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Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
29 May 2026
Memorial Day weekend shooting part of 250 new cases filed in ongoing border security effortsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 259 individuals have been charged in immigration and related crimes from May 22-28 as part of Operation Take Back America, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The Southern District of Texas has filed cases against 160 illegal aliens for unlawfully reentering the United States and another 69 for illegal entry. Many have previous convictions related to narcotics trafficking, immigration offenses, violent crimes and more. An additional 28 people face charges of engaging in human smuggling, while the remaining matters relate to other immigration crimes and firearms charges.
Among those is an illegal alien from Mexico who allegedly fired an AR-style rifle at multiple individuals in New Caney over the holiday weekend. The charges allege Juan Ayala-Montero retrieved the rifle from his residence and fired multiple rounds toward a group of individuals, striking one victim in the torso and head. Authorities allegedly recovered an Olympic Arms .223 AR-Style rifle and approximately 30 spent shell casings at the scene. The charges further allege Ayala-Montero had been previously removed from the United States and was unlawfully present in the country. If convicted of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, Ayala-Montero faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
Criminal complaints also allege two illegal aliens unlawfully reentered the country without authorization. One is Marcos Ismael Escobar-Sosa, a Cuban national found near Mission, according to the charges. He allegedly has a prior conviction for felony credit card abuse and was most recently removed Feb. 6.
Authorities also allegedly found a Mexican illegal alien near Donna this week. Gustavo Arroyo-Anaya has a conviction for burglary and was sentenced to two years in prison before his removal in 2025, according to the complaint.
Both men could receive up to 20 years in federal prison, upon conviction.
In addition to the new cases, Leonardo Cordona-Hernandez, an illegal alien from Mexico, received a 72-month federal prison sentence for illegally reentering the country again. He was first ordered removed in 2011, but law enforcement later discovered him in Houston in February 2024 with no authorization to be in the United States. Cordona-Hernandez has prior felony convictions for robbery, drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Member of the Fully Blooded Felons Gang Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for RICO, Drug, and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND — Jeffrey Lee, a member of the Fully Blooded Felons gang, 25, of Cleveland, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, drug offenses, including fentanyl distribution, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
“This defendant, now a fully convicted and sentenced felon, will spend the next 12 years in prison because of his drug dealing and firearm crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The long sentence handed down by the court underscores the danger that drugs and guns bring to a community, and the seriousness of crimes like this. The Criminal Division will continue to seek lengthy sentences for gang members who commit drug and gun crimes.”
“We will not tolerate violent drug traffickers like Mr. Lee who devastate our communities and hurt people with the drugs they peddle,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “We want to acknowledge the investigators with the Cleveland FBI and the Cleveland Division of Police for their successful efforts which helped our prosecutors put this dangerous criminal behind bars.”
“We are steadfast in our resolve to bring justice to the families whose loved ones have been impacted by the actions of Jeffrey Lee and the Fully Blooded Felons,” said Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “For too long, these gang members have poisoned our communities through their illicit drug, gun, and criminal activities. This case and subsequent sentencing highlights the power of partnership, combining federal and local resources to identify gang members and drug traffickers leading to well-investigated cases. The FBI and its partners will continue to aggressively investigate individuals to dismantle their criminal network and eradicate violence and crime from our neighborhoods.”
As the defendant admitted during his plea hearing and in other court documents, the Fully Blooded Felons have been in existence in Ohio since approximately 2012, operating primarily out of the eastside of Cleveland, as well as Akron, Youngstown, and elsewhere. They are also active in the Ohio prison system.
The Fully Blooded Felons’ structure includes a “Commission,” which is a group of members tasked with maintaining the structure and organization of the enterprise through physical discipline and by determining which illicit means the organization would use to make money.
The Fully Blooded Felons had rules that members were required to follow. The rules were sent to members online, by text message, and in face-to-face communications. Members were required to abide by “omerta,” or the code of silence, and were required to memorize and recite at meetings the “Fully Five,” a set of rules that included following all orders issued by the Commission. If a member did not know the “Fully Five,” they were punished.
To further their drug trafficking, Fully Blooded Felons members used two separate stash-houses at a local apartment complex. During the execution of search warrants, law enforcement recovered close to three-quarters of a pound of fentanyl, as well as cocaine, methamphetamine, and seven firearms. In addition to the two stash houses, gang members also sold drugs in an open-air drug market that operated in the space adjacent to the apartment building where the two stash houses were located. Jeffrey Lee was an enforcer and regularly distributed fentanyl and other drugs on behalf of the gang. In one text message exchange, Lee asked another gang member where a .380 caliber handgun was hidden. Lee was also present at one of the trap houses when it was searched by police, who found over a half-pound of fentanyl, as well as methamphetamine, and cocaine, along with packing and other items used in drug trafficking.
The FBI investigated this case, with substantial assistance from the Cleveland Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch from the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Hanna, Robert F. Corts, and Margaret A. Sweeney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Member of the Fully Blooded Felons Gang Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for RICO, Drug, and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Jeffrey Lee, a member of the Fully Blooded Felons gang, 25, of Cleveland, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy, drug offenses, including fentanyl distribution, and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
“This defendant, now a fully convicted and sentenced felon, will spend the next 12 years in prison because of his drug dealing and firearm crimes,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The long sentence handed down by the court underscores the danger that drugs and guns bring to a community, and the seriousness of crimes like this. The Criminal Division will continue to seek lengthy sentences for gang members who commit drug and gun crimes.”
“We will not tolerate violent drug traffickers like Mr. Lee who devastate our communities and hurt people with the drugs they peddle,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “We want to acknowledge the investigators with the Cleveland FBI and the Cleveland Division of Police for their successful efforts which helped our prosecutors put this dangerous criminal behind bars.”
“We are steadfast in our resolve to bring justice to the families whose loved ones have been impacted by the actions of Jeffrey Lee and the Fully Blooded Felons,” said Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “For too long, these gang members have poisoned our communities through their illicit drug, gun, and criminal activities. This case and subsequent sentencing highlights the power of partnership, combining federal and local resources to identify gang members and drug traffickers leading to well-investigated cases. The FBI and its partners will continue to aggressively investigate individuals to dismantle their criminal network and eradicate violence and crime from our neighborhoods.”
As the defendant admitted during his plea hearing and in other court documents, the Fully Blooded Felons have been in existence in Ohio since approximately 2012, operating primarily out of the eastside of Cleveland, as well as Akron, Youngstown, and elsewhere. They are also active in the Ohio prison system.
The Fully Blooded Felons’ structure includes a “Commission,” which is a group of members tasked with maintaining the structure and organization of the enterprise through physical discipline and by determining which illicit means the organization would use to make money.
The Fully Blooded Felons had rules that members were required to follow. The rules were sent to members online, by text message, and in face-to-face communications. Members were required to abide by “omerta,” or the code of silence, and were required to memorize and recite at meetings the “Fully Five,” a set of rules that included following all orders issued by the Commission. If a member did not know the “Fully Five,” they were punished.
To further their drug trafficking, Fully Blooded Felons members used two separate stash-houses at a local apartment complex. During the execution of search warrants, law enforcement recovered close to three-quarters of a pound of fentanyl, as well as cocaine, methamphetamine, and seven firearms. In addition to the two stash houses, gang members also sold drugs in an open-air drug market that operated in the space adjacent to the apartment building where the two stash houses were located. Jeffrey Lee was an enforcer and regularly distributed fentanyl and other drugs on behalf of the gang. In one text message exchange, Lee asked another gang member where a .380 caliber handgun was hidden. Lee was also present at one of the trap houses when it was searched by police, who found over a half-pound of fentanyl, as well as methamphetamine, and cocaine, along with packing and other items used in drug trafficking.
The FBI investigated this case, with substantial assistance from the Cleveland Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch from the Violent Crime and Racketeering Section (VCRS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Hanna, Robert F. Corts, and Margaret A. Sweeney for the Northern District of Ohio.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Charleston ChildrenRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Hector Ivan Martinez, 20, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children.
Evidence presented to the Court showed that in the summer of 2024, Martinez targeted a group of 10 and 11-year-old minor victims in the Charleston community. Martinez posed as a 15-year-old boy and targeted the minor victims on social media. Martinez engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the minor victims and sent them sexually explicit videos and images of himself. He then manipulated the minor victims into producing and sending him sexually explicit images and videos of themselves. A review of Martinez’s electronic devices showed that he had targeted at least 45 victims across the United States. Martinez was also found to have used an encrypted application to contact an individual in the Philippines to solicit livestreamed child sexual abuse, which he then recorded and saved on his devices.
United States District Judge Richard Gergel sentenced Martinez to 240 months imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. Martinez will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of his crimes.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Charleston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Orville prosecuted the case.###
Maryville Man Sentenced to Prison for Attempting to Destroy an Interstate Gas Pipeline FacilityRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On May 28, 2026, Christopher Kyle Duke, 36, of Maryville, TN, was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Following his imprisonment, Duke will be on federal supervised release for two years. As part of his sentence, Duke is required to make restitution in the amounts of $23,236.27 to Enbridge, Inc. and $15,456.12 to Atmos Energy.
Today’s sentencing hearing followed Duke’s prior entry of a guilty plea to an information charging him with one count of knowingly and willfully acting in a manner to damage and attempt to destroy an interstate gas pipeline facility used in interstate or foreign commerce, in violation of 49 U.S.C. § 60123(b).
Court documents showed that on May 9, 2025, Duke drove to the Enbridge and East Tennessee Natural Gas LLC Natural Gas Substation in Maryville, TN. Duke then scaled the chain-link and barbed wire fencing surrounding the substation. Once inside, Duke recklessly released numerous gas valves causing an immediate, high-pressure emergency release of large quantities of gas which caused the ground to shake. Duke also intentionally damaged equipment used to monitor, meter, and regulate the transmission of natural gas to commercial and residential consumers in Blount County.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee and Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Nashville Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Maryville Police Department and the FBI.
Assistant United States Attorney David P. Lewen, Jr. represented the United States.
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Man Sentenced to 57 Months for Apartment Building Arson Where His Family Members ResidedRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Ronnie Bookhardt, 64, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today for the arson of a residential apartment building, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Bookhardt pleaded guilty on February 9, 2026, in D.C. Superior Court to one count of arson. In addition to the prison term, the Honorable Judith Pipe order Bookhardt to three years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, at about 4:48 a.m., on October 20, 2022, D.C. Fire Department Investigators responded to the sound of an alarm generated at a residential, 4-story apartment building located at 601 L Street Southeast in Washington, D.C. Fire Investigators noted an odor of gasoline in front of one of the units, in addition to substantial fire damage and water damage from two activated sprinkler heads in the hallway in front of the unit. Video surveillance footage captured the defendant entering a stairwell in the apartment building, stopping in front of a unit, manipulating a lighter, and pouring lighter fluid from a black plastic bag, causing a bright flash of fire in the stairwell. It was later determined that the defendant lit the fire near a unit in which his family members resided. Building staff later reported that the water damage caused by the fire far exceeded the fire damage. The cost of the damage was over $200,000.
