District of Maryland

Greenbelt, Maryland – A Clinton, Maryland, man is headed to federal prison for nearly three decades in connection with child sex abuse crimes.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Juan Carlos Puente, 48, of Clinton, Maryland, to more than 27 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material. Additionally, as part of his plea agreement, Puente must register as a sex offender in places where he resides, is an employee, and is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Department of Justice (DOJ) – Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

As detailed in court documents, between approximately October 1, 2021, and April 22, 2022, Puente enticed a minor victim, who resided in the Dominican Republic, to engage in unlawful sexual activity and produce child pornography.  Specifically, through Facebook messages, Puente enticed the minor victim to perform sexual acts on herself and to send videos of her engaging in the requested sexually explicit conduct in exchange for money.  The messages also show Puente sending money transfer ID numbers to the minor victim and saying he sent money to her on multiple occasions.

On January 9, 2024, the FBI executed a federal search warrant at Puente’s Clinton residence. Law enforcement seized electronic devices and other evidence from his residence pursuant to the search warrant. Forensic review of the devices uncovered visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI – Baltimore, FBI – Santo Domingo, and Dominican National Police for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan S. McKoy and Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban, Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, who prosecuted the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – An El Salvadorian citizen pled guilty to an illegal re-entry charge in federal court. Willians Elenilson Beltran-Quintanilla, 39, is charged with illegally re-entering the United States after removal.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to court documents, in December 2023, law enforcement found Beltran-Quintanilla in Prince George’s County, Maryland, after he was previously removed from the U.S. 

On June 13, 2005, Beltran-Quintanilla illegally entered the United States near Eagle Pass, Texas. Then on September 16, 2005, after United States Border Patrol (“USBP”) apprehended him, an immigration judge ordered his removal from the U.S. to El Salvador. On April 10, 2007, Beltran-Quintanilla was then removed from the United States.

Beltran-Quintanilla re-entered the U.S. at an unknown place, date, and time. On June 16, 2007, law enforcement encountered Beltran-Quintanilla, resulting in removal orders for a second time from the U.S.

Then, Beltran-Quintanilla again re-entered the U.S. at an unknown place, date, and time.  On December 21, 2023, law enforcement arrested Beltran-Quintanilla in Prince George’s County, Maryland, charging him with multiple drug-related offenses.

Before his arrest, Beltran-Quintanilla did not obtain consent from the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security for readmission into the country at any time.

Beltran-Quintanilla faces a maximum sentence of two years in federal prison for illegal re-entry. Sentencing is set for Friday, May 29, at 9:30 a.m.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in this matter. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke Oki who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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A Maryland man was sentenced today to over 27 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, Juan Carlos Puente, 48, of Clinton, Maryland, used Facebook to entice a minor living in the Dominican Republic to perform sexual acts on herself and to send Puente videos of herself engaging in the requested acts in exchange for money. Records also reflected multiple money transfers from Puente to the victim, and he was explicit in directing her on what to do in the videos. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Puente’s residence in Maryland in January 2024 and discovered additional child sexual abuse material, including a video recording of two minors engaged in various sex acts in which one child appeared to be approximately six years old. The investigation also revealed that Puente had traveled repeatedly between the Dominican Republic and the United States, and that he had sexually abused children in both countries. On at least one occasion, he paid his victim through an intermediary, because she was too young to be able to receive funds virtually. Puente pleaded guilty in November 2025 to one count of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography involving a prepubescent minor in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland made the announcement.

This case was investigated by FBI Baltimore, with assistance from FBI Santo Domingo and the Dominican National Police.

Trial Attorney Jessica L. Urban of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan McKoy for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Baltimore, Maryland – A 32-year-old man pled guilty in federal court to child sexual abuse crimes. Daniel Lara-Salazar, charged with sexually exploiting a child, committed these crimes while serving in the U.S. Military.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Sheriff Chuck Jenkins, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office; and J. Charles Smith III, State’s Attorney for Frederick County.

According to his guilty plea, Lara-Salazar, who was stationed in Pallyup, Washington, coerced and enticed a minor female victim, who resided in Maryland, to engage in sexually explicit conduct. From June 2024, through July 2024, Lara-Salazar sexually exploited her by producing and causing the production of sexually explicit images and videos.

In June 2024, Lara-Salazar began using Snapchat to message the minor victim. Lara-Salazar demanded the minor victim send sexually explicit images and videos to him. Snapchat has a feature that causes images to disappear upon receipt. In some instances, the minor victim sent images to Lara-Salazar that were not retained or visible when law enforcement reviewed the account.

Law enforcement later discovered that Lara-Salazar used Snapchat to communicate with three other minor females, who lived in Texas and elsewhere. He also coerced and enticed them to send sexually explicit images.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

Lara-Salazar faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child as well as up to lifetime supervised release and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn and Special Assistant United States Attorney Joyce R. King who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – A Lexington Park, Maryland, man pled guilty in federal court today, to drug trafficking and weapons crimes.

Dominick Mackall, 37, is charged with possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Sheriff Steven A. Hall, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the guilty plea, on October 26, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mackall’s residence and took him into custody in connection with a five-month narcotics trafficking investigation. During the search, law enforcement discovered multiple loaded firearms, including a ghost gun, and numerous rounds of ammunition in Mackall’s bedroom. Mackall is a convicted felon, so he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Law enforcement also uncovered several controlled substances in different quantities — including 964 fentanyl pills, cocaine, and marijuana — along with approximately $4,000 in cash. Additionally, law enforcement found reloadable government-benefit cards in other people’s names.

Mackall is facing a maximum of 15 years for the firearms charges. He also faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in connection with the drug trafficking crimes.  U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman set sentencing for Wednesday, May 13, at 10 a.m.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany Appleby-Rumon who are prosecuting this federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced an indictment against a 45-year-old El Salvadorian national charged with illegally re-entering the United States after he was convicted of an aggravated felony and was previously removed from the country.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to the indictment, on January 19, 2026, ICE law enforcement officers encountered Kevin Mendez Vasquez, aka “Kevin Estix Lara Henriquez,” while conducting a vehicle investigation in Elkridge, Maryland. As a result of the traffic stop, and after a positive confirmation, law enforcement officials arrested and charged Mendez Vasquez for illegally re-entering the U.S. Mendez Vasquez did not obtain consent from the Attorney General of the U.S., or the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, for readmission into the country.

In May 2011, law enforcement officials deported Mendez Vasquez after he was convicted and served a five-year sentence for burglary, grand larceny, and abduction charges connected to three home invasions in Fairfax County, Virgina, during October 2010. Then in 2015, Mendez Vasquez illegally re-entered the U.S. at an unknown location.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Mendez Vasquez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Ty Pittinger who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.      

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced a Baltimore County man to federal prison today, in connection with submitting fraudulent CARES Act loan applications.

Judge Bennett sentenced Edward McCorkle, 37, to two years in prison, followed by six months of home detention, and then three years of supervised release, for one count of wire fraud.  McCorkle pled guilty to the federal charges back on September 15, 2025. Judge Bennett also ordered McCorkle to pay $523,500 in restitution.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Robert O. McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — a federal law enacted in March 2020 — provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It gives financial assistance including forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and other expenses. Established by the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) — administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA) — along with the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), helped businesses meet their financial obligations.

According to his plea agreement, beginning in May 2020, and continuing through February 2021 in the District of Maryland, McCorkle engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions — including Cross River Bank and the SBA — to obtain fraudulent loans for various purported businesses that he previously established under the PPP and EIDL program.

McCorkle ultimately fraudulently obtained more than $523,000 as part of this scheme while attempting to obtain a total of $946,500.  He used the fraudulently obtained funds for multiple impermissible purposes, including numerous personal expenses, large cash withdrawals, and to purchase and rehabilitate real estate in Baltimore City.

The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.  

For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form. 

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and BCPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow, who prosecuted the case, and recognized Paralegal Specialists Juliette Jarman and Joanna B.N. Huber, for their valuable assistance.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced an Arundel County, Maryland, man to federal prison in connection with a drug distribution conspiracy involving fentanyl, cocaine, and other drugs.

Kelly Bowers, 36, received a seven-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office, Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD), and Chief Edward Jackson, Annapolis Police Department (APD).

According to the guilty plea, in August 2022, FBI investigators identified Bowers as a member of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) known as Newtowne (collectively, “the Newtowne 20 DTO”) that supplied drugs to individuals in the Annapolis area. 

During the period of the conspiracy, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland authorized wiretaps on DTO members’ electronic devices. Law enforcement intercepted numerous conversations which allowed investigators to identify individuals, including Bowers, involved in drug trafficking with Newtowne 20 DTO members.  Others charged include Leonard Simms, sentenced to 57 months on July 1, 2025; Amber Naylor, sentenced to time-served on June 3, 2025; Isiah Naylor, who pled guilty on May 23, 2025; Raheem Allsup, sentenced to 48 months on May 9, 2025; and Keith Williams, sentenced to 68 months on November 19, 2024.

Bowers served as one of the Newtowne 20 DTO’s main distributors.  Law enforcement intercepted and recorded several calls between Bowers and his customers and conversations between him and his co-conspirators.

During the investigation, law enforcement conducted surveillance and observed Bowers engaging in a drug transaction. On November 27, 2023, AACOPD investigators saw Bowers driving in Annapolis. After AACOPD officers watched Bowers conduct a hand-to-hand transaction with a known user of controlled substances, they initiated a traffic stop. Officers stopped the buyer and recovered drugs from her which later tested positive for cocaine. Law enforcement also recovered cocaine from Bowers’ vehicle. Additionally, during the traffic stop, law enforcement found Bowers in possession of fentanyl.

The federal wiretap led to an eventual takedown on January 25, 2024. During the investigation, law enforcement identified multiple vehicles and locations in and around Annapolis used by the Newtowne 20 DTO as stash houses and residences for drug trafficking. On January 25, agents executed search warrants on eight locations and four vehicles and issued arrest warrants for several individuals.  Law enforcement also recovered drugs of various types and quantities from three of the targeted locations and one firearm from the residence of a co-conspirator.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, AACOPD, and APD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys LaRai Everett and Jon Tsuei who prosecuted this federal case.

This prosecution 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 Baltimore comprises agents and officers from various federal, state, and local agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced a Baltimore man to more than two decades in federal prison in connection with armed carjacking and kidnapping charges.

Donte Davon Stanley, 35, received a 25-year prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role in the violent carjacking. 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD); Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler, Harford County Sheriff’s Office; and State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office.

In June 2024, after a three-week trial, a federal jury convicted Stanley and co-conspirator Dennis Allen Hairston, 35, of Catonsville, in connection with the carjackings.  The jury found Stanley guilty of kidnapping and robbery conspiracies; kidnapping; and carjacking.

Evidence at trial established that Stanley, Hairston, and others planned and organized the kidnapping of an employee with the goal of robbing the check-cashing businesses where the victim worked. Additionally, the co-conspirators planned and organized the carjacking of the victim’s vehicle.

According to the evidence, from May 5-6, 2021, the co-conspirators followed the victim from the check-cashing business where she worked. The co-conspirators then posed as law enforcement officers and used a police-style light bar to pull the victim over.  Stanley and Hairston, who were wearing police vests and badges, brandished firearms to remove the victim from her vehicle.  They then handcuffed the victim’s hands behind her back, zip-tied her feet, blindfolded her by placing a mask and duct tape around her face, and forcibly placed her into the rear of a vehicle. 

While Stanley drove, Hairston struck, sexually assaulted, and repeatedly burned the victim with a blowtorch to obtain information from her to access the check-cashing business where she worked with the intent to remove all the cash from the business.

As Judge Hurson imposed the sentence, he described the offense as “grotesque, depraved, reprehensible conduct.” Judge Hurson sentenced Hairston to 40 years in federal prison back in December 2025, in connection with this armed robbery and a second abduction that occurred May 15-16, 2021.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, BPD, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, and Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Spencer L. Todd who prosecuted this case. 

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A 39-year-old Pasadena, Maryland, man will serve more than a decade in prison in connection with child sexual exploitation charges.

U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Andrew Joseph Stilling, Jr., to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 30 years of supervised release.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul,  FBI – Baltimore Field Office; Anne Colt Leitess, State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County; Acting Superintendent Michael A. Jackson, Maryland State Police (MSP); and Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police (AACOPD).

According to the guilty plea, in September 2024, Stilling was part of an online group with other adults who were sexually interested in children.  In the group, he discussed how he secretly recorded a minor while they showered.

