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17 June 2026
McLaughlin Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Assault with a Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a McLaughlin, South Dakota man convicted of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. The sentencing took place on June 8, 2026.
Thomas Maurice Cornia, age 20, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Cornia was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He pleaded guilty on February 23, 2026.
Cornia and another young man were embroiled in a long-standing feud. On the evening of July 5, 2025, they saw one another at a graduation party in Bullhead, South Dakota, and began arguing. The other man punched Cornia in the face and they began brawling and wrestling on the ground. Cornia produced a knife and stabbed the other man in the shoulder.
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 was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Cornia was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his federal sentence.
Maryland Resident Pleads Guilty in D.C. Apartment Fraud Using Fake Government Job OffersRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Tisha Lee, 38, a former contract employee for the U.S. Government Publishing Office, pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in connection with a scheme in which she used her position at the federal agency to create fake employment offer letters that individuals used to fraudulently rent District apartments, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Tisha Lee turned a federal government email address into a forgery shop, selling phony job offers so people could secure D.C. apartments they couldn't legitimately afford,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “That's not a victimless con. It's a fraud on every landlord and every honest renter playing by the rules.”
Lee, who resided Maryland, pleaded guilty June 16 before Judge Amit P. Mehta to one count of fraud in the second degree, in violation of D.C. Code section 3221(b). The charge carries a maximum sentence of three years' imprisonment, a $12,500 fine, and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for October 19.
According to court documents, Lee was a contract employee in the Human Capital section of the U.S. Government Publishing Office from March 2025 to March 2026, where she had no authority to issue or verify employment offers.
On at least 10 occasions, Lee used her government email account to send false offer letters on GPO letterhead to individuals seeking to rent apartments in the District, falsely representing that the recipients had been offered GPO positions with salaries ranging from about $85,500 to $207,500 a year.
When apartment management companies contacted Lee directly to verify the false employment claims, she confirmed them. At least one recipient used Lee's fraudulent letter to secure a lease at an apartment building in Southwest. Lee was paid by the scheme's beneficiaries.
The investigation was conducted by the D.C. Fraud Cell, Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations, Washington Field Office, and the U.S. Government Publishing Office, Office of Inspector General. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Deitch and Kevin Reddington.
26cr119
Manhattan Men Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Millions of Doses of Deadly Gamma-ButyrolactoneRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Enforcement Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Farhana Islam, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging MARK DYGDON and RODRIGO CASTRO in connection with the defendants’ distribution of gamma-butyrolactone (“GBL”) throughout the New York City area. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett.
“As alleged, Mark Dygdon and Rodrigo Castro conspired to import and distribute millions of doses of gamma-butyrolactone in Midtown Manhattan and around the New York region,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Even one dose of GBL, also commonly known as a so-called date rape drug, can be lethal; Dygdon and Castro are accused of flooding Midtown with tons of this liquid poison. As the charges in this case show, together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who commit drug crimes and will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The seizure of multiple tons of gamma-butyrolactone, is not merely a chemical seizure, it is the prevention of countless tragedies that may have otherwise occurred,” said DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “GBL is a dangerous substance on its own, and can also be converted into GHB. Both are powerful depressants that are often used in drug facilitated sexual assaults. By removing this massive quantity from the supply chain, the DEA and our partners disrupted a significant threat to public safety, and prevented harm to countless people who might otherwise have been victimized. This indictment reflects the commitment we have with our partners in targeting those trafficking drugs and precursor chemicals into our communities.”
As alleged in the Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:(1)
From at least in or about August 2023 through at least in or about June 2026, DYGDON and CASTRO conspired to distribute GBL throughout the New York City area. To date, the charged conspiracy has imported more than approximately seven U.S. tons of GBL between on or about August 2023 and today, or the equivalent of millions of individual doses of GBL.
As part of the investigation, the DEA New York Enforcement Division seized 2.4 tons of GBL, a chemical often times attributed to sexual assaults.
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DYGDON, 48, and CASTRO, 34, both of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute GBL, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The statutory maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca R. Delfiner is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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As the introductory phrase signifies, the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Louisville Woman Sentenced to over 5 Years in Federal Prison for Defrauding CustomersRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Louisville woman was sentenced on June 15, 2026, to 5 years and 3 months in federal prison for eleven counts of wire fraud, one count of bankruptcy fraud, and five counts of money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina D. Whethers, Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Bobby Kuszynski of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office made the announcement.
Tracy Davenport, 51, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison, followed by a 3-year term of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,398,536.75 for eleven counts of wire fraud, one count of bankruptcy fraud, and five counts of money laundering. In or about and between May 2021 and December 2022, Tracy Davenport, and others working at her direction, engaged in a scheme to induce more than fifty customers into signing contracts for pool installation projects and paying large down payments up front, but did not build pools for them. Instead, Davenport used the customers’ funds for purposes other than what was agreed upon.
United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Tracy Davenport defrauded numerous people. In attempting to conceal her crimes, she repeatedly lied to victims all the while knowing she had stolen their money. Her crimes caused financial hardships and significant emotional distress. I am very proud of the cooperative relationship we have with the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Those relationships lead to significant successes like the Davenport conviction and sentence.”
Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney Gerina Whethers stated, “We hope this outcome provides a measure of closure and justice to the victims, who lost thousands of dollars and waited patiently for a resolution. The successful outcome reflects the hard work of all partner agencies. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our detective and the exceptional work of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, this defendant will be held accountable.”
“Ms. Davenport was a ruthless business owner who intentionally defrauded customers by promising to install a new pool, stealing their down payment, and never delivering a product,” said Olivia Olson, FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge. “Dishonest business practices have no place in our community, and the FBI will make every effort to work alongside our partners to identify and hold accountable fraudulent businesses.”
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Louisville Field Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department, the Jefferson County Commonwealth's Attorney’s Office, and the United States Trustee’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Elver prosecuted the case.
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Little Eagle Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Failing to Register as Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a South Dakota man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on June 8, 2026.
Adrian Paul Martinez, age 70, was sentenced to five months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. This sentence runs consecutively to a five-month tribal sentence imposed for the same underlying conduct.
Martinez was indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender by a federal grand jury in December 2025. He pleaded guilty on February 19, 2026.
Martinez was federally convicted of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Minor in 1990. As a result, he is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. In February 2022, Martinez registered a Little Eagle, South Dakota address as his primary residence. During the winter of 2024, Martinez stayed 42 nights at the Prairie Knights Casino in Fort Yates, North Dakota. He failed to update his registration to reflect that he habitually lived at the casino despite being directed to do so by law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Sex Offender Registration Notification Act Compliance Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Martinez was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his federal sentence.
This case was brought as a 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. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Unit, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Latham Man Indicted for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – – Ethan Rupeka, age 22, of Latham, New York, was arraigned 5/29 on an indictment charging him with Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
Rupeka was arraigned on Friday May 29th before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart and was released on Monday June 1st to probation pending trial. The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.According to the indictment, Rupeka received child pornography on social media messaging services, and possessed the child pornography on four different electronic devices. The material found stemmed from a search warrant conducted on defendant’s residence on February 12, 2025 by the New York State Police, stemming from a cyber tip by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The reprehensible conduct exhibited by this defendant was identified thanks to the dedicated efforts of the NCMEC. Their work allowed the New York State Police and FBI to arrest Mr. Rupeka who will now be prosecuted by my office to ensure he can no longer victimize children for his perverted satisfaction.”
“FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is deeply committed to working with partners to swiftly investigate predators like Mr. Rupeka and ensure they are held accountable for their disturbing behavior. We will continue to leverage every resource necessary to protect our most vulnerable from these monsters.” Said Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “These types of investigations are difficult and show the lengths child predators will go to exploit children. It is through great partnership that we continue to hold those accountable who seek to put a child in harm’s way. I applaud the diligent work done by our State Police members and law enforcement partners that led to this indictment and ensures the defendant will serve time for these deplorable crimes.”The Receipt of Child Pornography charge filed against Rupeka carries a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in prison, a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. In addition, a conviction will require Rupeka to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Paul DerOhannesian is prosecuting the case as Part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Las Cruces Man Sentenced for RobberyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man was sentence to 18 months in prison for stealing merchandise from a Lowe's store and threatening an employee with a firearm when confronted.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on January 24, 2025, Saul Gonzalez, 36, stole several pairs of work gloves from a Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Las Cruces, New Mexico. After store employees confronted him about the unpaid merchandise, Gonzalez brandished a derringer-style firearm, causing an employee to fear for their safety. Gonzalez then left the store with the stolen items and fled in a white Dodge van accompanied by a female associate.
On February 2, 2025, Las Cruces Police Department officers located the van and conducted a traffic stop as part of the armed robbery investigation. Gonzalez and the female occupant denied involvement in the incident. A subsequent search of the vehicle pursuant to a state search warrant uncovered clothing matching what Gonzalez wore during the robbery, black latex gloves consistent with those seen in photographs from the incident, and the stolen Mechanix-brand work gloves with their tags still attached.
Gonzalez pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by threats or violence. Upon his release from prison, Gonzalez will be subject to three years of supervised release.
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 Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
Kingsport Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Multi Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – On June 17, 2026, Aaron Tyshawn Jackson, 27 of Kingsport, TN and formerly of Chattanooga, TN was sentenced to 288 months by the Honorable Clifton L. Corker, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Greeneville. Following his imprisonment, Jackson will be on supervised release for 10 years.
In February, a federal jury convicted Jackson of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine both in violation of 21 U.S.C. § § 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A); two other drug related offenses in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Additionally, the jury found that the enhanced penalties, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 851, were applied to Jackson.
The evidence offered at trial showed that for years Jackson was purchasing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl in Chattanooga and distributing the drugs in Kingsport. On October 22, 2024, following trip to Chattanooga to purchase drugs, Jackson, who was not driving, and three other people were traffic stopped near Greeneville, TN. When the police activated their lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop Jackson told the driver to “drive” and a pursuit ensued resulting in a crash. Jackson threw a duffel bag out of the window while fleeing. The duffel bag contained over 2.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and 11 ounces of fentanyl. Before the car crashed, it reached speeds in excess of 120 mph.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Jackson include Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Kingsport Police Department, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga Police Department, and Etowah Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan L. Gomez and AnCharlene Davis represented the United States.