Bookhardt was arrested on October 22, 2022, where he has been in custody since.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Interim Chief Carroll commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, D.C. Fire Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jasmine Dohemann, who prosecuted the case.
2022 DVM 000885
Lowell Father and Daughter Arrested for Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man and woman who allegedly operated temporary employment agencies without collecting and paying over employment taxes have been arrested on federal tax charges.
Lim Ou, 69, and his daughter, Nalen Ou, 39, are charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy and failure to collect and pay over taxes.
According to the charging document, Lim Ou and Nalen Ou allegedly operated temporary employee agencies that provided temporary workers to businesses engaged in manufacturing, packaging, laundry services and other general labor. Temporary employment agencies are responsible for paying wages to their employees, reporting the wages to the IRS on a quarterly basis, withholding payroll deductions from workers’ wages for income taxes, Social Security obligations and other amounts, and paying those taxes over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Temporary employment agencies bill client companies for the number of workers and the number of hours worked, and the client companies pay the agencies for the workers’ services.
Since 2013, the defendants allegedly operated temporary employee agencies under several successive names, including recently under the names KHL, Inc. and Top Labors, Inc. Between 2019 and 2025, the defendants allegedly used a check cashing company in Worcester, Mass. to cash more than $57 million in checks that the defendants’ agencies received from client companies in payment for workers’ labor. The defendants allegedly used more than $ 48 million of the $57 million to pay employees their wages in cash “under the table,” that is, without reporting the payroll to the IRS or paying required taxes on the wages. The defendants also allegedly failed to pay more than $12 million in federal employment taxes they owed to the IRS from their agencies’ operations.
The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and restitution. The charge of failure to collect or pay over taxes also provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, and restitution. 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 Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor A. Wild of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Louisiana Woman Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Relief SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Louisiana woman pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to her involvement in a multi-state scheme to obtain millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds for herself and others.
Lisa Lemoine, 38, of Bossier City, La., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled a sentencing hearing for Sept. 1, 2026. Lemoine was charged in March 2026.
Lemoine conspired with her alleged co-conspirators, Sniders Jean-Jacques, Lorne Johnson, Tanya Pierre, Ashley Spike and others, to submit fraudulent PPP applications on behalf of borrowers and to collect up to 30 percent of the loan proceeds as a fee for securing the loans. Beginning in March 2021, Lemoine recruited borrowers who were ineligible for PPP loans, claimed the borrowers operated businesses that qualified them for loans, and created fake tax forms to backstop the borrowers’ fraudulent applications. Lemoine received a kickback, commonly in amount equal to 30 percent of the loan proceeds, from the borrowers who received PPP funds based on the fraudulent applications, which she shared with her alleged co-conspirators.
Jean-Jacques, Johnson, Pierre and Spike were charged in a separate indictment with conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to this scheme.
The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the scheme, whichever is greater. 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 Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Jason Xerri, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General, Eastern Region; and Randy Maloney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Large-Scale Counterfeit Pill Manufacturer Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Cambridge, Mass. man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston in connection with an investigation of large-scale manufacturing of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine. Defendant communicated directly with illegal chemical supplier in China.
Schuyler Oppenheimer, a/k/a “SK,” a/k/a “Michael Sylvain,” 35, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV to 13 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In January 2026, Oppenheimer pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and two counts of wire fraud. In July 2025, Oppenheimer was arrested and charged. He was subsequently indicted in August 2025.
Oppenheimer was technically skilled in the chemical processes used in the synthesis of fentanyl, the compounding of controlled substances for distribution and the manufacturing of counterfeit pills. During the investigation, recipes, pill press molds used in the manufacturing process, documents and invoices demonstrating that Oppenheimer purchased numerous pill presses and parts for pill presses from online vendors were seized. Multiple packages shipped from China to Oppenheimer, and various female associates of Oppenheimer, that contained pill press parts, were also seized during the investigation.
Based on the review of orders and invoices from companies selling powders and other substances used in the pill manufacturing process since 2019, Oppenheimer obtained over 200 kilograms of these filler powders and manufacturing materials. According to the recipes recovered during the investigation, when manufactured into counterfeit pills, 200 kilograms of filler powder equates to millions of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Additionally, Oppenheimer communicated directly with an illegal chemical supplier based in China and inquired about the availability of controlled substances and fentanyl precursor chemicals and sought to import kilogram quantities of these substances. Fentanyl precursor chemicals are substances that can be used to synthesize raw fentanyl in a laboratory setting.
During a search in Cambridge on July 18, 2024, over five kilograms of suspected counterfeit Adderall pills containing methamphetamine and a loaded firearm were recovered. Based on prior felony convictions, Oppenheimer is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Lastly, Oppenheimer obtained over $40,000 through two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan applications that were submitted in April 2021. Oppenheimer submitted false statements concerning his income through self-employment for the 2019 tax years and provided false tax return documents substantiating that income.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Jennifer B. De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Cambridge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
Laplace Woman Guilty of Covid-19 Relief FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TIFFANY CARTER (“CARTER”), age 41, of LaPlace, Louisiana pleaded guilty on May 19, 2026, before U.S. District Judge William J. Crain, to False Statements to the Small Business Administration (SBA), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, CARTER made materially false statements and representations to the SBA, resulting in her obtaining fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loans. The total loss to the SBA for the loans is $731,972.00.
At sentencing, CARTER faces up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000.00, a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00, and supervised release for a period of up to three (3) years. Judge Crain set sentencing for August 18, 2026.
For more information on the Department of Justice’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn McHugh of the Financial Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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.
Updated 6/2/2026
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Kailua Man Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Vaughn Ludwig, 50, of Kailua, Hawaii, pled guilty on May 28, 2026 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2026 before United States District Court Chief Judge Derrick K. Watson.
As admitted in his plea agreement, from approximately November 2024 to May 2025, Ludwig conspired with narcotics suppliers to obtain fentanyl for further distribution in Hawaii. Ludwig was arrested on May 1, 2025, and caught with approximately 70.84 grams of fentanyl as well as $2,708 in U.S. currency, which he admitted were drug proceeds. In the days leading up to Ludwig’s encounter with law enforcement, he also knowingly assisted others in the distribution of heroin and fentanyl from a hotel in Waikiki. One of Ludwig’s suppliers, Charles Saikley, is charged separately and pled guilty on March 4, 2026 to possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Ludwig faces a 10-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment and up to life in prison, plus a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Eucker is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel Concludes Immigrant Welfare Eligibility Rules Apply to FCC Lifeline ProgramRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Justice released an opinion for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which addresses the relationship between the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) and the Lifeline program, which offers monthly discounts on telephone and broadband internet services for qualifying low-income consumers. The Office of Legal Counsel’s interpretation finds that to receive Lifeline benefits, a non-citizen must satisfy PRWORA’s eligibility and verification requirements.
Under this finding, non-citizens are typically ineligible to enroll in Lifeline unless they have been in the United States for at least five years with qualified status. FCC must also impose additional safeguards to verify eligibility for Lifeline benefits beyond simply collecting a subscriber’s Social Security Number before enrolling them into the program. This finding creates further safeguards to protect American taxpayer resources from abuse by non-American citizens.
“Today’s opinion further protects a critical public benefit that provides discounted utility assistance to Americans struggling to make ends meet,” said Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This Department will continue to put American citizens first and root out any abuse of taxpayer dollars by those in our country illegally.”
"At the FCC, our position has been clear. To receive federal subsidies like Lifeline, you must be a lawful beneficiary. The government should not be spending the money of hard working Americans to provide phone and Internet serve for ineligible recipients." said FCC Chairman, Brendan Carr. "Today's opinion from the Department will go a long way in putting an end to this kind of abuse. The FCC will continue to do our part, alongside DOJ, to impose additional safeguards and restore the public's confidence in the Lifeline program."
This action comes as a follow-on to the Office’s December opinion about the meaning of “Federal means-tested public benefits” in PRWORA, which reversed a Clinton-era interpretation that had allowed ineligible aliens to receive federal welfare benefits.
Read the full opinion here.
Jackson Parish Inmate Sentenced to Five Years in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Hoax Directed at Supreme Court of the United StatesRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT– On May 21, 2026, Alvieyle Moore, a 40-year-old inmate at the Jackson Parish Jail, was sentenced to the statutory maximum of 60 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to perpetrating a hoax relating to purported chemical weapons directed at the United States Supreme Court. In addition to his prison sentence, Moore will serve three years of supervised release following his release from federal prison.
According to court documents, Moore mailed a threatening letter to the Supreme Court of the United States that falsely claimed to be laced with fentanyl that would kill its reader. The letter, which contained approximately one tablespoon of a white, powdery substance and stated, “IF You Are Reading this you are gonna die soon because this letter is laced with Fentanyl!!”, caused the evacuation of the Supreme Court’s warehouse facility and prompted a hazardous materials team response.
The Supreme Court of the United States Police - Protective Intelligence Unit, United States Secret Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Ginger Green.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 25-cr-00257.
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Inmate Sentenced to 37 Months in Prison for Scheme to Smuggle Contraband into Metropolitan Detention Center in BrooklynRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Daryl Campbell was sentenced by United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis to 37 months in prison for orchestrating a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Metropolitan Detention Center (the MDC). Campbell pleaded guilty in September 2025 to conspiracy to possess contraband. The sentence imposed today will run consecutive to the 35-year term he is serving for a manslaughter conviction in New York County. Campbell’s co‑defendants and fellow MDC inmates Ian Diez, Jonathan Guerrero, Abel Mora, and Mayovanex Rodriguez were previously sentenced to terms of incarceration ranging from six months to 30 months. A sixth co-conspirator, Carl Kelly, is awaiting sentencing.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentence.
“The message to inmates from today’s sentencing is clear: go fishing for contraband, and all you will catch is another prison term,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The smuggling of drugs and weapons by inmates compromises the safety and security of the MDC. Our Office will continue to ensure that any inmates who smuggle contraband will be prosecuted and face the consequences.”
Mr. Nocella thanked the U.S. Bureau of Prisons for its assistance with the investigation.
“Daryl Campbell jeopardized the safety of other inmates and employees by obtaining illegal drugs and weapons while incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center. May today's sentencing emphasize the FBI's commitment to holding accountable individuals who smuggle contraband into our federal jails,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
Between April and June 2024, Campbell used a contraband cell phone to send detailed instructions to his co-conspirators on how to bring additional contraband into the MDC. As the organizer of the scheme, Campbell advised co-conspirators on how to package contraband, to deliver it to the MDC, and to get it into the jail, providing advice and guidance along the way as to how to accomplish each step in the process. In several voice recordings, Campbell explained his method of throwing a “line” out of a window of the MDC on to which a co-conspirator on the outside was to “hook” contraband, which could then be pulled back inside. On June 30, 2024, Kelly, Diez, Guerrero, Mora, and Rodriguez attempted to execute Campbell’s scheme. Kelly approached the front of the MDC and threw a rope made of duct tape up to the fourth floor, where Diez, Guerrero, Mora, and Rodriguez tried to pull it through the window of the recreation room in their housing area. Inside of the rope, correctional officers found papers laced with MDMB-4en-Pinaca (a synthetic cannabinoid), suboxone, marijuana, a scalpel, a phone charger, lighters, and cigarettes.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Russell Noble and Michael Manzo are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Special Agent Danielle Williams.
