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18 September 2026
More than 260 New Federal Immigration Cases Filed in Western District of TexasRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 264 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from September 11 through September 17, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. Charges were brought against alien smugglers and illegal aliens with past convictions for child sex crimes, numerous DWIs, violent crimes, thefts, and numerous prior removals.
Among the new cases, Jose Ramiro Ramirez Nunez, an illegal alien from Mexico, is charged with illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Ramirez Nunez was pulled over by a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Texas Highway Patrol trooper in Guadalupe County on Monday, September 14. A criminal complaint alleges he was the driver and sole occupant in the vehicle and presented a Mexican Consulate ID card as he did not possess a driver’s license. An officer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) determined Ramirez Nunez was an illegal alien from Mexico and took him into custody. During an inventory search of Ramirez Nunez’s vehicle, the DPS trooper allegedly located a .40 caliber pistol in the center console, unloaded and holstered. The complaint further alleges that the trooper also located two magazines loaded with .40 caliber ammunition inside the glove box.
An illegal alien and convicted sex offender was arrested in El Indio and charged with illegal re-entry. Jose Enrique Vasquez-Nicolas, of Mexico, was deported on June 28, 2025 after serving a five-year sentence in prison for two counts of sexual assault of a child.
Yoni Donay Hernandez-Orellana, an illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents near Eagle Pass. Hernandez-Orellana was deported in October 2025 after being convicted of common law robbery in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hernandez-Orellana was also convicted of Robbery with a dangerous weapon in July 2024. He now faces his first illegal re-entry charge.
U.S. citizen Pedro Damian Torres, who was arrested in July on a human smuggling state charge, is now federally charged with alien smuggling following a smuggling incident near Paisano Drive in El Paso. A USBP agent discovered a breach in the border fence and observed five sets of muddy footprints leading toward Paisano Drive. Video surveillance confirmed five individuals crossed the Rio Grande, breached the fence, and entered a silver sedan which then fled at a high rate of speed. An investigation led agents to a location on Viscount Boulevard, where they observed that the interior of the vehicle parked there was covered in mud. The vehicle was determined to be registered to Torres and also had a history of crossing the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry. Due to the investigation and prior derogatory alerts pertaining to Torres, agents arrested him as he exited the building on Viscount Boulevard. A criminal complaint alleges Torres admitted to picking up five illegal aliens along Paisano Drive and that he was paid $600 per illegal alien, a total of $3,000. The complaint also alleges Torres admitted to three prior smuggling events for which he was paid $500 per subject.
U.S. citizen Lawrence Joshua Lucero was also arrested and charged with alien smuggling. Lucero allegedly arranged to pick up two illegal aliens near the intersection of Porfirio Diaz Street and West Missouri Avenue. Lucero was previously convicted of human smuggling in June 2025. He was also convicted of drug trafficking in 2023 and child abuse in 2016.
In Fort Hancock, Jose Luis Saldana-Barrios, an illegal alien from Mexico with two active warrants, was arrested and charged with illegal re-entry. Saldana-Barrios was previously removed from the U.S. in November 2017. He was convicted of his fourth DWI in November 2016. He was also convicted in 2015 of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
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.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Moncks Corner Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Selling Fentanyl and a GunRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Miquan Xavier Fennick, 27, of Moncks Corner, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for selling drugs, including fentanyl, and a pistol with an obliterated serial number. Fennick pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Evidence presented in court showed that Fennick sold methamphetamine and fentanyl to a confidential source on three separate occasions in Summerville between March 28 and April 13, 2023. During one of those transactions, Fennick also sold the source a .380-caliber pistol with its serial number removed. His prior felony convictions prohibited him from possessing firearms. Across the three distributions, Fennick sold more than 226 grams of methamphetamine and nearly 9 grams of fentanyl.
Then, on April 16, 2023, Fennick ran from Myrtle Beach Police Officers and dropped a shoulder bag with 189 grams of methamphetamine, 20 grams of crack cocaine, and 15 grams of powder cocaine.
Fennick previously served a state prison sentence for offenses involving methamphetamine, heroin, and a pistol.
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.
United States District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Fennick to 15 years in federal prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, and the Myrtle Beach Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow prosecuted the case.###
Mississippi Man Pled Guilty to Distribution of FentanylRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – KEVIN DEAN, age 34, a resident of Mississippi, pled guilty on September 10, 2026, to two counts of distribution of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
DEAN faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00, a 3-year term of supervised release after his term of imprisonment, and a mandatory assessment fee of $100.00.
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan will sentence DEAN on December 10, 2026.
According to court documents, on December 1, 2025, DEAN sold fentanyl to an individual he believed to be a legitimate buyer during a controlled buy that was orchestrated by Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosive (ATF) agents. Later, on December 8, 2025, DEAN again sold fentanyl to an individual he believed to be a legitimate buyer during a controlled buy that was orchestrated by ATF agents.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Paul J. Hubbell, I.V. of the Narcotics Unit.
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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Minnesota Man Sentenced for Assaulting Representative Ilhan Omar During Minneapolis Town Hall on January 27, 2026Read the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Anthony James Kazmierczak, 56, was sentenced to 14 months in prison for assaulting United States Representative Ilhan Omar during a Town Hall meeting in January 2026. Kazmierczak was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen on September 17, 2026.
Kazmierczak previously pleaded guilty on May 7, 2026 to a one-count indictment charging him with assaulting a United States Officer in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a). Kazmierczak had originally been charged by complaint on January 28, 2026, one day after the assault.
According to court documents, Kazmierczak attended an official Town Hall meeting in north Minneapolis, hosted by United States Representative Ilhan Omar. During the meeting, Representative Omar called for the then-Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary to resign. The defendant, seated in the front row of the audience, suddenly stood up and aggressively approached Representative Omar in the front of the room and sprayed her with liquid from a syringe, shouting, “She’s not resigning. You’re splitting Minnesotans apart.” The liquid from the syringe landed on Representative Omar’s jacket. The FBI interviewed a security guard who saw droplets of the liquid on Representative Omar’s face, and Representative Omar told the FBI that she also felt the liquid on her hand. Lab analysis determined the liquid contained acetic acid and identified it as a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar.
After spraying the liquid, Kazmierczak gestured at Representative Omar while backing away and was tackled to the floor by a security officer from her security detail. The defendant was then escorted out of the room by security officers, and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) responded to the scene. As an MPD officer approached the defendant, the defendant spontaneously stated, “I squirted vinegar.” The Town Hall meeting was briefly interrupted, but Representative Omar continued the meeting and her remarks.
An FBI investigation determined that the defendant had planned the assault on Representative Omar for weeks, and he anticipated that his conduct at the meeting would likely result in an arrest. The defendant had ordered a ticket to the Town Hall meeting weeks in advance. Prior to attending the Town Hall meeting, Kazmierczak sent messages to associates with vague indicators that he planned to do something at the meeting, and he arranged for dog care and contact with a bail bond company.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Ericksen noted that the defendant’s crime was premeditated and planned, but it was “misguided planning.” She stated that Kazmierczak’s act was “misguided, selfish, and inconsistent with a free and democratic society.”
“Political violence is unacceptable. This defendant chose to assault a Member of Congress instead of resorting to the ballot box. My office will not tolerate these types of attacks,” said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
“The planning and intent that went into this crime of political violence is shocking,” said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. “The use of any form of violence to assault, resist, or impede officials carrying out their constitutionally appointed duties cannot be tolerated. Today’s sentence shows that there are serious consequences for choosing violence over civil discourse.”
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.
Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced to Decade in PrisonRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – An Ohio man will spend the next 10 years in federal prison for selling methamphetamine in Wetzel County, announced United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Tyree D’Sean Jefferys, 34, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced to 120 months in prison. Jefferys, also known as “Ty,” sold more than a half a pound of methamphetamine to confidential informants in New Martinsville, West Virginia. Jefferys has prior burglary and firearms convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Marshall County Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
Member of the Tulalip Tribes sentenced to 17 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and using a firearm in a crime of violenceRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 40-year-old member of the Tulalip Tribes was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 17 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and using a firearm in a crime of violence, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Abdul Qasim Ray Zahir shot and killed a friend who had been helping him work on a car in a detached garage at his home on the Tulalip reservation. Zahir shot the victim during a sudden quarrel over noise from the auto work. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez said, “This is a sad case in so many different ways… The taking of a life – it doesn’t get more serious than that…. This was a senseless act.”
“This was a completely senseless crime – Mr. Zahir used a homemade firearm to shoot the victim in the back of the head, the heart and shoulder during nothing more than a verbal altercation,” said First Assistant Neil Floyd. “The defendant’s lengthy criminal history – including firing a gun during a robbery at a Costco warehouse and a prior ten-year federal sentence for drug trafficking, mandate significant prison time to protect the community.”
According to records filed in the case, on May 28, 2022, the victim, Zahir and others were in the detached garage, when Zahir’s cousin complained about the noise the victim was making. As the victim walked towards Zahir’s cousin, Zahir pulled out a gun and fired three shots killing the victim. Zahir refused to try to aid the victim or call 9-1-1 for aid. The victim was unarmed.
Despite prior felony convictions, Zahir possessed firearms and ammunition – the guns all self-manufactured “ghost guns.” As prosecutors noted in their sentencing memo, “From Zahir’s garage, where the homicide occurred, agents also recovered three additional ‘ghost gun’ firearms with no serial numbers, including two AR-15 style assault rifles and one modified .22 caliber pistol. Other items recovered from Zahir’s residence made clear that he was directly involved in the manufacture of ghost guns.” Zahir was also actively selling fentanyl pills.
At the time of the shooting, Zahir was facing charges in King County Superior Court: attempted robbery, illegal possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen vehicle. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Zahir will plead guilty to those charges, and the state prosecutor will recommend that the sentence in state court will run concurrent to Zahir’s sentence in federal custody.
Judge Martinez imposed five years of supervised release to follow the prison sentence. Restitution for the victim’s family will be determined at a later date.
