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16 July 2026
Roseville Man Indicted for Possessing Heroin and Cocaine for DistributionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury today returned a two-count indictment charging Julian Beall, 37, of Roseville, with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on June 10, 2026, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at Beall’s Roseville residence and a Midtown Sacramento apartment used as a stash location. At the apartment, officers seized more than 51 pounds of heroin, more than 22 pounds of cocaine, and drug-trafficking paraphernalia, including scales and heat-sealing equipment. At Beall’s residence, officers seized $133,420 in cash.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Sacramento Police Department, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Cornell is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Beall faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Redi-Bag USA and CEO Agree to Pay $7.3 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Evaded Customs DutiesRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – New York Packaging II LLC d/b/a Redi-Bag USA, a New York-based supplier of custom bags, liners, and packaging, along with the company’s CEO, Jeffrey Rabiea, have agreed to pay a total of $7.3 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by misrepresenting on customs entry forms the country of origin of polyethylene retail carrier bags (PRCBs), thereby evading antidumping duties owed to the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
“Antidumping duties help protect American taxpayers, workers, and businesses. This settlement agreement shows that our Office will continue to vigorously investigate and pursue allegations that businesses are evading those duties through unlawful conduct.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
To enter goods into the United States, an importer must declare, among other things, the country of origin of the goods, the value of the goods, whether the goods are subject to duties, and the amount of duties owed. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collects applicable duties, including antidumping duties assessed by the Department of Commerce. Antidumping duties protect against foreign companies “dumping” products on U.S. markets at prices below cost. During the relevant time period, PRCBs from the People’s Republic of China (China) were subject to antidumping duties.
The settlement resolves allegations that Redi-Bag USA and Mr. Rabiea knew that PRCBs they imported and supplied to customers across the United States were manufactured in China and transshipped through Hong Kong. Redi-Bag USA and Mr. Rabiea nevertheless misrepresented on customs entry forms that the country of origin of the PRCBs was Hong Kong, thus evading antidumping duties assessed by the United States under Antidumping Duty Order No. A-570-886 (ADD Order). When applicable, the ADD Order imposed an antidumping duty of up to 77.57% on the value of PRCBs manufactured in China and imported into the United States.
The United States alleged that Redi-Bag USA and Mr. Rabiea concealed the PRCBs’ true country of origin by hiding information from others, including the company’s customs broker and CBP, by directing employees to cover up “Made in China” markings, directing the manufacturer to remove “Made in China” markings, and directing the cancelation of orders after learning the orders would be inspected by customs authorities.
“Companies that benefit from access to U.S. markets must follow U.S. law, including by paying import duties that protect American manufacturers and workers from unfair foreign competition,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Justice Department will hold accountable those who evade duties owed to the United States.”
“CBP ensures that all companies comply with U.S. customs and trade laws,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. “With this settlement, we are protecting the integrity of our nation’s borders and holding those who attempt to evade customs duties accountable. We continue to work closely with our partners to safeguard fair trade and support lawful commerce.”
The settlement with Redi-Bag USA and Mr. Rabiea resolves a civil lawsuit filed by relator John Maierhoffer, a former contracted sales representative for Redi-Bag USA, under the whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and to share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and is captioned United States ex rel. Maierhoffer v. New York Packaging II LLC, et al., Civil No. 21-20170 (D.N.J.). As part of today’s resolution, Mr. Maierhoffer will receive approximately $1,332,250 of the settlement proceeds.
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules.
In 2025, the Department of Justice launched a cross-agency Trade Fraud Task Force to enhance efforts to combat and prevent trade fraud that deprives the government of vital revenue, threatens critical domestic industries, undermines consumer confidence, and weakens national security. The Task Force augments existing coordination mechanisms within the Department of Justice, leveraging expertise from both the Civil and Criminal Divisions, as well as the Department of Homeland Security, to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against any parties who seek to evade tariffs and other duties, as well as smugglers who seek to import prohibited goods into the American economy. The Justice Department encourages whistleblowers to alert the government to credible allegations of fraud, including utilizing the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act or through the Department’s Corporate Whistleblower Program at CorporateWhistleblower@usdoj.gov using the form available here.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Department of Justice Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from CBP’s Office of Associate Chief Counsel, New York, Northeast Region; CBP’s Office of Trade, Trade Regulatory Audit; and CBP’s Industrial & Manufacturing Materials Center, Office of Field Operations.
Assistant United States Attorney David Simunovich of the District of New Jersey and Trial Attorney Gavin Thole of the Justice Department’s Civil Division handled the case.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
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Counsel for New York Packaging II LLC: Peter Baldwin, Esq., New York, NY
Counsel for Relator John Maierhoffer: Bruce Judge, Esq., Boston, MA
redi-bag.agreement.pdfRaleigh Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Escape from Residential Reentry CenterRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Carlos Todd, 31, of Raleigh to one year and three months in federal prison for escaping from the South Raleigh Residential Reentry Center (RCC).
Todd began serving the last part of his previous prison sentence at the reentry center on July 8, 2025. The facility is a contracted halfway house operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The reentry program helps by gradually transitioning inmates from prison at the end of their term back into the community by supporting work, treatment, and personal responsibility. However, less than two weeks after arriving, Todd tested positive for marijuana, and the BOP recommended removing him and returning him to prison.
“At the end of their time in BOP, Federal inmates have an excellent opportunity to adjust to their return to society by successfully completing a stay in a RCC. These RCCs provide an opportunity for them to reintegrate and land on their feet,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Inmates who abuse this process and escape by leaving without permission will be pursued and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Take your time and learn from it, or we will add years onto your federal prison stay.”
On July 30, 2025, officials from the Riverside Regional Prison in North Prince George, Virginia arrived at the halfway house to transfer several inmates including, Todd, to prison because of his noncompliance, but Todd refused to leave and board the bus. After the officials departed, Todd absconded from the center without permission. He remained at large until U.S. Marshals apprehended him on February 27, 2026.
“Our deputies responded quickly, worked collaboratively, and safely apprehended the fugitive without incident. This successful outcome reflects the professionalism, preparedness, and unwavering commitment of the men and women of the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners,” said Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., United States Marshal. “Every successful apprehension strengthens public safety and reinforces our commitment to protecting the communities we serve. I am proud of the outstanding work performed by our team and grateful for their dedication to the mission every day.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the sentencing before U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. This investigation resulted from collaboration between the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the South Raleigh Residential Reentry Center.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:26-CR-00028-FL
Prior felon facing new felony charge following incident at large street partyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Anthony Dean, 24, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a weapon, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 15, 2026, at approximately 10 p.m., Buffalo Police and the FBI responded to a large, unruly street party at Eddie Dawson Park on Roetzer Street in Buffalo. When officers and agents arrived, they were met with a large crowd of individuals in the street. One law enforcement officer observed Dean reach towards his waist band with his right hand and retrieve a firearm as he turned away from the responding officers to flee the scene. An officer announced “gun,” and began chasing Dean on foot, accompanied by multiple other officers. As Dean was apprehended, he was observed throwing the firearm in the direction of a responding New York State Police trooper, striking the trooper in the leg with the firearm. The recovered firearm was a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Dean was convicted of a felony in Erie County Court in April 2024 and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Dean made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Michael J. Romer and was held pending a detention hearing on July 21, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Petersburg methamphetamine dealer sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. – A Petersburg man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, on Nov. 19, 2024, law enforcement conducted a controlled purchase of 102.81 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine from Rayquan Tyrell Coleman, 30. On Dec. 13, 2024, law enforcement searched two residences associated with Coleman in Chester and Colonial Heights, along with two vehicles. In the vehicle and residence in Chester, investigators located a rifle, two safes, vehicle registrations, money count sheets, $69,107, two cellphones, methamphetamine, marijuana, and packaging materials. From the vehicle at the Colonial Heights residence, investigators recovered a handgun, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy tablets, $4,349, packaging materials, and a digital scale with residue. The total weights of the substances recovered were 839.51 grams of methamphetamine, 85.89 grams of cocaine, 310.86 grams of methamphetamine tablets, and 967.16 grams of marijuana.
Coleman pled guilty on Jan. 15.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Gilliland prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-137.
Pensacola Tax Preparers Plead Guilty to Tax Fraud Conspiracy & Filing False ReturnsRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – D’ontrinique K. Johnson, formerly known as D’ontrinique K. Wilkerson, 30, and Tequilla D. Nairn, formerly known as Tequilla D. Robinson, 37, both of Pensacola, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to aid or assist in preparation of false tax returns and to stealing government money and filing false tax returns and three counts of filing a false tax return. Nairn additionally pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of wire fraud. The guilty pleas were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This successful prosecution by my office should be a warning to fraudsters anywhere in the Northern District of Florida: your time is up. If you rip off the U.S. taxpayer by defrauding the federal government, you have punched a one-way ticket for yourself to federal prison. Vice President J.D. Vance is spearheading the whole-of-government effort to combat fraud, waste, and abuse wherever it exists, while the National Fraud Enforcement Division is laser-focused on investigating and aggressively prosecuting frauds against the U.S. Government, and my office will ensure fraudsters pay for their crimes.”