The Defendants:
DARYL CAMPBELL
Age: 40
Brooklyn, New YorkIAN DIEZ
Age: 22
Brooklyn, New YorkJONATHAN GUERRERO
Age: 38
Brooklyn, New YorkABEL MORA
Age: 24
Brooklyn, New YorkMAYOVANEX RODRIGUEZ
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-108 (NGG)
CARL KELLY
Age: 35
Long Island City, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-250 (NGG)
In Celebration of Freedom 250, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam Contributes to Family Violence ShelterRead the Press Release
Hagåtña, Guam – As part of America’s 250th birthday commemoration, Freedom 250, United States Attorneys’ Offices nationwide are honoring America by coordinating gift‑in‑kind charity drives for their staff to benefit local communities. In the District of Guam, United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson announced that the office conducted an employee charity drive in support of the Alee Women and Children’s Shelter.
The Alee Shelter is a 24/7 emergency protective facility that provides refuge for women, men, and their children escaping domestic violence, sexual assault, or sex trafficking. To safeguard its residents and staff, the shelter operates in a confidential and undisclosed location. Established in 1981, Alee was created in response to rising incidents of abuse and violence within the island community and has remained a vital source of safety and support ever since.
“As we celebrate the anniversary of our great nation, it is important to take a moment to reflect on what has been achieved and what remains to be done” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “There is much that we can contribute as individuals, communities, and organizations. Taking time to volunteer or donate to those in need is a step in the right direction. Our office, as a federal family, is contributing to an organization that works to protect the most vulnerable in Guam. We wish the Alee Shelter the best as it uses this donation to fulfill its critical mission.”
USAO Guam
Illegal aliens from Romania sentenced to over three years in prison for card skimmer conspiracyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two Romanian nationals were sentenced on May 27 to three years and three months in prison for conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, from at least Nov. 29, 2024, to Nov. 19, 2025, Adrian Vasile Marin, 36, Sorin Postolache, 37, and their co-conspirators used “skimmer” devices to capture the credit and debit card information and personal identification numbers from unsuspecting victims at point-of-sale terminals and automated teller machines (ATMs). The conspirators then used the stolen credit and debit card information to create counterfeit cards to fraudulently withdraw funds from the victims’ bank accounts.
Marin and Postolache used fake passports and identity cards to rent mailboxes to receive equipment, often from overseas, to construct skimmers. Their home and storage unit were used to store numerous partially assembled and fully assembled skimmers, skimmer components, pinhole cameras, parts and facias of ATMs to which skimmers and pinhole cameras could be attached, parts of point-of-sale terminals, and stickers of store logos. Those locations also contained $100,377 in cash, 2,881 stolen card numbers or access devices, and numerous computers, cell phones, SD cards, and thumb drives capable of storing credit card, debit card, and PIN information.
The U.S. Secret Service’s Criminal Investigative Division and the FBI Washington Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the New York City Police Department.
Former Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katlin O'Brien and Zachary Ray prosecuted 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 Nos. 1:26-cr-32 (Marin) and 1:26-cr-33 (Postolache).
Illegal Alien Who Lived in U.S. Under Stolen Identity for More Than Two Decades Sentenced to Prison for Voter Fraud, Identity Theft and Stealing over $400,000 in Federal BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Colombian woman, unlawfully residing in Boston, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for illegally receiving more than $259,000 in Section 8 rental assistance; over $100,000 in disability benefits; over $40,000 in SNAP benefits; and voter fraud. The defendant also applied for a United States passport and obtained a Massachusetts REAL ID along with eight other Massachusetts IDs under a stolen identity.
Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, 60, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 33 months in prison. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $404,194. She is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence.
In February 2026, Orovio-Hernandez was convicted following a five-day jury trial of one count of false representation of a Social Security number; one count of making a false statement in an application for a United States passport; one count of aggravated identity theft; three counts of receiving stolen government money or property; and one count of fraudulent voting. Orovio-Hernandez has remained in federal custody since being indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 and later charged in a superseding indictment in May 2025.
“For more than two decades, this defendant treated the identity of an American citizen as a personal entitlement – exploiting it to enrich herself, evade the law and access government programs and privileges reserved for lawful residents and citizens of this country,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “This was a deliberate, calculated fraud scheme carried out with blatant disregard for American taxpayers, our public institutions and the integrity of our elections. Even after her crimes were uncovered, the defendant attempted to flee and lied under oath. This case is exactly why we launched the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. These are not victimless crimes – and those who steal public benefits, exploit stolen identities and undermine public trust should expect federal prosecution.”
“Today’s sentencing holds Ms. Orovio-Hernandez accountable for a multi-decade scheme involving passport fraud, identity theft, and the abuse of federal programs,” said Nathan Hebert, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Boston Field Office. “DSS special agents will continue to investigate those who undermine the integrity of U.S. travel documents, defraud American citizens, and endanger the security of our nation. The collaborative relationships that DSS has with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners was essential in this investigation.”
“This sentence reflects the serious consequences of using a stolen identity to defraud government programs, obtain official documents under false pretenses, and undermine the integrity of our democratic processes,” said Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), Boston–New York Field Division. “The defendant unlawfully used a stolen identity to obtain Social Security benefits and commit additional federal offenses. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable individuals who commit false representation of a Social Security number and exploit Social Security programs for personal gain.”
“Orovio-Hernandez spent more than two decades living under a false identity while orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of more than $400,000 in taxpayer-funded federal benefits, including substantial HUD rental assistance funds intended to support our nation’s most vulnerable populations,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “Her actions were not a one-time mistake or lapse in judgment, but a calculated and sustained effort to defraud the United States Government over many years. HUD OIG remains steadfast in our commitment to working alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue those who exploit federally funded housing programs and threaten the integrity of critical public assistance programs.”
Orovio-Hernandez, a Colombian national without lawful status in the United States, lived under a stolen identity for more than 20 years using the name, date of birth and Social Security number of a U.S. citizen born in Puerto Rico. From 2004 through 2024, Orovio-Hernandez used the stolen identity to obtain nine Massachusetts-issued identification documents, including driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and a Massachusetts REAL ID. To obtain the IDs, Orovio-Hernandez repeatedly submitted fraudulent identity documents, including a Social Security card and Puerto Rico birth certificate in the victim’s name. Orovio-Hernandez also filed petitions in Puerto Rico Superior Court seeking a late-registered Puerto Rico birth certificate under the stolen identity and ultimately obtained the fraudulent birth certificate in November 2022.
Using the stolen identity, Orovio-Hernandez fraudulently obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal benefits intended for U.S. citizens and lawful residents. Between April 2005 and January 2025, Orovio-Hernandez improperly received approximately $43,348 in SNAP benefits after repeatedly claiming under penalty of perjury that she was a U.S. citizen. In addition, from July 2014 through January 2025, Orovio-Hernandez fraudulently received approximately $101,257 in Supplemental Security Income disability benefits after falsely representing to the Social Security Administration that she was a U.S. citizen born in Puerto Rico who had never used another name or lived outside the United States. Orovio-Hernandez also obtained approximately $259,589 in Section 8 rental assistance benefits from October 2011 through January 2025 after falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on federally subsidized housing applications and annual recertification forms.
In furtherance of the scheme, Orovio-Hernandez used the stolen identity to vote in the November 2024 presidential election in Boston. Later that year, in November 2024, Orovio-Hernandez appeared at a U.S. Post Office in Jamaica Plain and applied for a U.S. passport using the stolen identity, falsely claiming she was born in Puerto Rico and submitting the fraudulently obtained Massachusetts REAL ID and Puerto Rico birth certificate as proof of identity.
U.S. Attorney Foley; DSS SAC Hebert; SSA OIG SAC Connelly; HUD OIG SAC Rice; and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Northeast Region made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg and Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Four Arrested for Running Large-Scale Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking Operation in ClevelandRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Four Cuyahoga County men were arrested for allegedly running a large-scale drug manufacturing and trafficking organization throughout Northeast Ohio. These arrests are the result of an intensive, 15 months-long investigation by federal agents and prosecutors with the Cleveland Homeland Security Task Force.
The following individuals were charged by criminal complaint:
- Marcus Brown, 36, of Cleveland
- Kardell Henderson, 32, of Solon
- Terence Montgomery, 32, of Cleveland
- Devonte Poteat, 30, of Euclid
All four defendants were arrested and remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
According to a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) affidavit, in late summer 2025, ATF and Homeland Security Investigations, along with other federal and local law enforcement agencies, were investigating large-scale narcotics trafficking throughout Northern Ohio. Brown, Henderson, Montgomery and Poteat were subsequently identified by law enforcement as suspected drug traffickers.
During a search warrant execution of a suspected stash house in East Cleveland, agents located more than 20 bags that were later confirmed to contain various amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base (crack). One room in the residence was set up for drug manufacturing. Inside, items such as a breathing respirator and a drug press were discovered, along with a loaded firearm. Multiple bags of suspected illegal drugs, which were packaged and prepped for distribution, were also located throughout the residence hidden under mattresses, in furniture, and in a clothes hamper.
“This investigation would not be possible without the incredible collaboration among all levels of law enforcement here in our Northern District of Ohio,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer. “We have a common goal to target and go after suspected drug traffickers who destroy our communities. With the support and full resources of the Homeland Security Task Force we are equipped to stop violent criminals who profit from hurting others.”
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) remains steadfast in its commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate and dismantle organized criminal organizations that threaten the safety of our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo. “Through the coordinated efforts of the Homeland Security Task Force, we are holding violent offenders accountable and making Northern Ohio a safer place for all residents.”
“The Homeland Security Task Force works alongside state and local law enforcement to safeguard our communities and stem the flow of illicit narcotics into Northeast Ohio,” said HSI Detroit Acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “I am proud of the HSI special agents and our partners for removing these dangerous drugs from our streets and preventing further harm and loss for Ohio families.”
Additionally, several other locations in Euclid, South Euclid, and Solon connected to the defendants were also subjected to a court-authorized search. Items that were seized included bags of suspected illegal drugs, firearms, ammunition, digital scales, blenders, numerous cellphones, cash, and money counters.
Among all four locations, federal agents seized:
- 1,355.74 grams of Fentanyl
- 1,117.97 grams of Cocaine
- 2,709.16 grams of Cocaine Base (Crack)
- 5 Firearms
- More than $17,000 in U.S. Currency
Brown, Henderson, Montgomery, and Poteat were each charged with:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl
- Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine
- Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl
- Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine
If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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 Cleveland comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies including ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Border Patrol Air & Marine Operations. Local and regional agencies involved in this case included the Cleveland Division of Police, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Heights Police Department, Westlake Police Department, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office. Evidence analysis was conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Cuyahoga County Regional Forensic Science Laboratory.