“Mr. Zahir ruthlessly killed an unarmed victim by shooting him multiple times at close range, all because of an argument,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “No sentence can ever bring back the life Zahir so needlessly took. However, it is our hope this sentence sends a message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners take violent crime seriously, both on tribal lands and throughout Washington state, especially those who have failed to learn their lesson from prior offenses.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Tulalip Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
Mason City Man Sentenced to More Than 25 Years in Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Willie York, 47, from Mason City, Iowa, was sentenced on September 18, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City. York pled guilty on May 11, 2026, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. York was previously convicted in Cerro Gordo County of the following crimes which prohibit a person from possessing a firearm or ammunition: Terrorism – Intent to Injure or Provoke Fear or Anger, and Robbery-2nd, both in 2000; and Delivery of Methamphetamine in 2015.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that from August 2024 through October 2024, York and others conspired to distribute more than two pounds of mixed methamphetamine which contained 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine. On October 1, 2024, York was a passenger in a vehicle with two others, traffic stopped south of Sioux City, Iowa. Law enforcement found over one pound of pure methamphetamine broken down in various packages, along with two firearms in the vehicle including a fully loaded Beretta 9mm pistol with York. York admitted that he and another transported the methamphetamine from Des Moines, Iowa to Pierre, South Dakota for distribution during two round trips over the course of several days, and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced York to 322 months’ imprisonment and ordered he serve a 10-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. York remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office and the Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-4080. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Maryland Man Sentenced for Drug Distribution Charges in Connection with Death of Teenage GirlRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal judge sentenced a Gaithersburg, Maryland, man for a drug-trafficking offense that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl.
U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman sentenced Kelvin Reyes, 27, to 14 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of controlled substances after selling narcotics to the minor victim who contacted him on a social media platform.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Special Agent in Charge Frank Saldana, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division, Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Acting Chief Darren Francke, Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD).
According to court documents, on January 14, 2023, Reyes distributed fentanyl to the teenaged victim. The victim later used the substance and subsequently died.
Evidence shows that late in the evening of January 13, the victim contacted Reyes on Instagram about purchasing fentanyl. Reyes agreed to sell fentanyl to the victim, so he requested an address for delivery. The victim then instructed Reyes to meet her at an elementary school near her residence in Montgomery County.
The investigation revealed that Reyes’s phone was located at the school where he agreed to meet the victim in the early morning hours of January 14. Ring camera footage from the victim’s residence also confirms she left her residence around the same timeframe and returned home approximately three minutes later. Reyes then posted an Instagram story advertising he was driving around in his car selling fentanyl after he met the victim.
The victim’s mother reported that around 7 a.m., she found her daughter in her room in a fetal position with fluid coming out of her mouth and nose area. She also saw a burnt piece of aluminum foil with fentanyl residue next to the victim. An autopsy later revealed that the victim’s cause of death was fentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl intoxication.
On January 24, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Reyes’s residence where they found a digital scale; clear plastic bags; a plastic zip-top bag containing $5.13 in U.S. coins; and numerous orange zip-top bags, foil, and straws with residue.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, FBI, and MCPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle A. Li and Kenneth S. Clark, who prosecuted this federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Maryland Man Convicted of Child Sex-Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced, today, that after a four-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Maryland man of several child sex-abuse crimes.
The jury found James Edward Howeth, 43, of East New Market, guilty of two counts of sexually exploiting a minor, one count of distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and three counts of possessing CSAM. Howeth faces a mandatory minimum 15 years, and a maximum of 140 years, in federal prison.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty verdict with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent, Maryland State Police (MSP).
During the trial, evidence showed that Howeth enticed and coerced a minor female to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing CSAM. The government also proved that Howeth used a cell phone to distribute CSAM.
According to court documents, between April 2021 and April 2022, Howeth produced sexually explicit depictions of the minor victim who was 4 and 5 years old at the time. Law enforcement discovered that Howeth possessed more than CSAM files and that in September 2023, Howeth sent a text message to another person with a CSAM file attached.
Then as part of the investigation, on March 14, 2024, law-enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Howeth’s East New Market home. During the search, law enforcement seized several of Howeth’s electronic devices including two cellphones, a laptop, and a desktop. A search of the cellphones revealed a text conversation in which Howeth discussed his sexual attraction to the minor victim and other children in addition to CSAM images of the minor victim that Howeth produced on two separate occasions.
Law enforcement also located more than 200 CSAM files on the cellphones and more than 100 CSAM files on the laptop.
Howeth is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for each count of sexually exploiting a minor. He also faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years for distributing CSAM, along with a maximum of 20 years for each count of possessing CSAM.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and MSP for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn and Reema Sood who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Marion County Man Sentenced to over Eight Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and CocaineRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Jimmy Deon Lofton (46, Ocala) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to eight years and one month in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Lofton pleaded guilty plea on May 28, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, on July 1, 2025, the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) executed a search warrant at Lofton’s residence. Agents recovered numerous controlled substances, including approximately 173 grams of fentanyl, 31 grams of methamphetamine, 260 grams of MDMA, and over 1,000 grams of cocaine. Some of the substances were buried in an ammunition can in the backyard. Agents also obtained a search warrant for a home security DVR system Lofton had installed. That DVR system revealed numerous videos of Lofton packaging and selling controlled substances at his residence.
This case was investigated by the Marion County Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
Marion County Man Arrested for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Chan Dara Mean (42, Belleview) has been charged by indictment with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). If convicted, Mean faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, on August 25, 2026, Mean was in possession of material which contained visual depictions involving the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12. Mean was arrested on September 16, 2026. He 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 Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Man Charged with Naturalization FraudRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal grand jury in Charlotte has returned a criminal indictment charging Sha Bahadur Ghaley, 42, a naturalized citizen from Bhutan, with naturalization fraud, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
“It is a proud day for most people when they become a naturalized citizen of this great country,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Those who commit fraud to cheat their way into American citizenship take that opportunity from someone else. That is a federal crime, and we will hold them accountable.”
“Naturalization fraud threatens the integrity of our immigration system and the trust placed in those who seek U.S. citizenship lawfully,” said Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Atlanta Field Office Director LaDeon Francis. “Through initiatives such as Operation False Haven, ERO will continue working with our federal partners to identify fraud, support criminal prosecutions, and uphold the rule of law.”
According to allegations in the indictment, between 2010 and 2014, Ghaley committed sexual crimes against a child in Charlotte. He later pleaded guilty to three counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child as a result of those actions. The indictment alleges that, after committing those crimes, Ghaley obtained his U.S. citizenship fraudulently by lying during the naturalization process about having committed a crime or offense for which he had not been arrested (at that time) and failed to admit that, prior to applying for citizenship, he had knowingly committed sexual acts with a child.
According to the indictment, on December 4, 2017, Ghaley submitted an application for naturalization to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS). The indictment alleges that Ghaley lied on the citizenship application form by responding “No” to questions like “Were you ever involved in any way with … [f]orcing, or trying to force someone to have any kind of sexual contact or relations?” and “Have you ever committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit, a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?” Ghaley signed the form under penalty of perjury, and certified that his answers were true and correct. On January 10, 2018, Ghaley appeared at the CIS office in Charlotte for a naturalization interview. During the interview, Ghaley swore under oath that his responses on the naturalization application were true and that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested. Ghaley was then granted U.S. citizenship in July 2018.
In February 2024, Ghaley pleaded guilty to three counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with Children in state court. As part of that conviction, Ghaley was sentenced to serve between 32 and 58 months in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender for 30 years. Immigration officials were not aware of his criminal actions until after he had gone through the naturalization process.
Ghaley is currently in state custody and will be ordered to appear in federal court in Charlotte. The maximum penalty for naturalization fraud is 10 years in prison.
The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Division for their investigation of the case and credited Operation False Haven, which led to the charges against Ghaley. False Haven is an ongoing ERO initiative purpose-built to identify individuals who fraudulently obtained U.S. citizenship.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Smith of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte is in charge of the prosecution.
Civil Denaturalization Actions
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also filed civil denaturalization actions against three individuals for violating the Immigration and Nationality Act and unlawfully and fraudulently becoming naturalized citizens of the United States. The civil complaints were filed between June and August 2026.
“For the first time, the United States is comparing fingerprints to identify people who changed their identity to fraudulently obtain citizenship—sometimes decades ago and sometimes after being ordered deported,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “These people take the place of honest people who deserve to be citizens of this great country, and we will continue to work to identify them and file actions to have a court of law denaturalize them.”
“Under the Trump administration, individuals who unlawfully obtain U.S. citizenship will face serious consequences,” said USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow. “Through strong interagency partnerships, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is helping ensure that those who violate the law are held responsible.”
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalized U.S. citizen’s citizenship may be revoked, and certificate of naturalization canceled, if the naturalization was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation.
U.S. v. Benjamin Hernandez – The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a civil complaint in August against Benjamin Hernandez, a/k/a Luis Elder Alvarado, a Honduran national residing in the Charlotte area, for allegedly committing immigration fraud in his naturalization proceedings. The complaint alleges that Hernandez illegally entered the United States using the alias Lius Elder Alvarado and was subsequently ordered removed in 1999. Hernandez later used the name Bejamin Hernandez in separate immigration proceedings, eventually becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen through marriage to a U.S. citizen in 2008. The United States alleges that the court should issue an order revoking Hernandez’s naturalization because he illegally procured naturalization while he was subject to an outstanding order of removal under the name Luis Elder Alvarado when he applied for adjustment of status; misrepresented his identity and immigration history; committed unlawful acts that adversely reflected on his moral character; and procured his naturalization through willful misrepresentation and concealment of material facts. (3:26-cv-683)
U.S. v. Han Xiong Chen – A civil complaint was filed in June against Chen, a Chinese national residing in Asheville, seeking his denaturalization for allegedly committing immigration fraud in his naturalization proceedings. It is alleged that Chen illegally entered the United States in 1996, and, after submitting a fraudulent Chinese passport, he was deported six months later. Chen then entered the United States illegally in 1999, using a different date of birth. Chen later obtained permanent resident status and naturalization, continuing to rely on false statements in written applications and during interviews. The United States alleges that the court should issue an order revoking Chen’s naturalization because he procured his naturalized citizenship illegally since he was not a lawfully admitted permanent resident; he procured immigration benefits, permanent residence, and naturalization through fraud and willful misrepresentation; he sought admission into the United States less than 10 years after departing while subject to a final order of removal; he committed unlawful acts that were crimes of moral turpitude and gave false testimony which rendered him ineligible for naturalization. (1:26-cv-189)
U.S. v. Kevin Yun-Sang Kim – A civil complaint was filed in June against Kim, a Korean national residing in Charlotte, seeking his denaturalization for allegedly committing immigration fraud in his naturalization proceedings. It is alleged that Kim illegally entered the United States and was ordered removed in 1996. The order allowed Kim to voluntarily depart the United States and included an alternate order of deportation to Korea. Kim agreed to depart voluntarily but failed to do so, which transformed his voluntary departure order into a deportation order. The complaint alleges that the deportation order rendered him ineligible for legal status, yet Kim concealed the outstanding deportation order during his naturalization proceedings. The United States alleges that the court should issue an order revoking Kim’s naturalization because he was not a lawful permanent resident when he procured his naturalization; he was not a lawfully admitted permanent resident and not eligible to receive an immigrant visa at the time he filed for a status adjustment; he committed fraud or willfully misrepresented material facts when he sought this status adjustment; he procured immigration benefits, permanent residence, and naturalization through fraud and willful misrepresentation; he gave false testimony and committed unlawful acts that adversely reflected on his moral character; a final deportation order remained in effect when he applied for naturalization; and he procured his naturalization by concealment of material facts and willful misrepresentations. (3:26-cv-434)
These cases are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Civil Litigation Division, with assistance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The claims made in the complaints are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Lowell Man Sentenced to Nearly Seven Years in Prison for Drug Distribution and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A previously convicted felon from Lowell was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing cocaine base (crack cocaine) and illegally possessing two firearms.
