District of Massachusetts
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
New Bedford Couple Charged with Defrauding Clients of over $700,000 in Connection with Their Insurance BusinessRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A married couple was arrested today for their alleged involvement in a scheme to defraud individuals seeking insurance coverage through their business, BL Insurance Brokerage, LLC.
Brendan Lawler, 58, and Lisa Lawler, 45, both of New Bedford, Mass., were charged with one count each of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Both defendants will appear in federal court in Boston at 3:30 p.m. today.
According to the charging document, it is alleged that from March 2023 through March 2024, the Lawlers solicited and collected insurance payments from their clients, which should have been paid to the clients’ insurance providers. Instead of paying the insurance companies what they were owed, the Lawlers allegedly pocketed their clients’ payments and used the money for their own purposes. To conceal the theft of client funds and to keep their company BL Insurance afloat to perpetuate the scheme, the Lawlers allegedly used incoming client funds to pay outstanding balances due to other clients’ insurers. It is alleged that the Lawlers also created and distributed to certain insurance documents to the clients that indicated that the clients were insured. In total, through this scheme, it is alleged that the Lawlers defrauded at least 50 individuals or insurance providers and stole more than $700,000.
The charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the loss to the victim. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance and Insurance Fraud Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Cleary of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the complaint are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Department of Labor Employee Indicted for Fraudulently Obtaining over $40,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance BenefitsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former employee of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) was charged today with fraudulently obtaining over $40,000 in pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) benefits.
Mo Yuong Kang, 50, formerly of Woburn and Dracut, Mass., was indicted today and charged with wire fraud. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the indictment, Kang worked as an Industrial Hygienist with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an agency of the DOL, from June 2016 until July 2023. In 2020 and 2021, Kang was a full-time employee of the DOL and earned $86,667 and $90,738, respectively.
According to the indictment, in April 2020, Kang allegedly submitted a false PUA application to the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). It is alleged that, in the application, Kang claimed under the penalty of perjury that he was “self-employed, an independent contractor, or a gig worker and COVID-19 has severely limited [his] ability to perform [his] normal work,” and that he had not earned more than $89 a week since March 8, 2020. The DUA approved Kang’s claim, and through September 2021 Kang subsequently submitted weekly certifications to the DUA allegedly claiming that he did not work and did not receive any income during those weekly periods. Based upon his application registration and those weekly certifications, Kang allegedly received $45,868 in PUA benefits he was not entitled to.
The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Labor Racketeering and Fraud, Northeast Region; and Christopher Silvestro, Special Agent in Charge of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption and Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted in March 2020 and designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act created a new temporary federal unemployment insurance program called pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA), which provided unemployment benefits for individuals who were not eligible for standard unemployment benefits. To receive PUA benefits, Massachusetts claimants were required to certify in an initial registration and in weekly certifications whether or not they worked or received any income during the relevant time period. The PUA program was administered in Massachusetts by the Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA).
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
East Weymouth Woman Charged with Bank FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An East Weymouth woman was charged today in federal court in Boston with scheming to fraudulently obtain Social Security benefits.
Debora A. Siler, 68, was charged with one count of bank fraud and will appear in U.S. District Court in Boston on Sept. 11, 2025.
According to the charging documents, Siler fraudulently obtained approximately $61,685.13 in Social Security benefits from June 2015 through September 2020. Siler is alleged to have had access to the checkbook and debit card of a Social Security beneficiary who died in May 2015. Instead of reporting the beneficiary’s death to the Social Security Administration or the bank where the benefits were deposited, Siler allegedly accessed the improperly paid benefits by forging the deceased beneficiary’s name on several checks and regularly depleting the account funds through debit card transactions.
The charge of bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Fugitive Gang Member Arrested on Federal Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Vice Lord gang member from Athol, Mass. has been arrested after two months at-large as a wanted fugitive. At the time of the alleged gun and drug offenses, the defendant was on parole following multiple six to 10-year concurrent state prison sentences.
Keith Harlow, a/k/a “Lord Savage,” 39, of Athol, Mass., was arrested this morning in Smyrna, Ga., on charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition; conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; and engaging in the business of manufacturing and dealing in firearms without a license.
Harlow will appear in a Georgia State Court on state fugitive charges pertaining to a pending Parole Warrant and related state charges. He will appear in federal court in the Northern District of Georgia at a later date to face extradition to the District of Massachusetts.
Harlow’s three co-defendants – Jonathan Perry, a/k/a “Peazy,” 25, of Arlington, Mass.; Andrew Poor, 29, of Athol, Mass.; and Dante Machuca, 25, of Athol, Mass., were arrested on related state charges in May 2025 and charged in federal court in June 2025. Perry is charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances; Poor is charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery; and Machuca is charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery. Harlow fled the District of Massachusetts and has been a fugitive since May 2025.
According to the charging documents, Harlow is a member of a Vice Lords chapter known as the Four Corner Hustlers. Known by his street name “Lord Savage,” Harlow has been convicted of multiple prior armed robberies and, at the time of the alleged offenses, was on parole following multiple six to 10-year concurrent state prison sentences.
It is alleged that during 2025, while on state parole, Harlow sent numerous text messages and was captured in photographs and video recordings in possession of firearms, a suppressor and machinegun conversion device – commonly known as a selector “switch.” In numerous text messages, Harlow allegedly discussed the manufacturing of firearms and selector switches and the sale of numerous firearms he had in his possession.
According to the charging documents, one of the firearms seized during the investigation was allegedly purchased by Poor and given to Harlow. Further investigation of Poor revealed his alleged involvement in a January 2025 home invasion of a residence in Athol. Dante Machuca was also identified as allegedly participating in the home invasion, along with Harlow and Poor.
According to the charging documents, Harlow, Poor and Machuca are alleged to have entered into the residence of a suspected drug dealer armed with firearms in order to rob the dealer of drugs and proceeds. Harlow is alleged to have engaged in a struggle with the dealer and fired his weapon to demonstrate its authenticity, before putting the hot barrel of the firearm against the victim’s abdomen. At the time of this home invasion, Harlow was on parole for multiple state prison terms.
It is alleged that during a search of Harlow’s residence on May 29, 2025, multiple firearm receivers, suspected firearm suppressors, machinegun conversion devices, 3D printers and firearm manufacturing supplies were recovered. Approximately 100 grams of suspected cocaine was also allegedly found in the residence.
A review of Perry’s cellphone seized during his arrest on state charges on May 29, 2025, allegedly revealed that Harlow and Perry worked together to distribute controlled substances and sell firearms throughout Massachusetts. It is further alleged that, in text message communications, Harlow and Perry discussed committing multiple robberies and using firearms to shoot at various individuals. At the time of the alleged offenses: Harlow and Perry were prohibited from possessing firearms due to numerous prior felony convictions, including Perry’s youthful offender conviction of manslaughter. At the time of all the messages, Harlow was on parole following multiple concurrent state prison sentences for multiple armed robberies and Perry was on probation for a domestic violence offense.
The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiring to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of unlicensed manufacturing and dealing in firearms provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Kevin Neal, Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts; David E. Sullivan, Northwestern District Attorney; and Athol Police Chief Craig Lundgren made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia; the Massachusetts State Police; the Franklin County House of Correction; and the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
harlow_-_complaint_affidavit.pdf
Springfield Man Convicted of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD – A Springfield, Mass. man was convicted yesterday, following a 4-day trial, of possession and receipt of child pornography and sexual exploitation of children.
Bairon Ubeda, 45, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of possession of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of sexual exploitation of children. U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy scheduled sentencing for Nov. 24, 2025. Ubeda was previously indicted in May 2023. At the time, Ubeda was serving a state sentence for aggravated rape and abuse of a child, posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity, disseminating child pornography, trafficking of a person for sexual servitude, extortion, larceny, assault and battery and trafficking of a person under 18 years of age for sexual servitude.
Evidence introduced at trial demonstrated that Ubeda carried out a multi-year effort to trick and coerce women using fraudulent social media persona and accounts while claiming to represent a fictitious adult modeling company. Ubeda would trick women targeted by the scheme into providing explicit images as well as personal information and identification. Ubeda would then threaten to make the images and information public if the women did not agree to engage in sexual acts with him. For women with children, Ubeda would threaten to provide the images and information to child protective services so that the women would lose custody of their children.
Ubeda was charged in federal court after he coerced a woman caught up in a scheme to use a three-year-old minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. Ubeda was also charged with knowingly receiving and possessing that child pornography.
The charge of sexual exploitation of a child provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentenced of up to 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi; and Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers of the Springfield Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Maynard and Mark Grady of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Southbridge Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Southbridge man pleaded guilty in federal court in Worcester to conspiring to distribute cocaine in Central Massachusetts.
Eric Rivera, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Nov. 12, 2025. In November 2024, Rivera was indicted by a federal grand jury along with alleged co-conspirators Luis Sastre Pagan and Miguel Lopez.
From in or about April 2023 through April 2024, Rivera participated in a conspiracy that shipped kilograms of cocaine into Central Massachusetts. Specifically, Rivera provided addresses to be used as “drop addresses” for drug packages in Worcester County and drove packages of cocaine to other known drug traffickers in the Springfield area.
Over the course of the investigation, four packages related to the drug trafficking organization were seized, each of which were found to contain cocaine. This includes one package seized in February 2023 that was addressed to Rivera and found to contain three kilograms of cocaine. In total, between 15-50 kilograms of cocaine is attributable to Rivera as part of his participation in the conspiracy.
Rivera’s alleged co-conspirators have pleaded not guilty and are pending trial.
The charge of conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the DEA Puerto Rico and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Social Security Employee Sentenced for Trying to Lure Beneficiary into ProstitutionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Social Security Administration (SSA) employee was sentenced today for attempting to coerce a beneficiary into crossing state lines to engage in prostitution.
