District of Massachusetts

BOSTON – An associate of the Lynn Chapter of the Trinitarios and drug supplier to the gang with connections to a Mexican drug cartel pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2026 to racketeering and drug charges, including organizing an attempted murder that the Trinitarios undertook on behalf of the cartel.

Janoy Batista, a/k/a “El Viejo,” 47, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy and drug conspiracy. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 7, 2027. Batista was arrested and charged in February 2025 with other leaders, members and associates of the Trinitarios.

The Trinitarios is a violent criminal enterprise comprised of thousands of members across the United States. The Trinitarios adhere to a Magna Carta, employ an internal hierarchy to coordinate and execute violence, and undertake extensive efforts to maintain the secrecy of the organization and its members.

During the plea hearing, Batista admitted that he was an associate of the gang and that he supplied the gang with drugs from Cartel Jalisco Nuevo Generacion (“CJNG”).  CJNG would ship large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl to Batista in Lynn, Mass. utilizing car transport trucks. Batista would supply members of the Trinitarios with cocaine and fentanyl received from CJNG.

Batista further admitted that in November 2023, CJNG tasked him with killing a local drug contact who the cartel believed had stolen a large quantity of drugs. CJNG indicated that Batista would be required to kill the drug contact in order to continue receiving shipments. In November 2023, Batista organized a failed murder attempt  of the drug contact utilizing a Trinitarios member’s vehicle. During the incident in Salem, Mass., two shooters opened fire on the drug contact as he sat in his driveway, striking him multiple times. Batista picked up the shooters and driver involved in the attempted murder and drove them to an apartment controlled by the Trinitarios. The drug contact survived the incident.

In February 2025, federal racketeering charges were unsealed against 22 leaders and members of the Trinitarios. The charges were the result of a multijurisdictional investigation, which began in the aftermath of four murders as well as a series of attempted murders and shootings that took place in Lynn in 2023, allegedly committed by the Trinitarios criminal enterprise and its members. On June 9, 2026, additional federal racketeering and drug charges were unsealed charging 26 additional leaders, members and associates of the Lawrence, Haverhill and Boston Chapters of the gang. According to court documents, the Trinitarios have allegedly participated in five additional murders in Essex County since 2017, bringing the total of federally charged murders to 11, and the total number of federally charged defendants to 56.

The charge of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity (also known as “racketeering conspiracy” or “RICO conspiracy”) provides for a sentence of 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; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble; and Lynn Police Chief Christopher P. Reddy made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester, N.H. Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

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FIRST NAME

LAST NAME

DOCKET NO.

CASE STATUS

1

Ricardo

Bratini-Perez

24-CR-10310

Pleaded Guilty,

Sentenced to 120 Months

2

Rosnel

Polanco

24-CR-10263

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

3

Eric

Rosario

24-CR-10263

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

4

Robert

Santana

24-CR-10263

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

5

Yeferson

Vallecillo Cambar

24-CR-10335

Pending

6

Elvis

Trujillo

24-CR-10336

Pending

7

Abel

Severino-Reyes

24-CR-10373

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

8

Warly

Ruiz

24-CR-10380

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

9

David

Garcia

25-CR-10006

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

10

Tomy

Sanchez

25-CR-10007

Pleaded Guilty, Awaiting Sentencing

11

Carlos

Ramirez

25-CR-10008

Pleaded Guilty

12

Justin

Alba

25-CR-10058

Pending

13

Darwin

Batista

25-CR-10058

Pending

14

Janoy

Batista

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty, Awaiting Sentencing

15

Aaron

Diaz Liranzo

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty,

Sentenced to 168 Months

16

Israel

Garcia-Vasquez

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty, Awaiting Sentencing

17

James

Jimenez

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty, Awaiting Sentencing

18

Ery

Jordani Rosario

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty, Awaiting Sentencing

19

Westyn

Lantigua

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty, Sentenced to 135 months in prison

20

Kelvin

Liranzo Roman

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty, Awaiting Sentencing

21

Michael

Miliano

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

22

Enmanuel

Paula-Cabral

25-CR-10058

Pending

23

Luis Jeffrey

Santana

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty,

Sentenced to 120 Months

24

Luis Enrique

Santana

25-CR-10058

Pleaded Guilty,

Sentenced to 136 Months

25

Angel

Santos

25-CR-10058

Pending

26

Wilving

Lopez

25-CR-10062

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

27

Leonardo

Espinoza

25-CR-10236

Pleaded Guilty,

Awaiting Sentencing

28

Isiah

Medina

25-CR-10302

Pending

29

Rodderrith

Peralta

25-CR-10302

Pending

30

Derek

Mercado

25-CR-10411

Pleaded Guilty,

Sentenced to 37 Months

31

Yordali

Yorro

25-CR-10058

Pending

32

James

Cabrera

25-CR-10058

Pending

33

Luis

Crispin

25-CR-10058

Pending

34

Angel

Castillo-Garcia

25-CR-10058

Fugitive

35

Osviallis

Serrano

25-CR-10058

Fugitive

36

Jervis

Almanzar

25-CR-10058

Pending

37

Enrique

Duran

25-CR-10058

Pending

38

Abigail

Arias

25-CR-10058

Pending

39

Justane

Garcia

25-CR-10058

Pending

40

Riky

Montilla

25-CR-10058

Pending

41

Jeremy

Felix

25-CR-10058

Pending

42

Jose

Martinez

25-CR-10058

Pending

43

Jayden

Muniz

25-CR-10058

Pending

44

Geovane

Fernandes

25-CR-10058

Pending

45

Jahir

Davila

25-CR-10058

Pending

46

Yanuel

Mejia

25-CR-10058

Pending

47

Luis

Fernandez Lopez

25-CR-10058

Pending

48

Victor

Diaz

25-CR-10058

Pending

49

Xavier

Puello

25-CR-10058

Pending

50

Joelfry

Cabrera

25-CR-10058

Pending

51

Richard

Pena

25-CR-10058

Pending

52

Hector

Mota

25-CR-10058

Pending

53

Jean

Delgado

25-CR-10058

Pending

54

Luis

Cabral

25-CR-10058

Pending

55

Yoldari

Tejeda Coronado

25-CR-10058

Pending

56

Martin

Taveras

25-CR-10058

Pending

BOSTON – A Raynham, Mass. man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for the armed robbery of a cash courier in Swansea, Mass.

Christopher White, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris to 154 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In May 2026, White pleaded guilty to one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, commonly referred to as Hobbs Act robbery; one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; one count of brandishing a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence; one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In May 2024, White was arrested and charged.

In the early morning hours of Feb. 19, 2024, White and another individual, Steven Madison, were seen on video stealing a rental van from a U-Haul Moving & Storage location in Abington, Mass. Later in the day an armed courier who worked for a company that provides secure cash transportation services for licensed cannabis companies arrived at a bank in Swansea. carrying approximately $436,200 in cash for deposit.

The U-Haul van pulled up alongside the courier and White, wearing a mask and a camouflaged vest, exited the van and pointed a firearm at the courier before zip-tying the courier’s hands behind his back. Madison exited the U-Haul van and quickly loaded the cash into the vehicle. After trying to disarm the courier, the two men forced the courier into the back seat of his own car, pepper sprayed him and closed the door. 
 

Surveillance footage showed that the courier managed to remove one hand from the zip-tie restraints while inside his vehicle, draw his firearm and fire four rounds in the direction of the U-Haul van as it fled the scene before calling 911.  

After leaving the bank, the men drove the van to a nearby location in Swansea where they met with a third man, Quentin McDonald, driving an SUV. The men then transferred the stolen cash into the getaway SUV and fled.

Following a search of White’s residence in Raynham, zip-ties, a black mask similar to that worn by one of the robbers, a firearm, ammunition and cocaine were recovered. White has prior state convictions for larceny and receiving stolen property.

In June 2025, Madison pleaded guilty to one count of robbery; one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery; one count of brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence; one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition; and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 9, 2026. In May 2026, McDonald pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 3, 2026.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bridgewater, Brockton, Raynham and Swansea Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip Cheng, Allegra Flamm and John J. Reynolds III prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Lawrence, Mass. pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston for unlawfully reentering the United States after deportation.

Eddy Antonio Perdomo, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Nov. 13, 2026. Perdomo was charged in August 2026.

Perdomo previously pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien in July 2025. He was subsequently sentenced to time served (approximately four months in prison) on Sept. 5, 2025 and removed from the United States on Sept. 15, 2025. It is alleged that sometime after his September 2025 removal, Perdomo illegally reentered the United States without permission.

The charge of unlawful reentry of a deported alien provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, 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 David T. Wesling, 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 Catherine Conroy of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case. 
 

BOSTON – Former Massachusetts state official, Lamar Cook, has been arrested for fraudulently obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, receiving over $500 per month, while on court ordered pretrial release in connection with a pending state indictment for alleged cocaine trafficking and firearm offenses.

Lamar Cook, 46, of Springfield, Mass., was arrested today on a criminal complaint charging him with one count of SNAP fraud and wire fraud. Cook will appear in federal court in Boston later today.

In 2023, the Governor of Massachusetts appointed Cook to serve as the Western MA Deputy Director in Springfield, Mass. Cook was terminated in October 2025 after he was detained at the Springfield State Office building and later charged by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office for alleged drug and firearm offenses. According to court documents, Cook earned a yearly salary of $130,227 and was later paid $22,374.29 in net pay for accrued vacation leave following his termination. The Commonwealth later “realized an error in paying Mr. Cook for accrued vacation leave time, the Commonwealth attempted to reverse the direct deposits, but it could not do so due to insufficient funds available in the accounts.”

According to court filings in the federal criminal case, Cook’s bank account continued to hold balances of approximately $13,000 as of January 2026 and over $8,800 in April 2026.

