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1 July 2026
Court Dismisses Case Challenging Exemptions for Company to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in MichiganRead the Press Release
Last week, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan dismissed a lawsuit challenging an exemption decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) concerning the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert Township, Michigan. The court found that the Atomic Energy Act and the Hobbs Act channel review of an exemption decision related to a licensing proceeding to the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
Congress created the NRC to license and regulate commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear material. Consistent with Congress’s broad grant of authority under the Atomic Energy Act, the NRC has promulgated regulations under which an individual or entity may receive, renew, amend, or terminate a license concerning a nuclear power plant. As concerns this lawsuit, the NRC may, in certain situations, grant exemptions from regulatory requirements.
In March 2023, Holtec Decommissioning International LLC (Holtec) alerted the NRC that it sought to restart Palisades, a shutdown and defueled nuclear power plant. Holtec submitted to the NRC a request to be exempted from certain provisions, alongside requests to amend the Palisades operating license, and to transfer reactor-operating authority under the license. In July 2025, the NRC issued Holtec the requested exemption, alongside the requested license amendments, and the application to transfer operating authority for Palisades.
Plaintiffs challenged NRC’s actions. The court’s dismissal reaffirmed that Congress charted a specific path for lawsuits challenging final orders by the NRC. Specifically, the Hobbs Act vests the U.S. Courts of Appeals with exclusive jurisdiction to review all final orders of the NRC concerning nuclear licensing, including, as is the case here, the July 2025 exemption decision.
“We are pleased that the court left in place the NRC’s exemption decision, which will allow the Palisades plant to move forward toward restart,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “By clearing the way for this project, the court’s decision advances domestic energy production and allows American communities to benefit from reliable nuclear power.”
Attorneys with ENRD’s Natural Resources Section handled this matter.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 22 through June 26, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 22 through June 26, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On June 22, 2026, José Esteban Rivera-Tolentino pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD) to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project and other areas in and around Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Defendant was arrested on February 24, 2023. The Court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 11, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Andyel González-Sáez pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ) to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and a firearm-related murder. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Jeremy Millán-Isaac pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ) to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Xavier Thompson-Bido pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC) to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Andrés Orr in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Yomar Gabriel Rivera-Hernández pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-170 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated principally in the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Defendant was arrested on May 22, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 22, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 25, 2026, Jeremy José Maldonado-Rivera pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 25-104 (RAM). Defendant was arrested on February 25, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 25, 2026, Javier Sánchez-Pérez pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 25-104 (RAM). Defendant was arrested on February 25, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 25, 2026, Denis Ditrán pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire, mail, and bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 in Criminal Case 25-275 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with engaging in a scheme to defraud a retail store and a financial institution using false identification documents. Defendant was arrested on June 17, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. Social Security Administration SAUSA Vanessa Bonano is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 26, 2026, Omar Ramos-Avilés pleaded guilty to violating 18 U.S.C. § 1001 in Criminal Case 25-274. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with knowingly making a false statement to law enforcement officers during the course of their investigation. Defendant was arrested on June 13, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 25, 2026. United States Coast Guard SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 26, 2026, Edgardo Santiago-Colón pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 24-456 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with drug trafficking within a state prison facility. Defendant was arrested on December 17, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 2026. AUSA Myriam Y. Fernández-González is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to 16 years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery with a Machine GunRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tah’Kel Ar’Key Wilson, 21, of Columbia, has been sentenced to 16 years in federal prison for robbing a federal informant at gunpoint during a firearms and narcotics investigation.
Evidence presented in court revealed that on Aug.9, 2024, federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives utilized a confidential informant to coordinate the purchase of a firearm and cocaine from an identified target. When the victim arrived at the agreed‑upon location, Wilson approached the victim’s vehicle, introduced himself, and directed the victim to drive to a secluded area to pick up additional items.There, Wilson removed a firearm equipped with a Glock switch from his waistband, pointed it at the victim, and threatened to “switch” the informant if he/she did not comply. Wilson then stole approximately $3,400 in documented funds and two cell phones from the victim before fleeing on foot.
ATF agents who had been stationed approximately 50 yards away conducting surveillance immediately responded. Wilson was observed fleeing toward a wooded area and was apprehended a short time later after agents located him hiding inside a backyard shed. Investigators recovered the loaded firearm equipped with the machine‑gun conversion device, the stolen funds, and both cell phones. The robbery was captured on audio and video recording.
At the time of the offense, Wilson was on state bond for murder and was wearing a GPS monitoring device.
United States District Judge Sherri Lydon sentenced Wilson to 192 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
Cherokee County Residents Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Stemming from September 2022 Tahlequah MurderRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jermyn Damon Vann, Jr., 21, and Jermyn Damon Vann, Sr., 41, of Welling, Oklahoma, entered guilty pleas in federal district court on Wednesday.
Vann, Jr., pleaded guilty to two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, and to one count of Causing the Death of a Person in the Course of a Violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), punishable by any term of years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Vann, Sr., pleaded guilty to one count of Child Neglect in Indian Country, punishable by any term of years to life in prison, and a $5,000 fine.
The Indictment alleged that on September 5, 2022, Vann, Jr. assaulted two individuals with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm. The Indictment further alleged that on September 5, 2022, Vann, Jr. knowingly discharged a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence for which they may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, that is, Murder in Indian Country and Murder in Perpetration of Burglary in Indian Country, and that in the course of this violation, Vann, Jr., caused the death of a person through the use of said firearm, which killing is a murder, in that Vann, Jr. murdered and unlawfully killed the victim with a firearm.
The Indictment also alleged that on September 5, 2022, Vann, Sr., willfully and maliciously failed and omitted to protect a child under the age of eighteen from exposure to illegal activity, all while responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of that child.
The crimes occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Tahlequah Police Department.
The Honorable Gerald L. Jackson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Both defendants will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys T. Cameron McEwen, Olivia Staubus, and Gregory Dean Burris represented the United States.
Camden County Man with Fourteen Prior Felonies Found Guilty of Unlawfully Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Camden County man with a felony criminal record was convicted by a federal jury for possessing a loaded revolver, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Michael Webb, 42, of Camden, New Jersey, was convicted on June 18, 2026, of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition following a jury trial before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel in Camden federal court. Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2026.
According to the evidence presented at trial, publicly filed documents, and statements made in court:
In May 2024, members of the United States Marshals Service’s Regional Fugitive Task Force in Camden, New Jersey, received a request from Colorado for assistance with arresting Webb based on a warrant for violating the conditions of his Colorado parole. On May 13, 2024, Task Force officers went to the area of 34th and Rowe Street in Camden, after receiving information that Webb might be staying at this location. Later that day, a Task Force officer saw Webb leave a residence, enter a car, and drive down Rowe Street. When the Task Force officer tried to stop Webb’s car, Webb fled the scene. He sped away from the officer, crashed into a parked car, and ran away. While Webb was running away from the Task Force officer, he pointed a gun at a Camden resident. Webb ran through private property and jumped over fences, until he finally reached a black metal gate that he was unable to climb over. The Task Force officer arrested Webb near this black metal gate and saw a fully loaded silver revolver in the grass on the opposite side of the gate. Webb’s DNA was found on the silver revolver.
Webb was previously convicted of fourteen felonies, including bias-motivated crime causing bodily injury in Colorado in 2021 and aggravated assaults with firearms in Camden in 2017 and 2019.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka; deputy marshals and task force officers with the United States Marshals Service in the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Acting U.S. Marshal Nicholas A. Ricigliano, Jr.; and officers of the Camden County Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gabriel Rodriguez; and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, with the investigation leading to the conviction.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josephine J. Park and Elisa T. Wiygul of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Camden.
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Defense counsel: James P. Maguire, Esq. and Giselle R. Pomerleau, Esq.
webb.supersedingindictment.pdfBridgeport Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Gunpoint RobberiesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that RAJONNE BLAKE, also known as “Ray Ray,” 26, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 121 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his participation in the violent armed robberies of an Amazon delivery truck in December 2022 and a Cumberland Farms store in January 2023.
According to court documents and statements made court, Blake and others committed gunpoint robberies of an Amazon delivery truck and merchandise in Bridgeport on December 23, 2022, and a Cumberland Farms, located at 1290 West Broad Street in Stratford, on January 2, 2023.
During the Amazon truck robbery, Blake’s accomplices forced the driver into the back of the truck at gunpoint where they assaulted him. Blake supplied the firearm for the robbery and served as the getaway driver. During the Cumberland Farms robbery, where Blake again served as the getaway driver, Blake’s accomplices entered the store with firearms, threatened employees, forced victims to the ground, and stole $1,200 from the cash registers and personal items from the customers, including an iPhone.
In addition, Blake’s associates committed the gunpoint robberies of Omega Deli, located at 999 Maplewood Avenue in Bridgeport, on December 15, 2022; Milford Convenience & Tobacco, located at 784 Boston Post Road in Milford, on December 21, 2022; and Smoke Shop, located at 2175 Boston Avenue in Bridgeport, on December 23, 2022.
Blake has been detained since August 1, 2024. On January 27, 2026, he pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery (“Hobbs Act robbery”) and carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bridgeport Police Department, the Stratford Police Department, and the Milford Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
Bozeman man sentenced to 6 years in prison for receiving child pornographyRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Bozeman man who collected Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) was sentenced today to six years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Jaden Douglas Batson, 24, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of receiving child pornography.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
The government alleged in court documents that over the course of two years Batson purchased and collected CSAM in the form of images and videos of children.
The case began in June 2023 when law enforcement received an online tip that Batson had paid $20 for illicit material that included the note, “For the cp gc.” Law enforcement continued to receive additional tips from online service providers that Batson was trading and uploading Child Sex Abuse Materials. That allowed officers to obtain multiple search warrants that they served on various electronic service accounts registered to Batson. A search warrant on Batson’s Bozeman residence served on April 9, 2025, and a subsequent search of his phone, turned up approximately 688 videos and 362 images. Batson admitted in an interview with law enforcement that he had traded CSAM on social media sites.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus prosecuted the case. The Bozeman Police Department conducted the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Blanco Teenager Charged with Second-Degree MurderRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Blanco teenager is facing federal charges for allegedly shooting and killing a man during a dispute.
According to court documents, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, Navajo Nation Police Department officers responded to a report of a violent altercation involving a firearm at a residence in Nageezi, New Mexico, within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation. Upon arrival, officers located John Doe suffering from a gunshot wound to his groin. Despite immediate aid, John Doe lost consciousness and later died from blood loss caused by the wound.
Investigators determined the dispute began earlier that evening when multiple people had a physical confrontation with the victim’s father, after which one of them telephoned Alfred Josiah Castro, 18, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, to come to the area. Castro drove from Farmington to Nageezi, joined the altercation, and ultimately shot John Doe.
According to witnesses, Castro and two other males fled the scene on foot while laughing. Before losing consciousness, John Doe identified Castro as the person who shot him. Investigators later determined Castro switched the license plate on his truck after the shooting.
License-plate reader data from the City of Bloomfield placed Castro’s vehicle traveling to and from the area during the timeframe of the shooting. Castro was later interviewed by the FBI; though he acknowledged being in the area, he denied any involvement in the killing.
Castro is charged with two felony crimes: Second-degree murder and Using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He will remain in a halfway house pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Castro faces between 10 years and life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to More Than 9 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
EL DORADO – A southwest Arkansas man was sentenced on June 29, 2026, to 114 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for robbing a Union County, Arkansas, bank at gunpoint. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court at El Dorado.
According to court records, on the afternoon of April 2, 2024, Melvin Wiltshire, age 58, of Mount Ida, entered the Strong, Arkansas Simmons Bank, wearing a camouflage face mask and a hooded gray sweatshirt. Wiltshire pointed a black revolver at three bank employees and instructed them to put cash into a green and black backpack he was carrying. After the employees had placed $23,850 into the backpack, mostly in $50 and $100 bills, Wiltshire ordered them to get down on the floor and stay there for two minutes. He then fled the bank on foot, with the backpack.
State and federal investigators who came to the scene soon learned that a nearby doorbell camera had captured video of possible suspect vehicle. The video showed a distinctive gray Ford pickup driving away from a wooded area behind Simmons Bank after the robbery. Later that evening, a Union County Deputy Sheriff saw a gray Ford pickup in Strong that appeared identical to the one seen in the doorbell camera video. When the pickup pulled into a parking lot, the deputy approached and identified its driver as Wiltshire. Based on descriptors provided by the victims, the distinctive pickup he was driving, and other factors, Wiltshire was detained, and ultimately arrested, on suspicion of having committed the April 2 robbery.
Shortly following Wiltshire’s arrest, federal and state investigators found two bags abandoned in the wooded area behind Simmons Bank. One of the bags, a green and black backpack, contained a camouflage mask and $21,250 in cash, in $50 and $100 denominations. The second, camouflage bag held clothing matching what the suspect had worn during the robbery, including a hooded gray sweatshirt. The second bag also held a loaded, black .38 caliber revolver that Wiltshire had purchased in El Dorado, in 2022. The FBI Laboratory, in Quantico, Virginia, also found that DNA attributable to Wiltshire was present on the revolver, the camouflage mask, and other items from the two abandoned bags.
On May 1, 2024, United States Grand Jury sitting in the Western District of Arkansas returned a two-count Indictment against Wiltshire, charging him with Armed Bank Robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and 2113(d), and also with using, carrying and possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). Wiltshire appeared with his attorney on August 7, 2025, and entered guilty pleas on both counts.
