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24 September 2026
South Portland Man Sentenced for Trafficking CocaineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Maine: A South Portland man was sentenced on September 22, 2026, in U.S. District Court in Portland for distributing controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. sentenced Lynel Moultrie, 43, to 21 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Moultrie pleaded guilty on March 12, 2026.
According to court records, in February and March 2024, an undercover agent with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency posing as a drug runner purchased cocaine from Moultrie on at least three occasions. Those transactions were surveilled and recorded by law enforcement.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the South Portland Police Department, and the Gorham Police Department investigated this case.
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Six Indicted on Drug-Trafficking Charges in Connection with Federal InvestigationRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced, today, that six individuals face indictment stemming from a federal drug trafficking organization (DTO) investigation.George Robinson, 58, of Baltimore; Shane Green, 50, of Baltimore; Shawn Hearn, 53, of Baltimore; Cori Grant, 47, of Baltimore; Vanessa Dancy, 59, of Baltimore; and Angela Pugh-Smith, 61, of Dayton, Ohio, are charged with drug-trafficking crimes in connection with the federal investigation. The co-conspirators are all charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances while some of them face additional charges.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Cindy Marx, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; Clinton J. Fuchs, U.S. Marshal for the District of Maryland (USMS); and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).
According to the indictment, Robinson is also charged with three counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Additionally, Grant, Green, Hearn, and Pugh-Smith are each charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
As revealed in court documents, in September 2025, the DEA began investigating the DTO after it learned about Robinson’s reputation as a well-known, large-scale drug supplier in Baltimore. Confidential sources informed law enforcement that Robinson owned numerous legitimate businesses that he used to launder money. Additionally, the confidential sources estimated Robinson obtained between 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine at a time. One source also believed Robinson possessed heroin and/or fentanyl.
Then during the investigation, law enforcement observed that between October 2025 and May 2026, on six different occasions, Robinson received large drug shipments concealed inside steel structures. The steel structures were packed in crates that were loaded on flatbed trailers and delivered to two warehouses in Baltimore. Robinson then allegedly unloaded the drugs and concealed them inside these warehouses. Law enforcement also discovered that Robinson stored drug proceeds inside the crates and steel structures, loaded them onto flatbed trailers, and then shipped them to his drug supplier.
On May 6, law enforcement executed search warrants at Robinson’s residence, warehouses, laundromat, and other locations associated with DTO members. During the search, investigators seized more than 140 kilograms of cocaine; approximately 10 kilograms of fentanyl; smaller amounts of a variety of drugs; approximately $1.3 million; firearms; drug-packing paraphernalia; and dozens of cellular devices.
If convicted, the co-conspirators face a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in federal prison for all counts charged in the indictment.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, FBI, USMS, and BPD for their work in the investigation, along with the Baltimore County Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, for their valuable assistance. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys John W. Sippel, Jr., and Calvin Miner who are prosecuting this federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Shreveport Man Charged in Violent Carjacking after Escape from Custody and Multi-Agency ManhuntRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT – On September 17, 2026, a federal criminal complaint was filed charging Tre'veon Jackson, 24, of Shreveport, with Carjacking with Serious Bodily Injury. Jackson was arrested by the United States Marshals Service in Marshall, Texas, and now faces federal charges in Shreveport. Jackson faces up to 25 years in federal prison for the charge.
“When dangerous offenders like Mr. Jackson escape from custody, it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation that requires federal, state, and local law enforcement working together to eliminate the threat. Our Office is proud to have sprung into action alongside our partners to bring federal charges against Mr. Jackson and coordinate with the United States Marshals Service, the FBI, and state and local partners to bring this offender back into custody,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This Office is grateful to all of our law enforcement partners, particularly the United States Marshals Service, for their exceptional diligence locating and apprehending Mr. Jackson. We look forward to seeing justice done in this case.”
“We don’t want to get into the specifics of the capture, but I will say that the United States Marshals Service has the most talented men and women in law enforcement today,” said United States Marshal Brian H. Barber. “This is what we train for, and this is what we do. When we got the call that there was a fugitive, our investigators and deputies were in pursuit within minutes. There was no way Mr. Jackson was getting away with the United States Marshals Service looking for him.”
According to court documents, on September 14, 2026, Jackson escaped from custody during a medical transport. Shortly after his escape, Jackson allegedly approached a man outside a hotel in Bossier City, violently assaulted him, and stole his vehicle. It is further alleged that Jackson then led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase reaching speeds of over 110 miles per hour before crashing the vehicle and fleeing on foot. A multi-agency manhunt ensued, and Jackson remained at large for several days until he was finally located and arrested in Marshall. He is now in federal custody.U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, the Bossier City Police Department, Marshall Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas State Technical College Police Department, and the Texas Rangers investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison Foster and Samuel Crichton, with assistance from Legal Assistant Emily Favrot.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more at www.justice.gov/psn.
You find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 5:26-mj-00233-01.
CONTACT: Public Affairs: Cara.Alexander@usdoj.gov
United States Attorney’s Office: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
X: @USAO_WDLA
Facebook: USAO_WDLA
(337) 262-6704Six Members of Local Criminal Organization Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Six individuals were sentenced by Judge Brian A. Jackson for various charges, including firearm and drug trafficking offenses resulting from an investigation into a drug trafficking organization based out of Ascension Parish.
According to admissions made during their pleas, the defendants engaged in an extensive drug trafficking conspiracy where cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and heroin was distributed in the Middle District of Louisiana. Agents seized several hundred grams of substances containing fentanyl and cocaine, along with multiple firearms.
Leroy Miles, age 47, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Miles was further sentenced to serve four years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered the firearms and ammunition involved be forfeited.
James Miles, age 49, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 158 months in prison, and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Joseph Brown, age 39, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 92 months in prison, and four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of heroin and fentanyl.
Marishell Ealem, age 40, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 80 months in prison, and 3 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and distribution of heroin and fentanyl.
Corey Powe, age 57, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Powe was further sentenced to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered the firearms involved be forfeited.
Destiny Renee McBride, age 35, of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baton Rouge Police Department, Iberville Sheriff’s Office, Gonzales Police Department, and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, with critical assistance from Homeland Security and the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy S. Johnson led the prosecution.
“Every law enforcement agency throughout the Middle District is committed to eliminating these drug trafficking organizations,” Wall said. “The teamwork involved in this investigation is further proof that our Homeland Security Task Force is working.”
“Armed drug trafficking poses an immediate, dangerous threat to public safety,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Keith Bakewell. “By leveraging the full strength of the Homeland Security Task Force and our local law enforcement partners, we systemically dismantled a Donaldsonville drug organization, stripping them of illegally possessed rifles, handguns, and lethal doses of fentanyl.”
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Orleans comprises agents and officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSl), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the United States Marshals Service (USMS), Us. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO), the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the U.S. Coast Guard, Investigative Service (CGlS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (CBP OFO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Us. Border Patrol (CBP BP) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for Middle District of Louisiana.
Ruston and Monroe Men Sentenced for Methamphetamine DistributionRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On September 18, 2026, United States District Judge David C. Joseph sentenced Charles Lamar Williams, 31, of Ruston, to 208 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, followed by five years of supervised release, after his guilty plea on March 16, 2026.
The same day, Judge Joseph sentenced Cameron Donnell Brown, 35, of Monroe, to 48 months in federal prison for Distribution of Methamphetamine, followed by five years of supervised release. His guilty plea was entered on June 18, 2026.
WILLIAMS
According to court documents, on August 16, 2025, Williams possessed a large quantity of controlled substances inside a Ford Fiesta parked at an apartment complex in Ruston. Agents recovered 161.139 grams of pure methamphetamine, 85 grams of cocaine, 11.692 grams of cocaine base, 11 units of hydrocodone, approximately 984 grams of marijuana, 148 grams of synthetic marijuana, 34 fluid units of promethazine, and several units of bromazolam.
BROWN
According to court documents, on March 27, 2023, Brown visited a U.S. Post Office facility in Houston, Texas, and mailed a package containing over two kilograms of methamphetamine pills to individuals in Bastrop, Louisiana. Records show Brown knew what the pills were when he mailed the package and knew they were intended for distribution.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcements.
These cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Postal Service.These cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allison L. Duncan (Williams) and William Gaskins (Brown), with assistance from Legal Assistant Ginger Green and Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Stewart.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found under the following case numbers: 3:25-CR-00294-01 (Williams); and 3:25-CR-00206-02 (Brown).
###CONTACT: Public Affairs: USALAW-News@usdoj.gov
United States Attorney’s Office: www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
X: @USAO_WDLA
Facebook: USAO_WDLA
Cara Alexander: (337) 262-6704Roanoke Woman Indicted for COVID Fraud Scheme – Case Advances Fraud Division CrackdownRead the Press Release
ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke, Virginia woman, who allegedly obtained money from two separate COVID-19-era government programs and then lied on her taxes, was arraigned yesterday in federal court.
Jazmin Jennings, 38, was indicted September 3, 2026 on six charges of making false tax returns and fraudulently obtaining money from two separate COVID-19-era government programs.
According to the indictment, Jennings submitted tax returns for 2020, 2022, and 2023, which falsely underreported her income and did not disclose the operation of her home healthcare business.
The indictment further alleges that Jennings exploited the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a COVID-19 relief program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses. As relayed in the indictment, Jennings’s PPP application falsely reported her business’s gross receipts and claimed that the PPP funds would be used for authorized purposes. Jennings obtained her PPP loan with the help of Jameika Austin. Austin is currently serving 8 years in federal prison for her role in submitting over 100 fraudulent PPP loan applications that caused the disbursement of almost $2,000,000 in PPP funds.