Cook also allegedly received a federal and state tax refund in May 2026 from his employment with the Governor’s Office for the 2025 calendar year in the amount of $2,497.88.
Additionally, according to court documents, Cook’s mother won approximately $1 million in the Massachusetts Lottery in early 2026. Cook’s mother allegedly made numerous Zelle payments to him totaling approximately $12,000 between May and June 2026.

According to the charging documents, Cook applied for SNAP benefits on April 6, 2026 and falsely claimed zero income, less than $100 in his bank account, and to be living in a two person household consisting only of himself and his minor child. According to the affidavit, Cook in fact maintained at least one bank account that held more than $8,800 on the date of his SNAP application and received thousands of dollars in additional deposits, including the payments from his mother. It is further alleged that Cook failed to disclose that his fiancée and her mother lived with him at his Springfield residence and his fiancée earned income exceeding $80,000 annually from the City of Springfield Public Schools.

“The alleged conduct is simply egregious. SNAP benefits are intended to put food on the table for struggling families who cannot make ends meet, not for those who allegedly hide income to circumvent the financial requirements, much less travel to Disney World. Mr. Cook allegedly lied about his income and the makeup of his household in order to receive over $540 per month in SNAP benefits. All this occurred while Cook was on pretrial release for charged state drug and firearm offenses,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. “What kind of system allows for someone like this defendant to receive taxpayer funded benefits? I find it disturbing that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts could not prevent this from happening, nor could it recover the ill-gained $22,000 payment for earned vacation time -- which was also paid out with taxpayer money.”

“It is an unconscionable betrayal of the public trust for a former state official with a pending indictment for drug and gun offenses to then also steal SNAP benefits from the American taxpayer – food assistance benefits intended for low-income Americans,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture, Inspector General John Walk. “This former state employee lied about his income and family situation to cheat the program. He will now face justice.”

“Fraud against public benefit programs is ultimately a theft from taxpayers and from the beneficiaries these programs are intended to serve,” said Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains committed to protecting the integrity of taxpayer-funded programs and ensuring that those who seek to exploit them for personal gain are held accountable.”

Cook received approximately $546 per month in SNAP benefits. Cook’s SNAP benefits were allegedly used regularly at grocery and retail stores in Massachusetts and on a July 2026 trip to Florida. Retail surveillance and transaction records show Cook’s fiancée frequently used his EBT card to make purchases for the household, despite not being listed as a member of his household on Cook’s SNAP application.

According to court documents, at the time Cook submitted his application for SNAP benefits, he was on release for a pending Hampden County Superior Court indictment charging him with trafficking more than 200 grams of cocaine, conspiracy and firearm offenses stemming from an October 2025 investigation.

The charge of SNAP fraud 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 wire fraud 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.

U.S. Attorney Foley; USDA IG Walk; and HHS IG Coviello made the announcement. Valuable assistance Massachusetts State Police, Hampden County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations in New England and the Springfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the case.

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.  

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.
 

BOSTON – A Chicago man was sentenced on Oct. 8, 2026 in federal court in Springfield, Mass. for his role in a nationwide wire fraud conspiracy that victimized businesses and individuals across the United States.  

Steven Hayes, Jr. 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to three years of probation. The government recommended a sentence of 4-6 months in prison. Hayes was also ordered to pay $2,728 in both restitution and forfeiture. In May 2026, Hayes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Hayes was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2020 along with five co-defendants, including rap promoter Antonio Strong, rap artists Herbert Wright and Joseph Williams, their associate Demario Sorrells and celebrity barber Terrence Bender. In February 2026, Hayes proceeded to trial, which resulted in a hung jury.

Beginning in at least March 2017 through November 2018, Hayes, Strong, Williams, Sorrells, Wright and Bender conspired to defraud numerous businesses and individuals throughout the United States by using unauthorized and stolen payment card account information of real individuals – including the actual cardholders’ names, addresses, security codes and account expiration dates. Generally, because the payment card information was authentic, the defrauded businesses and individuals successfully processed the fraudulent transactions and provided the goods and services to Hayes and his co-conspirators. The actual cardholders discovered these transactions on their accounts and disputed the charges with their card companies who then charged back the transactions to the businesses and individuals, who consequently suffered losses in the amounts of the unauthorized transactions.

Hayes and his co-conspirators used illicit account information to obtain, among other things, a private jet charter flight, a New York City villa rental, designer puppies from a pet boutique and car insurance. In total, Hayes was responsible for $44,814 in victim losses.

On July 28, 2023, Wright pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making a false statement to a federal official, and on Jan. 11, 2024, was sentenced to three years’ probation and was ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $139,968 and a $5,500 fine. On Feb. 2, 2024, Sorrells pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and, on Aug. 29, 2024, was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $106,481. On March 8, 2024, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and, on Aug. 13, 2024, was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $155,392. On May 22, 2024, Strong pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and, on Oct. 29, 2024, was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $2,159,874. On Nov. 14, 2024, Bender pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and, on Feb. 27, 2025, was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture of $103,811.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Andrew Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven H. Breslow of the Springfield Branch Office and Trial Attorney Kyle Crawford of the of the Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section prosecuted the case.
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Salem, Mass. has been charged with illegally reentering the United States after deportation. The defendant was previously removed on two occasions.

Newton Persido Ortiz Santana, 41, was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Ortiz Santana will be arraigned in federal court in Boston on Oct. 20, 2026.

According to the charging documents, Ortiz Santana, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was first deported from San Antonio, Texas to the Dominican Republic in January 2010. In September 2021, Ortiz Santana was encountered by Border Patrol agents near Penitas, Texas. He subsequently pleaded guilty to unlawfully re-entering the United States and was again removed from the United States in December 2021.

It is alleged that, at an unknown place and time thereafter, Ortiz Santana re-entered the United States. On Nov. 8, 2024, Ortiz Santana was arrested and charged in Salem, Mass., with negligent operation of a vehicle and operating after suspension. Immigration authorities learned of Ortiz Santana’s unlawful presence in the United States later that day as the result of a biometric fingerprint match.

On March 20, 2025, federal immigration agents attempted to arrest Ortiz Santana. It is alleged that Ortiz Santana evaded capture by accelerating directly towards a law enforcement vehicle, driving through multiple stop signs and fleeing at a high rate of speed using the sidewalk. He was taken into custody on May 29, 2026.

The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $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 David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Estes of the Criminal Division 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.  
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Worcester, Mass. has been charged by a federal grand jury with healthcare benefit fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Santo Escolastico Cuello, 56, was indicted on three counts of making false statements relating to health care matters and one count of aggravated identity theft. Cuello will be arraigned at a later date. In June 2026, Cuello was charged by criminal complaint.

According to court filings, Cuello used the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen, including the citizen’s social security number, to obtain government benefits. Specifically, it is alleged that Cuello represented that he was a U.S. citizen when applying for healthcare benefits in Massachusetts and submitted a sworn affidavit falsely alleging the same. According to the criminal complaint, Cuello allegedly obtained approximately $162,180 in MassHealth benefits using the stolen identity. Cuello is alleged to have identified himself to law enforcement as the individual whose identity he had stolen during prior arrests.

The charge of making false statements relating to a health care program provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory two-year sentence to run consecutively to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $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; Jeff Grimming, Acting, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin T. Missett of the Health Care Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law
 

BOSTON – A Brockton woman was sentenced on Oct. 5,2026 in federal court in Boston for stealing a nearly $1 million United States Treasury tax refund check.

Lana Ruel, 71, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to two months in prison, to be followed by two months of supervised release. Ruel may also be ordered to pay restitution at a later date. In June 2026, Ruel pleaded guilty to one count of theft of government funds. In December 2025, Ruel was arrested and charged.

Ruel attempted to deposit a United States Treasury tax refund check issued to a healthcare company in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to the attempted deposit, Ruel incorporated a company in Massachusetts and opened a bank account in the same name of the healthcare company that was the payee on the tax refund check. After the attempted deposit, the bank froze Ruel’s account. Ruel then called the bank and said that she could “explain what the check was, where it came from, and what it’s for…”

Over a period of two years, Ruel created four additional companies in Massachusetts that did not have a legitimate business purpose. For one of those companies, Ruel opened an account at approximately 10 different banks. Ruel also received wire transfers in some of the accounts and then wired the funds to different accounts or made cash withdrawals. The banks have since closed all these accounts.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Justin Page, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Saltzman of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
 

BOSTON – A Worcester man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly distributing fentanyl and dealing in firearms without a license.

Omar Ramos-Jimenez, 27, was indicted on two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of dealing in firearms without a license. Ramos-Jimenez was arrested and charged in May 2026. Ramos-Jimenez was released on conditions following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester on Sept. 21, 2026.

According to the charging documents, between April 8, 2026 and April 16, 2026, Ramos-Jimenez allegedly sold fentanyl and several firearms including a privately manufactured pistol with no serial number, to confidential informants in Worcester.
 

The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of no less than five years in prison and up to life, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Worcester Police Chief Paul B. Saucier; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Homeland Security Investigations; the Suffolk County Sherrif’s Department; and the Worcester District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the cases.

This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

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. 
 

BOSTON – A Dominican national unlawfully residing in Worcester has been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally reentering the United States after deportation. The defendant was previously removed from the United States in November 2019.

Winderson Emiliano Baez-Vasquez, 27, was charged with unlawful reentry of a deported alien. Baez-Vasquez was ordered held pending trial, following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester. According to court filings, in August 2019, Baez-Vasquez was encountered by immigration officials shortly after illegally entering the U.S. from Mexico. He was subsequently deported to the Dominican Republic in November 2019. It is alleged that, sometime after his removal, Baez-Vasquez illegally reentered the United States. On May 10, 2023, Baez-Vasquez was arrested in Worcester for Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Receiving Stolen Property over $1,200 and has pleaded guilty to the Receiving Stolen Property offense.  