Dae Sung Kim, 36, of Auburn, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to six months in prison and five years of supervised release. In February 2025, Kim pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to induce a person to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.“Public servants are entrusted to assist people, not exploit them. This was a brazen abuse of power by a federal employee who used his position and access to sensitive information to prey on a vulnerable woman who had just lost her job. This kind of predatory behavior has no place in public service, or anywhere else,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “This case represents yet another example of my office’s commitment to reduce the demand for commercial exploitation. Mr. Kim attempted to purchase access to the victim’s body and used her vulnerability and his privilege to do so.”
“This was a shocking abuse of power by someone entrusted to serve the public. The defendant, while employed as an SSA claims specialist, attempted to exploit a vulnerable, disabled mother seeking to apply for reinstatement of disability benefits after losing her job. This predatory behavior is intolerable,” said Michelle Anderson, Acting Inspector General, Social Security Administration.
In March 2024, Kim handled an in-person visit at the Gardner SSA field office from a woman seeking Social Security benefits after losing her job. Approximately 20 minutes later, after redirecting the beneficiary to another SSA field office closer to her residence in another state, Kim utilized his access to her personally identifiable information in the SSA’s computer system to find the beneficiary’s phone number and call her from his personal cell phone. On the call, Kim said he understood the beneficiary was in a “difficult situation” and that “maybe they could work something out that would benefit them both.”
During the ensuing investigation, Kim clarified in text messages and a consensually monitored phone conversation that he was proposing to pay the beneficiary for sex and attempted to negotiate a price.
Kim continued his solicitation over a period of several months through text messages with undercover law enforcement impersonating the beneficiary, including several requests for nude photographs that were declined. Eventually, Kim proposed that the beneficiary travel from her home outside of Massachusetts to a hotel parking lot in Fitchburg, Mass., to have sex in a car in exchange for $100. When Kim traveled to the hotel parking lot to meet the individual in October 2024, he was confronted by law enforcement.U.S. Attorney Foley and Acting SSA Inspector General Anderson made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations and the Fitchburg and Gardner Police Departments. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan D. O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Trinitarios Gang Member Charged with Possession of MachinegunRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man appeared in federal court yesterday in connection with a criminal complaint charging him with possessing an UZI machinegun.
Derek Mercado, 20, is charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession of a machinegun. Mercado is currently in state custody for domestic violence offenses.
Mercado is alleged to be a member of the Trinitarios gang, a violent criminal enterprise responsible for numerous murders and acts of violence across Massachusetts. According to charging documents, an alert to arrest Mercado was broadcast by law enforcement on the morning of May 6, 2025, following a report of a domestic violence incident. The victim reported that the defendant was allegedly in possession of a firearm in a green duffel bag. At the time, Mercado was in warrant status on two unrelated matters. Mercado was later observed exiting a residence while allegedly possessing a green duffel bag. Mercado was taken into custody and an Israel Military Industries UZI model submachinegun containing an extended magazine loaded with 24 rounds was recovered in the green bag. The UZI was later test-fired and determined to be a functional machinegun.
In August 2024, three members of the Lawrence Chapter of the Trinitarios were charged with an armed robbery. In February 2025, nearly two dozen members of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios were charged with committing six murders in Lynn and Lawrence. In June 2025, two Trinitarios members were charged with committing a kidnapping in Andover.The charge of possessing a machinegun provides for a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 46 Years in Prison for Sexually Exploiting Children and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Pittsfield, Mass. man was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Springfield for sexually exploiting minor children in his home. The defendant documented the sexual abuse and possessed hundreds of files of other child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Justin Benoit, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 46 years in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, during which time Benoit will be required to register as a sex offender. The defendant was also ordered to pay the full amount of restitution requested by the victims. Benoit pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography in May 2025, during testimony from the government’s final witness at trial. The defendant was arrested on Feb. 15, 2022 and has been in custody since that time. According to court records, Benoit has several related state charges pending in Central Berkshire District Court.
“This defendant’s conduct is nothing short of diabolical. He preyed on innocent young children, including two who were entrusted to his care, whom he repeatedly sexually abused. Each image that he captured will result in an eternity of trauma and revictimization on these children. Furthermore, he exploited countless children he never met and did not know from the comfort of his own home through his enormous collection of child sexual abuse material. He is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “It is our hope that this sentence brings some measure of justice to the victims in this case, and protects other children from further exploitation at his hands.”
“What Justin Benoit admitted to is morally reprehensible. He raped and exploited three children under his care and documented the abuse to fuel his own sadistic desires,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “This sentence is richly deserved and there’s no question the public is safer with Mr. Benoit behind bars, locked away where he can’t victimize anyone else’s child.”
In November 2021, local law enforcement learned that Benoit had uploaded CSAM files to the internet. During a search of Benoit’s residence in February 2022, multiple electronic devices were seized which revealed hundreds of CSAM files as well as images and videos documenting Benoit’s sexual abuse of children at his residence. He was immediately taken into custody.
Further analysis of Benoit’s devices revealed that he possessed hundreds of images and videos of child sexual abuse, including files that depicted sadistic sexual abuse of children as young as infants and toddlers.
Additionally, Benoit possessed approximately 130 files documenting his rape and sexual exploitation of two minor females and one minor male on multiple separate occasions between February 2021 and February 2022. A pair of blue and white checkered boxer shorts and bedding found at Benoit’s residence were identical to those in the files documenting the sexual abuse. Two of the minor victims Benoit abused were younger than 12 years old when he produced CSAM of them, one of whom was in Benoit’s care at the time of the incidents.
U.S. Attorney Foley; FBI SAC Docks; and Colonel Geoffrey Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Pittsfield Police Department and the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.
Guatemalan National Sentenced for Possession of a Forged Immigration Document and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in West Springfield, Mass. was sentenced in federal court in Springfield for possessing a forged immigration document and unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation. Prior to these charges, the defendant reentered the United States unlawfully four times; was previously convicted in Arizona of human smuggling; was charged in Illinois with domestic battery/bodily harm; and was twice charged with assault on a police officer in Massachusetts.
Jose Martinez-Lopez, a/k/a “Amalio Mendez-Molina,” 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to time served (163 days in prison). Martinez-Lopez is now subject to deportation. In June 2025, Martinez-Lopez pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of a forged immigration document and unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Martinez-Lopez was arrested in March 2025.
On Aug. 28, 2009, Martinez-Lopez was removed from the United States to Guatemala after he entered the United States illegally on an unknown date. Sometime after his removal, Martinez-Lopez unlawfully reentered the United States and was subsequently deported on May 10, 2011. After his deportation, Martinez-Lopez re-entered the United States illegally for a third time. On Aug. 8, 2011, he was found guilty in Phoenix, Ariz. of human smuggling conspiracy and sentenced to a one-year probationary period. On Aug. 23, 2011, Martinez-Lopez was again removed from the United States.
Sometime after his removal, Martinez-Lopez re-entered the United States illegally for a fourth time. On Nov. 25, 2022 and June 17, 2023, Martinez-Lopez was twice arrested in Cook County, Ill. for domestic battery/bodily harm. Both times, immigration authorities lodged detainers, but Martinez-Lopez was released from state court custody before any removal action could be taken.
On March 10, 2025, Martinez-Lopez was arrested in West Springfield, Mass. for assault and battery on a police officer, which led to his apprehension by immigration authorities. At the time of the arrest, Martinez-Lopez possessed a forged permanent resident card in the name of “Amalio Mendez-Molina.” On March 11, 2025, Martinez-Lopez admitted to immigration authorities that he was unlawfully present in the United States and had re-entered the United States illegally in 2021.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office prosecuted the case.
Salvadoran National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Salvadoran national was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Arsenio Valladares, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to time served (approximately five months in prison) and one year of supervised release. Valladares is now subject to deportation proceedings. In July 2025, Valladares pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Valladares was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2025.
Valladares was deported from the United States on or about April 23, 2008. Sometime after his removal, Valladares illegally reentered the United States without permission.
Prior to his removal, Valladares was convicted of offenses including assault and battery with a deadly weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery, operating under the influence, larceny and malicious destruction of property. In November 2024, federal immigration authorities became aware of Valadares’ presence in the United States after being notified that his fingerprints were taken in connection with criminal charges in Massachusetts. Valladares was detained by immigration authorities on March 18, 2025.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Benjamin prosecuted the case.
Lawrence Man Arrested for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lawrence man has been arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to traffic a child for sex.
Alex Bou, 22, was charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child. The defendant was arrested last night and subsequently released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston this afternoon.
According to the charging documents, on Aug. 16, 2025, Bou responded to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts. The advertisement contained images of a young-looking female and language purported to be written by a female describing herself as a “flower ready to blossom.” It is alleged that, on August 16, 2025, Bou sent a text message to the number listed on the advertisement saying, “U available,” to which an undercover agent posing as the purported minor responded suggesting Aug. 19, 2025.
On Aug. 19, 2025, Bou continued his conversation with the undercover agent. In their conversation, the undercover agent stated that she was a 15-year-old girl available to perform sex acts in exchange for money. Upon being informed that the purported minor was 15 years old, Bou allegedly responded with, “Ok are you a virgin?” It is alleged that Bou agreed to pay $175 to have unprotected sex with the purported minor and acknowledged that he was agreeing to have sex with an “underage girl.” Shortly thereafter, Bou arrived at the agreed upon meeting location and was apprehended.
The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child provides for a minimum mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig E. Estes, of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit, is prosecuting the case.
If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
This case was brought in collaboration with 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.Indian National Sentenced for Visa Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Indian national, unlawfully residing in New York, was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for staging armed robberies in furtherance of a visa fraud conspiracy.
Rambhai Patel, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Myong J. Joun 20 months and eight days in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release, and forfeiture of $850,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In May 2025, Patel pleaded guilty to on one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud. In December 2023, Patel was charged along with co-conspirator Balwinder Singh.
Beginning in March 2023, Patel and his co-conspirator set up and carried out staged armed robberies of at least 18 convenience/liquor stores and fast-food restaurants across the United States – including at least five in Massachusetts. The purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the store clerks to claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for U nonimmigrant status (U Visa). A U Visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
During the staged robberies, the “robber” would threaten store clerks and/or owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the interaction was captured on store surveillance video. The clerks and/or owners would then wait five or more minutes until the “robber” had escaped before calling police to report the “crime.” The “victims” paid Patel to participate in the scheme. One purported victim paid $20,000 to participate as a victim in one of the staged armed robberies. In turn, Patel paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the staged robbery. Patel earned approximately $850,000 in the scheme, all of which he is required to forfeit as part of his sentence.
