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27 April 2026
Boise Cascade Pleads Guilty and Is Sentenced for Violating the Lacey Act for Its Role in a Timber Trafficking SchemeRead the Press Release
The Boise Cascade Company (Boise Cascade) pleaded guilty and was sentenced today for a felony violation of the Lacey Act for its role in a timber trafficking scheme to evade countervailing and anti-dumping duties. Boise Cascade was sentenced to pay a fine of $6,382,000, representing twice the gross profits it derived from the illegal wood at issue in this case, and implement a compliance plan. Boise Cascade is the third federal criminal enforcement action to come out of this large-scale duty evasion scheme.
“As I made clear at last week’s TIMBER Working Group Roundtable event hosted by ENRD, we must thwart efforts of foreign bad actors who engage in illegal timber mining to finance other illicit and dangerous activities,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr. “Boise Cascade’s guilty plea is a significant step toward ending illegal timber shipments from entering our country, thereby bolstering American security and safeguarding American citizens from threats of transnational criminal organizations.”
“Boise Cascade either knew about or was willfully blind to the illegal importation of the plywood they were purchasing from Horizon Plywood,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This scheme defrauded taxpayers of import duties and undercut law-abiding competitors by importing and selling between $25 million and $65 million worth of plywood products. By purchasing these illegal imports, Boise Cascade helped perpetuate the scheme.”
“Trade fraud is not a paperwork violation. It is theft from the American taxpayer and an attack on lawful American commerce,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Boise Cascade knowingly profited from illegally imported timber and helped sustain a scheme designed to evade millions in duties owed to the United States. Today’s guilty plea and sentence make clear that companies that turn a blind eye to fraud in pursuit of profit will be held accountable. Our Office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect honest businesses, American markets, and the integrity of our trade system.”
“Homeland Security Investigations is dedicated to protecting U.S. economic interests and enforcing laws that safeguard our natural resources,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami. “This case highlights the importance of collaboration between federal agencies to disrupt illegal importation schemes and hold responsible parties accountable. HSI will continue to pursue those who seek to profit by circumventing U.S. laws and regulations.”
Boise Cascade is a publicly traded company with a distribution center in Pompano, Florida. Boise Cascade purchased wood from Horizon Plywood (Horizon), whose principals, Noel and Kelsy Quintana, were sentenced in February 2024 for conspiracy and Lacey Act violations based on their illegal importation of hardwood plywood. Horizon employee Marta Angelbello was also sentenced after pleading guilty to making a false statement in a declaration related to her role in the scheme.
According to court filings, during the sales years of 2018 through 2021, Boise Cascade’s Pompano location purchased hardwood plywood from Horizon, totaling more than $30 million. Beginning in approximately 2019, Boise Cascade purchased, received, sold, and transported hardwood plywood from Horizon knowing (including actions manifesting willful blindness) that hardwood plywood was illegally imported from China. The importation was illegal because Horizon smuggled the wood and violated the Lacey Act by falsifying import declarations for hardwood and softwood plywood. Boise Cascade knew that Horizon had previously tried to hide the origin of the wood that it imported. For example, Horizon transshipped products from China to Malaysia, where it moved product into new containers, and then from Malaysia to the United States. Boise Cascade knew or should have known the plywood purchased from Horizon was sourced from China.
Boise Cascade was also aware the United States executed a search warrant at Horizon’s warehouse in South Florida in January 2021, and despite knowing that Horizon was under federal investigation, Boise Cascade still placed at least 10 new orders for birch plywood in the two weeks following the search warrant and received the orders.
HSI investigated the case with support from Customs and Border Protection.
Trial Attorney Emily R. Stone of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christian Harris and Elizabeth Hannah for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.
ENRD is a member of the Department of Justice’s Trade Fraud Task Force, a cross-agency law enforcement effort that also involves the Criminal and Civil Divisions’ Fraud Sections, ENRD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices nationwide. The Task Force was created to leverage all of the Department’s tools and authorities to prevent trade fraud that deprives the government of vital revenue, threatens critical domestic industries, undermines consumer confidence, and weakens national security. The Task Force is designed to pursue enforcement actions against parties who seek to evade tariffs and other duties, as well as smugglers who seek to import prohibited goods into the American economy. The Justice Department encourages whistleblowers to alert the government to credible allegations of fraud, including utilizing the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act or through the Criminal Division’s Corporate Whistleblower Program at CorporateWhistleblower@usdoj.gov using the form available here.
Bloomington Man Charged with Sending Interstate Threats to InjureRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – A Bloomington, Illinois, man appeared in federal court today after being charged by criminal complaint on Friday, April 24, 2026, for transmitting interstate threats to injure, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 875(c). Sean E. Lenckus, 35, of Bloomington, was released on conditions of bond following his initial appearance.
The complaint alleges that Lenckus transmitted several interstate threats to injure another person from February 2023 through April 2026.
Lenckus was arrested on Friday evening by federal agents with assistance of the McLean County Sheriff’s Office. He was placed on bond pending trial.
If convicted, the maximum statutory penalties for the alleged crime charged are five years’ incarceration, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.
Agencies participating in the investigation include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Springfield Field Office, and the McLean County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas McMeyer is representing the government in the prosecution.
Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Bergen County Business Owner Admits Evading TaxesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County business owner admitted evading over $230,000 in income taxes and payroll taxes, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Kfir Baroan, 50, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on April 23, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz to an information charging him with tax evasion and willful failure to pay over payroll taxes associated with his business.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Baroan operated an auto body shop in Bergen County, New Jersey, through which he earned significant income and had employees. From 2018 to 2021, Baroan failed to file income tax returns and failed to pay any taxes on his income. Baroan cashed over $1.5 million in business receipt checks at check-cashing facilities and used bank accounts associated with other businesses to deposit cash and to withdraw funds for personal and business expenses. Baroan also paid his employees in cash, failed to report the employees’ wages to the IRS, and failed to withhold, truthfully account for, and pay over a variety of taxes from employee wages. In total, Baroan evaded over $233,000 in taxes between 2018 and 2021.
The charge of income tax evasion carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. The charge of willful failure to pay over payroll taxes also carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greater. Sentencing is scheduled for September 2, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the IRS – Criminal Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jennifer L. Piovesan, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine M. Romano, Co-Chief of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Michael Weinstein, Esq.
baroan.information.pdfBeatrice Man Sentenced to 108 Months in Prison for Possession of a MachinegunRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Jarviuntae Hale, 21, of Beatrice was sentenced to 108 months in prison for unlawful possession of a machine gun conversion device, commonly known as a “Glock-switch.” A machine gun conversion device is a device which renders a firearm capable of firing multiple rounds of ammunition by a single function of the trigger without manual reloading.
According to court documents, on the evening of Thanksgiving, November 28, 2024, a shooting occurred at a bonfire in Frisco City, Alabama. One individual was killed after being shot multiple times. The suspect was identified as Hale. Witness accounts of the shooting were of a “burst” of fire consistent with that a machine gun. No weapon was ever recovered. A short time later, a search warrant was executed at Hale’s residence where a machinegun conversion device was located inside of an empty Glock firearm box under Hale’s bed. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was notified and continued the investigation leading to Hale’s federal indictment.
On April 16, 2026, United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer imposed a 108-month sentence for possession of the machine gun conversion device and ordered that Hale serve three years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
Frisco City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Alleged Guatemalan Drug Kingpin with $10 Million Reward Arrested in San DiegoRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Alleged Guatemalan drug kingpin Eugenio Dario Molina-Lopez, aka “Don Dario,” who is accused of being the leader of a transnational criminal organization known as Los Huistas, has been arrested in San Diego. Molina-Lopez made his initial appearance in federal court on Friday, April 24, 2026.
Los Huistas is a drug trafficking organization primarily based in the Huehuetenango region of Northwest Guatemala that borders Mexico and is engaged in a massive cocaine trafficking operation. Molina-Lopez was charged as part of Operation Guerrilla Unit, a multi-year investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), HSI Attaché Guatemala City, Guatemala, and the United States Attorney’s Office in San Diego. The investigation targeted Molina-Lopez, the Los Huistas organization, and its suppliers. High-level cocaine traffickers were targeted in a massive probe involving multiple countries, multiple law enforcement agencies around the United States, and a number of federal districts.
The indictment returned on January 29, 2019, charges Molina-Lopez with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Intended for Unlawful Importation and Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel.
In March 2022, the U.S. Department of State announced that it was offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Molina-Lopez. This award was offered under the U.S. Department of State’s Narcotics Rewards Program (NRP). More than 75 transnational criminals and major narcotics traffickers have been brought to justice under the NRP and the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP) since 1986. The Department has paid more than $135 million in rewards to date. The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs manages the NRP in close coordination with Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other U.S. government agencies.
Simultaneously in March 2022, the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also designated the Los Huistas Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) and Eugenio Dario Molina-Lopez pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059 for drug trafficking that threatens the people and security of the United States and Guatemala.
“Cartel leaders don’t get to write the end of their stories. We do,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “And once again, the final chapter for a man alleged to be one of the world’s most notorious and prolific cocaine traffickers is here in the Southern District of California.”
“This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of the Homeland Security Task Force and our partnerships with agencies across the United States and Guatemala,” said Kevin Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, San Diego. “HSI and our law enforcement partners were able to dismantle a major transnational criminal organization responsible for trafficking massive quantities of cocaine and threatening the security of both nations. This operation underscores the importance of a whole-of-government approach and the relentless commitment of HSI and our partners to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.”
At Friday’s hearing, the defendant entered a not guilty plea. A motion hearing/trial setting is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at 9 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Dana M. Sabraw.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari.
DEFENDANT Case Number 19-cr-0327-DMS
Eugenio Dario Molina-Lopez 61 Huehuetenango, Guatemala
aka “Don Dario,” aka “Molis”
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
International Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 959, 960, 963
Criminal Forfeiture – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 853Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine on Board a Vessel – Title 46, U.S.C., Section 70503(b), 70506
Maximum Penalty: Life in prison and $10 million fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
HSI Attaché Guatemala City, Guatemala
HSI Attaché Mexico City Mexico
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
U.S. Coast Guard
Drug Enforcement Administration
Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs
Department of Justice, Office of Enforcement Operations
Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S)
U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
U.S. Department of State
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF San Diego comprises agents and officers from FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, Department of Defense, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Interpol, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Albuquerque Man Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man has been charged with federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses after allegedly supplying nearly five pounds of methamphetamine to undercover officers and later being found in possession of fentanyl, firearms, and ammunition.
According to court documents, on March 26, 2026, Lucas Maldonado, 44, allegedly supplied almost five pounds of methamphetamine to undercover officers from the Albuquerque Police Department. The transaction took place in a parking lot of a business in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where Maldonado arrived in a pickup truck accompanied by his 10-year-old son.
During the transaction, an intermediary retrieved a backpack containing methamphetamine from Maldonado’s vehicle and delivered it to an undercover officer in exchange for $7,000. After the exchange, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop, taking him into custody without incident.
The following day, investigators executed a search warrant on Maldonado’s vehicle and allegedly recovered fentanyl and methamphetamine, multiple firearms, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $11,000 in U.S. currency, including the controlled purchase money. As a previously convicted felon, Maldonado is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Maldonado is charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Maldonado will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charges, he faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department’s Central Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nora Wilson is prosecuting the case.
