Eastern District of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Rossen G. Iossifov, 53, a former Bulgarian national, made an initial appearance in federal court in the Eastern District of Kentucky yesterday on charges of the destruction or removal of property to prevent seizure, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from Iossifov’s alleged role in the unauthorized withdrawal and transfer of approximately $290,000 in cryptocurrency that had been seized and forfeited by the United States. 

“Having been convicted of a widespread online auction fraud scheme targeting U.S. victims, Iossifov is now charged with moving cryptocurrency that he obtained from that crime, in violation of a court’s forfeiture order,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Defendants who flout lawfully entered orders and portions of their criminal sentences in prior federal cases will be charged with such obstructive conduct. The Department of Justice will take all steps to ensure that justice is served for victims of complex financial crimes.”

“Iossifov’s alleged efforts to evade a lawful forfeiture order and obscure the movement of criminal proceeds represent a direct affront to the authority of the federal courts,”  said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Such conduct, if proven, reflects a calculated attempt to undermine the rule of law and to compromise the rights of victims who have already suffered significant financial harm. Our office remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the integrity of judicial orders and ensuring that individuals who engage in sophisticated schemes to obstruct justice are held fully accountable.”

“Iossifov’s deliberate attempt to remove and launder lawfully seized funds is a direct challenge to our justice system and a blatant disregard to his victims’ rights,” said Robert Holman, the Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Louisville Field Office. “We are committed to ensuring that victims of online fraud receive justice, and that individuals who attempt to circumvent lawful court orders are held accountable.”

At the time of the alleged offenses, Iossifov was serving a sentence of 111 months in prison after being convicted of conspiracy to commit a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) offense and conspiracy to commit money laundering. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Iossifov and his co-conspirators participated in a criminal conspiracy involving online auction fraud that victimized at least 900 Americans. Romania-based members of the conspiracy posted false advertisements to popular online auction and sales websites — such as craigslist and eBay — for high-cost goods (typically vehicles) that did not actually exist. Once victims were convinced to send payment, the defendants engaged in a complicated money laundering scheme wherein domestic associates would accept victim funds, convert these funds to cryptocurrency, and transfer the funds to foreign-based money launderers, including Iossifov. Evidence submitted during trial and his sentencing hearing revealed that Iossifov laundered nearly $5 million in cryptocurrency in a period of less than three years. As part of Iossifov’s sentence, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky imposed a forfeiture money judgment against Iossifov as part of his sentence and then ordered Iossifov to forfeit cryptocurrency held in an account registered to Iossifov at the Kraken cryptocurrency exchange, worth approximately $290,000, which had been restrained as part of the criminal investigation.

According to the indictment related to the post-conviction activity,  between approximately January and December 2024, Iossifov allegedly conspired with others to conduct interstate and foreign financial transactions in order to remove the $290,000 in cryptocurrency from the Kraken account and prevent and impair the United States’ lawful authority to take the contents of the Kraken account into its custody and control. Iossifov then allegedly conspired with others to transfer the illegal proceeds through multiple cryptocurrency exchanges and illicit mixing services, ultimately converting it to fiat currency at a foreign bank account. 

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs  provided significant support. 

CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Vasantha Rao of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn M. Dieruf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.  

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Rossen G. Iossifov, 53, a Bulgarian national, made an initial appearance in federal court in the Eastern District of Kentucky yesterday on charges of the destruction or removal of property to prevent seizure, aiding and abetting, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges stem from Iossifov’s alleged role in the unauthorized withdrawal and transfer of approximately $290,000 in cryptocurrency that had been seized and forfeited by the United States.  

“Having been convicted of a widespread online auction fraud scheme targeting U.S. victims, Iossifov is now charged with moving cryptocurrency that he obtained from that crime, in violation of a court’s forfeiture order,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Defendants who flout lawfully entered orders and portions of their criminal sentences in prior federal cases will be charged with such obstructive conduct. The Department of Justice will take all steps to ensure that justice is served for victims of complex financial crimes.”

“Iossifov’s alleged efforts to evade a lawful forfeiture order and obscure the movement of criminal proceeds represent a direct affront to the authority of the federal courts,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Such conduct, if proven, reflects a calculated attempt to undermine the rule of law and to compromise the rights of victims who have already suffered significant financial harm. Our office remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the integrity of judicial orders and ensuring that individuals who engage in sophisticated schemes to obstruct justice are held fully accountable.”

“Iossifov’s deliberate attempt to remove and launder lawfully seized funds is a direct challenge to our justice system and a blatant disregard to his victims’ rights,” said the Special Agent in Charge Robert Holman of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) Louisville Field Office. “We are committed to ensuring that victims of online fraud receive justice, and that individuals who attempt to circumvent lawful court orders are held accountable.”

According to court documents, in January 2024, Iossifov allegedly conspired to remove $290,000 in cryptocurrency that had been ordered forfeited to the United States after Iossifov’s 2021 conviction in the Eastern District of Kentucky. In the instant case, Iossifov is alleged to have conspired to transfer the forfeited cryptocurrency through multiple cryptocurrency exchanges and illicit mixing services,  avoiding the United States obtaining possession of the funds. 

At the time of the alleged offenses, Iossifov was serving a sentence of 111 months in prison for his 2021 conviction, during which he participated in a fraud scheme that victimized Americans. Evidence submitted at trial and his sentencing in the previous case revealed that Iossifov had laundered nearly $5 million in cryptocurrency in a period of less than three years.  Iossifov had been ordered to pay $2,642,297.43 in restitution to victims of the earlier scheme and to forfeit the cryptocurrency that is the subject of the instant offense. 

Iossifov is charged with removal of property to prevent seizure and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. 

The investigation was conducted by the USSS. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support. 

CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Counsel Vasantha Rao of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn M. Dieruf for the Eastern District of Kentucky. 

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Romanian National, Liviu Mihai Dumitru, 44, was sentenced to 48 months’ incarceration on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

Dumitru created and ran a software platform from January 2016 to September 2023 that helped its users carry out online auction fraud and vacation rental fraud. The platform offered tools for producing ads, creating and managing invoices, and handling payments, all designed to support these fraudulent schemes.

Users of Dumitru’s platform, including Ionut-Razvan Sandu and Dumitru’s co-conspirator, Mihai Daniel Dan, posted fraudulent ads on sites like eBay, Craigslist, and Airbnb, advertising cars or vacation rentals that did not exist. They paid for access to Dumitru’s platform, which helped them generate fake ads, create spoofed websites that mimicked legitimate listing pages, and integrate payment mechanisms.

Once victims were persuaded the listings were real, the Users sent them convincing invoices generated through the platform. The platform also notified Users when victims submitted payment. Many victims were encouraged to pay in cryptocurrency. For a period of time, Dumitru’s platform helped create cryptocurrency addresses managed through Coinbase accounts registered under false identities. 

Dumitru admitted to operating the platform for 99 months, and conceded at least 14,000 individuals were victimized through its use. If you feel that you have been victimized by this scheme, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edky/vacationrentalfraud and provide all available information to support your claim.

Mihai Dan, Dumitru’s co-defendant, is pending extradition in the United States. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Robert Holman, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. Assistance was provided by the Romanian National Police (Service for Combating Cybercrime) and the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (Agency for Prosecuting Organized Crime). The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn Dieruf is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. 

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LONDON, Ky. – An Annville, Ky., woman, Shelia Clemons, 58, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier for arson. 

On July 30, 2025, Clemons admitted to destroying Lincoln Hall, a historic building located in Jackson County, along with an attached, under-construction elevator shaft by fire. Clemons gained access to Lincoln Hall via a window and used a lighter to start a fire with a stack of paper located inside the window. At the time of the fire, Lincoln Hall was under active construction for improvement and use by the Annville Christian School.