At least two purported victim co-conspirators submitted U Visa applications based on being victims of the staged armed robberies.
Singh pleaded guilty in May 2025, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, 2025.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Eastern District of New York and the Western District of Washington; FBI’s New York and Seattle Field Offices; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; Massachusetts State Police; Worcester County District Attorney’s Office; and the Hingham, Marshfield, Randolph, Weymouth, Worcester, Upper Darby, (Pa.), West Pittston (Pa.), Louisville, (Ky.) and Bean Station (Tenn.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elianna J. Nuzum and Jessica L. Soto of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
Chinese National Arrested for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a ChildRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Chinese national lawfully residing in Boston has been arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to traffic a child for sex.
Qichen Yuan, 31, was charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child. The defendant was arrested last night and appeared in federal court in Boston today.
According to the charging documents, on Aug. 16, 2025, Yuan responded to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement on a website commonly used to advertise commercial sex acts. The advertisement contained images of a young females and language purported to be written by a female describing herself as a “flower ready to blossom.”During a text conversation and phone call between Yuan and an undercover agent posing as the purported minor, the undercover agent stated that she was a 15-year-old girl available to perform sex acts in exchange for money. It is alleged that when the undercover agent told Yuan she was young, Yuan stated, “I love you being young lol.” He then allegedly agreed to pay $250 to have sex with the purported minor after learning that she was just 15 years old.
According to court documents, at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 19, 2025, Yuan arrived at an agreed-upon meeting location and stood outside. It is alleged that when an unmarked law enforcement vehicle pulled up, Yuan attempted to flee. He was immediately apprehended. It is alleged that during a search of his person, two condoms were found in Yuan’s pocket.
The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child provides for a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings, of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit is prosecuting the case.If you or someone you know may be impacted or experiencing commercial sex trafficking, please contact [email protected].
This case was brought in collaboration with 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 the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.Alabama Doctor Charged with $6 Million Telemedicine Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An Alabama-based doctor has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with a $6 million telemedicine fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary durable medical equipment (DME) and genetic testing primarily used to detect mutations in genes that could indicate a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers.
Tommie Robinson, 43, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of health care fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging documents, between December 2018 and March 2021, Robinson worked with telemedicine companies to sign medical documentation, including doctors’ orders, for medically unnecessary durable medical equipment and genetic testing. It is alleged that these orders signed by Robinson were pre-populated based on telemarketing calls made to Medicare beneficiaries, that Robinson never had any contact with the beneficiaries himself and had no medical relationship with the patients. DME suppliers and laboratories ultimately submitted claims to Medicare for these signed orders. As a result of Robinson’s alleged participation in this scheme, over $6 million in claims were allegedly submitted to Medicare for DME and genetic testing that were medically unnecessary, based on false documentation, and tainted by kickbacks.
The charge of health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, supervised release for up to three years, and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Robert Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Boston Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge, United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; Kelly M. Lawson, Acting Regional Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office; and Patrick Hegarty, Special Agent in Charge, Defense Criminal Investigation Service, North East Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Locker of the Health Care Fraud Unit and Alexandra Brazier and Lindsey Ross of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Units are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Men Sentenced for Role in International Money Laundering and Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two men were sentenced today in federal court in Boston for their involvement in a sophisticated international money laundering and drug trafficking organization.
Yanbing Chen, 30, a Chinese national unlawfully residing in Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Angel Kelley to 57 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In October 2024, Chen pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Thong Nguyen, 31, of Everett, Mass., was sentenced by Judge Kelley to four months in prison, to be followed by one year of home detention, and two additional years of supervised release. In August 2024, Nguyen pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy.
In May 2023, Chen and Nguyen were among 12 individuals from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York and California charged in a superseding indictment for their alleged involvement in a sophisticated international money laundering and drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Jin Hua Zhang. According to the charging documents, Zhang’s organization was first detected in 2021 in the greater Boston area, throughout the United States and overseas. It was determined that for a fee, Zhang laundered bulk cash for drug dealers and laundered profits from other illegal businesses. In less than a year, Zhang and his organization allegedly laundered at least $25 million worth of drug proceeds and funds from other illegal businesses. Funds were allegedly traced and seized from the Zhang organization to Hong Kong and elsewhere in China, India, Cambodia and Brazil, among other locations.
In July 2022, on Zhang’s behalf, Chen delivered $50,000 in drug funds to undercover agents to be laundered. For a fee, Zhang converted these funds to Tether, a type of cryptocurrency, and laundered the funds back to criminal organizations who used his group’s services. Agents eventually traced funds from the Zhang organization to accounts in Hong Kong and elsewhere in China, India, Cambodia and Brazil, among other locations. Law enforcement seized cash and cryptocurrency in accounts tied to Zhang at the conclusion of this investigation.
In addition, in two separate meetings in August and September 2022, Zhang sent Chen from New York to meet with cooperating witnesses in Boston. Chen was recorded by law enforcement as he delivered five kilograms of cocaine at Zhang’s direction.
For his part, in March and April 2022, Nguyen laundered or attempted to launder over $213,000 in profits from a marijuana trafficking organization. Nguyen delivered funds to Zhang’s organization, who converted them to Tether and laundered the funds back to the drug organization which used his group’s services.
Jin Hua Zhang pleaded guilty in September 2023 and scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 18, 2025.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. The Quincy Police Department also provided valuable assistance to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl, Meghan C. Cleary and Brian A. Fogerty of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Rhode Island Fire Marshal Arrested for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Fire Marshal for the town of Lincoln, R.I., has been arrested and charged for allegedly receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and sending or attempting to send obscene material to minors. The defendant also allegedly engaged in sexually explicit chats with purported minors.
Jeffrey Almond, 41, of Lincoln, R.I., was indicted on one count of receipt of child pornography; one count of possession of child pornography; and two counts of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor. The defendant made his initial appearance in federal court in Providence this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the indictment, from on or about Feb. 12, 2024, through Nov. 28, 2024, Almond used various online platforms to receive CSAM and to engage in sexually explicit chat communications with undercover law enforcement posing as purported minors. In these communications, it is alleged that Almond discussed the exploitation of children, with the purpose of obtaining CSAM or soliciting a child for sex. It is further alleged that, on two separate occasions, Almond knowingly transferred or attempted to transfer obscene matter to a minor on Aug. 7, 2024, and on Nov. 28, 2024.
According to court filings documents, in August 2024, Almond used a social media app to communicate with an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a 15-year-old girl. In the communications, it is alleged that Almond asked the purported 15-year-old minor to produce and share CSAM with him and discussed meeting in person. Almond allegedly stated, “I guess I could do an air bnb to get more privacy,” before sending an explicit image of his genitalia to the purported minor.
It is further alleged that, in October and November 2024, Almond used another social media app to communicate with a different undercover law enforcement officer, who was posing as a “bad parent” of a purported 12-year-old minor female in Florida. In the communications, it is alleged that Almond discussed wanting to have sex with the purported minor, often using explicit detail. Almond also allegedly discussed travelling to Florida to sexually exploit the purported minor.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Portsmouth Rhode Island Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and a member of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Nonprofit Agrees to Pay $1 Million to Resolve Allegations of PPP Loan FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Energy Federation, Inc. (EFI), a Franklin-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that provides advice on promoting energy efficiency and heating assistance to homeowners, has agreed to pay $1 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan for which it was not eligible.
Congress enacted the PPP to assist small businesses in response to the economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the program, if borrowers complied with the program’s rules, the SBA forgave their loans. The SBA administered the PPP in two rounds – first in April 2020 and then again in February 2021. The PPP program permitted certain nonprofit organizations to obtain PPP loans, but 501(c)(4) organizations, like EFI, were never eligible.
As part of the settlement, EFI admitted that, after discussing whether it was eligible with the bank processing its loan application, it submitted a PPP loan application without disclosing to SBA that it was a 501(c)(4) organization. In its loan application, EFI certified that it was eligible to receive a loan under the rules in effect at the time its application was submitted. After receiving a PPP loan, EFI later applied for, and received, loan forgiveness based on the eligibility certifications in its PPP loan application and its loan forgiveness application.
The settlement stems from allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties, known as relators, to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. In connection with today’s announced settlement, the relator will receive 10 percent of the recovery.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and the U.S. Small Business Administration made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julien M. Mundele of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter.
Massachusetts Man Arrested After Numerous “Ghost Guns” DiscoveredRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Somerville, Mass. man was arrested today and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. During a search of the defendant’s residence today, it is alleged that numerous privately made firearms (PMF’s) otherwise known as, “ghost guns;” firearm suppressors; 3D printers; and ammunition in varying calibers were found.
Robert Butland, 38, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Butland appeared in federal court in Boston today for an initial appearance. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for August 20, 2025.
According to the charging documents Butland had been purchasing 3D printers and firearm parts and accessories since 2022. During a search executed at Butland’s residence today, law enforcement forcibly opened a locked closet that allegedly contained suspected PMFs, known as “ghost guns.” In addition, the closet allegedly contained numerous solvent traps that are commonly used as illegal firearm suppressors. It is further alleged that additional suspected “ghost guns” were recovered in nightstands, backpacks and coffee table drawers in Butland’s bedroom. Firearm parts, accessories, 3D printers, a work bench and tools consistent with tools that would be required for the assembly and manufacture of firearms were also discovered. Lastly, it is alleged that ammunition varying in calibers was recovered, including 9mm luger ammunition, Frontier 5.56 Hornady ammunition and 7.62x39mm ammunition.
