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22 June 2026
Tallahassee Man Indicted for Firearm Possession by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – David B. Davis, 43, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Davis appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Davis faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tallahassee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
St. Louis Felon Admits Selling Methamphetamine, Cocaine in Homeland Security Task Force CaseRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon from St. Louis on Monday admitted selling nearly two pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover federal agent and being caught with cocaine, guns and more meth.
Anthony Watkins, 37, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to seven counts: four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted selling a total of 814 grams of meth, or about 1.8 pounds, to an undercover agent on four occasions between June and August of 2024. When federal agents conducted a court-approved search of Watkins’ home on Sept. 4, 2024, they found about 3.1 pounds of meth, about one pound of cocaine, a stolen .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, a 9mm pistol and an AR-style rifle. As a felon, Watkins is banned from possessing firearms.
Watkins is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24.
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 St. Louis comprises agents and officers from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Untied States Marshal Service (USMS); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
St. Louis County Felon Admits Robbing BankRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon on Monday admitted robbing a Creve Coeur bank in 2025.
Matthew Parker, 48, of Hanley Hills, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of bank robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted robbing a bank in the 11400 block of Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur on June 16, 2025. Parker handed a note demanding money to a bank employee while holding one hand in the front pocket of his sweatshirt. The employee handed over cash and Parker left. Multiple images of Parker were released to the public and several people contacted law enforcement to provide his name, phone number and address. On July 1, 2025, officers conducted a court-approved search of Parker’s home and found a pistol. Parker is a convicted felon and is thus barred from possessing firearms. After Parker’s arrest, he said he robbed the bank because he owed someone money.
Parker is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28.
The Creve Coeur Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nichole Frankenberg 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.
Southern Tier man going to prison for distribution of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David J. Johnston, 57, of Olean, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Prior to February 19, 2024, Johnston was in a relationship with co-defendant Kayla R. Kio. During the relationship, he requested that Kio take naked videos of a 5-year-old child that they both had access to. On February 19, 2024, Kio took a sexually explicit video of the minor victim using her cell phone and then sent it to Johnston via text message. He took a screen shot from the video, which constituted child pornography, and sent it back to Kio and to other individuals. During this time, Johnson also sent Kio a different image of child pornography via text message. On March 13, 2024, during the execution of a search warrant at Johnston’s residence, law enforcement seized three cell telephones. A review of the cell phones recovered approximately 11 images and one video of child pornography.
Kio was previously convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler.
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Shavertown Man Found Guilty of Bank Fraud and ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Mahon, IV, age 66, of Shavertown, Pennsylvania, was found guilty by a federal jury on June 18, 2026, of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Mahon was the former Executive Vice President of Tammac Holdings, a Wilkes-Barre company that specialized in the origination of mortgages for manufactured housing. After originating loans, Tammac would sell loan portfolios to banks and investors while continuing to service the loans. From 2008 through 2021, Mahon and other employees of Tammac suppressed delinquency rates on loan portfolios by falsifying payments to loans and also repossessed properties without remitting the proceeds to banks and investors. Tammac executives also provided false records to auditors, banks and investors, and misrepresented the status of their loan portfolios when Tammac was sold to an investment firm in 2019.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph J. Terz and Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
Mahon faces a maximum of 60 years of imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and a term of supervised release. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Seymour Electrician Charged with Embezzling $200k from EmployerRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY- Clyde Shane Hatton, 47, of Seymour Indiana, has been charged with one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, from October 2004 through February 2022, Hatton was employed in various electrician-related roles by Victim Company A, a corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines and vehicle parts. As part of his employment, Hatton was issued an employee credit card for business-related expenses.
Beginning in October 2020, Hatton carried out a scheme to defraud his employer by purchasing wire and other equipment with no intention of using the items for work duties. Instead, he sold the wire to a scrap yard and kept the proceeds for his personal use. Hatton concealed the scheme by submitting receipts and falsely claiming the purchases were legitimate business expenses.
In total, Hatton embezzled approximately $202,173.51 from his employer and sold fraudulently obtained wire to the scrap yard 107 times.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated this case. Hatton has agreed to plead guilty, and a federal district court judge will enter his change of plea at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Wood, who is prosecuting this case.
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Second Missouri Man Charged in Plot to Kill Government Officials During Ultimate Fighting Championship White House EventRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., man was charged in an alleged plot to attack and kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14, 2026.
Jordan Rincker, 28, was charged in a one-count criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit murder. He made his first appearance in federal court today after his arrest on June 21, 2026.
“This case demonstrates the effectiveness of our law enforcement partners and U.S. Attorneys working together to prevent violence before it can take place,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. “We will continue taking decisive action against those who seek to endanger national security and threaten the safety of Americans. By staying proactive, we will disrupt their operations, break apart their networks, and hold those responsible accountable under the law.”
According to the complaint, Rincker accepted $1,200 in cash from co-conspirator, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Neb., to disperse payment to other co-conspirators involved in the UFC event attack plot. The complaint alleges that with this money Rincker sent Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, Calif., $100 through CashApp, for gas to drive from California to Washington, D.C. to pick up the “drone operator” for the attack. Both Alvarez and Roa were arrested and charged last week for their involvement in the plot to kill government officials during the UFC event at the White House.
Rincker allegedly communicated with co-conspirators on an encrypted messaging application. According to court documents, Rincker also gave a 12-gague pump action shotgun to Alvarez during an in-person meeting in Omaha. During this meeting, Alvarez gave Rincker a ballistic plate, face shield, 3D printer, 3D printing filament, night vision goggles, binoculars, a “wire checker,” and a minicomputer. Alvarez allegedly gave Rincker the 3D printer to make drones. The complaint also states Rincker “traded” the 12-gauge pump action shot gun with an ammunition-filled bandolier.
While executing a search warrant of Rincker’s home and storage unit, investigators found:
- FN Reflex 9mm pistol with a magazine and loose 9mm rounds
- FMK AR1 eXtreme multi-caliber rifle
- A Remington 597 .22 LR caliber rifle
- 3D printed Glock-style pistol with 3D-printed magazine and 3D-printed
- ammunition
- Gas mask with cartridge
- Night vision goggles
- Multiple electronic devices
- 3D printer (Ender brand)
- 3D printer (Creality brand)
- 3D filament
- 3D printed gun parts
- Shield Strike Face Level III ballistic plate
- Plate carrier with plates inside
- Thermal imaging scope
- Muzi Works off grid mesh network
- A mini-Mac computer
The charges contained in this complaint or any others are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Brackett, Trey Alford, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Chlarson. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Rochester man sentenced for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Zachary Guthrie, 32, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
In October 2024, the New York State Police (NYSP) executed a search warrant at Guthrie’s residence after receiving CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Guthrie uploaded child pornography to Instagram and Discord. During the search, investigators seized his cell phone. A forensic review of the phone recovered more than 200 videos, and more than 320 images of child pornography. Some of the images depicted the sexual exploitation of children as well as violence against children.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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Repeat Felon Sentenced to 140 Months for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced today to 140 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents, Roderick Gerard Reed, 22, has prior felony convictions for Robbery 3rd, Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and Attempt to Distribute a Controlled Substance. On February 5, 2025, officers with MPD observed a vehicle on Dauphin Island Parkway with illegal tint. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop and Reed fled from police exceeding 50 mph in a 25-mph zone, ultimately crashing. Fortunately, no one was injured. Reed was taken into custody, and officers located a loaded Glock firearm and one pound of marijuana inside the vehicle. A second loaded magazine was found in the center console.
After the period of incarceration, Reed will have three years of supervised release, during which he will be subject to drug testing and other restrictions.
U.S. Attorney Sean Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms along with the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tandice H. Blackwood prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Randolph Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Randolph man pleaded guilty on June 15, 2026 in federal court in Boston to cocaine trafficking and firearm charges, following a series of arrests targeting gangs in the Brockton and Randolph areas.
London Cohen, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy scheduled sentencing for Sept. 29, 2026. Cohen was charged in February 2026 along with seven co-conspirators.