On December 15, 2025, the President issued an Executive Order designating fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/designating-fentanyl-as-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction/
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Kansas Man Sentenced to 9 Years for MachinegunRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Overland Park, Ks., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a machinegun.
Verdell D. Mays, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen Bough to nine years in federal prison without parole.
On Dec. 4, 2025, Mays pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a machinegun. Mays admitted on June 28, 2025, he possessed a Glock, Model 22C, .40 caliber fully automatic pistol, and that the Glock pistol had a rear slide plate that was modified to produce automatic fire.
On June 28, 2025, Mays fled from Cass County, Mo. Sheriff’s Office deputies by driving approximately 130 miles per hour. The pursuit occurred on Interstate 49, and Mays passed vehicles on the outside shoulder during his flight from law enforcement. During the pursuit, Mays nearly struck a motorcycle, then later nearly struck an SUV.
Mays was driving a stolen vehicle in the pursuit. Deputies conducted an inventory of the vehicle and found the Glock pistol that contained a machinegun conversion device, also known as an “MCD”, or a “switch.” The firearm was loaded with 16 live rounds in the magazine and one live round in the chamber. The firearm was also reported as stolen. Mays also possessed a .40 caliber, 50-round drum magazine containing 46 rounds of live .40 caliber ammunition.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who is convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Mays felony convictions for distribution of marijuana and being an unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Cass County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.
Operation Take Back America
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.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Spring CleaningRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE — The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Spring Cleaning, a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the FBI to combat gang-related threats and enhance public safety. The operation coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement and targeted the illegal flow of firearms and narcotics in our communities. The operation began on March 1 and ended May 31.
In total, Operation Spring Cleaning led to over 1100 arrests, over 600 charges filed, and almost 600 search warrants conducted. The operation also resulted in the seizure of:
- Almost 1000 illegal firearms, dozens of which were equipped with machine gun conversion devices (MCDs) as well as over 75 stand-alone MCDs;
- Over 2,700 pounds of illegal narcotics including
- Over 500 kilograms of cocaine or more than 1100 pounds,
- Nearly 700 pounds of methamphetamine,
- Over 550 pounds of marijuana,
- Nearly 50 kilograms of fentanyl or more than 100 pounds,
- Almost 40 kilograms of heroin or more than 85 pounds,
- More than 7 kilograms of crack cocaine or more than 16 pounds, and
- More than 13,200 pills of MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly.
The operation also resulted in significant enforcement actions in the District of New Mexico. Federal prosecutors charged Lucas Maldonado with drug trafficking and firearms offenses after he allegedly supplied nearly five pounds of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement officers and was later found in possession of fentanyl, firearms, and ammunition. In a separate case, Pete Kimbell was charged in federal court after allegedly selling multiple firearms and ammunition to an undercover law enforcement officer. Additionally, Crisantos Garcia was charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses following an FBI investigation into an alleged scheme to provide weapons to an inmate seeking to escape from custody.
Two FBI agents in tactical gear stand near the back of an armored vehicle and a Ford pickup truck during a SWAT operation. Two FBI agents in tactical gear stand near the back of an armored vehicle and a Ford pickup truck during a SWAT operation. Nighttime scene of vehicles lined up on a road, with mountain silhouette and city lights in the background.“When our neighborhoods are safe from the scourge of deadly drugs, individuals and families can prosper,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The Trump Administration has made significant progress in removing this poison from our streets, a key step in our commitment to making America safe again.”
“This FBI understands that communities across our country have been ravaged by gangs and the firearms and narcotics they flood our streets with,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Spring Cleaning represents our total commitment to crushing this kind of violent crime and eliminating the criminal networks who facilitate them – with over 1,000 arrests, 1,000 firearms seized, and 3,000 pounds of narcotics removed from our neighborhoods. Righteous operations like this show this FBI is only getting started and will continue delivering the most prolific run of crime reduction in U.S. history.”
Jury convicts Harrisburg man of manufacturing and possessing unregistered short-barreled rifles and silencersRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – Following roughly 30 minutes of deliberation a federal jury found a former Harrisburg man guilty of five federal charges for manufacturing unregistered short-barreled rifles, possessing unregistered short-barreled rifles, possessing unregistered silencers, and possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun with an obliterated serial number.
Yaroslav Vishnevski, 33, was convicted on June 9, 2026, after two days of trial. Vishnevski was originally charged in May 2024 after the United States Custom and Border Protection intercepted a package from China containing unregistered silencers addressed to Vishnevski’s residence.
“The real world contains nuance, and two things can be true at the same time: We staunchly defend the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans, while simultaneously recognizing that machine guns, short-barreled rifles, silencers illegally imported from China, and untraceable ghost guns present obvious dangers,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “The Department of Justice strikes this balance each day aggressively enforcing the criminal laws passed by Congress, while vigorously defending the constitutional rights of responsible gun owners in court.”
The Illinois State Police obtained a search warrant for Vishnevski’s residence and discovered that Vishnevski owned equipment and tools designed specifically to manufacture weapons and silencers. Agents found a computer-controlled desktop milling machine, called a “Ghost Gunner 3”, that is intended to manufacture guns lacking serial numbers, making them effectively untraceable. Agents also found multiple 3D printers containing software used to produce 3D printed silencers. During the search agents recovered five silencers, a sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number, and three short-barreled rifles. Four of the five silencers were 3D printed and two of the short-barreled rifles were AR-style firearms.
“Vishnevski’s actions put illegal, untraceable firearms into our community and threatened public safety,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “Responsible gun ownership means following the law and prioritizing safety. HSI will continue to pursue those who ignore these standards.”
“The kinds of firearms in this case are easy for criminals to acquire and difficult, but not impossible, for law enforcement to track,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The Illinois State Police’s strategy to combat illegal firearms includes the illegal manufacturing of firearms and it is through the hard work of dedicated ISP special agents that we’re able to get these illegal and dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals.”
Evidence at trial showed Vishnevski had machined components sufficient to manufacture over 300 additional short-barreled rifles like those found in his residence. Agents also recovered over 80 pounds of metal shavings from Vishnevski’s property. A gun manufacturing expert testified that these metal shavings were consistent with gun manufacturing activity.
Pictured here are portions of Trial Exhibits 19, 27, 34, and 44.
“The swift verdict in this case demonstrates that Operation Take Back America is delivering real results for the American people,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “I am grateful for the close collaboration among our federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial partners whose efforts helped bring this case to a successful verdict.”
Sentencing is scheduled for September 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Benton Courthouse. Agents with ATF, the Illinois State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, and United States Custom and Border Protection investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Leggans and David Sanders prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which is a 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.
Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Meth and Gun Charges in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine and illegally possessed firearms in the Fort Dodge area pled guilty June 15, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.
Jordan Mefferd, 47, from Pocahontas, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
At the plea hearing, Mefferd admitted that from about July 2024 through September 2025, he conspired with others to distribute over one pound of methamphetamine in the Webster County Iowa area. In August/September 2025, agents made four controlled buys of methamphetamine from Mefferd, totaling more than 200 grams of pure methamphetamine. On September 23, 2025, officers executed a search warrant at Mefferd’s residence and seized a small amount of methamphetamine, $9,684.51 in U.S. currency, four firearms, and various ammunition. Mefferd is prohibited from possessing any firearm due to his previous felony convictions which include: conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine; possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine; possession of lithium; possession of controlled substance – 3rd or subsequent offense; eluding; burglary third degree; and escape.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Mefferd remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Mefferd faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $60,250,000 fine, and at least ten years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Dodge Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Iowa DCI Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-3048. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Inmate Sentenced for Armed Assault on Correctional Officer in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Zavius Alexander Burgess, age 23, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 71 months in prison for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm in Indian Country. The Court ordered the term to be served consecutive to any undischarged term of imprisonment imposed in Kay County District Court case CF-2020-00049. Burgess is currently incarcerated on two concurrent life sentences on that case for convictions of one count of Murder in the First Degree-Deliberate Intent, and one count of Conspiracy.
The assault charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office.
According to investigators, on January 7, 2025, while housed within the maximum-security unit of the Allen Gamble Correctional Center in Holdenville, Oklahoma, Burgess stabbed a correctional officer with a homemade knife. On August 28, 2025, Burgess, a registered tribal member, pleaded guilty to the charge in federal district court.
The crime occurred in Hughes County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarrod Leaman represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.
Individual Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach sentenced Daniel García-Martín to a term of 15 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, a $5,500 fine, and forfeiture of firearms and ammunition for firearms violations related to possession of firearms by a convicted felon. García-Martín was arrested on October 17, 2025, and pleaded guilty on March 19, 2026.
According to court documents, Daniel García-Martín, 68, of Lajas, Puerto Rico, possessed three firearms and 143 rounds of ammunition in his residence knowing that he had been convicted of a felony. The firearms and ammunition were seized during the execution of a federal search warrant at his residence by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. García-Martín was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 in the Superior Court of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and released from custody in 2005.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was in charge of the investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linet Olinghouse and Seth Erbe prosecuted the case.
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Illinois Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Transporting Meth and a Firearm Through KC Union StationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Chicago, Ill., man was sentenced in federal court on June 16, 2026, for transporting more than 4 kilograms of methamphetamine through Kansas City, Mo., aboard a train. Radcliffe also pleaded guilty to possessing a revolver in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
Larry L. Radcliffe, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 156 months in federal prison without parole. On Feb. 3, 2026, Radcliffe pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking offense.