Assistant United States Attorneys Marc D. Bullard and Scott Zarzycki for the Northern District of Ohio are leading the prosecution.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Gulfport Man Sentenced to Life for Fentanyl Offenses and 300 Months for Conspiracy to Tamper with WitnessesRead the Press Release
Gulfport, MS – A Gulfport man was sentenced May 29th, 2026 to life in prison for fentanyl offenses and 300 months in prison for conspiracy to commit witness tampering.
According to the evidence and testimony presented during trial, while Agee was serving a prison sentence in the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Beaumont, Texas, he ran a drug trafficking conspiracy based in Gulfport, Mississippi. Agee directed other members of the conspiracy to make fentanyl sales, transfer the proceeds of fentanyl sales, and store fentanyl through messaging applications, text messages, and video calls on a contraband cell phone. He also arranged for the shipment of fentanyl from Mexico to Gulfport, Mississippi for distribution. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized over 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, which was attributable to Agee’s drug conspiracy. Ultimately, the total amount of fentanyl attributable to Agee’s conspiracy was over 4 kilograms.
Shortly before trial began, law enforcement discovered that Agee was actively conspiring with others to tamper with the Government’s witnesses. He was subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit witness tampering. He pleaded guilty to that offense.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue those traffickers who flood our communities with poison. This case demonstrates that organized crime can operate from anywhere.” said U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger. “I commend my prosecutors and law enforcement partners their life saving work and continued commitment to this effort.”
"Fentanyl is a devastating plague on our communities, and the lengths to which this individual went to sustain his criminal enterprise – using contraband phones from prison and conspiring to tamper with government witnesses – demonstrates a complete disregard for human life and the law," said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw. "Thanks to the seamless, coordinated efforts of our law enforcement partners, a major source of synthetic opioids has been permanently dismantled, ensuring our neighborhoods are safer today."
U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi; and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Gulfport Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, and Federal Bureau of Prisons, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hunter McCreight and Jonathan Buckner prosecuted the case
Four Luzerne County Men Charged in Machinegun Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shaitq Crum, age 27, Nasir Shelton, age 24, Alphonse Bartiromo, age 18, and Brendan Shadle, age 23, of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, were indicted by a federal grand jury on machinegun trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Crum, Shelton, Bartiromo, and Shadle conspired to possess and transfer machineguns and machinegun conversion devices. A machinegun conversion device is gun part designed and intended to convert a firearm into a machinegun, allowing it to function as a fully automatic weapon. The indictment alleges the co-conspirators dealt in two types of machinegun conversion devices, that is, what are known as “Glock switches” and “auto-sears.”
The indictment further alleges that the co-conspirators obtained machineguns from multiple sources before selling them for profit, as well as manufacturing machinegun conversion devices themselves using a 3D printer. The indictment also charges several firearms trafficking offenses involving various firearms including an AR-15 pistol with an obliterated serial number and multiple privately made firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns.”
“According to the charges, these defendants were responsible for manufacturing and distributing weapons and conversion devices capable of fueling significant violence in our communities,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “Those who manufacture and traffic in these weapons and devices are contributing directly to the cycle of violent crime, and they will be pursued aggressively. I want to thank the women and men of the Steamtown Safe Streets Task Force and all of our law enforcement partners whose dedication and professionalism made today’s announcement possible. Your efforts are making our communities safer.”
“Firearms trafficking puts guns into the hands of the criminals who strike our communities,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “In this case those firearms included weapons designed to prevent their tracing, an illegal machinegun, and dangerous machinegun conversion devices that switch handguns into automatic fire weapons. Working with our law enforcement partners and using ATF’s unique capabilities, we helped expose this dangerous enterprise and will continue to work together to keep our Commonwealth’s communities safe from the dangers of firearms trafficking.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The indictment charges 21 counts of firearms offenses. The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses ranges from 5 to 15 years of imprisonment per count, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Fort Pierce Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Biofuel Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
MIAMI – The owner of a company that produced and sold renewable fuel and fuel credits was sentenced today to serve 18 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, and to pay $2,857,029 in restitution and a $150,000 fine, for his role in a scheme that generated over $7 million in fraudulent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewable fuel credits and sought over $6 million in fraudulent tax credits connected to the purported production of biodiesel.
According to court documents, Christopher Burdett owned a biofuel company based in Fort Pierce, that claimed to turn various feedstocks into biodiesel. However, when reporting the number of gallons they produced to the IRS and EPA, Burdett and General Manager Royce Gillham vastly overstated their production volume to generate more credits. When auditors sought more information from the company, Burdett and Gillham provided false information about their fuel production and customers.
“This was not a paperwork error or a regulatory misunderstanding. It was fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Burdett inflated biodiesel production numbers, misled auditors, generated more than $7 million in fraudulent EPA renewable fuel credits, and sought more than $6 million in fraudulent tax credits from the American taxpayer. Today’s sentence of 18 months makes clear that fraud against public programs carries real consequences. Public incentive programs depend on honesty. When companies lie to regulators and try to turn environmental programs into vehicles for fraud, they will face federal prosecution, prison time, and financial accountability. Fraud does not pay, and defendants do not get to keep the proceeds of their crimes.”
“The defendant lied to and defrauded the federal government, fuel producers, and fuel consumers of the United States by claiming and profiting from renewable fuel credits for fuel that was never produced or sold. His actions compromised and undermined a program designed to provide an abundant source of clean renewable fuel,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Leslie Carroll of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Florida. “Today’s sentencing shows that there are severe consequences for individuals who defraud the Clean Air Act Renewable Fuel Standards program and their customers.”
“Claiming fraudulent tax credits is not just cheating the system — it’s stealing from the American public,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott A. Johnson of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Florida Field Office. “We will remain committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that those who engage in these schemes are held accountable.”
Burdett previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and to file false claims. For his role in the scheme, Gillham was previously sentenced to 37 months in prison.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones, Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of IRS-CI’s Florida Field Office made the announcement.
The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and IRS-CI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Funk for the Southern District of Florida and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
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.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 25-cr-14071.
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Fort Myers Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Five Years for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Fort Myers, Florida – Walter James Marshall (32, Fort Myers) has been sentenced by United States District Judge Kyle C. Dudek to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Marshall pleaded guilty on February 11, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, on June 12, 2025, Marshall was stopped by the Fort Myers Police Department for driving on a suspended license. During a search of his vehicle, officers recovered a loaded SCCY pistol under the driver’s seat. DNA swabs taken from the pistol and from Marshall linked him to the firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Marshall is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.
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.
Former Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 12 Years for Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Fleeing ArresteeRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Former San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Richard Russell was sentenced in federal court today to 12 years in prison for fatally shooting a 36-year-old unarmed man who was struck four times from behind as he tried to run away from authorities.
Russell was convicted by a federal jury in March following a two-week trial and less than seven hours of deliberation. The jury found that the defendant violated the civil rights of the victim, Nicholas Bils, by fatally shooting him in the back as he ran away.
At trial, Russell was found guilty of both counts filed against him. For Count 1 - Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law – he was sentenced to 24 months; For Count 2, he received the mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months for Use and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence. The sentenced are to be served consecutively, for a total of 12 years.
“The Constitution protects every person from the unjustified use of deadly force by law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
“Today's sentence demonstrates the FBI's sworn duty to investigate any potential civil rights violation,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Working closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI will always stand behind our mission of upholding the Constitution and protecting the American people.”
Russell, who has been free on bond, was ordered to report to prison by July 13 at noon.
Before pronouncing sentence, U.S. District Judge Todd Robinson said: “Law enforcement is rightfully held to a higher standard because of the power they’re imbued with to protect the community…It is difficult to imagine offense conduct more aggravated than intentionally taking the life of another person.”
In a statement from the victim’s mother that was read by prosecutors at the hearing, Kathleen Bils said the loss of her son was “excruciating.” She described him as kind, thoughtful and gentle. “No mother should ever be awakened in the middle of the night to hear her child has been killed by law enforcement for running away. To hear that those trained and sworn to protect us have shot and killed one of us for fleeing is egregious.”
The victim’s cousin recalled a happy childhood growing up with Bils, and her grief over his killing. “My faith has been shattered. My family has been shattered . . . I just want Nicky to come home, but he won’t.”
According to evidence presented at trial, on May 1, 2020, the defendant—who at the time was a deputy with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department—fired five shots at the unarmed victim as he attempted to flee from custody while California State Parks Police officers were transporting him to the San Diego Central Jail in downtown San Diego. Four of the rounds fired by the defendant hit Bils, including one that struck Bils squarely in the back and fatally pierced his heart and lung. After being shot, Bils staggered to the northwest corner of Front and B Streets, where he collapsed, his body falling half on the sidewalk and half in a planter next to a tree. Other officers and paramedics tried to save his life, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital.
The shooting was captured on multiple surveillance cameras along Front Street, as well as on body-worn camera footage from officers who responded to the scene shortly afterward. No other officer on scene at the time of the shooting even pulled their firearm when Bils began running away. At trial, multiple officers testified that it was apparent that Bils was not a threat to anyone, that they never for a moment considered shooting Bils, and that it “wasn’t even a close call.” Other eyewitnesses, including a nurse and a firefighter, testified that they were “shocked” that the defendant shot Bils in the back. Highlighting the extreme danger he unnecessarily created that day, the fifth round fired by the defendant struck a civilian vehicle that was traveling southbound on Front Street at the time.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Askins and Michael Songer and Department of Justice Civil Rights Trial Attorney Lia Wright Tesconi.
DEFENDANT Case Number 24-cr-1015
Aaron Richard Russell Age: 29
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law Using a Dangerous Weapon and Resulting in Death – 18 U.S.C. § 242
Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $500,000 fine
Use and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence – 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)
Maximum penalty: Mandatory Minimum 10 years in prison and $500,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCY
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Former NYPD Detective Sentenced to 75 Months in Prison for Violent Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that SAUL ARISMENDY DE LA CRUZ, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k/a “Venom,” a former member of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), was sentenced today before U.S. District Judge Nelson S. Román to 75 months in prison for accepting bribes to provide members of a theft crew in which he participated with confidential police information about potential victims and ongoing investigations. DE LA CRUZ had pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, in connection with his participation in the violent theft crew.
“The NYPD is the greatest police department in the world,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Yet Saul Arismendy De La Cruz betrayed his colleagues and the New Yorkers he was sworn to protect. His selfish crimes cannot tarnish the NYPD but must be met with justice as they were today.”
