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9 June 2026
Justice Department Encourages Communities to Apply for Nearly $700M in Grants to Support Law Enforcement Around the CountryRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) has released nearly $700 million in grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement.
The released NOFOs include the COPS Hiring Program (CHP) and several other grant programs that:
- Support the hiring and retention of sworn law enforcement officers,
- Keep school students safe,
- Promote the health and safety of our nation’s law enforcement personnel,
- Keep communities safe by providing active shooter training, and
- Provide critical technology resources through congressionally designated projects.
“The funding announced today reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting the men and women of law enforcement who keep our communities safe,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “By investing directly in law enforcement, we are empowering agencies across the country to respond more effectively to evolving threats. This is another key step in the Trump Administration’s mission to make America Safe Again — and one that will support our nationwide effort to reduce crime in every zip code.”
“These grants will deliver real, measurable impact in communities across the country,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “This Administration is committed to strengthening public safety and ensuring accountability to the taxpayer. The Department will make certain that every dollar invested goes directly toward reducing crime and upholding the rule of law. Supporting the heroic work of state, local, and tribal law enforcement is not only an honor, but an essential step forward in our shared mission to keep the American people safe.”
The COPS Hiring Program is intended to reduce crime and advance public safety by providing direct funding to state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies for the hiring of career law enforcement personnel in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts. Up to $158 million will be available.
The STOP School Violence Prevention Program provides funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds in the grantees’ jurisdictions through evidence-based school safety programs. Up to $73 million will be available.
The Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program provides funding to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement and their families through training and technical assistance, demonstration projects, and implementation of promising practices related to peer mentoring, access to mental health services and wellness programs. Up to $9 million will be available.
The Preparing for Active Shooter Situations Program provides funding for scenario-based training that prepares officers, deputies, and other first responders to safely and effectively handle active-shooter and other violent threats. This year’s program will train at least 20,000 first responders through scenario-based, multi-disciplinary training classes. Up to $10 million will be available.
The COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program advances public safety by providing funds directly to state law enforcement to locate and investigate illicit activities through statewide collaboration related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids. Up to $34 million will be available.
The COPS Anti-Methamphetamine Program is designed to investigate illicit activities related to the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Funding must be used to locate or investigate illicit activities such as precursor diversion, laboratories, or methamphetamine traffickers. Up to $13 million will be available.
The COPS Technology and Equipment Program provides congressionally designated and directed spending to develop and acquire effective law enforcement equipment, technologies and interoperable communications that assist in responding to and preventing crime. This is not a competitive NOFO and Congress has allocated $400 million for the COPS Technology and Equipment Program.
State and local governmental entities must comply with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, which provides that state and local government entities may not prohibit, or in any way restrict, any government entity or official from sending to, receiving from, maintaining, or exchanging information regarding citizenship or immigration status, lawful or unlawful, of any individual with components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any other federal, state or local government entity. Priority consideration will be given to jurisdictions that cooperate with federal law enforcement to address illegal immigration and coordinate and participate with the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF).
The COPS Office is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing and the Administration’s priority of Making America Safe Again by supporting the nation’s state, local, territorial and Tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.
For more information on COPS Office NOFOs, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants.
Justice Department Concludes EEOC Disparate-Impact Guidelines Violate the ConstitutionRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice has issued an opinion to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) that its guidelines about disparate-impact liability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act are unconstitutional. The Office of Legal Counsel found that EEOC’s guidelines pressured employers to engage in racial discrimination. Under those guidelines, employers could be held liable for unequal hiring and promotion outcomes among different groups, without regard to the employer’s likely intent.
The Justice Department’s opinion for EEOC helps to implement Executive Order 14281, which rejected disparate-impact liability insofar as "it creates a near insurmountable presumption [that] unlawful discrimination exists where there are any differences in outcomes in certain circumstances among different races, sexes, or similar groups."
"Despite trying to promote equality, EEOC's disparate impact liability interpretation under Title VII actually fosters the very discrimination its guidelines seek to address," said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. "This opinion will now allow businesses to hire based on performance, restoring equal opportunities in the American workplace."
"The EEOC is grateful for the thoughtful and insightful analysis provided by Assistant Attorney General Gaiser and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Craddock regarding disparate impact under Title VII," EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas said. "We believe this opinion will provide clarity regarding the Constitutional limits of disparate impact in employment discrimination matters."
According to the opinion, businesses can use hiring practices that are generally related to job performance—such as aptitude tests, knowledge-based tests, criminal-background checks, and SAT scores—without fear of violating Title VII simply because such practices may result in different outcomes for different demographic groups. To justify using such tools, employers only need to show that the practice is reasonable, useful, or helps serve a valid business purpose.
The opinion also states that people bringing a disparate-impact claim must meet two requirements. They must show that the specific hiring practice directly caused the unequal outcomes they are challenging. And they must identify another approach that would be equally effective for employers but would result in fewer unequal outcomes. This means plaintiffs must prove that the employer’s method specifically caused the unequal outcomes—and offer a workable, fairer alternative.
Read the full opinion here.
Jamaica Resident Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracy in Relation to International Lottery Scam Targeting ElderlyRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Jamaica pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Jason Plummer, 33, of Montego Bay pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Robert J. Colville.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Plummer participated in a “lottery scam” in which elderly victims were contacted by telephone and falsely informed that they had won a sweepstakes, often totaling millions of dollars, and then were directed to send money in the form of checks, cash, money orders, and/or wires to pay purported taxes due on their winnings. Specifically, Plummer communicated directly with victims about their purported “winnings,” and with co-conspirators about the broader scam. He also maintained records containing personally identifiable information of various victims and received funds directly from other members of the lottery scam.
Judge Colville scheduled sentencing for October 13, 2026. At Count One (conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud), the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of the greater of $250,000 or an alternative of twice the pecuniary gain or loss, or both. At Count Two (conspiracy to commit money laundering), the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of the greater of $500,000 or an alternative of twice the amount of criminally derived property, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the Court continued Plummer’s detention.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Plummer, with assistance from Jamaican authorities and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs in the arrest and extradition of the defendant.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud and Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Jacksonville, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today to tax evasion, not paying employment taxes, bank fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
Joel Matthew Caswell, 31, pleaded guilty to a Superseding Information charging three counts of tax evasion, three counts of willful failure to pay over employment taxes, one count of bank fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to documents and statements made in court, Caswell has ownership and managing interests in multiple logging and construction businesses that collectively employed approximately 40 employees. He was the trustee and a beneficiary of the Caswell Family Trust. From 2018 through 2022, Caswell withheld but failed to pay over trust fund taxes for multiple businesses. In 2019, these unpaid payroll taxes resulted in the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) assessing the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty. To evade the IRS’s ability to collect what was owed, Caswell directed customers to write checks to other companies or him personally, moved business funds, and lied to IRS collection officers.
Separately, between 2022 and 2024, Caswell executed multiple fraud schemes in Oregon that involved submitting fabricated financial records to a bank, a private lender, and the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to secure loans. Additionally, Caswell used the name, Social Security number, and date of birth of Adult Victim 1 to obtain a residential mortgage.
As part of the plea agreement, Caswell has agreed to pay $1,198,799.83 in restitution to the IRS.
He faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on October 9, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
This case is the result of an investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Land Management.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Brassell of the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney J. Parker Gochenour of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support 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.
Italian national pleads guilty to charges relating to a gate-crashing event at CIA HeadquartersRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Italian national pled guilty yesterday to disregarding a signal from a law enforcement officer to stop and driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to court records, on May 22, 2025, at approximately 3:38 a.m., Monia Spadaro, 28, drove into the restricted CIA Headquarters installation via the outbound traffic lane. When a CIA Police officer attempted to pull her over in a marked CIA Police vehicle with activated emergency lights, Spadaro failed to stop her vehicle and continued toward the main security gate. Spadaro made several reckless maneuvers, including changing lanes from outbound to inbound and back. An additional marked CIA Police vehicle stationed at the security gate also activated emergency lights and pursued.
Spadaro disregarded all attempts to stop her and increased her speed toward the main security gate, including driving towards a CIA Police officer standing on foot, who fired shots to protect himself and to prevent Spadaro from running the gate.
Spadaro’s blood alcohol content was over double the legal limit. Spadaro was convicted in Virginia in 2021 for driving while under the influence of alcohol and in 2022 for reckless driving, and in Washington, D.C., in 2023 for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Spadaro faces up to five years in prison when sentenced on Aug. 13. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
CIA Police and the FBI Washington Field Office investigated this case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Etchart and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Robeson are prosecuting the case.
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. 1:25-cr-173.
Illegal alien living in Rockwall County sentenced to federal prison as part of Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – An illegal alien has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
David Ortiz-Moreno, 55, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 9, 2026.
According to information presented in court, beginning in 2021, Ortiz-Moreno, a Mexican national who was illegally living in Fate, Texas, was part of a methamphetamine distributing conspiracy responsible for trafficking a large amount of methamphetamine from Mexico into the Eastern District of Texas and beyond. Ortiz-Moreno admitted to being personally responsible for the distribution of at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Dallas comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Dallas Field Office; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations - Dallas (ICE-HSI); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Dallas Field Division; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations (IRS-CD; United States Postal Service, United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Transportation Security Administration, Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS); United States Secret Service (USSS); Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DSS); TEXOMA HIDTA; and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Eastern District of Texas with the prosecution being led by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.
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Illegal alien from the Bahamas sentenced to 27 years in prison for sexually exploiting an 11-year-old victimRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – An illegal alien from the Bahamas was sentenced today to 27 years in prison for sexually exploiting a child.
According to court documents, on July 15, 2025, Newport News Police officers responded to a report of suspected child sexual abuse. As they arrived at the home, they found Rian Wayne Johnson, 38, with the 11-year-old victim. An investigation revealed that from at least May 30, 2025, to July 15, 2025, Johnson sexually exploited the child, for whom he was a primary caregiver. Johnson recorded himself engaging in sexual acts with the victim and kept the recordings on his cellphone.
Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., investigated this case with assistance from the Newport News Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa R. McKeel prosecuted the case.
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.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov.
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. 4:25-cr-59.
Illegal alien from Bolivia sentenced to over a year in prison for illegally reentering the United States after deportation following a cocaine convictionRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An illegal alien from Bolivia was sentenced today to a year and three months in prison for illegally reentering the United States after removal subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction.
According to court documents, in February 2018, Favian Sejas Castellon, aka Alejandro Fernandez Paz, 34, was arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. While that charge was pending, Sejas Castellon was arrested for and found guilty of assault and battery of a family member. In July 2018, he was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. On July 11, 2022, pursuant to a final order of removal, Sejas Castellon was removed from the United States.