Cohen was arrested on Dec. 17, 2025, after authorities executed search warrants at numerous residences and stash houses associated with the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang and their Randolph-based affiliates. During a search of Cohen’s residence three handguns and ammunition were located in a bathroom trash can.
Elsewhere in Cohen’s residence, controlled substances including cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA and marijuana were recovered. In the basement living room, there were various items commonly used in large-scale drug trafficking, such as a kilogram press device, a respirator mask, digital scales, plastic bags and bottles of cutting powder.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for at least three years and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, supervised release for up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; the Abington, Acushnet, Ashland, Boston, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Chelsea, East Bridgewater, Medford, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Stoughton, Taunton and West Bridgewater Police Departments; Plymouth and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Departments; Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Plymouth, Norfolk and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
Queens Jewelry Store Owner Sentenced to Prison for Fencing Jewelry Stolen from Mall Stores and Kiosks Across the U.S.Read the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SALIM SAKAL, 55, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for buying and selling jewelry stolen from mall-based stores and kiosks across the country.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between May 2023 and April 2024, an organized jewelry theft ring of Colombian nationals burglarized jewelry stores and kiosks in malls in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia. The total losses from the burglaries exceed $4.4 million. Members of the conspiracy also cased additional jewelry stores and kiosks in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Delaware.
Sakal was the co-owner of Ramoun Jewelry, located in Corona, New York, which sold jewelry and gold to retail customers. The business also purchased jewelry and gold from third parties. Sakal conspired with members of the organized jewelry theft ring to receive, store, and sell jewelry stolen from seven burglaries between August 2023 and April 2024. Sakal paid his co-conspirators cash for the stolen merchandise for a fraction of the actual retail amount, and then sold it to others, including those he knew would melt down the gold. Ramoun did not have a valid second-hand dealer license required under the laws and regulations of New York City, and he did not maintain required records, including the identifying information of the sellers, a description of the items purchased, and the date and time of the purchase.
To date, none of the stolen jewelry has been recovered by law enforcement.
Judge Dooley ordered Sakal to pay restitution of $2,471,457, jointly and severally with others convicted in this case.
On January 27, 2026, Sakal pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell and receive stolen goods.
Sakal, who is released on a $1 million bond, is required to report to prison on October 5.
This investigation has been conducted by the FBI New Haven’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force with the assistance of the Milford (Conn.) Police Department, the Hamilton Township (N.J.) Police Division, the Delaware State Police, the Henrico County (Va.) Police Division, the New York State Police, the New York Police Department, the Pensacola (Fla.) Police Department, the Paterson (N.J.) Police Department, the Mentor (Ohio) Police Department, the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Police Department, the Greece (N.Y.) Police Department, and the Lombard (Ill.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and FBI Field Offices in New York, Dallas, Miami, and Tampa for their assistance.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Prior Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Darin Leroy Vanness, 32, of Milton, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This is another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, through which we are devoting the considerable resources of the Department of Justice toward protecting our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Keeping our communities safe is accomplished by the excellent work of our state and federal law enforcement officers to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals, like this defendant, and my office will continue to back up those efforts with successful prosecutions and federal prison sentences.”
Court documents reflect that on November 14, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Milton, Florida, in relation to an aggravated assault investigation. In the defendant’s bedroom, investigators located a .22-caliber rifle, more than 190 rounds of ammunition, 3D printers, a safe, and other firearm parts. Inside the safe, investigators located loaded pistols that were made utilizing 3D-printed lower receivers and frames, as well as more ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Vanness was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Vanness faces up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Milton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 27, 2026, at 1:00pm. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available 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.
Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Continuing to Commit Child Sexual Abuse OffensesRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – A previously convicted sex offender from Williams County was sentenced to federal prison for committing offenses that involved sexual abuse of children while he was out on parole for a separate offense.
James McGregor, 39, of Montpelier, Ohio, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick, after pleading guilty in February to Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). He was also ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release after imprisonment. After imprisonment, he is required to register as a sex offender.
According to the indictment, from about January through December 2024, McGregor knowingly received and distributed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During the investigation, agents seized two cellphones which were found to contain CSAM.
This investigation was led by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and 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, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Plymouth Man Convicted of PPP FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Plymouth man has been found guilty by a federal jury of wire fraud for submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of business entities he owned and controlled.
Joseph Kerrissey III, 49, was convicted on June 18, 2026 of three counts of wire fraud relating to three fraudulent PPP loans submitted between July 2020 and April 2021. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Sept. 16, 2026. Kerrissey was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in April 2024 and later indicted by a federal grand jury.
Evidence presented at trial established that, between 2020 and 2021, Kerrissey submitted multiple fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies he owned and controlled. The applications falsely stated that Kerrissey had not been convicted of a felony involving fraud within the previous five years and that he was not serving a term of probation for such a conviction, when in fact he was on probation stemming from prior fraud-related felony convictions. The applications also contained false claims regarding payroll expenses and business income and were supported by fabricated tax returns.
As a result of the scheme, Kerrissey obtained over $43,000 in PPP loan proceeds to which he was not entitled. Evidence further showed that after receiving the funds, Kerrissey transferred substantial portions of the money from business accounts into his personal bank account and subsequently directed much of those funds into personal brokerage and investment accounts. The fraudulent loan applications were submitted to multiple PPP lenders and caused interstate wire transmissions in furtherance of the scheme.
The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is 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.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Sullivan and Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Philadelphia Woman Pleads Guilty to Election Fraud OffenseRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Miya Pack, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Joshua D. Wolson to one count of voting more than once in a federal election, in connection with the 2024 presidential election.
The defendant was charged by indictment in September of last year.
As admitted by the defendant at her change of plea hearing, Pack was registered to vote in Bergen County, New Jersey, had been registered there since in or about 2004, and until October 2024 had no history of having voted in New Jersey. In 2016, Pack registered to vote in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
On October 26, 2024, the defendant voted in person at an early voting location in Bergen County, New Jersey, casting a vote for the office of President of the United States of America.
On Election Day, November 5, 2024, Pack went to a polling place in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and cast another ballot in the 2024 general election, including another vote for the office of President of the United States of America.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on October 1 and faces a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Office of the Superintendent of Elections for Bergen County, New Jersey, and the Office of Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts.
Owasso Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempted Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – JERRY RAY BROWN, 48, of Owasso, has been sentenced to serve 66 months in federal prison for attempted bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public records, on March 28, 2025, Brown entered the First National Bank in Choctaw, Oklahoma, approached a teller window, and demanded access to the bank’s vault. The employee behind the counter was an off-duty police officer working security at the bank. The officer drew his firearm and confronted Brown, who raised his hands and fled the bank. Following an investigation, Brown was arrested on April 24, 2025.
On May 20, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Brown with attempted bank robbery. Brown pleaded guilty on November 4, 2025, and admitted that he intentionally attempted to take money or property from the bank by means of intimidation.
At a sentencing hearing on June 18, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Brown to serve 66 months in federal prison. In announcing the sentence, Judge DeGiusti noted that Brown’s prior 51-month federal sentence for multiple bank robberies in 2020 had not deterred him from engaging in similar conduct. Public records show Brown was convicted of two bank robberies in the Northern District of Oklahoma in Case No. 20-CR-240.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office with assistance from Oklahoma City Police Department and Choctaw Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Gridley and Drew Davis and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Laney Ellis prosecuted the case. SAUSA Ellis is an attorney with the City of Oklahoma City who is assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of a partnership to enhance federal efforts to address and reduce violent crime within Oklahoma City.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
North Andover Man Charged with Armed Robbery of Danvers CVS PharmacyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A North Andover man was charged on June 17, 2026 in federal court in Boston in connection with the May 2026 armed robbery of a CVS Pharmacy in Danvers, Mass., where the defendant allegedly robbed the store of various prescription drugs at gunpoint.
Gareth Francis, 45, has been charged with one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, commonly known as Hobbs Act robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Francis is currently held in pretrial custody on state charges in Salem District Court. Francis will make his initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging document, on May 11, 2026, minutes before 8:00 PM, Francis allegedly entered the store wearing a ski mask and carrying a black plastic bag and a firearm and walked over to a door to the pharmacy area, which was locked. It is alleged that he turned and pointed his gun at a pharmacy technician standing at the register before climbing over the counter.