Finally, the indictment alleges that Jennings also exploited pandemic unemployment benefits by falsely claiming that she was not employed, when in actuality she was employed through her business.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci; Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division; and Kareem A. Carter, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal Investigation, Washington DC Field Office, made the announcement.
The FBI and IRS – Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
Assistant United States Attorney Drew O. Inman is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Repeat Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TEXARKANA – A Danville, Arkansas man was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine—his second federal drug trafficking conviction. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court, at Texarkana.
According to court records, on January 25, 2025, Christopher Brent Garner, age 42, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Arkansas State Police in Little River County, for having no visible license plate. During the traffic stop, the Trooper noted that Garner and the vehicle’s driver were both visibly shaking as they explained their recent purchase of the vehicle. While speaking to the pair from outside the vehicle, the Trooper observed items inside it that he recognized as indicative of methamphetamine use. The Trooper had Garner step out and patted him down for weapons. In doing so, the Trooper felt an object in Garner’s pants that he knew was consistent in size and shape with a glass methamphetamine pipe. After seizing the pipe, the Trooper asked Garner how much methamphetamine he had on his person. Garner said he wasn’t sure and allowed the Trooper to recover an amount of methamphetamine from his pants. Garner then told the Trooper there was an additional, larger quantity of methamphetamine hidden atop the vehicle’s spare tire. Upon lowering the spare tire, the Trooper found a box resting on top of it. Inside the box were two zipper baggies containing a total of 1.8 pounds of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. Garner told the Trooper that the driver did not know he had the drugs. Following Miranda warnings, Garner admitted he had intended to distribute that methamphetamine to customers in western Arkansas.
Garner previously served a 100-month federal prison sentence for aiding and abetting the possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute in the Court’s Fort Smith Division. (See W.D. Ark. Docket No. 2:13-CR-20014-001).
United States Attorney Kevin R. Holmes made the announcement. The Arkansas State Police, the Little River County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Graham Jones prosecuted the case for the United States.
This case is part of 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.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Queens Resident Sentenced to 42 Months in Federal Prison for Vehicle Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that LEI ZHOU, also known as “Lei Lei,” 43, of Flushing, New York, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to 42 months of imprisonment for offenses related to a series of vehicle thefts from a Greenwich car dealership utilizing personal information from identity theft victims.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Zhou and others used stolen personal and financial information and stolen or counterfeit identity cards from multiple identity theft victims to apply for loans to purchase or lease at least six luxury vehicles with a total value of more than $650,000 from a car dealership in Greenwich. They then transported the vehicles to New York and sought to resell them.
As an example, on October 4, 2022, Zhou, using a stolen identity, obtained $114,175.31 in financing to purchase a 2021 Chevrolet Corvette from the Greenwich dealership. Zhou also submitted a forged $14,000 check in the name of another identity theft victim as a down payment toward the purchase. He then transported the Corvette to New York for resale.
Most of the vehicles were repossessed before they could be resold.
Zhou has been detained since his arrest on August 30, 2024. On May 22, 2026, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Zhou, a citizen of China and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., has a criminal history that includes convictions for menacing with a weapon, aggravated harassment, and attempted robbery, and a federal conviction in the Southern District of New York related to the trafficking of methamphetamine.
This matter has been investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of the Greenwich Police Department and the New York City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elena L. Coronado.
Queens Man Found Guilty of Three Violent KidnappingsRead the Press Release
Abu Chowdhury was convicted today by a federal jury in Brooklyn of three counts of kidnapping and three counts of conspiring to kidnap. The convictions are in connection with the violent kidnappings of three victims (John Doe-1, John Doe-2 and John Doe-3) over a span of six weeks, from March 27, 2023 to mid-May 2023. The verdict followed a two-week trial before United States District Judge Nina R. Morrison. Prior to this trial, two additional trials were held in March and June 2026 for co-conspirators of the defendant. Specifically, on April 9, 2026, Iffat Lubna, Chowdhury’s then-girlfriend and now wife, was found guilty by a jury of kidnapping and conspiring to kidnap John Doe-2 and John Doe-3. On June 26, 2026, Syed Rubel Ahmed and Sultana Razia were found guilty by a jury of kidnapping John Doe-1. When sentenced, Chowdhury, Lubna, Ahmed, and Razia each face a maximum of life imprisonment.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the verdict.
“Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for the sadistic kidnappings and torture of three separate individuals,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The acts committed by the defendant, along with his co-defendants and co-conspirators, were brutal, senseless, and cannot be tolerated in a civilized society. Our Office is committed to investigating and prosecuting violent crime that endangers our community.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Joint Violent Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of agents from the FBI and detectives from the NYPD, for their assistance with the investigation.
"Chowdhury’s role in three vicious kidnappings has come to light and the jury has found him guilty of barbaric crimes. Along with our partners at the NYPD, the FBI will continue the fight to apprehend these individuals, and bring them to justice. Americans deserve safe communities – not fear, violence, or lawlessness,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
The March 27, 2023 Kidnapping of John Doe-1 in Jamaica, Queens
As proven at trial, over the course of approximately 13 hours on March 27, 2023, Chowdhury, Ahmed, Shahed Alom, Razia, Ruhel Choudhury, and another co-conspirator abducted and assaulted John Doe-1 in Jamaica, Queens. John Doe-1 had been walking in the vicinity of 181st Street and Hillside Avenue when Chowdhury forced him into a Honda SUV. Inside the SUV, Chowdhury began beating John Doe-1 as Ruhel Choudhury drove them around Queens. During the kidnapping, Chowdhury forced John Doe-1 to exit the SUV and filmed the victim standing naked in a residential neighborhood. His criminal co-conspirators communicated with Chowdhury via cellular telephone during the kidnapping, met Chowdhury at different points throughout the night, and took part in further beating and threats to kill John Doe-1. When John Doe-1 begged for water from the kidnappers, the kidnappers gave him water laced with a sedative. John Doe-1 lost consciousness and woke up in a local hospital with multiple injuries the day after he had been abducted. Ruhel and Alom pleaded guilty to their roles in the kidnapping and are awaiting sentencing.
The May 10, 2023 Kidnapping of John Doe-3 in Long Island City, Queens
As proven at trial, over the course of approximately three days, beginning on May 10, 2023, Chowdhury and Lubna lured and trapped John Doe-3 in Chowdhury’s car, tortured him, and shuttled him around various locations in Queens. John Doe-3 and Lubna were college classmates in Bangladesh who reconnected in 2023, after both had moved to the United States. Prior to his kidnapping, Chowdhury had asked John Doe-3 about Lubna’s reputation in college, and shared John Doe-3’s responses with Lubna. Chowdhury and Lubna were enraged by John Doe-3’s characterization of Lubna’s reputation and kidnapped him to punish him for the alleged smearing. While Lubna and Chowdhury kicked and struck John Doe-3 in the car, Chowdhury also called his other criminal partners to join him and Lubna in beating John Doe-3 behind a public school. They used weapons such as a rod and a knife to inflict pain on John Doe-3. They also tied him up and gagged his mouth. Chowdhury forced John Doe-3 to take a pill, which caused him to lose consciousness. Later during the kidnapping, Chowdhury and Lubna took John Doe-2 (discussed below) and John Doe-3 to a hotel room, where they told John Doe-3 that if he did not beat John Doe-2, Chowdhury would beat John Doe-3 again.
The May 11, 2023 Kidnapping of John Doe-2 in Jackson Heights, Queens
As proven at trial, over the course of approximately three days beginning on May 11, 2023, Chowdhury and Lubna abducted and assaulted John Doe-2. John Doe-2 had been waiting to meet Lubna outside a restaurant in the vicinity of 72nd Street and Broadway in Jackson Heights, Queens, for what he thought was a date when Chowdhury forced John Doe-2 into a minivan and began beating him. During the kidnapping, Chowdhury, Lubna, and Ruhel Choudhury took John Doe-2 to a hotel, where Chowdhury sexually assaulted John Doe-2 with a rod. Chowdhury also made a ransom call to John Doe-2’s father, demanding $20,000 for the victim’s safety. On the third day of the kidnapping, Chowdhury tied up and blindfolded John Doe-2, leaving him at an abandoned house. John Doe-2 was able to free himself by chewing through his restraints, breaking open a window and asking residents in the neighborhood to call 911. John Doe-2 was hospitalized for one week from his injuries.
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The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Pak, Vincent Chiappini, Joshua Tannen, John Vagelatos, Andrew D. Grubin and Erik Paulsen are in charge of the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Katrina Batista.
The Defendants:
ABU CHOWDHURY
Age: 36
Jamaica, QueensIFFAT LUBNA
Age: 27
Jamaica, QueensSYED RUBEL AHMED
Age: 46
Jamaica, QueensSHAHED ALOM
Age: 32
Jamaica, QueensRUHEL CHOUDHURY
Age: 36
Jamaica, QueensSULTANA RAZIA
Age: 41
Woodside, QueensE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-278 (S-2) (NRM)
Previously deported alien residing in Sacramento sentenced to 31 months in prison for illegally possessing firearms and illegal reentryRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Luis Eduardo Torres-Hernandez, 40, a Mexican national residing in Sacramento, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Daniel J. Calabretta to 31 months in prison for one count of being an unlawful alien in possession of firearms and one count of illegally reentering the United States after being previously removed, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, in September of 2024, undercover law enforcement agents found Torres-Hernandez in the Sacramento area when he sold them multiple sets of false identification documents, including Permanent Resident green cards and Social Security cards. On a subsequent date, agents recovered several firearms from his possession, including a Windham Weaponry 5.56 caliber rifle, a Ruger 9 mm caliber pistol and a Sig Sauer 9 mm caliber pistol. Torres-Hernandez is in the United States illegally and has been previously removed from the United States on multiple occasions, and is accordingly prohibited from possessing firearms.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dhruv M. Sharma prosecuted the case.
