District of Minnesota
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Child Sexual Abuser on the White Earth Indian Reservation Sentenced to 20 Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Joseph Daniel Schultz, age 43, has been sentenced to 240 months of imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release for sexually abusing a minor victim on the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“The sexual abuse of a child is an unforgivable crime,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Schultz violated a young girl on the White Earth Indian Reservation, shattering the trust and safety every child deserves. That child showed courage no child should ever have to summon. Two decades in prison stands as reminder that attacks on Minnesota’s children will be met with condemnation and severe consequences.”
Throughout the fall and winter months of 2023, the defendant sexually abused a minor victim under the age of 9 on the White Earth Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation. Schultz’s abuse of the minor victim took many horrific forms and lasted for months. He abused a position of trust and control in sexually abusing the victim. The victim experienced many horrific forms of sexual abuse at the hands of Schultz. In January 2024, when Schultz was arrested for an unrelated charge, the victim bravely disclosed the sexual abuse to a trusted adult. Earlier this year, Schultz pled guilty to Abusive Sexual Contact.
As the government noted at sentencing, at least one in four girls in the United States experiences child sexual abuse. These numbers are starker for Native women and girls: Native Americans are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault crimes. The impact of childhood sexual abuse is hard to overstate. Childhood sexual abuse results in devastating and lasting physical, emotional, and mental impacts, particularly with children as young as the victim in this case. Child victims of sexual abuse are at increased risk of suicide, chronic health conditions, and revictimization. In short, there can be little room for doubt that child sexual abuse, particularly for Native girls, opens a Pandora’s box of lifelong consequences.
The defendant was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge J. Patrick Schiltz. Chief Judge Schiltz found that the defendant was subject to sentencing enhancements due to the age of the victim, the position of trust and control Schultz held over the victim, and the fact that Schultz qualified as a repeat and dangerous sex offender. In handing down the twenty-year sentence, Chief Judge Schiltz explained that this was a “horrible crime and it will have a horrible impact.” Chief Judge Schiltz noted the lasting impact these crimes have on their young victims, stating that the victim and her siblings will “spend all of their lives grappling with the harm committed in this case.”
“Schulz’s unspeakable actions violated the safety and innocence of a child,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The children of the White Earth Nation, and all children, deserve to grow up free from the fear, trauma, and abuse inflicted by Schulz and horrible predators like him. This sentence reflects the full force of the FBI and our law enforcement partners that will be brought to bear to pursue justice for all victims and prosecution for anyone who exploits and abuses a child. We will stop at nothing to protect children and bring child predators to justice.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office commends the bravery of the young victim in this case, who courageously came forward and reported this horrific abuse. She saved herself and likely others from the defendant’s predatory crimes.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also appreciates the excellent work of the FBI and the White Earth Tribal Police, who investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla J. Baumel prosecuted the case.
Six-Time Felon Who Threatened Metro Bus Passenger with a Gun and Caught with a Switch Sentenced to Nearly 10 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Clenest Demon Wells Jr, age 28, has been sentenced in U.S. District Court to 116 months imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release for illegally possessing firearms as a felon and possessing a machinegun, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Minneapolis belongs to the families who ride the bus to work, the parents who take their children to school, and the residents who build this community, not to felons who terrorize it,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Wells is a six-time felon armed with guns and a switch who threatened an innocent passenger on a Minneapolis bus. He is now going to federal prison for nearly a decade.”
According to court documents, a federal jury convicted Wells proceeded to trial and a federal jury found him guilty on all four counts. Evidence presented at trial proved that on three separate occasions between 2020 and 2023 law enforcement caught Wells illegally carrying firearms.
On April 6, 2020, law enforcement officers responded to reports of a passenger wearing a black vest and grey winter hat on a Metro Transit bus in Minneapolis threatening another passenger with a firearm. Law enforcement officers located and boarded the Metro Transit bus at the intersection of Penn and Lowry Avenue North, identified a passenger who closely fit the description, and conducted a pat-down search. The passenger was later identified as Wells, who was found in possession of a black HiPoint 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.
On May 23, 2022, Minneapolis Police Department officers on patrol observed a Pontiac G6 speeding through a residential area and conducted a traffic stop. Wells was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Officers searched the car and found Wells in possession of a black Springfield Model XD9 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol.
On July 30, 2023, Wells fled from law enforcement in a busy entertainment district of downtown Minneapolis while he possessed a loaded machinegun, an extended firearm magazine, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Wells’ Glock pistol was equipped with a “switch” conversion device that enabled the firearm to fire in fully automatic mode. The gun was capable of firing 10 rounds of ammunition in well under a second.
Prior to 2020, Wells has been convicted of six felonies, so he was prohibited from possessing firearms. His prior convictions include multiple felony assault convictions for attacking and throwing bodily fluids at law enforcement officers while in jail.
Wells was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Donovan W. Frank to 116 months imprisonment. When handing down his sentence Judge Frank noted, “The amount of gun violence we are having in Minnesota is just off the charts.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Metro Transit Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David B. Green and Syngen Kanassatega prosecuted the case.
Three More Minneapolis Gang Members Charged with RICO Conspiracy and MurderRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in Minneapolis charged three additional alleged members or associates of the violent street gang known as the Lows, bringing the total number of defendants in this indictment to 14.
“The defendants are allegedly responsible for 10 murders carried out through repeated shootings in public spaces, including gas stations, barbershops, food trucks, and crowded streets,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “By opening fire into groups of people, they took lives, spread fear, and inflicted devastating harm on families and entire communities. This case underscores the Criminal Division’s commitment to dismantling violent gangs and protecting communities from the terror and destruction they cause.”
“The Lows are killing our neighbors, and we’re taking them down,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “RICO charges give us the power to dismantle the violent street gangs that fuel the violence and trap families in fear. Every time we bring one of these cases, shootings drop, neighborhoods calm, and law-abiding families reclaim their streets. This progress is only possible because of the relentless work of our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section. To every family that has lost someone to gang violence: we will not stop until your streets are safe.”
“This violent street gang, the Lows, will not continue to wreak havoc in Minneapolis neighborhoods,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Violent groups don't belong in our communities. These charges demonstrate our overall strategy and relentless determination to eradicate the drug-fueled gang violence plaguing our community. The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue gangs wherever they surface and are steadfast in making sure our communities are a safe place for our citizens.”
“Street gangs have been a persistent source of violence in Minneapolis, and the allegations in this indictment show the toll they continue to take on our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) St. Paul Field Division. “ATF has been committed to this city for decades, and we will continue working to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are prohibited and to hold accountable those who use violence to threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
“This criminal street gang treated gun violence and murder as business tools to maintain power and control,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jason Bushey of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “IRS-CI special agents followed the money to expose how this enterprise was financed, uncovering the cash flow that allowed them to buy weapons, traffic drugs, and sow fear in Minneapolis neighborhoods. By tracing their illicit proceeds, we gave our law enforcement partners the evidence to not only disrupt this conspiracy but to hold its leaders accountable for the violence they inflicted. This case shows how IRS-CI’s financial expertise is critical to dismantling organized crime and protecting communities from violent threats.”
The newest defendants – Marques Armstrong Jr., 30, Davant Moore, 23, and Jahon Lynch, 20, all of Minneapolis — made their initial appearances today in the District of Minnesota.
The superseding indictment charges the Lows with racketeering conspiracy involving murder; using a firearm to kill during murder in aid of racketeering; attempted murder; robbery; and firearms and drug trafficking, including fentanyl distribution. According to the superseding indictment, the Lows have operated in north Minneapolis since approximately 2004. Members and associates allegedly traffic in firearms and narcotics and use threats, intimidation, and violence to protect their territory, reputation, illicit proceeds, and power.
The superseding indictment alleges that the gang committed a total of 10 murders as part of its racketeering activities, including the following:
- On May 6, 2021, Albert Lucas V, 21, shot and killed a victim at a Minneapolis gas station while the victim was pumping gas.
- On Sept. 9, 2021, Kaprice Richards, 24, and Marques Armstrong Jr. stood on a sidewalk and fired at least 26 rounds through the window of a crowded Minneapolis barbershop. The barrage of bullets killed one victim and injured another victim who was inside with a young child.
- On May 14, 2022, Glenn Carter III, 25, shot and killed two victims near a food truck in Minneapolis.
- Just days later, on May 19, 2022, Lows members and associates murdered two victims in a drive-by shooting in Minneapolis, after days of threats and taunting. Lows members and associates located the victim’s vehicle and pulled alongside when it was stopped at a traffic light. Lows members and associates then fired multiple shots from their vehicle at the victim’s vehicle, killing both the driver and passenger.
- On April 27, 2023, Shannon Jackson, 33, and Kaprice Richards, and others opened fire on a group in Minneapolis, killing one victim.
- On Nov. 6, 2023, Jahon Lynch, using a vehicle he carjacked about a week before, drove Albert Lucas V, Davant Moore, and other Lows members and associates to North Minneapolis, where they shot into a group of people, killing one victim.
- On Dec. 3, 2023, Damari Douglas, 20, Davant Moore, and other Lows members and associates attended a party in Minneapolis. After leaving the party, the group was walking down a street when they began firing at a passing vehicle. A stray bullet struck and killed a victim standing on the sidewalk. Law enforcement recovered discharged cartridge casings at the scene from multiple firearms.
- On Feb. 27, 2024, Albert Lucas V, Victor Collins, 23, and other Lows members and associates drove to the area of the Minneapolis Market, and shot into a group of people, injuring several victims and killing one victim.
If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after the consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
ATF, FBI, DEA, IRS-CI, HSI, USPIS, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Trial Attorney Jared Engelking of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and David M. Classen for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Three More Lows Gang Members Charged with RICO Conspiracy and MurderRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A federal grand jury in Minneapolis charged three more alleged members or associates of the violent street gang known as the Lows, bringing the total number of defendants in this indictment to fourteen.
The newest defendants—Marques Armstrong Jr., 30, Davant Moore, 23, and Jahon Lynch, 20, each of Minneapolis—began making their initial appearances today in the District of Minnesota. The indictment charges the Lows, a violent Minneapolis street gang, for crimes including Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy involving murder, using a firearm to kill during racketeering murder, attempted murder, and other gun and drug trafficking, including fentanyl. Ten murders are alleged as part of the gang’s pattern of racketeering activity.
“These fourteen defendants are allegedly all part of a gang that is responsible for at least 10 murders on the streets of Minneapolis,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These murders, which allegedly took place at a gas station, a barbershop, a food truck, and other public places, terrorized neighborhoods. As this superseding indictment to net additional gang members shows, the Criminal Division will not relent in addressing violent crime.”
“The Lows are killing our neighbors, and we’re taking them down,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “RICO charges give us the power to dismantle the violent street gangs that fuel the violence and trap families in fear. Every time we bring one of these cases, shootings drop, neighborhoods calm, and law-abiding families reclaim their streets. This progress is only possible because of the relentless work of our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section. To every family that has lost someone to gang violence: we will not stop until your streets are safe.”
“This violent street gang, the Lows, will not continue to wreak havoc in Minneapolis neighborhoods,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “Violent groups don’t belong in our communities. These charges demonstrate our overall strategy and relentless determination to eradicate the drug-fueled gang violence plaguing our community. The FBI and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue gangs wherever they surface and are steadfast in making sure our communities are a safe place for our citizens.”
“For nearly two decades, the Lows have menaced the north Minneapolis community through gun violence and murders,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI has fought tirelessly to end that reign of terror. This new indictment shows that the FBI will never stop working to crush violent gangs like the Lows, save lives, and protect our communities.”
