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28 April 2026
Dominican National Living in Waterbury under False Identity Pleads Guilty to Passport Fraud, Identity Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ, 46, a citizen of the Dominican Republic unlawfully residing in the United States, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Vernon D. Oliver in Hartford to passport fraud and identity theft offenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in June 2025, an individual who had been recently released from prison (the “victim”) applied for a Connecticut identification card at the Waterbury branch of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”). When processing the victim’s application, the DMV determined that there was already an active driver’s license for the victim that had been issued in 2001 and renewed multiple times. An investigation determined that Rodriguez, who lived in Waterbury, was the unlawful holder of the driver’s license and had assumed the victim’s identity. Investigators discovered that the victim’s identity had two different FBI fingerprint profiles, and that the Waterbury Police Department had arrest records and booking photographs of Rodriguez posing at the victim.
On March 5, 2020, Rodriguez used the name, date of birth, and place of birth of the victim to apply for a U.S. passport in Waterbury. He received the passport and used it for travel and identification purposes.
Rodriguez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on December 30, 2025, after he submitted the false passport to the U.S. Department of State and falsely represented himself as the victim and as a U.S. citizen.
Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of using a passport secured by a false statement, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of two years. Judge Oliver scheduled sentencing for July 27.
Rodriguez has been detained since his arrest.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, with the assistance of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and the Waterbury Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.
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.
Deltona Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Attempting to Meet a 13-Year-Old Girl to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Keiron Jashua Williams (23, Deltona) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to 15 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Williams pleaded guilty on November 19, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, in June 2025, a detective with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office posed online as a 13-year-old girl (UC). Williams messaged the UC account. After learning he was speaking with a minor, Williams engaged in a sexually explicit conversation. On July 5, 2025, Williams was arrested after he traveled to a location in Marion County to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity. A search of Williams’s car revealed he had brought an unopened box of condoms, a video game system, and marijuana for the meeting with the minor.
This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Coralville Woman Pleads Guilty to Bankruptcy FraudRead the Press Release
A Coralville woman who initiated a bankruptcy case in order to defraud a nursing home out of more than $70,000 pled guilty on April 22, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Donita Rose Eckrich, age 64, from Coralville, Iowa, was convicted of one count of bankruptcy fraud.
In a plea agreement, Eckrich admitted that, in 2021 and 2022, a former nursing home resident was suffering from severe cognitive impairments and unable to manage the resident’s financial affairs. The resident owed a nursing home over $150,000 for care since 2019. The resident had assets, including valuable real estate in Holy Cross, Iowa, and an annuity check from an insurer in the amount of nearly $75,000.
Eckrich devised a scheme to defraud the nursing home by fraudulently concealing and transferring the nursing home resident’s assets and otherwise violating the bankruptcy laws of the United States. For example, Eckrich caused an attorney to file a bankruptcy case in the former nursing home resident’s name, but hid the annuity check from the nursing home and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa. Once the bankruptcy court discharged the former nursing home resident’s debt to the nursing home, Eckrich cashed the insurance company’s check and made five cash withdrawals of $15,000 each in order to conceal the location of the annuity money.
Eckrich and others at her request also created a “quit claim deed” in which the former nursing home resident purported to convey real estate in Holy Cross to Eckrich for “One Dollar(s) and other valuable consideration.” Eckrich obtained the Holy Cross property free and clear of any debt to the nursing home and without using any of the annuity moneys to pay the debt owed to the nursing home.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Eckrich remains free on bond previously set. Eckrich faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, the Coralville Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-94.
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Convicted Sex Trafficker Sentenced to Additional 19 Months in Prison for Failing to Meet Sex Offender Registry Requirements and Violating Terms of Supervised ReleaseRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Malik Hudson, 30, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 15 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment by United States District Chief Judge Wendy Beetlestone for failing to keep his sex offender registration up to date. In addition, Judge Beetlestone imposed a consecutive sentence of four months’ imprisonment and a concurrent sentence of 10 years of supervised release for Hudson’s violation of the terms of his supervised release.
The defendant pleaded guilty in November 2018 to sex trafficking of a minor and was sentenced in September 2019 to 72 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. Both Hudson’s guilty plea agreement and the sentencing judgment advised the defendant of his requirements under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), including the need to “update his registrations not later than three business days after any change of name, residence, employment, or student status.” The defendant confirmed that he understood these obligations.
Hudson was released from Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”) custody on September 27, 2024, and began his term of supervised release. He then immediately absconded, never reporting to the U.S. Probation Office as required. The defendant’s assigned probation officer repeatedly tried to contact and locate the defendant, to no avail.
In addition to failing to report to the Probation Office, the defendant failed to update his sex offender registration, as required by law.
On October 8, 2024, the Probation Office filed a violation of supervised release (“VOSR”) petition against the defendant. Hudson was apprehended in June 2025, after being caught stealing items from a Philadelphia store.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Castilla Geiger.
Connecticut Resident Sentenced to Nine Months’ Imprisonment for Fraudulently Obtaining $1.2 Million in Unclaimed PropertyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Patricia A. White, age 70, resident of Old Greenwich, Connecticut, was sentenced on April 27, 2026, to nine months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for submitting false and fraudulent claims for unclaimed property to state treasuries. White was also ordered to pay $1,208,271.40 in restitution to approximately 30 state treasuries.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, White, along with her brother and codefendant, Henry A. White, Jr., together received over $1.2 million in false and fraudulent claims for unclaimed property from state treasuries around the United States. Henry White using the names of corporate entities with which he was not affiliated and which he had no lawful authority to use, applied for and received unclaimed property from state treasuries throughout the United States. The scheme took place over the course of approximately ten years, from 2013 until around 2022. State treasuries, relying on the certifications provided by Henry White under penalty of perjury, issued payment checks, which were generally sent by U.S. mail to the shared home address of both defendants.
From there, the Whites deposited and cashed these fraudulently obtained payment checks into a joint bank account, and they used these funds for personal expenses, including for mortgage payments for their shared home in Connecticut. At the time of her guilty plea, Patricia White admitted to personally depositing some of these fraudulently obtained checks.
Henry White was sentenced on December 17, 2025 to 37 months in prison and was ordered to pay the same restitution amount as Patricia White.
Patricia White will surrender herself to the Bureau of Prisons on May 8, 2026.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma prosecuted the case.
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Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation to Perform at Least $12 Million in Corrective Measures to Address Contamination at Middletown Works in OhioRead the Press Release
Note: the press release has been updated to include a quote from EPA.
Today, the Department of Justice announced a proposed settlement with Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Corporation (Cliffs) requiring it to address releases of hazardous waste at its Middletown Works facility.
Under the proposed consent decree, Cliffs will perform long-term corrective measures to comply with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The required corrective measures will address several site areas at the Middletown Works, a 2,600-acre integrated steel mill that has operated in Middletown, Ohio, since 1901.
“This settlement shows the Administration’s commitment to protecting the health and safety of the public, including workers at the Middletown Works,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The Department of Justice is committed to addressing hazardous waste while ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable and the public is not left with the bill.”
“This consent decree ends decades of litigation uncertainty and shows that this Administration will pursue efficient cleanups using all available tools,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “This novel consent decree based on EPA’s expertise ensures full remediation of longstanding hazardous waste alongside continued operation of the steelworks and that the responsible party bears the cost of cleanup. EPA’s oversight of Cleveland Cliff’s implementation of the cleanup framework will ensure this work is properly completed in a timely manner.”
This consent decree will provide final closure to a civil lawsuit against Cliffs’ predecessor, AK Steel Corporation, by the Department of Justice and later joined by the state of Ohio and environmental groups. Under a partial settlement, AK Steel conducted cleanups of two tributaries to the Great Miami River and agreed to perform comprehensive investigations of other contaminant releases and evaluate potential corrective measures. Under the consent decree lodged today, Cliffs now agrees to implement the corrective measures when approved and selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The first two areas to be addressed under the new consent decree are closed landfills that historically received wastes from Middletown Works including industrial wastewater treatment sludges, steel production process sludges, and slag. The corrective measures at these areas are expected to cost $12 million. Additionally, the consent decree will require Cliffs to implement corrective measures at other site areas, such as the Middletown Works’ production and slag processing areas. These steps are needed to achieve long-term protection of human health and the environment.
The consent decree was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and is subject to a 30-day public comment period. The complaint and proposed consent decree are available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.
EPA has overseen the interim measures and RCRA Facility Investigations and Corrective Measures Studies that Cleveland-Cliffs has conducted at and around the facility. The proposed consent decree requires that Cleveland-Cliffs implement corrective measures at the facility and provide financial assurance for that work.
ENRD’s Environmental Enforcement Section is handling the case.
Clermont Woman Charged in $3.9 Million Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Colleen Kieran (57, Clermont) has been charged by federal indictment with six counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Kieran faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Kieran that the United States is seeking the forfeiture of $3.9 million, the proceeds of the charged criminal conduct. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Kieran oversaw the accounting department of a business based in Seminole County. Over the course of nearly 13 years, Kieran used her position to siphon more than $3.9 million from the company’s accounts into her own personal PayPal account. After taking the money, Kieran spent it on clothing, travel, entertainment, dining, consumer electronics, and entertainment media. Throughout the scheme, Kieran obtained loans in the company’s name to conceal the stolen money. She also provided false information about the company’s finances to her employers and the company’s tax preparer.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Longwood Police Department, and the Seminole Financial Crimes Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan. The forfeiture is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Andrejko.
Civil Rights Division Sues Cloudera for Excluding U.S. Workers from Applying to High-Paying Technology JobsRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Cloudera Inc. (Cloudera), a Santa Clara, California-based technology company for violating the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by intentionally discriminating against U.S. workers in favor of hiring workers with temporary visas. The complaint was filed with the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which has jurisdiction over cases arising under the INA.
“Employers cannot use the PERM sponsorship process as a backdoor for discriminating against U.S. workers,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Division will not hesitate to sue companies who intentionally deter U.S. workers from applying to American jobs.”
The complaint alleges Cloudera intentionally created a separate recruitment and hiring process to deter U.S. workers from applying, and also did not consider them, for lucrative technology jobs that the company earmarked for people with temporary employment visas. Cloudera created an email account that did not allow external emails, but still instructed applicants to use that unworkable email address to apply for jobs. The Division received a charge of employment discrimination from one U.S. worker who tried to apply using the email account Cloudera set up, but received a bounce back notification. When sponsoring current employees under the permanent labor certification program (PERM), Cloudera purposely failed to recruit U.S. workers in good faith.