On April 2, 2026, Torres-Hernandez pleaded guilty to the illegal firearms possession and reentry.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Previously Removed Illegal Alien from Honduras Charged for Drug Trafficking and Immigration Crimes Following Undercover OperationRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging a previously removed illegal alien from Honduras with drug trafficking and immigration crimes after agents recovered over 4,500 grams of fentanyl.
Francisco Antonio Rodriguez Raudales, 32, residing illegally in Salt Lake City, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on September 10, 2026.
According to court documents, on September 9, 2026, agents conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl during an undercover operation from a known source of supply for a drug trafficking organization. At the controlled purchase location, Rodriguez Raudales allegedly removed a large bag of blue pills from a backpack that field-tested positive for fentanyl (1081.9 grams). As a result, Rodriguez Raudales was detained. In addition to the large bag of fentanyl, agents recovered a small bag of blue pills on Rodriguez Raudales (69.05 grams) which field-tested positive for fentanyl. During a search of Rodriguez Raudales’s apartment, agents recovered additional bags of blue pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl (2,318.79 grams), and a package of powder that field-tested positive for fentanyl (1,105.38 grams). In total, agents recovered 4,575.12 grams of fentanyl during the operation.
Rodrigez Raudales was previously removed from the United States on March 8, 2012, and December 13, 2023.
Rodriguez Raudales is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alie006E. A two-day jury trial is scheduled for November 24, 2026 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF). Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pensacola Felon Sentenced for Federal Gun & Drug OffensesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Travis W. Carroll, 26, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Keeping dangerous, violent felons off our streets is absolutely imperative, and thanks to the excellent investigative work by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, that is exactly what we have accomplished in this case. We will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to deliver the safe, crime-free streets that our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that law enforcement received reports of an armed robbery at the Beacon Food Store in Pensacola, Florida. Law enforcement responded to the scene and observed the defendant, who matched the description given of the armed robbery suspect, riding an electric bicycle nearby. The defendant, who is a convicted felon legally prohibited from possessing firearms, ran a stop sign and was pulled over. During the contact with the defendant, law enforcement located a loaded firearm, methamphetamine, a scale, and more than $600.00 in U.S. Currency on his person.
The case involved an investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Chris Patterson and Thomas S.P. Geeker.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Northwest Arkansas Man Sentenced to More Than 12 years in Federal Prison for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
FAYETTEVILLE – A Fayetteville, Arkansas man was sentenced to 150 months in prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The Honorable Chief Judge Timothy L. Brooks presided over the September 23, 2026, sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.
According to court documents, Steve Robinson, age 31, fled from the Arkansas State Police on January 29, 2026, when a trooper attempted to make a traffic stop on Robinson’s vehicle. During the pursuit Robinson jumped the curb near the intersection at Steamboat Drive in Fayetteville and drove into the IHOP parking lot. Robinson continued driving through a gas station parking lot at a high rate of speed and continued through a residential street eventually getting stuck in the snow. Robinson then fled on foot and was ultimately apprehended by officers, at which time a 9mm caliber pistol was located in his jacket pocket. Court records show Robinson has an extensive criminal history, including crimes of violence.
Unites States Attorney Kevin R. Holmes of the Western District of Arkansas made the announcement. The Arkansas State Police, Fourth Judicial District Drug Task Force, Springdale Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Harris prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Neshoba County Man Sentenced for Possession with the Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Neshoba County man was sentenced to 108 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement.
According to court documents, Jerithan Willis, 43, possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the Pearl River Community of Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation.
In August of 2025, a federal grand jury indicted Willis for his role in the distribution of methamphetamine. On March 3, 2026, Willis entered a plea of guilty to the charge.
On September 23, 2026, Willis was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release upon his release from prison. He was also fined $1,500.
The conviction was a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Trails Task Force which is comprised of officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Choctaw Police Department, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, and various state and local law enforcement agencies.
U.S. Attorney Kruger commended the work of the Safe Trails Task Force, the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, and the Choctaw Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Payne, Brian K. Burns, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kalleigh McCoy.
Neshoba County Man Pleads Guilty to Causing a Head-On CollisionRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – On September 18, 2026, Titan Xavier Steve, 22, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a DUI crash that killed a grandmother and seriously injured her grandson.
According to court documents, on December 8, 2025, Steve caused a head-on collision in the Pearl River Community of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation. It was later determined that Steve was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in February of 2026.
U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi, and Robert Eikhoff, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Jackson Office, made the announcement.
Steve is scheduled to be sentenced in January of 2027 and faces up to eighteen years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Choctaw Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne, Brian K. Burns and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kalleigh McCoy prosecuted the case.
Native and citizen of China accused of bilking an elderly victim out of $53,000 denied bond hearingRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Chun Yan, 42, a native and citizen of China, who entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2023, has been denied a bond hearing as he awaits removal by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to court documents, on February 24, 2026, Yan traveled six hours from Brooklyn, NY, to the home of an elderly woman in Ogdensburg, NY, in the Western District of New York. The woman was falsely told that a federal agent was going to freeze her assets if she didn’t pay the Federal Trade Commission, so she handed over $53,000 in cash to Yan, who returned less than a month later in an attempt to take another $50,000 from the victim. On March 19, 2026, Yan was arrested by the Ogdensburg Police Department and charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, Attempted Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. After being released by local law enforcement the next day, Yan was arrested and detained by ICE and remains in ICE custody until he is removed from the United States.
In an attempt to obtain release, Yan filed an immigration habeas petition, stating that he “was randomly arrested by ICE.” U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca denied his petition, citing the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention for those arrested or charged with an applicable crime at the time of their immigration detention.
The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel B. Moar.
Mobile Man Sentenced in Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Montreal Leonta Anderson was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose to 37 months in prison for Bank Robbery.
According to court documents, Montreal Leonta Anderson, 30, of Mobile, Alabama, entered a PNC Bank branch in Mobile on March 3, 2025. Anderson handed a teller a note demanding money. The teller activated the silent alarm, and officers with the Mobile Police Department quickly responded and took Anderson into custody. After serving 37 months in the Bureau of Prisons, Anderson will be on a supervised release term of three years.
U.S. Attorney Sean Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S. Terrill prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
Middleboro Man Arrested for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Middleboro, Mass., man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to sex traffic of a child.
Kenneth Berry, 45, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child. Berry was arrested yesterday and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was released on conditions.
According to the indictment, on or about June 12, 2026, Berry knowingly attempted to sex traffic a minor in Massachusetts.
The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years and up to life in prison, five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, the Boston Police Department and the Brockton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad A. Rocheville of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Michigan City Man Sentenced to 292 Months in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Rodney McLean, 38 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
McLean was sentenced to 292 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release.
“Rodney McLean will spend the next 24 years in prison after he made videos of himself having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16. After another person located the videos and reported them to Michigan City PD, McLean was referred to the Homeland Security Investigations division and ultimately indicted and arrested. Child exploitation and production of child pornography cases are a parent’s worst nightmare. These offenses have life-altering, lasting impacts on victims and their families and require severe punishment to deter others from engaging in this heinous behavior. The United States Attorneys’ Office will use whatever resources at our disposal to aggressively prosecute these offenders and get justice for their victims.” Said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Police ICAC, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Michigan City Man Sentenced to 292 Months in Prison for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SOUTH BEND – Rodney McLean, 38 years old, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to production of child pornography, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
McLean was sentenced to 292 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release.
“Rodney McLean will spend the next 24 years in prison after he made videos of himself having sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16. After another person located the videos and reported them to Michigan City PD, McLean was referred to the Homeland Security Investigations division and ultimately indicted and arrested. Child exploitation and production of child pornography cases are a parent’s worst nightmare. These offenses have life-altering, lasting impacts on victims and their families and require severe punishment to deter others from engaging in this heinous behavior. The United States Attorneys’ Office will use whatever resources at our disposal to aggressively prosecute these offenders and get justice for their victims.” Said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
“Protecting children from exploitation is among Homeland Security Investigations’ highest priorities,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew Scarpino. “This investigation reflects the determination of our special agents and law enforcement partners to uncover these offenses, safeguard victims, and hold offenders accountable. No child should endure this abuse, and HSI Chicago will continue to pursue every available lead to bring those who commit these crimes before the court.”
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Police ICAC, the Mishawaka Police Department, and the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Andrew A. Krumwied and former Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Mexican National Charged with Illegal Voting in MidlandRead the Press Release
MIDLAND, Texas – A Mexican national was federally charged in Midland Wednesday for voting in a federal election, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas.
According to court documents, Imelda Magallanes, 51, was granted Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status in December 2010 and renewed her LPR card in 2023. Voting records from the Midland County Elections Office indicate that Magallanes first registered to vote in October 2020 using her Texas driver’s license as identification. Voting records also reveal that Magallanes voted in the November 2024 general election.
Magallanes is charged with one count of voting by an alien in a federal election. If convicted, she faces up to one year in federal prison and a fine not to exceed $100,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Parker is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Memphis Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of RestaurantRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Alonzo Frazier, 27, was sentenced to nine years in prison following his conviction for an armed business robbery in Memphis. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, of the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentencing today.
According to court documents, on January 9, 2025, officers with the Memphis Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Tim’s Chicken located at 3220 South Perkins Road in Memphis, Tennessee. Employees reported that a male wearing a black face mask, gloves, a dark colored hoodie, and dark shoes with green shoestrings entered the business armed with a tan and black handgun with a light attachment. Frazier forced the cashier to open the cash register at gunpoint. Frazier grabbed the entire cash drawer containing approximately $150 and ran out of the business.
