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21 September 2026
Lynn Man Indicted for Transporting Minor to Engage in ProstitutionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man has been arrested and charged for allegedly transporting a minor to engage in prostitution.
Emmanuel Devallon, 32, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of transporting a minor to engage in prostitution. The defendant was arrested on Sept. 17, 2026 and appeared in federal court in Worcester on Sept. 18, 2026. He remains detained in federal custody.
According to the indictment, in June 2026, Devallon knowingly transported a minor in interstate commerce with the intent that she engage in prostitution or any criminal sexual activity.
The charge of transporting a minor to engage in prostitution provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years and up to life in prison, five years and up to life on supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Peabody Police Department, Lynn Police Department and Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig E. Estes, of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit is prosecuting the case.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.
This case was brought in collaboration with 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.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Lexington Man Sentenced to 27.5 Years for Several Drug Trafficking and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Kevin Sanders, 48, was sentenced on Friday to 330 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for several drug trafficking and firearms charges.
Sanders was convicted in May 2026 of four counts of distributing fentanyl, three counts of distributing methamphetamine, three counts of possessing with intent to distribute 600 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). He was also convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
According to testimony at trial, beginning in February 2025, law enforcement officers with the HIDTA Task Force, began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Kevin D. Sanders. During the investigation, law enforcement officers purchased 49 grams of fentanyl and 83 grams of methamphetamine from Sanders. In April 2025, a search warrant was obtained for his residence, and law enforcement seized 3,705 grams of pure methamphetamine, 608 grams of fentanyl, and 500 grams of cocaine. Additionally, officers located and seized five firearms. Sanders has a prior conviction for Attempt First Degree Murder from Cook County, Illinois.
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Rodney Richardson, Richmond Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, KSP, and Richmond Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to over Eight Years in Prison for Distribution and Possession of Massive Collections of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 97 months in prison to be followed by 35 years of supervised release for maintaining two large collections of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and distributing CSAM utilizing a peer-to-peer network. The government requested a sentence of 97 months in prison.
“This defendant deliberately engaged in the sick, destructive trade of child exploitation, capitalizing on the unimaginable suffering of innocent children,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Today’s lengthy sentence ensures that a dangerous, unrepentant predator is stripped of his freedom and permanently cut off from fueling this vile digital marketplace. We will never stop hunting down and aggressively prosecuting those who profit from the abuse of the most vulnerable among us.”
“Randall William Rushton’s sentence underscores the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our most vulnerable citizens - our children,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “Furthermore, it serves as a definitive reminder of our relentless pursuit of perpetrators who exploit youth. Our communities are undeniably safer with this individual incarcerated. Expelling those who prey on others, especially children, is paramount to public safety and reinforces our steadfast dedication to shielding the innocent from these insidious crimes.”
According to court documents, Randall William Rushton made available on two separate occasions over 600 total images and videos of CSAM for download by other users of a peer-to-peer network. He also possessed over 11,000 images and videos depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct, including infants and toddlers and children under the age of 12.
Rushton pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to his sentence of imprisonment, Rushton will be required to pay restitution to his victims and to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin prosecuted the case.
These cases are a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty in federal court today to coercion and enticement of a minor.
“Our office remains unyielding in its commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community from digital predators,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Through the collaborative efforts of local and federal law enforcement, we will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute individuals who leverage technology to exploit and harm children.”
“Investigating child exploitation is one of the FBI’s highest priorities, and we remain fully committed to hunting down those who target children,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “Even though the defendant tried to conceal his crimes online, the relentless dedication and skill of our Crimes Against Children Task Force uncovered the truth and brought him to justice.”
According to court documents, between June 16, 2025, and June 25, 2025, Cameron Miles Scruggs engaged in a sexually explicit conversation online with a child who he knew to be under the age of 18 years old. He admitted that he engaged in conversation with the victim to coerce the victim to engage in sexual activity. He further admitted that he engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim and transported the victim across state lines to engage in sexual activity.
Scruggs pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2027, before United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin is prosecuting the case.
These cases are a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
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Knoxville Man Indicted for Making Threats to Injure and Kill ICE AgentsRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A federal grand jury in Knoxville returned a two-count indictment on September 16, 2026, against David Kerr, 68, of Knoxville, for posting public threats on Bluesky to maim and murder ICE agents, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c) (interstate threats). Kerr appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra C. Poplin in the Eastern District of Tennessee on September 21, 2026, and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. He was detained pending trial, which has been set for November 24, 2026, before the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, in United States District Court at Knoxville.
The indictment alleges that on June 4, 2025, Kerr, while using the social media platform Bluesky, posted publicly “Time to bear spray ICE!” And later, on October 7, 2025, Kerr, while using the social media platform Bluesky, posted publicly “Kill the ice military police!”
If convicted, Kerr faces a total term of 10 years in prison. The maximum prison sentence for each violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c) is five years. Each violation also includes a maximum fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee; and Special Agent in Charge, Dennis M. Fetting, of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
This indictment is the result of an investigation by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Lewen, Jr. will represent the United States.
Members of the public are reminded that an indictment constitutes only charges and that every person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Irvine Woman Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Not Reporting $2.6 Million in Income She Obtained via Crypto CriminalRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County woman who is the former girlfriend of a cryptocurrency fraudster who called himself “The Godfather” was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for failing to report more than $2.6 million in ill-gotten gains she obtained via her then-boyfriend’s criminal activities.
Iris Rabaya Au, 37, of Irvine, was sentenced by United States District Judge Percy Anderson, who also ordered her to pay $1,484,343 in restitution and to forfeit a fleet of luxury and high-performance cars, designer handbags, and three “Godfather” sculptures, among other assets.
Au pleaded guilty in March 2025 to one count of subscribing to a false tax return.
According to Au’s plea agreement, from 2020 to 2024, once dated Adam Iza, 26, who resided in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach, and was a self-styled cryptocurrency businessman who has been in federal custody since September 2024.
Iza committed a series of crimes, including fraudulently obtaining access to advertising accounts and lines of credit provided by Facebook Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. and selling access to those accounts. Iza obtained millions of dollars of unreported income because of these schemes.
Separately, Iza engaged active Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputies to provide private security for him and caused the deputies, among other things, to obtain court-authorized search warrants and confidential law enforcement information targeting people with whom Iza had financial and personal disputes.
At Iza’s direction, Au created shell corporations and opened bank accounts in the names of those entities. She then used the illicit funds placed into those accounts to pay approximately $1 million to the deputies, mostly in cash, purchase or lease luxury real estate, cars, jewelry, and clothing, pay for recreational activity for Iza and herself valued at nearly $10 million, and acquire approximately $16 million in cryptocurrency for Iza.
Au transferred more than $2.6 million from these various accounts to her personal bank accounts during the period 2020 through 2023, income that she willfully failed to report to the IRS on her federal tax returns.
“[Au] set up the financial infrastructure that enabled Adam Iza to move, spend, and conceal millions of dollars in fraud proceeds while she personally benefited from the wealth,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “Au concealed entities and income from her tax preparer and filed returns reporting only a small fraction of what she had actually received. Those were affirmative acts designed to prevent the IRS from learning the true extent of her income.”
Iza pleaded guilty in January 2025 in Los Angeles federal court to one count of conspiracy against rights, one count of wire fraud, and one count of tax evasion. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 5 before Judge Anderson.
Iza is serving a 15-year federal prison sentence for his involvement in an attempted robbery of Bitcoin and a kidnapping in Connecticut in August 2024.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Maxwell K. Coll of the National Security Division prosecuted this case.
Illegal alien who fired AR style rifle from crowded Dallas bridge on New Year’s Eve sentenced to 35 months in prisonRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a man who fired multiple rounds from an AR‑style rifle off the Margaret McDermott Bridge amid New Year’s Eve celebrations was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm as an illegal alien.
Jose Raul Alarcon Sanchez, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey. In imposing the 35‑month sentence, Judge Godbey noted that although Alarcon Sanchez is young, his conduct was “incredibly dangerous” and warranted a significant term of imprisonment.
“Spraying rifle fire off a downtown bridge is a lawless act that puts our Dallas residents at risk. This sentence makes clear that anyone who turns a celebration into a crime scene will face swift and serious federal consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will not tolerate violent, brazen conduct that endangers the public, and we will continue to use every federal tool available to protect North Texans.”
“This case is a clear example of why we never stop working the evidence,” said ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner. “What happened on that bridge could have ended in tragedy, but our agents and our law enforcement partners methodically followed the evidence—from the shell casings recovered at the scene to the firearm and ultimately to the individual who pulled the trigger. When someone recklessly uses a firearm in a way that puts innocent people in danger, ATF will use every investigative resource available to identify that firearm, identify the shooter, and build the case necessary to hold them accountable.”
According to court records, just after midnight on Jan. 1, Alarcon Sanchez and another man stood among stopped vehicles and crowds gathered to watch celebratory fireworks from the Margaret McDermott Bridge. The two men took turns filming each other firing black rifles over the side of the bridge.
On Jan. 5, Dallas Police Department officers recovered significant ballistic evidence at the scene, including seventy‑nine 5.56/.223 caliber fired cartridge casings and multiple 9mm and .40 caliber casings both on and beneath the bridge. Additional matching cartridge casings and ammunition were recovered from Alarcon Sanchez’s pockets and his van when he was arrested by Grand Prairie Police later that night in response to a separate “shots fired” call.
A subsequent search warrant executed at Alarcon Sanchez’s residence on Jan. 28, resulted in the recovery of multiple firearms, including an AR‑15‑style pistol later linked to the fired cartridge casings found on the bridge. Agents also recovered his Mexican passport and confirmed that he had overstayed a temporary visitor visa issued in May 2025.
Investigators additionally located social media photographs and videos posted by Alarcon Sanchez days before and immediately after the New Year’s Eve shooting, depicting him holding and firing the same AR‑style rifles believed to have been used on the bridge.
Photos from Alarcon Sanchez’s social media posts, showing a man holding AR-style rifles.The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Dallas Field Division and the Dallas Police Department conducted the investigation, with assistance from the Grand Prairie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marissa Aulbaugh from the Violent Crimes section prosecuted the case.
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Grand jury indicts 4 in sweeping $7.3 million mortgage fraud scheme targeting FHA and VA programsRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced charges against four defendants for allegedly orchestrating a multi‑year mortgage fraud scheme that resulted in the funding of more than 20 fraudulent home loans totaling approximately $7,339,699.