“Through the relentless efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Minneapolis Police Department, and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, this outcome represents another significant step in dismantling the gangs that have victimized our city—especially in the neighborhoods most impacted,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “For the individuals and families who have endured this violence, today’s result brings us closer to justice and accountability. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting every family and every community. The people of Minneapolis deserve a city that is safe and free from fear.”
“This criminal street gang treated gun violence and murder as business tools to maintain power and control,” said Jason Bushey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “IRS-CI special agents followed the money to expose how this enterprise was financed, uncovering the cash flow that allowed them to buy weapons, traffic drugs, and sow fear in Minneapolis neighborhoods. By tracing their illicit proceeds, we gave our law enforcement partners the evidence to not only disrupt this conspiracy but to hold its leaders accountable for the violence they inflicted. This case shows how IRS-CI’s financial expertise is critical to dismantling organized crime and protecting communities from violent threats.”
“Street gangs have been a persistent source of violence in Minneapolis, and the allegations in this indictment show the toll they continue to take on our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the St. Paul Field Division. “ATF has been committed to this city for decades, and we will continue working to keep firearms out of the hands of those who are prohibited and to hold accountable those who use violence to threaten the safety of our neighborhoods.”
“The line between drug trafficking and violence is non-existent and today’s announcement is another reminder of this fact,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Omaha Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Rafael Mattei. “Agents with the DEA remain committed to our partners in law enforcement to ensure our communities are safe places to live.”
“Criminal organizations like the Lows pose a significant threat to public safety, endangering our communities through murder, narcotics trafficking to include fentanyl, gang violence, and other criminal activities,” said ICE HSI St. Paul Acting Special Agent in Charge Samuel Westbay. “Our agents remain steadfast in their commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle these dangerous criminal enterprises and restore safety and security to our neighborhoods.”
“The expansion of this RICO case to include three more defendants suspected of the most heinous crimes underscores the strength of our ongoing partnership at the local, state, and federal level,” said Hennepin County Sheriff DeWanna Witt. “We are dismantling this violent organization responsible for terrorizing our communities and taking important steps towards justice for victims and the safety of our neighborhoods. Gang violence has no place in Hennepin County and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work to put these criminal organizations out of business.”
“Minnesotans deserve to live without the fear of gang violence at their doorstep—of rivalry escalating to bloodshed,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “It has to stop, and our resolve to make that happen has never been stronger.”
“Stopping violent criminals that misuse the U.S. Postal Service and pose a risk to the general public remains the top priority of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service,” said Postal Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove. “Today’s superseding indictment sends a clear message: If you do harm to our communities, we will find you and bring you to justice.”
According to the allegations in the superseding indictment, the defendants were members of the Lows criminal street gang, which has been in existence in Minneapolis since approximately 2004. The Lows are primarily active in the north side of Minneapolis. They allegedly traffic in firearms and narcotics, including fentanyl, and use threats, intimidation, and violence to protect their territory, reputation, crime proceeds, and power.
The murders alleged in the indictment include that these new defendants along with defendants previously indicted are listed below.
- On May 6, 2021, Albert Lucas V, 21, shot and killed a victim at a Minneapolis gas station while the victim was pumping gas.
- On Sept. 9, 2021, Kaprice Richards, 24, and Marques Armstrong Jr. stood on a sidewalk and fired at least 26 rounds through the window of a crowded Minneapolis barbershop. The barrage of bullets killed one victim and injured another victim who was inside with a young child.
- On May 14, 2022, Glenn Carter III, 25, shot and killed two victims near a food truck in Minneapolis.
- Just days later, on May 19, 2022, Lows members and associates murdered two victims in a drive-by shooting in Minneapolis, after days of threats and taunting. Lows members and associates located the victim’s vehicle and pulled alongside when it was stopped at a traffic light. Lows members and associates then fired multiple shots from their vehicle at the victim’s vehicle, killing both the driver and passenger.
- On April 27, 2023, Shannon Jackson, 33, and Kaprice Richards, and others opened fire on a group in Minneapolis, killing one victim.
- On Nov. 6, 2023, Jahon Lynch, using a vehicle he carjacked about a week before, drove Albert Lucas V, Davant Moore, and other Lows members and associates to North Minneapolis, where they shot into a group of people, killing one victim.
- On Dec. 3, 2023, Damari Douglas, 20, Davant Moore, and other Lows members and associates attended a party in Minneapolis. After leaving the party, the group was walking down a street when they began firing at a passing vehicle. A stray bullet struck and killed a victim standing on the sidewalk. Law enforcement recovered discharged cartridge casings at the scene from multiple firearms.
- On Feb. 27, 2024, Albert Lucas V, Victor Collins, 23, and other Lows members and associates drove to the area of the Minneapolis Market, and shot into a group of people, injuring several victims and killing one victim.
If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy involving acts of murder, using a firearm to commit murder, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after the consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
ATF, FBI, DEA, IRS-CI, HSI, USPIS, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and David M. Classen for the District of Minnesota and Trial Attorney Jared Engelking of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Serial Domestic Abuser Sentenced to More than a Decade in Prison for Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Ronnie Bila Shaka, 44, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 140 months’ imprisonment followed by 3 years of supervised release for possessing firearms as a felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Domestic abusers are among the most dangerous offenders we face,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “They prey on the very people they should protect and in doing so endanger their victims, police officers, and the community as a whole. When someone shows they are willing to terrorize their own family, they have forfeited their right to walk free. More than a decade in federal prison is exactly what this conduct deserves, and it should serve as a warning: we will not tolerate domestic violence and we will hold these offenders accountable before they can destroy more lives.”
According to court documents, on November 2, 2023, officers were dispatched to Shaka’s residence on a report of a domestic dispute involving a firearm. Police ultimately had to force entry into the residence, where they located Shaka along with his pregnant girlfriend and her baby. Shaka threatened the victim with a ghost gun to prevent her from leaving the house.
A later search warrant uncovered five firearms from safes next to Shaka’s bed, along with a large quantity of magazines and ammunition. Two of the firearms were Polymer 80 “ghost guns” without serial numbers that were equipped with machinegun conversion devices (commonly called “switches”) that rendered them fully automatic. Videos located on Shaka’s cell phone showed him firing the handguns with switches outside the residence, with accompanying texts messages where Shaka bragged about how powerful they were.
Shaka’s criminal history is long and violent. He has eight prior felony convictions, and six prior convictions for firearms offenses. His convictions for domestic violence-related offenses date back to when he was 18 years old and include multiple domestic assaults, terroristic threats, and repeated violations of no-contact orders.
Shaka was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 140 months imprisonment before Senior U.S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson following his guilty plea. In imposing the sentence, Judge Magnuson emphasized the dangerousness of the weapons that Shaka possessed, noting that guns with “switches” are not possessed for any legitimate purpose: “they’re made to kill people.” The judge also credited the evidence that Shaka had threatened his girlfriend with a gun on the night of his arrest, remarking that Shaka’s treatment of her was “unconscionable.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by ATF and Robbinsdale Police Department, with assistance from the Crystal Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth S. Shnider and William C. Mattessich prosecuted the case.
Fifth Juror Bribery Defendant Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Bribe Feeding Our Future JurorRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Said Farah, age 43, the fifth defendant charged in the juror bribery scheme, pled guilty today to his role in providing a cash bribe to a juror in the Feeding Our Future trial, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
On April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge David S. Doty for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Two of the defendants on trial were brothers—defendant Said Farah and his brother, Abdiaziz Farah. During the trial, Said Farah conspired with others, including his brother, Abdiaziz Farah, and a third brother not charged in the case, Abdulkarim Farah, to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors, known as Juror 52, in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict in the trial. In total, five defendants have thus far been charged in the juror bribery case. Said Farah is the fifth defendant to plead guilty. All five defendants are currently pending sentencing before Judge Doty. Those sentencings dates have not yet been set.
“I watched this unfold with my own eyes—it was corruption stacked on corruption,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “The Feeding Our Future scheme was already a staggering and brazen fraud. But then came something even more corrosive: a cynical attempt to buy off a juror who stood strong and refused to be corrupted. I cannot overstate how painful this was for all involved. This was an unprecedented attack on our very system of justice. It shook Minnesota to its core. Now we must grapple with how we got here—no more denial, no more looking away. We must not allow corruption and fraud to define the future of justice in Minnesota.”
According to court documents, co-conspirators Abdimajid Nur and Abdiaziz Farah researched Juror 52’s address and other personal information online and via social media, including Juror 52’s Facebook account. Through their online research, conspirators Abdimajid Nur and Abdiaziz Farah identified Juror 52’s home address and found information about Juror 52’s background and family members.
Nur recruited co-conspirator Ladan Ali to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. At the time, Ali was living in Seattle, Washington. During the trial, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis to meet with Nur and discuss the plan to bribe Juror 52. Ali agreed to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52 in exchange for a $150,000 cash payment.
On Thursday, May 30, 2024, Ali flew from Seattle to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. Nur asked Ali to surveil and follow Juror 52 home as she left court for the day. Nur gave Ali a photo of Juror 52’s car and a map of the Jerry Haaf Memorial Parking Ramp where Juror 52 parked.
On Friday, May 31, 2024, Ali attempted to follow Juror 52 home as she left the Jerry Haaf Parking Ramp at the conclusion of the first day of closing arguments.
On June 1, 2024, Ali told Nur—falsely—that she had approached Juror 52 at a bar. Ali falsely told Nur that Juror 52 was interested in taking the bribe and wanted $500,000 in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict. Ali said that Juror 52 wanted Ali to deliver the money at noon on Sunday, June 2, when Juror 52 would be home alone. None of this was true. Ali did not speak with Juror 52, and Juror 52 never agreed to accept a bribe.
Nevertheless, believing Ali’s account to be true, Nur relayed Ali’s account to Abdiaziz Farah, who said that he would gather the bribe money. At approximately 11:03 PM on June 1, 2025, Abdiaziz Farah called defendant Said Farah, informed him of the plan to bribe Juror 52, and asked for Said Farah’s assistance in gathering cash for the bribe. On the morning of Sunday, June 2, Said Farah gathered a portion of the $200,000 in cash for use as bribe money.
In addition to Said Farah’s efforts to obtain the bribe money, a former Feeding Our Future employee who is charged in another indictment with participating in the fraudulent scheme to obtain federal child nutrition program funds, also worked to gather cash for the bribe. Said Farah and this individual obtained the cash from multiple individuals as well as a Hawala located near the Karmel Mall.
On the afternoon of June 2, Said Farah and his brother Abdiaziz Farah met with Nur outside of Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers. Said Farah and Abdiaziz Farah gave Nur a cardboard box containing $200,000 in cash to bribe Juror 52.
Nur then met Ali in a parking lot in Bloomington, Minnesota, to give her the bribe money. Nur handed Ali the cardboard box containing the $200,000 in cash. Ali took the cash out of the box and put it into one of the Hallmark gift bags. Nur then instructed Ali meet Abdulkarim Farah at a location near Juror 52’s house so that Abdulkarim Farah could accompany Ali to Juror 52’s house and record her delivery of the bribe as proof that the bribe money was delivered and that Juror 52 accepted the bribe.
Later that night, Said Farah received the video of Ali delivering the bribe money via an encrypted messaging app. Said Farah later deleted the video to conceal his involvement in the bribery scheme.
“The attempted bribery of a juror is a shocking attack on the fabric of our legal system,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “In this country, justice is impartial, swift, and cannot be bought. The extraordinary work on this case attests to the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to protect the integrity of the judicial process and relentlessly pursue those who seek to corrupt that system.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Ebert, Harry Jacobs, and Daniel Bobier are prosecuting the case.