Marc Sanchez, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to 81 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In June 2026, Sanchez pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Sanchez was arrested and charged in October 2025 and has remained in federal custody since.
Sanchez was identified as a drug distributor selling crack cocaine out of his apartment in Lowell. Specifically, on Sept. 17, 2025, a cooperating witness arranged to meet Sanchez at his apartment to purchase an ounce and a half of crack cocaine. At the time of the meeting, Sanchez was observed meeting with an unknown drug supplier in a car outside his apartment building to acquire powder cocaine. Sanchez then returned to his apartment with the cooperating witness, where Sanchez “cooked” the powder cocaine into crack cocaine, separated and weighed the substance, and then sold it to the cooperating witness. In addition, Sanchez used phone numbers and cars registered in other people’s names to deal crack cocaine.
On Sept. 25, 2025, Sanchez again produced and distributed an ounce-and-a-half of crack cocaine to the cooperating witness at this apartment. During a search of Sanchez’s apartment approximately one week later, on Oct. 1, 2025, more cocaine, drug-coated cookware and drug packaging materials were recovered as well as over $3,000 cash and two loaded 9mm handguns from inside a safe.
According to court documents, there were at least four outstanding arrest warrants for Sanchez in connection with open criminal cases in Derry District Court in New Hampshire and in Boston, Lawrence and Lowell District Courts in Massachusetts. Sanchez has multiple felony convictions and he served over two years in a Massachusetts state prison in 2018 and 2019.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; and Greg C. Hudon, Superintendent of the Lowell Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Billerica, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover, Salem (Mass.) and Manchester (N.H.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Long Beach Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Role in Gun Murder of Victim Shot and Killed During Inglewood Marijuana DealRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Long Beach man was sentenced today to 30 years in federal prison for his primary role in the March 2021 murder of a victim who was shot to death in Inglewood during a marijuana deal.
Mateo Paul, 24, a.k.a. “Infant Bix,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha, who also ordered him to pay $1,842,927 in restitution.
Paul pleaded guilty in February 2025 to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of brandishing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He has been in custody since November 2023.
According to court documents, in March 2021, Paul and co-defendants Leandrew Raglin, 24, of Lancaster, and Iysis Elanore Smith, 24, of Inglewood, agreed to rob a marijuana dealer at gunpoint. They devised a plan to lure the dealer via a social media application to a meeting location, where they would ambush him at gunpoint and steal his marijuana.
On March 15, 2021, Smith approached the vehicle occupied by the victim. While Smith distracted the victim, Paul and Raglin parked behind the victim’s vehicle. Raglin then exited the vehicle Paul was driving, approached the passenger side of the victim’s car and opened fire, repeatedly wounding the victim in the passenger seat. Raglin then walked around to the driver’s side of the vehicle and opened fire, fatally wounding the victim in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Paul admitted in his plea agreement that Raglin’s brandishing and discharge of the firearm fell within the scope of Paul’s criminal agreement and could reasonably have been foreseen to be a necessary or natural consequence of the unlawful agreement.
“[Paul] played a vital role in this senseless and selfish crime,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “He proposed the robbery to his co-conspirators, chose the target, asked his co-conspirator to set up the ruse luring the victims to the scene, told his other co-conspirator they would use a gun if necessary to complete the robbery, and drove the getaway car. Simply put, [the victim] would be alive today, if not for…Paul.”
Relatedly, at the conclusion of an eight-day trial, a jury in September 2025 found Raglin guilty of one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of possessing, using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of, and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, resulting in death constituting murder.
Raglin’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2027, at which time he will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
Smith has pleaded guilty to felony robbery charges in this case and awaits sentencing.
The FBI and the Inglewood Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea Norell of the Major Crimes Section prosecuted this case.
Lockport man pleads guilty to lying about hazardous waste dumped in Niagara FallsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Michael J. Hale, 65, of Lockport, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to making a materially false statement, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
In December 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) executed a search warrant at 3800 Highland Avenue in Niagara Falls, involving an investigation into the improper storage and disposal of hand sanitizer. The investigation began following a tip from a community member in October 2023 that a large quantity of hand sanitizer had been dumped outside. During the search, the EPA documented the presence of expired hand sanitizer that had been dumped on the property outside in a pile measuring 73 feet long, by 24 feet wide, by five feet high. Samples were taken of the hand sanitizer and determined to be ignitable according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), meaning, the hand sanitizer was considered a hazardous waste.
At the time, Hale was Vice President of Regional Logistics Group LLC, a warehousing business that was a tenant at 3800 Highland Avenue. Investigators called Hale during the search and asked how the hand sanitizer got on the property, to which he replied that he had no idea and didn’t know when the hand sanitizer had been brought to Highland Avenue. However, Hale knew and was aware that the hand sanitizer had been dumped outside 3800 Highland Avenue and had been originally brought to Highland Avenue between January and May of 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Environmental Protect Agency, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Charles Carfagno, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, under the direction of Commissioner Amanda Lefton.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 22, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
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Litchfield Man Charged with Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Anthony DiMascio, age 35, of Litchfield, New Hampshire was indicted this week by a federal grand jury for one count of Receipt of Child Pornography, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces. He will appear in federal court in Concord on September 24, 2026.
If convicted, DiMascio faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 5 years and a maximum prison term of 20 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Hudson 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.
Leesburg Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Paul Richardson (56, Leesburg) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to three years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Richardson in May and June 2025, in Lake County, Florida. The total weight of the methamphetamine sold by Richardson was over 50 grams.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives and the Leesburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Hannah Nowalk Watson and Anthony C. Marek.
Lawrence Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Manufacture and Distribute Counterfeit PillsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in a drug manufacturing ring. Over two kilograms of suspected controlled substances and a pill press were recovered during related search warrants.
Aris Arvelo Gonzalez, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute and manufacture controlled substances. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Jan. 13, 2027. Gonzalez was arrested and charged in November 2026.
According to the charging documents, Gonzalez and La Culebra controlled a large drug manufacturing location inside an apartment in Methuen. During a search of the Methuen apartment in August 2025, over 18 kilograms of controlled substances and a pill press were recovered.
While on pretrial release following a January 2025 arrest for drug offenses in Salem District Court in New Hampshire, Gonzalez sold over 1,500 grams of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl to a confidential informant and an undercover agent on four occasions between July 2025 and November 2025.
At the time of Gonzalez’s arrest, he was found in possession of thousands of counterfeit pills bundled into smaller bags as well as a large quantity of cash:
Following his arrest, search warrants were executed at three locations in Lawrence that were tied to Gonzalez and the La Culebra drug trafficking organization. During those searches, various items and materials used in the manufacturing of counterfeit Percocet containing fentanyl were recovered – including a pill press and a 25-kilogram bag of pill binding agent.
The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute or manufacture provides for sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of manufacturing and possessing a controlled substance with intent to distribute or manufacture provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. 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; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration in New England; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Kinston Meth Trafficker Gets More Than a Decade Behind Federal Prison BarsRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Kenji Chiba Jerkins, 31, to over 10 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute large quantities of meth in Lenoir County. Jerkins pled guilty to these crimes on June 18, 2026.
“Once again we have caught and federally prosecuted a Big Shark Bad Boy who will no longer push his poisonous product in Eastern North Carolina to pad his pockets,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Despite trying to outrun and dump his illegal drugs, he soon discovered the long arm of the law always wins. He will now sit behind the cold bars of steel for over a decade. Simple Lesson: Drugs Kill, Prison Awaits – Do Right.”
During a joint narcotics investigation, the DEA and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office identified Jerkins as a major meth dealer in Lenoir County. On August 11, 2025, law enforcement tried to stop a vehicle in which he was a passenger, but the driver refused to pull over. A high‑speed chase ensued. Officers saw Jerkins throw large amounts of meth out the passenger window before the vehicle crashed into a tree in a local citizen’s yard. Jerkins tried to run from the scene, but officers quickly caught him. After searching the vehicle and the chase path, officers recovered 292 grams of crystal meth, two torn bags containing meth, and 1 gram of marijuana. Jerkins has a long record of criminal convictions and repeatedly violated the terms of his probation and supervised release from prior state convictions.
“This defendant was held accountable for distributing and possessing with the intent to distribute significant quantities of methamphetamine,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “That outcome would not have been possible without the commitment and cooperation of our law enforcement partners. Together, we followed the evidence, built the case, and ensured this dangerous drug trafficker faced the consequences of his actions.”
“This case is a great example of what can happen when law enforcement agencies work together. The Lenoir County Sheriff Office and our federal partners will continue to go after those who bring dangerous drugs into our community,” said Lenoir County Sheriff, Jackie Rogers. “This defendant made the choice to sell poison, and now he will spend more than a decade paying the price for that choice. Drugs destroy lives, and if you choose to sell them in Lenoir County, we will find you.”
W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The DEA and Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:26-CR-00003-FL-RN.
Justice Department Expands Tribal Access Program to Improve the Exchange of Critical Data with Federally Recognized TribesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department has selected seven additional federally recognized Tribes to participate in the continued expansion of the Tribal Access Program for National Crime Information (TAP), a program that provides Tribal governments with means to access, enter, and exchange data with national crime information systems, including those maintained by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division.
“The Justice Department is pleased to continue its expansion of the Tribal Access Program, which equips Tribal governments with federal crime data to solve crimes, conduct background checks, and identify wanted predators,” said Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter. “These are the tools Tribal governments need to protect and serve their communities, which in turn strengthens the rule of law and public safety for families and children in Indian Country.”
TAP provides training as well as software and biometric/biographic workstations to process fingerprints, take mugshots, and submit information to FBI CJIS systems.
The Justice Department began TAP in 2015 in response to concerns raised by Tribal leaders about the need to have direct access to federal systems. Using TAP, Tribes have shared information about missing persons; registered convicted sex offenders; entered domestic violence orders of protection for nationwide enforcement; entered orders that prevent dangerous prohibited persons from obtaining firearms; run criminal histories; identified and arrested fugitives; entered bookings and convictions; and completed fingerprint-based record checks for non-criminal justice purposes such as screening employees or volunteers who work with children.