In 2024, Sejas Castellon unlawfully reentered the United States. On June 28, 2025, he was arrested for a DWI in Fairfax County. On Feb. 12, a federal grand jury indicted Sejas Castellon for illegal reentry after removal subsequent to a conviction for an aggravated felony, to which he pled guilty on March 10. Sejas Castellon remains subject to the previous order of removal.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated this case.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose M. Ortiz 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 No. 1:26-CR-26.
Illegal Alien Sentenced in Multi-State Racketeering Conspiracy Involving the Forced Labor of Mexican WorkersRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL — An illegal alien was sentenced today to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in a federal racketeering conspiracy that relied on fraudulent submissions to immigration authorities and used fraud and coercion to victimize Mexican H-2A workers who, between 2015 and 2017, had worked in the United States harvesting fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims.
“The victims in this case were deceived by conspirators and subjected to deplorable conditions while being exploited for greed and profit,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Today’s judgment sends a clear message that we will leverage the resources of our law enforcement partners to uphold our nation’s immigration laws and vigorously prosecute those who engage in human trafficking.”
“The defendant fraudulently used the H-2A visa program to recruit and exploit vulnerable victims for his financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case reflects the Department’s commitment to protect the integrity of our nation’s immigration system and hold those accountable who, after engaging in visa fraud, then use deception and coercion to abuse and exploit foreign workers. We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who benefit from human trafficking here and abroad and will continue to place a high priority on those who use fraudulent submissions to immigration authorities to enable them to secure their victims’ presence in the United States.”
“Villatoro Moreno and his co-conspirators lured victims from Mexico with false promises of fair wages and good working conditions. It was all a lie,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “In addition to harsh and extreme working conditions, the workers were subjected to poor living conditions, charged excessive expenses, and endured humiliating treatment and threats. Not only is this wrong, but it is also against the law. Investigating this case was a team effort. I commend the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Department of Labor, the Diplomatic Security Service, and numerous workers’ rights groups for their close cooperation. I especially thank the Government of Mexico for their significant assistance in the extradition of Villatoro Moreno to the United States. If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a suspected trafficking crime, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who exploit vulnerable workers and engage in forced labor will face serious consequences,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office. “We are committed to protecting workers, safeguarding the integrity of the H‑2A program, and relentlessly pursuing those who manipulate the immigration system. HSI will continue to leverage partnerships across the government, with private industry, and around the world to combat forced labor and disrupt crimes of victimization.”
According to court documents, Alexander Villatoro Moreno, 53, also known as “Quichi,” of Chiapas, Mexico, along with his co-defendants, operated and managed Los Villatoros Harvesting (LVH), a farm labor contracting company. Between approximately 2015 and 2017, LVH functioned as a criminal enterprise compelling victims to work in Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and North Carolina. Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants fraudulently recruited Mexican nationals to come into the United States on short-term, H-2A agricultural visas and misled the United States to secure valid H-2A visas for the victims. Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants charged workers exorbitant recruitment fees to work for LVH and lied to the victims about how much they would be paid, the hours they would work, the working conditions, and the reimbursement they would receive for paying recruitment fees and other expenses. Once in the United States, Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants then compelled the workers to provide long hours of physically demanding agricultural labor, six to seven days a week, for far less pay than they were entitled to under the law.
In addition to the work conditions, Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants used various coercive means to compel the victims’ labor, including imposing debts on workers; confiscating the workers’ passports; subjecting workers to crowded, unsanitary and degrading living conditions; verbally abusing and humiliating the workers; threatening workers with arrest, jailtime, and deportation; isolating workers by preventing them from interacting with anyone other than LVH employees; and threatening to physically harm the workers’ family members back in Mexico if the workers failed to comply with their demands.
When officials began investigating, Villatoro Moreno obstructed the federal investigation by helping to prepare false payroll information to conceal underpayments to the workers and distributing fake reimbursement receipts to the victims to make it appear that LVH was complying with the law by reimbursing the workers for their travel-related expenses.
Villatoro Moreno pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Villatoro Moreno’s four co-defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in the scheme. Bladimir Moreno, Villatoro Moreno’s brother and a Mexican national, owned LVH and pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and conspiracy to commit forced labor. Efrain Cabrera Rodas, an illegal alien from Mexico, and Christina Gamez, LVH supervisors, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act while Guadalupe Mendes Mendoza, another LVH supervisor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct a federal investigation. In 2022, Bladimir Moreno was sentenced to 118 months in prison and ordered to pay over $175,000 in restitution to the victims while Rodas and Gamez were sentenced to 41 months and 37 months in prison, respectively. Mendoza was also sentenced in 2022 to serve eight months of home detention and a $5,500 fine to be paid over 24 months of supervised release.
The Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the FBI, HSI, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The Task Force received assistance from the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Colorado Legal Services Migrant Farm Worker Division, Legal Aid Services of Oregon Farmworker Program and Indiana Legal Services Worker Rights and Protection Project.
The Government of Mexico, including the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), provided significant assistance in the extradition of Villatoro Moreno to the United States. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Villatoro Moreno from Mexico.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilyssa Spergel for the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorney Matthew Thiman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section prosecuted the case. Former Trial Attorney and current Assistant U.S. Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky for the District of Maryland also prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Illegal Alien Sentenced in Multi-State Racketeering Conspiracy Involving the Forced Labor of Mexican WorkersRead the Press Release
An illegal alien was sentenced today to 70 months in prison and three years of supervised release for his role in a federal racketeering conspiracy that relied on fraudulent submissions to immigration authorities and used fraud and coercion to victimize Mexican H-2A workers who, between 2015 and 2017, had worked in the United States harvesting fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural products. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims.
“The defendant fraudulently used the H-2A visa program to recruit and exploit vulnerable victims for his financial gain,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case reflects the Department’s commitment to protect the integrity of our nation’s immigration system and hold those accountable who, after engaging in visa fraud, then use deception and coercion to abuse and exploit foreign workers. We will continue to investigate and prosecute those who benefit from human trafficking here and abroad and will continue to place a high priority on those who use fraudulent submissions to immigration authorities to enable them to secure their victims’ presence in the United States.”
“The victims in this case were deceived by conspirators and subjected to deplorable conditions while being exploited for greed and profit,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “Today’s judgment sends a clear message that we will leverage the resources of our law enforcement partners to uphold our nation’s immigration laws and vigorously prosecute those who engage in human trafficking.”
“Villatoro Moreno and his co-conspirators lured victims from Mexico with false promises of fair wages and good working conditions. It was all a lie,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “In addition to harsh and extreme working conditions, the workers were subjected to poor living conditions, charged excessive expenses, and endured humiliating treatment and threats. Not only is this wrong, but it is also against the law. Investigating this case was a team effort. I commend the Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Department of Labor, the Diplomatic Security Service, and numerous workers’ rights groups for their close cooperation. I especially thank the Government of Mexico for their significant assistance in the extradition of Villatoro Moreno to the United States. If you are a human trafficking victim or have information about a suspected trafficking crime, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who exploit vulnerable workers and engage in forced labor will face serious consequences,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office. “We are committed to protecting workers, safeguarding the integrity of the H‑2A program, and relentlessly pursuing those who manipulate the immigration system. HSI will continue to leverage partnerships across the government, with private industry, and around the world to combat forced labor and disrupt crimes of victimization.”
According to court documents, Alexander Villatoro Moreno, 53, also known as “Quichi,” of Chiapas, Mexico, along with his co-defendants, operated and managed Los Villatoros Harvesting (LVH), a farm labor contracting company. Between approximately 2015 and 2017, LVH functioned as a criminal enterprise compelling victims to work in Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia and North Carolina. Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants fraudulently recruited Mexican nationals to come into the United States on short-term, H-2A agricultural visas and misled the United States to secure valid H-2A visas for the victims. Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants charged workers exorbitant recruitment fees to work for LVH and lied to the victims about how much they would be paid, the hours they would work, the working conditions, and the reimbursement they would receive for paying recruitment fees and other expenses. Once in the United States, Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants then compelled the workers to provide long hours of physically demanding agricultural labor, six to seven days a week, for far less pay than they were entitled to under the law.
In addition to the work conditions, Villatoro Moreno and his co-defendants used various coercive means to compel the victims’ labor, including imposing debts on workers; confiscating the workers’ passports; subjecting workers to crowded, unsanitary and degrading living conditions; verbally abusing and humiliating the workers; threatening workers with arrest, jailtime, and deportation; isolating workers by preventing them from interacting with anyone other than LVH employees; and threatening to physically harm the workers’ family members back in Mexico if the workers failed to comply with their demands.
When officials began investigating, Villatoro Moreno obstructed the federal investigation by helping to prepare false payroll information to conceal underpayments to the workers and distributing fake reimbursement receipts to the victims to make it appear that LVH was complying with the law by reimbursing the workers for their travel-related expenses.
Villatoro Moreno pleaded guilty to conspiracy under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Villatoro Moreno’s four co-defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with their roles in the scheme. Bladimir Moreno, Villatoro Moreno’s brother and a Mexican national, owned LVH and pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act and conspiracy to commit forced labor. Efrain Cabrera Rodas, an illegal alien from Mexico, and Christina Gamez, LVH supervisors, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the RICO Act while Guadalupe Mendes Mendoza, another LVH supervisor, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct a federal investigation. In 2022, Bladimir Moreno was sentenced to 118 months in prison and ordered to pay over $175,000 in restitution to the victims while Rodas and Gamez were sentenced to 41 months and 37 months in prison, respectively. Mendoza was also sentenced in 2022 to serve eight months of home detention and a $5,500 fine to be paid over 24 months of supervised release.
The Palm Beach County Human Trafficking Task Force, which includes the FBI, HSI, and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The Task Force received assistance from the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Colorado Legal Services Migrant Farm Worker Division, Legal Aid Services of Oregon Farmworker Program and Indiana Legal Services Worker Rights and Protection Project.
The Government of Mexico, including the Fiscalía General de la República (FGR), provided significant assistance in the extradition of Villatoro Moreno to the United States. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of Villatoro Moreno from Mexico.
Trial Attorney Matthew Thiman of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilyssa Spergel for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case. Former Trial Attorney and current Assistant U.S. Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky for the District of Maryland also prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
Homeland Security Task Force Case Sends Fort Walton Beach Man to Federal Prison for Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Travaess McLemore, 41, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This successful prosecution and substantial prison sentence is an incredible win for the public safety of our communities, and fulfills the objective of the Homeland Security Task Force to dedicate a whole-of-government approach toward eliminating drug trafficking operations in the Northern District of Florida. We will celebrate this win and re-double our efforts to eradicate the scourge of methamphetamine and other deadly narcotics from our District to deliver the safe, drug-free streets our citizens deserve.”