View the Criminal Complaint (Maldonado).pdfA criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
24 April 2026
Worcester Man Sentenced for Being a Felon in Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Worcester man was sentenced yesterday for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Gilbert Morin, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to six years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2025, Morin was indicted by a federal grand jury. Morin was arrested and charged in state court on May 30, 2025, and has remained in custody since.
On May 30, 2025, police responded to a report of a man with a firearm outside of downtown nightclub. Unable to locate the individual at the scene, officers drove a short distance away and observed a man who appeared to be concealing an item in his hand. When police attempted to stop the individual, later idented as Morin, he led police on a foot chase. Upon being apprehended, Morin was found to have possessed a stolen Taurus pistol loaded with ammunition. Morin previously was convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Feld Division; and Paul Saucier, Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Wetumpka Man Sentence to over 12 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced that a Wetumpka, Alabama man has been sentenced to prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
On April 21, 2026, a federal judge sentenced 48-year-old Michael David Wilson to 151 months in prison. Following his term of imprisonment, Wilson will serve four years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to his plea agreement and other court records, on May 30, 2025, deputies with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Wilson. During the stop, Wilson became belligerent and was asked to exit the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a methamphetamine pipe and more than 14 grams of methamphetamine.
On January 13, 2026, Wilson pleaded guilty to the federal drug charge. Due in part to his extensive criminal history, Wilson faced an elevated advisory sentencing guideline range, which contributed to the length of his sentence.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, which Assistant United States Attorney Christine Levi prosecuted.
Washington, DC Man Convicted by Jury for String of Armed Postal-Carrier RobberiesRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A Washington, DC, man is headed to prison for robbing several United States Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers at gunpoint.
After an eight-day trial, a federal jury convicted DeAngelo Lewis, 30, on numerous federal charges in connection with the 2022-armed robbery of seven mail carriers. Charges include armed robbery of postal carriers; bank fraud; theft of mail; and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty verdict with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division; Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD); and Chief Marc R. Yamada, Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD).
Evidence presented at trial established that beginning in January 2022, and continuing through at least October 2022, Lewis and his co-conspirators committed numerous armed robberies. Lewis and his co-conspirators robbed seven mail carriers at gunpoint as they delivered mail in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. The co-conspirators took the mail carriers’ postal-service keys, which open public mail collection boxes and neighborhood cluster boxes. With access to these boxes, Lewis and his co-conspirators stole personal and business checks that people placed in the mail. They then altered the checks and negotiated them at various banks, stealing almost $1 million of victims’ money in the process.
According to trial testimony, as USPS carriers walked their routes, sorted mail in their trucks, or filled neighborhood cluster boxes, one or more masked individuals approached them. The individual(s) then pointed or flashed firearms and demanded the carrier’s mailbox key. During one encounter, a masked individual struck one carrier in the face even though the carrier already handed over his key. Doorbell cameras or business CCTV systems captured at least two of the robberies.
Additionally, a black Mercedes sedan and a blue Dodge Challenger — which are cars Lewis was known to drive — were frequently seen leaving the scenes of the robberies. Navigation data seized from Lewis’ phone also revealed that he searched for post offices near each of the robberies shortly before they occurred. Lewis would use this information to begin searching for a mail carrier to target in that area.
Law enforcement identified Lewis and his co-conspirators after seeing them on bank surveillance cameras depositing stolen and altered checks at various bank branch locations. Then, when law enforcement searched Lewis’s Marlow Heights, Maryland, apartment, officers found approximately 1,500 checks, with a face-value of nearly $3 million, that had not yet been deposited at banks. The checks were sorted in envelopes based on where they were stolen from. Postal inspectors found at least 60 instances where Lewis already deposited checks worth nearly $1 million. Law enforcement also found check-altering materials and five of the seven stolen postal-service keys in Lewis’ nightstand and on the floor in the apartment.
Social media, along with a search of Lewis’ phone, revealed that he recruited others to allow him to use their accounts to deposit stolen and altered checks in exchange for a percentage of the proceeds. Postal inspectors testified that recruiting others via Instagram, Telegram, and other platforms enables fraudsters like Lewis to deposit far more checks than they could get away with if they attempted to use their accounts.
On October 27, law enforcement arrested Lewis after officers observed him exiting a white Dodge Challenger. Lewis and two co-conspirators just finished stealing mail from three blue public-collection boxes in Potomac, Maryland. One of the co-conspirators was wearing a USPS shirt. Law enforcement found a sixth key – which was robbed from a mail carrier only a week before in the same area – in the vehicle.
Lewis faces a minimum of seven years and a maximum of life in federal prison for using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, namely a robbery on January 31, 2022, and a minimum of five years and a maximum of life for carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, namely a robbery on October 20, 2022. Those minimum sentences must be served consecutive to each other and any other sentence imposed, for a total of at least 12 years. Additionally, Lewis faces a maximum of 30 years in prison for armed robbery, and a maximum of 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud. He is also facing additional time for charges related to bank fraud, mail theft, and unlawful possession of postal keys. A sentencing date is pending.
Co-conspirators Marking Long, 24 of Washington, D.C., and Enrico Hood-Jackson, 32, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud in connection with the scheme. Hood-Jackson also pled guilty to armed robbery and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, PGPD, and MCPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Darren S. Gardner and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Jaskiw who are prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Wapato Man Sentenced for Drive-by ShootingRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that Caludgrio Joseph Bianco, age 26, of Wapato, Washington, was sentenced to 40 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release by Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Bianco pled guilty to Drive-By Shooting pursuant to the Assimilative Crimes Act and to Possession of a Stolen Firearm on November 18, 2025.
According to court documents and information presented at sentencing, on March 15, 2025, Bianco, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, fired two shots at an occupied dwelling in Wapato as he drove by the home. The shooting was captured on neighbors’ security cameras. This appeared to be a random act of violence as Bianco did not know the victim homeowners. Further investigation revealed that the firearm used by Bianco, which was recovered by law enforcement the day of the shooting, was stolen from a residence in Seattle, Washington approximately three months earlier. An indictment was handed down on May 13, 2025. In addition to his term of imprisonment, as a condition of his supervised release, Bianco was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommended treatment.
“While the actions of law enforcement and this successful prosecution will not erase the fear and impact this event caused the victims, it is a step forward as this dangerous individual has been removed from the community,” stated Serrano. “I am grateful for the swift actions by our law enforcement partners in investigating this case, seizing and removing a stolen firearm and getting justice for such a violent act.”
“In a reckless and senseless act of violence, Mr. Bianco shot at the home of people he did not even know using a stolen firearm," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Seattle. "It is incredibly fortunate no one was injured, especially given how close these shots came to the residents inside. The FBI, together with our partners, is committed to combatting violent crime on tribal lands and throughout the state of Washington.”This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Yakama Nation Police Department and the Wapato Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.
United States Prevails in Wrongful Death Lawsuit Alleging Excessive Force by Border PatrolRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO –A federal judge has ruled in favor of the United States in a civil lawsuit brought by the estate of a human smuggler fatally shot during a smuggling incident, rejecting allegations that Border Patrol agents used excessive force.
The plaintiffs included the son of deceased smuggler Silvestre Estrada, as well as two individuals who were being smuggled, Francisco Madariaga and Jaime Madariaga-Gonzalez. U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Battaglia ruled that the Border Patrol agents’ use of force was reasonable and that deadly force was justified when Estrada drove toward them in a threatening manner, leading the agents to reasonably fear for their safety. The court also found that less-than-lethal alternatives were not viable given the rapidly evolving situation.
The allegations stemmed from the shooting death of Estrada on May 14, 2021. That evening, at approximately 10:13 p.m., Border Patrol agents using surveillance technology observed Estrada as he picked up the cousins on the shoulder of State Route 94.
The Madariagas, who are cousins, were both undocumented aliens with Mexican citizenship and no legal right to enter or remain in the United States. The Madariagas had crossed the United States/Mexico border days before. Agents using fully marked Border Patrol vehicles found Estrada’s vehicle, and engaged Estrada by activating their service vehicle lights and sirens. Initially, Estrada pulled over and yielded to the agents.
However, as agents approached Estrada’s vehicle, Estrada sped off, and a high-speed pursuit began. The length of pursuit was approximately four miles and lasted approximately six minutes. During the pursuit, Estrada swerved in and out of the eastbound and westbound lanes of State Route 94, and at times was driving over 80 miles per hour. At trial, the Madariagas testified that, during the pursuit, they were both frightened and believed they might get into an accident.
Ultimately, Estrada’s vehicle entered a Circle K gas station from State Route 94. Several Border Patrol vehicles were pursuing Estrada at that time. Some continued the pursuit by following Estrada into the Circle K, while others surrounded the gas station and remained outside on State Route 94. Estrada sped through the Circle K property apparently looking for an exit. Estrada attempted to reach the property’s entrance/exit to escape the property but was blocked by a high curb that Estrada crashed his vehicle into. The right front end of the vehicle sustained significant damage. Unable to proceed further, Estrada backed up to a point where he was blocked in by a Border Patrol vehicle. Estrada stopped the vehicle for four seconds.
As stated by Judge Battaglia in his written ruling, “[w]hile the vehicle was stopped, Agents approached the vehicle because almost everyone—including the Madariagas—believed the vehicle chase was over . . . . Although everyone else believed the vehicle chase was over, Estrada apparently thought otherwise.” After briefly stopping, and as a Border Patrol agent approached, Estrada revved the vehicle and then accelerated forward in the direction of the approaching agent, getting within a few feet of the agent in 1.6 seconds.
Two agents, who assessed the situation as creating imminent danger of serious injury or death to the agent in front of Estada’s vehicle, fired upon Estrada’s vehicle. Almost immediately after shots were fired, Estrada’s vehicle turned back towards State Route 94, in the direction of another agent, who also assessed the same risk and danger to himself and also fired one shot towards Estrada. Estrada was struck and killed by one of the bullets. The Madariagas were not struck by any of the gunshots.
In his ruling, Judge Battaglia wrote about one agent: “One cannot expect (the agent) to have gambled with his own life by speculating on Estrada’s intent or planned trajectory and hopefully jumping away. Clearly, Estrada gambled with his own life.”
The judge wrote that another agent involved in the shooting “had little choice or option once Estrada revved up and then accelerated the vehicle in his direction.”
“The Court’s ruling confirms that these Border Patrol agents acted lawfully and appropriately under dangerous and rapidly evolving circumstances,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Federal agents are authorized to use reasonable force to protect themselves and others while carrying out their mission to secure our borders.”
“The safety of our agents is paramount, and any act of violence directed at them will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Stalnaker, “The court’s decision affirms our agents’ authority to act in defense of themselves and the public when faced with imminent threats.”
This case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Glen Dorgan, Lisa Hemann and Shital Thakkar.