“The Tribal Access Program has been an immense support to our work serving the members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community,” said Adrienne Haines, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Social Services Program Manager. “It has allowed us to efficiently process fingerprints and obtain important background information regarding potential caregivers in a timely manner, which helps us provide safe and responsive services to our families. The system is easy to use, reliable, and fits well into our daily work processes. Having minimal delays in receiving background information has greatly improved our department’s efficiency and ability to make informed decisions quickly. Overall, the Tribal Access Program has been a valuable resource for our team and has positively impacted the work we do for our community.”
The following additional Tribes have been selected for participation in TAP:
- Cahuilla Band of Indians (California)
- Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians (Maine)
- Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma (Oklahoma)
- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Minnesota)
- Pechanga Band of Indians (California)
- Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Reservation (Nevada & Idaho)
- Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of California (California)
TAP is managed by the Justice Department’s Office of the Chief Information Officer and the Office of Tribal Justice. It is funded by the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART), the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).
For more information on TAP, visit www.justice.gov/tribal/tribal-access-program-tap.
Justice Department Concludes Federal Ban on Handgun Sales to 18 to 20-Year-Olds is Unconstitutional and Cannot Be Criminally EnforcedRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel released a legal opinion concluding that the federal prohibition may not be enforced against licensed dealers selling handguns to otherwise law-abiding adults ages 18 to 20 consistent with the Second Amendment.
The Office of Legal Counsel’s new opinion explains that federal statutes 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1) and (c)(1) are inconsistent with the Second Amendment as interpreted by the Supreme Court in District of Columbia v. Heller, New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, and subsequent decisions including Wolford v. Lopez. These statutes generally prohibit federally licensed dealers from selling handguns or handgun ammunition to individuals under 21.
The Office of Legal Counsel determined that 18 to 20-year-olds are among “the people” protected by the Second Amendment. “Eighteen-year-olds may vote, serve on juries, be drafted, and face adult criminal penalties, including capital punishment,” said Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser for the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel. "The Constitution protects the people’s right to keep and bear arms. The Department of Justice may not constitutionally seek to impose criminal penalties on dealers who sell handguns to law-abiding adults who, in nearly every other relevant respect, are members of the political community.”
Because the restrictions burden the ability of members of “the people” to acquire commonly used arms, they fall within the Amendment’s plain text and are presumptively unconstitutional. The Office of Legal Counsel found no Founding era history or tradition of precluding legal adults from purchasing firearms to protect public safety. To the contrary, at the Founding, militia statutes overwhelmingly required service beginning at 18 and required enrollees to furnish their own arms.
The Office of Legal Counsel concludes that Section 922(b)(1) and (c)(1) may not be enforced to impose criminal penalties on dealers who sell handguns to a class of law-abiding adults who, in nearly every other relevant respect, are members of the political community.
Read the full opinion here.
Jury convicts Missouri man of sex trafficking minorsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal jury convicted a Missouri man of forcing and coercing minors to commit sexual acts with adults in exchange for money.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Calvin Johnson, 31, of Kansas City, Missouri, was found guilty on:
• two counts of sex trafficking accomplished by force, fraud, or coercion; • two counts of sex trafficking of a child; and
• two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.Between February 2022 and January 2023, Johnson transported two minors within Kansas as well as other states including Missouri and Nebraska, while using force and coercion to compel the vulnerable victims to engage in commercial sex acts.
On April 20, 2022, the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) spoke to a minor after a traffic stop. Law enforcement learned the victim was a runaway from the juvenile care system and performing commercial sex acts at the behest of Johnson. The victim indicated Johnson booked motel rooms, posted solicitations for clients on websites, rented cars, and transported the victim to hotels for commercial sex acts.
On January 17, 2023, law enforcement encountered the second minor inside a motel room. The second victim was also a runaway.
A forensic search of the victims’ cellphones and social media accounts showed communications with Johnson clearly indicating he was selling the victims for sexual services. Johnson directed the victims to have clients send him money on digital payment apps then he kept all payments. Investigators obtained booking information from various hotels across multiple states in the region and found evidence of rooms booked and paid for by Johnson.
“Human traffickers are known to prey on underage runaways because these minors have multiple vulnerabilities that increase the likelihood they will become targets of exploitation and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “We at the Department of Justice are relentless in advocating for the rights of human trafficking victims and seeking justice on their behalf.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Faiza Alhambra and Audrey McCormick are prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Justice Department Awards over $20 Million to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement to Assist Crime VictimsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime, has awarded a combined $20,036,461 to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (“LCLE”) to provide resources to Louisiana agencies to specifically assist victims of crimes, said U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.
$17,419,461 will provide subgrants to local community-based organizations and public agencies that provide services directly to crime victims, such as crisis counseling, telephone and onsite information and referrals, criminal justice support and advocacy, shelter, therapy, and additional assistance.
$2,617,000 will provide funds from the Crime Victims Fund to enhance State Victim Compensation payments to eligible federal and state crime victims.
LCLE is a foundation located in Baton Rouge dedicated to improving the operations of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems and to promoting public safety by providing progressive leadership and coordination within the criminal justice community.
For more information about this award, please contact the OJP Office of Communications at 202-307-0703 or OJP.OCOM@ojp.usdoj.gov.
Inland Empire Man Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking Minors, Including on L.A.’s Figueroa CorridorRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Riverside County man was sentenced today to 262 months in federal prison for sex trafficking two minors throughout Los Angeles County, including on the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles, an area of the city notorious for sex trafficking, including of minors.
Christian Brandon O’Neal Scurlock, 23, of Moreno Valley, was sentenced by United States District Judge Wesley L. Hsu, who also ordered him to pay $159,246 in restitution and placed him on lifetime supervised release.
Scurlock has been in federal custody since August 2024. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of sex trafficking of a minor.
According to his plea agreement, Scurlock recruited two minor victims (ages 13 and 16) to engage in commercial sex work, including on the Figueroa Corridor in South Los Angeles – a 3.5-mile stretch of Figueroa Street spanning from Gage Avenue down to Imperial Highway, which Scurlock knew was patronized by commercial sex workers and customers.
Among other steps taken to maintain the victims in commercial sex work, Scurlock told them how much to charge for commercial sex acts, bought them clothes to wear when soliciting customers, brought the minor victims to popular areas for soliciting customers, collected and controlled the victims’ money, and provided the victims with smartphones to communicate with him. Scurlock exerted undue influence over his victims by controlling their finances, housing, transportation, and food and by supplying them with marijuana and alcohol.
Scurlock recruited one of the minor victims when she was 13 years old after she ran away from a group home. In addition to maintaining her for commercial sex work, Scurlock also admitted to having illicit sexual intercourse with her.
In April 2024, Scurlock transported the minor victims from Los Angeles County to a motel in Las Vegas so that they could engage in commercial sex work. He was found and arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department with the two minor victims in his car, as well as $985 in cash and condoms.
The FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kelsey A. Stimson of the General Crimes Section and Danbee C. Kim of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section prosecuted this case.
Indictment Unsealed Charging Colombian Citizen with Illegally Registering to Vote and Voting in the 2022 ElectionRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Julieta Engelstad, 53, a citizen of Colombia living in Hudson, Wisconsin, is charged with falsely claiming to be a US citizen when registering to vote and unlawful voting by an alien. The indictment alleges that on July 2, 2022, Engelstad falsely claimed to be a US citizen when registering to vote and that she unlawfully voted in the November 2022 federal election.
A two-count indictment returned on September 16, 2026, by a federal grand jury sitting in Madison, was unsealed today following Engelstad’s initial appearance in federal court.
If convicted, Engelstad faces up to five years in prison on the illegally registering to vote count and a maximum penalty of one year in prison on the illegal voting count.
The charges against her are the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Levins is handling the case.
A criminal Indictment merely contains accusations. Engelstad is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Indian national sentenced for his role in international drug trafficking ring involving pharmaceuticals following Homeland Security Task Force investigationRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Leeladhar H. Tandel, 45, a native of India living of Mobile, AL, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, was sentenced to time served (approximately 14 months) by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Tandel was then turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Between July 2024 March 2025, Tandel conspired with others to sell Tapentadol, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Carisoprodol, and Zolpidem. During the conspiracy, MEDDZONLINE.COM, PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com, and related websites were part of a larger organized drug trafficking organization operating domestically and internationally using similar versions of the same website under different domain names. After orders were received, the organization sent bulk shipments of drugs via international mail to a US based bulk re-shipper. The drugs were then sent to smaller re-shippers, who were paid for each package they mailed out to customers.
Tandel was a smaller re-shipper. In June 2024, the DEA Buffalo District Office became aware of Tandel operating in the Mobile, Alabama region. On June 6, 2024, DEA Buffalo conducted an undercover purchase of 60 Zolpidem pills at a cost of $489.60 on PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com. In May 2025, law enforcement recovered 40 packages that had originated in Summerdale, AL, which had previously been mailed out by Tandel. The packages included nine parcels containing 1,620 suspected Tramadol pills; 14 parcels containing 2,100 suspected Zolpidem pills; 13 parcels containing 2,100 suspected Alprazolam pills; and four parcels containing 1,080 suspected Tapentadol pills. The packaging was indicative of shipments being mailed out to customers of the online websites. Labels showed the scope of customers spanning the entire country and individuals such as Tandel played a key role in aiding the online websites to provide controlled substances to their customers in the USA.
This investigation was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division. Additional assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Offices in St. Louis, MO, Atlanta, GA, and Mobile, AL.
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Illegal Immigrant and His Girlfriend Arrested on Federal Complaint Alleging They Forged Judge’s Signature on Court DocumentRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – An illegal immigrant from Mexico and his girlfriend whose four children were seized by Riverside County officials with judicial approval due to allegations of parental neglect, drug use, and failure to address mental health issues have been arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging them with forging a judge’s signature on a court document related to their federal lawsuit over the seizure, the Justice Department announced today.
Alan David Cadena, 43, and LayCee Shyann Sprouse, 34, both of Riverside, are charged with misuse of federal judicial signatures.
Both defendants, who were arrested late Thursday, are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside. No pleas will be taken today.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, in August 2025, the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) received a referral regarding allegations of child neglect by Cadena and Sprouse. DPSS agents investigated and eventually filed warrants requesting the removal of all four children from the defendants’ custody due to unsanitary living conditions, recent drug use by the defendants, general neglect, and Sprouse’s failure to address mental health issues. DPSS took the four children into custody.
Cadena and Sprouse challenged DPSS’s actions in Riverside County Superior Court, seeking the return of their children, but that court ruled in DPSS’s favor.
In February 2026, Cadena and Sprouse – representing themselves – filed a civil rights lawsuit in United States District Court challenging the child custody proceedings in state court and requested injunctive relief in the form of an order requiring the immediate return of their children.
