Take Back America, the Department of Justice is devoting its full might toward removing these thugs from our streets to deliver the safe, drug-free communities our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant sold methamphetamine at his home on two occasions in August and September 2025. During the September 2025 execution of a search warrant at the home, law enforcement seized over 1,232 grams of methamphetamine, 18.5 grams of cocaine, .29 grams of fentanyl, marijuana, cash, drug paraphernalia, a money counter and a loaded .22-caliber pistol. The defendant has multiple prior felony drug convictions spanning from 2007 to 2018 which prohibit him from possessing firearms.
The defendant faces at least five years’ imprisonment and a maximum potential sentence of life, which includes not less than five years’ imprisonment consecutive to the drug sentences for the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
The case involved an investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie Utt.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm, in the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Fort Worth Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Drug Trafficking - Over 244 Kilograms of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A Fort Worth man was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 244 kilograms of methamphetamine, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Evaristo Hidrogo, 31, was sentenced on June 26, 2026, by Chief United States District Judge Reed O’Connor for possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance – over 244 kilograms of methamphetamine with a 100 percent purity level as well as other controlled substances and three firearms.“This lengthy prison sentence serves as a warning to anyone distributing narcotics in the Northern District of Texas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute drug traffickers, as we remain committed to make the communities in which we live safer.”
“This 480-month sentence of Mr. Hidrogo sends an unmistakable message to those who flood North Texas communities with methamphetamine, you will be held accountable,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “The men and women of DEA and our law enforcement partners remain committed to identifying and dismantling the criminal organizations distributing this poison throughout the DFW Metroplex, and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of our communities.”
Court records reveal that on November 18, 2025, Hidrogo was involved in a high-speed chase with law enforcement. After crashing into another vehicle, he continued to flee from officers in his vehicle. Not long after, Hidrogo was apprehended. During his arrest, police found 56 grams of methamphetamine on his person. In his vehicle, they found another 823 grams of methamphetamine, 301 grams of heroin, 55 grams of cocaine, and two firearms. Further investigation led law enforcement to search two additional locations, resulting in the seizure of additional narcotics and a firearm that were attributed to Hidrogo. At a storage facility in Fort Worth, they found 244 kilograms of methamphetamine with a purity level of 100 percent. At a residence, they found approximately 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and two kilograms of heroin.
The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fort Worth District Office, with assistance from the Tarrant County Sherrif’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Garland prosecuted the case.
Former Jacksonville Bank Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Lexus Inez Lewis (30, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Lewis faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud offense, and a consecutive mandatory minimum penalty of two years for the aggravated identity theft. No sentencing date has been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, in 2022, Lewis obtained employment at Citibank in its fraud department by using another person’s identity. From approximately November 2022 through April 2023, Lewis used her position to obtain customers’ credit card numbers, which she would then fraudulently use to purchase items such as jewelry or furniture, pay for her own living expenses or travel, or pay other individuals’ rent in exchange for a cash payment. When ultimately confronted by law enforcement, Lewis admitted to her conduct.
Lewis agreed to forfeit $463,619, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian and Kevin C. Frein. The forfeiture is being handled by Suzanne Nebesky.
Former College Basketball Player Charged with Defrauding Victims of $2.2 MillionRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — Former college basketball player and Estonian national Kerr Kriisa was arrested and will appear in federal court this week on five counts of wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
According to court documents, from 2022 through June 2, 2026, Kriisa, 25, in Monongalia County, West Virginia and elsewhere, allegedly carried out a scheme to obtain nearly $2.2 million from multiple victims using false representations, fabricated identities, and deceptive communications. The indictment alleges that Kriisa posed as various individuals — including fictional contacts and family members — and falsely claimed he and his family were in danger, that his mother needed cancer treatment, or that family property required urgent financial support.
“Financial fraud schemes erode trust and cause real harm to victims who believed they were helping someone in need,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Our office will continue to pursue individuals who exploit others through deception. We are committed to holding them accountable for their actions.”
Kriisa allegedly requested repeated payments from two victims and, at times, directed one victim to send money to the other under false pretenses. The indictment describes numerous emails and text messages sent as part of the scheme, including five specific wire transmissions tied to the charged counts.
In April 2025, Kriisa allegedly signed a written agreement promising to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026, which prosecutors say was also fraudulent.
Kriisa played basketball for the University of Arizona, West Virginia University, the University of Kentucky, and the University of Cincinnati.