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud 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.
Court documents reflect that Johnson worked as a tax preparer for Nairn, who owned and operated First Premium Solutions, a tax return preparation business in Pensacola. Between 2021 and 2023, Nairn and Johnson conspired to routinely prepare fraudulent federal income tax returns for their clients as well as fraudulent personal returns, collectively preventing the payment of more than $192,000 in federal taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service. Nairn and Johnson knew the returns they prepared contained materially false items, such as fraudulent credits or business information, which were never provided to them by their clients. In 2020 and 2021, Nairn also fraudulently filed for and obtained unemployment insurance benefits from both Florida and Virginia by falsely claiming she was not working due to the COVID pandemic and had not applied for benefits from other states, all while working as a tax preparer and not reporting the additional benefits on her tax returns.
Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for July 28, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. and Nairn’s sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. in Pensacola, Florida, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. If convicted, Johnson and Nairn face up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count and up to 3 years’ imprisonment for each filing a false tax return count. Nairn additionally faces a mandatory consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the wire fraud count.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Operation Return to Sender Results in Numerous Arrests and Law Enforcement Seizing More Than 300 Pounds of Methamphetamine Intended for Central ArkansasRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK— A large-scale federal investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Little Rock and North Little Rock that spanned two years and multiple states resulted in the arrest of 13 individuals in Operation Return to Sender on Tuesday, July 14, 2026. Twenty-three defendants accused of participating in an extensive methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy were charged in an indictment unsealed in conjunction with the arrests. Sixteen of those individuals are scheduled to appear today for plea and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joe J. Volpe. Fourteen defendants are in custody, and two defendants remain fugitives.
Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas and Warner “Brooks” Benson, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock District Office for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced the arrests that took place in Arkansas, California, and Texas. During Tuesday’s arrest operation, law enforcement seized 120 pounds of methamphetamine, four firearms (two stolen), and approximately $35,000 in U.S. currency. Additional seizures include 186 pounds of methamphetamine seized from packages mailed from October through November 2025, and approximately six pounds of methamphetamine seized directly from defendants. In total, law enforcement involved in the operation recovered approximately 312 pounds of methamphetamine that conspiracy members are alleged to have attempted to distribute in central Arkansas.
“If you bring death to our streets, we will come to your doors to bring you to our courts to answer for your crimes,” United States Attorney Ross said. “According to the Arkansas State Crime Lab, methamphetamine is the leading cause of death for Arkansans who die of a drug overdose. And so, in the era of fentanyl and other illicit opioid synthetics, investigating and disrupting methamphetamine trafficking remains essential. Because of the diligence of the DEA and their law enforcement partners on this investigation, 312 pounds of methamphetamine have been removed from the streets. We are grateful to these officers and Special Agents for their grit and resolve to find and remove this poison from our Arkansas communities.”
Operation Return to Sender is a Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) investigation headed by the DEA Little Rock Field Office that began in 2024. The DEA Little Rock Field Office and HSTF partnered with numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle the sophisticated drug-trafficking organization operating throughout central Arkansas and being sourced out of California that is alleged to be responsible for distributing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement used nine court-authorized wiretaps between December 2024 and November 2025 to investigate the drug-trafficking organization.
The indictment alleges that Christerious Wooten directed a drug-trafficking organization based in Little Rock and North Little Rock. The indictment further alleges that after members of the conspiracy transported United States currency from Arkansas to the greater Los Angeles, California, area to pay supplier Ronji Hill for the drug-trafficking organization’s methamphetamine, Hill arranged for methamphetamine packages to be mailed via commercial shipping services to residential addresses in Pulaski County, Chicot County, and other locations in the Eastern District of Arkansas. The indictment further alleges that in October 2025, after members of the conspiracy traveled to Los Angeles to pay Hill, Hill sent eight packages totaling 186 pounds of methamphetamine to Wooten’s drug-trafficking organization in Arkansas. These packages were intercepted by law enforcement in Arkansas between October 27, 2025, and November 3, 2025, before they reached their intended destinations. According to the indictment, members of the conspiracy maintained and purchased residential properties in Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Los Angeles for the purpose of distributing methamphetamine and to convert drug proceeds into legitimate property. On Tuesday, during the arrest operation, law enforcement seized an additional 120 pounds of methamphetamine from one of those properties in North Little Rock. Also at that residence, law enforcement seized three firearms, two of which were stolen, and more than $20,000 in U.S. currency. More than $15,000 and an additional firearm were seized in other locations. Previously and during the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized six pounds of methamphetamine.
“Operation Return to Sender is a testament to the unwavering commitment and collaboration of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in combating drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety of our communities. This investigation successfully dismantled a significant methamphetamine distribution network by targeting every level of the organization from its California-based source of supply to its local distributors and the assets that fueled its criminal enterprise,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Benson said. “The DEA remains steadfast in its mission to identify, investigate, and dismantle organizations responsible for trafficking dangerous drugs into Arkansas while holding those responsible accountable under the law.”
“Drug trafficking organizations exist for one reason—to generate illicit profits. Working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the women and men of IRS Criminal Investigation remain committed to tracing illicit proceeds and exposing the financial networks that support these organizations,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher J. Altemus, Jr. of IRS Criminal Investigation, Dallas Field Office. “Operation Return to Sender demonstrates how coordinated law enforcement efforts strengthen our ability to protect the safety of our communities.”
“Arkansas State Police is committed to helping our local and federal partners make Arkansas communities safer,” said Colonel Mike Hagar, Director of Arkansas State Police. “Operation Return to Sender is a natural extension of our mission, and we’re proud to support it and other operations that prevent deadly, illegal drugs from entering our state and removing them before they cause additional harm to Arkansas families. The distribution and sale of illicit drugs is the driving force behind criminal activity in Arkansas cities. Fracturing the drug supply pipeline is one of the best ways to make our communities safer.”
“With the support of our state, local, and federal partners, the Little Rock Police Department is committed to eradicating methamphetamine from our streets,” said Interim Chief of Police Joe Miller, Little Rock Police Department. “We will relentlessly pursue those who traffic this drug and continue working to improve the quality of life for all who call Central Arkansas home.”
“The North Little Rock Police Department is committed to utilizing all possible resources to protect our neighborhoods from drug traffickers and other criminal organizations,” said Chief of Police Hayward Finks, North Little Rock Police Department. “Operation Return to Sender is a significant example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners work together to combat criminal activity. Special thanks to all law enforcement personnel that participated in this operation.”
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock comprises agents and officers from the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, Arkansas State Police, Little Rock Police Department, and the North Little Rock Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Those arrested and their respective charge(s) are listed below. David Ellis and Corey Lucas remain fugitives.
Conspiracy to Distribute/Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 500 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 10 years, not more than life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, five years to life supervised release
Allysia Brown, aka Lisa, aka Liss, 29, Alexander, Arkansas
Sergio Burgueno, 51, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Jeremie Calvin, 22, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Shandreckqualin Chatman, aka Shandra, aka Shan, 34, Little Rock, Arkansas
David Ellis, 42, Malvern, Arkansas *fugitive
Charnice Frazier, aka Dookie, 29, Fort Worth, Texas
Ronji Hill, 57, Los Angeles, California
Nicolette Jones, aka Trip, 35, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Timothy Jones, 47, Sherwood, Arkansas
Robert Raper, aka Bobby, 49, Jacksonville, Arkansas
Desmond Rowe, Jr., aka Junior, 19, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Tristen Taylor, aka Bag, 28, Little Rock, Arkansas
Grealin Thomas, aka Maine, 47, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Scott Vest, aka Scotty, 47, Little Rock, Arkansas
Santadius Wilbarger, aka G, 44, Little Rock, Arkansas
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Conspiracy to Distribute/Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 50-500 Grams
Penalties: Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, four years to life supervised release
Christopher Chambers, 35, Morrilton, Arkansas
Clay Glasco, 46, Lonoke, Arkansas
Jacki Hogue, aka Jacki Wylie, 41, Redfield, Arkansas
Otis Kelly, 44, Greenbrier, Arkansas
Daniella Pruitt, 40, Morrilton, Arkansas
Conspiracy to Distribute/Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – Less Than 50 Grams
Penalties: Not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, three years to life supervised release
Alexander Cruz, 54, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Corey Lucas, 48, Little Rock, Arkansas *fugitive
Distribution of Methamphetamine – 50 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, four years to life supervised release
Sergio Burgueno, 51, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Jeremie Calvin, 22, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Desmond Rowe, Jr., aka Junior, 19, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Santadius Wilbarger, aka G, 44, Little Rock, Arkansas
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 50 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 5 years, not more than 40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $5,000,000, four years to life supervised release
Christopher Chambers, 35, Morrilton, Arkansas
David Ellis, 42, Malvern, Arkansas *fugitive
Daniella Pruitt, 40, Morrilton, Arkansas
Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – Less Than 50 Grams
Penalties: Not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $1,000,000, three years to life supervised release
Alexander Cruz, 54, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Corey Lucas, 48, Little Rock, Arkansas *fugitive
Scott Vest, aka Scotty, 47, Little Rock, Arkansas
Attempt to Distribute Methamphetamine – 500 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 10 years, not more than life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, five years to life supervised release
Ronji Hill, 57, Los Angeles, California
Attempt to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine – 500 Grams or More
Penalties: Not less than 10 years, not more than life imprisonment, a fine of not more than $10,000,000, five years to life supervised release
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premises
Penalties: Not more than 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of not more than $500,000, not more than three years supervised release
Sergio Burgueno, 51, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Christerious Wooten, aka CJ, 34, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Santadius Wilbarger, aka G, 44, Little Rock, Arkansas
Law enforcement partners who worked with the DEA Little Rock District Office and Homeland Security Task Force program, were:
IRS Criminal Investigation, Little Rock POD/Dallas Field Office,
Arkansas State Police,
Little Rock Police Department, and,
North Little Rock Police Department.