As alleged in the Indictment and Superseding Indictments unsealed in White Plains federal court:
DE LA CRUZ was one of a number of defendants charged for participation in a violent theft crew led by the fugitive DAGOBERTO SOTO-RAMIREZ, a/k/a “Pito,” pictured below:
DAGOBERTO SOTO-RAMIREZ: WANTED BY THE FBI
Between 2017 and 2022, SOTO-RAMIREZ organized a crew that committed residential burglaries and home invasion robberies, repeatedly targeting small business owners. The majority of the targeted victims were Asian American. Armed with guns and other weapons, members of the crew stole money, jewelry, and other property from scores of homes in states across the country. Others took part in the crew’s criminal scheme, which also included the use of false identification, bank fraud, and laundering theft proceeds. In addition, SOTO-RAMIREZ and other members of the conspiracy bribed DE LA CRUZ, first an officer and later a detective of the NYPD, who helped members of the crew escape arrest.
SOTO-RAMIREZ remains a fugitive. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) at 1-800-CALL-FBI or https://tips.fbi.gov/.
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In addition to his prison sentence, DE LA CRUZ, 33, of Queens, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $100,000 in forfeiture and $219,459 in restitution to victims.
Mr. Clayton praised the investigative work of the FBI, the Westchester County Joint Organized Crime Task Force, the New York Public Corruption Task Force, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the NYPD, the Nassau County Police Department, the New York State Police and the Fort Lee Police Department.
The case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Josiah Pertz, Jeffrey C. Coffman, and Ben Arad are in charge of the prosecution.
Former Mail Carrier Sentenced for Theft of Postal Customers' Prescription DrugsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for stealing packages containing prescription medications from postal customers on his postal route.
Michael Vernon, 53, of Waltham, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to time served (one day) to be followed by one year of supervised release. Vernon was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,000. In December 2025, Vernon pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by a postal officer or employee. Vernon was arrested and charged in September 2025.
On Jan. 31, 2024, over 1,000 pieces of undelivered mail and 17 bottles of pills prescribed to 10 different postal customers on Vernon’s postal route were discovered in his personal vehicle. Most of the customers whose medications Vernon stole were elderly. The medications included Gabapentin, Chlorthalidone, Citalopram, Bupropion, Glipizide, Butalbital, Atomoxetine, Escitalopram and Tamsulosin Hydrochloride. These medications are used to treat nerve pain, seizures, diabetes, high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, depression, anxiety and ADHD. The pill bottles were dated as far back as June 2022.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.
Former DuBois City Employee Pleads Guilty to Helping to Embezzle and Launder $1.5 Million from City FundsRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A former employee of the City of DuBois, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of federal program theft and money laundering, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Roberta Shaffer, 61, of DuBois pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines on May 27, 2026.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, from 2010 until 2022, Shaffer was employed as assistant to the City Manager of DuBois, which received federal assistance through grants, subsidies, loans, guarantees, insurance, and other forms in excess of $10,000 in each of the calendar years from 2008 to 2022. In her role as assistant, Shaffer and then-City Manager John Suplizio opened four secret bank accounts that were neither approved nor signed for by the appropriate City officials as required under Pennsylvania law, with Shaffer instead signing the account opening documents at Suplizio’s direction.
Suplizio then diverted approximately $1.5 million that should have been deposited into accounts controlled by the City into the secret accounts, from which Suplizio used the stolen money to make payments on his personal credit card and to pay for various personal expenses, as well as for substantial cash withdrawals made for Suplizio’s benefit. Shaffer wrote and signed many of the checks that paid for the credit card bills and resulted in the cash withdrawals. The secret accounts were also used to pay for donations to local politicians, a fundraiser dinner for a local judge, and a City employee’s wedding reception. In addition, several cashier’s checks purchased through withdrawals from the secret accounts, as well as numerous large cash deposits, were later deposited into Suplizio’s personal banking accounts.
Judge Haines scheduled Shaffer’s sentencing for September 22, 2026. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, 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.
Suplizio’s trial is scheduled to begin October 5, 2026.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway and Special Assistant United States Attorney Summer Carroll (Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General) are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Shaffer.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.
Former Des Moines Superintendent & Guyanese Citizen Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Firearm and False Statement ChargesRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – The former Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent was sentenced to two years in federal prison today for false statement for employment and illegal alien in possession of firearms.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Ian Andre Roberts, 54, a Guyanese citizen, falsely stated that he was a United States citizen on employment paperwork related to his position at the Des Moines Public Schools in June 2023. Roberts was not and has never been a United States citizen. Roberts was not authorized to work in the United States except for an 18-month period between July 2018 and February 2020.
On September 26, 2025, Roberts knowingly possessed a loaded Glock pistol in his vehicle while knowing that he was unlawfully present in the United States. On the same day, Roberts also possessed three additional firearms at his residence, including a loaded pistol, a loaded rifle, and a shotgun. Underneath a floor mat in his personal vehicle, law enforcement also located a copy of the May 2025 order directing his removal from the United States to Guyana.
After completing his prison sentence, Roberts will serve a three-year term of supervised release, which will be non-reporting if he is removed from the United States. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Today’s sentence holds Ian Andre Roberts accountable for his criminal conduct and repeated violations of federal law,” said United States Attorney David C. Waterman. “By his own admission, Roberts falsely represented himself as a United States citizen in order to obtain positions of public trust and unlawfully possessed multiple firearms. That conduct undermined the integrity of our public institutions and the legal requirements designed to protect the public.”
Waterman added, “The Court carefully considered the facts, the applicable law, and the circumstances of the case in imposing its sentence. This outcome reinforces the principle that federal law applies equally to all who violate it. I commend our law enforcement partners for their professionalism, diligence, and commitment throughout this investigation and prosecution. Our office remains committed to enforcing the law fairly, impartially, and without fear or favor.”
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, investigated this case, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Iowa State Patrol.
Florida Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Biofuel Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
The owner of a company that produced and sold renewable fuel and fuel credits was sentenced today to serve 18 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release, and to pay $2,857,029 in restitution and a $150,000 fine, for his role in a scheme that generated over $7 million in fraudulent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) renewable fuel credits and sought over $6 million in fraudulent tax credits connected to the purported production of biodiesel.
According to court documents, Christopher Burdett owned a biofuel company based in Fort Pierce, Florida, that claimed to turn various feedstocks into biodiesel. However, when reporting the number of gallons they produced to the IRS and EPA, Burdett and General Manager Royce Gillham vastly overstated their production volume to generate more credits. When auditors sought more information from the company, Burdett and Gillham provided false information about their fuel production and customers.
Burdett previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and to file false claims. For his role in the scheme, Gillham was previously sentenced to 37 months in prison.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), U.S. Attorney Jason A Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Administrator Jeffrey Hall of the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, and Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI)’s Florida Field Office made the announcement.
The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and IRS-CI investigated the case.
Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Funk for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
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.
Federal grand jury indicts two Canadian men for conspiracy to commit bank fraudRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging James Rasmussen, 44, of Westmount, Quebec, Canada, and John Shestowsky, 51, of Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. In addition, defendant Rasmussen is charged with trafficking in unauthorized access devices and aggravated identity theft.
According to the indictment, between April 2018, and July 2020, Rasmussen and Shestowsky conspired with others to defraud financial institutions by false and fraudulent pretenses. In furtherance of the scheme, Shestowsky emailed Rasmussen the personal information, including bank account numbers, of various individuals without their knowledge or permission. On April 5, 2018, and January 2, 2019, Shestowsky emailed Rasmussen a listing of nine individuals, their addresses, phone numbers, and, for each individual, a bank name, bank account number, and note indicating a dollar amount in the bank account.
On March 26, 2019, Rasmussen, using the online name “chiefbanker,” established a vendor page on the “Nightmare” marketplace on the Darknet, advertising for sale “high value” bank accounts for “Fraud.” Between June 12, 2019, and January 4, 2020, Rasmussen exchanged a series of email communications concerning the sale of bank account numbers with an individual located in Buffalo, NY. During this time, Rasmussen emailed approximately 52 bank account numbers, along with associated personal identifying information of the account owners, to the individual in Buffalo, requesting payment in the form of Bitcoin. In exchange for bank account numbers, Rasmussen received Bitcoin payments totaling approximately $9,526.31.
In addition, Rasmussen incorporated a fictious business called “First America Solutions Corp.,” and then opened business checking accounts at Bank of America and Wells Fargo. He deposited 65 fraudulent checks totaling approximately $25,080.00 into the accounts. The checks were made using bank account numbers of 65 individuals, including a victim from Savannah, NY, in the Western District of New York.
James Rasmussen was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was held pending a detention hearing on June 8, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance with securing the arrest and May 28 extradition from Canada of Rasmussen to the United States.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment Charging Four Defendants with Robbery, Kidnapping, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Providence- A federal grand jury in Rhode Island has returned an indictment charging Alberto Rivera, 26, of Cranston; Richard Robinson, 35, of Providence; Brian Medina, 30, of Providence; and Nelson Gomes Goncalves, 25, of East Providence, with Hobbs Act Robbery, conspiracy, kidnapping, and firearms offenses related to the alleged armed robbery and abduction of a victim in November 2022.
According to the indictment, on or about November 23, 2022, the defendants allegedly conspired to rob a victim of a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and U.S. currency by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury.
The indictment further alleges that the defendants kidnapped and transported the victim from Massachusetts to Rhode Island. The indictment also charges the defendants with carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
An indictment is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie M. White.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
Eight Charged with Drug and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Eight individuals have been charged for allegedly participating in a drug and firearms trafficking conspiracy operating in and around Worcester, Mass.
The following defendants were arrested yesterday and remain detained following initial appearances in federal court in Worcester:
- Alisa Walsh, 34, of Oakham, Mass., was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
- Osiris Berry-Vazquez, 23, of Worcester, Mass., was charged with distribution of controlled substances;
- Fendy Martinez, 35, of Worcester, Mass., was charged with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance;
- Luis Muniz, 33, of Worcester, Mass., was charged with distribution of controlled substances;
- Luis Dick Rivera, 39, of Worcester, Mass., was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
- Fernando Valentin-Perez, 45, of Worcester, Mass., was charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances;
- Omar Ramos-Jimenez, 27, of Worcester, Mass., was charged with dealing in firearms without a license and distribution of a controlled substance; and
- Onix Aviles, 25, of Worcester, Mass., was charged with dealing in firearms without a license.
According to the charging documents, from March 2026 through April 2026, Walsh, Berry-Vazquez, Martinez, Muniz, Dick Rivera and Valentin-Perez allegedly sold controlled substances including cocaine, cocaine base (crack) and fentanyl to undercover law enforcement and confidential informants in and around Worcester.
It is further alleged that Aviles sold firearms without a license on two occasions, including a privately manufactured firearm. Ramos-Jimenez also allegedly sold several firearms and fentanyl to confidential informants in Worcester.
The charges of distribution of controlled substances and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years up to lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. The charge of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, six years of supervised release and a fine of up to $2 million. The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Special Agent Thomas A. Greco of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; t the Suffolk County Sherrif’s Department; and the Worcester District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen M. Noto, Brendan O’Shea and Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office are prosecuting the cases.