Members of the Missouri Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force (MoWIN) were conducting interdiction activities at a Kansas City, Mo., train station on Sep. 30, 2024. As passengers disembarked from a train originating in Los Angeles, Ca., officers conducted consensual encounters with other passengers remaining on the train. While one detective was interviewing a passenger, Larry L. Radcliffe jumped from his seat and exclaimed: “What’s going on?” Another detective believed this response was strange and was concerned for the safety of his colleague and accordingly engaged Radcliffe asking Radcliffe to step away from the officers. The detective identified himself with law enforcement credentials. Radcliffe reported he was traveling from Los Angeles to Chicago. Radcliffe claimed he did not have identification. The detective noticed three pieces of luggage and asked Radcliffe if they belonged to him. Radcliffe acknowledged ownership of two pieces of luggage but stated he was unsure if the third piece was his. The detective asked to look inside the last piece to ensure there were no weapons and Radcliffe stated: “go ahead.” Upon searching, the detective discovered 10 bundles of methamphetamine wrapped in clear cellophane. A forensic drug testing laboratory later determined the bundles contained approximately 4.33 kilograms of pure methamphetamine. In a subsequent search, investigators found a .357 revolver in one of Radcliffe’s other pieces of luggage. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Radcliffe admitted he knowingly possessed the methamphetamine and was transporting it to a person he knew would distribute it. Radcliffe also admitted he knowingly possessed the firearm to protect himself and the methamphetamine he was transporting.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Operation Take Back America
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.
Illegal firearms possession results in federal prison sentences for three men in separate casesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: Federal prison sentences have been ordered in federal court for illegal possession of a firearm and one for possessing a machinegun.
Sentences were handed down in U.S. District Court and were announced by Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Margaret E. “Meg” Heap. They include:
- Michael Rice, 37, of Dublin, was sentenced to 84 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. In October 2024, Rice was found to be in possession of a .38 caliber pistol in Laurens County.
- Chauncey Lavon Feby, 20, of Augusta, was sentenced to 71 months in prison and a $1,500 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machinegun. In November 2024 in Richmond County, Feby was found with a Glock Model 45, 9 mm pistol which had been modified with an auto sear, converting the pistol into a fully automatic machinegun.
- Josue Gutierrez, 31, of Lawrenceville, was sentenced to 64 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. In September 2024, Gutierrez was found to be in possession of multiple firearms during a traffic stop in Atkinson County by Georgia State Patrol.
There is no parole in the federal system. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition.
“We will continue to support our law enforcement partners in their efforts to remove these dangerous weapons from the streets and to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to hold accountable those that unlawfully possess these lethal weapons.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dublin Police Department, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol assisted in the investigation of these cases, which were prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Kyle Davis, Jennifer Kirkland, L. Alexander Hamner and Kelsey Scanlon.
Illegal alien from El Salvador convicted at trial on federal immigration and child sexual exploitation chargesRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A federal judge convicted an illegal alien from El Salvador on charges of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, attempted sexual exploitation of a child, and illegally reentering the United States after removal subsequent to a felony conviction.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, pursuant to an order of removal, Mario Alexander Bonilla Canales, 50, previously was removed from the United States on at least three occasions.
In June of 2025, Bonilla Canales used Facebook to contact a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover law enforcement agent. Over three days, and directly after the undercover agent from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Child Exploitation Unit told him that she was 14, Bonilla Canales aggressively requested that she send him sexually explicit images and asked her to meet for sex. He eventually traveled to a park in Fairfax County to meet her for sex. When police attempted to stop him, he fled the scene, damaging two police vehicles and ignoring lights and sirens.
Bonilla Canales faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison when sentenced on Sept. 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Homeland Security Investigations, Washington, D.C., investigated this case with significant assistance from the Virginia State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Mercer and Colt Rainwater are prosecuting the case with assistance from Special Assistant United States Attorneys Lyndi McVey and Richard Krupczak.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is also 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.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-4.
Illegal alien from Chile sentenced to 45-months and ordered to pay over $47,000 in restitution for multi-state identity fraud schemeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an illegal alien from Chile to 45-months for her extensive identity theft scheme spanning 7 states and impacting 18 victims.
Mayorie Fernandez-Ormeno, 37, pleaded guilty to five counts for conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, attempted access device fraud, aggravated identity theft and illegal reentry after deportation. She will serve a total of 45-months imprisonment, after which she is expected to be deported. The court also ordered Fernandez-Ormeno to pay $47,218.84 in restitution to her victims.
“This defendant showed no respect for our laws,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “She illegally entered the country and then made a living stealing other people’s identities. Those who thumb their nose at our sovereignty and prey on hardworking Americans will face the full force of federal law. Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to uphold the rule of law.”
A superseding indictment was returned in February 2025 following Fernandez-Ormeno's arrest in Philadelphia. Fernandez-Ormeno had previously been removed from the United States but unlawfully returned in October 2023.
According to court documents, from approximately February 1, 2024 to April 25, 2024, Fernandez-Ormeno engaged in an extensive identity fraud scheme where she and her coconspirator would target and steal credit cards from individuals at local retailers and use those credit cards for their own personal use. Over the course of her conspiracy, Fernandez-Ormeno stole credit cards from victims in Edwardsville and Glen Carbon, resulting in loss of $47,218.84 to 18 different victims.
“This sentence demonstrates the consequences for those who exploit stolen identities and victimize hardworking Americans across multiple states,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “HSI will continue to aggressively investigate transnational fraud schemes and work with our partners to ensure that those who commit these crimes are brought to justice and held financially accountable to their victims.”
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.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Edwardsville Police Department contributed to this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien Faces Federal Charges Following Massive Clayton County Methamphetamine SeizureRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Maira Porras Corras, an illegal alien from Mexico, is facing federal drug charges related to the recent seizure of roughly 200 pounds of methamphetamine from a residence in Forest Park, Georgia.
“Porras Corras allegedly stashed nearly 200 pounds of dangerous methamphetamine near her bed and in trash bags in her detached garage,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “My office will continue to prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, illegal aliens and others who traffic deadly narcotics in our community.”
“The seizure of approximately 200 pounds of methamphetamine prevented a devastating amount of methamphetamine from reaching neighborhoods and families,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “We will continue pursuing those who threaten the safety and well-being of our communities through drug trafficking activity.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: on March 24, 2026, Porras Corras allegedly sold approximately two pounds of methamphetamine to another individual in a church parking lot. On June 11, 2026, federal agents arrested Porras Corras at her residence in Forest Park, Georgia. Agents searched the home and located about four pounds of suspected methamphetamine next to her bed. In a detached garage, agents located and seized just under 200 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in large trash bags. Agents also located drug paraphernalia and other items used to distribute the drugs, including a digital scale and wrapping material, and seized nearly $56,000 in cash.
Yesterday, Maira Porras Corras, 36, of Hidalgo, Mexico, appeared in federal court on a criminal complaint charging her with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Members of the public are reminded that the criminal complaint only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Illegal Alien Charged with Assaulting and Injuring Federal Officer in New JerseyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – A Barnegat Township illegal alien was charged with assaulting and injuring a federal officer by hitting the officer with his van, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Eduardo Cruz Garcia, 39, was charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer while the officer was engaged in official duties and inflicting bodily injury to the officer. Cruz Garcia had his initial court appearance yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin T. Quinn in Trenton federal court and was ordered detained.
“As alleged, the defendant weaponized his vehicle and conducted an egregious assault on a federal law enforcement officer during the course of his official duties. The job is hard enough. Law enforcement must be able to carry out their duties without fear of obstruction or even worse, assault. Our office will hold accountable those whom harm officers to ensure they can protect our communities without repercussions.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
“The FBI considers assault on a federal officer a severe and significant violent crime. We will continue to work with our valued law enforcement partners to ensure that incidents such as these are treated with the gravity they deserve, so that men and women of federal law enforcement can continue to serve, safely returning home unharmed,” said FBI Newark SAC Stefanie Roddy.
"Let these charges against Cruz Garcia be a staunch reminder that assaulting and obstructing ICE law enforcement, as alleged here, is a serious crime and a felony,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark acting Field Office Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr. “Violence against our federal law enforcement officers as ICE carries out our daily mission in accordance with U.S. immigration law will not be tolerated. I want to thank our federal partners for their critical assistance in locating the defendant and ensuring that justice is sought."
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On June 15, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stopped a white van driven by Cruz Garcia as part of an investigation. Multiple federal agents wearing vests that identified them as “ICE Police” surrounded the van with their vehicles and approached the van from the driver side and passenger side. The agents attempted to speak with Cruz Garcia and the passenger and asked them to open the van’s windows, but they refused. Instead of complying with the agents’ requests, Cruz Garcia fled the scene by driving the van forward while the victim, an ICE agent, was standing next to the van. Weaponizing his vehicle, Cruz Garcia struck the victim agent causing the agent’s body to be wedged in between the van and one of the ICE vehicles. The victim agent fell to the ground yelling in pain. Cruz Garcia did not stop and continued driving, striking another ICE vehicle parked nearby, before fleeing the scene.
Cruz Garcia’s actions injured the victim’s thigh and shin, and his injuries required medical attention at a hospital.
The charge of assaulting a federal officer while the officer was engaged in official duties and inflicting bodily injury carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the criminal charge. He also thanked special agents with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations – Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas, and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations – Newark Field Office, under the direction of acting Field Officer Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr., the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, and the Stafford Township Police Department, for their assistance in the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Suggs of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charge and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Benjamin West, Assistant Federal Public Defender.
garcia.complaint.pdfIllegal Alien Arrested for Possessing a Firearm During Alleged Road Rage ShootingRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Special Agents with Homeland Security Investigations arrested Josue Alejandro Quintanilla-Reyes, 34, on a Federal warrant in Raleigh on Monday. HSI obtained the warrant pursuant to a federal criminal complaint signed by a U.S. Magistrate Judge which accuses Quintanilla-Reyes, a native and citizen of Honduras, of possessing a firearm while being illegally and unlawfully present in the United States. According to the complaint, Quintanilla-Reyes shot and killed another driver with that gun during a road rage shooting on Interstate 40 in March 2025.