The government is seeking forfeiture of any proceeds traceable to the alleged offenses, including a money judgment of approximately $2.2 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is prosecuting the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
An indictment is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Read the filed indictment here:
kriisa_indictment.pdfFormer Boston Housing Secretary Sentenced for Falsifying Overtime FormsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former executive secretary at the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) was sentenced on July 1, 2026 in federal court in Boston for falsifying overtime forms. The defendant lied about working overtime and forged her supervisor’s signature on the overtime forms.
Helen Murray, 42, of Malden, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to two years’ probation. Murray was also ordered to pay $72,131 in restitution. In March 2026, Murray pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
From 2017 to 2024, Murray worked as an executive secretary at BHA. As an executive secretary, Murray was responsible for collecting weekly BHA timesheets, as well as overtime forms from other BHA employees. Murray was also eligible to work overtime and receive overtime pay.
Murray’s overtime work had to be pre-approved by her senior management. Specifically, Murray would have to perform the overtime work, accurately and truthfully fill out an overtime form and submit it to her immediate supervisor via email to be approved electronically.
However, in January 2023, Murray began submitting false overtime forms to BHA payroll. Instead of submitting the forms to her supervisor for approval, Murray entered overtime hours that Murray had not worked and then falsified her supervisor’s signature on the form, without her supervisor’s knowledge nor permission. Murray would then submit the falsified overtime forms directly to BHA Payroll via email, after which BHA payroll would include Murray’s fraudulent overtime pay in her weekly paycheck.
In total, Murray submitted over 100 falsified overtime forms between January 2023 to August 2024 – ultimately collecting approximately $72,131 in fraudulent overtime pay.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. The Boston Housing Authority provided valuable assistance during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Chao, Chief of the Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit, prosecuted the case.
Five Defendants Plead Guilty to Gun Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court, in Brooklyn, Rohnique Posey, also known as “Pioneer,” pleaded guilty to firearms trafficking conspiracy and distribution of cocaine base before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. Posey’s four co-defendants, Karsem Allen, also known as “Short,” Carolyn Hicks-Torres, Henry McCummings, and Dominic Smith, all previously pleaded guilty to engaging in a firearms trafficking conspiracy. In addition, Allen and Hicks-Torres pleaded guilty to possession of machine guns and McCummings pleaded guilty to possession of a defaced firearm.
When sentenced, all five defendants face a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment for the firearms trafficking conspiracy charge. Posey also faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for distribution of cocaine base; Allen and Hicks-Torres face a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of machineguns; and McCummings faces a maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment for possession of a defaced firearm.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty pleas.
“Illegal gun traffickers fuel violence, endanger innocent lives, and threaten the safety of our communities,” stated United States Attorney Joseph Nocella. “These guilty pleas hold accountable these defendants. who sought to flood Queens neighborhoods with illegal weapons, including semi-automatic and defaced firearms, and ghost guns. Every illegal firearm taken off our streets is a step towards safer communities, and our Office, alongside our federal and local law enforcement partners, will continue to stop the flow of illegal guns, combat gun violence, and protect the people of New York City. I commend the brave members of law enforcement who took these deadly weapons off the streets and out of the hands of violent criminals. We are all safer thanks to their exceptional work.”
“These guilty pleas are the result of focused investigative work and the strong partnership between ATF New York’s Crime Gun Enforcement Team and the NYPD Ghost Gun Unit. Together, we identified and disrupted a firearms trafficking network responsible for moving dozens of illegal firearms and machine gun conversion devices into Queens. Our commitment to reducing violent gun crime and protecting the communities we serve remains unwavering. We are grateful to the staff at U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for its continued partnership,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo.
“This case demonstrates once again that there will be consequences for those who attempt to bring illegal firearms into our city,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “That is the work behind the NYPD delivering record lows in murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims for the first half of 2026: comprehensive investigations that remove illegal guns, dismantle trafficking pipelines, and hold the drivers of violence accountable. I thank our NYPD investigators, the ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York for their commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe.”
As set forth in court filings, between December 2024 and June 2025, Allen, Hicks-Torres, McCummings, Posey, and Smith made multiple illegal firearms sales totaling at least 29 firearms, including semi-automatic and defaced weapons, inside apartment complexes in the Rockaways. On the day Allen and Hicks-Torres were arrested, July 1, 2025, they sold an additional 11 firearms. Allen and Hicks-Torres illegally obtained these firearms in North Carolina from straw purchasers and then transported the weapons to New York City to be sold through Posey. On one occasion, Allen and Hicks-Torres sold four machine gun conversion devices, which are designed for converting semi-automatic pistols into machine guns. McCummings and Smith primarily sold “ghost guns” which typically do not have serial numbers and therefore are untraceable. Posey also sold crack cocaine on four occasions.
