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30 December 2025
Two Americans Plead Guilty to Targeting Multiple U.S. Victims Using ALPHV BlackCat RansomwareRead the Press Release
Yesterday, a federal district court in the Southern District of Florida accepted the guilty pleas of two men to conspiring to obstruct, delay or affect commerce through extortion in connection with ransomware attacks occurring in 2023.
“These defendants used their sophisticated cybersecurity training and experience to commit ransomware attacks — the very type of crime that they should have been working to stop,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Extortion via the internet victimizes innocent citizens every bit as much as taking money directly out of their pockets. The Department of Justice is committed to using all tools available to identify and arrest perpetrators of ransomware attacks wherever we have jurisdiction.”
“Ransomware is not just a foreign threat — it can come from inside our own borders,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Goldberg and Martin used trusted access and technical skill to extort American victims and profit from digital coercion. Their guilty pleas make clear that cybercriminals operating from within the United States will be found, prosecuted, and held to account.”
“Malware like ALPHV (BlackCat) ransomware is used by bad actors to steal, extort, and launder proceeds from victim businesses and organizations,” said Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. “The FBI remains committed to working alongside its law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprises involved in ransomware attacks and to hold accountable not only the perpetrators but also anyone who knowingly enables or profits from them. We will continue to leverage our intelligence, law enforcement tools, global presence, and partnerships to counter cybercriminals who seek to harm the American public through these insidious attacks. We strongly encourage businesses to exercise due diligence when engaging third parties for ransomware incident response, report suspicious or unethical behavior, and to expeditiously report any ransomware attack to the FBI and our law enforcement partners to safeguard their security and privacy.”
According to court documents, Ryan Goldberg, 40, of Georgia, Kevin Martin, 36, of Texas, and another co-conspirator successfully deployed the ransomware known as ALPHV BlackCat between April 2023 and December 2023 against multiple victims located throughout the United States. The three men agreed to pay the ALPHV BlackCat administrators a 20% share of any ransoms received in exchange for access to the ransomware and ALPHV BlackCat’s extortion platform. All three men worked in the cybersecurity industry — meaning that they had special skills and experience in securing computer systems against harm, including the type of harm they themselves were committing against the victims in this case. After successfully extorting one victim for approximately $1.2 million in Bitcoin, the men split their 80% share of this ransom three ways and laundered the funds through various means.
According to court documents, ALPHV BlackCat targeted the computer networks of more than 1,000 victims around the world. The group used a ransomware-as-a-service model in which developers were responsible for creating and updating ransomware and for maintaining the illicit internet infrastructure. Affiliates were responsible for identifying and attacking high-value victim institutions with the ransomware. After a victim paid, developers and affiliates shared the ransom.
Today’s announcement follows the Justice Department’s prior actions in December 2023 to disrupt ALPHV BlackCat ransomware, in which the FBI developed a decryption tool that allowed FBI field offices across the country and law enforcement partners around the world to offer hundreds of victims the capability of restoring their systems, saving victims approximately $99 million in ransom payments. At that time, the FBI also seized several websites operated by ALPHV BlackCat.
Goldberg and Martin each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct, delay or affect commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by extortion in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a). The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on March 12, 2026, and face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Miami Field Office is leading the investigation, with assistance provided by the U.S. Secret Service.
Trial Attorneys Christen Gallagher and Jorge Gonzalez of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Haggerty and Quinshawna Landon for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mitchell Hyman for the Southern District of Florida is handling asset forfeiture.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Significant assistance in this investigation was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul B. Morris for the Eastern District of Texas and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel W.A. Peach for the Middle District of Georgia. Additional assistance was provided by the Policía de Investigación of the Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México.
Private sector organizations can report any suspicious activities and threats to the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), visiting www.tips.fbi.gov or contacting their local FBI field office.
If you are a victim of ransomware, contact your local FBI field office or file a report at ic3.gov.
If you have information about ALPHV BlackCat, their affiliates or activities, you may be eligible for a reward through the Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards program or Rewards for Justice program. Information can be submitted through the following Tor-based tip line (Tor browser required):
he5dybnt7sr6cm32xt77pazmtm65flqy6irivtflruqfc5ep7eiodiad.onion.
The Justice Department Files Complaint Challenging Virginia Laws Providing In-State Tuition and Financial Assistance for Illegal AliensRead the Press Release
Today, the United States announced that it is challenging Virginia laws providing in-state tuition and financial assistance for illegal aliens. These laws unconstitutionally discriminate against U.S. citizens who are not afforded the same reduced tuition rates, scholarships, or subsidies, create incentives for illegal immigration, and reward illegal immigrants with benefits that U.S. citizens are not eligible for, all in direct conflict with federal law.
“This is a simple matter of federal law: in Virginia and nationwide, schools cannot provide benefits to illegal aliens that they do not provide to U.S. citizens,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will not tolerate American students being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.”
The Department of Justice’s complaint is filed in the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division against the Commonwealth of Virginia seeking to enjoin the State from enforcing the Virginia laws and bring them into compliance with federal requirements.
In the complaint, the United States seeks to enjoin enforcement of Virginia laws that requires colleges and universities to provide in-state tuition rates for all aliens who maintain Virginia residency, regardless of whether those aliens are lawfully present in the United States. Additionally, the complaint seeks to enjoin Virginia from enforcing state laws which afford financial assistance to illegal aliens.
This lawsuit follows two executive orders signed by President Trump that seek to ensure illegal aliens are not obtaining taxpayer benefits or preferential treatment: “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” and “Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens.” This lawsuit also follows similar tuition lawsuits in Texas, Kentucky, Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and California.
Repeat Drug Trafficker Sentenced to over 5 YearsRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Tyreese Taylor, 43, Machesney Park, Illinois, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William M. Conley to 54 months in federal prison for distributing cocaine. Taylor pleaded guilty to this charge on October 1, 2025. Taylor was also sentenced to an additional 12 months and one day in federal prison for violating the terms of his federal supervised release.
In 2019, Taylor was released from prison following a federal drug trafficking conviction and began his first term of supervised release. In 2021, he was sent back to prison for violating the terms of his supervised release by selling drugs. In 2024, Taylor was again released from prison and began his second term of supervised release. On April 24, 2025, police searched a residence frequented by Taylor and found several ounces of cocaine, a digital scale, assorted other drugs, and drug packaging. Police also found Taylor’s car keys and more than $4,000 in U.S. currency containing prerecorded police money from prior drug transactions. Taylor was arrested the same day during a traffic stop in Beloit.
At sentencing, Judge Conley found that Taylor was attracted to the lifestyle of dealing drugs despite having legitimate job opportunities. Judge Conley also found that Taylor seemed likely to reoffend given his prior history.
The charge against Taylor was the result of an investigation conducted by the Beloit Police Department and Rock County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ayala prosecuted this case.
Federal criminal cases involving narcotics are part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the U.S. Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Pensacola Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of MacHinegunsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Tre’Veonce Ezekiel Sanders, 19, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a machinegun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud and deeply appreciate the vigilance of our federal law enforcement partners who intercepted this dangerous device in the mail and investigated its intended recipient. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi promised to Take Back America from the offenders intent on committing criminal violence within our communities, and my office will continue to deliver on that promise with successful prosecutions like this.”
Court documents reflect that in August 2025, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations were notified that a parcel, which contained a machinegun conversion device, was shipped from China and destined for the defendant’s residence in Pensacola, Florida. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence and located a Glock handgun that had been modified to fire as a machinegun, multiple machinegun conversion devices, marijuana, ammunition, and over $6,000 in United States currency.
Sanders faces up to ten years’ imprisonment on each of the firearm charges and up to five years on the narcotics charge.
The case involved a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 10, 2026, at 1:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering the US After Prior RemovalsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A Mexican national pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to illegally entering the U.S. after a prior removal.
According to court records, Alfredo Gonzalez-Pelaez, 42, was encountered by a Border Patrol agent conducting a field inspection. Gonzalez-Pelaez acknowledged to the officer that he was an alien who had illegally entered the United States years earlier. Immigration records showed that he had previously been removed from the U.S. in 2012 and did not have a visa or other documentation that would allow him to re-enter the country.
Gonzalez-Pelaez faces up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. He will be sentenced after the completion of a presentence investigative report by the U.S. Probation Office. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The U.S. Border Patrol investigated the case.
Operation Take Back America: 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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Menasha Man Charged with Production of Child Pornography and Obscenity CrimesRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 23, 2025, Zakaria H. Adam (age: 20) of Menasha, Wisconsin, was charged in a criminal complaint with production of child pornography and transfer of obscene matter to a minor in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(a) and 1470.
According to the criminal complaint, between April 15, 2025, and April 24, 2025, Adam began communicating via a popular social media application with a 13-year-old minor in upstate New York. Zakaria sent sexually explicit images of his genitalia to the child and convinced the child to send sexually explicit images in return.
If convicted of the production of child pornography charge, Zakaria faces a mandatory minimum15 years and up to 30 years of imprisonment. The charge also carries up to a $250,000 fine and a minimum of 5 years and up to life of supervised release. The transfer of obscene matter to a minor charge carries up to 10 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. A conviction on either charge would also require Adam to register as a sexual offender.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Green Bay Resident Agency. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
A criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 U.S. Department of Justice. 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.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
(414) 297-1700
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McLean man charged with sending threatening messages and lying to investigatorsRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A McLean man was charged by criminal complaint with transmitting threats in interstate commerce and making false statements.
According to court documents, on Dec. 23, Scott Allen Bolger, 33, allegedly used Google Voice, which allows a user to text message others using a phone number other than the user’s primary phone number, to send a message to a federal employee. In the message, Bolger allegedly threatened to kill the employee.
“Threats of violence are serious crimes with serious consequences,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Those who target federal employees should know that we will investigate and prosecute these offenses to the fullest extent of the law.”
When federal task force officers arrived at Bolger’s residence to question him about the threat to kill, they identified themselves as federal law enforcement officers. Bolger allegedly falsely identified himself as Brian Black and told them he did not know a Scott Bolger.
If convicted, Bolger faces up to five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin R. Tisdale is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-mj-734.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Illegal Alien Indicted for Unlawfully Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Robinson Abrahan Esparragoza Regalado, 26, a Venezuelan national, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession of a firearm by an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.
Regalado appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry on December 23, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Regalado faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Narcotics in the Dyer County JailRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – A former correctional officer for the Dyer County Sheriff’s Department was sentenced on December 29, 2025. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the sentence today.
According to the information presented in court, Tyrell Wallace, a guard at the Dyer County Jail, reported to work on October 24, 2024. Investigators stopped Wallace and announced an administrative search. Inside Wallace’s waistband, investigators recovered 53 grams of actual methamphetamine with a purity level of 100%, 165 grams of marijuana, 26 grams of fentanyl, 3 grams of crack cocaine, 8 Suboxone strips, and a Motorola cellular telephone.
Investigators then searched Wallace’s vehicle where they recovered a loaded 9mm handgun and 40 rounds of ammunition. During a post-arrest interview, Wallace confessed that he planned to introduce the narcotics to inmates. Investigators then sought a search warrant for Wallace’s cellphone which revealed it was the third time he delivered controlled substances to the jail.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Official misconduct by public officers in positions of trust and authority undermines the foundational integrity of our government institutions and the security of correctional facilities. We will root out, expose, and hold accountable those officials who violate their oath for personal gain by introducing illegal narcotics into jails and prisons."
On September 26, 2025, the defendant pled guilty to violating 21 U.S.C. §841(a) for knowingly possessing actual methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced the defendant to 120 months of incarceration followed by 5 years of supervised release.
The Dyer County Sheriff’s Department and Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Hays prosecuted this case on behalf of the government. SAUSA Hays is currently assigned from the 29th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office.
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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.
Fentanyl Hidden in Ironing Board Leads to 15-Year Federal Sentence for Raleigh ManRead the Press Release
NCDPSRALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a Raleigh man, Joshua McClain, 31, to spend more than 15 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine out of a Cary hotel room.
“Fentanyl traffickers take lives across our communities, and dealers like McClain – who repeatedly return to this trade – fuel that crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of his conduct and reinforces our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the public and hold repeat offenders accountable.”
According to court documents, investigators began surveilling McClain in January 2024 after observing suspected drug activity at a Raleigh motel. Officers saw a vehicle leaving the motel after a suspected drug deal and stopped it a short time later. The driver of the vehicle was identified as McClain, and officers confirmed he had several outstanding warrants. During the search, officers found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Following his release on bond, McClain returned to the Cary hotel where he had been staying. Staff inspecting the room found multiple bags of narcotics hidden inside the lining of an ironing board. The substances included fentanyl, ANPP—a chemical precursor used to make fentanyl—and other controlled substances.