PLAINTIFFS Case Number 22-cv-00373-AJB-BJW
Silvestre Estrada a minor, by and through is proposed guardian ad litem Emily Prieto
Francisco Madariaga
Jaime Madariaga-Gonzalez
DEFENDANT
United States of America
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”):
- Wrongful Use of Deadly Force
- Assault/Battery of Francisco Madariaga and Jaime Madariaga-Gonzalez
- Negligent Use of Force
United States Attorney’s Office Hosts the Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Continuance of the Security and Education Project for Child DevelopmentRead the Press Release
Noel Del Pilar, PPA Certified & Craftsman Photographer, FFBPR Master Photographer, WPPI SpeakerSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between 14 State agencies for the continuance of the Proyecto de Seguridad y Educación para el Desarrollo de la Niñez (Security and Education Project for Child Development). Although not a signatory to the MOU, the United States Attorney’s Office collaborates closely with the signatory agencies to achieve the goals of the MOU on behalf of Puerto Rico’s children.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office reiterates our commitment to working with state and local agencies to improve the quality of life, well-being, development, and safety of our school-aged children and the community at large. By partnering with these agencies, we will be able to offer educational opportunities and workshops to students and continue our collective efforts to protect and serve the children of Puerto Rico through unity, trust, and respect,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
The objective of the Security and Education Project for Child Development (hereinafter the Project) is to prevent and control high-risk behaviors that may be detrimental to the well-being of Puerto Rican youth. Likewise, the aim is to provide young people with tools to help them face the challenges inherent in adolescence, one of the most crucial stages of human development. The Puerto Rico Department of Education is the lead agency, and they will continue to coordinate efforts, share information and provide resources, along with their partner agencies, for the successful continuation of the Project.
The other Puerto Rico agencies signing the MOU together with the Puerto Rico Department of Education are: the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of the Family, the Department of Public Safety and its component bureaus: Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps Bureau (NCBPR), Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Services Corps Bureau (NCEM), Special Investigations Bureau (NIE), Emergency Management and Disaster Administration Bureau (NMEAD), 911 Emergency Systems Bureau (NSE911); the Puerto Rico Police Bureau; the Traffic Safety Commission; and the Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development.
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USP Allenwood Inmate Charged with Possessing Weapon and Assaulting an InmateRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Lonesome, age 40, an inmate at USP Allenwood, White Deer, PA, was indicted on April 23, 2026, by a federal grand jury for possessing a weapon in prison and assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Lonesome possessed a razor blade, which he allegedly used to assault another inmate.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 10 years in prison and a fine. A sentence would also include a period of supervised release following imprisonment. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged by indictment are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 134 Border-Related Cases This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 134 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).
In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.
A sample of border-related arrests this week:
- On April 18, Ebelia Lopez Orozco, a U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers found more than 161 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the cargo area storage compartment of her Kia Sorrento at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
- On April 20, Santos Andres Torres-Hernandez, a Mexican national, was arrested and charged with Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered two unauthorized aliens concealed inside the roof storage compartment of the defendant’s convertible Mitsubishi Eclipse as he applied for entry at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
- On April 22, Javier Torres-Alvares, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested and charged with Deported Alien Found in the United States. According to a complaint, Torres-Alvares was intercepted by Border Patrol agents north of the border, east of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Torres-Alvares was previously deported to Mexico in 2018.
The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Adds Nearly 250 New Federal Immigration Cases in Western District of Texas This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 245 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from April 17 to April 23, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. Charges were brought against human smugglers and illegal aliens with past convictions for numerous DWIs, violent crime, including crimes against children, drug trafficking, and multiple prior removals.
Among the new cases, Daniel Calderon-Ortiz, a convicted felon and illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested after U.S. Border Patrol agents found that he had allegedly transported an illegal alien to an apartment in El Paso. A criminal complaint alleges that Calderon-Ortiz had picked up the illegal alien off of I-10 and had previously picked up other aliens and housed them in the apartment. Calderon-Ortiz was last deported in September 2014 following a conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon the month prior.
In Alpine, USBP agents arrested U.S. citizen Peyton Russell Ortiz on April 19 near Big Bend National Park. The vehicle allegedly driven by Ortiz was linked to a failed smuggling attempt that occurred in February. As described in a criminal complaint, agents observed the vehicle slow down and stop on the side of the road upon seeing a marked USBP patrol unit. Without activating their emergency equipment, agents decided to conduct a welfare check. The complaint notes Ortiz’s unkempt appearance and alleges that he exhibited signs of nervousness, erratic behavior, and movement while agents questioned him. Ortiz allegedly stated that he and a female front passenger were the only two occupants in the vehicle, though upon further investigation, USBP agents detained five individuals attempting to hide in the rear passenger seat and six additional concealed individuals in the truck bed—all 11 of whom were confirmed to be illegal aliens. The complaint further alleges that a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded firearm in the front seat center console. Ortiz is charged with one count of human smuggling.
Ricardo Marquina Castillo, an illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested on April 16 and charged with illegal re-entry in Del Rio after just being deported the week before. Marquina Castillo’s criminal record contains five DWIs out of Minnesota. His removal through El Paso on April 7 was his 11th.
Mexican national Martin Macedo-Aroyo was arrested on April 18 near Maverick and charged with illegal re-entry. His criminal record consists of five convictions, including a felony third DWI and two convictions for contempt of court. He was deported for the second time on Sept. 29, 2025.
Alexis Santos Alvarado, an illegal alien from Honduras, was charged with illegal re-entry in Del Rio. Santos Alvarado was convicted in July 2025 for unlawful restraint of a minor and sentenced to one year in jail. He was deported the following month through Harlingen.
Yimy Jose Lopez-Mejia aka Jimmy Lopez-Mejia, also an illegal alien from Honduras, was charged with illegal re-entry in Del Rio, having been previously removed from the U.S. four times, the last being in December through Miami, Florida. Lopez-Mejia is a convicted felon with a confirmed record of aggravated assault and robbery.
On April 20, Mexican national Joel Gomez-Cruz was transferred to ICE custody in San Antonio from the Bexar County Adult Detention Center after he was sentenced to 209 days confinement for assault causing bodily injury. Gomez-Cruz was arrested on Sept. 22, 2025, for assault on a peace officer/judge. Through immigration records, he was determined to be an illegal alien previously removed from the United States in 2013. His past convictions include aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute marijuana in 2006, which resulted in 24 months imprisonment, and illegal re-entry in 2010, resulting in 46 months imprisonment.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes ReportRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies.
In the two-week period ending April 24, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico:
- 124 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)
- 22 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)
- 125 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325)
- 134 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for sexual assault of a minor, narcotics trafficking, robbery, DUI, illegal weapons possession, alien smuggling, child molestation, narcotics trafficking, drug possession, unauthorized use of a vehicle and prior immigration offenses.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.
U.S. Attorney Pirro and Mayor Bowser Announce New Legislation to Provide Additional Protections for Victims of Domestic ViolenceRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Mayor Muriel Bowser, and District public safety leaders announced the Protecting Victims Act of 2026, new legislation aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence. The legislation includes measures to strengthen protections for survivors, enhance accountability measures against offenders, and protect privacy and safety. Although violent crime is down in the District year-to-date, domestic violence-connected assault with a dangerous weapon charges have been increasing, making this bill a timely intervention to protect District residents and reverse a concerning trend.
“Even as overall crime declines, the persistence of domestic violence—and the tragic rise in domestic violence homicides—underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement tools,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Too often, these cases reflect repeated abuse, where prior incidents or pending charges did not stop further harm. The Protecting Victims Act will help ensure that the most dangerous offenders can be identified, detained when appropriate, and held fully accountable under the law. My office remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement and community partners to intervene earlier and prevent violence before it escalates. With these additional tools, prosecutors and judges will be better positioned to protect survivors and prevent further tragedy.”
“This legislation is about making sure that survivors are protected and that their safety and privacy are respected. It’s also about making sure that when someone needs help, they can trust that help will be there, and that when someone breaks the law, there are clear and consistent consequences,” said Mayor Bowser. “With the Protecting Victims Act, we want victims and survivors to know that we are here for them, and we want abusers to know that they will face swift and certain consequences.”
The Protecting Victims Act of 2026 builds on ongoing efforts across the District to close gaps in enforcement and ensure that court-issued protections are meaningful, enforceable, and responsive to the realities survivors face.
Key provisions of the Protecting Victims Act of 2026 include:
Strengthening Enforcement of Court Orders to Protect Victims
- Holds offenders accountable for repeated violations of temporary and civil protection orders by punishing repeated violations as felony offenses.
- Improves enforcement of stay away and no contact orders by providing courts with additional tools to enforce serious violations of release conditions, including a presumption that they should securely hold a defendant when they commit a new crime against the same victim.
- Strengthens consequences for violations of post-conviction stay away and no contact orders in misdemeanor intrafamily offenses and misdemeanor sex offenses by making a violation of these orders a felony with penalties consistent with other felony cases.
Strengthening Pretrial Detention of Domestic Violence Offenders
- Provides courts with improved tools to protect victims of domestic violence by detaining abusers who harm them prior to trial, including:
- Creating a new hold for individuals charged with an intrafamily offense who were, at the time of the offense, released pending trial or sentencing in another intrafamily offense case.
- Giving courts the ability to detain offenders charged with an offense against an intimate partner who have a history of domestic violence or were subject to a protection order at the time of the offense.
- Giving courts the ability to detain offenders charged with a repeat violation of a protection order or felony threats against an intimate partner.
Enhancing Accountability for Domestic Violence Offenders
- Updates language in the District’s kidnapping statute to more clearly state what the prohibited conduct is and to capture criminal conduct that the community would recognize as kidnapping. The new statute also provides multiple tiers of liability to address varied factual scenarios of different severity.
- Creates a felony version of unlawful entry to address circumstances in which an offender who has unlawfully entered a private dwelling or property and then commits an assault or a crime of violence. Currently, DC law provides no criminal liability when a person unlawfully enters the home of another without intent to commit another crime, or refuses to leave that home, and then commits an assault or a crime of violence.
- Creates an enhancement for sentencing purposes that applies to violence and threats where the offender knew or consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the victim was pregnant.
- Creates a new offense to address circumstances in which the defendant committed certain offenses in the presence of a child, or where the child witnessed the offense, including by sight, sound, or otherwise.
Protecting Victim and Survivor Privacy and Safety
- Amends the Metropolitan Police Department’s public disclosure requirements by providing protection to individuals who are willing to come forward to law enforcement to report that they have been a victim of or witness to a crime.
“As violent crime continues to decrease, domestic violence related incidents are leading to an increase in Assault with a Dangerous Weapon offenses, and account for 30% of this year’s homicides,” said Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Jeffery Carroll. “MPD has redoubled outreach to domestic violence survivors District-wide. We want all DC residents to know the signs of domestic violence and know the resources offered by MPD and our partners. Most importantly, we want every survivor to know they are not alone.”
Throughout April, MPD has led outreach efforts to highlight domestic violence prevention and resources at more than 20 events across all eight wards, including apartment buildings, places of worship, retail stores, and community centers.
The DC Victim Hotline is available at 844-4-HELP-DC (844-443-5732) and is a 24 hours a day 7 days a week chat- and text-based resource and crisis line for all crime victims in the District of Columbia. Visitors to the hotline receive strength-based and trauma-informed services and referrals in over 200 languages.
Residents and visitors are reminded: if you are in immediate danger, call 911.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro highlighted new efforts underway at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including the creation of the Violent Intimate Partner Emergency Response (VIPER) team, which prioritizes high-risk domestic violence cases and seeks to secure victims’ grand jury testimony as early as possible. This initiative ensures that, at the earliest stages following an arrest, a prosecutor and victim-witness specialist are engaged to support survivors, strengthen evidence collection, and help build cases that do not rely solely on victim testimony. By identifying high-risk cases—including those involving repeated abuse, strangulation, or the presence of children during the offense—VIPER connects victims with time-sensitive resources and supports stronger, more effective investigations. These enhancements are designed to better protect victims, hold offenders accountable, and prevent cases from falling through gaps in the system.