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 Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Eastern Washington Jury Convicts Three Defendants of Conspiring to Impede Federal Officers in the Execution of Their DutiesRead the Press Release
Spokane, WA – On May 28, 2026, a jury of twelve people from across the Eastern District of Washington convicted Defendants Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II of violating federal law by conspiring to impede law enforcement officers or injure property used in the execution of their duties. After 8 days of trial and over a day of deliberations, the jury found Defendants guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, of the crime. Sentencing has not yet been set by United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell, who oversaw the trial.
In the summer of 2025, a federal Grand Jury made up of different members of this community returned an Indictment charging Archer, Forral, and Mavalwalla, along with six other Defendants with Conspiracy to Injure or Impede Officers of the United States. The charges arose from an event at an ICE facility in Spokane in June 2025. That day, defendants and others prevented law enforcement officers from engaging in their official duties of transporting individuals from a detention facility in Spokane to a detention facility and the immigration court near Tacoma. For more than nine hours that officers were denied the ability to transport the detainees. The charged defendants and uncharged co-conspirators destroyed property, blocked exits to prevent officers from safely leaving with the detainees. Several officers testified during the trial that they feared for their safety because of the actions taken by the defendants and other co-conspirators.
After the Grand Jury returned its Indictment, nearly a year of extensive litigation took place, with each defendant retaining or being appointed highly-experienced criminal defense counsel. The defense lawyers in this case ranged from the two leaders of the Federal Defender’s office and two former federal prosecutors, to multiple attorneys from a well-respected private law firm in Spokane. Those six attorneys, engaged in extensive pre-trial motion practice. Judge Pennel presided over several hearings, denying motions to dismiss and presiding over the scope and admissibility of evidence. The other six Defendants pleaded guilty during this time, leaving three at trial.
Those Defendants along with their six defense counsel and two Assistant United States Attorneys, selected the jury. The jury selection process took over a day to allow the parties and the Court, to extensively examine the potential jurors to ensure a fair and impartial jury was impaneled.
Throughout the trial, there were ongoing motions and evidentiary rulings which included the exclusion of additional evidence. Much of the Defendants’ conduct on June 11, 2025, was recorded on video. The United States called numerous witnesses. Two of the Defendants exercised their constitutional right to testify while the other exercised the constitutional right not to testify. Defense called additional witnesses and the case rested on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. For over a day, 12 jurors deliberated over the evidence admitted. On Thursday May 28, 2026, the jury unanimously found each Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the charged offense.
“The United States Attorney’s Office has been encouraged to see so many members of the community engaged with this case. We look forward to the same level of public interest in all of our criminal cases against defendants charged with domestic violence and rape of children in Indian Country, human trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, violent felons with illegal arsenals, and the exploitation of children as young as infants and toddlers,” said Pete Serrano, First Assistant United States Attorney. “As our office has said from the beginning, everyone in this free country has the right to make their voices heard, and we encourage the exercise of that right. But no one has the right to cross the line into lawbreaking. We presented facts and evidence to a grand jury, made up of citizens from this district who found probable cause that crimes were committed. Upon being charged, these defendants were afforded their rights and represented by counsel throughout the process. For 250 years in this country, we have turned to juries to resolve those disagreements. Here, twelve individuals from across our community heard 8 days of evidence and concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that these three defendants committed the crime as charged, that they agreed to impede law enforcement officers and injure their property as they did their jobs.”
Mr. Serrano continued: “Just because the jury did not find in a way that some people wanted, does not negate the fact that a crime occurred. Our office’s sole motivation for the charging and prosecution of these individuals was to hold them accountable to the law as each attorney in this office has sworn an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution. This case was brought by my office, was agreed upon by the grand jury, and concluded with a multi-day trial by jury because the alleged crimes were committed. Statements made by current or former public officials who never set foot in the courtroom during the trial bear no relevance to these facts or the outcome of this case. There is no better system in the world for resolving conflicts than the jury system enshrined in our Constitution, and we should all cherish this right whether we agree with outcomes produced by our system. Had the jury’s verdict gone another way, the United States Attorney’s Office would be issuing this same statement today: the jury has rendered its verdict, let us all respect it.”
2:25-CR-00113-RLP
Dominican National Sentenced on Federal Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A Dominican national, living unlawfully in the United States, has been sentenced in federal court in Rhode Island for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Luis Alberto De Los Santos, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 12 months and one day imprisonment. De Los Santos pleaded guilty on February 5, 2026, to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. As part of his sentence, De Los Santo faces possible deportation charges.
According to information presented to the court, De Los Santos is a citizen of the Dominican Republic who entered the country on a travel visa in 2021 and was required to depart the U.S. in 2022.
On April 25, 2025, Providence Police observed De Los Santos with a group of individuals in the Hartford neighborhood. De Los Santos, who was wearing a ski mask, fled from police with the firearm before discarding the weapon behind a building and continuing to flee. Through their investigation, law enforcement discovered the defendant had been in possession of a .22 caliber pistol.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney G. Michael Seaman.
The matter was investigated Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Providence Police Department.
This investigation 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.
District of Arizona Charges 331 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from May 23 through May 29, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 331 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 146 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 163 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 18 cases against 22 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), ICE- Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Ismael Solis-Solis. On May 28, 2026, Ismael Solis-Solis was charged by criminal complaint with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Solis-Solis had been previously removed from the United States in 2025. In October 1997, Solis-Solis was convicted of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor in the Superior Court of California, Tulare County, and was sentenced to 270 days in prison, followed by 36 months of probation. [Case number: 26-MJ-08154]
United States v. Joel Ibarra-Lara. On May 27, 2026, Joel Ibarra-Lara was charged by criminal complaint with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Ibarra-Lara had been previously removed from the United States in 2009. In September of 2001, Ibarra-Lara was convicted of Attempted Possession of Narcotics for Sale in the Superior Court of Arizona, Maricopa County, and sentenced to five years of supervised probation. [Case Number: 26-MJ-08138]
United States v. Mario Alberto Varela. On May 22, 2026, Mario Alberto Varela was charged by criminal complaint with Transportation of an Illegal Alien. On May 21, 2026, a Pinal County Officer stopped a black Ford Expedition for suspended registration. During the stop, the officer spoke to the driver, Mario Alberto Varela, and an assisting officer spoke to the three passengers. Due to conflicting statements from Varela and his passengers, the officers contacted U.S. Border Patrol for further assistance. Border Patrol determined that Varela was a U.S. citizen and that the three passengers were aliens unlawfully present in the United States. [Case Number: 26-MJ-5235]
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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-087_May 29, 2026 Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.D.C. Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Carjacking and Robbery Spree in March 2025Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Damarco Jackson, 20, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty Tuesday, for a spree of armed robberies, in March 2025, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Jackson pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of armed robbery, two counts of robbery, and one count of first-degree theft, for the armed robberies. The defendant also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon, for a stabbing he committed in jail. Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld scheduled sentencing for September 11, 2026.
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 10:00 p.m., on March 11, 2025, the first victim parked her car in the 2300 block of Ainger Place, SE. When she returned to the location two days later, she found that her vehicle had been stolen.
On March 12, 2025, the second victim parked her vehicle, a light blue 2012 Hyundai Sonata, in the 4600 block of Livingston Road, SE. Three days later, she came back to where she parked it and found that it had been stolen. Video footage from an MPD camera captured Jackson and another individual in a blue sedan, which drove past the victim’s vehicle, turn around and park next to her vehicle.
On March 13, 2025, in the area of Oklahoma Avenue and E Streets, NE, a dark color sedan drove into the area and approached the third victim, a juvenile on a bike. The defendant brandished a handgun with a silver slide and robbed the juvenile of his black Moose Knuckle jacket. Within three minutes, Jackson, armed with a black Glock handgun with an extended magazine, approached a fourth victim while he was riding a Capital Bikeshare bicycle, in the 2100 block of D Street, NE. Jackson stated to the victim something to the effect of “run me that coat!” and robbed him of his black Moose Knuckle jacket.
Subsequently, on April 13, 2026, after his arrest and while in D.C. jail, Jackson and a fellow inmate were observed having a verbal argument in the common area of the jail. During the argument, the defendant was observed to have pulled out a sharp metal object from his pants and assault his fellow inmate. As a result of the attack, the victim inmate had puncture wounds/lacerations to his upper left arm and shoulder.
Jackson was presented on October 10, 2025, for the armed carjackings and robberies. This is the same day he was sentenced to 40 months in jail for crimes he committed in other separate cases. He has been in custody since.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Dal Lago, Rukiya Mohamed, and Emanuel Francone.
2025 CF3 013201; 2026 CF3 005670
D.C. Man Pleads Guilty in Armed Robbery of a Jersey Mike’sRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Alvin Ponson, 67, of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with the armed robberies of two fast-food restaurants in Northeast Washington D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Ponson pleaded guilty before Judge Tanya Chutkan to interference with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act). Judge Chutkan scheduled sentencing for Sept. 2, 2026.
According to the complaint, Ponson was carrying a black handgun when he entered the Chipotle restaurant on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE, just before 7 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2026. Ponson ordered a cashier to “open the register.” The cashier refused to comply. Ponson then walked away without any of the restaurant’s money.
Minutes later, Ponson walked into the adjacent Jersey Mike’s hoagie shop on the 2300 block of Washington Place NE. Ponson told the Jersey Mike’s cashier that he was picking up an order. The cashier went to look for the order. When the cashier returned, Ponson was pointing his handgun at her. The cashier ran to the back of the store. Ponson approached another employee and ordered “Give me all that sh---!” The employee handed over cash from the register and Ponson fled in the direction of the Rhode Island-Brentwood Metro Station.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Washington Metro Transit Police with the valuable assistance of theFederal Bureau of Investigation- Washington Field Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Helfand.
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County Housing Official Sentenced for His Role in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Receive Bribes from Hawaii Businessman and AttorneysRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – A former Hawaii County official, Alan Scott Rudo, 59, now of Cathedral City, California, was sentenced yesterday to 46 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to receive bribes in exchange for his official actions as a Housing Specialist at the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). The scheme involved affordable housing development agreements worth more than $11 million.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Paul Joseph Sulla, 79, of Hilo, Hawaii, and Gary Charles Zamber, 56, of Keaau, Hawaii, both attorneys living on the Big Island, and Rajesh Pankaj Budhabhatti, 65, now of Morro Bay, California, a private businessman on the Big Island, conspired to pay bribes and kickbacks to Rudo in exchange for Rudo’s agreement to use his official position to ensure the County approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs) benefitting the defendants’ development companies, Luna Loa Developments LLC, West View Developments LLC and Plumeria at Waikoloa LLC. Although Rudo’s co-conspirators promised in the AHAs to build affordable housing for the citizens of Hawaii County, their development companies never built a single unit. Through the AHAs, the defendants fraudulently obtained more than $11 million worth of land and excess affordable housing credits (AHCs). From that amount, Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti paid or attempted to pay Rudo approximately $1,931,778 in bribes and kickbacks.
Zamber, Budhabhatti, and Sulla were charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and nine counts of honest services wire fraud. Sulla was also charged with money laundering. Rudo, who was charged separately with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, pleaded guilty and testified at the trial of his co-conspirators. On June 4, 2025, a federal jury in the District of Hawaii convicted Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti on all counts in a superseding indictment.