On Sept. 16, a federal grand jury indicted Shawna Randall (aka Shawna Porter), Cleophus Turner, Julie Shoumbert and Maurice Gardner. All four are charged with conspiracy to provide false statements to a mortgage lending business, while Randall and Turner are additionally charged with three counts of fraud and false statements.
“These defendants allegedly conspired to corrupt the mortgage process by flooding lenders with fabricated finance and employment information to push through unqualified borrowers,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We will pursue anyone who deceives federal loan programs, threatens the integrity of our housing system and harms American taxpayers who ultimately bear the cost of fraudulent schemes such as this.”
“The defendants allegedly engaged in a sophisticated loan origination scheme, using their knowledge and experience in banking and real estate to circumvent federal lending requirements,” said Special Agent in Charge Grant Permenter, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General. “At every stage, any one of them could have stopped these fraudulent transactions, but instead, they allegedly chose to participate. Their actions undermined the integrity of the FHA program and resulted in more than $7.3 million in fraudulently obtained loans. HUD OIG will continue working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement and oversight partners to hold accountable those who seek to profit by abusing HUD funded programs.”
“Stopping fraud in the VA Home Loan Program is not just about protecting resources—it’s about safeguarding the benefits that our veterans have earned,” said Inspector General Cheryl L. Mason, Department of Veterans Affairs. “Through our strong law enforcement partnerships and vigilant oversight, we will continue to halt these schemes and hold fraudsters accountable.”
FHFA-OIG is committed to working with the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who engage in mortgage-related fraud, particularly when officers of financial institutions and lenders, who have a duty to conduct honest business, participate in that fraud” said Christopher Lane, Special Agent in Charge of FHFA-OIG’s Central Region. “We are grateful to HUD-OIG and VA-OIG for their partnership in the investigation of this case.
According to the indictment, from June 2020 through November 2022, Randall, Turner, Shoumbert and Gardner conspired to falsify income, employment, bank records and other financial documents in order to qualify unqualified borrowers for Federal Housing Administration, Veteran’s Affairs and conventional mortgage loans originated through Eustis Mortgage Corporation d/b/a Verity Mortgage.
Randall, who worked for a real estate broker, allegedly recruited unqualified borrowers and prepared or directed the preparation of fraudulent W‑2s, pay stubs, employment verifications and falsified bank statements. Her real‑estate license was inactive during the conspiracy.
Turner, a mortgage loan officer at Verity Mortgage, allegedly submitted the falsified documents as part of official loan applications, despite knowing the information was fabricated or altered.
Shoumbert and Gardner allegedly produced falsified bank statements for borrowers at Randall’s request, which were then submitted to Eustis/Verity Mortgage as part of loan qualification files.
The indictment outlines numerous overt acts showing the defendants created and transmitted fake employment documents and bank statements to support loan applications in Texas and Oklahoma.
As a result of the alleged fraud, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has already paid partial FHA‑insurance claims exceeding $493,499.
If convicted, Randall and Turner each face up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy and up to thirty years on each of the three false‑statement counts, fines and mandatory forfeiture. Shoumbert and Gardner, who are each charged with conspiracy, face up to five years in prison, fines, and forfeiture.
HUD, VA and Federal Housing Finance Agency Offices of the Inspectors General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham from the Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Gainesville Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Eddie Jerome Scott, 39, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This substantial prison sentence appropriately reflects the severity of the threat posed to our communities by this serial felon’s rampant criminality. Thanks to the successful prosecution by my office his reign of terror is now at an end. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche have committed the Department of Justice toward the necessary mission of aggressively enforcing our laws to keep our communities safe, and that is exactly what my office will continue doing until the citizens of my district get the safe, drug-free streets that they deserve.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant sold methamphetamine at his home on two occasions in August and September 2025. A search warrant was executed at the home. Law enforcement seized over 1,232 grams of methamphetamine, 18.5 grams of cocaine, .29 grams of fentanyl, buprenophrine, gabapentin, marijuana, cash, drug paraphernalia, a money counter, and a loaded .22-caliber pistol. The defendant has multiple prior felony convictions including possession of cocaine and sale of a controlled substance, and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
“This polydrug distributor operated in a college town, preying on young students, among others,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “This armed trafficker dealt in sizeable quantities of methamphetamine, which can destroy communities. Gainesville residents will be safer with this criminal off the streets.”
“Today’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who distribute dangerous drugs and possess firearms while committing crimes will be held accountable,” said Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya.
The case involved an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Gainesville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christie Utt and Tyler Fleming.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Gainesville Armed Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun & Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Quardarell Henry Robinson, 38, of Gainesville, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the plea.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our federal law enforcement partners, and this successful prosecution by my office, this armed drug trafficker has been taken off our streets. Anyone peddling drugs and violence in my district will face the full might of the Department of Justice.”
Court documents reflect that in February 2026, the defendant threw a handbag and a loaded pistol outside of his vehicle while attempting to evade law enforcement. The handbag was recovered and found to contain over 140 grams of cocaine, cocaine base, individually packaged marijuana bags, other baggies, and an electronic scale. Law enforcement also recovered a handgun in the area where defendant’s vehicle had stopped, which had been captured by nearby commercial business surveillance cameras. Later, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence, where law enforcement recovered a loaded handgun and cookware that contained cocaine base.
Robinson faces a minimum of five years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment.
Sentencing is scheduled before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor, in Gainesville, Florida, on November 23, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
The plea was the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and James McCain.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Fort Walton Beach Physician Pays $300,000 to Resolve Controlled Substances Act Violation AllegationsRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Dr. Twan Phanijphand, M.D., a gastroenterologist located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve allegations that he unlawfully prescribed opioids and other controlled substances in violation of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). As part of the settlement, Dr. Phanijphand also agreed to not reapply for a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration for Schedule II and IIN controlled substances and agreed to additional monitoring by the DEA. The settlement was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Federal law strictly governs the administration and dispensation of controlled substances by medical professionals, and ensuring physicians in Florida are complying with those requirements is of principal importance to keeping our communities safe and healthy. Florida, in particular, has dealt with the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic for years, and my office is committed to ensuring we hold physicians accountable to prevent future harms to our communities.”
The government alleged that Dr. Phanijphand committed certain CSA violations, including that from June 15, 2023, through March 7, 2025, Dr. Phanijphand unlawfully prescribed at least one hundred twenty-seven (127) controlled substance prescriptions within the State of Florida (including prescriptions for oxycodone-acetaminophen, hydrocodone-acetaminophen, lorazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, and tramadol) and did not maintain any patient records. Dr. Phanijphand voluntarily surrendered his DEA registration on April 22, 2026. In addition to the $300,000 monetary fine, Dr. Phanijphand agreed to (1) not reapply for a DEA registration for Schedule II or IIN controlled substances, and (2) document completion of continuing medical education in prescribing and recordkeeping of controlled substances.
“The Controlled Substance Act requires DEA registrants to maintain accurate inventorying, tracking, and record keeping to prevent the diversion of controlled substances,” said DEA Tampa Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “We remain committed to working with our law enforcement and regulatory partners to protect the safety and health of our Florida communities.”
This civil settlement agreement is not an admission of any liability by Dr. Phanijphand, nor a concession by the United States that its claims were not well-founded.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary Ann Couch represented the United States in this matter, which was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (Diversion Control Program).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Former Snohomish County Registered Sex Offender pleads guilty to the sex abuse of two teens he met onlineRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 29-year-old registered sex offender who had been living in Snohomish County, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two counts of enticement of a minor for his sexual abuse of two 14-year-old teens. Aqeel Ibn-Khalid Shareef was charged by criminal complaint in October 2025, with production of child sexual abuse material. The criminal complaint was filed after a review of his electronic devices revealed images of his sexual abuse of the young victims. U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson is scheduled for December 14, 2026.
According to records filed in the case, in January 2024, Shareef was convicted of state sex crimes including rape of a child. He was ordered to register as a sex offender. Following his prison term he was being monitored by the Washington State Department of Corrections. In October 2025, Shareef’s DOC Community Corrections Officer became concerned that Shareef had unauthorized electronic devices and began investigating his compliance with supervision.
When Shareef was arrested by the Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force, officers seized two unauthorized electronic devices. The investigation revealed that the electronic devices contained communications with two minor victims and sexual abuse images of those victims. Shareef was indicted on November 12, 2025.
In his guilty plea, Shareef admits meeting the victims online and communicating with them via Discord, Signal, Instagram, and Tik Tok. One victim was contacted and assaulted in July and August 2025 and the second was contacted and assaulted in September and October 2025.
Enticement of a minor is punishable by a mandatory minimum ten years to life in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend 20 years in prison while the defense can recommend no less than 15 years in prison. Judge Evanson is not bound by the recommendations and can impose any sentence allowed by law. The King County Superior Court case charging these sex crimes will be dismissed in connection with this federal guilty plea.
This case was investigated by the FBI in coordination with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) with officers from the Seattle Police Department and the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson.
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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov .
Former Police Officer Convicted of Depriving Woman of Civil Rights and Obstructing Federal InvestigationRead the Press Release
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Today, United States Attorney Thomas Govan announced that a former police officer has been convicted for using his position to violate a woman’s constitutional right to bodily integrity while responding to a shoplifting call.
On September 18, 2026, a federal jury found Markelle Jaquan Cox, 32, guilty on four counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and three counts of obstruction of justice.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, on October 20, 2023, Cox, then a Montgomery Police Department (MPD) officer, responded to a shoplifting report at a department store on the Eastern Boulevard. During the investigation, he handcuffed the victim and escorted her to his patrol vehicle. While she was restrained, Cox engaged in unlawful and abusive sexual contact, including touching intimate areas of her body, with some of the touching occurring under her clothing. Cox later removed the handcuffs and forced the victim to touch him.
Because the victim did not speak English, Cox used a translation app to solicit sex. He then directed her to unlock her phone so he could add his phone number before letting her leave the scene. The victim then contacted 911 and went to MPD headquarters to file a complaint.
MPD immediately opened an investigation and interviewed Cox, who denied the allegations. Body‑camera footage, however, corroborated the victim’s account. Even after being told of the evidence, Cox continued to deny wrongdoing. A search of both phones confirmed the added phone number and use of the translation app.
In rendering its guilty verdict, the jury determined that Cox used his authority as a law enforcement officer to facilitate the abuse and later provided false information to MPD investigators to obstruct the investigation.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the coming months. At that hearing, Cox faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A federal district judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the Montgomery Police Department and FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric Counts, Christine Levi, and Faith Mote of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama.