Francis allegedly then made it to a back counter in the pharmacy, telling another pharmacist to “open the [narcotics] safe now or I’ll shoot you” as he pointed a gun at her.
Over the next few minutes, the pharmacists retrieved various bottles and boxes of prescription drugs at Francis’s demand and placed them into his bag. It is alleged that Francis again demanded the pharmacist open the safe, telling her that she had “30 seconds” or he was “gonna shoot [her].” After a cellphone alarm was heard going off, Francis allegedly told the pharmacist that she was “lucky,” and he left the pharmacy.
An officer arrived outside the store and saw Francis run out the rear entrance through which he had entered. It is alleged that the officer ordered Francis to stop, but Francis kept running as the officer chased him on foot. The officer eventually caught up to Francis, tackling him to the ground in the middle of the street, where a physical struggle ensued. While on the ground, the officer saw Francis holding a silver firearm in his hand, which he was allegedly attempting to raise toward the officer. The officer was eventually able to disarm Francis and maintain control over him until additional officers arrived to assist, at which time Francis was placed under arrest. A loaded 9mm firearm, multiple magazines of ammunition, and a bag containing the stolen drugs were recovered from the scene.
According to the charging document, Francis has prior federal convictions for providing false information in connection with firearms purchases and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The charge of Hobbs Act robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Danvers Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potapchuk of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nicaraguan national admits to forcible sexual assault of minor on cruise shipRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 47-year-old man who was a fugitive for two decades has entered a guilty plea to sexual abuse of a 15-year-old female, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
In 2003, Elias Luis Herrera worked on a cruise ship that had departed Galveston along with fellow crewman – Edgerton Phillip Medford. In the early morning hours of July 17, the victim was walking near a pool when both men grabbed her arms, forced her down and held her on a deck chair so she could not escape.
The men removed their uniforms and took turns sexually assaulting her while the minor victim screamed throughout the attack.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment in 2004.
While on a subsequent cruise, Herrera fled from arrest in Cozumel, Mexico, and later traveled to Costa Rica. He remained a fugitive for over 20 years before his arrest in Costa Rica and subsequent extradition to the United States in October 2025.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake accepted the plea and set sentencing for Sept. 18. At that time, Herrera faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Medford was extradited in 2007 and later pleaded guilty. He was removed to St. Vincent and the Grenadines following his sentence.
FBI - Texas City Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Laurence Goldman and Kimberly Ann Bulger Leo prosecuted the case.
U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from Costa Rica with support of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The United States extends its gratitude to the Government of Costa Rica, Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Costa Rica’s Office of Technical Assistance and International Relations and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible.
Navajo Man Charged with ArsonRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Navajo man is facing federal charges for burning down a dwelling.
According to court documents, on May 13, 2026, Rashaan McMillan, 31, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, set fire to and burned down the dwelling of John Doe and Jane Doe.
McMillan is charged with arson of a dwelling and will remain in federal custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, McMillan faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case.
An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nashville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud Fresno CountyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jafaar September Nyangoro, 53, of Nashville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to a scheme to defraud Fresno County, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, sometime before Sept. 14, 2020, Nyangoro, co‑defendant Peter Bah Acha, 46, of Berlin, Germany, and others secretly gained control of an email account used by the finance director of a Fresno nonprofit to submit fraudulent invoices to Fresno County for payment through Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions. Posing as the finance director, they fraudulently represented to the County of Fresno that the nonprofit’s bank account information had changed and that payments should be sent to an account at a different bank that Nyangoro had recently opened. Believing that they were communicating with the legitimate nonprofit business, the county employees updated the nonprofit’s bank account information accordingly.
According to court documents, between Sept. 24, 2020, and Oct. 13, 2020, the County of Fresno initiated several ACH transfers totaling more than $1.5 million to Nyangoro’s bank account instead of the nonprofit’s bank account. At times, Nyangoro, Acha, and others communicated with each other through various means, including WhatsApp. For example, on Oct. 16, 2020, after Regions Bank reversed some of the ACH transfers for suspected fraud, Nyangoro sent a WhatsApp message: “We’re in deep s***. The last 3 transactions from County of Fresno have been reversed. Please call me ASAP!”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David L. Gappa and Cody Chapple are prosecuting the case.
Nyangoro is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Sept. 21, 2026. Nyangoro faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 as well as restitution. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
Nashua Man Indicted for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Nashua Man Indicted for Bank Robbery
CONCORD – Mario Monserrate Morgan, 41, of Nashua, New Hampshire, was indicted by a federal grand jury for unarmed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. According to the indictment, Morgan robbed a Citizens Bank located at 238 Main Street in Nashua on June 9, 2026. He will appear in federal court in Concord on a later date.
If convicted, Morgan faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The 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 Nashua Police Department led the investigation with valuable assistance provided by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon is prosecuting the case.
Mesa Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Fentanyl Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Edgar Giovany Baca-Anaya, 27, of Mesa, Arizona, was sentenced last week by United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 120 months in prison, followed by 96 months of supervised release. Baca-Anaya previously pleaded guilty to Distribution of Fentanyl and admitted that the distribution resulted in the death of another person.
On June 23, 2019, in Mesa, Arizona, a man was found deceased in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity. Through their investigation, law enforcement agents learned that the victim contacted Baca-Anaya through Facebook Messenger and obtained fentanyl from him shortly before overdosing.Fentanyl is a man-made opioid 50 times more potent than heroin. Just two milligrams of fentanyl is considered a potentially deadly dose. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, appearing nearly identical to other prescription pills, are often sold through social media or other illegitimate sources.
Legitimate pharmaceutical pills cannot be bought through social media. The only safe medications are ones prescribed directly to you by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. For additional information and resources, including a Caregivers Fact Sheet, visit DEA.gov/onepill.
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Forsyth (N. Dist. Ga.), Brandon M. Brown, and William H. Bryan, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
CASE NUMBER: CR-22-01041-PHX-SMB
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-100_Baca-Anaya# # #
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.Manchester Resident Indicted for Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Manchester Resident Indicted for Attempted
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
CONCORD – Last week a federal grand jury indicted Eric Duran, 41, for attempting to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Duran appeared before the Court last Thursday for his initial appearance and arraignment.
According to the charging document, Duran is alleged to have attempted to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
The charge of attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine has a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, a maximum fine of $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 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 charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The United States Postal Inspection Service led the investigation. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the New Hampshire State Police provided valuable assistance. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Defrank is prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced to More Than 30 Years for Sexually Abusing a Special Needs ChildRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced David Leonard Mayes, 41, to over 30 years in prison for sexually abusing a special needs child. A federal jury found Mayes guilty in March 2026 of the aggravated sexual abuse of a minor while on a military base.
Mayes raped a nine-year-old disabled, nonverbal child while visiting her family on Camp Lejeune. The victim’s mother arrived home early to find her daughter’s door closed. Alarmed, she burst in and caught Mayes in flagrante, sexually assaulting her daughter. DNA testing confirmed Mayes abhorrent crimes.
“This monster preyed on the most vulnerable nine-year-old imaginable. He exploited his relationship with her mother to violate her in disgustingly inhuman ways. Rather than man-up and admit his heinous crime, he brought further trauma to the family by forcing them to recount what he did in public at trial. We will always fight to protect the heroes aboard Camp Lejeune and their mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives by stomping out spiders like this. The Court’s sentence ensures this spider cannot hurt anyone else for 30 years,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
“The overwhelming forensic evidence secured by NCIS Special Agents left this predator with absolutely no place to hide, guaranteeing a swift conviction and a 30-year sentence, that removes a dangerous threat from the community," said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Parrish of the NCIS Carolinas Field Office. "We have zero tolerance for those who prey upon children within our Navy and Marine Corps communities. This case demonstrates the relentless dedication of NCIS to uncover the truth, protect the vulnerable, and partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure predators face the full weight of the law.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. NCIS 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. 7:22-CR-74.
Madison Man Sentenced to More Than 5 Years for Drug Trafficking and Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Steve E. Adams, 43, Madison, Wisconsin, was sentenced last week by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 62 months in federal prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Adams pleaded guilty to these charges on March 20, 2026.