Earlier this year, the court sentenced Rudo’s co-conspirators in the bribery scheme. Zamber was sentenced to 70 months in prison on January 30; Budhabhatti was sentenced to 90 months in prison on February 6; and Sulla was sentenced to 60 months in prison on April 23. Zamber’s and Sulla’s law licenses are currently suspended, prohibiting them from practicing law in Hawaii.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii, and Special Agent in Charge David K. Porter of the FBI Honolulu Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Margaret Nammar and Trial Attorney William J. Gullotta of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section prosecuted the case.
County Housing Official Sentenced for His Role in Multimillion-Dollar Scheme to Receive Bribes from Hawaii Businessman and AttorneysRead the Press Release
A former Hawaii County official, Alan Scott Rudo, 59, now of Cathedral City, California, was sentenced yesterday to 46 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to receive bribes in exchange for his official actions as a Housing Specialist at the Hawaii County Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). The scheme involved affordable housing development agreements worth more than $11 million.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Paul Joseph Sulla, 79, of Hilo, Hawaii, and Gary Charles Zamber, 56, of Keaau, Hawaii, both attorneys living on the Big Island, and Rajesh Pankaj Budhabhatti, 65, now of Morro Bay, California, a private businessman on the Big Island, conspired to pay bribes and kickbacks to Rudo in exchange for Rudo’s agreement to use his official position to ensure the County approved three affordable housing agreements (AHAs) benefitting the defendants’ development companies, Luna Loa Developments LLC, West View Developments LLC and Plumeria at Waikoloa LLC. Although Rudo’s co-conspirators promised in the AHAs to build affordable housing for the citizens of Hawaii County, their development companies never built a single unit. Through the AHAs, the defendants fraudulently obtained more than $11 million worth of land and excess affordable housing credits (AHCs). From that amount, Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti paid or attempted to pay Rudo approximately $1,931,778 in bribes and kickbacks.
Zamber, Budhabhatti, and Sulla were charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and nine counts of honest services wire fraud. Sulla was also charged with money laundering. Rudo, who was charged separately with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, pleaded guilty and testified at the trial of his co-conspirators. On June 4, 2025, a federal jury in the District of Hawaii convicted Sulla, Zamber, and Budhabhatti on all counts in a superseding indictment.
Earlier this year, the court sentenced Rudo’s co-conspirators in the bribery scheme. Zamber was sentenced on Jan. 30 to 70 months in prison; Budhabhatti was sentenced on Feb. 6 to 90 months in prison; and Sulla was sentenced on April 23 to 60 months in prison. Zamber’s and Sulla’s law licenses are currently suspended, prohibiting them from practicing law in Hawaii.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson for the District of Hawaii, and Special Agent in Charge David K. Porter of the FBI Honolulu Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Honolulu Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney William J. Gullotta of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mohammad Khatib and Margaret Nammar for the District of Hawaii are prosecuting the case.
Convicted felons sentenced to federal prison for possession of a firearmRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: Two previously convicted felons found in possession of a firearm face years in prison after sentencing in federal court.
- Laron Allen, 39, of Savannah, was sentenced to 135 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Savannah Police found Allen in possession of a firearm after attempting to elude police officers in May 2024.
- Jeffrey Ronald Moyer, 42, of Augusta, was sentenced to 27 months in prison and a $1,500 fine, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Augusta University Police found Moyer in possession of a shotgun during a March 2025 traffic stop.
Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition. There is no parole in the federal system.
These cases were investigated by the Augusta University Police Department, Savannah Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Henry W. Syms Jr and L. Alexander Hamner.
Convicted Felon Out on Parole is Sentenced Back to Prison for Paying Others to Purchase Firearms on His BehalfRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 46-year-old Cleveland man has been sentenced to prison again for paying others to buy firearms for him while he was out on parole for a separate offense.
Heath Turner was sentenced to 102 months (8.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent after pleading guilty to:
- Making a False Statement in Acquisition of a Firearm, and
- Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm; previous convictions include Aggravated Burglary, Kidnapping, Aggravated Robbery, and Felonious Assault in 2015.
He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, investigators found that Turner enlisted the help of several individuals to illegally acquire firearms. Due to his status as a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from having firearms or ammunition in his possession. However, he collaborated with these individuals to make false statements on purchase applications to deceive federally licensed firearms dealers. After each purchase, these accomplices then transferred the firearms to Turner. During a search of Turner’s residence in June 2024 conducted by his parole officer, law enforcement found several firearms in his possession that others purchased for him including six pistols, two rifles, and a shotgun.
Three other defendants, also of Cleveland, have been sentenced after pleading guilty to their roles in this case:
- Antwon Holt, 37, 37 months in prison; three years of supervised release.
- Cassandra Relik, 34, nine months in prison; three years of supervised release.
- Kristy Standen, 42, three years of probation.
This investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Wojtasik for the Northern District of Ohio.
Chicago Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Leading a Large Drug Trafficking Organization and Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jamar M. Purnell, 49, Chicago, Illinois, was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The prison sentence will be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Purnell pleaded guilty to these charges on March 4, 2026.
In early 2024, law enforcement began investigating members of a drug trafficking organization operating in Dane County led by Purnell. During the investigation, officers worked with confidential informants to purchase significant quantities of drugs. Officers seized large quantities of drugs and firearms during search warrants executed at residences and vehicles associated with Purnell. For example, investigators found over 10,000 grams of methamphetamine, 166 grams of fentanyl, and a loaded handgun containing Purnell’s DNA in just one drug house operated by Purnell in Madison. Because Purnell had previously been convicted of a felony he could not legally possess a firearm.
Purnell also oversaw both the supply and distribution sides of the organization. On the supply side, he coordinated the transportation of methamphetamine and fentanyl from suppliers in Arizona and Chicago to Madison. On the distribution side, he frequently arranged drug sales and then sent distributors to complete the sales.
Based on seizures and intercepted communications between March 2024 and March 2025, investigators conservatively estimate that Purnell was responsible for distributing approximately 28 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3,500 grams of fentanyl. In an interview following his arrest, Purnell said it was normal for him to obtain 50 pounds of methamphetamine at a time every two weeks from his supplier in Arizona. At the time of the investigation, Purnell was on supervision in Georgia for a prior drug trafficking conviction.
At sentencing, Judge Conley called the amount of drugs Purnell and his organization trafficked staggering and devastating to the community. Noting Purnell’s numerous prior drug trafficking convictions, Judge Conley commented that Purnell had made a career of drug trafficking for financial gain. Judge Conley pointed to Purnell’s brazen decision to continue drug trafficking even after investigators searched his drug house in Madison as evidence of his dangerousness to the community.
Fifteen others were also charged with Purnell in connection with this drug trafficking organization. Shavarim J. Wicks, Keean V. Moore, Keean V. Moore Jr., Jimmie A. Leuaxay, James L. Dubois, James K. Land, and Travis J. Corrado have pleaded guilty for their roles and are scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months. Cases against Dajuea M. Purnell, William M. Marshall, Treagir J. Sander, Kyle W. Haag, Anthony E. Hohenstein, Waylon R. Degenhardt, Alisha R. Lavine, and Yasir W. Stackhouse are still pending, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charges against Purnell were the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force, Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Dane County Narcotics Task Force, Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Madison Police Department. The ATF Madison Crime Gun Task Force consists of federal agents from ATF and Task Force Officers from state and local agencies throughout the Western District of Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven P. Anderson and Kathryn Ginsberg prosecuted this case.
This prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Program 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 federal 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.
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Cheyenne drug investigation results in Federal firearm and narcotics chargesRead the Press Release
A Cheyenne man has been sentenced for being a felon in possession of a firearm and the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carfentanil. U.S. Attorney Darin Smith announced that Leonard Raymond Riffel, 52, will serve 120 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson on May 21 in Cheyenne. Riffel was remanded to custody.
According to court documents, in September 2025, a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating Riffel for suspected drug trafficking. Detectives learned that Riffel traveled to Colorado to buy methamphetamine and fentanyl for redistribution in Cheyenne.
On October 23, 2025, Cheyenne Police Department (CPD) stopped a black SUV with Riffel seated in the rear passenger seat. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a black bag behind Riffel’s seat. The bag contained approximately 439 grams of methamphetamine, 10.5 grams of carfentanil pills (an ultra-potent synthetic form of fentanyl), a digital scale, and unused plastic baggies commonly associated with drug distribution. Riffel admitted the bag belonged to him and was arrested.
Afterhis arrest, CPD detectives executed a search warrant on the apartment where Riffel was staying. Detectives found a Springfield .40 caliber pistol and a box of ammunition in his room. Because Riffel was previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, he cannot legally possess firearms.
“The facts of this case paint a troubling picture of someone traveling across state lines to bring methamphetamine and carfentanil into Cheyenne for distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. “Carfentanil is so dangerous that even a tiny amount can be lethal. Cases like this are exactly why law enforcement remains focused on stopping traffickers before these substances reach our streets. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for their outstanding work.”
Riffel was arrested on Oct. 23, 2025, on related, now dismissed, state charges; and brought into federal custody on December 16, 2025. He waived indictment and pleaded guilty on March 2, 2026. The DEA and CPD investigated the crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Naiman prosecuted the case.
Catonsville Man Facing Federal Charges for Carjacking and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned an indictment, charging a Baltimore County man in connection with a violent carjacking.
Kylin Stubblefield, 41, of Catonsville, Maryland, is charged with carjacking, using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a prohibited person.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
According to the three-count indictment, in October 2025, Stubblefield committed a carjacking in Baltimore City. During the crime, Stubblefield used, carried, brandished, and discharged a firearm, seriously injuring the vehicle’s owner. Stubblefield is also charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
If convicted, Stubblefield faces a minimum sentence of seven years for brandishing a firearm during the carjacking, and a maximum life sentence in federal prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kim Y. Hagan and John Mark Mastakas who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Career Prosecutor Thomas R. Govan, Jr. Sworn in as United States Attorney for the Middle District of AlabamaRead the Press Release
Thomas R. Govan, Jr. was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama on May 29, 2026, following his nomination by President Donald Trump on October 21, 2025, and confirmation by the United States Senate on May 18, 2026. The oath of office was administered by Chief United States District Judge R. Austin Huffaker, Jr.
As United States Attorney, Govan serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Middle District of Alabama and is responsible for overseeing all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States within the district’s 23 counties.
“I am honored by the trust placed in me to serve as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama,” said U.S. Attorney Govan. “I look forward to working alongside our outstanding federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to uphold the rule of law, protect our communities, and faithfully serve the people of this district.”
U.S. Attorney Govan brings nearly twenty years of prosecutorial experience in federal, state, and military courts to the position. Before his appointment as United States Attorney, Govan served as Chief of the Criminal Trials Division in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, where he oversaw the prosecution of violent crime cases across the State of Alabama. Prior to that role, Govan served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Alabama, prosecuting a broad range of federal criminal matters, including violent crime and fraud cases.