Butland is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior state convictions in Lawrence District Court for assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and wanton destruction of property. According to court document’s Butland also has state convictions for negligent operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a Class B controlled substance and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
The charge of possession of a firearm or ammunition by a felon provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Somerville Police Department; the Boston Police Department; and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Honduran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Honduran national unlawfully residing in Waltham, Mass. pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Samuel Cruz Alvarado, 63, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. Cruz Alvarado was arrested on May 5, 2025 and indicted by a federal grand in June 2025.
Cruz Alvarado was deported from the United States on Nov. 26, 2012. Sometime after his November 2012 removal, Cruz Alvarado illegally reentered the United States without permission.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Acting Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
New Hampshire Police Officer Arrested and Charged with Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Police Officer for the Town of Seabrook, N.H., was arrested today for allegedly receiving child sexual abuse material.
John Giarrusso, 49, of Haverhill, Mass., was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography. Giarrusso was arrested this morning and will appear in federal court in Boston at 2 p.m. today.
According to the charging documents, on or about Oct. 16, 2024 through Oct. 17, 2024 Giarrusso knowingly received video files depicting child sexual abuse on Kik. It is alleged that the victims in these videos appeared to be between approximately five to 11 years old.
Last month, Giarrusso was charged by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts with possession of child pornography and distribution of graphic sexual images to a minor. He is currently on bail for the state charges.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Haverhill Police Department and Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Soto of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Massachusetts Man Who Threatened to Kill Members of Jewish Community and Bomb Synagogues Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Millis, Mass. man was sentenced today for threatening to kill members of the Jewish community and bomb Jewish synagogues.
John Reardon, 60, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to 26 months prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Reardon was also ordered to pay $1,260 in restitution to the victims. In November 2024, pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force in relation to an Attleboro synagogue; one count of transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure a person in relation to a Sharon synagogue; and one count of stalking using a facility of interstate commerce in relation to the Israeli Consulate in Boston.
“Our office will aggressively prosecute anyone who seeks to terrorize our religious communities. All Americans have the right to worship freely and without fear – it is a founding principle of our nation. Jewish people, in particular, have been targeted and persecuted for centuries, and in recent years we have seen a deeply troubling rise in antisemitic threats and violence. Let me be clear: we will not tolerate such conduct – not against the Jewish community, nor against any faith community. Such vile, hate-driven acts will be met with serious and swift consequences, and we will use every tool we have to hold offenders accountable,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.
“What John Reardon did is despicable. Spurred by deep-rooted hate, he relentlessly threatened violent, physical harm to members of the Jewish community in greater Boston, spanning two congregations in two different cities, as well as the Israeli consulate,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “This sentence holds him accountable for his insidious crimes and should be a warning to others: the FBI takes all threats to life seriously and so should anyone thinking about making one. Don’t.”
Reardon was initially arrested and charged in January 2024 for calling and threatening two synagogues in Massachusetts and their congregates – the Agudas Achim Synagogue in Attleboro, Mass. and the Congregation Etz Chaim in Sharon, Mass. Reardon’s threats to the synagogues included threats to bomb Jewish houses of worship, as well as threats to kill all Jewish people and stomp Jewish babies dead into the ground, among other violent and antisemitic statements. Reardon also stated, “Time to prepare the furnaces again. I hope that you people are wiped off the face of the earth.”
Following his arrest, law enforcement learned that, between Oct. 7, 2023 and Jan. 29, 2024, Reardon called the Israeli Consulate in Boston 98 times and made harassing and intimidating statements. Specifically, in his phone calls to the Israeli Consulate, Reardon made a number of antisemitic comments laced with expletives that included: “You are maggots, you are scum, you are below animals, you Israelis”; “You f*****g k***s. You stupid mother f*****g killing kids….F**k you Jewland”; and “Death to Israel, wipe the Jews.”
After Reardon pled guilty to federal charges in November 2024, he was released on conditions despite the government’s objections and motion to detain him pending sentencing. Then, according to court filings, Reardon violated the conditions of his pre-sentence release. Specifically, on or about Feb. 5, 2025 and Feb. 12, 2025, Reardon allegedly called and threatened to harm an employee of RightSpace Self Storage in Upton, Mass. Reardon allegedly told the employee he was going to “f**k him up” and threatened to blow up the facility. State charges for these alleged crimes remain pending. Reardon also allegedly contacted the storage facility again after being instructed by the probation office not to do so.
U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by the Attleboro, Upton and Wrentham Police Departments; Massachusetts State Police; Bristol County District Attorney’s Office; and Bristol County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Torey B. Cummings of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit prosecuted the case.
Lynn Gang Member Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Two Drug DealersRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to two armed robberies which took place in March 2020 and January 2023, targeting drug dealers and their drug proceeds.
Claudio Melo, a/k/a “Blue Drilla,” 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2025. In February 2025, Melo was arrested and charged.
Melo is a Crip street gang member who is a convicted felon with an extensive record of criminal offenses for which he served various state prison sentences, including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property.
The first armed robbery took place in March 2020 and targeted a drug customer of Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz.” Vincent Caruso was then on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. Caruso orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which Melo and another coconspirator broke into an apartment and robbed the occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the incident, Melo engaged in a struggle with the victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the armed robbery and was sentenced to nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022.
The second armed robbery took place on Jan. 30, 2023. A drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. The $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Melo and the other individual forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash.
The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Claudio Melo, a/k/a “Blue Drilla,” 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2025. In February 2025, Melo was arrested and charged.
Melo is a Crip street gang member who is a convicted felon with an extensive record of criminal offenses for which he served various state prison sentences, including assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, armed robbery, larceny and malicious destruction of property.
The first armed robbery took place in March 2020 and targeted a drug customer of Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz.” Vincent Caruso was then on pretrial release for state fentanyl and firearm charges. Caruso orchestrated an armed robbery and home invasion in which Melo and another coconspirator broke into an apartment and robbed the occupants of approximately $18,000 in drug proceeds and jewelry. During the incident, Melo engaged in a struggle with the victim and struck him with a weapon. Caruso previously pleaded guilty to charges involving the armed robbery and was sentenced to nearly 21 years in federal prison in June 2022.
The second armed robbery took place on Jan. 30, 2023. A drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Melo was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. During the transaction, Melo and another individual entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. The $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in. Melo and the other individual forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers departed with the $24,000 cash.
The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.
Dominican National Indicted for Trafficking FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Worcester has been indicted by a federal grand jury for trafficking firearms in the Worcester area.
Ranfli Felix Garcia Brito, 36, was indicted on one count of dealing in firearms without a license. Garcia Brito was previously charged by criminal complaint on July 17, 2025. He is currently in the custody.
According to the charging documents, in April 2025, Garcia Brito was identified as a firearms trafficker selling firearms and ammunition in Worcester. Subsequently, on April 11, 2025, Garcia Brito allegedly sold an AR-15 style rifle and extra high-capacity magazines to an individual cooperating with law enforcement in the parking lot of a Walmart Supercenter in Worcester. During the meeting, Garcia Brito allegedly provided the individual with his phone number in order to arrange future transactions. Five days later, on April 16, 2025, Garcia Brito allegedly met the individual again at the same location and sold another AR-15 style rifle along with another magazine loaded with 28 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition.
Garcia Brito is alleged to have met with the same individual in the parking lot on five additional occasions in the following months, during which he sold more than a dozen firearms, multiple large-capacity magazines, ammunition, a silencer and a laser attachment. In total, Garcia Brito allegedly sold over 20 firearms over the course of seven different occasions between April 11, 2025 and July 10, 2025.
The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Feld Division; and Paul Saucier, Police Chief of the Worcester Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; and the Franklin, Mansfield and Auburn Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaitlin J. Brown of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Men Arrested in Connection with Seizure of Approximately 73 Kilograms of Cocaine with an Estimated Value of over $1 MillionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men have been arrested and charged in connection with the seizure of approximately 73 kilos of cocaine in Revere, Mass.
Noel Betances, 42, of Chelsea and Reylin Segura, 31, of Boston, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The defendants made their initial appearances in federal court in Boston earlier today.
According to court documents, in 2023 law enforcement began an investigation of packages sent from Puerto Rico to Massachusetts that were suspected to contain narcotics. Betances was identified as the individual allegedly picking up the packages and transporting them to locations around Chelsea, Revere and Boston, including 16 Rand Street, Revere. On Aug. 12, 2025, Betances was seen exiting 16 Rand Street with a box, which he allegedly transferred to Segura in exchange for a plastic bag. It is alleged that the box was later found to contain four kilograms of cocaine along with a bag containing bundled cash. According to court records, a subsequent search of 16 Rand Street resulted in the seizure of an additional 69 kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash. The value of the cocaine seized is estimated at over $1 million.
The charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and up to life and a fine of $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Revere Police Department, Boston Police Department and the Worcester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Middle School Librarian Arrested for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A middle school librarian for the Longmeadow Public Schools in Massachusetts was arrested today for allegedly distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Children’s underwear, bedding, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream and other items allegedly recovered in a locked case during a residential search.
Scott McGinley, 55, of Holyoke, Mass. is charged by criminal complaint with one count of distribution of child pornography. He will make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson at 3:00 p.m. today.
The defendant is employed as the school librarian for Williams Middle School and Glenbrook Middle School in Longmeadow. It is alleged that, in July 2025, McGinley distributed CSAM to a group called, “Little boyz only,” on an encrypted messenger application. When contacted by undercover law enforcement posing as a fellow user on the app, McGinley allegedly disclosed his sexual preference for “boys age 2-12” and “especially 4-7.” It is further alleged that, in the conversations with undercover law enforcement, McGinley stated he had “students” who were “11-14 years old” but, “ha[d]n’t touched them sexually,” and that he sat “hot boys strategically so [he could] see under their desks, and close to [him],” and made graphic sexual statements about the boys.
On Aug. 8, 2025, searches of McGinley’s person and residence allegedly resulted in the recovery of various electronic devices – including two iPhones, an Apple Watch, a tablet and two laptops. A locked Pelican case was recovered in the basement which is alleged to have contained a medley of items for children approximately five to seven years old – including but not limited to, assorted children’s clothes, a Santa costume, diapers, diaper cream and apple sauce packets. The Pelican case also allegedly contained a toolbox with boys’ underwear and bedding stuffed inside.