During the following three months, Stilling recorded videos of the minor.  Stilling sent screenshots of the videos he created to others over the internet in the online group.  Law enforcement subsequently arrested Stilling and found him in possession of child sexual abuse material on his cellphone, including at least one image depicting a prepubescent minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended the FBI, MSP, AACOPD, and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Victoria Liu and Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A Landover Hills, Maryland, man pled guilty to fraud charges in federal court, in connection with a lottery fraud scheme.

Wayne Henry, 36, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.   

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Acting Assistant Inspector for Investigations General Javan S. Wilson, U.S. Treasury, Office of Inspector General (Treasury OIG); and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).

According to public filings, between October 2020, and February 2024, Henry conspired with others to use the mail to obtain money from victims across the United States through a lottery fraud scheme. Many victims impacted by the scheme are elderly.  Henry also used the personal identifying information of an individual to pay for postage for lottery solicitations to another victim.

Perpetrators use a lottery fraud scheme to lead victims to believe they won a large cash prize through a lottery or sweepstakes. When it’s time to collect the purported winnings, the victim is falsely led to believe that they must pay taxes or other fees in advance.  The victim never receives their winnings, but instead, loses their advanced fees or payments.

Henry faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in federal prison, including a mandatory sentence of two years consecutive to any other imposed sentence for aggravated identity theft.  A sentencing date for Henry is forthcoming.

Co-conspirators Nickoy Campbell, 30, and Tavoy Farquharson, 34, who are both Jamaican nationals, along with Wayne’s brother, Dwayne Henry, 34, of Landover Hills, Maryland, previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Campbell, Farquharson, and Dwayne Henry all face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.  Sentencing for Campbell and Dwayne Henry is scheduled for Monday, March 2, and sentencing for Farquharson is scheduled for Monday, March 23.

Reporting from consumers about fraud and fraud attempts is critical to law enforcement’s efforts to investigate and prosecute schemes targeting older adults. If you or someone you know is age 60 or older, and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).  This Department of Justice Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers through assessing the needs of the victim and identifying next steps, including identifying appropriate reporting agencies, providing information to callers to assist them in reporting or connecting them with agencies, and providing resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis.  The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday.  English, Spanish, and other languages are available.  Learn more about the Department’s Elder Justice Initiative at www.elderjustice.gov.  Victims are encouraged to file a complaint online with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at this website or by calling 1-800-225-5324.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, HSI Maryland, the Treasury OIG, and PGPD for their investigative efforts.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Motsay who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

 

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced a Frederick, Maryland, man to federal prison in connection with firearms charges.

Jonathan Drew Bartgis, 26, received a sentence of 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for firearms trafficking and unlawful possession of a machinegun. 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) – Washington Division; Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); and Interim Chief Kevin Meyer, Frederick Police Department (FPD).

According to the guilty plea, USPIS and ATF began investigating a channel on the social media application Telegram that advertised the sale of firearms and machinegun conversion devices, also known as “Glock switches.” These devices are designed to convert semi-automatic Glock-style pistols into fully automatic firearms.  Through investigative efforts, postal inspectors identified a parcel inbound to Frederick, Maryland, that investigators believed contained a firearm sold on this channel. After obtaining a warrant to search the parcel, postal inspectors recovered a Glock 23, .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, and 30 rounds of ammunition. The parcel was addressed to Bartgis’s residence.

After executing the search warrant, law enforcement recovered an additional Glock 29, 10mm semi-automatic firearm, and three machinegun conversion devices, or “Glock switches.”  Inside Bartgis’s bedroom, law enforcement also recovered more than 400 rounds of ammunition; multiple cases for Glock handguns; several unloaded and loaded firearm magazines; assorted firearm parts, accessories, and manufacturing tools, including empty boxes for privately made firearms, referred to as “ghost guns.”

Additionally, postal inspectors recovered $21,660 in United States currency and Bartgis’s cellular telephone.  On the phone, postal inspectors located conversations between Bartgis and others regarding the illegal purchase of the recovered firearms and other discussions about trafficking additional firearms and Glock switches.  Bartgis has a prior felony conviction and is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS, ATF, and FPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Rigney who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md  and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – An Aberdeen, Maryland, woman pled guilty in federal court today, to child sexual exploitation charges.

Ashley Graybeal, 27, is charged with sex trafficking a child, sexually exploiting a child, and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office; Alison M. Healey, Harford County State's Attorney; and Sheriff Jeff Gahler, Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the plea agreement, beginning in January 2025, Graybeal began using her Kik account to contact other Kik users. Graybeal offered other Kik users sexually explicit images of two minor victims, or to perform sex acts with the two children via livestream, in exchange for money. Graybeal then sent sexually explicit images of the two children to other Kik users and received payment for those images through an online banking app.  The images were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through their Cybertipline, in February 2025, and law enforcement acted quickly to intervene and recover the two children.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

Graybeal faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years for Sexual Exploitation of a Child as well as up to lifetime supervised release and lifetime registration as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, Harford County State's Attorney’s Office, and Harford County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn and Reema Sood who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A Hanover, Maryland, man entered a guilty plea in federal court today, in connection with charges stemming from his attempt to join and fight for ISIS.

Michael Sam Teekaye, Jr., 22, pled guilty to attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI - Baltimore Field Office.

According to the plea agreement, between March and April 2023, Teekaye engaged in multiple conversations with an undercover officer (UCO). During these conversations, Teekaye told the UCO he wanted to travel to Africa to join ISIS as a “mujahid,” or fighter.  Teekaye also told the UCO that his “plan B” was to carry out an attack in the United States against Jews and people who support Israel.  He said that he researched buildings close to him that support Israel and thought about how to “gun down key members or anyone involved.”

On three occasions in May and June 2024, Teekaye purchased ammunition and range time at a shooting range in Severn, Maryland, which he later told the UCO was part of his “training.”  In July 2024, Teekaye attempted to purchase a Kalashnikov K-9 9mm assault rifle, but since Teekaye was on probation in a state criminal case, the purchase was denied.

“Teekaye aspired to become an ISIS fighter to unleash attacks on the homeland. He took real-world steps to carry out a terrorist attack in Maryland, including attempting to purchase an assault rifle and researching locations where he could kill Jews and supporters of Israel,” Hayes said. “Thanks to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, we stopped Teekaye before he could harm anyone. There is no margin for error when it comes to terrorism.”

“Michael Teekaye spent years maliciously plotting to join ISIS and murder Americans. His evil plans failed thanks to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Their swift action and coordination stopped Teekaye from carrying out his deadly plans against Americans,” Paul said. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to protecting our nation.”

During conversations with the UCO between August and October 2024, Teekaye told the UCO that he engaged with a Somali ISIS fighter regarding his plans to travel to Somalia to join ISIS.  Teekaye explained that first, he would fly to Turkey, then travel to Ethiopia, and then cross the border into Somalia.  He sent the UCO screenshots of an Ethiopian e-Visa he obtained from the ISIS fighter. On October 4, 2024, Teekaye told the UCO that he received airline tickets from the ISIS fighter.  He also sent the UCO screenshots of his travel itinerary showing that he planned to depart from Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) on October 14, and fly to Istanbul, Turkey, with a layover in London.

Then on October 10, Teekaye sent the UCO a photo of himself wearing a black mask and holding a large machete, and he added, “Victory or shahada [i.e., martyrdom] … either you do it here or over there or both.”  On October 11, the UCO asked whether Teekaye was “sure” he wanted to join ISIS.  Teekaye responded that he was “sure” because he had done “a lot of research” and “they are the only group that has the most true and sincere intentions.”

On October 14, FBI agents arrested Teekaye at BWI after he checked in for his flight and proceeded through security.  Following his arrest, Teekaye made the following unprovoked statements, among others: “I’m just gonna get out in 20 years and I’m just gonna do it here. Okay?  Okay?  It will never stop.  Jihad will never stop.  I’ll just do it here then, when I get out. . . . You think 20 years is something?  I’ll be like 40 when I get out, then I’ll just do it.  I don’t care. It will never stop.  Jihad will never stop.  I’ll come and I’ll kill your soldiers.  I’ll kill you, and I’ll kill . . . .”  While making these statements, Teekaye kicked and spat on one of the arresting agents.

Teekaye faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and lifetime supervised release for attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization.  U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson scheduled sentencing for Wednesday, July 8, at 10 a.m.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI Baltimore Field Office for its outstanding work in the investigation and praised the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with the FBI’s Newark and Richmond Field Offices and New York Police Department, for their valuable assistance.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Hoffman, who is prosecuting this case, with the assistance of Trial Attorney Elisa Poteat, DOJ’s National Security Division Counterterrorism Section.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal judge sentenced an El Salvadorian citizen after he pled guilty to resisting, opposing, impeding, and interfering with federal law enforcement officers.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Ajmel A. Quereshi sentenced Cristian Rivas-Bonilla, 27, to time served, amounting to approximately 51 days Rivas-Bonilla has been detained pending court proceedings, for an incident stemming from a final order of removal from an immigration judge. 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea and sentencing to the criminal offense with Special Agent in Charge Christopher R. Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland.

On November 4, 2025, HSI Baltimore Agents traveled to a Camp Springs, Maryland, address to search for Rivas-Bonilla. After observing Rivas-Bonilla getting into a car at a residence, agents activated the emergency lights on their unmarked vehicles and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop to arrest Rivas-Bonilla. Two agents’ vehicles were behind Rivas-Bonilla and the other agent’s vehicle directly blocked his path of travel. Agents attempted to confirm Rivas-Bonilla’s identity before arresting him to transport him to the Baltimore Field Office for processing.

Agents exited their vehicles and commanded Rivas-Bonilla to stop his car. The agents were clearly identifiable as law-enforcement officers as they wore tactical vests with police decals.  Rivas-Bonilla reversed his vehicle and drove onto the sidewalk as he attempted to evade HSI agents. Agents then activated their emergency sirens and pursued him.

Rivas-Bonilla continued to disregard agents’ emergency lights and sirens, causing a chase that reached speeds of approximately 70 miles per hour. One agent drove their vehicle directly in front of him, another agent drove their vehicle on the side of him, and the other agent drove their vehicle directly behind him in attempt to bring Rivas-Bonilla’s vehicle to a stop.

But Rivas-Bonillaquickly swerved his vehicle to the right to avoid the agents’ attempt to slow him down. Rivas-Bonilla continued driving at high speeds as agents continued their efforts to bring his vehicle to a stop.  Eventually, Rivas-Bonilla’s vehicle and two of the agents’ vehicles collided, allowing law enforcement to capture and arrest him.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI for its work in this investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. Hanlon and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Carolyn Mills who prosecuted this case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md  and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted a Perry Hall, Maryland, softball coach in connection with child sexual abuse charges.

Michael Joseph Pusateri, 59, of Nottingham, Maryland, is charged with producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), coercion and enticement, receipt of CSAM, and possession of CSAM.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).

According to the indictment, between April 2025 and August 2025, Pusateri sent sexually explicit text messages to a minor victim, and later engaged in a physical sexual relationship with the child.  Pusateri allegedly asked the minor victim to meet him at local-business parking lots to engage in sex acts.  He groomed the minor victim through text messages and coerced and enticed the child into sending him sexual images. Pusateri also sent the minor victim several pictures of his genitals.

When law enforcement seized his phone, BCPD uncovered over 400 phone calls between Pusateri and minor victim from March 21, 2025, through July 25.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Pusateri faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, with a maximum of 30 years in federal prison for CSAM production; 10 years to life for coercion and enticement; and up to 10 years for CSAM possession.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, and BCPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A Mexican citizen pled guilty in federal court, today, to illegally re-entering the United States, and received a nine-month sentence.

On January 18, 2025, Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) officers arrested Marvin Escobar-Artega, 34, in connection with unrelated charges. Law enforcement then discovered Escobar-Artega was an illegal alien previously removed from the U.S.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea and sentence with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

Escobar-Artega knowingly and voluntarily re-entered the United States for the fourth time, this time on an unknown date and at an unknown location. Law enforcement caught Escobar-Artega illegally entering the country on three previous occasions, all within less than a two-week span. He was last deported on April 22, 2020.

According to the plea agreement, on February 28, 2020, Escobar-Artega first unlawfully entered the U.S. at the southern border, near Donna, Texas, without permission or inspection. On the same day, a U.S. immigration judge issued a Notice and Order of Expedited Removal. Then on March 1, Escobar-Artega was removed from the U.S. and deported to Mexico.