During his June 29, 2026, sentencing hearing, the Court also ordered Wiltshire to pay restitution to Simmons Bank, for the unrecovered robbery proceeds, and to remain away from its Strong, Arkansas, branch.
United States Attorney Kevin R. Holmes made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States. The Union County Sheriff’s Department, El Dorado Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the U.S. 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.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Arizona Man Charged with Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Arizona man is facing federal charges for sexually abusing a minor over an eight-year period.
According to court documents, between July 2018 and August 2025, Earlson Yazzie, 34, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in and caused sexual contact with Jane Doe, a minor.
Yazzie is charged with nine counts of abusive sexual contact of minor and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Yazzie faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Alleged Member of Criminal Cyber Hacking Group “Scattered Spider” Arrested in Finland and Extradited to the United StatesRead the Press Release
An alleged member of the criminal cyber hacking group Scattered Spider has been arrested in Finland and extradited to the United States to face federal criminal conspiracy charges in the Northern District of Illinois.
A criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday charges Peter Stokes, 19, a dual citizen of the United States and Estonia, with conspiracy, computer intrusion, and fraud. Stokes was arrested by Finnish authorities in April pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice and extradited to the United States last week. He made an initial appearance on Tuesday in federal court in Chicago and was ordered to remain in law enforcement custody.
“The criminal complaint charges Peter Stokes with membership in Scattered Spider, a hacking group that has been involved in over 100 network intrusions, resulting in more than $100 million in ransom payments and millions more in damages to the victims,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The charges unsealed today are the result of years of work by the Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, and the FBI. We will continue to partner to ensure that cybercriminals cannot evade the reach of the United States.”
“The malicious attacks from Scattered Spider caused widespread disruption to businesses and organizations throughout the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros for the Northern District of Illinois. “As Co-Chair of the White Collar, Cyber, and Crypto Subcommittee of Acting Attorney General Blanche’s Advisory Committee, I am acutely aware of the significant and growing threat posed by brazen cyber criminals. These charges underscore our unwavering commitment to keeping pace with technologically savvy criminal actors and holding accountable those who seek to profit from cyber intrusions, including those located in foreign jurisdictions who do harm to American businesses and victims.”
“Scattered Spider has repeatedly targeted U.S. companies, extorting employees, inflicting millions of dollars in losses, and disrupting essential operations,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “Through strong domestic and international partnerships, the FBI will continue to identify, disrupt, and hold cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they are located.”
According to the complaint, Scattered Spider, also known as “Octo Tempest,” “UNC3944,” and “0ktapus,” is a group of criminal cyber actors that has targeted numerous corporate victims in the United States by gaining access to companies’ employee accounts through fraudulent pretenses, encrypting the companies’ data or exfiltrating it to remote servers, and then extorting cryptocurrency from the companies to regain control over their data or prevent the dissemination of the data.
Among other offenses, the complaint alleges that Stokes and other co-conspirators breached a luxury jewelry retailer’s computer system, exfiltrated data from the company, and made a ransom demand of approximately $8 million in cryptocurrency in May 2025. The retailer’s security personnel successfully evicted the threat actors from the company’s computer network and no ransom was paid. The retailer nonetheless suffered a loss of at least $2 million due to business disruption, investigation, and mitigation of the threat.
The FBI Chicago Field Office investigated the case. The FBI’s Copenhagen Law Enforcement Attaché Office assisted.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne L. Rose of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Chang and Ann Marie Ursini for the Northern District of Illinois. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Finnish authorities to secure the extradition of Stokes. The Department of Justice also acknowledges and appreciates the assistance of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation in this matter.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
This action is part of Operation Riptide, an ongoing FBI campaign targeting the criminal actors, infrastructure, and financial networks behind cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime, and fraud against the American people. Last year, Americans reported over $20 billion in losses to cybercrime, a 26 percent single-year increase. Operation Riptide is the FBI’s sustained enforcement response to that threat.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Alleged Member of Criminal Cyber Hacking Group “Scattered Spider” Arrested in Finland and Extradited to United StatesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — An alleged member of the criminal cyber hacking group Scattered Spider has been arrested in Finland and extradited to the United States to face federal criminal conspiracy charges in the Northern District of Illinois.
A criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago charges PETER STOKES, 19, a dual citizen of the United States and Estonia, with conspiracy, cyber intrusion, and fraud offenses. Stokes was arrested by Finnish authorities in April pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice and extradited to the United States last week. He made an initial appearance on Tuesday in federal court in Chicago and was ordered to remain detained in law enforcement custody.
According to the complaint, Scattered Spider, also known as “Octo Tempest,” “UNC3944,” and “0ktapus,” is a group of criminal cyber actors that has been involved with more than 100 network intrusions, resulting in more than approximately $100 million in ransom payments and millions of dollars in damages to the victims. The group has targeted numerous corporate victims in the United States by gaining access to companies’ employee accounts through fraudulent pretenses, encrypting the companies’ data or exfiltrating it to remote servers, and then extorting cryptocurrency from the companies to regain control over their data or prevent the dissemination of the data.
The complaint against Stokes describes a cyber intrusion in May 2025 against a luxury jewelry retailer. Stokes and likely other co-conspirators breached the retailer’s computer system, exfiltrated data from the company, and made a ransom demand of approximately $8 million in cryptocurrency, the complaint states. The retailer’s security personnel successfully evicted the threat actors from the company’s computer network and no ransom was paid. The retailer nonetheless suffered a loss of at least $2 million due to business disruption, investigation, and mitigation of the threat.
The charges and extradition were announced by A. Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The FBI’s Copenhagen Law Enforcement Attaché Office and the FBI Las Vegas Field Office assisted. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Chang and Ann Marie Ursini of the Northern District of Illinois, and Assistant Deputy Chief Adrienne L. Rose of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Finnish authorities to secure the extradition of Stokes. The Department of Justice acknowledges and appreciates the assistance of Finland's National Bureau of Investigation in this matter.
“The criminal complaint charges Peter Stokes with membership in Scattered Spider, a hacking group that has been involved in over 100 network intrusions, resulting in more than $100 million in ransom payments and millions more in damages to the victims,” said Assistant Attorney General Duva. “The charges unsealed today are the result of years of work by the Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, and the FBI. We will continue to partner to ensure that cybercriminals cannot evade the reach of the United States.”
“The malicious attacks from Scattered Spider caused widespread disruption to businesses and organizations throughout the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “As Co-Chair of the White Collar, Cyber, and Crypto Subcommittee of Acting Attorney General Blanche’s Advisory Committee, I am acutely aware of the significant and growing threat posed by brazen cyber criminals. These charges underscore our unwavering commitment to keeping pace with technologically savvy criminal actors and holding accountable those who seek to profit from cyber intrusions, including those located in foreign jurisdictions who do harm to American businesses and victims.”
“The responsibility of protecting our nation's security and welfare extends beyond our borders, over international territories, and most critically, in the cyber universe,” said FBI SAC DePodesta. “Thanks to our international partnerships and cross-agency collaboration, the FBI successfully identified a known Scattered Spider actor alleged to have targeted hardworking Americans and critical infrastructure. The FBI will stop at nothing to ensure that Americans are free from attacks and danger, wherever it may be lurking.”
This action is part of Operation Riptide, an ongoing FBI campaign targeting the criminal actors, infrastructure, and financial networks behind cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime, and fraud against the American people. Last year, Americans reported over $20 billion in losses to cybercrime, a 26 percent single-year increase. Operation Riptide is the FBI's sustained enforcement response to that threat.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
stokes_superseding_complaint.pdfAlibaba Group and AUS Merchant Services Agree to Pay $600 Million to Resolve Allegations that they Failed to Prevent Illegal Sales of Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical Equipment, and Other Illegal ProductsRead the Press Release
Note: The press release has been updated to clarify that AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group.
PROVIDENCE- Alibaba Group Holding Limited (Alibaba) — one of China’s largest companies — and its U.S.-based payment processor, AUS Merchant Services Inc. (AUS, and formerly known as Alipay US), have entered a non-prosecution agreement to pay $600 million to resolve the Justice Department’s allegations that they violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by failing to prevent merchants from selling and importing illegal pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, listed chemicals, and pill presses into the United States through the Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com e‑commerce platforms.
Alibaba operates e-commerce platform Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest business-to-business (B2B) online marketplaces, and e-commerce platform AliExpress.com, a global business-to-consumer online marketplace. AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group, which operates Alipay, one of the largest mobile and digital payment platforms in the world.
Alibaba admitted that, between January 2016 and December 2024, it failed to prevent merchants using its Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com platforms from engaging in approximately 80,000 product sales involving imports into the United States, including List I and II chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical counterfeiting equipment. These sales violated the FDCA and other federal laws. The combined gross merchandise value of these transactions exceeded $200 million. During the investigation, federal law enforcement conducted over 40 undercover purchases of pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment that were illegal to be imported into the United States.
Although Alibaba maintained policies restricting the sale of prohibited products on Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com, employees raised concerns that the company’s compliance controls were inadequate and failed to prevent the sale and importation of illegal products. Alibaba also provided merchants and buyers with a private, in-platform messaging service that some merchants used to facilitate unlawful transactions. In some instances, merchants used Alibaba's messaging service to direct buyers to third-party encrypted messaging platforms to facilitate those unlawful transactions. Alibaba derived some profit related to those sellers' illegal activities on Alibaba.com by charging membership, marketing, advertising, shipping, and payment-processing fees.
AUS admitted that, between January 2020 and December 2023, it accepted U.S. dollar-denominated payments through credit cards and wire transfers routed through U.S. bank accounts before transferring the funds offshore for settlement on behalf of its customers. When AUS implemented its own transaction-monitoring system for those transactions, it failed to fully incorporate certain wire-transfer data. As a result, its transaction monitoring did not always identify transactions involving payments from high-risk jurisdictions or multiple payors on a single invoice. Additionally, AUS admitted that its anti-money laundering compliance program failed to prevent some Alibaba merchants from using its payment processing and settlement services to facilitate the sale and importation of prohibited products into the United States. In certain instances, rather than systematically restricting merchants identified as selling prohibited merchandise, AUS instead reported those merchants to Alibaba. In at least one instance, a merchant subsequently continued selling prohibited products to U.S. buyers after AUS had investigated and reported the merchant.
As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Alibaba and AUS accepted responsibility for the acts of their officers, directors, employees, and agents in connection with the above conduct. Alibaba agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $125 million and to forfeit $200 million. AUS agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $85 million and to forfeit $190 million. Alibaba and AUS also agreed to enhance their compliance programs and to continue cooperating with the department in any ongoing or future criminal investigation relating to this conduct.
The Justice Department reached this resolution with Alibaba and AUS based on several factors, including their good-faith efforts to implement and refine compliance measures, engagement in remedial measures, absence of prior criminal history, commitment to cooperation with federal agencies, and the nature and seriousness of the offense. Alibaba and AUS also received some credit for their cooperation with the department’s investigation and affirmative acceptance of responsibility.
“This resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding companies accountable when their platforms are used to facilitate the unlawful sale of illegal pharmaceuticals, related pharmaceutical equipment and other prohibited products in the United States,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda for the District of Rhode Island. “The $600 million resolution with Alibaba Group and Alipay US, the largest monetary settlement in the history of the District of Rhode Island, achieves meaningful accountability while securing significant compliance measures designed to strengthen oversight, prevent future violations, and better protect American consumers. The outcome would not have been possible without the exceptional efforts of the dedicated prosecutors, investigators, and numerous federal, state, and local partners, whose collaboration and commitment were critical to the success of this investigation.”
“Today’s resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that companies operating e-commerce and digital payment platforms keep illegal, unapproved, misbranded, and dangerous foreign pharmaceuticals off their marketplaces,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Companies operating online marketplaces — whether based in the United States or abroad — must implement appropriate safeguards to prevent bad actors from exploiting their platforms. If they fail to do so, the Department will hold them accountable.”
“Without active compliance, criminals use e-commerce sites to carry on and profit from illicit activity,” said Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Alibaba and AUS have documented steps taken to improve their screening and compliance and provided a commitment to ongoing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement in the future. As a result, another channel for illegal pharmaceuticals and associated equipment is now closed.”
“Online platforms that facilitate the sale and distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals, and equipment used to make counterfeit drugs, pose a grave threat to public health and safety,” said Justin Green, Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The FDA remains committed to pursuing those who facilitate the distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment into the United States, regardless of where they operate.”
“AUS’s Anti Money Laundering Compliance Program failed to prevent payments on behalf of bad actors, including Alibaba merchants associated with illegal goods,” said Inspector General Jennifer L. Fain of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of financial misconduct and ensure that financial institutions and other designated businesses fully comply with federal requirements to deter, detect, and prevent money laundering.”
“As one of the world’s largest online retailers, Alibaba has an obligation to safeguard consumers from dangerous and illegal products, and to maintain integrity throughout its payment processes including those carried out by AUS, a U.S.-licensed money services business,” said Chief Jarod Koopman of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “This investigation revealed that the companies failed to meet those basic responsibilities. Today’s resolution underscores IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to following the money and ensuring that companies operating in the United States comply fully with federal law.”