According to the charging documents, a forensic examination of McGinley’s phone revealed over 100 files depicting CSAM. Further review of McGinley’s devices remains on-going.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact [email protected].
The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Nashville Division and the Longmeadow and Holyoke Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Merck of the Springfield Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
18th Street Gang Associate from El Salvador Pleads Guilty to Dealing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Salvadoran national associated with the transnational criminal organization 18th Street Gang pleaded guilty today to selling 1,000 fentanyl pills in and around the North Shore area of Boston.
Orlando Mancia, a/k/a Intruso, 22, unlawfully residing in Everett, Mass. pleaded guilty today to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of fentanyl. U.S. District Court Senior Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Nov. 18, 2025.
On Oct. 15, 2024, in Everett, Mancia sold approximately 500 pressed fentanyl pills to a cooperating witness. Later, on Oct. 23, 2024, Mancia again sold another 500 pressed fentanyl pills along with cocaine to the cooperating witness.
The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement & Removal Operations; Suffolk County and Middlesex County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Falmouth, Lynn, Medford, Nantucket and Revere Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Moran and Fred Wyshak of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Thirteen Individuals Charged for Operating Transnational Elder Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Thirteen individuals have been charged in connection with a transnational elder fraud scheme that allegedly involved a “call center” operation in the Dominican Republic that tricked hundreds of elderly victims in the United States into believing that their grandchildren or other close family members were in trouble and needed money. In total, the investigation identified over 400 victims with an average age of 84, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, and more than $5 million in losses.
According to the charging documents, the defendants, led by defendant Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, ran a sophisticated “call center” operation in the Dominican Republic that tricked hundreds of elderly victims in the United States into believing that their grandchildren and other close family members were in trouble and needed money. Once the defendants obtained the money, they allegedly laundered their illicit proceeds back to the Dominican Republic.
Castanos Garcia allegedly oversaw call centers in the Dominican Republic, where he employed co-conspirators who spoke English and carried out what are commonly known as “grandparent scams.” These scams would begin with an “Opener” employee, who would call victims and pretend to be a grandson or granddaughter who was in an accident. Then, a “Closer” would allegedly follow up with another call, pretending to be their grandchild’s attorney, asking for a sum of money to pay for their grandchild’s fees due to the accident. Castanos Garcia allegedly ran these call center locations with the help of several managers who allegedly supervised, instructed and paid the employees.
As alleged in the indictment, callers for Castanos Garcia’s call centers would instruct elderly victims to provide cash to “runners” in the United States. Most often, the callers would instruct victims to give the packages with cash to rideshare drivers who were ordered to the victim’s house by a runner. The runners would then have the unsuspecting rideshare drivers deliver the packages to the runners at nearby locations. In some cases, the callers would direct the victims to ship packages of cash to specified addresses via mail or commercial carriers.
Often times, the call center would allegedly call victims again and ask for additional funds for their grandchildren, sometimes two or three additional times. For example, callers allegedly would claim that there had been a “mix up” or that a “pregnant women’s baby was lost in the crash.”
At times, co-conspirators would allegedly order unwitting rideshare drivers to drive the elderly victims to the bank to withdraw additional funds.
It is further alleged that, at the direction of Castanos Garcia’s and others, the runners would engage in financial transactions with the victims’ money, including depositing cash into bank accounts and delivering it to co-conspirators in New York and elsewhere. Operators of the scheme relied on money launderers in the United States and the Dominican Republic to transmit proceeds from victims in the United States to Castanos Garcia and others in the Dominican Republic.
Members of the public who believe they may be victims of this case, or other elder fraud scams, should contact [email protected] or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Suspected fraud can also be reported on the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center.
The charge of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the loss to the victim. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the amount of laundered funds, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs; the Dominican National Police; División Especial de Investigación del Crimen Organizado Internacional (DEICROI); Central de Investigaciones Criminales (DICRIM); and the Ministerio Publico. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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ADDENDUM
Defendant
Alleged Role
Charges
Status
Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, 33, of the Dominican RepublicCall Center OperatorConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.In CustodyJoel Jose Cruz Rodriguez, a/k/a “Paflow,” 33, of the Dominican RepublicCall Center ManagerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.In CustodyEdward Jose Puello Garcia, 44, of the Dominican RepublicCall Center ManagerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.In CustodyJoan Manuel Mathilda Leon, 27, of the Dominican Republic and the Bronx, N.Y.Recruited and oversaw “runners”; runnerConspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud
Money Laundering Conspiracy.
In CustodyLuis German Santos
Burgos, a/k/a “Mambo Flow,” 32, of the Dominican Republic and Dorchester, Mass.
Call Center AffiliateConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.In CustodyGerardo Heriberto Nuñez Nuñez, 41, of the Dominican RepublicMoney LaundererMoney laundering conspiracy.In CustodyRansel St Arlin Tavarez Jimenez, 26, of the Bronx, N.Y.Recruited and organized “runners”; runnerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.At-LargeJoel Francisco Mathilda Leon, 26, of the Bronx, N.Y.RunnerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.At-LargeAndry Joel Baez Santana, 31, of the Bronx, N.Y.RunnerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.In CustodyJose Osvaldo Polanco Batista, a/k/a “Obbi,” 28, of Winter Park, Fla.RunnerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.At-LargeChaman Samael Silverio Balbuena, a/k/a “Chammy,” 31, of Defiance, Mo.RunnerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.In CustodyManuel Nicolas Rivera Cueto, 25, of Santa Clara, Cal.RunnerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.In CustodyJose Arony Fermin Vasquez, a/k/a “Chiky,” 31, of N.J.RunnerConspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; and money laundering conspiracy.At-LargeRecidivist Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Sex Trafficking Four VictimsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Massachusetts man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for sex trafficking four separate female victims.
Trevor Jones, 47, of Everett, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $639,500. In May 2025, Jones pleaded guilty to four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Jones was arrested on related state charges on March 23, 2023. He was later indicted by a federal grand jury in May 2023.
“Justice was served today. Trevor Jones’s decades-long criminal career is defined by his willingness to exploit women and profit from their pain. He preyed on women struggling with addiction, fueled their dependence and inflicted violence and fear to maintain control. The victims in this case endured unimaginable abuse at his hands,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “This case is a stark reminder of the devastating intersection between drug trafficking and human trafficking, and why we will continue to aggressively pursue offenders who operate at that intersection. Today’s sentence should send a clear message that this office will dismantle those who traffic in human lives with the same relentlessness they show their victims.”
“We thank the brave women who came forward in this case to help us put Trevor Jones behind bars for more than a decade. This career criminal is both a predator and a coward, who manipulated and abused his victims, both physically and emotionally, and forced them to sell their bodies to strangers for his own financial gain,” Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “No sentence can ever make up for the significant harm this man inflicted, but it does punish him for his crimes and protects the public.”
“The Massachusetts State Police shares the unwavering commitment of our local, state, and federal partners to end all forms of human trafficking,” said Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “We will not tolerate this modern form of slavery in the Commonwealth. Whether we serve in public safety functions or in other professional services, each of us should educate ourselves to recognize the signs of exploitation, report them via 911 to police, and stand together in support of victims.”
“It is my hope that the courageous women who came forward to help hold this defendant accountable get some measure of comfort and healing with today’s sentence. The criminal behavior exhibited by this defendant in preying upon vulnerable victims is deserving of the strong sentence he now faces,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker.
In 2007, Jones was convicted of deriving support from prostitution, for which he received a sentence of two to five years in state prison. Almost immediately after completing his prison sentence in that case, Jones resumed trafficking women at least as early as 2016.
From at least 2016 until 2023, Jones ran a sex trafficking operation targeting victims who were suffering from substance use disorder. As part of his sex trafficking operation, Jones provided his victims with controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl and cocaine to intensify their drug dependence and gain their compliance, while prohibiting the victims from obtaining controlled substances from other sources.
Jones demanded “loyalty” and “dedication” from his victims, enforcing his requirements by punishing victims with acts of violence, threats of violence and withholding controlled substance from drug-dependent victims. At times, to compel some women to follow his rules, Jones used his fists or other weapons – including a belt, cane, metal rod and pistol. In one instance, the violence he inflicted on a victim resulted in a broken nose and missing teeth. Jones beat another victim with a belt causing bruising throughout her body. When confronted with the injuries he caused, Jones told the victim that she deserved the abuse. Jones was also verbally abusive toward another victim, locking her out of the house, demanding to know where her “loyalty” was and berating her for not “contributing everything” she was making. Another victim experienced degradation from Jones, with him telling her that she needed to “make daddy proud” and scolding her for being “disobedient.”
U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI SAC Docks, MSP Colonel Noble and Essex DA Tucker made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Revere, Arlington and Boston Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Riley, Chief of the Human Trafficking & Civil Rights Unit and Assistant United States Attorney Torey B. Cummings of the Human Trafficking and Civil Rights Unit prosecuted the case along with Essex County Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Strasnick and Marina Moriarty, who were sworn in as Special Assistant United States Attorneys.
Natick Roofer Sentenced for Tax EvasionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a commercial and residential roofing business was sentenced today for concealing $1.6 million in income from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Jake Miller, 42, of Natick, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to one year and one day in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $449,329. In February 2025, Miller pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion.
Miller owned and operated Kostas Roofing, a business that he conducted under the alias “Paul Kostas” rather than under his own name. Between 2013 and 2021, Miller cashed the checks that he received from roofing customers and deposited the proceeds into his personal bank accounts. Despite receiving at least $1.6 million from the roofing business during this period, Miller filed no income tax return for any of these years. As a result, Miller evaded income taxes of approximately $450,000.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Tom Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Former Massachusetts State Trooper Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Falsify CDL Test ScoresRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) trooper was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to falsify records by giving passing scores to certain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants even if they failed the CDL test or took less than the full test required by federal law.
Calvin Butner, 64, of Halifax, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to three months in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release with the first three months in home confinement. The government recommended a sentence of 15 months in prison.