Govan began his legal career in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, serving in both the Capital Litigation Division and White-Collar Crime Division. He later served as Chief of the Capital Litigation Division, where he directed the prosecution of capital appeals and post-conviction litigation in state and federal courts. In 2018, he argued a capital murder case before the Supreme Court of the United States.
In addition to his civilian legal service, U.S. Attorney Govan serves as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer in the United States Air Force Reserve with the rank of Major.
U.S. Attorney Govan earned both his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor from The University of Alabama.
Govan succeeds Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson, who will continue serving the Middle District of Alabama as First Assistant United States Attorney.
California Man Sentenced to 65 Months in Prison for Trafficking at Least 1,700 Animals into the United States from MexicoRead the Press Release
A California man was sentenced yesterday to 65 months in prison for smuggling at least 1,700 reptiles into the United States from Mexico, Hong Kong, and elsewhere over a six-year period.
Jose Manuel Perez, of Oxnard, pleaded guilty in August 2022 to one count of smuggling goods into the United States and one count of wildlife trafficking. From January 2016 to February 2022, Perez and other co-conspirators smuggled wildlife into the United States without obtaining the permits required by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and without declaring any wildlife imported into the United States.
Perez and his co-conspirators used social media to buy and to negotiate the terms of the sale and delivery of wildlife in the United States. The defendants advertised for sale on social media the animals smuggled from Mexico into the United States, posting photos and video that depicted the animals being collected from the wild.
For the animals smuggled from Mexico, Perez’s co-conspirators retrieved the wildlife — which included Yucatán box turtles, Mexican box turtles, baby crocodiles, and Mexican beaded lizards — from Cuidad Juárez International Airport in Mexico and eventually shipped the animals by car to El Paso, Texas. Perez paid his co-conspirators a “crossing fee” for each border crossing, the amount of which depended on the number of animals transported, the size of the package, and the risk of being detected by the authorities.
On other occasions, Perez and a co-conspirator traveled to Mexico to purchase live animals that had been taken from the wild so that the animals could be smuggled into the United States. Once the animals had been shipped to the United States, they were transported to Perez’s residence (which was originally in Missouri and then in California after he moved).
In total, Perez caused the illegal smuggling and importation of at least 1,700 animals with a fair market value of more than $739,000.
Prior to today’s sentencing, Jose Perez had been serving a nine-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in May 2023 to three counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. He is not legally permitted to possess firearms because his criminal record includes felony convictions in Ventura County Superior Court for street terrorism and assault with a deadly weapon.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli for the Central District of California, and Assistant Director Doug Ault of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement made the announcement.
USFWS investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, the ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations provided substantial assistance.
Senior Trial Attorney Gary Donner of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. O’Brien and Juan M. Rodriguez for the Central District of California prosecuted the case.
Bristol, Virginia Man Sentenced to 60 Months on Federal Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Bristol, Virginia man, who conspired with others to distribute more than 600 fentanyl pills, was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in federal prison.
Bobby John Arnett, 56, pled guilty to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
Briar Stephens, 25, was sentenced on April 30, 2026, to 10 years in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy.
According to court documents, between September 2024 and October 2024, Arnett, Stephens, and others, conspired to distribute fentanyl. Specifically, over the course of the conspiracy, Stephens purchased fentanyl pills that he and Arnett further distributed in Washington County, Virginia within the Western District of Virginia, and elsewhere.
During a search of Arnett’s residence in September 2024, law enforcement officers found multiple fentanyl pills and powder at the residence, along with several firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Christopher Goumenis, DEA Washington Division Special Agent in Charge made the announcement.
The Elizabethton Tennessee Police Department, Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s Office, Holston River Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Stone is prosecuting the case.
Binghamton man pleads guilty to his role in narcotics conspiracyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jeryel Winfield, 52, of Binghamton, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years.
Between 2019 and May 26, 2022, Winfield conspired with Joseph S. Zaso and others to sell heroin. Winfield was a source of supply for and associate of Joseph Zaso. Winfield distributed quantities of heroin and cocaine to Zaso. He also utilized Cash App and Facebook to facilitate his drug trafficking activities. Winfield admits that he received proceeds from his involvement in the drug conspiracy. Joseph Zaso was previously convicted.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 23, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
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Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Kentro Taylor, age 52, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison following his conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon. U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick for the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana further sentenced Taylor to serve five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered the firearm involved be forfeited.
On September 17, 2021, Taylor was the driver and sole occupant of a BMW vehicle that was involved in a collision in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During a lawful search of the BMW following the collision, a Smith and Wesson SD9 was found on top of the front passenger seat within the reach and eyesight of Taylor. The firearm was equipped with an extended magazine and loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition.
Pursuant to Rule 20 consent to transfer jurisdiction, Taylor pled guilty in the Middle District of Louisiana. According to admissions made during his plea, on October 7, 2020, Taylor was the driver of a Dodge Dart, that was lawfully stopped for a traffic violation by an Illinois State Police trooper on Interstate 57 in Douglas County, Illinois. During a lawful search of the Dart, the trooper located a Smith and Wesson SD9 inside a camouflage bag. The firearm, which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, and other contents of the camouflage bag belonged to Taylor.
For this conduct, Taylor was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison. This sentence was ordered to run concurrently with the sentence imposed for the charges in the Middle District of Louisiana. Taylor was previously convicted in the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, of two counts of attempted manslaughter in February 1992 - committed in May 1991 and August 1991, and armed robbery in April 1996. In July 2025, he was convicted in the 8th Judicial District Court for Clark County, Nevada, for attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon.
“Felons and firearms are a dangerous combination,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Gregory M. Gilmore. “Prosecuting armed career criminals like the defendant for the unlawful possession of firearms is a critical part of our office’s commitment to public safety.”
“In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our community, ATF will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess firearms,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today sends a message that ATF will continue to work alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these repeat violent offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable so we can keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF.”
“The defendant’s extensive violent criminal history and repeated unlawful possession of firearms demonstrate a continued disregard for the law and public safety,” stated ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “The lengthy sentence imposed in this case underscores the threat posed by armed career criminals. ATF does not stop at the state lines, and we remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold repeat violent offenders accountable.”
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, and the Baton Rouge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli J. Abad (MDLA) and William Lynch (CDIL) led the prosecutions.
Baton Rouge Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Federal Prison for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Kentro Taylor, age 52, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison following his conviction of felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick further sentenced Taylor to serve five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered the firearm involved be forfeited.
On September 17, 2021, Taylor was the driver and sole occupant of a BMW vehicle that was involved in a collision in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During a lawful search of the BMW following the collision, a Smith and Wesson SD9 was found on top of the front passenger seat within the reach and eyesight of Taylor. The firearm was equipped with an extended magazine and loaded with 21 rounds of ammunition.
Pursuant to Rule 20 consent to transfer jurisdiction, Taylor pled guilty in the Middle District of Louisiana. According to admissions made during his plea, on October 7, 2020, Taylor was the driver of a Dodge Dart, that was lawfully stopped for a traffic violation by an Illinois State Police trooper on Interstate 57 in Douglas County, Illinois. During a lawful search of the Dart, the trooper located a Smith and Wesson SD9 inside a camouflage bag. The firearm, which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, and other contents of the camouflage bag belonged to Taylor. For this conduct, Taylor was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison. This sentence was ordered to run concurrently with the sentence imposed for the charges in the Middle District of Louisiana.
Taylor was previously convicted in the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, of two counts of attempted manslaughter in February 1992 - committed in May 1991 and August 1991, and armed robbery in April 1996. In July 2025, he was convicted in the 8th Judicial District Court for Clark County, Nevada, for attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon.
“Felons and firearms are a dangerous combination,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Gregory M. Gilmore. “Prosecuting armed career criminals like the defendant for the unlawful possession of firearms is a critical part of our office’s commitment to public safety.”
“In our effort to disrupt violent gun crime in our community, ATF will continue to focus efforts on prohibited individuals who unlawfully possess firearms,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “The sentence imposed today sends a message that ATF will continue to work alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these repeat violent offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable so we can keep our neighborhoods safe as the top priority for ATF.”
“The defendant’s extensive violent criminal history and repeated unlawful possession of firearms demonstrate a continued disregard for the law and public safety,” stated ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon. “The lengthy sentence imposed in this case underscores the threat posed by armed career criminals. ATF does not stop at the state lines, and we remain committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to hold repeat violent offenders accountable.”
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police, and the Baton Rouge Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli J. Abad (MDLA) and William Lynch (CDIL) led the prosecutions.
Armed Johnson County Drug Dealers Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Kaven Lee Stephenson, 37, to 14 years in federal prison for conspiracy to sell and possess with intent to sell fentanyl, possession with the intent to sell 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime. The Court already sentenced co-defendant Johnny Brian Guin, 47, to 14 years on March 23, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said, “Let this be a warning to all drug dealers. If you peddle poison for profit in our communities, we will take your freedom, your toys, your money, and maybe even your home. Simple Lesson: Drugs Kill; Prison Awaits – Do Right.”
Between 2023 and 2024, law enforcement executed three search warrants at two homes Kaven Stephenson owned on Massengill Pond Road in Angier, NC. During the execution of the first search warrant in October of 2023, law enforcement located over 50 grams of fentanyl and methamphetamine, crack cocaine, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, more than $2,000 cash, an AR-15 rifle with a large capacity magazine, a M5 rifle with a large capacity magazine, a 12-gauge shotgun, and a stolen .22 rifle. Stephenson was arrested on state charges related to these crimes, but he made bail and bonded out just a month later.
Law enforcement executed a second search warrant in July of 2024 after receiving reports of an armed robbery occurring at Stephenson’s residence. Law enforcement discovered a hidden compartment, or “trap,” built into the dead space of a wall just outside the master bedroom. Inside the “trap,” they discovered 218 grams of methamphetamine, 279 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, a money counter, two 9mm pistols, and over $8,500 cash. In a search of Stephenson’s person and the master bedroom, law enforcement located over $2,500 cash, digital scales, and drug paraphernalia. Again, State law enforcement arrested Stephenson on state charges related to these crimes. Again, he made bail and bonded out.
In August of 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at another home owned by Stephenson on Massengill Pond Road. They found Stephenson and co-defendant Johnny Guin inside. During the search, law enforcement located over 115 grams of methamphetamine, multiple firearms, and more than $1,500 cash.
Pursuant to the judgment, all currency, firearms, and Kaven Stephenson’s properties on Massengill Pond Road were forfeited to the United States.
“Armed drug dealers present a dangerous mix of violence and lawlessness in our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “We’re fortunate to have solid partnerships in place with local, state and federal agencies that recognize these dangers and work to hold these violent offenders accountable.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, Raleigh Police Department, Cary Police Department, DEA, and the NCSBI collaborated on this investigation. Former Special Assistant United States Attorney Aria Merle and Assistant United States Attorney William Van Trigt prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-273D-001 and 5:24-CR-273D-003.