“Lincoln Hall was a cherished historic landmark, and its destruction caused real harm to the Annville community,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Ms. Clemons’s actions and reinforces that intentionally setting a fire—especially one that destroys property under active renovation for a school—will be met with firm accountability. We are grateful for the investigators and first responders whose work ensured that justice was done.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. 

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COVINGTON, Ky. – A Burlington man, Derrick Becker, 51, was sentenced on Monday to 180 months by U.S. District Judge S. Chad Meredith for possession of child pornography.  

On July 23, 2025, law enforcement conducted a search warrant on Becker’s residence and seized his electronic storage devices. An examination of the devices revealed over 7,000 unique digital images and over 80 unique digital videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including depictions of minors engaged in bondage and in bestiality. Becker admitted that he knew the production of the images and videos on the storage devices involved the use of minors and that they were sent over the internet.

Becker had previously been convicted of possession or viewing of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor in January 2017.

Under federal law, Becker must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 15 years.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Sheriff Les K. Hill, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Boone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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COVINGTON, Ky. – A Newport, Ky., man, Leandro Davila, III, 31, was sentenced on Thursday by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 408 months for the production and distribution of child pornography.

The investigation began in July 2025 when federal investigators discovered that an individual, subsequently identified as Davila, had produced and distributed sexually explicit conduct involving a minor online. The investigation further revealed that the Defendant was entrusted by the family to look after the minor and committed the crimes while doing so.

According to court records, Davila created child sexual abuse material involving the child and disseminated it through the messaging platform Kik, sharing it repeatedly with users around the world. He also distributed child pornography involving other minors. Kik reported the activity to law enforcement, prompting the investigation. Investigators were able to link the activity to Davila through account records and files sent from the account. A search of Davila’s Kik account uncovered at least 50 videos involving minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Records from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also showed multiple prior CyberTipline reports associated with Davila’s IP address. Davila received numerous sentencing enhancements, including an enhancement pertaining to the abuse of a position of trust.           

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief Patrick Sorrell, Campbell County Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by HSI and the Campbell County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. 

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Gregory Curtis, 48, was sentenced on Thursday to 240 months by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.  

In December 2024, law enforcement investigated the drug trafficking activities of Curtis from a residence in Lexington. Law enforcement executed a search warrant for Curtis’ residence and found 49.91 grams, 27.226 grams, and 27.505 grams of fluorofentanyl and fentanyl. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field; and; Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department; jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. 

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COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati, Ohio, man, Gregory Kimble, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday to 97 months by U.S. District Judge Chad Meredith for felon in possession of a firearm.  

According to court documents, in the early hours of January 1, 2025, officers responded to a hotel in Covington and encountered a woman who told them that she had just discharged Kimble’s pistol in the hallway outside his hotel room before fleeing to the lobby. She also indicated that Kimble had discharged the pistol in the hotel room hours before. Officers did not find the pistol on January 1, 2025, but they did find a spent cartridge and two live rounds of ammunition in Kimble’s room. They also observed a bullet hole in the wall outside his room. 

On January 2, 2025, Kimble engaged in a text message conversation from jail regarding the retrieval of his property from the hotel. During that conversation, Kimble asked the other person to let Kimble know when he goes to the hotel so that Kimble could provide him with “specific instructions on how to do something else very important.” Law enforcement thereafter returned to the hotel and located a pistol hidden on a ceiling tile in the hotel’s internal stairwell that matched the woman’s description of Kimble’s pistol, as well as the ammunition found in Kimble’s hotel room. Kimble admitted to possession of the firearm and that he knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a prior felony. Kimble also admitted that he had hidden the firearm on the ceiling tile.

Kimble was previously convicted of trafficking in controlled substances in 2019.  

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Louisville Field Division; and Chief Justin Wietholter, Covington Police Department, announced the sentence. 

he investigation was referred to ATF by the Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, who separately indicted Kimble for other, state-level felony crimes in connection with Kimble’s conduct on January 1, 2025. The investigation was conducted by the Covington Police Department and the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. 

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LEXINGTON, KY- The founder and owner of Addiction Recovery Care, LLC (ARC), Timmy G. Robinson, Jr., 50, was indicted on Thursday for one count of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. 

The indictment alleges that in July 2025, Robinson caused ARC to enter into a sales agreement wherein the buyer made a $2.7 million advance payment in exchange for ARC’s rights to an anticipated tax refund from the IRS called an Employee Retention Credit (ERC).  This ERC was calculated based on ARC’s payroll information for the first quarter of 2021.  In September 2025, Robinson caused ARC to assign its rights to another ERC, based on the second quarter of 2021 payroll, to the same buyer.  According to the indictment, in November 2025, notwithstanding these prior sales and assignments, Robinson caused ARC to sell the very same assets – its first and second quarter 2021 ERCs – to a second buyer. Robinson falsely represented that the assets were available to purchase and, in an electronically signed sales agreement transmitted via interstate wire, falsely represented that the assets had not previously been sold or encumbered.  As a result, the second buyer paid ARC a $4.7 million advance payment for the ERCs on November 12, 2025.  This conduct is alleged to constitute wire fraud.  Robinson then engaged in significant monetary transactions with these proceeds, which are alleged to constitute money laundering.  According to the indictment, when the IRS issued the ERC payments to ARC in December 2025, Robinson directed ARC not to repay either buyer. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigations, Detroit Field Division; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the indictment.

The investigation was conducted by the IRS-Criminal Investigations and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

A date for Robinson appear in court has not yet been scheduled. Robinson faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge and 10 years in prison on each of the money laundering charges.

Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.                                                                                                        

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LONDON, Ky. – A London, Ky., man, Austin Hawk, 26, was sentenced on Wednesday to 165 months by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom for transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. 

According to his plea agreement, from September 25, 2022, through October 25, 2022, Hawk transported a minor across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Hawk left Laurel County with a minor victim and took them on a monthlong cross country road trip, which spanned across 11 states with the pair sleeping inside Hawk’s car in parking lots. Hawk admitted that during the trip he engaged in sexual conduct with the minor.  

Under federal law, Hawk must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. 

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COVINGTON, Ky. – A Covington man, Nicholas Esteban Starry, 31, was sentenced on Tuesday to 168 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for transportation of child pornography. 

In May 2024, law enforcement received two CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that originated from X and Google identifying accounts linked to Starry that had posted and uploaded child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Further investigation confirmed Starry’s use of the accounts, and a search warrant for Starry’s Google account revealed seven files, six of which were child sexual abuse material. Following a search of his residence, Starry was arrested and interviewed and admitted viewing child pornography using the same accounts referenced in the CyberTip; a forensic analysis of his phone revealed additional evidence of child sexual abuse material.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Leonhard prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. 

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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A federal grand jury in Lexington returned an indictment this afternoon charging Brailen Weaver with one count of attempted armed bank robbery, resulting in the death of two victims, and two counts of causing death with a firearm in the course of a crime of violence. The grand jury also returned special findings that can support the death penalty. The maximum punishment for the charged offenses is death.

 Any indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Erlanger-based manufacturing companies, Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc., agreed to pay $2,500,000 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits the submission of false or fraudulent claims.

Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide emergency financial assistance to small American businesses struggling to pay employees and other expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the PPP, eligible small businesses could receive forgivable loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Borrowers were required to certify in their applications that they were eligible for the requested loans and that the information they provided was true and accurate. Regulations provided various eligibility requirements for the PPP, including limitations on the number of employees.

The settlement resolves allegations that Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc. falsely certified they were eligible to apply for and receive forgiveness of their second-draw PPP loans. The Government contends that, together with their foreign affiliates, Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc. collectively had more than 300 employees and were therefore ineligible for their second-draw PPP loans. Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc. fully cooperated in the investigation and resolution of this matter.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought by a private citizen under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file a civil action on behalf of the United States, thereby bringing allegations of fraud to the Government’s attention, and share in any financial recovery. As part of this resolution, the individual who filed the qui tam complaint is eligible to receive a portion of the settlement proceeds. The civil case is captioned United States ex rel. Aidan Forsyth, v. Post Glover Lifelink, Inc. and Post Glover Resistors, Inc., Case No. 2:25-cv-29-DLB-CJS.