The PERM program allows employers to sponsor workers for permanent resident status, only after completing recruitment of U.S. workers. But, as with any recruitment or hiring, employers cannot illegally discriminate against U.S. worker applicants based on their citizenship status during the PERM process.
This lawsuit is part of the Department’s Protecting U.S. Workers Initiative, which was relaunched in 2025. The Initiative, under which the Division has already obtained ten settlements in the last year, focuses on 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.
For informal assistance, 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 between 9am and 5pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday; sign up for a live webinar or watch an on-demand presentation; email IER@usdoj.gov; or visit www.justice.gov/ier.
Cincinnati man sentenced to more than 6 years in federal prison for gun & drug crimesRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Myron Nichols, 29, of Mt. Healthy, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 80 months in prison for fentanyl and firearms crimes.
According to court documents, in November 2024, Nichols, driving a stolen vehicle, fled from Cincinnati police officers when they attempted to stop him for multiple traffic violations.
Hours later, police officers were dispatched to Kellogg Avenue for a reported fight or disturbance. Nichols was at the scene in the stolen vehicle. When officers told him to exit the vehicle, the defendant fled on foot and was ultimately apprehended after a short pursuit.
Upon Nichols’ arrest, officers discovered a pistol in his jacket pocket. After the stolen vehicle was towed to the Cincinnati police impound lot, officers located distribution quantities of fentanyl and fentanyl mixture in the vehicle’s center console area.
Nichols was arrested in July 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Cincinnati Police Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie; and Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit; announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Keefe is representing the United States in this case.
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Chippewa County Man Sentenced to 6 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Joshua Dale Cline, 29, Jim Falls, Wisconsin, was sentenced last week by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 6 years in federal prison for receiving child pornography. The prison term will be followed by 15 years of supervised release. Cline was also ordered to pay $38,500 in restitution to the victims. Cline pleaded guilty to this crime on February 9, 2026.
On three occasions between November 2024 and January 2025, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received tips that Kik accounts associated with Cline were being used to send and receive child pornography. Additionally, on January 27, 2025, Cline sent images of child pornography to an undercover agent via Kik. Upon arrest, Cline admitted he had been using Kik to trade images of child pornography for over a year.
Judge Peterson noted the sentence accounted for aggravating factors including the extended time Cline was involved with trading child pornography, and the very young age of the victims. Judge Peterson emphasized that trading in such materials encourages the sexual abuse of children by creating a market for such images.
The charge against Cline was the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations in Milwaukee and Detroit and the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger prosecuted this case.
This investigation was a part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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.
Cedar Rapids Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting ChildrenRead the Press Release
A man who sexually exploited children and possessed child pornography was sentenced April 27, 2026, to 25 years in federal prison.
Dawson Sanderson, age 24, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the sentence after a November 13, 2025, guilty plea to one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography. At the plea hearing, Sanderson admitted that, in 2021, he got minors to produce and send depictions of sexually explicit conduct to him. He also admitted he possessed child pornography. Information at the sentencing hearing showed that Sanderson used the Internet to attempt to persuade, induce, and entice four girls, and two of the girls sent him sexually explicit depictions of themselves.
Sanderson was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Sanderson was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a ten-year term of supervised release after the prison term, and he must comply with all sex offender registration and public notification requirements.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Tremmel and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
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.”
Court file information is available at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is CR 25-51.
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Career Offender from Morrilton Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Aaron Lynn Parks, who previously served a 71-month federal prison sentence for distribution of methamphetamine, committed a new methamphetamine offense while on supervised release and this time received a 156-month sentence. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller.
A federal grand jury indicted Parks, 43, of Morrilton, in a one-count Indictment with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. On December 17, 2025, Parks pleaded guilty to a one-count Superseding Information charging him with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more, but less than 500 grams, of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Judge Miller also sentenced Parks to five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on July 11, 2024, law enforcement officers on patrol came upon a vehicle that did not have insurance. Officers activated their blue lights to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Parks, pulled into a service station in Conway and fled from the scene through the woods. While fleeing from officers, Parks was observed tossing a bag. Officers secured the bag that contained 443.7 grams of methamphetamine.
Officers were unable to locate the suspect after he fled but confirmed that the registered owner of the vehicle was Parks. Officers compared the suspect to Parks’ driver’s license photo and known physical features and found them to match. The vehicle was parked at an impound lot and remained unclaimed. Inside of the vehicle, officers located two cell phones, one of which utilized the same phone number Parks had provided to his federal probation officer. That cellphone contained communications regarding the distribution of methamphetamine.
Parks has at least two prior convictions for a violent felony or serious drug offense and is therefore classified as a career offender. His criminal history includes a December 21, 2020, federal drug conviction where he received a sentence of 71 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. At the time of his arrest in this case, Parks was on supervised release for the 2020 federal conviction.
Parks’ criminal history also includes a conviction for possession of cocaine, conviction for driving while intoxicated, a conviction for possession with intent to deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, a conviction for delivery of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver, and a conviction for delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine and possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with purpose to deliver.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Conway Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
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Burlington Woman Sentenced to 9 Months for Sale of Cocaine BaseRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on April 27, 2026, Lori Hunt, 54, of Burlington, Vermont was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of time served (approximately 9 months’ imprisonment) to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Hunt previously pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine base (crack cocaine) on December 29, 2025.
According to court records, on November 15, 2024, Lori Hunt sold 2.66 grams of cocaine base during a controlled purchase by Homeland Security Investigations. Hunt arranged the sale via telephone and then had her co-defendant, Silas Hunt, 30, of Burlington, conduct the transaction at their shared residence on North Winooski Avenue in Burlington. Both Hunts were arrested on March 4, 2025. Silas Hunt also pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine base and was sentenced to imprisonment for a year and a day and a 3-year term of supervised release on November 25, 2025.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan. Lori Hunt was represented by Karen Shingler, Esq. Silas Hunt was represented by Robert Behrens, Esq.
Bronx man pleads guilty to child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nasif Talukder, 24, of the Bronx, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to transferring obscene material to a minor, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
According to the plea agreement, in March 2024, Talukder communicated with a 14-year-old girl on teen-chat.org. In the course of the communications, the girl told Talukder, “Also im 14.” Talukder asked the girl to engage in sexual activity in exchange for $100. Talukder met the girl in a Tonawanda, NY, park. After engaging in sexual activity, he gave the girl $100.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen M. McCarthy and Maeve E. Huggins. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Corey Flatau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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Broken Arrow Man Sentenced for Unlawfully Possessing Several Firearm SwitchesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Broken Arrow man was sentenced for unlawfully possessing “switches” that are used to convert a handgun into a machine gun, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Derrick Carl Andrew Chatman, 25, of Broken Arrow, for Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun. Chatman was ordered to serve 24 months imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release.
In July 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was contacted by the Tulsa Police Department about recovering a firearm with an attached machinegun conversion device commonly known as a “switch.” A parent found the gun and ammunition in their juvenile’s bedroom. With the parents’ permission, the juvenile spoke with law enforcement and disclosed that he purchased the firearm at a gun show at the fairgrounds. While at the gun show, the juvenile met a man who sold and installed a switch.
When law enforcement searched Chatman’s home, they found a firearm, several rounds of ammunition, and a box with a shipping label from China that contained firearm switches. During the investigation, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol intercepted a second package addressed to Chatman from China that contained an additional 15 machine gun conversion devices.
State court records show that Chatman was charged in July 2024 with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while committing a felony, and other crimes. Shortly after being charged, Chatman pleaded guilty, was sentenced, and was under the State's supervision when federally indicted.
Chatman will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The ATF, the Tulsa Police Department, and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Jolly is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses on the most pressing violent crime issues facing our communities. This nationwide initiative brings together federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to strategically address and reduce violent crime, in collaboration with other agencies and organizations that serve communities.
Branson West Man Indicted for Illegal TransactionsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Branson West, Mo., man was charged with twelve counts of money laundering in a now-unsealed federal indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield, Missouri.
David Vernon Lott, 69, was indicted by a federal grand jury with engaging in money laundering for offenses occurring between July 18, 2025, and Aug. 4, 2025. The indictment was unsealed following Lott’s arrest and initial court appearance today.
The indictment alleges that Lott owned and operated Missouri Holding Group (MHG), LLC which was purported to be an investment business that promised potential investors returns of 10:1, to be repaid within a short period of time. Instead of using monies for investments as advertised, the indictment alleges the defendant used those funds for personal use, beginning as early as January 2018, and continuing through December of that year. The indictment further alleges that the defendant used those funds to pay off a personal residence, which he sold in 2025, and used the proceeds of that sale in 12 separate transactions, each over $10,000.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Brown. It was investigated by Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the Missouri Secretary of State’s Securities Enforcement Division.
Bakersfield Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Wire Fraud and ID TheftRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Kyle Matthew Lisman, 30, of Bakersfield, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to five years in prison for wire fraud, possessing stolen mail and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, between January and July of 2023, Lisman devised a scheme to steal victim identities to defraud them. He used the name, social security number, and other personal information of another person to fraudulently obtain a car at a Bakersfield car dealership. Under the victim’s identity, Lisman paid $40,000 to purchase the car on the dealership’s website before traveling to the dealership and picking it up. To do this, he presented the dealership with a fake driver’s license created from the victim’s actual driver’s license information but with Lisman’s picture.
Lisman also fraudulently caused other people’s mail to be forwarded to his home by filing and submitting fraudulent change of address forms for the mail recipients. In September 2023, Lisman possessed several credit cards, checks, and debit cards in other people’s names. Between May and July 2023, he opened credit and debit cards in other peoples’ names and used those cards to withdraw thousands of dollars’ worth of cash and purchases. Lisman pleaded guilty on Jan. 26, 2026.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple prosecuted the case.
Area Men Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Stealing Dozens of Vehicles from Rental Companies, Dealerships, Other BusinessesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that two area men have been sentenced to prison by United States District Judge Karen S. Marston for conspiring to steal dozens of vehicles, including cars, tractors, and backhoes, from rental companies, dealerships, and home improvement stores.
Tariq Bennett, 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 39 months’ incarceration, three years’ supervised release, $502,070.13 in restitution, and a special assessment of $2,600.
Syheed Goodman, 37, of Upper Darby, Pa., was sentenced to 39 months’ incarceration and three years’ supervised release, $939,295.48 in restitution, and a special assessment of $2,700.
The defendants were charged by superseding indictment in June 2024 and pleaded guilty last year to more than two dozen counts apiece, including conspiracy, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and transportation of a stolen vehicle.