“This non-prosecution agreement, financial resolution, and required compliance reforms makes clear that global e-commerce companies must build systems that prevent the sale and distribution of illegal products before they reach the United States and the U.S. banking system,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Homeland Security Investigations, together with the broader law enforcement community, remains unflinchingly committed to identifying and dismantling schemes that allow criminal opportunists and other bad actors to exploit weaknesses in online marketplaces, payment services, and other digital spaces.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the U.S. Postal Service is not used as a tool to distribute illegal pharmaceuticals and other dangerous goods to our communities,” said Acting Inspector in Charge J. Buck Buckley of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)’s Boston Division. “Today’s settlement should serve as a reminder that we will remain steadfast with our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Mail.”
The FDA Office of Criminal Investigation’s Rhode Island Task Force, FDIC Office of Inspector General’s New York Field Office, IRS-CI’s Global Illicit Financial Team, Homeland Security Task Force New York-Financial, and USPIS investigated the case.
The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julianne Klein for the District of Rhode Island; Assistant Director Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorneys Cadesby B. Cooper and Colin W. Trundle of the Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch; and Trial Attorneys Rachel Agress and Elysa Wan of the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section. Senior Counsel Sarah Hawkins of FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel provided critical assistance.
Alibaba NPA/AUS NPA:
Alibaba NPA.pdf AUS Merchant Services NPA.pdfAlibaba Group and AUS Merchant Services Agree to Pay $600 Million to Resolve Allegations that they Failed to Prevent Illegal Sales of Pharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutical Equipment, and Other Illegal ProductsRead the Press Release
Note: The press release has been updated to clarify that AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group.
View Alibaba non-prosecution agreement here. View AUS Merchant Services non-prosecution agreement here.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (Alibaba) — one of China’s largest companies — and its U.S.-based payment processor, AUS Merchant Services Inc. (AUS, and formerly known as Alipay US), have entered a non-prosecution agreement to pay $600 million to resolve the Justice Department’s allegations that they violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) by failing to prevent merchants from selling and importing illegal pharmaceuticals, controlled substances, listed chemicals, and pill presses into the United States through the Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com e‑commerce platforms.
Alibaba operates e-commerce platform Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest business-to-business (B2B) online marketplaces, and e-commerce platform AliExpress.com, a global business-to-consumer online marketplace. AUS is a subsidiary of Ant Group, which operates Alipay, one of the largest mobile and digital payment platforms in the world.
Alibaba admitted that, between January 2016 and December 2024, it failed to prevent merchants using its Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com platforms from engaging in approximately 80,000 product sales involving imports into the United States, including List I and II chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical counterfeiting equipment. These sales violated the FDCA and other federal laws. The combined gross merchandise value of these transactions exceeded $200 million. During the investigation, federal law enforcement conducted over 40 undercover purchases of pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment that were illegal to be imported into the United States.
Although Alibaba maintained policies restricting the sale of prohibited products on Alibaba.com and AliExpress.com, employees raised concerns that the company’s compliance controls were inadequate and failed to prevent the sale and importation of illegal products. Alibaba also provided merchants and buyers with a private, in-platform messaging service that some merchants used to facilitate unlawful transactions. In some instances, merchants used Alibaba's messaging service to direct buyers to third-party encrypted messaging platforms to facilitate those unlawful transactions. Alibaba derived some profit related to those sellers' illegal activities on Alibaba.com by charging membership, marketing, advertising, shipping, and payment-processing fees.
AUS admitted that, between January 2020 and December 2023, it accepted U.S. dollar-denominated payments through credit cards and wire transfers routed through U.S. bank accounts before transferring the funds offshore for settlement on behalf of its customers. When AUS implemented its own transaction-monitoring system for those transactions, it failed to fully incorporate certain wire-transfer data. As a result, its transaction monitoring did not always identify transactions involving payments from high-risk jurisdictions or multiple payors on a single invoice. Additionally, AUS admitted that its anti-money laundering compliance program failed to prevent some Alibaba merchants from using its payment processing and settlement services to facilitate the sale and importation of prohibited products into the United States. In certain instances, rather than systematically restricting merchants identified as selling prohibited merchandise, AUS instead reported those merchants to Alibaba. In at least one instance, a merchant subsequently continued selling prohibited products to U.S. buyers after AUS had investigated and reported the merchant.
As part of the non-prosecution agreement, Alibaba and AUS accepted responsibility for the acts of their officers, directors, employees, and agents in connection with the above conduct. Alibaba agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $125 million and to forfeit $200 million. AUS agreed to pay a criminal monetary penalty of $85 million and to forfeit $190 million. Alibaba and AUS also agreed to enhance their compliance programs and to continue cooperating with the department in any ongoing or future criminal investigation relating to this conduct.
The Justice Department reached this resolution with Alibaba and AUS based on several factors, including their good-faith efforts to implement and refine compliance measures, engagement in remedial measures, absence of prior criminal history, commitment to cooperation with federal agencies, and the nature and seriousness of the offense. Alibaba and AUS also received some credit for their cooperation with the department’s investigation and affirmative acceptance of responsibility.
“Today’s resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to ensuring that companies operating e-commerce and digital payment platforms keep illegal, unapproved, misbranded, and dangerous foreign pharmaceuticals off their marketplaces,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Companies operating online marketplaces — whether based in the United States or abroad — must implement appropriate safeguards to prevent bad actors from exploiting their platforms. If they fail to do so, the Department will hold them accountable.”
“Without active compliance, criminals use e-commerce sites to carry on and profit from illicit activity,” said Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Alibaba and AUS have documented steps taken to improve their screening and compliance and provided a commitment to ongoing cooperation with U.S. law enforcement in the future. As a result, another channel for illegal pharmaceuticals and associated equipment is now closed.”
“This resolution reflects the Department of Justice’s commitment to holding companies accountable when their platforms are used to facilitate the unlawful sale of illegal pharmaceuticals, related pharmaceutical equipment and other prohibited products in the United States,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda for the District of Rhode Island. “The $600 million resolution with Alibaba Group and Alipay US, the largest monetary settlement in the history of the District of Rhode Island, achieves meaningful accountability while securing significant compliance measures designed to strengthen oversight, prevent future violations, and better protect American consumers. The outcome would not have been possible without the exceptional efforts of the dedicated prosecutors, investigators, and numerous federal, state, and local partners, whose collaboration and commitment were critical to the success of this investigation.”
“Online platforms that facilitate the sale and distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals, and equipment used to make counterfeit drugs, pose a grave threat to public health and safety,” said Justin Green, Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “The FDA remains committed to pursuing those who facilitate the distribution of counterfeit and other illegal pharmaceuticals and counterfeiting equipment into the United States, regardless of where they operate.”
“AUS’s Anti Money Laundering Compliance Program failed to prevent payments on behalf of bad actors, including Alibaba merchants associated with illegal goods,” said Inspector General Jennifer L. Fain of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). “The FDIC OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of financial misconduct and ensure that financial institutions and other designated businesses fully comply with federal requirements to deter, detect, and prevent money laundering.”
“As one of the world’s largest online retailers, Alibaba has an obligation to safeguard consumers from dangerous and illegal products, and to maintain integrity throughout its payment processes including those carried out by AUS, a U.S.-licensed money services business,” said Chief Jarod Koopman of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI). “This investigation revealed that the companies failed to meet those basic responsibilities. Today’s resolution underscores IRS Criminal Investigation’s commitment to following the money and ensuring that companies operating in the United States comply fully with federal law.”
“This non-prosecution agreement, financial resolution, and required compliance reforms makes clear that global e-commerce companies must build systems that prevent the sale and distribution of illegal products before they reach the United States and the U.S. banking system,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “Homeland Security Investigations, together with the broader law enforcement community, remains unflinchingly committed to identifying and dismantling schemes that allow criminal opportunists and other bad actors to exploit weaknesses in online marketplaces, payment services, and other digital spaces.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the U.S. Postal Service is not used as a tool to distribute illegal pharmaceuticals and other dangerous goods to our communities,” said Acting Inspector in Charge J. Buck Buckley of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS)’s Boston Division. “Today’s settlement should serve as a reminder that we will remain steadfast with our law enforcement partners to ensure the integrity of the U.S. Mail.”
The FDA Office of Criminal Investigation’s Rhode Island Task Force, FDIC Office of Inspector General’s New York Field Office, IRS-CI’s Global Illicit Financial Team, Homeland Security Task Force New York-Financial, and USPIS investigated the case.
The case was prosecuted by Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Dulce Donovan and Assistant U.S. Attorney Julianne Klein for the District of Rhode Island; Assistant Director Patrick Runkle and Trial Attorneys Cadesby B. Cooper and Colin W. Trundle of the Civil Division's Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch; and Trial Attorneys Rachel Agress and Elysa Wan of the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section. Senior Counsel Sarah Hawkins of FDA’s Office of the Chief Counsel provided critical assistance.
Alibaba NPA.pdf AUS Merchant Services NPA.pdfAlbuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms and Assault Charges for Threatening Deputies with Firearm During Traffic StopRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man pleaded guilty to assaulting federal task force officers with a firearm and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after fleeing from deputies during a traffic stop in Albuquerque.
According to court documents, on November 12, 2025, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputies conducted a traffic stop in Albuquerque for an invalid registration and discovered that the driver's license was revoked and that passenger Jason Paul Baca, 36, had an outstanding felony warrant. During the arrest attempt, deputies, including two federally deputized U.S. Marshals Service task force officers participating in Operation Triple Beam, observed a handgun concealed on Baca's person.
Baca resisted arrest, fled on foot, and pulled the loaded pistol from his waistband. He brandished and pointed the firearm at two U.S. Marshals Service task force officers, prompting deputies to discharge their weapons. Baca was struck, taken into custody, and transported for medical treatment. The loaded pistol, containing 13 rounds of ammunition, was recovered near him.
As a previously convicted felon with prior convictions for drug trafficking, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance, Baca was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a backpack containing fentanyl pills and approximately 25 grams of fentanyl powder.
Baca pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, two counts of assault upon a federal officer using a deadly and dangerous weapon and using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and faces not less than seven years and up to life in prison at sentencing.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Elena Stiteler is prosecuting the case.
32 Dogs Seized After Court Orders Access for USDA to Inspect Iowa Dog Breeder’s FacilityRead the Press Release
Yesterday afternoon, Iowa law enforcement seized 32 dogs from a dog breeder, Wuanita Swedlund, and placed them in a local animal shelter. The seizure occurred after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Swedlund last week based on claims that she repeatedly failed to grant Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials access to inspect her facility, animals, and records in violation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).
“We filed this action to ensure that USDA inspectors had the opportunity to assess the care dogs were receiving at a breeder’s facility in Iowa,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “As a result of the district court’s order, federal and state inspectors found numerous AWA violations and moved 32 dogs to facilities that will give them the care they need. The AWA sets clear standards for the humane treatment of animals, and we are committed to ensuring those standards are enforced.”
“The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to working closely with the U.S. Department of Justice on enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. This case demonstrates as much,” said General Counsel Tyler Clarkson of the USDA.
According to the complaint, filed with a motion for TRO and preliminary injunction, Swedlund allegedly engaged in a pattern and practice of violating the AWA while operating a dog breeding facility in Farmington, Iowa. Inspectors with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have allegedly tried but not been allowed to access her facility, animals, and records for routine inspections seven times over the last 10 months.
The motion for emergency relief states that APHIS has cited Swedlund for at least 25 violations of the AWA since she received her license in 2023. The violations include deaths of puppies, failure to treat dogs’ obvious injuries and medical conditions, keeping dog enclosures covered in feces, and leaving dogs without access to drinking water.
After the court issued the TRO requested by the United States, inspectors from APHIS and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) coordinated and obtained access to Swedlund’s facility. APHIS cited Swedlund for dozens more AWA violations and, based on the results of their concurrent inspection, the State obtained a search warrant and took possession of the animals. All 32 dogs found at the facility have been placed in a local animal shelter.
The USDA referred this matter to the Justice Department based on concern about the conditions in Swedlund’s facility. The temporary restraining order will assist USDA with assessing the health and well-being of the animals in Ms. Swedlund’s possession. This lawsuit follows the Prioritization of Animal Welfare Enforcement memorandum issued by the Attorney General in February.
USDA’s APHIS is investigating this matter for the federal government.
Trial Attorneys Kamela A. Caschette, Michelle M. Spatz, and Bonnie M. Ballard of ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section are handling this matter.
10 Defendants, Including South L.A. Motel Manager, Arrested in Latest Human Trafficking Sweep Targeting L.A.’s Figueroa CorridorRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – Six members and associates of the South Los Angeles-based Hoover Criminal Gang – and the manager of a South L.A. motel – were among nine defendants arrested today, and 10 defendants arrested total, on federal indictments charging them with a series of crimes, including sex trafficking children and adults along the Figueroa Corridor.
Today’s takedown is the second major operation that federal and local law enforcement have taken on the Figueroa Corridor, an area of Los Angeles that has long been notorious for street prostitution, the first such action occurring last year.
“Sex trafficking of young women and children ranks among the worst criminal offenses our office prosecutes – truly the lowest of the low,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “We hope today’s arrests break the cycle of crime and abuse in one of L.A.’s most notorious human trafficking corridors.”
“The actions taken today by HSI are another decisive blow against those who have exploited the vulnerable people of our community, and they will now face the consequences of those actions,” said Eddy Wang, Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles. “HSI remains steadfast in our mission to protect victims and pursue justice against human traffickers. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure those responsible are held fully accountable and that victims receive the support they deserve.”