Austin Woman Sentenced in 25-Year Social Security ScamRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Mavious Redmond, age 54, of Austin, Minnesota, has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison and a year of supervised released for the scheme she devised and executed, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Redmond’s scheme was brazen and shameless,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “For 25 years, she posed as her dead mother to steal more than $360,000 in social security benefits. This wasn’t free money. It was taxpayer money, stolen from a program built on the hard work of Minnesotans who paid in every paycheck. Cases like this are part of the broader fraud crisis gripping our state, where too many see taxpayer programs as their own personal piggy banks. We will not let it stand. We will keep bringing prosecutions until every fraudster in Minnesota understands there is a price for stealing from the taxpayers.”
According to court documents, beginning in 1999 and continuing through June 2024, Mavious Redmond devised and carried out a 25-year scheme to steal the Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits intended for her deceased mother. Through lies and deceit, Redmond fraudulently collected $360,627 in Social Security funds.
From the outset, defendant Redmond’s fraud began with a lie. In 1999, following her mother’s passing, Redmond reached out to the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) and posed a hypothetical—if her mother had passed away, what would she need to do? The SSA told Redmond that she needed to inform the SSA so that her mother’s SSA benefits would be terminated. Despite specifically seeking out and learning the lawful and appropriate thing to do, Redmond instead chose to defraud the government. She did so for more than two decades and at great length.
Over the years, defendant Redmond’s lies and deceitful actions grew. Redmond posed as her deceased mother, again and again. She used her mother’s identity as her own, forged her mother’s signature, and used her mother’s documents and biographical information, including her mother’s date of birth and social security number, on official forms. Redmond would change her mother’s address to reflect Redmond’s own address changes. Moreover, when Redmond needed to, she posed as her mother, both over the phone and in-person. For example, on June 4, 2024, Redmond personally visited the SSA office, posing as her deceased mother, and submitted a fraudulent SS-5 Application for Social Security Form using her mother’s name, date of birth, social security number, and forging her deceased mother’s signature.
Indeed, Redmond’s elaborate and fraudulent scheme prompted the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to falsely believe the defendant’s dead mother to be alive. Based on this understanding, the IRS distributed $3,200 of COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments to the Defendant Redmond’s dead mother’s bank account, in which the defendant accessed and converted the IRS funds to her
In handling down her sentence, Judge Brasel noted as aggravating factors that Redmond defrauded the government for “such a long time” and that Redmond impersonated her deceased mother—both on the phone and in person—before so many federal agents and agencies.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General and the IRS.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Evans prosecuted the case.
Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison for the Coercion and Enticement of a ChildRead the Press Release
DULUTH, Minn. – Dillon Alvan Reyna, age 33, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court before Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan to 264 months of imprisonment followed by 15 years supervised release for Coercion and Enticement of a Minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“No parent should have to wonder if their child is safe at a park,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Yet here, a repeat sex offender in his 30s targeted and picked up a vulnerable child from a Duluth park—a child who had already endured abuse. That is beyond appalling. We are seeing a disturbing rash of men in Minnesota attempting to buy or coerce sex from children. Let me be clear: it is predatory, it is criminal, and it will be met with the full force of federal prosecution. We will not allow offenders to turn our parks and neighborhoods into hunting grounds for children.”
In October 2022, Reyna, a man in his early 30s and a repeat sex offender, met a minor in a local park in Duluth. The minor victim was under the age of 16 and, as Reyna knew, she was uniquely vulnerable and receiving care for prior sexual abuse. For months, Reyna used all manner of coercive techniques to manipulate the minor victim into having sex with him. Reyna gave the victim gifts and rides that were conditioned on her sexual cooperation. He also used physical force during sex, and filmed the sex without the minor victim’s knowledge. Reyna used social media accounts to communicate with the minor victim.
Reyna’s conduct was halted by law enforcement, who tracked the minor victim to Reyna’s apartment building. When confronted by law enforcement, Reyna lied, falsely claiming he had never met the minor victim. Reyna instructed the minor victim to lie to the police. The minor victim bravely disclosed the abuse she suffered at Reyna’s hand to law enforcement. From jail, Reyna later told an associate to delete various social media accounts in an effort to cover up his crimes against the minor victim. Reyna’s attempts to obstruct justice were unsuccessful.
Reyna previously admitted guilt for a separate sex offense. In 2021, Reyna admitted guilt in St. Louis County, Minnesota, for Third Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct – Force or Coercion. He was given a stay of adjudication.
In handing down the sentencing, United Staets Judge Bryan noted the aggravating circumstances surrounding this case.
Hands-on sexual abuse inflicts upon its victim immense and long-lasting harm. That the abuse is inflicted on a child and then recorded and memorialized in child pornography adds devastating dimensions to the harm inflicted on minor victims. As the Supreme Court observed about the victim of a child sexual assault, “the nature of her injuries caused more prolonged physical and mental suffering than, say, a sudden killing by an unseen assassin. The attack was not just on her but on her childhood. . . .” Kennedy v. Louisiana, 554 U.S. 407, 435 (2008); see also United States v. Pugh, 515 F.3d 1179, 1197-98 & n.12 (11th Cir. 2008) (citing extensive congressional findings about the harm caused by child pornography and recognizing that “[i]n light of these detailed legislative findings and numerous legislative enactments, we cannot help but underscore the seriousness of this crime”).
“Reyna’s actions were a reprehensible attack on the safety and innocence of a vulnerable child,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Far from rehabilitation, as a repeat sex offender, Reyna chose to again violate and exploit a minor victim in unthinkably heinous ways through coercion, manipulation, and force. This victim, already the brave survivor of abuse, suffered at his hands and again though the filming of the assault. This victim deserves the full weight of justice to be leveraged against Reyna. The FBI hopes this sentence shows our unflinching commitment to pursuing justice for all victims of similar abuse and sends the message to all offenders—you will be pursued, prosecuted, and punished.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office commends the bravery of the victim in this case. Without her courage, Reyna would still be on the streets, a threat to abusing more children. Now he is where he belongs—in federal prison.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Duluth Police Department, and the Hermantown Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David B. Green and Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.
Latin Kings Gang Member Sentenced to 50 Months for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Today, Jorge Olivares, a/k/a “Stomper,” age 23, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 50 months of imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release for possessing a firearm as a felon, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“The defendant is a violent member of the Latin Kings who has repeatedly shot people and brought violence to our streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Even after spilling blood, he armed himself again, showing utter disregard for the law. The people of Minnesota deserve safety—not shootouts. Whether it’s the Highs, the Lows, the Bloods, or the Latin Kings, at the federal level we will continue to use every tool we have to put violent gang members behind bars.”
Jorge Olivares is a convicted violent felon and member of the Latin Kings street gang. In December 2023, amid high levels of violence in Minneapolis, Minneapolis Police officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. They found Oliveres asleep in the vehicle’s driver’s seat and saw a firearm—a Springfield Armory Hellcat 9mm semiautomatic pistol—on the car’s floorboard. The pistol was ready to fire, with a round loaded in the chamber and twelve rounds in the magazine, and was within easy reach of the defendant. Officers also found more than 6 grams of cocaine in the car. When he was arrested, Olivares was wearing a sweatshirt reflecting his ongoing affiliation with the Latin Kings.
At sentencing, the government argued that Olivares’s unlawful possession of a firearm posed a considerable risk to the community in light of his extremely serious and violent criminal history. In 2018, Olivares was convicted of first-degree aggravated assault and first-degree aggravated robbery, after Olivares shot two victims and stole their car. In another incident recorded on video, Olivares carried out a drive-by shooting of a residence while yelling the gang slogan “King Love” and flashing a gang sign.
At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Ann D. Montgomery told Olivares that it was “scary to look at the record and see the violence in your past,” noting that when she sees “a pattern of individuals that keep coming back” to court and the violence escalates, that “it doesn’t usually end well.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) with assistance from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the United States Marshals Service (USMS), the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), and the Richfield Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Green prosecuted the case.
Former Gustavus Adolphus College Professor Who Embezzled $670,000 Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – James Anthony Kroger, 46, pled guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Donovan W. Frank to one count of wire fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“This defendant was a professor and an attorney—someone entrusted to teach and uphold the law. Instead, Kroger betrayed that trust, embezzled more than $670,000, and blew it on a lifestyle of self-indulgence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “In Minnesota, titles and credentials won’t shield you from federal prosecution. If you choose greed over integrity, you will face justice.”
Between 2019 and 2021, James Kroger, an attorney and, at the time of his indictment, a tax and accounting professor at Gustavus Adolphus College, embezzled over $670,000 from Lone Star Municipal Finance Company, LLC, a real estate joint venture in which he was a partner. To carry out the scheme, Kroger convinced his partner to invest approximately $840,000 into Lone Star to purchase distressed properties in Texas. Kroger managed the day-to-day operations of Lone Star. Kroeger used his position of trust to embezzle most of the invested funds, through transfers into his own personal bank account under the guise of “loans” from the company.
Kroger spent the money he embezzled on extravagant personal purchases. These purchases included large cash withdrawals, purchases of gold and silver bullion, checks to family members, paying off loans against insurance policies, and retail and travel purchases from Amazon, eBay, Apple, Delta, and other vendors.
Sentencing is set for December 1, 2025, before Judge Frank.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also thanks the Department of Justice’s United States Trustee Program (USTP) for their important assistance and partnership in this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and Rebecca E. Kline are prosecuting the case.
Plymouth Man Indicted for Embezzling More than One Million DollarsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Christopher Erik Septon, age 52, of Plymouth, Minnesota, was indicted on charges relating to his embezzlement of more than $1 million from his former employer, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Fraudsters never stop inventing new ways to steal, and Septon’s crime—posing as government agencies in his scheme to embezzle more than a million dollars—was no exception,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “The fraudsters of Minnesota should understand this: no matter how clever the con, we are coming for you, and you will face federal justice.”
According to the indictment, Septon worked for Ellis Properties, a family-run commercial real estate business located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Septon worked for the company from 2010 until 2024, when his embezzlement was discovered.
Septon and was trusted with authority to use company funds to pay vendors, contractors, and other third parties. Septon abused his position of trust to embezzle from the company. He improperly charged more than $800,000 on the company credit card, directing the payments to his own payment-processing accounts. He hid the fact that these payments were to his own accounts by writing false statements in the transaction memo lines, misrepresenting that the transactions were business-related and with third parties, when, in fact, they were transfers to Septon.
Septon also fraudulently obtained “reimbursement” checks from the company for business expenses he claimed he had paid personally, when, in fact, he had not. He used fake invoices, fake emails, and other lies to induce company personnel to issue the unwarranted reimbursement checks.
As part of the scheme, Septon also impersonated government agencies. Without their knowledge, Septon used the names of the City of Minneapolis, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to fraudulently obtain money from Ellis Properties, falsely claiming Ellis Properties owed certain payments to those agencies and instead directing the funds to himself.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits from the fraud were transferred from account to account, then retained by Septon. In total, Septon embezzled more than $1 million from Ellis Properties.
Septon made his initial appearance yesterday. He is charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Forbes is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Guhaad Hashi Said Pleads Guilty to His Involvement in Feeding Our Future Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Guhaad Hashi Said, age 49, pled guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in the massive fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“The conviction of the 52nd defendant in the Feeding our Future case is yet another reminder of the vast reach of this fraud and the scale of the crisis we face in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “These crimes are not isolated events. They are part of a web of schemes targeting programs that are intended to lift up Minnesotans and bleeding them dry. From where I sit, the scale of the fraud in Minnesota is staggering, and every rock we turn over reveals more. We must be honest and clear-eyed about the scope of this problem, because ending it will take an unyielding, all-hands-on-deck effort from all of us.”
According to court documents, from December 2020 through January 2022, Said conspired with others to participate in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and misappropriate millions of dollars in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds that were intended as reimbursements for the cost of serving meals to underprivileged children.