Assisting law enforcement agencies include:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Homeland Security Investigations,
U.S. Marshals Service,
Arkansas National Guard Counterdrug Task Force,
Arkansas Highway Police,
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office,
Fifth Judicial Drug Task Force,
Benton Police Department,
Hot Springs Police Department,
Malvern Police Department,
Sherwood Police Department, and,
Los Angeles, California, Police Department
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie Peters.
An Indictment contains only allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.# # #
Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
X (formerly known as Twitter):
@USAO_EDAR
Ontario Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing NarcoticsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An Ontario, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last week for distributing methamphetamine.
Cody Bernal Carroll, 31, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release.
According to court documents, in January 2023, law enforcement learned Carroll was distributing controlled substances. On February 9, 2023, Carroll sold a half a pound of methamphetamine, and, on February 23, 2023, he sold approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine. Pursuant to a search warrant at Carroll’s residence, investigators seized multiple firearms, including machine guns.
On October 5, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Carroll with distribution of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm.
On March 10, 2025, Carroll pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
ATF and FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Treasure Valley Metro Violent Crime Task Force, Ontario Police Department, and Oregon State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa E. LeRitz prosecuted the case.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Production and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Collin D. Jerabek, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 14, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for one count of production of child pornography and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Jerabek to 360 months’ imprisonment on the production count and 240 months’ imprisonment on the receipt and distribution count. The sentences will run concurrent to each other. There is no parole in the federal system. After Jerabek’s release from prison, he will begin a ten-year term of supervised release.
From on or about December 9, 2023, through on or about January 19, 2024, Jerabek posed as a teenage girl on Snapchat to induce four Minor Victims to provide Jerabek with sexually explicit material. Jerabek collected sexually explicit images of teenage girls from the internet and sent those images to the Minor Victims to convince them Jerabek was a similar-aged female. The Minor Victims each produced for and sent to Jerabek, while he was posing as a teenage girl, visual depictions of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including masturbating and, in at least two instances, anal penetration by an object. In a mirandized interview, Jerabek admitted to knowing the Minor Victims were all under the age of 18. The Minor Victims ranged from 11 to 15 years of age. Jerabek distributed the sexually explicit images sent to him by the Minor Victims to third parties on Snapchat, and in at least one instance, back to the Minor Victim who had sent the image to Jerabek.
“Any sex offender that targets Nebraska’s children can expect the same level of prosecution as Mr. Jerabek, which is to say the maximum authorized under the law for these offenses,” vowed U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods. “ Children need more protection now than ever from this type of online predator. We stand ready to provide it.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Ohio woman pleads guilty to meth chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Celina Serva aka Ce Ce, 27, of Akron, OH, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
On or about April 3, 2025, law enforcement observed a vehicle, driven by Serva, arrive in the driveway of a house known for drug activity. Serva got out of the vehicle and approached the front door. When law enforcement pulled in behind her vehicle, Serva immediately returned to her vehicle and threw a bag back inside the vehicle. Four children and Serva’s mother were inside the vehicle at the time. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant on the vehicle and recovered 960 grams of methamphetamine inside the bag Serva had thrown into the vehicle.
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 case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster and the Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief Daniel Ingrao.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 11, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Oakland Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking on the Oakland BladeRead the Press Release
OAKLAND — Michael Simon, 37, of Oakland, pleaded guilty in federal court today to Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion.
Simon was charged by Information on May 26, 2026, with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking by Force, Fraud, or Coercion.
In pleading guilty, Simon admitted to engaging in a conspiracy to commit human trafficking on the Oakland Blade and other locations between June 2023 and September 2025. Simon conspired with others to recruit, entice, harbor, maintain, obtain, transport, provide, and advertise Victim 1 and Victim 2, and other victims, knowing that force, threats, fraud, or coercion would be used to cause them to engage in commercial sex acts.
Simon agreed that Victim 1 and Victim 2, and other victims, would be advertised online and that they would solicit customers for commercial sex acts and that individuals would pay to have sex with them. Simon and his co-conspirators booked and used hotel rooms in Oakland to harbor and maintain the victims. The hotel rooms were to be used for commercial sex acts.
Simon and his co-conspirators used cellular telephones to field phone calls from prospective clients, identify prospective clients for commercial sex acts, and to communicate with the victims about their commercial sex work. Simon instructed Victim 1 and Victim 2 via text message to engage in prostitution. He instructed them to go to specific hotel rooms to engage in commercial sex acts and he instructed them to post online advertisements for commercial sex services.
The victims were not allowed to keep the money paid to them for commercial sex. The victims were expected to engage in commercial sex work when they were told, and did not have any say in their hours, their fees, or the location in which they were to perform commercial sex acts. When a victim refused to engage in commercial sex work as instructed or failed to hand over money received for sex work, Simon would physically punish them for non-compliance by physically assaulting them, including by hitting them in their head and face.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble made the announcement.
Simon’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1594(c). Any sentence will be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ivana Djak is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Amala James and Jessie Chelsea. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Oakland Police Department.
North Carolina Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Materials and Producing Animal Crush VideoRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Andrew Eric Childs, age 41, of Apex, North Carolina, was sentenced today to 216 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for distribution of child sexual abuse material (one count) and production of an “animal crush” video (one count). Childs was also ordered to pay $24,800 in restitution to the victims. He pleaded guilty to the charges on April 7, 2026.
According to court records, the defendant possessed and distributed child sexual abuse material and produced a video depicting his sexual abuse of a dog. Childs worked for Durham Emergency Medical Services at the time of his arrest, though the crimes were not connected to his employment.
Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI Charlotte Field Office, Raleigh Resident Agency and the Durham Police Department with assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Assistant United States Attorney Karla Painter for the Middle District of North Carolina 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 Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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North Carolina Business Owner Sentenced to Prison for Employment Tax CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A North Carolina woman was ordered to serve a year and a day in prison followed by two years of supervised release for her willful failure to account for and pay over almost $1 million in employment taxes on behalf of her business, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Brenda Wymer owned and operated Haven Home Care, Inc. (HHC), a North Wilkesboro, North Carolina company that provided home healthcare services. Wymer exercised control over HHC’s business and financial affairs and was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from HHC’s employees and paying over those funds to the IRS. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government because, among other things, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.
Between 2015 and 2024, Wymer caused HHC to withhold taxes from her employees’ paychecks but did not file tax returns accounting for these withholdings and did not pay this money to the IRS. Instead, she kept those tax funds for herself and her business.
Wymer pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to account for and pay over trust fund taxes. In total, Wymer caused a tax loss to the IRS of more than $973,000.
In addition to her prison sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Matthew E. Orso for the Western District of North Carolina ordered Wymer to pay $973,727.04 in restitution to the United States.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Daniel Lipkowitz of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley of the Western District of North Carolina are 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.
Nicholas County Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jonathan Wayne Vickers, 35, of Summersville, was sentenced today to four years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 13, 2024, a law enforcement officer responded to a reported ATV crash in Nicholas County and encountered emergency responders treating Vickers, the ATV’s operator who was injured in the crash. While Vickers was being treated, a SCCY Industries model CPX-2 9mm pistol fell from his person onto the gurney. As part of his guilty plea, Vickers admitted that he possessed the firearm.
Federal law prohibits a person with a prior felony conviction from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Vickers knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions for burglary and grand larceny on February 10, 2021, and conspiracy to commit breaking and entering on March 12, 2015, both in Nicholas County Circuit Court.
Vickers has a criminal history that includes two additional prior felony convictions
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Nicholas County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the assistance provided by the Nicholas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney D. Keith Randolph prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-185.
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New Orleans Man Sentenced to a Decade in Prison for Committing Federal Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – TYRONE WHITTINGTON (“WHITTINGTON”), age 41, was sentenced on July 16, 2026 by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier to 10 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, along with a $200 mandatory special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, WHITTINGTON was arrested by New Orleans Police Department officers on August 19, 2023, and by Louisiana State Police troopers on December 30, 2024. For each of those arrests, WHITTINGTON was in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine that he intended to distribute, as well as two handguns that furthered those drug-trafficking crimes.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney David Berman of the Violent Crime Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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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New Castle Resident Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl and Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of New Castle, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court on July 15, 2026, to charges of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine base, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Akeem Evans, 30, pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Judge David Stewart Cercone to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a quantity of fentanyl on March 13, 2024, and possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base on September 12, 2024.
Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for November 13, 2026. The law provides for a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, or both on each of the two counts. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, New Castle Police Department, and Lawrence County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Evans.
Missouri woman pleads guilty to oxycodone traffickingRead the Press Release
MISSOULA – A Missouri woman who was part of a Chicago-based drug ring that illegally obtained oxycodone from Montana pharmacies admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Mark Steger Smith said.
Whit’lee Laurie Amari Miller, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. Miller faces 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, at least three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided at the change of plea. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Miller remained out of custody on conditions pending sentencing which was set for November 12, 2026.
The government alleged in court documents that Miller, along with a group of associates, flew into Montana, visited various pharmacies across the state, and used falsified prescriptions to get oxycodone and other controlled substances. Miller and others in the group would give the oxycodone to Brandon Lavelle and Winfrey Jaylan Javier Wash, who then distributed it. Winfrey and Wash, who pleaded guilty to drug charges earlier this month, paid for expenses and directed group members which pharmacies to hit and when to enter.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The FBI and DEA conducted the investigation.
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Michigan Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Samuel Jermaine Caples, also known as “EJ,” 25, of Pontiac, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 9, 2026, Caples sold approximately 216.7 grams of 100 percent pure methamphetamine to a confidential informant at a Huntington residence in exchange for $1,600. As part of his guilty plea, Caples admitted that he conducted the transaction after the confidential informant arranged it with another individual.
Caples further admitted that he sold a mixture containing approximately 30.18 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $450 on December 2, 2025, and sold approximately 7.11 grams of fentanyl in exchange for $800 on January 14, 2026. Each transaction took place in Huntington.
Caples is scheduled to be sentenced on November 2, 2026, and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cabell County Sheriff's Office.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams and third-year law student intern Chloe A. Bailey are prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:26-cr-43.
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Mexican National Sentenced for Federal Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jorge Luis Mejia-Mejia, 40, of Mexico, was sentenced to 57 months in prison for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
According to investigators, on March 29, 2025, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 40 near Sallisaw arrested Mejia-Mejia after discovering over 878 grams of fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, concealed in an airbag panel of the vehicle.
The Honorable John F. Heil, III, Chief Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Mejia-Mejia will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
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.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.
Methamphetamine Trafficker and Tax Fraudster Sentenced to Federal Prison in Homeland Security Task Force CaseRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Leeman Brown has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virgina M. Hernandez Covington to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aiding and assisting false and fraudulent tax returns. Brown pleaded guilty on October 27, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe mad the announcement.
According to court documents, Brown conspired with others to smuggle methamphetamine, hidden in packages in the mail, from California to the Tampa area. At the same time, Brown submitted more than 80 false tax returns to the IRS that included fraudulent amounts of gambling losses, winnings, and federal income tax withholdings. The submissions requested large refunds from the IRS to which taxpayers are not entitled. Brown earned over $260,000 in proceeds from the scheme.
“The expertise and diligence by our HSTF law enforcement partners in this case is a clear example of our commitment to stem the flow of illegal drugs and protect our nation’s financial system against fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
“Tax fraud isn’t a game—and anyone who tries to cheat the system will quickly learn that IRS Criminal Investigation plays to win,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “IRS Special Agents are unwavering in their mission: protect America’s taxpayers, defend the integrity of our tax system, and hold offenders accountable. If you think you can beat the IRS, think again.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Stoia.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
Member of South L.A.-Based Crips Street Gang Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Role in $2.8 Million Bank Fraud Advertised on InstagramRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A member of the South Los Angeles-based Crips street gang was sentenced today to 108 months in federal prison for his role in a $2.8 million scheme in which he stole checks in the mail, altered them, then used Instagram to recruit bank account holders to give him access to their accounts so he could deposit the checks and quickly withdraw the funds before banks could detect the fraud.
Chase Matthew Griffin, 26, a.k.a. “Trey,” of Atlanta, who also resided in Ontario and South Los Angeles, was sentenced by United States District Judge Josephine L. Staton, who also ordered him to pay $307,386 in restitution.
Griffin pleaded guilty on March 5 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. He has been in federal custody since September 2025.
According to court documents, from 2022 to September 2025, Griffin participated in a criminal conspiracy in which he and others obtained checks stolen from the mail, then altered them or created counterfeit versions so they appeared to be payable to their accomplices.
Griffin recruited these accomplices online, often through Instagram, where he posted photographs of himself holding stacks of currency that were more than one foot high. He advertised for holders of various bank accounts to give him access to their accounts.
After he recruited an accomplice, Griffin and his co-conspirators deposited these fraudulent checks, which were typically for tens of thousands of dollars, into the accomplice’s bank account, then raced to withdraw the funds before the bank could detect the fraud.
For example, in December 2023, a North Hollywood business reported to law enforcement that it had mailed three checks totaling approximately $84,490 from a United States Postal Service collection box in Tarzana. However, the checks were stolen then deposited into JPMorgan Chase accounts not belonging to the intended recipients. The business representative provided images of the checks that had been deposited and confirmed the listed payee on each check had been changed from the intended recipient.
A law enforcement review of a Chase bank account where one of those checks was deposited revealed a previous deposit of approximately $22,487 made at an ATM in Upland. This check, along with another check for approximately $29,081, was stolen and used to create counterfeit checks with the same date, check number, and amount as the original, but with different payees.
The money was quickly withdrawn from the account and used for ATM withdrawals, Zelle and CashApp payments, a plane ticket, and card purchases at a San Bernardino County casino. Law enforcement later traced the scheme to Griffin.
The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter with assistance from Upland Police Department
Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Brown of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.
Manson Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
A man who conspired to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty on July 15, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.
Tanner Thomas Rokes, age 36, from Manson, Iowa, was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Rokes admitted that from 2021 to July, 2025, in Webster County, Iowa, he was involved in distributing over five pounds of methamphetamine. In May 2025 law enforcement officers received information that Rokes was a pound-level distributor of methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers then made multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Rokes.
On July 15, 2025, officers stopped Rokes while he was driving without a valid driver’s license. Prior to stopping his car, officers observed Rokes throw 80 grams of methamphetamine out the car’s window. Rokes ultimately stopped the car and officers found additional methamphetamine inside the car. Officers also found the discarded methamphetamine.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Rokes remains free on bond previously set. Rokes faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Fort Dodge Police Department, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa State Patrol.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 25-CR-03059. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Man Sentenced for Suborning Perjury in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
FLINT —Omar R. Pouncy, 39, of Flint, was sentenced on July 14, 2026, to five years in federal prison for suborning perjury, U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Detroit Field Office.
U.S. District Court Judge F. Kay Behm imposed sentence on Pouncy following his guilty plea to suborning perjury. Pouncy pleaded guilty after a trial and while the jury was deliberating. Judge Behm ordered Pouncy’s sentence to be served consecutively to his state sentences for armed robbery and carjacking. Pouncy’s earliest release date for his state sentences is February 2055, and Pouncy’s state sentences could run until December 2074. Pouncy will serve his federal sentence after his state sentences. Judge Behm also ordered Pouncy to pay a $50,000 fine.
According to court documents and the testimony and evidence elicited at trial, Pouncy was convicted of committing multiple carjackings and armed robberies in Genesee County in 2005. The trial court sentenced Pouncy to a lengthy term of incarceration. After exhausting all of his appeals in state court, Pouncy filed a federal habeas corpus petition in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in 2013. During the federal habeas proceedings, Pouncy alleged, among other things, that he was innocent of the carjackings for which he had been convicted, and that another man, Jaakawa McGruder, had committed the carjackings instead of Pouncy.
On May 22, 2018, the U.S. District Court conducted an evidentiary hearing on Pouncy’s actual innocence claims. During the hearing, Jaakawa McGruder testified falsely that he, not Pouncy, committed the carjackings. During the hearing, McGruder also testified falsely that he had not been offered and was not receiving any money for his testimony or his presence at the hearing, when in fact, Pouncy paid McGruder $10,000 to testify. Pouncy’s scheme was uncovered when employees of the Michigan Department of Corrections found, and later searched, two cell phones that Pouncy was using from inside prison. Text messages on the phones revealed that Pouncy coached McGruder on how to testify, providing him with details of the carjackings and robberies that only the perpetrator would know. The text messages also revealed Pouncy’s directives to others to ensure payment to McGruder in order to secure his testimony in the habeas proceeding.
McGruder and another person who assisted Pouncy in his scheme were previously convicted for their roles.
“Trying to buy your freedom with lies and fabricated testimony is a foolish attempt to pervert the integrity of our justice system. These deceptive efforts nearly put a violent offender back on our streets, and this sentence ensures he will face the consequences,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “I am grateful for the exceptional work of our FBI Flint Resident Agency and the critical partnership of the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and Michigan Department of Corrections in helping expose this conspiracy. I also want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for its work in prosecuting this case and recognize the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance throughout the trial. Let this sentence serve as a warning to those who attempt to undermine our justice system: the FBI and our partners will pursue the truth, protect the integrity of our courts, and hold you accountable.”
This investigation was conducted by special agents of the FBI’s Flint Resident Agency.