As detailed in court filings and statements, from at least October 2021 through October 2023, Bennett, Goodman, and third co-conspirator engaged in a conspiracy to steal dozens of vehicles. To effectuate the scheme, the defendants test-drove, rented, and/or fraudulently purchased the vehicles. They then failed to return the vehicles they had rented or taken for test drives, or failed to make any payments for the vehicles they had fraudulently purchased.
As part of the conspiracy to obtain the vehicles, the defendants presented fabricated driver’s licenses bearing either the personal identifying information of third-party victims, which they had purchased online, or the personal identifying information of fictitious individuals. The defendants then sold the vehicles and equipment to other individuals. In some instances, the defendants transported the stolen vehicles across state lines to facilitate the sales to third parties.
In all, the defendants stole at least 46 vehicles from businesses in and around Pennsylvania.
This case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Organized Crime Task Force, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, Abington Police Department, Bensalem Township Police Department, Plymouth Township Police Department, and Springfield Township Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Claiborne Bisio.
Anti-ICE Agitator Unlawfully Present in the United States Pleads Guilty to Impersonating a Border Patrol Agent and Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Jaime Ernesto Alvarez-Gonzalez, a citizen of Mexico who is unlawfully present in the U.S., pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he impersonated a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in order to disrupt deportation missions.
During an incident on January 8, 2026, Alvarez-Gonzalez closely followed an actual Border Patrol agent while driving a black Ford F-150 truck that appeared to be an undercover Border Patrol vehicle. The truck had a Border Patrol sticker on the windshield, non-functioning radio communications antennae on the roof, a lightbar on the dashboard, a license plate frame displaying the words “Ferderal Truck” [sic.], and handcuffs hanging from the rear-view mirror.
The defendant wore a face mask and thin green line baseball cap, typically worn by Border Patrol supporters, and made a recording in which he said he was actively looking for federal law enforcement involved in deportation missions by Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to a federal complaint, the actual agent who was being followed by Alvarez-Gonzalez believed the F-150 was being used by a legitimate federal law enforcement officer and he felt compelled to divert from his mission to “deconflict” for safety reasons. Generally speaking, law enforcement deconfliction is a process to prevent conflicts between different agencies or officers by sharing information about planned operations, such as surveillance or execution of warrants, to avoid having multiple officers/agents from different agencies working simultaneously in the same area. This is done to ensure officer safety, to prevent compromising investigations, to avoid confusion, and to promote public safety. Deconfliction is important to avoid a potentially dangerous situation where an officer or agency may misidentify another law enforcement officer as an armed perpetrator.
Alvarez-Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of impersonating a federal agent and three counts of illegally possessing firearms. Alvarez-Gonzalez overstayed his tourist visa decades ago and has no lawful status in the United States.
According to the complaint and the government’s statements in court, when confronted by agents, Alvarez-Gonzalez shouted obscenities and demanded agents leave the community of Linda Vista. At some point, three additional vehicles drove to the agents’ location and began harassing the departing agents, chasing agents on the highway.
Alvarez-Gonzalez narrated this entire interaction on video and claimed to have brought in his “reinforcements.” On January 14, 2026, ICE-ERO arrested Alvarez-Gonzalez for his illegal status in the United States. Alvarez-Gonzalez had an FBI badge.
After further investigation, the government connected Alvarez-Gonzalez to three firearms illegally possessed by him: a Glock 26 9mm pistol, an Aero Precision Model X15 Multi-Caliber AR-style rifle, and an Interarms Hellpup 7.62x39 AK-style pistol. The government also seized ammunition from his place of business. Evidence showed that Alvarez-Gonzalez traveled to the Southern District of Texas to unlawfully possess firearms at a gun range in Houston. Alvarez-Gonzalez is unlawfully in the United States and legally could not possess those firearms or ammunition.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Siddharth Dadhich. .
DEFENDANT Case Number 26-cr-00911-RBM
Jaime Ernesto Alvarez-Gonzalez Age: 53 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
False Personation of a Federal Officer – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 912
Maximum penalty: Three years in prison and $250,000 fine
Knowing Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(8)
Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations
Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Removal Operations
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Customs and Border Protection
Federal Bureau of Investigation
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
58 Kilograms of Cocaine Destined for West Tennessee Seized; Trafficker Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Erick Chaparro-Gamboa, 28, of Denver, Colorado, has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in conspiring to transport 58 kilograms of cocaine into West Tennessee. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, on August 9, 2025, the Texas Department of Safety conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by the defendant. After searching the vehicle, troopers located 58 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a speaker box. The Texas Department of Safety contacted the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to assist.
Upon investigation, investigators determined that the narcotics were destined for West Tennessee. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $750,000.
A federal grand jury in the Western District of Tennessee indicted Gamboa on September 9, 2025 for Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine. On January 9, 2026, Gamboa pled guilty as charged. On April 17, 2026, United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker sentenced the defendant to 54 months in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by a three-year period of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Criminal enterprises that distribute harmful drugs into West Tennessee can no longer hide. We are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations who want to poison our citizens for their greed and profit. I commend the outstanding investigative efforts by DEA and our other state and local law enforcement partners in this important and impactful case."
“Mexican drug traffickers are on notice…you and your poison are not welcome here, find a new line of work,” said Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Louisville Field Division. “This case highlights how effective law enforcement can be when we all work together, from the state and local level, up to the federal level.”
This case was the result of multiple agencies working together in the investigation and prosecution: DEA Memphis, TN; DEA Amarillo, TX; Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), McAllen, TX; Texas Department of Safety; and the Germantown, TN Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory D. Allen prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
"GUILTY" - A Federal Jury Convicts a Repeat Criminal of Hobbs Act and Use of Firearm in the Commission of a Violent CrimeRead the Press Release
Greenville, MS – United States Attorney Scott F. Leary announced today that Carleone Pate, Jr., 21, of Lexington, Holmes County, Mississippi was convicted of Hobbs Act Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Violent Crime. Pate had recently been released from the Mississippi Department of Corrections after serving a three-year prison sentence for two aggravated assault convictions committed in August 2022 in DeSoto County. He was on bail at the time of the robbery for which he stood trial.
According to court documents, on the morning of January 19, 2023, in the small Black Hawk community of Carroll County, Mississippi, a masked gunman entered the Dollar General located at the intersection of Highways 430 and 17 and demanded the money from the cash register and safe. The swift response from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office led to the search and eventual arrest of the defendant. He was found guilty on both counts in addition to the jury finding that he brandished the firearm during the robbery. He will be sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Debra M. Brown on a future date.
The evidence presented at trial confirmed that the defendant was successfully identified through the thorough investigative work of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, working with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and surrounding law enforcement agencies, worked diligently to limit the defendant’s escape routes. After perimeter checkpoints were established, Pate was arrested in the woods of northern Holmes County by an off-duty game warden, assisted by a maintenance technician with the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
U.S. Attorney Leary stated, “This case would not have been possible absent the professional work of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Mississippi Highway Patrol and fellow law enforcement agencies. Federal involvement was part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to work with state and local law enforcement to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The United States Attorney’s Office is honored to work with such brave and professional officers who work tirelessly to protect our communities. Well done!”
Carroll County Sheriff Clint Walker said, “The Black Hawk Dollar General Store is a vital part of our community. It serves our citizens, and they should be able to shop there without fear of robbery. I am thankful to the Lord for His protection and for justice being served. We are grateful to our deputies, to all of the various law enforcement agencies who participated in Pate’s apprehension, and certainly to the US Attorney’s Office for their relentless determination in prosecuting this case. Last but not least, I extend our great appreciation to the citizens who served as jurors during this trial, their commitment to fairness and their thoroughness resulted in a just verdict.”
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sam Stringfellow, Kaylon McCou, Clyde McGee, IV and Bob Norman.
27 April 2026
West Haven Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing NarcoticsRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that LEVERN MARION, 37, of West Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 72 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for distributing narcotics.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation that included surveillance, trash pulls, traffic stops, and a controlled purchase of narcotics revealed that Marion was distributing controlled substances in and around New Haven. Marion was arrested on March 27, 2024. On that date, a court authorized search of a residence on Washington Avenue in New Haven that Marion used to store drugs revealed approximately 800 grams of cocaine, approximately 175 grams of crack cocaine, and numerous wax folds containing fentanyl.
On October 22, 2025, Marion pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and a quantity of fentanyl.
Marion, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison on June 3.
This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration New Haven Task Force and the New Haven Police Department. The DEA New Haven Task Force includes participants from the DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Connecticut State Police and the New Haven, Waterbury, East Haven, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, and Shelton Police Departments.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. Pierpont, Jr.
Washington, D.C. Woman Sentenced for Role in HSTF Multi-Million Dollar Money Laundering Conspiracy CaseRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Washington, D.C., woman learned her fate in federal court today, in connection with a multi-million-dollar money laundering scheme.
Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Lorena Perez Herrera, 29, to two years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for conspiring to engage in a large, multi-member, money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, Judge Maddox ordered Herrera to pay $1,473,125.58 in restitution. Herrera, who pled guilty to participating in the money laundering conspiracy in March 2025, admitted that nearly $1.5 million in money laundering occurred pursuant to her direct participation in the conspiracy.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) – Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge George Golliday, Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General (EPA-OIG).
According to court documents, beginning in 2020, and continuing into November 2023, Herrera conspired with multiple individuals to launder proceeds of a large-scale wire fraud. The co-conspirators engaged in various financial transactions to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the wire-fraud proceeds, while carrying out the conspiracy.
The victims included government agencies, organizations, and companies, including an environmental trust, urban redevelopment program, medical center, transportation and logistics company, school district, college, and county government, among others.
Herrera and her co-conspirators worked with each other to create limited liability companies to serve as shell entities; open bank accounts and/or cause bank accounts to be opened in the name of shell entities; and receive and launder fraud proceeds.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland previously charged 14 defendants in connection with the money laundering conspiracy. Thirteen have pled guilty. Faizou Gnora, 28, previously of Alexandria, Virginia, remains a fugitive from justice.
In connection with this prosecution, Adanegbe Gift Osemwenkhae, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Emily Gil Arias, 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Fatoumata Boiro, 32, of Largo, Maryland; Lawrence Ogunsanwo, 33; Lakeisha Parker, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland; Martin Ogisi, 37, of Severn, Maryland; Blondel Ndjouandjouaka, 31, of Silver Spring, Maryland; and Kevin Colon, 34, of Curtis Bay, Maryland, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Additionally, Yahya Sowe, 42, of Silver Spring, Maryland, Victor Killen, 33, of Hyattsville, Maryland, Gedeon Agbeyome, 31, of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Areal Harris, 27, of Hanover, Maryland, previously pled guilty, admitting to conspiring to commit money laundering.