Said purported to operate a Federal Child Nutrition Program site under the name Advance Youth Athletic Development. Said incorporated Advance Youth Athletic Development on February 26, 2021 and listed its registered office at a residential apartment unit in the Central Avenue Lofts, an apartment building in Northeast Minneapolis. Said purported to run a federal child nutrition program site from this apartment building.
Beginning in March 2021, Said and the Advance Youth Athletic Development site submitted meal count sheets claiming to have served 5,000 meals a day to children, seven days a week. Between approximately March and December 2021, Said and the Advance Youth Athletic Development submitted claims for serving more than 1 million meals. In reality, Advance Youth Athletic Development and Said’s claims were grossly inflated and Said only served a fraction of those meals for which he claimed and received reimbursements. In support of their false claims, Said prepared and submitted fraudulent meal counts, attendance rosters, and invoices.
From August 2020 through 2022, Said also participated in a money laundering conspiracy. The purpose of the conspiracy was to conceal, hide, and launder the proceeds of the fraudulent scheme to obtain Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. Said and his conspirators created non-profits and limited liability companies for use in hiding the source and ownership of proceeds of the fraudulent scheme to obtain Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. After laundering the proceeds of their scheme, Said and his co-conspirators used their shell companies to purchase real estate, cars, and other personal items. For example, Said registered Advance Youth Athletic Development as a non-profit on or about February 26, 2021. On or about April 1, 2021, he opened a bank account for Advance Youth Athletic Development. Between August 2021 and December 2021, Said transferred more than $2.1 million from Advance Youth Athletic Development bank accounts to S & S Catering. These payments were purportedly for providing meals and food for Advance Youth Athletic Development to serve to children.
In total, Said and his co-conspirators received approximately $2,906,740 in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds based on their fraudulent scheme.
Said will be sentenced at a later date and faces up to 25 years in prison.
“Yesterday, Guhaad Said pleaded guilty to charges related to his role in a sprawling fraud scheme designed to financially enrich the defendants at the expense of hungry children,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. “Said stole money, falsified paperwork submitted to the government, and was reimbursed millions of dollars to which he was not entitled. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will ensure this fraud stops, and we will ensure that every defendant in this investigation is held fully accountable for their conduct.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets
Child Predator Convicted of Failing to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Following a trial before District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, a federal jury convicted Randy Joe Fuller, 54, of failure to register as a sex offender, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Sex offender registration laws exist for one reason—to protect our communities and our children from known threats,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “When offenders ignore these requirements, they undermine a system designed to keep our families safe. Our duty is to protect children from those who prey on them, and we will use every power under federal law to do exactly that.”
Randy Joe Fuller is a convicted sex offender subject to predatory offender status. According to the public record, in 1990, Fuller was convicted in Fillmore County, Minnesota of first-degree criminal sexual conduct for sexually assaulting a child. Fuller received a sentence of 54 months in prison.
In 2006, as a part of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, a comprehensive national sex offender registration system was established called the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). SORNA aims to close gaps and loopholes that existed under prior laws, and to strengthen the nationwide network of sex offender registrations to protect the public from known sexual predators. SORNA requires that qualifying sex offenders provide important information about their locations and employment to local and federal authorities.
Following his release from prison, Fuller had a duty under SORNA to register as a sex offender and to keep his registration current until 2039.
Fuller did not keep his registration current. In fact, Fuller has three prior Minnesota state convictions—2000, 2010, and 2013—for failing to keep his registration current.
In December 2024, Fuller moved from Iowa to Houston, Minnesota. However, he chose not notify state and federal authorities that he moved back to Minnesota, as required to do under SORNA. In January 2025, officers from the Houston, Minnesota Police Department were called to Fuller’s home because of a verbal altercation; they learned that Fuller was living in Minnesota and contacted federal authorities.
After being arrested and charged for failure to register, Fuller was housed at the Sherburne County jail. On June 30, 2025, while in custody and on a recorded jail call, Fuller discussed the federal charges pending against him. At one point in the conversation, Fuller acknowledged, “I am guilty of failure to register.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the United States Marshals Service (USMS), with assistance from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Houston, Minnesota Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan B. Gilead and Matthew D. Evans prosecuted the case.
Final Defendant in Massive Chicago-to-Duluth Fentanyl Trafficking Scheme Convicted After TrialRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Following a three-day trial, a federal jury found defendant Carl Maurice Brown, 32, guilty of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
In February 2024, a federal grand jury indicted multiple defendants, including scheme leader Ezell Cordero Lucas, a/k/a “Cash,” and trial defendant Carl Brown, with engaging in a Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. Carl Brown proceeded to trial and today a federal jury found him guilty. Six other defendants, including scheme leader Lucas, have pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
“This conviction closes the book on a dangerous fentanyl trafficking ring that pumped poison into northern Minnesota from Chicago,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Fentanyl has devastated families and communities across our state, and this case is a powerful reminder: we will not let drug traffickers exploit our cities or our rural communities. We are grateful to the federal, state, and local partners whose tireless work dismantled this network and helped protect Minnesotans from the lethal fentanyl epidemic.”
From December 2021 to February 2024, defendant Ezell Lucas, a/k/a “Cash,” managed a large-scale drug distribution operation (the “Lucas drug trafficking organization” or the “Lucas DTO”) based in Chicago, Illinois, that transported mass quantities of fentanyl to Duluth, Minnesota, for sale to drug customers in the Twin Ports region. Lucas worked with local drug distributors in Duluth to traffic fentanyl from Chicago and establish a customer base in Duluth. Lucas directed criminal associates from Chicago, including defendant Carl Brown, to travel to Duluth and conduct the organization’s operations on the ground. Lucas, sitting in Chicago, fielded calls from drug customers and directed those customers to pre-determined locations in Duluth to meet Lucas’s drug dealers and complete the sales. During a two-year period, law enforcement seized more than 890 grams of fentanyl and 262 grams of methamphetamine from the Lucas DTO over the course of 19 seizure events, including controlled buys, traffic stops, residence search warrants, and a seizure incident to an overdose death.
Brown will be sentenced at a later date. He faces up to life in prison.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Duluth Police Department, the Saint Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett S. Fields and Syngen Kanassatega are prosecuting the case.
In Landmark Sentence, Feeding Our Future Scheme Leader Sentenced to 28 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Today, United States District Judge Nancy E. Brasel sentenced Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, age 36, to 28 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for his role in a $300 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. Farah was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $47,920,514.
Farah played a leading and role in the Feeding Our Future case, the largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the United States. According to public documents, Farah and his co-defendants stole more than $47 million in program funds by claiming to serve 18 million meals to kids at more than 30 food distribution sites. In June 2024, after a seven-week trial before Judge Brasel, a federal jury convicted Farah of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery, false statements in a passport application, conspiracy to commit money laundering, two counts of federal programs bribery, six counts of wire fraud, and 11 counts of money laundering.
Farah was the co-owner of Empire Cuisine & Market, an entity that he enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program in April 2020, during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Farah was among the very first defendants to see an opportunity for fraud and exploit it. Farah immediately opened a number of fraudulent program sites and began falsely claiming to serve meals to thousands of children per day. Many of the purported “sites” served no meals at all and were nothing more than parking lots or vacant commercial spaces.
Farah and his co-defendants “papered-up” the fraudulent scheme, including by creating and submitting fraudulent meal counts and invoices. Farah was likewise involved in the scheme’s use of phony rosters with fake children’s names. Few of the names on the rosters matched the names of real students attending the local school districts, and many of the names used by Farah were absurd and obviously fake, names like “Serious Problem” and “Britishy Melony.” In addition, Farah routinely directed the flow of fraudulent funds so that his co-conspirators got their “cuts” of the stolen taxpayer money. To keep the fraud going, Farah engaged in a corrupt “pay-to-play” system, where he paid thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks to personnel at Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition.
Farah profited handsomely from his role in the scheme—he personally pocketed more than $8 million during his 18 months of involvement in the fraud. As presented at trial, Farah sent text messages to his co-defendants about their ill-gotten gains, stating “in 7 months if things stay the same you are a multi millionaire with 0 debt” and “Bro the next multi legit millionaires will be me and you.”
Using the taxpayer money meant for needy kids, Farah purchased five luxury vehicles for himself in about six months, including over $300,000 for a Porsche, a GMC truck, and a Tesla. Farah used approximately $4.2 million in fraudulently-obtained taxpayer funds to purchase real estate throughout the Twin Cities and in Kentucky, which included buying two lakefront lots with the aim of building himself a multi-million-dollar home. Farah further sent the taxpayer money he stole overseas, purchasing real estate in Kenya and a high-rise apartment building in Nairobi. Farah laundered the fraud proceeds through China. This overseas money is beyond the reach of American law enforcement—neither these funds nor Farah’s international real estate holdings have been, or can be, seized or forfeited.
In January 2022, when the Feeding Our Future search warrants were executed, federal agents seized Farah’s U.S. passport from his home. In the wake of those searches, Farah retained an attorney and was told he was a target of the federal investigation. Two months later, on March 22, 2022, Farah went to the Minneapolis Passport Agency in downtown Minneapolis to apply for a new U.S. passport. Farah lied on his passport application, falsely claiming his passport was lost, rather than seized by federal agents. Farah obtained a new U.S. passport that day. Less than two weeks later, Farah attempted to leave the country, purchasing a one-way ticket to Kenya, where he owned property paid for by the taxpayer money he stole. Law enforcement acted quickly to charge Farah with passport fraud and take him into custody.
In June 2024, at the conclusion of his 7-week trial, Farah and others attempted to bribe a juror with $120,000 in cash in exchange for a not guilty verdict. Farah and four others were indicted in a separate federal case for the juror bribery scheme. Farah has pled guilty in the juror bribery case and is pending sentencing in that case before Judge David S. Doty. Today’s sentence does not reflect Farah’s attempt to bribe a juror; he will face an additional sentence in that case at a later date.
In imposing the 28-year sentence, Judge Brasel explained the defendant “came to this country as a refugee” and that “many of the opportunities” in Farah’s life came through public agencies and non-profit organizations, noting that Farah received housing, school, a full-tuition college grant, and worked in the public sector. “Given that background, it is ironic at best that, as the government aimed no child went hungry during the pandemic, you saw the opportunity to fraudulently make money.” Judge Brasel continued, “You achieved successes here in the United States and yet you’ve shown utter and flagrant disregard for the laws of the United States.”
Judge Brasel found that Farah’s crime was “breathtakingly elaborate” and that he acted out of “pure unmitigated greed.” She told the defendant, “The repercussions of your crime will be felt in Minnesota and in your community—the refugee community—for a long time.”
In arguing for a long sentence, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said, “This country gave Farah everything. A home. Citizenship. A free college education. After that he went on to public employment with the state of Minnesota. And how did he repay this country and this state? By robbing us blind. He has gotten every opportunity, and this is how he used it. Farah didn’t want the American dream. He wanted to be rich. He wanted to be wealthy. He thought he was entitled to it. He won the lottery of life, he was given everything by this country, and he repaid us with a life of crime. He has done untold damage to this state.”
“Abdiaziz Shafii Farah’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the moral decay that can arise when individuals exploit systems designed to protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The egregious actions of Farah, who misappropriated over $28 million meant to nourish underserved children during a critical time, exemplify a betrayal of societal trust. Today’s sentence not only underscores the legal repercussions of such greed, but also sends a resounding message: Justice will not only be swift, but also unyielding. The FBI, in concert with our law enforcement partners and the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding accountable those who prey on the most defenseless in our communities.”