“By working hand in hand with our federal partners, we are doing far more than making arrests,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “We are dismantling the criminal enterprises that profit from human trafficking, rescuing victims, and reclaiming the Figueroa Corridor for the community that has always deserved better.”
“As alleged, the individuals associated with the Stadium Inn concealed significant amounts of illicit cash, manipulated business records, and structured deposits across multiple accounts to hide the true source of their income,” said Darren Lian, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation’s Los Angeles Field Office. “Working closely with our federal and local partners, IRS-CI remains committed to exposing and disrupting financial schemes that enable human trafficking and other violent crimes.”
According to a 65-count superseding indictment returned on June 25 and unsealed today, from February 2021 to June 2026, the Hoovers largely controlled sex trafficking and prostitution in the Figueroa Corridor of South Los Angeles. Members and associates of the gang acted as pimps to promote and manage sex trafficking. The indictment lists 51 victims impacted by these alleged crimes.
The superseding indictment adds seven new defendants – six of them being Hoover Criminal Gang members charged with federal crimes such as racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking through force, fraud, or coercion, drug trafficking conspiracy, and concealment money laundering:
- Cameron Lockett, 23, a.k.a. “Jankie” and “Hesopayed,” of Anaheim;
- Caleed Mouton, 26, a.k.a. “Poo” and “Pooski,” of South Los Angeles;
- Nakhali Miller, 30, a.k.a. “FY3,” of South Los Angeles;
- Jorge Melendez, 23, a.k.a. “Crim Style,” of South Los Angeles;
- Mauricio Ulloa-Franco, Jr., 23, a.k.a. “Ese Face” and “Face,” of Palmdale; and
- Lagrane Lenox, 30, a.k.a. “King Blue” and “Blue,” of Compton.
The seventh new defendant charged in this case is Mukeshkumar Rambhai Ahir, 45, of South Los Angeles, the manager of the South L.A.-based Stadium Inn & Spas motel, who is charged with financially benefiting from the Hoover gang’s sex trafficking operation. Specifically, from September 2024 to January 2026, Ahir deposited $64,581 in proceeds that he knew derived from the gang’s sex trafficking of children and adults.
Ahir also is charged with “structuring,” or depositing smaller amounts at a time into bank accounts opened for this purpose to avoid banks from reporting large cash deposits to the U.S. government.
According to the superseding indictment, the Hoovers worked together to recruit new victims via social media or in person, focusing on vulnerable minor girls and young women, particularly those with financial or emotional struggles or who had run away from home or in the foster care system. Victims were recruited via false promises of a luxurious lifestyle, intimidation, and actual or threatened violence. Pimps also plied their victims with drugs such as oxycodone and amphetamines to create addictions that the pimps could exploit.
The defendants also facilitated each other’s pimping by managing, monitoring, and disciplining their victims, pooling resources to rent motel rooms for commercial sex dates, driving each other’s victims to and from the streets where victims solicited commercial sex work, sourcing third parties to create online profiles for sex advertisements, and sending each other money via Cash App and Apple Pay.
Victims were required to remit all proceeds from commercial sex dates to the pimp. A victim who refused or who otherwise disobeyed a pimp faced discipline, including assaults, branding of a defendant’s moniker, berating, public humiliation, and withholding of affection, drugs or food.
For example, in November 2024 Lockett allegedly beat one victim in her back and ribs, bit off a chunk of her cheek then, after the beating, gave her a Percocet pill, sent her to the hospital to get stitches, and pressured her to lie to police about what happened to her.
Mouton allegedly trafficked three minors (ages 14, 16, and 17), obtained a fake identification card for at least one of them for her to rent hotel rooms in her name, and in July 2025 ordered a minor victim to have an abortion and continue engaging in commercial sex work later that day.
Melendez is charged with sex trafficking a 14-year-old victim through force, including in January 2024, punching her at least five times in the face while holding a heavy watch and dragging her by her hair as punishment for not making enough money from commercial sex work.
Lenox is accused of trafficking a minor victim on the Figueroa Corridor and in Phoenix, where in June 2024 he produced child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of himself having sexual intercourse with the victim.
As part of this human trafficking sweep, three other alleged sex traffickers were indicted in stand-alone cases. Two defendants were arrested this morning, and the third was arrested on June 24, 2026.
- Kenny Ray Mann, 38, a.k.a. “KR,” of Lynwood, is charged with sex trafficking two minors – ages 16 and 17 – and trafficking at least one of the victims when she became an adult through force, fraud, or coercion. He was arrested on Monday, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and is scheduled to go to trial on August 18.
- Kylan Young, 23, a.k.a. “K2,” of Buena Park, is charged with sex trafficking a minor, age 15, and through force, fraud, or coercion.
- Dejon MacDonald Williams, 23, a.k.a. “Motion” and “D1,” of South Los Angeles, is charged with sex trafficking three victims – two minors (ages 16 and 17) through force, fraud, or coercion, and one adult through force, fraud, or coercion.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, some defendants would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and would face a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The 11 original defendants charged last year have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to go on trial on March 18, 2027.
Homeland Security Investigations; IRS Criminal Investigation; the Los Angeles Police Department; and the United States Attorney’s Office are investigating this matter. The investigation was supported by the Nebraska State Patrol; Keith County Attorney’s Office; Nebraska Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General; California Highway Patrol; the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services; the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; and Saving Innocence.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. 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.
Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea Norell, Mirelle Raza, and Rahul Hari of the Major Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
30 June 2026
Wyandotte County District Court bookkeepers sentenced to prison for nearly $1 million theftRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Two former employees of the Wyandotte County District Court received prison sentences for using their positions in the accounting office to steal approximately $980,000 in taxpayer funds.
According to court documents, Julia Roberts, 65, of Leavenworth and Vicki Robinson, 63, of Bonner Springs, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. A federal judge sentenced Roberts to 41 months in prison and Robinson to 27 months in prison.
Roberts was the accounting supervisor and responsible for collecting and depositing funds into the Wyandotte County District Court’s bank account. She acted as Robinson’s superior until her retirement in 2020. Roberts and Robinson stole incoming cash and concealed the thefts by generating checks and forging the clerk of court’s signature. They fabricated information on the memo lines to make the checks appear to be judgment disbursements or other legitimate court business. The checks functioned as a way to conceal the missing cash in the system.
During the time they were stealing money, Roberts had a significant amount of money transactions at a casino — over $1 million in 2017, $480,000 in 2018, and $251,000 in 2019. The amount dropped when she retired in 2020 to $30,000. Roberts also deposited more than $80,000 in cash into her personal bank accounts from 2018-2020. Robinson deposited $20,000 in cash into her bank account from 2021-2023.
In August 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) interviewed Robinson, and she admitted she stole money. She said Roberts showed her how to do it. Roberts told the FBI that she came up with the idea of stealing incoming cash. She said Robinson was involved from the beginning and at times they split the cash that was stolen.
Roberts’ and Robinson’s scheme resulted in a loss of $979,962 to the Wyandotte County District Court from 2018 to 2023. As part of their sentences, they are individually and collectively responsible for paying $979,962 in restitution.
“Roberts and Robinson worked together, stole together, and together conspired to cover up their crimes. They were as thick as thieves, and now the two thieves are headed to prison for stealing from the Wyandotte County District Court,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser.
“Public trust is the foundation of an effective government. When public servants betray that trust for personal financial gain, they compromise the integrity of the institutions they are sworn to serve. Today’s sentence sends a clear message: the FBI has zero tolerance for this. Anyone who exploits public office for personal enrichment will be thoroughly investigated, held accountable, and brought to justice,” stated Chris Ormerod, FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan J. Huschka and Michelle McFarlane prosecuted the case.
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Wise County Woman Sentenced for Distributing Cocaine and PsilocybinRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Wise County, Virginia woman, who distributed hundreds of grams of cocaine and Psilocybin, was sentenced to five years in federal prison.
Emily Dawn McCoy, 27, of Pound, Va., pled guilty to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing Psilocyn.
According to court documents, from February 29, 2024, through September 4, 2024, McCoy distributed cocaine and Psilocybin, along with other, unnamed, co-conspirators.
During the course of the investigation, members of the Southwest Virginia Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Task Force (DTF) purchased cocaine and Psilocyn from McCoy on numerous occasions in February, April, May, and September of 2024.
Following the purchase in September 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at McCoy’s residence and located approximately 1.8 pounds of cocaine, two bags of fungi material, 8 bags of suspected marijuana, 3 jars containing wax material, a 9 mm pistol, and 3 boxes of 9 mm ammunition.
In addition, officers uncovered a spiral notebook that appeared to contain a ledger of narcotics sales.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, Southwest Virginia Regional Narcotics Task Force, Wise County Sheriff’s Office, and Norton Police Department investigated the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney M. Suzanne Kerney-Quillen, a Virginia Office of the Attorney General Senior Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Major Crimes and Emerging Threats Section is prosecuting the case.
Vermilion County Woman Fined and Sentenced to Probation for Voting Twice in Federal ElectionRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A Hoopeston, Illinois, woman, Brenda Knuth, 61, was sentenced on June 26, 2026, to three years of probation and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine for voting twice in a federal election.
On January 30, 2026, Knuth pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long in Urbana, Illinois, to voting more than once in a federal election. Knuth admitted that she voted early in the November 2024 general election and then voted on election day as well. Candidates for federal office were on the ballot in the 2024 general election. After Knuth voted on election day, she posted on Facebook that she “tested the system and it failed.” Knuth later admitted to a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that she voted twice because she wanted to see if her early vote counted. She admitted that she did not speak with any election official about her prior vote, confirm with anyone whether her early vote counted, or notify the clerk’s office that she voted twice. She acknowledged that she knew that, by voting early, she was not allowed to vote a second time in the same election.
At the sentencing hearing, it was determined that Knuth’s only prior conviction was in Vermilion County, Illinois, in 2025 for unlawful possession of an alligator. After hearing arguments from the parties, United States District Judge Colin S. Bruce sentenced Knuth to three years of probation and a $2,500 fine.
“The right to vote is a fundamental part of our democracy,” said United States Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore. “Abuse of that right cannot be tolerated. Our office is committed to ensuring the integrity of our federal elections and preventing voter fraud.”
“Protecting the integrity of federal elections is one of the FBI’s highest priorities. Every lawful vote has to be counted, and counted only once, for our system to function,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley. “When individuals knowingly cast multiple ballots, they undermine confidence in the process and violate federal law. This case demonstrates that the FBI will investigate these violations wherever they occur and work with our partners to ensure accountability.”
The statutory penalties for voting more than once in a federal election are up to five years of imprisonment or probation and a $10,000 fine.
The case investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, with assistance from the Illinois State Police. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller represented the government at sentencing.
Ute Mountain Ute Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Sex Assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
DURANGO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that Bentley Watts Jr., 22, Towaoc, Colorado, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of assault with intent to commit abusive sexual contact in Indian Country and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country.
According to the plea agreement, on June 15, 2024, Watts Jr. assaulted his former intimate partner within the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. Watts Jr. dragged the victim to his bedroom, punched her multiple times, placed the victim in a chokehold, sexually assaulted her, and hit her with a crowbar. At the time of the assault, Watts Jr. had a domestic violence protection order from Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Court that prohibited him from contacting the victim.
“This is a just sentence for a terrible crime,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “Seeking justice for victims of violent crimes in our tribal communities is a critical priority for the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Colorado.”
“Violence on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation like that perpetrated by this defendant will always bring a quick response from the FBI,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski. “We will continue to hold those responsible for violent crimes on tribal lands accountable.”
United States District Court Judge Gordon P. Gallagher presided over the sentencing.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs-Ute Mountain Ute Agency and the FBI Durango Resident Agency conducted the investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Franceware handled the prosecution of the case.
Case Number: 1:24-cr-00230-GPG-JMC
Upstate New York Woman Arrested, Charged with Attempting to Provide Material Support to the Palestine Islamic JihadRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that Catherine Beth Washburn, 37, of Irondequoit, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with attempting to provide material support and resources, namely currency, to designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also known as Al-Quds Brigades. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, Washburn is a leader of the Direct Action Movement for Palestinian Liberation (DAMPL), an extremist organization formed in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. DAMPL rejects the idea of peaceful protests and engages in “direct action” — including acts of sabotage and property destruction — in support of the Palestinian cause and against entities that it associates with Israel.
“As alleged, Washburn repeatedly voiced support for violence against Israeli civilians and attempted to provide material support to the Palestine Islamic Jihad by sending cryptocurrency to an individual who claimed to participate in its attacks,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Those who aid foreign terrorist groups will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“As alleged in the complaint, this defendant, fueled by her self-described hate of Israel and Jewish people, went to great lengths to attempt to provide financial support to terrorist organizations that use violence to further their agendas, including the Palestine Islamic Jihad,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York. “Despite her alleged attempts, including cryptic communications with a fighter involved in violent attacks in an area thousands of miles away, Catherine Washburn was stopped and so too were her efforts to support violent extremism.”
“This individual, as alleged in the criminal complaint, provided money to a foreign terrorist organization engaged in acts of violence,” said Acting Assistant Director Coult Markovsky of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “The FBI is committed to cutting off funding to terrorist groups and will continue to work side-by-side with our Justice Department partners to make sure anyone who engages in terrorism or provides assistance to such organizations is held fully accountable in our justice system.”