On April 21, 2026, Cadena and Sprouse filed an order containing a federal judge’s forged signature ordering the return of their children from DPSS. On April 23, 2026, the victim judge confirmed she had not issued the order and the signature found on the document was a forgery.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Criminal Investigative Division are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle W. Kahan and Kent M. Walters of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Illegal Alien and Aerospace Manufacturer Employee Arrested on Indictment Charging Her with Fraud, False Claims of U.S. CitizenshipRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Mexican national who decades ago was ordered removed from the United States was arrested today on an eight-count federal grand jury indictment charging her with securing her employment at a South Bay aerospace manufacturer and U.S. military contractor by lying on an employment authorization form that she was a U.S. citizen and by submitting someone else’s legitimate certificate of naturalization number.
Alma Patricia Contreras Villafana, 54, of South Los Angeles, is expected to make her initial appearance and be arraigned on Monday in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
Villafana is charged with five counts of wire fraud, one count of use of a false and forged certificate of naturalization, one count of aggravated identity theft, and one count of false claim to United States citizenship.
According to an indictment that a federal grand jury returned on Wednesday, in December 1996, Villafana secured employment at a Torrance-based business identified in court documents as “Company-2,” in part, by attesting on her Form I-9 that she was a U.S. citizen. A Form I-9 is used by U.S. employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of new employees.
In fact, Villafana is an illegal alien from Mexico who in 2003 was ordered by an immigration judge to be removed from the United States.
In January 2026, Villafana again knowingly submitted a Form I-9 falsely attesting under penalty of perjury that she was a U.S. citizen to maintain her employment at a business identified in court documents as “Company-1.”. As part of the Form I-9, she also knowingly provided a certificate of naturalization number that belonged to another person.
From December 1996 to September 2026, Villafana obtained at least $1,402,459 in payment for her employment at Company-2 and Company-1, included by direct deposit wired to her bank account.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Villafana would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count, a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for the use of a false and forged certificate of naturalization count, up to three years in federal prison for falsely claiming to have U.S. citizenship, and a mandatory two-year consecutive prison sentence for aggravated identity theft.
Homeland Security Investigations is investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Kyle W. Kahan of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Drug Trafficking Indictment of Pensacola ManRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Jeffrey Benjamin Banks, 45, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Banks appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for October 19, 2026, at 8:30 am before United States District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II in Pensacola, Florida.
If convicted, Banks faces at least 10 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and fentanyl count. Banks also faces at least 25 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl count.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Pensacola Police Department, and the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica S. Etherton and Alicia H. Forbes.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Hartford, Connecticut Man Charged with Distributing Cocaine Base in Brattleboro, VermontRead the Press Release
BURLINGTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Shameik Camara, of Hartford, Connecticut, has been charged by criminal complaint with knowingly and intentionally distributing cocaine base, a Schedule II controlled substance.
On September 17, 2026, Camara appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, who ordered that Camara be detained during the pendency of this matter.
According to court records, Camara’s charge resulted from a controlled purchase in which Camara is alleged to have sold 39 grams of cocaine base to a law enforcement confidential informant in Brattleboro, Vermont. That purchase was one of a series of seventeen video-recorded controlled purchases arranged by law enforcement using a phone associated with Camara, which in total resulted in the distribution of over 293 grams of cocaine base and over 91 grams of fentanyl.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Camara is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Camara faces up to 20 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont Drug Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Brattleboro Police Department, and the Police Department of Hartford, Connecticut.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney David Golubock. Camara is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
Guatemalan National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempting to Meet a Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Ismael Osbaldo Pedro Tomas (24, Guatemala) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Pedro Tomas pleaded guilty on May 27, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, between July 22 and August 11, 2025, Pedro Tomas communicated online with someone whom he believed was a 13-year-old prostitute. That individual, however, was an undercover detective with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. During the conversation, Pedro Tomas discussed the sexual activity in which he wanted to engage and the associated costs. Ultimately, he traveled to a predetermined meeting location in Marion County to meet the minor for that purpose. Pedro Tomas was arrested by law enforcement when he arrived at the meeting location.
This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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 locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Georgia man indicted for traveling to Kansas to have sex with minorRead the Press Release
WICHITA, KAN. – A Georgia man made his initial appearance before a U.S. magistrate judge after a federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging him with crossing state lines to allegedly have sex with a minor.
According to court documents, Cameron Blount, 24, of Savannah, Georgia, was indicted on one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
In February 2026, Blount is accused of traveling from Georgia to Kansas intending to take part in sexual conduct with a minor victim.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Chanute Police Department are investigating the case.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###Georgia Man Sentenced for Using Defunct Trucking Company to Steal More Than $170,000 in COVID-19 Relief FundsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Preston Fleming, 68, of Ducula, Georgia was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 6-months of home confinement in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $170,000 in COVID-19 disaster relief loans for a trucking company that had ceased operating years earlier, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Fleming lied about his company’s operations, lied about how the money would be used, and then lied again to have the loan forgiven, all so he could build himself a new home with pandemic relief funds meant to save struggling small businesses,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who treated disaster relief programs as a personal piggy bank.”
“Preston Fleming’s conduct reflects a blatant audacity to commit fraud. As a former HUD employee, he knew the responsibilities that come with public service, yet he chose to exploit a national emergency for personal gain,” according to HUD Office of Inspector General, Special Agent in Charge Jerome Winkle. “Applying for substantial COVID‑19 relief funds for a business he had already closed undermines the integrity of programs meant to support Americans in crisis. Our office remains steadfast in bringing accountability to those who abuse federal relief efforts.”
Fleming pleaded guilty on April 17, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell to one count of wire fraud. In addition to 6-months home confinement, Judge Howell ordered Fleming to serve two years of supervised release and to pay the total remaining balance of fraudulently obtained funds. Prosecutors had requested a term of imprisonment.
According to court papers, between 2018 and 2019, Fleming was a co-owner of Fleming Transport Services, Inc. (FTS), a Texas-based trucking company. FTS went out of business before the COVID-19 pandemic and was not an ongoing concern by January 2020. Despite that, between April 2020 and June 2021, Fleming submitted a series of false and fraudulent loan applications to the Small Business Administration in which he sought disaster relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
Fleming falsely certified that FTS was operational as of January 2020 and that the loan proceeds would be used for payroll and other covered operating expenses. Based on the misrepresentations, the SBA and third-party lenders funded about $172,500 in loans. Rather than using the funds to support FTS, Fleming spent the loan proceeds on personal expenses. He bought land in Dacula, Georgia, and spent loan money to build a personal residence on that property. He also disbursed thousands of dollars in loan proceeds to a relative.
In August 2021, Fleming applied for forgiveness of the company’s $12,994 Paycheck Protection Program loan. On the application, Fleming falsely certified that he had complied with all program requirements. Based on those fraudulent documents, the SBA forgave the loan in full, plus interest.
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of the Inspector General. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nickolas Reck, and Trial Attorneys Alexandre Dempsey and Aaron Jennen of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
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Georgetown Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Production of Child Sexual Assault MaterialRead the Press Release
COVINGTON, Ky. – A Georgetown, Ky., man, Brent Comstock, 45, was sentenced on Wednesday to 30 years in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, Comstock sexually abused a prepubescent minor with whom he had a quasi-familial relationship and created sexually explicit pictures/videos of the abuse. Law enforcement learned about the abuse when the victim’s mother discovered an image that had been inadvertently shared from Comstock’s Google account to another family member’s tablet. Law enforcement later executed a search warrant of Comstock’s residence, locating his cell phone and a tool bag containing children’s underwear in a safe in his bedroom. Law enforcement also located implements of sexual abuse that they would later observe in Comstock’s videos of the victim. A subsequent review of Comstock’s phone revealed at least 603 sexually explicit visual depictions of the victim. After his arrest, Comstock made several incriminating statements to his family members about his sexual abuse of the victim.
The court record shows that Comstock requested a psychological evaluation for sanity and competency. Being deemed both sane and competent, Comstock attempted to claim diminished capacity at sentencing based on a diagnosis of “delusional disorder”—his delusion being that he was in a “romantic relationship” with a prepubescent minor. Psychologists with the Bureau of Prisons’ Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina, therefore provided significant assistance to Comstock’s prosecution.
“One instance of child sexual abuse inflicts unspeakable harm to a child; protracted sexual abuse compounds that harm; and repeatedly capturing the child’s moments of sexual trauma exponentially increases the harm to the point of devastation,” said Jason Parman, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Apex predators deserve apex penalties to proportionally reflect the damage they have caused and to send a message to other would-be predators. While 30 years only minimally reflects the lifelong impact on this young victim, it will allow her to feel safe from her abuser well into her adulthood, protect the general public, and send a deterrent message.”
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Darin Allgood, Georgetown Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by FBI and Georgetown Police Department. Collaboration from Kelli Kearney, Commonwealth Attorney for Kentucky’s Fourteenth Judicial District, facilitated the federal adoption of the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Former banker sentenced for defrauding bank through PPP loan schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 38-year-old Houston man has been ordered to federal prison for conspiring to defraud his former employer through fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
Feliciano Pineda pleaded guilty Feb. 12.
U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. ordered Pineda to serve 50 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard that Pineda, a former banker, helped customers obtain millions of dollars in fraudulent loans and later obstructed the investigation. Pineda was also ordered to pay approximately $2.2 million in total restitution to his victims.
As part of his plea, Pineda admitted to creating a fake LLC and opening a business bank account to receive kickback checks from customers he helped obtain fraudulent loans.
Pineda worked at a Houston bank at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. From April through August 2020, he used his position to process fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses that did not qualify because they either did not exist or had falsely inflated their financial information.
Pineda personally benefited from the scheme, receiving more than $200,000 in load proceeds from borrowers whose PPP loans he helped facilitate.
Pineda was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Secret Service, U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Bauman prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which 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.
Feds Charge Russian National for Illegally Voting in the 2024 Presidential ElectionRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Victoria Viktorovna Aquilina, 43, a Russian national, was charged today with illegally voting in the 2024 presidential election, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit.
Aquilina was charged in an Information with voting by an alien.
Aquilina first entered the United States using her Russian passport over 20 years ago, on a visa obtained through an au pair program. Aquilina never became a naturalized citizen. But she voted in-person in the 2024 presidential election.
“American elections are for American citizens. And foreigners who undermine our election integrity threaten our republican institutions,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“Election integrity is national security,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “If you are not a United States citizen, you do not get to vote in American elections, and if you do, HSI will work relentlessly with our partners to identify you, investigate you, and bring you before the justice system. HSI Detroit will not tolerate unlawful conduct that undermines public confidence in our democratic process.”
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
An information is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent. It is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Federal grand jury indicts Brooklyn man on charges of production and distribution of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Alexey Aleksandrovich Moskalyuk, 27, of Brooklyn, NY, with production and distribution of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.