On August 13, 2025, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle. During the traffic stop a canine alerted to the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle revealed 84 grams of methamphetamine. Later that day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and located approximately 1,548 grams of methamphetamine. The defendant was subjected to a sentencing enhancement for a prior serious drug felony conviction in a 2017 drug trafficking case.
“The amount of methamphetamine seized in this case had the potential to cause tremendous harm to countless individuals and families throughout Okaloosa County and beyond,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “I’m proud of the deputies, K9 teams, investigators, and our federal partners whose work not only led to the removal of a major source of narcotics, but also ensured the person responsible faces the consequences.”
“Methamphetamine—one of the more commonly trafficked substances in the Florida Pan Handle—destroys families and communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, DEA Tampa Field Division. “We have arrested numerous methamphetamine distributors in this region and will not stop until these criminals have been brought to justice.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Hogback Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Hogback man pleaded guilty to federal firearms offenses after a violent altercation involving a firearm leaves a woman injured.
According to court documents, on June 19, 2025, Renaldo Descheny, 43, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted Jane Doe by strangling her and striking her in the face with a firearm. The assault resulted in a laceration requiring hospital treatment.
Descheny pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and faces not less than five years and up life in prison at sentencing.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case.
Heart Butte man pleads guilty to shooting at a family on the Blackfeet Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Heart Butte man who shot at a family, including two children, on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
The defendant, Raymond David Boggs, Jr., 53, pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of felony child abuse. Boggs faces 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer presided and will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for Sept. 28, 2026. Boggs remained released with conditions pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on the evening of May 14, 2024, multiple law enforcement agencies near Heart Butte, Montana, responded to a 911 call. The call came from Jane Doe 1, and her son, John Doe 1, who were cleaning out a family property along with Jane Doe 1’s 12-year-old nephew (John Doe 2) and her 11-year-old niece (Jane Doe 2). Both Jane Doe 1 and John Doe 1 told the dispatcher that the defendant, Raymond Boggs, was shooting at them.
When officers arrived, Jane Doe 1 and John Doe 1 explained that Boggs had yelled at them from his property while he watched them from a golf cart before he returned to that area in a truck. He pulled a gun from his truck and fired at the group while they were outside, and he continued to shoot into the house when the four took shelter inside. Jane Doe 1 and John Doe 2 described hearing two different sounding gunshots. They then pointed out Boggs to the officers as he drove around on a golf cart. A group of officers canvassed the area between the two houses. They ultimately contacted Boggs, who was riding in a golf cart and had a shotgun with him. Boggs was detained, and the shotgun was taken into evidence.
At the direction of Jane Doe 1 and John Doe 1, officers found spent shell casings at the location where Boggs was shooting. Along with the spent shell casings was a spent shotgun shell; ballistic evidence showed the casing had been fired from Boggs’ shotgun. Officers also observed bullet holes in the exterior of the house that traveled into the house, and they observed bullet holes in vehicles parked alongside the house. They also recovered a bullet from a couch inside the home. When the occupants of the house were interviewed after the shooting, all four named Boggs as the shooter. The quartet, including John Doe 2 and Jane Doe 2, described feeling terrified that they would be hurt or killed as Boggs shot into the house.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The BIA, Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and Pondera County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
Government Contractor and Executives to Pay $21.3M to Resolve Fraud Scheme Involving Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business ContractsRead the Press Release
Broadway Electric Inc. (Broadway), Cornerstone Contracting Inc. (Cornerstone), Chief Executive Officer John Oehler, and President Christian Blake agreed to pay $21.3 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that they improperly obtained federal contracts reserved for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and other eligible small businesses.
“Congress intended certain federal contracts to be set aside for small businesses and for service-disabled veterans who sacrificed for this country,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will hold accountable those who fraudulently obtain, or assist others in fraudulently obtaining, these set-aside contracts.”
“Broadway, Cornerstone, and their executives engaged in a multi-year scheme to exploit federal contracting programs set aside for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “When contractors circumvent eligibility rules through misrepresentation and undisclosed control arrangements, they undermine the integrity of federal procurement. These programs are designed to aid our nation’s heroes; it is unfortunate that these defendants sought to exploit the sacrifices our service members have made. My office will continue to aggressively pursue individuals and entities who engage in that conduct.”
Federal contracts may be set aside for small businesses that meet specific eligibility requirements, including those owned, controlled, and operated by service-disabled veterans of the United States military. These service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) are intended to provide contracting opportunities to qualifying veteran entrepreneurs.
The settlement resolves allegations that, from approximately April 2017 through May 2025, the defendants engaged in a coordinated scheme to obtain federal set-aside contracts for which Broadway and Cornerstone were not eligible by using purported SDVOSBs and other small businesses as pass-through entities. Neither Oehler nor Blake is a service-disabled veteran and neither qualified to own or control a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. And although contracts were set aside by law for qualifying small businesses, Broadway and Cornerstone personnel in fact primarily controlled execution, staffing, and financial administration.
“The VA OIG will continue to vigorously pursue unscrupulous government contractors who attempt to profit from programs intended for qualifying service-disabled veteran business owners,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “We thank the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their joint efforts in this case.”
“The deliberate exploitation of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) set-aside program, designed to give service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses a fair opportunity to compete, compromises the contracting process and the warfighters those resources are meant to support,” said Special Agent in Charge Jason J. Sargenski of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southeast Field Office. “When large contractors fraudulently control small business entities to capture contracts they are not entitled to, they divert critical defense resources away from their intended purpose, undermine the competitive process, and betray the veterans these programs exist to serve. DCIS remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the Department’s resources and preserving the trust that underlies every contracting dollar.”
“The favorable settlement in this case is the product of enhanced efforts by President Trump’s Small Business Administration, working with the Department of Justice and other federal law enforcement partners, to uncover misconduct in SBA’s contracting assistance programs and hold wrongdoers to account,” said SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis.
“This settlement sends a clear message: programs created to help America’s disabled veterans should not be exploited for personal profit. Our veterans earned these opportunities through their service and sacrifice. I want to thank our law enforcement and oversight partners for their continued collaboration and commitment to protecting the integrity of these important programs,” said SBA Inspector General William W. Kirk.
“The GSA Office of Inspector General will aggressively pursue contractors that provide false information to win federal contracts,” said Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Ryan of the GSA Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Investigations Division. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to protect the integrity of the federal contracting process.”
“Fraudulent schemes that target programs designed to support our nation’s disabled veterans are an affront to those who served our country,” said Acting Inspector in Charge, Nicholas Bucciarelli, who leads the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “By exploiting these set-aside federal contracts, the defendants stole opportunities from honest, service-disabled veteran business owners. Postal Inspectors, working alongside our federal law enforcement partners, remain fiercely committed to protecting the integrity of government procurement and ensuring that federal funds serve their intended heroes. Today’s action demonstrates no matter how complex the deceptive trail is, we will bring fraudsters to justice.”
According to the settlement agreement, Defendants admit, acknowledge, and accept responsibility for the following conduct: Broadway and Cornerstone identified contracting opportunities and prepared and priced bids submitted in the names of purported small businesses, including through teaming agreements, joint ventures, and mentor-protégé structures. They secured bonding, selected subcontractors and personnel to perform contract work, and primarily controlled project execution and financial administration, including payroll. The purported small businesses received fixed payments, typically approximately one to three percent of total contract value and not tied to the scope of work performed, while the remaining contract revenue flowed to Broadway, Cornerstone, and contractors they selected. Broadway and Cornerstone personnel used small-business email domains and exercised signature authority in communications with federal agencies on behalf of the purported small businesses. At least one SDVOSB owner raised concerns regarding compliance with federal control and participation requirements, but Defendants did not implement material changes to the structure or operation of the arrangements.
Oehler and Blake were directly involved in establishing, maintaining, and directing the arrangements throughout the relevant period. They were informed of federal requirements that SDVOSBs control contract performance and receive commensurate benefits for their work, but did not materially alter the structure or operation of the arrangements they had established and maintained.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by two whistleblowers, a veteran of the United States Air Force and an executive with an SDVOSB firm. The False Claims Act allows private individuals to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in any recovery. Under the settlement agreement, the relators will receive $3,674,250. The case is captioned United States ex rel. Welch, et al. v. American First Contracting Inc., et al., No. 3:23-cv-0525 (N.D.N.Y.).
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, with assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, the General Services Administration Office of Inspector General, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the Small Business Administration Office of General Counsel, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The matter was investigated by Trial Attorney James Nealon and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam J. Katz for the Northern District of New York.
Globe Man Receives Four Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
Phoenix, Ariz. – A Globe, Arizona, man was sentenced in federal court for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl.
James Morris Wilckens, 55, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 48 months in prison to be followed by 36 months of supervised release.
During a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation, Wilckens was identified as a member of a cross-border smuggling ring engaged in the distribution of fentanyl in Globe and the surrounding communities. In June 2024, he was arrested near Claypool after being found in possession of 230 fentanyl pills that were packaged for sale.
This investigation 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 Tucson comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), U.S. Border Patrol, the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, IRS-Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriff's Office, Oro Valle Police Department, Marana Police Department, and Arizona HIDTA. Prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Lizano of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Tucson.
CASE NUMBER: 25-CR-02677
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-094_Wilckens
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Georgia man pleads guilty to scamming victims out of tens of thousands of dollarsRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Stephen Odiboh, 53, of Georgia, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to the plea agreement, between 2023 and March 2025, Odiboh conspired with co-conspirators to defraud four victims. The total loss and attempted loss were $356,500.
- In 2023, Odiboh contacted Victim 1, a 77-year-old woman IN THE Western District of New York, on Facebook. Posing as “Oliver Wilson,” he falsely represented that he was a United States Citizen, a widower, and currently living in Norway. Over the course of approximately a year and a half, “Wilson” fostered a romantic, online relationship, stating that he needed gift cards to “stay online” and continue talking. As a result, Victim 1 sent “Wilson” approximately 30 $500 gift cards, totaling approximately $15,000. In addition, between January and July of 2024, “Wilson” induced Victim 1 to mail eight checks totaling over $162,000.00 to specific individuals and entities, including two checks to Stephen Odiboh. In December 2024, “Wilson” stated that he was being held by customs authorities in Norway and needed to pay a fine of $158,000. He directed Victim 1 to mail two checks totaling $158,000.00 but Victim 1’s bank detected the fraud and stopped payment of the checks before they could be cashed.
- In April 2024, a co-conspirator contacted Victim 2, a caterer, claiming to be “Alex Alberto,” and in need of catering services. Victim 2 requested a deposit of $800. To pay the purported deposit, “Alberto” sent Victim 2 a check for $2,800, and instructed Victim 2 to cash the check and send the extra $2,000 to the defendant via Zelle. Victim 2 realized he was being defrauded and did not deposit the check.