Agbeyome also admitted engaging in aggravated identity theft and Parker acknowledged engaging in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of their plea agreements, Gift and Sowe admitted that they served as managers or supervisors of the money laundering conspiracy. The overall conspiracy involved more than $20 million of money laundering, involving more than 15 different victim entities.
The District Court previously sentenced:
- Killen to 63 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, restitution of $7,070,656.46, and a $3 million forfeiture order
- Agbeyome to 72 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, along with restitution of $2,938,424.65, and a $2.8 million preliminary order of forfeiture
- Ogunsanwo to 40 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $5,648,816.23
- Parker to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release and restitution of $8,306,930.95
- Ogisi to 33 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $11,077,044.17
- Colon to 27 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release and restitution of $2,515,159.63
- Harris to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $3,159,482.83
- Ndjouandjouaka to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $733,941.48
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 Baltimore comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI); the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Maryland; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); the United States Marshals Service (USMS); the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA (W/B HIDTA); the Maryland State Police (MSP); the Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI-led Document and Benefit Fraud/Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force, and thanked IRS-CI and EPA-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes praised the Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County Police Departments for their assistance. She also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Bijon A. Mostoufi, and Jared M. Beim, who prosecuted the federal case, and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for her assistance.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Venezuelan National Charged with Attempted Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Yoandris Jose Ruiz Bello (32, Venezuela) has been charged by federal indictment with attempted production of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, Ruiz Bello faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to 30 years, in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment and evidence presented in court, on August 21, 2024, Ruiz Bello, believing he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl, asked the minor to produce a sexually explicit video of herself and send it to him. In fact, Ruiz Bellow was communicating with an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent. Ruiz Bello is currently detained pending the resolution of the case.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
Valdosta Repeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Illegal Firearm Possession After Firing Shots Inside StoreRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia man with a lengthy criminal history who was arrested after firing a round between customers standing inside a Valdosta, Georgia, convenience store was sentenced to serve more than 17 years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
Eric Jerome Tooley, 46, of Hahira, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 212 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on April 23, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on Jan. 22. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Convicted felons with guns who threaten public safety will be prosecuted federally and held accountable under the law,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We are working alongside law enforcement at every level to protect our communities and ensure armed repeat offenders are brought to justice.”
“This defendant’s actions showed a complete disregard for human life—firing inside a business and endangering innocent bystanders,” said ATF Resident Agent in Charge Robert Davis. “ATF will continue to work alongside the Valdosta Police Department and our law enforcement partners to ensure repeat violent offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable in federal court.”
“This case is a great example of the importance of collaboration between local, state and federal partners,” said Valdosta Police Department Chief Leslie Manahan. “We thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their diligence and leadership in prosecuting this violent offender and helping to protect our community.”
According to court documents and statements referenced in court, a Valdosta Police Department officer on patrol heard gunshots coming from the nearby Mega Mart on North Lee Street in Valdosta on Feb. 19, 2025. As the officer drove into the parking lot, he spotted Tooley heading toward a local grocery store; another bystander reported that three shots were fired inside the store. The officer and responding police safely apprehended Tooley near East Jane Street. Authorities obtained the Mega Mart video surveillance capturing Tooley getting agitated with the cashier over a lighter, pointing his pistol at the store clerk, then turning the gun and firing it between two customers in the store. Tooley has prior felony convictions for drug distribution in the Superior Courts of Cobb County, Georgia, and Lowndes County, Georgia. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.
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).
The Valdosta Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.
United States Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones Promoted to Colonel in the United States Air Force ReserveRead the Press Release
MIAMI – United States Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones, for the Southern District of Florida, has been promoted to the rank of Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve, marking more than twenty-three years of military service spanning infantry, operational law, national security, and combat advising.
Colonel Reding Quiñones currently serves as the senior reserve legal advisor to the Staff Judge Advocate at United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), where he advises the 4-star Combatant Commander and senior military leadership on the legal authorities governing combat operations, maritime interdiction, intelligence activities, force protection, and national security operations.
Since the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel, Colonel Reding Quiñones has advised on kinetic military operations across the Central Command theater, helping provide legal oversight and operational guidance during some of the most consequential military actions in the region, including sustained regional defense operations, the twelve-day conflict between Iran and Israel, and current U.S. naval blockade and maritime interdiction operations targeting Iranian commercial and military vessels.
In this current military role, Colonel Reding Quiñones has served as a senior law advisor during combat operations, advising commanders on the lawful employment of force, rules of engagement, targeting authorities, maritime seizure operations, and escalation response.
His operational experience builds on a military career that began as an Army cavalry scout and infantry officer before transferring into the Air Force Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Over the course of his career, he has served in key legal billets supporting Air Force Special Operations Command, Pacific Air Forces, United States European Command, and now USCENTCOM.
His military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, reflecting outstanding service across combat support, operational law, and joint military missions.
“Military service has shaped every part of my adult life,” said Colonel Reding Quiñones. “From leading soldiers as a young infantry officer, to advising commanders in combat, to serving as a federal prosecutor and Florida trial judge, the mission has always been the same: serve the country, protect Americans, and defend the rule of law.”
Colonel Reding Quiñones was promoted effective April 1, 2026. The rank of Colonel represents the senior field-grade rank in the United States Air Force and reflects sustained superior performance, leadership, and trust across more than two decades of military service.
A Miami native and the son of a Cuban political refugee, Colonel Reding Quiñones earned his undergraduate degree from University of Florida and his law degree from Florida International University before building parallel careers in military service, prosecution, and the judiciary over a lifetime of public service.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office collects over $868,000 for mail and wire fraud victimsRead the Press Release
The Financial Litigation Program (FLP) of United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming recently collected over $868,000 for victims of mail and wire fraud in U.S. v. Lattin et al., Docket No. 2:10-cr-00088-ABJ. The collection efforts of the FLP were conducted pursuant to the Federal Debt Collection Procedure Act.
“Through the FLP, our office diligently seeks to collect restitution for up to twenty years after the conviction or time-served,” said U.S. Attorney Darin Smith. “This includes locating debtors and hidden assets then initiating post-judgment remedies, including (when appropriate), selling defendants’ real and personal property.”
In 2006, Defendant Brett Lattin fraudulently represented himself to Marathon Oil Company as a civil engineer. The false representations led to Lattin receiving the position as Construction Supervisor and responsible for supervising reservoir repairs that Marathon was required to remedy through a notice issued by the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. Lattin and his Co-Defendant worked together in a scheme to defraud Marathon with kickbacks, false receipts, and failing to complete the work required to remedy the reservoirs.
On June 18, 2010, Lattin was sentenced, following his guilty plea, in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming for Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud, in violation of Title 18 of the United States Code. The Court ordered Lattin to serve a term of incarceration and pay $2,450,000 in restitution. Upon the pronouncement of Lattin’s sentence, a criminal judgment lien arose against all property rights belonging to him. Since 2010, the FLP has utilized a variety of collection techniques against Lattin, but with limited success. Recently, however, the FLP was successful in locating and selling Lattin’s house and the personal property he left in it, resulting in over $868,000 that will be paid to the victims of his crimes.
“We recovered almost a million dollars in this case simply because of the tenacity and hard work of Assistant United States Attorney Jasmine Peters who handled this enforcement matter,” said Smith.
For more information about the FLP, visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wy/civil-division
Two Men Each Sentenced to at Least 10 Years in Prison for Federal Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Today, Michael Allen Corkhill, also known as “Mike” and “Mike Mike,” 31, of Dunbar, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and Steven Jamar Alexander, also known as “Dook,” 39, of Nitro, was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by six years of supervised release, for distribution of a quantity of fentanyl.
Both men pleaded guilty as the result of the same federal investigation, with Corkhill admitting to his role in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Charleston area between June 2024 and May 2025.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Corkhill participated in the DTO during the time period by obtaining methamphetamine from co-defendant Amanda Marie Mace and redistributing it to customers in an around Charleston. Corkhill further admitted to distributing quantities of the methamphetamine on four occasions between October 22, 2024, and January 16, 2025, each time to a confidential informant at or near South Charleston. Corkhill also admitted that Mace was present during one of these transactions, on December 11, 2024. Investigators determined that Corkhill was responsible for over 6 pounds of methamphetamine distributed as part of the DTO.
Alexander sold approximately 20 grams of fentanyl on March 3, 2025, and on March 6, 2025, each time to a confidential informant in St. Albans. On March 26, 2025, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Alexander’s residence in Nitro and seized approximately 196 grams of fentanyl and nearly $8,000 including cash from the controlled buys.
Alexander further admitted that he was previously convicted of a serious drug felony, distribution of a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on May 13, 2019, and was released from prison for that conviction within 15 years of the current offense.
Alexander’s criminal history of 35 convictions also includes two for felony domestic violence, two for felony burglary, and five for assault.
“Michael Allen Corkhill is responsible for at least 6 pounds of methamphetamine poisoning our community, and Steven Jamar Alexander is a violent, woman-beating fentanyl dealer with dozens of prior criminal convictions,” said United States Attorney Moore Capito. “Today’s sentences will keep our streets safe from both these offenders for a long time and show that my office will pursue the strongest punishment under the law against those who threaten our community.”
Corkhill, Alexander, and Mace are among 16 individuals indicted as the result of a federal investigation on charges alleging they participated in the distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Charleston area between June 2024 and May 2025. Corkhill and Mace are among seven defendants in the main indictment who pleaded guilty. Mace, also known as “A,” 43, of South Charleston, was sentenced on March 9, 2026, to five years and 10 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Four additional defendants, including Alexander, pleaded guilty in separate cases that resulted from the investigation. The indictment against the remaining defendants is pending. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which 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 imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 2:25-cr-78 (Corkhill) and 2:25-cr-70 (Alexander).
