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21 May 2026
Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Exploitation and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty Wednesday to exploiting children and possessing hundreds of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to court documents, between December 2024 and January 2026, Mohammad Shoaib Taraki sexually exploited two children in his care by producing sexually explicit visual depictions of each child.
From about December 2024 and continuing to about January 2026, Taraki also possessed over 600 images and videos of CSAM depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence, infants and toddlers, and minors under the age of 12. Taraki admitted that he sent 53 videos of CSAM using his two Snapchat accounts, and that he received 21 videos and one image of CSAM from other users on Snapchat.
Taraki pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography.
Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon set sentencing for August 26, 2026. The statutory maximum penalty for each count of sexual exploitation of children is 30 years in prison and the statutory maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin is prosecuting this case.
This case is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Justin Dale Graves, 43, of St. Albans, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 30, 2024, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Graves’ residence in St. Albans and seized over 3.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, a loaded Hi-Point model C-9 9mm pistol, a loaded Glock model 19 9mm pistol, 37.69 grams of fentanyl, 17.17 grams of cocaine, 2.29 grams of heroin, two digital scales, various rounds of live ammunition, a drug ledger, and $1,190.
As part of his guilty plea, Graves admitted that he possessed the seized methamphetamine and intended to distribute it, and possessed the seized firearms to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds. Graves further admitted that he sold approximately 27.21 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in exchange for $225 in St. Albans on October 29, 2024, the day before the execution of the search warrant.
Graves is scheduled to be sentenced on September 2, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10,250,000.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the St. Albans Police Department.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-19.
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Kanawha County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jason Anthony Barrett, 46, of South Charleston, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine base, also known as “crack.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, on May 27, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Barrett’s South Charleston residence and seized 432.5 grams of methamphetamine, 25.2 grams of cocaine, 11.4 grams of crack, and 13.68 grams of fentanyl. As part of his guilty plea, Barrett admitted that he possessed the seized controlled substances and intended to distribute them to others.
Barrett further admitted that he sold 55.73 grams of methamphetamine on May 8, 2025, and 2.82 grams of fentanyl and 3.34 grams of crack on May 19, 2025, that both transactions occurred at his residence, and that he sold the controlled substances to a confidential informant.
Barrett is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $5 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), and the Charleston Police Department. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department, and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-189.
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Justice Department Requires Taiheiyo Cement Corporation and CalPortland Company to Divest Assets to Proceed with Acquisition of Ready-Mix Concrete Assets from Vulcan Materials CompanyRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division announced today that it will require Taiheiyo Cement Corporation and its subsidiary CalPortland Company to divest three ready-mix concrete plants along with related assets to address antitrust concerns arising from CalPortland’s proposed $712 million acquisition of ready-mix concrete assets from Vulcan Materials Company.
The civil antitrust lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block the proposed transaction. At the same time, the proposed settlement filed alongside the complaint, if approved by the court, will address competitive concerns that the transaction would likely cause higher prices, lower quality, and less favorable terms for buyers of ready-mix concrete.
“Ready-mix concrete is a key input for construction and infrastructure projects across the country that are critical to strengthening the American economy,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Antitrust Division. “The Division’s pursuit of structural remedies in this case provides a signal to the broader market about how to structure transactions that deliver efficiency to the market while protecting competition that benefits consumers.”
As alleged in the complaint, CalPortland and Vulcan are two of the leading suppliers of ready-mix concrete in San Diego County, already a highly concentrated market. Ready-mix concrete is essential to home construction, where it is used in foundations, driveways, patios, and swimming pools; commercial construction, where it is used in offices, hotels, warehouses, multi-family residences, and other commercial businesses; and infrastructure projects like bridges, tunnels, and highways.
The proposed settlement requires CalPortland and Vulcan to divest three ready-mix concrete plants in San Diego County to Holliday Rock Co., Inc., an American company with significant experience in ready-mix concrete and other building materials. Holliday Rock is expected to hire certain key CalPortland and Vulcan employees that today support the divested businesses.
Taiheiyo is a Japanese corporation with its headquarters in Tokyo. Taiheiyo operates in the United States through CalPortland, a corporation with its headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada. Taiheiyo reported total revenues of more than $5.5 billion for fiscal year 2025.
Vulcan is a corporation with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2025, Vulcan reported total revenues of approximately $7.9 billion.
As required by the Tunney Act, the proposed settlement, along with a competitive impact statement, will be published in the Federal Register. Any person may submit written comments concerning the proposed settlement within 60 days following the publication to Soyoung Choe, Acting Chief, Defense, Industrials, and Aerospace Section, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 450 Fifth Street NW, Suite 8700, Washington, DC 20530. At the conclusion of the public comment period, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia may enter the final judgment upon finding it is in the public interest.
Jury Convicts Unknown Man for Using Identity of Deceased Child for 25 Years to Obtain Nearly $300,000 in Government BenefitsRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – After a three-day trial, a federal jury sitting in Pocatello found a man whose identity remains unknown, guilty of wire fraud, theft of government funds, aggravated identity theft, and related charges, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today. U.S. District Judge David C. Nye presided over the trial, which began on May 18, and concluded with guilty verdicts on May 21.
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.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Carlos Ramon Obregon was born in 1963 in Los Angeles but was tragically killed in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 14 after suffering from a gunshot wound to the head during a drive-by shooting. Obregon was laid to rest at a local cemetery in Los Angeles that same year.
Twenty-three years after Obregon’s death, in 2000, the Defendant applied for a replacement social security card using Obregon’s social security number, Obregon’s date of birth, and Obregon’s parents’ names.
At trial, Obregon’s mother testified that Obregon died in 1977. She testified that the Defendant is not her son, and that she does not know the Defendant. The Defendant’s true identity remains unknown.
For more than two decades, the Defendant used Obregon’s name and identity to fraudulently obtain numerous government benefits totaling approximately $283,000. Between 2004 and 2025, the Defendant fraudulently applied for, and received, $177,000 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits under Obregon’s identity. Similarly, between 2005 and 2025, the Defendant unlawfully obtained approximately $91,000 in Medicaid benefits using Obregon’s identity. From 2009 to 2025, the Defendant unlawfully obtained approximately $12,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits using Obregon’s identity. In 2020 and 2021, the Defendant unlawfully received $3,200 in Economic Impact Payments that were paid to otherwise eligible individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic to stimulate the economy.
In 2012, the Defendant applied for, and obtained, a United States passport under Obregon’s identity, and travelled multiple times on the passport to Mexico. The Defendant submitted Obregon’s birth certificate to obtain the U.S. passport. In 2024, the Defendant sought to renew the passport, which was not issued. The Defendant also obtained an Idaho state identification card using Obregon’s identity in 2002, 2010, and 2014. In 2022, the Defendant obtained a Star Card and submitted Obregon’s birth certificate to the Idaho Transportation Department as proof of his identity and lawful presence in the United States.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the cooperative efforts of the Social Security Administration—Office of Inspector General, U.S. State Department Diplomatic Security Service, Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Department of Agriculture—Office of Inspector General, and Idaho Transportation Department, which led to the charges.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Mazorol and Brittney Campbell are prosecuting the case.
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Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Ahli Fields (34, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Fields faces a minimum penalty of seven years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, on June 9, 2020, Fields and a co-conspirator drove together to a grocery store in Ormond Beach to commit an armed robbery. Prior to the robbery, Fields provided the co-conspirator with a revolver. He dropped the co-conspirator off near the store and waited nearby for the co-conspirator to return. Fields’s co-conspirator entered the store, brandished the revolver to two employees, and demanded cash from a safe before leaving with several thousand dollars. The co-conspirator returned to Fields’s vehicle before they drove away together. Fields received a portion of the proceeds for his involvement.
Agents subsequently obtained cellphone records and location data that showed Fields and the co-conspirator traveling from Jacksonville together on the day of the robbery. They were also in communication during the timeframe of the robbery, which placed them in the area during the robbery.
Fields’s co-defendant, Nathaniel Cox, has been charged for his alleged role in this case. Cox has also been charged with additional armed robberies and attempted robberies of commercial business locations throughout the Middle District of Florida. His case is pending trial.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Ormond Beach Police Department, the Titusville Police Department, the Palmetto Police Department, and the Ocala Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
Jackson Woman Pleads Guilty to SNAP Benefits FraudRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Jackson woman pleaded guilty today in federal court to stealing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits intended for low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Ashley Jefferson, 25, unlawfully acquired and used SNAP benefits from December 2022 to September 2023. Jefferson was a Customer Service Representative Manager for Conduent from May 6, 2019 to September 29, 2023. Jefferson used her position to access and obtain $77,844.43 in SNAP benefits belonging to recipients throughout the United States without authorization.
Jefferson also under-reported her income on her own SNAP and TANF applications. Jefferson failed to report her Conduent income to the Mississippi Department of Human Services from February 2, 2022 to August 28, 2023. Thus, Jefferson received an additional $2,115 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to receive.
Jefferson pleaded guilty to Food Stamp Fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and United States Department of Agriculture Inspector General John Walk made the announcement.
The United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General is investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly T. Purdie is prosecuting the case.
Individuals from Pennsylvania and California Charged with Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Eliezer Pagan, age 39, of Vallejo, California; Ramon Antonio Pagan-Acosta, age 30, of York, Pennsylvania; and, Florivette Santiago-Rivera, age 29, of York, Pennsylvania, were charged by indictment with firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that between on or about October 26, 2023, and April 9, 2025, the defendants conspired to engage in the business of dealing in firearms without a license, transfer firearms to an out-of-state resident, and make false statements during the purchase of firearms. The Indictment further alleges that Pagan made at least 29 Cash App transfers to Pagan-Acosta and Santiago-Rivera’s Cash App accounts. The Cash App transfers allegedly ranged in amounts from $120 to $2,000 and totaled approximately $19,024. In turn, Pagan-Acosta allegedly purchased approximately 33 firearms from licensed firearms dealers in Pennsylvania counties, including Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York. And Santago-Rivera allegedly purchased six firearms. When purchasing the firearms, the indictment alleges that Pagan-Acosta and Santiago-Rivera falsely identified themselves on ATF Forms 4473 as the true buyers or transferees. Moreover, Pagan-Acosta allegedly shipped at least five packages of varying weights from Pennsylvania to Pagan, in California, under the name of a person who did not reside at the same address.