In April 2025, Butner pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and aiding and abetting and five counts of making false statements. In January 2024, Butner was charged in a 74-count indictment along with five others in the conspiracy and related schemes.
Members of MSP’s CDL Unit were responsible for administering CDL skills tests. Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The CDL skills test is a demanding, in-person test which includes: Vehicle Inspection, in which an applicant is tested on their knowledge of the vehicle; Basic Control Skills, in which an applicant is tested on their ability to perform certain maneuvers; and the Road Test, in which an applicant is tested on their ability to drive a commercial vehicle on an open roadway. Only drivers who pass the test and thereby prove they are qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a CDL, with the primary goal of public safety.
Between in on or about May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three other members of the CDL Unit conspired to give preferential treatment to at least 17 CDL applicants by agreeing to give passing scores on their CDL tests regardless of whether or not they actually passed. Butner and the co-defendants used the code word “golden” to identify these applicants. Butner gave passing scores to applicants and texted the following comments to a co-conspirator:
• “This guys a mess. . . . Lol. He owes u a prime rib 6inch.”
• “Golden mess. ??????”
• “He’s a mess Class A truck 2psi loss with truck running truck cut our again while timing ????”
• “Total mess this guy[.] i think some time[s] we should just do what we can but not golden. I’ll tell you about it later.”In addition, Butner gave passing scores to three applicants who failed the CDL test, and to five applicants who did not take the test at all.
All CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the course of this investigation have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.
Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins Indicted for Alleged ExtortionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins, who serves as the Sheriff for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, has been charged with extortion involving the purchase of an equity interest in a Boston-based cannabis company.
Tompkins, 67, of Boston, Mass, was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of Extortion Under Color of Official Right. He was taken into custody this morning in the Southern District of Florida and will have an initial appearance at 11:00 a.m. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
“Mr. Tompkins is a sitting Sheriff, responsible for over 1,000 employees, who was elected by the good people of Suffolk County. Today, he is alleged to have extorted an executive from a cannabis company, using his official position as Sheriff to benefit himself. Elected officials, particularly those in law enforcement, are expected to be ethical, honest and law abiding – not self-serving. His alleged actions are an affront to the voters and taxpayers who elected him to his position, and the many dedicated and honest public servants at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. The people of Suffolk County deserve better,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Public corruption remains a top priority for my administration and we will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who uses their position of trust and power for their own gain.”
“From his very first day as Suffolk County Sheriff, Steven Tompkins sought to portray himself as a man of the people – a principled public servant and reformer, devoted to the cause of justice. That’s why it’s beyond disappointing that he’s now accused of gaming a system instituted in the interests of public safety and fair play. The FBI took Sheriff Tompkins into custody today for allegedly extorting $50,000 from the owner of a national cannabis retailer seeking to do business in Boston. We believe what the Sheriff saw as an easy way to make a quick buck on the sly is clear cut corruption under federal law,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The citizens of Suffolk County deserve better, not a man who is accused of trading on his position to bankroll his own political and financial future. Public servants must be held to the highest of ethical standards, and those falling short will be rooted out.”
Tompkins currently serves as the Sheriff for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (SCSD). He was first appointed Sheriff in 2013, elected as Sheriff in a special election in or about 2014, and thereafter elected to successive six-year terms. As Sheriff, Tompkins oversees approximately 1,000 correctional officers and other employees responsible for operating and maintaining correctional facilities in Boston at the House of Correction and the Nashua Street Jail.
According to court documents, in 2019, the cannabis company, Company A, sought to open a retail cannabis dispensary in Boston and applied to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) for a dispensary license. To satisfy the Positive Impact Plan (PIP) requirement of the CCC, Company A entered into a partnership with the SCSD whereby the SCSD would help screen and refer graduates of its re-entry program to apply for work at Company A’s retail store.
Company A’s partnership with the SCSD was memorialized in a September 2019 letter signed by Tompkins and submitted to the CCC in its completed dispensary license application in or about March 2020. In or about March 2021, the CCC approved a license for Company A to operate a cannabis dispensary in Boston. The CCC later approved license renewal applications for Company A in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In each of the renewal applications, Company A included its ongoing partnership with the SCSD as part of its fulfillment of the PIP requirement.
According to court documents, one of Company A’s goals was to raise capital to launch an initial public offering (IPO) and then continue its growth as a publicly traded company. Company A officials, including a company executive identified as Individual A, sought multimillion-dollar investments from institutions or other high net-worth, sophisticated investors in order to raise capital. Company A officials, including Individual A, were not looking to raise capital from the general public or small, individual investors. Beginning in or about mid-2020, Company A began preparing for an IPO of Company A stock, which included producing audited financial statements, hiring attorneys to ensure compliance with securities laws and obtaining additional financing from large scale and high net-worth investors, among other things.
It is alleged that Tompkins pressured Individual A for stock, reminding Individual A that Tompkins had helped Company A in its Boston licensing efforts. It is alleged that Individual A believed and feared that Tompkins would use his official position as Sheriff to jeopardize Company A’s partnership with the SCSD and thus imperil both the dispensary license for Company A, as well as the timing of the IPO. In fact, in October 2020, Company A asked Tompkins for an updated partnership letter to submit to the CCC for its yearly renewal of Company A’s Boston license. Within one month of signing the October 2020 SCSD partnership letter with Company A, and after increased pressure on Individual A, Tompkins allegedly obtained a pre-IPO interest in Company A stock after Individual A relented to Tompkins’s demands.
In November 2020, Tompkins allegedly wired a $50,000 payment from his retirement account to an account controlled by Individual A. Tompkins paid a pre-IPO price of approximately $1.73 per share of Company A stock (equity equivalent to 28,883 shares) and after a reverse stock split, Tompkins held approximately 14,417 shares at a price of approximately $3.46 per share.
According to court documents, in or about mid-2021, when Company A launched its IPO, the stock had a value of approximately $9.60 per share. Thus, Tompkins’s $50,000 purchase of 14,417 shares of Company A stock had appreciated to an approximate value of $138,403.
In May 2022, Company A stock decreased in value such that Tompkins’s equity interest in Company A stock was worth several thousand dollars less than the $50,000 he originally invested. However, Tompkins demanded a refund of $50,000 and, despite the decrease in the value of Tompkins’s investment, Individual A agreed to Tompkins’s demands for full repayment of $50,000.
Subsequently, from approximately May 2022 to July 2023, Individual A refunded Tompkins $50,000 investment by issuing Tompkins five checks. Allegedly in accordance with Tompkins’s wishes, Individual A wrote memos on certain checks that read “loan repayment” and “[company] expense” to disguise the nature of some of the payments:
The charges of extortion under color of official right each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement. Special assistance was provided by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorneys John Mulcahy of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit and Dustin Chao, Chief of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Moroccan National Living in Medford Indicted for Being an Unlawful Alien in Possession of AmmunitionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Moroccan man unlawfully residing in Medford has been indicted by a federal grand jury for being an unlawful alien in possession of ammunition.
Ayoub Haddad, 24, was indicted on one count of being an unlawful alien in possession of ammunition. Haddad was arrested and charged in March 2025.
According to the charging documents, Haddad was admitted into the United States in April 2012 on a temporary B-2 non-immigrant visa, which was obtained by his parent on his behalf as he was a minor at the time. His visa expired six months later in October 2012. Thereafter, Haddad no longer had a lawful basis to remain in the United States.
According to court documents, March 2019, Haddad was encountered while being held at the South Bay Correctional Facility on charges in Chelsea District Court for firearm offenses, drug distribution and motor vehicle violations. Those charges were later dismissed after a period of general continuance.
It is alleged that, in June 2024, Haddad was identified as the driver of a vehicle involved in a shooting outside of an apartment complex in Lawrence. During a subsequent search of Haddad’s vehicle, an AR-15 style rifle bearing no serial number was allegedly found wrapped inside black t-shirt and stuffed between the radiator and the engine block in the engine compartment under the hood of the car. Twenty pieces of live .223 Remington Bronze full metal jacket rifle rounds were also allegedly located under the hood of the car.
The charge of being an unlawful alien in possession of ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston; Lawrence Police Chief Maurice Aguiler; and Medford Police Chief Buckley made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Leominster Man Arrested for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Leominster man has been arrested and charged for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) following a federal search warrant executed at his home.
Brian Cook, 36, was charged with one count of possession of child pornography. Cook was arrested yesterday and was ordered detained pending a 2:30 p.m. hearing today in federal court in Worcester.
According to the charging document, during a search of Cook’s residence yesterday, an on-site review of his computer and hard drives allegedly revealed several videos depicting CSAM. Numerous electronic devices including laptops, hard drives and various other electronic storage media were seized for further forensic review.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.
The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance provided the Leominster and Westford Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial E. Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Former State Trooper Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Falsify CDL Test ScoresRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) trooper was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to falsify records by giving passing scores to certain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants, including individuals who had failed or did not take the CDL skills test as required by federal law.
Perry Mendes, 64, of Wareham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one month in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release with the first two months on home confinement. The government recommended a sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $5,500.
In July 2025, Mendes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and two counts of making false statements. In January 2024, Mendes was charged in a 74-count indictment along with five others in the alleged conspiracy and related schemes.
Members of MSP’s CDL Unit were responsible for administering CDL skills tests. Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The CDL skills test is a demanding, in-person test that consists of three segments: Vehicle Inspection, in which an applicant is tested on their knowledge of the vehicle; Basic Control Skills, in which an applicant is tested on their ability to perform certain maneuvers; and the Road Test, in which an applicant is tested on their ability to drive a commercial vehicle on an open roadway. Only drivers who have passed the test and thereby proved they are capable and qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a CDL, with the primary goal of public safety.
Between January 2019 and April 2022, Mendes conspired with others to give automatic passing scores to at least 17 CDL applicants on their skills tests regardless of whether they actually passed, using the code word “golden handshake” or “golden,” for short, to identify applicants who would receive special treatment.
In July 2025, Mendes admitted to his role in the alleged conspiracy, including that he cut skills tests short for “golden” applicants; that he entered false information on CDL score sheets indicating that certain applicants had passed the skills test when they had not; and that he reported passing scores for one applicant he knew had never taken the skills test.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.