In March 2024, while being processed at the Wake County Detention Center, officers again discovered even more drugs McClain had concealed on his body, including additional fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and cocaine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aria Q. Merle prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cary Police Department, the Holly Springs Police Department and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-00340.
Ecuadorian National Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the US After Prior RemovalsRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: An Ecuadorian national was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for entering the United States after prior removals.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced William Leonardo Dutan Gagui, 33, to time served. Dutan Gagui had been incarcerated since September 14, 2025.
According to court records, in September 2025, Dutan Gagui was a passenger in a speeding van operated by an illegal alien. Border Patrol agents stopped the vehicle. When asked, Dutan Gagui admitted he was a citizen of Ecuador and that he did not have any documentation to be in the U.S. legally. A review of immigration records confirmed Dutan Gagui had been removed from the country in November 2011 and again in August 2016, both times at New Orleans, Louisiana.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigated the case.
Operation Take Back America: 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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District of Arizona Charges 143 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct this WeekRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the week of enforcement operations from Dec. 20 through Dec. 26, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against 143 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 105 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 32 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 6 cases against 6 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Recent matters of interest include:
United States v. Dimer Oseas Nolasco-Mendez; United States v. Santiago Jeronimo-Jeronimo. The two defendants were charged, by complaints with Re-entry of Removed Alien on Dec. 24, 2025. According to the complaints, Arizona Department of Public Safety Troopers observed a vehicle traveling 90 mph in a 75-mph speed zone near Eloy, Arizona. The troopers initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle for invalid registration, speeding and failure to yield for an emergency vehicle. The troopers requested identification from the passengers, later identified as Nolasco-Mendez and Jeronimo-Jeronimo. Immigration checks confirmed that Nolasco-Mendez and Jeronimo-Jeronimo are citizens of Guatemala, unlawfully present in the United States. 25-8614MJ, 25-8613MJ Phoenix.
United States v. Edgar Valentin-Campos. Valentin-Campos was charged by complaint with Transportation of Illegal Aliens for Profit on Dec. 22, 2025. As charged in the complaint, agents observed Valentin's vehicle parked along the side of a rural road next to a wash near Sells, Arizona. The location is commonly used for drivers to pick up illegal aliens for further transport into the United States. After agents turned around to investigate further, the vehicle then began traveling northbound on Federal Route 19. When agents initiated a vehicle stop, the vehicle failed to yield. As agents followed, the vehicle slowed down, almost coming to a stop, and four subjects exited the vehicle and ran into the desert. The vehicle then ran a stop sign at a high rate of speed, and ultimately, crashed into a ditch outside of Sells. The driver, Valentin-Campos, and two illegal aliens from Guatemala, were arrested. 25-MJ-12339-MSA, Tucson.
A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-181_December 30 Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Disney Agrees to $10M Civil Penalty and Injunction for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy LawsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that a federal court has entered a stipulated order resolving a case against Disney Worldwide Services Inc. and Disney Entertainment Operations LLC, (collectively, Disney). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated this matter, negotiated a resolution with Disney, and referred the case to the Department. Under the order, Disney will pay $10 million in civil penalties as part of a settlement to resolve Federal Trade Commission allegations that Disney violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations (COPPA) in connection with Disney’s popular YouTube video content.
COPPA prohibits website operators from knowingly collecting, using, or disclosing personal information from children under the age of 13 (hereinafter, children), unless they provide notice to and obtain consent from those children’s parents. In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the government alleged that Disney improperly failed to designate YouTube video content as directed toward children. As a result, Disney, and others acting on Disney’s behalf, targeted advertising toward children on YouTube and unlawfully collected children’s information without parental notice and consent, in violation of COPPA. Disney’s YouTube video content is extremely popular, with billions of views in the United States alone.
“The Justice Department is firmly devoted to ensuring parents have a say in how their children’s information is collected and used,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department will take swift action to root out any unlawful infringement on parents’ rights to protect their children’s privacy.”
In addition to imposing a $10 million civil penalty on Disney, the stipulated order bars Disney from operating on YouTube in a manner that violates COPPA and requires Disney to create a program that will ensure it properly complies with COPPA on YouTube going forward.
The United States is represented in this action by Assistant Director Zachary A. Dietert, and Trial Attorneys Zachary L. Cowan and Francisco L. Unger, from the Enforcement Section of the Civil Division’s Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch. Jacqueline Ford represents the FTC.
For more information about the Enforcement Section of the Civil Division’s Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch visit www.justice.gov/civil/enforcement-affirmative-litigation-branch.
David C. Waterman’s Remarks Upon his Formal Swearing-In as United States Attorney for the Southern District of IowaRead the Press Release
DES MOINES, Iowa – On December 12, 2025, United States Attorney David C. Waterman delivered remarks at his formal swearing-in ceremony at the United States Courthouse in Des Moines. The December ceremony marked the ceremonial commencement of Waterman’s tenure as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, following Chief Judge Stephanie M. Rose’s administration of the oath of office on October 15, 2025.
The following are remarks as prepared for delivery:
May it please the Court.
Judge Locher, distinguished guests, colleagues, family, and friends—thank you for being here. For those visiting Iowa for the first time, welcome to our sunny, tropical state. Joking aside, even in December, I trust you will find Iowa offers a warmth of spirit that defines this place and its people. That spirit—rooted in community, perseverance, service, and “Iowa nice”—has shaped my life and the path that brings me here today.
Standing in this courtroom, I am aware that this moment is part of a much longer story. It rests on 150 years of history and public service in the district that I now have the honor to lead. In 1873, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed James T. Lane as the United States District Attorney for Iowa. Lane served with distinction, helping to forge the Davenport law firm that would one day bear the name Lane & Waterman.
That firm later became home to Lane’s son, Congressman Joe R. Lane, and to my great-great-grandfather, Charles M. Waterman. He was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1871 and served as a district court judge and later as a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court. His career, marked by discipline, humility, and devotion to public duty, shaped generations of Iowa lawyers, including many in my own family.
Because of that lineage, I was born and raised in Davenport; became a fifth-generation Iowa attorney; and ultimately practiced at the same firm where James T. Lane; his son, Joe R. Lane; Justice Waterman; and my own relatives carried out their life’s work, including my father, Bob Waterman, a former President of the Iowa State Bar Association, and my uncle, Justice Tom Waterman of the Iowa Supreme Court.
That history is no coincidence. It reflects a truth we all share: our work as lawyers, judges, and public servants is part of a continuum of public service—grounded in the belief that justice strengthens every community it touches. As I formally assume the office once held by James T. Lane, I do so with gratitude for that history and with a firm resolve to honor it through excellence, integrity, and service.
Cicero, the Roman statesman and prosecutor, wrote the book, De Officiis, or On Duties, to guide the next generation of public servants—including his own son. Cicero emphasized that gratitude is not merely a private virtue but a civic obligation—one that strengthens the bonds of justice and public trust. As Cicero wrote, “No duty is more necessary than that of returning gratitude.” Today, I fulfill that duty.
Before thanking those who shaped my path, I want to express my gratitude to God for the strength, opportunities, and blessings that brought me to this moment.
I am grateful to Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst for their steadfast support; to President Donald Trump for nominating me; to the United States Senate for confirming me; and to Attorney General Pam Bondi for her leadership.
I owe profound gratitude to the three exceptional federal judges for whom I clerked:
- Judge John Jarvey taught me the importance of fairness, civility, clarity, and efficiency. He had the rare gift for ensuring that everyone—prosecutors, defense counsel, agents, and staff—treated each other with respect. I follow his advice to embrace difficult and challenging cases, to seek growth over comfort, and to bring order to chaos.
- Judge Mark Bennett models relentless preparation, intellectual rigor, grit, and integrity. He taught me that a lawyer’s credibility—their word—is their most valuable asset. His example and scholarship have educated me about the traits that define exceptional lawyering.
- Judge Michael Melloy embodies the quiet strength of humility, steady judgment, and principled decision-making. His calm, disciplined, and thoughtful approach to the law remains a standard I strive to meet.
Their mentorship continues to guide my decisions and my character.
I thank the former U.S. Attorneys who join us today—Chief Judge Steven Colloton of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, Marc Krickbaum, Rich Westphal, Jeff Lang, and Pete Deegan—and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Kahl, as well as my colleague and friend, Leif Olson, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. Leif, I look forward to our partnership. We have important work together in the years ahead.
I also thank the many other public servants in attendance, including Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird; Federal Public Defender Brad Hansen; United States Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Jennifer Heins Davis, Chief of Staff for Senator Grassley; and Iowa Solicitor General Eric Wessan; along with the federal and state judges here today.
Family is where I first learned advocacy and service.
My father, Bob Waterman—my role model and one of Iowa’s finest trial lawyers—introduced me to the courtroom. Watching him as a child felt like Scout Finch watching Atticus Finch in the book, To Kill a Mockingbird. After seeing Dad and plaintiff’s counsel, Jim Hayes, fiercely battle in court, and then Jim shared dinner with our family at the end of a week-long jury trial, I learned a valuable lesson early that has guided me ever since: civility is essential to our profession. Many years later, trying a civil jury trial as first chair beside my father, and winning a defense verdict for our clients, remains one of the proudest moments of my life.
To my mother, Kim, and my brother, Michael—thank you for supporting me through every challenge that led to this moment.
My uncle, Justice Tom Waterman, sharpened my skills as a young appellate lawyer. He influenced how I briefed cases, structured oral arguments, and approached the record with precision. My cousin, Charles Dana Waterman, a distinguished business attorney, exemplifies professional excellence and community leadership. My other cousin, Dana Waterman Hempy, is a rising star attorney at Nyemaster, and my Aunt Maria Waterman is an accomplished family law practitioner and mediator.
I am grateful as well to my mentors and colleagues at Lane & Waterman. I thank Jeff Lang—a former U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois and FBI agent—who deepened my understanding of white-collar criminal defense and complex federal investigations. To my other invaluable mentors, friends, and colleagues at L&W, thank you for shaping my development as a civil practitioner in both Iowa and Illinois.
At the Department of Justice—both in the Middle District of Florida and the Central District of California—I had the privilege of learning from outstanding mentors, including AUSA Michelle Thresher Taylor, DOJ Supervisory Trial Counsel Gail Johnson, AUSA Holly Gershow, Judge Natalie Adams, AUSA David Rhodes, and former AUSA Rasha Gerges Shields. Their writing, oral advocacy, and commitment to justice created a model I still seek to emulate. I am especially proud that Gail and Rasha are fellow graduates of UCLA School of Law.
My UCLA Law ties have significantly influenced my career. To AUSA Roger Hsieh, my UCLA Law classmate who is here today from California; and to AUSA Diego Novaes, also with us today from Florida—thank you both for your friendship and the partnership we formed from our earliest days as federal prosecutors.
To our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners—including Federal Task Force Officers, Sergeant Jessica Sullivan and Detective Mike Diaz, who traveled from Florida—thank you. Your courage, professionalism, and judgment make our work possible.
Sergeant Jessica Sullivan’s determination during a months-long Title III wiretap investigation dismantled a major drug-trafficking organization distributing heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. Eleven defendants were charged. Eleven defendants were convicted. Jessica’s tireless efforts and mastery of complex investigative techniques were essential to our success in that case.
Detective Mike Diaz worked with me on my earliest federal cases. He brings calm judgment and fearless honesty to every investigation. When Mike assessed a case, you knew you were getting the unvarnished truth: the strengths, the weaknesses, why it deserved federal prosecution, and the path forward.
To all the local, state, and federal law enforcement officers here tonight: your service safeguards every community in this district. You have my deep respect and unwavering support.
To my teammates of the Oxford Canadians Ice Hockey Club: your Campbell Coats symbolize a tradition of public service. They honor Clarence Campbell, who, like many of us, played ice hockey at Oxford University and later pursued a career in the law. After World War II, Campbell prosecuted Nazi officials for crimes against humanity. His example reminds us that justice requires moral courage.
To my lifelong friends—from childhood; high school; college and graduate school, including my ice hockey teammates from the George Washington University, Oxford University, and Cambridge University; and law school—your presence here overwhelms me with gratitude. Thank you for your enduring friendship, support, loyalty, humor, and inspiration.
