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3 September 2026
2 Box Elder men sentenced to prison for attempted home invasion robbery that ended with a deathRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A pair of Box Elder men who tried to rob a house and ended up killing a man were sentenced to prison Wednesday, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Levi Terrance Olson, 30, who pleaded guilty in May 2026 to attempted robbery and involuntary manslaughter, was sentenced to nine years and three months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Brandon Lee Weaselboy, 36, who pleaded guilty in May 2026 to attempted robbery and involuntary manslaughter, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that early in the morning on July 29, 2024, Olson and Weaselboy, along with Gordon Denny and the eventual victim, planned to steal drugs from a home on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. When the group reached the house, they found an occupant they did not expect was home. Denny later told investigators it “messed up” the robbery.
At the house, Denny knocked on the door and was taken inside by the unexpected resident. After a brief moment, the other three men kicked in the front door, entered the house and a shootout ensued. In the chaos that followed, Olson and Weaselboy fled from the front of the house, while Denny fled through the back of the house. The victim was shot and was later found dead in the yard. Denny, Olson, and Weaselboy were eventually arrested and interviewed by law enforcement; they admitted to planning the botched robbery that ultimately led to the victim’s death.
Denny was sentenced in June 2026 to two years and seven months in prison for his involvement in the conspiracy.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI and the Chippewa Cree Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
2 September 2026
Zachary Babitz Sentenced to Life in Prison for Armed Robbery and Carjacking Crime Spree That Ended in Fatal ShootingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Zachary Babitz was sentenced to life plus 26 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies and carjackings across New Mexico in 2024, including the fatal shooting of an 83-year-old Santa Fe man during a carjacking.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, between July 30 and August 10, 2024, Babitz, 40, committed a series of armed robberies, carjackings and a fatal shooting across Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Doña Ana counties.
Babitz’s crime spree began on July 30, 2024, when he entered an AutoZone in Albuquerque armed with a handgun, demanded money from an employee and stole approximately $345. The following day, he robbed a Wells Fargo bank in Albuquerque by presenting a demand note and indicating he was armed, obtaining approximately $3,300.
On August 3, Babitz robbed a Jersey Mike’s restaurant at gunpoint, taking cash from the register and forcing an employee to open a safe where additional money was stolen.
On August 6, 2024, Babitz committed a carjacking in Santa Fe County during which he confronted 83-year-old John Doe with a firearm. When Doe offered resistance, Babitz shot him, rifled through his pockets for the vehicle keys and left him in a parking lot. Doe later died from his injuries.
Even after the killing, Babitz continued his violent crime spree. On August 9, he carried out another carjacking in Bernalillo County, knocking the victim unconscious. On August 10 in Las Cruces, Babitz and an accomplice robbed an Arby’s restaurant at gunpoint, stealing cash, and later that same day participated in another armed carjacking in which they forced a victim from a vehicle at gunpoint. While fleeing from law enforcement, Babitz crashed the stolen vehicle and was found hiding in a nearby dumpster.
At the time of the offenses, Babitz was on state probation for six robberies committed in Albuquerque and had a lengthy history of violent felony convictions. His adult criminal record dates to 2004 and includes armed carjackings in Nevada and California, including an incident in which he fired a gun while attempting to steal a woman’s purse. After moving to New Mexico, he was convicted in 2018 for a series of six robberies committed over several weeks.
Babitz was charged by federal indictment with 13 counts arising from the 2024 crime spree. On October 22, 2025, the United States filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. On April 17, 2026, Babitz and the United States entered into a binding plea agreement calling for a sentence of life imprisonment.
Babitz pleaded guilty to all 13 counts of the indictment, including two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of bank robbery, one count of carjacking resulting in death, one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and causing death through the use and possession of a firearm, one count of carjacking, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting, two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and aiding and abetting, one count of carjacking and aiding and abetting, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge A.J. Gibes of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, Santa Fe Police Department, Albuquerque Police Department and Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Natasha Moghadam are prosecuting the case.
York Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy and FirearmsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Marco Laboy-Torres, age 47, of York, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on September 1, 2026, to 144 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Laboy-Torres was sentenced for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy where over five kilograms of cocaine were delivered by mail from Puerto Rico and trafficked in York. Laboy-Torres also possessed a short-barreled firearm in connection with the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Laboy-Torres previously pled guilty for his role in the conspiracy. Robert Nelson, age 62, York, and Luis Valentin-Hernandez, age 50, York, are charged for their roles in the conspiracy. Both defendants are pending trial in November 2026.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is life imprisonment, 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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Wellsville man who had sex with a minor pleads guilty to distributing videosRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Jason Goodsell, 41, of Wellsville, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to distribution of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Between June 2020 and December 2021, Goodsell, then approximately 35 years old, was engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor girl, who was 16 years and 17 years old. During that time, Goodsell used a cellular device to record videos while they were engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In June 2022, Goodsell distributed multiple videos of that conduct through Facebook Messenger.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Franz M. Wright and Colleen M. McCarthy are handling the prosecution of the case. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the Wellsville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy O’Grady, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. Additional Assistance was provided by the Pittsburgh Office of the FBI.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 11, 2027, before Judge Vilardo.
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United States Obtains $2.6M Settlement with Heuser Health as Part of Broader “Skin Scam” Fraud-Fighting InitiativeRead the Press Release
Louisville, KY – Heuser Health, a Louisville-based provider of at-home wound care services, has agreed to pay $2,646,186.72 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by overbilling Medicare and TRICARE for costly skin substitute products. This settlement is part of a broader investigative initiative known as “Operation Skin Scam,” aimed at uncovering fraud schemes involving expensive skin substitute materials and holding accountable those who attempt to exploit them.
Skin substitutes are advanced bioengineered or tissue-derived materials used to replace, imitate, or regenerate damaged skin. Heuser Health used these products to treat Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries suffering from chronic and acute wounds. Federal rules required Heuser Health to bill these products based on their actual invoice price.
The United States alleges that Heuser Health submitted, or caused to be submitted, claims using invoice amounts higher than the company’s true purchase prices, leading to inflated reimbursements paid by Medicare and TRICARE.
“Healthcare providers must bill federal healthcare programs accurately and transparently,” said United States Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner for the Western District of Kentucky. “When providers seek reimbursement beyond what they are entitled to receive, it undermines the integrity of Medicare and TRICARE and misuses taxpayer funds. This settlement—part of our wide ‘Skin Scam’ effort—reflects our commitment to enforcing federal billing rules and protecting these essential programs from abuse.”
The matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Matt Weyand and Jessica R. C. Malloy with investigative assistance from Auditor Phil Bezehertny of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The claims alleged by the United States are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
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USP McCreary Inmate Sentenced for Attempted MurderRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. –Mufid Elfgeeh, 42, was sentenced on Tuesday to 230 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for attempted murder.
While serving a 270-month sentence for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, United States Penitentiary McCreary staff observed Elfgeeh stabbing his cellmate. Elfgeeh, upset that BOP had not complied with his request for a private cell, used an improvised weapon to stab his cellmate dozens of times as he ignored numerous verbal commands to stop the attack. Elfgeeh continued the stabbing through three uses of OC spray, OC vapor grenades, multiple foam/rubber baton rounds, pepper balls, and hornet nest munitions. Elfgeeh was only stopped when staff outfitted with protective gear breached the cell, restrained him, and removed the weapon.
A jury convicted found Elfgeeh guilty of the attempted murder charge on April 29, 2026, following a two-day trial.
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Returns Culturally Significant Artifacts to Osage Nation Following Civil Forfeiture JudgmentRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri announced that a collection of culturally significant Native American artifacts has been returned to the Osage Nation after the conclusion of a civil forfeiture action involving items unlawfully removed from federal lands near Harry S. Truman Lake.
The artifacts include a bag of Scallorn arrowheads that originate from a prehistoric archaeological site historically associated with the Osage Nation. Federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, spent several years investigating unauthorized excavation at the site and recovering the materials so they could be properly safeguarded.
Following the entry of judgment by U.S. District Judge Brian Wimes, the Osage Nation and the United States executed a settlement ensuring the return of the arrowheads to the tribe. No other claims were filed for the property.
“Culturally significant items are more than objects, they are a connection to history, traditions, and identity,” said R. Matthew Price, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri. “We are honored to help return these items to their rightful home and uphold the federal government’s commitment to protecting the heritage and sovereignty of the Osage Nation.”
The remaining archaeological materials will be handled using appropriate cultural resource protocols to ensure respectful treatment and disposition in accordance with federal law.
The civil forfeiture action was litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick in coordination with a related criminal prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Barnes and Cari Walsh. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers jointly made the recovery and restoration of these artifacts possible.
Tulsa Man Indicted for Sexual Assault and the FBI is Seeking to Identify Potential VictimsRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa man was indicted on several counts related to sexually assaulting women and is now detained, pending trial.
Deleon Milford Cooks, 24, of Tulsa and a member of the Cherokee Nation, is charged with two counts of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Threat in Indian Country; two counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; one count of Carrying, Using, and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence; two counts of Assault of an Intimate/Dating Partner by Strangling in Indian Country; and one count of Sexual Abuse without Consent in Indian Country.
Court documents show that Cooks is indicted for knowingly forcing two victims to engage in sexual activity and placing them in fear of death, serious bodily injury, and kidnapping. He is accused of assaulting both victims with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Cooks also strangled both victims and engaged in a sexual act with one victim without her consent.