Man Charged with Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center ArsonRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced that Vincent Lang, 60, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested today and charged by criminal complaint with one count of maliciously damaging or destroying by means of fire any building or property used in interstate commerce, or attempting to do so, in connection with an arson fire last week at a city mosque.
The criminal complaint alleges that, in the early hours of July 5, 2026, the defendant approached the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center, located on the 1400 block of Tyson Avenue, ignited an improvised incendiary device, and threw the device into the entryway of the mosque, causing a fire inside the structure.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with the assistance of the Civil Rights Division. The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Arson and Explosives Task Force, with assistance from the FBI, Philadelphia Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office Special Investigations Unit, Philadelphia Police Department, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Amanda R. Reinitz and J. Jeanette Kang.
The charges and allegations contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Liberty, Missouri Man Sentenced for Attempted Production, Receipt, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Liberty, Mo. man was sentenced in federal court today for attempted production of child pornography, and receipt and possession of child pornography.
Trevor Scott Teegarden, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Beth Phillips to 188 months in federal prison without parole. The Court also ordered Teegarden to serve a 15-year term of supervised release following his incarceration.
Teegarden will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.
Teegarden pleaded guilty on Jan. 29, 2026, to attempting to produce, receiving, and possessing child pornography. According to court documents, Teegarden engaged in explicit sexual communications with a person Teegarden believed to be a 14-year-old child but was an undercover law enforcement officer. On June 28, 2024, Teegarden requested a nude image of the alleged minor and expressed an interest in meeting with the purported 14-year-old child to engage in sexual conduct. A federal search warrant was executed at Teegarden’s residence in Liberty, Mo., and additional images of child pornography were discovered in his possession.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen A. Brackett. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab "resources."
Lawrence Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank EmbezzlementRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man was sentenced yesterday for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Citizens Bank branch in Tewksbury, Mass.
Jefry Castro, 34, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge Patti B. Saris to one year and one day in prison, five years of supervised release and $375,233 in restitution. In April 2026, Castro pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement by a bank employee.
Castro worked as the manager of the Citizens Bank branch in Tewksbury. Between May 2024 and August 2025, he embezzled $374,233 from the bank. Castro embezzled the money primarily by taking cash from two ATMs at the bank. He covered his theft by moving money from cash deposits and cash shipments to the bank to replace the cash in the ATMs. Castro also changed numbers on the bank’s balance sheets to falsify the total amount of cash at the bank.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy E. Moran of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of over 23,000 Images and Videos of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty today to receiving and possessing thousands of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after a forensic analysis of his digital devices.
"By securing this guilty plea, we have fast-tracked justice for victims and ensured that this predator will be removed from our community,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “We will continue to deploy every technological resource available to intercept this type of material and hold perpetrators fully accountable."
“Every image or video depicting child sexual abuse represents evidence of a real child, including infants and toddlers, who has endured harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “The exploitation of our nation's most vulnerable children is unconscionable. The FBI remains steadfast in our mission to identify and apprehend these offenders. In partnership with other law enforcement agencies, we are committed to holding those responsible for these violent online crimes fully accountable.”
According to court documents and statements made at court proceedings, from August 27, 2021, to April 4, 2024, Jesse Ross Cowie purchased the entire catalogue of CSAM from a convicted producer of CSAM. The catalogue was predominantly CSAM depicting infants and toddlers. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence. A forensic analysis of his digital devices found over 23,125 images and 1,861 videos of CSAM depicting infants and toddlers, and children under the age of 12.
Cowie pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
The statutory minimum sentence is five years in prison and statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison for receipt of child pornography; and the statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison for possession of child pornography. Sentencing is scheduled for October 14, 2026, before United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon. A judge will impose a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the 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.
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Lake City Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Meth and Firearm ConvictionsRead the Press Release
Clayton Brown, age 34, from Lake City, Iowa, was sentenced in federal court in Sioux City, on July 16, 2026, to 210 months’ imprisonment. Brown pled guilty on March 18, 2026, to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Brown has seven prior felony convictions that prohibited him from possessing guns, including three for drugs and two high-speed eludings.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Brown was involved in a conspiracy that distributed at least four pounds of methamphetamine in about eight-months in 2025. Twice in October 2025, Brown distributed over 80 grams of pure methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. During a search of Brown’s home, officers seized a Glock handgun, methamphetamine, marijuana, over $2,000 in cash, and other items related to drug distribution.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Brown to 210 months’ imprisonment along with a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Brown remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
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 case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa DCI Laboratory, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-3057. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
LS Cable and System USA Inc. Agrees to Pay $4 Million to Resolve Allegedly False PPP Loan and Forgiveness ClaimsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – LS Cable & System USA, Inc., agreed to pay $4 million to the United States to resolve allegedly false claims for payments under Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and PPP loan forgiveness.
“This civil fraud settlement demonstrates our commitment to protect taxpayer money and to guard the integrity of our federal programs,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Our office will zealously pursue those who wrongfully take funds in violation of program requirements.”
The settlement arises from allegations that LS Cable knowingly misrepresented the number of its employees and affiliated personnel and unlawfully sought and obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds and loan forgiveness totaling
over $2,004,414 for which it was not legally eligible.
The False Claims Act allows the Government to seek recovery of three times the amount of falsely obtained money, plus substantial penalties for each false claim submitted, and attorneys’ fees to the whistleblower who initiated this action. It should be noted that the civil claims resolved by settlement here are allegations only, and that there has been no judicial determination or admission of liability. LS Cable denies the fraud allegations.
This matter was addressed through close partnership and coordinated efforts between the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
A copy of this press release can be located on our website. Related court documents and information can be located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CV-130-BO.
July term of the Federal Grand Jury returns indictments for firearms and immigration chargesRead the Press Release
SAVANNAH, Georgia: Multiple defendants have been indicted by the July term of the federal Grand Jury in the Southern District of Georgia for firearms offenses and immigration violations.
Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, announced the indictments. Those facing federal charges include:
- Robert Lee Jones, 22, of Richmond County, indicted for Illegal Possession of a Machinegun and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Steven Allan Darby, 39, of Richmond County, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Tavis Tallent, 26, of Richmond County, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Raheem Kirkland, 30, of Savannah, indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
- Luis Alvarado-Pavedes, 18, of Honduras, indicted for Illegal Possession of a Machinegun and Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien.
Statutory penalties for illegal possession of a machinegun can result in up to 10 years in prison. Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or illegal alien may result in up to 15 years in prison and each may also be accompanied by significant financial penalties and up to three years of supervised release.
In addition, six men are charged with Re-entry After Removal or Deportation, a charge applied to an illegal alien present in the United States after at least one prior removal:
- Juan Capulin-Martinez, 52, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., arrested in Camden County.
- Juan DeSantiago-Castillo, 40, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., arrested in Atkinson County.
- Juan Carlos Martinez-Perez, 41, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., arrested in Bulloch County.
- Francisco Javier Mendez-Villa, 32, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., arrested in Camden County.
- Hector Ezquivel Mireles, 35, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., arrested in Camden County.
- Juan Miguel Osorio Rojas, 40, a citizen of Mexico illegally in the U.S., arrested in Glynn County.
Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The cases listed above have been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement agencies. These cases are being prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karl I. Knoche, Kelsey L. Scanlon, Makeia R. Jonese, Lauren C. Olsen, Henry W. Syms Jr., and Matthew A. Breedon.
Jefferson Parish Man Guilty of Being Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On June 25, 2026, JAEQUAN BAILEY (“BAILEY”), age 31, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
BAILEY faces up to 15 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, at least three years of supervised release, and payment of a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. Sentencing in this case is set for October 15, 2026.
According to court documents, on September 26, 2024, BAILEY drove a black Acura to the intersection of Tullis Drive and Woodland Drive in New Orleans, accompanied by another individual in the passenger seat. Upon arrival, BAILEY fired multiple shots from a Glock Model 19X, 9-millimeter caliber pistol, while the other individual fired a semiautomatic rifle, at two individuals in the area. After the shooting, BAILEY and his accomplice fled the scene in the Acura.
Shortly after the shooting, New Orleans Police Department officers (NOPD) received a 911 call reporting a shooting at the intersection of Tullis Drive and Woodland Drive. Upon arrival, officers learned that a victim was located on Tullis Drive not far from the shooting. When officers arrived at that location, they found a male victim laying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his upper right thigh. A search of the scene revealed five 9-millimeter cartridge casings and seventeen 7.62- millimeter casings.
In November of 2024, an arrest warrant for an unrelated matter was issued for BAILEY. On November 26, 2024, NOPD officers confirmed that BAILEY lived in Elmwood, Louisiana (Jefferson Parish) with his girlfriend. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies assisted NOPD in executing the arrest warrant and a search warrant. Upon arriving at BAILEY’s residence, deputies discovered the black Acura that BAILEY drove during the shooting on September 26, 2024.
Deputies also searched BAILEY’s apartment. During the search, deputies recovered BAILEY’s cellphone that he attempted to hide in the toilet tank inside the bathroom. Deputies also recovered the Glock Model 19X, 9-millimeter caliber pistol that BAILEY possessed in the September 26, 2024, shooting, hidden in a dresser drawer. During the investigation, officers confirmed that the 9-millimeter cartridge casings found at the scene of the September 26, 2024, shooting ballistically matched the same Glock Model 19X, 9-millimeter caliber pistol, found in BAILEY’s apartment.