Quintanilla-Reyes is charged with violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(A) and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison if convicted.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement. HSI is investigating the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:26-MJ-1902-JG.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Illegal Alien - Former Nicaraguan Tactical Instructor Sentenced for Assault of HSI Special AgentRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Nicaraguan National Michel Manuel Garcia Rojas was sentenced Wednesday June 17th in Albany by The Honorable Mae A. D'Agostino to 51 months in federal prison. Garcia Rojas pled guilty on February 9, 2026 to a single count indictment charging assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal officer, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 111(a)(1) and (b).
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Buffalo Acting Field Office Director Philip Rhoney made the announcement in Albany today.
On March 5th, 2025, Garcias Rojas was detained charged by the Rotterdam Police Department for misdemeanor charges including petit larceny. Pursuant to the Laken Riley Act, Federal Agents attempted to detain the defendant and his partner upon their release from Rotterdam Police custody, for detention and immigration removal proceedings pursuant to their lack of lawful authority to be in the United States.
While handcuffed, the defendant resisted lawful arrest and fled the special agents. During the course of the encounter an HSI Special Agent attempted to rearrest the defendant during what proved to be a violent fight, at one point repeatedly throwing the agent into an exterior door inside a vestibule, which prevented police officers inside the building from coming to the agent’s aid. The defendant’s assault on the agent caused a variety of injuries to the Agent. Throughout the altercation captured on audio and video surveillance, the Special Agent can repeatedly be heard calmly telling the defendant to “stop resisting,” while the defendant screams in rage. Ultimately, through the force of several law enforcement agents and the use of tasers the defendant was subdued and arrested.
The violent assault of a federal agent by a criminal alien, is the unfortunate result of the prior administrations failed immigration policies” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Thanks to the Laken Riley act, violent aliens such as this defendant can be detained and removed from our country. Let Mr. Garcias Rojas be an example to anyone who interferes with and/or assaults members of law enforcement – conducting lawful enforcement actions, this administration will leverage the resources of the federal government to enact justice and protect the American people.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone: “This defendant, trained in defensive tactics, ran from federal agents, fought them and continued to resist in attempt to flee and attack law enforcement. Across the nation and here in New York, law enforcement personnel – enforcing the laws as they exist – are operating in an increasingly complex and dangerous threat environment. Despite the growing threats, HSI remains resolute in our mission to protect our communities and uphold the law. We stand united with our law enforcement partners and the communities we serve and will ensure that any attack on law enforcement is vigorously investigated and prosecuted."
The assault on our HSI colleague while in the course of their official duties comes at a time when open border activists routinely demonize ICE for enforcing the laws passed by Congress, and blatantly false anti-ICE rhetoric from irresponsible politicians is at an all-time high, ,” said ERO Buffalo Acting Field Officer Director Philip Rhoney. “Criminals and agitators will not stop us from carrying out our mission in a way that best serves national security, public safety and border security. I remain grateful to our officers and our federal partners for their work to keep violent illegal aliens off the streets in our state and our country.”Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Clark prosecuted the case.
Hunt County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Lying to the FBIRead the Press Release
A Hunt County man was sentenced to federal prison for lying to the FBI, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Carey Todd Edwards, 65, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison on June 11, 2026, by Senior United States District Judge Jane J. Boyle, for making a false statement to the FBI.
According to court documents, FBI agents interviewed Edwards outside his Quinlan, Texas home on July 26, 2023, after receiving information about his online activity. During that interview, Edwards admitted he was a convicted felon and acknowledged possessing a shotgun and a pistol inside his residence. When agents returned the next day with a federal search warrant, the firearms were gone. In a follow up interview on July 27, Edwards denied ever having guns, telling agents, “I don’t have any. I never had any guns.” He later admitted the statement was false and that he had removed the firearms from his home before agents executed the warrant.
During the sentencing hearing, the Court noted that Edwards operated a website espousing anti Semitic beliefs, affiliated closely with another anti-Semitic website, and supported the separation of races. The Court also observed that Edwards’s online activity, combined with his criminal record and firearms ownership, could have been perceived as threatening toward the Jewish community in the Northern District of Texas. Judge Boyle ultimately concluded that Edwards’ false statements were intended to obstruct the FBI’s investigation to determine whether he had illegally possessed firearms as a convicted felon.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward L. Hocter prosecuted the case.
Honduran Illegal Alien Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DARWIN NOE MENDOSA-CRUZ, age 29, a citizen of Honduras, was charged by bill of information on June 8, 20206 with illegal reentry of a removed alien, in violation of 8 U.S.C. ' 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to the bill of information, DARWIN NOE MENDOSA-CRUZ reentered the United States sometime prior to May 7, 2026, after having been previously removed on or about November 27, 2023.
If convicted, DARWIN NOE MENDOSA-CRUZ faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000.00, up to three years of supervised release after imprisonment, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Irene González of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Hondo Man Who Threatened to Violently Overthrow the U.S. Government in 2025 Found Guilty by Federal JuryRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A federal jury in San Antonio convicted a Hondo man today of one count of Interstate Threatening Communication, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jay Anthony Villarreal, 25, left his home in Hondo on June 28, 2025, with the intent to carry out an attack in Washington D.C., to overthrow the government. Villarreal was armed with an AR-15 semi-automatic assault weapon, a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, along with extra loaded magazines and multiple boxes of ammunition for each gun. He also possessed in his vehicle a police scanner, binoculars, a Bible, and a copy of the Texas Penal Code.
As part of his plan to overthrow the government, Villarreal used social media in an effort to solicit military veterans to join him. A friend of Villarreal’s in Maryland saw the social media post on the morning of June 29, 2025, viewed it as potential mass murder situation, and reported it to the FBI. Another of Villarreal’s acquaintances from Hondo was disturbed by the messages and wanted to avert a mass killing so he reported it to the Hondo police. Furthermore, multiple family members and friends sent messages to Villarreal while he was on his drive from Hondo to Washington D.C., prompting him to turn around in the Beaumont area and return home on June 29 at approximately 8:00 pm. Later that day, FBI agents searched Villarreal’s home, resulting in the discovery of two U.S. military smoke grenades—all in addition to the firearms and materials he had in his vehicle.
Villarreal was arrested on July 2, 2025. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery presided over a jury trial that began on June 15, 2026, and resulted in the guilty verdict. A sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for Sept. 21.
“Today, a federal jury found this defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt for threatening to carry out a violent attack in our Nation’s capital,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “Thankfully, in this case, friends and family members recognized the veracity of the threat and contacted the FBI, preventing what could have been a mass casualty event. Given the darkness that invades the minds of so many, and the prevalence of violent acts committed in the name of politics, it is more important now than ever to say something if you see something. That single decision can lead to a swift response and lives saved, as it did in this case. Special thanks to the FBI and Hondo Police for acting quickly and recognizing the seriousness of the situation.”
“Threats of violence against the U.S. government or the community, particularly when coupled with access to firearms, demand the utmost seriousness,” said Daniel Faith, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “We commend the Hondo Police Department for its swift action and prompt reporting to the FBI. We also would like to thank members of the community who saw something and reported their concerns to law enforcement. This guilty verdict underscores the strength of our coordinated efforts through the FBI San Antonio Joint Terrorism Task Force and makes clear that those who threaten violence will be brought to justice.”
The FBI-Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the San Antonio Police Department, Hondo Police Department, and UTSA Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Kirk Mangels are prosecuting the case.
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Homeland Security Task Force Operation Investigation Leads to Meth Arrest and ProsecutionRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, MS – Charterious Moore, 33, of West Point, Mississippi, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years supervised release after previously pleading to distribution of over a pound of methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Moore.
According to court documents, Moore had previously pleaded guilty to knowingly and intentionally distributing an amount in excess of fifty grams of methamphetamine. This investigation and prosecution was a part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative that brings together local and federal partners to eliminate criminal gangs in our streets. The investigation of this case was carried out by Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County’s Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the United States Marshals.
U.S. Attorney Scott Leary stated, “What kind of Mississippi are we going to pass on to our children? As citizens of this great nation, such concerns should always be remembered. On this note, please understand that methamphetamine trafficking is completely detrimental to our children and our communities. It results in lost lives. Our state and federal law enforcement partners are charged with addressing this scourge, at times placing themselves in harm’s way. In this case, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), the Lowndes County and Monroe County Sheriff’s Offices, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the U.S. Marshals did a stellar job in taking meth off our streets. Our citizens expect this type of partnership. Working together, we can help ensure that our children inherit a Mississippi where hard work and faithfulness pay off.”
"Criminal gangs rely on the distribution of illicit drugs like methamphetamine to fund their operations and terrorize our communities," said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott, New Orleans Field Division. "Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force, a major source of this poison has been taken off the streets. This sentence underscores our unwavering commitment to working alongside our local law enforcement partners to dismantle these dangerous organizations and restore peace to Mississippi communities."
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 Jackson comprises agents and officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Assistant U.S. Attorney and Senior Litigation Counsel Clyde McGee prosecuted this case.
Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Results in Texas Woman’s 24-Year Federal Prison SentenceRead the Press Release
DEL RIO, Texas – As a result of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, a Big Lake woman was sentenced in a federal court in Del Rio to 288 months in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, on April 4, 2022, Anahi Sanchez, 28, approached the Del Rio Port of Entry driving a Chevrolet Camaro, and applied for entry into the United States from Mexico. Sanchez told the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer (CBPO) that she and her son, who was also in the vehicle, were returning to Big Lake after visiting family in Mexico. The CBPO referred Sanchez to a vehicle inspection, which resulted in the discovery of anomalies in the driver and passenger rear quarter-panels of the vehicle. A subsequent canine inspection resulted in a positive alert for narcotics, and a physical inspection revealed 30 packages hidden in a trap door near the rear driver side and passenger side wheel wells. All of the packages were determined to contain fentanyl, with a gross weight of 18 kilograms. Sanchez was placed under arrest on-site.