The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Matthew S. Ebert, and Daniel W. Bobier prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
73rd Defendant Charged in Feeding Our Future CaseRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Hussein Mohamed Farah, the executive director of New Vision Foundation, a non-profit located in St. Paul, Minnesota, was charged by information with one count of wire fraud for his role in the $300 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
As is detailed in the information, Farah used his New Vision Foundation to participate in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme by operating two purported food distribution sites under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. He submitted phony meal count sheets and attendance rosters to support New Vision’s claims. In all, between February 2021 and January 2022, New Vision Foundation received approximately $2.7 million for meals purportedly served to children.
These cases result from an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
Three More Plead Guilty in Feeding Our Future Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Mahad Ibrahim, Hamdi Hussein Omar, and Hibo Salah Daar each pleaded guilty to their respective roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thomspon. Prosecutors have now obtained over 50 convictions scheme-wide.
“This milestone marks an extraordinary achievement by our team and our law enforcement partners,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “For years, these elite federal agents and forensic accountants have tracked stolen money, cut through layers of deceit, and exposed a sprawling network of shell companies and fake meal claims. Their pursuit of justice has been relentless. Because of their work, we’ve uncovered not just one scheme, but a far-reaching fraud crisis that’s swamping Minnesota. This is public service at its finest. And this team is nowhere near finished.”
“The Federal Bureau of Investigation takes immense pride in its pivotal role in securing 50 convictions to date, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to holding accountable those who illicitly appropriate funds meant for the nourishment of underprivileged children,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Taxpayers are entitled to assurance that their contributions will be utilized in a responsible and lawful manner. These three guilty pleas underscore the gravity with which the FBI addresses fraud perpetrated against the government.”
Mahad Ibrahim, 46, pleaded guilty to defrauding the federal child nutrition program through a nonprofit called ThinkTechAct Foundation, a/k/a Mind Foundry Learning Foundation, which Ibrahim founded and operated as its President. Ibrahim partnered with conspirators, including Abdiaziz Farah, who was convicted last year after a jury trial, in connection with program activities under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition. Ibrahim admittedly took deliberate steps to avoid learning the full scale of his conspirators’ activities, which spanned dozens of program sites across the state. Even so, Ibrahim allowed ThinkTechAct to be used to further the fraud scheme, and he received substantial pay-outs from his conspirators in exchange. He also used another entity he controlled, MIB Holdings LLC, to launder some of his fraud proceeds, including to buy real estate in Ohio. Ibrahim’s participation in the scheme contributed to the loss of millions of taxpayer dollars. Ibrahim pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
Hamdi Hussein Omar, 29, participated in the scheme to defraud the federal child nutrition program with several conspirators, including Salim Said, who was charged in the same indictment and was convicted after trial earlier this year. Omar’s conspirators created a fake food distribution site in Waite Park, Minnesota, at a small market in a strip mall. Omar knew and allowed her conspirators to use her name as the supposed operator of that site. Those conspirators then began claiming, falsely, to serve about 2,000 meals to children from that site every day of the week. In all, over a matter of months, they claimed to serve half a million meals from that small, Waite Park market. To further the scheme, Omar created a company called Feeding Our Youth, which she falsely held out as the food vendor for the Waite Park site. She and her conspirators also supported their program reimbursement claims with phony attendance rosters purporting to document the children they fed. Those rosters listed made-up children with fake ages. In all, Omar and her conspirators caused a taxpayer loss of $1.4 million. Omar pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
Hibo Salah Daar, 51, participated in the Feeding Our Future scheme through an entity she controlled called Northside Wellness Center Corporation. In November 2020, Daar enrolled Northside Wellness in the federal child nutrition program as a food-distribution site under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. Daar and her conspirators then used Northside Wellness to defraud the program and steal taxpayer dollars. Northside Wellness claimed to serve 52,000 meals to children in the month of January 2021 and then, just two months later, claimed to be serving 40,000 meals to children every week. Those claims were false. Daar and her conspirators supported those meal counts with phony invoices. And Daar authorized payment of $72,000 in bribes to a Feeding Our Future employee to keep the scheme running. In all, the Northside Wellness claims caused $2.4 million in taxpayer losses. Daar pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
These cases result from an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Mahad pled guilty on July 24, 2025, and Omar and Daar pled guilty on August 1, 2025, all in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled at a later date.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting these cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
Federal Jury Finds Red Lake Man Guilty of Sexually Assaulting a MinorRead the Press Release
BEMIDJI, Minn. – Following a four-day trial, Matthew Thomas McGregor, 35, a Red Lake man, was convicted by a federal jury with one count of sexual abuse of a minor, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, McGregor groomed and sexually assaulted a minor victim, who was under the age of 15, in a residence. McGregor will be sentenced at a later date.
“Sexual violence against children is one of the most devastating crimes we prosecute, and tragically, it occurs at disproportionately high rates in our tribal communities. This conviction reflects our unwavering commitment to standing with our native nations like the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in protecting their children and delivering justice. McGregor committed an unthinkable crime against a vulnerable child. We will not tolerate it. Our office will continue working alongside tribal, federal, and local partners to confront the crisis of sexual abuse head-on and ensure that survivors are heard, believed, and protected.”
“Yesterday, a federal jury convicted Matthew McGregor for sexual abuse of a minor,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Anyone who sexually assaults a child will feel the full force of our law enforcement efforts. The FBI will deploy every resource possible to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. We will work with federal prosecutors to seek an appropriate sentence, and we remain committed to keeping every child safe.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and Red Lake Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office commends the excellent work of the FBI and the Red Lake Police Department in this case and is grateful for this important partnership.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary S. Riverso and Rachel L. Kraker prosecuted the case.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Scott Wayne Laney, 47, was sentenced today to 420 months in prison for production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, between summer 2023 and lasting until January 2024, Laney sexually abused the minor victim, created images of the sexual abuse, and on several occasions distributed them to others on the internet. During the time of the abuse, the victim was under 13 years old.
Laney is a previously convicted sex offender. On August 30, 1999, Laney was convicted in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota, for Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree, based on an incident where he digitally penetrated an 11-month-old infant. At the time of the instant offense conduct, Laney was required to register as a sex offender in Minnesota.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted during sentencing that child sex offenders pose an extremely high danger of recidivism. As the Supreme Court explained in McKune v. Lile, “When convicted sex offenders reenter society, they are much more likely than any other type of offender to be rearrested for a new rape or sexual assault.” And Laney, as a “hands-on” offender, is amongst the most dangerous sex offenders who are most likely to reoffend—a reality that his criminal history has already borne out. As the facts of this case reflect, federal courts are experiencing an overabundance of cases involving the sexual abuse—and recording of such sexual abuse—of young children, owing to the ubiquity of smartphones. At sentencing, the government argued that, as these offenses become increasingly easy to commit, the penalties must be severe. The stakes could not be higher.
U.S. District Judge Donavan W. Frank sentenced the defendant to 420 months—35 years—of imprisonment followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In handing down his sentence, Judge Frank noted that this was one of the worst child exploitation cases he had seen in his many years on the bench.
“Laney is a predator in the purest and most dangerous sense.” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “The 35-year sentence he received is both a measure of justice and a permanent warning to others. We will not allow repeat abusers to cycle through our system and leave a trail of trauma behind them. Minnesota’s children are not expendable. They are not targets. And those who abuse them will be met with relentless, unforgiving federal justice.”
“Today represents the final phase in pursuing justice and bringing accountability to Scott Laney for his crimes,” said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans. “We will continue to doggedly pursue anyone who abuses children, our society’s most precious resource.”
“Scott Laney’s long history of predatory behavior ends today, with a 35-year prison sentence,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Laney targeted young victims and disseminated child pornography. Children in our community must be protected from the abhorrent actions of convicted sex offenders like Laney. The FBI has zero tolerance for such actions, and we are fully committed to combating child sexual exploitation. We will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners until every child is safe.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the BCA, with assistance from the FBI and the Meeker County Sherriff’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also thanks the Meeker County Attorney’s Office for its assistance in prosecuting this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Shnider prosecuted the case.
Volleyball Coach Sentenced to 33 Years for Using his Position to Sexually Abuse More Than a Dozen VictimsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Dorian Christopher Barrs, 33, was sentenced yesterday to 400 months in prison for production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Barrs didn’t just break the law—he shattered the trust placed in him by parents, schools, and the girls he coached and was supposed protect,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This was a deliberated and calculated abuse of power. And it is part of a broader crisis we are facing in Minnesota. Coaches, state troopers, daycare workers, federal agents, and state senators—case after case of people who hold positions of trust and authority preying on children. It is the ultimate betrayal of power and it demands the full force of federal prosecution. To be clear, while I am tired of seeing these cases, this office will not slow down. If you hold a position of trust or authority and harm a child: we will find you, we will expose you, and you will see federal justice.”
According to court documents, for nearly a decade, Barrs used his position as a volleyball coach to prey on and sexually abuse his players and other victims, as young as 14-years-old.
Barrs coached volleyball for Maple Grove High School and club volleyball programs and also coached players in private lessons. Barrs used social media to groom, sexually exploit, and abuse young, impressionable, and vulnerable girls for his sexual gratification. Often, Barrs used another minor’s identity to “catfish” his unsuspecting victims, wearing them down or removing their defenses. Barrs sent hundreds of messages to his victims, frequently steering conversations to sexualized topics in a short amount of time. Barrs was a master manipulator. His scheme was simple and horrible. He built relationships with his minor victims with one goal in mind: his sexual gratification. His gratification came in both the production and receipt of sexually explicit images and videos, as well as sexual acts with at least five of the minor victims. Unfortunately, as he took advantage of his position as a volleyball coach—and ultimately these girls—Barrs’s scheme was frighteningly successful. To date, the government has identified at least 19 minor victims who Barrs victimized in his scheme, 14 of whom were being coached by Barrs.
U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel sentenced the defendant to 400 months—33 years—of imprisonment followed by a lifetime of supervised release. In handing down her sentenced, Judge Brasel said, “This case represents every parent’s nightmare.” She noted that “The defendant abused a position of trust for both the victims and their families.” Judge Brasel explained, “Sometimes sports are the only lifeline for a child with a bad situation at home, which is ironic because the defendant knows how important sports were in his own life, so it’s even more unfathomable what he did in this case.”
“The 33-year prison sentence in this case serves as a stern warning to those who prey upon and sexually exploit children for their own gratification,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Dorian Barrs, a youth volleyball coach, egregiously abused his position of trust for over a decade, coercing vulnerable young girls into sexual activities. The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting children within our communities. We take great pride in our collaborative efforts with local authorities throughout this investigation.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office commends the bravery of the victims in this case. In 2024, one victim told her parents what was happening and then contacted law enforcement. This was the first step in unraveling Barrs’s crimes. More victims then came forward, which allowed law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to piece together the scope of this horrifying scheme and bring Barrs to justice. To the survivors: your courage in coming forward is the reason this predator was held accountable. And your strength protected other girls from ever experiencing Barrs’s abuse.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Carver County’s Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.
Forty-Eighth Conviction in Feeding Our Future Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Asad Mohamed Abshir has pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. He is the 48th defendant to be convicted in this massive fraud scheme.
“This guilty plea is another step in exposing the staggering levels of corruption that have been hiding in plain sight across Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This defendant laundered millions meant to feed children and funneled it into a web of shell companies and luxury spending. As FBI Director Kash Patel recently said, this case stands as one of the most egregious abuses of public trust in recent memory. The people of Minnesota deserve better.”
In fall of 2020, the defendant, Asad Mohamed Abshir, 34, assisted his brother and co-defendant, Abdinasir Abshir, in the operations of non-profit called Stigma Free International. Under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future, the Abshir brothers claimed to operate, through Stigma Free, a food distribution site in Mankato, Minnesota. At the same time, Abdinasir Abshir claimed to provide food for the Mankato site through an entity he controlled called Horseed Management LLC. But the Abshirs did not provide the food they claimed to, and they were not entitled to the taxpayer dollars they received for their claims.