Pagan and Pagan-Acosta are additionally charged in the indictment with conspiracy to straw purchase firearms, conspiracy to traffic firearms, and engaging in business of dealing in firearms without a license. Finally, all defendants are charged in the indictment with making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney K. Wesley Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalties for Pagan and Pagan-Acosta are 50 years imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and the imposition of a special assessment. The maximum penalties for Santiago-Rivera are 15 years’ imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and the imposition of a special assessment. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by a court after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments only contain allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Illinois Man Sentenced for Elder Fraud Conspiracy Involving Gold BarsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Illinois man was sentenced in federal court today to 15½ years in prison without parole for taking part in an elder fraud conspiracy in which victims liquidated savings and retirement accounts to buy gold bars, coins, and cash.
Syed M. Makki, 38, a citizen of India, acted as a courier for the conspiracy, in which he picked up gold bullion and cash from victims throughout the country and delivered it to co-conspirators. United States District Judge Greg Kays also ordered Makki to pay $4,754,000 in restitution and ordered forfeiture of the gold bars, plus a money judgment. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. From 2023 through March 31, 2024, conspirators put malware on people’s computers with a phone number to call. When the victims called, they falsely represented themselves as ‘Microsoft’ employees, banking officials, government employees, and law enforcement officers. The conspirators convinced the victims, who were elderly, that their identities had been compromised, and that their money was not safe in banks.
Having established relationships with the victims, who ranged in age from 61 to 80 years old, the perpetrators had the victims liquidate bank and retirement accounts and buy gold bullion in the form of gold bars or gold coins with the proceeds. When the gold was delivered to the victims’ houses, conspirators directed the victims to provide the gold for ‘safekeeping’ to a co-conspirator, including Makki.
Sometimes conspirators instructed the victims to package the gold and address it to the ‘Department of Justice’ in the name of a specific person, to further the false impression that victims were dealing with trustworthy officials. Makki and others picked up the gold or cash and then transported it across state lines to co-conspirators.
On March 25 and 26, 2024, Makki picked up 16 gold bars, weighing one kilogram apiece and worth more than $1 million, from victims in Littleton, Colo. and Kansas City, Mo.. On March 27, 2024, he transported the gold bars to Ill. to deliver them to co-conspirators. That date, he was arrested in possession of the gold bars by a Morgan County, Ill., Deputy Sheriff and an Illinois State Highway Patrol Sergeant.
Twelve victims identified to date lost over $6 million in the scheme.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen D. Mahoney. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department, the Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff’s Department, the Illinois State Highway Patrol, and the Morgan County, Illinois Sheriff’s Department.
National Fraud Enforcement Division
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Illinois Man Pleads Guilty to Second Degree MurderRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Carbondale, Illinois man pleaded guilty today to Second Degree Murder.
According to court documents, and statements made in open court, John S. Andrews, 42, killed a person, referred to in the indictment by the initials C.S., with malice aforethought. Both Andrews and C.S. were inmates in the Yazoo City, Mississippi Federal Correctional Complex. Andrews killed C.S. by beating C.S. and causing blunt force trauma to C.S.’s head. Those injuries resulted in C.S.’s death. It is contrary to federal law to unlawfully kill someone with malice aforethought on federal property, such as a federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi; FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff; and BOP Director William K. Marshall III made the announcement.
“The Federal Bureau of Prisons remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of our institutions for both staff and inmates,” said Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III. “Acts of violence within our facilities will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable for criminal conduct.”
Andrews pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 4, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of any term of years 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Herbert S. Carraway, Charles W. Kirkham, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael FiggsGanter are prosecuting the case.
Homeland Security Task Force Wrapped up the Prosecution of Seven Illegal Aliens from Guatemala that Smuggled Aliens into the United StatesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – The last of seven illegal aliens from Guatemala was sentenced for working together and being paid to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States from Guatemala, Mexico, and other countries in Central or South America, including Asia.
From October 2021 through April 2025, the ringleader, Cidia Marleny Lima Lopez (Cidia), conspired with the defendants and other individuals throughout the United States, Guatemala, and Mexico to conceal, harbor, and transport unlawful aliens in the United States. Those aliens were from various countries in Central America, South America, and Asia.
Court documents show that Cidia used a social media application to coordinate payment to conspirators in Guatemala in exchange for transportation. The aliens were transported from Guatemala and housed in Mexico until they could cross the United States-Mexico border unlawfully. Once inside the United States, drivers and stash house operators in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas would conceal the alien. Cidia admitted that the drivers would collect payment at her direction and transport the aliens to various stash houses in Oklahoma, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.
The indictment filed in April 2025 alleged that each alien would pay roughly $5,000 to be smuggled into the United States. All money collected from the aliens being transported was deposited into bank accounts accessible to Cidia and others. She then admitted to using those funds to purchase vehicles and real estate property. Court records show that Cidia forfeited three trucks and two ATVs that were seized during the execution of a search warrant in Oklahoma City on April 24, 2025. Additionally, Cidia is forfeiting all interest and property contained in two separate homes in Oklahoma City and three different properties in Sequoyah County.
The following defendants were sentenced for Conspiracy to Bring and Transport Aliens in the United States Illegally for Private Financial Gain:
- Cidia Marleny Lima Lopez, 40, living in Charlotte, North Carolina, was ordered to serve 33 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, Cidia Lima Lopez forfeited her interest in the $5,000 obtained from smuggling aliens into the United States.
- Ottoniel Castro Argueta, 33, the husband of Cidia, also living in Charlotte, North Carolina, was ordered to serve 51 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, Castro Argueta forfeited his interest in the vehicles and properties listed above.
- Veronica Maribel Lima Lopez, 34, living in Oklahoma City, was ordered to serve 12 months and one day imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release. Additionally, Veronica Lima Lopez forfeited her interest in the vehicles listed above and $5,000 obtained from smuggling aliens into the United States.
- Ariz Obdulio Argueta, 30, living in Clarksville, Arkansas, was arrested in April 2025 and released in March 2026 after being ordered to time served. Obdulio Argueta was additionally ordered to three years of supervised release and forfeited his interest in the $5,000 obtained from smuggling aliens into the United States.
- Pedro Cucul Gualna, 26, living in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was arrested in April 2025 and released in April 2026 after being ordered to time served. He was additionally ordered to one year of supervised release.
- Carlos Enrique Ramos Caal, 31, living in Flagstaff, Arizona, was arrested in April 2025 and released in March 2026 after being ordered to time served. Ramos Caal was additionally ordered to two years of supervised release
Additionally, Cesar Rodolfo Garcia Argueta, 21, living in Clarksville, Arkansas, was sentenced for Attempt to Bring an Alien to the United States Illegally from Private Financial Gain. He was arrested in April 2025 and released in March 2026 after being ordered to time served. Garcia Argueta was additionally ordered to three years of supervised release and forfeited his interest in the $5,000 obtained from smuggling aliens into the United States. Charges against Esvin Alexander Rodriguez Luis, 27, living in Oklahoma City, were dismissed in October 2025.
All of the defendants were unlawfully present in the United States. They are expected to be deported after removal proceedings following their sentences.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Flagstaff, and Charlotte offices comprise of agents and officers from the Tulsa, McAlester and Greensboro, North Carolina Drug Enforcement Administration field offices; the Tulsa and Oklahoma City IRS field offices; the Tulsa and Oklahoma City U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations field offices; and the U.S. Marshals offices in the Northern District of Oklahoma, with the assistance of several state law enforcement agencies. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nasar from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam McConney from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado, with assistance from the Western District of Oklahoma, the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the Middle District of North Carolina, and the Western District of Arkansas.
Hobart Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison for Controlled Substance and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND –Justin Ring, 37 years old, of Hobart, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine, and possessing a firearm as convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Ring was sentenced to168 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, in the fall of 2024, law enforcement identified Ring as a methamphetamine distributor operating in the Michigan City area. On three occasions between October 2024 and December 2024, Ring sold high purity methamphetamine to another person. In January of 2025, Ring was driving his car, and law enforcement performed a traffic stop on him. Ring had 439 grams of methamphetamine, 4 grams of cocaine, and 15 grams of fentanyl inside of the car with him, which he intended to distribute to another person. Ring also had a 9-millimeter pistol hidden in a compartment area behind the radio. On the same day of the traffic stop, law enforcement searched the hotel room where Ring was residing at the time. Officers found additional methamphetamine, another 9-millimenter firearm, and plastic bags and a digital scale used for packaging and weighing drugs. Ring has prior felony convictions for dealing a counterfeit substance and possession of paraphernalia, either of which prohibited him from possessing a firearm.
“Justin Ring’s business plan was simple—he sold high-test poisons to users who needed a fix and had the means to buy it,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred. “As he well knew, there is money to be made on other people’s addictions. But he should have remembered that, in northern Indiana, anyone who deals in the narcotics that feed those addictions will face a swift and devastating justice. He will now have plenty of time to commit the lesson to memory while residing in the Bureau of Prisons. My thanks go out to the DEA, ATF, La Porte County Drug Task Force, Michigan City Police Department, and La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan’s team at the La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for the work they contributed to achieving this conviction and sentence.”
“The primary role of law enforcement is to serve and protect the community. Through the arrest and successful prosecution of Mr. Ring, northern Indiana is most certainly a safer and better community for everyone. In the world of drug law enforcement, little is worse than a violent drug trafficker, which is a perfect description of Mr. Ring. Not only did Mr. Ring deal a plethora of drugs, all leading to addiction and death, but he did so while possessing a firearm. He was a danger and a nuisance to Hoosiers, but he is no longer. The Drug Enforcement Administration, in collaboration with its law enforcement partners, will forever identify, investigate, and stop those who choose to destroy our communities through their evil actions,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke.
“The combination of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and engaging in drug trafficking presents a grave threat to public safety. ATF and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in combining our resources towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting armed drug traffickers,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the DEA North Central Laboratory, La Porte County Drug Task Force, Michigan City Police Department, and the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lydia T. Lucius.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Hays woman sentenced to prison for assaultRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Hays woman who participated in the assault of a man who later succumbed to his injuries was sentenced today to 18 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
Alta Rose Chandler, 24, pleaded guilty in January 2026 to one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Fort Belknap law enforcement, responding to a 911 call, discovered John Doe bloodied and unconscious on his kitchen floor around 6 a.m. September 30, 2023. At the home were Doe’s adult daughter, Heavenlee Drewann Sears, a relative who had called 911, and Chandler.
Earlier in the evening, Sears and Chandler were driving around Fort Belknap and drinking from a bottle of peppermint schnapps they’d purchased during their night out after consuming an 18-pack of beer. At some point, they arrived at Doe’s house and continued drinking with him in his kitchen. Sears later told investigators she lost her temper and struck Doe repeatedly in the head with the glass schnapps bottle, knocking him to the floor. Once on the ground, Chandler continued to punch Doe in the head, leaving her knuckles bruised.