Law enforcement was able to determine that Sanchez was a regular and trusted courier for a transnational criminal organization and that she had crossed the international border numerous times in different vehicles loaded with narcotics. In total, she was held accountable for approximately 130 kilograms of fentanyl for her role in the criminal conspiracy. It was also determined by law enforcement that she typically took the narcotics to the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Sanchez was named in a five-count indictment on May 4, 2022, and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, conspiracy to import fentanyl, importation of fentanyl, and laundering of monetary instruments. On Dec. 16, 2022, Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett Miner prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI; ICE HSI; DEA; ATF; U.S. Border Patrol; USMS; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Texas Department of Public Safety; as well as local police departments and sheriff’s offices, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.
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Fourteen New Indictments Returned, Four Guilty Pleas Entered for Immigration Offenses in MayRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced that 14 previously deported illegal aliens have been separately indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States in the month of May.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Compliance with our nation’s immigration laws is not optional. We welcome all legal immigrants who come here the right way and respect our laws, but for those who think they can violate our laws with impunity my office will swiftly deliver a dose of reality with aggressive prosecutions, federal prison sentences, and deportations. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida have a right to expect their federal government to secure our borders and enforce our nation’s laws, and I intend to fulfill that duty as long as I serve as the United States Attorney.”
According to court records, the 14 illegal aliens indicted in the month of May include:
- Cirilo Perez-Michua, 38, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Walton County in April 2026, after previously being deported three times in 2009, once in 2024 and again in 2025. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Juan Contreras-Vilches, 47, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported twice in 2017, twice in 2018 and once in 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 5, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Pascual Hernandez-Shilon, 56, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Walton County in April 2026, after previously being deported twice in 2011 and twice in 2019. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Joel Gomez Soto, 33, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in January 2026, after previously being deported in 2015 and 2017. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Marco Antonio Montes-Hernandez, 36, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Bay County in March 2026, after previously being deported in 2008 and 2018. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida, before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
- Pablo Gomez-Sarmiento, 25, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Alachua County in February 2025, after previously being deported in 2020. Trial is scheduled for July 22, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
- Jose Barahona-Paz, 26, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Walton County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2019. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Esteban Rigoberto Hernandez-Muniz, 54, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 4, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Laura Santiago-Garfias, 27, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2019 and 2020. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Iran Gomez-Aguilera, 43, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 4, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Victor Lopez, 30, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2017. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Juan Molina-Hernandez, 36, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2023. The defendant pleaded guilty on May 26, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Jose Patzan-Camey, 28, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2018. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Andres Perez-Hernandez, 46, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Bay County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2012. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida, before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
The penalty for illegally reentering the United States after deportation is a maximum of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Gomez Soto faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine pursuant to allegations of prior convictions qualifying for an increased maximum sentence.
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 in a court of law.
The cases involved investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations with the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Shalimar Police Department, the Panama City Beach Police Department, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer, Alicia H. Forbes, Jeffrey M. Tharp, Jessica S. Etherton, Walter E. Narramore, Thomas S.P. Geeker, Brooke Lindsay, Joseph A. Ravelo, and Tyler Fleming are prosecuting the cases.
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.
Former Wylie Assistant Principal charged with child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A former high school assistant principal has been arrested and charged with federal child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Zachary Christian Neu, 32, of Richardson, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas charging him with two counts of enticement of a minor. Neu appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Aileen Durrett on June 17, 2026.
Neu was an Assistant Principal at Wylie East High School at the time of the alleged offenses.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
This case is being investigated by the Wylie Police Department and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Calli Bailey.
It is important to note that an indictment or arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Former Suburban Chicago Police Officer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Prison on Corruption ChargesRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former suburban Chicago police officer has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison for conspiring to steal cash and drugs from occupants of vehicles during traffic stops.
ANTOINE LARRY was serving as a patrol officer for the Phoenix, Ill. Police Department when he conspired with another officer to corruptly solicit cash and drugs from the occupants of vehicles during traffic stops. Larry and his partner selected their victims based on circumstances arising from the stops. If the motorist was at risk of being detained or having their car towed and the officers believed they wouldn’t report corruption, Larry and his partner solicited cash bribes in exchange for reduced charges, not towing the car, or letting the individual go without citations. The officers then falsified police reports to conceal their corruption. The criminal conspiracy began in at least 2020 and continued until 2022.
A jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago earlier this year convicted Larry, 50, of Bolingbrook, Ill., on conspiracy, extortion, and attempted extortion charges. On June 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge John F. Kness sentenced Larry to five years and three months in federal prison.
The other officer—JARRETT SNOWDEN, of Lansing, Ill.—pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge prior to trial and admitted his role in the scheme. Judge Kness set Snowden’s sentencing for Oct. 27, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.
Larry’s sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.
“Antoine Larry was a police officer, sworn to uphold the law, who instead brazenly abused his power,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ramon Villalpando argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “When law enforcement officers commit crimes—especially the type committed by defendant— public confidence in law enforcement as an institution is undermined.”
Former Quincy Official Sentenced for Embezzling City FundsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Fitchburg man and former Quincy official was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for a scheme to embezzle funds from the City of Quincy, Mass.
Thomas F. Clasby, Jr., 62, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to six months in prison, to be followed by six months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. Clasby was also ordered to pay $136,061.71 in restitution. In March 2026, Clasby pleaded guilty to embezzlement, mail and wire fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property. Clasby was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2025.
“Clasby’s actions misdirected taxpayer funds, degraded government services and eroded the public’s trust,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “I hope that today’s sentence sends a deterrent message to others, that if you steal from taxpayer funded programs you will be held accountable.”
“Stealing money from taxpayer funded programs dedicated to supporting our seniors is an egregious breach of public trust, and utterly disgraceful,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Boston Division. “As the Director of Quincy Elder Services, Thomas Clasby used his position to embezzle tens of thousands of dollars that should have been spent on the city’s residents to instead fund a framed self-portrait, treat himself to 153 pounds of bourbon steak tips and a snow blower, and buy gifts for his wife, his son, and a Toyota Prius for his secret girlfriend. Public corruption does so much damage to people’s trust in the system, at every level, and cases like this one only fuel the FBI’s commitment to tackling it to ensure crooked public employees like Mr. Clasby are brought to justice and held fully accountable.”
Clasby was the Director of the Quincy Department of Elder Services (Elder Services) between approximately 1999 and April 2024. Beginning in 2019, Clasby used the City’s purchasing process to pay personal expenses and generate cash for himself. For example, Clasby arranged for the City to pay $8,950 to a music studio to produce recordings of Clasby singing songs; $2,236 to food service vendors for 153 pounds of bourbon steak tips; $4,800 for a Toyota Prius; and $1,658 for a signature, lacquered, mounted and framed self-portrait, all of which were personal expenses.
In addition, Clasby arranged for the City to pay over $38,000 to a New York consulting company owned by Clasby’s friend. The consulting company never provided goods or services to any City department. Instead, Clasby’s friend cashed the City checks and delivered the cash to Clasby at a rest stop in Framingham, Mass., a ferry terminal in Bridgeport, Conn. and at the friend’s New York apartment. Starting in June 2021, Clasby stole the majority of cash receipts generated by Elder Services at the Kennedy Center in Quincy.
U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Quincy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.
Former Ellsworth Woman Sentenced for Drug and Money Laundering ChargesRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A former Ellsworth woman was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and conspiracy to engage in money laundering.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Jenna Garniss, 33, to 61 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Garniss pleaded guilty on June 27, 2025.
According to court records, between 2022 and 2023, co-conspirator Alex Hanna arranged with a California-based source of supply, co-conspirator Codee Houston, to obtain and ship pounds of methamphetamine to Hancock County. Garniss and others in the Ellsworth area distributed the drug and returned drug proceeds to Hanna. Garniss, at Hanna’s direction, wired some of the funds to Houston, resulting in the money laundering charge.
On October 10, 2025, Codee Houston was sentenced to 14 years in prison and five years of supervised release. On March 6, 2025, Alex Hanna was sentenced to 11½ years in prison and five years of supervised release.
The FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ellsworth, Holden, and Bangor police departments all participated in the investigation.
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Florida Couple Indicted for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution, Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Andre Darrell Perry, 37, of Pensacola, Florida, and Loredano Alessandra Bassolino, 38, of Navarre, Florida have each been indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Perry was also indicted on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Perry appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Bassolino appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho for her initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for August 17, 2026, at 8:30 am in Pensacola before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Perry faces at least 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on the drug possession count; at least 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense count; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count. Bassolino faces at least 5 years’, and up to 40 years’, imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker.
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.
Five Men Arrested and Charged in Plot to Attack and Kill Government Officials and Others Attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship at White HouseRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska, announced today charges against five men for an alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House last Sunday.
The FBI launched an investigation into the plot and identified a group of conspirators who procured weapons and made plans to carry out the attack. The FBI made arrests over the weekend in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. The investigation remains ongoing.
“The FBI, our law enforcement partners and our U.S. Attorneys did what they do every day to make America Safe through quick response and vigilance in investigating, disrupting, and dismantling this alleged plan before it could be carried out,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We will take immediate and aggressive action to identify and prosecute those who incite and plan acts of violence.”
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “The complete disruption of this evil plot in record time demonstrates how foolish it is to engage in terrorist plots of this kind from the District of Nebraska. The FBI and its state and local law enforcement partners swiftly and effectively neutralized this threat before it had any chance of success. Federal prosecutors and agents worked tirelessly to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s leaders.”
“On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region — and thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team — we are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens — particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight. That’s exactly what we did here. I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing and we will continue to update the public as permitted.”
“Protecting the President of the United States and the White House grounds is priority number one for the U.S. Secret Service,” said Director Sean M Curran of the U.S. Secret Service. “The landscape has changed, and as a result we have seen a dramatic rise in threats against our protectees. I am proud of the men and women of the Secret Service that vigorously monitor, investigate, and arrest those that plot to interfere with our protective mission. We are grateful for our extraordinary partnerships we share with DHS, DOJ, Acting Attorney General Blanche, FBI-JTTF, Park Police, and DC Police.”