According to court filings, on Nov. 24, 2023, Baez-Vasquez was arrested again in Worcester and charged in state court with firearm offenses after allegedly shooting a gun at two cars on Nov. 18, 2023. Baez-Vasquez was subsequently indicted by the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and ordered held without bail on March 12, 2024. After Baez-Vasquez’s conditions were reduced to $10,000 cash bail, Baez-Vasquez made bail, allegedly removed his GPS bracelet and fled. In March of 2025, Baez-Vasquez was arrested in Florida for a traffic dispute in which he, while driving, pointed a gun at another driver. Baez-Vasquez pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (a gun) and was sentenced to 18 months in jail.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch 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.  
 

BOSTON – Prefere Melamines LLC (Prefere), a company headquartered in Springfield, Mass., has agreed to pay $1,247,744 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 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and the Economic Security Act (CARES Act) on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain approved expenses through the PPP, which the Small Business Administration administered. The PPP provided for loans in two “draws”—first draw loans became available in March 2020, with a second draw announced in January 2021. To be eligible for a second draw loan, an entity, among other things, had to have fewer than 300 employees, including foreign or domestic affiliates’ employees.

As part of the settlement, Prefere admitted that in 2021, it received a $799,025 second draw PPP loan. In its application for that loan, Prefere certified that it was eligible for the loan under the PPP regulations in effect at the time and represented that it had 36 employees, including affiliates’ employees. Prefere later sought and received full loan forgiveness. When it applied for the loan, Prefere did not qualify because it had more than 300 employees when considering employees of its affiliates. During the relevant period, Prefere was a wholly-owned subsidiary of German company Prime MidCo GmbH (Prime MidCo). When it applied for the second draw loan, Prefere had more than 300 employees when considering Prime MidCo and Prime MidCo’s affiliates. 

The settlement credits Prefere for cooperation under the Department of Justice’s Guidelines for Taking Voluntary Disclosure, Cooperation and Remediation into Account in False Claims Act Matters. 

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and the U.S. Small Business Administration made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Benjamin of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit handled the matter.

BOSTON – The Director of the City of Boston’s Municipal Protective Services has been charged and has agreed to plead guilty to allegedly obtaining federal pandemic funds through fraud.

Reuben Taylor, 40, of Boston, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of wire fraud. A plea hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

According to the charging documents, Taylor has worked for the Municipal Protective Services – an unarmed, non-sworn security division within the City of Boston’s Property Management Department – since 2008. In April 2021 Taylor allegedly submitted an application for a $20,844 Paycheck Protection Program loan in which he falsely claimed that he had worked as an auto mechanic in 2019. It is alleged that Taylor supported his application with a fabricated Form 1040 and Schedule C, claiming that he received no wages in 2019 and instead received $99,863 as an independent contractor working as a mechanic. According to the charging documents, in the 2019 Form 1040 that Taylor actually submitted to the IRS, he reported earning $97,561 in wages as a municipal police officer and attached a Form W-2 from the City of Boston. It is further alleged that in August 2021 Taylor submitted an application seeking forgiveness of the loan, claiming that he had spent the loan proceeds on payroll for his alleged auto mechanic business. The Small Business Administration forgave Taylor’s loan in September 2021, essentially converting the loan to a taxpayer-funded grant.

The charge of wire fraud 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 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 Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation in Boston and the Boston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Wichers in the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.  
 

BOSTON –Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly conspiring to distribute fentanyl in Worcester County. 

Richard Molina-Ovalle, 36, of Worcester and Jose Molina-Ovalle, 27, a Dominican national unlawfully residing in Worcester, were charged in an indictment with conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and related charges. Jose Molina-Ovalle was also charged with being an Alien in Possession of Firearms and Illegal Reentry of an Alien among other offenses. 

Richard Molina-Ovalle was previously arrested and charged in September 2026 and was released on conditions. He is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court in Boston on Oct. 13, 2026. Jose Molina-Ovalle was arrested in the Bahamas on Sept. 24, 2026.

According to the charging documents, on Sept. 10, 2026, Richard Molina-Ovalle was observed outside of an alleged co-conspirator’s residence in Leominster, with more than 400 grams of fentanyl in his vehicle. Approximately 31 grams of fentanyl, in addition to drug packaging materials were allegedly seized from Richard Molina-Ovalle’s apartment in Worcester during a subsequent search. 

Jose Molina-Ovalle allegedly served as Richard Molina-Ovalle’s drug supplier. It is further alleged that a search of Jose Molina-Ovalle’s residence in Worcester resulted in the recovery of approximately 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of cocaine, cutting agents, a large amount of U.S. currency, scales, blenders and drug packaging materials. Numerous firearms were also allegedly seized from Jose Molina-Ovalle’s residence, including: a Glock 21 .45 caliber pistol; a Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol; a Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol; a 12-gauge shotgun; and an Anderson Arms AR-15 rifle.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years in prison and up to life in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10 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; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police; and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Leominster, Fitchburg, Clinton, Worcester, Gardner, Lunenberg, Webster, Holden and the Millbury Police Departments; the Massachusetts National Guard; and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

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. 

BOSTON – Three individuals have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in Worcester County.

Zachary Riley, 30, of Leominster; Danielly Mancilla, 35, of Leominster; and Richard Molina-Ovalle, 36, of Worcester were charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Following initial appearances in federal court in Boston on Sept. 11, 2026, Riley was ordered detained and Mancilla and Molina-Ovalle were released on conditions. 

According to the charging documents, Riley and Mancilla sold fentanyl to a confidential informant on several occasions beginning in July of 2026. It was determined that Riley and Mancilla were allegedly supplied the controlled substances by Molina-Ovalle. On Sept. 10, 2026, Riley, Mancilla and Molina-Ovalle were located outside of Riley’s residence in Leominster. At the time, Molina-Ovalle allegedly had more than 400 grams of fentanyl in his vehicle. During a search of Riley’s apartment in Leominster, approximately 42 grams of fentanyl and 60 grams of cocaine was seized. A search of Molina-Ovalle’s apartment in Worcester resulted in the seizure of approximately 31 grams of fentanyl in addition to drug packaging materials.

The charge of conspiracy 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 $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; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Leominster, Fitchburg, Clinton, Worcester, Gardner, Lunenberg, Webster, Holden and the Millbury Police Departments, the Massachusetts National Guard and the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Boston is comprised of agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS, DOL-OIG and DSS, as well as several state and local law enforcement agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

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. 

BOSTON – The former Director of Plymouth Public Schools’ Food Services program pleaded guilty was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for a long-running fraud scheme that began in 2014 in which he stole food and commercial kitchen equipment for use and sale at his private business, the “Snack Shack,” on Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable, Mass. 

Patrick Van Cott, 64, of Sandwich, Mass., was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to six months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine as well as restitution in an amount that will be determined at a later date. In May 2026, Van Cott pleaded guilty to one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and two counts of wire fraud. Van Cott was charged in April 2026.

Van Cott was the Director of Food Services for the Plymouth Public Schools from 2003 until June 2025. Beginning in 2014, he also operated a seasonal business, the “Snack Shack,” on Sandy Neck Beach.

Between 2014 and June 2025, Van Cott defrauded the Plymouth Public Schools by taking food and equipment purchased with funds, including U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds, and using it to run the Snack Shack. The equipment Van Cott ordered with school funds included two $2,200 refrigerators; a $3,950 two-door freezer; two 12-inch hot plates; a 24-inch griddle; a chargrill; a fryolator; shelving; a sandwich prep table; a convection oven; and chalk boards. In addition, every summer beginning in approximately 2014, Van Cott collected condiments, diced chicken, hot dogs, cooking oil, snacks, paper goods, coffee, food products and other miscellaneous items paid for by the Plymouth Public Schools or supplied by the USDA, then used and sold those items at the Snack Shack. Additionally, once or twice per week every summer starting in 2014, Van Cott directed Plymouth Public Schools cafeteria workers to slice at least nine pounds of deli turkey and 4.5 pounds of deli ham which he then sold at the Snack Shack. Van Cott also ordered over $3,000 in premium burger patties with school funds, which he intended to and did sell in menu items at the Snack Shack. 

The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted program administered on the federal level by the USDA that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to public school children. In Massachusetts, meals for all students are free, and schools are reimbursed for meals through a combination of USDA funds and state funds. 

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Plymouth Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Fall River man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug distribution, drug conspiracy and firearm charges. 

Wilson Colon-Tirado, 34, pleaded guilty to three counts of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Jan. 7, 2026. Colon-Tirado was charged alongside co-conspirator Antonio Dossantos-Tirado in October 2025. 

On June 10, 2025, Colon-Tirado sold a firearm, approximately 31 grams of fentanyl and approximately 29 grams of cocaine to a cooperating witness at the Sunset Hill housing development in Fall River. The transaction had been arranged with Colon-Tirado and his relative, Dossantos-Tirado.

One week later, on June 17, 2025, Colon-Tirado sold the cooperating witness approximately 49.9 grams of fentanyl. Later, on July 24, 2025, Colon-Tirado sold the cooperating witness two privately made 9mm firearms and approximately 19.9 grams of fentanyl. During that transaction, Colon-Tirado stated that he could obtain additional firearms, and a second firearm was delivered during the meeting. On Aug. 6, 2025, Colon-Tirado again sold the cooperating witness approximately 51.1 grams of fentanyl. On Oct. 7, 2025, Colon-Tirado again sold approximately 50.0 grams of fentanyl.