In February and March 2026, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) executed search warrants and recovered electronic messages between Washburn and an individual who identified as a PIJ fighter in Gaza and claimed to have engaged in attacks with PIJ against Israel. In one of the messages, Washburn stated, “[i]f I lived in Gaza, I would fight alongside the resistance.” Washburn praised his bravery and stated, “I wish every day were October 7th.” Washburn further stated in that message that the individual was not the first fighter she had met, that she hated Jews “very much,” and that she wished Israel “would disappear.” In other messages, Washburn and the individual discussed purported PIJ attacks on Israel, weapons, and ammunition. In one message, Washburn stated, “I feel excited every time I see news of the killing of an occupation soldier.”
Washburn pictured with two hand grenades in front of Hamas flag.An analysis of financial records determined that Washburn was sending cryptocurrency to this individual, making approximately 80 transfers of cryptocurrency totaling approximately 30,116 USDC, which is the equivalent of $30,116, to an account he used. In a November 2025 message, Washburn stated, “[b]ased on my passed [sic] fundraising and posting Im [sic] gonna get put away for a few life times,” and included what appears to be a laughing emoji.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey for the Western District of New York and Trial Attorney Patrick Cashman of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Counterterrorism Section. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Allen D. Davis II.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Announces Multiple Immigration-Related ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced, today, multiple immigration-related prosecutions, including charges against several members of a Baltimore-area drug trafficking organization (DTO). These prosecutions are in connection with the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the prosecutions with Field Office Director Robert Guadian, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division.
On June 24, the Office announced the indictment of six aliens unlawfully in the United States, stemming from a local drug investigation. The illegal aliens, along with a seventh defendant, are charged with several crimes in connection with a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in the Baltimore metropolitan area. According to the indictment, beginning in March 2025, and continuing into October 2025, the DTO members conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of a cocaine mixture along with 280 grams or more of a cocaine-base mixture.
Additionally, on June 29, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Vanessa Yalixa Munoz-Baque, 31, of Ecuador, to six months in federal prison for illegally re-entering the United States after her prior removal. Authorities previously removed Munoz-Baque from the U.S. in August 2023. On November 3, 2023, Munoz-Baque illegally re-entered the U.S. again, and began residing in Frederick, Maryland. Law enforcement discovered her illegally present in the U.S. upon her arrest for attempted murder.
On June 25, Desiderio Eliceo Perez Gonzalez, 37, of Guatemala, pled guilty to illegal entry charges. In 2016, Perez Gonzalez illegally entered the U.S. through Texas. Then on March 23, 2026, law enforcement found and apprehended Perez Gonzalez in Maryland.
In addition, on June 17, Roberto Lopez-Perez, 37, of Honduras, was indicted on illegal re-entry charges. According to court documents, on March 3, 2026, law enforcement encountered Lopez-Perez in Talbot County, Maryland, after a prior removal. Lopez-Perez knowingly and intentionally re-entered the U.S. without examination or inspection by an immigration official.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO and the DEA for their work in these investigations. Ms. Hayes also thanked the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting these federal cases.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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U.S. Attorney Announces Recovery of $19.5 Million for Victims of China-Based Pump-And-Dump SchemesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the Nashville Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Terence G. Reilly, announced today the filing of two civil forfeiture Complaints for more than $19.5 million in cash and stock obtained through pump-and-dump market manipulation schemes involving CTRL Group Limited (“CTRL Group”) and Dreamland Limited (“Dreamland”), Hong Kong-based companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The proceeds were previously seized pursuant to judicially-authorized seizure warrants.
“Today’s action demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting U.S. investors and safeguarding the integrity of our markets,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “These schemes, driven by Asia‑based small‑cap foreign issuers seeking to manipulate share prices and exploit American investors, pose serious risks to those who place their trust in our financial system. Investors should exercise caution when dealing with thinly traded foreign issuers, as these companies can be especially vulnerable to manipulation and can expose investors to significant, often hidden, risks. I want to thank the FBI and our law enforcement partners for their exceptional work and their continued dedication to rooting out this conduct and prioritizing the recovery of funds stolen from victims.”
“Pump-and-dump schemes erode the integrity of our capital markets and cause financial hardship for countless investors,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly. “The recovery of $19.5 million is an important first step toward providing relief for victims and should serve as a reminder that the FBI will vigorously investigate and pursue those who seek to manipulate financial systems for personal gain.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaints filed in Manhattan federal court today:(1)
CTRL Group
CTRL Group is a British Virgin Islands-registered company that purports to offer marketing and advertising services in Hong Kong, including mobile game promotions. CTRL Group began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol MCTR on January 22, 2025.
In late May and early June 2025, various social media accounts on multiple platforms began to post hundreds of identical comments touting MCTR as a stock that was going to increase in value. For instance, these users would make a post saying “$MCTR Here We Go” or “$MCTR New alerts have been posted in the last hours,” followed by a link to a Discord group chat that purported to offer investment advice.
On June 3, 2025, MCTR stock price and trading volume spiked sharply. MCTR opened at $7.12 per share—up more than 50% from the prior day—hit an intra-day high of $33.69 per share, and closed at $32.90 per share, with approximately 44,200,000 shares trading that day, a jump of more than 70,000% compared to the previous day. Similar price surges occurred on June 4 and June 5. The surge in MCTR’s price and volume was accompanied by a surge in social media activity promoting MCTR. After the social media activity stopped, MCTR’s stock price dropped. By the end of June 2025, MCTR’s stock price had declined to $2.82 per share.
Between MCTR’s initial public offering and June 5, 2025, and primarily during the period of social media promotion discussed above, 10 U.S. brokerage accounts engaged in massive, profitable, and anomalous trading in MCTR, selling a combined total of approximately 1,065,313 shares for total proceeds of approximately $11,966,324.44. These 10 accounts were opened by individuals located in China or Hong Kong. Although the accounts were ostensibly owned and controlled by different people, eight of these accounts logged into their brokerage accounts with the same IP address and/or MAC address as at least one of the other accounts, indicating collusion.
On or about June 1, 2026 and June 23, 2026, the Government seized approximately $10.3 million in cash from the 10 brokerage accounts pursuant to seizure warrants issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Dreamland
Dreamland is a Cayman Islands-incorporated company that purports to operate an event management business in Hong Kong. Dreamland began trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the symbol TDIC on July 23, 2025.
Between May 13-14, 2026, the share price of TDIC surged more than ten-fold, apparently driven at least in part by social media campaigns promoting TDIC as a “short squeeze” play. Between January 2, 2026, and May 12, 2026, TDIC’s closing price ranged between $0.57 and $2.36 per share, with an average daily trading volume of approximately 2,600,000 shares. On May 13, 2026, TDIC’s stock price suddenly soared to an intra-day high of $30.00 per share, before closing at $23.05 per share, with approximately 109,000,000 shares trading. The following day, May 14, 2026, TDIC’s share price opened at $21.49 and declined to a closing share price of $0.80. By June 12, 2026, TDIC’s price closed at $0.23 per share.
On or about May 14, 2026, during the sudden surge in TDIC’s share price, a U.S. brokerage firm notified the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) of unauthorized trades as a result of compromised login credentials, resulting in potential stock manipulation of TDIC. The credentials, which belonged to a third-party financial advisor that used the brokerage’s trading platform, were used to attempt to access eight client accounts and successfully accessed three client accounts, which attempted to purchase a combined total of approximately 1,361,488 shares of TDIC for a total of approximately $22,882,550.70 (an average share price of $16.81). All of the purchases appear to have been cancelled by the brokerage.
Around the same time as the social media promotion of TDIC and the compromised account activity, a brokerage account held in the name of Imperial Vision Fund SPC – Series 1 SP (“Imperial Vision”) sold approximately 1,486,841 shares of TDIC for total proceeds of approximately $17,692,745.89. Imperial Vision purports to be a Hong Kong-based investment fund incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and it previously purchased TDIC shares directly from Dreamland.
On June 15, 2026, the Government seized approximately $8.4 million in cash and approximately $850,000 worth of securities from the Imperial Vision brokerage account pursuant to a seizure warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI. Mr. Clayton also expressed appreciation for the assistance of FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Cross-Border Task Force.
The two cases are being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. DiBattista is in charge of the CTRL Group action. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Li is in charge of the Dreamland action.
A civil forfeiture complaint is merely an allegation that money or property was involved in or represents the proceeds of a crime. These allegations are not proven until a court awards a judgment in favor of the United States.
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As the introductory phrase signifies, the Complaints, and the descriptions of the Complaints set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Two Monroe County Men Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eli Valentine Calero, age 44, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and John Charles Ehrhard, Jr., age 57, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, were found guilty following a five-day jury trial on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, a jury found Calero and Erhard guilty of conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine between 2024 and 2025. The jury also found Calero guilty of possessing with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and Ehrhard guilty of five counts of distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Deputy Criminal Chief Jenny P. Roberts and First Assistant John Gurganus 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The defendants are facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
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Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Identity Theft and Fraud Conspiracy
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Christopher Alexander Jr., age 21, of Syracuse, New York, and Devin Latrell Coleman, age 31, of Atlanta, Georgia, have been sentenced in federal court in Syracuse respectively to 40 months and 36 months in prison for creating and using stolen identities to commit fraud.
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.
In pleading guilty previously to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, the defendants admitted that Alexander purchased fraudulent identification documents, including driver’s licenses, passport cards, and Social Security cards, from Coleman. Alexander used these fraudulent identification documents, some of which bore his image alongside the personal identifying information of identity theft victims, to commit fraud by obtaining bank loans, lines of credit, and even an apartment lease, among other things. In communicating with Coleman through an encrypted messaging application, Alexander identified himself with the handle, “9-5 will be my last resort.” Coleman coached Alexander on how to use the fraudulent identification documents, which were sophisticated enough to contain security features, to commit fraud.
Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby sentenced Alexander to a total term of 40 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $30,500 in restitution to various victims and to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $15,000, and he sentenced Coleman to a total term of 36 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised released, and ordered him to pay $15,000 in restitution, jointly and severally with Alexander.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, “The greed of these defendant’s has landed them in federal prison. With a renewed focus on weeding out fraud in our society, we will pursue all leads and investigate all individuals who attempt to defraud the system. I thank our partners at the Federal Bureau of Investigations for their efforts. Together, under the leadership of the Department of Justice Fraud Division, residents in the Northern District can look forward to more successful prosecutions of defendants like Mr. Alexander and Mr. Coleman who seek to defraud the system for their personal gain.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated, “As Mr. Alexander and Mr. Coleman head to federal prison for their deception and fraud, FBI Albany will continue to work with our partners on the Northern District of New York Healthcare Fraud Task Force to aggressively investigate and hold accountable anyone trying to defraud our systems and line their pockets at the expense of hardworking Americans.”
FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry 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
Two Memphis Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal judge sentenced Robert Wells, 54, and Andre Wilson, 54, to federal prison for defrauding the United States Government. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentences today.
According to information presented in court, Wells and Wilson owned Wells and Wilson Financial, a Memphis-based tax preparation business, from at least 2017 to 2025. During the relevant time period, both men conspired with each other to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) out of more than $250,000 by filing fraudulent tax returns from 2018 through 2022.
Specifically, Wells and Wilson defrauded the IRS by preparing returns for clients that were materially false, including false itemized deductions, false businesses, and false business income and/or expenses. As a result, many of their clients received inflated refunds to which they were not entitled.
United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced Wilson on June 17, 2026 to 24 months' imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Judge Parker sentenced Wells on June 18, 2026 to 14 months' imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Both defendants were ordered to pay restitution in the total amount of $163,762.80. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Protection of the United States Treasury and taxpayer resources is a top priority for the Department of Justice and this office. Income tax fraud schemes strike at the very heart of our federal government’s financial ability to provide services and protection for our citizens, and we will use all available resources to punish and deter such dishonest criminal behavior.”
"This sentencing sends a clear message that those who knowingly abuse the tax system and violate the public’s trust will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “The defendants ran a scheme deliberately undermining the integrity of our nation’s tax system by filing fraudulent returns and inflating refunds. Our special agents continue to follow the money in financial crimes and work with our federal partners to ensure offenders are brought to justice.”
The case was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raney Irwin and Trial Attorney Max Willner-Giwerc of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Tax Section.
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.
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For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Two Arrested and Charged in String of T-Mobile Armed RobberiesRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Juwan Tyre Hall, 30, and Anthony Burno, 32, of the District of Columbia, were arrested Friday after being indicted on four counts of Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery after allegedly committing a string of armed robberies targeting T-Mobile stores across the District of Columbia and Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
According to court documents, between November 2025 and March 2026, Hall and Burno allegedly engaged in a series of armed robberies targeting six T-Mobile stores and one pawn shop, where they stole both money and devices out of safes in each location. The two men, dressed in black and wearing masks, entered stores brandishing a handgun, which they used to threaten customers and employees to cooperate. After stealing the contents of the safes, they would then flee the scene, often using a different stolen vehicle. After the robberies, Hall and Burno changed and disposed of their clothing and switched out their stolen vehicles for alternate vehicles.