Over the course of 2020 to 2021, the Abshirs fraudulently claimed to have provided 1.6 million meals to children. For his role in the scheme, Abdinasir personally received about $750,000. The defendant used $77,353 in fraud proceeds to purchase a 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali truck, which has been seized and will be forfeited to the United States. In addition, the Unites States seized $424,762.51 from the bank account for the defendant's shell company, Santana LLC, all of which will be forfeited.
“Asad Abshir’s guilty plea underscores a troubling intersection of deception and exploitation within federal assistance programs designed to nourish vulnerable populations,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “Abshir not only undermined the integrity of the Federal Child Nutrition Program, but also abused the resources intended for the nation’s most at-risk children. This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for stringent oversight and accountability in the administration of taxpayer dollars.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Abshir pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
Across-the-Board Convictions in Final Highs RICO Trial of 2025Read the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Following an eight-day jury trial, a federal jury convicted two defendants of all charged counts for their involvement in the Highs street gang, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Defendants Cortez Davon Blakemore, 35, and Robert Lesure, 23, were convicted by a jury of federal RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Blakemore and Lesure were long-standing and prolific drug traffickers for the Highs criminal street gang. They sold fentanyl at the intersection of Broadway and Lyndale in North Minneapolis, which the Highs had taken control of and turned into an open-air drug market. As the jury heard at trial, the Highs is a violent criminal street gang that has long wreaked havoc on North Minneapolis, selling fentanyl and other deadly drugs and enforcing its territory through violence, kidnapping, and murder, including the murders of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. Forty members of the Highs gang were charged in this large RICO indictment. Blakemore and Lesure are the 37th and 38th defendants to be convicted in this case. A final RICO defendant is set to be tried in 2026.
“These convictions bring justice not just to the victims of the Highs gang, but to an entire community that has endured years of violence, fear, and loss,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “For too long, this gang terrorized Minneapolis, maintaining control through chaos. Today, the people of this city get something they’ve long been denied: peace. This case is the result of a relentless federal coalition—the U.S. Attorney’s Office side-by-side with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Our message is clear: if you endanger our communities, we are coming for you. And we won’t stop until every neighborhood in this city is free from fear.”
“This isn’t just another trial; it’s a continuation of our full-court press to dismantle the Highs street gang and hold every last member accountable,” said Travis Riddle, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the St. Paul Field Division. “We’re proud to stand alongside our prosecution and investigative partners who’ve shown unmatched determination, trial after trial, to bring justice to the communities harmed by this violence.”
“As the summer progresses, Minneapolis is continuing to see a drop in violent crime, especially gun violence throughout the city,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “The outstanding work of MPD officers and our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office have been instrumental in targeting the small number of individuals committing a disproportionate amount of violence in the city. This conviction is the latest result of efforts that can not only be seen in the reduction of crime, but also felt by the community as we work to rebuild trust.”
“Our focus isn’t just on the money—it’s on the damage that money fuels,” said Jason Bushey, IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office. “When violent gangs push drugs and fear into our communities, our agents work relentlessly to expose the money behind the violence. This conviction is the result of that effort and a clear reminder that those who profit from chaos and pain will be held accountable.”
“In the wake of the guilty verdicts in the Highs gang RICO trial, it becomes abundantly clear that the efficacy of our justice system hinges not merely on the application of law, but on the transformative power of collaborative law enforcement partnerships,” stated FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. “These alliances are essential, for they weave a fabric of shared intelligence and resources that fortify our collective resolve against violent crime, ensuring that justice is not merely an ideal, but a tangible reality for our communities.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigation, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also is deeply grateful to the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section (VCRS) for their continued partnership and expertise on this and other ongoing RICO cases. This partnership has been critical to the success of these gang prosecutions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez, Albania Concepcion, and Carla Baumel tried this case. They are prosecuting the case along with Attorney Brian Lynch of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section.
Federal Jury Convicts Drug Dealer of Trafficking Fentanyl from Minneapolis to BemidjiRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Following a four-day jury trial, a federal jury found Antonio Trevyll McGraw- Williams, 35, guilty of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“This defendant knew exactly what he was doing—pushing deadly poison into our communities that he bragged was strong enough to kill. This is appalling,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “With a long and violent criminal history, this defendant made a career out of exploiting addiction and endangering lives. Today’s conviction sends a clear message: if you try to profit off of death and destruction, you will be held accountable. The people of Bemidji and greater Minnesota deserve better than to live under the threat of fentanyl-fueled addiction and loss.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in the summer of 2022, special agents with the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force learned that McGraw-Williams was bringing fentanyl from Minneapolis to Bemidji and then selling it to others. McGraw-Williams bragged that his fentanyl was so “strong” he might “catch a body”—he might kill a person. The agents learned McGraw-Williams was in Bemidji with fentanyl, selling it out of a room at a hotel. The agents applied for and received a search warrant to search McGraw-Williams’s room.
Inside the hotel room, agents found a bag of fentanyl and the markings of a drug dealer: tinfoils with user amounts of drugs, a blender to mix drugs, a scale to measure out drugs for sale, and mini Ziploc-style plastic bags for packaging drugs for users. The agents also found McGraw- Williams’s cell phone and a receipt bearing McGraw-Williams’s name. Agents searched the phone and found numerous texts conversations where McGraw-Williams was arranging drug deals. Later, DNA experts at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified McGraw- Williams’s DNA on the bag of fentanyl.
McGraw-Williams has a long and serious criminal history that includes convictions for First Degree Aggravated Robbery, Felony Violation of Order for Protection, and Felony Domestic Assault.
After a four-day trial before Judge Joan N. Ericksen in U.S. District Court, a federal jury found McGraw-Williams guilty of one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. A sentencing hearing will take place at a later date. McGraw-Williams faces a sentence a minimum of ten years in prison and a maximum of life.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, Bemidji Police Department, Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew D. Forbes and Matthew D. Evans prosecuted the case.
Two Men Indicted with Conspiracy to Distribute 900 Pounds of Methamphetamine, One Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Joel Casas-Santiago, 46, and Guillermo Mercado-Chaparro, 44, are both charged with one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine. Mercado-Chaparro is additionally charged with Illegal Reentry by a Removed Alien, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, an undercover police officer bought a pound of methamphetamine from Mercado-Chaparro, who was driving a Toyota Tacoma truck during the buy. Through post-buy surveillance, police learned that Mercado-Chaparro was traveling driving throughout south Minneapolis to conduct suspected drug deals.
Several days later, police saw Mercado-Chaparro walk to the Tacoma, retrieve two large garbage bags from the truck bed, and place them in a nearby Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep was eventually stopped, and Casas-Santiago and Mercado-Chaparro were ordered out of the car. A drug-sniffing dog alerted the odor of drugs in the Jeep. When police searched the Jeep, they found over 250 pounds of methamphetamine in the garbage bags and a cooler.
Police arrested Casas-Santiago and Mercado-Chaparro and then obtained a search warrant for the Tacoma. They searched the truck and seized over 630 pounds of methamphetamine from the truck bed.
Altogether, Casas-Santiago and Mercado-Chaparro were in possession of almost 900 pounds of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
“This isn’t just another drug bust—it’s one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in Minnesota history,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “A 900-pound haul like this doesn’t just show intent to distribute. It shows intent to poison entire communities. We will not let Minnesota become a distribution hub for cartel-scale operations. This prosecution is just the beginning.”
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Minnesota Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Ramsey County Crime Enforcement Team, the St. Paul Police Department, the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen Slaughter and Campbell Warner are prosecuting the case.
Vance Boelter Indicted for the Murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the Shootings of John and Yvette Hoffman, and the Attempted Shooting of Hope HoffmanRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Vance Boelter, 57, has been indicted on six federal charges in connection with the stalking and murders of Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, the stalking and shooting of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman, and the attempted shooting of their daughter Hope Hoffman, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Vance Boelter planned and carried out a night of terror that shook Minnesota to its core,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “He carried out targeted political assassinations the likes of which have never been seen in Minnesota. We grieve with the Hortman family and continue to pray for the recovery of the Hoffmans. Today, a grand jury indicted Boelter with the most serious of federal charges for these heinous political assassinations. Let me be clear: Boelter will see justice.”
According to court documents, after extensive research and planning, Boelter embarked on a murderous rampage targeting Minnesota’s elected officials and their families. On June 14, 2025, the defendant disguised himself as a member of law enforcement and traveled to the homes of Democratic elected officials with the intent to intimidate and murder. Early that morning, the defendant traveled to the Hoffmans home in Champlin, Minnesota. By posing as a police officer, Boelter compelled the Hoffmans to answer their door. He then repeatedly shot Senator Hoffman and Yvette Hoffman and he attempted to shoot their daughter, Hope Hoffman.
Boelter then traveled to the homes of two other Minnesota elected officials, only to find that no one at those locations was home. He next drove to the home of Speaker Emerita and Representative Melissa Hortman. There, Boelter repeatedly shot, and killed, Representative Hortman and her husband, Mark. Following a two-day manhunt, law enforcement arrested the defendant near his family residence in Green Isle, Minnesota.
The defendant is charged with numerous counts, including the stalking and murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the stalking and shooting of John and Yvette Hoffman, and the attempted shooting of Hope Hoffman. The defendant faces charges which include maximum penalties of up to life in prison or death.
“Last month, the State of Minnesota experienced fear and panic. Today, Vance Boelter was indicted by a federal grand jury, marking another step forward in our pursuit of justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “As alleged in the indictment, Boelter’s actions took the lives of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, both beloved members of our community. The indictment also alleges that Boelter seriously wounded Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. This targeted violence was an attack on the rule of law, resulting in a manhunt involving hundreds of law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly until Boelter was apprehended. The FBI remains grateful to our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their dedication throughout this investigation. Together, we will ensure that justice is served and that a price is paid for the reign of terror and violence our community endured.”
“Vance Boelter’s evil acts did unspeakable harm and terrorized our entire state that night,” Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said. “A lot of work has been happening and we are glad to see these next steps taken toward holding Mr. Boelter accountable for his actions.”
“Political violence has no place in our society and Boelter will be held accountable for his crimes. Today’s indictment reflects the tireless efforts of the dedicated professionals who work every day to protect our communities,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our pursuit of justice. This case transcends headlines; it highlights the collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies who refused to rest until Vance Boelter was taken into custody, and it also captures the importance of due process in bringing justice,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt. “I’m grateful for everyone involved, including the HCSO staff who spent countless hours during the manhunt—responding to tips, conducting searches, offering intelligence and data support, and more to help bring accountability. As we move forward, our thoughts will remain with the victims and their families affected by this tragedy.”
“The path to justice for the lives torn apart by Vance Boelter’s actions is far from over, but this indictment is a powerful step forward,” said Travis Riddle, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF St. Paul Field Division. “What began as fear and chaos is now moving toward accountability thanks to the tireless work of so many law enforcement partners. ATF is honored to stand with them in pursuit of a prosecution that brings answers and a measure of peace to the communities impacted by this violence.”
“The harm caused by Boelter’s actions was not confined to any one place—it was felt widely, including here in Minneapolis. His conduct endangered the safety of our communities and undermined trust in police. We are thankful to our U.S. Attorney’s Office and all federal, state, and local law enforcement that have worked tirelessly to hold this killer accountable,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Champlin Police Department, and New Hope Police Department, together with several other state and local partners. The National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section also assisted in the investigation. This investigation has proceeded with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in strong partnership with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Bradley M. Endicott, Matthew D. Forbes, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
Nevada Resident Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Engage in Voter Registration FraudRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Ronnie Williams pled guilty today to an information charging him with conspiracy to engage in voter registration fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Today’s guilty plea underscores our commitment to protecting the integrity of the electoral process,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. Any attempt to undermine that process through fraud will be investigated and prosecuted. This case sends a clear message—election fraud will not be tolerated in Minnesota.”