Four days later, on March 5, Escobar-Artega illegally re-entered the U.S. for the second time, this time near Progreso, Texas. Law enforcement apprehended and deported Escobar-Artega to Mexico the following day on March 6. Then on March 10, Escobar-Artega illegally re-entered the U.S. for the third time, this time near Hidalgo, Texas, resulting in authorities deporting him to Mexico for the third time, on April 22.   

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kertisha Dixon and Carolyn Mills who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – A former General Services Administration (GSA) contracting officer’s representative pled guilty today, for his role in agreeing to accept bribes from construction companies.

Lennie Lamont Miller, 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official. According to his guilty plea, Miller conspired with Christopher Brackins, 52, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, to direct GSA federal project work to Company A, which Brackins owned. Miller also conspired with James Tillman, 58, of Washington, DC, owner of Company D, to engage in a similar scheme. GSA is a federal agency that manages federal properties. Company A and Company D are general construction companies that performed subcontracting work on GSA projects.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Department of Justice (DOJ) – Criminal Division; Deputy Inspector General Robert C. Erickson, GSA Office of Inspector General (GSA-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office; Inspector General Platte B. Moring III, U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG); and Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari, Ph.D., U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG).

As outlined in court documents, between 2018 and 2021, Miller and Brackins knowingly and willfully conspired together for Miller to exercise his authority over the GSA contracting process. Through the scheme, Miller directed GSA federal project work to Company A in exchange for cash and other things of value.

Miller effectively paired Company A with prime contractors Company B and Company C to work on GSA federal projects. He solicited and accepted things of value, in return, from Brackins, including cash, checks, payments for repairs to his vehicle, and payments for repairs at a residence owned by Miller’s relative.

Brackins provided Miller with approximately $50,000 worth of money and other things of value. Bribery payments included, in late 2018, Brackins paying a fraudulently inflated bonus to one of his employees. Brackins then directed the employee to pay Miller $8,000 in cash from the fraudulently inflated bonus check. Similarly, in early 2021, Brackins paid Miller $25,000, at Miller’s direction, using an intermediary who accepted the payments through the intermediary’s air-conditioning repair business. 

Beginning in early 2020, and continuing until at least mid-2021, Miller also funneled work to Company D in exchange for cash and other things of value. Miller introduced Tillman to Company C personnel, effectively pairing Company D and Company C together to bid on GSA federal projects. The former GSA contracting officer’s representative then solicited and accepted things of value from Tillman, including cash, a sports car, and moving expenses for his romantic partner.

Miller faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison followed by up to three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman scheduled sentencing for Thursday, April 30, at 2 p.m.

Tillman pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal public official in February 2025. His sentencing is Thursday, April 2, at 10 a.m. Brackins pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal public official, wire fraud, and unlawful possession of a machine gun in April 2025. He is getting sentenced on Thursday, August 6, at 10 a.m.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the GSA-OIG, FBI, DHS-OIG, and DoD OIG Defense Criminal Investigative Service for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo, along with Acting Chief Edward P. Sullivan and Trial Attorney Jonathan Jacobson, DOJ Criminal Division – Public Integrity Section, who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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A former General Services Administration (GSA) contracting officer’s representative pleaded guilty for his role in agreeing to accept bribes from construction companies.

Lennie Lamont Miller, 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiring with Christopher Brackins, 52, of Mt. Airy, Maryland, and James Tillman, 58, of Washington, DC, to direct GSA subcontracting work to construction companies owned by Brackins and Tillman. GSA is a federal agency that manages federal properties.

According to court filings, between 2018 and 2021, Miller solicited and received cash and other things of value in exchange for exercising his authority over the GSA contracting process to direct work to his co-conspirators’ companies.  In total, Miller received more than $100,000 in cash and other things of value, including a sports car.

Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to bribe a federal official and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not been set.

Tillman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal public official and bribery in February 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2, 2026. Brackins pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal public official, wire fraud, and unlawful possession of a machine gun in April 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 6, 2026.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland made the announcement.

The FBI Baltimore Field Office, GSA Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

Acting Chief Edward P. Sullivan and Trial Attorney Jonathan Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel Crespo of the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case.

Greenbelt, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced it filed a criminal complaint against an El Salvadorian national in connection with illegal re-entry charges.

In December 2025, law enforcement received a tip that Juan Carlos Rivas-Montano, 45, was working in Hyattsville, Maryland. After a positive confirmation, law enforcement took Rivas-Montano into custody. Authorities deported Rivas-Montano on two previous occasions.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the criminal complaint with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to the criminal complaint, in 1990, Rivas-Montano, a citizen and national of El Salvador, entered the United States without inspection by an immigration official. Then in March 1999, the U.S. issued Rivas-Montano a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) card. But in June 2006, the U.S. subsequently revoked Rivas-Montano’s LPR which led to his deportation to El Salvador.

In October 2018, law enforcement encountered Rivas-Montano after he illegally re-entered the U.S. near Falfurrias, Texas.  Law enforcement arrested Rivas-Montano and charged and convicted him for re-entry of a removed alien. In February 2019, Rivas-Montano received a15-month sentence in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. 

Then in January 2020, the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, returned an indictment against Rivas-Montanoin connection with several sex offenses. In October 2020, authorities extradited Rivas-Montano to Maryland where he pled guilty to two counts of sexual offense in the third degree. After serving his sentence, Rivas-Montano was again deported and removed from the U.S. to El Salvador in January 2021. But then Rivas-Montano illegally re-entered the U.S. again on an unknown date.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney William Moomau who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – An Oregon man is headed to federal prison for insider trading in connection with COVID-19 and HIV drugs.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Nader Pourhassan, 62, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, to 30 months for misleading investors about his company’s development of a new drug and then selling his personal stock in the company at artificially inflated prices.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva, Justice Department – Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki, Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Los Angeles Field Office.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Pourhassan served as the Chief Executive Officer of CytoDyn, a publicly traded company based in Vancouver, Washington. The company was developing an investigational drug to treat HIV and COVID-19. Between 2018 and 2021, Pourhassan intentionally misled investors about the drug’s prospects for FDA approval to artificially inflate the price of CytoDyn’s stock and attract new investors. He then sold his 4.8 million shares of CytoDyn stock after making false announcements to investors and pocketed $4.4 million.

“Pourhassan exploited a deadly public health crisis to intentionally deceive investors and the public out of millions – all so that he could enrich himself,” Hayes said. “As today’s sentence makes clear, executives who mislead investors and manipulate the truth for personal gain will be held accountable. Our office will continue to aggressively pursue those who put greed ahead of honesty and the rule of law.”

“The defendant lied to investors about a drug to treat HIV and COVID-19 so he could engage in insider trading,” Duva said. “This type of fraud exploits vulnerable Americans, undermines the integrity of our financial markets, and erodes the trust that investors place in public companies. The Criminal Division remains committed to prosecuting corporate executives who deceive investors.”

“Nader Pourhassan lied and schemed to selfishly line his own pockets. He betrayed the trust placed in him as a corporate executive by deceiving and misleading investors,” Paul said. “Not only are his actions illegal, but they also serve to undermine public confidence in our financial institutions. This sentencing shows the FBI’s commitment to rooting out fraudsters seeking to manipulate the market.”

“Today’s announcement should serve as a reminder that fraud related to medical products will not be tolerated,” Iwanicki said. “The FDA will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who place profits above public health.”

In December 2024, a federal jury convicted Pourhassan of four counts of securities fraud, two counts of wire fraud and three counts of insider trading. Judge Xinis also ordered Pourhassan to pay more than $5.3 million in restitution and to forfeit more than $4.4 million.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, FDA-OCI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their work in this investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Adeyemi Adenrele; Acting Deputy Chief Vasanth Sridharan, Acting Assistant Chief Matthew Reilly; and Senior Counsel Lauren Archer, Criminal Division – Fraud Section, who prosecuted this federal case, along with Law Clerk Kerstin Abolnik and Paralegal Specialists Selam Wehabe and John Lee, Fraud Section, who provided substantial assistance.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

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Nader Pourhassan, 62, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, was sentenced Friday to 30 months in prison for misleading investors about his company’s development of a new drug, then selling his personal stock in the company at artificially inflated prices.

“The defendant lied to investors about a drug to treat HIV and COVID-19 so he could engage in insider trading,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This type of fraud exploits vulnerable Americans, undermines the integrity of our financial markets, and erodes the trust that investors place in public companies. The Criminal Division remains committed to prosecuting corporate executives who deceive investors.”

“Pourhassan exploited a deadly public health crisis to intentionally deceive investors and the public out of millions – all so that he could enrich himself,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “As this sentence makes clear, executives who mislead investors and manipulate the truth for personal gain will be held accountable. Our office will continue to aggressively pursue those who put greed ahead of honesty and the rule of law.” 

“Nader Pourhassan lied and schemed to selfishly line his own pockets. He betrayed the trust placed in him as a corporate executive by deceiving and misleading investors,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “Not only are his actions illegal, but they also serve to undermine public confidence in our financial institutions. This sentencing shows the FBI’s commitment to rooting out fraudsters seeking to manipulate the market.”

“Today’s announcement should serve as a reminder that fraud related to medical products will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki of the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI) Los Angeles Field Office. “The FDA will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring to justice those who place profits above public health.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Pourhassan was the Chief Executive Officer of CytoDyn, a publicly traded company based in Vancouver, Washington, that was developing an investigational drug to treat HIV and COVID-19. Between 2018 and 2021, Pourhassan intentionally misled investors about the drug’s prospects for FDA approval to artificially inflate the price of CytoDyn’s stock and attract new investors. He then sold his 4.8 million shares of CytoDyn stock after making false announcements to investors and pocketed $4.4 million.

In December 2024, Pourhassan was convicted at trial of four counts of securities fraud, two counts of wire fraud and three counts of insider trading. At sentencing, he was ordered to pay more than $5.3 million in restitution and to forfeit more than $4.4 million.

FBI, FDA-OCI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case.

Acting Deputy Chief Vasanth Sridharan, Acting Assistant Chief Matthew Reilly and Senior Counsel Lauren Archer of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Adeyemi Adenrele for the District of Maryland prosecuted the case. Law Clerk Kerstin Abolnik and Paralegal Specialists Selam Wehabe and John Lee of the Fraud Section provided substantial assistance.

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman sentenced a Maryland man to federal prison in connection with two cases — one involving drug-trafficking and firearms crimes — and the other relating to identity-theft and wire-fraud charges.

Lawrence Nathanial Harris, 33, of Temple Hills Maryland, received a 15-year prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and also for possessing a machine gun, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense. Judge Boardman also ordered Harris to pay $952,225 of restitution.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).

The fraud and identity theft charges are connected to Harris submitting fraudulent Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act unemployment insurance (UI) claims.  According to his plea agreement, beginning in at least January 2021, and continuing until about September 2023, Harris and his co-conspirators engaged in a scheme to defraud the United States, State of Maryland, multiple financial institutions, and multiple individuals, including identity theft victims. The co-conspirators submitted false and fraudulent UI benefits claims to the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL), Maryland’s agency responsible for processing the claims. Harris participated in submitting UI claims resulting in losses exceeding $950,000, and he used debit cards issued in the names of aggravated identity theft victims to obtain UI fraud funds.

Additionally, Harris admitted that on November 16, 2022, while law enforcement executed a residential search warrant at his home, he threw a firearm and a bag of marijuana from his room.  He possessed this firearm in furtherance of his drug-trafficking activities. During a search of Harris’s attic, law enforcement recovered two duffle bags filled with marijuana as well as four additional firearms. The firearms included a pistol equipped with a switch that converted it into a machine gun.  Harris admitted to possessing the guns and drugs found in the attic.

The District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

For more information about the Department’s response to the pandemic, visit justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DOL-OIG, ATF, FBI, and PGPD for their work in the investigation and the MD-DOL for its assistance.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Joseph L. Wenner, Christopher Sarma, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanay Mitchell, who prosecuted this case. She also recognized the Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for her valuable assistance.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Nichelle Henson, 38, of Baltimore, Maryland, to four years in federal prison for bank fraud and making false statements in connection with filing fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans applications. Henson filed the applications in the names of multiple purported businesses that she previously incorporated in the state of Maryland.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Henson incorporated several businesses with the State of Maryland, including Crowns Construction, LLC; Nichelle Henson Campaign, LLC; One Stop for Services, LLC; Your Friendly Tax Preparation Services, LLC; Women Entrepreneurs Can Succeed, LLC; and Peace of Mind Services, Inc.  Henson opened bank accounts in the names of some of her businesses and obtained Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the businesses.