According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, law enforcement was alerted on August 3, 2026, to a report involving a missing minor. Investigators examined electronic devices provided by the minor’s parent, which revealed communications between the minor and Moskalyuk on social media.
The minor was located the following day in Niagara Falls, NY, accompanied by Moskalyuk, who had traveled from Brooklyn, NY. The investigation recovered evidence of sexually explicit communications and recordings involving the minor and Moskalyuk, as well as Moskalyuk’s participation in an online group that facilitated harmful interactions between adults and minors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the FBI Buffalo Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II and the Albion Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Mogle. Additional assistance was provided by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and the Honolulu FBI Office.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Judge Sentences Venezuelan Illegal Alien to 48 Months After He Assaulted a Federal Agent and Grabbed His GunRead the Press Release
DETROIT – This week, a federal judge sentenced a Venezuelan illegal alien to 48 months in federal prison. The illegal alien pleaded guilty in May to assaulting a federal law enforcement officer and grabbing the officer’s firearm, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Detroit and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit acting Field Office Director Kevin Raycraft.
The court sentenced Arnoldo Jose Marquez-Pulido, 33, an illegal alien from Venezuela who illegally entered the United States via the US-Mexico border in April 2024. Despite having no visa or other travel document that would allow him to lawfully enter the United States, the government in 2024 paroled Marquez-Pulido into the United States.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers assigned to the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) were conducting surveillance of businesses in the Utica area after learning that illegal aliens were working as delivery drivers. While on surveillance, agents observed a car registered to Marquez-Pulido depart a parking lot of one of the businesses. Agents activated their vehicle emergency equipment and attempted a traffic stop. Marquez-Pulido briefly stopped before fleeing at a high rate of speed. To avoid a dangerous vehicle chase, agents deactivated their emergency equipment and continued to follow Marquez-Pulido at a safe distance. When Marquez-Pulido returned to the business location, he fled on foot and ignored a Task Force agent’s commands to stop, forcing the agent to tackle Marquez-Pulido as he fled into the business. Marquez-Pulido forcibly resisted arrest, assaulting the agent by striking him in the face with his elbow. Marquez-Pulido then reached for and removed the agent’s service firearm, a Glock Model 19 pistol, from the agent’s holster and briefly wielded it before losing control of the weapon. Additional Task Force officers and agents arrived on scene and recovered the firearm. Marquez-Pulido continued to forcibly resist and had to be restrained. Marquez-Pulido injured one agent’s elbow, knees, hands, and face. Another agent injured his knee. Both agents required hospital treatment.
“This illegal alien sped away from federal agents and then created a potentially deadly fight when he grabbed an agent’s gun. Our federal agents put their lives on the line every day to protect Americans against dangerous illegal aliens like this man. He should never have been in our country,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon.
“Marquez-Pulido turned a lawful enforcement action into a violent confrontation when he assaulted a federal agent and grabbed for a gun,” said HSI Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “That kind of brazen disregard for law enforcement and public safety will be met with consequences. HSI Detroit and our partners will continue to track down those who threaten our communities and put agents’ lives at risk.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
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.
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Illegal Alien from Mexico for Voter Fraud, False Statement in Passport Application, Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm, and Other CrimesRead the Press Release
BOISE – A federal grand jury in Boise returned an indictment charging Fredy Avila Gomez, with Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Funds, False Statement of Citizenship in Order to Vote, Voting by Alien, False Statement in Application of Passport, Fraud in Connection with Identification Documents—Production, False Statement During Purchase of Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of Firearm, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today.
According to court records, from at least March 2017 until in or about June 2026, Gomez knowingly devised and intended to devise a scheme to defraud departments and agencies of the United States and Idaho, including Health and Human Servies, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. During that time, Gomez allegedly fraudulently obtained Idaho identification cards using a false and fraudulent birth certificate and falsely claiming to be a United States citizen and/or national. The indictment further alleges Gomez used the identification cards and birth certificate to fraudulently obtain a passport, Medicaid benefits, and a firearm.
Gomez also allegedly falsely claimed to be a United States citizen to register to vote and thereafter voted in May 2022 and November 2024.
Gomez is scheduled for an initial court appearance on September 21, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debora K. Grasham of the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho. If convicted, Gomez faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of Homeland Security Investigations; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; and U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, which led to the charges.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Mazorol and Darci Crane are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment 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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Fayette County Man Sentenced for Armed Methamphetamine and Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky., man, Martaveus Lee Bell Jr., 32, was sentenced on Friday to 240 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; one count of trafficking in firearms; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Between February and March of 2025, law enforcement conducted a series of controlled drug and firearm transactions with Bell in Lexington, Kentucky. During this period, a confidential informant purchased multiple quantities of high‑purity methamphetamine from Bell, totaling more than 480 grams of methamphetamine. The informant also purchased two firearms from Bell after Bell agreed to supply weapons despite knowing the informant was a convicted felon. The investigation culminated in the execution of a federal search warrant in June at a residence occupied by Bell. During the search, law enforcement seized more than 1.5 kilograms of high‑purity methamphetamine, over 83 grams of fentanyl, two loaded stolen firearms, ammunition, and more than $20,000 in cash. Per his plea agreement, Bell admitted to possessing the seized narcotics with the intent to distribute them. He further admitted to possessing the recovered firearms to further his drug trafficking activities and despite knowing that he was prohibited as a convicted felon from possessing them.
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Travis Thompson, Winchester Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Winchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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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Ex-Energy Trader for Vitol Sentenced to 48 Months in Prison for $500 Million International Bribery SchemeRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Javier Aguilar was sentenced to 48 months in prison for his role in two interrelated schemes to bribe Ecuadorian and Mexican government officials. In February 2024, Aguilar was convicted at trial of conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FPCA), violating the FCPA, and money laundering in connection with a scheme to bribe Ecuadorian officials. Aguilar subsequently pleaded guilty to charges arising out of a related scheme to bribe officials at PEMEX Procurement International (PPI), a wholly owned affiliate of the Mexican state-owned oil company, PEMEX. The trial and sentencing were held before United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano. In addition to the custodial sentence, Aguilar was also ordered to pay approximately $7.13 million in criminal forfeiture and a $100,000 fine. Restitution will be determined at a later date. Aguilar will be deported to Mexico upon completion of his prison term.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY); Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division; and Brett Skiles, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“Today’s sentence sends a powerful message of deterrence to those who might be tempted to engage in similar bribery schemes,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “This case is a demonstration of our Office’s long-standing commitment to rooting out corruption in the commodities markets. We will be indefatigable in protecting American interests from corruption that unfairly tilts the playing field and threatens American businesses.”
“Today’s sentence makes clear that corrupt actors, like Javier Aguilar, who facilitated and led two major international bribery and money laundering schemes will be brought to justice and punished accordingly,” stated Assistant Attorney General Duva. “We will root out those who brazenly undermine the rule of law and use our financial system to launder their corrupt funds, and we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Today’s sentencing underscores the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting U.S. interests by dismantling complex bribery and corruption schemes that compromise global markets. This case demonstrates that individuals who attempt to corrupt foreign officials and manipulate international commerce will be held accountable. We will continue working alongside our partners to ensure the integrity of the financial system and safeguard American businesses,” stated FBI Miami Special Agent in Charge Skiles.
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas for their assistance on the case.
Between 2015 and 2020, Aguilar was a trader in the Houston office of Vitol, Inc. (Vitol), the U.S. affiliate of the Vitol group of companies, which together form one of the world’s largest energy trading firms. As part of the scheme, Aguilar and his co-conspirators agreed to bribe senior Ecuadorian officials to obtain a $300 million contract to purchase fuel oil for Vitol. Aguilar and his co-conspirators used another Middle Eastern state-owned entity to circumvent Petroecuador’s restrictions on contracts with private companies. In return for the promise and payments of bribes, the Ecuadorian officials then ensured that the Middle Eastern state-owned entity and Vitol were awarded the contract.
To conceal the scheme, Aguilar and his co-conspirators used a series of fake contracts, sham invoices, and shell entities incorporated in Curacao, Panama, and Cayman Islands. Aguilar also used alias email accounts to communicate with his co-conspirators.
The evidence at trial also demonstrated that Aguilar used the same system of shell entities and sham invoices to launder bribe payments to two officials at PPI. In total, Aguilar paid approximately $600,000 in bribes to PPI officials to obtain contracts for Vitol to supply hundreds of millions of dollars of ethane gas to PEMEX.
The jury convicted Aguilar of conspiracy to violate the FCPA and violating the FCPA in connection with the Ecuador bribery scheme, and conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the Ecuador and Mexico bribery schemes. Aguilar separately pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the FCPA and to violate the Travel Act in connection with the Mexico bribery scheme.
Seven of Aguilar’s co-conspirators, including three foreign government officials, have pleaded guilty for their roles in the schemes. These individuals have collectively agreed to forfeit more than $63 million in proceeds from the schemes.
In December 2020, Vitol admitted to bribing officials in Ecuador, Mexico, and Brazil in violation of the anti-bribery provisions of the FCPA. Vitol entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section. As a part of the resolution, Vitol agreed to pay a combined $135 million in penalties as part of a coordinated resolution with the Justice Department, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and authorities in Brazil.
FBI Miami’s International Corruption Squad investigated the case.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section and the Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement and Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture (MNF) Sections. Assistant United States Attorney Nick M. Axelrod, Assistant Chief Derek J. Ettinger of the White Collar and Enforcement Section, and Trial Attorney D. Hunter Smith of the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Deputy Chief Suzanne Elmilady and Assistant United States Attorney Sherin Daniel of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan P. Lax of the Eastern District of New York was also responsible for the case. The MNF Special Financial Investigations Unit and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided substantial assistance in this case.
The Defendant:
JAVIER AGUILAR
Age: 52
Houston, TexasE.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 20-CR-390 (ENV) / 24-CR-304 (ENV)
Eleven accused of auto theft from warehouse in downtown St. LouisRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A grand jury charged 11 southern Illinois residents with various federal crimes for their alleged involvement in a criminal enterprise to sell vehicles and motorcycles stolen from a warehouse in downtown St. Louis.
“Federal criminal law specifically applies to criminal rings that attempt to evade detection by working across state lines,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This case shows what happens when federal, state, county, and local agencies on both sides of the river refuse to let a geographic boundary become an impediment to bringing offenders to justice.”
According to the indictment, conspirators made multiple trips to steal vehicles and motorcycles from the warehouse. The conspirators then transported the stolen goods back to southern Illinois to conceal and sell. The alleged conduct occurred from December 2025 through April 2026.
“Thanks to the comprehensive and collaborative investigative work of the FBI, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the deliberate activities of these 11 individuals have been disrupted,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley. “We are not done, and we will not waver in our commitment to identify and investigate people and their criminal enterprises across Southern Illinois.”