The FBI is seeking to identify potential victims of Deleon Milford Cooks. The FBI believes he primarily targeted women from 2023 through 2026. If you were victimized by Deleon Milford Cooks or have information relevant to this investigation, please fill out the Seeking Information Questionnaire.
The FBI and the Tulsa Police Department are the investigative agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stacey Todd is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Trinidadian Foreign National Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking in New YorkRead the Press Release
Trinidadian foreign national and lawful permanent resident, Chad Barclay, 33, pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking and admitted to kidnapping six additional victims.
During the plea hearing, Barclay admitted that on Sept. 13, 2022, he enticed the victim to his residence to engage in commercial sex, where he robbed and sexually assaulted her. As part of plea agreement, Barclay stipulated to kidnapping six additional women between 2022 and 2023. For targeting five victims, Barclay was charged in a 20-count superseding indictment with interstate prostitution, Hobbs Act robbery, kidnapping, access device fraud, aggravated identity theft, and witness tampering and obstruction of an official proceeding in August 2023. Barclay was charged with a sex trafficking count for one of the original five victims and interstate prostitution, Hobbs Act robbery, kidnaping, and other related charges for two additional victims in a second superseding indictment in May 2026.
“Chad Barclay has now admitted that he kidnapped, violently raped, and robbed multiple female victims,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This prosecution demonstrates that we will always seek justice for survivors of trafficking and abuse to prevent more of these heinous crimes. This type of exploitation and violence has no place in our civilized society.”
“This defendant is a dangerous predator who used force and intimidation to sexually assault a victim and has admitted to additional conduct including kidnapping six other women,” said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York. “Today’s guilty plea holds him accountable for the devastating harm he inflicted on his victims and sends a clear message that our Office will vigorously prosecute those who use violence, enticement, and coercion to facilitate sex trafficking. We remain committed to protecting victims of this scourge, pursuing justice on their behalf, and ensuring that perpetrators like Barclay are held responsible for their crimes.”
“Chad Barclay’s brutal and predatory actions inflicted profound harm on his victims and demonstrated a clear disregard for their safety and humanity,” said Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle of the FBI’s New York Field Office. “The FBI and NYPD's joint investigation ensured his conduct was exposed and he was brought before the justice system to answer for his crimes. We will continue working closely with our partners to protect victims and ensure offenders are held fully accountable for their actions.”
Barclay faces a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI New York Field Office and the New York Police Department are investigating the case as part of the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Trial Attorney Olimpia E. Michel of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andy Palacio and Lorena Michelen for the Eastern District of New York and are prosecuting the case.
Sudbury Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for $7.8 Million Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Sudbury man, formerly of Hudson (Mass.), was sentenced on Aug. 27, 2026 in federal court in Worcester for carrying out a scheme to steal money from his two former employers, both medical practices.
Adam Gentile, 40, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Margaret R. Guzman to four years in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. Gentile was also ordered to pay restitution to the two victims in the amounts of $3.8 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $7.8 million. In March 2026, Gentile pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud after being charged in December 2025.
In or around 2014, Gentile was hired as an administrative assistant for a medical practice near Boston. He was promoted to the role of office manager shortly thereafter. In his capacity as office manager, Gentile processed payroll and oversaw other recordkeeping and administrative responsibilities for the practice. Beginning in or around 2015 and continuing through November 2020, Gentile embezzled more than $4.5 million from his employer by issuing himself extra paychecks, sometimes labeling the payments as “bonuses.” Gentile also paid off personal credit cards with the practice’s bank account.
In 2021, Gentile was hired as an officer manager for a second medical practice, for which he similarly had sole responsibility for processing payroll. From in or around April 2021 through May 2024, Gentile executed a similar scheme in which he caused extra payroll payments to be issued to himself – sometimes recording these payments as “bonuses.” Gentile used the employer’s bank account to pay off his personal credit cards; purchase and upgrade his home in Hudson; and put toward a side business he ran while employed by the medical practice. Gentile embezzled more than $3.3 million from his second employer.
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. Valuable assistance was provided by the Leominster Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown prosecuted the case.
St. Croix Man Sentenced to 60 months on Causing Attempted Possession to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
St. Thomas, USVI –U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced today that Mario Felix, 36, of St. Croix, was sentenced on September 1, 2026 by District Judge Mark A. Kearney to 60 months of imprisonment for causing attempted possession with intent to distribute, five years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. He will receive credit for the period of time he was detained.
According to court documents, on December 31, 2022, a package was randomly selected for inspection during inbound examination of USPS mail. The box was opened and a book containing several plastic bags containing a total of 800 blue pills was found. The pills tested positive for fentanyl. A Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory analysis confirmed that the pills contained 88.67 grams of fentanyl. The package was seized and sent to USPS Forensic Laboratory Services for fingerprint analysis. The defendant’s fingerprints were found on the plastic bag containing the book with the fentanyl.
The investigation revealed text messages between the defendant and an individual, where the defendant asked for their mailing address and last name on December 12, 2022. When asked what he was sending, the defendant sent a picture of the book containing the fentanyl pills, stating that there was something inside the book. He told the individual that he was going to give the individual $800 once the individual received the package. On December 17, 2022, he told the individual that he did not have anyone to mail the box for him. On December 27, 2022, the defendant texted the individual that the package had been mailed, but he could only pay the individual $700 because he had to pay another person to deal with the package. Later that day, the defendant informed the individual that the package had been mailed and sent a picture of the postal receipt, which included the tracking number. On December 30th, the defendant told the individual that they could check the post office that day for the package. When the individual went to the post office, they did not receive the package after waiting for a period of time. The individual told the defendant that the post office told them they had to look for the package. The individual then decided to leave the post office without the package. On December 31st, the individual told the defendant that they were still waiting for a call and that the post office closed at 12:00 that day. They told the defendant that when they called the post office, they were told that the package had not yet been found. On January 2, 2023, the individual told the defendant they tried calling the Post Office, but the call was unanswered.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of the Virgin Islands.Springfield Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Firearm and Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill, - A Springfield, Illinois, man, Kevin Gibbs, age 41, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, to an aggregate 25-year sentence for drug trafficking and related firearm possession. The sentence was comprised of concurrent sentences of 240 months’ imprisonment for possessing a firearm as a felon and for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, along with a consecutive 60-month sentence for possessing a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements in court, in May 2023, Gibbs, a convicted felon, possessed a firearm while participating in a drug sale. Gibbs was apprehended in the middle of the transaction and taken into custody. Springfield Police suspected Gibbs had used that firearm in a shooting at a local IHOP restaurant. Casings from the firearm were sent to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ National Integrated Ballistic Information Network and linked to the shooting by the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory.
At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough found that Gibbs was an armed career criminal and a career offender based on prior convictions. Judge Myerscough also found that the May 2023 shooting was relevant conduct, which made the defendant eligible for a sentencing enhancement. Judge Myerscough noted that the defendant had committed these crimes while on supervised release from the Illinois Department of Corrections.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Gibbs in September 2023. Gibbs was transferred from state custody to the custody of the United States Marshals Service in January 2024, where he has remained since his initial appearance. He pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Eric I. Long in April 2026.
“Armed felons and drug dealers pose a great risk to the community, and my office will continue to work with local officials to ensure violent offenders are held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore. “This case is an excellent example of how the federal government can support law enforcement, like the Springfield Police Department, by providing resources that help solve crimes.”
“ATF’s strong partnership with the Springfield Police Department was critical in holding this violent offender accountable. The investigative work of Springfield Police Department and ATF agents led to another shooting being cleared through the use of NIBIN. ATF remains committed to working with the Springfield Police Department and our partners in the region to investigate violent crime and hold those responsible accountable,” said ATF Chicago Field Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon
“Individuals with a history of violent and serious offenses who continue to possess firearms pose a significant threat to our community,” said Springfield Police Chief Joseph Behl. “This sentence sends a clear message that those who choose to use firearms while engaging in criminal activity will be held accountable. I commend the detectives and officers who worked diligently on this investigation, as well as our partners at ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. These partnerships are critical to our continued efforts to combat gun violence and remove dangerous repeat offenders from our streets.”
The statutory penalties for possession of a firearm as a felon, where the defendant is found to be an armed career criminal. are not less than 15 years and up to life imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and up to a $250,000 fine. The penalties for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute are not more than 20 years’ imprisonment and not more than three years of supervised release. And the penalties for possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime are at least five years and up to life imprisonment, consecutive to all other counts; not more than five years of supervised release; and up to a $250,000 fine.
The Springfield Police Department investigated the case, with assistance from ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger represented the government in the prosecution. The case against Gibbs is part of a committed effort to combat gun violence in Sangamon County, Illinois, by law enforcement including the Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
South L.A. Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery Spree in SoCal, Admits to Shooting Victim During Attempted Carjacking in O.C.Read the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A South Los Angeles man pleaded guilty today to committing an armed robbery spree in Southern California parking lots, including one incident in which he forced a firearm into a victim’s mouth, breaking the victim’s teeth, and another incident in which he shot a victim outside an Orange County shopping mall during an attempted carjacking.
Oshae Pollard, 23, of the Manchester Square neighborhood of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and one count of possessing, using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of, and during and in relation to, a crime of violence.
Pollard has been in federal custody since December 2024.
According to his plea agreement, on August 25, 2024, Pollard robbed a victim at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Hustler Casino in Gardena, stealing $1,000 in the process. Pollard pushed the victim to the ground and began pulling on the victim’s purse. He then forced his firearm into the victim’s mouth, breaking her teeth. He threatened to kill the victim if she yelled.