Once paramedics arrived, Doe was taken to Fort Belknap Indian Health Services where he was unresponsive and breathing erratically. His ears and face were bruised and swollen, his nose was lacerated, his upper lip was lacerated, and he had a human bite mark on his forehead. He also had bite marks on his left wrist and left upper chest.
Doe died two months later on December 11, 2023, due to a traumatic brain injury. On March 11, 2026, Sears was sentenced to 22 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release for her role in the assault.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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Harlem man pleads guilty to drug chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS - A Harlem man who was discovered with methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, and scales at home admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
The defendant, Harold Edwin Main, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute. Main faces five to 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, at least four years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for September 23, 2026. Main was released pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that on April 15, 2024, a Fort Belknap police officer pulled over a 2017 Jeep Cherokee driven by Main with three other passengers, two of them children. The officer discovered inside the vehicle methamphetamine and 42 fentanyl pills. The majority of the pills were found in an Altoids tin tucked under the leg of one of the children.
Following the traffic stop Fort Belknap police executed a search warrant on Main’s house on Fort Belknap. There officers discovered more methamphetamine, some of it bagged, along with two digital scales, packaging material with smaller baggies, small blue and white pills, and other drug paraphernalia. Officers seized a total of 5 grams of methamphetamine.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The BIA Fort Belknap Police Department conducted the investigation.
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Former contractor sent to federal prison for hacking employer’s network in retaliation for terminationRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 36-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced for computer fraud after causing more than $860,000 in losses, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Maxwell Schultz, Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty Nov. 18, 2025.
Senior U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now ordered him to serve 24 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard about the damage and sophistication of the attack and how Schultz used another employee’s account to mask his intrusion which led to the investigation of that account initially. In handing down the sentence, Judge Rosenthal noted this is not the appropriate reaction to being fired. Schultz was also ordered to pay $862,516.74 in restitution.
On May 14, 2021, Schultz was terminated from his position as a contract employee in his company’s information technology department. Shortly after, he accessed the company’s network by impersonating another contractor to obtain login credentials.
He ran a PowerShell script that reset approximately 2,500 passwords, locking thousands of employees and contractors out of their computers nationwide. Schultz also searched for ways to delete logs, PowerShell window events and cleared multiple system logs.
The attack to the company’s system caused more than $862,000 in losses, including employee downtime, customer-service disruptions and labor needed to restore the network.
As part of his plea, Schultz admitted to conducting the attack because he was upset about being fired.
He was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The FBI conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rodolfo Ramirez and Michael Chu are prosecuting the case.
Former TSA Security Officer Sentenced for Fraudulently Obtaining Pandemic Unemployment AssistanceRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced in federal court in Boston for fraudulently obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) while employed as a TSA Security Officer full-time.
Ismael Rosado Jr., 40, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to three years’ probation. The government recommended a sentence of four months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release. Rosado was ordered to pay $47,526 of restitution. In February 2026, Rosado pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. Rosado was charged in December 2025.
Rosado was employed full-time as a TSA Security Officer at Boston Logan International Airport from November 2018 through October 2021. Between May 2020 and September 2021, Rosado submitted an application seeking PUA and weekly certifications claiming he was unemployed and making no income. Based on misrepresentations in the application and weekly certifications, Rosado received $47,526 in unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Anthony D’Esposito, Inspector General of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Sullivan of the Criminal Division 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, 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.
Former Summit Pointe Elementary School PTA Treasurer Pleads Guilty to EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former parent teacher association treasurer pleaded guilty to nine counts of bank and wire fraud for stealing more than $100,000 from school PTA.
According to information presented in court, from about Aug. 17, 2020, through July 23, 2025, Holly Mikkelsen, who was then residing in Lee’s Summit, Mo., served as the treasurer of the Summit Pointe Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (SPE PTA) in Kansas City, Mo. The association is a non-profit, school-based volunteer organization. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. While serving as treasurer, Mikkelsen made unauthorized withdrawals from the SPE PTA’s checking accounts at for her personal financial benefit. This included writing and signing SPE PTA checks fraudulently made out to herself and then presenting the checks for payment, withdrawing cash from automated teller machines, and transferring SPE PTA funds to other accounts controlled by Mikkelsen.
Under federal statutes, Mikkelsen is subject to a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 24, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kansas City Division.
National Fraud Enforcement Division
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Former Pinellas Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse OffensesRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Lee Hughes (46, Pinellas Park) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to 20 years in federal prison for attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, and receipt and possession of child sex abuse material. Hughes pleaded guilty on January 30, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Hughes communicated with an undercover officer online for months with the understanding the undercover officer had a 9-year-old daughter. Hughes expressed his specific explicit desire to sexually abuse the purported girl. During those conversations, he also sent explicit photos and videos of himself, which he requested be shown to the purported child. On May 1, 2025, Hughes arrived at a predetermined location to engage in sexual activity with the child. He was apprehended by the FBI on scene.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abigail K. King and Courtney Derry.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Former High School Teacher Sentenced to 12 Years and 7 Months in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Jefferson County, KY –A former high school teacher from Jefferson County was sentenced today to more than 12 years in federal prison for three counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky and Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office made the announcement.
Brian Hinds, 52, was sentenced to 12 years and 7 months in federal prison, followed by a 15-year term of supervised release, for distributing child pornography to an undercover agent and possessing child pornography on his cellular phone. Hinds was ordered to pay $26,500 in restitution to the victims of his crimes. A review of Hinds’ phone revealed he possessed 3,326 images and 65 videos of child pornography. During an interview conducted on October 9, 2025, Hinds admitted to both sending and receiving child sexual abuse material through online messaging applications. Hinds was previously employed as a theater teacher at DuPont Manual High School’s Youth Performing Arts School. The investigation did not reveal any Manual students in any of the 3,326 images or the 65 videos of child pornography possessed by Hinds.
United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Distribution of child pornography is always a heinous crime, but Hinds’ actions are particularly disturbing. Outwardly, Hinds appeared to dedicate his life to educating and helping children but under the cloak of darkness and perceived anonymity he was disgustingly betraying his profession and the public’s trust by distributing disgusting child sexual abuse materials. Hinds has earned every last minute of his 151 month sentence.”
There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Spencer McKiness prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
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Former Daycare Worker Indicted on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury indicted a former daycare worker in connection with child sexual abuse crimes.
Simone Unadrea Avery, 23, of Baltimore, is charged with one count of sexually exploiting a child and two counts of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
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, on April 23, 2024, Avery, who worked at a daycare center as a substitute, produced two image files depicting a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. She also possessed an iPhone and a hard drive that each contained one or more visual depictions of a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
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, Avery faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a child and a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum sentence of 20 years for possessing CSAM.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Reema Sood who is 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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Former Cooper County R-IV School Board Vice-President Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud for Role in Misuse of School District FundsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Cooper County R-IV School District board member pleaded guilty in federal court today for her role in a wire fraud scheme that defrauded the school district out of $385,000.
Ashley Benny, 41, of Bunceton, Mo., waived her right to a grand jury and pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps to an information charging her with one count of wire fraud. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
Cooper County R-IV is a school district in Bunceton, Mo., with approximately 100 students. While serving as the school board treasurer in 2019, Benny was asked to research alternative investment options for the school district’s unallocated savings. Benny learned through a friend of a supposedly lucrative overseas “standby letter of credit” investment that carried no risk of loss. The school district agreed to Benny’s suggestion and voted to transfer $385,000 to a company called “AgFluent.” Prior to the board vote, Benny failed to disclose that she opened and controlled the AgFluent bank account and hoped to personally profit from the investment.
The investment was a scam, and the school district was defrauded out of $233,000 wired overseas by AgFluent. Contrary to AgFluent’s agreement with the school board, Benny then helped transfer the remaining school district investment funds to pay various other entities and expenses owed by a co-conspirator, including nearly $60,000 for the purchase of two semi-trucks and a $10,000 escrow payment on a failed land purchase deal. The school district never received any return on its $385,000 investment.
By pleading guilty today, Benny admitted that she is directly responsible for $146,518 in loss to Cooper County R-IV. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Benny must pay full restitution to the school district in this amount.
Under federal statute, Benny is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Constance and Lauren Kummerer. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, Kansas City Field Office.
National Fraud Enforcement Division
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Former CEO of Non-Profit Nursing Home Sentenced for Misapplication of PropertyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The former CEO of the non-profit Edgar P. Benjamin Health Center (EPBHC) was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for charges arising from his improper use of EPBHC funds.
Tony Francis, 60, of Needham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In February 2026, Francis pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional misapplication of money from a program receiving federal funds.
Francis was Administrator, President, and Chief Executive Officer of EPBHC, a non-profit entity that operated Benjamin Healthcare, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston. In and around 2023 and 2024, EPBHC faced significant financial deficiencies that included a shortage of cash and inability to make payroll. In April 2024 the Massachusetts Superior Court ordered the appointment of a receiver to operate EPBHC.
Francis abused his position of trust with EPBHC by intentionally misapplying funds belonging to EPBHC. Specifically, in 2020, Francis used close to $160,000 in Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds, that had been provided to EPBHC by the U.S. Small Business Administration, as a deposit for a personal real estate investment. In addition, in 2023 and 2024, Francis arranged for EPBHC to make payments of principal, interest and late fees on a $100,000 personal loan without having approval of the EPBHC Board of Directors to do so. Finally, at various times between 2022 and 2024, Francis drew on an EPBHC line of credit to transfer funds to his own personal checking account so that he would have sufficient funds account to pay his mortgage and personal credit card bills. In total, Francis misappropriated more than $190,000 from EPBHC, although Francis later returned most of these funds.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Abely, Chief of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case along with Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General Kevin Lownds, who was sworn in as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.
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.
Florida Man Charged for Using a Fraudulent Department of Justice Seal While Falsely Representing That He was a Federal ProsecutorRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Florida resident made his initial appearance in Newark Federal Court yesterday after he was arrested last week in Miami, Florida on charges that he used and affixed a fraudulently made Department of Justice seal on correspondence that he mailed to a luxury car company with corporate offices in New Jersey, while falsely representing that he was a federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Paul Richard Johnson, 55, of Miami, Florida, is charged by complaint with fraudulent use of a government seal on a letter dated October 15, 2024, to an automotive manufacturer with corporate offices in New Jersey, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 506(a)(2). The defendant appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Johnson, who had never been employed by the DOJ, began corresponding with an automobile manufacturer around July 2024 to resolve a dispute related to Johnson’s unpaid automobile lease. Due to the length of the delinquency, the automobile company had referred the matter to collections and wrote off Johnson’s debt, which ultimately resulted in Johnson receiving negative credit report entries. In his attempt to get the automobile manufacturer to take steps to repair his credit history, Johnson affixed the DOJ seal to letters he transmitted to the company.