Former Placerville postal employee sentenced to a year in prison for stealing and tampering with the narcotic prescriptions of United States military veteransRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Carrie Wallace, 48, of Fort Bragg, California, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to one year in prison for tampering with a consumer product and mail theft by a postal employee, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, Wallace used her position as a U.S. Postal Service employee to access and steal mail parcels containing prescription medication and vape products. She intentionally targeted packages sent by the Department of Veterans Affairs to its patients because those packages generally contained narcotic medications. Wallace cut into the packages, opened the prescription narcotics medication bottles, stole the medication and replaced it with over-the-counter medication, retaped the packages and placed them back in the mail stream to be delivered to the intended recipients. Multiple veteran victims consumed the tampered medication, putting them at risk of injury for taking incorrectly dispensed drugs. Due to Wallace’s medication theft and tampering, veteran victims experienced extreme pain, increased agitation, anger, and other mental health symptoms.
Wallace pleaded guilty on April 4, 2026.
The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the VA Police Department conducted the investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Moody prosecuted the case.
Former Connecticut Resident Guilty of Operating Websites to Illegally Sell Misbranded and Unapproved DrugsRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that on September 18, 2026, a federal jury in New Haven found RYAN FIELDS, 52, of Port Neches, Texas, guilty of federal offenses related to illegally selling misbranded and unapproved prescription drugs.
According to the evidence introduced during the trial and other court proceedings, from September 2021 to June 2023, Fields and Lisa Mahan, who formerly resided in Glastonbury, Connecticut, operated two websites, pinnedaminos.com and projectaminos.com, as well as a private Facebook group called Pinned Aminos, through which they illegally sold and distributed to customers throughout the U.S. misbranded prescription drugs. They did not require customers to provide a valid prescription, and some of the drugs they sold and distributed were unapproved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption. The drugs they sold also included drugs they illegally imported from foreign manufacturers.
To avoid detection and mislead the FDA, the pinnedaminos.com website had a disclaimer that falsely stated that the products for sale were “intended for laboratory and research use only,” and “not intended for human ingestion.” In addition, the labeling on the drugs sold and delivered to customers falsely stated that the drugs were “research compounds” and/or “not for human consumption.” Contrary to these representations, Fields and Mahan knew and intended that the drugs they sold were for human use, and through emails and posts on the Pinned Aminos Facebook group, they provided customers with information on the health benefits of the drugs they sold and directions on dosage.
Fields unlawfully shipped over 10,000 parcels to customers throughout the country and collected more than $1.4 million from customers. Fields and Mahan used the proceeds to pay themselves, purchase cars, and purchase a residence in Texas.
Fields and Mahan were arrested on August 23, 2023.
The jury found Fields guilty of one count of conspiracy to introduce misbranded or unapproved drugs into interstate commerce and to smuggle goods into the United States, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
The jury also ordered the forfeiture of Fields’ Texas residence and a vehicle he purchased with proceeds from the conspiracy.
Fields is released on bond pending sentencing, which is not scheduled.
On April 6, 2026, Mahan, 56, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. On August 13, 2026, she was sentenced to three years of probation.
This matter has been investigated by the Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Neeraj N. Patel and Justyn P. Stokely.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas for their assistance in this matter.
Former Bank CEO Sentenced to over 9 Years in Prison for Multimillion-Dollar Wire Fraud Conspiracy and Venezuela Sanctions Evasion SchemeRead the Press Release
Tomás Niembro Concha, 64, a Spanish and Venezuelan national, the former chief executive officer of Nodus International Bank (Nodus Bank), a Puerto Rican international bank, was sentenced to 112 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Niembro led a scheme to fraudulently obtain at least $24.9 million from Nodus Bank and conspired to evade U.S. sanctions against Venezuela. Niembro was ordered to forfeit over $16.9 million, which represents the value of the proceeds he derived from the wire fraud conspiracy.
“The defendant abused his position with Nodus Bank to commit fraud for his own enrichment and to willfully evade sanctions on a designated individual,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “When individuals who are supposed to serve as gatekeepers to our financial system choose to abuse that trust and instead use their access to facilitate crimes, the Criminal Division will hold them accountable. Our national security and the integrity of our financial system demand nothing less.”
“The defendant’s scheme didn’t stop at fraud; it extended into conspiring to evade U.S. sanctions designed to protect our national security,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Miller of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Florida Field Office. “This case demonstrates how collaboration between the IRS-CI, the Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture (TEOAF), and the Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions of Puerto Rico (OCIF) ensures that complex financial crimes and sanctions-evasion schemes are uncovered and prosecuted.”
On March 19, Niembro pleaded guilty to a two-count information charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
According to court filings, Niembro conspired with others to siphon money from Nodus Bank, ultimately leading to the bank’s failure in 2023. Niembro and his co-conspirators concealed from other Nodus Bank board members, executives and the bank’s regulator, OCIF, that certain investments and loans were for the benefit of Niembro and Board Chairman Juan Ramirez, in violation of Puerto Rican law. From 2017 to 2023, Niembro, Ramirez, and others caused Nodus Bank to invest $11 million in a Miami-based lender so those funds could be loaned to Niembro and Ramirez for their own benefit. Niembro and his co-conspirators knew that these transactions were illegal and concealed their conduct through the sham investments.
Between January 2018 and September 2021, Niembro and Ramirez also fraudulently induced Nodus Bank’s board and comptroller to agree to buy at least 47 promissory notes totaling approximately $25.3 million from Nodus Finance, a Miami-based company that Niembro and Ramirez jointly owned, so they could use the proceeds of the transactions for themselves.
In early March 2023, OCIF notified the bank it would be placed into liquidation. Niembro and Ramirez fraudulently caused Nodus Bank to accept a loan portfolio from Nodus Finance to pay down the debt from the 47 promissory notes.
Between 2021 and 2023, Niembro conspired with others to conduct prohibited financial transactions with an individual designated as a Specially Designated National (SDN) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for providing material support to Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA). To satisfy an outstanding loan of approximately $2.5 million that the SDN’s company had with Nodus Bank prior to the imposition of sanctions, Niembro and the SDN devised a scheme to cause Nodus Bank to foreclose on the SDN’s home in Southampton, New York — for which they obtained OFAC authorization — but separately reached a “private” agreement to induce Nodus Bank to sell the property back to the SDN for $4 million through a front company — a transaction that was strictly prohibited by U.S. sanctions and not otherwise licensed by OFAC.
IRS-CI investigated the case with support from OCIF and TEOAF.
Trial Attorneys Javier Urbina and Samir Paul of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Felipe Plechac-Diaz for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of 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 Miami comprises agents and officers from IRS Criminal Investigation with the prosecution being led by Bank Integrity Unit of MNF and by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida.
MNF’s mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.
MNF’s Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
Five Fresno residents plead guilty to a bank fraud scheme organized on FacebookRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Five Fresno residents have pleaded guilty to participating in a year-long bank fraud scheme that sought to defraud banks out of $1 million, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
Zorian Temple, 25, pleaded guilty today to bank fraud. On Aug. 17, 2026, Davonntae Barfield, 31; Zion Brewer, 40; and Nyric Hinton, 28, also pleaded guilty. On Aug. 31, 2026, Harry Cooper Neal, 30, pleaded guilty.
According to court records, from 2022 to 2023, Brewer, a U.S. Postal Service employee, stole checks from the mail and gave them to the other defendants. The others then recruited bank account holders, or used their own bank accounts, to deposit the stolen checks and withdraw the proceeds. The defendants met each other and coordinated the scheme primarily through Facebook and Facebook Messenger.
In total, the stolen checks had a face value of more than $1 million. The actual loss to the banks, however, was a few hundred thousand dollars because the banks detected most of the stolen checks and stopped payment before the defendants could withdraw the funds.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Fresno Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.
U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston is scheduled to sentence Neal on Nov. 30, 2026, Barfield, Brewer, and Hinton on Dec. 7, 2026, and Temple on Jan. 11, 2027. The defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Federal Jury Convicts Dominican National for Involvement in Multistate Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Following a 4-day trial, a federal jury found Dominican national Andri Pimental Arias, 23, guilty last Friday for conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Arias was convicted for his role in a multistate fentanyl trafficking conspiracy. United States District Court Judge Landya B. McCafferty has set sentencing for January 7, 2027.
According to the testimony and evidence presented at trial, beginning in the fall of 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated a Lawrence, Massachusetts-based drug trafficking organization that distributed fentanyl across New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The organization used social media, messaging applications, and a dedicated phone line to take drug orders and send runners to make deliveries. The evidence showed that Pimentel Arias acted as one such runner, personally distributing more than 400 grams of fentanyl on three separate occasions between September and October 2022, in response to orders placed through the organization’s dispatch phone line.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the Nashua Police Department and New Hampshire State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cesar A. Vega and Mike Shannon are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of 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 New Hampshire comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, IRS, DEA, ATF, USMS, and DSS with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.
Federal Grand Jury returns Two Indictments in Interstate Cargo Theft Cases Totaling Nearly $600,000 in LossesRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – A federal grand jury in Memphis has returned indictments in two separate interstate cargo theft investigations resulting in nearly $600,000 in losses to commercial freight carriers and companies operating in West Tennessee. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the indictments today.
In the first matter, the grand jury indicted Aubrey Brown, 53, and Kemptrell Daniels, 24, for conduct occurring from July 2024 through August 2024. According to the indictment, Brown and Daniels knowingly received or possessed Arista computer networking switches and other commercial freight valued at more than $5,000 following their theft from an interstate shipment.
Brown is further charged with transporting stolen Arista switches from Tennessee to other states, including California, Georgia, and Texas, knowing the goods had been stolen. Brown faces three federal charges, while Daniels faces two federal charges. If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison, along with fines and supervised release.
In a separate indictment, the grand jury charged Pierre Smith, 32, with four counts involving possession of stolen televisions and tires taken from interstate CSX rail shipments. According to the indictment, the conduct occurred from March 2024 through August 2024 and involved four separate thefts. The indictment alleges that Smith knowingly possessed stolen Insignia televisions from a shipment traveling from California to Georgia; stolen Toyo tires from a shipment traveling from Georgia to California; stolen Samsung televisions from a shipment traveling from California to Tennessee; and stolen Sumitomo tires from a shipment traveling from Georgia to Tennessee.