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, New Orleans Police Department, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy L. Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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Jay Man Arrested and Detained for Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Albert Leon, age 57, of Jay, New York, was detained June 30, 2026. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.
The defendant was arrested on June 23, 2026, for transportation of child pornography. Ten Cyber Tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led to his arrest.
In making his detention decision on June 30, 2026, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista stated that Leon is a danger to the community.
“The reprehensible conduct of this defendant – as alleged, highlights the ongoing dangers that can emerge online and reinforce the importance of online safety,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Even more egregious is this defendant was once in a position of trust and swore an oath to uphold our laws and protect our community, which as alleged, he now has violated that trust. I thank the New York State Police and Homeland Security Investigations for their investigative efforts, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for their unwavering commitment to protecting our children and partnership in referring this tip to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge HSI Buffalo Anthony Patrone said, “The charges alleged in this case — including the transportation of child pornography and the exploitation of children — are horrific. By acting on multiple investigative leads and working closely with our partners at the Northern District of New York, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the New York State Police, HSI Rouses Point has removed a dangerous predator from the community and helped prevent further victimization. Today’s detention ensures the public is safer, and it reinforces HSI’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and pursuing those who would exploit them.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Any adult that takes advantage of a child’s vulnerability for their own personal gain is deplorable. Sexual acts against children have severe physical and psychological effects that gravely impact the victim’s well-being. The State Police will remain united with our law enforcement partners to intercept individuals looking to harm a child in any way.”The defendant faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, supervised release for life, a fine of $250,000, a special assessment of $100, $5,000 per count pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, restitution to victims, and sex offender registration. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT). Assistant U.S. Attorney Carling Dunham is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the 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.
Iowa City Man Sentenced to over 19 Years in Federal Prison for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced on July 15, 2026, to 235 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and use of a communication facility in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Richard Allen Tuan Casey, 37, sold controlled substances between at least early 2024 through May 2025. Two days before his arrest, Casey traveled to a Walmart parking lot in Ames to pick up 30 pounds of methamphetamine in exchange for more than $70,000. Following multiple controlled buys of methamphetamine by a confidential informant, law enforcement arrested Casey. During a search of Casey’s property, law enforcement located 22 of the 30 pounds Casey had picked up two days prior, along with a loaded pistol, drug packaging, drug paraphernalia, and cocaine.
In February 2026, a jury found Casey not guilty of two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, following his January 2026 guilty plea to the four drug trafficking charges.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Casey will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Johnson County Drug Task Force investigated the case.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to Prison for Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
An illegal alien who reentered the United States from Guatemala was sentenced July 14, 2026, to six months in federal prison.
Rogelio Morales-Ramos, age 36, from Guatemala, who had been living in Sioux Center, Iowa, received the prison term after a May 21, 2026, guilty plea to one count of illegal reentry.
At the plea hearing, Morales-Ramos admitted he illegally reentered the United States without permission after having been previously removed from the United States on June 13, 2019. On April 1, 2026, law enforcement officers in Sioux County attempted to stop a car that Morales-Ramos was driving for speeding. He initially failed to stop. After he eventually stopped, Morales-Ramos ran from officers. Law enforcement officers found an open alcohol bottle, additional alcohol, and a fictitious international driver’s license in the car. On April 4, 2026, law enforcement officers found Morales-Ramos at his home in Sioux Center. He again tried to flee from officers before being caught. Officers found more fake documents in the house. Once Morales-Ramos was in custody, officials determined he was a citizen of Guatemala and had previously been deported from the United States three times.
Morales-Ramos was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Morales-Ramos was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a one-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 26-CR-04014. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Idaho Man Indicted for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed yesterday in the District of Idaho charging an Idaho man with evading payment of taxes owed to the IRS.
According to the indictment, from approximately December 2022 through at least February 2026, Joshua Laine Bennett, of Caldwell, Idaho, evaded the payment of personal income taxes for several years and the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (“TFRP”) that the IRS assessed against him for multiple calendar quarters for failing to pay taxes related to a company he owned. According to the indictment, Bennett evaded payment of those outstanding tax liabilities by, among other things, providing false information on IRS collections forms, using cashier’s checks to keep his bank balance low, purchasing nearly $700,000 in gold bars, using a nominee bank account to receive payments for industrial equipment and real property and making withdrawals from that nominee bank account for personal expenses, all in an effort to thwart IRS collections efforts.
In total, Bennett allegedly caused a tax loss to the United States of approximately $888,313, including penalties and interest.
Bennett was charged with one count of tax evasion related to his personal income taxes and one count of tax evasion related to the TFRPs assessed against him. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney David F. Scollan of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittney Campbell for the District of Idaho are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Gun CrimeRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dylan James Pettyjohn, 21, of Huntington, was sentenced today to one year and six months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for selling a firearm to a convicted felon.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on April 23, 2025, Pettyjohn sold a Calwest model J-22 .22-calier pistol to a confidential informant for $150. As part of his guilty plea, Pettyjohn admitted that he conducted the transaction after arranging it beforehand, that the confidential informant told him he was a convicted felon during the transaction, and that the transaction occurred at the Huntington residence of Erin Leigh Keeney.
Pettyjohn further admitted that he sold a Glock model 34 9mm pistol for $600 on May 13, 2025, and a Just Right Carbines model JR Carbine 9mm rifle for $650 on May 22, 2025, to the same confidential informant in Huntington.
Pettyjohn and Keeney are among seven individuals indicted following a federal investigation of drug trafficking in the Huntington area. All seven defendants pleaded guilty. Keeney, 42, of Huntington, is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, 2026, after pleading guilty to distribution of carfentanil.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Huntington Police Department, and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-158.
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Huntington Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Crime and Supervised Release ViolationRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Daniel Legette, also known as “Bam,” 50, of Huntington, was sentenced today to eight years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of quantities of fentanyl and cocaine base, also known as “crack,” and violating supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 21, 2025, Legette sold approximately 0.65 grams of fentanyl and 0.42 grams of crack to a confidential informant in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Legette admitted that he conducted the transaction and arranged it beforehand.
At the time of this offense, Legette was serving a term of supervised release following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute a quantity of crack in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia on March 22, 2021. Today’s sentence includes two years in prison for committing a crime while on supervised release.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph F. Adams prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:25-cr-186.
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Homestead Resident Charged with Distributing Videos Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of Minors Following International Child Sexual Abuse Material InvestigationRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Charles John Beanner, 52, a resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today. Beanner was arrested on the complaint yesterday by agents with Homeland Security Investigations.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, an investigation by Swedish officials and Homeland Security Investigations identified Beanner among a group of individuals both in the United States and overseas who were sharing videos depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. The complaint charges Beanner with, on April 12, 2024, and March 26, 2026, knowingly distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including some videos that depicted the sexual assault of minors as young as six months old. The investigation by the Swedish government resulted in the arrests of Swedish suspects involved in the sexual exploitation.
The United States has filed a request for detention of the defendant pending trial, asserting that he is a danger to the community and should be held without bail. A hearing on the government’s motion has been scheduled for July 21, 2026.
Assistant United States Attorney V. Joseph Sonson is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.
Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation leading to the criminal complaint against Beanner.
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.justice.gov/psc.
A criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Homeland Security Task Force Yields 27 Year Prison Sentence for Hardee County Methamphetamine TraffickerRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Herbert Battle, Jr. (54, Hardee County) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Virgina M. Hernandez Covington to 27 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine. Battle pleaded guilty on August 19, 2025.United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Battle oversaw a drug trafficking conspiracy in which he and others smuggled methamphetamine, hidden in packages in the mail, from California to the Tampa area. At its height, the conspirators received up to 20 pounds of high-purity methamphetamine per week. Battle, whose criminal history dates to 1989, has a 2018 federal drug conviction for conspiracy to distribute heroin.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Stoia.
HSTF Investigation Leads to Indictment for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment Tuesday charging Jonathann Uriel Ayala Garcia, 23, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine after his involvement in a transnational criminal organization (TCO).
According to court documents, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating a Beaverton-based TCO involved in trafficking methamphetamine, firearms, and cocaine. In June 2026, investigators arrested Ayala Garcia after he arrived to sell narcotics. Investigators searched his vehicle and found approximately 16.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 168.3 grams of heroin.
Ayala Garcia was arraigned in federal court yesterday before a U.S. magistrate judge. He pleaded not guilty and ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on September 15, 2026.
If convicted, Ayala Garcia faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, 5 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $10 million.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
The DEA and ATF are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Hermann is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Gardner Woman Sentenced for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Gardner woman was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for fraudulently receiving Social Security disability benefits for 10 years.
Michelle M. DiSalvo, 53, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to one day of prison deemed served, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $100,080 in restitution. In March 2026, DiSalvo pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of stolen government money or property; one count of Social Security fraud; and one count of false statements. DiSalvo was charged in February 2026.