I have spoken of those who shaped my past and lifted me up. Now I want to address those who will help build our future and pursue justice as one team united by one mission. My understanding of this mission began long before today. I remember my first day as an AUSA—June 13, 2016—the morning after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. That tragedy revealed a truth every prosecutor learns: justice is not abstract. It is lived by real people, in real communities, and in real moments of fear, grief, and pain.
To the men and women of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa: please stand.
It is the greatest honor of my professional life to stand with you, to serve alongside you, and to join this extraordinary team. I believe in our mission, in this office, and in each of you. I will support you fully. You can expect transparency, clear priorities, and a workplace defined by professionalism, accountability, and courage. In return, I ask for your best—every day—on behalf of the people we serve.
We will operate as one team. We will challenge one another, learn from mistakes, and grow together. That is how excellence is built. Thank you. Please be seated.
Our district covers 47 counties and 1.8 million people, and yet our impact reaches far beyond. We lead nationally in drug-trafficking prosecutions, overdose-related cases, and human-trafficking enforcement. We will continue to act—swiftly, fairly, and relentlessly—against those who distribute lethal fentanyl, traffic children, prey on the elderly, exploit our borders, undermine national security, or engage in violent or organized crime.
We will protect the vulnerable. We will hold the line. And we will do so with resolve.
As a team, we will set the gold standard.
Judges, juries, law enforcement, defense counsel, and the public must see us as models of professionalism: always prepared, always punctual, always principled, and always polished. Our credibility is our greatest asset.
That tradition of excellence stretches back to Attorney General Robert H. Jackson, who would later serve on the United States Supreme Court. In 1940, Jackson expressed to a group of assembled United States Attorneys that “the citizen’s safety lies in the prosecutor who tempers zeal with human kindness, who seeks truth and not victims, who serves the law and not factional purposes, and who approaches his task with humility.” Justice Jackson’s words must guide us today.
Our work matters. We are the voice for the vulnerable, the guardians of public safety, and the stewards of the public trust.
This work is demanding—sometimes isolating, often exhausting. But we will still find time for camaraderie, laughter, and storytelling. I’ve promised group runs—or, to be more accurate, slow jogs. If you cannot tell whether I am running or walking, rest assured: neither can I.
As we look ahead, let us recommit ourselves to the principles that brought us to public service:
- To do the right thing;
- In the right way; and
- For the right reasons.
Let us remember—as Cicero taught—the duty of gratitude: for this mission, for one another, and for the privilege of representing the United States.
I am even grateful for the obstacles in my own confirmation process over the past three-plus years. They made me a better lawyer, a stronger leader, and, I hope, a more grounded person. They reminded me that God’s timing may not align with our timing—but it is always right.
Surrounded by family, friends, mentors, and colleagues, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this district and for the trust placed in this office. Together, let us pursue justice with courage and conviction.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you for your time.
Columbia Man Arraigned Following Hate Crime IndictmentRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Columbia man accused of a hate crime was arraigned in federal court this morning. The Government moved for the defendant to be detained pending trial. The defendant waived his right to a detention hearing and will remain in custody.
Jonathan Andrew Felkel, 34, was indicted by a federal grand jury with violating the housing rights of his Black neighbor, J.M., and for using a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence.
According to court documents, on July 17, Felkel, while driving into the gated community where both he and J.M. lived, fired a gun and shouted at J.M., “You better keep running, boy!” while J.M. was standing at the gate to the community.
If convicted, Felkel faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the housing charge, and an additional 10 years in prison on the firearms charge.
The FBI Columbia Field Office and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case.Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle Klein and Lamar Fyall of the District of South Carolina and Trial Attorney Sarah Armstrong and Special Legal Counsel Mark Blumberg of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.###
Charles “Chas” Calenda Appointed Interim United States Attorney for the District of Rhode IslandRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi has appointed Charles “Chas” Calenda as Interim United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.
As Interim United States Attorney, Mr. Calenda will serve as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Rhode Island, overseeing the prosecution of federal criminal cases and the representation of the United States in civil matters.
“It is an honor and privilege to be appointed Interim United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. I thank Attorney General Bondi and the Department of Justice for placing their trust in me to oversee this very important office,” said Interim United States Attorney Charles Calenda.
Mr. Calenda has nearly two decades of experience as a trial attorney and former prosecutor. He previously served as a Special Assistant Attorney General at the Rhode Island Department of the Attorney General, where he prosecuted criminal cases at all levels of the court system. During his tenure, he was assigned to the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit and tried more than 60 cases to conclusion between the district, family, and superior courts in Rhode Island.
Mr. Calenda was cross designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Rhode Island, assisting with federal criminal investigations and litigation. He has extensive knowledge in strategic-litigation planning, case analysis and trial preparation, and both jury and non-jury trials.
“I would like to offer a special thank you to the First Assistant United States Attorney for doing a remarkable job keeping this office stable and running for the last ten plus months. I am grateful to the dedicated attorneys and staff of the District of Rhode Island, and our district is fortunate to have exceptionally well-seasoned leadership and staff who selflessly serve the people of Rhode Island day in and day out. I am proud to be part of this team so we can keep Rhode Islanders safe from those seeking to do us harm. I am confident that the attorneys and staff will continue their hard work during my tenure in this office. I am committed to working collaboratively with all federal, state, and local law enforcement to ensure the betterment of all Rhode Islanders. I look forward to the important work ahead and will always remember that I served the people of Rhode Island above all else.”
In addition to his public service, Mr. Calenda has practiced as a litigation attorney focusing on criminal defense and civil litigation. He has also served as a Justice of the Peace and Bail Commissioner for District Court, as well as a Town Councilor for the Town of West Greenwich.
Mr. Calenda earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami.
Mr. Calenda was sworn in today, December 30, 2025, before United States District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr.
29 December 2025
Texas Man Charged with Providing Bomb Components and Funding to Individuals He Believed Were Involved with Foreign Terrorist OrganizationRead the Press Release
An alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism offense after providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization.
“This case is a testament to the incredible work of our federal agents, who work tirelessly to save American lives,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “ISIS’s poisonous ideology must be ripped out root and stem — anyone who tries to commit violence on ISIS’s behalf will be found, arrested, and prosecuted. You cannot hide from us.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combatting terrorism and demonstrates our continuous work to disrupt and thwart terrorist plots against the American public,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Let this serve as a warning to those who plan to conduct attacks against the United States on behalf of terrorist organizations – you will be brought to justice.”
“The increasing threats of harm and destruction in our country made by those aligned with violent ideologies must be stopped,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould for the Northern District of Texas. “An alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism. This operation is but one example highlighting the necessity of vigilant observation and swift action to halt what could have been a devastating outcome. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to take prompt action against those attempting to carry out alleged terrorist missions.”
“The FBI worked alongside our law enforcement partners to quickly arrest an individual who intended to provide bomb making materials to a foreign terrorist organization,” said Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock of FBI Dallas. “Protecting the Homeland is a top priority for the FBI. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our communities from terrorism.”
“Today’s charges illustrate that the threats of terrorism and extremist violence against our nation are still very real,” said Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch of the New York Police Department (NYPD). “The NYPD remains committed to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling these networks at their source – before they can reach their murderous ends. And any person who puts American lives at risk will face justice and be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank our undercover investigators in the NYPD, as well as our law enforcement partners in the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for their exceptional work on this case.”
John Michael Garza, Jr., 21, of Midlothian, Texas, was charged last week by federal complaint with the offense of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization after he brought various bomb-making materials to a meeting on Monday evening, Dec. 22, and gave them to an individual he allegedly believed was an ISIS “brother.” In reality, Garza met with an undercover agent. During the meeting, Garza described how to mix the components and offered to send an instructional video explaining how to build the bomb. Law enforcement agents arrested Garza shortly after he left the meeting.
According to the complaint, in mid-October 2025, an undercover New York City Police Department employee noticed a particular social media account — later determined to be Garza’s — that followed several other pro-ISIS accounts and wrote a comment on a pro-ISIS post. When the NYPD undercover engaged with Garza on social media, Garza described himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas. In their continuing conversations throughout November and December, Garza shared that he ascribed to the ISIS ideology and sent the undercover multiple official ISIS media releases. Garza paid the undercover small sums of cryptocurrency in November and December 2025, believing that he was supporting ISIS causes, including buying firearms and other materials. Examples of ISIS media releases that Garza provided included:
Photo of masked individual and another man standing in a gated area Photo of explosion in part of a buildingGarza also allegedly shared a video depicting a suicide vehicle bombing. A screenshot of one bomb-making instructional video shared by Garza is below:
Still photo taken from video depicting masked and gloved individual prepared to assemble materialsAs alleged, Garza began telling the undercover agent of his plans to buy materials to make explosives. Garza told him that he would buy the ingredients and agreed to meet with a second individual who Garza believed to support ISIS activities on Monday, Dec 22. At the meeting, Garza handed the FBI undercover several explosive components. As alleged, Garza explained how to mix the ingredients and surround them with nails, and he offered to send the undercover an instructional bomb-building video.
Garza appeared before a United States magistrate judge for his initial appearance on Dec. 23. A probable cause and detention hearing is scheduled for Dec. 30. If convicted, Garza faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office and the NYPD, with assistance by FBI’s New York Field Office, Dallas Police Department, Midlothian Police Department, and Euless Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Madeleine Case for the Northern District of Texas and DOJ Trial Attorney David Courchaine with the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Two Havana Brothers Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by Convicted FelonsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Nicholas Wayne Finley, 37, and Jason Dean Atkinson, 43, both of Havana, Florida, were sentenced to prison for possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. Finley was sentenced to 54 months in prison, while Atkinson was sentenced to 37 months. Both brothers will be on supervised release for three years following their release from prison. The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The family that does crime together does time together. Thanks to the tremendous work of our local and federal law enforcement partners, this pair of dangerous felons have been incapacitated and now find themselves in federal prison. My office remains committed to keeping our community safe by aggressively prosecuting the perpetrators of violent crime who threaten our streets.”
Court documents reflect that federal law enforcement executed a search warrant at the two brothers’ residence on July 10, 2025. Officers found nine firearms in Finley’s bedroom along with numerous types of ammunition. Atkinson was found with a round of .45 caliber ammunition in his pocket, and a .45 caliber 1911-style firearm with obliterated manufacturer’s markings and additional ammunition was found in Atkinson’s trailer.
Finley had multiple prior felony convictions from Iowa, while Atkinson had a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug-trafficking, along with two Florida convictions for possession of methamphetamine.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Havana Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
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.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Repeatedly Convicted Felon Sentenced to Forty Years in Prison and Fined $500,000 Following New Cocaine ConvictionRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Following a trial in September 2025, a federal jury convicted an Arkansas man of conspiracy to distribute cocaine. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Nicholas Ferlando Haynie, 45, of Camden, Arkansas, was a member of a drug trafficking organization based in Mobile, Alabama.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiated an investigation into the drug distribution network of John David Clarke of Mobile, leading to a court-authorized wiretap on Clarke’s phone. During the monitoring of Clarke’s calls, agents identified Clarke’s drug supplier, who was charged as a co-defendant in the indictment. Substantial incriminating evidence was obtained from Clarke’s phone communications with his drug supplier who also lived in Mobile. Incriminating evidence was also obtained from several phones belonging to Clarke’s cocaine supplier, which identified several of his other drug distributers, including Haynie. The drug supplier routinely discussed drug amounts, prices and locations where the drugs were delivered for further distribution with his co-conspirator distributers. During the conspiracy, hundreds of kilograms of cocaine sourced from Mexico and through Texas were distributed in Alabama, Arkansas, and elsewhere.
During the conspiracy, hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds were delivered from Mobile to drug suppliers up the chain of distribution in Texas. Evidence obtained from Haynie’s cell phones included pictures of him possessing firearms and posing with bulk cash drug proceeds. Eight guns were also seized from locations where co-conspirators lived in Mobile and Katy, Texas, along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
Haynie had been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including the manufacture, delivery, and possession of a controlled substance and sexual abuse first degree in violation of Arkansas state law in 2000. Haynie had also been convicted in federal court in Arkansas for the distribution of crack cocaine in 2014. While in federal prison, Haynie was twice convicted of possessing a prohibited object (cell phone). Haynie was released from federal prison in 2021.
United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer imposed the sentence. On December 18, 2025, Haynie was sentenced to 40 years in prison, followed by an eight-year term of supervised release upon release from prison. Haynie was also ordered to pay a $500,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.