For example, on or about July 11, 2024, Johnson sent a letter to the company’s corporate offices in central Ohio that featured the DOJ seal on the letterhead along with a heading of “US Department of Justice” and a subheading of “National Security Division.” Johnson wrote this letter to complain that the company had “reported me to all three credit bureaus for a loan write-off.” Further, Johnson wrote that “DOJ’s internal security team which monitors my, and other, personal information” had purportedly confirmed that the automobile manufacturer had reported a delinquency that led to the notification of the three credit bureaus. Johnson signed the letter, described his position as “Supervising Attorney, Criminal Division,” and listed a fraudulent DOJ e-mail address, despite never having been employed there.
Johnson sent at least two additional letters to the automobile manufacture’s Ohio headquarters in which he affixed the fraudulent DOJ seal and represented himself to be an “Assistant United States Attorney.”
Then, around October 15, 2024, Johnson wrote a fourth letter, this one directed to the automobile manufacturer’s corporate offices in Bergen County, New Jersey. As with the three earlier letters, Johnson used letterhead featuring the DOJ seal and referred to the “US Department of Justice” under which appeared the subheading “National Security Division.” Johnson rehashed many of the statements and requests from his earlier letters, but added, in the concluding paragraph, that “[i]f there is anything you can do to facilitate an alternative outcome, I can categorically state that your actions will be looked upon both favorably by me, including but not limited to, the 94 other US Attorneys’ offices.” Beneath his signature, Johnson listed his occupation as “Assistant United States Attorney,” and listed the same fake e-mail account purportedly with the DOJ.
The charge of fraudulently using a government seal is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, and special agents of the United States Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Maltese in Newark, with the investigation leading to Johnson’s arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.
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Defense counsel:
John Yauch, AFPD, Newark
johnson.complaint.pdfFlorida Businessman Sentenced to Prison for Evading $3.7 Million in TaxesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, FL – A Jacksonville businessman was sentenced today to 22 months in prison for evading millions of dollars in federal income taxes.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Phillip Mak, a sales representative, earned more than $10 million during the years 2008 through 2020. Mak owed more than $3.7 million in federal taxes on that income but did not pay them when required to do so. The IRS sent notices to Mak reminding him of his obligation to pay taxes and eventually filed a Notice of Federal Tax Lien against his property. Nevertheless, by the end of 2021, Mak still had not paid any federal income tax for the last 13 years.
In fact, Mak took steps to move his assets out of the reach of the IRS. Between 2019 and 2021, Mak transferred $1 million to his domestic partner instead of paying taxes to the IRS. He also transferred ownership of his personal residence to a trust created and controlled by his domestic partner. Finally, he created a corporate entity and deposited his personal income into the corporate entity’s bank account.
“Tax evasion isn’t financial strategy—it’s a deliberate choice with predictable consequences,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “Evading your true tax obligation is not a harmless oversight—it’s a serious violation of federal law. IRS Special Agents will follow the money and present the facts in court.”
Mak pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion. In addition to the prison sentence, Mak was sentenced to serve three years of supervised release and to pay approximately $3,751,485 in restitution to the United States.
U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Gregory W. Kehoe and Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Cannizzaro of the Middle District of Florida and Trial Attorneys Isaiah Boyd and Michael Jones of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Felon Who Crashed ATV into a Car, Fled Police, Sentenced to 48-Months for Possession of ‘Ghost Gun’Read the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Sidney Rogers, 35, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 48 months in prison in connection with the unlawful possession of a ghost gun while fleeing police on an all-terrain vehicle through a busy Southeast Washington neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Rogers pleaded guilty on Sept. 22, 2025, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. In addition to the 48-month prison term, Judge Timothy J. Kelly ordered Rogers to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 57-month prison term.
According to court papers, on June 4, 2025, at about 5:56 p.m., a Metropolitan Police Department officer observed Rogers operating a black and neon yellow ATV through the intersection of Morris Road SE and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE in violation of traffic laws. When the officer approached, Rogers accelerated the ATV forward, crashing it into a parked vehicle before fleeing on foot with a firearm in his waistband.
Image of Rogers running from officers with a firearm in his waistband.
During the foot chase, Rogers dropped a loaded magazine containing 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, which scattered across the street near a bus stop at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE and W Street SE. Officers apprehended Rogers and recovered a loaded ghost gun, a privately manufactured firearm bearing no serial number and untraceable by law enforcement.
Police recovered this “ghost gun” from Rogers.
Rogers was on supervised release for a prior firearms offense at the time of the incident. In 2022, he was convicted in D.C. Superior Court of unlawful possession of a firearm after a similar flight from police in which he drove a vehicle into a cement barrier and discarded a firearm out the window.
Rogers dropped a loaded magazine containing 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, which scattered across the street near a bus stop.
This case was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative.
Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington Field Office. The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Caelainn Carney.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia
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Federal authorities warn public of fraudsters impersonating prosecutorsRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Federal authorities are warning citizens of a scammer or group of scammers—potentially outside of the United States—contacting American citizens around the country, posing as prosecutors or other federal law enforcement officials and attempting to defraud people of money.
According to the FBI, the perpetrators reach out via text message, email or phone call, impersonating federal prosecutors or agents and claiming you have been a victim of fraud or are a suspect in a fraud investigation. There are typically several contacts before personal information is requested, including credit cards, banking and other information.
Scammers often provide details like actual law enforcement titles, badge numbers, names, and addresses to increase their credibility. They may even “spoof” phone numbers to make calls appear to come from legitimate government agencies, further deceiving victims. In this specific scheme, callers are identifying themselves as “Prosecutor Dominick Gerace.”
“The Department of Justice and the FBI will never direct you to wire money,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “If you receive calls or messages of this sort, do not provide any personal information, credit card numbers, prepaid cards or money. Federal authorities do not call victims of crimes or suspects of crimes and ask for money or personal identifying information over the telephone.”
“Government impersonation scams are on the rise and scammers are getting more sophisticated,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “If someone contacts you claiming to be from the government and pressures you to send money, it’s a scam. Report this activity to ic3.gov and protect your hard-earned savings by never sending money.”
Here are some tips to avoid becoming the victim of this type of scam:- Always be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls, text messages and emails.
- Never give money or personal information to someone with whom you don’t have ties and did not initiate contact.
- Trust your instincts: if an unknown caller pressures you or says things that don’t sound right, hang up.
- If concerns remain about the caller’s claims, verify the information with the appropriate law enforcement agency or court officials.
If you believe you have been a victim of a fraudulent scheme, you are encouraged to file a report, including a description of the caller and any available caller ID information, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
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Federal Jury Convicts Self-Proclaimed “Elite Ranked Pedophile” of Eleven Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida –A federal jury has found Frederick Karl Hildenbrand (56, Cocoa) guilty of nine counts of producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and two counts of possessing CSAM. Hildenbrand faces a minimum of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison for each production count, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each possession count. The maximum penalty for the possession counts was enhanced due to the jury’s finding that the material depicted young children. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to evidence presented at trial, Hildenbrand was residing in Ohio from at least 2004 through 2014. He and his wife later relocated to northeast Florida. While in Ohio, Hildenbrand produced a number of tapes and electronic files depicting himself sexually abusing children, including toddlers and infants. He brought these materials with him to Florida, and in 2018, rented a storage unit in which he placed a safe containing the CSAM.
In May 2024, after the storage unit company had changed ownership, Hildenbrand’s payments were no longer processed, and the storage unit was auctioned. The purchaser of the contents retrieved the safe from the storage unit and, after opening it, discovered multiple pairs of soiled children’s undergarments labeled with names and individually packaged in plastic baggies. Also, inside the safe were the tapes and electronic devices. The purchaser turned the materials over to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, and child exploitation material was discovered on the electronic media.
In July 2024, Hildenbrand realized that his unit had been auctioned and contacted the storage company to try and have his items returned. During multiple recorded phone calls, Hildenbrand expressed that he especially wanted the items returned from his safe. Unknown to Hildenbrand, he was communicating with an undercover detective from the Clay County Sheriff's Office. On August 5, 2024, Hildenbrand drove three hours from Cocoa to Clay County intending to get the safe back. Instead, he was arrested.
On the same day, detectives searched Hildenbrand’s residence and recovered electronic devices which also contained CSAM. Searches of these devices revealed that Hildenbrand had continued to film himself sexually abusing children through at least June 2024.
In total, Hildenbrand possessed at least 10,000 depictions of children being sexually abused. One of his computers contained two versions of a “poem” written by Hildenbrand about his insatiable lust for children, in which he described himself as “an Elite ranked pedophile” for over 30 years.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Cocoa Police Department, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Children and Families. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cofer Taylor.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Federal Grand Jury in Chicago Returns Indictment Against Operation Midway Blitz Defendant for Alleged Vehicle-Ramming Attack on Federal Immigration AgentRead the Press Release
CHICAGO – A federal grand jury in Chicago has returned an indictment charging a man with using a deadly or dangerous weapon, specifically, his vehicle, to assault a federal immigration agent during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago.
DIEGO EMMANUEL REYES, 21, of Chicago, is charged with assaulting impeding, intimidating, and interfering with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer using a deadly and dangerous weapon, namely, his vehicle, according to an indictment returned on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago. On Oct. 4, 2025, Reyes allegedly rammed his sport utility vehicle into the rear of a vehicle driven by the ICE agent, who was engaged in the performance of his official duties on the Southwest Side of Chicago, and upon doing so, accelerated his SUV forward pushing the agent’s vehicle. Video of the incident can be viewed here.
Given the enhanced penalty for using a deadly or dangerous weapon, the charge in the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Arraignment in federal court in Chicago has not yet been scheduled.
The indictment was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn McCarthy.
“What this defendant did on October 4, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois, during Operation Midway Blitz was a dangerous and brazen act of violence against a federal agent as well as an attack on the rule of law," said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Federal agents perform risky, essential work every single day to enforce our federal laws and keep our communities safe. The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office will never tolerate such conduct and will continue to hold accountable those who seek to assault, impede, intimidate, or interfere with lawful federal operations. I applaud our federal prosecutors and the federal agents and supervisors with the Chicago Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for having the fortitude, determination, and grit to see this important case through the grand jury where it can now be adjudicated to its fullest in a court of law.”