Officers located Frazier walking nearby wearing a white short-sleeve undershirt in 32-degree weather, wearing dark shoes with green shoestrings, armed with a tan and black handgun with a light attachment. Frazier ran away from officers, but he was arrested after a short foot chase. Frazier told police, “I did it", and he had approximately $148 on his person. Frazier was later transported for questioning, and he gave a full confession to committing the robbery.
Frazier pled guilty on June 22, 2026 and was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark S. Norris on September 22, 2026 to 108 months’ federal imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "Business owners and employees have a fundamental right to be safe from armed robbers who terrorize our communities with their lawlessness. The senselessness of gun violence has a long-lasting effect on victims of armed robbery, and we will no longer allow gun crime to rule our streets. This sentence sends a clear message that there will always be a reckoning, a real and significant consequence, for the commission of violent crimes."
"Alonzo Frazier made a deliberate choice to commit a crime, and that choice put innocent people's lives at risk," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "A business robbery is serious enough, but when a firearm is used, the danger to our community becomes even more profound. This sentence is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in Memphis, and our partners at the Memphis Police Department. Their relentless efforts helped ensure that a violent offender was held accountable."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Memphis Police Department's (MPD) Safe Streets Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Regina Brittenum prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of the Safe Streets Task Force’s efforts to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. This case is also part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative to prosecute violent crimes in Memphis, Tennessee, and surrounding areas. The Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee have partnered, along with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, to confront violent crimes committed by gang members and associates through the enforcement of federal laws and use of federal resources to prosecute the violent offenders and prevent further violence.
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For more information, please contact our 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.
Mechanicsburg Man Indicted for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joshua Kenee, age 36, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for production and receipt of child pornography and coercion and enticement of a minor.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that in September 2022 and September 2025, respectively, Kenee enticed and coerced two minor victims to produce child pornography, and that he received multiple images of child pornography from those victims.
This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is life in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Maryland Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Ecuadorian MinorsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal judge sentenced a Maryland man, today, for sexually exploiting minor victims living in South America.
U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced William Foster Alger, 76, of Hagerstown, to 138 months in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for coercion and enticement of a child. Alger pled guilty to the child sex-abuse charges in March 2026.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Akil Baldwin, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Colonel Paul Joey Kifer, Chief of Police of the Hagerstown Police Department (HPD); and Gina Cirincion, State’s Attorney for Washington County.
According to court documents, between November 2023 and December 2024, Alger used mobile phones and online applications to persuade, induce, entice, and coerce three minor victims to engage in sexual activity. Alger paid the victims’ mothers, through Western Union payments, to send him images of the minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
The victims, who were ages 6 to 16 at the time of the exploitation, lived in Ecuador where Alger traveled to frequently. He eventually purchased land in Ecuador and built a residence. Alger’s iCloud account included numerous photos of him at his Ecuador residence with minor victims and their mothers.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
Know2Protect is a Department of Homeland Security national public awareness campaign to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults and policymakers to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse; explain how to report online enticement and victimization; and offer resources for victims and survivors and their supporters. Learn more about Know2Protect at www.dhs.gov/know2protect.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, HPD, and the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Manager of Long Island Company Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Embezzling from Customer Credit AccountsRead the Press Release
Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Tony Ream, also known as “Tony Ream-Hendley” and “Tony Moul Ream,” a former credit supervisor of a health care products and services company in Melville, New York, was sentenced by United States District Judge Sanket J. Bulsara to 30 months’ imprisonment for wire fraud. Over the course of four years, Ream sent wire transfers totaling approximately $1.6 million from the company’s bank account to a bank account that he controlled, and used those funds for his own personal gain. In addition to the prison term, Judge Bulsara ordered Ream to pay restitution in the amount of $1.6 million to the company, and a $1,000 fine. Ream had previously pleaded guilty to this crime in September.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.
“The defendant profited by abusing the trust placed in him by his employer, but his lies and crimes caught up with him,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Today’s prison sentence gives the defendant ample time to reflect on his bad choices and how he will pay back the money he stole.”
“Tony Ream’s theft betrayed the trust of his employer and their customers out of selfish greed. The FBI continues to hold accountable fraudsters who utilize the wallets of unsuspecting clients to finance their personal purchases,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
As set forth in court filings and statements made in court during plea and sentencing proceedings, Ream was employed by a company headquartered in Melville (the Company) that is a distributor of health care products and services, and serves as the world’s largest provider of health care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners worldwide. Ream was hired by the Company in 2019 to work in its credit department and became a credit supervisor. From approximately October 2020 through November 2024, Ream siphoned corporate funds from customer refund accounts, some of which were inactive, and diverted the funds to his own personal accounts, masking the fraud by recording each transaction as a refund that was issued to a customer. Ream also deceived his subordinates into unwittingly taking steps that facilitated his embezzlement scheme. In total, Ream embezzled approximately $1.6 million from the Company, which he spent on his wedding, luxury international vacations, and a failed restaurant venture in South Carolina.
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorney Charles P. Kelly is in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder.
The Defendant:
TONY REAM (also known as “Tony Ream-Hendley” and “Tony Moul Ream”)
Age: 35
Greenville, South CarolinaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-179 (SJB)
Macon Man Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl and Meth with a Machine GunRead the Press Release
MACON, Ga. – A federal jury found a Macon resident guilty of armed drug trafficking, including distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine while in possession of a machine gun, resulting from an Operation Take Back America investigation.
Suspected fentanyl (purple substance in plastic bag) and marijuana belonging to Reese were seized on June 18, 2025, in Case 5:25-cr-00008, U.S. v. Reese.
“Families in our country are suffering from the tragic loss of loved ones due to fentanyl and drug overdoses. Brazen, armed criminals pushing the deadliest drugs into our communities will be found and brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “These cases are saving lives, and I am proud of the unwavering commitment of prosecutors and law enforcement at every level to disrupt the flow of these deadly drugs and ensure traffickers are held accountable.”
“This conviction holds a repeat offender accountable for distributing dangerous drugs,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities, and removing drug distributors from our streets is an important part of protecting the public. This case also demonstrates what can be accomplished through joint police work and cooperation among law-enforcement agencies. Together, we remain committed to working toward a Fentanyl Free America.”
“This conviction holds accountable an armed repeat offender who continued trafficking dangerous drugs, despite already facing federal drug charges. Drug trafficking doesn’t just affect those who use drugs; it impacts families, neighborhoods, and entire communities,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This case began with a tip from a community member, demonstrating the important role the public plays in helping law enforcement identify and disrupt criminal activity. The GBI and our law enforcement partners remain committed to investigating those who threaten the safety of our communities and ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.”
“This conviction sends a clear message that those who bring dangerous drugs and illegal firearms into our community will be held accountable. Fentanyl, methamphetamine, and gun violence have taken far too much from too many families, and every time we remove these drugs and weapons from our streets, we have an opportunity to prevent another tragedy,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “I’m proud of the work of our investigators and grateful for the strong partnership we share with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. By working together, we are not only enforcing the law, but we are also protecting lives and making our community safer.”
“This case reflects the power of collaboration, especially as we continue to confront the threat of fentanyl that endangers countless lives,” said Warner Robins Police Chief Wayne Fisher. “The Warner Robins Police Department is steadfast in our commitment to work alongside our federal, state, and local partners to protect the safety of our community.”
Tony Jermaine Reese, 46, of Macon, was found guilty of one count of distribution of fentanyl; four counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; three counts of distribution of methamphetamine; three counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; one count of possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of illegal possession of a machine gun; two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Reese faces a mandatory minimum of 40 years, with a maximum of life in prison. The trial began on Monday, September 21, and concluded on Wednesday, September 23, before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell in Macon. The Court will schedule the sentencing hearing for a later date. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to the filed indictment, court documents, and statements made in court, an anonymous community member tipped off Macon Crimestoppers in June 2023 about Reese dealing drugs from a shed located at Dottie Court in Macon. Working with a confidential source, law enforcement conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Reese, who had multiple firearms in the shed and a camera surveillance system. Agents executed a search warrant in August 2023, finding methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with firearms.
Bag of fentanyl on table (l) seized in August 2023; the shed with the door open (r) is where Reese was trafficking illegal drugs in Case5:25-cr-00008, U.S. v. Reese.
On Aug. 24, 2023, Reese was taken into custody in Peach County in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and other illegal drugs, along with a loaded Glock 17 handgun with an extended magazine and a switch converter attached, making the firearm an automatic weapon, or a machine gun. Agents found cellphones, unused plastic baggies and syringes, a digital scale, and $11,262 in the truck he was traveling in.
Machine gun, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs and items seized in August 2023 in Case 5:25-cr-00008, U.S. v. Reese.
Despite state charges for the 2023 crimes, investigators learned in 2025 that Reese was continuing to traffic drugs from his shed on Dottie Court. Investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Warner Robins Police Department, and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation in June 2025, purchasing methamphetamine and fentanyl from Reese at his shed.
Green bag with almost three kilograms of methamphetamine Reese picked up in metro Atlanta for distribution in Central Georgia on June 18, 2025, in Case 5:25-cr-00008, U.S. v. Reese.
On June 18, 2025, Reese was under surveillance during a suspected narcotics resupply trip to metro Atlanta, where he was seen meeting with an individual at an apartment complex and receiving a large green bag. On his return trip to Macon, Reese was taken into custody with nearly three kilograms of methamphetamine found in the green bag. Officers executed a search warrant at the three sheds on Dottie Court the same day. Officers found more methamphetamine, fentanyl, crack cocaine, blue pills, and other substances.
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 DEA, the GBI, the Warner Robins Police Department Narcotics Intelligence Unit, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with valuable assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julius Jefferson and Monica Brown are prosecuting the case for the Government.