As conditions of his supervision, Haynie will undergo testing and treatment for drug and/or alcohol abuse, will be subject to a search of his person and premises upon reasonable suspicion, and required to register as a sex offender.
United States Attorney Sean P. Costello made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the Mobile Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and multiple federal and local partners.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Kopf and Gloria Bedwell prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Repeat Offender Engaged in Fentanyl Trafficking Sentenced to 204 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Kenneth H. Crause, age 55, to 204 months in federal prison after Crause pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Deliver 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl. Judge Dimke also ordered that, following his sentence, Crause be placed on a life term of supervised release.
According to Court documents, the Spokane Police Department Special Investigations Unit had an active drug trafficking investigation into Crause who was already on federal supervision for a prior drug trafficking conviction. Based on that investigation officers obtained search warrants for his residence and vehicle. Those warrants were executed on October 8, 2024 at which time, officers located multiple controlled substances to include over 1,298 grams of deadly powder fentanyl, approximately 124 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 28 grams of cocaine. Also found during the search, were multiple digital drug scales, pay/owe drug ledgers, and other drug paraphernalia associated with drug trafficking as well as protective gear such as respirators and gloves indicative of the deadly nature of the powder being prepared and distributed by Crause. In addition, approximately $53,902 in United States currency was seized from the residence, vehicle and Crause’s person.
“Fentanyl remains one of the greatest threats to our community.” Stated First Assistant United States Attorney S. Pete Serrano. “Mr. Crause was already on federal supervision for his prior involvement in drug trafficking. Even while being supervised by the Court, Crause chose to engage in fentanyl trafficking, directly placing this community and others at risk. He clearly knew those risks evidenced by the protective gear he utilized while not caring for the impact on others. Through the hard work of our state and federal partners, this repeat offender will no longer be able to hurt our community.”
“Mr. Crause clearly knew the dangers of fentanyl, but he ignored this risk out of greed,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “As an unreformed trafficker, he richly deserves this lengthy prison term, which may be the only way to stop him from poisoning our community.”
Detective Brian Eckersley said that he is very proud of the hard-working Detectives in the Spokane Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit. They work many long nights putting these cases together. The combined efforts of our federal partners contributed to a successful prosecution. This prosecution was even more rewarding for us, because we stopped, Crause from trafficking fentanyl. After seeing the dangerous living conditions one child had to live in, we knew Crause had to be stopped. He clearly used personal protection equipment when handling the fentanyl. However, Crause left the residue and trash from his drug operation out where it was easily accessible to the child, who risked serious illness or death from exposure to the fentanyl.
The case was investigated by the Spokane Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Earl A. Hicks, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
2:24-cr-00181-MKDPanama City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening a Federal InformantRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Thomas Zachary Breeding, 41, of Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to a total of 77 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to retaliation against a federal informant, transmission of threatening communications in interstate commerce, and supervised release violations. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I appreciate the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners that led to this successful prosecution. My office has zero tolerance for those who threaten our communities with violence, and we will aggressively prosecute such offenses to keep our residents safe.”
Court documents reflect that on May 31, 2024, the defendant sent Facebook messages threatening bodily injury to an individual. In the messages, the defendant blamed the individual for sending him to prison, called him a “rat,” and promised to “break” a “knife off” in their “guts.” The defendant sent the threats to retaliate against the individual for having provided information to federal law enforcement as part of a prior federal investigation and prosecution of the defendant for distributing cocaine. The defendant was still on federal supervised release for that prior case at the time he made the threats, and he admitted to violating the terms and conditions of his supervision as a result of the new charges.
“DEA and our law enforcement partners will not stop protecting our communities from traffickers pushing poisons into our neighborhoods and threatening the safety and security of those helping us do just that,” said DEA Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. “This man was convicted of distributing cocaine and then threatened members of the community who wanted his actions stopped.”
Breeding was sentenced to 47 months in prison for the retaliation and threat charges and an additional 30 months to run consecutively for the supervised release violations.
The sentence was the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Mexican National Sentenced After Being Found in the United States Unlawfully for a Fourth TimeRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican national was sentenced today for Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Miguel Gabino Trujillo, 32, to 46 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Gabino Trujillo was previously removed from the United States on three separate occasions. In March 2015, he was removed after receiving a five-year suspended sentence in State Court for possessing a controlled substance and obstructing an officer. Seventeen days after being removed, Gabino Trujillo was arrested in the Southern District of Texas and removed a second time in August 2015.
Gabino Trujillo was removed for a third time in December 2023 after being convicted of a drug-related offense in the Northern District of Oklahoma. He was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison after conspiring with others to distribute more than 490 grams of cocaine.
His latest arrest was in June 2025 when officers were patrolling downtown Tulsa and saw an occupied parked vehicle with a glass bottle on the ground outside the passenger side door. Gabino Trujillo and the driver of the vehicle refused to comply with the officers' commands and exit the vehicle. After several minutes, officers broke the window and pepper balled the vehicle. When Gabino Trujillo exited the vehicle, they found two bags of cocaine. He pleaded no contest in State Court for possessing a controlled drug and was sentenced to 25 days in jail.
While being booked into jail, agents discovered that Gabino Trujillo was unlawfully in the United States. He will remain in federal custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and is expected to face removal proceedings following the sentence.
The Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Brandon prosecuted the case.
Illegal alien Marvin Fernando Morales Ortez faces federal charges following arrest for murderRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Salvadoran national has been charged in a criminal complaint in the Eastern District of Virginia with possession of a firearm by an alien illegally present in the United States.
“This office is resolute in enforcing the immigration laws of the United States, and we will vigorously prosecute individuals who commit acts of violence in our communities,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “We are committed to holding accountable those who choose to ignore our laws and threaten or harm our residents. Protecting the public is the highest priority of the Eastern District of Virginia, and that mission is best accomplished through close cooperation among federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
According to the complaint, Marvin Fernando Morales Ortez, 23, illegally entered the United States on Sept. 16, 2016.
On Dec. 17, Fairfax County Police Department officers responded to a call for service at a residence in Reston. Inside the residence, officers located a deceased victim with apparent gunshot wounds. Video footage appears to show Morales fleeing from the residence. Officers later located and arrested Morales. As alleged in the complaint, Morales was in possession of a firearm.
Morales is currently in state custody on a charge of second degree murder.
If convicted, Morales Ortez faces up to 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-mj-732.
A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Harrisburg Man Sentenced for Illegal Structuring of Financial TransactionsRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Harrisburg, South Dakota, man convicted of Structuring in violation of federal banking laws. The federal crime of structuring is a practice designed to evade anti-money laundering laws and typically consists of intentionally breaking large sums of cash into smaller deposits or transactions to avoid triggering mandatory reporting by financial institutions.
Richard Kamolvathin, a/k/a Danuj Richard Kamolvathin, d/b/a Zolvent Pro, LLC, age 59, was sentenced on December 29, 2025, to five years of probation, restitution in the amount of $363,800, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.
Kamolvathin was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 22, 2025.
The convictions stemmed from two incidents in 2021. Between April 26, 2021, and May 17, 2021, Kamolvathin made a cash withdrawal and wire transfers from one of his American Bank and Trust accounts and Bank of America accounts. Again, between June 1, 2021, and July 1, 2021, Kamolvathin also made cash and check withdrawals and transferred money from one of his ABT accounts to his BOA account via check.
Kamolvathin knew that both American Bank and Trust and Bank of America were obliged to file a report to the United States Government for depository transactions involving currency in the excess of $10,000. Kamolvathin knew that if he were to conduct a currency transaction exceeding $10,000, that would trigger the filing of a report by the bank to the United States Government.
During the above-mentioned time frames, Kamolvathin intended to transact an amount in currency greater than $10,000. Rather than withdrawing or transferring the entire amount in a single transaction, Kamolvathin made multiple cash withdrawals and transfers via check in amounts less than $10,000, on the same day, on consecutive days or within a short time period. He did so in an attempt to avoid drawing the suspicion of the bank and triggering the bank to file a report on his irregular banking activity.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Connie Larson prosecuted the case.
Fox Valley Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful PrescribingRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on December 18, 2025, United States District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller sentenced Jessica Friday, an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner from Appleton, Wisconsin, to 16 months’ imprisonment.
On August 13, 2025, Friday pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate purpose. The charges stem from Friday’s unlawful prescribing between 2020 and 2024. According to court records, during that period, Friday issued prescriptions for opioids, including Oxycodone, without a demonstration of medical necessity. Friday issued these prescriptions based on an arrangement with her patients whereby the patients agreed to fill the unlawful prescriptions and provide half, or more, of the pills to Friday for her personal use.
Friday was aware, while she was engaging this conduct, that the people to whom she was prescribing did not need the opiates, that they were vulnerable for reasons of their mental health and addiction, and that they were selling at least some of the pills they retained from Friday’s unlawful prescriptions.
In announcing his sentence, Judge Stadtmueller noted Friday’s serious abuse of a position of a trust, the “staggering” volume of prescriptions Friday issued without medical need, and the need to promote deterrence among medical professionals who may be tempted to engage in similar unlawful prescribing practices.
“Rather than providing legitimate care as a medical professional, this defendant fueled and supplied her own addiction,” said U.S. Attorney Schimel. “In the process, she simply became another drug dealer – another source of supply for putting highly addictive substances in the hands of others for no medical purpose. My office remains committed to working with DEA and all of our law enforcement partners to combat this epidemic.”
"Medical professionals are entrusted with extraordinary authority to heal, not to harm,” said John McGarry, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Milwaukee District Office. “When they abuse that trust by illegally dispensing controlled substances, they put lives at risk and undermine the integrity of the entire medical system. DEA will continue to hold accountable any practitioner who chooses profit or convenience over patient safety and the law.”
Upon completion of her 16-month prison sentence, Friday will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Diversion Control Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie F. Stewart.
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For further information contact:
Public Affairs Officer Steve Caballero
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Four Foreign Nationals Sentenced in December for Illegally Reentering the United States After DeportationRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that four foreign nationals convicted separately of illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations were sentenced this month.
Juan Vargas Ramirez, aka Juan Vargas and Seferino Vargas-Ramirez, 30, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge John M. Gallagher to time served, approximately seven months, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
The defendant had previously been removed from the U.S. five times after encounters with U.S. immigration authorities: once in March 2014, twice in January 2015, and twice in October 2016.
In May of this year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) learned that Vargas Ramirez had illegally reentered the U.S. and took him into custody. He was charged by federal indictment with illegal reentry in June and pleaded guilty in August.
Miguel Limon Ascencion, aka Miguel Limon, 42, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez to time served, approximately three months, plus seven days, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
The defendant had previously been removed from the U.S. in April 2018, after being encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol near Brownsville, Texas.
ICE learned that Limon Ascension had been arrested in July of this year by the Norristown Police Department. He was charged by federal indictment with illegal reentry in September and pleaded guilty in October.
Jenfry Then Regalado, 29, a Dominican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh to time served, approximately seven months, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
The defendant had previously been removed from the U.S. in July 2016, after an encounter that March with the U.S. Border Patrol in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
ICE became aware that Then Regalado had illegally reentered the United States following his arrest by the Philadelphia Police Department on narcotics charges, to which he pleaded no contest in May of this year. In June, Then Regalado was charged by federal indictment with illegal reentry and pleaded guilty in September.
Kevin Arley Rosas-Pabon, 27, a Colombian national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Timothy J. Savage to time served, approximately four months, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
The defendant had previously been removed from the U.S. in late 2021, following an encounter with the U.S. Border Patrol in Texas.
In July of this year, ICE learned that he had reentered the U.S. illegally and frequented an address in Easton, Pa. Rosas-Pabon was taken into custody in August, charged by indictment with illegal reentry in October, and pleaded guilty the same month.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Martin E. Howley Jr., Lindsey Mills, Maureen McCartney, and Rosalynda M. Michetti.
Former Tallahassee Man Sentenced in Computer Tech Support Fraud Scheme That Targeted the ElderlyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Kuhlmann, 79, of Daytona Beach, Florida, was sentenced on Thursday to pay $1,005,313.00 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release for operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in connection with a nationwide computer technical support fraud scheme that preyed upon more than 300 elderly vulnerable victims. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This despicable fraudster facilitated the financial exploitation of several elderly victims, robbing them of not only their money, but of their dignity, while lining his own pockets and those of his co-conspirators. My office will deploy every available legal resource to enforce the substantial restitution judgment entered against this offender to return as much stolen money to the victims as possible. I deeply appreciate the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners that led to his arrest and the dismantling of this fraud scheme, and urge residents to remain vigilant to similar schemes targeting the elderly.”