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Two Chinese Nationals Charged with Methamphetamine Trafficking Crimes for Developing A Mass-Scale Methamphetamine Production FacilityRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Cindy Marx, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging WENFENG CUI, a/k/a “Vincen,” and FAN PANG, a/k/a “Jerry,” with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to import methamphetamine precursor chemicals, and methamphetamine importation related to a nearly year-long effort to research, develop, and put into operation a technologically sophisticated factory to mass produce methamphetamine. The defendants were arrested in New York City on February 2, 2026, after a meeting in which they provided detailed instructions for the chemical synthesis of the drug, as well as the technological operation of industrial machinery the defendants created to produce it. Law enforcement authorities later seized shipping containers packed with the equipment at a port in Europe. Both defendants were previously charged by criminal complaint and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein, who ordered them detained pending trial. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
“As alleged, the defendants worked with chemists and engineers to develop and deploy a sophisticated technology for the industrial production of methamphetamine capable of producing 400 kilograms of ‘meth’ every day,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Their goal was terrifying in its ambition. The potential harm of this scale of methamphetamine on our streets should give all New Yorkers and all Americans pause. This Office will find and prosecute not only the dealers distributing poison to New Yorkers, but also the people behind those operations. Working with our international law enforcement partners, we will bring narcotics traffickers to justice—no matter where they are in the world, and no matter whether they commit their crimes in laboratories or on street corners.”
“This indictment underscores the evolving threat posed by the synthetic drug market, in particular the increase we are seeing in methamphetamine,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Cindy Marx, Special Operations Division. “The level of technical expertise, industrial-scale machinery, and international reach revealed in this case is a stark reminder that today’s illicit drug trade is driven by innovation and relentless adaptation. The cartels are adapting, and so are we. DEA will continue to leverage its resources to protect our communities from the devastating impact of synthetic drugs.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and other public court filings:[1]
Over the course of approximately eight months, confidential sources acting at the direction of the DEA and posing as narcotics traffickers communicated regularly with CUI and PANG in order to broker chemical agreements. During one recorded call, CUI said that he could produce customized machinery to produce methamphetamine over the course of several months, and additional machines with subsequently refined designs in as few as 30 days. CUI said that he could provide training in the assembly, installation, and operation of the equipment once it was produced, and offered ongoing parts and technical support on-site in Central America to a narcotics trafficker who purported to be located in Guatemala.
During a June 5, 2025, meeting, CUI said that he had many repeat customers who purchased hundreds of kilograms of precursor chemical from which methamphetamine could be synthesized from CUI and PANG.
During a June 17, 2025, meeting, CUI said, in sum and substance, that prototype machinery was already working. PANG said that a completed machine could be ready by July and would produce as much as 800 kilograms of methamphetamine per production cycle. During the meeting, CUI and PANG also offered to facilitate the sale of a sample of approximately forty kilograms of methylamine hydrochloride, a List I chemical used in the synthesis of methamphetamine. CUI offered to deliver the chemical from China to New York in exchange for $4,000. After the meeting, on or about June 18, 2025, CUI sent a confidential source screenshots of the chemical compositions of controlled substances his synthesis techniques could produce, including the CAS Registry number for methamphetamine. In August 2025, the defendant directed the shipment of methamphetamine precursor chemicals to New York.
In the course of developing the technology, CUI produced and disseminated detailed blueprints and schematics, technical specifications, equipment lists, and instruction manuals for both the assembly of the machinery into an industrial laboratory and the operational synthesis of methamphetamine using the machinery. For example, CUI provided: a spreadsheet identifying dozens of necessary component parts, including stainless steel reactors, condensers, storage tanks, valves, explosion-proof pumps, refrigeration and hydrogenation systems, cylinders, centrifuges, and compressors; a detailed, nearly 5,000-word instruction manual for synthesizing meth using the technology, specifying, among other things, chemical proportions, pressure levels, and temperature controls; a flowchart visualizing the steps of production; and renderings of the laboratory assembly:
In January 2026, CUI sent a confidential source multiple photos and videos of the machinery as it neared completion, including the below:
After completing fabrication in December 2025, CUI and PANG directed the shipment of the full-scale methamphetamine production factory to a port in a European country. According to freight records, the laboratory equipment—weighing more than 21,120 kilograms and measuring nearly 200 cubic meters—was packed into multiple shipping containers and dispatched from a port in Shanghai. CUI sent a confidential source photographs of workers loading the equipment into shipping containers. Standing next to the machine, CUI’s workers boasted that the technology—a “complete set of automated equipment”—represented the “future of the global chemical industry”:
In February 2026, law enforcement officials in a European country seized multiple shipping containers containing the machinery, including the components pictured below:
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CUI, 41, and PANG, 26, both citizens of the People’s Republic of China, are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; one count of conspiracy to import methamphetamine precursor chemical with intent to manufacture narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of importation of methamphetamine precursor chemical, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Polish Provincial Police of Wroclaw and the Lower Silesian Branch of the National Prosecutors Office, and the German Zentrale Kriminalinspektion (“ZKI”) Osnabrück.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan T. Nees is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Tri-Area Community Health Agrees to Pay $513,000 to Resolve Medicare Billing AllegationsRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – Tri-Area Community Health, (TACH) located in Laurel Pike, Virginia, has agreed to pay $513,729.90 to the United States to resolve allegations it improperly billed Medicare for Annual Wellness Visits. TACH previously repaid $321,075.56 toward the total settlement amount.
Tri-Area Community Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center that operates six independent clinic locations within the Western District of Virginia. TACH provides Annual Wellness Visits to Medicare beneficiaries that are ultimately billed to Medicare.
From August 2022 through December 2025, TACH provided Annual Wellness Visits to Medicare beneficiaries that were provided by pharmacists without physician oversight, without a physician being present physically or virtually, and/or otherwise without appropriate physician supervision, that were ultimately billed under the names of physicians who were not involved with the visits. TACH cooperated with the government’s investigation, initiated its own internal review, and assisted with identifying the improperly reimbursed claims.
The resolution was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Counsel to the Inspector General.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Special Agent in Charge Maureen Dixon of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew G. Howells investigated the matter with assistance from HHS-OIG.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
tach_settlement_agreement_0.pdfThree Charged in Federal Drug Distribution & Money Laundering ConspiraciesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Marcus Dewayne Gulley, 53, and Tristian R. Harris, 38, both of Hesperia, California, and Monteles Terrell Burden, 40, of Crestview, Florida, have been indicted in federal court for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to utilize a telephone facility to commit the charged drug distribution conspiracy, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Gulley, Burden, and Harris appeared in federal court for their arraignments before United States Magistrate Judge Hope Thai Cannon, in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II in Pensacola, Florida.
If convicted as charged, the defendants each face a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine count. They face up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the money laundering conspiracy count and up to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to utilize a telephone facility.
The case was jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Theodore Bland of Stowe, Vermont Pleads Guilty to Murdering Two Men During and in Relation to Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that earlier today, Theodore Bland, 29, of Stowe, Vermont, pleaded guilty to federal firearm and drug charges, including causing the deaths of two men while carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to drug trafficking. The guilty pleas were entered before United States District Judge William K. Sessions III. Sentencing was scheduled for September 14, 2026 at 10am.
According to court records, between approximately September 7, 2023 and October 15, 2023, Bland conspired with others to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl to drug customers in and around Lamoille County, Vermont. On October 12, 2023, Bland shot and killed two men at a residence in Lowell, Vermont for the purpose of taking the bulk cocaine base and fentanyl that the men had in their possession. Following the murders, Bland provided a portion of the stolen drugs to co-conspirators to distribute to drug customers. Bland also distributed portions of the stolen drugs to various people to ensure their cooperation and assistance in concealing the murders. Bland moved the bodies of the men to a wooded area in Eden, Vermont, and attempted to conceal them. After the murders, Bland took possession of two firearms that had been possessed by the men, and traded one of the firearms to a drug supplier in exchange for additional quantities of cocaine base and fentanyl that Bland intended to distribute.
The United States had previously filed a notice indicating the intent to seek the death penalty. After his plea, Bland faces up to a lifetime term of imprisonment, and a mandatory minimum of 10 years of imprisonment. The actual sentence, however, will be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. If the District Court accepts the plea agreement negotiated by the parties, defendant Bland will be sentenced to life imprisonment.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, the FBI, the Morristown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Lamoille County Sheriff’s Department.
The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Turner and Dana Hill. Bland is represented by Bruce D. Koffsky, Esq., David Sleigh, Esq., and Francis L. O’Reilly, Esq.
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.
Suspect in White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Charged with Attempt to Assassinate the PresidentRead the Press Release
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was arraigned today in U.S. District Court on charges stemming from the April 25, 2026, shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, announced the Department of Justice.
Allen is charged by complaint with one count of attempt to assassinate the President of the United States, transportation of a firearm & ammunition in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony, and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
"Cole Allen now faces the full weight of federal justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “This alleged assassin was stopped because of the courage and professionalism of law enforcement officers who responded without hesitation by doing their jobs. Because of them, the President of the United States, administration officials and all attendees at the dinner were safe. Make no mistake: deranged attacks on our elected officials will never go unpunished."
“The evidence is abundantly clear: Cole Tomas Allen traveled to Washington D.C. for the purpose of assassinating President Trump and targeting members of the Trump administration, “said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Thanks to the heroic actions of our brave law enforcement partners who acted quickly and professionally, Allen did not succeed - and now, he will be held fully accountable. This FBI and our interagency partners have worked around the clock over the past two days investigating this case, and today’s charges are the first step in justice being served and providing answers to the American people.”
“Cole Allen traveled across the country with deadly weapons and a plan to assassinate the President of the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for the District of Columbia. “The swift and courageous response of the Secret Service officers prevented unimaginable tragedy. There is no room in this city for political violence.”
"This foiled plot was a brazen attempt to assassinate the president and numerous high-ranking U.S. government officials," said Darren Cox, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office. "Violence is never an acceptable means of expressing political dissent. I would like to thank our partners for their assistance in the aftermath of this attack as we work tirelessly to ensure Allen is brought to justice."
According to court documents, on April 6, 2026, Allen made a reservation at the Washington Hilton hotel for three nights, from April 24 to April 26, 2026. Allen traveled by train from his home near Los Angeles to Chicago before boarding a train from Chicago to Washington, D.C. Allen arrived in the District at approximately 1 p.m. on April 24, 2026, and checked into the Washington Hilton later that day.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., Allen approached a security checkpoint on the Terrace Level of the hotel leading to the hotel’s ballroom. Allen ran through the magnetometer holding a long gun. U.S. Secret Service personnel assigned to the checkpoint heard a loud gunshot. A U.S. Secret Service officer, who was wearing a ballistic vest, was shot once in the chest.
The Secret Service officer drew his service weapon and fired multiple times at Allen, who fell to the ground and suffered minor injuries but was not shot. Officers subsequently arrested Allen, who was in possession of a 12-gauge pump action shotgun and a Rock Island Armory 1911 .38 caliber pistol.