- In 2024, a co-conspirator, claiming to be “William Rivera,” contacted Victim 3 through an online dating website. After gaining Victim 3’s trust, “Rivera” convinced Victim 3 to send $2,000 to Odiboh via CashApp, which Victim 3 did on August 14, 2024.
- In March 2025, a co-conspirator, claiming to be “Alec Jonas,” contacted Victim 4 on a dating website, leading Victim 4 to believe that they were starting a romantic relationship. Once he gained her trust, “Jonas” stated that he was working in Bahrain and needed money to ship goods from Bahrain to Texas, prompting Victim 4 to wire $17,525 to a bank account he controlled.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2026, before Judge Siragusa.
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Gary Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Prison for Possession of MachinegunsRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – DeShawn Mitchell, 20 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to possession of a machinegun, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Mitchell was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
“On June 12, 2024, the Defendant sold a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a “Glock Switch” to a confidential informant working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. On August 12, 2024, Mitchell sold a machinegun, namely a Glock-style firearm with an affixed machinegun conversion device and no serial number. Thanks to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the efforts of Assistant United States Attorney Ambris Saravanan as part of Operation Take Back America, the Defendant was sentenced to 46 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ambris Saravanan.
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.
Gainesville Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Kenneth Ellis Wetherington, 60, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The safety of our communities is not negotiable. To reduce violent crime, it is necessary to incapacitate chronic violent offenders, like this defendant, through robust prosecutions and strict incarceration policies. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute crimes like this to deliver the safe communities our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that on the evening of November 21, 2025, law enforcement was dispatched to an apartment complex in reference to multiple reports of shots fired. Upon further investigation, law enforcement learned that the defendant had discharged several “warning shots” from a firearm during a confrontation with other individuals on the property. Law enforcement detained the defendant and obtained a search warrant for his apartment, where they located a handgun, a shotgun, and multiple types of ammunition. The defendant is not permitted to have any firearms or ammunition because he has eleven felony convictions, including a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Wetherington faces a maximum term of fifteen years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Fugitive Taiwanese National Charged with Drug Trafficking is Detained and Removed from the United StatesRead the Press Release
Fugitive Taiwanese National Charged with Drug Trafficking is Detained and Removed from the United States
CONCORD –U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces the removal from the United States of Yi-Han Liou, a Taiwanese fugitive from justice with alleged ties to organized crime. Liou was unlawfully present in the United States.
On June 4, 2026, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations removed Taiwan national Yi-Han Liou from the United States to Taiwan where she had fled charges related to drug trafficking and fraud. Liou, who overstayed her entry to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, was arrested by ICE and detained in New Hampshire pending her removal from the United States. The U.S. Attorney’s Office defended the U.S. Government in a court action filed in the District of New Hampshire by Liou seeking that she be released from detention back into the interior.
Liou is alleged by Taiwanese authorities to have trafficked cocaine and marijuana from the United States and Canada to Taiwan by air freight. Drug smuggling allegations include Liou’s involvement in shipping 637.5 grams of cocaine concealed in candlesticks to contacts in Taiwan. Liou also faces charges in Taiwan related to alleged fraud and embezzlement. She was arrested by local authorities upon her arrival in Taiwan.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations detained and removed Liou following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Taiwan National Police Agency, Criminal Investigation Bureau. This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel Martin
Former Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Public Corruption SchemeRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, VI –United States Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Ray Martinez, former Commissioner of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD), was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to 120 months in federal prison for his role in a public corruption scheme involving bribery, honest services wire fraud, money laundering, and obstruction of justice.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Kearney ordered Martinez to serve three years of supervised release. The Court also entered a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $127,870.34; ordered restitution totaling $77,257.39; imposed a $5,000 fine; and ordered the payment of $900 in special assessments.
Following a jury trial, Martinez was convicted of five counts of Honest Services Wire Fraud, one count of Bribery Concerning Programs Receiving Federal Funds, one count of Money Laundering Conspiracy, and two counts of Obstruction of Justice. Evidence presented at trial established that Martinez abused his position as VIPD Commissioner by accepting numerous bribes from government contractor David Whitaker in exchange for official actions benefiting Whitaker and his business. The bribes included luxury travel, hotel accommodations, school tuition payments, rent payments, restaurant-related expenses, and other personal benefits.
The evidence further established that Martinez approved and facilitated government payments to Whitaker’s company, Mon Ethos, including inflated invoices funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. The scheme generated more than $1 million in government payments to Mon Ethos and resulted in substantial personal benefits to Martinez. The jury also found that Martinez obstructed the federal investigation by attempting to conceal the bribery scheme, directing efforts to destroy or transfer evidence, and creating a false promissory note that was later produced in response to a federal grand jury subpoena.
“Corruption is inexcusable,” said United States Attorney Adam Sleeper. “Public officials—especially law enforcement—have a duty to protect the people they serve. This sentence provides accountability and serves as a warning for those who would betray the public trust.”
“This case demonstrates the strong partnership between the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in combating public corruption,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “No public official is above the law, and today’s sentencing reinforces our shared commitment to safeguarding the integrity of government institutions to the benefit of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Trial Attorney Alexandre Dempsey of the Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Cherrisse R. Amaro of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands.Former Tamaqua Police Officer Sentenced to 330 Months in Prison for Production of Child Pornography, Creation of an Animal Crush VideoRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher J. Cordes, age 31, of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on Friday, June 5, 2026, by United States District Court Judge Joseph F. Saporito, Jr., to 330 months, or 27.5 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity, attempted receipt of and possession of child pornography, creation of an animal crush video, and production of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, while employed as a Tamaqua Police Officer for the Tamaqua Police Department in 2023 and 2024, Cordes communicated with at least one minor victim on a social media platform, whom he solicited to create sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. Additionally, Cordes used social media to solicit the receipt of child pornography from others. Cordes also created and then sent a video to at least one minor victim, and others, depicting himself engaged in sexual activity with animals. When Cordes was arrested, he was in possession of child pornography.
“As a former police officer, Cordes understood the trust our communities place in those who wear a badge, and violated that trust in the most disturbing way,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia Nathan Abel. “This sentence reflects the persistent work of HSI special agents and our partners at the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to uncover his conduct, support the victims, and ensure he will never again have the opportunity to exploit a child.”
“This case involved truly disturbing conduct that has no place in a civilized society, and we thank our federal partners for collaboration that ultimately removed a predator from the community for multiple decades,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said.
Homeland Security Investigations and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luisa Honora Berti prosecuted the case.
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 the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Former Taliban Commander Sentenced to 42 Years in Prison for Hostage Taking and Providing Material Support for Acts of Terrorism Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
Haji Najibullah, 50, of Afghanistan, also known as “Najibullah Naim,” also known as “Abu Tayeb,” also known as “Atiqullah,” also known as “Nesar Ahmad Mohammad,” was sentenced to 42 years in prison and five years of supervised release for terrorism charges based on his role in the hostage taking of an American journalist and two Afghan nationals in Afghanistan and Pakistan in 2008 and 2009, and his leadership of Taliban fighters who carried out attacks on U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2009, resulting in the deaths of American soldiers and other victims. On April 25, 2025, Najibullah pleaded guilty to hostage taking and providing material support for acts of terrorism resulting in death. Today’s sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla.
“Those who harm Americans and engage in acts of terrorism will be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter how long it takes,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “As a Taliban commander, Najibullah supported brutal terrorist attacks that killed American servicemembers and orchestrated the savage hostage-taking of an American journalist and Afghan civilians. Today’s sentence delivers justice for the victims and their families.”
“This former Taliban commander led fighters who committed acts of terrorism that resulted in the killing of U.S. servicemembers and engaged in hostage-taking, and now he will pay the price for his brutal crimes,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The men and women of the FBI will not forget when Americans are killed or taken hostage by terrorists. We will find you no matter where you are and work with our partners to bring you to justice.”
“Najibullah commanded Taliban fighters responsible for enforcing the Taliban’s ruthless reign of terror, including fighters who carried out the 2008 attack that killed three U.S. servicemembers and their interpreter,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “However incomplete, today’s sentence delivers long‑awaited accountability and a measure of justice to the families of the victims.”
“Haji Najibullah, a former Taliban commander, is a convicted terrorist whose conduct resulted in the brutal hostage taking of innocent civilians and the killing of U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “He caused unimaginable harm to the victims of his crimes and their loved ones. Today’s sentence sends a clear message that there will be dire consequences for those who aim to harm Americans and our brave military personnel through acts of terror. Our Office, and our dedicated partners in law enforcement, will continue to investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice terrorists around the world.”
As reflected in the charging instruments, court filings, and statements in the public record:
Starting in or around October 2001, as a result of the U.S. and NATO-led invasion of Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Taliban — a militant Islamist organization that provided safe harbor to some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists, including Osama bin Laden —engaged in a deadly insurgency campaign aimed at killing U.S. servicemembers and their allies and terrorizing civilians. As part of that campaign of jihadist violence, the Taliban conducted numerous suicide bombings, targeted killings, assassinations, improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, paramilitary ambushes, and hostage takings against military personnel and civilians.
Between in or around 2007 and 2009, Najibullah served as a Taliban commander in Afghanistan’s Wardak Province, which borders Kabul. During that time, Taliban fighters under his command were prepared to and did carry out deadly attacks against American and NATO troops and their Afghan allies, using, among other things, (i) suicide bombers, (ii) automatic weapons, (iii) IEDs, and (iv) rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and other anti-tank weapons and explosives, including against U.S. military helicopters. Najibullah proudly spoke about the brutality of the attacks that he and his men were prepared to conduct, including by stating that his men were “ready to die” and “put on a belt and blow themselves up if we ask them.”
On or about June 26, 2008, Taliban fighters under Najibullah’s command ambushed and attacked a U.S. military convoy in the vicinity of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, with IEDs, RPGs, and automatic weapons, killing three U.S. Army servicemembers: Sergeants First Class Matthew L. Hilton and Joseph A. McKay and Sergeant Mark Palmateer, as well as their Afghan interpreter. Several other servicemembers were also injured in the attack. Najibullah later claimed responsibility for the attack, telling multiple individuals that his men carried out the attack and that it resulted in the deaths of U.S. servicemembers. A few months later, he and fighters under his command attacked and destroyed an Afghan National Police outpost using automatic weapons and rockets, reportedly killing three Afghan police officers.