This matter was handled by the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with assistance from the SBA’s Office of General Counsel. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former Federal Medical Center Lexington Correctional officer, Ryan Carnahan, 32, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, before U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for deprivation of rights resulting in bodily injury and making a false report.

According to his plea agreement, on June 28, 2025, Carnahan was on-duty at FMC Lexington when he decided to make entry into the cell of a Special Housing Unit inmate after getting into a verbal altercation with the inmate. Carnahan, along with two other officers, made entry without the inmate or his cellmate being placed into handcuffs. When Carnahan entered the cell, he began slapping the inmate’s face. As a result of being slapped, the inmate hit Carnahan, who then grabbed the inmate and punched him. 

After the incident, Carnahan wrote a report that the inmate had been handcuffed before he and the other officers went into his cell, and that Carnahan was searching the cell when the inmate slipped his handcuffs and assaulted him. Carnahan admitted in his plea agreement that he wrote these things knowing that they were false, but that he wrote the false report to impede the administration of justice regarding the investigation of the unlawful assault on the inmate.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Matthew Loux, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, Chicago Field Office; jointly announced the guilty plea.

The investigation was conducted by DOJ-OIG. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield. 

Carnahan is scheduled to be sentenced on August 20. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. 

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The operators of a day treatment program for children with behavioral and mental health needs have agreed to a civil judgment of $15,248,240.66 in favor of the United States to resolve allegations that they defrauded the Kentucky and Ohio Medicaid programs.

The judgment, announced today by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, is part of a civil settlement resolving allegations that Recovery Center of Kentucky, LLC, Recovery Center of Ohio, LLC, Recovery Center of Maryland, LLC, their parent company, Recovery Center of USA, and CEO, Dr. Warrick Stewart, violated the False Claims Act, a federal statute that prohibits the submission of false claims for payment to Government programs, such as Medicaid.

According to the settlement agreement, Recovery Center of Kentucky and Recovery Center of Ohio operated the Aspire Day Program, which provided day treatment services to children with behavioral and mental health needs in Elizabethtown, Lexington, Louisville, and Radcliff, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. Day treatment services for children typically include individual and group therapy, among other behavioral health services, and can be provided in collaboration with other activities like education. While the Kentucky and Ohio Medicaid programs cover day treatment, they only pay for children’s time spent receiving behavioral health services; they do not pay for any non-healthcare activities. The Government alleged that, from August 2022 through June 2025, the Recovery Centers nonetheless sought Medicaid payments for time spent on children’s education, recreation, and lunch breaks at the Aspire Day Program. As a result, the Recovery Centers allegedly received millions in Medicaid reimbursements to which they were not entitled.

Additionally, the Government alleged that Recovery Center of Kentucky falsely represented the qualifications of some of their clinicians on claims to Kentucky Medicaid in order to receive higher reimbursements. According to the settlement agreement, day treatment services provided by lower-level healthcare workers at Aspire Day Program were billed as if they had higher-level licenses. Moreover, some employees did not have the qualifications to provide day treatment services at Aspire Day Program at all, but Recovery Center of Kentucky nonetheless billed Medicaid as if the services were provided by a licensed professional.

The Government alleged that the parent company, Recovery Center of USA, and CEO, Dr. Warrick Stewart, are liable for these false claims because they directed Recovery Center of Kentucky’s, Recovery Center of Maryland’s, and Recovery Center of Ohio’s compliance with federal healthcare programs, staffing decisions, and submission of claims to Kentucky and Ohio Medicaid.

“Vulnerable populations, like children who need behavioral health services, deserve to be treated by qualified clinicians,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office is committed to investigating behavioral healthcare fraud to ensure that Kentuckians receive necessary medical care and that Medicaid programs only pay for covered services.”

“HHS OIG remains committed to combatting Medicaid fraud and enforcing compliance with billing requirements,” said Susan Edwards, Chief Counsel to the Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG). “In connection with today’s settlement, Recovery Center has entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS OIG. This agreement imposes strengthened compliance obligations to ensure Recovery Center establishes and maintains robust systems that protect Medicaid funds and uphold the delivery of appropriate, compliant services to beneficiaries.”

The civil judgment will be satisfied by the terms agreed to in the civil settlement agreement based on Defendants’ limited ability to pay, including remitting payments from Defendants’ future distributions and terminating ownership rights to some of Dr. Stewart’s property.

The civil judgment and settlement agreement resolve a lawsuit brought by private citizens under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under those provisions, a private party can file a civil action on behalf of the United States, thereby bringing allegations of fraud to the Government’s attention, and share in any financial recovery. As part of this resolution, the individuals who filed the qui tam complaint are eligible to receive a portion of the settlement proceeds. The civil case is captioned United States ex rel. Harned, et al. v. Aspire Day School, LLC, et al., Case No. 3:23-cv-41-GFVT.

The investigation was conducted by investigators from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Stubblebine, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.

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ASHLAND, Ky. – A Gallipolis, Ohio, man, Henry Ritscher, 44, was sentenced on Friday to 25 years by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for the production of child pornography.  

According to his plea agreement, on September 6, 2025, Ritscher produced child pornography of a minor child in Johnson County. Specifically, the victim discovered a video depicting her showering and changing clothes, which appeared to be taken from a covert position in Ritscher’s bathroom. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on the same day and uncovered multiple electronic devices, including a covert camera hidden in a cell phone charging block that was used to produce the bathroom video. Ritscher provided a statement to law enforcement in which he admitted to covertly recording the victim and using the videos to satisfy his sexual fantasies. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Blankenship is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. –A Chinese national lawfully residing in the United States, Hao Qiu, 39, was sentenced on Friday to 30 months by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for international parental kidnapping.  

Qiu, a citizen of China, has three children with a United States citizen who resided in Fayette County. Qiu and the children’s mother negotiated an agreement, through their attorneys in a custody case, for Qiu to drive the children on a vacation to Florida. Unknown to their mother, Qiu obtained duplicate Chinese passports for each of the three children and made reservations to fly all of them to Beijing, China, through multiple countries. Qui drove the children to California and then removed the children from the U.S., by crossing the border to Mexico. They then flew from Mexico to Cuba to Panama, where the Panamanian authorities detained Qiu as he and the children were boarding a flight to Turkey.  Following a rapid response by the FBI, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice, the Panamanian authorities ultimately returned the children to their mother’s custody. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Filed Office jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andy Boone is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Nigerian man, legally residing in Newark, New Jersey, Charles Nnamdi Emesim, 53, was sentenced on Wednesday to 115 months by U.S. District Judge Robert Wier for conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

The Defendant engaged in a decade-long scheme to receive and launder the proceeds of different internet- and telephone-enabled scams, including romance scams, government imposter scams, lottery scams, investment scams, inheritance scams, and medical expense scams. Between December 9, 2013, through at least June 28, 2024, Emesim opened and operated at least 17 bank accounts in his name, or in names of his companies, Chadon Export or Chadon Trucking. Throughout this time, at least 23 individuals located around the United States were defrauded into sending a total of more than $700,000 to Emesim by mailing cash or cashier’s checks to his addresses, sending money transfers, or otherwise wiring funds into his bank accounts.