Joining in the announcement was FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox and Interim Chief Jeffery W. Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Charges in an Indictment are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Twelve Charged in Federal Takedown of Drug Operation Run by Inmate in the Westville Correctional FacilityRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Twelve individuals have been charged in a federal indictment alleging their participation in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances throughout central Indiana. The charges follow a months-long investigation led by the Crossroads of America Homeland Security Task Force. The defendants and the charges they face are as follows:
Defendant Charge(s)Justin Veal, 37, IndianapolisConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled SubstancesSade Butler, 27, IndianapolisConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances (two counts)Adrian Swift, 39, IndianapolisConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled Substances (two counts)Shawnlisa Nevels, 44, Fort WayneConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled SubstancesBobby Young, 51, AndersonConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled SubstancesDontrell Cole, 24, IndianapolisConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled SubstancesJared Schloerb, 52, IndianapolisConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled SubstancesMegan Daniels, 49, Columbus, INConspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Controlled SubstancesScott Foor, 45, IndianapolisDistribute of 50 Grams of MethamphetamineDaquel Jones, 35, IndianapolisPossession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams of Methamphetamine Dawud Quarles, 33, IndianapolisUnlawful Use of Communication FacilityLarry Craig, 54, Indianapolis Unlawful Use of Communication FacilityAccording to the indictment, Justin Veal, operating from within the Westville Correctional Facility in Westville, Indiana, led a drug‑trafficking organization responsible for distributing hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics across the Southern District of Indiana. At Veal’s direction, co‑conspirators Sade Butler of Indianapolis and Shawnlisa Nevels of Fort Wayne obtained methamphetamine, cocaine, Suboxone, and fentanyl from various suppliers and distributed the drugs to customers in Anderson, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and several other Indiana communities.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized the following contraband and proceeds of criminal activity:
- 13 firearms, including select-fire weapons with drum magazines
- 130 pounds of methamphetamine
- 550 grams of cocaine
- 241 grams of fentanyl
- 25 Suboxone Strips
- 1750 grams of synthetic cannabinoid (“spice”)
- Several thousand counterfeit fentanyl pills
- Heroin
- Cash
- A pill press with drug residue
- High-value jewelry
- 15 cell phones
- 2 vehicles
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lindsay Karwoski and Patrick Gibson, who are prosecuting this case.
This operation 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. Crossroads HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Services, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indiana National Guard, Indiana State Police, HIDTA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and Plainfield Police Department, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana.
An indictment or criminal complaint are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Topeka man sentenced for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 90 months in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, Joseph Donald Dube, 40, Topeka pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possession of child pornography.
In December 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Dube’s home as part of an investigation into him possibly being in possession of CSAM. Police seized multiple electronic devices which contained images of minors under 12 years old engaged in sexually explicit conduct with adults.
“It is horrifying that Mr. Dube possessed this material and interacted with children routinely in his work as a teacher,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Thankfully, he was brought to justice through the hard work of the KBI and Secret Service.”
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the U.S. Secret Service investigated 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.###
Three Philadelphia Men Each Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison for Violent Carjacking in the NortheastRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Shemar Williams, aka “Five,” 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on Monday to 124 months in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro for his role in a violent armed carjacking in Northeast Philadelphia.
Williams and two co-defendants, Brian Amerman, aka “BD” and “Fat,” 22, and Mustafa Elmitwalli, aka “HR,” 23, were charged by indictment in February 2024 and each pleaded guilty last year to one count of carjacking and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Elmitwalli was sentenced last month to just over 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Amerman was sentenced in October to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release.
As detailed in court filings, in the early hours of May 12, 2023, Victim 1 parked their Nissan Murano next to a standalone ATM in the parking lot of a shopping plaza located in the 6500 block of Roosevelt Boulevard. Victim 1 got out of the vehicle and began using the ATM. As Victim 1 did so, Williams and Amerman, both carrying firearms, got out of a nearby car driven by Elmitwalli and ambushed Victim 1.
Williams and Amerman forced Victim 1 to Victim 1’s knees at gunpoint, and Amerman struck Victim 1 on the head with a firearm. The carjackers took Victim 1’s car keys and wallet. Williams then drove away in Victim 1’s Nissan Murano. Amerman returned to the vehicle that he had come from, and he and Elmitwalli fled the scene.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan A. Farley and Priya T. De Souza.
Telemedicine Company Owner and Author of Health Care Compliance Books Sentenced for $136M Medicare Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
The owner of two telemedicine companies was sentenced today to 120 months in prison and ordered to pay $66 million in restitution for her role in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment and prescription drugs.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Jean Wilson, 54, of Richmond Hill, Georgia, is a licensed nurse practitioner who owned and operated two telemedicine companies between 2017 and 2019. Through these companies, Wilson and others paid illegal kickbacks to medical providers to sign orders for orthotic braces and prescriptions for pharmaceutical drugs for Medicare beneficiaries, even though the beneficiaries did not need the braces or drugs. Wilson signed many of the prescriptions herself.
“The defendant—a nurse practitioner responsible for the care and safety of her patients—exploited our health care system, conspiring to submit over $136 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Today’s lengthy sentence underscores the Fraud Division’s commitment to fighting fraud at every turn to restore public trust in our institutions. We will work tirelessly to hold corrupt medical professionals accountable and recover stolen taxpayer dollars for the American people.”
After acquiring the signed orders and prescriptions, Wilson and others illegally sold them to purported marketing companies for approximately $90 per Medicare beneficiary. The marketing companies often re-sold the orders to brace companies and pharmacies, which in turn submitted claims for medically unnecessary braces and drugs to Medicare. Wilson and her coconspirators at marketing companies pressured Medicare beneficiaries into accepting as many braces as possible, and evidence showed that practitioners working for Wilson signed orders for four or more orthotics per beneficiary for over 3,000 beneficiaries. In fact, over 40 beneficiaries received orders for ten or more orthotics. Wilson attempted to conceal her conduct by using shell accounts and putting in place nominee owners for her companies, including using a member of Wilson’s church to open a bank account in the name of one of her telemedicine companies. During the conspiracy, Wilson and others submitted over $136 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, of which Medicare paid over $66 million. Wilson and her husband Reinaldo Wilson, who was previously sentenced to 7 years for his involvement in the conspiracy, used illicit proceeds from the scheme to purchase luxury vehicles, including multiple Rolls-Royces.
After her arrest and indictment, Wilson held herself out as a “Medical Professional Legal Consultant” and authored multiple books on health care compliance. In her book, “Avoiding Health Care Pitfalls,” Wilson warned, “Some entities and individuals will try to use you as a way to make them millions!”
Wilson pleaded guilty in March 2024 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddie of the FBI Newark Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (HHS-OIG) New York Regional Office made the announcement.
FBI and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Darren C. Halverson and Nicholas K. Peone of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section 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.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Kelvin Lacen-Roman, age 44, of Syracuse, New York, plead guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.
The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), Matthew M. Modafferi, and the United States Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), Boston Division, Acting Inspector in Charge Jason Buckley.
As part of his plea, Lacen-Roman admitted that on March 17, 2026, he possessed with intent to distribute over 3 kilograms of cocaine in Onondaga County. He had the cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to Syracuse, New York. After receiving the cocaine Lacen-Roman intended to sell it to numerous customers located in Onondaga County and elsewhere.
“This defendant’s scheme to receive dangerous narcotics through the mail was foiled thanks to the efforts of the USPS-OIG and the USPIS,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “The Department of Justice remains committed to disrupting the flow of deadly drugs into our communities. Through our strong partnership with law enforcement across the Postal Service, Mr. Lacen‑Roman is now facing up to 40 years in federal prison.”
Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the USPS-OIG stated: “The use of the U.S. Mail to traffic dangerous narcotics is a serious federal offense. This guilty plea reflects the coordinated efforts of the USPS OIG, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Central New York Contraband Interdiction Team, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York. The USPS OIG values its strong working relationship with its law enforcement partners.”
Acting Inspector in Charge, Jason Buckley of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Boston Division stated: “The Postal Service has no interest in being involved in the distribution of illegal drugs. Our objectives are to rid the mail of illicit drug trafficking, preserve the integrity of the mail and, most importantly, provide a safe environment for postal employees and the American public. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our federal law enforcement partners, will remain vigilant in pursuing criminals who seek to use the mail stream illegally.”
Sentencing is scheduled for October 28th, 2026, before Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. At sentencing, Lacen-Roman faces a prison term of at least 5 years and up to 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and a supervised release term of at least 4 years and up to life. 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.
This case is being investigated by USPS-OIG and the Central New York Contraband Interdiction Team which consists of members of USPIS, the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oswego Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown is prosecuting the case.
Sturgis Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentencing took place on June 29, 2026.
Luke Basche, 21, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $48,570 in restitution and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Forfeiture was also ordered.
Basche was indicted for the charge by a federal grand jury in February 2025. He pleaded guilty on March 31, 2026.
Between December 2022, and January 2025, Basche used Mega, an internet-based chat application to search for, download, and view sexually explicit visual depiction of child pornography to his cellular phone. After Basche received and downloaded child pornography to his Apple iPhone, he stored many of the depictions in his Dropbox and Google accounts, which are cloud-based internet storage services. Investigators found over 2,500 images and 445 videos of child pornography on his phone. Basche also stored child pornography on computers and a hard drive. The victims depicted in child pornography he received included infants and toddlers.
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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Knox and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.
Basche was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
St. Croix Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Discharging a Firearm in a Local RestaurantRead the Press Release
St. Croix, USVI – United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper of the District of the Virgin Islands announced today that Terrell E. Johnson, 31, of St. Croix was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to 10 years imprisonment for discharging a firearm during a crime of violence while inside the Cruzian Bayou Bistro Restaurant, located in the King’s Alley Walk in Christiansted.
According to court documents, Johnson, 31, entered the restaurant on February 10, 2024, and sat at the bar. When Johnson began to roll a marijuana cigarette, Johnson was told that smoking in the restaurant was prohibited. Johnson became irate and was asked for a second time to stop rolling the marijuana cigarette.
When told to leave the establishment, Johnson retrieved a Glock .40 caliber firearm from his black fanny pack and threatened to shoot one of the owners of the restaurant. Johnson continued to make threats and ultimately fired the gun into the air. As Johnson walked away from the establishment, he fired three additional shots.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Virgin Islands Police Department.
It was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Kyle Payne and Assistant United States Attorney Martin Forrest IV of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands.
###Sacramento Man Sentenced to 2.5 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Eric Morgan, 27, of Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to two years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on June 17, 2025, law enforcement officers located a semi‑automatic handgun in the apartment where Morgan was staying. The firearm was loaded, with a round chambered. Morgan is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his multiple prior felony convictions, including burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Morgan was indicted on July 24, 2025, and pleaded guilty on March 3, 2026.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Harman 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.
Ripley Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug OffenseRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Tyrone Nelson, aka “Swag”, 38, of Ripley, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in the summer of 2025, Nelson was identified as a narcotics distributor in the Lauderdale County community. Through the utilization of controlled purchases, physical surveillance, and the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement officers recovered 164.1 grams of methamphetamine packaged for distribution, drug paraphernalia, and fentanyl. Nelson has a history of narcotics distribution and was on probation for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver at the time of the offense.
Following Nelson's guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of actual methamphetamine, Chief United States District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced Nelson to 120 months’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Federal law applies in every square inch of this district, and dealers who distribute harmful drugs in our rural communities can no longer hide. ‘Swag’ is now removed from the street for 10 years, and Lauderdale County is safer with him gone.”
Sheriff Brian Kelley, of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, said, “This case is another example of what happens when strong local, state, and federal partnerships work together. Career drug dealers who profit by poisoning our communities should understand one thing. If you bring your business to Lauderdale County, we’re going to do everything we can to help shut it down. As for ‘Swag', there’s nothing stylish about spending the next 10 years in federal prison.”
“Successful investigations like this one help disrupt the distribution of illegal drugs and make our community safer,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Dennis M. Fetting. “HSI is committed to working with our partners and prosecutors to remove dangerous drugs from our streets and protect the safety and well-being of the public.”
This case was investigated by members of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Assistant United States Attorneys Raven Icaza and Gregory D. Allen prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates
Registered sex offender sentenced to 10 years for possession of child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 55-year-old Pearland resident has been ordered to federal prison again for possessing child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Jason Doehring pleaded guilty Oct. 15, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown has now sentenced Doehring to 120 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information detailing how he possessed over 300 images on his laptop. Doehring was further ordered to serve five years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Doehring will also be ordered to again register as a sex offender.
The investigation into Doehring began when authorities discovered a registered sex offender was accessing the social media pages of underage children.
On Feb. 9, 2022, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for Doehring’s residence in Pearland. They located and seized 11 electronic devices and found them to contain multiple images of child sexual abuse material.
Doehring has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the future
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ekua Assabill and Kimberly Leo prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.
Postal carrier sentenced for stealing gift cardsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Matthew Hurlburt, 25, of Pavilion, NY, who was convicted of theft of mail by an officer or employee of the United States Postal Service, was sentenced to serve six months’ probation by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Hurlburt was employed by the United States Postal Service as a city carrier assigned to the Perry Post Office, in Perry, NY. In July 2025, an individual mailed a birthday card that included a $100 Visa gift card to a relative in Perry, but it never arrived. Subsequent investigation by Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service determined that the gift card was utilized multiple times at a gas station and bar by Hurlburt. In August 2025, investigators placed an integrity test envelope containing a $25 Visa gift card in Hurlburt’s assigned mail delivery tray. The envelope was labeled in such a way that it should be returned to the Post Office by Hurlburt at the end of his shift. However, Hurlburt did not return the envelope, instead he stole the envelope from the mail, opened the birthday card inside, and utilized the gift card to buy snacks, alcohol, and gas.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent-in-Charge Northeast Field Office.