In each count, Smith is alleged to have knowingly possessed stolen goods valued at more than $1,000 that had been taken from interstate freight. If convicted, each charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in federal prison, along with fines and supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Memphis sits at the crossroads of American commerce and has earned its reputation as America’s Distribution Center - home to a world-class transportation infrastructure, including one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, a major rail system, interstate highways, and the mighty Mississippi River. Cargo theft that disrupts and harms that crucial interstate commerce will not be tolerated and will be met with aggressive federal prosecution and significant consequences.”
"Interstate cargo theft is not a victimless crime, it strikes businesses and communities creating millions of dollars in losses," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "These indictments demonstrate that those who allegedly profit from stealing and trafficking stolen cargo will face serious consequences. The FBI Nashville Cargo Theft Task Force and our partners are committed to holding accountable anyone who targets our transportation networks for personal gain."
Both cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Memphis Cargo Theft Task Force with assistance from the Memphis Police Department, CSX Police, FedEx Security, and law enforcement partners nationwide.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Delery is prosecuting both matters on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact our 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.
Eugene Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Property OwnersRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Eugene, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud.
David Paul Williams, 46, pleaded guilty to defrauding several Newport, Oregon, property owners, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
According to court documents, Williams defrauded the owners of vacant lots in Newport through his companies TreeNada Co and Treenada Construction. In November 2020, Williams entered into agreements with owners of vacant lots in Newport to build townhomes on their lots. Between 2020 and 2022, Williams was paid over $850,000 by the owners to build the townhomes, which were never built. Williams sent email updates to owners with progress on the project that were false and misled the victims to elicit additional money. Williams instead used the fraudulently obtained funds to pay for other projects, to pay a church he had previously defrauded, and for other pre-existing debt. The total loss to investors caused by Williams exceeded $850,000.
On June 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a 10-count indictment charging Williams with wire fraud.
Williams faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 22, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Williams has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims.
FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Rykken is prosecuting the case.
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Elite FBI and HSI Team Transports 18 Defendants from Haiti to South Florida to Face Federal Charges in Assassination of Haitian President in HSTF TakedownRead the Press Release
MIAMI – The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida today announced the successful transport of 18 defendants from Haiti to Miami to face newly unsealed federal charges related to the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021.
The special operation involved members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), FBI Miami case agents and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents aboard a military aircraft equipped to handle possible armed gang attacks from around the Port-au-Prince airport in the Haitian capital.
These 18 individuals are among a group of 30 defendants that a Southern District of Florida grand jury indicted for their various roles in the plot to kill the President of Haiti. The charges include an intertwined fraud and money laundering scheme that relied on funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-19 relief program to finance the assassination plot.
“Today marks the next major phase in our pursuit of accountability for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Our work did not end with the men who planned and carried out this assassination. We will follow the evidence wherever it leads, to those who financed it, facilitated it, supported it, or committed crimes to make it possible. Five years later, we are still bringing defendants before American courts, and we are not finished.”
“In July 2021, President Jovenel Moise was assassinated by individuals seeking to profit from illicit financial opportunities and business contracts,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “Today's multi-location and international arrests underscore the FBI’s continued commitment to bringing all participants in this plot to justice. FBI Miami, along with our domestic and international partners, remains steadfast in ensuring that all individuals who allegedly sought to profit from the assassination of a head of state are held fully accountable.”
“Homeland Security Investigations is uniquely positioned to investigate complex crimes that cross borders, exploit financial systems, and threaten the security of the United States and the international community,” said Jose R. Figueroa, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami. “The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse was a horrific attack, and we remain fully committed to working shoulder to shoulder with our partners to further expose the criminal network behind it, identify every individual who played a role, and ensure that the last person responsible is brought to justice.”
According to recently unsealed court documents, at least 22 newly named defendants directly participated in a coordinated multinational conspiracy involving financing, recruitment, and logistical support to carry out the attack on July 7, 2021.
The following defendants are charged with offenses arising from the alleged conspiracy to kill or kidnap President Moïse:
Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a/k/a “Kumbe,” a/k/a “Pumba,” a/k/a “Bubba,” a/k/a “Mr. President,” a/k/a “P”
Byron Sherrod Rainer, a/k/a “B. Ellis Rains,” a/k/a “Byron Rain,” a/k/a “Byron Ellis”
Joseph Felix Badio, a/k/a “Cousin”
Vitel’Homme Innocent
Carlos Giovanni Guerrero Torres, a/k/a “Don Francisco”
Victor Albeiro Pineda Cardona, a/k/a “Pipe”
Juan Carlos Yepes Clavijo, a/k/a “Woker”
Naiser Franco Castaneda, a/k/a “Esneider”
Angel Mario Yarce Sierra
Jheyner Alberto Carmona Flores, a/k/a “Joseph”
Edwin Enrique Blanquicet Rodriguez, a/k/a “Daniel”
Manuel Antonio Grosso Guarin, a/k/a “Mauricio”
Jhon Jairo Ramirez Gomez, a/k/a “Danny”
Francisco Eladio Uribe Ochoa, a/k/a “Cristian”
Alejandro Giraldo Zapata, a/k/a “Alexander”
Neil Caceres Duran, a/k/a “Anderson”
Jhon Jader Andela
Enalber Vargas Gomez, a/k/a “Victor”
John Jairo Suarez Alegria, a/k/a “Angel”
Gersain Mendivelso Jaimes
Alex Miyer Peña, a/k/a “Holman”
Samir Handal
Ashkard Pierre
The following defendants are charged with offenses arising from the alleged PPP-EIDL fraud and money laundering scheme:
Byron Sherrod Rainer, a/k/a “B. Ellis Rains,” a/k/a “Byron Rain,” a/k/a “Byron Ellis,”
Jameela Ammara Simmons
Marcel Williamson
Travis Barrett Nave
If convicted, certain defendants face a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Any sentence will be determined by a federal district judge after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
According to the indictment, members of the conspiracy coordinated funding for weapons, traveled to and from Haiti during planning phases, and used encrypted communications to organize the operation. Several defendants allegedly provided material support knowing the conspiracy would result in a violent attack that led to the president’s death.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida; Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of HSI Miami made the announcement.
FBI Miami and HSI Miami are investigating the case, with assistance from Haitian law enforcement and international partners.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean T. McLaughlin, Jason Wu, and Altanese Phenelus are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of 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 Miami comprises agents and officers from FBI Miami and HSI Miami.
A copy of the indictment can be found here.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 22-cr-20104.
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Crown Medical Solutions and Its Owners to Pay $825,000 for Fraudulent Billing SchemeRead the Press Release
Crown Medical Solutions LLC (Crown) and its owners, Michelle and Philanzo King, have agreed to pay $825,000 to resolve allegations that Crown and its owners violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for payment to Medicare.
Crown was a supplier of durable medical equipment (DME), such as knee braces, heel stabilizers, and back braces. The United States alleged that, from Nov. 1, 2017 through April 30, 2019, Crown and its owners billed Medicare for DME provided to Medicare beneficiaries that was not medically necessary and/or not properly prescribed by a physician. The settlement is based on defendants’ ability to pay.
“The Department of Justice is committed to fighting healthcare fraud and holding accountable those who exploit federal healthcare programs for personal profit,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Karen Martinelli. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Martinelli v. Crown Medical Solutions, LLC, et al., No. 1:19-cv-01660 (N.D. Ga.). As part of this resolution, Martinelli will receive approximately $123,750 of the settlement amount.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The matter was handled by Commercial Litigation Branch Trial Attorney Anna Jugo and Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeli Ben-David for the Northern District of Georgia.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Convicted Tucson Gang Member Sentenced to 335 Months in Prison for RICO ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TUCSON, Ariz. – David Kapone Williams, 36, of Tucson, was sentenced on Sep. 16, by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 335 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Williams previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity.
Williams admitted to being a member of the Western Hills Bloods (WHB) criminal street gang that operated in Tucson, Arizona. The WHB was an organized group of individuals involved in a pattern of racketeering activity, including narcotics trafficking, possessing firearms, witness intimidation, and committing violent crimes, including murder, on behalf of the gang.
According to court documents, on May 15, 2015, along with other WHB members, David Williams murdered a rival gang member in the parking lot of the La Quinta Hotel near the Tucson International Airport. WHB members also participated in the October 2014 homicide of an individual near Fremont Street in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to the violence, Williams engaged in trafficking narcotics in Tucson, and throughout the United States, on behalf of the WHB.
Several of Williams’ Western Hills Bloods co-defendants were previously sentenced in this case, including:
Marcell Demetrius Gray pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. Gray was sentenced on May 27, 2026, to 335 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Shawmaine Eustace Ardell Moore pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. He was sentenced on Dec. 3, 2025, to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Samuel Lee Berrelle Rakestraw III pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. Rakestraw was sentenced on May 28, 2025, to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Michael Anthony Williams pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. He was sentenced on Mar. 26, 2025, to 262 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Jermaine Lamar Maxwell pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Participate in a Pattern of Racketeering Activity. He was sentenced to 240 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
Cliffton Martinez pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Martinez was sentenced on Dec. 7, 2022, to 78 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Labarr Martinez pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. He was sentenced on July 19, 2023, to 50 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
“With Williams’ sentence, this long-fought battle to bring members of the violent Western Hills Bloods to justice finally comes to an end,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “But that doesn’t mean we are anywhere close to ending our mission to bring safety to Tucson’s streets. The persistence of law enforcement and prosecutors in this case should stand as a warning to other gangs and violent offenders out there – we won’t tire in seeking justice.”
“This significant sentence is part of an over ten-year effort to hold members of the Western Hills Bloods, a violent criminal street gang, accountable for their acts of violence and intimidation which they inflicted on the citizens of Tucson,” said A.J. Gibes, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division. “This years-long effort by ATF and our partners with the Tucson Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety is indicative of our unwavering commitment to protecting the public from violent armed offenders and armed drug traffickers.”