One victim, a senior citizen and widow living in the Eastern District of Kentucky, fell victim to a romance scam, believing she was in a romantic relationship with an individual named “Michael Oliver,” who wanted to transfer his wealth to the victim. To accomplish this goal, “Oliver” connected the victim with a “customs agent” to facilitate the receipt of money. The victim most frequently communicated with “Customs Agent Samuel Rock,” via WhatsApp. The victim traveled to the Lexington, Kentucky airport to meet with “Customs Agent Rock” in person, and during the meeting, gave him additional money, drove him to a local store, and bought him a computer tablet. The Court found that Emesim was the individual who impersonated “Customs Agent Rock” when meeting with this victim in person. This victim lost tens of thousands of dollars to this scam, by sending Emesim and his co-conspirators cash, cashier’s checks, and prepaid debit or gift cards.

  Emesim often withdrew the victims’ funds in cash, transferred the money to accounts in the name of relatives or businesses, or transferred the funds to his own bank accounts or bank accounts belonging to family members located in Nigeria.

“Romance scams and financial fraud schemes are predatory crimes because they target victims through deception, emotional manipulation, and calculated exploitation,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This defendant spent years helping funnel stolen money from hardworking Americans, including an elderly victim in Eastern Kentucky who was manipulated into believing she was building a genuine relationship. These criminals do not see victims as people—they see them as targets. The Eastern District of Kentucky, alongside the FBI, will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute those who exploit trust, devastate families, and profit from fraud.”

“For more than a decade, Mr. Emesim preyed upon trusting men and women, stealing their hard-earned money to line his own pockets,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “Today’s sentencing is a powerful reminder that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are steadfast in our pursuit of criminals who operate financial scams at the expense of innocent Americans, and that we will devote every available resource to seeking justice on behalf of victims and their families.”

During the sentencing hearing, the Court characterized Emesim’s conduct as heartless and unquestionably reprehensible, explaining that it caused terrible financial damage and incredible emotional and psychological tolls on the victims. The Court urged all people in this country with ears to hear that there will be accountability, and those convicted of these international, internet-enabled schemes will be met with a sentence that is far worse than the potential for profit.

Under federal law, Emesim must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Dieruf is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Wellington, Ky., man, Jarod Nicely, 39, was sentenced on Thursday to 276 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. 

On February 24, 2025, law enforcement stopped a vehicle driven by Nicely for suspected traffic violations on I-75. Nicely was questioned about his travels and he said he was driving to see friends in Cincinnati but initially claimed not to know where they lived of their last names. Law enforcement conducted a search of Nicely and found $12,246 in cash bound by rubber bands in his wallet. A search of Nicely’s vehicle found approximately 94 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the center console, along with a stolen firearm. Nicely admitted to possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute it and that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Sheriff Les Hill, Boone County Sheriff’s Office, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Boone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel King is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. 

– END –

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Lexington, Ky., man, Kevin Ryan Straw, 40, was charged by information and pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove. 

According to the information and his plea agreement, between 2021 and 2024, Straw served as President of Metropolitan Lodge 32, Fraternal Order of Police, based in Louisville, Ky., and, at various times, served as the Vice President and Government Affairs Chair of the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police, based in Frankfort, Ky. Straw devised a scheme to defraud both FOP Lodges and numerous individual victims of money through materially false pretenses, representations, and promises.  Straw defrauded individuals through an investment fraud scheme, defrauding at least ten individuals out of a total of $80,200.  In addition, Straw misappropriated $49,760 from Metro Lodge 32 through cash withdrawals he falsely claimed were made to transfer the funds to a different Metro Lodge 32 account.  Finally, Straw charged $15,501.48 in personal expenses to the State FOP credit card and requested reimbursement from the State FOP for $41,562.97 in travel expenses not incurred.  In total, Straw defrauded $187,024.45 from Metro Lodge 32, the State FOP, and the investment fraud victims.  According to his plea agreement, Straw agreed to pay $187,024.45 in restitution.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General; and Paul Humphrey, Chief, Louisville Metro Police Department, jointly announced the guilty plea.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Louisville Metro Police Department.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate K. Smith. 

Straw is scheduled to be sentenced on August 11, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky.- A Lexington man, Kevin Sanders, 48, was convicted on Friday by a federal jury in Lexington for four counts of distributing fentanyl, three counts of distributing methamphetamine, three counts of possessing with intent to distribute 600 grams or more of fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual). He was also convicted of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Sanders was convicted following a 3-day trial. 

According to testimony at trial, beginning in February 2025, law enforcement officers with the HIDTA Task Force, began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Kevin D. Sanders. During the investigation, law enforcement officers purchased 49 grams of fentanyl and 83 grams of methamphetamine from Sanders. In April 2025, a search warrant was obtained for his residence and law enforcement seized 3,705 grams of pure methamphetamine, 608 grams of fentanyl, and 500 grams of cocaine. Additionally, officers located and seized five firearms. Sanders has a prior conviction for Attempt First Degree Murder from Cook County, Illinois.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Rodney Richardson, Richmond Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF, KSP, and Richmond Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker. 

Sanders will appear for sentencing on September 10.

— END — 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Detroit, Michigan, man, Anderson L. George, Jr., 33, was sentenced on Monday to 180 months by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove for possession with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fluorofentanyl. 

According to his plea agreement, on November 8, 2023, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of George’s vehicle. During the stop, George’s vehicle was searched and law enforcement officers found a vacuum sealed bag containing a mixture of 99.8 grams of a flurofentanyl, a fentanyl analogue and fentanyl. George admitted to possessing the drugs and he intended to distribute them to others. George has a prior conviction for trafficking in a controlled substance from Rowan County, Ky., in 2018.

Under federal law, George must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 8 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by DEA and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Cincinnati man, Chester Lee Holloway 35, was sentenced on Friday to 127 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Holloway in Covington. Law enforcement detected the odor of marijuana and Holloway admitted that the vehicle contained marijuana and that it may also contain a firearm in the trunk of a car. Law enforcement searched the vehicle and found 119.1 grams of marijuana, a loaded firearm and an extended magazine. Holloway admitted that he knew he was a felon and was prohibited from possessing a firearm. At sentencing, Judge Bunning found that Holloway possessed the firearm in connection with another felony offense, namely, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute it.

Holloway was previously convicted of aggravated trafficking in drugs, among other crimes.

Under federal law, Holloway must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Justin Wietholter, Covington Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

LONDON, Ky. – A Nicholasville, Ky., man, Brandon Graves, 33, was sentenced to 66 months imprisonment on Friday by U.S. District Judge Claria Horn Boom for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine. 

According to his plea agreement, on May 14, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Graves’ residence. During the search, officers located 81.563 grams of fentanyl, 287.98 grams of cocaine, 40.872 grams of crack cocaine, 1.819 grams of methamphetamine, 17.588 grams of psilocybin, and $18,833 in cash. Law enforcement also recovered a vacuum sealer, plastic bags, digital scales, pistol magazines, and rounds of ammunition. 

Under federal law, Graves must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Michael Fleming, Nicholasville Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Nicholasville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ron Walker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Georgetown, Ky., man, Ricky Helton, 48, was sentenced on Tuesday to 180 months by U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. 

           According to his plea agreement, on October 24, 2024, Helton met an individual in Lexington to purchase methamphetamine. When law enforcement approached Helton’s vehicle, they located one pound of methamphetamine. Prior to this, law enforcement conducted four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from June through August 2024. 

           Helton previously was convicted of attempted manufacturing methamphetamine in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in 2005. 

           Under federal law, Helton must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 10 years. 

           Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, announced the sentence.

           The investigation was conducted by DEA and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Chapman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Crittenden, Ky., man, Robert Luke Divine, 30, was sentenced on Friday to 235 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity and distribution of child pornography. 

           According to his plea agreement, on January 15, 2025, the Boone County Sheriff’s Department conducted a sting operation and Divine showed up to a hotel for the purpose of having sex with a woman and her 14-year-old daughter. When deputies arrested him, Divine admitted why he was there and that he had child pornography on his cell phone. Law enforcement searched his electronic devices (including an Apple iPad) and found a trove of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including evidence that Divine traded CSAM with another person via Telegram in December 2024. Divine’s iPad contained 335 videos and thousands of images of child sexual abuse material, including files that depicted bestiality and minors under the age of 12. 