Between May 6, 2025, and June 18, 2025, Adams sold a mixture of heroin and fentanyl multiple times on the east side of Madison. In late June, officers searched Adams’ house and found more drugs, a hydraulic press, and a loaded Ruger-57, 5.7x28 caliber pistol. Adams is prohibited from legally possessing firearms or ammunition because of a prior felony conviction.
Judge Peterson remarked that the hydraulic press suggested Adams was engaged in “more than basic street level” dealing. The judge was troubled that Adams engaged in this criminal behavior despite having a well-paying job in the construction industry.
The charges against Adams were the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, and the ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, which is comprised of federal agents from ATF as well as state and local agents throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan Stelljes and Alex Samuel prosecuted this case.
Federal prosecutions by the U.S. Department of Justice involving drugs and guns are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminals, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Middle District of Louisiana Raises Awareness of Government Imposter ScamsRead the Press Release
In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana, Kurt L. Wall, joins the Elder Justice Coordinating Council and other government agencies and organizations across the country to spread the word about government and business imposter scams.
Government imposter scams are a serious problem: in 2025, the FTC received more than 375,000 reports about government imposters, with reported losses of $917 million.
These imposter scammers lie and pretend to be someone they’re not. Their goal? Trick you into giving them money, access to your financial accounts, or your personal information. They make up complicated stories about so-called emergencies, so you’ll panic and act quickly before you have time to think about what to do or talk to someone you trust.
One common scam starts with an unexpected call from someone who says they’re from a well-known business, saying there’s suspicious activity on your account.
To “help” you, they transfer you to someone who says they’re from the government. This so-called helper, who claims to be from the FBI, the FTC, or some other law enforcement agency, urges you to move your money to “protect it” — maybe by transferring it to an account they give you, depositing it in a “government account” or crypto ATM for “safekeeping,” or getting cash or gold and giving it to a courier. But it’s all a lie. No one from the government will ever ask you to do these things. Only scammers will.
Other lies might involve a “suspended Social Security number” or supposed eligibility for government benefits. In all cases, that scammer will go to great lengths to convince you they’re with the government: fake caller ID or official-looking letters, for example. The agency name might be real or made up (but real-sounding), and some scammers might show you an employee ID or badge — all to seem more real. But they’re not.
To recognize and avoid a government imposter, keep these things in mind:
- Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.” Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government threaten to suspend your government benefits if you don’t pay immediately. Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government demand that you pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards.
Talk to someone you trust if you’re worried about a problem with your account or identity — especially if the stranger says they’re from the government or the situation is serious or involves a crime. Visit ejcc.acl.gov/imposters for more on imposter scams. And if you spot an imposter scam — or any other type of scam — report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Lexington County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — De’Marionne Zaquann Miller, 22, of Lexington, has been sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing the firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that on June 14, 2025, deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to an apartment after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident.
While deputies were on their way to the location, they learned that Miller had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. As law enforcement arrived on scene, Miller ran out of the apartment with an AK-style rifle and a backpack. When deputies caught up with Miller, he did not have the rifle, but after arresting Miller, the deputies retraced his steps and located the AK-style firearm.
In the seized backpack, deputies located cash, numerous individual bags of marijuana, and two cellphones. A subsequent search of the apartment revealed a large vacuum sealed bag of marijuana, a digital drug scale, and ammunition. Miller is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition based upon prior convictions for escape and unlawful carrying of a pistol.
United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie sentenced Miller to 111 months imprisonment, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney William K. Witherspoon is prosecuting the case.Law Enforcement Announces Drones Restricted Near Sail250 Maryland EventsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – Planning to fly your drone in Baltimore during SAIL250 Maryland?
The government is issuing temporary flight restrictions (TFR) around the Baltimore Inner Harbor, Fells Point, North Locust Point, Under Armour Pier, Baltimore Peninsula, and Martin State Airport during SAIL250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore, from June 24 through June 30. It is prohibited to fly a drone or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in and around SAIL250 events.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the TFR with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Lt. Cmdr. Kate Newkirk, deputy incident commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Maryland – National Capital Region.
TFRs define a certain area of airspace where air travel, including drones and other UAS, is limited for a specific period of time. Restriction details include size, altitude, date, time, and the types of operations that are restricted or permitted. All pilots are required to adhere to the restrictions. Flying a drone in a restricted zone is a federal crime and can result in criminal fines up to $100,000, prison time, and drone confiscation.
“Operating a drone in restricted airspace is dangerous and against the law. An Unmanned Aircraft System operator could lose control of the drone, threatening the safety and lives of those below,” Hayes said. “Anyone who operates an Unmanned Aircraft System in the No-Drone Zone during Sail250 Maryland should expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The FBI will use its full suite of investigative and intelligence capabilities to ensure SAIL250 Maryland is safe for everyone,” Paul said. “We will identify drone operators who are violating temporary flight restrictions, seize their drones, and support prosecution to the fullest extent possible.”
“The Coast Guard remains focused on ensuring the public can safely enjoy this historic maritime celebration with confidence,” Newkirk said. “A part of accomplishing that mission includes coordinating closely with our partner agencies to implement integrated safety and security plans which addresses unmanned aircraft systems.”
Unsafe or improper use of a drone during this time frame poses a physical hazard to other aircraft and to individuals on the ground. TFRs are intended to protect ship crew, cadets and midshipmen, aviators, visitors, and critical infrastructure, such as power lines and cell phone towers, from accidents and security threats.
Before every flight, drone operators should check for active flight restrictions using an FAA-approved B4UFLY service provider. A list of approved providers offering free airspace awareness tools for desktop and mobile devices is available at faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly. These tools provide real-time information on temporary flight restrictions, restricted airspace, and other advisories based on the operator’s location. We encourage you to review www.tfr.faa.gov for a full list of TFRs in place.
Members of the public are encouraged to report all suspicious activity. Law enforcement will actively monitor the airways for illegal UAS/drones and is committed to identifying, investigating, disrupting, and prosecuting the careless or criminal use of drones in the area.
If you spot unsafe drone activity, report it immediately by calling 911. Together, let’s keep the skies—and SAIL250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore— safe for everyone.
Learn more about all federal UAS/drone regulations on the FAA website.
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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Kittanning Resident Sentenced for Theft of Disabled Child’s Social Security BenefitsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 36 months of probation, including an initial five months of home detention, and ordered to pay restitution of $17,000 to the United States Social Security Administration on his conviction of theft of public funds, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Chief United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon imposed the sentence on Jared Koeller, 47, on June 17, 2026.
According to information presented to the Court, Koeller was the representative payee for a disabled child, and misused Social Security funds designated for the child after the child was placed in the custody of another person.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Koeller.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is 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.
Justice Department Concludes USDA Preferences for “Socially Disadvantaged” Groups Violate the ConstitutionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice issued an opinion today finding that certain U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) preferences for “socially disadvantaged” groups unconstitutionally discriminated based on race and sex.
The Office of Legal Counsel determined that conservation‑planning programs that authorized USDA to waive user fees for “socially disadvantaged” farmers as defined by race‑ and sex‑based criteria failed to satisfy the Constitution’s equal-protection guarantee. The statutory and regulatory definitions of “socially disadvantaged” farmers preferred certain racial groups and women over other farmers without a compelling or important governmental interest to justify such classifications. The opinion upheld five other USDA programs as constitutional because they could be administered in a race- and sex-neutral manner.
“Racial discrimination is illegal, and the government cannot show preference to certain groups when awarding special benefits without a compelling reason to justify the classification,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Department of Justice is committed to ending illegal DEI initiatives across the federal government that violate our Constitution and laws.”
“Our colorblind Constitution generally prohibits the federal government from distributing benefits based on race or sex,” said Joshua Craddock, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. “Where Congress has not made the required findings and where classifications sweep far beyond any legitimate purpose, the Department must conclude that such preferences are unlawful.”
“Today’s opinion affirms discrimination based on race and sex is unconstitutional and no program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including those in the Farm Production and Conservation mission area, will act otherwise," said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. "All persons served by this Department will, without question, be treated equally.”