On August 26, 2024, Pollard robbed another victim at gunpoint, stealing the victim’s wallet and cellphone, while the victim was seated in his taxi in a Winchell’s Donut House parking lot in Carson. Pollard pointed a firearm at this victim and struck the victim in the face.
Later that same day, Pollard robbed another victim in the parking lot of Fashion Island in Newport Beach, stealing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, a monogrammed brown Berluti wallet, and Rolls-Royce car keys – in total, worth approximately $44,000.
At the same time, Pollard and a co-conspirator attempted to rob another victim and fired a bullet into that victim’s car – barely missing that victim as he tried to escape.
On September 22, 2024, Pollard attempted to steal a Lamborghini Urus from a victim in the parking lot of South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Pollard pointed a firearm at the victim, demanded the vehicle and other property, threatened to fatally shoot the victim, and then shot the victim in the hand and thigh in an attempted carjacking.
On October 16, 2024, Pollard was arrested and released after a traffic stop with the loaded pistol he used to commit the robberies and attempted carjacking, as well as a black ski mask.
United States District Judge Fred W. Slaughter scheduled a January 21, 2027, sentencing hearing, at which time Pollard will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force investigated this case. This task force is comprised of federal and local law enforcement agencies, which include ATF, the Brea Police Department, the Placentia Police Department, the Fullerton Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office with the assistance of the Newport Beach Police Department and the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jena A. MacCabe and Kevin J. Butler of the Major Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.
Smith County man arrested, charged with child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of TexasRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Tyler man has been charged with federal child exploitation violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Dennis Smith, 66, was named in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury on August 19, 2026, charging him with coercion and enticement, attempted production of child pornography with intent to transport to the United States, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. Smith was arrested in Tyler on September 2, 2026, and will make an initial appearance in federal court on September 3, 2026.
According to the indictment, on various dates in 2019 and 2022, Smith is alleged to have committed numerous offenses involving minor victims.
If convicted, Smith faces life in federal prison.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, the Texas Department of Public Safety - Criminal Investigations Division, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, and the Smith County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Richards and Nathaniel C. Kummerfeld are prosecuting the case.
A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Repeat Child Sex Offender Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
William Collins, 44, from Stacyville, Iowa, pled guilty August 31, 2026, in federal court in Cedar Rapids to receipt of child pornography. In 2008, Collins was convicted of possession of child pornography, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa and had previously served time in federal prison.
At the plea hearing, Collins admitted that between January 2015, and September 2025, he received and attempted to receive visual depictions of child pornography. Evidence also showed that Collins possessed and attempted to possess visual depictions of child pornography, including a depiction involving a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age. During a search warrant of Collins’ phone, law enforcement found 17 videos and 75 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) plus hundreds of images of child erotica. The images and videos involved material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct, as well as prepubescent children and toddlers.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Collins remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Collins faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case was investigated by Mason City Police Department and the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-2062. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Prior felon arrested on gun and drug chargesRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Javaris Corbit, 36, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10,000,000.
According to the criminal complaint, since March 2025, the Rochester Police Department has been investigating Corbit’s illegal drug trafficking activities, which include distributing large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in Rochester. Corbit utilized multiple locations to prepare, package, and sell narcotics, store the proceeds of his narcotics sales, and store illegal firearms, including residences on Elk Street and Manhattan Square Drive. The investigation also identified multiple individuals who worked for Corbit’s drug-trafficking organization.
On June 24, 2026, search warrants were executed at multiple residences in Rochester, including the Elk Street and Manhattan Square Drive residences, during which investigators seized approximately $42,418 in cash, four loaded firearms, ammunition, jewelry, drug paraphernalia and approximately 1.75 kilograms of fentanyl and 2.15 kilograms of cocaine. Corbit was previously convicted of four felony charges in 2012, 2017, and 2023, and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.
Corbit made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was detained pending trial.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon N. Gonzalez. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina, and the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Previously Convicted Murderer Sentenced to 15-Year Maximum for New Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Yesterday, a district court judge sentenced an East St. Louis man to 15 years of federal imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm. This was the maximum sentence allowable by law.
Anthony D. Bradley, Jr., 37, was found guilty by a federal jury in May for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Bradley has several prior criminal convictions, including a state conviction for second degree murder and multiple state and federal charges involving illegal firearm possession. Bradley stipulated prior to trial that he was a convicted felon and that he knew he was a convicted felon at the time of the offense conduct.
“This convicted murderer got out of state prison and carried a loaded gun, modified to function as a machine gun, through a public housing complex,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “We did not plead this case out. We tried it, the jury spoke, and he got the maximum sentence in federal prison. As he should.”
The evidence presented at trial revealed that in October 2024 Bradley was observed possessing a firearm by law enforcement officers during a proactive crime suppression detail that included the John De Shields housing complex in East St. Louis. The firearm was loaded with fourteen rounds of ammunition and had a machinegun conversion device installed. In October 2024, Bradley was under federal supervised release for a prior firearms offense.
Following trial, Bradley entered a stipulation and consent to forfeit the firearm to the United States.
“Because of the persistence of the Illinois State Police and our partners getting guns and dangerous criminals off the street, this convicted felon will spend years in a federal prison,” said Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Convicted felons who repeatedly break the law threaten public safety and the Illinois State Police will continue to dedicate resources to protect our communities.”
Following imprisonment, Bradley will serve three years of supervised release.
The Illinois State Police led this investigation with assistance from its Public Safety Enforcement Group and Firearms Investigation Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Arshi and Ali Burns prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which is a 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.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 52 Months in Prison for His Role in Gunpoint Robbery of South Jersey Cell Phone StoreRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Tymair Harris, 23, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 52 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Kai N. Scott for his role in planning and committing the armed robbery of a South Jersey cell phone store.
The defendant was charged by indictment in April 2025 and pleaded guilty this March to conspiracy to commit a robbery interfering with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery).
As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, on November 28, 2022, he and his co-conspirators committed the armed robbery of a Verizon Wireless store on Route 73 in Voorhees, New Jersey. Harris used a firearm to force employees into the store’s back room where the safe was kept and held them there at gunpoint. Shortly thereafter, he and his co-conspirators fled the store with more than $61,000 worth of electronics.
Later that evening, following an approximately nine-mile police chase from Voorhees to Philadelphia, the defendant was apprehended by officers with the Philadelphia Police Department.
This case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Violent Crimes Task Force and South Jersey Resident Agency and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meghan A. Farley and Lauren Stram.
Perry County Man Sentenced for Trafficking Powder and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
LONDON, Ky. –Franklin Delano Campbell, 67, was sentenced on Wednesday to 236 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Chad Meredith, on a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine (powder) and cocaine base (crack).
The investigation revealed that, beginning sometime around January 2022, and continuing through November 2025, Campbell was regularly obtaining one-half to one-kilogram quantities of powder cocaine from and out-of-state source of supply. Campbell would then turn a large portion of this cocaine into crack, which he would sell to various upper-, mid-, and low-level drug traffickers, as well as end drug users in the Perry County, Kentucky area. Campbell and his co-conspirators sold the majority of these drugs from his home in the Bonnyman, Kentucky. Campbell paid others in drugs and/or money to drive to Ohio and meet with his source to pick up these drugs and bring them back to Kentucky.
As part of his plea, Campbell forfeited several pieces of real property, two vehicles, multiple firearms, and approximately $119,684.00 in U.S. currency that were seized as part of the investigation.
Under federal law, Campbell must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years.
Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys W. Samuel Dotson and Haley Trogden McCauley prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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Pearl River Man Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement of Tribal Rental Program FundsRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – On September 2, 2026, a Pearl River man pleaded guilty to embezzlement from an Indian tribal organization.
According to court documents, Benjamin E. Stephens, 43, embezzled approximately $200,000 from the Choctaw Rental Housing Program while working as an employee of the Tribal program. Stephens was indicted by a federal grand jury in November of 2025.
U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi, and Robert Eikhoff, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jackson Office, made the announcement.
Stephens is scheduled to be sentenced in January of 2027 and faces a maximum penalty of not more than five years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Choctaw Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne, Brian K. Burns and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kalleigh McCoy prosecuted the case.
North Texas Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MIDLAND, Texas– A Texas man was sentenced in a federal court in Midland today to 420 months in prison for eight counts related to his production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Raymond Daniel Solis, 28, sexually exploited multiple minor females via Snapchat. The FBI began an investigation based on a complaint relating to one of the victims. Solis sent the complainant victim a detailed note outlining a “sugar baby” arrangement wherein Solis would pay her $800 per week for a one-hour “session.” During the session, the victim would take and send multiple nude images of herself to Solis through Snapchat. The minor victim sent numerous media files to Solis while he directed her through various camera angles and poses.
As part of their investigation, the FBI traced Solis’s Snapchat username to his Google email address and IP address in Midland. Agents discovered Solis also shared CSAM depicting a 16-year-old victim through Snapchat in January 2024. Agents located and interviewed Solis in April 2025. At that time, Solis admitted that he had been producing CSAM of female minors since 2018. Solis would entice the victims by offering up to $1,000 per one-hour session and would threaten to contact their families if they did not send him additional images.
A review of Solis’s iPhone revealed CSAM depicting seven minor females, ranging from 12 to 17 years old. Solis also saved the social media profile pages of six of the victims, along with screen recordings of his chat conversations with three of them.