Several firearms and machine gun conversion devices trafficked by the defendants are depicted below.
EDNY EDNY EDNYThe government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel Marcus and Brachah Goykadosh are in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendants:
KARSEM ALLEN (also known as “Short”)
Age: 50
Henderson, North CarolinaCAROLYN HICKS-TORRES
Age: 54
Henderson, North CarolinaHENRY MCCUMMINGS
Age: 44
Arverne, New YorkROHNIQUE POSEY (also known as “Pioneer”)
Age: 48
Arverne, New YorkDOMINIC SMITH
Age: 35
Teaneck, New JerseyE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-216 (BMC)
Federal, State, and Local Agencies Dismantle Abilene Drug Conspiracy and Seize NarcoticsRead the Press Release
Three men were arrested and charged by federal complaint in Abilene, Texas for their roles in a months-long narcotics operation, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Inez Jonathan Leal, 28, and Joseph Santos Carillo, 51, both from Abilene, Texas, and Luis Arturo Carrillo, Jr., 28, from California, were charged by federal complaint on June 24, 2026, with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“This prosecution dismantled a drug trafficking conspiracy impacting Abilene and its surrounding areas. Three people, working in concert, to move poison through North Texas are now facing justice, and this office will continue to utilize every tool to disrupt drug networks that harm our communities and destroy families,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould.“Cocaine, methamphetamine, codeine, and counterfeit pills flooding North Texas represent a direct threat to the safety of our communities, and DEA will not stand by while traffickers profit from that danger,” said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. “Alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the DEA is committed to dismantling these networks and holding every individual involved fully accountable. This case reflects the strength of that partnership and our shared resolve to keep these poisons off our streets.”
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement agents and officers initiated a joint investigation into the narcotics trafficking of Leal, Joseph Carrillo, and Luis Carrillo.
During a residential search warrant executed on June 24, agents seized: • Approximately 8 kilograms of cocaine (powder); • 30 kilograms of a methamphetamine; • Approximately 17,670 alprazolam pills – labeled as Farmapram, weighing approximately 4.5 kilograms; • 93 bottles of cough syrup containing codeine – labeled as Kodel, with a combined weight of 25,854 kilograms; • Approximately 75 pounds of marijuana and THC products; and
• Multiple firearms.
Photos of the narcotics seized are depicted below:
If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison. The defendants remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fort Worth District Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Abilene Police Department investigated the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Federal Jury Convicts Denham Springs Man of Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Possession of Firearms by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
After a two-day trial before U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles, a federal jury unanimously convicted John I. Davis, age 47, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin and possession of firearms by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.
As the evidence at trial demonstrated, between March 1, 2021, and continuing until on or about April 23, 2021, Davis and his girlfriend, Madelyn Payne, repeatedly distributed large amounts of heroin to their customers in busy parking lots at shopping centers and fast-food restaurants in East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes. Deputies also seized over 300 grams of heroin and over $40,000 hidden in a wall at the residence they shared. Deputies were also able to recover and seize multiple firearms from Davis during their investigation.
Davis was previously convicted on September 10, 2009, in the Middle District of Louisiana for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
As a result of his convictions, Davis now faces a sentence in federal prison of no less than ten years and up to life imprisonment, as well as significant fines, restitution, and supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Drug Enforcement Agency Task Force and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Task Force, and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. Criminal Chief Will Morris and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth White led the prosecution.
Essex County Businessman Sentenced to Prison for $2 Million Food Stamp Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – An Essex County, New Jersey business owner was sentenced to 27 months in prison for defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) of over $2 million, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Victor Madera, 67, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was sentenced on July 1, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch in Trenton federal court. He previously pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to defraud SNAP and one count of engaging in SNAP benefits fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Madera owned a medium-sized grocery store in East Orange, New Jersey and was an authorized participant in SNAP. SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that uses federal tax dollars to subsidize low-income households, providing those households the opportunity to maintain a more nutritious diet by increasing their purchasing power of eligible food products. Between May 2017 and November 2024, employees at Madera’s business illegally exchanged SNAP benefits for cash. The employees entered inflated dollar amounts for allegedly eligible SNAP transactions and provided SNAP recipients a percentage of the transaction’s value in cash, keeping the remainder. As a result of this conduct, Madera received SNAP redemptions far in excess of the true value of food and other SNAP-eligible items actually received by SNAP recipients. Madera, through his business, unlawfully exchanged over $2.2 million of SNAP benefits for cash.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Kirsch sentenced Madera to 1 year of supervised release and ordered him to pay over $2.2 million in restitution and forfeiture.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano, Chief of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Stephen Turano, Esq.