USDA may continue to provide technical assistance, financial support, and outreach to farmers and ranchers through constitutionally permissible means. Building on the Office of Legal Counsel’s December 2025 opinion concerning the Department of Education’s race-based education programs and the Solicitor General’s February 2026 letter to Congress about USDA’s race- and sex-based preferences, today’s opinion ensures that programs for American farmers operate consistent with the longstanding principle that all persons are entitled to equal treatment under the law.
The full opinion is available on OLC’s website.
Jacksonville Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Gun OffensesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – Charles Curtis Williams (47, Jacksonville) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jordan E. Pratt to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison for distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Williams pleaded guilty on February 27, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Williams sold drugs, including methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine to an undercover detective on seven different occasions in 2025. Subsequently, Williams was stopped and apprehended by law enforcement on his way to another drug transaction. After Williams was arrested, law enforcement located bags of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl in his car.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Williams’s residence and seized a loaded firearm with an additional magazine, oxycodone pills, bags of crack cocaine and cocaine, fentanyl packaged for individual sale, and drug trafficking paraphernalia, including a ledger with drug sales information, baggies, a beaker, and scales. Due to his criminal history, Williams was classified and sentenced as an armed career criminal under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.
IT Group Agrees to Repay $7 Million in CARES Act FundingRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A civil settlement was unsealed showing that a group of IT companies agreed to pay $7 million after receiving funding from the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program for which they were ineligible, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
In 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, commonly known as the “CARES Act.” Qualifying businesses were authorized to obtain a forgivable disaster loan to preserve jobs in industries impacted by COVID-19. When the CARES Act was amended, applicants were allowed to seek a second round of disaster relief funding, with eligibility limited to small businesses with 300 or fewer employees.
Under the Federal False Claims Act, private individuals act as qui tam, “whistleblowers,” and may bring lawsuits against entities that have committed fraud against the government. A qui tam Civil Complaint was filed by GNGH2, Inc. in December 2024, alleging that Speridian Technologies LLC, BenefitAlign, LLC, Xelleration LLC, TrueCoverage LLC, Business Advantage Consulting Inc., and Helix Business Solutions LLC (Speridian Group) violated the False Claims Act. The principal locations for the businesses are Washington, New Mexico, California, and Tennessee. Court documents show that the Speridian Group allegedly employed more than 300 people and provides various IT and internet-based services globally.
The Speridian Group companies each sought a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under the CARES Act in 2021 and 2022. Collectively, the companies within Speridian Group received $4,896,758.73 in loans processed by BOK Financial, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After receiving the funds, they applied for and received forgiveness for each loan.
In the Settlement Agreement, the Speridian Group admitted that they were members of a single corporate group for purposes of determining PPP loan eligibility and exceeded the 300-employee threshold. As a result, they received a second PPP loan that was forgiven, even though they were not eligible. To resolve the civil claims against it, the Speridian Group agreed to pay the United States $7,000,000, of which $5,101,881.63 is restitution. After the restitution is paid to the Small Business Administration, the United States will pay GNGH2, Inc. $700,000 as its statutory share under the False Claims Act for bringing the suit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Cooper represented the Northern District of Oklahoma, and the Small Business Administration’s Office of General Counsel assisted in the litigation of this case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division's prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
Huntington Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Role in Huntington-Area Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Geon Lavell Henderson, also known as “Money,” 53, of Huntington, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of fentanyl. Henderson admitted to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl in the Huntington area.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 9, 2025, Henderson sold approximately 110 grams of methamphetamine and 1.9 grams of fentanyl to a confidential informant in Huntington in exchange for $800. As part of his guilty plea, Henderson admitted that he conducted the transaction, that he arranged it beforehand, and that it took place at his residence.
Henderson further admitted to arranging the sale of approximately 111 grams of methamphetamine for $900 and of approximately 55 grams of methamphetamine for $400 on April 17, 2025. Another individual sold the methamphetamine during both transactions, each time to a confidential informant at a residence in Huntington.
Henderson is among 10 defendants indicted on charges alleging they participated in the DTO while it operated from in or about January 2025 to in or about August 2025. Five defendants pleaded guilty, including Henderson. The indictment against the other defendants remains pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Cabell County Sheriff's Office, the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney L. Finney and Joseph F. Adams prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-154.
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Huntington Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Roger Lee Townson, 57, of Huntington, pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 25, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a garage behind Townson’s residence. Officers ordered the residence’s occupants, including Townson, to exit the house and asked Townson if there were any firearms inside. Townson told officers he had a firearm in his bedroom and allowed officers to enter the residence to secure it. Officers found a Glock model 43 9mm pistol in the bedroom.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction or a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Townson knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior convictions for forgery in Cabell County Circuit Court on March 10, 2000, and for domestic battery in Cabell County Magistrate Court on June 14, 2010.
Townson is scheduled to be sentenced on October 5, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-182.
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Hilton man previously convicted of cyberstalking pleads guilty to new cyberstalking chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David Guest, 30, of Hilton, NY, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and violating the terms of his federal supervised release before U.S. District Judge Merideth A. Vacca. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
In 2025, Guest threatened and harassed an acquaintance through social media accounts. He posted nude photographs of the victim to various pornographic websites with the victim’s full name. In addition, Guest sent the photographs to the victim’s family members, colleagues, former classmates, and friends. As a result, the victim suffered extreme emotional distress.
Guest was previously convicted of cyberstalking in 2023 and sentenced to serve 27 months in prison. He was released from prison in 2025, shortly before he committed this latest offense.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 21, 2026, at 10 a.m. before Judge Vacca.
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Harrison County Woman Sentenced for Falsifying VA Medical Records to Steal Disability Benefits and Erase $242K in Student LoansRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A Bridgeport, West Virginia woman was sentenced for theft of public money, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Christina Nolte, 42, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison. Nolte, a licensed physician assistant, falsified her medical records to file for and receive disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Nolte then used her fraudulently obtained disability to have $242,528 in federal student loans discharged.
“By falsifying her medical records and exploiting programs meant to support our nation’s veterans, Ms. Nolte stole taxpayer funds and undermined systems designed to help those who served,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “We will continue to hold those who engage in benefits fraud accountable.”
Nolte was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $355,179.13.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer T. Conklin prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The matter was investigated by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Education Office of Inspector General.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is 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.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Former NYPD Officer Sentenced to 90 Months in Prison for Bribery, Narcotics, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that ANDREW NGUYEN, a former officer in the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), was sentenced to 90 months in prison for conspiring to solicit and receive bribes, conspiring to distribute narcotics, and possessing a firearm in connection with the conspiracy to distribute narcotics, in connection with his role as an NYPD officer. NGUYEN previously pled guilty on January 29, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, who imposed today’s sentence.
“Andrew Nguyen repeatedly abused his position of public trust by soliciting and accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “In exchange, he helped the leader of a drug trafficking organization, including by transporting kilograms of dangerous drugs, providing armed protection, and using an NYPD police car and equipment to conduct and document a fake car stop and seizure. In short, Nguyen endangered the very community that he swore an oath to protect. The greatest police department in the world does not accept corruption in its ranks, and this Office was proud to partner with them to root it out. Today’s sentencing sends a message from the NYPD and the DOJ: corruption has no place in the world’s greatest police force.”
According to the Indictment, plea agreement, and statements made in court:
For approximately three years, between at least in or about 2020 and at least in or about November 2023, NGUYEN used his position as a police officer in the NYPD to solicit and accept tens of thousands of dollars in bribe payments in exchange for assisting another individual (“CC-1”) with the operation of CC-1’s drug trafficking enterprise. For example, NGUYEN transported drugs, including approximately eight kilograms of cocaine, for CC-1 while NGUYEN was armed with a firearm, including NGUYEN’s NYPD-authorized off-duty firearm, which NGUYEN planned to use to protect CC-1 if violence occurred. While transporting those drugs, NGUYEN also carried his NYPD credentials and an NYPD parking placard, which NGUYEN planned to use to evade arrest in the event he was pulled over by other members of the NYPD. Overall, NGUYEN, who was at all relevant times an officer in the NYPD, accepted more than $30,000 in bribe payments from CC-1 (and solicited tens of thousands of dollars in additional bribes) in connection with NGUYEN’s participation in CC-1’s drug trafficking enterprise.