Najibullah’s campaign of terror also was directed at civilians. On or about Nov. 10, 2008, Najibullah and other Taliban fighters kidnapped an American New York Times journalist (Hostage-1) and two Afghan nationals traveling with Hostage-1 at gunpoint in Afghanistan. For the next approximately seven months, Najibullah held the hostages captive in the Taliban-controlled tribal areas of Pakistan, under the constant watch of guards armed with machineguns. Najibullah and his co-conspirators forced the hostages to make ransom calls and proof of life videos, intended to extort ransom payments and the release of Taliban prisoners by the United States Government, and during which the hostages emotionally pleaded for their lives. In one such video, Najibullah forced Hostage-1 to say, with a machinegun pointed at his head, “If you don’t help me, I will die. Now, the key is in your hand. . . . If you do not meet their demands, you will be responsible for my killing, not the Taliban. Please help me, please have mercy on me. Do not shed my blood. Please, save me. I want to go home.” Eventually, the hostages were able to escape and return to their families.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD. He also thanked the New York and New Jersey Port Authority Police, the Department of Defense, and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division for their assistance with this investigation, as well as the Ukrainian authorities and the Office of International Affairs of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division for their assistance in the arrest and transfer of the defendant.
This prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Adelsberg, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and David J. Robles are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section of the National Security Division.
Former Assistant Superintendent of Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Pleads Guilty to Ordering Employees to Perform Maintenance at His Home, as Well as Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former Assistant Superintendent at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) pleaded guilty on June 5, 2026 in federal court in Boston to using his official position to order NCSO employees to perform maintenance at his residence. The defendant is also convicted of witness tampering.
Thomas Brady, 54, of Norwood, pleaded guilty today to one count of witness tampering and one count of use of interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for Sept. 28, 2026.
From 2021 through May 2023, Brady served as the Assistant Deputy Superintendent (ADS) for Jail Operations at NCSO. Brady was promoted in May 2023 to Assistant Superintendent. In October and November 2022, Brady utilized his official position and authority as an ADS to order an NCSO maintenance officer (Maintenance Officer A), who was subordinate in position to Brady, to perform home repairs at his residence during and after work hours. Because of Brady’s official position and authority as an ADS at NCSO, Maintenance Officer A feared that if he refused Brady’s request to help fix the heating system, Brady would use his official position and authority to negatively affect Maintenance Officer A’s job position at NCSO—including the possibility of causing Maintenance Officer A to lose his preferred shift schedule, position and/or employment at NCSO.
Maintenance Officer A complied with the order, and on or about Oct. 6, 2022, drove to Brady’s residence to troubleshoot his heating system during NCSO work hours. After Brady had subsequent problems with his heating system and contacted Maintenance Officer A to replace the circulator pump. On or about Oct. 15, 2022, Maintenance Officer B learned that Brady was looking for Maintenance Officer A and the two exchanged the following text messages:
On two occasions between Nov. 1, 2022 and Nov. 2, 2022, Maintenance Officer A returned to Brady’s residence, with Maintenance Officer B assisting, where they drained the hot water system, removed the old circulator pump and installed the new circulator pump.
On or about June 16, 2023, another maintenance officer at NCSO, Maintenance Officer C, reported Brady to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission (SEC) for Brady having subordinate NCSO employees perform work at his private residence. The SEC subsequently initiated an investigation into Brady, interviewing Maintenance Officer A and Maintenance Officer B.
At some point prior to Oct. 5, 2023, Brady learned about the SEC investigation and Maintenance Officer B’s involvement. On or about Oct. 5, 2023, Brady mailed a letter to the SEC, falsely signing the letter from Maintenance Officer C. The letter to the SEC was handwritten and divulged information about a confidential, internal NCSO investigation into Maintenance Officer B. Brady listed himself as a witness to the investigation in the letter.
Federal investigators examined the postage stamp on the envelope to the SEC and confirmed that a fingerprint found underneath the stamp belonged to Brady. In addition, the flap and corresponding region of the envelope to the SEC were examined and it was confirmed that male DNA obtained from envelope belonged to the Brady.
The charge of witness tampering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The charge of use of interstate facilities to commit bribery and extortion provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
Ford County Man Sentenced to Additional 21 Months in Prison for Mailing Threats to Prior VictimRead the Press Release
URBANA, Ill. – A Roberts, Illinois, man, Paul Theesfield, 41, of the 200 block of Maple Avenue, was sentenced June 8, 2026, to 21 months of imprisonment for mailing a threatening communication. The sentence will be served consecutively to the twelve-year sentence he is currently serving for attempted kidnapping.
On February 5, 2026, Theesfield pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long to mailing a threatening communication to a victim in Gibson City, Illinois, on October 3, 2023. The long and graphic letter threatened to harm the victim’s husband and sexually assault the victim. Theesfield mailed the letter from the Bureau of Prisons Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, where he is serving a federal sentence for attempted kidnapping.
The victim of the threatening letter was the same woman Theesfield had attempted to kidnap on December 5, 2020. On that day, Theesfield repeatedly drove past the intended victim in Gibson City using his SUV to strike the woman from behind, attempting to incapacitate her and kidnap her. The woman recognized Theesfield and screamed for help, causing him to flee the scene. Theesfield and his vehicle were later found at his residence by a Ford County Deputy. After initially telling authorities he accidentally struck the woman, Theesfield admitted his kidnapping plan and was arrested. The Ford County Sheriff later seized handcuffs, wire rope chokers, zip ties, duct tape, an electric cattle prod, and other items from Theesfield’s place of employment.
At the sentencing hearing, the government also noted Theesfield committed a similar uncharged attempted kidnapping on September 25, 2009, in Champaign, Illinois. On that date, he struck a woman with his vehicle and physically attacked her while attempting to tie her up with a strap. The victim screamed and kicked eventually freeing herself. Theesfield left the scene and was not identified until after his arrest for the 2020 incident.
Theesfield’s 2020 victim presented a written statement during the sentencing hearing that detailed the additional trauma from his threatening letter. U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce rejected Theesfield’s request for a concurrent sentence of imprisonment and imposed the 21-month sentence consecutively, as requested by the government. In doing so, Judge Bruce agreed with the government’s arguments that a consecutive sentence was necessary to deter Theesfield and to protect the public from further crimes by Theesfield. The statutory penalty for mailing a threatening communication is up to five years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release.The case investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller represented the government in the prosecution.
Five Members of Interstate Drug & Gun Trafficking Network ArrestedRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A federal complaint was unsealed today against five members of a drug and gun trafficking network that spanned multiple New England states. Ninety-four firearms were allegedly identified during the investigation, and one defendant is an alleged Trinitarios gang associate who operated a drug trafficking network in Maine.
The following individuals are charged with conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking:
1. Mackenzie Ray Bimpson, a/k/a “Mack,” 28, of Berlin, N.H.; 2. Michael David Miller, 31, of Littleton, N.H.; 3. Ernest Charles Laplante Jr., a/k/a “Chucky,” 56, of Littleton, N.H.; 4. Steve Perez, a/k/a “Bebo,” 34, of East Haven, Conn.; and
5. Nilbel Ventura Amaro, a/k/a “Nino,” a/k/a “Megamind,” a/k/a “Ben,” a/k/a “Migo,” 26, of Lawrence, Mass.Miller, Laplante, Perez and Ventura Amaro were arrested this morning on federal arrest warrants in connection with the investigation. Bimpson is currently serving a state sentence in New Hampshire.
According to court documents, it is alleged that Bimpson was the leader of the drug and gun trafficking organization until his 2024 arrest and conviction on state drug charges in New Hampshire. Bimpson and Miller were allegedly the primary drug dealers for the organization, cultivating bulk amounts of marijuana and selling large quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and other drugs to their network of customers in New Hampshire and Maine. Perez and Ventura Amaro allegedly supplied Bimpson and Miller with drugs in exchange for cash and firearms.
Bimpson and Miller could not legally possess or own firearms due to their prior criminal convictions. It is alleged that they discussed and acquired up to 94 identified firearms either through straw purchases, from private sales, or from Laplante, who allegedly manufactured homemade firearms (also known as “ghost guns”) in his residence. Laplante allegedly supplied privately made firearms to Bimpson and Miller in exchange for drugs and money.
Ventura Amaro was allegedly an associate of the Trinitarios transnational criminal organization who operated a drug trafficking network in Maine in coordination with the Trinitarios and under their protection. In May 2024, Ventura Amaro was allegedly kidnapped by members of the Trinitarios after he took over drug distribution in certain areas of Maine without including the Trinitarios or paying tribute.
Investigators recovered numerous photos and videos of, and conversations between, the defendants documenting their drug and gun conspiracy.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Division; Colonel Mark B. Hall, Director of the New Hampshire State Police; and Chief Paul J. Smith of the Littleton, New Hampshire Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; Massachusetts State Police; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Grafton County (N.H.) and Coos County (N.H.) Sheriff’s Departments; and the Berlin (N.H.), Lebanon (N.H.), Norway (Maine), Rumford (Maine), Lawrence (Mass.), New Haven (Conn.), Andover (Mass.), and Lowell (Mass.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Participates in U.S. District Court Journalist ForumRead the Press Release
MILWAUKEE — Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, was proud to participate in the Journalist Forum hosted by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on June 9, 2026.
The educational forum brought together members of the media, federal judges, court personnel, probation and pretrial services representatives, and attorneys to discuss the structure and function of the federal court system. Topics included federal jurisdiction, the roles of judges and court staff, the lifecycle of criminal and civil cases, jury service, and issues related to media access and coverage of federal court proceedings.
The event provided journalists with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the federal judiciary and the administration of justice, helping to promote accurate and informed reporting on matters of public interest.
“Participating in forums like this helps strengthen public understanding of our justice system and the important role federal courts play in American life,” said Attorney Schimel. “Open dialogue and public education contribute to confidence in our institutions and reinforce the principles of transparency and accountability that are fundamental to our democracy.”
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, efforts to educate the public about the work of government institutions remain an important part of preserving civic engagement and public trust. Programs such as the Journalist Forum help foster greater understanding of the federal courts and the rule of law, ensuring that the public has access to accurate information about the judicial process.
The Journalist Forum was conducted under established ground rules designed to encourage educational discussion. The event was not recorded, did not address specific pending or past cases, and was intended solely as a general informational program for members of the media.
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For further information contact:Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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Felon Sent to Prison for Illegally Possessing a GunRead the Press Release
A man who illegally possessed a firearm as a felon was sentenced today to more than one year in federal prison.
David Gregory Fauser, age 37, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a December 29, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Evidence during the case showed Fauser was involved in an altercation with his neighbor. Fauser went inside his home, got a gun, went back outside, and displayed the gun towards his neighbor. Fauser was intoxicated at the time. He had previously been convicted of third-degree burglary, a felony offense.
Fauser was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Fauser was sentenced to twelve months and one day of imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Fauser was released on the bond previously set and is to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on a date yet to be set.
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 case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa C. Williams and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol Tabacco Firearms and Explosives and the Waterloo Police Department. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 25-CR-2052.