A nine-count indictment charged Solis with production of visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct—one count for each of the seven victims—one distribution of child pornography count and one possession of child pornography count. He pleaded guilty on June 2 to all seven production counts and the distribution charge.
In addition to the 35-year prison sentence, U.S. District Judge David Counts ordered Solis to pay a total of $14,205.96 in restitution to the victims.
“This child predator used the convenience of a cell phone to abuse these young girls,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “Predators like this defendant are lurking in every corner of our society, including, and maybe especially, on the internet. Parents must pay attention to what their kids are doing on their phones, should closely monitor who they are talking to, and should strictly limit access to those messaging apps that are often the favored tool of sexual predators. If your child ever becomes a victim of child exploitation, immediately report it to the FBI. Doing so is key to making sure perpetrators spend decades locked away from those they would otherwise hurt.”
“The FBI remains unwavering in its commitment to protect America’s youth from predators like Solis,” said FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Coult W. Markovsky. “Let this be a message to all those who think they can exploit and manipulate young girls utilizing their social media accounts to send explicit images, the FBI will find you and ensure you spend the rest of your days behind bars."
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Haywood prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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New York man sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering conspiracyRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A New York man was sentenced today to five years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering.
According to court documents, Abu Khamza, 35, pled guilty in May 2026 to conspiring to launder into cryptocurrency over $572,000 in what he believed to be drug money in the belief that such cryptocurrency would be transmitted to mujahideen in Syria. Khamza believed that the funds were generated by the illicit sale of prescription drugs for which the pharmacy owner could sell legitimately for $8 but sell without a prescription for $500. Evidence introduced into Court showed that, besides laundering cash into crypto, Khamza also engaged in extortion, cargo theft, auto theft, pandemic relief fraud, and check fraud.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Michael A. Burgwald, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterterrorism Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, FBI New York and Philadelphia Field Offices, and New York County District Attorney's Office assisted in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon D. Kromberg and former Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacques Rio Singer-Emery, a Trial Attorney for the Justice Department’s National Security Division, prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-cr-287.
Nevada Man Sentenced to Prison for False Tax Return SchemesRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS — A Nevada tax preparer was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for operating two false tax return schemes.
“Michael Moore lied to his clients and lied to the IRS all while lining his own pockets,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “To conceal his involvement in his criminal conduct, Mr. Moore impermissibly used a former employee’s identity to file fraudulent returns. Return preparers like Mr. Moore who abuse their clients’ trust and undermine the integrity of the internal revenue laws will continue to be brought to justice by the Fraud Division’s Tax Section, our U.S. Attorneys, and our law enforcement partners like IRS-CI.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who manufacture fake wage records for personal enrichment will face severe federal prison time,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada.
“Moore’s schemes were designed to cheat the tax system while shifting the resulting burden onto law abiding taxpayers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe of the IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office. “Today’s sentence underscores that IRS-CI will aggressively pursue those who exploit the tax system for personal gain, and it should serve as a reminder that financial crimes carry serious consequences.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 through 2025, Michael J. Moore, of Las Vegas, was a former CPA who operated a tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting business that advertised itself as specializing in clients from the adult entertainment industry. Moore promoted a fraudulent tax avoidance scheme called the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy.” As part of the scheme, Moore promised clients that in exchange for a fee he could prepare a tax return that eliminated the taxes they owed to the IRS and, in most cases, create a large tax refund. The fees Moore required as part of this “Special Tax Shelter Strategy” were paid by the clients using the refund money received from the IRS. In many instances, clients were required to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fees.
To carry out the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy,” Moore made up false and fraudulent entries on the clients’ tax returns. In many cases, he did this by including on the returns false business expenses frequently amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In some instances, Moore prepared and filed the tax returns using a former employee’s name and personal identifying information without their permission or knowledge.
After he had been charged for his role in the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy,” Moore engaged in a separate scheme involving preparation of false returns for clients. As part of this second scheme, Moore again reported totally false items on client tax returns. In the second scheme, Moore typically reported false losses from one or more corporate entities, most of which were defunct, dormant or carried on no business. These reported losses were false because the clients had not incurred these expenses.
In total, Moore caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $3.5 million.
Moore pleaded guilty to one count each of tax evasion, helping a client file a false tax return, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the 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.
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Nevada Man Sentenced to Prison for False Tax Return SchemesRead the Press Release
A Nevada tax preparer was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for operating two false tax return schemes.
“Michael Moore lied to his clients and lied to the IRS all while lining his own pockets,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “To conceal his involvement in his criminal conduct, Mr. Moore impermissibly used a former employee’s identity to file fraudulent returns. Return preparers like Mr. Moore who abuse their clients’ trust and undermine the integrity of the internal revenue laws will continue to be brought to justice by the Fraud Division’s Tax Section, our U.S. Attorneys, and our law enforcement partners like IRS-CI.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message that those who manufacture fake wage records for personal enrichment will face severe federal prison time,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada.
“Moore’s schemes were designed to cheat the tax system while shifting the resulting burden onto law abiding taxpayers,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe of the IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office. “Today’s sentence underscores that IRS-CI will aggressively pursue those who exploit the tax system for personal gain, and it should serve as a reminder that financial crimes carry serious consequences.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, from 2015 through 2025, Michael J. Moore, of Las Vegas, was a former CPA who operated a tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting business that advertised itself as specializing in clients from the adult entertainment industry. Moore promoted a fraudulent tax avoidance scheme called the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy.” As part of the scheme, Moore promised clients that in exchange for a fee he could prepare a tax return that eliminated the taxes they owed to the IRS and, in most cases, create a large tax refund. The fees Moore required as part of this “Special Tax Shelter Strategy” were paid by the clients using the refund money received from the IRS. In many instances, clients were required to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fees.
To carry out the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy,” Moore made up false and fraudulent entries on the clients’ tax returns. In many cases, he did this by including on the returns false business expenses frequently amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In some instances, Moore prepared and filed the tax returns using a former employee’s name and personal identifying information without their permission or knowledge.
After he had been charged for his role in the “Special Tax Shelter Strategy,” Moore engaged in a separate scheme involving preparation of false returns for clients. As part of this second scheme, Moore again reported totally false items on client tax returns. In the second scheme, Moore typically reported false losses from one or more corporate entities, most of which were defunct, dormant or carried on no business. These reported losses were false because the clients had not incurred these expenses.
In total, Moore caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $3.5 million.
Moore pleaded guilty to one count each of tax evasion, helping a client file a false tax return, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
IRS Criminal Investigation San Francisco Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Lopez for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the 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.
Naturalized U.S. Citizen Indicted for Lying to Obtain U.S. Citizenship After Committing FeloniesRead the Press Release
RENO – A Reno man who was a naturalized U.S. citizen made his initial appearance in court today for allegedly lying about his prior criminal acts to obtain U.S. citizenship.
“The integrity of our nation's lawful immigration system relies entirely on honesty and transparency,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “When individuals lie about a violent or fraudulent criminal history to secure the privileges of American citizenship, they violate federal law and disrespect the millions of immigrants who follow the legal process correctly. We will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who use deceit to obtain these sacred rights."
"Lying on a citizenship application is a serious crime. Under the Trump administration, if you cheat to get U.S. citizenship, expect the consequences,” said USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow. "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is working closely with the Department of Justice to identify, denaturalize, and hold accountable those who unlawfully obtain U.S. citizenship."
According to court documents and statements made in court, Kevin Jesus King committed sexual assault in July 2017 and March 2018. In both instances, King forcibly penetrated his victims and used threats of physical harm to force his victims to perform sexual acts.
As alleged, on January 23, 2018, Kevin Jesus King submitted an Application for Naturalization to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that failed to disclose the July 2017 sexual assault and falsely denied having ever committed a criminal offense for which he was not arrested. On June 4, 2018, when King was interviewed under oath by a USCIS officer, he failed to disclose the July 2017 sexual assault, as well as the March 2018 sexual assault that had occurred just a few months earlier, and he again falsely denied having ever committed a criminal offense for which he was not arrested. Eleven days later, he obtained U.S. citizenship by naturalization.
On July 25, 2024, King admitted to the July 2017 and March 2018 sexual assaults when he pleaded guilty to violating N.R.S. 200.366.2B in Nevada state court.
King, also known as “Kevin Jesus Lopez Vargas,” “Kevin Lopez-Vargas,” Kevin Lopez,” and “Kevin Vagas,” was charged with one count of naturalization fraud. The maximum statutory penalty is 10 years in prison. A jury trial has been scheduled for November 3, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du.
USCIS investigated the case. The District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Missouri Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Buying 27 Guns Recovered at Crime Scenes in Three StatesRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man who was the original purchaser of 27 guns that were later recovered at crime scenes in three states was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison.
Lamondre Haynes, 33, bought 27 firearms that were recovered by law enforcement in Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri while in the possession of individuals being arrested for drug violations, violent assaults and gun possession crimes. Haynes identified himself as the “actual transferee/buyer” of each gun on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Form 4473 - Firearms Transaction Record. Among those purchases were two Glock pistols Haynes bought on April 2, 2025, while accompanied by a convicted felon from Illinois. At least some of the cash for the purchase came from the felon. On May 1, 2025, Haynes bought two Glock pistols and two AK-style pistols from two different stores. One of the Glock pistols was recovered in Columbia, Illinois after being used in a carjacking during which the victim was shot.