Court documents reflect that beginning in November 2018, the defendant opened two corporations in Florida, “Seminole Services, Inc.” and “QB Accounting Services,” which purportedly were in business to provide computer tech services. Neither business was registered as a money transmitting service as required by law, but the defendant had opened the businesses to receive money from elderly victims and then wire those funds to his co-conspirators who were located in foreign countries. These co-conspirators used a variety of tactics on victims—including convincing them that their computers had been infected with computer viruses, had been hacked, or their financial information was otherwise at risk of being stolen—to fraudulently convince victims to pay as much as $150,000.00 for computer repair services. Over the course of his involvement in the fraud scheme, the defendant transferred approximately $3.5 million dollars in victim funds through his business bank accounts.
“The Secret Service is committed to protecting our nation’s financial infrastructure from threats both foreign and domestic. That commitment is reflected in the outstanding work of our Special Agents and their investigative and prosecutorial partners in the Northern District of Florida,” said Resident Agent in Charge Seth Reister, United States Secret Service, Tallahassee Resident Office. “This investigation, prosecution, and sentencing highlight the real costs of elder fraud schemes, not only in dollars lost, but in the very real harm inflicted on some of our most vulnerable citizens.”
“This long-term investigation proved the defendant was intimately involved with a scheme to defraud our elderly and its resolution exemplifies the high level of dedication demonstrated by all agencies involved to bring this defendant to justice,” said Inspector in Charge, Bladismir Rojo, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division. “We, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to dismantling transnational criminal organizations that target our nation’s most vulnerable population.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the United States Secret Service, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer and Justin M. Keen.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
District of Arizona Charges over 10,000 Individuals for Immigration-Related Criminal Conduct Since January 20, 2025Read the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – During the weeks of enforcement operations from January 20, 2025, through December 26, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona brought immigration-related criminal charges against more than 10,140 individuals. Specifically, the United States filed 5,128 cases in which aliens illegally re-entered the United States, and the United States also charged 4,260 aliens for illegally entering the United States. In its ongoing effort to deter unlawful immigration, the United States filed 638 cases against 734 individuals responsible for smuggling illegal aliens into and within the District of Arizona. Protecting law enforcement officers is a key part of border vigilance, and federal prosecutors also charged 17 defendants for assaults on federal officers related to immigration enforcement during this period.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“President Trump promised to secure our border, and the District of Arizona has delivered,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Thanks to the leadership of the President and Attorney General Bondi, law enforcement and federal prosecutors have been empowered to uphold the laws they swore to protect, including immigration laws. Through increased presence, a 97% prosecution rate, and commitments to real criminal penalties, fewer people are crossing the border illegally so fewer traffickers can exploit them. The District of Arizona has proven that the dedicated men and women of the DOJ will go as far as they must to secure our homeland.”
Since March 7th, the District of Arizona has released its weekly immigration prosecution numbers here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr. Please continue to follow our progress in strengthening our Border and upholding the Rule of Law.
These cases were part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-180_10,000 Immigration Enforcement
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on X @USAO_AZ for the latest news.Defense Contractor Agrees to Pay More Than $800,000 to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – IAP Worldwide Services, Incorporated (IAP), a logistics, facilities management, and advanced technical and professional services company headquartered in Delaware, agreed to pay the United States $810,821.65 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the settlement with Special Agent in Charge, Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) – Mid-Atlantic Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) – Economic Crimes Field Office.
The U.S. alleges that IAP knowingly submitted false claims for payment in connection with non-conforming goods provided to the United States Navy.
Specifically, the U.S. alleges that on November 4, 2015, IAP undertook the performance of a contract awarded by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland (the Contract). The Contract, among other things, required IAP to maintain and support a certain military aircraft, which included the repair, replacement, and replenishment of items used in the repair and maintenance of a specific military aircraft – the Boeing E-6B. The Contract further required that IAP ensure that sources for the Boeing E-6B aircraft material were Federal Aviation Administration or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified. In particular, the latter certification attests that the part, in this case the BACB30LU bolt procured by IAP and billed to the Navy, adhered to the manufacturer’s original design specifications and quality standards.
The Contract also required that IAP screen incoming material against purchase contract requirements and have a procedure for the control of non-conforming material and ensure subcontractor performance, including regarding product quality. The bolt procured by IAP, and identified as a BACB30LU bolt, was used to fasten parts of the E-6B aircraft and was important to ensuring the safety of the aircraft. Between January 1, 2018, and October 26, 2019, IAP knowingly submitted claims for payment to the U.S. Navy as if all contract requirements were met. But, in fact, it provided and billed to the U.S. Navy BACB30LU bolts that were not in conformity with the original equipment manufacturers’ design specifications and quality standards in that the bolts were made from noncompliant metal stock, the head and shank of the bolts were machined instead of forged, the head fillet was not cold worked, and the threads were machined instead of rolled, reducing the life span of the bolts.
Enacted during the Civil War, the False Claims Act is the government’s primary civil tool to combat fraud and abuse in federal programs and procurement.
“Companies that do business with the United States are expected to meet exacting standards, especially when the safety and readiness of our service members are at stake,” Hayes said. “As this settlement makes clear, supplying materials that do not conform to required design specifications and quality standards – while seeking payment as if they did – is unacceptable. This office will continue to use the False Claims Act to hold contractors accountable and to protect the integrity of federal procurement and the interests of the United States.”
“Contract fraud is not a victimless crime; it is a direct threat to our national security and the safety of our warfighters,” Dillard said. “DCIS along with the Department of Justice and our investigative partners will continue to utilize all available tools, including civil settlements, to safeguard the resources of the Department of Defense and ensure that our men and women in uniform receive the quality products and services they deserve.”
“Ensuring the integrity of the defense supply chain is essential to protecting our most sensitive national security assets and the safety of the personnel who rely on them,” Gross said. “This investigation underscores the serious risk posed when contractors compromise the quality of equipment used on Navy platforms. NCIS, in close coordination with our partners, remains committed to holding those individuals accountable and safeguarding both operational readiness and the lives of those who serve.”
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended DCIS Special Agent Samuel Peyton and the NCIS agents for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tarra DeShields who handled this case.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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David I. Courcelle Takes Oath of Office as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of LouisianaRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle took the oath of office today at the United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana before family, former colleagues, members of the judiciary and a host of well-wishers. Chief United States District Judge Wendy B. Vitter Judge presided over the Oath of Office ceremony. On June 30, 2025, Mr. Courcelle was nominated by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 2025.
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Courcelle will serve as the chief federal law enforcement official for the Eastern District of Louisiana. The Eastern District of Louisiana consists of the following thirteen (13) parishes located in South Louisiana: Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington. He will lead a dedicated staff of prosecutors and support staff tasked with the mission of protecting and serving all residents of Southeast Louisiana through the enforcement of the laws of the United States.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Courcelle practiced law for 30 years and has extensive experience in both criminal and civil law. Additionally, he has served as City Attorney for the City of Harahan, and as Parish Attorney for the Parish of Jefferson. Most recently, Mr. Courcelle managed the Law Office of David I. Courcelle, LLC in Metairie, Louisiana, handling criminal and civil matters, and represented the Parish of Jefferson.
Mr. Courcelle is a proud graduate of De La Salle High School, University of New Orleans (UNO) and Loyola College of Law.
Braden Boucek Sworn in to Serve as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of TennesseeRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Braden Boucek was sworn in on December 24, 2025, as the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. In a brief ceremony, Judge Whitney Hermandorfer of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit administered the oath of office at the Fred D. Thompson Federal Courthouse in Nashville.
Mr. Boucek was nominated by President Donald J. Trump on July 1, 2025, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 2025. In that role, he serves as the chief federal prosecutor and legal representative of the United States for the 32 counties and approximately 2.9 million residents of Middle Tennessee.
“I want to thank President Trump for nominating me to this important position and Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty for their strong support during the confirmation process. I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me to defend the life, liberty, and property of a sovereign people. I thank the American people for giving me the opportunity to once again secure the blessings of liberty as protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States. I am eager to get to work.”
Prior to becoming United States Attorney, Mr. Boucek served as the senior vice president of litigation at the Southeastern Legal Foundation having previously served as the vice president of legal affairs at the Beacon Center. Mr. Boucek has extensive experience as a prosecutor, starting his career at the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office before serving for two years as an Assistant District Attorney General in Williamson County. He was a federal prosecutor for ten years, first serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Tennessee from 2005 to 2011. From 2011 to 2015, Mr. Boucek was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee, the district he will now lead as the United States Attorney.
During his legal career, Mr. Boucek has tried multiple jury trials at the state and federal level and argued dozens of cases before state and federal appellate courts including the Tennessee Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Mr. Boucek earned his B.A. at the University of Richmond and his J.D. from Florida State University College of Law. He has been practicing law in Tennessee since 2001.
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Beaver Falls Felon Charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of violating a federal firearms law, First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Jayvon Turner, 23, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on or about August 16, 2025, Turner had a firearm and ammunition in his possession after previously having been convicted of a felony on a state robbery charge. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Arizona Couple That Ran Medical Clinic Business Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and to Violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic ActRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Mary Blakley, 76, and Fred Blakley, 61, both of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and to defraud the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The defendants were charged by superseding indictment in June of this year, along with their business associate, Janmarie Lanzo, 66, also of Lake Havasu City. Lanzo pleaded guilty earlier this month to one count of conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and defraud the FDA.
Fred Blakley also pleaded guilty to an information charging him with possession of a firearm by a felon, after investigators seized more than 30 firearms and 30,000 rounds of ammunition from a garage he used. He had been previously convicted of federal charges for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
As detailed in court filings, Mary Blakley, who described herself as “Doctor Mary,” and Fred Blakley were the principals of a medical clinic business that charged clients throughout the United States approximately $300 — usually in cash — for conducting what the defendants described as “full body scans” using an ultrasound machine. Lanzo worked in the clinics and sold products to clients that were recommended by Mary Blakley as a result of the scans.
The defendants falsely claimed that, through the deployment of “smart chip technology” supposedly invented by Mary Blakley and installed in conventional ultrasound machines, their “full body scans” could diagnose, treat, and cure a wide variety of human diseases and medical conditions, including cancers. Mary Blakley would claim to “activate” the “smart chip” or “light it up like a Christmas tree” to detect cancer cells. She would also claim to conduct non-invasive colonoscopies, measure immune system levels, and clean out scarring or toxins from the lungs or brainstem, among other feats. All of these claims were false.
Based on the results of these “full body scans,” the defendants falsely and fraudulently prescribed various supplements, creams, and veterinary products. The defendants promoted and sold Aetheion, a product marketed as a cosmetic cream, to treat cancer, gastric hernias, and various other conditions. In fact, Mary Blakley would claim to activate a “laser” on her ultrasound machine to “drive” Aetheion cream into a patient’s body to kill cancer cells.
The defendants also promoted and sold fenbendazole to treat cancer in humans. Fenbendazole is a veterinary antiparasitic (intended for deworming horses and other animals) that is not approved for use in humans; indeed, fenbendazole packaging even warns that it should not be used in animals intended for human consumption. In addition, the defendants promoted and sold ProArgi9+, a vitamin supplement, to treat cardiovascular disease and to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
To promote their clinics and gain the trust of potential clients, the defendants made various false and misleading claims touting Mary Blakley’s background and credentials. For instance, Mary claimed that she had obtained a Ph.D. from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. However, she never attended the Karolinska Institutet, and in fact, has never left the United States.
To conceal their scheme, the defendants falsely claimed they were only doing research, when they actually sold products and services and refused to keep any records or documentation; used coded language, avoiding terms like “diagnose” or “prescribe” and saying “bad cells” instead of “cancer”; and disguised the nature of the clinics as a private or religious organization, requiring clients to execute membership or confidentiality agreements.
The Blakleys are scheduled to be sentenced in April. Mary Blakley faces a maximum possible term of 25 years in prison. Fred Blakley faces up to 40 years in prison. Lanzo is scheduled to be sentenced in March and faces a maximum possible term of five years in prison.
This case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Newtown Square Resident Agency and the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ruth Mandelbaum and Paul G. Shapiro and Special Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Bowerman.