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Placer County Man Sentenced for Stealing Nearly $1.5 million in COVID-Relief Loans to Fund Lavish LifestyleRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Jedrek Upton, 45, of Lincoln, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge John A. Mendez to one year in prison to be followed by 36 months supervised release, of which 12 months are to be spent on home detention, for wire fraud and money laundering in a scheme to steal nearly $1.5 million of COVID-relief loans, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, between January 2021 and May 2022, Upton repeatedly submitted fraudulent applications for COVID‑19 disaster relief on behalf of businesses he owned. He falsely inflated the number of employees on payrolls and misrepresented how the funds would be used, claiming that he would spend the money to alleviate economic harm caused by the pandemic. Upton also submitted falsified IRS documents to support the applications.
In reality, several of the businesses had no employees and no payroll, and Upton spent much of the relief money on personal expenses. As a result of his misrepresentations, Upton received nearly $1.5 million in fraudulently obtained loans from the United States, a large portion of which was ultimately forgiven after Upton falsely certified that on the funds were used for payroll and legitimate business expenses. Instead, Upton used the money to support a lavish lifestyle, including paying off personal credit cards, transferring money to others, leasing a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, and making a large down payment on a $2.7 million, 10-acre property.
As part of his sentence, Upton forfeited his interest in the property, and was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 million in restitution to the United States. Upton pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 2025.
The IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dhruv M. Sharma and Kevin C. Khasigian prosecuted the case.
Philadelphia Man, 20, Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography, Including Videos He Recorded While Sexually Abusing Two Young ChildrenRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Isaiah Smith, 20, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Mary Kay Costello to 20 years in prison, the statutory maximum term, to be followed by 20 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography. This sentence is to run consecutively to his state sentence of 10 to 20 years’ incarceration. In addition, Smith is subject to mandatory registration as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”) and Megan’s Law.
Smith was charged by indictment in May of last year and pleaded guilty in January.
As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, Smith possessed visual depictions of prepubescent minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. These visual depictions included videos that the defendant recorded as he sexually abused two different child victims, a five-year-old girl, and a nonverbal three-year-old boy, on multiple occasions, over more than a year.
The child sexual abuse material was discovered after a friend of the defendant walked in on Smith orally raping one of the child victims. He was prosecuted in Philadelphia County for that sexual assault, for which he received the 10-to-20-year prison sentence.
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 Attorneys’ 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 projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department Special Victims Unit and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rotella.
Norwich Man Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Drug and Gun Offenses, Violating Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JAVON MORSE, 30, of Norwich, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 90 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for cocaine distribution and firearm possession offenses, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 13, 2017, Morse was sentenced in Bridgeport federal court to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking cocaine. He was released from prison in January 2021.
On October 14, 2024, while on federal supervised release, Morse fled from Norwich Police during a traffic stop. After he fled, Morse went to a storage facility where he maintained a storage unit. As Norwich Police again attempted to stop Morse’s vehicle, Morse threw a backpack from the vehicle and sped away. Morse’s vehicle became disabled a short distance away and he was taken into custody. Morse possessed $2,356 in cash at the time of his arrest.
A search of the backpack Morse discarded revealed nearly a kilogram of cocaine, numerous narcotic pills, items used to process and package narcotics, and other items. A search of Morse’s storage unit revealed four handguns, including two “ghost guns;” loaded gun magazines, including high-capacity magazines; ammunition; and other items. A subsequent search of Morse’s vehicle revealed approximately 10 pounds of marijuana, narcotic pills, quantities of methamphetamine and crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics, and $4,449 in cash.
Morse has been detained in federal custody since December 12, 2024. On March 19, 2026, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Judge Nagala sentenced more to 78 months of imprisonment for the drug and firearm offenses, and a consecutive 12 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
This investigation was conducted by the Norwich Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Stolfi Collins.
New Haven Man Admits Trafficking Narcotics from Branford Hotel RoomRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TERRENCE DAVIS, 41, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to a narcotics trafficking offense.
According to court documents and statements made in court, members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force developed evidence that David was selling fentanyl and crack cocaine from a hotel in Branford. On October 15, 2025, investigators made a controlled purchase of narcotics from Davis. On October 17, 2025, a court-authorized search of Davis’ hotel room revealed nearly 700 grams of cocaine, more than 70 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging materials, and $13,867 in cash. Davis was arrested on state charges at that time and was subsequently released on bond.
This matter was adopted for federal prosecution and, on January 7, 2026, Davis was charged by indictment. He was arrested federally on January 8, 2026, and, on that date, a search of the same hotel room where Davis was staying revealed approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, 25 grams of crack cocaine, and seven grams of powder cocaine.
Davis pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30.
Davis has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Guevremont and Christopher Lembo.
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 toward 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 New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
New Hampshire Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Trafficking Multiple High-Powered FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Nashua, N.H. man was sentenced on June 25, 2026 in federal court in Boston for trafficking nine firearms, including two semiautomatic rifles, into Massachusetts over a one-month period.
Dennis T. Michaud, Jr., 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to five years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In January 2026, Michaud pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking in firearms. Michaud was arrested and charged in March 2025.
Beginning in or around February 2025, Michaud was identified as an illegal firearms dealer. From Feb. 7 through Feb. 11, 2025, undercover law enforcement contacted Michaud through Snapchat to arrange for the purchase of a semiautomatic rifle. During those communications, Michaud stated that he was located in New Hampshire and that he could bring the firearm to Massachusetts. On Feb. 11, 2025, in Pepperell, Mass., Michaud met with a confidential source operating at the direction of law enforcement to conduct the transaction. There, Michaud provided the confidential source with a Good Time Outdoors CXV Core 15 .223/5.56 caliber semiautomatic rifle and a 30-round .223/5.56 caliber magazine in exchange for $900.On Feb. 18, 2025, Michaud agreed to sell three additional firearms. Later that day, Michaud met the source at an agreed upon location in Pepperell, Mass. where he provided the following three firearms as well as accompanying ammunition and accessories in exchange for $2,100: a Taurus Raging Hunter .454 Casull Revolver and approximately five rounds of .454 Casull ammunition; a Rossi Interarms M68 .38 Special Revolver and approximately five rounds of .38 Special ammunition; and a Walther PPS 9mm Pistol with approximately six Walther PPS 9mm magazines and various firearm parts and accessories.
In addition, on Feb. 27, 2025, Michaud agreed to sell two more firearms: a Radical Firearms RF-15 .223/5.56 caliber semiautomatic short-barreled rifle along with a 30-round .223/5.56 caliber magazine and a Sig Sauer P227 Equinox .45 caliber pistol along with a 10-round Sig Sauer P227 .45 caliber magazine. During the transaction Michaud provided the confidential source the two agreed-upon firearms and ammunition. Michaud also stated that possessing the semiautomatic short-barreled rifle would constitute “three felonies” due to the stock and 30-round magazine affixed to the firearm.
On March 20, 2025, Michaud sold three more firearms, two magazines and ammunition to the confidential source in exchange for $2,250: a Century Arms 7.62x39mm YSKA AK Rifle; a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Pistol; and a Taurus PT-22 .22 caliber Pistol. The defendant was immediately taken into custody following the transaction.
Michaud does not possess a federal firearms license.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Nashua (N.H.), Worcester and Pepperell Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Nigerian National Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm by an Alien Admitted to the United States Under a Non-Immigrant VisaRead the Press Release
Godson Oghenebrume, age 23, a Nigerian national residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick following his conviction for possession of a firearm by an alien admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa, announced United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall. He is also subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completion of his sentence.
According to admissions made during his plea, on February 7, 2025, Oghenebrume possessed a Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol, while he was admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant F-1 student visa.
Based on the complaint that preceded the indictment, on the night of February 7, 2025, Oghenebrume was in his apartment when an ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived at the apartment with the baby. Oghenebrume, who had been in the apartment with another young woman, went outside, and an argument ensued between him and the mother of his child. During this argument, and while the baby was present, Oghenebrume discharged the firearm.
Oghenebrume went back into his apartment. Sometime thereafter, Oghenebrume’s ex-girlfriend opened his apartment door and observed Oghenebrume and the other young woman in the living room, and she and Oghenebrume began to argue. That argument spilled out of the apartment, and Oghenebrume discharged the firearm more times as the mother of his child fled. Multiple bullet strikes were observed in the walls of the apartment complex.
Oghenebrume smashed his ex-girlfriend’s phone and took the baby, who had been present throughout the incident. Oghenebrume’s ex-girlfriend then approached the other woman, who was attempting to leave, and asked her for help getting the baby. She agreed to help and was able to get the child from Oghenebrume.
When East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the apartment complex, Oghenebrume walked away from them, ignoring their commands, and discarded the Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol into some shrubs. Oghenebrume was detained soon thereafter. Deputies spoke to Oghenebrume’s neighbor, who confirmed hearing shots and stated his ears had been ringing.
In a post Miranda interview, EBRSO detectives asked Oghenebrume why he had shot the firearm in the apartment complex. He claimed that he had wanted his ex-girlfriend to go home and that he had shot the gun to scare her away.
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Lyman E. Thornton III led the prosecution.
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.
Miles Guo Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Leading Billion-Dollar FraudRead the Press Release
Attorney for the United States, Sean S. Buckley, Acting under Authority Conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 515, announced that MILES GUO, a/k/a “Ho Wan Kwok,” a/k/a “Guo Wengui,” a/k/a “Brother Seven,” a/k/a “The Principal,” a/k/a “Boss,” was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres to 30 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering, among other charges, for leading an expansive and complex scheme to solicit more than $1 billion of investments in various entities and programs through false statements and misrepresentations to thousands of GUO’s online followers. On July 16, 2024, GUO was convicted following a seven-week jury trial.
“Miles Guo led a massive scheme to steal more than $1 billion through lies and deception from thousands of Americans and victims around the world,” said Attorney for the United States Sean S. Buckley. “After immigrating to this country, rather than being satisfied with the many legitimate opportunities afforded to him, Guo exploited the trust that thousands had placed in him for his own greed. This sentence shows that fame and wealth do not place you above the law, and that fraudsters who victimize families to enrich themselves will be met with significant consequences.”
According to the charging documents, public court filings, statements made in court, and evidence admitted at GUO’s trial:
GUO’s schemes began when he announced the founding in 2018 of purported charitable organizations—the Rule of Law Foundation and Rule of Law Society—by falsely promising potential donors that he was contributing the first $100 million to their cause. Trading on the Rule of Law groups’ purported charitable works, GUO launched an unregistered offering of stock in his media venture, GTV.
When the GTV stock offering came under scrutiny by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, GUO and his co-conspirators turned to other schemes. GUO obtained another $100 million through a program in which victims were told they could lend money to networks of GUO’s supporters and receive GTV stock in addition to interest payments. At around the same time, GUO raised at least approximately $240 million by selling memberships in G|CLUBS, a purported membership club that promised GTV stock in exchange for members’ dues and offered little to no other material benefits. In a 2021 broadcast on GTV, GUO launched the Himalaya Exchange, a purported cryptocurrency ecosystem where people could trade “H Coin” and “H Dollar,” which were phony digital assets that were fraudulently described as blockchain-native cryptocurrencies but were in fact little more than made-up figures on an internal company spreadsheet.
GUO perpetuated these interrelated fraud schemes over approximately five years by installing figurehead executives at companies that GUO actually controlled, promising investors that he would personally guarantee their funds against loss, and broadcasting serial lies about everything from the benefits available to G|CLUBS members to the made-up gold reserve that he claimed stood behind the value of his phony digital assets. Along the way, GUO and his family spent victims’ stolen funds on a $26.5 million mansion in New Jersey, an $832,000 Lamborghini, two multimillion-dollar sports cars for GUO’s son, and a $2 million yacht, among many other extravagant purchases. Between 2022 and 2023, the United States seized more than $630 million of GUO’s criminal proceeds in addition to luxurious items such as sports cars, a mansion, and expensive furniture, some of which are pictured below:
If you believe you are a victim of GUO’s fraud, please find more information here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/united-states-v-ho-wan-kwok-aka-miles-guo-and-kin-ming-je-aka-william-je.
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In addition to the prison term, GUO, 55, originally from the People’s Republic of China, was ordered to pay a $900 special assessment. GUO was ordered to forfeit $889 million in proceeds from his illegal schemes, as well as his interest in specific property including a $26.5 million mansion in New Jersey, a Lamborghini, a Rolls Royce Phantom, and a Bugatti sports car.
Mr. Buckley praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Buckley further thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a parallel civil action against GUO.
The case is being handled by the Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit of the Office’s Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Micah F. Fergenson, Ryan B. Finkel, Justin Horton, and Juliana N. Murray are in charge of the prosecution.
Mexican National with Prior Drug Trafficking Conviction SentencedRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican national was sentenced today for unlawfully residing in the United States and possessing a loaded firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel sentenced Bryan Abisai Costeira Hernandez, 28, for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition and Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Costeira Hernandez was ordered to serve 41 months' imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release. Upon release, Costeira Hernandez is expected to face removal proceedings.