This investigation is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Tucson Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie Sottosanti, Michelle Chamblee, and Brian Hopkins, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: 18-CR-01695-TUC-JAS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-162_Williams, et al.# # #
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Contractor Agrees to Pay One of the Largest AbilityOne Program Related False Claims Act Settlements of All TimeRead the Press Release
DETROIT - United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced today that Lifeview Group, Inc., together with its corporate predecessors and affiliates (Lifeview), agreed to a settlement of $5,059,808.00 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by AbilityOne Commission Chairperson Christina Brandt, Special Agent in Charge Jorge Richardson of the U.S. General Services Office of Inspector General Midwest Investigations Division and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jessica Herrington of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG), Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office
Lifeview was involved in the Department of War’s Defense Manpower Data Center Enterprise Information Technology Services contract (EITS). The contract was awarded through the AbilityOne Program, a federal program enacted to create employment opportunities for blind or significantly disabled individuals. The program is administered by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, operating as the U.S. AbilityOne Commission. To participate in the AbilityOne Program, contractors must perform 75% of the labor related to “the[ir overall] production of products and… provision of services” with labor by individuals who are the blind or significantly disabled. This is known as the direct labor hour ratio requirement. Contractors must also meet contract-specific direct labor hour ratios, and the AbilityOne Commission can approve lower direct labor hour ratios on a project-by-project basis. The United States investigated allegations that Lifeview did not meet the direct labor hour ratio requirement for the EITS contract, and this settlement resolves allegations that Lifeview made false statements to the AbilityOne Commission about Lifeview’s performance of the EITS contract in the period leading up to the renewal of the EITS contract on June 17, 2019.
“The False Claims Act is an important tool for combatting procurement fraud. Our office will vigorously investigate entities that make false statements about their qualifications to obtain or keep government contracts,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“The AbilityOne Commission maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any action, omission, or misrepresentation that undermines the integrity of the AbilityOne Program,” said Commission Chairperson Christina Brandt. “The Commission will promptly and thoroughly address allegations of wrongdoing to ensure that isolated incidents are appropriately resolved. Working with the Department of Justice and our partners, the Commission and its Office of Inspector General remain committed to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”
“False or misleading statements about work related to a program intended to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities should not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Jorge Richardson of the U.S. General Services Office of Inspector General Midwest Investigations Division. "We will continue working with federal partners to uncover misconduct, protect public resources, and hold accountable those who secure government contracts by providing false information."
“The AbilityOne program is designed to expand meaningful employment opportunities for blind and disabled workers, and they depend on the honesty and accountability of participating contractors,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jessica Herrington of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG), Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Northeast Field Office. “As the law enforcement arm of the DoD OIG, DCIS remains committed to ensuring that contractors fulfill their obligations and provide accurate information to federal oversight bodies. This settlement underscores our dedication to protecting taxpayer funds and the importance of programs that broaden access to employment.”
The settlement resolves a civil lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Michigan and is captioned United States ex rel. Hruska v. Global Connections to Employment, Inc., Case No. 17-13804 (E.D. Mich.).
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort among the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, the U.S. Department of War - Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. General Services Administration - Office of the Inspector General. The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney John Postulka from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrates the government’s emphasis on combating fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the FraudNet hotline at 1-800-424-5454.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
Carlisle Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter for Death of Letterkenny Army Depot U.S. Army ReservistRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Sean Stark, age 38, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal information with involuntary manslaughter.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the information alleges that on March 12, 2026, Stark killed Private First Class Krystofer Lopez at Letterkenny Army Depot while conducting firearms training in a grossly negligent manner.
Along with the information, the U.S. Attorney’s Office also filed a plea agreement in which Stark agreed to waive indictment and plead guilty to the information. Stark will enter a plea of guilty in accordance with the plea agreement at a hearing to be scheduled by the court.
“The circumstances surrounding Mr. Lopez’s death are heartbreaking for his family and loved ones,” said U.S. Attorney Miller. “I hope this prosecution brings some relief for the family while ensuring that justice is delivered.”
The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Ford and Alisan Martin are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Stark faces a maximum penalty for this offense of eight years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Criminal informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Career Offender Sentenced to Nearly 13 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 30-year-old man with a history of drug trafficking offenses has been sentenced to prison after he was once again found in violation of federal drug and firearms laws.
Jermaine S. Cottrell, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 155 months (12.91 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent after pleading guilty in June to:
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; prior convictions include Drug Trafficking in 2018, 2020, and 2021
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances (3 counts).
Judge Nugent also ordered Cottrell to serve three years of supervised release and to forfeit a pistol, magazine, and ammunition.
According to court documents and evidence presented before the court, in September 2025, Cottrell was located in the parking lot of a CVS pharmacy. As officers attempted to box in the car to prevent flight, Cottrell, used his vehicle to ram into police cars and then fled on foot.
While officers attempted to secure him in handcuffs, Cottrell shoved several small plastic bags of narcotics into his mouth which he later spit out while EMS transported him to a hospital. A forensic analysis of the drugs in Cottrell’s possession were determined to include cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fluorofentanyl, and fentanyl. A firearm with an extended magazine was in the driver’s side door of the vehicle Cottrell was operating.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Lakewood Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. King led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
Bank Imposter Sentenced for Defrauding Elderly Victims of Hundreds of Thousands of DollarsRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Franco Fuentes was sentenced in federal court today to 57 months in prison for defrauding elderly victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars by posing as a bank employee and tricking them into surrendering their bank cards, which he then used to make lavish purchases and large cash withdrawals.
Fuentes, a Peruvian national and green card holder, was also ordered to pay victims more than $270,000 and forfeit property seized from his residence, including over $37,000 in cash and a bill-counting machine.
“Fuentes saw elderly victims as easy targets and their bank accounts as his personal ATM—and today he is paying the price for stealing money, dignity and peace of mind,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
“The actions of the defendant in this case showed a clear disregard for the harm he was causing innocent people,” San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said. “We have dedicated teams that are working day after day to help victims of scams just like this, because unfortunately, they happen far too often. Today’s sentencing sends a message to others that we will find and hold you accountable.”
“The defendant shamelessly preyed on older victims, then showered himself with extravagant items at their expense without regard to consequences,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “FBI San Diego and the San Diego Police Department, along with all of our San Diego Elder Justice Task Force partners, will relentlessly seek justice for this vulnerable population, protecting them from scammers like Fuentes, and helping to safeguard their livelihood.”
In the government’s sentencing memo, a victim who lost $56,000 wrote to the court: “This experience has caused me significant emotional and financial stress. As a 72-year-old woman, I never expected to have to deal with something of this magnitude. I experienced ongoing worry, fear, frustration, and anxiety while trying to understand what had happened, protect my accounts, and work with the bank to resolve the unauthorized activity. The situation disrupted my sense of financial security and left me constantly concerned about whether my personal information and finances were safe. The financial impact and the amount of time and effort required to address this identity theft have been extremely stressful.
Another victim wrote to the court, noting that the defendant “fraudulently obtained my banking information by calling me from a phone line that appeared to have my U.S. Bank caller ID.”
“The financial loss was devastating, but the impact of this crime goes far beyond the money that was taken. I have experienced an unbelievable amount of stress because of what happened. As an elderly person in poor health, this experience has caused me significant worry and emotional distress…I hope the Court understands the lasting impact this crime has had on my life. I believe the defendant is a danger to society because his actions prey upon people's trust and can cause serious harm, especially to vulnerable people.”
In his plea agreement, Fuentes admitted he and his criminal associates called victims and falsely claimed to be bank employees investigating fraud on the victims’ accounts. Fuentes tricked the victims into surrendering their bank cards, which he used to make cash withdrawals and pay for lavish purchases.
Fuentes targeted one 80-year-old victim, sending a rideshare service driver to her house and then using her cards for withdrawals and purchases totaling over $43,000, including $22,000 in purchases at Apple stores. The daughter of that victim addressed the Court at sentencing, describing the significant emotional and psychological impacts on her mother.
In his messages about the fraud with one co-conspirator, the defendant referred to his victims as “vics” and boasted that the “targets are endless.” In imposing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Benjamin J. Cheeks called Fuentes’s conduct an “awful crime” that took advantage of “some of the most vulnerable people in society—people that worked hard in their life.” Judge Cheeks also highlighted Fuentes’s extravagant spending of his victims’ money, including a social media post in which Fuentes bragged about purchasing a $6,000 outfit in New York. The judge further noted that Fuentes had previously received a generous resolution in state court for similar fraud, yet “you did it again and again, and you hurt people.”
This case is being investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force and its member agencies and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric R. Olah.
If you or someone you know is 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
DEFENDANT Case Number 26cr404-BJC
Franco Fuentes Age: 30 Woodland Hills, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Bank Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1344(2)
Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison and $1 million fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department
6 men convicted of federal firearms crimesRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Six central Ohio men are now convicted in a case involving the trafficking of at least 17 firearms.
Khalid Dorsey, 21, pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing and transferring a machinegun. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
According to court documents, Dorsey was one of six defendants trafficking in guns and/or drugs that the ATF investigated between May and November 2025.
Dorsey admitted to trafficking a pistol with an attached Glock switch on Sept. 16, 2025, near the Dirty Franks on North Fourth Street in Columbus. Co-defendant Rashied Houston, 23, was with Dorsey during the sale. Houston also pleaded guilty earlier this month to possessing and transferring a machinegun. Additionally, Houston sold two other firearms with attached conversion devices making them fully automatic weapons.
Lead defendant William Turner, 57, pleaded guilty in June to dealing cocaine and trafficking in at least six firearms. Turner either facilitated the sale of the guns or directly sold firearms himself. He coordinated firearms sales through co-defendants Robert Phillips, 45, and Jeffrey Perry, 62.
Kevin Fowler, 55, pleaded guilty in March to illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon after selling at least two firearms.
Sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.
Vipal J. Patel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); announced the guilty plea entered before U.S. District Judge Algenon L. Marbley. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin W. Kelley and Special Assistant United States Attorney Heidy Carr are representing the United States in this case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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19 September 2026
Elite FBI and HSI Team Transports 18 Defendants from Haiti to South Florida to Face Federal Charges in Assassination of Haitian President in HSTF takedownRead the Press Release
“Today marks the next major phase in our pursuit of accountability for the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Our work did not end with the men who planned and carried out this assassination. We will follow the evidence wherever it leads, to those who financed it, facilitated it, supported it, or committed crimes to make it possible. Five years later, we are still bringing defendants before American courts, and we are not finished.”
"In July 2021, President Jovenel Moise was assassinated by individuals seeking to profit from illicit financial opportunities and business contracts," said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles. "Today's multi-location and international arrests underscore the FBl's continued commitment to bringing all participants in this plot to justice. FBI Miami, along with our domestic and international partners, remain steadfast in ensuring that all individuals who allegedly sought to profit from the assassination of a head of state are held fully accountable."
“Homeland Security Investigations is uniquely positioned to investigate complex crimes that cross borders, exploit financial systems, and threaten the security of the United States and the international community,” said Jose R. Figueroa, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami. “The assassination of President Jovenel Moïse was a horrific attack, and we remain fully committed to working shoulder to shoulder with our partners to further expose the criminal network behind it, identify every individual who played a role, and ensure that the last person responsible is brought to justice.”