The indictment states some of the stolen items include a 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, a 1997 John Deere 6675 skid steer, a 1937 Ford dirt track race car, a white race car and numerous motorcycles.
The grand jury charged:
- Ashley J. Fulmer, 29, of Godfrey, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and one count of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Jason A. Bristow, 46, of Alton, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and two counts of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Trevonte L. Caldwell, 30, of Brighton, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and two counts of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Jeremy D. Churchman, 46, of Brighton, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and two counts of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Brenda L. Donithan, 28, of Alton, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and one count of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Ethan C. Humbert, 50, of Bunker Hill, with one count of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Douglas F. Manns, 48, of Alton, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and four counts of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Wesley P. Martin, 28, of Wood River, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
- Christopher M. Palmer, 48, of Godfrey, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and one count of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
- Robert L. Tidwell, 59, of Brighton, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and three counts of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.
- Michael A. Wittman, 51, of Alton, with one count of conspiracy against the U.S. and two counts of sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle.
An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
Convictions for sale or possession of stolen motor vehicle and interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle are punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and conspiracy against the U.S. are up to 5 years.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, the Alton Police Department, the FBI Springfield Field Office, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department, the Illinois State Police, St. Louis County Police and the Bridgeton Police Department contributed to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Trippi is prosecuting the case.
District of Arizona Charges 289 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from Sep. 12 through Sep. 18, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 289 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 152 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 113 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 21 cases against 24 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), ICE- Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Brandon Hernandez, et al. On Sep. 11, 2026, Brandon Hernandez and Kelssy Ayleen Urzua, both United States citizens, were charged by criminal complaint with Conspiracy to Transport an Illegal Alien. A Pinal County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle that Hernandez was driving, with Urzua as the front seat passenger. During the stop, the Deputy observed two male individuals wearing camouflage clothing hiding in the rear seats. Border Patrol Agents (BPAs) were called to the scene and determined one male passenger was a citizen of Mexico and the other was a citizen of El Salvador, both unlawfully present in the United States. [Case Number: 26-MJ-5460]
United States v. Javier Chavez-Flores. On Sep. 11, 2026, Javier Chavez-Flores was charged by criminal complaint with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Chavez-Flores had been previously removed from the United States in February 2026 after being convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 3rd degree (Victim Mentally Impaired/Helpless), in the District Court for the State of Minnesota. Chavez-Flores was sentenced to 253 days in prison and 5 years of probation in that case. [Case Number: 26-MJ-5453]
United States v. Leonel Esteban Loreto. Leonel Esteban Loreto was charged by criminal complaint on Sep. 14, 2026, with Transportation of an Illegal Alien for Profit. On Sep. 11, 2026, BPAs near Naco, AZ observed Loreto driving a Chevy Tahoe down a road commonly used for alien smuggling and reverse direction less than one minute later. BPAs attempted to stop the vehicle to conduct an immigration inspection, but Loreto failed to yield. Instead, the driver sped up, reaching speeds of 90-100 mph before finally pulling over. BPAs found a passenger in the rear seat of the Tahoe wearing camouflage clothing. The passenger was determined to be a citizen of Mexico, unlawfully present in the United States. [Case Number: 26-MJ-09711]
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-161_September 18, 2026 Immigration Enforcement
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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.Disgraced Former Rocky Mount Cop Sentenced to Almost 4 Years in Federal Prison for Selling CocaineRead the Press Release
RALEIGH N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Linc Oshea Brooks, 56, to over 3 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
“Each day, thousands of men and women courageously put on the badge, kiss goodbye to their families, step into harm’s way, and protect the community from criminal ne'er-do-wells. Unfortunately, a select few choose wrong; breaking the law they swore to enforce,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This traitor thought he could outsmart the system. Thought the law didn’t apply to him. But instead, he will now sit behind the cold bars of a prison cell and reflect on how treacherously he behaved. Simple Lesson: Drugs Kill; Prison Awaits – Do Right.”
In early 2022, DEA investigators uncovered Brooks’ connection to a cocaine trafficker in Richmond, Virginia. Later that year, another drug trafficker told agents Brooks had been selling up to 5 kilograms of cocaine at a time since 2021.
Investigators continued building their case, and by January 11, 2023, determined that Brooks would be driving up I‑95 to Roanoke Rapids to deliver 9 ounces of cocaine. Nash County Sheriff’s Deputies spotted him commit several traffic violations and pulled him over. During the stop, a K‑9 alerted to drugs in the car, leading deputies to discover 191 grams of cocaine. Brooks became combative at this point, forcing deputies to restrain him.
Following the arrest, law enforcement continued their investigation by searching Brooks’ home. In a shed on the property, deputies found two digital scales with white residue, plastic baggies, and two guns. Inside the house, they located two additional guns in the master bedroom, along with marijuana.
The DEA investigation also revealed that cooperating witnesses had linked Brooks to large‑scale cocaine trafficking dating back to the early 2000s. Although Brooks retired from the Rocky Mount Police Department in 2006, investigators noted that when deputies arrested him in January 2023, he still carried his police shield and law enforcement ID card; revealing how long he hid his illegal ways had remained hidden behind his tarnished badge.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with protecting their communities, not exploiting their positions to facilitate drug trafficking,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “When an officer becomes involved in drug trafficking, that conduct not only violates the law, but it also betrays the public trust. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of those actions and the commitment of law enforcement to hold accountable anyone who chooses to traffic dangerous drugs.”
"Sheriff Keith Stone extends his sincere gratitude to each agency involved in this investigation for their dedication and hard work. Law enforcement professionals are held to the highest standards in order to provide the level of public service our communities deserve. Mr. Brooks violated that trust by swearing an oath to uphold the law and then engaging in the very criminal activity he was entrusted to prevent. Our mission is to keep our citizens and communities safe from crime. When law enforcement and citizens work together, it enhances the community by reducing illegal narcotics, crime, and provides a safe environment for all. "
W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The DEA, ATF, and Nash County Sherriff’s Office investigated the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-00310-FL.
Department of Justice Returns Approximately $2.5 Million in Corruption Proceeds for Victims of the Ex-President of the GambiaRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice is returning approximately $2.5 million in corruption proceeds to the Republic of The Gambia to be used to compensate victims of the Jammeh regime. Yahya Jammeh, the former President of The Gambia, and his wife, Zineb Jammeh, used criminal proceeds and misappropriated Gambian public funds to purchase a mansion in Potomac, Maryland, for their personal use. The Department of Justice forfeited and liquidated that property in United States v. Real Property Located in Potomac, MD, Commonly Known as 9908 Bentcross Drive, 8:20-cv-2071 (D. Md.). As alleged in the complaint, Yahya Jammeh corruptly obtained millions of dollars through the embezzlement of public funds and the solicitation of bribes from businesses seeking to obtain monopoly rights over various sectors of the Gambian economy. Jammeh conspired with his family members and close associates to utilize a host of shell companies and overseas trusts to launder his corrupt proceeds throughout the world.
“This case is an important example of international cooperation to hold accountable those who use our financial system to attempt to hide illicit criminal proceeds,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Returning these funds forfeited from the former leader to compensate his victims demonstrates our commitment to recover funds taken in violation of the rule of law and to return them for the benefit of victims in a lawful process.”
“Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) remains committed to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system by ensuring that corrupt foreign officials cannot use the United States to hide, move, or enjoy the proceeds of bribery, embezzlement, and abuse of office,” said Acting Executive Associate Director John A. Condon of HSI. “This return of approximately $2.5 million to The Gambia demonstrates the impact of HSI’s illicit finance investigations and our enduring partnerships to identify, seize, and return stolen assets for the benefit of victims harmed by corruption.”
The recovered funds from the sale of the mansion in Potomac, Maryland, resulted in the return of $2,507,911.73 in net proceeds to The Gambia based on the valuable assistance of officials of The Gambia in cooperation with the United States, which facilitated the successful forfeiture. The agreement entered into with The Gambia provides that it will use these funds to compensate eligible victims of the Jammeh regime, as defined under the Gambian Victims Reparations Act of 2023, which was established to benefit the people harmed by former President Jammeh’s acts of corruption and abuse of office.
The investigation was conducted by HSI’s Illicit Proceeds and Foreign Corruption Group in Miami, with the assistance of HSI Baltimore and the HSI Attaché Office in Dakar. HSI established this group in 2003 to conduct investigations into the laundering of proceeds emanating from foreign public corruption, bribery, and embezzlement. HSI’s goal is to prevent foreign-derived, ill-gotten gains from entering the U.S. financial infrastructure.
The case was handled by Trial Attorneys Steven Parker and Kaycee Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section. Substantial assistance was provided by the government of The Gambia, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section's (MNF) 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 International Unit investigates and prosecutes cross-border money laundering schemes involving transnational criminal organizations, cartels, foreign official corruption and related money laundering affecting the U.S. financial system and prosecutes criminal cases and civil forfeiture matters to recover the proceeds of those crimes.
HSI Miami Illicit Proceeds and Foreign Corruption Investigations Group was established in 2003 to target corrupt foreign officials around the world that attempt to utilize U.S. financial institutions to launder illicit funds. Since inception, the group has seized over $500 million in ill-gotten gains traced to foreign corruption. To report suspicious activity, reach out to your local HSI office or call 1-866-347-2423.
Department of Justice Charges 16 Individuals for Illegal Voting and Related Election CrimesRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department announced charges against 16 individuals in connection with illegal voting, illegal voter registration, and related election-fraud schemes across the country. The charges include unlawful voting by non-citizens in federal elections, false claims of citizenship to register or vote, and related offenses including wire fraud, naturalization fraud, passport fraud, and unlawful firearm purchases uncovered during the course of these investigations.
Case details are as follows:
Northern District of Texas
This week, eight aliens residing in Texas are facing charges for alleged unlawful voting.
- Moises Anwar Arellano‑Alba, 36, an illegal alien from Mexico, was charged with final order of removal, has been charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to register to vote.
- Nigerian national, Helen Sayen Adams, 67, a lawful permanent resident since May 2024, was charged with Voting by an Alien in a Federal Election and False Statement of Citizenship in Order to Register to Vote.
- Nigerian national, Joshua Nmelichukwu Akpom, 27, a lawful permanent resident since 2016, has been charged with false statements in relation to naturalization.
- Mexican national, Carlos Salas Barrios, 41, a lawful permanent resident since 2018, has been charged by complaint with allegedly voting by an Alien in a Federal Election.
- Indian National, Khalwinder Singh Bhengura, 69, a lawful permanent resident since 2022, has been charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to register to vote.
- Democratic Republic of Congo National, Celestin Katubadi, 20, a lawful permanent resident, has been charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to vote.