In 2001, DiSalvo began receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for SSI is based, in part, on the applicant having limited income and resources. In assessing a married individual’s eligibility for SSI, the income and resources of the applicant’s spouse is considered if they live together. If an applicant is awarded SSI, they have a continuing obligation to notify SSA of any changes in their marital status, living arrangements and household income and resources.
In June 2014, DiSalvo truthfully reported to SSA that she was married, but falsely stated that she and her husband had separated in September 2013, when, in fact, they were living together. In five additional redetermination interviews with SSA between December 2014 and August 2023, DiSalvo continued to conceal that she lived with her husband with the intent to fraudulently obtain SSI benefits. DiSalvo also submitted a fraudulent lease agreement to SSA in October 2023 in which DiSalvo omitted her husband because she knew that if she reported living with him, DiSalvo’s husband’s income and resources would have made her ineligible for SSI.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
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. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in 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.
Franklinton Woman Sentenced for Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – On July 16, 2026, U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier sentenced BARBARA AUGUSTIN (“AUGUSTIN”),age 59, of Franklinton, Louisiana, to three (3) years probation, ordered her to pay restitution of $43,477 and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee, announced U.S. Attorney David I Courcelle.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud 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.
AUGUSTIN had previously pleaded guilty to theft of government funds in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641. According to the bill of information, beginning in or about November 2018, and continuing until in or about May 2023, AUGUSTIN knowingly converted to her use, Social Security Administration (“SSA”) money belonging to the United States, to which AUGUSTIN knew she was not entitled. AUGUSTIN fraudulently obtained $43,477 in SSA benefits by failing to report her son’s incarceration to Social Security, which allowed her to continue receiving benefits on his behalf as his representative payee.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General. The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiwana Wright, Financial Crimes Unit.
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Fort Dodge Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
A woman who conspired to distribute methamphetamine was sentenced today to more than 12 years in federal prison.
Sally Marie Green, age 52, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, received the prison term after a March 11, 2026, guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine.
At the plea hearing, Green admitted that from January 2024 through April 2025, she was involved in the distribution of approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine. In April 2025, a cooperating individual told law enforcement officers that Green was a pound-level distributor of methamphetamine in the Fort Dodge area. On April 1, 2025, law enforcement officers purchased approximately a quarter pound of methamphetamine from Green. That same day, officers searched her house and found an unloaded .45 ACP pistol, ammunition, $3,000 cash, drug distribution items, and approximately 585 grams of methamphetamine.
Green was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Green was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. Green is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 25-CR-03050. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Former Postal Worker and Two Philadelphia Men Admit to Conspiring to Commit Bank Fraud; Mount Laurel Man and Woman Sentenced to Prison for Their Roles in Same ConspiracyRead the Press Release
CAMDEN, N.J. – U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced that: (i) a former U.S. Postal Service employee admitted to stealing checks from the U.S. mail and selling them to others; (ii) a Philadelphia man admitted to advertising and reselling the stolen checks; (iii) another Philadelphia man admitted to working with others to fraudulently negotiate one of the stolen checks; and (iv) a Mount Laurel man and woman were each sentenced to 57 months’ imprisonment for their roles in negotiating checks stolen as part of the same conspiracy.
Juawan Reed, 30, of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, a former postal worker, pleaded guilty on July 15, 2026 before District Judge Edward S. Kiel to an Information charging him with conspiring to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft of public money, theft of U.S. mail, money laundering, and filing a false income tax return. Christopher Hayman, 30, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on July 14, 2026 before Judge Kiel to an Information charging him with conspiring to commit bank fraud. Tyree Holmes, 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on June 22, 2026 before Judge Kiel to an Information charging him with conspiring to commit bank fraud. Kharon Parson-Wright, 28, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was sentenced by Judge Kiel on June 22, 2026, to 57 months’ imprisonment, after previously pleading guilty to an Information charging him with conspiring to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Yasmene Johnson, 29, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was sentenced by Judge Kiel on May 12, 2026, to 57 months’ imprisonment, after previously pleading guilty to an Information charging her with conspiring to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Reed stole checks from the U.S. mail while he worked at the U.S. Postal Service Camden Carrier Annex. Reed sold or otherwise provided some of the stolen checks to Holmes and Dante Ford, who advertised some of the stolen checks on a social media platform and resold them to others. Reed provided other stolen checks directly to Holmes and others for them to negotiate fraudulently.
For example, in December 2022, Reed stole a $686,541.88 United States Treasury check payable to a business in Pennsauken, New Jersey. Reed provided this stolen check to Holmes. Co-conspirator Hayman falsely purported to be the CEO of the Pennsauken business in order to open a business bank account in the name of the business. The conspirators then deposited the stolen check, and Hayman withdrew a substantial portion of the funds before the bank detected the fraud and closed the account.
In addition to stealing checks from the mail, Reed admitted that he created and used a stolen identity to open financial accounts, which Reed then used to launder some of the fraud proceeds. Reed also admitted that he failed to report on his tax returns hundreds of thousands of dollars that he earned from his crimes. Reed admitted that the bank fraud conspiracy caused an actual loss of more than $2.4 million and an intended loss of more than $20 million.
Apart from the checks that Reed stole through his work as a postal worker, Ford, Parson-Wright and others also stole checks from blue U.S. mail collection boxes. Ford and other members of that conspiracy then created counterfeit versions of the stolen checks or altered the stolen checks by increasing the value of the checks and changing the name of the payee either to a member of the conspiracy or somebody else recruited by the conspiracy. Parson-Wright and Johnson admitted that they negotiated and caused to be negotiated the counterfeit or altered checks and then attempted to the withdraw the funds before the bank learned that the checks were illegitimate. This aspect of the conspiracy involved the negotiation of checks at banks across southern New Jersey and elsewhere, with checks written for tens of thousands of dollars.
As a separate part of their conspiracy, Parson-Wright connected Johnson with a bank employee who created fraudulent debit cards in the name of victims who held accounts at the bank. Parson-Wright and Johnson used one of the fraudulently-issued debit cards to make purchases and ATM withdrawals in New Jersey. Parson-Wright and Johnson admitted that their roles in the bank fraud conspiracy resulted in actual losses exceeding $400,000 and intended losses exceeding $1,500,000.
Ford and three other defendants previously were sentenced in 2025 after pleading guilty to participating in a bank fraud conspiracy involving some of the stolen checks described above. Ford was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment, co-conspirator Donovan Bunch was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment, co-conspirator Tracy Felder-Carter was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, and co-conspirator Quamell Keyes-Griffin was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.
For Reed, Holmes, and Hayman, the count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000, or twice the gross loss to the victim or gain to the defendant, whichever is greatest. For Reed, the count of aggravated identity theft carries a statutory mandatory penalty of two years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment, the count of theft of public money carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, the count of theft of U.S. mail carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, the count of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and the count of filing a false income tax return carries a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison.
Sentencing for Reed is scheduled for November 17, 2026, sentencing for Hayman is scheduled for November 16, 2026, and sentencing for Holmes is scheduled for October 27, 2026.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited postal inspectors and agents of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen, the U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Northeast Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Carpenter, with the investigations leading to these pleas and sentences. He also thanked the Mount Laurel Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Hudnall, for its valuable assistance in the investigation.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud 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 government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Bender of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden and Sara Aliabadi of the Special Prosecutions Division.
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Defense counsel:
Reed: Todd Fiore, Esq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Holmes: Troy Archie, Esq., Cinnaminson, New Jersey.
Parson-Wright: Justin Capek, Esq., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Johnson: Stanley King, Esq., Voorhees, New Jersey.
Hayman: Edward Borden, Jr., Esq., Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
reed.informaton.pdf hayman.information.pdf holmes.information.pdf johnson.information.pdf parsonwright.information.pdfFormer Marine Charged with Threatening to Kill the PresidentRead the Press Release
Jacksonville, Florida – William L. Upham (35, Jacksonville) has been arrested and charged by criminal complaint with threatening the President of the United States. If convicted, Upham faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement. Upham appeared in federal court in Jacksonville earlier today and has been ordered detained.
According to the complaint, the United States Secret Service (“USSS”) received reports concerning potential threats against the President made by Upham, who is a former Marine and state prosecutor. USSS agents then observed two videos that Upham had posted on his social media accounts. In the first video, Upham was observed wearing his military uniform. Upham stated, in part, that “this is a call to arms” and called for the overthrow of the Trump administration. Upham then provided instructions on how to “overthrow” the President, including that he recommended using a semi-automatic rifle, such as an AR-15, and that “the enemy” should be killed with “two shots to the chest” and “one shot to the head,” which would result in a very high chance of death. Agents observed a second video in which Upham, again wearing his military uniform, made similar statements, including, in part, that President Trump is the enemy and “must be killed.”
Subsequent to these videos, the USSS received a communication that Upham had sent to a third-party which stated that he made the videos to “declare war” against President Trump and that he would “kill President Trump at the time that God chooses.” The USSS also became aware that Upham had access to firearms and had made concerning statements to law enforcement as recently as July 2026.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.