Colon-Tirado has at least 32 prior criminal convictions, including a 2021 Massachusetts state conviction for trafficking cocaine, for which he was sentenced to two to three years in state prison. As a result of his prior felony convictions, Colon-Tirado is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Dossantos-Tirado pleaded guilty on Sept. 22, 2026 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 21, 2026. 

The charge of distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl provides for a sentence of no less than five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances provides for sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $1 million. 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 $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 Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Fall River Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit is prosecuting the cases.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

BOSTON – A Fall River man has pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to drug distribution offenses involving cocaine base, more commonly known as crack cocaine.

Antonio Calderon, 44, pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of 28 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Patti B. Saris scheduled sentencing for Feb. 2, 2027. Calderon was arrested and charged in November 2025 and remains in federal custody.

Calderon sold over 28 grams of crack cocaine in the Fall River area on four separate occasions: June 17; June 24; July 16; and Sept. 18, 2025.

Calderon has been arraigned on 31 charges dating back to 2000 and has 13 convictions, including for trafficking cocaine for which he was sentenced to 10-15 years in state prison.

The charges of distribution of 28 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base each provide for a sentence of no less than 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. 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 Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police and the Fall River Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Reynolds III of the Organized Crime & 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
 

BOSTON – A Brockton, Mass., man who recently worked as a caregiver for disabled adults in a group home, has been arrested and charged with attempted sex trafficking of a child.  The defendant allegedly responded to an advertisement posted by undercover law enforcement for sexual intercourse with an under-age girl. 

Jonathan Durocher, 34, was charged with one count of attempted sex trafficking of a child. Durocher was arrested this morning and, following an initial appearance in federal court in Worcester, was released on various conditions, including location monitoring and the requirement that he not have any unsupervised contact with any child younger than 18 years old. 

According to court filings, Durocher was arrested as part of a federal law enforcement effort to address human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children before, during, and after the World Cup matches held in the Boston area in June and July 2026. 

Specifically, on June 15, 2026, Durocher allegedly responded to an advertisement posted by law enforcement on a website commonly used for prostitution services. The ad featured images of a young woman or girl and included a link to a phone number operated and monitored by an undercover officer.

Durocher allegedly began exchanging text messages with the undercover officer, who told Durocher that the girl was underage, “beautiful,” and “experienced.” “You good her being young?” the officer asked Durocher, who allegedly responded, “Yeah.” Later that day, Durocher allegedly arrived at the agreed upon meeting location and paid the undercover officer $100. When the officer asked whether Durocher had brought a condom, he allegedly replied that he did not. Durocher was taken into custody. According to court documents, Durocher told officers that worked as a caregiver at Bamsi Home, a residential group home in Brockton. The home serves adults who need daily living assistance because of their developmental disabilities, brain injuries, or other medical needs.  

The charge of attempted sex trafficking of a child provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years and up to life in prison, 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 Massachusetts State Police; and the Boston, New Bedford, and Brockton Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Beck 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. 

BOSTON – A Hatfield, Ark., man has been arrested and charged for allegedly threatening two Massachusetts members of the United States Congress. 

David Czerniak, 62, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston on two counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications. Czerniak was arrested this morning and will make an initial appearance in federal court in the Western District of Arkansas later today. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. 

“Threats of violence against elected officials are not protected speech. They are federal crimes,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “We will not tolerate behavior intended to terrorize public officials, their families or their communities. We take all threats extremely seriously. If you make them, we will find you – and we will hold you accountable.”

“Americans can and will disagree on policy and politics, but those disagreements must never escalate into threats or acts of violence. Today, the FBI arrested David Czerniak whose rhetoric crossed the line into alleged criminal conduct,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “We urge everyone to engage respectfully, recognize the legitimacy of differing viewpoints, and uphold the principles that allow our democratic process to function safely and effectively because the FBI and our partners will not tolerate attempts to intimidate, coerce, or endanger anyone.”

According to the indictment, on or about Feb. 7, 2025, Czerniak left the following voicemail for Public Official 1 at their Massachusetts office:

Yes, [Public Official 1], I would like to hear back from you after this conversation. President Trump put Elon Musk into office to do a job that you f****** Democrats keep stealing from us American citizens. Okay, the USAD, that’s a f****** farce. Okay, you guys spend millions of my tax dollars when I, my son-in-law is a disabled veteran who can’t get a f****** thing, and you're putting billions of dollars into these f****** illegal aliens. Okay, illegal trespassers. Oh, there’s one more thing, you Democrats wanted open borders and you let unconstitutional and you unconstitutionally took my safety away from me and my family by taking open borders. Okay? I’m going to let you know one thing you and any of your family members will pay the consequences and would be responsible if any of these f****** illegal immigrants harm my family and friends in any way. It’s called an eye for an eye. This ain’t a threat. This is called freedom of speech because you wanted f****** open borders. You took my safety and security away. I’ll do the same to you. Okay? Now Obama, Obama sent billions to f****** terrorists, Iran, of my. . .

On or about Dec. 6, 2025, Czerniak left the following voicemail for Public Official 2 at their Massachusetts office: 

Yes, please give this message to [Public Official 2] and all your other Democrats. You know, you people think that the American people are blind. You f****** Democrats had open borders endangered the lives of American people and murdered American citizens, and now you’re going to say that Trump and Pete Hegseth is, well, you know what you guys want to say, they’re endangering America? F*** you! And you know what the other thing is, is, if you keep your f****** rhetoric, if another ICE agent, federal agent, any of them get hurt, you better watch your f****** backs. It’s an eye for an eye, mother******; you’re f****** playing with danger. We’re tired of you f****** Democrats lying to the American people consistently, consistently. You f****** liars. You better watch your back. It’s coming. It’s coming to all you guys. Remember what Timothy McVeigh did? Remember what happened to Charlie Kirk? Next time you people stand at a podium, you better f****** duck. You better watch your back, I’m telling you.

The charge of interstate transmission of threatening communications provides for a sentence of up to five 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. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Capitol Police; the Massachusetts State Police; and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Arkansas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun of the Criminal Division 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. 

BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty today to making false statements to law enforcement regarding his transfer of 24 firearms he had purchased. More than half of the firearms surfaced at various crime scenes across the Northeast including a Boston homicide. 

Klordenzsky Senecharles, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of false statements. U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley scheduled sentencing for Jan. 20, 2027. Senecharles was arrested and charged in April 2026. He was released on pretrial conditions. 

Between March 2020 and May 2021, Senecharles purchased a total of 28 firearms and later sold four of them. Of the 24 firearms still registered to Senecharles, 13 firearms were recovered in connection with criminal activity, including a Feb. 26, 2024 homicide in Boston.  Senecharles told law enforcement that he had sold 21 of the 24 firearms to various Massachusetts registered firearms dealers. The firearms dealers reported that they had no record of purchasing any of the 21 firearms from Senecharles. 

The charge of making false statements provides for a sentence of up to five 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 Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement today.  Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan C. Cleary and Colin T. Missett of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A West Bridgewater man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for drug conspiracy and firearm charges, following a series of arrests targeting gangs in the Brockton and Randolph areas.

Lue Andrade, a/k/a “Poncho,” 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 80 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In July 2026, Andrade pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In February 2026, federal complaints were unsealed against seven defendants charged with drug and firearm crimes.

Andrade was arrested on Dec. 17, 2025, following searches at numerous residences and stash houses associated with the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang and their Randolph-based affiliates including Andrade’s residence in West Bridgewater and his stash house in Brockton. In his residence, two handguns, ammunition, multiple pounds of marijuana and packaging materials were seized. The stash location was a second-floor apartment that was set up as drug repackaging workshop. The apartment contained dozens of pounds of marijuana, some of which was discovered in hidden compartments within the walls. In the basement, two rifles, a pistol, an extended magazine and various ammunition were also seized. Andrade was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior state conviction for drug dealing from 2016. 

The drug conspiracy to which Andrade pleaded guilty went back to March 2023, when authorities executed search warrants at Andrade’s then-residence in Bridgewater and a different stash apartment in Brockton. In that stash location, a backpack containing hundreds of grams of fentanyl and cocaine were recovered.  

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. 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. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; the Abington, Acushnet, Ashland, Boston, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Chelsea, East Bridgewater, Medford, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Stoughton, Taunton and West Bridgewater Police Departments; Plymouth and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Departments; Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Plymouth, Norfolk and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Randolph man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for drug trafficking and firearm charges, following a series of arrests targeting gangs in the Brockton and Randolph areas. 

Jose Mendes, 36, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to eight years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In July 2026, Mendes pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Mendes was charged in February 2026.

On Dec. 17, 2025, searches were conducted at numerous residences and stash houses associated with the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang and their Randolph-based affiliates including Mendes’s current and former residences in Randolph. Loaded handguns, including a Glock pistol with a machinegun conversion device attached and an extended magazine were recovered. Additinally, over 100 pressed blue pills containing fentanyl; cocaine; methamphetamine and various items commonly used in large-scale drug trafficking, such as a kilogram press device, a respirator mask, digital scales, plastic bags and bottles of cutting powder were recovered.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. 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. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; the Abington, Acushnet, Ashland, Boston, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Chelsea, East Bridgewater, Medford, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Stoughton, Taunton and West Bridgewater Police Departments; Plymouth and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Departments; Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Plymouth, Norfolk and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A convicted felon from Hadley, Mass. has pleaded guilty to illegally importing plutonium from Russia and selling the radioactive material – as well as other, highly toxic and hazardous materials – to customers in the United States and abroad. The defendant also plead guilty to unlawfully possessing ammunition and explosive materials as a convicted felon and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Jacob D. Miller, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition; one count of being a felon in possession of explosive materials; one count of importing nuclear material without lawful authority; one count of mailing hazardous materials; and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni scheduled sentencing for Jan. 21, 2027. 