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Miami comprises of agents and officers from the DEA’s Miami Office, FBI’s Miami Office, and HSI Miami Office.
CLICK ON INDICTMENT PDF:
indictment-haitian_president_assassination_plot.pdf
18 September 2026
“Protecting Houses of Worship” Safety and Grant Training in Macon Next MonthRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – Federal, state, and local law enforcement will join members of the faith-based community in Macon for a “Protecting Houses of Worship” safety training along with information on related grants on Oct. 8, 2026.
“This specialized training is designed for the leadership teams of the more than 400 houses of worship in Macon and its surrounding communities, with the goal of enhancing safety and preparedness,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We strongly encourage faith-based leaders to participate and gain valuable insights into best practices for security, as well as information about available grants to help ensure houses of worship remain safe.”
“The Protecting Houses of Worship symposium will offer insightful information to equip faith leaders to navigate the complexities of our current social climate,” said Paul Little II, Pastor, Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church.
"Everyone who attends a service deserves the right to do so in peace,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “One of the best ways to secure our houses of worship is to ensure that our faith-based leaders have the information and resources they need to help protect their properties and congregants.”
“Keeping our communities safe is a team effort and a top priority of the GBI,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Through safety training and collaboration with faith-based, nonprofit, and community organizations, we can strengthen our communities and help ensure leaders are prepared to recognize and respond to potential threats.”
“Our houses of worship should always be places where people can gather in faith, fellowship, and peace without fear for their safety,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “Protecting these sacred spaces requires preparation, awareness, and strong partnerships between law enforcement and the faith community. This training gives our religious and community leaders practical tools to help keep their places of worship safe and their congregations informed. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is proud to support our federal, state, and local partners in this important effort.”
The half-day seminar will be held at Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church on Avondale Mill Road in Macon on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the event will finish at approximately 12:30 p.m., with presentations from federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
The event is available to registered leaders and/or their designees from houses of worship, nonprofits, and community organizations. To register, please visit:
https://bibbmtzion.elexiochms.com/external/form/49c608ca-682a-45e8-b9e3-955c6779ecc5.
For more information, please contact Dion Lyons, Law Enforcement Coordinator with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, at dion.lyons@usdoj.gov or call (478) 733-9659. There is no deadline to register, although seating is limited for this training. There is no cost to attend.
Since 2017, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has organized this training that brings faith-based leaders and all those involved with security at churches, synagogues, mosques, and places of worship together to provide education and a forum for discussion around topics including safety, security, emergency action plan preparedness, hate crimes, and the growth and management of threats.
This training is offered as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
U.S. to Collect over $1.3 Million after Judgment Ordered in Bribery Case Involving Millions in DOW Contracts in AlaskaRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The United States has secured more than $1.3 million in civil damages and penalties following a judgment in a False Claims Act case involving a bribery scheme that targeted U.S. Department of War construction contracts at Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).
According to court documents, Brian Lowell Nash II, a former Air Force Contracting Officer, agreed to accept more than $400,000 in bribe payments in 2019 from a government contractor, Ryan Dalbec, who, along with his wife, Raihana Nadem, owned a construction company called Best Choice Construction, LLC. In return, Nash provided Dalbec and Nadem with confidential bidding information on over $8,250,000 in U.S. Department of War contracts at Eielson AFB and JBER, helping the company secure multiple awards, including work tied to the F‑35 program at Eielson AFB and other projects at JBER.
All three individuals were previously convicted in federal court—Nash was sentenced to serve 30 months imprisonment, Dalbec was sentenced to serve 42 months imprisonment.
Now, in a separate civil action, the United States has been awarded over $1.3 million in civil damages and penalties under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act (FCA) creates a civil cause of action for the recovery of damages and penalties from those who submit false or fraudulent claims to the United States. The U.S. affirmatively sought and was granted treble damages, as well as penalties against Nash, Dalbec, Nadem, and Best Choice Construction.
“We will hold accountable any defense contractor who attempts to undermine fair competition and defraud the American taxpayer through bribery and corrupt practices,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman for the District of Alaska. “To protect the integrity of our procurement system, we will marshal every enforcement tool available — from criminal prosecution to civil remedies under the False Claims Act — to ensure that corruption is exposed, taxpayers are safeguarded, and justice is fully served.”
“The Defense Criminal Investigative Service remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the integrity of the Department of Defense’s procurement process. This settlement sends a clear message: those who engage in bribery and kickback schemes will be held fully accountable for their actions,” said John Helsing, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “Efforts to corrupt or manipulate federal contracting—no matter how carefully concealed—undermine the public trust placed in our institutions and the missions they support. Today’s outcome reflects the determination of DCIS and our partners at the Department of Justice to uncover wrongdoing, enforce consequences, and safeguard taxpayer resources.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) conducted the investigation leading to the criminal indictments. The civil case was investigated by Defense Criminal Investigative Services and handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Civil Chief, Jackie Traini.
Whistleblowers who voluntarily report original information about fraud against the government may be eligible to receive a whistleblower reward. Whistleblower awards can range from 15 to 30 percent of the money collected. Those with information regarding fraud committed on government programs are encouraged to visit https://www.justice.gov/atr/whistleblower-rewards.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Teams with Yolo County District Attorney’s Office to sentence West Sacramento Career criminal to 20 years in prison for drug distribution conspiracy as part of part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiativeRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — James L. Kenney, 45, of West Sacramento, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, James Kenney was an organizer, broker, and known leader in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating in West Sacramento. Kenney’s DTO distributed various controlled substances but primarily sold fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Kenney’s DTO primarily distributed controlled substances into the community out of multiple rooms of a motel located in West Sacramento. At the time of the DTO’s operations, Kenney was on probation for previous convictions for selling controlled substances.
On May 2, 2025, a Confidential Source (CS) met Kenney at one of Kenney’s appointments with Yolo County Probation. Despite having been only recently released from prison for drug-dealing, Kenney almost immediately offered to sell the CS marijuana and also let the CS know that he could sell fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. That same day, Kenney sold the CS 2 ounces of fentanyl at a motel in West Sacramento.
On May 13, 2025, the CS bought more drugs from Kenney. Kenney directed the CS to the same motel they had met for the prior drug deal. The CS bought another 2 ounces of fentanyl at a price set by Kenney. After the fentanyl deal, the CS asked Kenney to buy 4 ounces of methamphetamine, which Kenney directed a co-defendant to measure out and take payment for.
On May 23, 2025, the CS again bought drugs from Kenney. This time, the CS and Kenney arranged for the purchase of a pound of methamphetamine. Once again, the CS arranged the purchase and price with Kenney, but the same co-defendant handled the payment and handoff of the drugs.
Later, on Aug. 28, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant on the motel where the DTO operated and all three transactions with the CS occurred. The co-defendant was found in one room of the motel with three handguns, 3.5 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 2 kilograms of cocaine, 283 grams of methamphetamine, and various other drugs. Kenney and two other individuals were in an adjoining room that also contained drugs, including methamphetamine, and heroin. Law enforcement also found more than $12,000 in cash during their search, with more than $1,000 in cash on Kenney’s person. Kenney’s room included a monitor linked to a camera observing another room in the same motel, and when agents searched the room, they found it unoccupied, but the room had more drugs, including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. The unoccupied room with the camera also contained an assault rifle and multiple magazines.
Throughout the conspiracy, Kenney acted as the broker and managed the supply, setting prices and procuring the drugs the CS sought to purchase.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the West Sacramento Police Department and the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Harman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew De Moura prosecuted the case.
This case is also part of the Special Assistant U.S. Attorney program, a partnership between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and local District Attorney’s Offices. These attorneys remain employed by the District Attorney’s Offices but work on federal investigations and can prosecute cases in both state and federal court, strengthening efforts to combat transnational organized crime and violent crime in the region. Currently, the District Attorney’s Offices of Fresno, Sacramento, Stanislaus, and Yolo Counties are participating. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt De Moura serves as a Deputy District Attorney in Yolo County.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Sacramento is composed of agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 132 Border-Related Cases This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 132 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).
In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.
A sample of border-related arrests this week:
- On September 15, Jose Camarillo De La Torre, a Mexican citizen and border crosser card holder, was arrested and charged with Importation of Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered over 122 pounds of fentanyl concealed in the bed of the Dodge Ram he was driving as he applied for entry to the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
- On September 16, Jocelyn Felix, a United States citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered nearly 86 pounds of cocaine concealed inside the Nissan Versa the defendant was driving as she applied for entry to the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
- On September 15, Antonio Jimenez-Reyez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Bringing in an Alien for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers found an undocumented person from China hiding inside the rear spare tire wheel well of Jimenez-Reyez’ Jeep Cherokee when he applied for entry to the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The undocumented person was paying nearly $60,000 to be smuggled into the U.S.
The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
- On September 15, Jose Camarillo De La Torre, a Mexican citizen and border crosser card holder, was arrested and charged with Importation of Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered over 122 pounds of fentanyl concealed in the bed of the Dodge Ram he was driving as he applied for entry to the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana to Host Louisiana Law Enforcement Gun Crime Summit in Shreveport and LafayetteRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE-On September 21, 2026, and September 24, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana will host the 2026 Louisiana Law Enforcement Gun Crime Summit in both Shreveport and Lafayette. The event is designed to strengthen collaboration and effectiveness among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the critical effort to combat illegal gun possession and gun crime throughout Louisiana.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller will address attendees with remarks addressing the “Benefits of Federal Prosecution: What to Expect from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” His remarks will highlight how federal investigative and prosecutorial tools can support and enhance local and state efforts to reduce gun violence.
The summit will also feature addresses by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and law enforcement leaders addressing prosecution challenges and remedies. Attendees will participate in workshops and focus groups discussing investigative protocols, best practices, information‑sharing strategies, and coordinated approaches in the quest to keep Louisiana communities safe.
Training seminars will include “Drafting Affidavits and Inclusive Report Writing,” “Fourth Amendment Refresher: Traffic Stops & Seizure of Evidence,” “Suppression Hearings & Trial Testimony,” “Highway Interdiction,” and “Investigation, Evidence Handling, Documentation, and Testimony in Firearms Cases.”
Shreveport: Date: Monday, September 21, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: LSUS Shreveport Auditorium
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115Lafayette: Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office
Public Safety Complex, Building 2
1825 W. Willow Street
Lafayette, LA 70583###
CONTACT: Public Affairs: Cara.Alexander@usdoj.gov
United States Attorney’s Office: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
X: @USAO_WDLA
Facebook: USAO_WDLA
(337) 262-6704Two Men Admit Roles in Success Village Apartments Embezzlement ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Two men pleaded guilty this week to offenses stemming from their participation in an embezzlement conspiracy involving Success Village Apartments, Inc., located in Bridgeport and Stratford.