           Under federal law, Divine must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years. 

           Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Les K. Hill, Boone County Sheriff, announced the sentence.

           The investigation was conducted by the HSI and Boone County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Leonhard is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LEXINGTON, KY.— A federal criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in Lexington on Friday charging Brailen Weaver with armed bank robbery, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and causing death with a firearm in the course of the crime of violence. 

According to the criminal complaint, Weaver entered a US Bank in Berea, Ky, on April 30, 2026, at approximately 1:57 p.m. Upon entering the bank, Weaver immediately shot and killed a bank employee and then killed a bank teller. Weaver checked multiple drawers in the bank and immediately left. Investigators worked throughout the day to identify a suspect, as the perpetrator was hooded with a black mask. Weaver was ultimately identified as a suspect and his vehicle was located later in the evening. Law enforcement attempted to stop Weaver’s vehicle, leading to a pursuit that exceeded 100 miles per hour. Weaver ultimately crashed his car and then fled on foot.  Around 3 a.m. this morning Weaver was captured.

“As alleged, this deplorable act of violence in broad daylight has left two families in Kentucky with unthinkable loss. Our hearts go out to them,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “On day one, President Trump and this Department of Justice reprioritized tackling violent crime. Thanks to the relentless pursuit of law enforcement, Brailen Weaver is off the street and behind bars, and he will now face justice for his alleged heinous actions.”

“The FBI sends our condolences to two families who lost their loved ones in this horrific act of violence,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In the days ahead, we will work 24/7 with our partners to conduct a full investigation and see to it that the individual responsible is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Senseless violence has no place in our community. Two innocent people lost their lives due to greed and a complete disregard for the value of life. Thankfully, through the tireless efforts of the Kentucky State Police, FBI, ATF, Lexington Police Department, and many other law enforcement partners, a suspect is in custody and no longer able to wreak havoc in the Eastern District of Kentucky. We will do everything within our power to vindicate this terrible loss,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

“A senseless tragedy unfolded in Berea, KY yesterday after a coward with zero regard for human life allegedly murdered two bank employees and then led law enforcement on a dangerous pursuit throughout the eastern Kentucky region. Fulfilling a pillar of the FBI's mission to protect the American people, FBI Louisville along with numerous law enforcement partners was able to safely apprehend the subject and restore safety to the citizens of Berea and the surrounding areas,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “We offer our condolences to all who were so tragically affected by yesterday's indefensible acts, and we will stop at nothing to ensure this alleged murderer is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

“While I recognize that we’ve tragically lost two fellow Kentuckians and send our most heartfelt condolences to their families, I’m grateful this incident was brought to this conclusion – apprehension of the suspect with no further harm to our communities and law enforcement." Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police “There is inherent danger in this profession, but the professionalism and cooperation among multiple local, state, and federal partners enabled this successful outcome. Our personnel will continue to support this investigation and work to ensure successful prosecution, bringing justice to the victims' families.”

The case is being investigated by the FBI, ATF, Kentucky State Police, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Melton is representing the United States in this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations.  The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Weaver is scheduled to appear in court for his initial appearance on Monday at 2 p.m., in Lexington.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky will be holding a press conference to provide an update and information regarding the arrest and federal charges of the suspect in the deadly Berea bank robbery.

WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky, 260 W. Vine Street, Suite 300—Lexington, Ky. 40507

WHEN: FRIDAY, May 1, 2026 at 2 p.m.

CONTACT: Gabrielle Dudgeon, Public Affairs Specialist

                 (859) 229-7996

                 [email protected]

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Covington man, Trintin Peeno, 31, was sentenced on Thursday to 150 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.  

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Peeno’s residence on July 10, 2025, after receiving information about drug trafficking at the residence. During the search, officers recovered 28.9 grams of methamphetamine, 1.373 grams of fentanyl, 1.125 grams of cocaine, and a loaded handgun near the drugs. Peeno claimed ownership of the gun and the drugs and admitted to distributing controlled substances. Peeno also admitted that he possessed the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity. At sentencing, Peeno admitted that he had threatened to murder a neighbor who approached police about this activity. 

Under federal law, Peeno must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 4 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Justin Wietholter, Covington Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF and Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

– END –

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Walton, Ky., man, Kameron Thomas, 35, was sentenced on Friday to 37 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for accessing child pornography with the intent to view it. 

According to court documents, in January 2025, Thomas’s roommate, Ronald Knox, distributed a depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct to an undercover law enforcement officer by means of a BitTorrent peer-to-peer network. In May 2025, law enforcement searched their residence, during which Thomas admitted that he accessed child pornography through a Tor browser on his smartphone and that he had been doing so regularly for years. Law enforcement seized Thomas’s device, which revealed evidence corroborating his admissions.  

Knox was previously sentenced to 168 months for the distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. 

Under federal law, Thomas must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 15 years.  

Jason D. Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Craig Patrick Sorrell, Campbell County Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Campbell County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

– END –

LONDON, Ky.- Mufid Elfgeeh, 42, was convicted by a federal jury in London for attempted murder. Elfgeeh was convicted following a two-day trial.

While serving a 270-month sentence for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, United States Penitentiary McCreary staff observed Elfgeeh attacking his cellmate. Elfgeeh had requested a private cell and was upset that BOP had not complied with his request. Elfgeeh used an improvised weapon to stab his cellmate at least 30 times as he ignored numerous verbal commands to stop the attack, continuing the stabbing through three sprays of OC spray, OC vapor grenades, being struck by a foam baton, pepper balls, and hornet nest munitions. Elfgeeh’s assault continued until staff outfitted with protective gear breached the cell, restrained him, and removed the weapon. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt. 

Elfgeeh will appear for sentencing on September 1, 2026. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

— END — 

COVINGTON, Ky.- A Carson, California, man, Genghis Stevenson, 48, was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury in Covington of possession with intent to distribute an aggravated quantity of fentanyl. Stevenson was convicted following a 2-day trial. 

Law enforcement learned that Stevenson was a passenger on a flight from the Greater Cincinnati Airport to Los Angeles on March 28, 2024, and encountered Stevenson as he was about to board the plane. Over $15,000 in cash was seized from his carry-on bag along with 251 grams of fentanyl from his checked bag.

Stevenson has a violent history, including felony convictions for second degree robbery and taking of a motor vehicle from possession of another by a means of force and fear (carjacking).

“On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, we acknowledge the widespread presence of fentanyl infiltrating our communities, but this conviction makes it clear that those responsible for trafficking it will be held accountable. Trafficking this poison is not a victimless crime—it fuels addiction, devastates families, and puts lives at risk every single day,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our Office, alongside our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in identifying, disrupting, and prosecuting those who choose to profit from this crisis. We will continue to hold offenders accountable and protect the public from the dangers of fentanyl.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Scott Schwartz, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke.

Stevenson will appear for sentencing on August 21, 2026. He faces a mandatory minimum 10-year term of imprisonment and could face up to life in prison.

— END — 

LONDON, Ky. – Clinton Everett Hahn, 52, was sentenced on Monday to 45 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier for being a felon in possession of firearms. 

Hahn, a resident of Missouri, was required to register as a sex offender based on a Statutory Rape, Second Degree, conviction.  He absconded from Missouri and was ultimately located by the Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force living in a makeshift encampment in Clay County, Kentucky.  Hahn was located with two firearms, and he admitted to firing both weapons within the week before his arrest. In addition to the rape conviction, Hahn also has felony convictions for Distributing a Controlled Substance to a Minor and Assault 2nd Degree.   

“The Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force is one of many examples of collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement that serve to make our community safe,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.   “Tracking down and bringing to justice an armed, fugitive, sex offender is exactly the type of work that makes our District a safer place to live.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jeremy Honaker, Acting United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Kentucky announced the sentence.