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Federal Indictment Charges Former Chicago Housing Authority Director and Construction Company Owner with Engaging in $4.8 Million Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A former property director for the Chicago Housing Authority was given more than $421,000 in kickbacks from the owner of a construction company in exchange for steering that owner more than $4.8 million in construction and renovation work at CHA properties, according to an indictment returned today in federal court in Chicago.
The indictment accuses RYAN ROSS, formerly a Director in the CHA’s Property and Asset Management Department, of receiving the kickbacks in 2023 and 2024 from VANESSA RHODES, the President of Bell’s Better Buildings, Inc., a Chicago company that did business as Twenty Eleven Construction, Inc. In exchange for the kickbacks, Ross used his official position as a Director at the CHA to fraudulently award construction, renovation, and other work to Twenty Eleven Construction and another company affiliated with Rhodes, the indictment states. As part of the scheme, Ross and Rhodes also caused Rhodes’s husband to falsely represent himself to CHA property managers as an employee of the affiliated company who would purportedly complete the work on CHA units, the indictment states.
Ross and Rhodes concealed the fraud scheme, including Ross’s financial interest in the CHA work he awarded to Twenty Eleven Construction and the affiliated company, by submitting false documents to the CHA, including proposals, scopes of work, and invoices, the indictment states. Ross spent some of the kickback money to purchase a vehicle for himself and pay for repairs and renovations on his home, the indictment states.
The indictment charges Ross, 50, of Bolingbrook, Ill., and Rhodes, 47, of Chicago, with eight counts of honest services fraud, each of which is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Arraignments in federal court in Chicago have not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Machelle Jindra, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and Kathryn Richards, Inspector General of the CHA. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Prashant Kolluri and Hanna Helwig.
“Corruption in the awarding of public housing contracts undermines trust, distorts competition, and diverts already scarce resources,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Holding individuals accountable when they exploit their positions for personal gain is essential to protecting the integrity of our public institutions, ensuring that taxpayer funds are properly safeguarded, and making sure that everyday people in need of public housing assistance get the support they are entitled to under the programs. I urge anyone with knowledge of misconduct in the procurement of public contracts to report it to law enforcement; your vigilance is critical to protecting the fairness and transparency our taxpayers and everyday citizens deserve.”
“Ryan Ross and Vanessa Rhodes allegedly took advantage of a position of public trust to engage in a kickback scheme to enrich themselves,” said HUD-OIG SAC Jindra. “Their scheme corrupted the fair and competitive contracting process and undermined the confidence in the integrity of HUD-funded programs. HUD-OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable individuals who misuse public office for unlawful personal enrichment.
“Since the beginning of this investigation, the CHA-OIG has worked side‑by‑side with federal law enforcement to hold Ross and Rhodes accountable for their egregious corruption,” said CHA IG Richards. “They hijacked a program meant to repair and preserve Chicago’s already scarce public housing, diverting public funds to enrich themselves. We are grateful to HUD-OIG and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for aggressively pursuing this case and helping us expose and eliminate fraud in CHA programs.”
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
ross_et_al_indictment.pdfF.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison Encourages Albuquerque and Las Cruces to Apply for Model City Initiative Public Safety FundingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE - F.A. United States Attorney Ryan Ellison is encouraging local leaders in Albuquerque and Las Cruces to pursue funding through the Department of Justice's Model City Initiative, a new public safety grant program that will provide up to $300 million to support crime reduction and community safety efforts in a select number of cities nationwide.
Under the initiative, the Department of Justice will award approximately $300 million in public safety funding to two to four cities with populations of more than 100,000. Depending on the number of jurisdictions selected, participating cities could receive between $75 million and $150 million to strengthen public safety infrastructure and enhance crime prevention, intervention, and enforcement efforts.
Eligible funding may be used to support a wide range of public safety initiatives, including:
- Recruitment and retention of personnel in law enforcement agencies, prosecutors' offices, detention facilities, and community-based organizations engaged in prevention, accountability, and reintegration efforts;
- Acquisition of equipment, technology, and facilities, including forensic and DNA analysis tools, body-worn cameras, license plate readers, drones, counter-drone technology, ballistic identification systems, and real-time crime centers;
- Mental health and substance use services, including crisis intervention teams, outpatient and residential treatment programs, and recovery support services;
- Victim services, including emergency assistance, temporary housing, and employment support; and
- Youth crime prevention and intervention programs that address risk factors associated with juvenile delinquency and violence, including gang intervention and suppression initiatives and case management services.
“The stakes are too high for Albuquerque and Las Cruces to pass up this historic public safety funding opportunity. I strongly encourage leaders in both cities to submit competitive applications. There’s no reason that Albuquerque and Las Cruces cannot work with the Federal Government to crack down on violent crime and enhance public safety. I’m extending a hand of partnership to these cities, and I stand ready to advocate on their behalf in Washington.”
Cities will apply through a whole-of-city approach. That means that city leaders, including the mayor, sheriff, county prosecutor, and others will work together to submit one application that proposes a persuasive vision of how this money can be awarded strategically throughout their city to improve law enforcement engagement, victim services, detention and reentry services, and preventive programs.
Elizabeth Man Sentenced to Prison for Making Antisemitic Threat to Injure Public Official and False Statements to FBIRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 30 months of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his conviction of making a threat to injure a local public official and making false statements to government agents, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Edward Arthur Owens Jr., 30.
“Today’s sentencing sends two strong and unequivocal messages,” said United States Attorney Rivetti. “First, it reaffirms that our community remains stronger than hate. Time and again, the people of this district have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to unity, resilience, safety, and dignity for all. Second, it again shows that our office and our law enforcement partners at every level will continue to work side by side to ensure that individuals who commit crimes driven by hate—who harm, threaten, or attempt to intimidate others because of who they are—will be held accountable to the fullest extent of federal law.”
“Nearly 250 years ago, this country fought to establish a foundation of mutual respect and security for every citizen. The threats made by this individual go beyond just hate-fueled words – it is an attack on the very principles of our United States,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Richard Evanchec. “Hatred and deception have no place here. The FBI and our partners stand united in defending every corner of our community from hate and deception, and making sure those who threaten our peace face the full force of the law.”
According to information presented to the Court, on May 20, 2025, Owens knowingly and willfully transmitted via a social media messaging app the following threat to injure a local public official: “We’re coming for you [emoji of person raising right hand] [German flag emoji] be afraid. Go back to Israel or better yet, exterminate yourself and save us the trouble. 109 countries for a reason. We will not stop until your kind is nonexistent.” The reference to “109 countries” is an antisemitic assertion that Jews have been expelled from 109 different countries; it is used by antisemites to call for the expulsion of Jews from other countries and otherwise to promote hatred.
Additionally, on or about May 30, 2025, Owens made false statements to special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, telling the agents that his firearms—which included a .22 LR caliber rifle, an AR-15 style rifle, and a 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol—were all in the custody of his mother, that he did not know where the firearms were, and that he did not have access to any of them. Those statements were false in that Owens did, in fact, know that his 9mm caliber Smith & Wesson pistol was still in his custody and control (located inside the vehicle Owens drove immediately prior to making his false statements to the FBI agents), that he still had access to this pistol, and that the pistol was not in his mother’s custody.
Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Fischer noted that the defendant’s threat “created real fear and trepidation” for the victim and “caused the victim to have to change their way of living.”
Assistant United States Attorney Carl J. Spindler prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Owens.
District of Arizona Charges 271 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from May 30, 2026, through June 5, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 271 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 137 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 113 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 16 cases against 20 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. Federal prosecutors also charged one defendant for assaulting a federal officer.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Marie Rosa Vavages. Marie Rosa Vavages was charged on June 1, 2026, with Transportation of Illegal Aliens Placing in Jeopardy the Life of Any Person. On May 31, 2026, officers with the Tohono O'odham Police Department attempted to stop the vehicle, but it failed to yield. The driver subsequently drove at a high rate of speed, lost control, and rolled off the road. Border Patrol agents broke the rear window to extract the two rear-seat occupants. The driver, later identified as Marie Rosa Vavages, eventually complied with officers’ orders to exit the vehicle, leaving through the rear of the vehicle. Vavages and the two other occupants were transported to the hospital. The two other occupants were determined to be citizens of Guatemala, illegally present in the United States. [Case Number: 26-MJ-06276 – Tucson].
United States v. Kiiza Donald Atuhairwe. On May 30, 2026, Kiiza Donald Atuhairwe, a citizen of Uganda, was charged with Assault on a Federal Officer. On May 6, 2025, an immigration judge found Atuhairwe inadmissible and entered a final order of removal. On May 28, 2026, in the course of their official duties, two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers escorted Atuhairwe from El Paso, Texas, to Phoenix, Arizona, via commercial flight, with an ultimate destination to Kampala, Uganda. While on the short layover, Atuhairwe ran from ICE officers, pushing several people out of his way. Eventually, Atuhairwe stopped running and turned toward the ICE officer in a fighting stance. The ICE officer then attempted to restrain him. Atuhairwe bit the officer’s left hand and then bit the officer’s right ring finger, causing the finger to bleed. Atuhairwe was eventually restrained by law enforcement and escorted to a secure area of the airport. [Case Number: 26-MJ-8182 – Phoenix]
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-092_June 5, 2026, Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle Selected as NDMS 2026 Hometown HeroRead the Press Release
OXFORD – U.S. Attorney Scott Leary presented DeSoto County Sheriff Thomas Tuggle, the 2026 Hometown Hero award for the Northern District of Mississippi.
As part of Freedom 250, United States Attorneys’ offices (USAOs) nationwide are honoring the Hometown Heroes of their districts. The Hometown Hero Award commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America by celebrating the enduring ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility. This award is dedicated in recognition of a steadfast commitment to these ideals and an embodiment of the spirit upon which our nation was founded.
U.S. Attorney Scott Leary presented the award, “We are federal, you are State. We are continually attempting to improve our ability to work together to make Mississippi a safer state, because we love it here. This is our home. Sheriff Tuggle typifies this ability to work together. Not only is Sheriff Tuggle a gifted professional law man, but he also continually shows up for the children of his community. He works tirelessly at his job, especially for the kids. For some of them, a light will go off, and that is what we are going for. For all of these reasons we are honored to present this Hometown Hero award to Sheriff Tuggle.”
Sheriff Tuggle has dedicated his life to serving our country, our state and his hometown DeSoto County. Tuggle has served as a Marine, a policeman, a highway patrol officer and training consultant throughout his career. As sheriff, Tuggle has led the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office’s Youth Mentor Program which focuses on helping young people develop character, mindset and skills with the ultimate goal of improving their confidence and self-worth. At the end of the year-long program, those youth are recognized in front of their community for the achievements they earned.