- Mexican national, Rocio Thrasher, 38, a lawful permanent resident since 2017, has been charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and false statement of citizenship in order to register to vote.
Western District of Texas
Mexican national, Monica Carzoli, 46, a lawful permanent resident, admitted to registering to vote and then voting in the November 2024 election. Carzoli was arrested on criminal charges this week in Del Rio, Texas.
District of Idaho
Avila Gomez, an illegal alien from Mexico, allegedly claimed to be a U.S. citizen to register to vote and thereafter voted in May 2022 and November 2024. Additionally, Gomez allegedly fraudulently obtained Idaho identification cards while devising a scheme to defraud U.S. departments and agencies.
A federal grand jury in Boise, Idaho, returned an indictment charging Gomez with Wire Fraud, Theft of Government Funds, False Statement of Citizenship in Order to Vote, Voting by Alien, False Statement in Application of Passport, Fraud in Connection with Identification Documents Production, False Statement During Purchase of Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of Firearm.
Photo of Mexican national, Monica Carzoli, 46, a lawful permanent residentNorthern District of Georgia
Three aliens residing in Georgia are facing charges for illegally voting in U.S. elections.
- Pauline Lewis, 65, a suspected illegal alien from Antigua and Barbuda, was arrested on a criminal complaint charging her with voting as a non-citizen in a federal election.
- Gabriel Covarrubias, 44, a suspected illegal alien from Mexico, is alleged to have voted in person using a false name in the November 2024 federal election in addition to making a false statement in a U.S. passport application.
- Analiea Milliscent Eccles, 44, an illegal alien from Venezuela and DACA recipient, voted nine times between 2008 and 2024. 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.
District of Massachusetts
Nigerian national, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, 56, a lawful permanent resident, has been arrested and charged with illegally voting in the 2022 elections and allegedly voting in the 2024 general election.
Photo of Nigerian national, Gladys Adaeze Okafor, 56, a lawful permanent residentWestern District of Wisconsin
Colombian national, Julieta Englestad, 53, a lawful permanent resident, is facing charges for falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen when registering to vote in the November 2022 federal election. If convicted, Englestad faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the illegal registering to vote count and a maximum penalty of one year in prison on the illegal voting count.
Photo of Columbian National, Julieta Englestad, 53, a lawful permanent residentDistrict of New Jersey
Santana Coulibaly, an alien with lawful permanent residence. She registered to vote in October 2016, voted in federal elections in 2018 and 2020, and submitted a provisional ballot in the 2024 Presidential election. Additionally, Coulibaly made fraudulent statements in an application for Naturalization (N-400) she submitted in December 2021 and October 2024. Coulibaly was arrested this week.
Photo of Santana Coulibaly, an alien with lawful permanent residenceEastern District of Michigan
Russian national, Victoria Viktorivna Aquilina, 43, registered to vote in 2023, and allegedly casted a vote in a U.S. election. Aquilina was charged today with illegally voting in the 2024 general election.
A complaint, indictment, and information merely contain accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
DOJ Secures Agreements with NYU and UPMC to End Pediatric “Gender-Affirming Care”Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice announced agreements with two of the nation’s largest health care systems—New York University Langone Hospitals (“NYU”) and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (“UPMC”)—that resolve investigations into potential violations of federal law arising from their provision of sex-rejecting procedures on children, often euphemistically referred to as “gender-affirming care.” Under the agreements, NYU and UPMC will cease providing these dangerous interventions to minors, which include administering puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones and performing surgical procedures. Each hospital will also pay a monetary amount as part of the resolutions, with NYU agreeing to pay $8.5 million and UPMC $950,000.
“The Department of Justice is fighting to protect our nation’s children and working tirelessly to reach agreements with hospitals to end so-called ‘gender affirming care’ for minors,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Today’s resolutions send a clear message: hospitals that target children in these practices and then fraudulently obtain payment for the procedures will be held to account.”
Today’s announcement follows similar agreements with Mount Sinai Health System in New York, Texas Children’s Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and Connecticut Children’s Hospital. In working towards these resolutions, the United States acknowledged that both NYU and UPMC took significant steps entitling them to credit for cooperation with the Department in its investigation, including ongoing cooperation in the Department’s investigation of other entities potentially violating federal law in connection with the provision of sex-rejecting procedures to minors. At all times during the investigation, NYU and UPMC remained cooperative and solutions-driven.
“We appreciate that some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious hospital systems have agreed to cease harming minors under the guise of ‘gender-affirming care’ and agreed to pay for potential violations of federal law when they did so,” said Brett Shumate, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division. “But I want to be clear: our efforts and investigations into other providers are ongoing. Those that have broken the law and not resolved their potential liability will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
“My office’s foremost priority is protecting children. The resolutions announced today reflect the close collaboration across the Department of Justice and our continued commitment to ensuring that minors are safeguarded,” said Ryan Raybould, US Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. “These investigations are ongoing, and my office will continue to follow the evidence, act decisively when the well-being of minors is at stake, and fully pursue wrongdoers who have broken federal law.”
The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the Civil Division’s Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch and the Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations.
In 2025, President Trump directed the Department of Justice to prioritize investigations and enforcement actions involving violations of federal law in the provision of so-called “gender-affirming care” to children. Acting on that directive, the Civil Division launched a nationwide investigation into the child gender-transition industry. The investigation examines potential violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the False Claims Act, and other federal health care laws, including fraudulent billing practices such as the use of false diagnosis codes to obtain payment from federal health care programs and private insurers. These schemes compound the harm inflicted on vulnerable children by fraudulently shifting the cost of potentially unlawful medical interventions to taxpayers and insurers. Today’s agreements are the results of that nationwide investigation. The Civil Division’s Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch and Commercial Litigation Branch will continue to pursue these cases across the country, stop unlawful conduct, recover funds obtained through fraud, and hold accountable those who profit by violating federal law at children’s expense.
The claims resolved by the United States in these agreements are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability. NYU and UPMC have expressly denied all allegations.
DOJ Revises Justice Manual to Strengthen False Claims Act EnforcementRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of Justice announced revisions to the Justice Manual to strengthen its fight against fraud under the False Claims Act through clearer standards that promote fair and effective enforcement. These revisions clarify the limits on the use of sub-regulatory guidance across Department litigation and when the Department will seek dismissal of qui tam actions that do not serve the interests of the United States.
“The Department of Justice should enforce the law, not make law through enforcement,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. “These updates reflect the Department’s commitment to fair notice, transparent enforcement, and the rule of law.”
“The Civil Division will continue to focus on cases that advance the interests of the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate. “Evaluating qui tam cases for potential dismissal ensures our enforcement efforts remain aligned with those interests and promotes the efficient use of government resources.”
“The False Claims Act is one of the government’s most powerful tools for combatting fraud,” said Associate Deputy Attorney General Paul Perkins. “These revisions will help ensure the Department uses its enforcement authority fairly and effectively—holding fraudsters accountable for violations of binding legal or contractual obligations while seeking dismissal of meritless qui tam actions that waste taxpayer resources and impose unjustified burdens on businesses.”
The first revision reinstates and builds upon the Department’s 2017 policy that sub-regulatory guidance cannot impose legal obligations beyond those established by statute or regulation. This revision reflects the Department’s commitment to fair notice and the rule of law—individuals and businesses should be held accountable for violating binding legal obligations, not agency guidance that lacks the force and effect of law. It also ensures that the Department focuses its enforcement resources on violations of those binding obligations.
The second revision makes clear that the Department should consider exercising its dismissal authority when it declines to intervene in a qui tam action and, where it does not seek dismissal, revisit that assessment as appropriate during litigation. The Department will continue to exercise this authority judiciously, with an emphasis on seeking dismissal of qui tam actions that lack legal or factual merit and focusing Department resources on matters that advance the interests of the United States.
The Justice Manual revisions may be found here and here.
Court Revokes Supervised Release and Sentences Music Producer “Mally Mall” to PrisonRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro revoked supervised release for Jamal Rashid, also known as “Mally Mall,” a music producer who was on federal supervision after a prison term for unlawfully operating prostitution businesses under the guise of escort businesses. The Court imposed a prison sentence of 17 months.
“Supervised release is a critical extension of the federal justice system, designed to ensure accountability, protect the public, and support rehabilitation. Jamal Rashid chose to treat those court-ordered boundaries with absolute disregard,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Rather than complying with the law, he actively subverted court oversight by failing drug tests, maintaining hidden spaces, and violating association restrictions. Most egregiously, Mr. Rashid engaged in federal witness tampering against an established victim from his underlying criminal case. The Department of Justice will not tolerate the intimidation of victims or the manipulation of judicial proceedings. This 17-month prison sentence sends a definitive message: federal oversight is mandatory, and those who attempt to bypass or undermine the authority of the court will face immediate extraction from the community and a return to federal prison.”
“Although a sentence may have ended on paper, certain rules still apply after release. Mr. Rashid chose to ignore those rules by failing drug tests, unlawfully recording conversations with a victim, and associating with convicted felons,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “No one has the right to threaten, intimidate, or coerce victims. Those who engage in coordinated campaigns of threats and intimidation should expect to be held fully accountable under federal law.”
According to statements made in court on Thursday, Jamal “Mally Mall” Rashid admitted violating the conditions of his supervised release. The violations included unlawfully recording telephone conversations with a victim in the underlying criminal case and attempting to influence her in connection with pending civil litigation; using controlled substances, including marijuana, cocaine, and MDMA; providing false information to his probation officer; associating with a convicted felon without permission; and having unauthorized contact with a victim in the underlying criminal case.
In October 2019, Rashid pleaded guilty to one count of use of an interstate facility in aid of unlawful activity. In May 2021, he was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison for unlawfully operating prostitution businesses over a 12-year period.
This case was investigated by the FBI. This hearing was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Rose.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to Nine Years in Federal Prison for Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – DeShawn Russ, 36, of Jacksonville, Florida, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for possession of 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: “Keeping this violent, serial felon off our streets and locked away behind bars is necessary to protect our communities from his continued criminality. I am grateful for the excellent investigative work by the Gainesville Police Department, with support from our federal law enforcement partners, that facilitated this successful prosecution by my office.”
Court documents reflect that the Gainesville Police Department responded to a shooting within a vehicle where officers found a bullet hole in the driver’s window. Russ, who was known to the driver, was located nearby. Although no firearm was recovered, a .380 bullet was located in his pocket. Russ is multi-time convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. At sentencing, the Court found that the defendant shot the firearm and then engaged in obstruction by encouraging witnesses to change their statements.
“Time and again, convicted felons who are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition continue to place our community at risk,” said Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya. “We are grateful for the thorough work of our investigators and our federal partners in holding him accountable for his actions.”
The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
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.