In 2020 and 2021, she submitted six fraudulent EIDL applications to the SBA for her various businesses that contained false information concerning each business’s gross receipts, costs of goods sold, and number of employees.  At the time of the submissions, none of the businesses were operating, and none of the businesses had employees.  As a result of the applications, Henson received $18,000 in United States Treasury funds from the SBA.

Additionally, between April 30, 2020, and June 29, 2020, Henson submitted six PPP applications for her various businesses. One of these businesses, Nichelle Henson Campaign, served as an entity designed to fund Henson’s run for Baltimore City Council.  However, on May 10, 2020, Henson submitted the application for the campaign, but she withdrew her candidacy back on November 19, 2019. Henson ultimately obtained $998,590 as a result of these six fraudulent applications.

Then on January 19, 2021, Henson submitted six more fraudulent PPP loan applications, this time to M&T Bank, for each of her six purported businesses.  Each of these applications contained lies about the existence of each business, the number of their employees, and payroll paid.

In total, Henson obtained $1,692,840 in connection with her scheme to defraud.  Henson used the PPP funds she received in multiple impermissible ways under the PPP, including for cosmetic surgery, extensive renovations to her home and a family member’s home, a year’s rent payment for her personal home, a year’s rent payment for a new business venture, and to fund other new business ventures. The business endeavors included a used-car dealership, which never opened, and creating a cryptocurrency called Subina Coin, to relatedly, fund an entity called the “Adageyhdi Indian Nation.” 

This case is part of the District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force, a Strike Force that is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

For more information about the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Fraud Task Force for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Wenner, who prosecuted the federal case, and Paralegal Specialist Julie Jarman for her valuable assistance.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – Brendyn Andrew, 34, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, pled guilty in federal court to all charges listed in a 10-count superseding indictment, including SNAP benefits fraud, possessing unauthorized access devices, aggravated identity theft, passport fraud, and witness tampering.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker, U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of Inspector General (USDA-OIG) Northeast Region, and Special Agent in Charge David Richeson, U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) – Washington Field Office.

In February 2025, a grand jury indicted Andrew for aggravated identity theft, supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits fraud, social security number misuse, and theft of government property. Additionally, in May 2025, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Andrew with additional criminal charges for possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, aggravated identity theft, passport fraud, and tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant. Dominique Collins, 38, of Stafford, Virginia, was named as a co-defendant, in the superseding indictment, for tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant. Ms. Collins is scheduled for trial in April 2026.

According to facts in Andrew’s plea, between February and June 2021, he used the Department of Human Services’ online system to apply for SNAP benefits and obtain EBT cards, later found in his possession, using identities belonging to other individuals. Andrew intentionally misrepresented his identity to obtain those benefits.

In October 2022, during execution of a search warrant, law enforcement officers found Andrew in possession of more than 15 electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards in the names of individuals other than himself. Then, in February 2024, Andrew submitted a United States passport application, stating he was another person, and without legal authority, used the social security number of that person in the application. Andrew obtained the passport for his own use. In March 2025, while detained on the original indictment at the Chesapeake Detention Facility in Baltimore, Maryland, Andrew spoke to Collins on the phone and asked her to try to delete an e-mail account to make the account unavailable for use in an official proceeding.

Andrew faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft, to be imposed consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, up to five years for SNAP benefits fraud, up to five years for misuse of a social security number, and up to 10 years for theft of government property. Additionally, Andrew is facing up to 10 years for possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices and up to 15 years for passport fraud. Andrews also faces up to 20 years for tampering with a witness, victim, or an informant.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended USDA-OIG and DSS for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked the Montgomery County Police Department for its investigative assistance and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kertisha Dixon who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted a Laurel, Maryland, man today, for allegedly mishandling classified information.

Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, 61, is charged with five counts of unlawfully transmitting and one count of unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. Perez-Lugones was previously charged by criminal complaint with retention of national defense information. 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Attorney General Pamela Bondi; FBI Director Kash Patel; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg; and Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox, FBI – Washington Field Office. 

Between October 2025 and January 2026, Perez-Lugones repeatedly accessed classified reports, printed or otherwise copied the information in these classified reports, and removed the printouts and information from the sensitive compartmented information facility (SCIF) where he worked. He then transmitted the classified national defense information to a reporter (Reporter 1), who is not authorized to receive it.

In turn, Reporter 1 co-authored and contributed to at least five articles that contained classified information Perez-Lugones provided, resulting in the dissemination of the information to the public. On October 31, 2025, November 11, 2025, December 8, 2025, January 6, 2026, and January 9, 2026, Reporter 1 co-authored articles containing classified information from these reports.

"Illegally disclosing classified defense information is a grave crime against America that puts both our national security and the lives of our military heroes at risk," Bondi said. "This Department of Justice will remain ever-vigilant in protecting the integrity of America's classified intelligence."

“Perez-Lugones allegedly printed and removed classified documents from his workplace on multiple occasions, took them home, and later passed them to a reporter who used the information in news articles,” Patel said. “Protecting our country’s secrets is essential to the safety of our most sensitive intelligence, military, and law enforcement operations. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate everyone who seeks to undermine our national security and hold them accountable.”

“The indictment charges that Perez-Lugones willfully transmitted national defense information to a news reporter, placing our national security at risk,” Hayes said. “Protecting sensitive national security information is a core responsibility of the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will pursue accountability when that trust is violated.  Putting it simply, risking our national security cannot and will not be tolerated.”

“Today’s indictment sends a clear message to all clearance holders that the FBI and our partners will spare no resource to immediately identify and hold accountable those who violate the law by disclosing classified information without authorization,” Cox said. “This alleged brazen betrayal posed the threat of exceptionally grave damage to national security, including endangering our warfighters and ongoing military operations.”

On January 8, 2026, a federal court authorized search warrants for Perez-Lugones’s Laurel residence and vehicle, along with other locations. During the search, investigators uncovered multiple documents marked as “SECRET.”

They also found a lunch box in his car containing a document marked as “SECRET.” Additionally, while searching Perez-Lugones’s residence, investigators located a document in the basement of the residence also marked as “SECRET.” One or more of these documents are related to national defense.

On several occasions, since at least October 2025, Perez-Lugones navigated and searched databases or repositories containing classified information without authorization, including classified intelligence reports or summaries. Specifically, Perez-Lugones accessed classified intelligence reports, some of which are related to a foreign country, and classified as Top Secret. He took screenshots of the reports and pasted them in Microsoft Word documents and other applications to obscure his unauthorized review and access of this information.

Then on January 8, authorities observed Perez-Lugones looking at national defense information and printing it in his cubicle at his workplace.  Agents later found that Perez-Lugones removed his name from headers on documents prior to leaving his workplace.

According to the indictment, the search also revealed that on January 8, Perez-Lugones transmitted photographs of classified documents. Perez-Lugones then wrote to Reporter 1, “I’m going quiet for a bit . . . just to see if anyone starts asking questions,” via an encrypted messaging application.

Since 2002, Perez-Lugones worked as a government contractor in various capacities. Perez-Lugones was working as a systems engineer and information technology specialist for a government contracting company. He possesses a Top-Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information as long as it is essential for performing his job. The Government entrusted Perez-Lugones with access to classified and national defense information since he held a security clearance as a member of the U.S. Navy and as a government contractor.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Perez-Lugones faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison for each count of retention and transmission of national defense information.  Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI Washington Field Office for its work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia McLane and Thomas Sullivan, along with Trial Attorneys Menno Goedman and Brendan Geary, National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, who are prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted a citizen and national of Honduras, on an illegal re-entry after aggravated felony conviction and removal charge.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

Carlos Amador Lopez, 29, is charged with illegally re-entering the U.S. after he was convicted for committing an aggravated felony and being removed. According to the indictment, law enforcement encountered Lopez in the District of Maryland again in December 2025.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

Lopez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for illegal re-entry after an aggravated felony conviction.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Hayes also thanked Jared M. Beim who is prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes announced today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland’s recent prosecutions in connection with the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America.

Hayes announced the superseding indictment and sentences with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow recently sentenced Edwin Armando Sanchez-Montiel, 32, a national of El Salvador residing in Silver Spring, Maryland, to 16 1/2 months in federal prison for re-entry of an alien removed after being convicted of accessory after the fact to first degree murder in Montgomery County, Maryland, an aggravated felony.

Additionally, U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman recently sentenced Cesar Odilo Contreras-Lopez, 27, a Guatemalan national residing in Hyattsville, Maryland, to 63 days in federal prison for re-entry of an illegal alien after a prior removal.

In addition, a federal grand jury recently indicted Willians Elenilson Beltran-Quintanilla, 39, of El Salvador, charging him with illegally re-entering the United States after two prior removals.

These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in these investigations.  Ms. Hayes also thanked the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who prosecuted these federal cases.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby sentenced Isiah Lewis, 35, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, to 53 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a conspiracy and scheme to defraud the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL) and California Employment Development Department (CA-EDD). 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington, D.C. Field Office.

According to the guilty plea, from at least June 2020 through March 2021, Lewis conspired with Michael Cooley, Jr., 26, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and Alonzo Brown, 28, of Richmond, Virginia, to devise and execute a scheme to defraud victim individuals and multiple state workforce agencies, including in Maryland and California, of more than $800,000 in unemployment insurance benefits, and successfully obtained more than $300,000. Griggsby previously sentenced Cooley and Brown to 87 months and 45 months, respectively.

Through the sophisticated scheme, co-conspirators used the personal identifiable information of more than 60 individuals, such as name, date of birth, and social security number, to file online UI applications in Maryland and California, using anonymous email addresses to obscure their identities and avoid detection.

At sentencing, Judge Griggsby ordered Lewis to pay restitution of $310,428.08 to the crime victims in the case and to forfeit money, property, and/or assets derived from the scheme.

This case is part of the District of Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force, a Strike Force that is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

For more information about the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended DOL-OIG and IRS-CI for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bijon A. Mostoufi and Jared M. Beim, who prosecuted the federal case, along with Joanna B.N. Huber, who supported the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.

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Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland unsealed a superseding indictment today, charging three cousins in connection with a tax-fraud scheme.

Daiwor “Mark Brown” Woah-Tee, 52, of Belcamp, Maryland; Dekwii Woah-Tee, 47, of Baltimore, Maryland; and Laiworpaye Woah-Tee, 49, of Nottingham, Maryland, are charged with conspiracy to submit false, fictitious, and fraudulent claims.  The superseding indictment also charged Daiwor Woah-Tee and Dekwii Woah-Tee with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft stemming from a scheme to fraudulently obtain unemployment insurance (UI) benefits during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Washington D.C. Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG); and Joseph V. Cuffari Ph.D., Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security (DHS-OIG).

Beginning in January 2018, and continuing until December 2024, Daiwor Woah-Tee, Dekwii Woah-Tee, and Laiworpaye Woah-Tee knowingly and willfully conspired to defraud the United States and the Department of the Treasury by filing fraudulent Form 1040s seeking tax refunds from the IRS through fictitious claims based on fraudulent material representations.  The co-conspirators identified and recruited individuals willing to become customers of their tax return business and obtained tax documentation and personal identifiable information from those individuals seeking tax return preparation assistance.

Daiwor Woah-Tee used the information obtained from individuals to prepare tax filings with the IRS. Then the co-conspirators filed or caused the filing of false tax returns, which contained fabricated information regarding the taxpayer’s dependents, income, education expenses, and eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

The co-conspirators caused the IRS to deposit funds into bank accounts that they controlled and then caused the IRS to deliver treasury checks to addresses they controlled.  As a result, the co-conspirators obtained tax refunds they were not entitled to in connection with submitting tax returns in which they illegally sought at least $3.5 million in refunds.

Dekwii Woah-Tee and Daiwor Woah-Tee were also charged with wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft arising out of their scheme to unlawfully obtain UI benefits during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The co-conspirators submitted UI applications to the Maryland Department of Labor on behalf of victims, often without the victim’s knowledge, falsely stating that the applicant was entitled to UI benefits.  As a result, the co-conspirators caused the Maryland Department of Labor to deposit UI benefits into bank accounts that they controlled, allowing them to withdraw the funds for their own personal use.  The co-conspirators sought UI benefits in excess of $550,000.

Charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds. 