“The Chicago Field Office has zero tolerance for anyone impeding federal officers engaged in their lawful functions," said FBI SAC DePodesta. "The people of Chicago deserve to be safe and free from harm. The FBI is committed to using every available resource against those who undermine the rule of law and jeopardize the peace in our community.”
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
reyes_indictment.pdfFallen Philadelphia Firefighter Capt. Sean Williamson Selected by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Hometown Hero AwardRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that the office has named Captain Sean Williamson of the Philadelphia Fire Department (“PFD”) as the posthumous recipient of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s Hometown Hero award. The former U.S. Marine and 27-year PFD veteran was killed during fire suppression operations in June 2022.
As part of Freedom 250, United States Attorneys’ offices (USAOs) nationwide are honoring the Hometown Heroes of their districts. The Hometown Hero Award commemorates the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America by celebrating the enduring ideals of liberty, service, and civic responsibility. This award is dedicated in recognition of a steadfast commitment to these ideals and an embodiment of the spirit upon which our nation was founded.
U.S. Attorney Metcalf presented the award to Capt. Williamson’s family at a ceremony this afternoon, with PFD Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson and numerous PFD members, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) investigators, and Assistant United States Attorneys in attendance.
“We could not think of a more deserving recipient of the Hometown Hero Award than Captain Sean Williamson, who gave so much of himself to protect Philadelphians in his nearly three decades on the job,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “He should be here to accept the award himself. But I’m honored to present it to his loved ones today, in recognition of his selfless service.”
In the early hours of June 18, 2022, Capt. Williamson, filling in on an overtime assignment, was part of a PFD unit that responded to a fire at a mixed-used building that housed two apartments and a pizza shop. With the two young families who lived there able to safely flee the building, Capt. Williamson worked with other members of the PFD to place the fire under control.
They were on the second floor of the building, extinguishing hot spots, when the structure suddenly collapsed. Capt. Williamson was killed and several firefighters injured.
Following an investigation by ATF Philadelphia and the ATF’s National Response Team, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Philadelphia Police Department, with significant assistance provided by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections, the fire was determined to be arson and the two men responsible were prosecuted by this office, convicted, and sentenced to decades in prison.
Elkhart Cocaine Distributors Sentenced for Firearms and Controlled Substance OffensesRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Two men have been sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to various cocaine drug and gun related charges, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Derrick Glass, 40 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Glass was sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
Shawn Pettis, 35 years old, of Elkhart, Indiana, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Pettis was sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.
“Two armed Defendants teamed up and conspired to peddle cocaine and did so while armed with a firearm. They will spend nearly 13 years in prison because they ran into a much better team of the ATF, the Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enhancement Unit, and Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle, with the support of Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker and her office. Our communities and nation are safer because of their efforts,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
“ATF and our partners are out on the streets of Northern Indiana everyday investigating violent crimes including armed drug trafficking. The sentence imposed today reflects the serious consequences for those who use firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. ATF and our partners remain united in investigating and disrupting this violent criminal activity and working with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute this conduct,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon.
According to documents in the case, in February and March of 2025, Glass distributed firearms, ketamine, and cocaine to another person. During that time, Pettis assisted Glass with the distribution and stored cocaine and firearms at his home. Police found additional cocaine and firearms when they executed a search warrant at Pettis's home in March of 2025.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Elkhart County Intelligence & Covert Enforcement Unit and the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
EOIR Announces 77 Immigration Judges and 5 Temporary Immigration JudgesRead the Press Release
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) announced the swearing in of 77 immigration judges and 5 temporary immigration judges – the largest class of new adjudicators in EOIR’s history, growing the total immigration judge corps to nearly 700. EOIR has hired 153 permanent immigration judges this fiscal year, the most in any single year in the agency’s history.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and EOIR Director Daren K. Margolin delivered remarks, and Chief Immigration Judge Teresa L. Riley administered the oath of office during an investiture, which was held May 20, 2026, at the Department of Justice’s Great Hall in Washington, D.C.
“The Trump administration is committed to reestablishing an immigration judge corps that is dedicated to restoring the rule to the law in our nation’s immigration system,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Today, we are onboarding the largest immigration judge class in agency history. This could only happen thanks to President Trump’s decisive leadership and commitment to securing our borders. I also applaud EOIR’s leadership team for helping facilitate these hiring efforts and recruiting highly qualified and talented personnel in record time.”
After a competitive application process, the Acting Attorney General appointed Lucas I. Abbott, Shawn J. Abraham, Matthew N. Andrasko, Lauren M. Black, Christopher W. Bragg, Bradley R. Burke, André Carman, Brent Carr, Steven S. Chase, Kamra Sellers Craig, Jerome M. Day, Deborah D. Dictson, Richard J. Douglas, Meredith Duff, Bradly P. Duvall, Robert G. Eastman, Megan H. Eyes, Peter C. Faerber, Omar J. Famada, Terexa Fan, Thomas B. Fighter, Kenneth Flesch, Christopher R. Ford, Mary Foster, Kathryn E. Frames, Johanna Gaymer, Taylor A. Gillespie, James K. Glober, David J. Green, Jared L. Grimmer, Michael J. Gross, Benedict “Ben” S. Gullo, Damona Taef Hakiman, Shannon R. Holderfield, Richard S. Holloway, Kimberly B. Jeter, Graciela M. Jiron, Frank A. Jury II, Denise Kallas, Nadeem R. Kasam, Jean M. Kilker, Clayton M. Lawrence, Kerri N. Lechtrecker, Adrien Lee-Lo, Kieth E. Lipiec, Joseph Martinez, Robert A. McBride, Zachary McFarland, John E. Moriarty, Craig A. Newell Jr., Michael Matthew Osterberg, Robert G. Palmer, Jonathan Daniel Pelletier, Bayleigh J. Pettigrew, Anthony A. Picione, Jaime Poarch, Keira A. Poellet, Bill Radin, James M. Rice, Phoebe D. Riner, Jeremy A. Rovinsky, Sarah Sawwan, Thomas J. Shusted Jr., Paul Edmond Stephan, Rhonda M. Tucker, Amy Sigmon Walker, Natalie Walker, Matthew C. Wallace, Patricia Walter, Eric Wang, Wayne J. Warf, Thomas C. Weisert, Jennifer S. Wells, Nicole I. Wells, Devin A. Winklosky, Daniel J. Wright, and Maureen H. Zumwalt to their new positions as immigration judges, and Casey S. Caton, Paul J. Hornick, Kiley R. Hyatt, Jared J. Monaco, and Lisa M. Strader to their new positions as temporary immigration judges.
Reducing the immigration court backlog remains one of the highest priorities for the agency. Since January 20, 2025, EOIR has completed more than 1.08 million cases and has reduced its pending caseload in immigration courts by more than 447,000 cases, bringing the pending caseload down from approximately 4 million to under 3.53 million, the sharpest decrease in caseload in EOIR’s history.
All EOIR immigration judges, including temporary immigration judges, undergo the same robust training program. Biographical information with their qualifications and court assignments for each new judge can be found on EOIR’s webpage.
Dupree Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a WomanRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Abusive Sexual Contact. The sentencing took place on May 11, 2026.
Floyd Clown, Jr., age 41, was sentenced to five years in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Clown was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2025. He pleaded guilty on February 6, 2026.
The conviction stems from an incident that occurred in Dupree, South Dakota, within the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. On March 11, 2025, Clown invited the victim inside his residence and then forced her to have sexual contact with him after she refused his entreaties and told him to stop his advances.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.
Clown was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Disgraced IMPD Sergeant to Spend Nine Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Javed Richards, 45, of Indianapolis has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to distribution of visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Richards was ordered to pay $17,000 in restitution, to be divided among five victims and due immediately.
According to court documents, between July and August 2024, Richards used the social media application Kik to trade images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Using the online identity “Chasepleez” and a VPN to conceal his location, Richards engaged in conversations with other users to distribute and receive images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children. Richards possessed more than 600 files, including ones depicting the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, as well as depictions of sexual violence and the abuse of toddlers.
At the time of the offense, Richards was a Sergeant assigned to the Internal Affairs Unit of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), which is responsible for investigating allegations of officer misconduct.
“Richards is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. As a police officer, he swore an oath to protect our community. Instead, he chose to contribute to the revictimization of children and distributed images of horrific child sexual abuse, all while his job was to hold other officers accountable for violating those same oaths,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “These children had their innocence taken from them, and Richards—a trusted authority figure—preyed on their vulnerability for his own gratification. No badge places anyone above the law, and our office will continue to demonstrate that protecting children is the Justice Department’s highest duty.”
“The exploitation of children is among the most disturbing crimes we investigate, and this sentence clearly shows that no one is above the law. There are serious consequences awaiting those who abuse positions of trust to engage in criminal activity involving child sexual abuse material,” said Timothy J. O'Malley. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue working tirelessly to protect vulnerable victims and pursue offenders wherever they operate, regardless of their profession or position in the community.”
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Wood, who prosecuted this case.
This investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, a multiagency task force led by the Indiana State Police that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children. Each year, Indiana ICAC investigators evaluate thousands of tips, investigate hundreds of cases, and rescue dozens of children from ongoing sexual abuse. Visit https://www.internetcrimesagainstkids.com to learn more about their efforts.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
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Detroit Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – James Richard Mathis, 31, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced today to nine years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 3, 2024, Mathis possessed over 90 grams of methamphetamine and over 20 grams of fentanyl in or near Dunbar, West Virginia, that he intended to distribute.
On January 5, 2026, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in which Mathis was a passenger after he retrieved a package delivered in Charleston that investigators had identified as suspicious. Officers found more than a half-pound of methamphetamine and over 3 ounces of a mixture containing fentanyl in the vehicle. Investigators determined that Mathis had coordinated the shipment of the package from California in exchange for $2,600 and that it had contained 1 pound of methamphetamine, including the quantity found during the traffic stop. Later that day, officers executed a search warrant at the Charleston residence where Mathis was staying and seized nearly an additional pound of methamphetamine and quantities of cocaine and cocaine base, also known as “crack.”
Mathis has a criminal history that includes prior convictions for unlawful wounding and controlled substances offenses.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the West Virginia State Police, and the South Charleston Police Department. MDENT is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department, and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney JC MacCallum prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-87.
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Department of Justice’s Grant Program Awards Colorado Department of Public Safety $1.3 Million to Support Victims of Evergreen High School ShootingRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has awarded the Colorado Department of Public Safety $1.3 million to support the victims and community of the 2025 Evergreen High School shooting.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, there was a school shooting at Evergreen High School. During the incident, two students were shot and critically injured but survived. A teacher was also injured.