According to court documents, in January 2026, Costeira Hernandez was pulled over for a traffic violation. Unable to verify the identification that Costeira Hernandez provided to officers, he was detained. Officers searched the vehicle and found a loaded firearm and drugs. After officers placed him in handcuffs, Costeira Hernandez attempted to run away from the officers. While transporting Costeira Hernandez to jail, he told officers that he provided a false name and admitted that he was previously deported for unlawfully being in the United States.
State court records show that Costeira Hernandez has several pending charges, including possessing a stolen vehicle, obstruction, and possession of a controlled substance. Costeira Hernandez previously pleaded guilty in two separate felony cases for possessing a stolen vehicle, trafficking illegal drugs, resisting, obstruction, among other charges. In both cases, he received suspended sentences and was removed from the United States in 2022.
Costeira Hernandez will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Augustus Forster prosecuted the case.
Mexican Drug Supplier Pleads Guilty to Trafficking More than 170 Pounds of Cocaine in Metro AtlantaRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Orfael Macedo Bustos, a high-level drug trafficker who was extradited to the United States from Mexico late last year, has pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in connection with the importation of large quantities of cocaine from Mexico to metro Atlanta.
“Macedo Bustos introduced massive amounts of cocaine into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “As a result of strong agency partnerships through the Homeland Security Task Force and valuable international coordination, Macedo Bustos now faces a significant sentence in federal prison and millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine have been taken off the street.”
“International drug traffickers often believe they can operate beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Today’s guilty plea proves otherwise. By working alongside our law enforcement partners, DEA will continue targeting the organizations responsible for transporting massive quantities of cocaine into our communities and ensuring those who profit from this criminal activity are held accountable.”
“The guilty plea of Macedo Bustos is a direct result of the collaborative efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force. By leveraging the unique authorities and capabilities of our federal, state, and local partners, HSI remains committed to dismantling the transnational criminal organizations that attempt to flood our streets with illicit drugs,” said HSI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge, Ellen Johnson. “We will continue to utilize every tool at our disposal to investigate and bring these offenders to justice, ensuring the safety of our communities in metro Atlanta and across the nation.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Beginning in 2017, federal law enforcement identified a drug trafficking organization that was importing large quantities of cocaine from Mexico into the United States. Macedo Bustos, one of the organization’s leaders and primary drug suppliers, coordinated with others to transport cocaine, usually via tractor trailers, to the metro Atlanta area for distribution.
During the investigation, federal authorities seized at least five large shipments of cocaine from tractor trailers, including:
- 44 pounds of cocaine in October 2017 in Fulton County, Georgia;
- 30 pounds of cocaine in November 2017 in Fulton County, Georgia;
- 44 pounds of cocaine in February 2018 in Fulton County, Georgia;
- 33 pounds of cocaine in April 2018 in Cobb County, Georgia; and
- 22 pounds of cocaine in November 2018 in Fulton County, Georgia.
Today, Orfael Macedo Bustos, 52, of Guerrero, Mexico, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine after a federal grand jury indicted him in December 2018. In November 2025, Macedo Bustos was extradited from Mexico to the Northern District of Georgia, and he has been in federal custody since that time.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 1:30 pm before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II. Macedo Bustos faces at least ten years of imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations with valuable assistance provided by the Georgia State Patrol and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant United States Attorney Dwayne A. Brown Jr. and former Assistant United States Attorney Tyler A. Mann prosecuted the case, with valuable assistance provided by the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF comprises agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Members and Associates of Two Minnesota Drug Trafficking Organizations Indicted and ArrestedRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today the unsealing of an indictment and superseding indictment charging members and associates of two Minnesota-based drug trafficking organizations with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and causing death through use of a firearm. As a result of these investigations, 25 members and associates of these gangs have been charged. Agents and officers, including multiple S.W.A.T. Teams, executed several arrest and search warrants this morning, resulting in the arrest of 12 of the defendants.
“Violent drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Minnesota,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. “When individuals flood our streets with dangerous narcotics and arm themselves to protect their illicit activity, they put everyone at risk. Through our strong partnerships across federal, state, and local law enforcement, we are committed to disrupting these networks and holding offenders accountable.”
“The indictments announced today are the result of a shoulder-to-shoulder partnership between the FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, and the DEA,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. “Together, our message to every violent gang member and drug dealer is clear—our streets are not your ‘territory,’ they are a part of our communities. These streets belong to the families and residents that make up our neighborhoods. The FBI and our partners will ensure the safety of our streets by bringing anyone spreading poison and violence in our neighborhoods to justice.”
“The Family Mob and those who associate with this violent organization are responsible for staining our streets with bloodshed and drug use,” said DEA Omaha Field Division Special Agent in Charge Dustin Gillespie. “Over a span of five months, the individuals indicted today attempted to traffic no less than 333,000 deadly doses of fentanyl into our Minneapolis communities. There is no room for this type of behavior in Minnesota and today’s indictments are not the end of the story. Our agents and law enforcement partners will continue working to dismantle this organization, if necessary, one person at a time.”
“Today's arrests represent another significant step in our shared effort to dismantle the criminal organizations responsible for trafficking illegal narcotics, fueling gun violence, and terrorizing our neighborhoods. These results demonstrate the power of strong law enforcement partnerships,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Bill Peterson.
“My Office is committed to combatting violent crime. This investigation demonstrates what is possible when law enforcement agencies from all levels work together with a shared commitment to public safety. Drug trafficking organizations and drug dealers bring violence, addiction, and fear into our communities. By combining our resources and expertise, we are disrupting criminal networks and holding those responsible for causing harm to our community accountable,” said Dawanna Witt, Sheriff of Hennepin County.
The Family Mob Drug Trafficking Organization
According to the allegations in the superseding indictment and court documents the defendants were members or associates of the Family Mob gang, which is based in south Minneapolis and originated in approximately the late 1990’s to early 2000’s. The Family Mob conspires to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances. In the past year, the area in the Family Mob’s territory has seen an increased prevalence of open-air drug trafficking, weapons violations, shootings, and homicides.
The members of this fentanyl trafficking conspiracy maintained an open‑air drug market near Lake Street and Park Avenue. They enforced their territory with violence, including a murder in September 2025. The defendants distributed large quantities of fentanyl and carried out shootings that endangered the community. Members and associates of the Family Mob gang collectively distributed kilograms of fentanyl every month during the course of the conspiracy. Suppliers within the drug trafficking organization procured fentanyl in kilogram-level quantities before passing it to street-level dealers.
The superseding indictment also charges multiple acts of violence related to a September 14, 2025 shooting near Lake Street and 15th Avenue.
The following individuals are charged in the superseding indictment:
- Kiron Jamoll Williams, aka “Killer,” 44, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Silk Lamond Davis, aka “Do Good,” 48, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
- Lakendrick Darnell Gilliam, aka “Bay Bay,” 38, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Rashshon Jamahl Taggett, aka “Dread,” aka “Lay Low,” 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl.
- Trevon Harris, aka “Tracy,” aka “Tray,” 28, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and murder during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
- Maricus Antonio Leroy Moore, aka “Slug,” 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Larnell Douglas Wren, aka “LA,” 51, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Emmett Duane Williams, aka “FuFu,” 45, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Garyegus Lealexandra Cooper, aka “Pig,” 47, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Deangelo Martez Davenport, aka “Rock” or “Kenny Davenport,” 50, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and with murder during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
- Mortez Crumble, 34, is charged in two counts with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and in a separate count with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
- Eddie Dersaill Brown, aka “Mike Mike,” 34, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
- Richard Payton, III, aka “Poison,” 52, is charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Amani Hudson Drug Trafficking Organization
The members in this drug trafficking organization—some members of whom are associated with the G Block and Bogus Boys gangs—base their operations near 19th and Nicollet in Minneapolis. The organization distributes large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine throughout South Minneapolis and across the Twin Cities. The flow of narcotics contributed to an escalation of violence and shootings in the area of 19th and Nicollet.
The following individuals are charged and have been held in custody:
- Amani Xavier Hudson, Sr., aka “Doughboy,” 35, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Kelley Christine Hudson, 24, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Jerry Wayne Jones, 70, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Fronta Lontrell Miller, aka “Bam,” 50, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Tanell Kinte Prempeh, 32, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Ryan Andrew Boston, aka “Marquese,” 41, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Hezekiah Micah Fields, 26, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Tawaun Lewis, Sr., aka “T-Lane,” 46, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Darquel Markease Rockymore, aka “Sleepy,” 35, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Malcolm Dashuan Peoples, 33, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
- Daren Leemont Rutledge, 53, is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
Fronta Lontrell Miller remains at large for his alleged involvement in drug activities in Minneapolis.
These cases were investigated by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and other local partners.
Assistant United States Attorneys William C. Mattessich, Garrett S. Fields, Raphael B. Coburn, and Jack R. Leon are prosecuting the cases.
The investigation leading to today's announcement is part of Operation Summer Heat, 2026. For the second year in a row, the FBI is deploying Summer Heat to target violent crime on a nationwide scale. By surging resources alongside federal, state, and local partners, executing federal warrants on violent criminals and fugitives, and dismantling violent gangs nationwide, the FBI is aggressively seeking to restore safety in communities across the country.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Member of violent home invasion robbery crew sentenced to 25 years in prisonRead the Press Release
Seattle – One of the members of an armed robbery crew that carried out a series of home invasion robberies in 2022, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 25 years in prison for racketeering and conspiracy to commit RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Christopher Joseph Johnson, 24, aided and abetted the murder of Irah Marcello Sok who was fatally shot in midst of a Snohomish County home invasion robbery in August 2022. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Lauren King said, “You used violence, fear, and intimidation… The victims face unthinkable trauma due to you and your coconspirators insatiable greed.”
“This crime ring terrorized people up and down the I-5 corridor – women, children, families – anyone they thought had valuables they could steal,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “This lengthy sentence keeps this defendant off the streets until he is well into his 40’s, protecting the public and hopefully making a change in his behavior.”
“Throughout the summer of 2022, Mr. Johnson and his co-conspirators conducted a series of terrifying and destructive home invasions, stopping at nothing in pursuit of their ill-gotten gains, including murder, kidnapping, and other violence,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “It is heartbreaking that these victims endured these horrific experiences, and no sentence will ever undo the harm or bring back a loved one. Today, however, justice has been served thanks to the hard work of multiple agencies joining together on this case. FBI Seattle and our partners will continue to work relentlessly to hold those responsible for these violent crimes to account.”
Johnson pleaded guilty in February 2026, admitting he was involved in a pattern of violent crimes allegedly committed by codefendant Kevin Thissel, 29, and their co-conspirators. In the summer of 2022, Johnson and his coconspirators targeted certain families for robberies. To create a climate of fear, the robbery crew burst into homes in the middle of the night, dressed in black with guns drawn, often claiming to be police. They wore masks and used zip-ties to restrain the victims – including children as young as nine. They would steal any valuables they could ransack from these homes.
Each member of the robbery crew had a certain job: identifying potential victims based on social media posts about their wealth or collections; surveilling the target homes; serving as a driver; kicking in the door; corralling the family; holding the victims at gunpoint; and ransacking the homes for valuables. Some of those participating in this violent robbery scheme were juveniles.
The crimes Johnson committed include:
- May 24, 2022, the armed robbery of a family in Mount Vernon, Washington, and the kidnapping of a young boy in connection with the Mount Vernon robbery.
- May 24, 2022, attempted burglary on Mercer Island – one robber fired a gun but did not hit one of three victims inside the house.
- May 27, 2022, burglary of an unoccupied Kent, Washington, residence.
- June 19, 2022, the attempted burglary of an occupied residence in Kent. One of the residents fired at the robbery crew causing them to flee.
- July 14, 2022, the armed robbery of a couple in Burien, Washington.
- July 28, 2022, the armed robbery of a woman in Kent, Washington, and her kidnapping to force her to obtain cash from ATMs.
- August 12, 2022, the robbery of two Kent residents who were locked in a closet while their home was ransacked.
- August 19, 2022, the Snohomish County armed robbery of a couple and their child and the murder of one of the Snohomish County robbery victims.
Some of the criminal acts described in the plea agreement were not formally charged. They were considered by Judge King to determine the sentence. Restitution for the victims will be set at a hearing on September 22, 2026.
As anticipated with the plea agreement, Johnson pleaded guilty to second degree murder in Snohomish County Superior Court for the August 19, 2022, fatal shooting of Irah Marcello Sok. He was sentenced to 25 years for that crime which will run concurrent with the federal sentence. Judge King agreed to Johnson’s request and recommended that he serve his sentence in the Washington State Prison system.
In recommending the 25-year sentence prosecutors wrote to the court, “…(D)uring the course of approximately six months, Johnson and others committed a series of violent offenses across Western Washington, including home invasion robberies, kidnappings, and murder. Johnson willingly involved himself in the enterprise and actively participated in the efforts of the enterprise, which used violence and the threat of violence to coerce victims into yielding to their demands.”
Johnson will be on five years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case is being investigated by the FBI with significant assistance from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Kent Police Department, and the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Greenberg and Brian Wynne are prosecuting the case. Former Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen Hobbs and Michael Lang worked closely with the Snohomish County Prosecutors Office on investigating and charging this case.