Upon accepting his award, Sheriff Tuggle said he and his team are working with youth, giving them something else to think about other than guns. As a result, DeSoto County is having minimum teenagers shooting teenagers. They are teaching the youth of DeSoto County the importance of accountability that they must give in order to get, so they are starting to believe in that concept. He also discussed his time in the Marines and how it made him realize how fragile life is, by staring death in the eyes. Sheriff Tuggle said, “To receive this award is not only an honor but I share it with the entire team.” (The entire acceptance speech can be found here.
The Hometown Hero Award is presented to individuals who have made significant and measurable contributions to preserve and/or improve their community. Sheriff Tuggle has more than contributed to our community, he has been pro-active in all facets of his job and we want to commend him for his efforts.
For more information on Freedom 250 and the Hometown Hero award, go to https://freedom250.org/
Davie County Teen Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Threatening Mass Shootings at UniversitiesRead the Press Release
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – On June 9, 2026, Michael Zechariah Tedder, age 19, of Advance, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for calling universities and threatening to commit mass shootings. Tedder appeared before Judge David A. Bragdon and was also sentenced to 3 years of supervised release following his prison term.
According to court documents, on September 12, 2025, Tedder called the Georgia Institute of Technology, University of North Texas, and University of Louisville and made specific threats of violence. Tedder threatened to “slaughter” and “massacre” victims with a firearm and referenced “watch[ing] them choke on their [own] blood.” Comments by counsel at Tedder’s sentencing hearing referenced Tedder’s significant history of mental health issues. Tedder made the threatening calls after seeing media and online reporting about individuals disparaging Charlie Kirk following Kirk’s assassination.
In March 2026, Tedder pled guilty to communicating a threat in interstate commerce in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. § 875(c).
Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, made the announcement and thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Davie County Sheriff’s Office their response and investigation.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Charlotte Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Greensboro Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Eric L. Iverson prosecuted the case.
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Dallas methamphetamine dealer sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violation in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – A Dallas drug dealer has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Deldrick Damond Lewis, 40, was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in August of 2025. Lewis was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III on June 9, 2026.
According to information presented in court, Lewis was identified as a methamphetamine supplier during an investigation of drug trafficking activities in the Grayson County area. Lewis sold approximately 460 grams of pure methamphetamine during a drug trafficking transaction. Additionally, prosecutors presented evidence at trial that included Lewis’ social media accounts, text messages, and other evidence from his cellular phones. Lewis received a sentencing enhancement because it was determined the methamphetamine was imported from Mexico for distribution in the United States.
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.
This case was investigated by the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office, Sherman Police Department, and FBI’s Texoma Narcotics and Violent Crime Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Smith and Stevan Buys.
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Cuban National Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Transportation Security Officers and Local Law Enforcement Officers at AirportRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Cuban national pleaded guilty today to attempting to access a secure passenger boarding area using a fake boarding pass then assaulting officers at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
Jhon Raul Vizcaino Ramirez admitted that, on November 3, 2025, he presented a Transportation Security Administration screening officer a boarding pass in the name of another person and attempted to enter the passenger boarding area. After refusing to provide his identification, Ramirez assaulted the TSA officer. Officers attempted to detain Ramirez as he resisted arrest. During the altercation, Ramirez assaulted several additional TSA officers.
Ramirez pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with security screening personnel; two counts of assault, resisting, or impeding person assisting certain officers or employees; and one count of entry by false pretenses to secure area of any airport. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 10, 2026, before United States District Chief Judge Andrew P. Gordon. Ramirez faces the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment; a three-year period of supervised release; and a fine of $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Ramirez was originally found by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol on October 27, 2022, near Yuma, Arizona, after he illegally entered the United States from Mexico. Due to a lack of detention space, he was released. Ramirez has illegally remained in the United States since his release. Due to his most recent arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on him which means he will be turned over to ICE upon conclusion of his Federal criminal charges.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Frank Abreu for TSA Office of Law Enforcement/Investigations made the announcement.
TSA Office of Law Enforcement/Investigations with the assistance of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tina Snellings is prosecuting the case.
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Convicted felon going to prison on new child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Brett Bedford, 42, of Rochester, NY, was convicted of possession of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction relating to the possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Bedford was also ordered to pay restitution to victims totaling $27,000.
In November 2020, Bedford was convicted in New York State Court of Possessing Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child Less Than 16, and sentenced to serve six months in prison, followed by 10 years of probation. On January 27, 2025, a Monroe County Probation Officer conducted a home inspection at Bedford’s Penfield residence, during which the probation officer found, among other things, an unauthorized cell phone and SIM cards. A review of the phone recovered over 450 images of child pornography, including images of children engaged in sexual acts with adults. Some of the images depicted violence against children.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford.
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Convicted Felon Faces Federal Charges Following Shooting on Atlanta's MARTA Rail SystemRead the Press Release
ATLANTA - Anthony Gresham, a multi-convicted felon, has been charged with three federal crimes after he allegedly shot a 17-year-old boy aboard a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train last Friday.
“My office and federal law enforcement will continue to lean in and partner with local agencies to hold criminals accountable for violent attacks on MARTA, a critical component of Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure that is subsidized by federal funds,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Gresham was allegedly undeterred by decades of prosecution for robberies, drug trafficking, and other crimes, which compounds the need for federal intervention in this case.”
“Violence will not be tolerated on Marta,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The citizens of Metro Atlanta and our visitors deserve a safe and secure transportation system. This is a great example of the collaborative work of law enforcement to protect everyone’s right to safety.”
“The riders who depend on MARTA, and the officers who work to protect them, deserve to see violent offenders held accountable,” said Chief M. Scott Kreher of the MARTA Police Department. “I support and appreciate U.S. Attorney Hertzberg for his leadership in this area and for the continued partnership with the FBI AMMO task force as we work together to keep our communities safe.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information released previously: On June 5, 2026, a 17-year-old boy boarded a MARTA train stopped at the Midtown station in Atlanta. Anthony Gresham allegedly walked into the train car where the boy was seated, produced a handgun from his bag, and fired three times in the boy’s direction. The boy sustained gunshot wounds to his left hand and left leg and was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital. Later, law enforcement recovered spent shell casings from the scene of the shooting. Gresham allegedly fled from the train station but was apprehended two days later by FBI agents and local law enforcement officers in Douglas County.
Gresham allegedly has a lengthy criminal history that disqualifies him from being able to legally possess firearms or ammunition. That criminal history includes felony convictions in at least three different counties for armed robbery, aggravated assault, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, burglary, theft, and robbery by force.
On June 8, 2026, Anthony Gresham, 42, of Lithia Springs, Ga., was charged by criminal complaint with committing an act of violence with intent to cause serious bodily injury on a mass transportation system, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Gresham will appear in federal court to answer those charges at a later date.
Members of the public are reminded that the 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation and MARTA Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglasville Police Department, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, and Georgia Department of Public Safety assisted with the defendant’s apprehension.
Gresham is the second defendant charged within the past week with a federal crime related to violent attacks on MARTA trains. On June 2, 2026, John Elijah Matthews, 25, of Decatur, Ga., was named in a federal complaint charging him with committing an act of violence using a dangerous weapon with the intent to cause death on a mass transportation system. If convicted, Matthews faces the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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.
Contempt Proceedings for Failure to Comply with a Search Warrant Conclude with Vercel Inc., Admitting Wrongdoing and Agreeing to Pay Government’s CostsRead the Press Release
A U.S.-based technology company, Vercel Inc., agreed today to a enter a Stipulated Dismissal with the United States to resolve civil contempt proceedings related to Vercel’s failure to comply with a federal search warrant issued under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. According to court documents, Vercel Inc., failed to comply with its obligation to disclose information as required by a federal search warrant issued out of the District of Nebraska, until a federal magistrate judge made a preliminary finding that Vercel was in contempt of court.
“When a federal court issues a search warrant, it is not a suggestion, but a mandatory directive, essential to the pursuit of justice, that a recipient company must comply with,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division pursues technology companies who fail to uphold their lawfully mandated obligations. We are pleased Vercel has belatedly complied and accepted responsibility for the unnecessary costs incurred by the Government in this matter.”
“A private company withheld evidence in a federal investigation, and that poor choice landed them in federal court in Nebraska,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods for the District of Nebraska. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not stand for failure to comply with judicially authorized search warrants. We will protect our federal investigations to the fullest extent of the law. We are grateful to our partners at the Criminal Division who helped us recover this critical evidence.”
“While leading a high priority investigation with national and international impact, FBI Omaha and our partners served a lawfully predicated federal search warrant on Vercel Inc.,” said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “Vercel Inc.’s failure to comply with a lawful court order forced investigators and prosecutors to divert valuable time and resources away from primary investigative matters. To fulfill our mission of protecting the American People and upholding the Constitution with the speed and agility the public expects of us, we rely on companies promptly and completely providing evidence in response to lawful court orders. We will continue working with our Department of Justice partners to aggressively pursue accountability for organizations that fail to uphold their legal responsibilities.”
On Aug. 11, 2025, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ryan Carson issued a search warrant requiring Vercel to disclose the contents of a specified user account in its possession, custody, and control. Three days after Vercel received the search warrant, but prior to Vercel taking any action to execute the warrant, the user deleted the account. Although the deleted information was still located in Vercel’s servers in a deletion queue, Vercel did not recover that information and only provided the Government with some records associated with the account. Vercel failed to meet its obligations to produce the entire contents of the account, believing and representing to the court that the records had been deleted.
On Feb. 2 upon motion from the government and following a hearing as to why Vercel should not be held in civil contempt for failure to comply with the warrant, Magistrate Judge Carson issued an order finding that the Government had established a prima facia case of civil contempt and certified the case to a U.S. District Judge for further proceedings. Only after this finding, on Feb. 5 did Vercel fully comply with the warrant by turning over files it previously believed it did not possess and previously could not locate.
As part of the Stipulated Dismissal, Vercel admitted that at the time it received the search warrant, Vercel’s legal process response tools were inadequate in two ways, which together caused their failure to timely comply with the warrant. First, the tools were not designed in a way that permitted members of Vercel’s Trust and Safety team to locate, preserve, and produce certain content. Second, they were not designed in a way that permitted members of Vercel’s Trust and Safety team to locate, preserve, and produce content that resided in a deletion queue. Vercel has since updated its legal process response tools and procedures to enable the preservation and production of certain content associated with customer accounts, including content that is held in a deletion queue. Vercel has also agreed to pay the Government for the costs it incurred in litigating this matter.
FBI’s Omaha Field Office sought and obtained the original search warrant issued to Vercel as part of an ongoing investigation. Vercel is not and never was a target of the underlying criminal investigation. The warrant was served under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which allows law enforcement to use a search warrant to compel providers to disclose the contents of specified user records.
Senior Counsel Michael J. Christin of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Lynch and Daniel D. Packard for the District of Nebraska are litigating the case.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Stipulation of Dismissal here.