The funds awarded in this grant will be used to support recovery in several ways, including: providing counseling services to the victims of the shooting, including students and staff; creation of the Evergreen Resiliency Center which will help support victims of crime and other trauma; reimburse the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for overtime pay incurred while supporting victims in the immediate aftermath of the shooting; provide a trauma recovery coordinator, an additional counselor at Evergreen High School, and a half-time counselor at Wilmot Elementary where some victims sought shelter during the shooting; and support for the Colorado Department of Public Safety’s Office for Victims Programs, which provides ongoing support and victim compensation, of which some 400 claims have been filed to date in relation to this incident.
“My thoughts and prayers remain with the Evergreen High School community and those both injured and affected by this heinous act,” said United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly. “I know nothing can change what happened that day, but I hope the Evergreen Community knows that the Department of Justice stands with them and remains their partner today and in the future.”
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is the largest grantmaking component of the Department of Justice and houses the Department’s criminal and juvenile justice-related science, statistics, and programmatic agencies. OJP is committed to advancing work that furthers DOJ’s mission to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.
Culver City Man Who Worked for Nonprofit that Distributes Syringes to Homeless Drug Users Arrested on Federal Fentanyl ChargeRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Culver City man who worked for a nonprofit organization that distributes syringes to homeless drug users in Los Angeles and elsewhere was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with possessing fentanyl when police pulled him over while he drove a BMW near MacArthur Park earlier this month.
Christopher Barret Johnson, 42, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Johnson once worked for People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), a nonprofit that offers services to homeless people including street outreach, interim and permanent housing. PATH also serves as a vendor distributing syringes, including in MacArthur Park, a sector of the city characterized by high rates of poverty with many of its residents and visitors being drug users.
Johnson is expected to make his initial appearance tomorrow afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, during the late evening of May 5, 2026, Los Angeles Police officers patrolled the MacArthur Park area, which is notorious for the use and sale illegal drugs, including methamphetamine and fentanyl, in open-air markets.
At approximately 10:20 p.m., the officers observed a white BMW lacking a front license plate abruptly conduct a U-turn in front of them. The officers then conducted a traffic stop on the BMW.
The vehicle’s sole occupant was Johnson, who “appeared very nervous,” the affidavit states. While speaking with Johnson, one of the officers observed in plain view on the BMW’s center console a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine. The officer also saw Johnson carrying two knives in his waistband. The officer then ordered Johnson out of the car. Johnson complied.
The officers conducted a pat-down search of Johnson and found a plastic baggie containing methamphetamine in Johnson’s left front trouser pocket. Officers also searched the BMW and located a partially opened backpack that contained more plastic baggies containing methamphetamine and fentanyl, a digital scale that had fentanyl residue on it, empty plastic baggies, and cash.
Also found inside the BMW was a dish soap container that contained additional plastic baggies containing fentanyl. The BMW’s center console also contained cash and a large amount of plastic baggies.
Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed that the drugs seized from Johnson’s BMW and person included at least 142 grams of a substance that contained fentanyl and nearly 46 grams of methamphetamine.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, Johnson would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison.
This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division’s Southern California Drug Task Force (SCDTF), a DEA-led multi-agency task force within the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program, and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Jones of the General Crimes Section is prosecuting this case.
Cuban national extradited from Panama to face sex trafficking, extortion, cyberstalking and other charges in Homeland Security Task Force investigationRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 41-year-old man is set to make his initial appearance in Houston federal court on multiple charges for allegedly using threats, violence and other coercive means to compel four Cuban nationals to engage in commercial sex acts for his financial gain.
Michel Cedeno-Castillo was extradited from Panama May 20 and is now expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christina A. Bryan in Houston at 10 a.m.
A federal grand jury returned the 14-count indictment May 13, which was unsealed upon his arrest.
According to court documents, Cedeno-Castillo used false promises of lucrative employment in the United States to entice four victims to travel from Cuba to Texas. After the victims arrived in the United States, Cedeno-Castillo allegedly transported them within the Southern District of Texas knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that they had entered the United States in violation of the law. The indictment alleges he then used threats of violence, physical abuse and other coercive means to compel the victims to engage in commercial sex acts for his monetary benefit.
“Cedeno-Castillo allegedly lured women with lies and forced them into prostitution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “Any human trafficker who tries to flee the United States should know that we will work with our international partners, pursue every legal avenue, and wait as long as it takes to bring them to justice. The Southern District of Texas does not give up.”
“The defendant has been indicted for luring vulnerable women from Cuba to the United States with promises of financial stability only to force them to have sex with men for money for his monetary gain,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Michel Cedeno-Castillo will now face these human trafficking charges. No matter where it originates, the Criminal Division will pursue sex traffickers who target and exploit vulnerable victims.”
“The successful apprehension and extradition of this alleged sex trafficker sends a powerful message of deterrence to transnational criminal organizations across the globe that are involved in human trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations - Houston. “HSI and our Homeland Security Task Force partners are committed to eradicate this modern-day form of slavery from society and will bring every resource we have to bear to track you down and hold you to account for your alleged crimes.”
Cedeno-Castillo is charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; importing an alien for immoral purposes; conspiracy to transport an alien in the United States for financial gain; transporting for purposes of prostitution; extortion; and cyberstalking.
If convicted, he faces up to life in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekua Assabill is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorney Leah Branch from the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of Panama to secure the arrest and extradition from Panama of Cedeno-Castillo.
The investigation and charges are a result of coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha, a partnership with Department of Homeland Security which has been elevated and expanded with a mandate to target cartels and transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, including the Southern District of California, Districts of Arizona and New Mexico and Western and Southern Districts of Texas. Dedicated support is provided by the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Office of Enforcement Operations and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and other partners.
To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 455 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 400 U.S. convictions; more than 345 significant jail sentences imposed and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This investigation is also part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from ICE HSI; FBI; DEA; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Interpol/Department of State; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Cuban National Extradited from Panama to Face Sex Trafficking, Extortion, Cyberstalking, and Other Charges in Homeland Security Task Force InvestigationRead the Press Release
A 41-year-old citizen of Cuba living in the Southern District of Texas, is set to make his initial appearance in Houston on multiple charges for allegedly using threats, violence, and other coercive means to compel four Cuban nationals to engage in commercial sex acts for his financial gain.
According to court documents, Michel Cedeno-Castillo used false promises of lucrative employment in the United States to entice four victims to travel from Cuba to Texas. After the victims arrived in the United States, Cedeno-Castillo allegedly transported the victims within the Southern District of Texas knowing and in reckless disregard of the fact that they had entered the United States in violation of the law. He then allegedly used threats of violence, physical abuse, and other coercive means to compel the victims to engage in commercial sex acts for his monetary benefit.
“The defendant has been indicted for luring vulnerable women from Cuba to the United States with promises of financial stability only to force them to have sex with men for money for his monetary gain,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Michel Cedeno-Castillo will now face these human trafficking charges. No matter where it originates, the Criminal Division will pursue sex traffickers who target and exploit vulnerable victims.”
“Cedeno-Castillo allegedly lured women with lies and forced them into prostitution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “Any human trafficker who tries to flee the United States should know that we will work with our international partners, pursue every legal avenue, and wait as long as it takes to bring them to justice. The Southern District of Texas does not give up.”
“The successful apprehension and extradition of this alleged sex trafficker sends a powerful message of deterrence to transnational criminal organizations across the globe that are involved in human trafficking,” said Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston Field Office. “HSI and our law enforcement partners are committed to eradicate this modern-day form of slavery from society and will bring every resource we have to bear to track you down and hold you to account for your alleged crimes.”
Cedeno-Castillo is charged with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, importing an alien for immoral purposes, conspiracy to transport an alien in the United States for financial gain, transporting for purposes of prostitution, extortion, and cyberstalking. If convicted, he faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and up to life in prison.
The HSI Houston Field Office is investigating the case. The U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Investigative Strike Team provided valuable assistance.
Acting Deputy Chief Leah Branch of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ekua Assabill for the Southern District of Texas are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of Panama to secure the arrest and extradition from Panama of Cedeno-Castillo.
The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated prosecutors from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 455 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 400 U.S. convictions; and more than 345 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
This investigation is also part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Houston comprises agents and officers from ICE HSI; FBI; DEA; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Interpol/Department of State; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Crooks Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Hundreds of Pounds of Methamphetamine in Sioux Falls AreaRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Crooks, South Dakota, man convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance. The sentencing took place on May 18, 2026.
Cary Ludens, 50, was sentenced to 13 years and 3 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Ludens was indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance by a federal grand jury in February 2025. He pleaded guilty on March 2, 2026.
Ludens was involved in a drug trafficking organization that obtained methamphetamine from Arizona and distributed those drugs throughout South Dakota. The group trafficked the drugs both through the U.S. Mail and via cross-country car trips. Investigators became aware of the group and seized a methamphetamine-laden package that contained over four pounds of methamphetamine in December 2024. Investigators later seized two parcels sent from Sioux Falls to Arizona that contained a combined total of approximately $26,000. Ludens’ role in the conspiracy was as a distributor who obtained methamphetamine from a co-conspirator in South Dakota and then distributed it to others. Investigators determined that Ludens was responsible for distributing approximately 22 pounds of methamphetamine during his involvement in the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force and the United States Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
Ludens was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Columbus man sentenced to prison for dogfighting, drug distributionRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Columbus man was sentenced today to 71 months in prison and four years of supervised release after previously pleading guilty to dogfighting and drug distribution charges.
As part of his plea, Joel Brown, of Columbus, Ohio, admitted to keeping 11 pit bull-type dogs for fighting purposes in Franklin County, Ohio. He also admitted to possessing at least 50 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it in the community.
“Brown’s actions were cruel and illegal, endangering both the dogs that he trained to fight and the people of our community,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio. “That he was a repeat drug dealer who possessed a firearm while engaging in such inhumane treatment of animals only further demonstrates that a significant sentence in federal prison is needed to protect the community from his criminal conduct.”
“Dog fighting is a crime, and it is often, as in this case, linked with other crimes,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Communities are harmed when this kind of activity occurs. We’re grateful to the community members who called attention to the derelict condition of the dogs in Brown’s possession, which led to today’s sentencing. We are also grateful for the partnership of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, ATF, and others who investigated and prosecuted this case.”