For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, and DHS-OIG for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys John D’Amico and Matthew Phelps who are prosecuting this federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – Marcus Jerome Hunt, 32, of Temple Hills, Maryland, pled guilty today, to two counts of transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in federal court. Hunt is a previously registered sex offender.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Christopher Heck, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland, and Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Acting Superintendent, Maryland State Police (MSP).

On December 1, 2020, MSP received two CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) from Dropbox, Inc. Dropbox reported that on November 1, 2020, three CSAM video files were uploaded, involving the same Dropbox account, with the username “Marcus Hunt” user ID; email address, which included the name “Marcus Hunt” embedded within the address; and IP address.  The Google account associated with the above-referenced Google email address was then deleted on November 6, prior to MSP receiving the CyberTips.  Dropbox disabled the account after filing the NCMEC tips.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the Dropbox account, which uncovered 40 videos, including the three videos Dropbox reported to NCMEC.  After reviewing the files, law enforcement determined that approximately 20 of the 40 video files depicted CSAM.  Additionally, law enforcement traced the IP address associated with the Dropbox account to Hunt’s Temple Hills residence.

Then on January 21, 2021, law enforcement executed search warrants at Hunt’s residence. Authorities seized multiple devices from the residence, including a Samsung cell phone, an iPhone, two tablets, two USB drives, two SD cards, and a gaming PC.  The gaming PC contained a desktop shortcut to The Onion Router network (Tor) browser, the Samsung cellphone was in factory reset status, and one of the USB drives was reformatted.  Law enforcement also conducted keyword searches for “Dropbox” and the email address associated with the Dropbox account, locating artifacts for the keywords on the iPhone and one of the tablet devices.

During questioning, Hunt admitted possessing a Dropbox account but denied knowing about the email address associated with the account.

Hunt is facing a maximum of five years in federal prison for each count.  U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman scheduled sentencing for Wednesday, April 29, at 10 a.m.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

Know2Protect is a Department of Homeland Security national public awareness campaign to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults and policymakers to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse; explain how to report online enticement and victimization; and offer resources for victims and survivors and their supporters.  Learn more about Know2Protect at dhs.gov/know2protect.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI and MSP for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan S. McKoy and Joel Crespo who are prosecuting the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland unsealed a superseding indictment today, charging two additional members of the Centrales Locos Salvatruchas (CLS) clique of MS-13 in Baltimore, in connection with a Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act Conspiracy. In July 2025, four other members were indicted as part of the RICO conspiracy, bringing the total to six. This superseding indictment also adds a fourth murder and an attempted murder to the list of charges.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore City State’s Attorney; Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).

According to the indictment, beginning in at least 2023, the defendants engaged in a racketeering conspiracy as members of the MS-13 CLS clique. They committed multiple murders, engaged in drug distribution, and extorted victims.

The new superseding indictment details how Manuel Alexander “Snappy” “23” Lara Morales, 25, of El Salvador, acted as the leader of MS-13’s CLS clique in Baltimore since approximately 2023. As alleged in the superseding indictment, Lara Morales and Eliseo Alexander “10” “Zorro” “Terrible” Lopez Alvarez, 23, of El Salvador, who was second in command of CLS, authorized the September 4, 2023, murder of another CLS member or associate in connection with a dispute over drug sales with the gang. On that date, Lopez Alvarez; Kevin “Mickey” “Gemelo” Cuestas, 21, of Honduras; Olvin Josue “Elevado” Posas Alvarenga, 23, of Honduras, and other CLS members found the victim in front of a library, brought him to a wooded area in southeast Baltimore, and took turns shooting him until he died. His body was found five days later. After this murder, Lara Morales “activated” Cuestas and Posas Alvarenga into CLS.

Then on October 13, Miguel “Canabe” Riva Salvador, 24, of El Salvador; Josue Anibal “Flaco” Guerra Ramos, 20, of Honduras; Posas Alvarenga; and other CLS members allegedly searched for an individual who was preparing to testify against Riva Salvador in a pending Baltimore City Circuit Court criminal case. The CLS members located the individual sitting behind his house and then took turns shooting at him, striking him in the groin, but he survived the attack.

Additionally, the initial indictment detailed three other murders CLS perpetrated. In November 2023, Lopez Alvarez, Posas Alvarenga, and other CLS members, murdered a victim after using a fake Instagram account, purporting to be a female, to lure the victim to a wooded area in southeast Baltimore where they shot and killed him. Lara Morales authorized the murder ahead of time. Then in March 2024, Cuestas and Riva Salvador shot a victim multiple times, killing the target on a southeast Baltimore street before both fled in a getaway car. In April 2024, Guerra Ramos and another CLS member were involved in a double shooting of two victims, one fatal and the other non-fatal, on a southeast Baltimore street.

Charges in the superseding indictment are allegations, not a finding of guilt.  Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, BPD, and DPSCS for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. O’Donohue III and Kenneth S. Clark, who are prosecuting the case, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City for its assistance throughout the investigation.

This prosecution 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 Baltimore comprises agents and officers from various federal, state, and local agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland.

Additionally, this case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement.  The FBI and HSI both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know.  You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or you can call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin sentenced Duane Watts, 46, of Baltimore, Maryland, to 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence is in connection with Watts’ participation in an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme involving the use of the personal identifying information of multiple victims, including vulnerable victims, to cause financial losses of more than $167,000. The victims were vulnerable because of their mental status or cognitive impairment.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea, beginning in May 2020, and continuing through at least May 2021, Watts engaged in a conspiracy to defraud and obtain money through materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises in connection with the UI scheme.  Watts also engaged in aggravated identity theft, obtaining the personal identifiable information of real persons and using the information to cause the submission of false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL).

Watts and his co-conspirators used UI benefits, which were designated to assist unemployed or underemployed people due to the COVID-19 national emergency, for their personal use. Watts engaged in multiple ATM transactions, using debit cards loaded with UI funds intended for others, including the vulnerable victims.  One of the vulnerable victims whose identity was used subsequently lost her employment and was unable to obtain needed MD-DOL UI benefits due to the fraud conspiracy. 

Judge Rubin previously sentenced co-defendants Tiia Woods and Devante Smith to 74 and 57 months in prison, respectively, for their roles in the conspiracy.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — a federal law enacted in March 2020 — provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It authorized increased unemployment insurance UI benefits which have historically been a state and federal program that provided monetary benefits to eligible workers.  The CARES Act expanded states’ ability to provide UI benefits for many workers impacted by COVID-19, including self-employed workers or independent contractors, who would not normally be eligible for UI benefits.

The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the CARES Act.  The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts, using prosecutor-led and data analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DOL-OIG and FBI for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys John M. D’Amico and Harry M. Gruber who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced today that, thanks to cooperative efforts between Federal, State, and local partners, statewide violent crime continued to significantly decline in 2025. Homicides and non-fatal shootings are down statewide, including in Baltimore City, for the fourth year in a row.

Since 2021, statewide homicides have declined by 50 percent. In 2025, Baltimore City saw 133 murders — the lowest on record since 1977 — which reflects a 31-perecent drop from 2024, and a 61-percent decrease since 2021. This is only the fifth time the City logged under 200 murders since 1970, and is the first time it recorded under 200 homicides in back-to-back years, since 1978. Non-fatal shootings statewide and in Baltimore City were also down, in 2025, by 28 percent and 25 percent, respectively. Additionally, in Prince George’s County, as of December 31, homicides declined by 41 percent in 2025.  

These declines demonstrate the value of strategic collaboration between Federal, State, and local law enforcement.  In this way, federal resources are leveraged as a force multiplier for the safety and security of all Marylanders.

This dynamic is on display through the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s leveraging of state-funded Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs) to help with the fight against violent crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office partners with the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor, Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City — who provide SAUSAs to work in federal court alongside federal prosecutors — to tackle violent crime.  Utilizing these SAUSAs is directly tied to the drop in statewide violent crime.  In 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked with its State partners to onboard six SAUSAs, bringing the total to nine active SAUSAs working full time out of the Baltimore or Greenbelt U.S. Attorney’s offices.

“The recent decline in violent crime across Maryland reflects what is possible when we work together with focus and purpose,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes. “By strategically leveraging Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys — and strengthening our partnerships with Federal, State, and local law enforcement — we are multiplying our impact and ensuring that the most serious offenders are held accountable.  Public safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to use every tool available to keep Maryland’s communities safe.”

In Baltimore City, SAUSAs, who are funded through grants from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, lead efforts to prosecute individuals who violate federal firearm laws. SAUSAs also assist the Baltimore Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with separate armed robbery, carjacking, homicide and non-fatal shooting investigations. Additionally, SAUSAs actively help investigate and prosecute multiple firearms, narcotics, robbery, and carjacking cases with a nexus to Prince George’s County and the surrounding area. 

As a result of using all available resources, and increased collaboration with Federal, State, and local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is successfully investigating and prosecuting individuals and organizations responsible for committing firearms trafficking; drug trafficking; violent carjackings; bank robberies; gang-related murders — including the murder of a 16-year-old girl, and multiple murders in connection with an MS-13 RICO Act conspiracy —  and other violent crimes.  These strong collaborations have helped drive major declines in violence, and are connected to the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This program brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. 

Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is helping eradicate violent crime while improving neighborhood safety through utilizing the newly formed Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). The HSTF is an initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. It 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.  This includes prosecuting foreign nationals who committed murders and stabbings, along with illegal aliens who sold illicit fentanyl in the state.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Edwin Armando Sanchez-Montiel, 32, a national of El Salvador residing in Silver Spring, Maryland, to 16 1/2 months in federal prison for re-entry of an alien removed after being convicted of accessory after the fact to first degree murder in Montgomery County, Maryland, an aggravated felony.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE-ERO) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to his guilty plea, Sanchez-Montiel was an alien illegally in the United States. In 2023, he was convicted of accessory after the fact to first degree murder in Montgomery County, Maryland. Following the conviction for this aggravated felony, Sanchez-Montiel was removed from the United States after proceedings before an immigration judge. As part of his removal, authorities advised Sanchez-Montiel that he was permanently excluded from re-entering the United States because of his prior conviction. 

Following his removal, Sanchez-Montiel voluntarily and unlawfully re-entered the United States without inspection or permission. On July 27, 2024, ICE officers encountered Sanchez-Montiel in Montgomery County where they took him into custody.  He never sought nor obtained the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for readmission.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke Oki who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – IAP Worldwide Services, Incorporated (IAP), a logistics, facilities management, and advanced technical and professional services company headquartered in Delaware, agreed to pay the United States $810,821.65 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.  

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the settlement with Special Agent in Charge, Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) – Mid-Atlantic Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Greg Gross, Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) – Economic Crimes Field Office.

The U.S. alleges that IAP knowingly submitted false claims for payment in connection with non-conforming goods provided to the United States Navy.  

Specifically, the U.S. alleges that on November 4, 2015, IAP undertook the performance of a contract awarded by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland (the Contract).  The Contract, among other things, required IAP to maintain and support a certain military aircraft, which included the repair, replacement, and replenishment of items used in the repair and maintenance of a specific military aircraft – the Boeing E-6B. The Contract further required that IAP ensure that sources for the Boeing E-6B aircraft material were Federal Aviation Administration or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) certified.  In particular, the latter certification attests that the part, in this case the BACB30LU bolt procured by IAP and billed to the Navy, adhered to the manufacturer’s original design specifications and quality standards.

The Contract also required that IAP screen incoming material against purchase contract requirements and have a procedure for the control of non-conforming material and ensure subcontractor performance, including regarding product quality.  The bolt procured by IAP, and identified as a BACB30LU bolt, was used to fasten parts of the E-6B aircraft and was important to ensuring the safety of the aircraft.  Between January 1, 2018, and October 26, 2019, IAP knowingly submitted claims for payment to the U.S. Navy as if all contract requirements were met. But, in fact, it provided and billed to the U.S. Navy BACB30LU bolts that were not in conformity with the original equipment manufacturers’ design specifications and quality standards in that the bolts were made from noncompliant metal stock, the head and shank of the bolts were machined instead of forged, the head fillet was not cold worked, and the threads were machined instead of rolled, reducing the life span of the bolts.

Enacted during the Civil War, the False Claims Act is the government’s primary civil tool to combat fraud and abuse in federal programs and procurement.