Criminal ComplaintFormer Census Bureau Program Manager Sentenced to Prison for Bribery and Procurement Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A former supervisory official with the U.S. Census Bureau was sentenced today to two years in prison followed by a year of supervised release for conspiring with a subcontractor to receive $790,000 in kickbacks. She was also ordered to forfeit the proceeds of the scheme.
On April 2, Camille T. Jones, 47, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, pleaded guilty to a criminal information charging her with conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services fraud in connection with a procurement fraud scheme.
According to court documents, as part of her guilty plea, Camille Jones admitted that she steered a large employee assistant program contract to a prime contractor and a subcontracting company, YMJ Consulting, which is owned by Camille Jones’s relative, Yolanda M. Jones. The contract was worth millions of dollars. In exchange for steering the contract and modifications, Jones received kickbacks from YMJ Consulting and Yolanda Jones.
Additionally, Camille Jones attempted to obstruct the investigation by drafting a service agreement between YMJ Consulting and a mental health company that she owned to make the kickbacks appear like legitimate consulting payments between the two companies. Both Camille Jones and Yolanda Jones signed the agreement in 2024 but backdated it to 2020. Yolanda Jones then provided the document to law enforcement during the investigation.
Camille Jones further admitted that she used her official position to share the Census Bureau’s confidential procurement information with another government contractor. While receiving preferential treatment, the contractor hired another one of Camille Jones’s relatives for a minimal-work job. Camille Jones largely performed the work but the relative received $83,000.
On Aug. 14, 2025, Yolanda Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services fraud. She is awaiting sentencing. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland; and Eric Maddox, Assistant Inspector General for Investigations of U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General.
Acting Chief Edward P. Sullivan of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.
Former Census Bureau Program Manager Sentenced for Bribery and Procurement Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Greenbelt, Maryland – A former supervisory official with the U.S. Census Bureau received a federal-prison term, today, for conspiring with a subcontractor to receive $790,000 in kickbacks.
U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby sentenced Camille Jones, 47, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, to two years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit bribery and honest-services fraud in connection with a procurement fraud scheme. Judge Griggsby also ordered her to forfeit the proceeds of the scheme.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Department of Justice Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Eric Arcand, U.S. Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General (DOC-OIG).
According to court documents, as part of her guilty plea, Camille Jones admitted that she steered a large employee assistant program contract to a prime contractor and a subcontracting company, YMJ Consulting, which is owned by Camille Jones’s relative, Yolanda M. Jones. The contract was worth millions of dollars. In exchange for steering the contract and modifications, Jones received kickbacks from YMJ Consulting and Yolanda Jones.
Additionally, Camille Jones attempted to obstruct the investigation by drafting a service agreement between YMJ Consulting and a mental health company that she owned to make the kickbacks appear like legitimate consulting payments between the two companies. Both Camille Jones and Yolanda Jones signed the agreement in 2024 but backdated it to 2020. Yolanda Jones then provided the document to law enforcement during the investigation.
Camille Jones further admitted that she used her official position to share the Census Bureau’s confidential procurement information with another government contractor. While receiving preferential treatment, the contractor hired another one of Camille Jones’s relatives for a minimal-work job. Camille Jones largely performed the work but the relative received $83,000.
On Aug. 14, 2025, Yolanda Jones pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and honest services fraud. She is awaiting sentencing. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DOC-OIG for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy and Acting Chief Edward P. Sullivan, DOJ Criminal Division Public Integrity Section, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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Florida Man Charged with Trafficking Thousands of Kilograms of Cocaine from Puerto Rico to John F. Kennedy Airport and Long IslandRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed yesterday in federal court in Central Islip charging Omar Morales-Negron, also known as “O,” with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Morales Negron was arrested on July 14, 2026 in Florida and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Pete Gizas, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York); Frank A Tarentino III, Associate Chief of Operations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Northeast Region (DEA); and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the arrest and indictment.
“As alleged, the defendant coordinated the shipments of massive amounts of cocaine into our Long Island community,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “For years Morales-Negron profited from his international trafficking and taking advantage of end users who are addicted to his drugs. These charges will hold him accountable for the harm he has wrought.”
“As alleged, Omar Morales-Negron directed a criminal pipeline that moved thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico into Long Island, hiding drugs inside furniture and sham electronics shipments to flood our neighborhoods with poison. By dismantling this operation and seizing hundreds of kilograms of cocaine, HSI New York and our partners have cut off a major source of narcotics that fuels addiction, violence, and instability in our communities. HSI, as a leader of the Homeland Security Task Force New York, together with HSI Tampa and our law enforcement partners will continue to combine intelligence, investigative authorities, and resources to confront transnational criminal organizations and safeguard the American people,” stated HSI Acting Special Agent in Charge Gizas.
“By concealing cocaine inside furniture and shipments disguised as electronic parts, Omar Morales-Negron deliberately attempted to evade law enforcement while fueling addiction and violence throughout Long Island and our region” stated DEA Northeast Associate Chief of Operations Tarentino. “As alleged, Morales-Negron operated a sophisticated drug trafficking organization responsible for moving thousands of kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico into New York. The seizure of more than 465 kilograms of cocaine, coupled with investigative findings indicating the distribution of more than $100 million worth of cocaine on Long Island, underscores the immense scale of this operation. Thanks to the hard work of the DEA, our prosecutors, and our law enforcement partners, Morales-Negron is now in New York to answer for the harm he inflicted on the very communities he sought to poison.”
“Omar Morales-Negron allegedly trafficked large quantities of cocaine right into our backyard. Drug trafficking tears at our communities, fueling violence, addiction, and instability. The FBI, with its partners, continues to disrupt these operations to protect our neighborhoods,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
From 2019 through the present, the defendant coordinated large scale shipments and distribution of narcotics from Puerto Rico to Long Island utilizing, among other methods, freight shipping routes. The defendant’s drug trafficking organization (DTO) shipped narcotics, which were secreted inside furniture, by ocean freight from Puerto Rico to the continental United States. Once the narcotics arrived in the United States, DTO members loaded the furniture containing narcotics onto trucks and transported them to warehouses in New York, including locations in the Eastern District of New York for distribution.
The defendant also orchestrated the surreptitious shipment of narcotics through the United Parcel Service. All the suspected narcotics-filled shipments weighed approximately the same amount and were labeled as electronics parts sent from a fictious corporation in Puerto Rico (“Company-1”) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport). Once the purported electronics parts arrived at the JFK Airport, other members of the DTO picked up the shipments for further distribution within the United States.
To date, law enforcement has intercepted some of the narcotics trafficked by the defendant’s DTO including:
- The January 29, 2026, seizure of 312 kilograms of cocaine (valued at $20 million) from two of Morales-Negron’s subordinates. The cocaine was shipped from Company-1 in Puerto Rico, arrived at JFK Airport and was picked up on the same day by a member of the DTO. The DTO member who picked up the shipment arrived driving a U-Haul truck. Later that day, Nassau County Police Detectives observed two individuals in a Plainview, New York hotel parking lot conduct a hand-to-hand narcotics exchange. Police approached the two individuals and observed numerous open suitcases which appeared to contain kilograms of cocaine (some of which is pictured below):
- The July 3, 2026, seizure of 153 kilograms of cocaine (valued at $10 million) from a shipment container seized in Queens, New York (some of which is pictured below):
During the investigation, ledgers detailing Morales-Negron’s large scale and highly profitable narcotics business were recovered allowing law enforcement to determine that his narcotics operation was responsible for the distribution of more than $100 million of cocaine on Long Island.
The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charges, Morales-Negron faces up to life in prison.
The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorney Mark E. Misorek and Special Assistant United States Attorney James P. Scahill are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of the Eastern District of New York’s Criminal Investigation Unit and Paralegal Specialist Dejah Turla.
This prosecution is also 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 Defendant:
OMAR MORALES-NEGRON
Age: 36
Orange City, FloridaE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-207 (SJB)
Felon Sentenced to Prison for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A felon was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to two years and six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for stealing another person’s loaded firearm then exchanging gunfire with that person. The government recommended a sentence of 71 months’ imprisonment.
According to court documents, on August 21, 2025, Shahada Sutton stole another person’s Glock 19 handgun that was loaded with a 30-round magazine. The other person retrieved a second firearm and followed Sutton to an adjacent parking lot, where the two exchanged gunfire in the parking lot. Sutton then drove away and hit a curb. He fled on foot, dumping his backpack that contained the loaded Glock 19 handgun and a loaded Kel Tec Sub2000 rifle in a restroom at a public park.
Sutton was on parole at the time of the offense. He had been previously convicted of felonies including carrying a concealed firearm or other deadly weapon and discharging a firearm at or into an occupied structure, vehicle, or watercraft, both offenses occurred in Clark County, Nevada.
Sutton pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Strange prosecuted the case.
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Federal Sex Trafficking Indictment Filed Against Pensacola ManRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Javier Cyree Tyrell Brown, 28, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of commercial sex trafficking, one count of financially benefiting from commercial sex trafficking, one count of using a facility for purposes of racketeering, one count of coercion and enticement for interstate prostitution, one count of interstate transportation for prostitution, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Brown appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for August 17, 2026, in Pensacola before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II. Brown remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending trial.
If convicted, Brown faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ up to life imprisonment.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.