Twenty-nine of the guns have not been recovered.
“Twenty-seven firearms purchased by one individual ended up in the hands of law enforcement across three states,” said Special Agent in Charge Bernard “Butch” Hansen, of the ATF Kansas City Field Division. “That kind of proliferation demonstrates how quickly illegally diverted firearms can spread into communities and contribute to violent crime. ATF is committed to identifying those who fuel the illegal firearms market and working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to hold them accountable.”
Haynes, of Ferguson, Missouri, pleaded guilty in June in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Micronesian Citizen Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
Hagåtña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that Kopich Chutaro a.k.a. Osama Chutaro, age 23, a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), was sentenced on August 27, 2026, in the District Court for Guam to serve six months and 21 days followed by transfer to immigration authorities for immediate deportation. Chutaro pled guilty to Attempted Reentry of Removed Alien, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a) and (b)(1). The Court also ordered three years supervised release, and $100 special assessment fee.
On February 9, 2026, Kopich Chutaro a.k.a. Osama Chutaro, arrived at the Guam International Airport from Chuuk State, FSM. During the immigration inspection, he presented an FSM passport bearing the name “Kempy Akachang” and sought admission into the United States under the Compact of Free Association. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers determined that Chutaro had a prior deportation for an aggravated felony and referred him to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further review.
HSI agents later confirmed that Chutaro had been deported from the United States on July 22, 2024, following a felony conviction on Guam. According to court records, he was convicted in December 2022 on two counts of theft by receiving and sentenced to five years of imprisonment, with all but 15 months suspended. An immigration judge later ordered Chutaro removed from the United States based on his aggravated felony conviction.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations - Guam and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rosetta L. San Nicolas in the District of Guam.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Guam comprises agents and officers from ICE-HSI, FBI, ATF, CBP, CGIS, DCIS, DEA, IRS-CI, NCIS, USMS, USSS, USPIS, USCIS and local law enforcement with prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Mexican Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
Raul Torres-Olivarez, 47, from Mexico, who was illegally residing in the United States pled guilty on August 19, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.
Evidence at the plea hearing, showed that on February 4, 2026, law enforcement had information that Torres-Olivarez was unlawfully in the United States and was residing in Sioux City, Iowa. Immigration officials observed an individual matching the description of Torres-Olivarez leaving a residence and entering a vehicle. Officers attempted to traffic stop the vehicle driven by Torres-Olivarez, but he failed to immediately stop. The officers were operating in unmarked vehicles, and Torres-Olivarez’s vehicle struck one of the unmarked law enforcement vehicles. After Torres-Olivarez’s vehicle stopped, he attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended.
Torres-Olivarez was previously removed from the United States to Mexico on or about December 1, 2023.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Torres-Olivarez remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Torres-Olivarez faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 26-4006. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Mexican Man Charged with Smuggling Banned PesticidesRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Juan Velderrain Perez, a citizen of Mexico and resident of San Diego, appeared in federal court today to face charges that he smuggled unapproved pesticides into the United States.
Velderrain Perez was apprehended at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry last month with 24 liters of dangerous Mexican-labeled pesticides concealed in his car. According to a complaint, which charges Velderrain Perez with the felony offense of smuggling merchandise, he failed to declare the chemicals at the border and then asked the Customs and Border Protection officer not to refer him to secondary because he knew he would get in trouble. Later, he admitted this was not the first time he had smuggled pesticides, and that he expected to be paid a smuggling fee when he delivered the product, the complaint said.
The pesticides, labeled “Taktic,” contain the active ingredient amitraz at an emulsifiable concentration of 12.5 percent. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in the United States, amitraz in this form is a cancelled and unregistered pesticide and has been banned since at least 2019. The handling of amitraz poses reproductive, developmental, and neurological risks, as well as potential long-term cancer risks from exposure to the chemical, which led to regulations and restrictions on its commercial use.
Velderrain Perez is due in court on September 15, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. for a preliminary hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie E. Torres.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are members of the Department of Justice’s Trade Fraud Task Force, a cross-agency law enforcement effort that also involves the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the Criminal and Civil Divisions, the Energy and Natural Resources Division, 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.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily W. Allen from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
DEFENDANT Case No. 26-mj-5136-DDL
Juan C. Valderrain Perez, Age: 43 San Diego, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Smuggling Merchandise – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 545
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Homeland Security Investigations
Massachusetts Woman Pleads Guilty to Role in Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Felina Pimental, 24, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty today in federal court to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, United States Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
According to court documents and statements, in late 2023, law enforcement agencies began investigating a drug-trafficking organization (DTO) operating in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Investigators utilized cooperating witnesses and an undercover officer to conduct controlled purchases of narcotics from various DTO members. Typically, the transactions would be arranged through the DTO’s customer telephone, which was usually operated by the DTO leader, co-defendant Alexander Aguasvivas-Pena, or by someone at his direction, namely Pimental, where a customer would contact a DTO phone number to arrange a drug deal. Pimental was involved in multiple transactions. During the course of the conspiracy, the DTO trafficked over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and other drugs.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of not less than 10 years and up to life in federal prison, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante scheduled sentencing for December 16, 2026.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Major Offender Task Force led the investigation with valuable assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Hampshire State Police, Strafford County Sheriff’s Office, and Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Yasir Sadat is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Hampshire comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, IRS, DEA, ATF, USMS, and DSS with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire.
Massachusetts Woman Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Agents and Threatening to Kill ThemRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Malden, Mass. woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to assaulting federal agents who were engaging in lawful immigration enforcement and threatening to kill them.
Bethany Abigail Terrill, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by simple assault. U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Dec. 16, 2026. Terrill was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in October 2025 and later indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2026.
According to the charging documents, federal agents were supporting Immigration Enforcement and Removal Operations in effecting the administrative immigration arrest of individuals in Malden. The agents encountered Terrill outside of Malden Court for reasons unrelated to the agents’ activities.
Terrill physically interjected herself into the middle of agents while they were effecting an arrest. Terrill was verbally abusive, attempted to physically interfere with the arrest and ultimately made threatening statements to kill the federal officers on scene.
Specifically, Terrill approached the agents, screaming at and pushing through the agents to capture a video recording on her mobile telephone. Terrill began screaming, “ICE is here, ICE is here,” “You guys are monsters, this is insane,” “Sir, what’s your name, what’s your name,” “I can try to help you” and “I am an American civilian, I have a right to be here” as she continuously pushed into agents all while filming them.
Agents, who were identifiable by their badges, agency placards and clothing, told Terrill to “back up” several times. Terrill repeatedly attempted to push past the agents and failed to comply with any commands. Agents notified Terrill that she could be arrested if she continued to fail to comply with their requests to give them space to safely effect the arrest.
Terrill yelled, “Charlie Kirk died, and we love it… We’re coming for you, gonna kill you.” The incident was captured on agents’ body worn cameras and allegedly on Terrill’s mobile telephone.
The charge of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by simple assault provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $100,000. 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. Attorneys Luke A. Goldworm and Colin T. Missett of the of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Lynchburg Man to Serve More Than 17 Years for Selling Fentanyl and Methamphetamine While Possessing an Illegal FirearmRead the Press Release
LYNCHBURG, Va. – A Lynchburg man, who was in possession of more than 60 pressed fentanyl pills and over 850 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a 9 mm pistol when police pulled him over in June 2024, was sentenced this week to 210 months in federal prison.
Cordero Antonio Trent, 36, pled guilty in May 2026 to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute and distributing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
“This office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who possess illegal firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Illegal firearms, fentanyl, and meth present a lethal mixture that places our citizens and communities at risk. I want to thank the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Lynchburg Police Department for the work on this investigation and commitment to keeping Lynchburg safe,” First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today.
“This sentence represents a comprehensive approach, where local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate to relentlessly pursue violent drug traffickers distributing dangerous narcotics in Southwestern Virginia,” said Shane Todd, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division. "Together, we remain committed to safeguarding our communities and ensuring that justice prevails. Our united efforts not only disrupt the flow of illicit substances but also help to dismantle the criminal networks that threaten the safety of our citizens.”
According to court documents, on June 26, 2024, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a silver Dodge Charger in which Trent was a passenger. Law enforcement had been searching for Trent, who had active warrants for his arrest.
During the traffic stop, officers saw an orange and black backpack between Trent’s legs. Trent was removed from the vehicle and searched. He was found in possession of two cellular phones and a bag of marijuana. In addition, Trent was in possession of $4,900 in cash.
Additionally, in a small bag around Trent’s neck, officers found a plastic bag containing 61 pressed fentanyl pills. Inside the orange and black backpack, officers found a large bag containing a white crystal substance ultimately determined to be 850 grams of methamphetamine.
In the glove compartment, immediately in front of where Trent was sitting, officers found an FNH 9 mm pistol. The firearm was tested and determined to have a latent fingerprint that matched Trent.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lynchburg Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Welsh is prosecuting the case.
Keithville Man Sentenced to Six Years for Firearms ChargeRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT – On August 24, 2026, United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. sentenced Jacob L. Weaver, 25, of Keithville, to 72 months in federal prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm with Ammunition after his April 28, 2026, guilty plea.