According to court documents, beginning in 2021 through 2022, Ronnie Williams, 58, was involved in a conspiracy to create fictitious identities and information for use in Minnesota voter registration applications. After filling out the forms, Williams signed a statement affirming that he had read and understood the certification, which included a warning that submitting false information constitutes a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
According to court documents, Williams then submitted the fraudulent registrations to Foundation 1, an organization focused on voter registration efforts in Minnesota. Foundation 1 forwarded the false applications to county election offices throughout the state. In exchange, Foundation 1 compensated Williams for each registration submitted, and Williams shared a portion of the payments to his co-conspirator.
Williams pled guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge David S. Doty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office wishes to thank the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section for partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also wishes to thank the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State and the Carver County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and full cooperation with this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs and Trial Attorney Jonathan Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting this case.
Drug Dealer Found Guilty of Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl Hidden in Stuffed Animals Sentenced to 120 Months ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Robiel Lee Williams was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release for his role in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Drug dealers are endlessly creative in finding new ways to smuggle their deadly poison into Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Williams and his co-conspirators hid their deadly fentanyl in stuffed animals—literally children’s toys. We should all be appalled. Williams will rightly spend the next decade in federal prison.”
Court documents note that, between August 2022 and December 2023, Robiel Lee Williams, 25, along with several others, conspired to distribute fentanyl across the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. As part of their operation, Williams and his co-defendants traveled to Phoenix to acquire fentanyl pills from suppliers, concealed the drugs inside stuffed animals, and mailed the packages to various addresses in the Twin Cities area. A joint investigation by law enforcement agencies in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties led to the discovery and seizure of six packages containing more than 30,000 grams of fentanyl pills. According to court documents, fingerprints belonging to Williams and several co-defendants were found on the seized packages.
Williams was sentenced on June 30, 2025, in U.S. District Court before Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan. Judge Bryan sentenced Williams to 120 months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigation, the Dakota County Drug Task Force, the Washington County Drug Task Force, and the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.
Nine Members of 36th and Penn “Big Sip” Drug Trafficking Organization Indicted on Fentanyl Conspiracy and Firearms ChargesRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Nine defendants have been indicted on federal fentanyl and firearms charges for their involvement in the “Big Sip Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO)” — a violent drug trafficking organization that that sold out of at least five apartment buildings near the intersection of 36th Avenue North and North Penn Avenue in Minneapolis, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Today marks the federal takedown of yet another dangerous criminal organization. And we will not stop,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “The Big Sip drug trafficking organization wreaked havoc at 36th and Penn, bringing guns, violence, and deadly fentanyl to neighborhood apartment buildings. The law abiding people of Minneapolis deserve better. I am proud of the federal, state, and local team that came together to protect the neighborhood from this fentanyl trafficking organization.”
According to court documents,Larry McGee, 42, Danielle Robberstad, 35, Maurice Montgomery, 31, Dameon Collins, 24, Marcus Lucious, 53, Romell Vann, 22, Bobby Nolan, 43, and Jeremy Lucious, 35, all are members of a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) known as the “Big Sip DTO,” a high-volume fentanyl sales operation that sold out of at least five apartment buildings near the intersection of 36th Avenue North and North Penn Avenue in Minneapolis. The Big Sip DTO’s operation contributed to crime in the area, including shootings, homicides, and drug use, from August 2023 through June 2025. The defendants were indicted for a Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl in violation of Title 21 United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 846. Three defendants, Montgomery, Collins, and Vann, were also indicted for Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Seven defendants made their initial appearnces today and are all detained pending further proceedings. An eighth defendant will make his initial appearance tomorrow. A ninth defendant remains under seal. The defendants all face up to life in prison.
According to court documents, the Big Sip DTO originated in the summer of 2023, led and operated by defendants McGee and Robberstad, who are husband and wife. The Big Sip DTO was an efficient sales operation with defined roles. At the top, McGee led the organization. He obtained and stored the fentanyl product, collected proceeds, and managed other members of the organization. Robberstad was a co-leader of the organization. Robberstad maintained the apartments used for fentanyl storage and sales, interacted with customers, provided vehicles for use by the organization members, and managed other members’ sales.
Defendants Montgomery, Collins, M. Lucious, Vann, Nolan, and J. Lucious were also members of the Big Sip DTO. These defendants all sold fentanyl on behalf of the organization to users at the apartments controlled by the Big Sip DTO. Montgomery was responsible for collecting and transporting the profits of the fentanyl sales to McGee. Montgomery, as well as Collins and Vann, all possessed firearms to protect their product and sale activities.
“Time and again, violent drug trafficking rings try to take root in our communities, bringing with them illegal guns, violence, and fear,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. “As soon as these organizations surface, ATF, along with our law enforcement partners, will be there to dismantle their operations and hold them accountable. We will not allow armed criminal groups to threaten the safety and future of the Twin Cities.”
“This operation disrupted a violent drug trafficking network that was funneling narcotics, including deadly fentanyl, to the streets,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “These drugs and the criminals who traffic them, bring death, sorrow, and fear to our communities. As this coordinated operation demonstrates, those who poison and terrorize the public will face justice. The FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to pursue and apprehend these dangerous offenders and protect our communities."
“For too long, 36th and Penn has been a hotspot for violent crime,” said Chief O’Hara. “In 2024, there were four times as many shooting victims within a one block radius of 36th and Penn than the previous three-year average. Overall violent crime more than doubled within a one-block radius of 36th and Penn. We’ve seen the spike in violent crime and heard the concerns loud and clear from the community. Inspector Charlie Adams and the officers of the Fourth Precinct have been working closely with residents to address those concerns, while our investigators have pursued long-term strategies to bring relief. I’m incredibly grateful to the dedicated MPD personnel and to our local and federal partners who supported this investigation. I’m hopeful these arrests and charges will deliver an immediate impact and help restore a sense of safety for everyone who lives and works near 36th and Penn.”
“These defendants are suspected of some of the worst crimes wreaking havoc on our community. I want to thank all law enforcement agencies for their work on this case including the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Intelligence Division and Violent Offender Task Force. These units provided intelligence throughout the case, carried out search warrants, targeted traffic stops, K9 operations, and much more to bring down these defendants and damage the criminal organization. We must stop those harming our neighbors, friends, and family and part of that work includes stopping the source,” said Dawanna Witt, Sheriff of Hennepin County.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Mattessich is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
NUWAY Alliance Agrees to Pay $18,500,000 Settlement in Medicaid Kickbacks Scheme, False Claims Act ViolationsRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS –Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced today that NUWAY Alliance, Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $18,500,000 for submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid in violation of the False Claim Act.
NUWAY Alliance provided intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, among other services, for substance use disorder to thousands of clients suffering from addiction each year in Minnesota. Between January 2019 through February 2025, NUWAY compensated Medicaid patients for seeking IOP treatment—which is reimbursable by Medicaid—in violation of federal anti-kickback statute and resulting in false claims. NUWAY also submitted false claims to Medicaid for IOP services they had not provided as they involved double-billing the same period of time as distinct billable units. In total, since at least 2018, NUWAY defrauded the federal government and state of Minnesota of millions of dollars.
“The submission of false claims for federally funded government contracts will not be tolerated. Protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud and abuse is one of our top priorities at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph H. Thompson. “This settlement should serve as further proof that we will aggressively investigate Medicaid fraud whenever it occurs and will hold all companies to account.”
“Our enforcement agency is dedicated to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs including Medicaid and to ensure taxpayer money is used as intended to serve vulnerable populations,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who manipulate taxpayer-funded health programs to boost their profits.” As part of the settlement, NUWAY Alliance entered into a 5-year Corporate Integrity Agreement with HHS-OIG. The Corporate Integrity Agreement requires that NUWAY maintain a compliance program designed to foster adherence to federal health care program requirements and thereby protect the programs. The CIA also requires NUWAY to engage an independent organization to review claims they submit to Medicaid to ensure they comply with applicable requirements.
The matter was handled by the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota, the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of the Inspector General, the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Division, and the Office of the Inspector General at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
The claims resolved by these settlements are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability or wrongdoing.
Minneapolis Man Pleads Guilty; Forty-Seventh Conviction in the Feeding Our Future Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering for his role in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson
According to court documents, from September 2020 through January 2022, Ahmed Abdullahi Ghedi, 35, claimed to be operating a child nutrition site in St. Paul, Minnesota. As part of the scheme, on or about September 4, 2020, Ghedi’s co-conspirator registered ASA Limited LLC with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Four days later, Ghedi’s co-conspirator applied for ASA Limited to operate a purported food site in the Federal Children Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future at the Gurey Deli, a small market located in a St. Paul strip mall
Within just three weeks of creating the ASA Limited site, Ghedi and his co-conspirators falsely claimed to be serving meals to 2,000 or 3,000 children each day, seven days a week. During the one-year period from September 2020 to September 2021, Ghedi and his co-conspirators fraudulently claimed to have served more than 1.6 million meals at the ASA Limited site. To accomplish his scheme, the defendant and his co-conspirators prepared and submitted inflated meal counts, fabricated invoices, and fake attendance rosters of purported children.
According to court documents, rather than use fraudulently obtained money to serve meals or feed children, Ghedi and his co-conspirators fraudulently misappropriated much of it. Ghedi used a shell entity he created, AG Limited LLC, to hide and disguise the source and ownership of his portion of the fraud proceeds. Between December 2020 and November 2021, Ghedi deposited more than $2 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds into AG Limited LLC bank accounts. Ghedi used this money to purchase more than $245,000 in motor vehicles and to fund more than $200,000 in credit card spending. Ghedi also transferred approximately $560,000 in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds to Cosmopolitan Business Properties LLC—another shell he co-owned with other co-conspirators—toward the purchase of a mansion and adjoining property located at 2722 and 2742 Park Avenue South in Minneapolis, which will be now forfeited to the United States along with a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
According to court documents, Ghedi paid $5,000 in kickbacks to Abdikerm Eidleh, a Feeding Our Future employee, in exchange for sponsoring and facilitating ASA Limited’s fraudulent participation in the Federal Child Nutrition Program. ASA Limited, of which the defendant was a co-owner, paid Eidleh an additional $49,000 in kickbacks. Feeding Our Future received nearly $400,000 in administrative fees for sponsoring ASA Limited’s participation in the program.
In total, Ghedi and his co-conspirators caused a loss of $7.2 million to Federal Child Nutrition Programs based on fraudulent claims submitted through Feeding Our Future.
Ghedi pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Nancy E. Brasel. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets
Serial Fraudster Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Defrauding a California Electronics ManufacturerRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Thomas Thanh Pham has been sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for defrauding an electronics manufacturing business, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. The defendant was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,943,840.
“Fraudsters have flocked to Minnesota for far too long,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Pham is no exception. He is a serial fraudster who has demonstrated that he will not stop until he is stopped. Thanks to the hard work of law enforcement, for the next 84 months, Pham will be where he belongs—in prison.”
“Bad actors like Pham take advantage of hardworking Americans in order to enrich themselves by defrauding others,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “With this sentence, Pham has been held accountable for his crimes. The FBI and our partners will continue working to stop schemes like this one and protect the public from being exploited.”
Between 2019 and 2020, Thomas Thanh Pham, 53, of Burnsville, devised a scheme to defraud a California based company of approximately $1.2 million. Pham, who was the CEO of Enterprise Products, LLC, purported to provide consulting and financial services to commercial clients involved in engineering and manufacturing. Pham held himself out as a broker with supposed business relationships with large, well-known companies. As a supposed broker, Pham claimed he could arrange service agreements between an electronic manufacturing services company based in San Jose, California (identified as Victim A), and his ostensible business affiliates in the electronics and technology sectors.