Two Men Plead Guilty to Causing Explosion on Harvard Medical School CampusRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to conspiring to damage a building on Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) campus using a large commercial firework.
Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, Mass. and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 21, of Bourne, Mass., each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to damage, by means of an explosive. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencings for Aug. 4, 2026. In November 2025, the defendants were arrested and charged.
At approximately 2:23 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2025, surveillance cameras located at Huntington Avenue and Longwood Avenue in Boston captured two males – later identified as Patterson and Cardoza – walking toward the HMS campus wearing face coverings and dark clothing. Surveillance video captured the defendants lighting what appeared to be roman candle fireworks at approximately 2:24 a.m.
At approximately 2:33 a.m., the defendants were seen climbing over a chain-link fence into a construction area surrounding the Goldenson Building and, minutes later, climbing scaffolding beside the building to access the roof. At approximately 2:45 a.m., campus police received a fire alarm alert from an explosion on the fourth floor of the Goldenson Building, which houses a research laboratory within HMS’s Department of Neurobiology. It was determined that the defendants detonated a large, commercial firework inside a wooden locker in the fourth-floor research laboratory.
Subsequent security footage captured the defendants visiting the fifth floor of the building before exiting via a first-floor emergency exit and fleeing in opposite directions; removing and discarding clothing items they had worn on the HMS campus; and returning to the nearby campus of Wentworth Institute of Technology, which they were visiting for Halloween social activities.
The charge of conspiracy to damage, by means of fire or an explosive, provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the National Security Unit is prosecuting the case.
Tulsan Sentenced After Jury Convicted Him of Shooting Another ManRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa man was sentenced after being found guilty by a federal jury in December 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Bruce Mitchell Cass, 52, for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, Carrying, Using, Brandishing, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence, and being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Cass was ordered to serve 166 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.
In December 2024, a federal jury heard evidence and testimony about Cass walking into a home wearing a mask and pointing a gun at several people, including a toddler, before he shot the victim once. In July 2024, Tulsa Police Officers were dispatched to a shooting. When officers arrived on the scene, they found the victim, shot once in the abdomen. Medical personnel rendered aid and transported the victim to a local hospital for emergency surgery. Before surgery, the victim identified Cass as the shooter.
Court dockets show that Cass is a felon and previously convicted of violent crimes in state court, including arson, after pouring gasoline on a grocery store clerk and the counter, then igniting it.
Cass is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI, the Tulsa Police Department, and the Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Jolly and Ammon Brisolara prosecuted the case.
The Justice Department Takes Actions to Strengthen the Federal Death PenaltyRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice acted to restore its solemn duty to seek, obtain, and implement lawful capital sentences—clearing the way for the Department to carry out executions once death-sentenced inmates have exhausted their appeals. Among the actions taken are readopting the lethal injection protocol utilized during the first Trump Administration, expanding the protocol to include additional manners of execution such as the firing squad, and streamlining internal processes to expedite death penalty cases. These steps are critical to deterring the most barbaric crimes, delivering justice for victims, and providing long-overdue closure to surviving loved ones.
“The prior administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers, and cop killers,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice is once again enforcing the law and standing with victims.”
On his first day in office, President Trump directed the Department of Justice to prioritize seeking death sentences in appropriate cases, promptly carrying out those sentences, and strengthening the death penalty. Since then, the Department has taken sustained action to implement that directive and reverse the Biden Justice Department’s efforts to erode the death penalty.
The Biden Justice Department, under Attorney General Merrick Garland, broke sharply from its longstanding approach to capital crimes and took extraordinary steps to weaken, delay, and dismantle the death penalty. In doing so, it caused untold harm to the public. Specifically, the Biden Justice Department:
- Imposed an indefinite moratorium on executions based on a deeply flawed analysis asserting that the existing federal practice of execution by lethal injection with pentobarbital could not be carried out without risking “unnecessary pain and suffering.”
- Declined to seek the death penalty in many horrific cases, even where career prosecutors and Biden’s own U.S. Attorneys recommended it, including cases involving child rapists and murderers; racially motivated mass shooters; and gangsters and drug dealers who murdered law enforcement officers, government witnesses, and informants.
- Abandoned capital prosecutions that prior Attorneys General had lawfully authorized and that federal prosecutors were actively litigating—against the wishes of victims’ families and career prosecutors.
- Urged President Biden to effectively empty federal death row by commuting the death sentences of 37 of 40 death-row inmates based on Attorney General Garland’s personal opposition to the death penalty without consulting all the victims’ families.
Under the leadership of President Trump and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Justice Department is committed to correcting these failures and restoring the lawful administration of the death penalty. The Department has rescinded the Biden-Garland moratorium on federal executions and has authorized seeking death sentences against 44 defendants. Acting Attorney General Blanche has already authorized seeking death sentences against nine of these defendants, including three MS-13 members, two of whom are illegal aliens, accused of murdering a federal witness.
Today, the Justice Department took the following steps to better achieve public safety and deliver justice to victims of the very worst crimes:
- Released the Restoring and Strengthening the Federal Death Penalty Report, which examines the actions of the Biden-Garland Justice Department and, after a thorough analysis, finds that the use of pentobarbital to carry out death sentences is consistent with the Eighth Amendment.
- Directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to reinstate the execution protocol adopted during the first Trump Administration, which relies on pentobarbital as the lethal agent.
- Directed BOP to expand the execution protocol to include additional manners of execution such as the firing squad.
- Directed BOP to examine relocating or expanding federal death row or constructing an additional execution facility to permit additional manners of execution.
- Directed the Office of Legislative Affairs to finalize and deliver a comprehensive legislative proposal to Congress that will improve public safety and better achieve justice for victims.
In the coming weeks, the Department plans to take the following additional steps:
- Consider a rule that will empower states to streamline federal habeas review of capital cases. If adopted, the rule will reduce by years the period between conviction and execution in state capital cases.
- Publish a proposed rule prohibiting capital inmates from submitting clemency petitions, and the Office of the Pardon Attorney from considering such petitions, until court decisions in the inmate’s direct appeal and first collateral attack are final.
- Revise the Justice Manual to return the Department to its historic approach to capital crimes, streamline the process for seeking death sentences, and ensure appropriate consultation with victims’ families.
Read the report here.
Texas Man Sentenced for Fatal High-Speed Flight from Border Patrol Checkpoint While Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Texas man who fled a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint at high speed, drove into oncoming traffic, and killed a motorcyclist while transporting nearly 10 kilograms of methamphetamine has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on November 8, 2023, Jeffery Christopher Saint Louis, 29, approached a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 54 and, after being referred to secondary inspection, fled at a high rate of speed. Law enforcement officers observed Saint Louis driving recklessly, reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, swerving between vehicles, and ultimately driving into oncoming traffic on the wrong side of the road.
As the pursuit continued, Saint Louis collided head-on with a motorcyclist, killing the victim at the scene. Data recovered from the vehicle later showed that Saint Louis was traveling approximately 71 miles per hour at the time of impact and did not apply his brakes before the crash. After the collision, his vehicle veered off the road into a nearby brush, where responding officers detained him.
Saint Louis' vehicle following head-on collisionA subsequent search of the vehicle, conducted pursuant to a warrant, revealed approximately 9.9 kilograms of pure methamphetamine concealed in the trunk.
Methamphetamine located in Saint Louis’ trunk Methamphetamine recovered from Saint Louis’ vehicle on scaleDuring interviews with law enforcement, Saint Louis admitted he knew the narcotics were in the vehicle and that he intended to distribute them. He further acknowledged fleeing from the checkpoint because of the drugs.
Saint Louis pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint. Upon his release from prison, Saint Louis will be subject to five years of supervised release.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, made the announcement today.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol, the New Mexico State Police, Alamogordo Police Department, and Otero County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez prosecuted the case.
Tallahassee Man Federally Indicted for Forty-Six Counts of FraudRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Jonquaris Richardson, 27, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for 46 counts of false claims against the United States through fraudulent federal tax forms. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Richardson appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for June 15, 2026, before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
If convicted, Richardson faces up to five years’ imprisonment on each count.
The case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
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.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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.
Southwest Georgian Sentenced to Prison for Teenage Sextortion CrimeRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. – A South Georgia resident was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for attempting to sextort an Ohio teenager he met over Snapchat, threatening her for explicit images.
Cenobio Olguin, Jr., 24, of Lenox, Georgia, was sentenced to serve fifteen years in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on April 23. Olguin, Jr. pleaded guilty to one count of attempted production of child pornography on Jan. 27. In addition, Olguin, Jr. will have to register as a sex offender for life upon release from prison. A sentencing date will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Child predators targeting children online face harsh penalties, and we are unwavering in our mission to pursue offenders and safeguard children,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Addressing the serious threat of sextortion demands much more than law enforcement and prosecution. Parents and caregivers must take action to protect and empower young people against online exploitation. You can learn more about recognizing dangers, reporting abuse and having crucial conversations with young people at Know2Protect.gov.”
“This defendant used fear, manipulation and threats to sexually exploit a minor, causing real and lasting harm,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Sextortion is a predatory crime, and the FBI will aggressively pursue anyone who targets children online. We urge parents, teens and caregivers to report suspicious or coercive online behavior immediately – early reporting can stop abuse and protect victims.”
According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Olguin, Jr. met a 16-year-old female on Snapchat in 2024. He requested that she send snaps of herself at various stages of undress, and she complied. She then blocked Olguin. Months later, Olguin contacted the teenager on Snapchat and sent her the nude photos she had previously shared with him. Olguin threatened to release the photos to her high school friends if she did not continue sending him nude photos.
Olguin, Jr., continued to make various threats to the teenager, including posting her nude photos as a public story on Snapchat. In addition, Olguin, Jr., mentioned another girl he previously extorted. He claimed he sent the nude photos of this other victim to a few boys at her school and ordered the boys to rape her.
The 16-year-old then complied with Olguin, Jr.’s threats and sent additional nude and explicit images on Snapchat. Olguin, Jr. told her if she ever blocked him, un-added him, reported him or talked to the police, she “knew what would happen.”
The Dayton, Ohio, FBI Resident Agency received a tip in December 2024 that the teenager was a victim of sextortion. The victim was interviewed; a subsequent investigation led to Olguin, Jr. A search warrant was issued at Olguin, Jr.’s Berrien County residence in the Middle District of Georgia on May 5, 2025. Agents found 91 images and 29 videos of child pornography on Olguin, Jr.’s cell phone. Agents recovered the Snap messages between the defendant and his teenage victim, including the child sexual assault material Olguin. Jr. sextorted from the victim.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and marks the two-year anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security's national public awareness campaign Know2Protect: Together We Can Stop Online Child Exploitation. Resources are available at www.Know2Protect.gov.
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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The FBI Valdosta Resident Agency and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.
Southfield Couple Pleads Guilty in $1.2M Pandemic Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
DETROIT – Catherine Spidell-Ferguson pleaded guilty today to participating in a $1.2 million Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud conspiracy, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced. Spidell-Ferguson’s husband, D’Angelo Ferguson, pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to commit bank fraud based on his involvement in the same conspiracy.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations-Detroit.