The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England; and Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Success Village Apartments, Inc. (“SVA”) is a residential cooperative located in Bridgeport and Stratford. SVA comprises 96 separate buildings containing 924 residential units. CHARLES A. PITCHER served as the general manager of Success Village Apartments, Inc. (“SVA”) and also owned and controlled Real Estate Company of New England LLC and Pitcher Enterprises LLC. CARMINE GENTILE is a part owner of Umbrella Mechanical LLC (“Umbrella”), a New Jersey-registered company that provided commercial and residential plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services. In May 2022, Pitcher was appointed as the general manager of SVA for an annual fee of $250,000. In approximately June 2022, Umbrella began providing plumbing services to SVA, including work on the piping and boilers that provided heat and hot water to SVA residents.
Between approximately June 2022 and September 2024, Pitcher, Gentile, and others, including an individual identified as “Person-1” in the Criminal Information charging Pitcher, engaged in an embezzlement conspiracy through which vendors, including Umbrella, would submit fraudulent invoices and requests for payment to SVA, either for work that was not performed or at artificially inflated prices that overstated the amount of money owed by SVA. Pitcher and Person-1 agreed that, in exchange for the vendors’ receipt of work and payments from SVA, the vendors would divert between approximately 10 to 30 percent of the payments received from SVA to Pitcher and Person-1. Gentile and others prepared and caused to be prepared fraudulent invoices and requests for payment to SVA that were not the result of a competitive bidding process, contained objectively unreasonable markups for certain goods and services, contained charges for goods and services that were not rendered, contained amounts to be billed to SVA that were chosen by Pitcher and Person-1, and were otherwise fraudulently inflated, including by not accounting for the money that was remitted to Pitcher and Person-1.
In addition to the $250,000 Pitcher received annually from SVA, he also received purported “consulting fees” from SVA even though he provided no services to SVA in exchange for the fees. Pitcher typically provided a portion of these fees to Person-1.
Umbrella received approximately $2,631,769.71 in payments from SVA, more than $526,000 of which was diverted to Pitcher and Person-1. In total, Pitcher received more than $403,150 in diverted SVA funds, which were associated with over $3,664,000 in payments made by Umbrella and other vendors, and at least $232,479.35 in fraudulent “consulting fees.”
On September 14, 2026, Gentile, 37, of Freehold, New Jersey, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years. As part of his plea agreement, Gentile has agreed to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of at least $750,000 and agreed to pay restitution in the amount of at least $1,500,000. He is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing.
On September 15, 2026, Pitcher, 58, of Trumbull, pleaded guilty before Judge Oliver to the same charge, and he has agreed to a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of at least $635,629.35 and agreed to pay restitution in the amount of at least $2,500,000. He is released on a $250,000 bond pending sentencing.
This ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Riley.
Three Aliens Charged with Voting in Federal ElectionsRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Three aliens from Mexico, Venezuela, and Antigua and Barbuda face federal charges for allegedly voting illegally in recent federal elections.
“Voting in federal elections is a sacred right reserved to U.S. citizens, and every vote illegally cast by an alien cancels out a legal vote,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Maintaining the integrity of our elections and protecting the voting rights of citizens are among the highest priorities of my office. We will work with federal law enforcement and our state partners to vigorously safeguard those rights through the prosecutions brought to date and more that may soon follow.”
“Protecting the integrity of U.S. elections requires enforcing the laws that govern who may lawfully participate,” said Ryan McSeveney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service Miami Field Office, which oversees the Southeastern United States. “DSS is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of unlawful voting and related document and identity fraud.”
“When a foreign national votes in U.S. elections, it violates federal law and undermines public trust in our election system,” said Ellen Johnson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI in Georgia and Alabama. “HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate illegal voting and protect the integrity of America’s immigration and election systems.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Since September 1, 2026, three foreign nationals have been charged with voting in federal elections in the Northern District of Georgia.
Pauline Lewis, 65, an alien residing in Dawsonville, Georgia, is alleged to have voted by absentee ballot in the November 5, 2024, January 5, 2021, and November 3, 2020 federal elections. Lewis is allegedly a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda who entered the United States on a student visa in 1979 and remained in the country but never applied to become a U.S. citizen. Today, she appeared in federal court following her arrest on a criminal complaint charging her with voting as a non-citizen in a federal election.
Gabriel Covarrubias, 44, an alien residing in Lawrenceville, Georgia, is alleged to have voted in person using a false name in the November 5, 2024 federal election. Covarrubias is allegedly a citizen of Mexico who falsely claimed in a U.S. passport application submitted in March 2023 that he had a different name and was born in Puerto Rico. On September 1, 2026, he waived indictment and was charged by criminal information with making a false statement in a U.S. passport application and voting as a non-citizen in a federal election.
Analiea Milliscent Eccles, 43, an alien residing in Morrow, Georgia, is alleged to have voted nine times between 2008 and 2024. Eccles is allegedly a citizen of Venezuela who entered the United States on a temporary visitor visa in 1991 and remained in the country, applying for and receiving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status in 2013. Although she allegedly sought to renew that status earlier this year, she has never applied to become a U.S. citizen. On September 14, 2026, she appeared in federal court following her arrest on a criminal complaint charging her with voting as a non-citizen in a federal election and making a false claim of U.S. citizenship to vote in an election.
Members of the public are reminded that the complaints and information only contain charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The cases are being investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with valuable assistance from the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State.
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. 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 U.S. 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.
Texas Man Sentenced for Online Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Big Springs, Texas, man, Mark Coulter, 35, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for online enticement of a minor to engage in sexual conduct.
In January 2025, Coulter "friended" a minor victim on Facebook and began an online “relationship,” consisting of communicating via online messaging platforms, such as Snapchat and Facebook. During the course of the conversations, Coulter admitted to knowingly enticing the minor victim to engage in sexual acts with him. In June 2025, Coulter traveled from his home in Texas to Kentucky to visit family and meet the victim to engage in sexual activity, in which some of the sexual acts were recorded using a cellphone.
"Predators should understand this: the internet is not anonymous, and a screen will not shield you from law enforcement or the consequences of your actions. This defendant used the internet to target a child and then traveled across state lines to engage in sexual activity with the child," said U.S. Attorney Jason Parman. "A 25-year federal prison sentence demonstrates the seriousness in which we treat these crimes."
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. 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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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Tangipahoa Parish Man Pleads Guilty to Violating the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Federal Gun Control ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SHYHIEM PINES, age 31, a resident of Tangipahoa Parish, pled guilty on September 17, 2026, before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a three-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), possession with intent to distribute fifty (50) grams or more of methamphetamine and forty (40) grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 841(b)(1)(B), and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, in January 2024, law enforcement officers learned that PINES sold heroin and fentanyl from his residence in Ponchatoula, Louisiana and that his mother Kawaiishh Brown sold heroin and fentanyl from her residence also in Ponchatoula on behalf of PINES.
On March 26, 2024, agents obtained and executed search warrants at PINES and Brown’s residences. At PINES’ residence, agents found a black book sack containing 312.1 grams of methamphetamine, 1.61 grams of cocaine, and 57 grams of tramadol, fentanyl and heroin. Also in the book sack with the drugs was a Glock Model 22, .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol.
At the residence, where Brown resides, law enforcement seized 57.1 grams of methamphetamine, 5.523 grams of fentanyl, 11.73 grams of cocaine and .995 grams of cocaine base. Also found in the residence, were a Ruger LSP .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a Radical Firearm Model RF-15 semi-automatic rifle. PINES acknowledged ownership of the drugs and firearms found at Brown’s residence and admitted that he provided the drugs to Brown for resale.
For the conspiracy count, PINES faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, at least three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. For the possession with intent to distribute count, PINES faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, at least five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. For the firearm count, PINES faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life, to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed, up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
The case was investigated by the Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), which is comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hammond Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the 21st Judicial District Court. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys André Jones and Lauren Sarver.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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Tallahassee Felon Indicted for Federal Drug & Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Marcello Hinojosa, 53, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offense. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Hinojosa appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida. Trial is scheduled for September 28, 2026, in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Hinojosa faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute count; up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count; and no less than 5 years consecutive to any other sentence on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offense count.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Tallahassee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Sumter County Man Arrested for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Gerquon Lavares Thomas (32, Wildwood), a/k/a “Q-Baby,” has been charged by indictment with three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, Thomas faces an enhanced minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison on each count due to having a prior qualifying conviction for a serious felony drug offense. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, on June 5, June 24, and October 10, 2025, Thomas distributed and possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Thomas is currently detained pending the resolution of the case.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
South Texas man sentenced after traveling with minor while in possession of over 2,000 images of child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A 33-year-old Brownsville man has been ordered to federal prison for possession of child pornography.
Jose Jaime Baeza Jr. pleaded guilty Aug. 5, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Rolando Olvera ordered Baeza to serve 180 months in federal prison at a hearing Sept. 9, to be immediately followed by life on supervised release.
During that time, Baeza will be subject to numerous requirements restricting his access to children and the internet and will be required to register as a sex offender. The court further ordered Baeza to pay $30,000 in restitution to the victims.
On Jan. 17, 2024, Baeza attempted to enter the United States through the Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge with a female child. He claimed she was his sister but did not have the proper documentation to support that statement.
Authorities referred Baeza to secondary inspection after a records check flagged him as a registered sex offender.
Law enforcement located two cell phones and discovered a video of an 8-year-old child engaging in sex acts.
A forensic analysis of one of the phones uncovered approximately 2,177 images and 487 videos of child sexual abuse material.
Baeza will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with assistance from Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ana C. Cano 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 link on that page.
South Bend Man Found Guilty After 4-Day Jury Trial for Controlled Substance and Firearm Offenses Through the efforts of the Homeland Security Task ForceRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – DeCarlos L. Smallwood, 51 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was convicted of eight felony counts after a four-day jury trial before United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Smallwood was found guilty of drug and firearm offenses, including conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, distribution and possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 26, 2027.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, Indiana State Police, DEA North Central Laboratory, South Bend Police Department, St. Joseph County Police Department, and Mishawaka Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius and Joel Gabrielse.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Indianapolis comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS, Indiana State Police, and other partners, with the prosecutions being led by the United States Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.