The criminal investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

– END –

The Justice Department announced today that Joseph E. Johnson, the owner and manager of residential rental properties in Lexington, Kentucky, agreed to pay $510,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate violations of our federal fair housing laws, including landlords’ unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement demonstrates our commitment to continuing to enforce these laws so tenants remain safe and secure in their homes.”

“No one should have to choose between homelessness and sexual harassment in the place where they should feel safest,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who preys on and harasses vulnerable tenants in Eastern Kentucky, and this settlement sends a clear message that sex discrimination in housing will not be tolerated.”

The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in December 2024, alleges that Johnson sexually harassed female tenants for decades, including in their homes and at the rental office. The suit alleges that Johnson offered to forgive rent in exchange for sexual contact, demanded sexual contact from his tenants, subjected tenants to unwelcome sexual touching, made unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, let himself into female tenants’ homes without notice or permission, and threatened to evict tenants who refused his demands. The complaint also alleges Johnson failed to stop his employees when they engaged in similar conduct.

Pursuant to the consent order, which was approved today by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the defendant must pay $500,000 to tenants who were harmed by his harassment and a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent order permanently bars Johnson from managing residential rental properties and from contacting tenants harmed by his harassment. It also mandates training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination in his rental properties.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 52 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.

The Justice Department announced today that Joseph E. Johnson, the owner and manager of residential rental properties in Lexington, Kentucky, agreed to pay $510,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging that he sexually harassed female tenants in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

“The Justice Department will not tolerate violations of our federal fair housing laws, including landlords’ unwelcome sexual advances and requests for sexual favors,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This settlement demonstrates our commitment to continuing to enforce these laws so tenants remain safe and secure in their homes.”

“No one should have to choose between homelessness and sexual harassment in the place where they should feel safest,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “Our office is committed to holding accountable anyone who preys on and harasses vulnerable tenants in Eastern Kentucky, and this settlement sends a clear message that sex discrimination in housing will not be tolerated.”

The Justice Department’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in December 2024, alleges that Johnson sexually harassed female tenants for decades, including in their homes and at the rental office. The suit alleges that Johnson offered to forgive rent in exchange for sexual contact, demanded sexual contact from his tenants, subjected tenants to unwelcome sexual touching, made unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, let himself into female tenants’ homes without notice or permission, and threatened to evict tenants who refused his demands. The complaint also alleges Johnson failed to stop his employees when they engaged in similar conduct.

Pursuant to the consent order, which was approved today by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the defendant must pay $500,000 to tenants who were harmed by his harassment and a $10,000 civil penalty to the United States. The consent order permanently bars Johnson from managing residential rental properties and from contacting tenants harmed by his harassment. It also mandates training and the adoption of policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination in his rental properties.

If you are a victim of sexual harassment by another landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This settlement is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 52 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.

FRANKFORT, Ky.- A Frankfort man, Donald Demil Clay, 50, was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury in Frankfort for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Clay was convicted of the charges following a two-day trial.  

According to testimony at trial, the investigation as to Clay began with numerous tips to law enforcement that Clay was renting a commercial property in Frankfort that he used to store and to distribute cocaine. After several months of surveillance, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at the property used and maintained by Clay. Police seized approximately 4 ounces of cocaine that was concealed in a box affixed to a custom poker table.  

Clay was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in July 2014.  

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Derrick Napier, Frankfort Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by HSI, DEA, and the Frankfort Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury.

Clay will appear for sentencing on July 9.  He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.  However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Charlotte, North Carolina, woman, Delores Jordan, 57, and Ernest Williams, 52, of Lexington, Ky., were sentenced this week to 60 months and five years of probation respectively, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for their roles in a kickback conspiracy and health care fraud.

Serenity Keeper’s, LLC (“Serenity Keepers”), owned by Jordan, was a sober home company based in Fayette County, Ky., that purported to provide mental health and substance abuse treatment services and housing for individuals enrolled in its program.  Serenity Keepers allegedly used urine drug tests for their clients for non-medical reasons, such as ensuring sobriety. Beginning in 2019 through February 2022, Williams ran several sober homes operating as Serenity Keepers.

According to her plea agreement, in the fall of 2019, Jordan solicited kickbacks from an individual in exchange for the referral of urine drug testing from Serenity Keepers to various urine drug testing labs. Jordan received these kickbacks in the form of check, cash, and electronic payments for the referral of urine drug testing from Serenity Keepers to three different urine drug testing labs. In October 2021, the kickbacks increased to $5,000 and were paid to Jerome Davis, one of Jordan’s co-defendants, in the form of consulting payments, paid as checks, or ACH payments to Davis’s company X-Tremly for Christ, LLC.

Through the scheme, Jordan and Serenity Keepers caused Medicaid and Medicare to pay three different urine drug testing labs approximately $2,569,946 for urine drug testing referred to them, in exchange for unlawful kickbacks paid to Jordan. Willams performed urine drug testing on the residents of the homes he operated knowing the tests were not ordered by a medical provider and would not be reviewed by a medical provider.

As further part of the scheme, between August 2019 and March 2022, Serenity Keepers billed Medicaid for peer support services that were not provided by licensed peer support specialists. At Jordan’s direction, Williams stated that individuals living in his sober homes received six hours of peer support services per day, knowing that was not true. Over that time frame, Williams received $365,374.72, a percentage of the amount billed to Medicaid for the homes he managed.

Dashawn Dawkins was convicted earlier in April 2026 for his role in the kickback conspiracy and health care fraud conspiracy. Lily Bell, who paid the kickbacks to Dawkins, Jordan, and Davis, and who facilitated the abuse of the Nurse Practitioner’s stolen identifiers, pled guilty to aggravated identity theft. Jerome Davis pled guilty to his role in the kickback conspiracy and was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day of incarceration.

Under federal law, Jordan and Williams must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences. Upon their release from prison, they will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Russell Coleman, Kentucky Attorney General, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Kentucky Attorney General, Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate K. Smith.

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

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Terence Lorenzo Clemons, 52, was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for the production of child pornography.  

According to his plea agreement, Clemons was a County Extension Agent that operated 4-H programs in the Bath County School System. In April 2024, Clemons began a romantic “relationship” with a minor victim in the school system. Through extensive conversations via text messaging and various social media platforms, Clemons professed his “love” and asked the victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct via livestreaming and by sending him videos/photos. Clemons used his position as a leader of 4-H programs to gain access to the victim, which included at least one instance of physical touching, during events Clemons attended through the 4-H program. 

During the sentencing hearing, the Court noted the seriousness of this type of offense cannot be overstated. The Court also remarked that those with positions of trust need to understand this conduct will not be tolerated.

“This defendant held a position of trust and exploited that position in order to prey on the vulnerability of a child,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “That betrayal strikes at the very core of our communities, where parents and families should be able to trust those entrusted with mentoring and guiding young people. We remain committed to holding accountable anyone who abuses that trust and to working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect children from exploitation and harm.”

Under federal law, Clemons must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 20 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Sheriff Mike Coyle, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by HSI, KSP, and Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – A Lexington man, Osama Omar Qasem, 29, was sentenced on Thursday to 120 months by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell for two counts of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and one count of trafficking in firearms. 

According to his plea agreement, from January to March 2025, law enforcement utilized a confidential informant to conduct four controlled drug and firearm transactions from Qasem. Through the four transactions, Qasem sold the informant over 700 grams of methamphetamine and three firearms. After the fourth transaction, the informant contacted Qasem to set up a fifth controlled buy. When Qasem showed up for the transaction, law enforcement were waiting. Qasem was found with a loaded firearm in his car, equipped with a large capacity magazine. Law enforcement also located approximately 136. grams of cocaine and 237 grams of methamphetamine that Qasem admitted he was planning on distributing to others.  