“Companies that do business with the United States are expected to meet exacting standards, especially when the safety and readiness of our service members are at stake,” Hayes said.  “As this settlement makes clear, supplying materials that do not conform to required design specifications and quality standards – while seeking payment as if they did – is unacceptable.  This office will continue to use the False Claims Act to hold contractors accountable and to protect the integrity of federal procurement and the interests of the United States.”

“Contract fraud is not a victimless crime; it is a direct threat to our national security and the safety of our warfighters,” Dillard said. “DCIS along with the Department of Justice and our investigative partners will continue to utilize all available tools, including civil settlements, to safeguard the resources of the Department of Defense and ensure that our men and women in uniform receive the quality products and services they deserve.”

“Ensuring the integrity of the defense supply chain is essential to protecting our most sensitive national security assets and the safety of the personnel who rely on them,” Gross said. “This investigation underscores the serious risk posed when contractors compromise the quality of equipment used on Navy platforms. NCIS, in close coordination with our partners, remains committed to holding those individuals accountable and safeguarding both operational readiness and the lives of those who serve.”

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended DCIS Special Agent Samuel Peyton and the NCIS agents for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Tarra DeShields who handled this case. 

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

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Vanessa Valdez, 42, of Burtonsville, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with an unemployment insurance (UI) fraud scheme.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Troy W. Springer, National Capital Region, U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and Acting Special Agent in Charge Evan Campanella, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — a federal law enacted in March 2020 — provided emergency financial assistance to Americans suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also authorized increased UI benefits.

According to public documents, beginning in at least May 2020, and continuing through at least September 2021, Valdez, and other co-conspirators, engaged in a conspiracy and scheme to defraud and obtain money by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, in connection with an UI fraud scheme.

Specifically, Valdez and her co-conspirators used personal identifiable information (PII) of others to submit false and fraudulent claims to the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL) for UI benefits.  Valdez, along with her co-conspirators, then used the UI benefits, which were designated to assist unemployed or underemployed persons due to the COVID-19 national emergency, for their own personal enrichment.

As a part of her guilty plea, Valdez also admitted to fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds.

Established by the CARES Act, the PPP — administered through the Small Business Administration — along with the EIDL, helped businesses meet their financial obligations. An EIDL advance does not have to be repaid, and small businesses can receive an advance, even if they are not approved for an EIDL loan. The maximum advance amount is $10,000.

Valdez faces a maximum sentence of 22 years in federal prison, including and a mandatory two years, consecutive to any other imposed sentence, for aggravated identity theft.  A sentencing date is forthcoming.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DOL-OIG and HSI Maryland for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Motsay who prosecuted the case.

The District of Maryland Strike Force is one of five strike forces established throughout the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute COVID-19 fraud, including fraud relating to the CARES Act. Strike forces focus on large-scale, multi-state pandemic relief fraud perpetrated by criminal organizations and transnational actors.  The strike forces are interagency law enforcement efforts that use prosecutor-led and data-analyst-driven teams designed to identify and bring to justice those who stole pandemic relief funds.

For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.  Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md  and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach

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Baltimore, Maryland – The Justice Department, together with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced today, they filed a civil enforcement action against Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (Black & Decker) for alleged violations of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the complaint with Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, Department of Justice, Civil Division, and Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman, CPSC.

Black & Decker is a global provider of hand tools, power tools, outdoor products and related

accessories. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, alleges that Black & Decker knowingly failed to immediately report to CPSC information about potential hazardous defects or unreasonable safety risks associated with some of its utility bars and miter saws.

The complaint alleges soon after Black & Decker began manufacturing the utility bars in December 2015, it began receiving numerous reports directly from consumers and through a national retailer. Customers stated that bars broke unexpectedly during use, snapping back at the users, and in some cases, causing serious injuries. Despite notice of these incidents, Black & Decker failed to report this information to CPSC until May 2019. Utility bars are multi-functional tools used for ripping, prying and wrecking.

Additionally, the complaint alleges, between 2019 and 2022, Black & Decker received hundreds of reports of its miter saws’ rear protective guards and plastic deflectors breaking, including reports of injuries such as lacerations to consumers’ faces and fingers. Despite notice of these incidents, Black & Decker failed to report this information to CPSC until June 2022. Miter saws are power tools designed to cut various materials.

The complaint, filed by the Justice Department, seeks monetary civil penalties and injunctive relief to prohibit the company from engaging in future violations of the CPSA.

The CPSA requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of consumer products to report “immediately” to CPSC information that reasonably supports the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard or that it creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death. Black & Decker previously resolved other government allegations of failure to timely report to CPSC, including through a stipulated order entered by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in 2015.

“Companies must not put consumers in harm’s way by failing to immediately report a defective product to the proper authorities,” Hayes said. “We’re committed to holding accountable those who fail to properly comply with safety laws that ultimately protect consumers.”

“The Justice Department, together with CPSC, is committed to enforcing consumer protection statutes protecting Americans from hazardous products,” Shumate said. “Companies must report safety issues in consumer products immediately, as the law requires, to prevent unnecessary injury or death.”

“This coordinated federal action will protect consumers,” Feldman said. “We will not hesitate to use the full weight of our authorities, especially when dealing with repeat offenders.”

U.S. Attorney Hayes thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca Koch along with Assistant Director Zachary Dietert, Senior Trial Attorney Joshua Fowkes, and Trial Attorneys Paulina Stamatelos and Nicole Frazer, DOJ Enforcement Section of the Civil Division’s Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch, who are handling this matter in coordination with CPSC staff.   

The claims made in a complaint are allegations that, if the case were to proceed to trial, the government must prove by a preponderance of the evidence.

For more information about the Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit https://www.justice.gov/civil/enforcement-affirmative-litigation-branch.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md  and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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On Dec. 17, a federal grand jury in Baltimore returned a superseding indictment charging Victor Marquez, a Maryland resident and owner of two IT companies, with a scheme to defraud the federal government that included rigging bids for IT contracts and receiving kickbacks in exchange for influence over IT procurements. The superseding indictment charges Marquez with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and major fraud. 

“As the superseding indictment shows, defendant Victor Marquez and his co-conspirators broke trust with our military and stole millions of dollars from an agency that defends our homeland,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “Two of the defendant’s co-conspirators have already pled guilty, and the Antitrust Division will not rest until Marquez is imprisoned.” 

“These bad actors attempted to enrich themselves by using privileged inside access to defraud the federal government,” said U.S Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland. “This kind of corruption distorts the competitive process, wastes taxpayer dollars, and undermines public trust in government contracting. This office, along with our law-enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and prosecute corruption while holding those accountable who dare to try to steal from our government.” 

“The charges announced today should stand as a reminder that those who defraud the Department of Defense will be held accountable for their actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard of the DoD Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Mid-Atlantic Field Office. “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to protecting the integrity of the DoD procurement process and will pursue all available remedies to root out fraud.” 

“The defendants leveraged personal relationships to make corrupt, under the table deals that enriched themselves at the taxpayers' expense,” said Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will follow every investigative lead to ensure all those cheating the system are brought to justice.” 

“Ensuring the integrity of federal contracting is critical for an efficient and effective government,” said Deputy Inspector General Kevin Gerrity of the National Security Agency. “I commend our team, our law enforcement partners, and the Justice Department for their dedication and collaboration.” 

As alleged in the superseding indictment, Marquez and his co-conspirators used his access to sensitive procurement information to rig bids for procurements for large U.S. government IT contracts. Marquez and his co-conspirators concealed Marquez’s role in the scheme to ensure his continued access to sensitive procurement information, and Marquez received compensation in form of kickbacks for steering procurements to his co-conspirators, who referred to the payments to Marquez as the “Vic tax.” As a result of the scheme, Marquez obtained over $3.8 million in funds that were built into the government’s purchase price. 

James Briar, an IT sales representative, and Robert Fay, an IT sales executive, pleaded guilty in related cases. On Aug. 11, Briar pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks. On Oct. 1, Fay pleaded guilty to conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks and to violating the Anti-Kickback Act. Sentencing hearings will be set at a later date. Briar faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and Fay faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.  

If convicted, Marquez faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for each conspiracy and wire fraud count and 10 years in prison for the major fraud charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

The DoD Office of Inspector General Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI Baltimore Field Office, and NSA Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Trial Attorneys Elizabeth French, Anna Wang, and Ronald Fiorillo for the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean M. Delaney and Darren Gardner for the District of Maryland are prosecuting the case. 

In November 2019, the Justice Department created the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government — federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation and other anticompetitive conduct related to government spending, go to www.justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.  

Anyone with information in connection with this investigation can contact the PCSF at the link listed above. Whistleblowers who voluntarily report original information about antitrust and related offenses that result in criminal fines or other recoveries of at least $1 million may be eligible to receive a whistleblower reward. For more information on the Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program, visit www.justice.gov/atr/whistleblower-rewards. 

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Kamel Hay, 26, of Houston, Texas, to two years in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for involuntary manslaughter. The sentence is in connection with a fatal car crash on the Baltimore-Washington (BW) Parkway, resulting in the death of a 33-year-old man. 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Chief Scott Brecht, United States Park Police (USPP).

On February 5, 2022, Hay was driving his vehicle northbound on the BW Parkway at a high rate of speed as he wove through traffic.  Eventually, Hay lost control of his car, striking two other vehicles, before his car left the roadway and struck a tree.  His front-seat passenger (Victim 1), who was wearing a seatbelt, died after Hay’s car stuck the tree.  An autopsy performed by Maryland’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Victim 1’s cause of death was multiple injuries sustained in the crash.

First responders transported Hay to Capital Region Medical Center, where he told an USPP officer that he was drinking at the Cuba Libre night club in Washington, D.C. After taking Hay’s blood sample, the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner analyzed it and determined it was positive for an alcohol level of 0.12 milligrams; Hay was therefore under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, so it was unsafe for him to operate a motor vehicle.

USPP subsequently examined the car’s event data recorder, which revealed that Hay traveled 117 mph in a 55-mph zone shortly before the crash, with almost no use of the vehicle’s brakes.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPP for its work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ellen Nazmy and Joshua Rosenthal who prosecuted this federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment, charging Victor Marquez, 53, a Maryland resident and owner of two information technology (IT) companies, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, and major fraud, in connection with a scheme to defraud the federal government. The scheme included rigging bids for IT contracts and receiving kickbacks in exchange for influence over IT procurements.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Deputy Assistant Attorney General Omeed A. Assefi, Justice Department – Antitrust Division;  Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dillard, Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) – Mid-Atlantic Field Office; Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; and Deputy Inspector General Kevin Gerrity, National Security Agency Office of the Inspector General (NSA-OIG).

As alleged in the superseding indictment, Marquez and his co-conspirators used his access to sensitive procurement information to rig bids for procurements for large U.S. government IT contracts. Marquez and his co-conspirators concealed Marquez’s role in the scheme to ensure his continued access to sensitive procurement information.  He received compensation in the form of kickbacks for steering procurements to his co-conspirators, who referred to the payments as the “Vic tax.” Through the scheme, Marquez obtained more than $3.8 million in funds that were built into the government’s purchase price.

James Briar, 47, of Manassas, Virginia, an IT sales representative, and Robert Fay, 59, of Stevensville, Maryland, an IT sales executive, pled guilty in related cases. On August 11, 2025, Briar pled guilty to conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks, and on October 1, Fay pled guilty to conspiracy to pay illegal kickbacks and violate the Anti-Kickback Act.

“These bad actors attempted to enrich themselves by using privileged inside access to defraud the federal government,” Hayes said. “This kind of corruption distorts the competitive process, wastes taxpayer dollars, and undermines public trust in government contracting.  This office, along with our law-enforcement partners, will continue to pursue and prosecute corruption while holding those accountable who dare to try to steal from our government.”

“As the superseding indictment shows, defendant Victor Marquez and his co-conspirators broke trust with our military and stole millions of dollars from an agency that defends our homeland,” Assefi said. “Two of the defendant’s co-conspirators have already pled guilty, and the Antitrust Division will not rest until Marquez is imprisoned.”

“The charges announced today should stand as a reminder that those who defraud the Department of Defense will be held accountable for their actions,” Dillard said. “The Defense Criminal Investigative Service is committed to protecting the integrity of the DoD procurement process and will pursue all available remedies to root out fraud.”

“The defendants leveraged personal relationships to make corrupt, under the table deals that enriched themselves at the taxpayers' expense,” Paul said. “The FBI and our partners will follow every investigative lead to ensure all those cheating the system are brought to justice.”

“Ensuring the integrity of federal contracting is critical for an efficient and effective government,” Gerrity said. “I commend our team, our law enforcement partners, and the Justice Department for their dedication and collaboration.”