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that David Samuel Leibbrandt, 44, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 24, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual between August 1, 2025, and October 10, 2025. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Leibbrandt to 135 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Leibbrandt’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On October 10, 2025, investigators with the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force were conducting surveillance on Leibbrandt’s Lincoln residence. They saw a U.S. Postal Service truck arrive and the driver left a package on the porch. A short time later, someone came out of the house and retrieved the package. About an hour later, Leibbrandt’s co-defendant, Jessie Feaster, Jr., arrived at Leibbrandt’s residence and went inside. After a few minutes, Feaster returned to his vehicle and left. Investigators followed Feaster to another location in Lincoln where Feaster was contacted and he agreed to let them search his car. A sandwich bag was found on the front passenger seat which contained approximately one pound of methamphetamine. Purity testing at the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab showed at least 410 grams of actual (pure) methamphetamine.
Later that same day, investigators executed a search warrant at Leibbrandt’s residence. During that search, they found seven bags containing methamphetamine with a total weight of more than 2.7 kilograms. Purity testing on one of the packages showed at least 1.8 kilograms of actual methamphetamine. Leibbrandt was arrested and agreed to talk to investigators. He admitted receiving 10 pounds of methamphetamine earlier that day and said he had already sold more than three pounds from that quantity, including the pound he sold to his co-defendant.
Feaster pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual. His sentencing is set for October 15, 2026, before Judge Bazis in Lincoln.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Drug Task Force.
Leicester Man Sentenced to Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Logan Pierce Plowucha, 21, of Leicester, North Carolina, was sentenced to nine years in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release today for distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Plowucha was also ordered to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.
According to filed court documents, in August 2025, Plowucha began communicating with an undercover HSI agent in an online chatroom dedicated to the exchange of CSAM and discussions of the sexual exploitation of children. Between August and September 2025, during his communications with the HSI agent, Plowucha used an encrypted messaging app to distribute CSAM to the undercover agent, including videos depicting prepubescent minors being sexually abused, including infants and bestiality. In September 2025, Plowucha met with an HSI undercover agent. During the meeting the undercover agent observed that Plowucha had CSAM files on his cellphone and online. Plowucha was arrested on the same day. During an interview with law enforcement, Plowucha admitted that he had been sending CSAM to the undercover agent. A forensic examination of the defendant’s phone revealed that Plowucha had more than 1,400 CSAM videos and images.
Plowucha remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service until he is transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making the announcement U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson commended the HSI Greenville Office, the U.S. Marshals Service Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the Waynesville Police Department for their work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Benjamin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Las Vegas Woman Charged for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman made her initial appearance in federal court yesterday for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, and possession of two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime as a result of a Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force investigation.
“Fentanyl is a deadly poison that is devastating our communities,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “We will continue to use every federal resource to target, disrupt, and prosecute the networks flooding our streets with these lethal drugs and illegal weapons.”
“Fentanyl traffickers who use the mail to move deadly drugs into our communities should know there is no safe route and no hiding place,” said Jonathan Sherwin, deputy special agent in charge for HSI Las Vegas. “Through the Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force, HSI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Henderson Police Department and our partners will continue to intercept fentanyl, seize the firearms and cash that fuel these crimes and hold accountable those who endanger the public for profit.”
“The City of Henderson takes a strong stance against fentanyl and illegal drug activity,” said Henderson Police Chief Reggie Rader. “We do not tolerate these actions here or in the surrounding area, and we are proud to work alongside our local and federal law enforcement partners to help keep our residents and neighbors safe.”
According to allegations in the complaint, on September 21, 2026, inspectors with the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted a controlled delivery of approximately one kilogram of fentanyl to the residence of Olga Josefina Mexia. Upon delivery of the package, Henderson SWAT entered into the residence. During a search of the residence, law enforcement found bulk cash, fentanyl powder in bulk and individually packaged, and two firearms.
Photos of cash, fentanyl powder in individual bags, and a firearm found in defendant’s residence, U.S. v. Olga Josephina Mexia, Case No. 2:26-mj-00722-BNW
Mexia is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for October 7, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda Weksler.
This case was investigated by HSI, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Henderson Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Brister.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Las Vegas HSTF comprises agents and officers with the FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and Nevada Gaming Control Board with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Kosovar National Pleads Guilty to Operating Cybercrime Marketplace Offering Tools and Products to CybercriminalsRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Ardit Kutleshi, 28, a Kosovar national, has pleaded guilty to charges related to his creation and operation of Rydox, an illicit website and marketplace for cybercriminals to buy, sell, and trade stolen personal information, and to access devices and other tools for carrying out cybercrime and fraud.
“Cybercriminals Ardit Kutleshi and his brother Jetmir—who pleaded guilty and was sentenced in December 2025 prior to his deportation back to Kosovo—operated the Rydox marketplace for their own gain, making hundreds of thousands of dollars from the marketplace where cyber criminals could purchase information and tools to effect and further their online crime,” said United States Attorney Troy Rivetti of the Western District of Pennsylvania. “These types of cybercrimes cause not only financial loss, but also ongoing psychological harm to the victims who lose both money as well as trust in institutions and the online market infrastructure. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to find and prosecute individuals who attempt to profit from the illegal sharing and sale of other people’s personal information and access devices, and related cybercrime.”
“Rydox turned stolen information and criminal tools into a marketplace, making it easier for criminals to convert someone else’s loss into their next crime,” said FBI Pittsburgh Assistant Special Agent in Charge Amie Loos. “Dismantling this platform was about more than taking a website offline—it was about disrupting the criminal infrastructure that fueled fraud and identity theft against thousands of victims. The FBI, together with our international partners, will continue to impose risk, consequences, and accountability on criminals who believe they can hide behind anonymity.”
According to court documents, since at least 2016, Rydox conducted over 7,600 transactions involving stolen personally identifiable information (PII), stolen access devices, means of identification, and cybercrime tools and services, receiving at least $232,000 in revenue. These transactions involved the sale of PII stolen from victims located in the United States. Kutleshi pleaded guilty on September 22, 2026, before the Honorable Mark R. Hornak in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to aggravated identity theft and money laundering conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 9, 2027, and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft count and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy count. Judge Hornak will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kutleshi was arrested by Kosovo law enforcement in December 2024 and extradited from Kosovo to the United States in 2025. In December 2024, the United States also judicially seized the domain www.Rydox.cc, which hosted and facilitated access to the Rydox website. The seizure of this domain prevented the owners and third parties from using the site to continue to buy and sell cybercrime tools and stolen personal identifying information of U.S. citizens.
“The guilty plea of Ardit Kutleshi for operating the Rydox marketplace exposes a sophisticated scheme to profit from stolen identities and cybercrime tools,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This guilty plea sends a strong message to all cybercriminals that the Justice Department will identify, arrest, and prosecute cybercriminals regardless of where they are in the world through international cooperation, technical expertise, and cutting-edge law enforcement.”
“Rydox put cybercriminal tools and sensitive data up for sale, including the stolen identities and logins of thousands of people,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “The FBI and its foreign partners shut the marketplace down, and now the man who created it and ran it pleaded guilty. We will continue to use every legal tool at our disposal to extradite cybercriminals and take down their infrastructure.”
The FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office investigated this case in coordination with the Kosovo State Prosecutor’s Special Prosecution Office, the Kosovo Police’s Cybercrime Investigation Directorate, the Albanian Special Anti-Corruption Body (SPAK), the Royal Malaysia Police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department, and the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Stockey of the Western District of Pennsylvania and Senior Counsel Thomas Dougherty of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property crime 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 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Kosovar National Pleads Guilty to Operating Cybercrime Marketplace Offering Tools and Products to CybercriminalsRead the Press Release
Ardit Kutleshi, 28, a Kosovar national, pleaded guilty to charges related to his creation and operation of Rydox, an illicit website and marketplace for cybercriminals to buy, sell and trade stolen personal information, and to access devices and other tools for carrying out cybercrime and fraud.
“The guilty plea of Ardit Kutleshi for operating the Rydox marketplace exposes a sophisticated scheme to profit from stolen identities and cybercrime tools,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This guilty plea sends a strong message to all cybercriminals that the Justice Department will identify, arrest, and prosecute cybercriminals regardless of where they are in the world through international cooperation, technical expertise, and cutting-edge law enforcement.”
“Cybercriminals Ardit Kutleshi and his brother Jetmir — who pleaded guilty and was sentenced in December 2025 prior to his deportation back to Kosovo — operated the Rydox marketplace for their own gain, making hundreds of thousands of dollars from the marketplace where cyber criminals could purchase information and tools to effect and further their online crime,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti of the Western District of Pennsylvania. “These types of cybercrimes cause not only financial loss, but also ongoing psychological harm to the victims who lose both money as well as trust in institutions and the online market infrastructure. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to find and prosecute individuals who attempt to profit from the illegal sharing and sale of other people’s personal information and access devices, and related cybercrime.”
“Rydox put cybercriminal tools and sensitive data up for sale, including the stolen identities and logins of thousands of people,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “The FBI and its foreign partners shut the marketplace down, and now the man who created it and ran it pleaded guilty. We will continue to use every legal tool at our disposal to extradite cybercriminals and take down their infrastructure.”
According to court documents, since at least 2016, Rydox conducted over 7,600 transactions involving stolen personally identifiable information (PII), stolen access devices, means of identification, and cybercrime tools and services, receiving at least $232,000 in revenue. These transactions involved the sale of PII stolen from victims located in the United States. Kutleshi pleaded guiltyin the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania to aggravated identity theft and money laundering conspiracy. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 9, 2027, and faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft count and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy count. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Kutleshi was arrested by Kosovo law enforcement in December 2024 and extradited from Kosovo to the United States in 2025. In December 2024, the United States also judicially seized the domain www.Rydox.cc, which hosted and facilitated access to the Rydox website. The seizure of this domain prevented the owners and third parties from using the site to continue to buy and sell cybercrime tools and stolen personal identifying information of U.S. citizens.
The FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office investigated this case in coordination with the Kosovo State Prosecutor’s Special Prosecution Office, the Kosovo Police’s Cybercrime Investigation Directorate, the Albanian Special Anti-Corruption Body (SPAK), the Royal Malaysia Police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department, and the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia.
Senior Counsel Thomas Dougherty of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Stockey for the Western District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs also provided significant assistance.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime 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 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Kansas City Man Sentenced for Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo. man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Alverez O. McCullough, 30, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Beth Phillips to 11 years and three months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered McCullough to forfeit to the government $15,000.
On May 21, 2026 McCullough pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. McCullough admitted he and other co-conspirators sold fentanyl to confidential sources between May 1, and Sept. 10, 2025. During the conspiracy, McCullough sold $15,000 worth of fentanyl to the confidential sources.
On Sept. 15, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant of McCullough’s residence. During the search warrant execution, investigators recovered United States currency, marijuana, five firearms, an AR-15 magazine loaded with 25 live rounds of ammunition, approximately 74 grams of fentanyl, approximately two grams of cocaine, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
McCullough admitted to investigators to selling, trading, and using drugs. McCullough admitted to selling fentanyl and possessing five firearms, which he described as four pistols and an AR-15. McCullough told investigators he carried the firearms for protection and occasionally carried a firearm on drug deals.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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.
Justice Department Sues Minnesota, St. Paul, and Minneapolis over Firearm Purchase Waiting PeriodRead the Press Release
Today, the Justice Department filed suit against the State of Minnesota, the City of Minneapolis, and the City of St. Paul. As stated in the lawsuit, Minnesota’s permit to purchase and waiting period regulatory scheme violate the Second Amendment for law-abiding citizens who desire to acquire firearms for self-defense in their homes. For Minnesotans who do not intend to carry in public, state law imposes a thirty-day waiting period. The lawsuit also challenges waiting periods in St. Paul and Minneapolis, where some citizens are forced to wait nearly 60 days.
“The Supreme Court held that the home is where the need for defense of self, family, and property is most acute. When a person needs to defend their home, they need to defend it now, not thirty to sixty days from now,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Law-abiding citizens do not need government permission to purchase a firearm, and forcing a citizen who has already passed a background check to wait up to sixty days to obtain a firearm is intolerable under the Constitution.”
“We are committed to protecting Minnesotans’ right to purchase firearms and we will not tolerate procedures that are wielded in a way that impairs that right,” said U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen for the District of Minnesota.
The Civil Rights Division’s Second Amendment Section enforces the Second Amendment, the Police Pattern or Practice Act (34 U.S.C. § 12601), and Executive Order 14206. If you are a current or prospective gun owner and believe that a state or local government has infringed your right to keep or bear arms, please submit a complaint through www.justice.gov/crt/second-amendment-section.
Justice Department Ends over 50 Half-Century-Old Desegregation Cases Throughout the United StatesRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced today the dismissal of more than fifty desegregation cases — from Waterbury, Connecticut, to Flagler County, Florida — ending matters that had remained on court dockets for more than half a century.
“In this administration, we are ending prolonged federal oversight of these school districts because the effort does not reflect the reality of those classrooms today,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “In some cases, school districts have been under federal control for more than 60 years. Now these local school districts can redirect taxpayer dollars back to benefitting students, instead of funding onerous and outdated consent decrees.”
The Department is undertaking a thorough case-by-case review of pending school desegregation cases, which were filed in connection with the unlawful operation of a dual school system based on race. Cases still on the docket in federal courts were filed in the 1960’s and 70’s. After concluding that a school district has achieved unitary status, the Department will seek dismissal of the case.
Jefferson City Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Jefferson City, Mo. man was sentenced in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Derrick Crumble, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 96 months in federal prison without parole and three years of supervised release. On Feb. 10, 2026, Crumble pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On June 2, 2025, Jefferson City Police Department responded to a shooting call. While at the scene officers observed Crumble walking with a backpack. Upon contact with Crumble, officers observed what appeared to be a firearm in the backpack. Officers searched the backpack and found a loaded 233-caliber pistol with a 60-round magazine in the firearm. When questioned, Crumble told officers that he found the firearm and planned to sell the firearm. Crumble has prior felony convictions and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Maness. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson City Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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.
Inland Empire Man Pleads Guilty to His Role in Crime Ring that Fraudulently Obtained $3.5 Million in COVID Business-Relief LoansRead the Press Release
RIVERSIDE, California – A Riverside County man pleaded guilty today – making him the third defendant in his case to plead guilty this week – to fraudulently obtaining from COVID-19 business-relief loans then helping others fraudulently obtain COVID business loans in exchange for a cut of the illicit proceeds, causing a total loss to taxpayers of approximately $3.5 million.
Daryl D. Knighten, Jr., 34, of Perris, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Two co-defendants pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of wire fraud for their roles in the scheme: Vanessa M. Williams, 37, of Corona, and Denise Mata, 36, of Moreno Valley. Their sentencing hearings are scheduled for January 14, 2027.
According to the defendants’ plea agreements, from March 2021 to August 2021, Knighten, Williams, and Mata submitted fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for themselves, family members, close associates, and individuals they recruited. Congress created the program in 2020 to assist businesses dealing with COVID-19’s severe economic impact.
The defendants lied to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and banks in connection with the fraudulent PPP loan applications. Each application falsely stated that the PPP loan applicant was self-employed and falsely certified that each loan would be used for permissible business purposes. Each loan application also contained fraudulent tax forms to deceive the SBA and PPP participating lenders into disbursing loan funds.
Lenders approved PPP loans for the defendants and more than 100 co-schemers. The lenders then disbursed the PPP loan funds into bank accounts belonging to the defendants and their co-schemers. Co-schemers paid kickbacks to the defendants within days of receiving the fraudulently obtained PPP loan funds.
Knighten, Williams, Mata, and their co-schemers used the illicitly obtained money for their own personal benefit and not for expenses allowable under the PPP. The defendants also submitted fraudulent documents to the SBA and lenders to obtain loan forgiveness for the illegally obtained PPP loans.
Knighten admitted to causing at least $145,550 in losses to the PPP loan program. Williams and Mata admitted to causing losses of at least $187,497 and $201,642, respectively.
Federal prosecutors believe the total loss resulting from this scheme is approximately $3.5 million.
United States District Judge Kenly Kiya Kato scheduled a January 14, 2027, sentencing hearing for Knighten, who like Williams and Mata, at that time will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Co-defendant Mikhail G. Hoalim, 35, of Moreno Valley, has pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud and is scheduled to go to trial on November 9 for his alleged role in this scheme.
As part of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Task Force, this investigation was conducted by Amtrak Office of Inspector General with support from Homeland Security Investigations. The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help offices of inspectors general and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.
Assistant United States Attorney Eric L. Mackie of the Major Crimes Section and Senior Litigation Counsel Gary Bell and Trial Attorneys Andrew Schupanitz and Phil Huynh from the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division are prosecuting this case.
Illegal Alien from Guatemala Sentenced to Federal Prison for Violating Immigration LawsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Guatemalan national illegally living in the Kansas City, Mo. area, was sentenced to seven months in federal prison for violating immigration laws.
On May 18, 2026, Jose Manuel Lopez-Maderos, 40, pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported. This case marks his first federal conviction for illegal reentry.
On Feb. 15, 2026, officers with the Independence, Missouri Police Department arrested Lopez-Maderos for driving without a license. After using fingerprints to confirm his identity, officers learned he had previously been deported. The Independence Police Department contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations who took custody of Lopez-Maderos.
Lopez-Maderos was first found in the United States on Aug. 23, 2009, after being arrested by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department for driving under the influence. It was determined that he had entered the United States illegally and he was given the opportunity to appear in immigration court to contest his removal. He failed to appear at that hearing and was ordered deported in absentia. He was eventually located and deported on Aug. 9, 2013.
Lopez-Maderos was found in the United States again on May 13, 2017, when he was arrested in Johnson County, Kan. for driving under the influence. After his conviction, he was deported on Aug. 3, 2017. Lopez-Maderos was apprehended crossing the United States-Mexico border on June 23, 2018. He was convicted of illegally entering the country and deported. He was most recently deported after being apprehended again at the border on Feb. 21, 2019, and was deported for the fourth time.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Nichols. It was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Independence, Missouri Police Department.
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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Harrisburg Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jeffery Bell, age 50, of Harrisburg, was indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender after relocating to New Jersey.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that from October 2025 through February 2026, despite being required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), Bell traveled in interstate commerce from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and failed to register his address as required by SORNA.
This matter was investigated by the United States Marshals Service (USMS). Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is ten years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Harlem man sentenced to nearly 3 years for trafficking meth and fentanylRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Harlem man who tried to hide a tin of fentanyl pills under a child’s leg was sentenced Wednesday to two years and 11 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Harold Edwin Main, 29, pleaded guilty in May 2026 to possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that Main was driving in Fort Belknap on April 15, 2024, with another adult and two children. Fort Belknap police pulled him over and in the vehicle the officer found methamphetamine and 42 fentanyl pills. The majority of the pills were found in an Altoids tin tucked under the leg of one of the children.
Following the traffic stop Fort Belknap police served a search warrant on Main’s house on Fort Belknap. There officers discovered more meth, some of it bagged, along with two digital scales, packaging material with smaller baggies, small blue and white pills, and other drug paraphernalia. Officers seized a total of 5 grams of methamphetamine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Ferrari-Agudelo is prosecuting the case. Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
Hammond Man Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jonathan X. Hall, 26 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Hall was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.