According to plea documents, D’Angelo Ferguson admitted to participating in the submission of three separate PPP loan applications, which included false representations and fictitious supporting documents. As part of the scheme, D’Angelo Ferguson claimed each company had a certain amount of monthly income, along with monthly payroll expenses for certain employees. Both the number of employees and the monthly payroll expenses were fictitious. The documents used to support the supposed monthly income for the companies were false. Court documents indicate that Catherine Spidell-Ferguson admitted to her participation in the submission of the application for one of these bogus loans. In total, the amount fraudulently obtained by the couple in the scheme was approximately $1.2 million.
“Fraud is a plague on our Nation. It takes many forms—and all of them weaken our economy and steal from the American taxpayer. Name a program, and someone is trying to scam it. It is time to make the scammers pay,” said Gorgon.
Sentencing before United States District Judge Laurie J. Michelson will occur after a presentence report is prepared. Both Ferguson and Spidell-Ferguson face possible maximum sentences of not more than 30 years’ imprisonment without the possibility of parole, fines of not more than $1,000,000, and up to five years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Dorval Norwood.
Southern Indiana Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Nearly $600,000 through Multiple Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY- Joseph M. Merk, 38, of Crandall, Indiana, has been sentenced to 4.5 years in federal prison, followed by 2 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to four counts of wire fraud, one count of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of tax evasion. Merk was also ordered to pay a total of $492,229.14 in restitution.
According to court documents, Merk engaged in a years‑long pattern of fraud—including PPP loan fraud, identity theft, business loan fraud, bank fraud, and tax evasion—resulting in a total loss of $599,439.03.
Merk’s schemes are broken down as follows:
PPP Loan Fraud:
From May 2020 to May 2021, Merk submitted six fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program applications for four entities: Donut Frenzy LLC, The Donut Shop LLC, Merk Logging LLC, and Merk Family Farms LLC. None of the businesses were eligible for PPP funds. Merk used falsified information and counterfeit documents to obtain $157,462, which he spent on personal expenses.
Identity Theft and Wire Fraud:
Between September and December 2023, Merk used the names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers of two victims, L.P. and A.P., to open bank accounts and apply for three business loans using fabricated companies (“[L.P.’s surname] Automotive” and “Merk Automotive”). He submitted counterfeit bank statements and misrepresented his identity. Lenders in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut approved the applications, disbursing a total of $183,260 into Merk’s accounts.
Between December 2023 and June 2025, Merk submitted 14 additional fraudulent business loan applications. All the applications involved fabricated businesses, and, in some instances, stolen identities. Through these loans, he received an additional $245,796 in fraud proceeds.
Bank Fraud:
In 2021, Merk made 93 debit‑card purchases for a luxury vacation to Hawaii, totaling $18,405.41. Among the disputed charges were several transactions at a Four Seasons resort in Maui. He later falsely disputed the charges as unauthorized. His bank approved 85 of the disputes and credited him approximately $11,180.63.
Tax Evasion:
Merk failed to report approximately $209,992 in income for tax years 2017 through 2021, thereby causing a tax loss of $71,754. For each tax year, he did affirmative acts to evade assessment of tax, including preparing and signing false tax returns, which were submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.
In total, Merk’s fraudulent conduct involved nine identity theft victims, seventeen business victims, and two governmental victims. One of the identity theft victims was sued by a lender after Merk failed to repay a fraudulent loan obtained in the victim’s name, resulting in a lien being placed on the victim’s bank account.
“Merk treated fraud as a way of life. He stole pandemic relief funds, hijacked innocent people’s identities, lied to banks, and cheated on his taxes. Fraud of this magnitude doesn’t just hurt institutions, it disrupts lives, damages credit, and burdens taxpayers” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This prosecution makes clear that persistent, brazen fraud will be met with decisive federal action.”
“Through multiple fraudulent schemes, the defendant exploited trust for personal gain,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI and our partners will not hesitate to pursue those who target individuals and businesses and remain committed to protecting our communities from financial crime.”
FBI Indianapolis and IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Evans Barker.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew B. Miller, who prosecuted this case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Somerset County Man Indicted for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Tyler Fuller, age 31, of Somerset County, PA, was indicted yesterday on a superseding indictment charging production, receipt and possession of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Fuller produced, received and possessed child pornography from August 2023 to January 2024.
Homeland Security Investigations, State College Police Department, Ferguson Township Police Department, and the Centre County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 30 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Snyder County Woman Sentenced to 168 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Valerie Rose Tallent, age 40, was sentenced to 168 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release on March 26, 2026, by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann, related to her conviction for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, during the month of January 2023, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics from Tallent who had professed that she had taken over her incarcerated boyfriend’s drug trafficking business. Law enforcement then obtained a search warrant for the property in which she was living where they recovered approximately 25 grams of fentanyl, 11 grams of crack cocaine and 1.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.
Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Lycoming County Narcotics Enforcement Unit investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Honora Berti is prosecuting the case.
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Six-Time Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison After Police Find Him with a GunRead the Press Release
A Cedar Rapids man who possessed a gun after having six felony convictions was sentenced April 22, 2026, to five years in federal prison.
James Merlin Hall, age 48, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the prison term after an August 19, 2025, guilty plea to possession of a firearm by a felon.
Information from the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Hall was previously convicted of six felony offenses. On May 20, 2024, police officers searched Hall’s recreational vehicle and located a gun inside. Hall was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his felony convictions.
Hall was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Hall was sentenced to 60 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.
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.
Hall 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 Michael S.A. Hudson and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-cr-35.
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Savoonga woman sentenced to 10 years for trafficking drugs to her communityRead the Press Release
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A Savoonga woman was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs into her small community on behalf of a drug trafficking organization allegedly run by a California inmate.
According to court documents, in December 2022, law enforcement officials identified a suspicious parcel addressed to Michelle Pungowiyi, 51, at a P.O. Box in Savoonga, a rural Alaska community with a population of around 835 people, located on St. Lawrence Island. Law enforcement officials, armed with a federal search warrant, opened the parcel and found over 3,000 illicit fentanyl pills.
A few weeks later, law enforcement officials identified another suspicious parcel addressed to Pungowiyi at the same P.O. Box. Law enforcement officials executed another federal search warrant and found over 4,000 illicit fentanyl pills.
In February 2023, law enforcement officials learned of a third parcel addressed to Pungowiyi at the same P.O. Box, but they were unable to stop the parcel in time, and it was delivered on Feb. 13.
Investigators determined that Pungowiyi was in contact with the alleged ringleader of the organization. Text messages between Pungowiyi and the alleged ringleader documented that the first two packages containing drugs never reached their Savoonga destination.
“Ms. Pungowiyi tried to traffic over 7,000 illegal fentanyl pills into the small community of Savoonga, enough to potentially kill the entire village population eight times over,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. “Her role in this drug trafficking organization shows that suppliers and dealers will stop at nothing to exploit Alaskans, no matter where they are located. Thanks to the incredible law enforcement and prosecutorial work, we are taking drug traffickers out of the pipeline one after another.”
“Ms. Pungowiyi trafficked deadly fentanyl into her own remote Alaskan village targeting her vulnerable community with enough poison to kill them all,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Through Fentanyl Free America, DEA is working alongside our partners to disrupt the criminal networks responsible for flooding communities with deadly drugs and to hold accountable those who profit from dealing in death. We will continue to pursue traffickers at every level and use every available tool to protect the American people from this unprecedented threat.”
“The distribution and use of illegal and dangerous narcotics have no place in the U.S. Postal Service and the State of Alaska. The conviction of Pungowiyi removes a plague from their community and a dangerous criminal,” said Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Seattle Division. “Every day, Postal Inspectors here in Alaska work with our law enforcement partners to do everything we can to identify those responsible for using the U.S. Mail to transport illegal and dangerous narcotics and we thank them for their support and efforts in this investigation.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska has been recused from this case expect for certain personnel. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Clymer from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York has been appointed as Special Attorney to the United States Attorney General to assist with this and other recused cases. He reports to and acts under the direction of the Deputy Attorney General, or his delegee, or U.S. Attorney Bradford in these cases. Special Attorney Clymer supervises personnel from the District of Alaska who have been exempted from the recusal.
The Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division Office and Anchorage District Office, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Seattle Division and Anchorage Domicile, and Alaska State Troopers investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Schroeder prosecuted the case.
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Salisbury Methamphetamine Distributor Sentenced to 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A Salisbury, N.C., man was sentenced yesterday for distributing methamphetamine, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Kenta Montrice Wright, 44, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
According to court records, law enforcement began an investigation into Wright for distributing methamphetamine in the Charlotte area. Between March and July 2025, Wright sold methamphetamine to an individual working with law enforcement twice. On July 21, 2025, Wright was arrested at his home in Salisbury. Following his arrest, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and vehicle, where they found more methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, two firearms, one of which was stolen, various calibers of ammunition, and other firearms accessories. During the conspiracy, Wright was responsible for the distributing more than 640 grams of methamphetamine.
Wright is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gastonia Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Washington of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte was 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.
SDTX exceeds 20,000 charged as 480 more cases filed in ongoing border security enforcement effortsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – Since the implementation of Operation Take Back America, the Southern District of Texas has filed a total of 20,069 cases against 20,374 individuals in immigration and related matters, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Among those, are 484 people charged between April 17-23: 175 for illegal entry, 275 for felony reentry after removal, 33 in human smuggling cases and another one for an immigration-related crime. Many have prior convictions for narcotics, violent crime, sexual offenses, other immigration violations and more.
One illegal alien charged this week has a prior conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the charges. Authorities allegedly found Mexican national Fernando Flores-Bautista near Roma, despite having been removed March 29.
Another illegal alien facing charges this week is Mexican national Carlos Guadalupe Aquino-Pacheco. According to the complaint, authorities encountered him while conducting a traffic stop near McAllen. Court documents allege he has a prior conviction for interference with commerce by threats or violence. Aquino-Pacheco was previously removed Oct. 4, 2023, according to the charges.
Two others also charged with felony reentry after prior removal include Mexican nationals Dionicio Rodriguez-Hernandez and Francisco Javier Velasquez-Vela, found near Hidalgo and Roma, respectively. The complaints allege they have previous convictions such as transporting/harboring aliens, illegal reentry and/or aggravated burglary.
All four face up to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted.
In addition to the new cases, eight members of Mara Salvatrucha aka MS-13 have now received federal prison sentences ranging from 35-50 years for their respective roles in a racketeering conspiracy involving witness tampering and multiple murders, including victims as young as 14. They admitted involvement in killings ordered by MS-13 leadership in El Salvador. Members targeted rival gang members, perceived cooperators and others to maintain or elevate their rank within the organization. Following the killings, they provided photographic proof to leadership, sometimes further mutilating victims to demonstrate compliance.
Also of note this week, Roma resident Lizandro Monroy was ordered to serve 37 months in federal prison for using a minor in a human smuggling scheme. The court noted similarities to his prior convictions, including involvement in pursuits. Authorities observed a raft crossing near a known human smuggling pickup location in June 2025. Monroy had directed a 15-year-old to pick up three aliens before fleeing from a traffic stop, leading to a pursuit and crash that injured one individual. Monroy recruited and paid the minor, provided the route and supplied a phone to receive instructions.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Rosebud Man Sentenced to over 2 Years in Federal Prison for Domestic Assault by an Habitual OffenderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Rosebud, South Dakota, man convicted of two counts of Domestic Assault by an Habitual Offender. The sentencing took place on April 20, 2026.
Marlon Oliver, Jr., age 41, was sentenced to a total of two years and ten months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Oliver was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2025. He pleaded guilty on January 12, 2026.