Following his arrest, Allen was advised of his Miranda rights and invoked his right to remain silent. Allen was transported to Howard University Hospital for minor injuries and has since been released to law enforcement custody.
Shortly before 8:40 p.m. on April 25, 2026, Allen sent an email to members of his family and a former employer explaining the actions he was about to take. The email, a copy of which law enforcement has obtained from a recipient, stated: “I wish I could have said anything earlier, but doing so would have made none of this possible. My sincerest apologies for all the trouble I've caused. (scheduled send)-Cole.” Allen signed his email “Cole ‘coldForce’ ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ Allen.”
As part of this investigation, law enforcement reviewed records of firearm transactions from California and federal database sources. These records showed that on Aug.17, 2025, Allen purchased a 12-gauge pump action shotgun from a California firearms dealer. On Oct. 6, 2023, Allen purchased a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol from another firearms dealer. Based on the serial numbers in the database records, these two firearms are the same two firearms that Allen at the Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office and the U.S. Secret Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Ballentine, Charles Jones, Adam Barry.
Read the affidavit here.
Stanislaus County Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gonzalo Hernandez, 38, of Oakdale, pleaded guilty today to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, between Aug. 2, 2021, and Nov. 13, 2023, Hernandez produced sexually explicit surreptitious video recordings of a minor on at least 10 occasions and later distributed some of these images via social media. Hernandez knew the victim was under the age of 18. In March 2024, Hernandez, posing as 15-year-old-boy, used social media to persuade a second minor to produce at least one image of that minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and to send the sexually explicit image to Hernandez.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oakdale Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shelley D. Weger is prosecuting the case.
Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd on Aug. 17, 2026. Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years in prison on each count, and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Slidell Man Gets Nearly 10 Years in Prison for Receiving Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – JONATHAN SUAREZ (“SUAREZ”) , age 30, a resident of Slidell, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 21, 2026 to 118 months in prison by Chief United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter, after previously pleading guilty to receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252(a)(2), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. In addition to the prison term, Chief Judge Vitter sentenced SUAREZ to eight (8) years of supervised release after his term of imprisonment and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. SUAREZ will also be required to register as a sex offender. Further, Chief Judge Vitter ordered SUAREZ to pay $42,000 in restitution to the victims of his crime.
According to the court documents, beginning in early 2024, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents investigated the purchase of files depicting the sexual exploitation of children over the internet. The investigation revealed that SUAREZ sent, and attempted to send, money via CashApp to accounts known to be used for the primary purpose of receiving funds in exchange for the transmission of CSAM on at least six occasions between February 2023 and August 2023. On April 10, 2025, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at SUAREZ’s residence, at which time they seized his Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max. A forensic review of the phone identified at least 186 images and 853 videos, some as long as over 49 minutes, depicting the sexual victimization of children. The review also determined that SUAREZ downloaded, saved, and maintained his collection of CSAM on multiple dates between February 2023 and April 2025. SUAREZ saved the files in approximately 145 custom-made file folders with representative names describing the content. Some of the child victims depicted in the materials SUAREZ received were children as young as approximately two years old.
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 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 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Jordan Ginsberg, Chief of the Criminal Division, is in charge of the prosecution.
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Skiatook Man Found Guilty by Federal Jury for Threatening to Kill Federal AgentsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A federal jury convicted a Skiatook, Oklahoma man for making multiple posts on X threatening to shoot, kill, and gun down federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Logan Christopher Murfin, 26, was convicted of five counts of Threatening to Assault and Murder Federal Law Enforcement Officers with Intent to Impede, Intimidate, Interfere, and Retaliate and five counts of Interstate Communication with a Threat to Injure.
“Threatening to kill hard-working federal law enforcement officers will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “In the Northern District of Oklahoma, we will prosecute those who do to the fullest extent that federal law allows.”
“This verdict underscores the seriousness with which threats against federal agents are treated. In the past year, we have seen a significant increase in violence, including death threats and assaults, toward our personnel. We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to ensure those who attempt to intimidate or harm federal officers are held accountable,” said Travis Pickard, HSI Dallas Special Agent in Charge. “This outcome sends a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.”
According to evidence presented at trial, agents with Homeland Security Investigations received an intelligence report in October 2025 flagging threatening posts made on X about “gunning down” and shooting ICE agents. The threats were posted under the username, “Azulenq.” Agents obtained search warrants to identify the user making these public online posts. The data collected from the search warrants was presented to the jury, which identified the X account user Azulenq as Murfin. The investigation showed that he was posting threatening messages from his home in Skiatook.
Murfin was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2025. After being arrested and Mirandized, Murfin spoke with agents and stated he was angry and “pissed off” at ICE agents and admitted to making the posts on the X account. The jury heard a recording of the interview at trial.
Some of the exhibits presented to the jury and included with this press release show that Murfin's posts were in response to other users' posts about ICE agents' activities in the community, including arrests and enforcement of federal law.
Public posts made by Murfin: October 18, 2025: Need too start shooting these “just following orders” pigs. Ice agents are reenacting ww2 nazi germany and its not acceptable. Only good ice terrorist is buried 6 feet under.
October 17, 2025: Every ICE agent needs shot between the eyes “just following orders” isn’t acceptable and they already exposed they are human garbage.
October 17, 2025: Every ice gestapo needs too be shot. 2nd amendment right too carry everyone should stay armed and when these terrorists come by just kill them. They don’t deserve too live after “just following orders” we aren’t reliving ww2 germany. They don’t want due process so show em
September 28, 2025: Nah but we as US citizens should be gunning down these domestic terrorists. All ice gestapo can not use the “just following orders” excuse. If you’re complicit in this act you’ve gotta be executed for this act.
September 28, 2025: ice gestapo agents need to either be executed publicy. “just following orders” is not a valid excuse in modern days
Prior to trial, Murfin was on bond. He was taken into custody after the jury found him guilty and sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen Scaife and Christopher J. Nassar prosecuted the case.
Exhibits Presented to the Jury:
Six-Time Felon Sentenced to over a Decade in Federal Prison After Firing a Gun in a Residential NeighborhoodRead the Press Release
A man who was convicted of his sixth felony offense after firing a gun eight times in a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, neighborhood was sentenced today to more than eleven years in federal prison.
Larnell Logn, age 41, from Frankfort, Illinois, received the prison term after a November 5, 2025, guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.
At the guilty plea, Logan admitted he had five felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing a gun. His convictions included domestic abuse assault by strangulation and drug conspiracy. He further admitted that on November 15, 2023, he possessed a 9mm handgun.
Evidence at sentencing showed that on the afternoon of November 15, 2023, Logan got into an argument with two people outside a home in Cedar Rapids. Logan grabbed one of the people and demanded money. The victim got inside the house and shut the door. Logan kicked the door open. He entered the home and assaulted the victim in the home. After doing so, he said he was going to get his “30” and kill everyone.
Logan left the home. A short time later, the assault victim and another person in the house heard gunshots in the backyard. They looked out the windows and saw Logn driving away from the house. Multiple neighbors heard the gunshots and saw Logan’s car driving away.
CRPD began looking for Logan’s car. Just before 3:00 p.m. a CRPD officer located the car. After the officer activated his lights and sirens, Logan sped away. While fleeing, he reached speeds of at least 50 mph in a residential area. At one point, Logan sped by a school bus with children nearby. Officers were able to corner Logan and he stopped his car. Logan got out of his car and ran. Officers caught him, but Logan resisted until the officers were able to put handcuffs on him.
Officers searched Logan’s car. They found a 9mm handgun in the car. The handgun had an extended magazine capable of holding 32 rounds of ammunition. There was a round in the chamber and 12 rounds in the magazine. Logan was intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
Logan was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Logan was sentenced to 137 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Logan is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Morfitt and investigated by the Cedar Rapids Safe Streets Task Force. The task force is composed of representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
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.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-cr-35.
Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Sex Offender Sentenced for Weapons PossessionRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. – Clinton Everett Hahn, 52, was sentenced on Monday to 45 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier for being a felon in possession of firearms.
Hahn, a resident of Missouri, was required to register as a sex offender based on a Statutory Rape, Second Degree, conviction. He absconded from Missouri and was ultimately located by the Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force living in a makeshift encampment in Clay County, Kentucky. Hahn was located with two firearms, and he admitted to firing both weapons within the week before his arrest. In addition to the rape conviction, Hahn also has felony convictions for Distributing a Controlled Substance to a Minor and Assault 2nd Degree.
“The Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force is one of many examples of collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement that serve to make our community safe,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Tracking down and bringing to justice an armed, fugitive, sex offender is exactly the type of work that makes our District a safer place to live.”
Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jeremy Honaker, Acting United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky announced the sentence.
The criminal investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
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Seattle man sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for violent car-jacking spreeRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 25-year-old Seattle man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to more than 27 years in prison for multiple counts of carjacking and using a firearm in a crime of violence, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Maar Teng Rambang was convicted in January 2026 of three counts of carjacking and three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence for the November 7, 2022, King County-wide crime spree. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge John H. Chun noted that these are “serious, terrible crimes” that resulted in serious physical injury to one of the victims and lasting psychological damage to all three victims.
“This defendant violently threatened two people and shot a third and then drove at a high rate of speed recklessly throughout King County,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd. “It is just by luck that no one was killed in this crime spree. The mandatory minimum sentenced for this crime means this 27-year sentence is required and appropriate for this dangerous, violent conduct.”
According to records filed in the case, the carjacking spree stretched from Kent, to Bellevue, to Redmond, to Seattle and ultimately back to Renton. Just before noon on November 7, 2022, Rambang confronted a woman sitting in her car outside the Kent East Hill Post Office. Rambang ordered the woman out of her car at gunpoint. Rambang drove the stolen car to the Bellevue Square Mall garage and fired his gun as he threatened another woman and demanded her vehicle. He drove that stolen BMW to Redmond and attempted to rob Amazon employees working at a delivery locker at a Whole Foods Market. Rambang then drove the BMW to the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle where he shot a man in the leg and stole his Jeep SUV.
Officers tracked the Jeep to Kent and attempted to stop and arrest Rambang, but he fled at speeds of 90-100 miles per hour in areas of heavy traffic. Rambang drove across the median, drove the wrong way, and ran red lights. Ultimately, law enforcement in Renton was able to block the car and arrest Rambang.
In the sentencing memo prosecutors wrote to the court, “Although the impacts of Rambang’s crime spree were extremely serious, it is fortunate that the results were not worse. Considering that he pointed a loaded gun at multiple victims and discharged it twice – and led police on a high-speed chase driving recklessly through busy streets – Rambang is fortunate that he is not being sentenced for felony murder, vehicular assault/homicide, and the like.”