According to documents in the case, on January 26, 2026, law enforcement observed a video Hall posted on Facebook of him possessing a black and silver 9mm handgun while walking down the 5600 block of Walter Avenue in Hammond, Indiana. Law enforcement subsequently learned Hall had a prior 2023 felony domestic battery conviction, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm or ammunition. On February 20, 2026, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle where Hall was a passenger and recovered the black and silver 9mm handgun that he earlier possessed in the video he posted.
“Jonathan Hall was sentenced today to federal prison for knowingly possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The defendant’s actions demonstrate his disdain for civil society and make him a continual threat to the safety of our communities. This successful prosecution was made possible by the strong working relationships and seamless collaboration between the Hammond Police Department and the Alcohol, Tabacco, and Firearms Administration. Together, these agencies remain dedicated to removing dangerous weapons from the hands of violent offenders and maintaining safe neighborhoods for all residents. This sentence sends a clear message that illegal firearm possession will not be tolerated, and our collaborative law enforcement partnerships will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes," said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. Nozick.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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Grand Prairie bookkeeper indicted for allegedly embezzling $1.2 million from elderly coupleRead the Press Release
DALLAS — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a Grand Prairie woman was federally indicted Sept. 15 alleging that she embezzled at least $1.2 million from an elderly Waxahachie couple who trusted her with their family finances.
Nancy Black, 69, was charged with ten counts of bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft. She had her Initial Appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Toliver Judge on Sept. 23.
“Stealing more than a million dollars from a family who relied on you is a profound breach of trust and betrayal of the highest magnitude,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “Crimes like this don’t just drain bank accounts; they upend lives and inflict lasting hardship. My office will pursue anyone who targets vulnerable populations and weaponizes trust to commit fraud and identity theft.”
“For years Black allegedly lived a life of financial deception, stealing money and the identity of the family she worked for as a bookkeeper. Financial crimes like this one significantly and horribly impact everyday people. There are always victims,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus, of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Texas Field Office. “Our special agents are law enforcement officers who are experts in solving financial crimes. Working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, we are driven to hold these types of alleged criminals accountable.”
According to the indictment, from at least 2018 to 2024, Black worked as a bookkeeper for a Waxahachie couple who had originally hired her since at least in the early 2000s. In this role, Black allegedly stole from the couple by forging checks made payable to herself, using the victims’ bank accounts to pay offer her own credit card bills and withdrawing cash from an account she had been tasked with closing over a decade earlier.
If convicted, Black faces a maximum penalty of thirty years in prison for each of the bank fraud counts and two years for each of the two aggravated identity theft counts.
IRS-Criminal Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ignacio Perez de la Cruz of the Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska - September 2026Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 12 unsealed Indictments charging 12 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
John Deal, age 46, of North Platte, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Deal with receipt of child pornography beginning on at least October 21, 2011, and continuing to at least December 29, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Deal with possession of child pornography on or about August 4, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Miguel Angel Bartolo-Juan, age 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Bartolo-Juan with travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct between on or about August 17, 2024, and on or about August 30, 2024. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Bartolo-Juan with production or attempted production of child pornography beginning on or about February 16, 2024, through on or about August 14, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 15 years and up to 30 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Dontae Middlebrook, age 46, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about August 19, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 4 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Noe Polanco-Flores, age 42
Juan Pacheco-Perez, age 54
Ronald Ezequiel Rivas Sibrian, age 38
Jairo Reyes-Guardado, age 44
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following a felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Rigoberto Barrera Mendoza, age 42
Hector Curiel-Galindo, age 64
Jose Natividad Lopez-Delgado, age 53
Macario Solis Morales, age 43
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Elvis Vargas-Murillo, age 38
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Four Massachusetts Men Arrested and Charged for Fraud, Money Laundering SchemesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Four individuals have been indicted as part of ongoing investigations into the theft and fraudulent deposit of more than $12.2 million in stolen U.S. Treasury checks and more than $1 million in other frauds targeting federally insured banks and credit unions and their customers.
The following defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count each of bank fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
1. David Obeng, 24, of Dedham; 2. Lynley Joseph, 26, of Brockton; 3. Lindsley Georges, 33, of Everett; and
4. Shaunsayh Addo, 33, of Leominster.A second indictment also charged Obeng with one count of wire fraud conspiracy, five counts of bank fraud, two counts of money laundering and one count of aggravated identity theft.
All four defendants were arrested this morning. Following initial appearances in federal court in Boston, Joseph and Addo were released on conditions and Obeng and Georges remain detained pending hearings to be scheduled at a later date.
According to court records, Georges was previously convicted of money laundering in the District of Massachusetts in January 2022. Georges was serving a term of federal supervised release at the time of his alleged participation in the conspiracies charged in the indictment.
“United States Treasury checks belong to the American people. Defendants who steal and deposit them, like the defendants charged today, steal from all of us,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Fraudsters who saddle banks, credit unions, and their customers with million-dollar losses harm consumers too. My office and our law enforcement partners remain committed to pursuing justice for victims of financial scams, and we will hold accountable those who attempt to prey on the public’s money and American financial institutions.”
“Today’s indictment of these four individuals is a major step in bringing justice for all those impacted by this self-serving crime,” said Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office. “For too long, organized criminal elements have preyed on the American public. These individuals thought that they were untouchable, operating with impunity, as they stole treasury checks intended for hard working taxpayers. IRS-CI is committed to finding defendants involved in fraud and bringing them to justice.”
“Today, we arrested four men for their alleged roles in a years-long, sprawling fraud ring that not only defrauded multiple banks and credit unions out of millions of dollars, but dragged dozens of innocent victims into their scheme. These men apparently thought they found an easy way to score some fast cash, but they couldn’t have been more wrong. Fraud is never the answer if you feel your paycheck isn’t up to par,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division. “The FBI will investigate anyone engaged in this sort of alleged criminal behavior. To those thinking about following in their footsteps: get ready to learn the same lesson, courtesy of the FBI and our law enforcement partners.”
“The arrests made today highlight the broad reach of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service when it comes to dismantling complex financial crimes. This investigation showcases the results that postal inspectors strive to achieve in collaboration with our law enforcement partners. We remain steadfast in our mission of protecting the integrity of the U.S. Mail and all customers who use it,” said Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
According to the first indictment, the defendants allegedly coordinated the theft and deposit of United States Treasury checks, totaling at least $12.2 million between 2023 and 2026. As alleged, each of the U.S. Treasury checks was issued to a true payee but had been altered to be payable to shell companies the defendants controlled. Each defendant allegedly directed the deposit of fraudulent checks at banks or credit unions in and around Metro Boston in exchange for a cut of the proceeds of those deposits. Following the initial fraudulent deposits, the defendants allegedly conducted and caused others to conduct financial transactions to conceal the origin of the stolen funds, including, among other things, the purchase and deposit of cashier’s checks, the purchase of $310,000 in luxury watches and a $425,000 real estate loan secured by property in Nantucket, Mass.
Eight other individuals in June 2025 and one other individual in June 2026 were charged with the theft of government funds or bank fraud in connection with the deposit of the same stolen Treasury checks.According to the second indictment, Obeng and others allegedly obtained unauthorized electronic access to victims’ bank and retirement accounts, including through sending texts that were made to appear to be from the victims’ banks seeking to confirm a recent purchase and by posing as bank representatives in calls with victims. In the calls, conspirators allegedly posed as fraud investigators and persuaded victims to provide codes needed to authorize withdrawals from their accounts under the guise of verifying their identities. Obeng and others allegedly used this access to transfer funds from victim accounts to accounts Obeng and his coconspirators controlled. The indictment also alleges that Obeng and others recruited individuals to go into bank branches and pose as customers, open accounts, transfer or deposit fraud proceeds into these accounts and then withdraw the funds in cash.
The charges of bank fraud and bank fraud conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of money laundering and money laundering conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for sentence of no less than two-years in prison to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Foley; IRS SAC Demeo; FBI SAC Docks; and Acting USPIS IIC Page made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Kearney and Seth B. Kosto of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit are prosecuting the cases.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Four Aliens Charged with Election FraudRead the Press Release
Four aliens, including 2 illegal aliens, have been charged with election-related crimes, announced United States Attorney David Metcalf.
“Our sovereignty as a nation belongs to the American people and no one else,” U.S. Attorney Metcalf said. “Anyone, including illegal aliens, who votes illegally in our elections will be prosecuted for corrupting our democracy.”
“Voting by noncitizens is illegal and has real consequences for the American public,” said HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Nathan Abel. “Every unlawful ballot can undermine confidence in the election process and diminish the voices of American citizens. HSI Philadelphia remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate election-related fraud and help protect the integrity of U.S. elections.”
Cliff Sanon, 39, an illegal alien from Haiti who has been residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of submitting a fraudulent voter registration application. According to the complaint, Sanon allegedly submitted a voter registration application in February 2026 in Philadelphia County prior to the May 2026 primary election, despite being a citizen of Haiti and not an American citizen. The complaint further alleges that this was among eight fraudulent voter registration applications submitted by Sanon, who also voted in the November 2022 election. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of five years of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
Image of Cliff Sanon, 39, an illegal alien from HaitiDilea Ochoa-Perez, 43, an illegal alien from Mexico who has been residing in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, was charged by information with two counts of voting as an alien. According to the information, Ochoa-Perez allegedly illegally voted in Chester County in the November 2022 and November 2024 general elections, even though she was a citizen of Mexico at the time of both elections and not an American citizen. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of two years of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a $200,000 fine, and a $50 special assessment.
Trinidad & Tobago national, Sade Guppy, 37, a lawful permanent resident, was charged by information with one count of voting as an alien. According to the information, Guppy allegedly illegally voted in Philadelphia County in the November 2022 general election, even though she was not a United States citizen. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of one year of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a $100,000 fine, and a $25 special assessment.