“From his home here in Nebraska, Alvarez allegedly directed and recruited others across the country to conduct a horrific attack against government officials in a mass casualty event. Our team worked around the clock to locate and apprehend Alvarez, take him into custody, and collect crucial evidence,” said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of FBI Omaha Field Office. “The local partnerships forged in our FBI Omaha Joint Terrorism Task Force were critical in mitigating the threat posed by Alavarez and others. We are incredibly thankful for the support of the Nebraska State Patrol, Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluff’s Police Department, and Saline County Sheriff’s Office in our continued efforts to identify and thwart violent attacks against the U.S.”
According to the charges, Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, conspired to plan and execute a mass casualty event targeting U.S. officials in attendance at UFC Freedom 250 hosted on the White House grounds. The conspirators allegedly planned to deploy drones armed with explosives in and around the UFC Freedom 250 event in order to force an evacuation of the event and then planned to deploy snipers to fire upon “high value targets” within the fleeing crowd.
Abraham Alvarez
According to the charges filed in Nebraska, the FBI identified Alvarez as the individual using the name “Shepherd” in an encrypted chat app that was used to plan an attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event scheduled to be held at the White House on June 14. The FBI assessed that Alvarez, also known as “Shepherd,” was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the planned attack, based on conversation excerpts in June when Shepherd posted, “This is the best action I see. Position your teams in the purple dots (counter sniper and drones) Long range (circled area) (great shot) Easy out into the river.” Shepherd also allegedly posted other messages including replying to another member on making drones with explosives, “As many and as deadly as we can get.”; that he was working on drones; and had one drone and was working on more.
The complaint further alleges that Shepherd provided a picture and directions for a safe zone at an old church in Nebraska. He instructed the other members to take back roads or the river down to the “pick up location.” Later that same evening, Shepherd also provided locations in the area for drone launch points and sniper positions.
Screenshot of a church, sent by Alvarez, “Shepherd,” to encrypted chat group, from the complaint filed in the District of Nebraska.Tycen Proper
According to filed complaints in the Southern District of Ohio, the Western District of Missouri, the District of Nebraska, and the Central District of California, investigators interviewed Proper at a medical facility on June 11. During the interview, he allegedly said he had planned with others a coordinated attack against the U.S. government during the UFC event at the White House. He said members of the group who wanted to participate in the attack began communicating with each other around March. More serious members of the group, including Proper, moved their communications to an encrypted chat app. They planned to fly small drones with explosives to detonate over the north side of the UFC arena, forcing high value targets to evacuate the premises; the group would then act as snipers and shoot these individuals. Before executing the plan, Proper and other conspirators allegedly planned to rendezvous in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Screenshot of messages and maps on Proper’s phone, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California. Screenshot of messages and maps on Proper’s phone, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California.Proper allegedly amassed firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and tactical gear at his home in Ohio, and he identified potential targets, including multiple members of Congress.
A photo of Proper’s gun, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California.Bryan Roa
According to the complaint filed in the Central District of California, law enforcement executed a search warrant of Roa’s residence and vehicle where they allegedly seized a rifle, handgun, tactical belt, ammunition and a rifle magazine, a two-way radio, and an infrared laser target pointer. A search of Roa’s phone allegedly found messages in a group with Thomas, Proper, and others discussing an attack at the UFC event at the White House, with some users discussing using drones rigged with explosives to initiate the attack, with rooftop snipers killing individuals. Law enforcement also allegedly found Instagram videos Roa had posted of himself shooting guns.
Bryan Roa Roa’s Instagram post of him shooting guns, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California.Michael Thomas
According to the complaint filed in the Central District of California, Thomas allegedly participated in a group chat planning an attack at the UFC event at the White House. In a group chat, on June 7, he allegedly wrote “$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in and we need it asap…”
In another group chat, Thomas, under a pseudonym, allegedly described “tiers” of operators within their anti-government group, with tier 1 being operators on the ground, tier 2 being drivers and drone operators, tier 3 being logistical suppliers, and tier 4 being social media influencers. “Tier one status is not something to take lightly. … We will make sure they have…All the tier 2 support we can provide. We will try to break them out of jail if we need to.” In the same group chats, Thomas discussed meeting with Roa in person in Southern California in order to conduct “marksmen training” and reflected that the group needed to train for “gorilla style warfare.”
In a June 13 search warrant, FBI agents allegedly seized from Thomas’ residence a rifle, 30-round extended magazines for the rifle, 180 rounds of ammunition, and a pistol.
Daniel Eskridge
Eskridge was charged with conspiracy to commit murder on White House grounds. According to an affidavit filed in the Western District of Missouri, the FBI identified Eskridge while reviewing electronic communications on Proper’s cell phone. The co-conspirators had electronic chats on encrypted social media platforms. In those chats, members of the group allegedly discussed assassinating several U.S. Senators, Representatives, and prominent business executives. Members of the group targeted some legislators based on the group’s perceived belief that the legislators accepted money from pro-Israel lobbies. When discussing potential targets, Eskridge indicated that the target was “big and someone a majority of the country knows.” In the discussions, power grids were also identified as potential targets. On May 22, Eskridge distributed a picture of tactical equipment, including a rifle, helmet, and ballistic vest. The photograph is below.
Daniel Eskridge Photo of tactical equipment from Eskridge, from the affidavit filed in the Western District of Missouri.Also according to the affidavit, in a separate chat group, a conversation took place in early June when Eskridge and some of the other chat group members discussed their plan to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event. Specifically, Thomas stated, “Pensilvania [sic] avenue.” Eskridge said the group should obtain $1,300 in U.S. currency and they needed “5 teams of 3 each team consisting of 1 sniper, 1 tier one operator as support/ look out, [and] one drone operator.” Eskridge said the money would provide them the funding to purchase “drones and charges,” and encouraged the group to all “pitch in.” On June 13, law enforcement officials executed a federal search warrant of Eskridge’s residence. Agents recovered rifles, a shot gun, pistol, and other tactical gear.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Fentanyl Sales Send Pittsburgh Man to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – A co-conspirator in a fentanyl drug trafficking operation in Clarksburg, West Virginia was sentenced today, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Queshawn Keand Williams, age 21, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for selling p-Fluorofentanyl and fentanyl. Williams, also known as “TJ,” sold the drugs to a confidential informant on multiple occasions. In total, he distributed more than 13 grams of fentanyl and more than 4 grams of p-Fluorofentanyl. Four other defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Greater Harrison Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, investigated.
Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.
Eight Drones Seized and Two Violation Notices Issued During June 16 FIFA World Cup EventsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), FBI-Kansas City, and Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) joint operation intercepted eight drones yesterday during FIFA World Cup 2026 events at Kansas City Stadium and FIFA Fan Festival for violations of temporary flight restrictions (TFRs). All eight drones and controllers were seized by the FBI. Two drone operators were issued misdemeanor violation notices by FAMS. The counter-drone operation also resulted in the apprehension of a female wanted on six outstanding arrest warrants.
Since June 11, the CUAS joint operation has detected 19 drones operating in TFR zones around Kansas City stadium, Fan Festival, and other event locations. These detections have resulted in 18 contacts by law enforcement with drone operators, 14 drone seizures, and 5 federal criminal citations.
“Not only is flying drones in TFR zones illegal, it’s dangerous. My office is committed to keeping our community and visitors safe by keeping our skies drone free,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price. “If you see a drone breaking the rules, report it. If you are flying an illegal drone, think twice because violators will be held accountable by the Department of Justice.”
Checking for TFRs before every drone flight is required by federal law. A list of approved providers offering free airspace awareness tools for desktop and mobile devices is available at faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly. Violations of these TFRs can result in civil fines up to $75,000, criminal fines up to $100,000, up to a year in prison, and seizure of the drone.
If you spot unsafe drone activity, report it immediately by calling 9-1-1 or 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Cruise Ship Passengers Arrested for Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville – Christopher Michael Lawhon (36, South Carolina) has been charged by federal indictment with production and attempted production of child sex abuse material (CSAM). In a separate indictment, Tajareia Lawon Aikee Blackwell (25, North Carolina) was charged with transportation of CSAM. If convicted, Lawhon faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison. Blackwell faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 20 years, in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Lawhon and Blackwell were passengers on cruises through international waters that subsequently returned to the United States via the Jacksonville cruise port.
Lawhon returned from his cruise on May 7, 2026, in possession of a cellphone. A border search of the phone revealed that Lawhon had stored multiple surreptitiously-recorded video files, at least one of which included a recording of a minor male child in a bathroom stall while the child was using the bathroom. Lawhon advised federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that he had an interest in voyeurism and typically recorded other people in the bathroom.