According to court documents, law enforcement first investigated a property owned by Brown following a complaint to Columbus Humane about the condition of the dogs being housed by Brown. Dogs being kept for use in animal fights are often kept outdoors on heavy chains close to other dogs, but far enough apart to prevent them from touching. The heavy chains force the dogs to build muscles. The dogs’ proximity encourages aggression because they are near each other but unable to interact naturally.
Eventually, 12 dogs were recovered from Brown’s property, many of which showed scarring and other signs of dog fighting. In addition, treadmills, veterinary medicine, and other equipment commonly used by dog fighters were located in the residence. Law enforcement also recovered 53.48 grams of methamphetamine, a shotgun and ammunition, and various items associated with drug distribution.
Brown had previously been sentenced to 108 months in prison on drug and gun charges as part of a multi-defendant prosecution involving the notorious Columbus street gang, the Short North Posse.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Columbus Division of Police, and Columbus Humane investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Pakiz and Kevin W. Kelley for the Southern District of Ohio and Senior Trial Attorney Adam Cullman of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case.
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Columbia Man Sentenced to More than 16 years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine, FentanylRead the Press Release
OLUMBIA, S.C. — Micaiah Green, 31, of Columbia, has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for drug trafficking.
Evidence presented in court established that agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration identified Green as a significant supplier of narcotics in the Columbia area. Investigators learned through multiple sources that Green used various hotel rooms to store and distribute controlled substances. Between April and June 2024, Green distributed more than 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, 200 grams of fentanyl, and 900 grams of marijuana in the Columbia area.
Green has an extensive criminal history that includes prior convictions for burglary, first-degree assault and battery, attempted armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted violent felon, trafficking methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine base, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Green was on state bond at the time of the offense conduct in this case.
United States District Judge Sherri Lydon sentenced Green to 200 months in prison, to be followed by five years of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariyana Gore prosecuted the case.###
Collaboration Between Federal and Local Law Enforcement Leads to Seizures of Drugs, Guns and MoneyRead the Press Release
PLATTSBURG, NEW YORK – Three unlicensed marijuana dispensaries in Massena, New York were closed yesterday after an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration after receiving information from law enforcement in Massena. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam, FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig A. Tremaroli, HSI Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan, IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry Chavis, USBP Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia, St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua, St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle , Clinton County Sheriff Dave Favro, Massena Police Chief Cody Wilson, Plattsburgh Police Chief Jarrod Trombley.
“Since appointed to lead this office, it has been my priority to improve collaboration between federal partners and local law enforcement.” Said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “This operation is a shining example of that collaboration. Let this operation serve as a warning to anyone who believes they can exploit this region for criminal activity: the full resources of the federal government, working alongside our state and local partners, are now aligned, coordinated, and committed to shutting these operations down.”
“Yesterday, with the assistance our law enforcement partners, the DEA New York Enforcement Division conducted an operation which targeted three illegal and unlicensed marijuana dispensaries and numerous locations in upstate New York along the Northern Border” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “This operation resulted in the seizure of over 1000 lbs. of marijuana and THC related products, 40 pounds of suspected Methamphetamine, and approximately 20 illegal firearms, including assault style weapons and firearms equipped with extended magazines. Thanks to the strong partnership between the DEA and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we are securing our northern border, dismantling illegal operations, and holding accountable those responsible for flooding our neighborhoods with illicit drugs and violence.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig A. Tremaroli Stated: "The success of Operation Weed Out demonstrates the incredible partnerships at every level of law enforcement on the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). When we leverage our resources, we're able to deliver impactful results like this seizure, that undoubtedly make our communities safer. The North Country communities should know this collective team is laser focused on finding the individuals responsible for trafficking dangerous drugs and weapons on our streets and ensuring they are brought to justice."
Special Agent in Charge of IRS-CI New York Harry T. Chavis, Jr. Stated: “We remain committed to ensuring that every business operating in this district follows the law and puts community safety first. These unlicensed dispensaries chose profit over public health, and our team worked closely across agencies to trace the financial flows behind their illegal operations. By following the money, we are able to disrupt the profit incentives that drive this conduct and make clear that such schemes will not be tolerated,”St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle Stated: “This was a great law enforcement collaboration with our federal and local partners to help keep our community safe, especially the youth of the community. This collaboration ensures that illegal marijuana shops don’t continue to operate in our county.”
“This case is a perfect example demonstrating the impact of strong interagency partnerships. The multi-agency members Safely executed a well-designed plan after an in-depth methodical investigation resulting in a much safer community.” Said Clinton County Sheriff David FavroAccording to civil forfeiture complaints filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Uncle Crandy’s, Vape Bank/All the Smoke Massena, formerly known as 1 Willow Cannabis Co., and Famous A’s were distributing marijuana and marijuana products without obtaining the necessary licenses from the State of New York. Each dispensary also allegedly sold products prohibited by New York State law. For instance, Famous A’s sold THC products that look like candy bars; Uncle Crandy’s sold THC gummies advertised as containing more than 10 times the limit; and Vape Bank/All the Smoke Massena, formerly known as 1 Willow Cannabis Co. Bank, sold marijuana products with cartoon labels. Uncle Crandy’s and Famous A’s also allegedly distributed marijuana to an underage law enforcement officer.
The DEA, FBI, HSI, IRS-CI, Massena Police Department, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and Plattsburgh City Police Department are investigating the case with the assistance of the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Brown is handling the civil forfeiture.
Civil Rights Division Oversees a Record $18.25 Million Back-Pay Distribution to U.S. Workers Harmed by Apple’s Past Hiring and Recruitment PracticesRead the Press Release
The United States Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division announced that $18.25 million in back pay has been processed for U.S. workers as part of a previously announced settlement with Apple, Inc. (“Apple”).
The Department opened an investigation into Apple in 2019 under the first Trump administration, as part of the Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative (“Initiative”). After finding that Apple’s hiring and recruitment practices deterred U.S. workers from applying to positions, the Department settled the matter in 2023 for $18.25 million in back pay to compensate qualifying U.S. workers and $6.75 million in civil penalties.
“The Civil Rights Division will keep fighting for U.S. workers and will hold companies accountable for favoring temporary visa holders for American jobs,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We appreciate Apple’s cooperation to ensure that this settlement was fully implemented.”
The claims administration process for this resolution involved a thorough and individualized assessment of thousands of potential claimants, including a review of each U.S. worker’s lost income to determine exact back-pay amounts for each qualifying U.S. worker. The Department’s oversight over this complex process ensured exhaustion of the entire back-pay fund and that Apple compensated qualifying U.S. workers harmed by its past practices.
In addition to monetary relief, the settlement also required Apple to give U.S. workers greater opportunities to apply for positions advertised as part of Permanent Labor Certification (“PERM”) recruitment. These changes included requiring Apple to post PERM positions on its external job website, accept electronic applications, and train its employees on the anti-discrimination requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”).
Since the January 2025 relaunch of the Initiative, the Department has obtained eleven settlements to enforce the INA’s prohibition on citizenship status discrimination against companies that illegally discriminate against U.S. workers in favor of those with temporary employment visas. For information about additional settlements under the Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, visit IER’s website.
The public can call IER’s free hotline at 1-800-255-7688 for workers or at 1-800-255-8155 for employers (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired) for informal assistance between 9am and 5pm Eastern Time, Monday - Friday; sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; email IER@usdoj.gov; or visit www.justice.gov/ier.
Chesapeake man sentenced to over seven years in prison for trafficking guns and cocaineRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Chesapeake man was sentenced yesterday to seven years and six months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, from Oct. 17, 2023, to Nov. 14, 2023, Deionte Deard Bratton, 44, sold cocaine, fentanyl, and four firearms in a series of four controlled purchases conducted by law enforcement. During the Nov. 14 transaction, Bratton received fentanyl from Kenyon Thomas, 43, of Norfolk, which Bratton then sold.
Following the Nov. 14 transaction, in December 2023 and November 2024 law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases of a total of over 56 grams of fentanyl and the purchase of one firearm from Thomas. On Jan. 13, Thomas pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On April 15, Thomas was sentenced to eight years and seven months in prison.
Bratton and Thomas have previous felony convictions and cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case with assistance from the Norfolk Police Department.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nikolas Nelson and Assistant U.S. Attorney Darryl J. Mitchell prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-132.
Career Criminal & Drug Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years After Using Handgun to Threaten Evansville Detectives During ArrestRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Binnie Y. Bryant Jr., 36, of Evansville, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents, in 2024, Evansville Police Department detectives discovered a social media video showing Bryant displaying two semi‑automatic pistols. Bryant is prohibited under federal law from possessing any firearm due to an extensive history of felony convictions, including two counts of armed robbery, four counts of criminal recklessness, two counts of intimidation, failure to register as a sex offender, trafficking a controlled substance with an inmate, residential entry, dealing marijuana with a prior drug conviction, resisting law enforcement, and battery against a public safety officer.
On January 23, 2024, uniformed detectives approached Bryant as he walked near an intersection and attempted to stop him. Bryant immediately fled on foot and violently resisted arrest once apprehended. During the struggle, Bryant reached toward his waistband, grabbed the handle of a Glock pistol, and attempted to draw it. Detectives were able to disarm him and take him into custody without further incident. A search of Bryant’s pockets revealed 20.8 grams of heroin, 96.5 grams of THC, and two digital scales.
In recorded jail calls from the Vanderburgh County Corrections Complex, Bryant admitted to a woman that he fled because he knew he was illegally carrying a firearm. He further stated that he “tried to pull my s**t out and get to dumpin on thy ass on god.” Dumping is a common street term meaning to shoot at someone.
“This defendant’s long history of violent crime and his attempt to draw a firearm on officers underscore exactly why federal firearm laws exist. When individuals with violent felony records continue to arm themselves, we will act decisively,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This sentence makes clear that those who threaten our community and the officers who protect it will be held fully accountable.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Evansville Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
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.
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Canadian man arrested by international authorities, charged with administrating KimWolf DDoS botnetRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A criminal complaint was unsealed in the District of Alaska today charging a Canadian man with operating the KimWolf Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Internet of Things (IoT) botnet. The U.S. complaint was unsealed following the defendant’s arrest in Canada by Canadian authorities.
According to court documents, on April 10, 2026, U.S. authorities criminally charged Jacob Butler, aka “Dort,” 23, of Ottawa, Canada, with offenses related to the development and operation of the KimWolf botnet. KimWolf was a DDoS-for-hire service which infected over a million devices worldwide, including devices located in Alaska. The complaint remained sealed pending Butler’s arrest.
Following coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General’s Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Butler was taken into custody yesterday in Ottawa, Canada, pursuant to an extradition warrant.