Shelton Man Charged with Stealing Government Funds Through Altered U.S. Treasury Tax Refund ChecksRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, today announced that a federal grand jury in Bridgeport has returned an indictment charging JUAVEEL WRIGHT, 34, of Shelton, with five counts of theft of government property related to the depositing of altered federal tax refund checks with a combined value of more than $520,000.
The indictment was returned on September 2, 2026. Wright appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Dave Vatti in Bridgeport, pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was released on a $200,000 bond.
As alleged in the indictment, between February and July 2024, Wright obtained U.S. Treasury tax refund checks that were issued to other persons or organizations. Wright altered, or caused the alteration of, five tax refund checks so that he was listed as the payee with his address in Shelton. He deposited the five checks into his brokerage account and received more than $440,000 for the first four checks. The brokerage firm did not issue funds for the fifth check after determining it had been altered. Wright transferred most of the funds to two bank accounts and withdrew the money primarily as cash. He also used some funds to purchase stocks in his brokerage account.
Theft of government property carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
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.
Sex offender admits to receiving and possessing child sexual abuse materialRead the Press Release
GALVESTON, Texas – A 59-year-old Hitchcock resident has pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography.
Peter Michael Ryan IV admitted he received, possessed, and shared child sexual abuse material through multiple online platforms, including the Verizon Cloud, Snapchat, Google, and Telegram. Ryan distributed the material from at least April 2021 until law enforcement searched his home in April 2023. Investigators found that Ryan possessed more than 7,500 videos and images of child sexual abuse material in his possession.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey V. Brown will impose sentencing on Dec. 1. At that time, Ryan faces up to 40 years in federal prison for receipt of child pornography and 20 years for possession of child pornography. He also faces a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Ryan has been and will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Hitchcock Police Department and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Lu is prosecuting 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.
September term of the Federal Grand Jury returns indictments for kidnapping, firearms, drugs, and immigration chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: Multiple defendants have been indicted by the September term of the federal Grand Jury in the Southern District of Georgia for various charges, including kidnapping, firearms offenses, drug charges, and immigration violations.
Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced the indictments. Those facing federal charges include:
- Eshon Grant, 34, of Savannah, indicted for two counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery, two counts of Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Brandon L. Graddy, 41, of Savannah, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and for Possession of a Firearm during and in relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
- Tommy Browner Jr., 40, of Rayle, Georgia, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Terrick Barice Griggs, 37, of Savannah, indicted for Kidnapping.
- Raheem Kirkland, 30, of Savannah, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Calvin C. Britt, 59, of Hephzibah, Georgia, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Damien Deshawn Stubbs, 36, of Augusta, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Anthony Torres, 35, a citizen of Mexico, indicted for Possession of Fraudulent Immigration Documents and Aggravated Identity Theft.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases listed above have been investigated by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Savannah Police Department and local law enforcement agencies. These cases are being prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew A. Breedon, Tara M. Lyons, Steven T. Poland, Bradley R. Thompson, Joshua Kyle Davis, Henry W. Syms Jr., Marcela Mateo, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Karl I. Knoche.
Rochester Man Charged with Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Jaythien Guillermo, age 25, of Rochester, New Hampshire was indicted this week by a federal grand jury for one count of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Distribution of Child Pornography, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces. He will appear in federal court in Concord on September 24, 2026.
If convicted, Guillermo faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum prison term of 30 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Concord Police Department led the investigation. The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles V. DeJoie III is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Schools: Federal grand jury returns 7-count indictment against elementary school teacher and former principal for conspiracy scheme that endangered childrenRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that on Sept. 16, a federal grand jury indicted Michael Raymond Roell, also known as “Johnathan Michael,” and Wendy Bailey, former principal of Crosby Elementary School in Forney ISD, for orchestrating a scheme that concealed Roell’s prior history of alleged abuse and misconduct, and enabled him to obtain a position as a special‑education teacher within the district.
The duo is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud for their alleged roles in facilitating Roell’s fraudulent entry into the school district.
“The allegations in this indictment represent a profound violation of trust,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “A school is supposed to be a place where children are safe and protected, not a place where an educator with a known history of misconduct can walk back into a classroom because someone in a position of authority helped him hide who he really was – a predator that targets special needs children. This office will use every tool available to aggressively prosecute anyone who compromises the safety of children or undermines the integrity of our public institutions. These individuals did not just conspire to break the law, they actively and maliciously put children at risk.”
“This indictment demonstrates the lengths these two defendants went to circumvent a hiring process meant to keep our schools and students safe,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure that students not only receive a good education, but that education is provided in a safe environment.”
According to the indictment, on or about June 6, 2016, Roell was arrested and charged in Dallas County, with one count of indecency with a child – sexual conduct after accusations he touched at least one student in the groin area and observed the student as they used the restroom. Roell was terminated from his position with Garland ISD. These prior allegations, which were known to Bailey, were concealed during the hiring process, and were red flags that would have impacted his eligibility for employment if adequately disclosed.
The indictment alleges that to circumvent hiring safeguards, Roell, encouraged by Bailey, legally changed his name from Michael Raymond Roell to Johnathan Michael, then submitted an employment application to Forney ISD that concealed his prior identity, criminal charges, and misconduct and disciplinary history. Prosecutors allege that Bailey used her position as principal to promote Roell’s candidacy, participate in hiring communications and help move his falsified application forward.
The indictment details numerous electronic communications between Roell and Bailey — including emails, text messages, and application documents — that prosecutors say demonstrate explicit coordination to hide Roell’s prior criminal charges and ensure his hiring. In October 2025, Roell, using his new legal name, was successfully hired as a special‑education teacher at Crosby Elementary, earning approximately $67,700 annually.
Roell remained employed by Forney ISD until May 2026, when the Texas Rangers arrested him on state charges of felony child abuse and grooming. That arrest led to the federal investigation now culminating in these felony indictments.
As alleged in the indictment, the charges are related to Roell’s prior alleged wrongdoing and the alleged efforts by Roell and Bailey to conceal that information.
Roell has been in federal custody since Aug. 27. If convicted, both defendants face a federal prison sentence of up to twenty years and forfeiture of any proceeds derived from the offense.
The FBI’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations Dallas and the Texas Rangers. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ted Parran and Claire Demers are prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Schools is a federal initiative aimed at protecting students, enforcing accountability and restoring transparency in public schools across North Texas. Project Safe Schools directly targets failures in mandatory reporting of educator misconduct and combats the practice known as “passing the trash,” where educators with known misconduct issues move between schools without disclosure of their prior wrongdoing. Project Safe Schools’ goals are to:
- Enforce mandatory reporting requirements tied to federal education programs.
- Hold school districts, administrators and teachers accountable through civil and criminal enforcement.
- Increase transparency in educator misconduct investigations.
- Strengthen student safety across schools in North Texas.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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roell_bailey_-_indictment.pdfPlainfield Man with Prior Federal Conviction Pleads Guilty to Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England, announced that WILLIAM LAVIMONIERE, 66, of Plainfield, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today in Hartford federal court to tax evasion.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 10, 2012, Lavimoniere was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 33 months of imprisonment for fraud and tax offenses stemming from his embezzlement of more than $348,000 from a non-profit corporation that served Connecticut adults and students who have disabilities. In November 2012, Lavimoniere divorced his wife to transfer assets, including their residence, to her to avoid collection by the IRS. Lavimoniere was released from federal prison in April 2015.
For the 2008 through 2011 tax years, Lavimoniere had an outstanding tax assessment balance of $213,267, not including penalties and interest. Lavimoniere only paid approximately $7,007 toward the assessment. In December 2023, the IRS ceased civil collection of the outstanding assessment because the collection statute expired.
After Lavimoniere was released from prison, he operated a trucking and furniture installation business named WJL Handling LLC (“WJL”). For the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024 tax years, Lavimoniere earned substantial income from WJL but willfully failed to file federal tax returns. For the 2019 through 2022 tax years, Lavimoniere filed tax returns that underreported income from WJL. Lavimoniere made significant structured cash withdrawals to avoid financial reporting thresholds, paid his employees “under the table,” and used his business bank account to pay personal expenses. He also continued to live in his former residence with his ex-wife and deposited cash into her bank account, which she then used to pay the mortgage and other household expenses.
The government has calculated that Lavimoniere owes $246,417 in restitution to the IRS, and Lavimoniere has agreed to cooperate with the IRS to pay all outstanding taxes, interest, and penalties.
Tax evasion carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
Lavimoniere is released on a $75,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for December 9.
This matter is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather L. Cherry.
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.
Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Drug Diversion from National Pharmacy ChainRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Pittsfield pharmacist pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to diverting Adderall and Dextroamp-amphetamin (generic Adderall) from a national pharmacy chain.
Joshua Bradley, 30, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty to five counts of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, deception and subterfuge. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Dec. 15, 2026. Bradley was charged in July 2026.
While working as a licensed pharmacist at a national pharmacy chain, Bradley diverted various quantities of Dextroamp-amphetamin for his own use on four occasions in August, September and November 2024. Additionally, on Nov. 10, 2024, Bradley also diverted Adderall. These controlled substances originally were intended for customers.
The charge of acquiring a controlled substance by fraud, deception, and subterfuge provides for a sentence of up to four years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department and the Barnstable, Harwich, Bourne, Brewster, Sandwich, Falmouth, Mashpee, Yarmouth and Dennis Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Cleary of the Health Care Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
Non-Citizen Charged with Unlawful Voting in Del RioRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – A Mexican national was arrested Wednesday in Del Rio on criminal charges related to alleged illegal voting, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Monica Ivette Carzoli Carillo, 46, became a Legal Permanent Resident on Dec. 5, 2023. On Oct. 26, 2024, Carzoli Carillo allegedly cast an early voting ballot at the Del Rio Civic Center in the November 2024 presidential election.
A criminal complaint alleges that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers obtained a sworn statement from Carzoli Carillo on Nov. 19, 2025, in which Carzoli Carillo admitted to registering to vote and then voting in the November 2024 election.
Carzoli Carillo is charged with one count of 18 USC 611 voting by aliens and one count of 18 USC 1015(f). If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“Federal law in the United States clearly states that it is unlawful for a noncitizen to vote in federal elections,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “If you don’t have integrity in your elections, you don’t have a country. Rest assured, my office will work with our partners at the state and federal levels to investigate cases of alleged illegal voting and we will prosecute them accordingly.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case with assistance from the Office of the Texas Attorney General.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carli Tuttle is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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