Under federal law, Qasem must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for five years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, Louisville Field Division; and Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by ATF and KSP. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paco Villalobos is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky has partnered with Judi’s Place for Kids, a children’s advocacy center, headquartered in Pikeville, Ky., for use of their certified facility dog throughout the district.

A highly trained facility dog used in proper circumstances can reduce the stress experienced by victims and witnesses, foster connections with the prosecution team, encourage communication, and inspire a sense of trust.

Leslee is the Facility Dog for Judi's Place. Leslee or "Les" has been serving with Judi’s Place for the past seven years. Les's role is to support the children at their office and in judicial proceedings. This involves cuddling with children before and after therapy sessions, walking them to their sessions, and accompanying children as they testify in court. Les also attends many education and community events for Judi's Place. Les knows over 50 commands. Before coming to Judi's Place, Leslee trained for two years to become certified through Canine Companions.

“Protecting children and pursuing those who exploit them remains a top priority for our Office,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This partnership with Judi’s Place for Kids enhances our ability to support victims in a trauma-informed way, strengthening our cases and our commitment to justice. During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, we are proud to take this step forward in better serving our communities.”

“Leslee and Judi’s Place for Kids are honored for a chance to serve even more children and victims throughout the Commonwealth,” said Judi’s Place for Kids. “We cannot wait to show the difference a canine can make in the life of child victim.”

Judi’s Place for Kids – a bright solution for abused children – is a community working together promoting safety and justice, offering hope and healing so that all may thrive and reach their full potential. Judi’s Place is a non-profit established in 1999 with locations in Pikeville and Prestonsburg, serving Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Martin, and Magoffin Counties in eastern Kentucky. Judi's Place for Kids provides two programs: accredited children's advocacy center services and CASA (court-appointed special advocates) of Eastern Kentucky.

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COVINGTON, Ky. – A Crestview Hills, Ky., man, William Clark, 70, was sentenced on Thursday to 63 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for receiving child pornography.  

According to his plea agreement, on July 13, 2024, law enforcement responded to a report that a man was taking photos of children in their swimsuits at a recreation center in Kenton County. Officers spoke to Clark who admitted that he possessed computer-generated depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and that he had downloaded the material from two websites. Clark consented to the search of his electronic devices and law enforcement found approximately 885 digital images and three digital videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Law enforcement further found that hundreds of those files had been downloaded from websites including those the Defendant admitted visiting.

Under federal law, Clark must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Chief Mike Leming, Erlanger Police Department, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the HSI and Erlanger Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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FRANKFORT, Ky.- A Frankfort man, Donald Demil Clay, 50, was convicted on Wednesday by a federal jury in Frankfort for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Clay was convicted of the charges following a two-day trial. 

According to testimony at trial, the investigation as to Clay began with numerous tips to law enforcement that Clay was renting a commercial property in Frankfort that he used to store and to distribute cocaine. After several months of surveillance, law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant at the property used and maintained by Clay. Law enforcement seized approximately 4 ounces of cocaine that was concealed in a box affixed to a custom poker table.  

Clay was previously convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in July 2014.  

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Colin Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and Chief Derrick Napier, Frankfort Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by HSI, DEA, and the Frankfort Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury.

Clay will appear for sentencing on July 9. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.  However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.

— END — 

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Batavia, Ohio, woman, Stephanie Marie Terrell, 39, was sentenced on Thursday to 78 months by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for aiding and abetting the attempted possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

           According to her plea agreement, on May 23, 2025, the United States Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing over 220 grams of methamphetamine that was addressed to a residence in Covington and mailed from Houston, Texas. On May 27, 2025, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the Covington residence, and Scott Baxter, Terrell’s co-defendant, retrieved the package from the porch and brought it to a nearby vehicle driven by Terrell. Terrell began driving away from the residence, but law enforcement initiated a traffic stop. Dereco Lamont Evans, the front seat passenger and another co-defendant, opened the passenger door and threw the package out. Evans and Terrell were detained. 

           Terrell admitted that she was retrieving the package, that the intended recipient was Timothy McCay, another co-defendant, that she knew the package contained drugs, and that she had facilitated McCay receiving the drugs from Joseph Felix Garza of Houston, another co-defendant. 

           Terrell’s co-defendants were previously sentenced to the following:

• Joseph Felix Garza was sentenced to 132 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release
• Timothy J. McCay was sentenced to 123 months imprisonment and 5 years supervised release
• Harry Smith was sentenced to 41 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
• Scott Baxter was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
• Dereco Lamont Evans was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and 3 years supervised release
• Stephanie Marie Garcia was sentenced to time served (4 days) and 3 years supervised release

           Under federal law, Terrell and her co-defendants must serve 85 percent of their prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, Terrell will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years. 

           Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Lesley Allison, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Pittsburgh Field Division; and Scott Hardcorn, Director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, announced the sentence.

           The investigation was conducted by USPIS and the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. After a three-day trial, a Lexington man, Victorian Valdimar Hardaway, 36, was convicted on Thursday by a federal jury in Lexington for conspiring to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and a detectable amount of oxycodone; distributing fentanyl;  possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl, oxycodone, and methamphetamine; possessing a firearm as a convicted felon; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. 

According to testimony at trial and items seized during a search warrant, Hardaway had large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the apartment where he was staying. Law enforcement recovered numerous items of drug paraphernalia, including a hydraulic press, baggies, cutting agents, a blender, more than $5,000 in bundled cash, and digital scales. Evidence revealed that Hardaway was a large-scale drug trafficker in the Lexington community selling substantial amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. Hardway also possessed firearms during drug transactions and another one in the bedroom where many drugs and paraphernalia was recovered. Further, Hardaway’s criminal history shows he is a convicted domestic violence aggressor. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the conviction.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, KSP, and Lexington Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office was represented in the case by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ron Walker and Aubrey McGuire Girouard. 

Hardaway will appear for sentencing in August 2026. He faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. However, the Court must consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the applicable federal sentencing statutes before imposing a sentence.

— END — 

LEXINGTON, Ky.- A federal criminal complaint was unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Lexington on Wednesday charging Kadrioan Serainity Santiago, 23, with interstate threatening communication.

According to the criminal complaint, on April 1, 2026, FBI received information that Santiago, under the username “kadi_skating,” had been posting a series of politically violent threats and statements on Instagram between January 2026 and late March 2026. Among other things, Santiago threatened to cut President Donald Trump’s face with a razor blade, pull his skin off and feed the skin to stray dogs; threatened to kill the next member of law enforcement who interacted with him; encouraged others to shoot at ICE agents; and threatened to kill ICE agents himself.

The criminal complaint alleges that Santiago began posting the threatening communication in January 2026, posting, “im filled with political violence.”

“Threatening violence against the President and federal law enforcement officers strike at the core of our nation’s safety and the rule of law,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “These actions will not be tolerated and will be met with swift and decisive prosecution. Through the FBI’s diligence and swift action, we moved quickly to address this threat and will pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”

"To those who choose to hide behind the anonymity of a screen to unleash threats against the President of the United States, other government officials, and law enforcement, the FBI will find you,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “It is against the law to post threatening communications online, and the FBI and our partners will use every available resource to identify, locate, and arrest those who choose to do so."

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office, jointly announced the criminal complaint.

The case is being investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Greenfield is representing the United States in this case.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations.  The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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GOTEC Plus Sun LLC (GOTEC), a Delaware company, pleaded guilty today to illegal storage of hazardous waste. GOTEC was sentenced to pay a $275,000 fine and to serve a one-year term of probation.

On March 30, the court sentenced Natalie Fehse, the former general manager of the GOTEC facility, to five years of probation, including a special condition of 10 months of home confinement, and a $5,000 fine for her role in the illegal storage of hazardous waste.