Alleged ISIS Sympathizer Who Attempted to Provide Bomb Materials Federally Charged with International Terrorism OffenseRead the Press Release
An alleged ISIS sympathizer has been federally charged with an international terrorism offense after providing bomb components and money to individuals he believed were acting on behalf of a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
“This case is a testament to the incredible work of our federal agents, who work tirelessly to save American lives,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “ISIS’s poisonous ideology must be ripped out root and stem — anyone who tries to commit violence on ISIS’s behalf will be found, arrested, and prosecuted. You cannot hide from us.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the FBI’s commitment to combatting terrorism and demonstrates our continuous work to disrupt and thwart terrorist plots against the American public,” said FBI Director, Kash Patel. “Let this serve as a warning to those who plan to conduct attacks against the United States on behalf of terrorist organizations– you will be brought to justice.”
“The increasing threats of harm and destruction in our country made by those aligned with violent ideologies must be stopped,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This operation is but one example highlighting the necessity of vigilant observation and swift action to halt what could have been a devastating outcome. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to take prompt action against those attempting to carry out alleged terrorist missions.”
“The FBI worked alongside our law enforcement partners to quickly arrest an individual who intended to provide bomb making materials to a foreign terrorist organization,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “Protecting the Homeland is a top priority for the FBI. This arrest demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding our communities from terrorism.”
“Today’s charges illustrate that the threats of terrorism and extremist violence against our nation are still very real,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “The NYPD remains committed to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling these networks at their source – before they can reach their murderous ends. And any person who puts American lives at risk will face justice and be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I want to thank our undercover investigators in the NYPD, as well as our law enforcement partners in the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for their exceptional work on this case.”
John Michael Garza, Jr., 21, of Midlothian, Texas, was charged last week by federal complaint with the offense of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, after he brought various bomb-making materials to a meeting on Monday evening, December 22, 2025, and gave them to an individual he allegedly believed was an ISIS “brother.” In reality, Garza met with an FBI undercover. During the meeting, Garza described how to mix the components and offered to send an instructional video explaining how to build the bomb. Law enforcement agents arrested Garza shortly after he left the meeting.
According to the complaint, in mid-October 2025, an undercover New York City Police Department employee noticed a particular social media account—later determined to be Garza’s—that followed several other pro-ISIS accounts and that wrote a comment on a pro-ISIS post. When the NYPD undercover engaged with Garza on social media, Garza described himself as a 21-year-old Mexican-American living in Texas. In their continuing conversations throughout November and December, Garza shared that he ascribed to the ISIS ideology and sent the undercover multiple official ISIS media releases. Garza paid the undercover small sums of cryptocurrency in November and December 2025, believing that he was supporting ISIS causes, including buying firearms and other materials. Examples of ISIS media releases that Garza provided included:
Photo of masked individual and another man standing in a gated area Photo of explosion in part of a buildingGarza also allegedly shared a video depicting a suicide vehicle bombing. A screenshot of one bomb-making instructional video shared by Garza is below:
Still photo from video depicting masked and gloved individual prepared to assemble materialsAs alleged, Garza began telling the undercover of his plans to buy materials to make explosives. Garza told the undercover that he would buy the ingredients and agreed to meet with a second individual who Garza believed to support ISIS activities on Monday, December 22, 2025. At the meeting, Garza handed the FBI undercover several explosive components. As alleged, Garza explained how to mix the ingredients and surround them with nails, and he offered to send the undercover an instructional bomb-building video.
Garza appeared before a United States magistrate judge for his initial appearance on December 23, 2025. A probable cause and detention hearing is scheduled for December 30, 2025. If convicted, Garza faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the New York City Police Department, with assistance by FBI’s New York Field Office, Dallas Police Department, Midlothian Police Department, and Euless Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Madeleine Case and DOJ Trial Attorney David Courchaine with the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Albuquerque Man Faces Federal Firearms Charges After Threatening Deputies with Firearm During Traffic StopRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man is federally charged after allegedly pointing a handgun at Bernalillo County Sheriff’s deputies during a November 12, 2025, traffic stop that escalated into a shooting.
According to court documents, on November 12, 2025, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop in Albuquerque for an invalid registration and discovered that the driver’s license was revoked and that passenger Jason Baca, 36, had an outstanding felony warrant. During the arrest attempt, deputies—three of whom were federally deputized U.S. Marshals Service task force officers—observed a handgun concealed on Baca’s person.
Baca resisted arrest, fled on foot, and pointed the firearm toward deputies, prompting deputies to discharge their weapons. Baca was struck, taken into custody, and transported for medical treatment. A loaded pistol was recovered near him.
Baca pointing the firearm towards BCSO Deputy and USMS TFO as they run for cover.As a previously convicted felon, Baca is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a backpack containing fentanyl pills and 25.65 grams of fentanyl powder.
Baca is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, assault on a federal officer, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. Baca faces a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted of the current charges.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Elena Stiteler is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
28 December 2025
Rocky Mount Truck Driver Charged Federally After December 26th Bank Robbery and Shootout with Arresting OfficersRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A United States Magistrate Judge signed a complaint on December 27, 2025, charging Willie Edward Mcgee, Jr. with bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
“As alleged, this defendant didn’t just rob a bank - he threatened innocent civilians with explosives and then opened fire on police officers,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “That is not desperation, it is domestic terror. Thanks to the extraordinary courage and professionalism of our law enforcement partners, he is alive, in custody, and facing decades in federal prison. Let this serve as a warning: if you bring violence into our communities or target the men and women who protect them, this Department of Justice will meet you with the full weight of the federal government and ensure you are removed from the streets for a very long time.”
“When bad guys shoot at our law enforcement partners, we will aggressively pursue federal charges against them. Brave officers in Rocky Mount, and across the nation, regularly put their lives on the line to protect and serve,” said United States Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We honor them and will do everything we can to make sure that they go home to their families at the end of each shift. We intend to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt that this man robbed a bank and shot his gun during and related to that crime of violence. God bless the brave men and women who responded, and rest assured, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina has your back.”
"It is inexcusable for anyone to put the lives of the men and women in blue at risk. They selflessly protect our communities every day, so the rest of us are safe. FBI Charlotte commends the Rocky Mount Police Department for taking immediate action to make an arrest in this case. We also thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of North Carolina for quickly bringing federal charges,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
According to the complaint, on December 26, 2025, Mcgee entered a First Citizens Bank in Zebulon and demanded that the bank teller give him money under the threat of exploding C-4. The teller gave Mcgee $3,234 in cash, and Mcgee fled the bank.
Officers responded to the bank and began investigating the robbery. Surveillance footage depicted Mcgee leaving the scene of the robbery in a semi-truck. Later that day, Rocky Mount Police located the semi-truck in a Hobby Lobby parking lot in Rocky Mount. Police officers were surveilling the semi-truck when Mcgee exited the semi-truck armed with a Ruger AR 5.56 rifle. Mcgee immediately began firing at the officers. Officers returned fire and struck Mcgee. While taking Mcgee into custody, officers recovered the AR rifle he used to shoot at officers and a handgun from Mcgee’s waistband.
As explained in the complaint, several items worn by or used by Mcgee during the robbery were later recovered from the semi-truck.
Thankfully, no law enforcement officers or members of the public were injured during the arrest. Additionally, bomb technicians from the FBI and SBI rapidly responded, secured the scene, and ensured no explosive devices were present.
The federal complaint charges Mcgee with armed bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on the bank robbery charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the discharging a firearm charge.
The FBI, ATF, NC SBI, Zebulon Police Department, and Rocky Mount Police Department are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aria Merle, Charles Loeser, and Tyler Lemons are prosecuting the case.
This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about the alleged crimes, please contact the FBI at (704) 672-6100.
A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
26 December 2025
Federal Inmate Serving Life Sentence Captured in Broward County After Escape from Georgia JailRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal inmate serving a life sentence for carjacking, kidnapping, and robbing multiple victims has been captured in Broward County after escaping from the DeKalb County Jail in Georgia.
Stevenson Charles, 24, had been in federal custody until Dec. 5, when he was transferred to Georgia state custody to await trial on charges related to a 2022 murder and armed robbery. During a routine security check Monday morning, authorities discovered that Charles, along with Yusuf Minor, 31, and Naod Yohannes, 25, were missing from the facility.
“This was a dangerous, violent felon serving a life sentence who escaped custody, kidnapped an innocent victim, crossed state lines, and brought that threat into our community,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Law enforcement moved with speed, coordination, and resolve to hunt him down and take him off the streets. I’m proud of the U.S. Marshals, FBI, ATF, and our state and local partners who worked across jurisdictions to capture these fugitives, and of our prosecutors who are now ensuring they are held fully accountable.”
According to court records, after escaping, Charles, Minor, and Yohannes allegedly used a rideshare service in Georgia and kidnapped the driver. After entering the vehicle, one of the defendants wrapped a rope around the victim’s neck from behind, and then the victim’s hands were bound together. The victim was then forced into the backseat. The defendants allegedly threatened the victim’s life and forced the victim to drive them into South Florida.
Law enforcement later located Charles driving the victim’s vehicle. Charles led police on a pursuit before fleeing on foot. He was apprehended shortly thereafter. A firearm was recovered along the route of the pursuit. Minor and Yohannes were also apprehended late Monday night.
Upon learning of the escape, federal authorities launched a coordinated, multi-agency effort to locate and apprehend the fugitives. The search spanned from DeKalb County, Georgia, across state lines into South Florida.
Charles and Yohannes made their initial appearances in federal court in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 23 on kidnapping charges. Minor is scheduled to make his initial appearance on Dec. 29.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Acting U.S. Marshal Priscilla Perez-Lopez of the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Miami; Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Jason Stankiewicz of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
USMS Miami, FBI Miami, and the ATF Miami Field Office are investigating the case. The investigation and apprehension were supported by the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the Miramar Police Department, and the City of Miami Police Department.
Deputy Chief Elena Smukler-Dominguez assisted with the apprehension, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Maultasch is prosecuting the case.
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24 December 2025
Russ Ferguson to Lead U.S. Attorney's Office as Presidentially Appointed United States Attorney Following U.S. Senate ConfirmationRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Russ Ferguson will lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office as the presidentially-appointed United States Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, following his confirmation by the United States Senate on December 18, 2025. Nominated by President Donald Trump, who formally signed his commission on December 23, 2025, U.S. Attorney Ferguson took the oath of office, administered by the Honorable Frank D. Whitney, Senior United States District Judge, on Christmas Eve.
Mr. Ferguson was first appointed as interim United States Attorney by Attorney General Pamela Bondi on March 3, 2025, and sworn in on March 11, 2025. He was subsequently unanimously appointed to the position by all federal judges in this district effective June 30, 2025. He was then nominated by the President on July 30, 2025.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve the people of the Western District of North Carolina as their U.S. Attorney,” said U.S. Attorney Ferguson. “We are a district that punches above our weight — and we will continue to deliver justice that is tough, fair, and focused on keeping our communities safe. I am grateful to the President for his trust and to the U.S. Senate for my confirmation. I will continue to approach this responsibility with integrity and accountability.”
As the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Western District of North Carolina, U.S. Attorney Ferguson oversees federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation on behalf of the United States. He leads an office of nearly 100 federal prosecutors and professional staff serving 32 counties across western North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians — the largest federally recognized tribe east of the Mississippi — and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the most-visited national park in the nation.
Since taking office, U.S. Attorney Ferguson has:
- Increased prosecutions by implementing Operation Take Back America to dismantle gang and cartel networks operating in Western North Carolina and target drug-induced violence and large-scale drug trafficking networks.
- Strengthened partnerships with law enforcement to increase prosecutions of convicted felons in possession of illegal firearms, repeat offenders, and those drivers of violent crime.
- Expanded outreach to nonprofit organizations and community advocates to enhance crime prevention strategies, education, and engagement through partnerships in rural counties.
- Expanded protections for vulnerable populations by prioritizing cases involving older adults and children.
- Prioritized recouping public dollars and protecting government-funded programs from fraud through increased criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson brings more than 16 years of legal experience to the office. He began his career as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where he tried 28 cases to verdict, and served as Legislative Counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Prior to returning to public service, he was a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson and led the firm’s complex litigation group, handling high-profile civil and criminal matters in courtrooms and arbitration tribunals around the world.
He has been recognized for professional excellence and service by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, North Carolina Business Elite, and the Charlotte Business Journal’s Forty Under Forty Award. The Mecklenburg County Bar honored him with its award for Best Individual Attorney for his dedication to pro bono service. Ferguson has written and presented extensively on issues involving federal criminal practice and complex litigation.