According to court documents, on July 25, 2025, Shreveport Police Department (SPD) officers responded to an alert regarding a stolen gray Kia traveling eastbound on Kings Highway. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at high speeds through several residential areas before crashing into a soccer goal on the campus of a local school. Weaver, along with two other occupants, fled on foot. After a brief pursuit, Weaver was tased and detained. Inside the stolen Kia, officers found a backpack in the back seat containing a loaded pistol, which had been reported stolen in 2020. In recorded jail calls, Weaver admitted to being a backseat passenger in the vehicle, acknowledged procuring the firearm, and admitted he was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing it.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
(SPD) investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Foster with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 26-00007.
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(337) 262-6704Jefferson City Man Indicted for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in DeathRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury for multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl, including one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
Bryan Isiah Thomas was previously charged in a two-count indictment filed in the Western District of Missouri on July 21, 2026. A federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo. returned a superseding indictment today alleging that Thomas distributed fentanyl in Cole County on three separate occasions in March 2026, including one occasion where the fentanyl caused the death of another.
The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan T. Duenckel. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Jacksonville brothers charged with nitazene distributionRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Two brothers from Jacksonville, Florida, were arrested on Aug. 28 on charges of conspiracy to distribute nitazenes, synthetic opioids similar to fentanyl but that can match or surpass fentanyl’s potency.
According to court documents, Vladislav Chernyshov, 35, a naturalized U.S. Citizen, and Stanislav Chernyshov, 30, a Russian national illegally residing in Jacksonville, allegedly distributed counterfeit oxycodone pills on the darknet operating under the moniker “BarbaraWhite.” Laboratory analysis of the counterfeit pills sold in the conspiracy, which bore markings mimicking pharmaceutically manufactured oxycodone pills, found them to be laced with various nitazenes, including Protonitazene, Metonitazene, N-Pyrrolidino Etonitazene, and N-Pyrrolidino Isotonitazene. These pills were marketed on the darknet as being “fent free,” though the substances identified have been found to be potentially more potent than fentanyl. Law enforcement began its investigation following a fatal overdose in Arlington.
If convicted, Vladislav and Stanislav Chernyshov face a maximum penalty of at least twenty years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Theophani K. Stamos, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Jeffrey L. Tyler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal Division; Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Detroit Division; and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), made the announcement. The FBI’s Atlanta and Jacksonville Field Offices, the USPIS Fort Worth and Miami Divisions, and the Clay County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Heather D. Call and Catherine Rosenberg are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-mj-336.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Inmate Serving Life Sentence for Murder Pleads Guilty to Stealing $354,813.98 in Veterans BenefitsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Zachary Hess Dawson, 39, an inmate at the Mount Olive Correctional Complex, pleaded guilty today to theft of public money. Dawson admitted that he fraudulently obtained $354,813.98 in United States Department of Veterans Affairs benefits.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Dawson received the recurring benefits beginning on or about January 12, 2017, and continuing to on or about September 30, 2025. As part of his guilty plea, Dawson admitted that he obtained the benefits fraudulently by falsely claiming that he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his U.S. Army service in Afghanistan during the summer of 2009. Dawson further admitted that he knew he was not eligible for the benefits, and knowingly and willfully made false statements to VA and Veterans Benefits Administration officials to obtain them.
Dawson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7, 2027, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Dawson also owes $354,813.98 in restitution.
Dawson was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in November 2024 after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in Greenbrier County Circuit Court in the fatal Thanksgiving 2022 beating of his wife in Alderson.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG).
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks is prosecuting the case.
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. 2:26-cr-84.
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Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced for Immigration ViolationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Mexican National, illegally inside the United States, was sentenced to federal prison today for immigration crimes.
Claudia Susana Vargas-Rosas, 39, pled guilty to illegally reentering the United States and was sentenced to 8 months in federal prison and 1 year of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
According to court documents, Vargas-Rosas was deported in 2018 after serving her sentence in state prison for striking a dependent child with a meat tenderizer.
On September 7, 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents learned that Vargas-Rosas had been arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Washington County, Oregon. Vargas-Rosas’s criminal history includes prior state convictions for Assault IV, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance. She has also been arrested for multiple probation violations.
On April 21, 2026, Vargas-Rosas was charged with illegally reentering the United States. Vargas-Rosas made her initial appearance on May 5, 2026, and was detained.
This case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Illegal Alien with Five Deportations and Multiple Felony Convictions Charged for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Guatemalan national, who has felony convictions for battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm out of Washoe, Nevada, false statement to a federal officer out of the Southern District of California, and has two felony convictions for illegal reentry, made his initial court appearance today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.
“Repeat criminal offenders who treat our nation's borders as a revolving door will face the full weight of federal prosecution,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Under Title 8 of the United States Code, unlawful reentry after a previous deportation—particularly following aggravated felony convictions—constitutes a federal felony carrying substantial prison time under federal sentencing guidelines.”
Milton Daniel Lopez-Bonilla is charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.
According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, Rodriguez-Betanco is a citizen and national of Guatemala who was previously deported five times: October 5, 1998, February 6, 1999, May 12, 2004, February 5, 2008, and July 10, 2020, and reentered the United States illegally.
On August 16, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took Lopez-Bonilla into custody after he was arrested in Reno, Nevada, on a prostitution-related charge. This will be Lopez-Bonilla’s third prosecution for illegal reentry into the United States.
If convicted, Lopez-Bonilla faces the maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.
The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated these cases; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted these cases.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Illegal Alien Who Operated Large Methamphetamine Trafficking Ring from State Prison Sentenced to Federal Prison with Four OthersRead the Press Release
ATLANTA – Ismael Guerrero-Moya, an illegal alien from Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in coordinating the distribution of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine from his Waycross, Georgia prison cell. Four other members of the trafficking ring previously were sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
“This illegal alien, who was serving a 30-year sentence for methamphetamine trafficking, orchestrated large-scale drug dealing using a contraband phone in state prison and a network of meth cooks and drug traffickers beyond prison walls,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “As a result of seamless coordination of federal, state, and local authorities in the Homeland Security Task Force, Guerrero-Moya’s operation has been dismantled, and he is now headed to federal prison for 30 years without the possibility of parole.”
“This case is a powerful example of what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local partners come together through the Homeland Security Task Force. Despite being incarcerated, this defendant continued coordinating the distribution of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “HSTF partnerships allow us to connect investigative resources, disrupt sophisticated trafficking networks, and ensure that those who threaten our communities are brought to justice.”
“Guerrero-Moya’s continued criminal activity from inside a state prison shows the persistent threat posed by transnational drug traffickers who exploit every opportunity to keep poisoning our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Using a contraband phone and outside criminal associates, he directed a methamphetamine trafficking network that moved hundreds of pounds of dangerous drugs. HSI and our federal, state, and local partners will continue to target and dismantle these organizations wherever they operate to protect public safety and hold offenders accountable.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In 2012, a Superior Court judge in Fayette County, Georgia sentenced Guerrero-Moya to 30 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine and possessing a firearm during commission of a felony. While serving his sentence in state prison, Guerrero-Moya used a contraband cell phone to resume his drug trafficking operation, with the assistance of Michael Childers, who used an auto repair shop to conceal methamphetamine in vehicles. In addition, Salvador Bolanos Villalpando and Jose Jovani Toledo operated a methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Ellenwood, Georgia on behalf of Guerrero-Moya. The organization also included Kamal Hussein Espinosa, a multi-kilogram methamphetamine dealer, who purchased methamphetamine from Guerrero-Moya while on parole for a prior drug trafficking conviction.
In March 2020, federal investigators, working with state partners, dismantled Guerrero-Moya’s drug network through a series of seizures and arrests, taking over 500 pounds of methamphetamine off the street, including 150 pounds of methamphetamine seized from a residence in Ellenwood, Georgia, and 30 pounds of methamphetamine recovered from a vehicle in Atlanta, Georgia.
Yesterday, Ismael Guerrero-Moya, 51, of Dieciocho de Marzo, Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to 30 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release. Guerrero-Moya was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering on September 10, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.
The following defendants were previously sentenced in this case:
- Salvador Bolanos Villalpando, 56, of Buenavista Tomatlán, Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced to ten years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Jose Jovani Toledo, 36, of Torrance, California, was sentenced to six years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Michael Childers, 51, of Marietta, Georgia, was sentenced to seven years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Kamal Hussein Espinosa, 44, of Dallas, Georgia, was sentenced to fourteen years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release, after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and money laundering.
This case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, with valuable assistance provided by Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Corrections, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Assistant United States Attorneys John T. DeGenova and Matthew R. LaGrone, and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Lyons, prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Hardin County Woman Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Lytrice Adams, 36, of Savannah, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in July 2023, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the 24th Judicial District Drug Task Force began investigating a drug trafficking operation in Hardin County, Tennessee. During the investigation, agents utilized controlled purchases of methamphetamine, Title III wiretaps, and other investigative tactics.
Using wiretap interceptions, agents identified Alveto Higgins—who was then residing in Middle Tennessee—as the supplier of the operation. The controlled purchases were made from Adams and Higgins at Adams’s residence in Savannah. Agents were ultimately able to purchase over 350 grams of actual methamphetamine from Adams and Higgins.
Following her guilty plea to distributing methamphetamine, United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Adams to 120 months in prison and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Higgins has also pled guilty in this case, and he will be sentenced later this year.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Using various methods, techniques, sources, and strategies, we are taking the fight to the drug trafficking organizations. Drug dealers can no longer hide in any part of the Western District of Tennessee, and this sentence demonstrates our commitment to remove poison peddlers from our streets."