Image of Trinidad & Tobago national, Sade Guppy, 37, a lawful permanent resident Image of Trinidad & Tobago national, Sade Guppy, 37, a lawful permanent residentMexican national, Eduardo Gallardo Maldonado, 66, a lawful permanent resident, was charged by information with one count of voting as an alien. According to the information, Maldonado allegedly illegally voted in Philadelphia County in the November 2024 general election, even though he was not a United States citizen. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of one year of imprisonment, one year of supervised release, a $100,000 fine, and a $25 special assessment.
These cases were investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
The charges and allegations contained in the criminal complaint and information are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
Fort Wayne – Gerald Martin, 52, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced by Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Martin was sentenced to 180 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
“Martin used, persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Gerald Martin will spend the next fifteen years in prison for his actions. Child exploitation and production of child pornography cases are a parent’s worst nightmare. These offenses have life-altering, lasting impacts on victims and their families and require severe punishment to deter others from engaging in this heinous behavior. The United States Attorneys’ Office will use whatever resources at our disposal to aggressively prosecute these offenders and get justice for their victims.” Said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
Fort Wayne – Gerald Martin, 52, of Fort Wayne, Indiana was sentenced by Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to Sexual Exploitation of Children, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Martin was sentenced to 180 months in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
“Martin used, persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Gerald Martin will spend the next fifteen years in prison for his actions. Child exploitation and production of child pornography cases are a parent’s worst nightmare. These offenses have life-altering, lasting impacts on victims and their families and require severe punishment to deter others from engaging in this heinous behavior. The United States Attorneys’ Office will use whatever resources at our disposal to aggressively prosecute these offenders and get justice for their victims.” Said U.S. Attorney Mildred.
“Children should never be targets for sexual exploitation, and the harm caused by these crimes can last a lifetime,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “The FBI is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who exploit children, and we will continue working closely with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to protect victims and pursue justice.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Fort Wayne Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lesley J. Miller Lowery
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Fort Mill Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Transportation of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Wesley Keith Zimmer, 31, of Fort Mill, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for transportation of child sexual abuse material.*
Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Zimmer possessed, transported, and distributed child sexual abuse material. He additionally solicited two children to produce child sexual abuse material and sent sexually explicit images to one minor.
In May 2024, FBI agents received information that Zimmer was communicating with a 13-year-old girl on the website quora.com. After learning the girl’s age, Zimmer continued to send sexually explicit images to the victim and eventually compelled the victim to send similar sexually explicit pictures of herself back to him. Zimmer directed the victim to delete their chats and provided instructions on how to remove messages from her device. Additionally, Zimmer specifically directed the child to delete the images she sent to him from her WhatsApp chat.
A review of Zimmer’s electronic devices, including an iPad, an iPhone and a laptop, revealed Zimmer was in communication with another minor victim on Snapchat. The Snapchat communication between Zimmer, an adult male and a 15-year-old girl revealed several screenshot CSAM images taken by Zimmer, which appeared to be from “live” audio/video Snapchat groups with the three of them as participants. Zimmer distributed the screenshot CSAM images from the Snapchat group to the adult male and the 15-year-old girl.
FBI agents reviewed several historical National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cybertips regarding Zimmer and his alleged online activity involving CSAM. The Cybertip indicated that the CSAM images were downloaded by Zimmer in North Carolina. FBI agents executed a search warrant on Zimmer’s residence in South Carolina. They found 364 “visually unique” CSAM images on Zimmer’s iPhone that were identical to many of the images found in the NCMEC Cybertips. Zimmer transported those images from North Carolina to his residence in South Carolina.
United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced Zimmer to 240 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a lifetime term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system. He was also ordered to pay $48,500 in restitution to the victims.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
This case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney A. Lothrop Morris prosecuted the case.###
* The term “child pornography” is currently used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person less than 18 years old. While this phrase still appears in federal law, “child sexual abuse material” is preferred, as it better reflects the abuse that is depicted in the images and videos and the resulting trauma to the child.
Former New Hampshire Residents Indicted for Scheme to Steal and Launder Money Stolen from ATMsRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Former New Hampshire residents Christopher Skinner, 41, and Amee Skinner, 37, have been indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with a total of twenty counts between them for their scheme to steal and launder money from bank ATMs, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Defendant Christopher Skinner, formerly of Milford, is charged with 18 counts of bank theft, two counts of money laundering, and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. Defendant Aimee Skinner, formerly of Conway, is charged with two counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Christopher Skinner was arrested on August 30, 2026, in Texas, waived his initial appearance, and pleaded not guilty. Amee Skinner waived her initial appearance and pleaded not guilty to the charges this week.
According to the charging documents and the public record, in February 2024, Christopher Skinner was employed by a business responsible for loading currency into ATMs throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Beginning on February 2, 2024, Skinner allegedly stole cash while loading the ATMs. Between February 2 and February 26, 2024, Skinner allegedly stole approximately $259,574 from ATMs belonging to two victim banks.
The indictment alleges that beginning on February 3, 2024, Christopher and Amee Skinner made frequent cash deposits into a joint bank account and an account held solely in Amee’s name. From February 3 to July 22, 2024, the two allegedly deposited $117,175 in cash into the two accounts. The defendants allegedly used the stolen funds to make substantial personal purchases, including $40,000 in cash for a 2019 GMC Sierra and $28,814 in cash for a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. According to the indictment, the defendants also used stolen funds to pay for additional travel, retail, and online purchases.
The bank theft counts each carry a maximum prison term of 10 years. The money laundering counts carry a maximum prison term of 10 years, and the money laundering conspiracy count carries a maximum term of 20 years. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes governing the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy is prosecuting the case.
Former Executive Director of Meriden and Groton Housing Authorities Charged with Fraud and Money Laundering OffensesRead the Press Release
ROBERT CAPPELLETTI, 60, of Middlebury, has been charged in a nine-count indictment with fraud and money laundering offenses related to employment as the executive director of housing authorities in Meriden and Groton.
The announcement was made by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut; P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the FBI; and Shawn Rice, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region.
On September 22, 2026, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Cappelletti with five counts of wire fraud and four counts of making illegal monetary transactions, and Cappelletti was arrested today. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, pleaded not guilty to the charges in the indictment, and was released on a $500,000 bond pending trial.
As alleged in the indictment, from approximately 2009 to May 2025, Cappelletti served as the executive director of the Meriden Housing Authority (“MHA”), which provides public housing for low-income families in Meriden, and as a board member of the Maynard Road Corporation (“MRC”), a non-profit corporation that supported development and redevelopment projects for the MHA. From approximately 2016 to January 2025, as part of a shared services agreement with the MHA, Cappelletti also served as the executive director of the Groton Housing Authority (“GHA”), which provides public housing for low-income families in Groton. In 2022, Cappelletti fraudulently borrowed $16,200,000 from a victim lender, purportedly on behalf of the MRC. As part of the loan transaction, Cappelletti executed a promissory note on behalf of the MRC and a guarantee of the promissory note on behalf of the MHA without obtaining authorization from either entity’s board of directors. Cappelletti falsely represented to the lender that the MRC and the MHA authorized the loan transaction, which he substantiated with fraudulent resolutions from the MRC and the MHA purporting to authorize the loan.
The indictment alleges that, in July 2022, the victim lender wired $13,961,750, which represented the amount of the loan after costs and fees, into a MRC bank account. Thereafter, Cappelletti directed a series of financial transactions designed to enrich himself and conceal his fraudulent conduct. Through those transactions, Cappelletti converted a portion of the money for his own use, including depositing approximately $450,000 into his personal investment account and paying $374,752.87 toward the mortgage on his personal residence.
The indictment further alleges that even though the GHA and the Greater Groton Realty Corporation (“GGRC”), a non-profit corporation that supports development and redevelopment projects for the GHA, were not parties or guarantors of the loan, Cappelletti used his position as GHA’s executive director to direct a series of payments toward the loan using GHA funds. Cappelletti misrepresented to the GHA and GGRC that the payments were related to a forthcoming bond for a development project in Groton and would be reimbursed, and he submitted forged invoices to justify the payments and conceal his scheme.
Wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, and making illegal monetary transactions carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel J. Gentile and Raymond Miller.
Florida Man Sentenced to 57 Months in Prison for Robbery Affecting CommerceRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Andrew Wells, Sr., 51 years old, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to robbery affecting commerce, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Andrew Wells, Sr., was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release and ordered to pay $25,699 in restitution to the victims of the offense.
According to documents in the case, on October 25, 2022, in Hammond, Indiana, Wells robbed two cigarette delivery workers of 11 cases and 2 cartons of cigarettes valued at $25,699 with another robber while a third robber held the victim workers at gunpoint.
“Andrew Wells, Sr. has been sentenced to a lengthy federal prison term for orchestrating a violent, armed robbery against delivery drivers employed by the very company he was hired to protect. Our delivery workers provide an essential service to our communities, and they have the absolute right to do their jobs without a firearm pointed at their faces. The defendant did not just commit an act of senseless violence; he utterly violated a position of trust. Instead of protecting his colleagues, he used his insider knowledge as a security guard to target them, making his crimes particularly egregious and fully deserving of today’s severe sentence. This successful prosecution sends a clear message that violent crime will be met with swift and decisive justice. We are deeply grateful for the seamless collaboration and tireless efforts of the FBI’s Gang Response Investigative Team (GRIT) Task Force and the Hammond Police Department. Their exceptional teamwork ensured this dangerous individual was taken off our streets and held fully accountable,” said United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
“People should be able to go to work, do their jobs, and make it home safely without having a gun pointed at them,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This defendant took advantage of his position of trust and used what he knew about the company’s operations to target innocent workers and put their lives at risk. The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to follow the evidence, identify those responsible for violent crimes, and make sure they are held accountable.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Gang Response Investigative Team Task Force and the Hammond Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dean R. Lanter.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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