The convictions stem from two separate incidents that occurred in Todd County in the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On October 11, 2024, Oliver was at the residence of his domestic partner, argued with her, and then assaulted her by shoving her. On December 1, 2024, Oliver was again at the residence of his domestic partner when she told him to leave. Oliver refused to leave and then threatened her with a knife. At the time of both incidents, Oliver had two prior convictions in Rosebud Sioux Tribal Court for domestic assault.
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. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Oliver was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Restaurant Owner Indicted on Charges of Harboring Illegal Aliens and Visa FraudRead the Press Release
DETROIT - The owner and operator of two Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse restaurants was indicted on charges of conspiracy, harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain, and fraud and misuse of immigration documents, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation Detroit Field Division and Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo Jr., U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector.
Arrested yesterday was Yong NI, 52, of Troy, Michigan. NI appeared in federal court yesterday for his initial appearance on the charges.
Officers from the Macomb County FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and the U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector executed three separate search warrants at residences in Shelby Township and Royal Oak, Michigan, owned by NI personally or through the Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse corporation, and encountered twenty-eight individuals living at the homes, seventeen of whom were identified as aliens illegally present in the United States without employment authorization.
Evidence obtained during the course of the investigation showed that the illegal aliens were hired by NI to work at his restaurants located in Shelby Township and Royal Oak. The illegal aliens resided at NI’s Shelby Township and Royal Oak homes and were transported to and from the restaurant for work. Further investigation showed that NI directed illegal aliens without valid documents to other employees to obtain fraudulent permanent resident cards and social security cards.
NI has also been charged with possession of a lawful permanent resident card obtained by fraud or false statements. NI obtained a visa to the United States and his permanent residency by failing to disclose a prior exclusion order from 1995 where he attempted to enter the United States with a fraudulent United States passport.
“We will investigate and prosecute employers who harbor illegal aliens. These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking. And they do it at the expense of the American worker,” said Gorgon.
"Exploiting our immigration system for personal gain is a serious offense, and those who orchestrate or participate in such schemes will have to answer for their actions,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The defendant’s alleged actions of illegally harboring individuals at various residences across our state, transporting them, and employing them at his restaurants, including those unlawfully present in the United States, while misusing visa programs for financial gain, are serious. This operation was a success thanks to the dedicated members of our Macomb County FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency, alongside our partners at the U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector."
“This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting the integrity of our communities. We will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure those who exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain are held accountable,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo Jr., U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector.
NI faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated the Macomb County FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Garcia and Assistant United States Attorney Sean King.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent. The burden is on the government to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Raleigh County Man Sentenced and Ordered to Pay More than $1.5 Million for COVID-19 Relief Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BECKLEY, W.Va. – Ross Jay Bailey, 50, of Cool Ridge, was sentenced today to five years of federal probation, including two years on home detention, and ordered to pay $1,596,301.46 in restitution for theft of government money. Bailey obtained a $2 million loan through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for his business and instead converted at least $1.4 million of the proceeds for his personal enrichment. Bailey has paid the restitution in full.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about June 30, 2020, Bailey obtained an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of $150,000 on behalf of his business, R&R Delivery Service Inc. The CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide EIDL program loans of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses experiencing substantial financial disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bailey successfully applied to increase the loan amount in August 2021 to $500,000 and in February 2022 to the $2 million maximum. Bailey certified that he would use all loans proceeds solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by the pandemic.
As part of his guilty plea, Bailey admitted that he fraudulently used the money he obtained through the EIDL program for purposes he knew were expressly forbidden. Bailey transferred at least $1.4 million of the EIDL proceeds from his business’s bank account to his personal bank account from on or about March 1, 2022, through on or about May 31, 2022, and Bailey converted these funds into purchases of stock and cryptocurrency for his personal enrichment. In addition to the criminal restitution ordered today, Bailey has agreed to pay $2,403,698.54 to settle the government’s pending civil claims brought under the False Claims Act and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, and for breach of contract.
Bailey’s brother, Ryan Keith Bailey, 47, of Beaver, was sentenced on September 16, 2025, to one year and two months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $2,134,900 in restitution after pleading guilty to theft of government money. Ryan Keith Bailey obtained $2,166,517.40 in loans through the CARES Act for his business and instead converted nearly all of the proceeds for his personal use. The United States filed a civil lawsuit against Ryan Keith Bailey seeking civil damages and penalties that could exceed $9,289,579.10.
Mark William Bailey, 53, of Beckley and a cousin of Ross Jay Bailey and Ryan Keith Bailey, pleaded guilty on September 8, 2023, to theft of government monies, admitting he stole approximately $451,237.51 in SBA loans he obtained through the CARES Act. On October 25, 2024, Mark William Bailey was sentenced to five years of federal probation, including one year on home detention, and paid $451,237.51 in restitution and an additional $451,237.98 as a civil penalty to settle False Claims Act allegations.
“He didn’t just break the law - he exploited a moment of national crisis for personal profit,” United States Attorney Moore Capito said of Ross Jay Bailey. “While families were struggling to survive and small businesses were fighting to keep their doors open, these three treated relief funds like a personal bank account. Today’s sentence makes clear that greed dressed up as opportunity will be met with accountability. We will find those who steal from the public trust, and we will hold them to answer — no matter how they try to hide it, and no matter how many of them there are.”
The Bailey family members are among more than 30 individuals convicted in the Southern District of West Virginia of offenses involving the theft or fraudulent use of COVID-19 relief funds. Court-ordered restitution in these cases currently exceeds $5 million.
Capito made today’s announcement and commended the investigative work of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG), the United States Secret Service, the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office (WVSAO) Public Integrity and Fraud Unit (PIFU), and retired Southern District of West Virginia Litigation Financial Analyst Steve Rowley.
“Exploiting emergency government assistance programs betrays public trust and steals directly from hard-working Americans,” said Robert Steinau, Senior Official at the NASA Office of Inspector General. “I applaud the exceptional collaboration with the Southern District of West Virginia that led to today’s sentencing, ensuring that individuals who manipulate federal systems for personal gain are held accountable.”
NASA OIG is an active member of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Fraud Task Force. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending, including spending via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.
Chief United States District Judge Frank W. Volk imposed today’s sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes prosecuted the case with assistance from Asset Forfeiture Assistant United States Attorney Justin Marlowe and Financial Litigation Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Combs. Assistant United States Attorney Gregory P. Neil is handling the civil litigation.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-105.
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Queens Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to over Five Years in Prison for Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
A New York man, Taesung “Terry” Kim, 61, of Harrison, New York, was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for conspiring to launder the proceeds of a $24.4 million pharmacy fraud scheme.
“Mr. Kim’s scheme to pad his pockets with $24 million in taxpayer dollars by peddling unnecessary prescription drugs is despicable and dangerous,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This administration is making clear: we will hold accountable anyone who jeopardizes the health of millions of American adults by stealing from Medicare.”
“Today, Taesung Kim was held accountable for the despicable crime of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, vital federal health care programs that provide insurance coverage to the elderly and those who cannot afford health insurance,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr for the Eastern District of New York. “Fraudsters who think the government is an ATM they can blatantly plunder should take notice of the price this defendant will now pay for his greed.”
“Taesung (Terry) Kim attempted to hide years of health care fraud through illicit kickbacks and bribes. Through the hard work of the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Service - Office of the Inspector General, we were able to peel back the layers of deception to uncover this criminal scheme,” said Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. of the FBI New York Field Office. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable individuals defrauding the American people.”
“The defendant deliberately exploited patients and the Medicare program by orchestrating kickback schemes and laundering millions in fraudulent prescription proceeds to fuel his own greed,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s sentence reinforces HHS-OIG’s continued commitment, alongside our law enforcement partners, to dismantling schemes that abuse federal health care programs and ensuring those who perpetrate them are brought to justice.”
According to court documents, the defendant co-owned several retail pharmacies in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. Between 2015 and 2022, Kim’s pharmacies submitted approximately $24.4 million in claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary prescription drugs. Kim, working with others, acquired prescriptions by paying bribes and cash kickbacks to medical providers and purported patients. He and his conspirators gave bribes to medical providers in the form of office rent and staff to induce them to direct prescriptions to the pharmacies, and he paid customers in the form of supermarket gift certificates and cash to induce them to fill prescriptions at their pharmacies. Kim laundered the proceeds of the scheme through various trading companies, which gave the appearance of legitimate business, facilitated the kickbacks and bribes, and distributed profits among the pharmacies’ owners.
In December 2024, Kim pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to his prison sentence, the Court ordered Kim pay $24.4 million in restitution and to forfeit $6 million in fraud proceeds, including several bank accounts and real properties. On Oct. 16, 2025, Kim’s partner and co-conspirator, Feng “Jeff” Jiang, 43, of Flushing, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.
HHS-OIG and FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanisha R. Payne for the Eastern District of New York assisted with forfeiture matters.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Queens Pharmacy Owner Sentenced to 63 Months in Prison for Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
BROOKLYN, NY – Today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Taesung Kim, also known as “Terry,” was sentenced today to 63 months in prison for conspiring to launder the proceeds of a $24.4 million pharmacy fraud scheme. In December 2024, Kim pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. As part of his sentence, the Court ordered Kim pay $24.4 million in restitution and to forfeit $6 million in fraud proceeds, including several bank accounts and real properties.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Colin M. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General, head of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Scott J. Lampert, Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) announced the sentence.
“Today, Taesung Kim was held accountable for the despicable crime of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, vital federal health care programs that provide insurance coverage to the elderly and those who cannot afford health insurance,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Fraudsters who think the government is an ATM they can blatantly plunder should take notice of the price this defendant will now pay for his greed.”
“Mr. Kim’s scheme to pad his pockets with $24 million in taxpayer dollars by peddling unnecessary prescription drugs is despicable and dangerous,” said Assistant Attorney General McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This administration is making clear: we will hold accountable anyone who jeopardizes the health of millions of American adults by stealing from Medicare.”
“Taesung (Terry) Kim attempted to hide years of health care fraud through illicit kickbacks and bribes. Through the hard work of the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Service - Office of the Inspector General, we were able to peel back the layers of deception to uncover this criminal scheme,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable individuals defrauding the American people."
“The defendant deliberately exploited patients and the Medicare program by orchestrating kickback schemes and laundering millions in fraudulent prescription proceeds to fuel his own greed,” stated HHS-OIG Acting Deputy Inspector General Lampert. “Today’s sentence reinforces HHS-OIG’s continued commitment, alongside our law enforcement partners, to dismantling schemes that abuse federal health care programs and ensuring those who perpetrate them are brought to justice.”
Kim co-owned several retail pharmacies in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. Between 2015 and 2022, Kim’s pharmacies submitted approximately $24.4 million in claims to Medicare for medically unnecessary prescription drugs. Kim, working with others, acquired prescriptions by paying bribes and cash kickbacks to medical providers and purported patients. He and his co-conspirators gave bribes to medical providers in the form of office rent and staff to induce them to direct prescriptions to the pharmacies, and he paid customers in the form of supermarket gift certificates and cash to induce them to fill prescriptions at their pharmacies. Kim laundered the proceeds of the scheme through various trading companies which gave the appearance that he was conducting legitimate business; facilitated the kickbacks and bribes; and distributed profits among the pharmacies’ owners. On October 16, 2025, Kim’s partner and co-conspirator, Feng “Jeff” Jiang, was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for his role in the money laundering conspiracy.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.