“Drug dealers like Lytrice Adams, who poison our communities and display little to no empathy for their victims, should expect to meet the full weight of our justice system,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Jim Scott. “The lengthy sentence handed down today should give Ms. Adams time to reflect on her criminal actions and hopefully she’ll come out of prison a better person.”
This case was investigated by members of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the 24th Judicial Drug Task Force, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the media relations team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.
Grand jury indicts local man for threatening federal judges in IndianaRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced, that on Aug. 26, a federal grand jury indicted Joseph Dale Lewis, 45, from Dallas, for threatening to kill multiple federal judges in Indiana.
Lewis was charged by criminal complaint July 31 for threatening to assault, kidnap or murder federal officials with the intent to impede, intimidate, interfere with, or retaliate against such officials on account of the performance of their official duties.
“Threats against federal judges and elected officials strike at the foundation of our republic, and will not be tolerated by this office,” said the U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This office is committed to standing up for our other branches of government, at both the state and federal level, so they can exercise their authorities under our constitution free from intimidation and violence.”
“The FBI thoroughly investigates anyone who threatens the life of a federal judge or elected official,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “We take these offenses seriously and ask the public to report threatening behavior to law enforcement.”
According to the criminal complaint, an individual identifying himself as Joseph Dale Lewis allegedly called the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and stated, “Two of your (Federal) judges are going to die today, get the [expletive] out the building.” The caller’s number displayed the name Joseph Lewis.
That same day, three federal judges in the Southern District of Indiana reportedly received an email from jdlewis275@gmail.com with the subject line “Trump was murdered.” The message referenced “hitting Federal judges in Indiana with airstrikes … and the FBI in Indiana,” constituting a threat of violence against federal officials. The email was signed “Joseph Dale Lewis.”
During an interview with the defendant’s mother, Laverne Barker, she allegedly confirmed Lewis’ telephone number, which was used to threaten two federal judges and also advised that his email address is jdlewis272@gmail.com, which closely resembles jdlewis275@gmail.com, the account used to send the threatening message to three federal judges.
Lewis’ Initial Appearance hearing was set for Aug. 3, but it was re-calendared because the defendant had to be forcibly removed from the courtroom after making multiple outbursts directed at the judge. During the second attempt on Aug. 5, Lewis again disrupted the proceedings with outbursts and threats directed at the judge and United States Marshals Service officers present, leading to his forcible removal from the courtroom.
If convicted, Lewis faces 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The FBI and the United States Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eli Sterbcow from the Major Crimes section is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Granby Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that KYLE CHAMBERS, 31, of Granby, pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to offenses related to his unlawful possession and trafficking of firearms.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on December 30, 2024, the FBI received multiple tips about Chambers’ possession of explosives at his residence on Salmon Brook Road in Granby and his intention to detonate explosives on New Year’s Eve. On December 31, 2024, Chambers was arrested on related state charges after a court-authorized search of his residence revealed dozens of firearms, ghost guns, machinegun conversion devices, ammunition, materials that tested positive for explosive substances, a 3D printer, and other items. The investigation subsequently revealed that Chambers had sold guns to other individuals and regularly coordinated the purchase and sale of firearms and firearm-related materials with others.
Chambers pleaded guilty to firearm trafficking conspiracy, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years; unlawful possession of a machinegun, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years; and possession of an unregistered firearm muffler/silencer in violation of the National Firearms Act, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Judge Dooley scheduled sentencing for November 25.
Chambers has been detained since his arrest.
This matter is being investigated by the FBI and the Granby Police Department, with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Pierpont, Jr. and Justyn P. Stokely.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the State’s Attorney’s Office for the Judicial District of Hartford for its cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward 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 New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 360 Months in Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking as Part of a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) InvestigationRead the Press Release
FORT WAYNE – Robert Lamons II, 33 years old, of Fort Wayne, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Lamons was sentenced to 360 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release.
“The Defendant will spend the next three decades behind bars for running a large, illicit distribution network of poisonous fentanyl throughout Northern Indiana for several years, recruiting others and using a minor for transportation and delivery. He coordinated the shipment of massive quantities of fentanyl pills from Arizona to Indiana. Lamons recruited others to help him transport these drug shipments on commercial airline flights, including a minor under the age of 18. After the shipments arrived, he used others to distribute his pills in northeastern Indiana. His reckless disregard for his fellow Hoosiers by profiting from unleashing this poison was despicable. Thanks to the partnership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and Fort Wayne Police Department; the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory; the Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department; the Glendale (Arizona) Police Department; the Allen County (Indiana) Prosecuting Attorney’s Office led by Michael McAlexander and NDIN AUSA’s Anthony W. Geller and Lesley J. Miller Lowery, the Defendant has been taken out of circulation and the community is safer,” said U.S. Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“Thirty years in federal prison is a significant sentence, and it reflects the seriousness of what Robert Lamons did. He made the choice to put fentanyl on the streets in Indiana and people pay the price for that choice. Our message is simple: If you bring this poison into our communities, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Wayne Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes the FBI, Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Department, and Fort Wayne Police Department. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory, the Phoenix (Arizona) Police Department, the Glendale (Arizona) Police Department, and the Allen County (Indiana) Prosecuting Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony W. Geller and Lesley J. Miller Lowery.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Crossroads comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, USAINN, USAINS, DEA, ATF, IRS, USPIS, USMS, and ISP with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana
Fort Walton Beach Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Elliot Maurice Bell, 40, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Fentanyl. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This repeat offender’s days of flooding our streets with deadly drugs has come to an end thanks to the excellent investigative work of the Florida Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration. This lengthy sentence should put other criminals on notice: this office will aggressively prosecute anyone who peddles drugs in the Northern District of Florida, and we will seek maximum punishments of those offenders to keep our streets drug-free.”
According to court records, on April 28, 2024, Bell fled from Florida Highway Patrol. Law enforcement performed a PIT maneuver on his vehicle and after the vehicle was stopped Bell was arrested. A search of the vehicle incident to his arrest revealed methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
“DEA and its law enforcement partners continue to bring drug traffickers in the Florida Pan Handle to justice,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “We won’t stop until our communities and streets are free from this criminal activity.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey M. Tharp.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Former Schererville Insurance Agent Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Life Insurance Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Thomas J. Lemmen, 51 years old, of Schererville, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Lemmen was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,601,505.27 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
According to documents in the case, Thomas Lemmen worked as a licensed independent insurance agent in the state of Indiana since 2012. Between 2020 and 2022, Lemmen used his position to operate a Ponzi-style fraud scheme that allowed him to profit by writing high volumes of fraudulent life insurance policies. On thousands of separate occasions, Lemmen wrote life insurance policies in the names of current, former, and prospective clients without their knowledge or consent. As part of the policy writing process, Lemmen unlawfully used sensitive information such as his victims’ names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and details about their family history. Lemmen also forged the digital signatures of the purported applicants on various legal documents, including medical records releases that caused the disclosure of the victims’ sensitive medical and pharmaceutical information to the insurance companies. Most of Lemmen’s identity theft victims were retirees and elderly residents of Northwest Indiana. Lemmen profited through the commission payments he received each time he wrote a new fraudulent policy. Lemmen also took sophisticated steps to make his fictitious insurance policies appear legitimate and avoid detection for over two and a half years.
In all, Lemmen wrote more than 2,000 fraudulent life insurance policies in the names of hundreds of victims, receiving over $5 million in commissions to which he was not entitled. Lemmen used the proceeds to fund the continued operation of the scheme and for his own personal spending. Among other things, Lemmen spent significant sums on home furnishings and renovations, including on an outdoor pool at his home, and on frequent travel. In April 2023, the Indiana Department of Insurance took administrative action to prevent the renewal of Lemmen’s license to sell insurance in the state of Indiana.
“Hundreds of people trusted Thomas Lemmen to write life insurance policies to protect themselves and their loved ones. But he betrayed that trust and fraudulently obtained millions of dollars to which he was not entitled. Thanks to the combined efforts of the FBI, the United States Bankruptcy Trustee for Region 10, and Assistant United States Attorney Zach Heater, the public can see that those who choose to commit fraud will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
“Lemmen took advantage of his position and ripped off a lot of people - including seniors - just to line his own pockets. He took information people trusted him with and used it against them. These people thought they were protecting their families, and instead, he made them victims,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI and our partners are on it. We’re digging into these complicated fraud schemes, we’re following the money, and we’re going to chase these cases down. Criminals like Lemmen need to be held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the United States Bankruptcy Trustee for Region 10. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.
Former Homeland Security Employee Pleads Guilty in $250,000 Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Richeline Anisso Fung, 46, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, and formerly of Maryland, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to making false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims while working as a full-time employee for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS-CISA), announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Richeline Fung stole a quarter‑million dollars from the American taxpayer, and today she stands as a convicted felon who will be required to pay full restitution,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Let this be unmistakable: if you defraud the American people, federal agents will come knocking. Nationwide initiatives across federal agencies are rapidly detecting, rooting out, and prosecuting wrongdoing to protect every taxpayer dollar as part of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.”
The Honorable Sparkle Sooknanan accepted Fung’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for Jan. 20, 2027.
“No profession is immune from prosecution,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “Richeline Fung abused her positions as a federal employee and government contractor to steal nearly $250,000 from the U.S. government. Public service is a public trust, not an opportunity to defraud American taxpayers. We will continue to hold accountable anyone who defrauds the United States, regardless of title or agency.”