Columbia, Missouri Woman Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., woman pleaded guilty in federal court today for her involvement in a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.
Lakeysha Day, 45, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of wire fraud. In her plea agreement, Day admitted that she had completed and submitted a PPP loan application, falsely claiming that she was the sole proprietor of a business that had an average monthly payroll of $8,000. As a result of this application, a $20,000 wire transfer was issued on March 23, 2021. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Under federal statutes, Day is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer. It was investigated by the Veterans Administration Office of Inspector General.
National Fraud Enforcement Division
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.
Claremont Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm After Felony ConvictionRead the Press Release
Claremont Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm After Felony Conviction
CONCORD – Last week a federal grand jury indicted a Claremont man for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Gerald Hayden, age 45, appeared before the Court this afternoon for his detention hearing.
According to court filings and statements made in court, Hayden is alleged to have been involved in a shootout with another individual during a drug dispute in Claremont, New Hampshire, in April of 2025. According to the allegations set forth in the indictment, Hayden was a previously convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing firearms at that time.
The charge of felon in possession of a firearm provides a maximum prison term of 15 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes that govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation. The Claremont Police Department and the Manchester Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin are prosecuting the case.
California Man Sentenced to Prison for Evading Taxes on More Than $4M Million in Income and Operating Illegal Offshore Gambling BusinessRead the Press Release
A California man was sentenced today to 27 months in prison for tax evasion, operating an illegal gambling business, and money laundering.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Jason Noah Feinman, of Calabasas, California, operated a Costa Rica-based business that, among other things, operated a website used by unlicensed and illegal gambling businesses to facilitate their gambling activities. The website enabled customers of the gambling businesses to place bets through websites the defendant maintained, which is illegal under state and federal law.
Feinman then laundered the cash he derived from his business by exchanging it for checks made out to him or one of his businesses. For example, between May 18, 2018, and January 2, 2024, Feinman gave one of his customers more than $1.5 million in cash; in exchange he received 18 checks payable to him or his businesses for an equivalent amount. Overall, Feinman exchanged between $1.5 million and $3.5 million in cash for checks.
Between 2018 and 2022, Feinman also evaded taxes on income he earned through his illegal gambling business. Despite earning approximately $1.8 million in income in 2020, Feinman reported no taxable income to the IRS on his 2020 tax return and paid no tax for the year. In total, Feinman evaded taxes on approximately $4.2 million in income.
Feinman pleaded guilty to one count each of tax evasion, operating an illegal gambling business, and money laundering.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli for the Central District of California made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys John C. Gerardi and Charles A. O’Reilly of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Bronx Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl in New JerseyRead the Press Release
NEWARK N.J. – A Bronx man was sentenced to 70 months in prison for distributing fentanyl in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Juan Jose Patino Parra, 35, of the Bronx, New York, previously pled guilty to knowingly and intentionally distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge Jamel K. Semper yesterday, in Newark federal court, sentenced Patino Parra to 70 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release to follow his term of imprisonment.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On August 15, 2024, law enforcement arrested Patino Parra immediately after he delivered nearly 1 kilogram of fentanyl to a buyer in Fort Lee, New Jersey. A search of Patino Parra’s vehicle uncovered additional packages of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chana Y. Zuckier of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Paul Condon, Esq.
Brewer Man Sentenced for Assault on Cruise ShipRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Brewer man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for assault.
U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced John Kelleher, 46, to 12 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $360 in restitution. Kelleher pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026.
According to court records, in December 2024, Kelleher and the victim, his then-girlfriend, were traveling together on an international cruise. At that time, Kelleher was on state probation in Maine and was not supposed to leave the state without permission or consume alcohol. On about December 19, 2024, while onboard the cruise ship, Kelleher physically assaulted the victim by biting her and punching her. While on the cruise, Kelleher had been drinking heavily.
The FBI investigated the case.
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Bloomfield Man Charged with MurderRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Bloomfield man has been charged with second degree murder after allegedly fatally stabbing a man during an argument.
According to court documents, on May 20, 2026, Seviano Kee, 18, and enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, stabbed John Doe with a kitchen knife during an argument, killing him.
Kee is charged with second degree murder and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Kee faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Bangor Man Sentenced for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Bangor man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute.
U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Andrew Marin, 38, to 12 months and one day in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Marin pleaded guilty on September 10, 2025.
According to court records, Marin was found in possession of drugs he received from Massachusetts fentanyl suppliers in April of 2024. Evidence, such as phone records, indicated Marin had been regularly obtaining fentanyl from these same suppliers and distributing drugs in the Bangor area.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case, with the assistance of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Penobscot County 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.
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17.5 Year Federal Prison Sentence for Wetzel County Man Who Stockpiled Hundreds of Images of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – A New Martinsville, West Virginia man was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison for soliciting child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced
The investigation in this matter began after a social media platform submitted a cyber tip to law enforcement reporting it had identified known child sexual abuse material. Investigators determined that Jon Talkington, 37, had uploaded images and videos of the material to the platform in an effort to obtain additional files from other users. A subsequent search of Talkington’s phones and laptops uncovered hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material.
“Every offender who trades in this material contributes to the abuse of real children,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Offenders who choose to engage in this conduct will be held accountable and removed from our communities for a very long time.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Perri prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police investigated.
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.
U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey presided.
8 June 2026
Wisconsin Man Sentenced for Assault of a Ranger and Other Crimes Committed in Yosemite National ParkRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Michael Anthony Valencia, 32, of Appleton, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff to time served followed by three years of supervised release for assault of a federal officer, interfering with a government employee engaged in official duties, and camping without a permit, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, beginning in June and continuing through July 22, 2024, Valencia began misusing the 911 emergency system that serves Yosemite National Park by making a series of non-emergency calls intended to harass dispatchers and law enforcement officers. Investigators identified the source and location of the calls and hiked to the location where Valencia had been camping without a permit for an extended time. Valencia stated that if he had had a gun, he would have shot one of the rangers. Valencia then punched and injured one of the rangers who served citations to Valencia. Valencia has been in custody since his arrest in July 2024.
Valencia pleaded guilty on March 23, 2026.
The National Park Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Gappa prosecuted the case.
Utah Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Cyberstalking ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jonas D. Saunders, 22, of Vernal, Utah, was sentenced on June 4, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of cyberstalking and one count of using a telecommunications device to abuse, threaten, and harass. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Saunders to a total of 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Saunders’ release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
Saunders met Victim 1 in the fall of 2021 when they were both freshman at the same university. A falling out occurred and Saunders eventually transferred schools. In February of 2025, after seeing Victim 1 was in a new relationship, Saunders began threatening and harassing Victim 1 online and through other methods of communication. Saunders’s threats and harassment extended to several of Victim 1’s family members and boyfriend whom he also directly threatened. Many of the threats involved threats to kill Victim 1 and her loved ones using extreme methods.
Saunders’s actions included threats made on Instagram and X, through emails, and repeated calls to Victim 1 and her family. Further harassing actions of Saunders included seeking the assistance of a “hacker” to break into Victim 1’s accounts; sending a mass email to college students at Victim 1’s university exclaiming that Victim 1 was promiscuous and listing her email address; encouraging others on social media to contact Victim 1 and harass her further; and creating a website about her all with the intent to degrade, abuse, and harass her. Saunders’s conduct did not stop until police departments in both Victim 1’s and Saunders’s locations became involved.
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “Cyberstalking terrorizes its victims and traps them in a living nightmare. Cyberstalkers can reach their victims anytime, day or night, and they are relentless in their harassment of victims. The United States Attorney’s Office will be equally relentless in its prosecution of these offenders.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
United States Obtains $3.4M in a False Claims Act Judgment Against Nebraska PharmacistRead the Press Release
On May 29, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska entered a default judgment for the United States totaling $3,423,389.84 against Joan Kicken and AME P.C. d/b/a Campbell Drug, for violations of the False Claims Act. The court entered this judgment after Kicken and AME failed to defend against the United States’ allegations.
In its complaint, filed on October 31, 2025, the United States alleged that Kicken owned and operated AMC P.C. d/b/a Campbell Drug in Oshkosh, Nebraska, and sought to unjustly enrich herself by submitting fraudulent billing to Medicare and Medicaid. The complaint alleged that Kicken sought reimbursement from Medicaid for prescription drugs for which valid prescriptions were never issued, billed Medicaid for prescription drugs that were never dispensed, and billed Medicare and Medicaid for name-brand medications (with higher reimbursement rates) when Kicken dispensed generic versions of the same medications. It was further alleged that Kicken knew such actions and billing methods were improper, but she continued to do so for monetary benefit.
“Medicaid and Medicare exist to ensure that every American has access to the care they need. Fraud against these programs is an attack on that promise,” said the United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods. “This case demonstrates that we will pursue healthcare fraud aggressively and without hesitation because protecting the integrity of our public health system is protecting the public itself.”
“Those who defraud Medicaid and Medicare will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS/OIG). “HHS OIG will not hesitate to investigate, expose, and pursue individuals who knowingly steal from federal healthcare programs. When providers refuse to follow the law, we will take decisive action—alongside our federal and state partners—to protect these programs and the people they serve.”
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said, “Medicaid funds are provided by hardworking taxpayers. Stolen Medicaid funds harm Nebraska’s most vulnerable citizens. Thanks to the partnership of the Medicaid Fraud Unit, USAO, and OIG, the stolen funds were recovered and will be returned to those who truly need them.”
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support 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.
Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800 HHS TIPS (800-447-8477).
HHS-OIG and the State of Nebraska’s Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Unit provided investigative support.
U.S. Army Recruiter Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A former Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Recruiter has pleaded guilty to engaging in a fraudulent scheme to defraud a credit union by using her position to obtain the personally identifying information of U.S. Army recruits and recruit candidates and then submitting fraudulent bank account applications to the credit union on the recruits’ behalf, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Jane Crosby, 35, of Jersey City, New Jersey pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Between around September 2023 and December 2023, Crosby submitted “Pre-Active Duty Membership” bank account applications to a credit union on behalf of seven U.S. Army recruits or purported recruits, without their knowledge or consent. Such accounts are intended to facilitate the direct deposit of soon-to-be service members’ salaries once they join the military. These applications included the victims’ names and Social Security numbers as well as copies of their passports, driver’s licenses, and/or Social Security cards. Once these credit union accounts were opened, Crosby, posing as the victims, applied for approximately $266,000 in loans and credit card accounts and used the accounts to deposit fraudulent checks and withdraw funds.
The bank fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The aggravated identity theft count carries an additional consecutive mandatory minimum term of two years in prison and a maximum fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joel Kirch, with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Kober of the Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges 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: Thomas Ambrosio, Esq. and Harley D. Breite, Esq.
crosby.information.pdf