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In addition to his prison term, NGUYEN, 41, of Harriman, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit and Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. King and Jonathan E. Rebold are in charge of the prosecution.
Former Anchorage attorney pleads guilty to drug trafficking crimeRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A former member of the Alaska Bar pleaded guilty today to possessing drugs with intent to distribute in Alaska.
On May 21, 2025, Justin Facey, 46, was arrested after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with drug trafficking and firearm crimes. The indictment against Facey alleged that he used his residence in Anchorage to distribute and use controlled substances, namely fentanyl and methamphetamine, and possessed four firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing drugs with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Court documents explain that Facey was suspended from practicing law on Feb. 24, 2025, following numerous bar complaints. Prior to that, Facey was an Anchorage defense attorney with his own practice.
Facey is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6, 2026, and faces between 10 to 40 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford of the District of Oregon, Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Saccone of the Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Schelgel of the FBI Anchorage Field Office made the announcement.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska has been recused from this case with the exception of certain personnel. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Clymer from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York has been appointed as Special Attorney to the United States Attorney General to assist with this and other recused cases. He reports to and acts under the direction of the Deputy Attorney General, or his delegee, or Acting U.S. Attorney Narus in these cases. Special Attorney Clymer supervises personnel from the District of Alaska who have been exempted from the recusal.
The DEA Anchorage District Office and FBI Anchorage Field Office, with assistance from the Anchorage Police Department, are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Alexander and Jennifer Ivers are prosecuting the case.
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Federal prison sentences handed down for firearms-related chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: Five men have been sentenced to federal prison in U.S. District Court following guilty pleas for firearms-related crimes.
The sentencings before U.S. District Court were announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. They include:
- Maurice Edward Jones, 38, of Rincon, Georgia, was sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Jones was found with a 9 mm pistol when he was apprehended by Effingham County Sheriff’s Deputies immediately after committing a smash and grab burglary at a convenience store in May 2025.
- Zyron Loadholt, 19, of Savannah, was sentenced to 58 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police responded to a report of a man with a gun near the Moses Jackson Center in July 2025. After attempting to flee, Loadholt was apprehended and found to be in possession of a Glock Model 19, 9 mm pistol.
- Deondre Jamar Williams, 30, of Riverdale, Georgia, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and a $1,200 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon. Williams was found in possession of a Taurus G2C 9 mm pistol and ammunition in Augusta in July 2025. The firearm had also been reported as stolen.
- Xavier Whitfield, 41, of Savannah, was sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Whitfield was found to be in possession of Hi-Point .380 caliber pistol after a search warrant was served on his residence in September 2024 by Savannah Police.
- Alvin Tyrone Sturgis Jr., 39, of Augusta, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and a $1,500 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Sturgis was found to be in possession of a Taurus model 85 Ultralite, .38 caliber pistol in January 2025 in Richmond County.
There is no parole in the federal system. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition.
“Convicted felons who continue to disregard the law and threaten the safety of our communities will be held fully responsible,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “These sentences are just one step towards securing safety for our children and families.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Savannah Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and Chatham County Police Department investigated the cases, which were prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara M. Lyons, Kelsey L. Scanlon, Patricia G. Rhodes, Makeia R. Jonese, Bradley R. Thompson, Timothy P. Dean, and L. Alexander Hamner.
Federal Jury Convicts Dallas Man for Distributing Fentanyl – Over 17,000 Fentanyl Pills SeizedRead the Press Release
A Dallas man was convicted today of distributing fentanyl, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Following a three-day trial and roughly five hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Joshua Burton, 30, on Friday, June 18, 2026, of conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl and personally distributing fentanyl in Northern District of Texas.
“This verdict should send a clear message to drug dealers that we will dismantle any effort to peddle deadly fentanyl in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their dedicated collaboration in taking thousands of fentanyl pills off the streets of Dallas”
According to evidence presented at trial, law enforcement seized approximately 17,000 fentanyl pills from Burton in a single week. Evidence also showed Burton had been distributing fentanyl for approximately three years, and his phone showed a history of narcotics distribution in the area.
Burton is set for sentencing on October 7, 2026, before United States District Judge Ed Kinkeade, who presided over the trial. Burton faces up to life in federal prison.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Garland Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abby Policastro and Marissa Aulbaugh are prosecuted the case.
FBI Arrests Two More Men in Washington and Missouri in Connection with Planned Attack on Government Officials at White House UFC eventRead the Press Release
Two more men have been arrested by the FBI since Friday in a fast-moving FBI investigation of a plot to attack the June 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event at the White House.
William Lee Spartacus Falkner was arrested midday Friday, June 19. Falkner is charged by criminal complaint in the Western District of Washington with conspiracy to commit murder. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Tacoma at 2:00 pacific time today.
Jordan W. Rincker, 28, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was arrested Sunday, June 21. Rincker is charged by criminal complaint in the Western District of Missouri with conspiracy to commit murder. He appeared in U.S. District Court in Kansas City at 2:00 central time today.
“Law enforcement continues to do what it does — move to disrupt and hold accountable those allegedly plotting to do harm on the White House Grounds on June 14,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Each and every day, the FBI and their federal, state and local law enforcement partners, along with U.S. Attorneys offices across the country, safeguard American communities and our nation’s security.”
“These arrests are the latest result of the FBI, teaming up with our great partners, to identify and apprehend those who allegedly wanted to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event — a threat this FBI and our partners prevented,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In just over a week we have executed a multi-state operation that could not have been possible without our Justice Department prosecutors, the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, Secret Service, and our state and local law enforcement partners to once again stop a potentially deadly plot before alleged criminals could act. This collective resolve demonstrates to anyone who threatens the lives of American citizens — this FBI and our partners will find you no matter where you hide, and you will face justice.”
“These latest arrests reflect the rapid progress of our investigation into the alleged plot targeting the UFC event at the White House — an apparent attempt to destabilize the U.S. government,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security (NSD) John A. Eisenberg. “NSD will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure that all individuals who sought to carry out this potential attack are identified and brought to justice.”
“I commend the work of the FBI for their effective investigative work on what was clearly a plot to murder members of the federal government at the highest levels,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd for the Western District of Washington. “This was a geographically wide-ranging conspiracy, and the investigation has required round-the-clock coordination to identify and arrest those responsible. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the FBI and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office moved swiftly and carefully to ensure any threat to the public was neutralized.”
“This case demonstrates the effectiveness of our law enforcement partners and U.S. Attorneys working together to prevent violence before it can take place,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. “We will continue taking decisive action against those who seek to endanger national security and threaten the safety of Americans. By staying proactive, we will disrupt their operations, break apart their networks, and hold those responsible accountable under the law.”
William Falkner
According to the detailed complaint filed in the Western District of Washington, law enforcement first learned of the plot to attack the UFC White House event when the parents of a co-conspirator in Ohio, Tycen C. Proper, alerted police to their son’s purchase of weapons and concerning online activities. As investigators reviewed cell data and online communications, they identified a number of coconspirators including Falkner. The communications indicate that Falkner has experience with drones, both manufacturing and piloting them. In the communications, he discussed loading explosives on the drones and how to configure and fly them for maximum destructive impact.
The plan apparently called for the drones to attack the event on one side to force those in attendance to try to exit from the other side of the event where they could be shot by coconspirators with sniper rifles and other weapons.
Falkner and another had been discussing their “Work trip” prior to the scheduled UFC fight. After the arrests of some of the co-conspirators, Falkner and others communicated that the “work trip” was cancelled.
One of those arrested in this case said the goal of the conspirators was to cause enough chaos to bring about the overthrow of the U.S. government.
Conspiracy to commit murder is punishable by up to life in prison.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Wynne for the Western District of Washington is prosecuting the case, working closely with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
Jordan Rincker
In the criminal complaint filed in the Western District of Missouri, it is alleged that Rincker accepted $1,200 in cash from co-conspirator, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, to disperse payment to other co-conspirators involved in the UFC event attack plot. The complaint alleges that with this money Rincker sent Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California, $100 through CashApp, for gas to drive from California to Washington, D.C., to pick up the “drone operator” for the attack. Both Alvarez and Roa were arrested and charged last week for their involvement in the plot to kill government officials during the UFC event at the White House.