U.S. Attorney Ferguson has served the community by serving on the Board of NourishUp, Charlotte’s food pantry and meals on wheels organization, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to addressing hunger and supporting families in need. He also previously served on Keep Charlotte Beautiful, to which he was appointed by the City Council, and on the Mecklenburg County Bar’s Board of Directors.
A Duke University graduate, Ferguson earned his law degree and Master of Laws from Georgetown University Law Center. He clerked for Judge Frank D. Whitney of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Las Cruces Man Charged After School Shooting Threat Posted on Social MediaRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man is facing federal charges after authorities investigated a social media post threatening to shoot up a school and recovered a loaded firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents, on December 17, 2025, the FBI received an emergency disclosure from TikTok regarding a comment posted during a livestream threatening to “shoot up a school” and kill children. The threat was traced to a Las Cruces, New Mexico residence associated with Dion Lee Torres, 25, after investigators linked the TikTok account, Google account records, and IP address to him.
Las Cruces Police Department officers responded to the residence and observed Torres actively smoking marijuana and learned he possessed a firearm. Based on the threat of imminent violence, officers obtained an Extreme Risk Firearms Protection Order and seized a loaded firearm, three fully loaded magazines, and ammunition including armor piercing rounds.
Torres is charged with possession of a firearm by a person who is addicted to or an unlawful user of a controlled substance, and he will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. Torres faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the current charge.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Dickens is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chinese National Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking ReptilesRead the Press Release
A federal judge in Buffalo, New York, yesterday sentenced Wei Qiang Lin, of Brooklyn, New York, to two years in prison for falsely labeling live turtles, snakes, and lizards as toys prior to exporting them in delivery boxes destined to Hong Kong. Lin was also fined $2,339, which is how much U.S. currency he had on him when he was arrested.
According to court filings, between August 2023 and November 2024, Lin exported to Hong Kong approximately 222 parcels containing around 850 turtles, but he labeled the boxes as containing “plastic animal toys,” among other things, in violation of the Lacey Act. The approximate market value of the turtles was $1.4 million. Law enforcement intercepted the turtles during customs inspections and observed them bound and taped inside knotted socks within the shipping boxes.
Lin also attempted to export protected Abronia lizards and venomous green tree vipers and palm pit vipers. The wildlife is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers also intercepted packages shipped by Lin that contained rare Cora mud turtles. The Buffalo Zoo used the seized turtles to set up the first-ever assurance colony for the species, which can be used to repopulate them if the wild population becomes unsustainable.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York, and Assistant Director Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement announced the sentence.
Lin was investigated and charged as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Operation Terrapene, which is an ongoing operation coordinated with other federal and local law enforcement agencies to detect turtle smugglers and dismantle highly-organized syndicates. Federal agencies include Customs and Border Protection, Postal Inspections Service, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Trial Attorney Rachel Roberts and Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango for the Western District of New York prosecuted the case.
Ayer Company Agrees to Pay over $1.3 Million to Resolve Allegations of PPP Loan FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc. (Cambrooke), a company headquartered in Ayer, Mass., has agreed to pay $1,360,819.04 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which it was not eligible.
cambrooke_settlement_agreement.pdf
Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses through the PPP, which the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administered. The PPP provided for loans in two “draws”—first draw loans became available in March 2020. Businesses were required to certify on their loan applications that they met certain size standards based on, for example, the number of employees they employed. On May 5, 2020, the SBA issued guidance that, for purposes of assessing whether the borrower met the size standards for a first draw loan, an applicant must count all of its employees, as well as the employees of its U.S. and foreign affiliates, absent an exception.
As detailed in the settlement agreement, Cambrooke admitted that, on or about May 15, 2020, it applied for a first draw PPP loan and certified that it was eligible to receive the loan under the PPP rules. When it applied, Cambrooke, together with its Japanese parent company, exceeded the applicable size standards for eligibility. Cambrooke later sought and received forgiveness from the SBA of the full amount of that loan.
The settlement credits Cambrooke for cooperation under the Department of Justice’s Guidelines for Taking Voluntary Disclosure, Cooperation and Remediation into Account in False Claims Act Matters.
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The relator will receive 10% of the settlement amount under today’s settlement. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc., No. 25-cv-10220-RGS (D. Mass.).
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley and the U.S. Small Business Administration made the announcement today. Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey E. Weinstein of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the case.
23 December 2025
Wolf Point man appears on murder chargesRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Wolf Point man accused of murdering a man by arson on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was arraigned yesterday, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Anthony David Flynn, 35, pleaded not guilty to an indictment charging him with felony murder and arson. If convicted of the most serious charge contained in the indictment, Flynn faces mandatory life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston presided. Flynn was detained pending further proceedings.
Count 1 of the indictment alleges that on or about September 28, 2024, at and near Wolf Point, Flynn unlawfully and with malice aforethought killed John Doe, by smoke inhalation and thermal injuries, in the perpetration of arson.
Count 2 of the indictment alleges that on or about September 28, 2024, at and near Wolf Point, Flynn willfully and maliciously set fire to and burned a structure at 200 1st Ave. S. in Wolf Point.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kalah Paisley is prosecuting the case. The FBI, Fort Peck Tribes Department of Law and Justice, Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office, and State of Montana Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.
The charging documents are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
PACER case reference. 25-116.
The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.
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Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime Charge After Stabbing a Metro Bus PassengerRead the Press Release
A Washington man pleaded guilty today to a federal hate crime charge for violently assaulting and stabbing a black female bus passenger because of her race.
According to records filed in the case, on March 7, 2024, Adan C. Hernandez-Mayoral made derogatory comments about black people while he was riding a King County Metro bus. Hernandez-Mayoral then yelled at another passenger on the bus, and made racially derogatory comments directed at the victim, including referring to the woman as “Rosa Parks” and telling her to move to the back of the bus.
The woman walked to the front of the bus to try to get help and call the police, but Hernandez-Mayoral followed her. When the bus stopped, Hernandez-Mayoral pushed the woman off the bus and repeatedly assaulted her. He then pulled out a knife and stabbed at the victim numerous times before running away. Fortunately, the victim was wearing a heavy coat that prevented the knife from puncturing her skin, but the assault and stabbing caused bodily injury to the victim. Shortly after the assault, Kent Police located Hernandez-Mayoral hiding under a car, where he was then arrested.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Charles Neil of the Western District of Washington, and FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington of the of the FBI Seattle Field Office made the announcement.
Hernandez-Mayoral is scheduled to be sentenced on March 17, 2026. The maximum penalty is 10 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Kent Police Department and the FBI, with the cooperation and support of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica M. Manca for the Western District of Washington.
Utah Ringleader of COVID-19 Scheme Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –Halee Ann Mehlbauer, 40, of Tooele, Utah, was sentenced today to 15 months’ imprisonment after she fraudulently obtained approximately $177,030 in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans, along with her codefendant, Timothy Lopez, which they did not qualify for. She was also sentenced to two years’ supervised release and ordered by the court to pay $177,030 in restitution, of which $48,507 is to be paid jointly with Lopez.
The COVID-19 PPP Loans were provided to small businesses for funding to meet specific obligations, including payroll and rent during the pandemic.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow, comes after Mehlbaurer pleaded guilty on September 24, 2025, to wire fraud and money laundering. Her codefendant, Lopez was sentenced to time served.
According to court documents and statements made at Mehlbauer’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning about July 15, 2020, and continuing to about January 15, 2022, Mehlbauer engaged in a Paycheck Protection Program Loan scheme and fraudulently obtained money through small lenders and the Small Businiss Administration. She did so by providing false information on multiple PPP-Loan and other lender applications and provided supporting documents in the name of nonexistent businesses. Mehlbauer knowingly defrauded the PPP Loan Program alone of at least $177,030. See prior press release: Utah Residents Accused of Running a COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme Face Federal Charges.
Once approved for PPP Loan funds, Mehlbauer and her codefendant, Timothy Lopez, used the funds on personal expenses such as gambling, debt payments, car rental payments, and other miscellaneous expenses that were not related to any authorized payroll expenses for any of their alleged businesses.
“Every dollar that Mehlbauer received in PPP-Loan funds was taxpayer money,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Mehlbauer fraudulently obtained funds meant for honest business owners faced with weathering the storm of a global pandemic and her fraud will not go unpunished. It is our hope her sentence deters others from taking advantage of government programs.”
“The defendants helped themselves to funds intended for small businesses struggling to stay in business during the COVID pandemic,” said SBA OIG’s Western Region Acting Special Agent in Charge Tim Larson. “SBA OIG and its law enforcement partners will continue to diligently protect the integrity of the SBA and its programs designed to strengthen small businesses and the economy of the United States. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
"Driven by greed, these defendants defrauded the government, unlawfully diverting funds that were meant to support struggling small business owners and workers during a national emergency," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "The FBI is committed to holding accountable those who exploit government resources for personal profit at the expense of those in need."
“This sentencing demonstrates the commitment of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to investigate and bring to justice those who victimize the American taxpayer,” said Krystofor Proev, TIGTA Special Agent-in-Charge. “Fraudulently applying for loans through a federal program meant to assist Americans in need will be met with aggressive investigation and prosecution. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to this goal.”
The Utah Federal COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force investigated the case, which includes Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of Inspector General’s U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). The public is encouraged to share information about the abuse of the Paycheck Protection Program or other SBA programs by submitting a complaint here.
Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division's prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.Two Mexican men arrested, charged with illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jorge Luis Gonzalez-Roman, 39, And Jose Clemente Trujillo-Mejia, 42, both natives and citizens of Mexico, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with illegal re-entry, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaints, on December 6, 2025, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Gonzalez-Roman was riding in. Three occupants of the vehicle, including Gonzalez-Roman refused to provide identification or answer any questions. They were removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. Further investigation determined that Gonzalez-Roman is a native and citizen of Mexico. He was physically removed three separate times from the United States in October and November of 2008.
Also on December 6, 2025, law enforcement conducted a separate traffic stop of the vehicle Trujillo-Mejia was riding in. When questioned by law enforcement, Trujillo-Mejia initially claimed he was a United States Citizen, but claimed he did not have any identification. Law enforcement observed a Mexican Consular card clearly visible in his wallet at which time Trujillo-Mejia admitted he was illegally present in the United States. Further investigations determined that Trujillo-Mejia is a native and citizen of Mexico, who was physically removed from the United Stated in April 2003 and July 2005.
Gonzalez-Roman and Trujillo-Mejia made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were detained.
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 complaints are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato.
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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Two Members of Violent Gang Alliance Charged with Murdering A Sixteen-Year-Old Boy in the BronxRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Ricky J. Patel, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), Jessica S. Tisch, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging AHMAR GARCIA, a/k/a “OB,” and RAHEEM PATTERSON, a/k/a “Rah Rah,” with committing the murder of sixteen-year-old Nisayah Sanchez on September 29, 2021, as a result of a gang war that plagued the city throughout that year that cost the lives of multiple young men and boys throughout the Bronx. They are also charged with an attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon which injured another victim during that same shooting. PATTERSON is also charged with an attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon that occurred on December 2, 2021, when he shot at a rival gang member in Manhattan.
GARCIA and PATTERSON were each brought into federal custody from New York State custody where they had each been serving state sentences for other violent crimes. The defendants will be presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave later today. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.
“These charges stem from a violent gang war that played out on the streets of New York and ended with the cold-blooded murder of sixteen-year-old Nisayah Sanchez,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “I want to thank the women and men of this Office and our law enforcement partners who never wavered in the over four years since Sanchez’s senseless murder. Our Office will bring gun-toting criminals who threaten the safety of New Yorkers to justice.”
“As alleged, the defendants’ callous disregard for human life—brazenly carrying out an attack in broad daylight and then boasting about their crimes online—will not be tolerated,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “For too long, these criminal organizations have terrorized neighborhoods and placed innocent lives at risk—leaving families shattered and communities living in fear. This indictment marks a decisive blow against the violent street gangs that have inflicted fear and devastation on our neighborhoods. HSI New York, the New York City Police Department, and the Southern District of New York are unwavering in our commitment to rooting out those who threaten the safety of our streets.”
“Ahmar Garcia and Raheem Patterson allegedly turned a gang rivalry into the killing of a 16-year-old boy on a Bronx street in broad daylight,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “That decision ended a young life, devastated a family, and put an entire community in danger. When violence is carried out this openly—and then celebrated—it demands a decisive response. This case shows what focused enforcement and strong federal partnerships can accomplish, and why the NYPD will continue to pursue violent gangs before they can take another life. I thank Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for their partnership in bringing these charges.”