Rambang will be on three years of supervised release following his prison term.
The case was investigated by the Kent, Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle Police Departments with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco & Explosives (ATF).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Greenberg and Rachel Yemini.
Saipan Woman Sentenced to 71 Months in Federal Prison for Wire Fraud Scheme Targeting Multiple VictimsRead the Press Release
SAIPAN, CNMI – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that SZE MAN YU INOS, aka “Yuki”, age 30, was sentenced on April 23, 2026, to 71 months in federal prison by Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona in the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. Yuki was convicted of Wire Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343. The Court also imposed three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, restitution in the amount of $769,355.67, and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee. The Court further entered a criminal forfeiture personal money judgment in the amount of $684,848.34.
From November 2020 through January 2022, Yuki approached older women in Saipan and Guam to befriend them in furtherance of her fraudulent scheme. She falsely claimed she came from a wealthy family in China, owned multiple businesses, and was successful investing in Bitcoin. Yuki treated the women to expensive meals and gifts and bragged to them about how much money she made investing in Bitcoin. She confided in them about fictitious personal problems and claimed their friendship was important to her – often telling them, “You are like my mom.” After gaining the victims’ confidence, Yuki requested money from these women. She also solicited investments in Bitcoin based on false pretenses. She continued to engage in this scheme after she left the Marianas, and defrauded additional victims in Washington and California.
“Criminals engaged in affinity fraud prey on our willingness to trust others,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “This defendant chose to target older women across multiple jurisdictions, resulting in substantial financial losses. She continued her scams while this case was pending. The punishment imposed by the Court is well-deserved.”
“The defendant built a career out of deception, leaving a trail of financial ruin stretching across several states and impacting dozens of innocent victims," said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. "By forging a federal judge’s signature to facilitate her schemes, the defendant acted with complete contempt for both the victims she exploited and the rule of law. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to protect our citizens from criminals who profit through such heartless and brazen manipulation.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Garth R. Backe for the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Repeat Felon sentenced for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Bryan Ellard, 42, of Theodore was sentenced on April 23, 2026, to 60 months in prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
According to court documents Ellard has prior felony convictions for Forgery 2nd Degree, Robbery 2nd Degree, Theft of Property 1st Degree, and Destruction of Government Property by an Inmate.
After his convictions, on May 29, 2025, deputies with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Ellard’s residence. In his bedroom deputies found three firearms, which were manufactured outside Alabama, and ammunition. Ellard admitted he was a felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Following the term of incarceration, Ellard will be placed on three years of supervised release. He was ordered to receive substance abuse and mental health treatment during his incarceration.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms along with Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tandice H. Blackwood prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Alabama at http://www.justice.gov/usao/als/.
Prolific Chinese state-sponsored contract hacker extradited from ItalyRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 34-year-old citizen of the People’s Republic of China is set to appear in Houston federal court on a nine-count indictment related to his involvement in computer intrusions between February 2020 and June 2021.
Xu Zewei (徐泽伟) was extradited April 25 and has now made his initial appearance in Houston federal court. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing set for April 30 at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett.
Certain of those computer intrusions allegedly are part of the HAFNIUM computer intrusion campaign that compromised thousands of computers worldwide, including in the United States. Other intrusions targeted U.S. COVID-19 research during the height of the pandemic. Xu is charged along with Zhang Yu (张宇), 44, who is also a PRC national.
According to court documents, officers of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security’s Shanghai State Security Bureau directed Xu to conduct this hacking. The MSS and SSSB are PRC intelligence services responsible for PRC’s domestic counterintelligence, non-military foreign intelligence and aspects of the PRC’s political and domestic security, according to the charges. When Xu conducted the computer intrusions, he allegedly worked for a company named Shanghai Powerock Network Co. Ltd. Powerock was one of many “enabling” companies in the PRC that conducted hacking for the PRC government, according to the allegations.
“Today, Xu Zewei will stand in a federal courtroom to answer for crimes that struck at the heart of American science and security — allegedly stealing COVID-19 research from our universities when the world needed it most,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “We have pursued this moment across years and continents, and the message this office sends today is the same one we sent when we first unsealed this indictment: we will work to protect the American people.”
“The United States is committed to pursuing hackers who steal information from U.S. businesses and universities and threaten our cybersecurity,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “I commend the prosecutors and investigators who have worked hard and sought justice for years in this investigation, and we look forward to proving our case in court.”
“The extradition of Xu Zewei demonstrates the FBI's reach extends well beyond U.S. borders,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI's Cyber Division. “Xu will now answer for his alleged role in HAFNIUM, a group responsible for a vast intrusion campaign directed by China's Ministry of State Security that compromised more than 12,700 U.S. organizations. He is one of many contractors the Chinese government uses to obscure its hand in cyber operations, and others who do the same face the same risk. The FBI thanks our Italian law enforcement colleagues, especially the Polizia Postale, whose partnership led to Xu's arrest in Milan and his extradition to the United States.”
According to court documents, in early 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators hacked and otherwise targeted U.S.-based universities, immunologists and virologists conducting research into COVID‑19 vaccines, treatment and testing. Xu and others allegedly reported their activities to officers in the SSSB who were supervising and directing the hacking activities. For example, the charges alleges that on or about Feb. 19, 2020, Xu provided an SSSB officer with confirmation that he had compromised the network of a research university located in the Southern District of Texas. On or about Feb. 22, 2020, the SSSB officer directed Xu to target and access specific email accounts (mailboxes) belonging to virologists and immunologists engaged in COVID-19 research for the university, according to the indictment. Xu allegedly later confirmed for the SSSB officer that he acquired the contents of the researchers’ mailboxes.
The charges further allege that beginning in late 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators exploited certain vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, a widely used Microsoft product for sending, receiving and storing email messages. Their alleged exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server was at the forefront of a massive campaign targeting thousands of computers worldwide and known publicly as “HAFNIUM.” In March 2021, Microsoft publicly disclosed the intrusion campaign by state-sponsored hackers operating out of China. Throughout March 2021, Microsoft and other industry partners released detection tools, patches and other information to assist victim entities in identifying and mitigating this cyber incident. Additionally, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a Joint Advisory on Compromise of Microsoft Exchange Server on March 10, 2021. However, by the end of March 2021, hundreds of web shells remained on certain U.S.-based computers running Microsoft Exchange Server software.
In April 2021, the Justice Department announced a court-authorized operation to remediate hundreds of computers in the United States made vulnerable by HAFNIUM actors. In July 2021, the United States and foreign partners attributed the HAFNIUM campaign to the PRC’s MSS.
Among the victims of Xu’s alleged exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server were another university located in the Southern District of Texas and a law firm with offices worldwide, including in Washington, D.C. After exploiting computers running Microsoft Exchange Server, Xu and his co-conspirators installed web shells on them to enable their remote administration. The indictment alleges that these web shells were specific to HAFNIUM actors at the time. As with the earlier COVID-19 research intrusions, Xu and Zhang allegedly worked together on the HAFNIUM intrusions under the supervision and direction of SSSB officers. For example, the indictment alleges that on or about Jan. 30, 2021, Xu confirmed to Zhang that he had compromised the other university’s network. Later, on or about Feb. 28, 2021, Xu allegedly updated a SSSB officer on his successful intrusions. This SSSB officer then directed Xu to obtain a list of other, successful intrusions from a second SSSB officer, according to the charges.
The indictment alleges that unauthorized access to the law firm’s network allowed Xu and his co-conspirators to steal information from mailboxes and search them for information regarding specific U.S. policy makers and government agencies. Their search terms allegedly included “Chinese sources,” “MSS” and “HongKong.”
As described in the July 2025 announcement of charges against Xu, the PRC uses an extensive network of private companies and contractors in China to hack and steal information in a manner that obscured the PRC government’s involvement. Operating from their safe haven and motivated by profit, this network of private companies and contractors in China cast a wide net to identify vulnerable computers, exploit those computers, and then identify information that it could sell directly or indirectly to the PRC government. This largely indiscriminate approach results in more victims in the United States and elsewhere, more systems worldwide left vulnerable to future exploitation by third parties, and more stolen information, often of no interest to the PRC government and, therefore, sold to other third parties.
Xu is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count; conspiracy to cause damage to and obtain information by unauthorized access to protected computers, to commit wire fraud and to commit identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.
Zhang Yu remains at large. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
The FBI’s Houston Field Office is conducting the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Mark McIntyre for the Southern District of Texas and Deputy Chief Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs secured the arrest and extradition from Italy of Xu. The United States thanks the Government of Italy for its assistance extraditing Xu to the United States, including the Cyber Division of the Italian National Police for its valuable assistance.
Note: View the indictment in U.S. v. Xu Zewei et al. here.
Prolific Chinese State-Sponsored Contract Hacker Extradited from ItalyRead the Press Release
Note: View the indictment in U.S. v. Xu Zewei et al. here.
Xu Zewei (徐泽伟), 34, of the People’s Republic of China was extradited to the United States this weekend and appeared today in U.S. District Court in Houston on a nine-count indictment related to his involvement in computer intrusions between February 2020 and June 2021. Certain of those computer intrusions allegedly are part of the HAFNIUM computer intrusion campaign that compromised thousands of computers worldwide, including in the United States. Other intrusions targeted U.S. COVID-19 research during the height of the pandemic. Xu is charged along with Zhang Yu (张宇), 44, who is also a PRC national.
According to court documents, officers of the PRC’s Ministry of State Security’s (MSS) Shanghai State Security Bureau (SSSB) directed Xu to conduct this hacking. The MSS and SSSB are PRC intelligence services responsible for PRC’s domestic counterintelligence, non-military foreign intelligence, and aspects of the PRC’s political and domestic security. When Xu conducted the computer intrusions, he allegedly worked for a company named Shanghai Powerock Network Co. Ltd. (Powerock). Powerock was one of many “enabling” companies in the PRC that conducted hacking for the PRC government.
“The United States is committed to pursuing hackers who steal information from U.S. businesses and universities and threaten our cybersecurity,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “I commend the prosecutors and investigators who have worked hard and sought justice for years in this investigation, and we look forward to proving our case in court.”
“Today, Xu Zewei will stand in a federal courtroom to answer for crimes that struck at the heart of American science and security — allegedly stealing COVID-19 research from our universities when the world needed it most,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck for the Southern District of Texas. “We have pursued this moment across years and continents, and the message this office sends today is the same one we sent when we first unsealed this indictment: we will work to protect the American people.”