Eastern District of Texas prosecutes five defendants as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigations in June 2026Read the Press Release
PLANO, Texas – The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was 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.
In the Eastern District of Texas, five defendants were sentenced to a total of 903 months in federal prison during the month of June as part of the Homeland Security Task Force, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. Those cases include:
On June 9, 2026, David Ortiz-Moreno, 55, a Mexican national illegally living in Fate, Texas, was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison for being involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Ortiz-Moreno was responsible for the distribution of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.
On June 10, 2026, Abrahan Solano-Zarate, 42, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for being involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Solano-Zarate distributed at least five kilograms of cocaine.
On June 10, 2026, Corrigan man, Jose Pedro Guzman, Jr., 35, was the final defendant sentenced in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas. Guzman was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for drug trafficking violations. In all, 17 individuals were convicted and sentenced in this investigation to a total of 2,213 months, or more than 184 years, in federal prison.
On June 15, 2026, a Mexican national illegally living in Dallas was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas. Juan Lopez-Carmona, 32, was responsible for moving large amounts of illegal narcotics from Mexico to the United States for redistribution.
On June 15, 2026, Dulio Ariel De-La-O, 25, of Irving, was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison for trafficking over “k-packs” or 1,000 pill quantities of fentanyl-laced pills. A search of De-La-O’s residence resulted in the seizure of over 3,000 counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl and $91,799 in cash.
HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtx.
Dodge County Sheriff Charged and Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
On Monday, July 6, 2026, United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced criminal charges against Dustin Weitzel, 46, of Fremont, Nebraska. Weitzel was charged by information with one count of wire fraud. The penalties for wire fraud are a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, both such imprisonment and a fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Weitzel is scheduled to be sentenced before Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. on October 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The Dodge County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17 (FOP17) was created in approximately 2006. It was a requirement for all Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputies to be members of FOP17. It was also required for all FOP17 members to pay dues which were collected via an automatic paycheck withdrawal.
Weitzel has been employed by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office since 1999. At some point prior to 2018, Weitzel became Treasurer for FOP17 and served as Treasurer until February 2023. Weitzel stopped serving as Treasurer for FOP17 upon his being elected Sheriff of Dodge County. The dues for FOP17 were used to pay for FOP17’s attorney, an annual golf tournament, training, and various charitable causes. Weitzel’s role as Treasurer was to oversee the collection of dues, maintain the bank accounts, and report on the status of FOP17 funds at the FOP17 meetings. FOP17 had three bank accounts at First State Bank and Trust Co.: a checking account, a golf funds account, and a savings account. At all relevant times in the Information, Weitzel was the only FOP17 member with online access to FOP17’s bank accounts. Weitzel was also a signer on all three accounts.
From April 2018 through February 2022, while Weitzel was Treasurer for FOP17, he made 84 transactions between the FOP17 accounts at First State Bank and Trust Co. and Weitzel’s personal bank accounts at RVR Bank. These transactions were not authorized by the FOP17 Board and were not for FOP17 purposes. Many of the transfers from the FOP17 accounts into Weitzel’s personal accounts were to prevent overdrafts in Weitzel’s personal accounts. In total, $45,500 was wired from FOP17 accounts into Weitzel’s personal accounts. Weitzel in turn returned $40,750.01 in funds from his personal accounts to FOP17 accounts prior to detection. The remaining balance missing from FOP17 accounts is $4,749.99.
As part of this scheme, on August 28, 2020, Weitzel initiated a wire transfer in the amount of $2,500 from the FOP17 checking account at First State Bank and Trust Co. to Weitzel’s personal checking account at RVR Bank.
Weitzel was interviewed and admitted to this conduct.
As part of his plea agreement, Weitzel agreed that he will surrender his law enforcement certification before the sentencing date in this case and that he will not work as a law enforcement officer in the future.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.