Dominican National Previously Convicted of Drug Distribution Indicted for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Worcester has been indicted for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. The defendant was previously convicted and sentenced for illegal reentry in 2020 and subsequently removed from the United States.
Jose Luis Urena-Vasquez, 48, is charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.
According to court filings, Urena Vasquez was encountered by immigration officials in 2008 while serving an 11-month sentence for drug distribution in the Essex County House of Corrections. Upon completion of his sentence, Urena Vasquez was placed into removal proceedings and was deported to the Dominican Republic on March 25, 2009.
Sometime after his removal, Urena Vasquez illegally reentered the United States. In 2018, he was charged in Lawrence District Court with armed assault to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm. He then fled the state and in July 2018, Urena Vasquez was arrested in Florida on the state charges and returned to Massachusetts to face trial. In October 2018, he was indicted by a federal grand jury for unlawful reentry of a deported alien and pleaded guilty to the offense in May 2019. He was subsequently sentenced in April 2020 to eight months in prison to be served consecutively with pending charges in Essex Superior Court – and three years of supervised release.
According to the indictment filed today, Urena-Vasquez was removed from the United States in February 2024. It is alleged that sometime after his 2024 removal, Urena-Vasquez unlawfully re-entered the United States.
This charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien whose removal was subsequent to a conviction for the commission of an aggravated felony provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Brazilian National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brazilian national unlawfully residing in Milford has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Wadriam Jose Ferreira Do Carmo, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper on Aug. 6, 2025 to time served (approximately 79 days in prison). The defendant is subject to deportation. Ferreira Do Carmo pleaded guilty in July 2025 to unlawful reentry of deported alien.
On June 2, 2023, United States Border Patrol arrested Ferreira Do Carmo after determining he illegally entered the United States. He was subsequently deported from the United States on July 20, 2023. Thereafter, on an unknown date and at an unknown location, Ferreira Do Carmo allegedly reentered the United States without being inspected.
On May 6, 2024, immigration authorities became aware that Ferreira Do Carmo was unlawfully present in the United States after he was arrested by local law enforcement in Sherborn on an outstanding warrant. On May 19, 2025, Ferreira was arrested by law enforcement at his last known residence in Milford.United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston; and Robert Tusino, Chief of the Milford Police Department made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Suzanne Sullivan Jacobus of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Illinois Man Charged in Durable Medical Equipment SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Geneva, Ill., man has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty in connection with an alleged fraud scheme to defraud Medicare of over $2 million by submitting claims for durable medical equipment (DME) that was medically unnecessary, not wanted by the Medicare beneficiaries and tainted by kickbacks.
Kartik Bhatia, 36, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of making false statements. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging documents, Bhatia allegedly worked with Raju Sharma, and other co-conspirators to own and operate a DME company that paid telemarketing companies for DME orders for orthotics such as ankle, wrist, knee and back braces. Often, the Medicare beneficiaries did not need or want the braces the defendants shipped them and, as further alleged in the information, the doctors whose signatures appeared on these DME orders often did not treat these beneficiaries and did not prescribe the DME. After the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a payment suspension to Bhatia’s DME company, Bhatia simply opened a new DME company that engaged in the same conduct. Bhatia has agreed to plead guilty to health care fraud conspiracy for his alleged role in the scheme as well as false statements in connection with a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement and representation that he made to law enforcement during the investigation.
The charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of false statements provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge, Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General; and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Graber and Sarah Hoefle of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Honduran national has been sentenced for illegally reentering the United States after deportation.
Jose Denis Guardado-Paz, 40, was sentenced on Aug. 4, 2025 by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to time served (approximately 43 days in prison). Guardado-Paz is now subject to deportation proceedings. Earlier in the hearing, Guardado-Paz pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Guardado-Paz was arrested on May 5, 2025 and was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2025.
Guardado-Paz was most recently deported from the United States on Oct. 18, 2019. Sometime after his October 2019 removal, Guardado-Paz illegally reentered the United States without permission.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra W. Amrhein of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon and His Demolition Company Agree to Pay $2.01 Million to Resolve Allegations Regarding False Applications for Pandemic Relief LoansRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Charles Smith, Jr. of Sharon, Mass. and SMI Demolition, Inc., of Norwood, Mass. have agreed to pay $2.01 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations that SMI Demolition falsely certified to the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) its eligibility for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
In January 2018, Smith pleaded guilty in federal court in Massachusetts to two counts of mail fraud. In April 2020, Smith owned 51% of SMI Demolition, but on April 7, 2020, SMI Demolition applied for a PPP loan and certified that no owner had pleaded guilty to a felony involving fraud. Around the time of the application, Smith and others prepared an agreement that purported to transfer part of his ownership to another person. But that agreement was never finalized. SMI Demolition nonetheless applied for and received two more loans from SBA - an EIDL and a second PPP loan. These loans totaled $1,448,402, of which all but $150,000 was forgiven by SBA. Smith and SMI Demolition admitted to the facts forming the basis of the settlement, including that the loan applications falsely stated that the companies did not have owners who had pleaded guilty to certain felonies, when in fact Mr. Smith had pleaded guilty to mail fraud charges in 2018.Because SMI Demolition was not eligible for the PPP loans nor the EIDL due to Smith’s felony convictions and ownership interest, the United States contends that Smith and SMI Demolition thus caused false claims for payment to SBA.
The claims resolved by today’s settlement include claims that were brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act. Under the Act, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Forsyth v. SMI Demolition, Inc. and Charles Smith, Jr., No. 23-cv-10091-NMG (D. Mass.). As part of today’s resolution, the relator will receive approximately $200,000.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Kelly Loeffler, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration made the announcement today. This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew A. Caffrey, III and Brian Sullivan.
Cape Cod Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Violence Against a Federal Official and Their RelativesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A South Dennis, Mass., man pleaded guilty to threatening to murder a prominent federal official, their relative and the relative’s spouse.
Michael P. Mahoney, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of transmitting interstate threats to injure another person. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Oct. 29, 2025. In April 2025, Mahoney was arrested and charged.
On March 28, 2025, the relative of a prominent federal official was having dinner with two other individuals at a location outside of Massachusetts. At approximately 10:15 p.m. the relative received a phone call with “No Caller ID.” Upon answering the phone, the caller, later identified to be Mahoney, confirmed the relative’s full name. Mahoney then started to scream and stated that he was going to murder the relative, their spouse and the federal official –referring to the spouse and federal official by their first names – and said, “Die you f*****g c**t mother f****r.” The relative hung up while Mahoney, was yelling. The call lasted approximately 12 seconds. Mahoney then called back immediately, but the relative did not answer.
Call records obtained from the relative’s phone service provider indicated that the originating number for the threatening call, as well as the subsequent unanswered call, belonged to Mahoney. When approached by law enforcement at his South Dennis residence on March 29, 2025, Mahoney refused to answer the door or his phone.
The charge of transmitting interstate threats to injure another person provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Dennis Police Chief John Brady made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadine Pellegrini, Chief of the National Security Unit, is prosecuting the case.CEO of Spine Device Company Sentenced for False Statements in Connection with Mandatory Reporting to CMSRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The Founder, President and CEO of SpineFrontier, Inc. was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for making false statements to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Dr. Kingsley R. Chin, 61, the Founder, President and CEO of SpineFrontier, Inc., a Massachusetts-based medical device company, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one year of supervised release with the first six months to be served in home confinement. The defendant was also ordered to pay a fine of $9,500, in addition to $40,000 the defendant personally agreed to pay as part of a related civil settlement, and $855,000 his wholly-owned company, KICVentures, agreed to pay as part of the same settlement. In May 2025, Chin pleaded guilty to one count of false statements.
Pursuant to the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, device manufacturers, like SpineFrontier, are required to report any payments or transfers of value to physicians, including spine surgeons. CMS maintains a database, via the Open Payments website, which makes all such payments or transfers of value publicly accessible.
SpineFrontier offered surgeons the opportunity to engage in purported consulting on product development. Specifically, Chin directed his employees to report the payment of fees paid to a surgeon as consulting fees that were not compensation for actual consulting work. Chin caused his employees to report a payment of $4,750 on Jan. 19, 2016, to the surgeon as a “consulting” payment, even though Chin knew that the surgeon had not performed actual consulting work for the payment. He also knew that he and SpineFrontier were required to accurately report any payments or transfers of value to the surgeon.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abraham R. George, Christopher R. Looney and Mackenzie A. Queenin prosecuted the case.Boston Gang Member Sentenced for Trafficking Firearms; Defrauding Federal Credit Union; Hundred-Thousand-Dollar Check Theft SchemeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Mission Hill gang member with multiple prior convictions was sentenced today for a sweeping slate of federal charges – including trafficking firearms, defrauding a credit union of over $130,000 and stealing mail as part of a large-scale “card cracking” scheme that caused up to half a million dollars in losses.
Glenroy Miller, a/k/a “Trinny,” 29, of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 71 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Miller pleaded guilty in May 2025 to three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; one count of unlawful possession of a machinegun; one count of trafficking in firearms; two counts of conspiracy to commit bank fraud; one count of bank fraud and aiding and abetting; and one count of conspiracy to steal and possess stolen mail.In September 2019, Miller was convicted in Suffolk Superior Court of possession of a firearm without a permit; carrying a firearm with ammunition; possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number; and resisting arrest. He was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison, followed by two years’ probation. In December 2019, shortly after beginning his state prison sentence, Miller conspired with long-time friend Nadaje Hendrix to defraud a credit union where Hendrix served as a loan officer and assistant branch manager at the time. Specifically, between December 2019 and August 2021, the two defrauded the credit union by obtaining loans in the names of other individuals, including Miller’s fellow inmates, as well as loans under stolen identities. In total, Miller and Hendrix defrauded the credit union of approximately $134,000. The two were indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2024 in relation to this conduct. In October 2024, Hendrix was sentenced to eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty in July 2024.