Blackwell returned from his cruise on June 8, 2026. At that time, Blackwell had pending charges in North Carolina for indecent liberties with children and statutory rape from February 2026. Blackwell and his cellphone were border searched, which revealed that Blackwell had received CSAM from the same child victim on February 22, 2026, which he had then transported with him through the Middle District of Florida and international waters on the cruise. The victim was 14 years old.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Statesville (North Carolina) Police Department. They will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 8 through June 12, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 8 through June 12, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On June 8, 2026, defendant Noel De León-De La Rosa pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 25-097(GMM). According to the Indictment, the defendant was charged with a conspiracy to import 5 kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. De León-De La Rosa also pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 25-254 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The defendant was arrested on May 19, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 8, 2026. AUSA Antonio J. López-Rivera is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 8, 2026, Juan Gabriel Cruz-Torrens pleaded guilty to Count One and Six in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project and other areas in and around Fajardo, Puerto Rico, while also carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 28, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 8, 2026, Edwin Lemuel Marcano-Ferrer pleaded guilty to Count One and Six in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project and other areas in and around Fajardo, Puerto Rico, while also carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 28, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 9, 2026, Charlie J. Dalmau-Román, a.k.a “Tres Deos/Tres Dedos” and Luis R. Pérez-Colón, a.k.a “Mencho/Luisito” pleaded guilty to the charges in counts one and seven of the indictment in case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of several public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project and with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendants were arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendants’ sentencing date for September 15, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 9, 2026, José M. Rodríguez-Torres pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 23-114 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, from in or about the year 2019 and continuing up to and until the return of the Indictment, in Majinas Ward, Las Guaras Ward, Cerro Gordo Ward, José A. Castillo Public Housing Project in the Municipality of Sabana Grande, Sabana Eneas Ward in the Municipality of San Germán, Sabana Yeguas Ward in the Municipality of Lajas, Parabueyon Ward in the Municipality of Cabo Rojo and areas nearby. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 8, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 10, 2026, Raúl González-Santiago pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 25-365. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on September 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 8, 2026. Special AUSA Javier Rivera and AUSA Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, Onix Y. Couvertier-Pollock, a.k.a “Gato/Gatito/Yamil,” Ángel L. Sanjurjo, a.k.a “Vaca,” Yasiel Morales-López, a.k.a “Pausa/Rubio,” and Ángel M. Franqui-González, a.k.a “Blanquito” pleaded guilty to the charges in counts one and seven of the indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of several public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project and with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendants were arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendants’ sentencing date for September 16, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Darío Alexander López pleaded guilty to all drug related charges in Criminal Case 24-429-02 (SCC). According to the indictment on October 13, 2024, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 5 kilos aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, possession with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 5 kilos aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and jettisoning bales of cocaine. Defendant was arrested on October 13, 2024. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Jeuris Rodríguez-Payano pleaded guilty to Count One in case 22-520 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to manufacture and distribute 321 kilograms of cocaine, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the cocaine would be imported into the United States. Defendant was arrested in the Dominican Republic and extradited to Puerto Rico on August 20, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 9, 2026. AUSA Camille García-Jiménez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On June 9, 2026, defendant Raúl O. Matos-De Jesús was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to 84 months (7 years) in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-170, and pleaded guilty to the charge(s) on February 26, 2026. AUSAs Andrés Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 10, 2026, defendant Ángelo González-Farfan was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 30 months of imprisonment for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 6, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-114 (SCC), and pled guilty to the charges on January 29, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 10, 2026, Josmar Farfan-Guerra was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 30 months of imprisonment for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 6, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-114 (SCC), and pled guilty to the charges on February 19, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Michael Miranda-Santiago was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 60 months of imprisonment and six years of supervise release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on June 8, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-238 (SCC), and pled guilty to the charge(s) on February 20, 2026. AUSA Pedro R. Casablanca is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Edison Ruiz-Garallua was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to 51 months of imprisonment and six years of supervise release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on April 3, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-132 (RAM), and pled guilty to the charge(s) on March 13, 2026. AUSA Pedro R. Casablanca is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Convicted Sex Offender Charged with Child Exploitation Crimes in NepalRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Illinois returned a superseding indictment today charging an Illinois man with eight counts of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors in Nepal and one count of committing those offenses while required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, Kenneth Joseph Coombs, 58, of Collinsville, Illinois, traveled from the United States to Nepal in August 2016 and sexually abused underage boys while staying at a hotel in that country between August and September of that year. Each of the first eight counts of the indictment is premised on his sexual abuse of a different child in Nepal. Coombs used a combination of force, involuntary intoxication, and payments to the children to commit the sex acts. Coombs also took photos of some of the children engaged in the sexually explicit conduct he directed, and those photos were recovered from his electronic devices by law enforcement. At the time Coombs committed these offenses, he was required to register as a sex offender based on having a qualifying prior sex offense conviction in the state of Missouri. Coombs was convicted in Nepal of pedophilia and served a nine-year prison term. Coombs was arrested by U.S. law enforcement following his deportation from Nepal to the United States in September 2025, and he has been held in custody since that time.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft of the Southern District of Illinois and Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley of the FBI Springfield Field Office made the announcement.
FBI Springfield is investigating the case and received substantial assistance from the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal.
Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly S. Arshi for the Southern District of Illinois are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Coast-to-Coast Cocaine Trafficker Responsible for Distributing 956 Kilograms of Cocaine Along East Coast Sentenced to 275 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – A Queens, New York, man was sentenced on May 29, 2026, to 275 months in prison for his role in a nationwide cocaine-trafficking conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika imposed the sentence. The Court also issued a Preliminary Order of Forfeiture for a personal money judgment in the amount of $2,495,500, which represents the gross proceeds of the defendant’s cocaine enterprise.
According to court documents and evidence presented in connection with sentencing, Brahmananda Prasad, 65, engaged in a coast-to-coast cocaine-trafficking conspiracy. Prasad regularly flew from his home in New York to California, where he met with cocaine suppliers and purchased multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine. He routinely purchased between 20 and 24 kilograms of cocaine at a time, and on occasion procured as much as approximately 48 kilograms of cocaine on a single trip. Prasad then shipped the cocaine back to New York, directing others to pose as representatives of his ostensibly legitimate shipping company to evade detection. Once back on the East Coast, Prasad distributed cocaine to multi-kilogram sub-distributors in New York and Maryland, who further distributed the cocaine in Delaware and elsewhere along the East Coast.
The government’s investigation into Prasad’s cocaine-trafficking conspiracy included drug seizures, surveillance, analysis of flight and shipping records, and a nearly four-month wiretap, among other measures. The investigation revealed that Prasad had been shipping cocaine from California to New York since at least 2021, and that he was responsible for bringing at least 956 kilograms of cocaine to the East Coast for further distribution. That drug weight is approximately six times the volume attributed to any other drug defendant prosecuted in the District of Delaware in recent memory.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace stated, “Brahmananda Prasad made millions by pumping poison into several states on the East Coast, Delaware included. But due to the dogged efforts of federal prosecutors and agents, Prasad will pay those millions back—and will spend more than two decades in prison to boot. This just sentence should send a message to other large-scale drug traffickers: if your product touches Delaware, we will find you and hold you accountable, even if you never once set foot in our State.”
“This sentence sends a clear message to those who would attempt to profit from poisoning our communities with dangerous drugs,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Nathan Abel. “Through persistent investigative work and strong partnerships with our law enforcement counterparts, HSI dismantled a coast-to-coast trafficking operation responsible for flooding the East Coast with staggering quantities of cocaine. We remain committed to holding traffickers accountable and protecting our neighborhoods from the devastating impact of narcotics distribution.”
This matter was the result of a long-term investigation spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. Criminal Chief Carly A. Hudson, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Thurstlic-O’Neill, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer K. Welsh prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threatens the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of removal criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Wilmington is comprised of agents and officers from HSI and FBI, with case-specific participation from agencies including DEA, IRS-CI, USPIS, and ATF. The prosecution was led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-CR-34.
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Christian County Man Sentenced for Trafficking FirearmsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Clever, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for one count each of conspiracy to traffic firearms, trafficking firearms, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Dakota Mitchell, 21, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 78 months in federal prison without parole. Mitchell’s sentence will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.
Mitchell unlawfully possessed six Glock pistols and a Micro Draco pistol between April 28, 2023, and July 9, 2024. Mitchell, who previously pleaded guilty, admitted to being a member of a local street gang known as “FTO,” who have been linked to several violent crimes and firearm offenses.
Mitchell conspired with a straw purchaser to obtain four firearms, knowing he was prohibited from possessing firearms as an unlawful user of controlled substances. Many of the members of FTO are unable to purchase firearms due to their youth, history of drug use, or other prohibited status and use straw purchasers to obtain them.
On May 11, 2023, a detective with the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) responded to a call about a road rage incident at the intersection of Farm Roads 137 and 182. In a post-Miranda interview Mitchell admitted to yelling and shooting at a vehicle that had stopped short at the intersection. GCSO officers seized a Glock 9mm pistol with a high-capacity magazine and a Glock .40 caliber pistol with a high-capacity magazine from the vehicle Mitchell was driving.
Officers with the Springfield, Mo., Police Department (SPD) responded to the scene of a car accident on Jan. 30, 2024, where Mitchell displayed a firearm. The victim of the accident identified Mitchell as the driver and brandisher of the firearm. SPD officers seized a loaded Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a high-capacity magazine from Mitchell.
On April 11, 2024, Ozark School Resource officers recovered a Glock 9mm pistol from a vehicle in the parking lot at Ozark High School. That firearm was ultimately traced back to Mitchell.
On July 9, 2024, when GCSO officers arrested Mitchell in relation to a vandalism incident, he was in possession of a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. In a post-Miranda interview Mitchell told officers he had someone else buy guns for him because he was too young. He stated his straw purchaser purchased the Glock pistol seized on Jan. 30, the Glock seized on April 11, an additional Glock pistol that was not recovered, and an additional Micro Draco pistol for him. He also told officers he had been using marijuana daily since he was 11 or 12 years old and he occasionally used narcotics and psychedelic drugs.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Flossmoor, Ill., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.
Operation Take Back America
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.
Chelsea Man Pleads Guilty to Making False StatementsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Chelsea man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to making false statements to a federal official.
According to court records, in March 2025, cameras were found in the ceilings of sleeping quarters in the firehouse on the Togus VA Medical Center campus in Chelsea. During an investigation conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA OIG), Michael Nicholas, 47, repeatedly denied that he had seen the cameras, that he knew the cameras were installed in the ceilings, or that he had ever purchased any cameras of that brand. The investigation subsequently revealed that Nicholas had purchased and installed the cameras, including finding his fingerprint on the underside of tape on one of the cameras. Nicholas later admitted he had purchased and installed the cameras.
Nicholas faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
VA OIG investigated the case.
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Career offender sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for trafficking fentanylRead the Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – A career offender who coordinated drug sales over Facebook Messenger was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 200 months in prison.
This case marks the third federal conviction for Steven Waldon, 43, of Dayton. He was previously convicted in the Southern District of Ohio of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of cocaine base and distribution of fentanyl. In addition to these federal crimes, Waldon had also been convicted locally of trafficking heroin.
According to court documents, Waldon led a drug trafficking organization that sold fentanyl in the Dayton region. Between May and July 2024, law enforcement officers observed at least five drug sales from Waldon’s drug trafficking organization.