In March 2026, U.S. authorities, in partnership with international law enforcement partners, conducted a court-authorized law enforcement operation to seize Command and Control (C2) infrastructure used by the Aisuru, KimWolf, JackSkid and Mossad IoT botnets.
According to court documents, KimWolf targeted infected devices which were traditionally “firewalled” from the rest of the internet, such as digital photo frames and web cameras. The infected devices were enslaved by the botnet operators. The operators then used a “cybercrime as a service” model to sell access to the infected devices to other cybercriminals. The operators and their customers forced the victim devices to participate in DDoS attacks, targeting computers and servers located throughout the world, including Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN) IP addresses.
KimWolf was tied to DDoS attacks which were measured at nearly 30 Terabits per second, a record in recorded DDoS attack volume. These attacks resulted in financial losses which, for some victims, exceeded one million dollars. The KimWolf botnet is alleged to have issued over 25,000 attack commands.
Law enforcement allegedly connected Butler to the administration of the KimWolf botnet through IP address, online account information, transaction records, and online messaging application records obtained through the issuance of legal process.
In addition to Butler’s arrest, the Central District of California unsealed seizure warrants which targeted online services supporting 45 DDoS-for-hire platforms. These seizures broadly disrupted the DDoS platforms, including at least one that collaborated with Butler’s KimWolf botnet. U.S. authorities also seized domain records associated with many of these services, redirecting them to an authorized “splash page,” which displays a warning to potential visitors that DDoS services are illegal.
Butler is charged with one count of aiding and abetting computer intrusion. If convicted, Butler faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska and Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the DCIS Cyber Field Office made the announcement.
DCIS is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Anchorage Field Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California handled the recent infrastructure seizures.
International partners in this investigation included the Ontario Provincial Police, Sûreté du Québec, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and German Bundeskriminalamt (BKA).
Additionally, the U.S. Justice Department thanks Akamai, Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare, DigitalOcean, Epieos, Google, Hydrolix, Lumen, Nokia, Oracle, PayPal, Registrar of Last Resort, Salesforce Counter-Threat Ops, The Shadowserver Foundation, Sony Interactive Entertainment, SpyCloud, Synthient, Team Cymru, Unit 221B, XLAB and EUROPOL’s PowerOFF team for their assistance provided during this investigation and operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander is prosecuting the case.
If anyone has information on the alleged threats or other DDoS threats, please contact U.S. authorities at DCIS-PowerOff@DoDIG.mil.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Bryant Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann sentenced a Bryant, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on May 18, 2026.
Jerry Allan Kretzschmar, 44, was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Kretzschmar was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He pleaded guilty on October 8, 2025.
On February 5, 2025, investigators with the Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at Kretzschmar’s residence in Bryant. The search yielded numerous firearms and drug-related items. Investigators then obtained a second search warrant for a farm property south of Bryant, which Kretzschmar utilized for storage. Several additional firearms were located during the search of that property. A total of 12 firearms were seized between the two properties. Kretzschmar is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous felony conviction.
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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
This case was investigated by the Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Joyce prosecuted the case.
Kretzschmar was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Bozeman woman sentenced to prison for bank fraud and money launderingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Bozeman woman who obtained federal COVID relief funds through fraud was sentenced yesterday to 30 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided.
Alaina Marie Garcia, 41, previously pleaded guilty in January 2026 to one count of bank fraud and one count of money laundering.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The government alleged in court documents that on May 5, 2020, Garcia, as an authorized representative of Bluebird Property Rentals LLC, an entity she controlled, applied for and was approved for a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan through Celtic Bank in the amount of $613,000. In the PPP application, Garcia falsely stated Bluebird Property Rentals LLC had paid payroll taxes and had 32 employees with an average monthly payroll expense of $245,533. None of these statements were true.
In reality, Garcia and Bluebird Property Rentals LLC had no employees and had never paid payroll taxes. Both of these fraudulent statements were material as they affected Garcia’s eligibility to receive the loan and the amount she received. Without these fraudulent statements, the loan would not have been issued.
In the loan application, Garcia also agreed the funds “will be used to retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments, as specified under the Paycheck Protection Program Rule.” Instead, Garcia spent the funds on personal expenses for her private benefit. Most of the funds were used to purchase a large piece of property in the Bozeman area. On May 11, 2020, Garcia transferred $548,000 of the loan proceeds to Axilon Law Group as a part of this real estate transaction.
On July 25, 2020, Garcia applied for and was granted forgiveness of the loan. To obtain forgiveness, Garcia falsely claimed to have used the funds for qualified expenses including payroll and business mortgage interest payments. None of these statements were true.
“While business owners and families were struggling during the COVID pandemic, Garcia was scheming to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program for personal gain,” said Amanda Prestegard, Special Agent in Charge of IRS‑CI’s Denver Field Office. “IRS‑CI has dedicated significant resources to investigating and uncovering COVID‑relief fraud and holding those who stole from these programs accountable continues to be a top priority.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich prosecuted the case. The Internal Revenue Service and Small Business Administration conducted the investigation.
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Billings man pleads guilty to drug chargesRead the Press Release
BILLINGS - A Billings man who trafficked significant amounts of methamphetamine admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
The defendant, Joshua Jacob Best, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Best faces 15 years to life in prison, a $20,000,000 fine, at least 10 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided and will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for October 1, 2026. Best remained detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that a drug smuggling ring run out of Mexico and operating in Wyoming, South Dakota, California, and Montana, had operators in Billings. Billings police learned through an informant in June 2023 that Raymond Best was bringing “pounds of meth” and other drug into Billings.
Over the course of the next several months, investigators learned Best’s brother, Joshua Best, was helping move cash and drugs between Mexico and Billings. During an undercover operation in October 2023, Joshua Best arranged to deliver $67,000 in the Walmart parking lot to an undercover agent who would then transport the money to the Los Angeles area. Best showed up to make the drop in a black Chevy Camaro.
In January 2024, following a lead from the DEA, law enforcement pulled over a courier in a rental car after it had left Des Moines, Iowa, and discovered 57 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 1 kilogram of cocaine and approximately 2 pounds of marijuana. The rental car had been arranged by Joshua Best, who was the contact to pick up the drugs once they reached Billings.
Then in March 2024, Joshua Best crashed a black Chevy Camaro on Monad Road. He ran from the scene, dropping two heat-sealed bags as he fled. Officers served a search warrant on the Camaro and found a vacuum sealed bag containing 496.4 grams of methamphetamine on the driver’s side floor. Also in the car were numerous documents belonging to Joshua Best even though he was not the registered owner.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Montana comprises agents and officers from a number of federal agencies as well as drug task forces throughout the state, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Billings Police Department and Eastern Montana High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force conducted the investigation as part of the HSTF.
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Armed Kent, Washington, drug trafficker sentenced to six years in prison for role in a family-led drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 33-year-old Kent, Washington, resident who evidence shows participated in a drug trafficking conspiracy while armed with firearms, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to six years in prison for drug trafficking, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Treyvon Mitchell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in March 2026. Mitchell was identified as a member of the Jackson Family Drug Trafficking Organization that was indicted with 14 arrests in October 2024. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead said, “You were part of a conspiracy to distribute drugs across state lines and you were armed while doing it…fentanyl is already deadly on its own. People died here. Three people died in one day on the Lummi reservation from fentanyl that this conspiracy was pumping into that community…that was the business you were in. And the guns made it worse.”
“This wire-tap investigation revealed Mr. Mitchell and alleged drug trafficking leader Marquise Jackson discussing their drug distribution conspiracy as well as sex trafficking activity,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. “Equally disturbing, a gun seized in a search of Mitchell’s home has been tied to three different Seattle shootings. This sentence is needed to protect the public.”
According to records filed in the case, Mitchell was identified as a co-conspirator in the Jackson Family drug distribution ring. Mitchell was a high-level member of the group which distributed more than 800,000 fentanyl pills throughout the United States, including in Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana, and Georgia. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized more than 846,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 7 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 7 kilograms of cocaine and 29 firearms. They also seized more than $116,000 in cash.
In October 2024, the home Mitchell shared with his mother was searched by law enforcement. Four firearms were recovered as well as cocaine, fentanyl pills, marijuana and other drugs. One of the firearms has been linked to shell casings found at the
scenes of three Seattle-area shootings: a June 2021 shooting that left two injured near an elementary school in central Seattle; a September 2021 shooting in Burien where Mitchell’s mother’s ex-boyfriend was pistol-whipped and his car was shot up; and a July 2022 shooting outside a bar in Renton.
Both Mitchell and Marquise Jackson are known members of the street gang 44 Holly Crips. Mitchell denies belonging to the street gang, but his text messages as well as assorted jewelry seized in the case indicate he is a member. Mitchell’s gold chains, seized by law enforcement as proceeds of crime, are adorned with a large diamond encrusted gold “44” and other symbols tied to his street name “Makin Money Mitch.”
Evidence in the case indicates that Mitchell’s criminal association with the Jackson drug trafficking organization dates back to December 2020 and that he began working as a drug distributor no later than January 2023. Mitchell was indicted in April 2025.
In asking for an 87-month prison sentence prosecutors wrote to the court that Mitchell was no mere pawn in the drug conspiracy saying, “Mitchell also participated in the planning and organizing of the criminal activity and exercised decision-making authority over his drugs. Intercepted texts from Mitchell’s phone show him plotting with other co-conspirators to obtain a supplier of fentanyl pills, agreeing to profit sharing, and determining the price he would sell the pill drugs for.”
“Mr. Mitchell was a trusted associate of the leadership of this drug trafficking organization, helping to distribute huge amounts of fentanyl across the United States,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Let this sentence send a message that the FBI and our partners are committed to removing highly dangerous and addictive drugs from our communities and combatting the violent crime that so often accompanies it.”
“Fentanyl trafficking and gun violence go hand in hand, and this case demonstrates the devastating impact these criminal organizations have on our communities,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This defendant helped fuel a conspiracy responsible for distributing hundreds of thousands of deadly fentanyl pills and possessing a firearm tied to multiple shootings. DEA’s Fentanyl Free America focuses on disrupting these violent trafficking networks, reducing the availability of fentanyl, and saving American lives. Through strong partnerships with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement, we are making our communities safer.”
These investigations and prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159. 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.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, (Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, Kansas City, Dallas, Las Vegas, Montana), DEA (Seattle, Kansas City, Wichita, Montana), the Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, the Lummi Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and United States Border Patrol Blaine Sector Targeting and Intelligence Division.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Crystal Correa, and Michael Harder.