If convicted, Marquez faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each conspiracy and wire fraud count and 10 years for the major fraud charge.

Briar faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, for his role, and Fay faces a maximum 10-year sentence. Sentencing dates are forthcoming.

A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DCIS, FBI, and NSA-OIG who investigated this case. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean R. Delaney and Darren S. Gardner, and Trial Attorneys Elizabeth French, Anna Wang, and Ron Fiorillo, Department of Justice Antitrust Division – Washington Criminal Section, who are prosecuting this case.

In November 2019, the Justice Department created the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), a joint law enforcement effort to combat antitrust crimes and related fraudulent schemes that impact government procurement, grant and program funding at all levels of government—federal, state and local. To learn more about the PCSF, or to report information on bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation and other anticompetitive conduct related to government spending, go to justice.gov/procurement-collusion-strike-force.

Anyone with information in connection with this investigation can contact the PCSF at the link listed above. Whistleblowers who voluntarily report original information about antitrust and related offenses that result in criminal fines or other recoveries of at least $1 million may be eligible to receive a whistleblower reward. For more information on the Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program, visit justice.gov/atr/whistleblower-rewards.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced today, an indictment in connection with the Department of Justice’s Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. This nationwide crackdown resulted in law enforcement locating more than 205 child victims and arresting more than 293 child sexual abuse offenders. During a two-week span, all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney offices partnered to execute this coordinated effort around the country.

In Maryland, a federal grand jury indicted Christopher Alexander Watts, 27, of Mount Rainier, Maryland, charging him with four counts of producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Attorney General Pamela Bondi; FBI Director Kash Patel; and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

“We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice,” Bondi said. “Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes."

“Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable,” Patel said. “This year, the FBI has led multiple nationwide surges across the U.S. to find and arrest hundreds of child predators. We will not stop until every child can live a life free of exploitation. We will utilize the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners to protect communities across the nation from such horrific crimes.”

“The results of this coordinated effort underscore the power of teamwork and collaboration. Through Operation Relentless Justice, the United States Attorney’s Office in Maryland helped advance the Department’s mandate to track down those who exploit or abuse our children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” Hayes said.  “We’re committed to continuing to work closely with our community and law-enforcement partners to ensure that predators are held accountable as we relentlessly pursue justice for every victim.”

“The investigative efforts and collaboration by FBI Baltimore’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force truly are relentless,” Paul said. “In addition to Watts’ indictment in Maryland, the task force secured another 14 federal, state, and local arrests of subjects tied to child exploitation during Operation Relentless Justice. This operation is yet another example of the FBI’s commitment to hold those abusing children fully accountable by working with our law enforcement partners at all levels of government.”

Those arrested allegedly committed various crimes, including producing, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking. Some of the alleged offenders include an airman out of Dallas, TX, who was arrested with his wife for producing CSAM, as well as police officer from Raleigh, NC, who distributed CSAM to an undercover officer while discussing his interest in engaging in sexual contact with children. In another case involving the enticement of a minor, the Miami Field Office arrested a Guatemalan National who was previously deported in 2011, and was previously arrested for battery, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed weapon.

As sextortion cases continue to rise, this operation highlights arrests of individuals who target vulnerable children online to include the five leaders of Greggy’s Cult, as well as a Virginia man who persuaded a 14-year-old to produce CSAM.  The victim attempted suicide after he allegedly told her to kill herself.  

This effort follows two other successful operations, including Operation Restore Justice in May which resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders, including two from the District of Maryland, and Operation Enduring Justice in August which resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders, including one from the District of Maryland.

The FBI's Victim Services Division (VSD) assisted victims during this operation and provided services, to include forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD's mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.

These operations underscore the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

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

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Three men received life sentences, today, for federal conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving murders, attempted murders, and drug trafficking, as well as murder in aid of racketeering charges. Wilson Arturo “Humilde” “Marco Saravia” Constanza-Galdomez, 26, of El Salvador; Edis Omar “Little Felon” Valenzuela-Rodriguez, 24, of Honduras; and Jonathan “Truney” Pesquera-Puerto, 24, all received the mandatory sentence.  

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentences with Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti, Justice Department, Criminal Division; Acting Assistant Director Rebecca Day, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Criminal Investigative Division; and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI – Baltimore Field Office.

This case targeted the violent activities of MS-13, a transnational criminal organization composed primarily of immigrants or descendants of immigrants from Central America, with members operating in Maryland and throughout the United States. MS-13 members are organized in “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region. The defendants, all MS-13 members and associates, were required to commit acts of violence to increase their status and rank within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, MS-13 maintained a rivalry with the 18th Street Gang, among others.

“These ruthless individuals displayed a total lack of humanity and regard for life, including murdering a 16-year-old girl, all to advance their standing within a transnational criminal organization. Now they’ll spend the rest of their lives behind bars where they belong,” Hayes said. “We, along with our law-enforcement partners, are committed to dismantling the MS-13 gang, and other lawless organizations, and holding criminals accountable who thrive on committing murders and terrorizing our communities.”

“These defendants committed brutal violence — including murdering and stabbing young women and girls — to fuel their respective climbs up the MS-13 organization,” Galeotti said. “These acts, often carried out with machetes, spread fear and terror throughout the community.  As today’s life sentences reflect, the Criminal Division will be relentless in its pursuit of MS-13 leaders, members and associates, to restore a sense of safety and security to neighborhoods throughout the United States.”

"The horrific acts of violence carried out by these MS-13 members are indefensible and demonstrates a complete disregard for human life," Day said. “The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to relentlessly pursue members and associates of MS-13 and obtain justice for the victims of their crimes."

“No measure of justice will equal the weight of their crimes, but their life sentences mean these ruthless killers will never be free again,” Paul said. “I am thankful for the hard work and collaboration between the local police, federal investigators and prosecutors which ultimately brought about all three arrests and convictions for these brutal crimes.”

Constanza-Galdomez and Pesquera-Puerto were members or associates of the Carlington Locos Salvatrucha (CALS) clique, and Valenzuela-Rodriguez was a member of the Huntington Criminales Locos Salvatrucha (HCLS) clique. From June 2019 through at least October 2021, the defendants participated in the racketeering activities of MS-13, including two murders, four attempted murders, and witness tampering.

On April 25, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Valenzuela-Rodriguez, and other members and associates of MS-13 conspired to assault a man whom they suspected was a rival gang member. That same day, they assaulted the victim in Baltimore by striking him with machetes multiple times, causing injuries to the victim’s face and arm. Afterward, those involved reported the incident to MS-13 leadership in El Salvador to gain credit and increase their status.

Then on May 29, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Valenzuela-Rodriguez, Pesquera-Puerto, and other members and associates of MS-13 lured a 16-year-old girl whom they suspected of associating with rival gang members, to an area near Loch Raven Reservoir in Cockeysville, Maryland. There they struck her with a machete and stabbed her multiple times, murdering her. After the murder, members and associates of MS-13 reported the murder to MS-13 leadership to get credit for participating in the murder and to increase their status within MS-13.

On June 5, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Valenzuela-Rodriguez, and other MS-13 members and associates lured another female, whom they suspected was a rival gang member that cooperated with law enforcement, to an area near the CSX Bayview Train Yard in Baltimore, Maryland. There, the gang stabbed her 143 times, killing her and leaving her body near the train tracks. They again reported the murder to MS-13 leadership.

Then on June 6, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Pesquera-Puerto, and other MS-13 members and associates confronted a man, who had prior confrontations with the gang, and his girlfriend, the sister of one of the prior murder victims. Constanza-Galdomez and other members and associates ordered younger members to bring the female victim to the same train tracks where her sister was murdered. The younger members stabbed her over 70 times. All three defendants stabbed the male victim multiple times. Both victims survived the attacks.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore City Police Department, and United States Marshal’s Service for their work in the investigation, along with the offices of Ivan J. Bates, Baltimore City State’s Attorney, and Scott Shellenberger, Baltimore County State’s Attorney, for their valuable assistance with this case. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney James Wallner, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, and Trial Attorneys Grace Bowen and Chrisopher Taylor, Justice Department – Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, who 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and HSI both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Wilson Arturo Constanza-Galdomez, also known as Humilde, also known as Marco Saravia, 26, of El Salvador, Edis Omar Valenzuela-Rodriguez, also known as Little Felon, 24, of Honduras, and Jonathan Pesquera-Puerto, also known as Truney, 24, of Honduras were each sentenced today to life in prison for their convictions at trial of Racketeering (RICO) Conspiracy involving murder and Racketeering Murder, all related to their association with La Mara Salvatrucha, commonly known as MS-13, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

“These defendants committed brutal violence — including murdering and stabbing young women and girls — to fuel their respective climbs up the MS-13 organization,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These acts, often carried out with machetes, spread fear and terror throughout the community.  As today’s life sentences reflect, the Criminal Division will be relentless in its pursuit of MS-13 leaders, members and associates, to restore a sense of safety and security to neighborhoods throughout the United States.”

“These ruthless individuals displayed a total lack of humanity and regard for life, including murdering a 16-year-old girl, all to advance their standing within a transnational criminal organization,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O Hayes for the District of Maryland. “Now they’ll spend the rest of their lives behind bars where they belong. We, along with our law-enforcement partners, are committed to dismantling the MS-13 gang, and other lawless organizations, and holding criminals accountable who thrive on committing murders and terrorizing our communities.”

"The horrific acts of violence carried out by these MS-13 members are indefensible and demonstrates a complete disregard for human life," said Acting Assistant Director Rebecca Day of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to relentlessly pursue members and associates of MS-13 and obtain justice for the victims of their crimes."

This case targeted the violent activities of MS-13, a transnational criminal organization that operates throughout Central America and the United States. MS-13 members are organized into “cliques,” smaller groups that operate in a specific city or region, including Maryland. The defendants, all MS-13 members and associates, were required to commit acts of violence to increase their status and rank within the gang. One of the principal rules of MS-13 is that its members must attack and kill rivals, known as “chavalas,” whenever possible. In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, MS-13 maintained a rivalry with the 18th Street Gang, among others.

The investigation led to the conviction of six MS-13 members, including the three trial defendants. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on April 25, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Valenzuela-Rodriguez, and other members and associates of MS-13 assaulted a man whom they suspected of being a rival gang member by repeatedly striking him with machetes, resulting in significant injuries to the victim’s face and arm. Afterward, those involved reported the incident to MS-13 leadership in El Salvador to gain credit and increase their status.

On May 29, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Valenzuela-Rodriguez, Pesquera-Puerto, and other members and associates of MS-13 lured a 16-year-old girl, whom they suspected of associating with rival gang members, to an area near Loch Raven Reservoir in Cockeysville, Maryland. There, they struck her with a machete and stabbed her multiple times, murdering her. They then reported it to MS-13 leadership.

On June 5, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Valenzuela-Rodriguez and other MS-13 members and associates lured another female, whom they suspected was a rival gang member that cooperated with law enforcement, to an area near the CSX Bayview Train Yard in Baltimore, Maryland. There, the gang stabbed her 143 times, killing her and leaving her body near the train tracks. They again reported the murder to MS-13 leadership.

On June 6, 2020, Constanza-Galdomez, Pesquera-Puerto, and other MS-13 members and associates confronted a man, who had had prior disputes with the gang, and his girlfriend, who was the sister of one of the prior murder victims. Constanza-Galdomez and other members and associates ordered younger MS-13 members to bring the female victim to the same train tracks where her sister had been murdered. There, the younger members stabbed her over 70 times. All three defendants stabbed the male victim multiple times. Both victims survived the attacks.

The FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Baltimore County Police Department, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Grace Bowen and Christopher Taylor of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Wallner for the District of Maryland 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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

Anyone with information about MS-13 is encouraged to provide their tips to law enforcement. The FBI and HSI both have nationwide tiplines that you can call to report what you know. You can reach the FBI at 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or call HSI at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced registered sex offender Scott Lee Dye, 46, of North East, Maryland, today, to 22 1/2 years in federal prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for coercion and enticement of a minor. Dye must also continue to register as a sex offender for life and was also ordered to pay $4,500 in restitution to his victims. He pled guilty to the charge on June 16, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Acting Special Agent in Charge Evan Campanella, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland, and Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Acting Superintendent, Maryland State Police (MSP).

As Dye admitted pursuant to his plea agreement, he used the WhatsApp and Kik applications to attempt to meet and have sexual intercourse with individuals he believed were various minors.