According to the allegations in the Indictment:[1]
Since at least 2019, two warring alliances of violent street gangs engaged in retaliatory shootings, resulting in multiple young men and boys being shot, injured, and killed. After each shooting, the gangs glorified their acts of violence against their rivals, taunting them for their dead gang members, and promoting their own gangs and their allies via social media and through their rap videos. These posts and videos in turn fueled the cycle of violence, where the rival gangs retaliated against each other for each shooting, taunt, or perceived slight.
Over the spring and summer of 2021, these two alliances engaged in a gang war that included multiple shootings against their enemies, real or perceived. These shootings resulted in the deaths of multiple young men and boys throughout the Bronx. On one side of this gang war was an alliance consisting principally of the MacBallers, the Drillys, and the 800 YGz gangs, which historically and generally aligned, collectively or through its individual members, with the Bloods. On the other side of this gang war was an opposing alliance principally including the Sev Side, Third Side, and Reyway gangs, all neighborhood sets generally aligned with the Crips.
On September 29, 2021, in retaliation for the murders of their own gang members, and to promote their own standing in their respective gangs, members of the alliance of MacBallers, Drillys, and 800 YGz gangs, including AHMAR GARCIA, a/k/a “OB,” and RAHEEM PATTERSON, a/k/a “Rah Rah,” shot and killed Nisayah Sanchez, a 16-year-old member of the rival Sev Side, Third Side, and Reyway gang alliance, by sneaking up beside Sanchez and shooting him to death on a Bronx street in broad daylight, while also shooting and injuring another rival gang member.
A little over two months later, on December 2, 2021, PATTERSON and another member of his gang alliance shot multiple times at a rival gang member in midtown Manhattan as the rival was leaving a restaurant.
* * *
GARCIA, 25, and PATTERSON, 28, both of the Bronx, New York, are each charged (with respect to the September 29, 2021, shooting) with murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a mandatory sentence of life or death; conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and discharging a firearm during an in relation to a crime of violence, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. PATTERSON is also charged (with respect to the December 2, 2021, shooting) with attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and discharging a firearm during an in relation to a crime of violence, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison.
The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of HSI and the NYPD. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its assistance.
The case is being prosecuted by the Office’s Violent Organizations and Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Herman and Patrick R. Moroney are in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Two Honduran men plead guilty to, sentenced for illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Arlen Saul Castillo, 29, and Jonathan Esteban Osario Lopez, 32, both natives and citizens of Honduras, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to illegal re-entry. They were then sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who handled the case, stated that Arlen Saul Castillo and Jonathan Esteban Osario Lopez are citizens and nationals of Honduras without any legal status in the United States. On October 8, 2025, Border Patrol encountered the defendants in Erie County, NY. They did have any documents allowing them to be legally present in the United States. In December 2018, Saul Castillo was physically removed from the United States. Jonathan Esteban Osario Lopez was physically removed from the United States in August 2013 and December 2013.
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 pleas and sentencings are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
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Twenty-Eight Defendants Charged with Narcotics and Firearms Offense for their Roles in Enterprise Associated with the Bloods Street GangRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Twenty-six people have been charged for their roles in a drug trafficking organization affiliated with a neighborhood street gang that operated and distributed large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine in Riverside Villa Public Housing Complex and other areas of Newark, Senior Counsel Philip Lamparello announced. Two additional people were charged for firearms offenses, including their role in a shooting in a rival gang’s territory.
Tahjuan Ferrell, a/k/a “Jers,” Raymon Rodriguez, a/k/a “Ray Ray,” Ricky Colon, Jr., Sayyied Anderson, a/k/a “Sal,” Carnell Wright, a/k/a “Jay,” Briant Haynes, a/k/a “B,” Rashon Wheeler, a/k/a “Petey,” Demetrius Julu, Nero Whitehead, a/k/a “Woo,” Dawud Cross, a/k/a “Mu,” Joseph Johnson, a/k/a “Pearl,” Yusef Mack, a/k/a “Gutter,” Alsharick King, a/k/a “Ghost,” Montrel Jordan, a/k/a “Trillz,” Patrick Jordan, a/k/a “Swerve,” Raheam Springer, Ibn Rogers, Blake Howard, Daniel Valentin, Mekhi Lawrence, a/k/a “MK,” Craig Walker, a/k/a “Lean,” Kevin Wiley, a/k/a “LB,” Quince Melvin, Nakki Melvin, Ricardo Gonzalez, a/k/a “Ricky” and Quadir Simmons a/k/a “Scoom” all of Essex County, New Jersey, were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
Quasir Miranda, a/k/a “Space,” and Zakiyy Houser, a/k/a “GBK” are also each charged with unlawful possession of ammunition in a school zone in connection with the February 18, 2025 attempted shooting of a rival gang member.
Several of the defendants have already made initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais in Newark federal court. Previously, twenty-five defendants were arrested and made initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessia S. Allen in Newark federal court and before U.S. Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams in Tampa, Florida.
The defendants are members or associates of a neighborhood-based street gang operating in and around the Riverside Villa Public Housing Complex, 4th Avenue and North 12th Street, and the Garden Spires Apartments in Newark, New Jersey (the “Enterprise”), among other areas. The Enterprise is affiliated with the Bloods criminal street gang.
Law enforcement conducted extensive surveillance of the area, made numerous controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics, and analyzed telephone records, all of which demonstrated extensive interactions among the defendants.
Those charged in the drug conspiracy face a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, maximum potential penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. Miranda and Houser each face up to 5 years in prison for unlawful possession of ammunition in a school zone.
Hundreds of members of law enforcement were instrumental in the investigation and arrests of these defendants. Special Counsel Lamparello credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, under the Director of Field Operations Francis Russo; HSI New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; HSI Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy; members of the United Marshals Service, under the direction of U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey Juan Mattos; detectives of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Chief Mitchell G. McGuire, III; police officers and detectives of the East Orange Police Department, under the direction of Director Maurice Boyd and Chief Phyllis L. Bindi; detectives of the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan police officers and detectives with the Belleville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Minichini; as well as police officers and detectives with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Orange Police Department, Bloomfield Police Department, Jersey City Police Department, Florham Park Police Department, Morristown Police Department, and Ramsey Police Department for their assistance in the apprehension of the members of the Enterprise.
The investigation was conducted as part of the Newark Violent Crime Initiative (“VCI”). The Newark VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI is composed of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, the ATF, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New Jersey Division, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Parole, Union County Jail, New Jersey State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, New Jersey Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department.
This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Nadel and Jason Goldberg of the Narcotics and International Trafficking Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel:
Tahjuan Ferrell: Frank P. Arleo, Esq.
Raymon Rodriguez: Rahul Agarwal, Esq.
Sayyied Anderson: Michael Pappa, Esq.
Carnell Wright: Ernesto Cermiele, Esq.
Briant Hanyes: Arthur Paul Condon, Jr., Esq.
Rashon Wheeler: Stephen N. Dratch, Esq.
Demetrius Julu: Laura K. Gasiorowski, Esq.
Nero Whitehead: Charles McKenna, Esq.
Dawud Cross: Michael V. Gilberti, Esq.
Joseph Johnson: Maximillian A. Novel, Esq.
Yusef Mack Michael Rosas, Esq.
Alsharick King: Aidan P. O’Connor, Esq.
Montrel Jordan: James Seplowitz, Esq.
Patrick Jordan: William Strazza, Esq.
Raheam Springer: Mary Toscano Carpenito, Esq.
Ibn Rogers: Stephen Turano, Esq.
Blake Howard: Wanda Akin, Esq.
Daniel Valentin: Adrien Moncur, Esq.
Mekhi Lawrence: John A. Azzarello, Esq.
Craig Walker: Carlos Diaz-Cobo, Esq.
Kevin Wiley: Gary Mizzone, Esq.
Quince Melvin: Alyssa A. Cimino, Esq.
Nakki Melvin: Charles Alvarez, Esq.
Ricardo Gonzalez: Shawn Barnes, Esq.
Quadir Simmons: Lorraine Gauli-Rufo, Esq.
Quasir Miranda: John McMahon, Esq.
Zakiyy Houser: F.R. “Chip” Dunne, III, Esq.
grafton_et_al.indictment.pdfTransient Man Sentenced to Life for Kidnapping, Beating, and Sexually Assaulting an Elderly WomanRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A transient Tulsa man who was retried and found guilty a second time was sentenced to life in prison, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced.
Today, U.S. District Judge John F Heil, III, sentenced Elga Eugene Harper, 43, to life imprisonment after a federal jury convicted him of Kidnapping in Indian Country; Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and Threat in Indian Country; Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country; and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country.
According to court documents, in May 2022, Harper showed up at Ellen Finlay's (Ellie) house unannounced. She was a nun and knew that Harper was homeless. Ellie would pay Harper to fix things around her home. Ellie told Harper that she had no work for him. He requested to use the restroom, and Ellie allowed him to.
When Ellie testified, she stated that Harper had been gone for a while and that she went to check on him. When she found Harper, he was in her bedroom naked and immediately attacked her. Ellie described to the jury how Harper bound her arms and legs and tied a noose around her neck. Then Harper made her move to the shower, where he sexually assaulted her. Harper physically and sexually assaulted her for more than four hours, went through her home, and took some of her possessions.
Harper was found guilty during his federal trial in February 2023, and sentenced a few months later in July. Harper then filed an appeal to the Tenth Circuit Court, and the guilty verdict was overturned in October 2024, causing a retrial. While awaiting retrial, Ellie passed away on February 4, 2025.
In August 2025, a new jury was selected when Harper was retried. Law enforcement and witnesses retestified to the events that happened in 2022. The jury heard audio from the 911 call where Ellie cried for help and described being physically assaulted. During the 911 call and on the officers' body cameras, Ellie can be heard saying that “Elga Harper” was the person who attacked her.
Body camera video and photos shown to the jury displayed the brutality of the violence that Harper committed on Ellie.
During sentencing today, a victim impact statement written by Ellie in 2023 was read on her behalf. In that statement, Ellie said:
“Everyone who knows me knows that I am a practicing Christian. As such I have an obligation to forgive my enemies, to bless those who curse me and to pray for those who despitefully use me. I am struggling to fulfill this obligation with sincerity. I pray that God will turn Mr. Harper’s heart from evil to good, will lead him to repentance and will give him the knowledge and understanding that he is loved by the God who created him and who grieves for the great wrong he has done.
I also, as a Christian, have the obligation to love my neighbor as myself and my neighbor, most assuredly, is the next woman out there who may well fall prey to Mr. Harper’s horrific propensity for violence if he were to be a free member of society at any point during the remainder of his life. It is my honest conviction that he should not ever, ever, ever be free again.”
Harper is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. He will continue to remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI and Tulsa Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melody Nelson, Valeria Luster, and Kenneth Elmore prosecuted the case.
Three defendants receive prison sentences in unrelated drug trafficking casesRead the Press Release
WICHITA – Three defendants received lengthy prison sentences after pleading guilty in separate, unrelated drug trafficking cases.
“The hefty sentences these defendants received reflect how serious our office is about prosecuting drug trafficking crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Illegal drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine destroy lives and ruin families. We are putting criminals who are operating drug trafficking networks in Kansas on notice to prepare for severe consequences.”
According to court documents, Dashea G. “Baby Cherry” Henderson, 38, of Wichita was sentenced to 156 months in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime.
Henderson admitted to his part in a drug trafficking network to distribute fentanyl.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.
In a separate case, Timothy Daniel Finley, 64, of Wichita was sentenced to 220 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, in March 2023, the Wichita Police Department received information that methamphetamine was being sold at a house on South Hydraulic Avenue. After executing a search warrant, officers found approximately 2,661 grams of methamphetamine, $68,736 in cash, eight firearms, three digital scales, and other materials conducive with drug dealing in a bedroom belonging to Finley.
The Wichita Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the case.
Nicole Rae Kiesel, 39, of Garden City was sentenced to 120 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to court documents, in May 2024, Finney County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped a vehicle in which Kiesel was a passenger. After a canine detected the presence of narcotics, deputies did a vehicle search and found drug paraphernalia fentanyl and methamphetamine. All three vehicle occupants were taken into custody, but Kiesel was transported to the hospital after complaining of pain. While at hospital, she unsuccessfully tried to flush items she hid on her person. Later, 600 fentanyl pills were discovered in and around a wheelchair where she had been sitting.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.
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