“The illegal accumulation and storage of hundreds of containers of hazardous waste at GOTEC posed a substantial danger to plant workers, emergency responders, and the general public,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This prosecution sends the message that hazardous waste generators must properly handle hazardous wastes or potentially face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.

“Unpermitted storage of hazardous waste that endangers Kentuckians will not be tolerated,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Parman for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “I want to commend the collaborative efforts of the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection and EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division on the investigation of the illegal conduct of GOTEC and its General Manager, which averted a potential disaster.”

“Companies that cut corners by accumulating hazardous wastes — such the hundreds of drums of flammable and toxic solvents hidden around the site in this case — rather than disposing of them properly endanger communities, workers, and first responders,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “Such dangerous neglect is precisely what the law forbids. This case demonstrates cooperative federalism in action. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s inspection program found persistent, intentional violations of the law while EPA’s criminal investigative and forensic expertise ensured that the company was held criminally accountable.”

GOTEC produced parts for the use of manufacturing vehicles in Williamstown, Kentucky. As part of the production process, it applied coatings and adhesives to metal parts and generated hazardous waste, including spent solvents listed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

RCRA establishes a comprehensive cradle-to-grave program to regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment. It prohibits the storage of hazardous waste at industrial facilities for extended periods of time without a permit. According to court documents, on June 27, 2024, the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection conducted an inspection at GOTEC’s plant and discovered semi-trailers, shipping containers, and an abandoned warehouse containing 249, 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste and approximately 27 cubic yards of hazardous waste stored in cardboard, wooden crates, and yellow totes.

GOTEC admitted that between January 2022 and November 2024 it did not properly dispose of all the hazardous waste it was generating, including hazardous waste that had been accumulating at the facility since 2022. GOTEC admitted that it stopped properly disposing of hazardous due to staffing issues, and decreased revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather, it improperly accumulated and stored hazardous waste at the facility without a RCRA hazardous waste storage permit.

EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Senior Trial Attorney Matthew Morris of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case.

COVINGTON, Ky. – GOTEC Plus Sun, LLC (GOTEC), a Delaware company, pleaded guilty on Friday before Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to illegal storage of hazardous waste. GOTEC was sentenced to pay a $275,000 fine and to serve a one-year term of probation.

On March 30, 2026, the Court sentenced Natalie Fehse, the former General Manager of the GOTEC facility, to five years of probation, including a special condition of 10 months of home confinement, and a $5,000 fine for her role in the illegal storage of hazardous waste.

GOTEC produced parts for the use of manufacturing vehicles in Williamstown, Kentucky. As part of the production process, it applied coatings and adhesives to metal parts and generated hazardous waste, including spent solvents listed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). 

RCRA established a comprehensive cradle-to-grave program to regulate the generation, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous wastes to protect human health and the environment. It prohibits the storage of hazardous waste at industrial facilities for extended periods of time without a permit. According to court documents, on June 27, 2024, the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection conducted an inspection at GOTEC’s plant and discovered semi-trailers, shipping containers, and an abandoned warehouse containing 249, 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste and approximately 27 cubic yards of hazardous waste stored in cardboard, wooden crates, and yellow totes. 

GOTEC admitted that between January 2022 and November 2024 it did not properly dispose of all the hazardous waste it was generating, including hazardous waste that had been accumulating at the facility since 2022. GOTEC admitted that it stopped properly disposing of hazardous due to staffing issues, and decreased revenue during the COVID shutdown. Rather, it improperly accumulated and stored hazardous waste at the facility without a RCRA hazardous waste storage permit.       

“The illegal accumulation and storage of hundreds of containers of hazardous waste at GOTEC posed a substantial danger to plant workers, emergency responders, and the general public,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “This prosecution sends the message that hazardous waste generators must properly handle hazardous wastes or potentially face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.           

“Unpermitted storage of hazardous waste that endangers Kentuckians will not be tolerated,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “I want to commend the collaborative efforts of the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection and EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division on the investigation of the illegal conduct of GOTEC and its General Manager, which averted a potential disaster.”

“Companies that cut corners by accumulating hazardous wastes—such the hundreds of drums of flammable and toxic solvents hidden around the site in this case—rather than disposing of them properly endanger communities, workers, and first responders,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “Such dangerous neglect is precisely what the law forbids. This case demonstrates cooperative federalism in action. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s inspection program found persistent, intentional violations of the law while EPA’s criminal investigative and forensic expertise ensured that the company was held criminally accountable.”

EPA-CID-CID and Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield and Senior Trial Attorney Matthew Morris of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case.

— END — 

COVINGTON, Ky. – A Crittenden, Ky., man, Randall Kipling, 63, was sentenced on Thursday to 121 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  

According to his plea agreement, Kipling and his co-defendant, Mark Ball, were involved in distributing methamphetamine out of Kipling’s residence in Boone County. Kipling provided a vehicle and money that Ball used to engage in the drug trafficking.  On February 23, 2023, law enforcement responded to an overdose at Kipling’s residence and Kipling was present with Ball and two others, who showed significant signs of intoxication and were taken to the hospital for treatment. Law enforcement searched Kipling’s residence and seized over 250 grams of methamphetamine, other controlled substances, and numerous drug paraphernalia items. Kipling admitted possessing the methamphetamine which the group intended to distribute. 

Ball previously pleaded guilty to his role in the methamphetamine distribution and was sentenced to 126 months in March 2026. 

Under federal law, Kipling must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 5 years. 

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division, announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Boone County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Bracke is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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ASHLAND, Ky. – A Martha, Ky., man, Josh Ferguson, 42, pleaded guilty on Tuesday before Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to knowingly discharging waste product into waters of the United States. 

According to his plea agreement, in the fall of 2025, the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (“Kentucky DEP”) received a tip about the discharge of “brine water,” a waste product of oil production, into the Left Fork Blaine Creek in Lawrence County. On September 3, 2025, a Kentucky DEP inspector investigated the site where Ferguson owned two oil production wells. A hose connected to a metal brine tank ran through a field to the Left Fork Blaine Creek, where it was actively discharging waste product into the waterway. Downstream of the discharge, the water was orange with no signs of life, and water samples indicated extremely elevated chloride levels. When interviewed by the Kentucky DEP inspector, Ferguson admitted that he had been discharging brine water into the creek in order to save money, that he did not have a permit to do so, and that the conduct had been ongoing for two years. The Left Fork Blaine Creek is a water of the United States. 

“Dumping oil-production waste into Kentucky waterways to save money is both illegal and unacceptable,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “This case reflects our commitment to protecting public health, enforcing the Clean Water Act against those who put profit over people, and safeguarding the natural resources that our communities rely on.”

“These ongoing discharges threatened the public and aquatic life downstream—putting profits over people and the environment,” said Leslie Y. Carroll, Acting Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Kentucky. “Clean water is one of Kentucky’s most valuable resources, and it must be protected. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that EPA and our enforcement partners will investigate violations and hold polluters accountable to protect human health and the environment.”

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; and Anthony R. Hatton, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, jointly announced the guilty plea.

The investigation was conducted by EPA-CID and Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

Ferguson is scheduled to be sentenced on August 10. He faces a maximum of three years in prison and a minimum fine of not less than $5,000 per day of violation. However, any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.

— END —

ASHLAND, Ky. – A South Point, Ohio, man, Michael Merrick, 26, was sentenced on Tuesday by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning to 360 months for the production of child pornography. 

According to his plea agreement, in September 2024, a minor victim reported that she had been sexually assaulted by Merrick, and he had taken sexually explicit pictures of her using his phone. On September 27, 2024, law enforcement searched Merrick’s phone and located the sexually explicit photos. Merrick admitted to sexually abusing the minor victim and to producing sexually explicit images of the victim in Boyd County, Kentucky.

Under federal law, Merrick must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 25 years.

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Todd Kelley, Ashland Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Ashland Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Roth is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the 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.

– END –