Trial Attorney Patrick J. Campbell of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tanisha R. Payne of the Office’s Asset Forfeiture Section is handling forfeiture matters.
The Defendant Sentenced Today:
TAESUNG KIM (also known as “Terry”)
Age: 61
Harrison, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-191 (DG)
The Defendant Previously Sentenced:
FENG JIANG (also known as “Jeff”)
Age: 43
Flushing, QueensE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-264 (ARR)
Previously deported Mexican illegal alien faces possible life sentence following Rabun County arrest with gun and drugsRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Jorge Martinez-Arellano, a/k/a Jorge DeLeon Garcia, an illegal alien from Mexico with a lengthy criminal history, faces federal charges after Rabun County deputies found a firearm and approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
“Despite having been deported numerous times, Martinez-Arellano allegedly returned to our country illegally and resumed trafficking drugs,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “His alleged conduct posed grave danger to the public and demonstrated utter contempt for our laws. Thankfully, strong partnerships between federal and local law enforcement led to the apprehension of a career criminal and confiscation of his poison.”
“Removing dangerous criminals from our communities is at the heart of Homeland Security Investigations’ mission. The arrest of Martinez-Arellano, an illegal alien with a history of violent crime and drug trafficking, demonstrates our commitment to protecting our community from the threat of drugs and gun violence,” said Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Working alongside our local and federal partners, HSI will continue to pursue those who endanger our communities and ensure they are held accountable under the law.”
“This traffic stop identified a repeat offender and an illegal alien in possession of drugs and a firearm, posing a clear danger to our community,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ryan Todd. “ATF and our law enforcement partners will remain focused on stopping those who endanger our communities and keeping them safe.”
“I’m proud of the way our deputies handled this stop and stayed alert. What started as a traffic stop turned into taking drugs, a gun, and a repeat offender off our streets. I also want to thank our federal partners for their support and teamwork on this case. This is the kind of work we’re doing every day to keep Rabun County safe,” said Rabun County Sheriff Mark Gerrells.
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the indictment, and other information presented in court: On November 30, 2025, the Rabun County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office stopped a truck for speeding. Deputies quickly discovered that the driver, Jorge Martinez-Arellano, was an illegal alien from Mexico. A search of the truck revealed a semiautomatic pistol and approximately 300 grams of methamphetamine.
Martinez-Arellano has a criminal history that includes convictions for drug trafficking, assault with a deadly weapon, and reentering the United States unlawfully. His alleged possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking expose him a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and the possibility of life imprisonment. Martinez-Arellano is also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, and, for at least the fourth time, illegal reentry.
Jorge Martinez-Arellano, a/k/a Jorge DeLeon Garcia, 53, of Jalisco, Mexico, was indicted on March 24, 2026. He appeared in federal court on April 22, 2026, and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service without bail.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Keen is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Previously Convicted Killer Sentenced to over 30 Years in Federal Prison for Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – A Jefferson County, Kentucky, man was sentenced last week to 31 years and 6 months in federal prison for multiple drug and firearm offenses.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Acting Special Agent in Charge Olivia Olson of the FBI Louisville Field Office, and Chief Paul l. Humphrey of the Louisville Metro Police Department made the announcement.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from January 1, 2021, through August 29, 2023, Thomas Gunter, conspired with other individuals to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine and over 400 grams of fentanyl. Gunter was further convicted of distributing over 50 grams of methamphetamine on ten dates from March through June of 2023; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on June 22, 2023; possessing with the intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine on August 29, 2023; and possessing a firearm with the knowledge that he was prohibited from doing so due having been previously convicted of felonies on three occasions. The jury also found that Gunter had previously been convicted of the following serious violent felony.
On December 10, 2009, in Floyd County Superior Court, New Albany, Indiana, Gunter was convicted of voluntary manslaughter.
United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Gunter is among the most dangerous criminals in the Louisville metropolitan area. After serving time for a previous homicide, he returned to the streets of Louisville and operated a significant drug trafficking ring, pushing fentanyl and methamphetamine onto our streets. He was often armed with a handgun while running his illicit business. Due to exceptional investigative work by the FBI and LMPD, our Office secured a multi-count conviction against Gunter last summer after a weeklong trial. Just days ago, our Office advocated for the maximum sentence and convinced the Court to send Gunter away for more than three decades. Louisville is safer because this convicted killer is no longer a part of our community.”
Special Agent Olivia Olson stated, “The sentencing of Mr. Gunter ensures that one of Louisville’s most dangerous criminals is removed from our streets for decades to come. He needlessly put innocent lives at risk by trafficking large amounts of narcotics and possessing firearms as a previously convicted felon. This case highlights the FBI’s commitment to combatting violent criminals and gangs and restoring safety to our communities.”
Chief Paul L. Humphrey stated, “Last week’s sentencing demonstrates the power of our law enforcement partnerships and shows that we have zero tolerance for violent and dangerous criminals. Anyone who brings drugs into our community should be clear about the consequences: We will find you and we will hold you accountable for your actions.”
There is no parole in the federal system.
The FBI and LMPD investigated the case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Josh Porter and Frank Dahl are prosecuting the case with assistance from paralegal Adela Alic.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threatens the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Nashville is comprised of agents and officers from FBI, HIS, DEA, ATF and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
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Previously Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm and Ammunition OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man with multiple prior criminal convictions pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.
Derrick J. Poe, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition before U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy who scheduled sentencing for Aug. 4, 2026. Poe was charged by criminal complaint in February 2026 and is in federal custody pending sentencing.
Between Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 18, 2025, Poe distributed crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement in three separate controlled purchases in Salem, Mass. Poe was arrested after the third controlled purchase. A subsequent search of Poe’s Lynn residence resulted in the recovery of suspected crack cocaine and other evidence of drug distribution as well as three firearms and ammunition. Two of the firearms were privately made polymer-80 pistols, bearing no serial numbers, which are commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” The third firearm was a Springfield Armory 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen from Columbus, Ohio:
Poe is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions, including in Alabama. These include a 2006 conviction for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and robbery as well as a 2012 conviction for receiving stolen property. Poe received concurrent 10-year and 20-year sentences for the 2006 drug and robbery offenses – sentences which were later suspended and he was ordered to serve four years in prison followed by four years of supervised probation. As for the 2012 receipt-of-stolen-property offense, Poe received a 69-month prison sentence that was suspended, with credit for time served, and was placed on probation for 60 months. In 2016, he was convicted in Massachusetts state court of possessing Class B drugs with intent to distribute.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Possession of Glock Nets Felon 30 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON - Tayon Wright, 26, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 30 months in prison for unlawful possession of a Glock pistol that was discovered after he fled from a car he had crashed following a police pursuit, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Tayon Wright was a felon on supervised probation when he chose to illegally arm himself with a Glock outfitted with a giggle switch — a device that transformed it into an automatic weapon capable of unleashing lethal fire in seconds,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Today’s sentence is a direct message to any others who think they can disregard the law without facing the consequences.”
Wright pleaded guilty on Jan. 21, 2026, before Judge Amy Berman Jackson to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition to the 30-month prison term, Judge Berman Jackson ordered Wright to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 33-month prison term.
According to court papers, at about 2:15 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2024, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a pursuit in progress. Prince George’s County Police were chasing a stolen black Audi through Southeast D.C. The Audi lost control on 13th Street SE, struck a curb, and crashed.
Wright, the sole occupant of the vehicle, fled from the Audi on foot. Officers found a black Glock 9mm handgun in the street next to the vehicle. The firearm was outfitted with a switch that allowed it to fire as an automatic, had a round in the chamber, and was surrounded by 21 rounds of loose ammunition. Wright is not considered a suspect in the vehicle theft.
After a brief foot chase, officers arrested Wright. A search of his jacket revealed cocaine base in multiple forms, amphetamines, 15 Oxycodone pills, and $152 in U.S. currency.
Wright had November 2021 felony convictions in Prince George’s County for armed carjacking and possession of a regulated firearm, which made it illegal for him to possess a firearm or ammunition. He was still on supervised probation for those convictions at the time of this offense.
The investigation was conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department, the Prince George’s County Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office,
The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jolie Zimmerman.
Photo of a black Glock firearm equipped with a “giggle switch” that police found in the street next to the crashed Audi. The firearm was surrounded by 21 rounds of loose ammunition.
Pharmacist Sentenced to 30 months in Prison for Role in $2M Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Paducah, KY – Michael Shawn Boaz, 47, of Clinton, was sentenced this week to 30 months in prison and 3 years supervised release for one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 13 counts of fraudulent prescriptions and ordered to pay restitution of $1,806,212.90.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Marie Maguire of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General made the announcement.
On November 3, 2025, Boaz entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and fraudulent prescriptions. According to court documents, while working as licensed pharmacists, Boaz and his co-conspirator fraudulently billed health care benefit programs for customers at two pharmacies in Kentucky. From 2017 through 2021, they caused $2,185,739.52 in losses to health care benefit providers by submitting claims for fraudulent and unauthorized prescriptions. Boaz added boutique vitamins to customer prescription orders. He told customers that the vitamins were “free.” However, Boaz billed the customers’ health care providers between $1,000 and $6,000 for each bottle of vitamins. Boaz also submitted claims for fraudulent and unauthorized prescriptions for the antihistamine Carbinoxamine Maleate. He purchased Carbinoxamine Maleate from a wholesaler for $605 per prescription and billed health care providers between $2,000 and $16,000 for each fraudulent prescription.
On August 7, 2025, co-conspirator Christopher Clayton Augustus, 42, of Paducah, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit health care fraud, fraudulent prescriptions, and aggravated identity theft. He is awaiting sentencing.
United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Fraudsters like Boaz that steal from health care benefit programs negatively impact everyone’s health care costs. Health care fraud is a top priority of our office. We will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those that defraud our health care programs. It is my fervent hope that Boaz’s prison sentence serves a strong deterrent to other fraudsters in the Western District of Kentucky to stop their fraud now because we will find you and prosecute you.”
This case was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Labor, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control, and the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Raymond McGee of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Pensacola Registered Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Possession of Obscene Materials Involving MinorsRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Jordan T. Quinones, 30, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of obscene materials involving minors. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the vigilance of our state law enforcement partners in closely monitoring this sex offender, they were able to detect his continued criminal sexual deviance and help bring him to justice. Keeping our kids safe from sexual predators like this defendant remains one of my office’s top priorities, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases.”
Court documents reveal that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement conducted routine checks on the defendant as a registered sex offender in late 2025. When suspicious materials were associated with the defendant, law enforcement followed up with an interview of Quinones, which led to obtaining a search warrant of his cellular telephone. Law enforcement located images that depicted obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. The defendant was maintaining them in an online account. The images were cartoon or computer generated files, which depicted sexual abuse, sadomasochistic abuse, and bestiality involving minors. The defendant remains detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Quinones faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 14, 2026, at 1:00 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it 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.
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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Operation Spring Break Results in Several Arrests for Child Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – Three Northwest Ohio men have been federally charged for child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) related offenses as part of an investigation that culminated in the execution of 16 search warrants last week. An additional four defendants were also arrested during last week’s roundup and are being held on state charges.