According to court documents, in October 2022, law enforcement learned that Dye was engaging in sexual communications via WhatsApp with a minor after the parents reported the communications to the school, who in turn notified the police. Around the same time, New Jersey law enforcement notified Maryland law enforcement that Dye was communicating on the Kik application with an individual he believed was a 13-year-old girl, but was actually law enforcement.  Dye’s communications with the purported minor included graphic descriptions of the sexual acts he wanted to perform on the minor.  His accounts and devices contained various videos and images of child sexual abuse material.

After his release from federal prison, Dye is required to register as a sex offender in the place where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc.  For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

Know2Protect is a Department of Homeland Security national public awareness campaign to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults and policymakers to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse; explain how to report online enticement and victimization; and offer resources for victims and survivors and their supporters.  Learn more about Know2Protect at dhs.gov/know2protect.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI and MSP for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Aubin who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Greenbelt, Maryland – After a six-day trial, a federal jury convicted Olusegun Samson Adejorin, 32, a Nigerian national, of wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unauthorized access to a protected computer to obtain information.  Adejorin was previously extradited from Ghana in connection with the case.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty verdict with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

According to the evidence presented at trial, between June and August 2020, Adejorin perpetrated a scheme to defraud Victim 1, a charitable organization located in Maryland, providing investment services to other organizations. Additionally, through the scheme, Adejorin defrauded Victim 2, a charitable organization located in New York, by gaining access to employee email accounts and impersonating employees to induce financial transactions.

Among the acts in furtherance of the fraud scheme, Adejorin registered spoofed domain names, which he used to pose as employees of Victim 2 to request withdrawals of Victim 2’s funds from Victim 1.  Adejorin also fraudulently obtained access to email accounts of Victim 1, which he used to send emails falsely confirming the fraudulent requests made in Victim 2’s name. He ultimately caused more than $7.5 million of Victim 2’s funds to be sent, pursuant to the fraudulent withdrawal requests, from Victim 1 to bank accounts that were not Victim 2’s bank accounts.

Adejorin faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each of the five counts of wire fraud, a maximum of five years for unauthorized access to a protected computer, and a mandatory two years, consecutive to any other sentence imposed, for aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang scheduled sentencing for Friday, April 10, 2026.

Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Rosenthal and Darren S. Gardner who are prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Registered sex offender Scott Lee Dye, 47, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced today to 270 months imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release for attempted coercion and enticement after he used multiple messaging applications — including WhatsApp and Kik — to attempt to meet and have sexual intercourse with individuals he believed to be minors.

Dye pleaded guilty to the charge on June 16, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. He was also ordered to lifetime supervised release and to continue to register as a sex offender.

According to court documents, in October 2022, law enforcement learned that Dye was engaging in sexual communications with a minor after the minor’s parents reported the communications to the school, who in turn notified the police. Around the same time, local law enforcement in New Jersey notified Maryland law enforcement that Dye had been communicating with an individual Dye believed to be a 13-year-old girl, but was actually law enforcement. Dye’s communications with the purported minor included graphic descriptions of the sexual acts he wanted to perform with the minor. Dye’s accounts and devices were searched and found to contain images and videos of child sexual abuse material.

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security with substantial assistance from the Maryland State Police and Evesham Police Department in New Jersey. It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Angelica Carrasco of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Aubin for the District of Maryland.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
 

Baltimore, Maryland – Yahya “Cash” Sowe, 42, of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Victor Killen, 32, of Hyattsville, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiring to engage in a large, multi-member, money laundering conspiracy.  As part of his guilty plea, Sowe admitted that he served as a manager or supervisor of the money laundering conspiracy, personally obtained at least $1 million for participating in the conspiracy, and helped facilitate more than $11 million of money laundering, involving more than 12 different victim entities.  Killen admitted as part of his plea that at least $3 million in money laundering occurred pursuant to his direct participation in the conspiracy.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Acting Special Agent in Charge Evan Campanella, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Special Agent in Charge Kareem A. Carter, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) – Washington, D.C. Field Office; and Acting Special Agent in Charge George Golliday, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Inspector General (EPA-OIG).

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland charged 14 defendants in connection with Sowe’s and Killen’s money laundering conspiracy.  Thirteen have now pled guilty.  Faizou Gnora, 28, previously of Alexandria, Virginia, remains a fugitive from justice.   

According to the plea agreements, beginning in 2021, and continuing into February 2024, Sowe conspired with multiple individuals to launder proceeds of a large-scale wire fraud. The co-conspirators engaged in various financial transactions to conceal the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of the wire-fraud proceeds, while carrying out the wire-fraud schemes. The victims included government agencies, organizations, and companies, including an environmental trust, urban redevelopment program, medical center, transportation and logistics company, school district, college, and county government, among others. 

Sowe, Killen, and their co-conspirators used and controlled several different encrypted electronic communication accounts, which they used in furtherance of the money laundering, to supervise and manage the money laundering conspiracy. Sowe, Killen, and their co-conspirators worked with members of the conspiracy to create limited liability companies to serve as shell entities; open bank accounts and/or cause bank accounts to be opened in the name of shell entities; and receive and launder fraud proceeds.

Pursuant to the conspiracy, the co-conspirators often engaged in multiple financial transactions in quick succession, frequently layering wire fraud proceeds in multiple subsequent transactions.  These financial transactions made it more difficult for the victims and law enforcement to recover the fraud proceeds.

Additionally, Sowe admitted engaging in a credit-card fraud scheme in which unauthorized charges were made using a merchant services account.  Sowe also acknowledged that in 2023, he engaged in an attempted fraud, involving false and fraudulent employee retention credits (ERC).  He stipulated that he worked with his co-conspirators to engage in pandemic-related fraud by submitting false and fraudulent ERC tax filings, and that he and his co-conspirators sought more than $1 million in ERCs.

Sowe and Killen are facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox scheduled sentencing for Sowe and Killen for Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 10 a.m., respectively.

In connection with this prosecution, Gedeon Agbeyome, 31, of Montgomery County, Maryland, and Areal El-Lovieta Harris, 24, of Hanover, Maryland, previously pled guilty, admitting to conspiring to commit money laundering.

Additionally, Adanegbe Gift Osemwenkhae, 39, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Emily Gil Arias, 28, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Fatoumata Boiro,  32, of Largo, Maryland; Lawrence Ogunsanwo, 33; Lakeisha Parker, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland; Martin Ogisi, 37, of Severn, Maryland; Blondel Ndjouandjouaka, 31, of Silver Spring, Maryland; Kevin Colon, 34, of Curtis Bay, Maryland; and Lorena Perez Herrera, 29, of Silver Spring, Maryland, previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Agbeyome also admitted engaging in aggravated identity theft and Parker acknowledged engaging in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The District Court previously sentenced:

• Lawrence Ogunsanwo to 40 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $5,648,816.23
• Lakeisha Parker to 36 months in federal prison, followed by three years supervised release and restitution of $8,306,930.95
• Martin Ogisi to 33 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $11,077,044.17
• Blondel Ndjouandjouaka to 24 months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release and restitution of $733,941.48
• Kevin Colon to 27 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release and restitution of $2,515,159.63

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the HSI-led Document and Benefit Fraud/Mid-Atlantic El Dorado Task Force, and thanked IRS-CI and EPA-OIG for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes praised the Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and Montgomery County Police Departments for their assistance.  She also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Gruber, Bijon A. Mostoufi, and Jared M. Beim, who are prosecuting the federal case, and Paralegal Specialist Joanna B.N. Huber for her assistance.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Dennis Allen Hairston, 35, of Catonsville, Maryland, to 40 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for his role as the leader of two violent carjackings. 

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD); Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler, Harford County Sheriff’s Office; and State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office.

In June 2024, after a three-week trial, a federal jury convicted Hairston and co-conspirator Donte Davon Stanley, 34, of Rosedale, Maryland, in connection with the carjackings.  The jury convicted Hairston of kidnapping and robbery conspiracies; two counts of kidnapping; two counts of carjacking; two counts of robbery affecting commerce, and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.  Additionally, the jury convicted Stanley of kidnapping and robbery conspiracies, kidnapping, and carjacking.

Evidence at trial established that from May 3, through August 26, 2021, Hairston planned and organized the kidnapping of two victims. One of the victims was an employee of a check cashing business.  According to trial testimony, Hairston planned and committed the crimes with the goal of robbing the check cashing businesses where the victim worked, and to steal cash and other items of value from the other victim.  Evidence also established that the co-conspirators planned and organized the carjackings of the two victims’ vehicles.

According to trial testimony, the co-conspirators surveilled the victims prior to the abductions, including by attaching tracking devices to their vehicles.  The co-conspirators then abducted the victims by posing as police officers — as they wore police vests, police badges — and using a police-style light bar to stop the victims and their vehicles. Then the co-conspirators brandished firearms, bound and blindfolded each victim, and then forcibly put them into a vehicle.  At trial, victims testified that the co-conspirators used a blowtorch to burn them during the kidnappings.

Evidence established that from May 5 to May 6, the co-conspirators followed one victim from the check cashing business where she worked. The co-conspirators then posed as law enforcement officers and used the police-style light bar to pull her over.  Hairston and Stanley, who were wearing police vests and badges, brandished firearms to remove the victim from her vehicle.  They then handcuffed the victim’s hands behind her back, zip-tied her feet, blindfolded her by placing a mask and duct tape around her face, and forcibly placed her into the rear of a vehicle.  While driving with the victim, Hairston and Stanley burned the victim with a blowtorch to obtain information from her to access the check cashing business where she worked with the intent to remove all the cash from the business.

From May 15 to 16, Hairston and others approached the second victim in his vehicle in Edgewood, Maryland.  Hairston again used a police-style light bar to pull him over. Wearing police vests and badges, Hairston kidnapped the second victim and forcibly placed him into the rear of a vehicle operated by co-conspirators.  After placing a mask over his face, duct taping his face, and stealing his vehicle, co-conspirators burned the second victim with a blow torch to obtain cash and other items from him.

Judge Hurson scheduled Stanley’s sentencing for Monday, February 2, 2026, at 1 p.m.

Two other co-defendants were previously convicted and sentenced for their role in the conspiracy and some of the kidnappings.  Franklin Jay Smith, 34, of Catonsville, Maryland, received a nine-year sentence, followed by four years supervised release, for carjacking and using a firearm in connection with a crime of violence, and Davon Tramont Dorsey, 30, of Gwynn Oak, Maryland, received 15 years, followed by and three years of supervised release, for carjacking and using, carrying and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, BPD, BCPD, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, and Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Budlow and Spencer L. Todd, Major Crimes Section, who are prosecuting this case. 

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md/project-safe-neighborhoods-psnexile and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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Baltimore, Maryland – Kennard Joyner, 51, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute in federal court.  Joyner led a fentanyl trafficking operation that distributed large quantities of fentanyl throughout the Baltimore area.  U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson then sentenced Joyner to 10 years in federal prison.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea and sentence with Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division; Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD); and Chief Gregory Der, Howard County Police Department (HCPD).

According to the guilty plea, in December 2024, the DEA received a tip about a drug-proceeds money pickup in the Baltimore area.  Joyner then unknowingly arranged for an undercover DEA agent to pick up approximately $252,000 in drug proceeds through a courier.

Then in March 2025, Joyner instructed a courier to drop off a bag of drugs to a co-conspirator.  Investigators watched as the courier provided a black bag to the co-conspirator.  HCPD officers then conducted a traffic stop of the co-conspirator.

When officers searched the vehicle, they recovered the black bag investigators observed the courier deliver to the co-conspirator. The bag contained approximately 100 cannisters of fentanyl, 870 gelcaps of xylazine, 20 vials of cocaine, and 21 vials of methamphetamine.

Then in June 2025, law enforcement executed a search-and-seizure warrant at Joyner’s residence and at another location where Joyner rented a room. During the search of Joyner’s residence, agents recovered approximately $277,476 in cash packaged in bulk with rubber bands or in heat-sealed bags, similar to the money provided to the undercover agent in December 2024. 

Investigators also found multiple money ledgers. One of the money ledgers referenced 13 money drops between November 2024 through January 2025, totaling more than $2 million.  At the location where Joyner rented a room, investigators seized approximately 1,975g of fentanyl mixture and 253g of cocaine.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the DEA, BCPD, and HCPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Liane D. Kozik and Assistant U.S. Attorney James Wallner who prosecuted the case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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