“The extradition of Xu Zewei demonstrates the FBI's reach extends well beyond U.S. borders,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI's Cyber Division. “Xu will now answer for his alleged role in HAFNIUM, a group responsible for a vast intrusion campaign directed by China's Ministry of State Security that compromised more than 12,700 U.S. organizations. He is one of many contractors the Chinese government uses to obscure its hand in cyber operations, and others who do the same face the same risk. The FBI thanks our Italian law enforcement colleagues, especially the Polizia Postale, whose partnership led to Xu's arrest in Milan and his extradition to the United States.”
According to court documents, in early 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators hacked and otherwise targeted U.S.-based universities, immunologists, and virologists conducting research into COVID‑19 vaccines, treatment, and testing. Xu and others reported their activities to officers in the SSSB who were supervising and directing the hacking activities. For example, on or about Feb. 19, 2020, Xu provided an SSSB officer with confirmation that he had compromised the network of a research university located in the Southern District of Texas. On or about Feb. 22, 2020, the SSSB officer directed Xu to target and access specific email accounts (mailboxes) belonging to virologists and immunologists engaged in COVID-19 research for the university. Xu later confirmed for the SSSB officer that he acquired the contents of the researchers’ mailboxes.
The charges further allege that beginning in late 2020, Xu and his co-conspirators exploited certain vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, a widely-used Microsoft product for sending, receiving, and storing email messages. Their exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server was at the forefront of a massive campaign targeting thousands of computers worldwide and known publicly as “HAFNIUM.” In March 2021, Microsoft publicly disclosed the intrusion campaign by state-sponsored hackers operating out of China. Throughout March 2021, Microsoft and other industry partners released detection tools, patches, and other information to assist victim entities in identifying and mitigating this cyber incident. Additionally, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a Joint Advisory on Compromise of Microsoft Exchange Server on March 10, 2021. However, by the end of March 2021, hundreds of web shells remained on certain U.S.-based computers running Microsoft Exchange Server software. In April 2021, the Justice Department announced a court-authorized operation to remediate hundreds of computers in the United States made vulnerable by HAFNIUM actors. In July 2021, the United States and foreign partners attributed the HAFNIUM campaign to the PRC’s MSS.
Among the victims of Xu’s alleged exploitation of Microsoft Exchange Server were another university located in the Southern District of Texas and a law firm with offices worldwide, including in Washington, D.C. After exploiting computers running Microsoft Exchange Server, Xu and his co-conspirators installed web shells on them to enable their remote administration. The indictment alleges that these web shells were specific to HAFNIUM actors at the time. As with the earlier COVID-19 research intrusions, Xu and Zhang worked together on the HAFNIUM intrusions, under the supervision and direction of SSSB officers. For example, on or about Jan. 30, 2021, Xu confirmed to Zhang that he had compromised the other university’s network. Later, on or about Feb. 28, 2021, Xu updated a SSSB officer on his successful intrusions. This SSSB officer then directed Xu to obtain a list of other, successful intrusions from a second SSSB officer. Unauthorized access to the law firm’s network allowed Xu and his co-conspirators to steal information from mailboxes and search them for information regarding specific U.S. policy makers and government agencies. Their search terms included “Chinese sources,” “MSS,” and “HongKong.”
As described in the July 2025 announcement of charges against Xu, the PRC uses an extensive network of private companies and contractors in China to hack and steal information in a manner that obscured the PRC government’s involvement. Operating from their safe haven and motivated by profit, this network of private companies and contractors in China cast a wide net to identify vulnerable computers, exploit those computers, and then identify information that it could sell directly or indirectly to the PRC government. This largely indiscriminate approach results in more victims in the United States and elsewhere, more systems worldwide left vulnerable to future exploitation by third parties, and more stolen information, often of no interest to the PRC government and, therefore, sold to other third parties.
Xu is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count; conspiracy to cause damage to and obtain information by unauthorized access to protected computers, to commit wire fraud, and to commit identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of obtaining information by unauthorized access to protected computers, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison; two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison; and aggravated identity theft, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Zhang Yu, remains at large. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).
The FBI’s Houston Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McIntyre for the Southern District of Texas and Deputy Chief Matthew Anzaldi of the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section are prosecuting the case. The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs secured the arrest and extradition from Italy of Xu. The United States thanks the Government of Italy for its assistance extraditing Xu to the United States, including the Cyber Division of the Italian National Police for its valuable assistance.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pittsburgh Resident Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Prison for Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 90 months of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on her conviction of distribution and possession of material depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentence on Marissa Lynn Segal, 32, also ordering Segal to pay approximately $13,000 in restitution to victims of her crimes.
According to information presented to the Court, on July 14, 2025, Segal distributed material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors—including photographs and videos of infant victims and victims engaged in acts of bestiality—via a mobile application. One of the infant victims was just four months old, and the evidence presented to the Court established that Segal had knowledge that the victim was being abused contemporaneous with the creation of the child sexual abuse material, which she then redistributed. Segal also possessed child sexual abuse material including images and videos depicting prepubescent minors.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Segal.
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 (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.
Paterson Firearms Trafficker Sentenced to 76 Months in Prison for Firearms and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – A Paterson, New Jersey man was sentenced on April 20, 2026 to 76 months of imprisonment for his role in trafficking firearms and drugs, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Tony “Red” Crowe, 33, of Paterson, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Edward S. Kiel to an Information charging him with one count of dealing firearms without a license, two counts of being a felon in possession, and one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Over the course of a several-month investigation into the illegal trafficking of firearms and narcotics in Paterson, New Jersey, an undercover law enforcement agent purchased multiple firearms, including an AR- and AK-style rifles, as well multiple kilograms of fentanyl from Crowe. He made thousands of dollars from this illegal activity.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Kiel sentenced Crowe to 3 years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka, and officers with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Thomas Adamo, with the investigation leading to these charges.
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.
This case is also part of the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative (VCI), which was formed in 2020 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Paterson’s Department of Public Safety for the purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Paterson. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals, the Paterson Department of Public Safety, the Paterson Police Department, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Parole, Bergen County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, and N.J. Department of Corrections.
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering, and Recovery Unit.
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Defense counsel: Pasquale F. Giannetta, Esq.
Ocala Man Sentenced to Nearly Four Years in Prison for Attempting to Transfer Obscene Material to a MinorRead the Press Release
Ocala, Florida – Benjamin Hoover (44, Ocala) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber to three years and 10 months in federal prison for attempting to transfer obscene material to a minor. Hoover pleaded guilty on January 7, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, on July 23, 2025, Hoover transferred a sexually explicit image of himself to someone whom he believed was a 15-year-old girl. In actuality, the minor was an undercover detective with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.
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.
New Orleans Man Indicted for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On April 16, 2026, BRANDON JOSEPH (“JOSEPH”), 41, from New Orleans, was indicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18 United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to the indictment, on or about March 2, 2026, in the Eastern District of Louisiana, JOSEPH, knowing that that he had been previously convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, was found in possession of a firearm.
JOSEPH faces up to fifteen years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
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).
U. S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.
New Orleans Man Convicted for Possessing over 1,200 Grams of Crack and 3 Loaded GunsRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – STEVE BANKS (“BANKS”), age 50, of New Orleans, pled guilty on April 22, 2026 before United States District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo to violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, law enforcement searched BANKS’s apartment on October 21, 2024, and seized over 1,200 grams of crack cocaine, items used to manufacture and weigh crack cocaine, over $12,000 in cash, 3 loaded guns, ammunition, and identifying information for BANKS. The guns included: (1) Zastava Model ZPAP85, 5.56 millimeter semi-automatic rifle, fully loaded with live ammunition in a 30 round magazine, (2) a stolen Glock Model 22, 40 millimeter, semi-automatic pistol, with a loaded extended magazine, and (3) Glock Model 17Gen5, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, loaded with a standard magazine.
BANKS pled guilty to Counts 1, 2, and 3 of the Indictment. Count 1 charged BANKS with possession, with intent to distribute, cocaine base, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). Count 2 charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). Count 3 charged him with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i).
For Count 1, BANKS faces at least 10 years up to life years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years up to life of supervised release. For Count 2, he faces up to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. For Count 3, he faces a minimum of 5 years in prison, up to life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed on the defendant, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 5 years of supervised release. As to each count, he also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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).
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Mother Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison for Interstate Violation of Protective Order Regarding Her Estranged Teenage SonRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Shana Gaviola, 39, of Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour to three years in prison for interstate violation of a protection order for causing her estranged teenage son to be taken against his will and transported from California to Missouri, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
On Dec. 9, 2025, following a five-day trial, a federal jury found Gaviola guilty.
According to court documents and testimony at trial, in 2020, Gaviola’s then-16-year-old son began living apart from Gaviola with another family. He petitioned for emancipation from Gaviola and obtained a domestic violence protection order against Gaviola from the Fresno County Superior Court. The order prohibited Gaviola from harassing, blocking the movements of, or contacting her son in any way, including directly or indirectly.
Despite the protection order, Gaviola made plans for her son to be forcibly transported from California to Missouri. On Aug. 21, 2021, individuals acting on behalf of Gaviola abducted the minor from an ice-skating rink in Fresno, handcuffed him, and forced him into a car. He remained in handcuffs for more than 24 hours while they drove to Stockton, Missouri. He was then held at a youth facility until his father was able to free him.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the Fresno Police Department and the Clovis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Veronica M.A. Alegría and Heiko P. Coppola prosecuted the case. Assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Missouri and the Eastern District of Missouri.
Mission Man Sentenced to over 3 Years in Federal Prison for AssaultRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Mission, South Dakota, man convicted of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. The sentencing took place on April 21, 2026.
Jacob Wright, 31, was sentenced to three years and five 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.
Wright was indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury by a federal grand jury in December 2025. He pleaded guilty on January 26, 2026.
On April 23, 2025, Wright and the victim were consuming alcohol at a residence south of Okreek, South Dakota. The two argued while outside the residence but eventually separated, with Wright going into the residence. The victim entered the residence later. As the victim crossed the threshold, Wright struck the victim on the left side of the head and in the chest with a metal bar. The blow to the head caused a skull fracture and subdural hematoma. The head trauma required surgical intervention, specifically, removal of a portion of the right side of the skull to reduce the pressure created on the left side of the brain.
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 Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abby VanDenBerg prosecuted the case.
Wright was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.