Miller was indicted by a grand jury on April 17, 2025. He has remained in federal custody on pretrial detention since his arrest on April 9, 2025. According to court filings, on Feb. 9, 2004, Miller was convicted in Massachusetts state court of possessing child pornography and possessing an explosive device and was sentenced to one-half years of incarceration in a House of Correction to be followed by 10 years of probation.

Following his release, Miller started a business called Collect The Periodic Table (CTPT) through which he sold samples of elements listed in the periodic table of elements, including plutonium, which is highly radioactive, and thallium, which is highly toxic. Miller operated CTPT from his residence in South Hadley. In addition to selling through CTPT directly, Miller used an online third-party retailer, Bonanza, to conduct his sales.

Miller imported plutonium from Russia and arranged for it to be mailed to him at his residence. Between approximately Dec. 30, 2020 and March 31, 2025, Miller sold plutonium to approximately 67 customers throughout the United States and abroad. Miller shipped the plutonium from South Hadley to his customers through the United States mail, even though plutonium was a hazardous substance that was prohibited from being mailed.

Between approximately Oct. 12, 2017 and April 5, 2025, Miller used CTPT and Bonanza to sell thallium to approximately 71 customers. As with the plutonium, Miller shipped the thallium from South Hadley to his customers through the United States mail, even though thallium was a hazardous substance that was prohibited from being mailed.

During a search of Miller’s residence in April 2025, a box containing bottles of explosive powder, numerous rounds of ammunition and six rifles were recovered – all of which Miller possessed unlawfully due to his prior felony convictions. Additionally, Miller’s laptop and cell phone were found to contain child sexual abuse material, which he had accessed as recently as the day before the search warrant. 

The charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition and explosives each provide for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of unlawfully importing nuclear material provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of mailing hazardous material provides for a sentence of up to one year in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography after a prior child pornography conviction provides for a sentence of no less than 10 years and up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for no less than five years and up to life 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 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Division of Investigations- Northern Field Office; the Hadley Police Department; and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow and Caroline Merck of the Springfield Branch Office are prosecuting the case with assistance from Trial Attorney Jennifer D. Burke of the National Security Division.

BOSTON – A Fitchburg, Mass. man was sentenced today in federal court in Worcester for his role in a fraud scheme that used the stolen identities of more than 100 individuals to obtain $440,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The defendant and his alleged co-conspirators also fraudulently obtained over $700,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits from Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio Washington and Nevada.

Raul Fernandez Vicioso, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman to two years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The defendant was also ordered to pay $1.1 million in restitution and $1.1 million in forfeiture. In March 2026, Raul Fernandez Vicioso pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit SNAP Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, SNAP benefit Fraud, Aiding and Abetting and Money Laundering. 

The defendant was charged on Feb. 3, 2026 along with three co-conspirators –Roman Vequiz Fernandez, 32, a Venezuelan national living in Leominster, Mass.; Coralba Albarracin Siniva, 24, a Venezuelan national living in Leominster, Mass.; and Joel Vicioso Fernandez, 42, of Fitchburg, Mass.

Raul Fernandez Vicioso and his alleged co-conspirators purchased and used the stolen personal information of over 100 real people from multiple states to fraudulently obtain SNAP benefits. The stolen identities were used to create 24 “households” in SNAP applications. All of these applications, submitted in the names of over 100 people, were listed as living in two single-family apartments in Providence, R.I. A number of the stolen identities from Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico were used to fraudulently obtain SNAP benefits in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Raul Fernandez Vicioso used his own personal information to create fraudulent SNAP benefit accounts that were found commingled among the victim identities in the applications. In support of the fraudulently submitted SNAP applications, the defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly provided images of counterfeit passports and passport cards, with metadata that indicated the images were taken inside or within the immediate vicinity of El Primo Restaurant – a restaurant operated by Raul Fernandez Vicioso in Leominster, Mass.

The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly used the fraudulent SNAP benefits cards to purchase large quantities of expensive bulk food items (such as multiple-pound packages of chicken, beef and pork) at various local wholesalers and food markets to stock El Primo Restaurant at no expense. With their supplies obtained for free through fraudulent SNAP benefits, they sold menu items at El Primo Restaurant at a complete profit, later wiring the fraud proceeds to individuals living in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, among other places.

According to the charging documents, between April 2020 and December 2021, the defendants and their co-conspirators further enriched themselves by over $700,000 by submitting fraudulent applications and supporting documents for PUA in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nevada. The fraudulent PUA benefits were issued in the names of Raul Fernandez Vicioso and in the names of suspected identity theft victims, including identities common to the related the SNAP benefit fraud. At least 29 different identities were allegedly used in PUA applications in six different states – all of which listed the address for El Primo Restaurant as the residential address. 

Bank records obtained during the investigation detail approximately $276,021 in fraudulent PUA benefits deposited into bank accounts held in the names of the El Primo Restaurant, Raul Fernandez Vicioso and other alleged co-conspirators. Other fraudulent PUA benefits were allegedly issued to prepaid cards in the identities of the various individuals which were applied for using known addresses and telephone numbers of the subjects.

During searches of Raul Fernandez Vicioso’s residence and El Primo Restaurant, fraudulently obtained Massachusetts and Rhode Island EBT cards, fraudulent documents bearing a Providence address involved in the alleged scheme, printed ledgers and handwritten lists of more than 100 identities and SNAP-related mailings were recovered.

Fraud, waste or abuse can be reported to the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency: https://www.oversight.gov/where-report-fraud-waste-abuse-or-retaliation.

The charge of conspiracy to commit SNAP fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 The charge of illegal acquisition or use of SNAP benefits provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount involved in the transaction, 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; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; U.S. Department of State - Diplomatic Security Service; Rhode Island Office of Internal Audit - Fraud Detection & Prevention Unit; Massachusetts State Police; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island; and the Fitchburg and Leominster Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danial Bennett of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case. 

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts.  Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.    

The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.   

BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiring to damage a building on Harvard Medical School’s (HMS) campus using a large commercial firework. 

Logan David Patterson, 19, of Plymouth, Mass. and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 21, of Bourne, Mass., each were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Angel Kelley to three years of probation and were ordered to pay restitution of $28,517 to Harvard Medical School. In April 2026, both defendants pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to damage, by means of an explosive. Patterson and Cardoza were arrested and charged in November 2025.

At approximately 2:23 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2025, surveillance cameras located at Huntington Avenue and Longwood Avenue in Boston captured two males – later identified as Patterson and Cardoza – walking toward the HMS campus wearing face coverings and dark clothing. Surveillance video captured the defendants lighting what appeared to be roman candle fireworks at approximately 2:24 a.m.

At approximately 2:33 a.m., the defendants were seen climbing over a chain-link fence into a construction area surrounding the Goldenson Building and, minutes later, climbing scaffolding beside the building to access the roof. At approximately 2:45 a.m., campus police received a fire alarm alert from an explosion on the fourth floor of the Goldenson Building, which houses a research laboratory within HMS’s Department of Neurobiology. It was determined that the defendants detonated a large, commercial firework inside a wooden locker in the fourth-floor research laboratory. 

Subsequent security footage captured the defendants visiting the fifth floor of the building before exiting via a first-floor emergency exit and fleeing in opposite directions; removing and discarding clothing items they had worn on the HMS campus; and returning to the nearby campus of Wentworth Institute of Technology, which they were visiting for Halloween social activities. 

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the National Security Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Lynn man with multiple prior criminal convictions was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.

Derrick J. Poe, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 40 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In April 2026, Poe pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition after being charged by criminal complaint in February 2026. 

Between Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 18, 2025, Poe distributed crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement in three separate controlled purchases in Salem, Mass. Poe was arrested after the third controlled purchase. A subsequent search of Poe’s Lynn residence resulted in the recovery of suspected crack cocaine and other evidence of drug distribution as well as three firearms and ammunition. Two of the firearms were privately made polymer-80 pistols, bearing no serial numbers, which are commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” The third firearm was a Springfield Armory 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen from Columbus, Ohio:

Poe is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions, including in Alabama. These include a 2006 conviction for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and robbery as well as a 2012 conviction for receiving stolen property. Poe received concurrent 10-year and 20-year sentences for the 2006 drug and robbery offenses – sentences which were later suspended and he was ordered to serve four years in prison followed by four years of supervised probation. As for the 2012 receipt-of-stolen-property offense, Poe received a 69-month prison sentence that was suspended, with credit for time served, and was placed on probation for 60 months. In 2016, he was convicted in Massachusetts state court of possessing Class B drugs with intent to distribute.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn and Salem Police Departments.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON – A Lynn man has been arrested and charged with allegedly receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Zachary Brodeur, 37, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of receipt of child pornography. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Sept. 29, 2026, the defendant remains detained in state custody on related charges. 

According to the charging documents, Brodeur was identified in an online chatroom in which he engaged with a law enforcement agent posing as a 14-year-old boy.  

It is alleged that during a subsequent search of Brodeur’s cell phone, approximately 138 videos depicting CSAM were located in the phone’s downloads folder. It is further alleged that the videos depicted minors between the ages of five and 11 years old. Brodeur was convicted as a Youthful Offender for rape of a child and possession of child pornography in Massachusetts state courts. 

The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 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. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn Police Department and the Scituate Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Conroy 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.  

BOSTON – A former Immigration Services Officer pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to stealing more than $60,000 from a labor union over the course of five years.

Carol A. Aguja, 55, of Reading, Mass., pleaded guilty to wire fraud. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 7, 2027. Aguja was charged in August 2026.

Aguja was an Immigration Services Officer employed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Between approximately 2015 and August 2024, Aguja also served as Treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 38 (AFGE Local 38), a labor organization that represented USCIS employees who lived in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. 