Conspirators stored drugs at a residence on Marburn Avenue in Dayton and Waldon had those drugs delivered to the sites of drug sales. Waldon also trafficked drugs from his residence on Porterfield Drive in Dayton. When agents searched both properties, they discovered trafficking quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, as well as more than $13,000 in cash.
Waldon was arrested in charged in the instant case in July 2024. He pleaded guilty in April 2025.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Middletown Police Chief Earl Nelson announced the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Newman. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Rossi is representing the United States in this case.
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Career Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Stabbing Clerk During Armed Robbery of Speedway Gas StationRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Antwon Moore, 42, to 20 years in federal prison the maximum sentence allowed by law for committing an armed robbery. On November 25, 2025, Moore pleaded guilty to robbing a Speedway gas station in Wilson, North Carolina.
“This maximum sentence sends a clear message: we will not tolerate robbery or violent crime in Eastern North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “He has been terrorizing citizens for 25 years in and out of the state system, but now he federaled around and found out. This serial robber has 20 years to think about his vicious crimes. We will continue to work with state and local partners to prioritize enforcement of federal law against the most violent criminals in our communities.”
At 3:30 a.m. on April 10, 2025, Moore entered a Speedway gas station minimart in Wilson, North Carolina. He placed a Bootlegger malt beverage down on the counter, pulled out a knife and stabbed the clerk in her chest. Then, he stole hundreds of dollars from the register.
Thankfully, the clerk survived, escaped by locking herself in the bathroom, and managed to call for help from the bathroom. Moore has committed five prior robberies in 2001, 2005 (twice), and 2006 (twice).
“This 20-year federal prison sentence reflects the gravity of this violent crime and reaffirms the FBI's unwavering commitment to crush violent crime and secure justice for every victim. We are grateful to the steadfast partnership to ensure this offender was held fully accountable," said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
“The Wilson Police Department has a long-standing relationship with the United States Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement partners. These relationships are vital in addressing violent crime and narcotics trafficking. The Wilson Police Department will continue to relentlessly target those who choose to engage in these types of criminal activities and utilize any resource available to make the city safer,” said Captain Jason Corprew, Wilson Police Department.
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 Wilson Police Department and the FBI 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-122-M.
Caddo Parish Man Sentenced to Twenty Years in Prison for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT – On June 10, 2026, Morgan J. Moore, 36 of Shreveport, was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 240 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release after a jury found him guilty of one count of Possession and seven counts of Receipt of Child Pornography. The sentences will be served concurrently.
On May 28, 2024, Caddo Parish detectives received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Moore had uploaded child pornography onto the KIK messaging app. A search warrant for Moore’s residence recovered multiple devices containing approximately 19,125 files containing child pornography. According to court documents, digital evidence of these crimes included graphic videos depicting sexual abuse of children as young as four years old.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, with NCMEC providing additional investigative material. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cheyenne Wilson and Earl Campbell with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Amanda Morgan.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 5:25-cr-00050.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
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Brownfield Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Producing and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
A Brownfield man was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting two children, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Pedro Marcos Hinojosa, 40, was sentenced to 600 months in federal prison on June 10, 2026, by United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix for producing child pornography and possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The Court also ordered Hinojosa to pay $3,466 in restitution.According to court documents, in September 2025, a woman reported to the Brownfield Police Department that she observed nude photographs of a 9-year-old female child on Hinojosa’s cell phone. The child was forensically interviewed and said Hinojosa had sexually abused her and had taken sexually explicit photographs of her on multiple occasions since she was 8 years old. On September 12, 2025, law enforcement located Hinojosa living at a homeless shelter in Lubbock. He attempted to flee but was ultimately taken into custody. Hinojosa admitted he had produced child sexual abuse material of the child. A search was conducted of Hinojosa’s cell phone and law enforcement located videos and photographs of child sexual abuse material of his victim.
At sentencing, it was revealed that there was another victim whom Hinojosa had sexually abused and photographed when she was 8 years old, over a decade ago. That victim reported the abuse to law enforcement for the first time after she saw news of Hinojosa’s arrest. The Court, in sentencing Hinojosa to the statutory maximum, recognized the need to give Hinojosa a sentence that incapacitated him from ever being able to harm another child.
“My office is committed to seeking out those who harm our children and making sure they are held accountable for their horrendous acts,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “We hope Hinojosa’s lengthy sentence gives the victims and their families some peace, but that it also serves as a warning to like-minded predators that justice will be swift and the punishment will be exacting for these types of despicable crimes.”
“This 50-year sentence demonstrates our commitment to hold offenders accountable for committing crimes against children,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to work together to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Dallas Field Office (Lubbock Resident Agency), the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Brownfield Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case with the assistance of the Terry County District Attorney’s Office.
The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation and brought this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Box Elder man sentenced to a year of prison for drug traffickingRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Box Elder man who was involved in a bar shooting and later found with notable amounts of illegal drugs in his home was sentenced today to 13 months, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Harold Blake Whitford, Sr., 57, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Whitford was keeping notable quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in his home.
In the early hours of March 28, 2024, law enforcement was called to D and L Bar on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation after patrons reported a shooting. Surveillance video showed the two gunmen arrive at the bar and then leave in a pickup truck, which law enforcement later found parked in front of Whitford’s house.
After confirming the pickup was the same used in the shooting, officers obtained a warrant and searched Whitford’s residence where they found 489 fentanyl pills in a plastic baggie; 27 small baggies, each with 10 fentanyl pills; a baggie with powder; and two baggies with meth. Officers also found a scale, a rifle, and a piece of paper listing quantities and prices. A week later, Whitford was arrested on an outstanding warrant in front of his house. In his shirt pocket officers found more fentanyl pills. In total, Whitford had 40.1 grams of meth, 79.9 grams of fentanyl, and 32.6 grams of cocaine.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
Baltimore Man Sentenced for Role in East Baltimore ShootoutRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Baltimore man received a federal-prison term, today, stemming from an attempted drive-by shooting.
U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced James Beverly, Jr., 40, to 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in connection with the East Baltimore shootout.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
“Drive-by shootings create fear, violence, and instability in our neighborhoods,” Hayes said. “Beverly demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life, and today’s sentence holds him accountable. Importantly, because this is a federal sentence, there is no possibility of parole. Our Office remains committed to protecting our communities from violent offenders like Beverly.”
“ATF is on the front lines of the fight against violent crime,” Doerrer said. “We are proud to stand with our federal and local partners in holding Beverly accountable for his incredibly dangerous behavior.”
According to court documents, in February 2024, Beverly, with his jacket and pants pocket filled with fentanyl and cocaine base packaged for distribution, stood on an East Baltimore corner. He also possessed a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Beverly is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions, including convictions for first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
As Beverly stood on the corner, a dark-colored SUV pulled alongside Beverly. Then the passenger opened fire, shooting approximately 10 rounds at Beverly. When the shooting started, Beverly fell to the ground and remained there as the gunman fired additional shots.
After the shooting stopped, and the vehicle began pulling away, Beverly pulled out his firearm, rolled over, and started firing in the direction of the fleeing vehicle. A surveillance camera captured Beverly recklessly discharging the firearm 11 times at the vehicle after he was no longer under attack. Beverly then threw the gun into a nearby deli. Then when law enforcement responded to a call about the shooting, BPD officers apprehended Beverly, found narcotics and cash on him, and recovered the firearm from the deli.
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.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Hayes thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Patricia McLane and Stanton Lawyer for their work on the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Bainville woman ordered to repay over $8,000 for cashing fake post office money ordersRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Bainville woman who used a system of recording fake USPS money orders that she then cashed out to herself was sentenced today to time-served, followed by three years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said. She was also ordered to repay USPS the amount of money she misappropriated.
Danielle Marie Harms, 38, pleaded guilty in February 2026 to one count of misappropriation of postal funds.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Harms stole more than $8,000 from the U.S. Postal Service as an employee of the Bainville Post Office by issuing fake money orders and then cashing them.
Harms began working for the post office in Bainville in February 2023. Bainville is one of the country’s few remaining “manual” post offices, meaning money orders issued by the office are written down by hand on paper for USPS transaction records. If the money order is purchased by credit or debit card a record of the purchase is also submitted electronically to the bank after it’s been written down on paper.
After learning the system, Harms began issuing money orders to herself and her boyfriend, recording them by hand as card transactions but never submitting the information to the bank. This allowed her to cash the money order while keeping the books balanced within the post office. USPS employs a service that regularly checks the postal service’s transactions with the bank to ensure the figures reconcile. Running one of these checks in August 2024, the service found a discrepancy of $8,235.91.
This launched an investigation and in January 2025 a special agent with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General interviewed Harms, who eventually admitted to faking and cashing 34 money orders. She also admitted to taking cash from the post office till.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.
Armed thief from Portsmouth sentenced to 14 years for robbing USPS mail carrier and possessing a machinegunRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Portsmouth man was sentenced today to 14 years in prison for unlawful possession of a machinegun, robbery of property, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to court documents, on July 11, 2024, a masked individual approached a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier on his route in Virginia Beach, brandished a handgun, and demanded the victim’s arrow key. An arrow key is a master key used to access a variety of mail repositories, including blue collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, and apartment mailbox panels in a given area. The masked individual fled to a car in which Cameron Hunter Brown, 29, was waiting, and Brown and the masked individual fled in the vehicle.
Law enforcement identified the vehicle and located it on July 17, 2024. While the vehicle was stationary in an ATM drive-thru lane, officers attempted a traffic stop and instructed Brown to turn off the vehicle. Instead, Brown reversed out of the drive-thru lane, struck the credit-union building, sped through an unoccupied ATM lane, and fled with police in pursuit.
During the pursuit, brown tossed a handgun from the driver-side window onto a sidewalk. The handgun, which was later recovered, was equipped with a machinegun conversion device (MCD), rendering it capable of fully automatic fire. The handgun had been reported stolen from Chesapeake.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division and Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., investigated this case with assistance from the Hampton Police Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon E.A. Heath prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 4:24-cr-55 and 2:25-cr-16.