According to court documents, Fung was a full-time DHS-CISA employee between September 2016 and October 2025. She lived in Maryland when she started working for DHS-CISA but moved to Florida. Between January 2021 and August 2024, Fung served in multiple federal government contractor positions despite being a full-time U.S. government employee with DHS-CISA. She worked as a contractor for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Energy, Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). She served in these positions as a direct employee or as an independent contractor/consultant through her business RAF Pro-Consulting, LLC, which she incorporated in Florida in 2020.
In connection with her employment, Fung submitted timesheets certifying the number of hours she worked each pay period. Fung routinely overstated those hours, even claiming to work more than 24 hours in a single day on multiple occasions.
For example, in February 2022, Fung was employed by DHS-CISA and three different federal contractors performing work for USDA, FHWA, and DOJ. For that month alone, Fung’s combined hours totaled more than 24 hours in a single day on 15 occasions. Shockingly, she claimed to work 33 hours on February 7, 8, 9, and 10, and 32 hours on February 11.
Fung admitted that she concealed her employment with DHS-CISA and the federal contractors from each other. She also acknowledged that she was able to conceal her employment because she teleworked for all the positions during the relevant period.
Fung also admitted that her criminal conduct caused the U.S. government to suffer a loss of nearly a quarter million dollars. As part of her plea agreement, she must pay full restitution.
This case was investigated by the Offices of the Inspector General for AmeriCorps, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI Washington Field Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kondi Kleinman.
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 JD Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Former Gymnastics Coach Admits Engaging in Sexual Activity with Two 13-Year-OldsRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A former gymnastics coach on Wednesday admitted engaging in unlawful sexual activity with two 13-year-olds.
Marco A. Zomphier, 32, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to two counts of coercion and enticement of a minor. He admitted meeting the first victim in 2012, when she was a member of a YMCA dance/gymnastics program and Zomphier was a coach/member of that program. They began communicating via text messages, the ooVoo video call app and the Kik messaging app. Zomphier praised his victim in those communications, flirted with her and professed his love for her. “I love you…. You’re the only girl I want to be Mrs. Zomphier,” he wrote at one point.
Zomphier convinced the victim to have him over at her house. There, he molested her but was unsuccessful in coercing her to have sex with him, his plea agreement says. On one occasion at her home, he tried to push her into her bedroom. Zomphier’s abuse of the victim ended around May of 2013.
In late 2021, the second victim met Zomphier at the Collinsville gymnastics program where he was a coach. They began communicating via Snapchat. Zomphier’s messages became more sexual in nature in January of 2022. They engaged in unlawful sexual activity in the parking lot of a store near her home and at his home in Bethalto, Illinois.
Zomphier is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will recommend a sentence of 25 years in prison.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Louis County Police Department, the Bethalto Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Foreign Nationals Indicted and in Federal Custody for Alleged $40M Timeshare FraudRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – As part of a Homeland Security Task Force case, two Mexican nationals were extradited to the United States this week after being indicted in a federal court in San Antonio for allegedly running a timeshare fraud resale scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Christian Felipe Rodriguez Peraza aka Jose Mario Ochoa Rodriguez, of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, and his wife Brenda Tamayo Corona aka Jazmin Oliva Chacon, of Mexico, along with co-defendants Michael Ian Hollands, of the United Kingdom, and Yorlena Alfonso Cuesta, allegedly conspired to victimize U.S. citizens who owned timeshares on Mexico’s pacific coast. The perpetrators deceived timeshare owners by telling them that their properties had been sold, but that proceeds could only be collected if the victims paid various fees and taxes in advance. In so doing, the fraudsters posed as U.S. and Mexican government officials and used the identities of real American lawyers to lend credence to their claims. An indictment alleges that Rodriguez, through Hollands and other co-conspirators, laundered the victims’ funds through U.S.-based entities and bank accounts. The indictment alleges the group, led by Rodriguez, stole more than $40 million from timeshare owners.
Rodriguez, Tamayo, Hollands, and Cuesta are each charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. Rodriguez and Tamayo were arrested in France earlier this year and, on Monday, were extradited to the United States. They made their initial court appearances Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kelly Stephenson of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for the wire fraud charge and 20 years for the money laundering conspiracy charge. The third charge, conspiracy to engage in monetary transactions, carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
“Many of the elderly victims in this case sent all the money they had and more based on the lies told to them by this group of fraudsters,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “In case you haven’t noticed, this Department of Justice is uniquely committed to rooting out fraud in all of its forms, especially fraud conducted against Americans by transnational criminal organizations like this one. The long arm of American justice will continue to reach out and touch those who seek to enrich themselves to the detriment of Americans.”
“Our criminal investigators have been at the center of this investigation as a core part of our responsibility to detect and prevent threats to the integrity of Treasury programs and operations,” said Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba for the Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General. “Impersonation of government agencies victimizes countless Americans daily. We are proud that these joint law enforcement efforts have brought these individuals to justice.”
“This alleged $40 million scheme was a brazen attempt to exploit timeshare owners and profit from deception, and we will continue working to identify and disrupt fraud schemes that target the public,” said DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D. “We thank our federal and international partners for their tireless efforts to hold those accused of these crimes accountable.”
“The fraud network uncovered through this investigation represents a calculated and deeply harmful scheme driven by international criminals who preyed on U.S. timeshare owners,” said Jeffrey Tyler, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division. “The FBI remains fully committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent criminal organizations and ensure that those responsible for exploiting victims and laundering their proceeds are held accountable.”
Co-defendants Hollands and Cuesta were previously apprehended, and their matters are currently pending.
This matter was investigated by the United States Department of Treasury – Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Chung is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of France to secure the arrest and August 31 extradition of Rodriguez Peraza and Tamayo Corona to the United States.
If you feel that you may have been a victim of a fraudulent advance fee scheme related to Mexican timeshares, please fill out the requested information at https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/TimeShare-Wf/view. Law enforcement will attempt to verify the potential loss and confirm that it is related to the scheme charged in this matter. Please be advised that several similar schemes operated during the same time period, and so your loss may not be tied to the matter charged in this case. While we cannot guarantee that any specific claim can be addressed or funds recovered, the agencies will do their best to vet and verify any submissions.
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 U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Federal Jury Convicts Man and Woman of Interfering with Federal Officers Performing Official Duties and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal jury in Charlotte returned a guilty verdict today against William Stanley, 25, and Heather Morrow, 45, both of Charlotte, for impeding and disrupting the performance of official duties of government employees; failure to comply with the lawful direction of an authorized individual; and obstructing the entrance on a federal property. Morrow was also found guilty of assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, and interfering with federal officers performing their official duties. Stanley was found not guilty of that offense. U.S. District Court Judge Matthew E. Orso presided over the trial.
According to court documents, trial evidence, and witness testimony, on November 16, 2025, Morrow and Stanley, aiding and abetting one another, willfully entered federal property, specifically, the grounds of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE/ERO) building in Charlotte. Trial evidence established that, while there, Stanley and Morrow engaged in disorderly conduct and other actions that unreasonably obstructed the usual use of the building’s entrances and parking lots. For example, according to evidence presented at trial and witness testimony, Stanley, Morrow, and three other individuals placed cones on the entrance driveway to the federal property and formed a human chain, blocking ERO Deportation Officers from entering in their official vehicles. In addition, Morrow’s vehicle was parked in the exit lane, blocking vehicles from exiting the federal property.
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, the defendants and others placed cones blocking the entrance to the federal property.
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, Morrow’s vehicle was used to block the exit lane of the federal property
Trial evidence further established that Stanley and Morrow’s conduct impeded and disrupted ERO Deportation Officers in the performance of their official duties and the defendants failed to comply with the lawful direction of ERO Deportation Officers. According to trial evidence, Stanley stood in front of the government-issued vehicle of an ERO Deportation Officer, blocking the officer from entering the property. Stanley then placed his hands on the hood of the ERO Deportation Officer’s vehicle to stop the officer from entering. While the ERO Deportation Officer was attempting to arrest Stanley, Morrow grabbed the officer by the shoulder, interfering with the officer’s attempt to take Stanley into custody, thereby forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, and intimidating the ERO Deportation Officer while he was engaged in the performance of their official duties, with such acts constituting simple assault.
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, Stanley attempted to stop an ERO Deportation Officer’s government-issued vehicle from entering the federal property
U.S. v. Stanley and Morrow – On Nov. 16, 2025, Morrow assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, and intimidated the ERO Deportation Officer while he was engaged attesting to place Stanley in custody.
The defendants were released on bond. A sentencing date has not been set.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Smith and Caryn Finley prosecuted the case
Federal Judge Orders Illegal Alien to Pay Nearly $10,000 and Serve Prison Time for Ramming ICE Vehicles in JanuaryRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – An illegal alien from Cuba was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio on Tuesday to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $10,000 in restitution for destruction of government property, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Robyn Argote-Brooks, 26, of Havana, Cuba, used his vehicle to damage an SUV and a sedan, both of which were property of the United States and maintained by ICE. The amount of damage to each vehicle exceeded $1,000.
Argote-Brooks was arrested and charged via complaint with one count of destruction of government property. An indictment filed Feb. 4 added a second destruction of government property count as well as a charge of forcibly assaulting a federal officer. On May 8, a federal jury convicted Argote-Brooks of both destruction of government property counts.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery sentenced Argote-Brooks to 10 months in federal prison for each count, which will run concurrently. Biery also ordered three years of supervised release, a $200 special assessment, and $9,767 in restitution for the damages.
ICE Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Walker and Todd Keagle prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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