Between 2019 and 2024, Aguja defrauded AFGE Local 38 by siphoning funds from the union bank account to pay for her own personal and non-union related expenses. As part of her fraud scheme, Aguja also paid union expenses out of her personal accounts and commingled union and personal funds to conceal her embezzlement. Specifically, Aguja used the AFGE Local 38 credit card to pay approximately $12,508 for personal expenses such as restaurant meals, bills, clothing and dance lessons. She also made 128 cash withdrawals totaling over $23,700 from the AFGE Local 38 account, and transferred over $25,000 from the AFGE Local 38 account to her personal accounts. Aguja falsified annual forms regarding the union finances that AFGE Local 38 was required to submit to the United States Department of Labor-Management Standards, in order to conceal her fraud. 

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 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater, restitution, and forfeiture. 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; Jonathan Russo, District Director, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards; and Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina E. Barclay of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

BOSTON – A former Haverhill man was sentenced on Sept. 30, 2026 in federal court in Boston for receiving stolen Social Security disability benefits over a period of more than five years.

Christopher D. Leon, 56, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to one day of prison deemed served and three years of supervised release. Leon was also ordered to pay $87,817 in restitution. In June 2026, Leon pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen government money or property. Leon was charged in May 2026.

Leon received approximately $87,817 in stolen Social Security disability benefits from November 2019 through August 2025. Leon lived with an applicant for Social Security disability benefits at the time of her death. After her death, the Social Security Administration (SSA) mailed a notice of award to Leon’s address. Once the Social Security benefits began to be paid via direct deposit to the decedent’s bank account, Leon used the deceased beneficiary’s debit card to access the improperly paid funds through ATM cash withdrawals each month.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Boston–New York Field Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Nagelberg of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

BOSTON – As part of the United States Attorney’s ongoing enforcement priority to investigate and prosecute benefit fraud involving federal and state assistance programs, a Worcester, Mass. man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for using the identity of a deceased U.S. citizen to obtain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, MassHealth benefits and a Massachusetts identification card.

“John Doe,” whose true identity is unknown at this time, is charged with unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits, false representation of a Social Security number, false statements relating to health care matters and aggravated identity theft. The defendant was previously arrested in April 2026 after being charged by criminal complaint. He remains detained in federal custody.

According to the charging documents, since at least 2001, John Doe has been living in Massachusetts under the identity of a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico who died in 2006. It is alleged that under the deceased citizen’s identity, the defendant fraudulently obtained a Massachusetts identification card, as well as MassHealth benefits.

According to court documents John Doe has criminal convictions in Massachusetts under the deceased citizen’s identity, including assault and drug convictions. Specifically, in September 2012, John Doe was convicted in Worcester Superior Court of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (gun) as well as trafficking cocaine, for which he was sentenced to state prison for 8-10 years and 11-15 years in state prison, respectively.

Upon his release from prison in January 2022, the defendant allegedly used the stolen identity to apply for SNAP benefits. It is alleged that, in connection with his SNAP application, John Doe spoke with an employee of the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) in April 2022, claiming that he was the individual listed on the application, that he was a U.S. citizen and verified his purported Social Security number. According to the charging documents, the DTA employee noted in the file: “Death match ??? – reviewing with supervisor [sic]” – apparently indicating that the Social Security number that John Doe allegedly provided corresponded to a deceased person. However, the application was ultimately approved by Massachusetts DTA, and John Doe allegedly proceeded to collect SNAP benefits.

In total, from April 2022 through February 2026, John Doe allegedly applied for and obtained approximately $12,623 in SNAP benefits under the stolen deceased citizen’s identity.

The charge of unlawfully obtaining SNAP benefits 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 charge of misrepresenting a Social Security number 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 false statements relating to health care matters 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 aggravated identity theft provides for a sentence of at least two years in prison, up to one year 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; Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations, Boston Field Division; Charmeka Parker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region; and Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch 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.  
 

BOSTON – A Providence man pleaded guilty on Sept. 24, 2026 in federal court in Boston to transporting child sexual abuse material.

Mark Huynh, 40, of Providence, R.I., pleaded guilty to one count of transporting child pornography. U.S. Senior District Court Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for December 19, 2026. Huynh was arrested and charged in February 2026.

In 2025, Huynh was arrested at Boston Logan Airport entering the country with an active arrest warrant in Rhode Island for second degree molestation of a child. Searches of Huynh’s electronic devices revealed a video of a second minor victim whom Huynh had also molested, in addition to multiple files depicting child sexual abuse material involving victims as young as toddlers. Huynh has also pleaded guilty to state charges arising from his abuse of the victims.

The charge of transporting child pornography provides for a sentence of no less than 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 Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Homeland Security Investigations New England made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Eric L. Hawkins 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.
 

BOSTON – A Queens, N.Y., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston for allegedly travelling across state lines to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 13-year-old minor in Massachusetts. 

Andre Jamal Bennett, 33, was indicted on one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. Bennett was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with one count of interstate travel to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor in August 2026. He remains in federal custody. 

According to the charging documents, Bennett was employed by Delta Air Lines as a ground controller at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. In September 2025, Bennett allegedly created multiple social media accounts – including two Instagram accounts and a Snapchat account – using the fictitious name “Chris.” Using the accounts, Bennett allegedly falsely presented himself to be a 16-year-old boy in order to contact the minor victim.

In November 2025, Bennett allegedly took a flight from New York City to Boston. Upon landing in Boston, Bennett who had allegedly previously contacted the minor victim, informed her that he was in the area and coerced her into meeting him in person, sending her an Uber to her house. It is alleged that Bennett, still purporting to be a 16-year-old male boy, met the minor victim wearing a hooded sweatshirt concealing his face.

It is further alleged that Bennett brought the minor victim to a hotel and raped her. Bennett also allegedly recorded the sexual assault on his phone. Following the encounter, Bennett allegedly continued to contact the minor victim through social media over the course of several months and sought to entice her to meet with him again, including by offering to pay her. The minor victim refused.

The charge of sexual exploitation of children provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct provides for a sentence of up to 30 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; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Michael Cox, Commissioner of the Boston Police Department made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI’s New York Field Office and United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, of the Major Crimes Unit and Project Safe Childhood Coordinator Unit is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.  

BOSTON – A Waltham, Mass. man has been arrested and charged with stalking a former political advisor and prominent member of the Republican Party. Defendant allegedly contacted the victim using phone and text over 40 times over the course of less than two months, leaving disturbing messages about the victim and her husband. Defendant also allegedly sent the victim’s parents disturbing messages.

John Anthony Proia, III, 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston today with one count of cyberstalking. Proia was arrested this afternoon and will appear in federal district court in Boston at 5:00 PM today.

According to court filings, between August 2026 and continuing through September 2026, Proia allegedly made multiple calls, sent text messages and voicemails from an ever-changing series of unfamiliar phone numbers to a victim who resides in the vicinity of Washington, D.C. The victim is a former political advisor and prominent figure in the Republican Party who is married to a high-level federal government employee (“Federal Official”).

It is alleged that the victim at times received multiple communications a day, including calls late at night. The calls that were answered by the victim, as well as voicemails, were allegedly made by what appeared to be a male caller employing a menacing tone and often using expletives. The phone numbers used to make these communications were obtained through applications that provide free phone numbers for calling and messaging via Voice Over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”). According to the charging documents, these applications allow a user to obfuscate their identity and easily generate new phone numbers.  

According to the indictment, Proia used multiple phone numbers to contact the victim at least 40 times between Aug. 3, 2026 and Sept. 23, 2026.  

Proia also allegedly sent the following text messages to phones numbers associated with the victim’s parents:

a.    “Good morning [first name of victim’s mother].  Does it disturb you that such evil as [Federal Official] is married to the creature that slithered from your Cunt?”

b.    [Photo of Victim 1]

c.    “My god, how can you be proud of this filth?”

d.    “Hey [first name of victim’s father], how goes it?  Hope your daughter marrying a Jewish Nazi/white supremacist is working out for you and [first name of victim’s mother].  Did you raise her to be trash or did that just happen naturally?”

“As alleged in the Indictment, the defendant repeatedly and relentlessly targeted the victim, her husband and her family with deeply disturbing communications that profoundly disrupted their lives. Cyberstalking can inflict real fear and harm, and we take these allegations extremely seriously. Those who use technology to harass, intimidate or torment others should understand that attempts to anonymize their criminal conduct will not shield them from prosecution. We will find you, and we will hold you accountable,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.

“Today, the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested John Proia for allegedly engaging in a sustained campaign of harassment to frighten this victim and her family, inflicting significant emotional distress,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division. “Terrorizing someone isn’t some sick game, it’s a crime, which is why the FBI and our partners take it so seriously as we work to protect and serve everyone in our communities.”

U.S. Attorney Foley and FBI SAC Docks made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alathea E. Porter of the National Security 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.  
 

BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to a scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts. 

William Shaw, 68, pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for Jan. 6, 2027. Shaw was charged in January 2026.

From at least December 2022 through at least March 2025, Shaw impersonated at least 13 bank customers. Shaw used fake driver’s licenses with the customers’ information but his own photo and presented bank tellers with withdrawal slips that listed the customers’ names and account numbers. While posing as real bank customers, Shaw withdrew more than $900,000 from the customers’ accounts in the form of cashier’s checks and cash withdrawals.

In July 2025, six men were charged as part of a related investigation into a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Phalentz Vernot, Victor Kolawole and Keith Wainaina have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. Rosemary Parks, was sentenced yesterday for her role in a related scheme.  

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 $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a sentence of no less than two years in prison consecutive to any sentence received on the other charges. 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 P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Connecticut State Police, the Glocester (RI) Police Department, the Sutton Police Department, the Concord (MA) Police Department, the Dracut Police Department, the Westwood Police Department and the Abington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. 
 

BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl and cocaine base (crack cocaine). 

Gino Hem, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 66 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In June 2026, Hem pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; and three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl. The defendant was arrested and charged in October 2025 and has remained in federal custody since. 

On four separate occasions between July 14, 2025 and Oct. 3, 2025, Hem met cooperating witnesses and an undercover officer in Lowell to sell them crack cocaine and fentanyl. Hem filled orders from the cooperating witnesses and undercover officer for “fingers” of “brown,” i.e., fentanyl, and quantities of “hard,” i.e., cocaine base. 

On a fifth date, on Oct. 22, 2025, the undercover officer ordered two ounces of “hard” from Hem. He was taken into custody upon arriving at the agreed upon drug deal location. During a search, more than two ounces (53 grams) of cocaine base were found hidden inside Hem’s underwear.  Hem was also carrying $2,632 cash.

Hem has multiple prior convictions for state and federal crimes, including federal convictions for Distribution of Heroin and Dealing in Firearms without a License in 2016, for which he was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison. 

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in payroll tax avoidance and workers’ compensation insurance fraud. 

Henry Lam, 68, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper to 13 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Lam was also ordered to pay $1,652,573 in restitution. Lam was arrested in July 2025, following his June 2025 indictment, and pleaded guilty to failure to collect and pay over taxes and mail fraud in May 2026.   

Between 2016 and 2023, Lam owned and operated HL Temporary Services – a temporary employment agency in Lowell that served client companies in New England. The client companies paid HL Temporary Services for the temporary employees’ work on an hourly basis. Lam cashed these client’s checks at check cashing businesses in Massachusetts and paid the temporary employees primarily in cash. By using cash payments, Lam hid over $6.2 million in payroll and avoided paying more than $1.5 million in required payroll taxes. Lam also used HL Temporary Services’ false payroll numbers to obtain worker’s compensation insurance at lower premium rates. 

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Longmeadow woman was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. for defrauding commercial lenders out of more than $18 million over a four-year period. Together with her co-conspirators (her husband, Louis R. Masaschi, and her sister, Christine Gendron), she provided financial institutions with numerous false and fraudulent rent rolls and forged lease agreements for numerous properties located in Springfield, Mass.; East Longmeadow, Mass.; and Enfield, Conn.

Jeannette Norman, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 22 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release with four months in home confinement. Norman was also ordered to pay $18,203,030 in restitution. In September 2025, Norman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. 

In April 2025, Masaschi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced in July 2026 to four years in prison, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $18,203,030 in restitution. In June 2026, Gendron pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced in July 2026 to six months in prison, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $392,607 in restitution. 

Norman and Masaschi were partners in dozens of limited liability companies, including LL Realty Developers, LLC, through which they owned primarily commercial and some residential property in Western Massachusetts, Connecticut and elsewhere. Norman, Masaschi, and Gendron conspired with each other and others to fraudulently obtain loans for their companies from financial institutions and commercial lenders by providing materially false, fictitious and fraudulent financial information – including false rent rolls and forged lease agreements. After receiving the loans, Norman and Masaschi defaulted on the loans, causing substantial losses to the financial institutions and commercial lenders, including two community credit unions, and leaving the buildings vacant. 

Between May 2016 and November 2018, Norman, Masaschi and Gendron fraudulently obtained or sought to obtain approximately $60,123,000 in loans and caused a total loss of $18,203,030.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow and Caroline Merck of the Springfield Office prosecuted the case. 

BOSTON—A Hopkinton woman was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for her role in a scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 

Rosemary Parks, 59, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick to 26 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Parks was also ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution. Parks was arrested in January 2026 and pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in May 2026. 

Between August 2024 and October 2024, Parks impersonated at least eight bank customers to withdraw money from the customers’ accounts. Parks used fake driver’s licenses with the customers’ information but her own photo and presented bank tellers with withdrawal slips that listed the customers’ names and account numbers. She successfully withdrew $536,000 from the customers’ accounts in the form of cashier’s checks and a cash withdrawal. 

In July 2025, six men were charged as part of a related investigation into a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Three of those defendants—Phalentz Vernot, Victor Kolawole and Keith Wainaina—have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. 

Additionally, co-defendant William Shaw pleaded guilty today for his role in a related scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 6, 2027.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Connecticut State Police, the Glocester (RI) Police Department, the Sutton Police Department, the Concord (MA) Police Department, the Dracut Police Department, the Westwood Police Department and the Abington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case. 

BOSTON – A Brockton man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to his participation in a shootout that left a female victim with a gunshot wound to her chest. 

Natalio Miranda, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of a machinegun and being a felon in possession of ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns scheduled sentencing for Dec. 16, 2026. Miranda was indicted by a federal grand jury in February 2025 along with three co-defendants Romeo Miller, Jonathan Alves and Jahleil Monteiro. 

On June 2, 2024, at approximately 1:45 a.m., law enforcement responded to a “shots fired” call at a home in Brockton where s large crowd was observed. A 31-year-old female victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest was transported to a nearby hospital and survived. 

Numerous bullet casings were found scattered throughout the front yard and driveway of the residence. Video footage obtained from the home’s surveillance system determined that a house party led to a physical altercation in the driveway and an exchange of gunfire between the victim and Miranda, Miller and allegedly Alves. 

Specifically, surveillance video captured Miranda as he discharged several bursts of ammunition from an automatic weapon in the front yard of the residence before leaving the scene. Miller and, allegedly Alves, are also shown firing towards the victim from the driveway. Miller is later seen on the footage crossing the street to hide behind a parked car, where he shot the victim in the chest. Surveillance video captured Miller returning to the driveway, where he passed his firearm off to Monteiro, before the two drove away in separate parked cars. 

At the time of the shooting, Miranda was on federal supervised release for a fentanyl distribution conspiracy conviction. He also has a prior state conviction for cocaine distribution. 

The charges of being a felon in possession of ammunition each provide for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of a machinegun provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of being an accessory after the fact to a felon in possession provides for a sentence of up to half the maximum punishment for the underlying offense. 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; Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Division; and Brockton Police Chief Brenda I. Perez made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was also provided by the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Pohl of the Criminal Division is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

BOSTON – A Brazilian national, residing in Milford, Mass. pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Worcester to transportation and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). 

Joao Carlos Tavares Da Silva, 22, pleaded guilty to transportation and possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 29, 2027. Tavares Da Silva was arrested and charged in January 2026.  

Tavares Da Silva is a Brazilian citizen with an outstanding warrant in Brazil for statutory rape; production, reproduction, direction, recording or filming of scenes of explicit sexual acts or pornography involving children or adolescents; and selling or offering for sale any photograph, video, or other recording that contains scenes of explicit sexual acts or pornography involving a child or adolescent. During a search of Tavares Da Silva’s home in Milford, multiple electronic devices were seized. Images containing CSAM were located on one of those devices. The images depicted the sexual exploitation of an identified minor victim in Brazil. Tavares Da Silva produced the images in Brazil then transported the images to the United States via a mobile phone that he carried when he moved to Massachusetts in May 2025. 

The charge of transportation of child pornography provides for a sentence of no less than five years and up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for life and a fine of $250,000.  The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for life and a fine of $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 Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Milford Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen M. Noto of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.

The case is brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identity and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

BOSTON – An Attleboro man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Defendant previously served 30 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography. 

Gerard R. Proulx, Jr., 60, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography before U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin who scheduled sentencing for Jan. 7, 2027. Proulx was arrested and charged in February 2026. He is currently detained. 

According to the charging documents, in the summer of 2025, law enforcement investigating the receipt and distribution of child pornography via the internet downloaded multiple files from an IP address determined to be registered to Proulx. On Feb. 25, 2026, during a search of Proulx’s residence, various electronic devices including a desktop computer were recovered. An initial forensic examination of Proulx’s desktop computer revealed over 1500 files consistent with CSAM. Further review of Proulx’s devices remains on-going.

In 2012, Proulx was previously convicted of possession of child pornography in the District of Rhode Island and sentenced to 30 months in federal prison.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274 or contact [email protected].

Because of Proulx’s prior conviction, the charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 10 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 Randy Maloney, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julissa Walsh 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.

BOSTON – A Randolph man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for cocaine trafficking and firearm charges, following a series of arrests targeting gangs in the Brockton and Randolph areas. 

London Cohen, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 90 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In June 2026, Cohen pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Cohen was charged in February 2026.

Cohen was arrested on Dec. 17, 2025, after authorities executed search warrants at numerous residences and stash houses associated with the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang and their Randolph-based affiliates. During a search of Cohen’s residence, three handguns and ammunition were located in a bathroom trash can.

Elsewhere in Cohen’s residence, controlled substances including cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA and marijuana were recovered. In the basement living room, there were various items commonly used in large-scale drug trafficking, such as a kilogram press device, a respirator mask, digital scales, plastic bags and bottles of cutting powder.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. 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. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; the Abington, Acushnet, Ashland, Boston, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Chelsea, East Bridgewater, Medford, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Stoughton, Taunton and West Bridgewater Police Departments; Plymouth and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Departments; Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Plymouth, Norfolk and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.

BOSTON – A Quincy man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston with being a felon in possession of a firearm and distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. 

Joseph King, 48, is charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm and four counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. King was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in August 2026. He remains in federal custody. 

According to the charging documents, on four occasions in June, July and August 2026, King sold a controlled substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine to an undercover federal agent. Additionally, on Aug. 11, 2026, King allegedly purchased two firearms – a Glock 19M, 9mm pistol and a Glock 27, .40 caliber pistol – from an undercover agent. King is prohibited from possessing firearms due to several prior state court convictions, including a 2025 conviction for breaking and entering in Taunton District Court and a 2009 conviction for larceny in Quincy District Court, among other convictions.