Rincker allegedly communicated with co-conspirators on an encrypted messaging application. According to court documents, Rincker also gave a 12-gague pump action shotgun to Alvarez during an in-person meeting in Omaha. During this meeting, Alvarez gave Rincker a ballistic plate, face shield, 3D printer, 3D printing filament, night vision goggles, binoculars, a “wire checker,” and a minicomputer. Alvarez allegedly gave Rincker the 3D printer to make drones. The complaint also states Rincker “traded” the 12-gauge pump action shot gun with an ammunition-filled bandolier.
While executing a search warrant of Rincker’s home and storage unit, investigators found:
- FN Reflex 9mm pistol with a magazine and loose 9mm rounds;
- FMK AR1 eXtreme multi-caliber rifle;
- A Remington 597 .22 LR caliber rifle;
- 3D printed Glock-style pistol with 3D-printed magazine and 3D-printed ammunition;
- Gas mask with cartridge;
- Night vision goggles;
- Multiple electronic devices; 3D printer (Ender brand)
- 3D printer and filament;
- 3D printed gun parts;
- Shield;
- Strike Face Level III ballistic plate;
- Plate carrier with plates inside;
- Thermal imaging scope;
- A mini-Mac computer; and
- Muzi Works off grid mesh network (a network that uses rugged, pre-built and specific devices to send secure text messages and share locations without cellular service or the internet; it relies on long-range, low-power radio frequencies, like 900MHz LoRa, to hop messages between devices, creating a decentralized communication grid owned by its users).
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Brackett, Trey Alford, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Chlarson for the Western District of Missouri are prosecuting the case, working closely with the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.
The charges contained in a complaint are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Durham Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Provide Support to ISIS TerroristsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Alexander Justin White, 30, to 8 years in federal prison for conspiring to provide and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The Court sentenced White after law enforcement officers arrested him as he attempted to fly to North Africa to join ISIS as terrorist and fight in an ISIS-controlled territory.
“The United States does not tolerate terrorism in any form,” U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said. “Whether keyboard warriors or wannabe fighters, the Department of Justice and FBI will relentlessly bring them to justice. This sentence shows our unwavering commitment to eradicating such evil from our country and the globe.”
White made numerous posts supporting ISIS and jihad between May and October of 2024 including videos used to recruit new members and gin up passion for fighting. He also engaged in fundraising efforts while making several posts and reposts referencing well-known ISIS supporters and enablers. White made, or attempted to make, several financial transactions to support terrorist camps and other similar terrorist campaigns to funnel money to ISIS members and their supporters.
White openly discussed his desire and intention to travel overseas to join ISIS on Facebook and over other encrypted messaging applications. He indicated that he wanted to be a “Mujahid,” which means someone who commits jihad. White expressed a willingness to kill U.S. military members and citizens.
White proactively tried to join ISIS, purchasing a flight to North Africa. In preparation for his new life as a would-be terrorist, White purchased equipment to use overseas. Law enforcement arrested White as he attempted to board his flight with that equipment.
"White planned to abandon his family, betray his country, and fly to Morocco to actively fight with the terrorist group ISIS. Thankfully, the FBI Raleigh-Durham Joint Terrorism Task Force intervened and arrested him at the airport before he could board his flight. It cannot be overstated that ISIS continues to pose a threat to U.S. interests, both domestically and abroad. We must continue to be vigilant to prevent ISIS inspired terrorism" said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
The investigation into White is a result of the work of the FBI’s Raleigh-based Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The JTTF is a group of highly trained, locally based investigators, analysts, linguists, and other specialists from dozens of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies that gather evidence, make arrests, provide security for special events, collect and share intelligence, and respond to threats and incidents at a moment’s notice. There are about 200 JTTFs across the country, including one in each field office, with hundreds of participating state, local and federal agencies.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The FBI’s JTTF 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. 5:25-CR-9.
Dominican National Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining Social Security Benefits and Medicare Coverage Using Stolen IdentityRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A Dominican national has been sentenced to federal prison for using a stolen identity to fraudulently obtain more than $100,000 in Social Security disability benefits and health care services through Medicare.
Senior U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck sentenced Juan Francisco De La Cruz Mejia, 38, of Miami Springs, to 52 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft of government funds, Social Security fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
“This defendant stole an American citizen's identity and used it to siphon taxpayer-funded benefits for years,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Social Security and Medicare exist to serve eligible beneficiaries, not fraudsters. The Southern District of Florida will continue to prosecute those who steal public benefits, abuse government programs, and exploit the trust of American taxpayers.”
“This sentencing demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of Social Security programs,” said Special Agent in Charge Conor Washington of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Eastern CDI Division. “The defendant, a foreign national unlawfully present in the United States, stole an American citizen’s Social Security number and used it to illegally receive more than $100,000 in Social Security benefits. SSA OIG will continue to aggressively investigate benefit fraud schemes to safeguard taxpayer funds and protect the public.”
“Identity theft and health care fraud undermine the integrity of federal health care programs that exist to serve some of our nation’s most vulnerable individuals,” said Special Agent in Charge Isaac M. Bledsoe of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “By stealing another person’s identity to improperly access Medicare benefits, the defendant siphoned taxpayer-funded resources meant to care for legitimate Medicare enrollees. HHS-OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud federal health care programs.”
According to court records, beginning in February 2021, De La Cruz Mejia unlawfully used the name and Social Security number of another individual to obtain Social Security Title II disability benefits to which he was not entitled. He continued the scheme for more than four years, causing the Social Security Administration to suffer losses exceeding $105,000.
Between February 2021 and August 2025, De La Cruz Mejia received and used $105,057.90 in Social Security disability benefits obtained through stolen identity. In April 2021, he also used the same identity to enroll in Medicare.
By fraudulently obtaining Medicare coverage, De La Cruz Mejia received medical services and prescriptions drugs under another person’s identity, causing health care providers to submit claims to Medicare for services rendered to him. The claims — including Medicare Parts A, B, and D benefits and durable medical equipment — totaled approximately $3.4 million in billed charges, resulting in Medicare payments of approximately $108,057.63.
SSA OIG and HHS-OIG investigated the case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikole Hiciano prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-20460.
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District of Arizona Charged 330 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct Last WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from June 13 through June 18, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 330 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 153 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 148 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 25 cases against 29 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).
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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: 2026-101_June 19, 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.D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Postal Worker in Mail Theft Scheme Spanning the RegionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Ibrahim De La Cruz, 26, of the District, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with the armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service maintenance worker from whom he took postal master keys that he used to steal high volumes of mail from luxury apartment buildings across the District, Northern Virginia, and Maryland, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“The armed robbery of a federal employee is an attack on the integrity of our public institutions and the safety of those who serve this community,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “After stealing USPS master keys, De La Cruz used those keys to gain unauthorized access to mailboxes throughout the region, stealing mail, packages, and financial information belonging to residents. His conduct was calculated, far‑reaching, and deeply harmful to victims whose mail he targeted. Today’s plea ensures he will be held fully accountable for the damage he inflicted on residents throughout the District and beyond.”
De La Cruz, aka “Black Migo,” pleaded guilty before Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan to one count of robbery of mail, money, or other property of the United States. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. Judge Sooknanan scheduled sentencing for December 8.
According to court documents, on Aug. 10, 2024, De La Cruz approached a U.S. Postal Service employee who was performing maintenance on a USPS collection box in Northwest Washington and demanded the employee’s USPS Arrow Keys. The employee complied, and De La Cruz fled with the keys.
Using the stolen keys, De La Cruz carried out a series of high-volume mail thefts from residential buildings across the region. Investigators tied him to the crimes through surveillance footage, Instagram posts, and cell phone tracking. His targets included locations on the 1400 block of R Street NW; the outdoor mail area of 17th Street NW; and mailboxes located at 2419 Ontario Road NW
De La Cruz also used a credit card stolen from the mail to make purchases for his own benefit.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Army Criminal Investigation Division.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Akhtar.