The three defendants were arrested on criminal complaints and each charged with Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, also known as CSAM. These cases are separate and not related:
Gavin Jaffe, 27, of Millbury, Ohio
According to court documents, investigators found that Jaffe was allegedly active on a social media platform where he sent and received CSAM, as well as messaged others about his sexual interest in children. Agents later learned that Jaffe was previously the subject of a local investigation into CSAM.
Jared Mishka, 26, of Toledo, Ohio
Court documents show that during a search warrant execution at Mishka’s residence, agents located several thumb drives that contained thousands of child sexual abuse images and videos. The CSAM materials included pre-pubescent children under the age of 12. Agents also located a list of addresses near his home, each with the name of a female, as well as a collection of girls’ socks.
Alexander Rojas, 38, of Toledo, Ohio
According to court document, Rojas allegedly hid a cellphone in the vent of the floorboard during a search warrant execution. Investigators later found that the cellphone contained multiple images of child sexual abuse, including infants. Other items seized from his residence were child-like sex toys, children’s onesies, and underwear for young girls.
“These arrests happen to coincide with National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is recognized each April,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer. “Together with the investigative efforts of our law enforcement partners, my office will aggressively prosecute those who take part in any type of these heinous crimes against children and hold them accountable for these despicable actions.”
U.S. Attorney Toepfer will also be highlighting the awareness of crimes against children on the office’s Facebook page in the coming days through timely public service announcements.
Throughout the week-long operation, agents seized a total of 128 digital items of evidentiary value, including computers and cellphones. According to investigators, thousands of CSAM files were located on electronic devices.
The FBI Toledo Resident Agency led the investigations in a multi-agency effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement including:
- Toledo Police Department
- Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
- Henry County Sheriff’s Office
- Paulding County Sheriff’s Office
- Wauseon Police Department
- Lake Township Police Department
- Rossford Police Department
- Defiance Police Department
- Seneca County Sheriff’s Office
- Noble County Sheriff’s Office
- Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Tiffin Police Department
- Defiance County Prosecutor’s Office
- Hancock County Sheriff’s Office
- Lima Police Department
- Hardin County Sheriff’s Office
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Assistant United States Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
Okemah Resident Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Raymond Lewis Spain, age 66, of Okemah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian Country, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Indictment alleged that beginning in or about March 2020, and continuing until in or about March 2024, Spain knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a victim who had attained the age of 12 years, but had not attained the age of 16 years, and who was at least four years younger than the defendant.
The crime occurred in Okfuskee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Spain will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
Norfolk Navy sailor sentenced to 10 years in prison for coercing a minor to engage in sexRead the Press Release
NORFOLK, Va. – A Texas man was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sex, and the coercion of seven other minor victims.
According to court documents, Dominic Nathanial Torres, 23, a U.S. Navy sailor stationed in Norfolk, used multiple social media platforms to communicate with minors in a sexually explicit manner. Torres strategically targeted middle and high school age girls through social media, and then bypassed the security protocols of age restricted social media communities by presenting himself as a minor and using younger photos. Torres requested and received sexually explicit images and videos from minor victims and sent the minors sexually graphic photos and videos of himself.
During the Summer of 2024, Torres contacted a minor female via a social media platform. Torres knew the victim was 16 years old and portrayed himself as a minor. After communicating with the minor through multiple mediums including text messages, Torres convinced the minor to meet in person. He travelled to the minor’s neighborhood, picked her up near her home, and engaged in sex with her on two separate occasions. Torres attempted to video his sexual encounter with the minor.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigated this case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-10.
Newport News man convicted for series of armed bank robberiesRead the Press Release
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A federal jury convicted a Newport News man today on charges of bank robbery, bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Tyrone K. Jefferson, 38, worked for a rental car company where he had access to rental cars and license plates owned by the company. Jefferson stole several license plates and a sedan from the company. From Feb. 4 to Feb. 26, 2025, Jefferson used the sedan to rob a credit union and two banks. In each robbery, Jefferson threw a bag to a teller and demanded that it be filled with money, with no dye or trackers. Jefferson brandished a firearm during two of the robberies. He also used the stolen vehicle to visit a Portsmouth casino after the robberies.
On Feb. 27, 2025, Newport News Police attempted to stop the stolen sedan, but the driver fled at a high rate of speed, abandoned the vehicle, and escaped on foot. Police located mail, court documents and other paperwork addressed to Jefferson in the vehicle.
On March 7, 2025, Jefferson robbed another credit union by brandishing a firearm and demanding that a teller fill a bag with money. Jefferson then fled on foot.
On March 27, 2025, police traced Jefferson to the same Portsmouth casino, to which he traveled in a rented vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, police recovered rental paperwork in Jefferson’s name, a stolen handgun, and an extended magazine.
Jefferson has five previous felony convictions, including for assault of a federal employee (2018 for macing a Navy police officer); carrying a concealed weapon (2008); possession of stolen property and hit and run (2008); grand larceny (2011); and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and eluding police (2006).
Jefferson faces a mandatory minimum of 21 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on July 23. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Henrico County Police Division and Newport News Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mack Coleman and Alyson C. Yates are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-cr-53.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to 42 Months for $9 Million FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that ARSEN LUSHER was sentenced to 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho for perpetrating a scheme to defraud more than 20 investors of nearly nine million dollars. On August 18, 2025, LUSHER pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.
“Today’s 42-month sentence comes at the end of a too common story: a fast-talking fraudster promising exceptional returns but not giving investors basic information,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Arsen Lusher lied to victims about the nature of his business to line his own pockets. When the walls came closing in, Lusher doubled down, creating false documents to try to lull his victims into a false sense of security about their investments. Lusher’s fraud was brazen, and it cost his victims nearly $9 million. A good rule of thumb for investors: no audit, no investment.”
According to the charging documents and other filings and statements made in court:
From at least 2017 through at least February 2021, the defendant engaged in a scheme in which he and his associates solicited investments from victims, usually by representing that the defendant had a profitable trucking business that enjoyed delivery and installation contracts with multiple large retailers. The defendant and his associates typically represented that the victims’ investments would fund the purchase of trucks and guaranteed the victims high rates of return over a fixed period—typically between 30 and 40 percent over one or two years. In that way, the defendant succeeded in raising approximately more than $40 million from his victims during the scheme. But the defendant did not have a large trucking business, and he did not invest the victims’ money into any trucking business. Instead, the defendant paid earlier victims with later victims’ funds, sustaining the scheme for years.
While he was stealing money from the victims, the defendant lived a lavish life. For example, the defendant gambled millions of dollars at casinos and online, winning as much as $100,000 in a single sitting. The defendant also used funds from his companies’ corporate bank accounts to finance personal expenses. On a trip to China in April 2019, the defendant spent thousands of dollars in a high-end shopping spree, including a $3,210.76 charge from a Louis Vuitton store and a $12,932.24 charge at a Hermès store in Hong Kong. The defendant paid those expenses from his business bank accounts. During the scheme, neither the defendant in his personal capacity nor any of the companies that the defendant used to perpetrate the scheme filed federal tax returns.
After years of fraud, in late 2020 and early 2021, the scheme collapsed, leaving the victims with losses of at least $8,740,440. As the scheme came crashing down, the defendant created numerous false documents and caused them to be shared with his victims for the purpose of continuing to solicit investments and lulling victims into a false sense of security with respect to their investments. For example, in January 2021, the defendant created and caused to be sent to a particular victim (“Victim-1”) a falsified email, in which the defendant altered account balances for two of the companies that the defendant used to perpetrate the scheme that had been reported to the defendant by an employee from a particular bank (“Bank-1”). The email that the defendant received from Bank-1 is shown below left; the email that the defendant altered and caused to be sent to Victim‑1 is below right. Instead of “8,767.26,” and “$320.76,” the defendant altered the email to state that his companies had account balances of $1,228,767.26 and $987,320.76 (italics and bold added).
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In addition to the prison term, LUSHER, 49, of Millstone, New Jersey, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $8,740,440 in forfeiture and $8,740,440 in restitution.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Rosenberg is in charge of the prosecution.
Nevada Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling over $26 Million from EmployerRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Henderson, Nev., woman pleaded guilty today to embezzling over $26 million from her employer and purchasing high-end merchandise using the stolen funds and selling those items through an online consignment company.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Cynthia Marie Marabella was employed as a controller at a Las Vegas-based construction company. As part of her duties, she managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, and received financial statements from various banks and credit card companies.
Marabella admitted that, from January 1, 2018, to about February 28, 2025, she and her boyfriend co-defendant William Keolanui Costa devised a scheme to defraud Marabella’s employer. As part of the scheme, they: fraudulently duplicated bonus checks and deposited the checks into bank accounts controlled by Marabella and Costa; opened credit cards in other peoples’ names and made unauthorized charges then paid the credit cards’ bills with stolen funds; provided false accounting records to the employer; created forged and false bank statements; and sent fictitious invoices from merchant accounts then paid the invoices with stolen funds.
Marabella and Costa used the stolen money to pay off vehicles, living expenses, and credit cards. They also purchased high-end merchandise with the stolen funds, such as expensive purses, shoes, clothing, and jewelry. Marabella sold the merchandise through an online consignment company. Marabella and Costa received more than $245,000 from the sales. As a result of the fraud scheme, Marabella and Costa obtained more than $26 million from the employer.
Marabella pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. The total maximum statutory penalty is 30 years in prison. Sentencing has been set for August 4, 2026, before United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is prosecuting the case.
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Mt. Pleasant Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography on the Isabella ReservationRead the Press Release
Bay City, MI –A 56-year-old resident of Mt. Pleasant was sentenced today to 168 months in prison for possession of child pornography announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.
United States District Judge David M. Lawson also imposed 5 years of supervised release on Daniel Anthony Quezada who pled guilty on December 3, 2025.
According to court records, on or about September 17, 2025, on the Isabella Reservation, Quezada knowingly possessed thousands of images and videos of child pornography that had traveled in interstate commerce. Quezada was previously convicted in 2000 for criminal sexual conduct in the 2nd degree (person under 13), children distributing obscene material, and children accosting. Quezada was also convicted in 2006 for criminal sexual conduct in the 2nd degree (person under 13).
“This monster repeatedly sexually abused children. And then he continued to feed on the images of their abuse. A man like this has no place among us,” U.S. Attorney Gorgon said.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roy Kranz.
Mother arrested in failed smuggling attempt of minorRead the Press Release
LAREDO, Texas – An illegal alien who resided in Austin has been charged for her role in a failed attempt to smuggle an 8-year-old child into the United States by a stranger, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Mexican national Nanzy Rodriguez-Sanchez has made her initial appearance in Laredo federal court and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing May 7.
Co-conspirators Jesus Luciano, 34, Austin, and Mexican national Maribel Jaimes-Hernandez, 27, were previously charged for their roles in the scheme.
The charges allege all three participated in a scheme to smuggle Rodriguez-Sanchez’s minor child into the United States.
On Oct. 2, 2025, Luciano allegedly attempted to bring the minor into the country by bus in exchange for $5,000. Luciano was a stranger to the child, according to the allegations.
The complaint alleges he provided a birth certificate and claimed the child as his own, but authorities later determined the document belonged to another child.
Jaimes-Hernandez had allegedly provided the birth certificate in exchange for $1,000 to facilitate the smuggling attempt.
If convicted, Rodriguez-Sanchez and Jaimes-Hernandez face up to 10 years in federal prison for their respective roles as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Luciano previously pleaded guilty and could also receive up to 10 years.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Manuel A. Cardenas Jr. is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint or indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.