The charge of being a felon in possession provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance provides for a sentence of up to 20 years, three years 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 statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department; and the Boston and Quincy Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney Allegra Flamm 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.

BOSTON – A Provincetown man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for child pornography offenses. The defendant possessed several thousand image and video files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Laurence Pagnoni, 66, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to five years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. In February 2026, Pagnoni pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. Pagnoni was arrested and charged in April 2024.

An individual arrested in a child exploitation sting reported to law enforcement that, in March of 2023, Pagnoni distributed CSAM to him via the online cloud storage platform Mega. It was determined that Pagnoni had sent thousands of CSAM files to this individual. During a search of Pagnoni’s home in Provincetown in May of 2023 a number of items, including Pagnoni’s cellphone, were seized. During a subsequent search of Pagnoni’s cellphone, several thousand image files and video files containing CSAM, including at least 54 known series of CSAM as identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, were discovered.   

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm, Project Safe Childhood Coordinator and 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.

BOSTON – A member of an interstate drug and firearm trafficking network pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to drug and firearm conspiracy charges.

Nilbel Ventura Amaro, a/k/a “Nino,” a/k/a “Megamind,” a/k/a “Ben,” a/k/a “Migo,” 26, of Lawrence, Mass., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for Jan. 6, 2027. Ventura Amaro was charged in June 2026 along with four other members of the drug and gun network.  

Ventura Amaro was an associate of the Trinitarios transnational criminal organization who operated a drug trafficking network in Maine in coordination with the Trinitarios and under their protection. In May 2024, Ventura Amaro was allegedly kidnapped by members of the Trinitarios and held in a basement for multiple days after he took over drug distribution in certain areas of New Hampshire and Maine. In June 2025, two members of the Trinitarios were charged with kidnapping Ventura Amaro and are pending trial. In addition to the Trinitarios members and associates that he supplied, Ventura Amaro also supplied Mackenzie Bimpson, a large-scale dealer in drugs and firearms. Ventura Amaro also sold fentanyl and cocaine to Bimpson and would receive cash and firearms in exchange.

During the investigation, numerous photos and videos of, and conversations between, the defendants documenting their drug and gun conspiracy were recovered.

The charge of conspiracy to distribute, manufacture and 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 a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for up to five years 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; Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Division; Colonel Mark B. Hall, Director of the New Hampshire State Police; and Paul J. Smith, Chief of the Littleton (N.H.) Police Department made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire; New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office; Massachusetts State Police; the Essex County District Attorney’s Office; the Grafton County (N.H.) and Coos County (N.H.) Sheriff’s Departments; and the Berlin (N.H.), Lebanon (N.H.), Norway (Maine), Rumford (Maine), Lawrence (Mass.), New Haven (Conn.), Andover (Mass.) and Lowell (Mass.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

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.

BOSTON – A Fitchburg man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Worcester to using his Kik account to distribute and possess child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Sean Pettigrew, 50,pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and one count of possession of child pornography. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret R. Guzman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 21, 2027. Pettigrew was arrested and charged in July 2025.

In April 2025, Pettigrew was identified as a member in a Kik Messenger group devoted to the sexual abuse of children. Pettigrew sent multiple images depicting CSAM in private messages to an undercover agent posing as a member of the chat. A subsequent search of Pettigrew’s Kik Messenger account revealed that he had sent multiple CSAM files to other users on the app. 

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.

The charge of distribution of child pornography provides for a sentence of no less than five years up to 20 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least 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 Jeff Grimming, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England made the announcement today. 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.

BOSTON – The United States Attorney’s Office filed a civil forfeiture action to recover 110,270 USDT (Tether), alleged to be proceeds of a fraud scheme in which a Massachusetts victim was deceived into providing account login information to scammers, who then removed funds from the victim’s account. The cryptocurrency currently has an estimated value of approximately $47,000.

As alleged in the complaint, while corresponding via email with Coinbase, a cryptocurrency exchange, the victim received fraudulent text messages purporting to be from “Coinbase” that induced the victim to share login, password, and other information that allowed access to the victim’s Coinbase account. Thereafter, funds from the account were removed without the consent of the victim. Some of the funds were traced to a cryptocurrency account at Biance, another cryptocurrency exchange, and seized in August 2026. 

In an account takeover fraud scheme, cyber criminals deliberately gain unauthorized access to a victim's online bank, payroll, health savings or social media account, with the goal of stealing money or information for personal gain.

It is a violation of federal law to use wire communications as part of a scheme to defraud or to obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, and property so obtained is subject to forfeiture. A civil forfeiture action allows third parties to assert claims to property, which must be resolved before the property can be forfeited to the United States and returned to victims.

This is one of several civil forfeiture actions the U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed seeking to forfeit cryptocurrency traced to fraud schemes targeting Massachusetts victims.

Members of the public who believe they are victims of a cybercrime – including cryptocurrency scams, tech support scams, investment scams and business email compromise fraud scams – should contact [email protected].

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carole E. Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit is prosecuting the civil forfeiture action.

The details contained in the civil forfeiture complaint are allegations.

BOSTON – A Roxbury, Mass. man has been charged with kidnapping a victim from their home in Rhode Island. The defendant allegedly led police on a chase on I-93, crashing into other vehicles and fleeing on foot.

Dominic Hampton-Boyd, 31, is charged with kidnapping and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The defendant is currently being held in state custody on related charges. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date

According to the charging documents, on Aug. 12, 2026, Hampton-Boyd is alleged to have entered the victim’s Rhode Island home without the victim’s knowledge. Once in the home, it is alleged that the defendant struck the victim on the side of the forehead with a pistol and choked the victim. Hampton-Boyd allegedly then directed the victim out of the house and into a car, asking the victim if they wanted to “die here or in Boston.” 

Hampton-Boyd is alleged to have driven the car across state lines into Massachusetts. The victim attempted to exit the vehicle on several occasions but was unable to. The victim eventually was able to call 911. When law enforcement attempted to initiate a car stop, Hampton-Boyd allegedly accelerated and hit several cars on I-93. After crashing the car, Hampton-Boyd attempted to flee but was subsequently apprehended. According to court documents, a privately made Glock-style semiautomatic firearm loaded with 9mm rounds of ammunition was recovered in the car.

Hampton-Boyd is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to his prior state court convictions, including a prior conviction in Suffolk Superior Court for armed robbery. 

The charge of kidnapping provides for a sentence of up to life in prison, five years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession provides for a sentence of up to 15 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 and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Massachusetts State Police, East Providence Police Department and Norfolk District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Allegra Flamm and Aidan Lang of the Major Crimes 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.

BOSTON – A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in Marlborough, Mass., has been arrested and charged with illegally reentering the United States after deportation.

Alcario Lorenzo Lopez, 32, was charged with one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien. The defendant remains detained following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Sept. 24, 2026.

According to the charging documents, Lopez is alleged to have been previously deported from the United States in 2017 and unlawfully reentered at an unknown date thereafter. Lopez allegedly returned to the United States and was arrested for rape of a child in May 2025. The state charges are pending. 

The charge of illegal reentry provides for a sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release and a fine of $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 he determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and David T. Wesling, Acting Field Office Director, Boston, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Conroy 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. 

BOSTON – A former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) employee pleaded guilty on Sept. 24, 2026 in federal court in Boston to multiple conspiracies, including conspiring to falsify Red Line track inspection reports as well as committing overtime fraud.

Jensen Vatel, 43, of Brockton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to falsify records; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; wire fraud, aiding and abetting; falsification of records, aiding and abetting; and false statements, aiding and abetting. Vatel was indicted in May 2025 along with four others. In July 2026, a superseding indictment added two additional defendants and 30 additional charges. 

Vatel was a former Red Line Maintenance of Way employee, where he was a track inspector. As track inspector, Vatel’s job duties included completing track inspections for the Red Line. In order to complete the inspections, track inspectors used MBTA-issued cellular phones with an application called MaxTrax to record information regarding their track inspections, including whether the inspection was completed. The application then generated a report with details concerning the inspection:

Rather than complete inspections, from Jan. 1, 2024, to Oct. 16, 2024, Vatel and the alleged co-conspirators either falsified track inspection reports or aided and abetted the submission of falsified inspection reports. Vatel and the alleged co-conspirators did this by not completing their inspections and creating falsified inspection reports with information found online and extending the duration of such “inspections” on the MaxTrax applications to make the inspection period appear longer than they were, so senior MBTA executives did not complain about the length of inspections. 

Additionally, during the times when some of Vatel’s inspections were reported as having been conducted, Vatel was actually present inside Cabot Yard – an MBTA location that contained a coffee and breakroom for Red Line inspection employees. Cabot Yard also contained a large garage, which Vatel and alleged co-conspirators treated and operated as an automobile repair shop to work on non-MBTA vehicles during work hours. While some co-conspirators allegedly worked on the vehicles, others had their non-MBTA vehicles worked on, including Vatel.  

From Jan. 1, 2024 to Oct. 16, 2024, Vatel and the alleged co-conspirators also submitted false overtime sheets, for hours that they did not work, in order to receive overtime payment from the MBTA. Rather than work their overtime shifts, Vatel and the alleged co-conspirators did not show up at all for the shift; showed up hours late for their shifts; or showed up at the beginning of the shift, used the hand scan and then disappeared for hours (sometimes to sleep in their vehicles) before returning to work.

The charge of conspiracy to falsify records provides 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 charges of falsification of records, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud each provide 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 charge of false statements provides 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 aiding and abetting provides that an individual who aids and abets is punishable as a principal. 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; Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge, Northeastern Region, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General; and Anthony D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy Sun of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting the case.

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.