Surveillance cameras captured images of De La Cruz with stolen mail on several occasions.
Contractor Sentenced for Multi-Year Half-Million Dollar Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a construction company doing business in Berkshire County was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. for a multi-year income tax fraud scheme.
Dennis Condron, 76, of Cheshire, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to a year of probation and a $40,000 fine. Condron was also ordered to pay over $200,000 in restitution. The government recommended six months in prison. In February 2026, Condron pleaded guilty to four counts of tax fraud.
Over a three-year period, in addition to depositing customer payments to his company, D Condron Construction, Condron hid over half a million dollars in customer checks by cashing them and diverting them to his personal accounts. When Condron had his taxes prepared, he did not tell his preparer about the customer checks he was cashing and diverting – resulting in his tax returns underreporting the gross receipts of the business by hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a result, Condron kept hundreds of thousands of dollars that he should have paid in federal and state income taxes.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Merck of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Club Miami Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling Methamphetamine and Cocaine Inside Nashville NightclubRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Rimon Salim, 38, owner and operator of Club Miami, an after-hours nightclub in Nashville, pleaded guilty today to distributing methamphetamine and cocaine from inside the club, announced United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee.
"Ramon Salim’s nightclub became a marketplace for methamphetamine and cocaine," said United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee. "Business owners who illegally profit from the distribution of dangerous narcotics contribute to the serious problem that devastates families and communities across Tennessee. Today's guilty plea reflects our commitment to holding drug traffickers accountable, regardless of where they operate."
According to court documents, Salim owned and operated Club Miami, a weekend after-hours nightclub that remained open from approximately 2 a.m. until 6 a.m. Between February and March 2025, the Federal Bureau of Investigation used confidential informants equipped with audio and video recording devices to document drug trafficking inside the club.
"This guilty plea is the result of collaborative local, state, and federal law enforcement efforts to rid our communities of highly addictive and extremely dangerous drugs," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "The FBI is committed to dismantling the drug networks that threaten our neighborhoods and will continue to target and bring to justice those who engage in these crimes."
On February 23, 2025, Salim sold approximately 27.69 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Laboratory testing later confirmed the methamphetamine was approximately 94 percent pure. On March 9, 2025, Salim sold approximately 55 grams of cocaine to a confidential informant, weighing the drugs on a scale inside the club's bathroom before completing the transaction. In both instances, the controlled substances were recovered by law enforcement and subsequently analyzed by the Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory, which confirmed their identity and weight.
“The ATF works collaboratively with our law enforcement partners day and night to swiftly remove individuals who distribute narcotics in our streets, participate in organized crime, and show total disregard for human life in our communities,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Nashville Field Division SAC Jamey VanVliet. “The ATF’s primary mission is to combat violent crime, and we will work tirelessly with our partners to keep the communities that we serve safe.”
Salim pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, one involving methamphetamine and one involving cocaine.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 21, 2026. Salim faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; the Tennessee Highway Patrol; the Tennessee Department of Revenue; and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Criminal Chief Ahmed A. Safeeullah and Assistant United States Attorney Cooper R. Byers are prosecuting the case.
Charges against any co-defendant are merely allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Carver Man Agrees to Plead Guilty to Federal Dogfighting ChargeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Carver, Mass., man has agreed to plead guilty to his participation in a multi-year dogfighting conspiracy involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related animal cruelty and illegal gambling activities.
Corey Elliott, 49, has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to participate in an animal fighting venture in violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court. Elliott was arrested and charged in April 2026.
According to the charging document, the defendant participated in a long-running dogfighting conspiracy spanning several years and involving the breeding, training and fighting of dogs, as well as related gambling and animal cruelty offenses. The defendant and his co-conspirator allegedly maintained a close partnership over a period of years, during which they communicated extensively about dogfighting activities, including arranging fights, discussing outcomes, placing wagers and coordinating the acquisition, sale and conditioning of dogs for fighting purposes.
The United States also filed a civil forfeiture complaint against four pit bull-type dogs, seized in June 2025 from Elliott’s residence in Carver. As alleged in the civil forfeiture complaint, the seized dogs were housed separately in locked cage structures; several of the seized dogs had evidence of scarring; and, at the location where the dogs were seized, items commonly associated with an illegal dogfighting operation were found, including training equipment, veterinary supplies and dog fighting literature. The dogs are currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) being cared for by a USMS-contractor. Pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act, animals involved in violations of 7 U.S.C. § 2156 are subject to forfeiture to the United States.
The civil forfeiture complaint also alleges that Elliott messaged with another dogfighter through WhatsApp about training dogs to fight, the planning and results of dogfights, injuries sustained by and the death of fighting dogs and disposing of dog carcasses.
In June 2023, a search warrant was executed at the co-conspirator’s residence, which allegedly resulted in the seizure of multiple pit bull-type dogs and evidence consistent with dogfighting activity, including veterinary supplies, training equipment and implements associated with dogfighting. Analysis of electronic devices seized during the investigation allegedly revealed numerous videos and communications related to dogfighting, including messages between the defendant and his co-conspirator spanning several years.
To report animal fighting crimes, please contact your local law enforcement or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General complaint hotline at: https://usdaoig.oversight.gov/hotline or 1-800-424-9121.
The charge of conspiring to participate in an animal fighting venture provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Northeast Region; Geoffrey D. Noble, Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police; and Karen LoStracco, Director of Law Enforcement at the Animal Rescue League of Boston made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Massachusetts State Police; Homeland Security Investigations; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; United States Marshals Service; Maine State Police; New Hampshire State Police; Massachusetts Office of the State Auditor; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and the Acton, Boston, Carver and Hanson Police Departments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. Carol E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit for the District of Massachusetts and Trial Attorney Caitlyn F. Cook of ENRD’s Wildlife and Marine Resources Section are prosecuting the civil forfeiture case.
The details contained in the charging document and civil forfeiture complaint are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
California Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for his Role in Illegal Firearms PurchasesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A previously convicted felon from California has been sentenced to prison for traveling about 2,500 miles across the country to convince a 67-year old woman he met through online dating to purchase assault-style pistols on his behalf.
Chariece Chew, 32, of Hayward, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese after he was found guilty by a jury in August 2025 of the following offenses:
- Two Counts of Straw Purchasing of Firearms
- Two Counts of Felon in Possession of Firearms; previous convictions include Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine in 2019
In 2024 Chew was active on an online dating app where he met a 67-year-old woman from Ohio. After conversing through the app, he took a Greyhound bus from California to Ohio to meet with her. During his visit, he asked her to help him purchase four AK-style pistols for his purported “security company.”
The woman purchased two Micro Draco 7.62 caliber pistols at a Cleveland-area firearms dealer. She later went to a second location in Parma to purchase a Micro Draco and a Mini Draco, 7.62 caliber pistols for Chew. After Chew acquired the firearms from the woman, he returned to California on a Greyhound bus. One of the firearms acquired by Chew in Ohio was later recovered in Modesto, California.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Zarzycki, and Brenna Fasko for the Northern District of Ohio.
Brookings Man Convicted in Federal Trial Charging Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a jury has convicted Joseph Darrell Peterson, Jr., age 47, of Brookings, South Dakota (formerly of Veblen, South Dakota) of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child following a three-day jury trial in federal district court in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Each conviction carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a possible maximum term of life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine; upon release from prison, Peterson will be on supervised release for at least 5 years and possibly up to life. He must also pay $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund and restitution to the victim may also be ordered.
The investigation discovered that over the course of 13 years, in multiple states, and specifically in 2010 through 2012 while living on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, in Veblen, South Dakota, Peterson engaged in repeated penetrative sexual acts with a child who was under 12 years old. In 2023, that child had the courage to come forward to law enforcement and an investigation ensued. Peterson was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2024 and convicted June 17, 2025.
This case was investigated by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal Law Enforcement, South Dakota DCI, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person AUSA for the Great Plains Region Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners. The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components. Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of victims and their families despite the passage of time.
This case was also brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.A presentence investigation was ordered, and sentencing is set for September 14, 2026. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.