In the summer of 2023, upon his release from state prison, and prior to his January 2024 indictment, Miller conspired with other Mission Hill members to engage in a mail theft and “card cracking” scheme while on probation. According to court documents, card cracking involves the theft of checks – usually checks stolen from USPS collection boxes – which are chemically washed to remove the payee information. The checks are then rewritten in the names of others who have typically been recruited into the scheme via social media, deposited into their bank accounts and withdrawn or transferred as soon the funds are made available.
Miller is responsible for $250,000 - $550,000 in losses or attempted losses via checks that were stolen from the mail, washed and/or deposited into recruited accounts between June 2023 and February 2024. In August 2024, Miller was indicted by a federal grand jury along with eight other Mission Hill gang members and associates for their alleged roles in the card cracking scheme.Additionally, during the summer of 2023, while on state probation, Miller sold six firearms to a cooperating witness on four separate occasions on Aug. 7, 2023 and Oct. 24, 2023. One of the sales included a firearm with a high-capacity magazine equipped with a machinegun conversion device. Additionally, Miller was aware that the cooperating witness was a convicted felon who was prohibited from purchasing or possessing the firearms.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Randy Maloney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Boston and Wellesley Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kriss Basil, Lucy Sun and Philip C. Cheng of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.
Salvadoran National Pleads Guilty to Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Salvadoran national unlawfully residing in Chelsea, Mass. pleaded guilty today to unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.
Rigoberto Hernandez Mancia, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for Oct. 29, 2025. In June 2025, Hernandez Mancia was indicted by a federal grand jury.
Hernandez Mancia was deported from the United States on July 31, 2024. Sometime after his July 2024 removal, Hernandez Mancia illegally reentered the United States without permission.
The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Patricia H. Hyde, Field Office Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allegra Flamm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Lynn Man Arrested for Drug Conspiracy and Armed RobberyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man was arrested today in connection with an alleged years-long drug conspiracy and a January 2023 armed robbery of a drug distributor, during which the defendant and another individual allegedly stole approximately $24,000 in drug trafficking proceeds intended for the purchase of a kilogram of cocaine.
Harvey Rodriguez, a/k/a “Big Opp”, 29, of Lynn, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act Robbery). Rodriguez was arrested this afternoon and was ordered detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston.
According to the charging documents, Rodriguez was a participant in a multi-year drug conspiracy taking place in the Lynn area and on the North Shore of Massachusetts. As described in the court papers, Rodriguez is alleged to have conspired with numerous other distributors including those he supplied, and others who have been previously charged with federal drug offenses, including Vincent Caruso, a/k/a “Fatz”, Lawrence Michael Nagle, Jr., and Schuyler Oppenheimer, a/k/a “SK”. This years-long drug conspiracy is alleged to have involved the manufacture of counterfeit prescription pills, and the sale of entire kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl through Lynn and Massachusetts. Over the course of the federal investigation, Rodriguez is alleged to have distributed cocaine and methamphetamine to a cooperating witness and confidential informant on four occasions.
Rodriguez is also charged with participating in an armed robbery of a drug customer. According to the charging documents, on Jan. 30, 2023, a drug transaction was scheduled to take place at an apartment in Woburn, during which an associate of Rodriguez was to deliver a kilogram of cocaine in exchange for approximately $24,000. It is alleged that, during the transaction, Rodriguez and Claudio Melo entered the apartment and pointed semiautomatic pistols at the drug customer before taking the $24,000 in cash. According to the charging documents, the $24,000 cash was proceeds of drug trafficking activities the drug customer was engaged in, which had been paced in an unmarked soft black lunch box on a table. Rodriguez and Melo then allegedly forced the drug customer to open a safe in his bedroom, which was empty. Shortly thereafter, both robbers allegedly departed with the $24,000 cash.
The charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery provides for a maximum penalty of up to 20 years, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Lynn Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.Honduran National Sentenced for Dealing FentanylRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Honduran national, who is an associate of the transnational criminal organization 18th Street Gang, was sentenced yesterday on drug charges in federal court in Boston.
Elvin Martinez-Flores, 23, unlawfully residing in Everett, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Martinez-Flores is subject to deportation upon completion of the imposed sentence. In May 2025, Martinez pleaded guilty to distributing and possessing with intent to distribute 40 grams and more of fentanyl.
During an investigation into the 18th Street Gang targeting the communities of Everett, Chelsea, Revere, East Boston, and Lynn, Martinez was identified as a gang associate and a sophisticated wholesaler fentanyl dealer. On Sept. 20, 2024, Martinez sold approximately 400 pressed fentanyl pills to a cooperating witness. Later, on Oct. 28, 2024, Martinez sold another 500 pressed fentanyl pills to the cooperating witness.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations; Suffolk County and Middlesex County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Falmouth, Lynn, Medford, Nantucket and Revere Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy E. Moran and Fred Wyshak of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
EMT from Salem Arrested for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – An emergency medical technician (EMT) from Salem was arrested and charged today for allegedly receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Connor McAuliffe, 34, was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and count of possession of child pornography. The defendant was arrested at his residence this morning and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston, was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for Aug. 12, 2025.
According to the charging document, in January 2025, as a result of a collateral criminal investigation conducted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Pretoria, South Africa in late 2023, McAuliffe was allegedly identified as an active member in a large-scale private encrypted messaging group dedicated to the trading of CSAM and comprised of over 1,000 members from around the world. Further investigation allegedly identified McAuliffe as a member in at least 14 other different large-scale chat groups on that one chat application dedicated to sharing CSAM.
It is alleged that McAuliffe’s cellphone was seized during a March 2025 search of his residence. A forensic review of the device allegedly revealed that McAuliffe was a member of approximately 100 chats on multiple messaging applications dedicated to sharing CSAM. The chats allegedly had titles such as “Boys Planet,” “Boys of Eden,” “boys video,” “10 to 16 years hot boys,” and “Chicos ninos y adolescentes cp” – which translates to “Boys, children and adolescents CP.” A subsequent review of the device’s media files allegedly revealed that McAuliffe had downloaded and stored approximately 1,500 images and 50 videos depicting CSAM. A number of the files allegedly depicted the rape, abuse or exploitation of minor boys who appeared to be approximately nine to 11 years old.
According to the charging document, McAuliffe currently holds an active paramedic certification with the Massachusetts Office of Health & Human Services and is employed by an emergency services company as an EMT.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact [email protected].
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Salem Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Contractor Charged and Agrees to Plead Guilty to Multi-Year Half-Million-Dollar Tax FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The owner of a construction company doing business in Berkshire County was charged today with a multi-year income tax fraud scheme.
Dennis Condron, 75, of Cheshire, has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of tax fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.
According to the charging document, over a three-year period, in addition to depositing customer payments to his company, D Condron Construction, Condron hid over half a million dollars in customer checks by cashing them and diverting them to his personal accounts. It is alleged that, when Condron had his taxes prepared, he did not tell his preparer about the checks he was cashing and diverting customer checks – resulting in his tax returns underreporting the gross receipts of the business by hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a result, Condron allegedly kept hundreds of thousands of dollars that he should have paid in federal and state income taxes.
Acting United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Merck of the Springfield Office is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Massachusetts Woman Who Leaked Grand Jury Information Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Dracut, Mass. woman pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to disclosing information presented to a federal grand jury to unauthorized individuals.
Jessica M. Leslie, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal contempt before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, who scheduled sentencing for Sept. 26, 2025. Leslie was charged on July 11, 2025.
On various dates between Aug. 11, 2022 and March 4, 2024, the defendant disclosed sealed information to unauthorized individuals, including the names of various witnesses appearing before a federal grand jury, the substance of witness testimony and other evidence presented to the grand jury, in violation of the Federal Rules and court order.
The charge of criminal contempt provides for a sentence of any term of years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne Paruti, Chief of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
Chief Lieutenant of Drug Trafficking Crew in Central Massachusetts Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Southbridge man who served as the chief lieutenant of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed cocaine and fentanyl throughout the North Shore and Central Massachusetts areas was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester.
Ismael Maysonet, 44, of Southbridge, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to 15 years in prison and five years of supervised release. In February 2025, Maysonet was convicted following a six-day jury trial of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. In September 2022, Maysonet was charged along with 21 other co-conspirators.
In and around August 2021 through August 2022, Maysonet was identified as the chief lieutenant of a Southbridge-based DTO who distributed cocaine and fentanyl to retail customers and other drug dealers at the request of the leaders of the DTO, Jonathan Pizarro Gonzalez and Isaac Gonzalez. The DTO regularly used the United States mail to conduct drug trafficking activities. Specifically, the DTO obtained large quantities of cocaine through packages mailed from Puerto Rico to addresses used by the DTO and mailed packages containing fentanyl to recipients in Florida and elsewhere.
As chief lieutenant, Maysonet essentially operated as a mid-level manager for the DTO and was involved in every aspect of the organization’s fentanyl and cocaine trafficking operations. Maysonet was responsible for coordinating the receipt of packages of narcotics from Puerto Rico; negotiating with suppliers; transporting fentanyl as well as drug proceeds to and from customers and suppliers; and packaging fentanyl for shipment to Isaac Gonzalez’s residence in Florida for distribution. When a package containing cocaine was seized by law enforcement during the investigation, Maysonet approached mail carriers both on the street and in the post office to inquire about the location of the package.
Furthermore, Maysonet threatened a federal witness in open court during trial in February 2025.
Over the course of the investigation, approximately nine kilograms of cocaine from packages sent through the mail and 800 grams of fentanyl were seized from various DTO members. Maysonet is responsible for distributing over 700 grams of fentanyl and three kilograms of cocaine.
Both Jonathan Pizarro Gonzalez and Isaac Gonzalez pleaded guilty in January 2025. In June 2025, both defendants were sentenced to 10 years in prison and 15 years in prison, respectively.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service, Massachusetts State Police, Southbridge Police Department, Lawrence Police Department, Essex County Sherriff’s Department and Worcester County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephen W. Hassink and Samuel R. Feldman of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.
This investigation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.