Pham began a series of discussions with Victim A, in which Pham pitched that Enterprise Products could facilitate multi-million-dollar manufacturing and repair contracts between Victim A and large electronics companies. None of that was true. To give the appearance of legitimacy, Pham arranged for a friend of his to pose as a corporate executive with Pham and Victim A in supposed contract negotiations. Unbeknownst to Victim A, Pham’s associate was not a business executive. In fact, Pham’s “business executive associate” was a fellow ex-convict whom Pham met while serving a prior federal prison sentence for fraud.
Pham supplied Victim A with bogus documents, including fabricated contracts, correspondence, and business proposals. As part of the scheme, Pham first required Victim A to pay a “deposit bond” in the amount of $1,278,000. Pham’s fraudulent tactics resulted in Victim A agreeing to enter into a contract in September 2019, through which Victim A ostensibly would receive millions of dollars in exchange for repair services. Pham unsuccessfully pitched other phony deals to Victim A that purportedly involved even larger financial contracts deals with other companies.
As part of the scheme and to give the impression that he was fulfilling the fraudulent contract, Pham caused the initial delivery to Victim A in California of approximately 20 samples of electronic devices that supposedly required repairs by Victim A. However, Pham failed to disclose to Victim A that these 20 “sample” devices were, in fact, stolen property. Pham then lulled Victim A into a false sense of security by offering a series of excuses and promises when Victim A either inquired about its money or demanded a refund. Rather than maintain the money securely in a refundable escrow as promised, Pham fraudulently misappropriated Victim A’s funds for a series of unauthorized uses and transactions.
Pham received his first criminal conviction 32 years ago. Since that time, he has been convicted of numerous fraud offenses, as follows:
- Felony Theft of Property, in which Pham unlawfully took a victim’s identifiers in order to fraudulently purchase a $49,000 car.
- Felony False Statements for Property, in which Pham knowingly false statement to fraudulently purchase a vehicle valued at more than $20,000.
- Felony Unlawful Possession of Fraudulent Identification, in which Pham knowingly possessed identification documents of a victim without permission for purposes of defrauding the victim.
- Securing Execution of Document by Deception (Felony), in which Pham attempted to pass a forged check.
- Multiple felony check forgeries.
- Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, a federal fraud conviction out of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, which Pham used the identities of victim companies to defraud victims out of $1.9 million by deceiving them into shipping high-dollar electronics and computers.
In handing down the sentence today, Judge Ericksen commented that Pham has “proven [himself] to be an efficient and effective perpetrator of fraud” whose crime was “part of a skilled execution of a scheme that he has refined over decades.” At the conclusion of today’s hearing, Judge Ericksen immediately remanded Pham into custody at the government’s request, noting it “was too dangerous and too risky” to the public for Pham “to remain at liberty.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert and Rebecca E. Kline prosecuted the case.
Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Bribe Feeding Our Future JurorRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Abdiaziz Farah, who was convicted of fraud after the first Feeding Our Future trial, has pleaded guilty to his role in providing a cash bribe to a juror in that same trial, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
On April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. During the trial, Abdiaziz Farah, 36, of Savage, MN, conspired with his co-defendants, Abdimajid Nur and Said Farah, also well as with two other people, Abdulkarim Farah and Ladan Ali, to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict in the trial.
“The attempted bribery of a Feeding Our Future juror sent shockwaves throughout Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Abdiaziz Farah did what few criminal defendants have ever had the audacity to do—he and his co-conspirators tried to buy a not guilty verdict. They were thwarted by Juror 52, who could not be bought, and by the excellent work of law enforcement. Farah and all involved in this despicable scheme will be held to account.”
“Juror bribery is an attack on the integrity of our justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Farah’s actions directly undermined the rule of law. In partnership with our law enforcement colleagues, the FBI is unwavering in our pledge to safeguard the incorruptibility of our judicial process and ensure those who threaten that process must answer for their actions.”
According to court documents, after the conspirators identified and decided to bribe Juror 52, at least one of Farah’s co-conspirators conducted surveillance of Juror 52 at Juror 52’s house. At or around the same time, Ladan Ali was recruited to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. Farah worked with his co-conspirators to gather the funds necessary for the bribe. In the early morning of June 2, 2024, in furtherance of that effort, Farah sent a message to his brother and co-defendant Said Farah using an encrypted messaging app. Abdiaziz Farah told Said Farah to “[p]lease have the money ready by 10 please. It’s very important for everything we have.”
Later on June 2, 2024, Farah instructed his co-defendant Abdimajid Nur to meet him at Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers, to pick up the bribe money. Abdimajid Nur did so. However, Farah and Said Farah did not fully trust Ladan Ali, and they remained concerned that Juror 52 would not follow through with an acquittal. As such, a co-conspirator directed Abdulkarim Farah to drive Ladan Ali to Juror 52’s house and record a video of her delivery of the bribe money.
After meeting Ladan Ali not far from Juror 52’s house, Abdulkarim Farah and Ladan Ali drove to a nearby Target store where Abdulkarim Farah purchased a screwdriver to remove the license plate from Ladan Ali’s rental car prior to delivering the bribe to Juror 52 in an effort to avoid detection.
At approximately 8:50 p.m. on June 2, 2024, Abdulkarim Farah drove Ladan Ali to Juror 52’s house to deliver the bribe. Abdulkarim Farah took a video recording as Ladan Ali approached Juror 52’s house with a gift bag containing the bribe money. Ladan Ali handed the gift bag to a relative of Juror 52 and explained there would be more money if Juror 52 voted to acquit the defendants.
After Ladan Ali delivered the bribe, Abdulkarim Farah sent the video he had taken to his brother, Abdiaziz Farah. Abdiaziz Farah then forwarded that video to the third Farah brother, Said, in a message that said, “watch and delete.”
On June 3, 2024, Farah was present in court when prosecutors announced law enforcement’s discovery of the bribe attempt. Minutes later, after being ordered by Judge Nancy Brasel to surrender his phone to law enforcement, Farah conducted a factory reset of his iPhone in order to delete the messages, video, and other evidence of the bribe attempt from his phone.
Abdiaziz Farah pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025, in U.S. District Court before Judge David S. Doty to one count of bribery of a juror. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case.
Convicted Sex Offender Illegally Present in the Country Assaults Federal Officer During Immigration ArrestRead the Press Release
St. Paul, Minn. – Roberto Carlos Munoz-Guatemala, 39, a citizen of Mexico, has been charged federally with assault on a federal officer with a dangerous or deadly weapon and resulting in bodily injury, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, in December 2022, Munoz was charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a minor victim. He was ultimately convicted of Fourth-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, a felony offense.
On June 17, 2025, multiple federal agencies attempted to effectuate an administrative warrant for Munoz’s arrest due to lack of legal status in the United States. Officers and agents—clearly identified as “POLICE”—pulled Munoz over for a traffic stop. Munoz repeatedly refused to comply with commands from law enforcement officers to lower the windows and open the door. Officers told Munoz they would break a window if Munoz continued to refuse. When Munoz refused to comply, the victim in this case, an ERO Officer, used a spring-loaded window punch to break the rear window of the car and then reached into Munoz’s car to attempt to unlock the door.
While the ERO Officer’s arm was inside the car, Munoz put the vehicle in drive. Munoz drove up onto the curb and accelerated at a high rate of speed. The ERO Officer’s arm was caught in the car. As Munoz drove, the ERO Officer was dragged in the moving vehicle. The ERO Officer twice fired his taser at Munoz to get him to stop. Munoz was undeterred. He continued driving away as the ERO Officer screamed.
With the ERO Officer’s arm caught in the broken window and the ERO Officer being dragged along the road, Munoz began weaving back and forth, in an apparent attempt to shake the ERO Officer from the car. Munoz drove back and forth, driving up on the curb and weaving past a vehicle, all while dragging the ERO Officer. When Munoz got off the curb and reentered the street, the force knocked the ERO Officer free from the car. Munoz continued his flight. In total, Munoz dragged the ERO Officer approximately 100 yards down the street.
The ERO Officer was transported to the hospital, where he received treatment for injuries sustained from being dragged by Munoz. The ERO Officer suffered a significant cut to his right arm that required 20 stitches to close. He suffered a significant cut to his left hand that required 13 stitches. The ERO Officer also suffered abrasions to his left knee, elbows, and face.
“Law enforcement officers deserve our respect, our gratitude, and our protection,” said Acting
U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Defendant Munoz—a convicted sex offender illegally present in the country—violently assaulted a federal officer who was just trying to do his job. The injuries the officer sustained were severe but could have been so much worse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has no tolerance for violence against law enforcement officers.”
“Munoz had no legal right to be in this country—and certainly not free in the community after a conviction for sexually abusing a minor,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Instead of complying with a lawful immigration arrest, he chose to violently resist — dragging a deportation officer with his vehicle and putting that officer’s life at risk. The FBI takes any assault on a federal officer with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure this individual is held fully accountable. There is no tolerance for this kind of violence—not against federal agents, not against local officers, not against anyone who wears a badge.”
“This was a brazen and cowardly act by a criminal illegal alien who has complete disregard for the laws of our country and clearly places himself above the lives of others,” said Peter Berg, ICE ERO Field Office Director for St. Paul. “The deportation officer involved in this incident— someone who has dedicated his life to upholding the law and protecting this nation—was severely wounded by a fleeing suspect who should have never been in the United States in the first place.”
These cases are a result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, ERO, and HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raphael B. Coburn is prosecuting the case.
An earlier version of this press release noted that defendant Munoz-Guatemala is a citizen of Guatemala. He is in fact a citizen of Mexico.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting Two Minnesota Lawmakers and Their SpousesRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, Minnesota, has been charged by federal complaint with stalking and murdering Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, in addition to stalking and shooting Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, Vance Luther Boelter put into effect a calculated plan to inflict fear and violence upon Minnesota elected officials and their families. Boelter equipped himself with firearms and body armor, disguised himself as a law enforcement officer, and drove to the home of Senator Hoffman. Boelter knocked on the door repeatedly, claiming to be a police officer. Shortly after the Hoffmans opened the door, they were alarmed to realize Boelter was wearing a facemask. The Hoffmans tried to close the door on Boelter, but Boelter repeatedly shot both Senator and Mrs. Hoffman.
Boelter then traveled to the homes of two other Minnesota elected officials, still disguised as a law enforcement officer. Boelter did not manage to make contact with either of those officials or their families.
Next, Boelter drove to the home of Speaker Emerita and Representative Melissa Hortman. Meanwhile, local law enforcement, having heard of the shooting at the Hoffman residence, drove to the Hortman household to conduct a safety check. Upon arriving, officers saw Boelter’s car, a black Ford Explorer SUV designed to look at a law enforcement vehicle. It was equipped with police-style lights that were on and flashing. Officers saw Boelter, standing several feet from and facing the front door of the Hortman home. Moments later, Boelter fired several gunshots into the home, repeatedly striking Mr. Hortman. As Boelter did so, he rushed into the home and fired several additional shots, repeatedly striking Representative Hortman. Officers provided medical aid to the Hortmans and attempted to pursue Boelter, who abandoned the SUV and fled, initially, on foot. Both Hortmans died from their wounds.
Law enforcement searched Boelter’s SUV and recovered five firearms, including semi-automatic, assault-style rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, and several notebooks filled with handwritten notations. Those notes listed out the names of dozens of Minnesota state and federal elected officials. The notes often identified those officials’ home addresses.
A two-day manhunt, coordinated among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the state, ensued. As a result of those efforts, at approximately 9:15 on the evening of June 15, law enforcement located Boelter in a field in Green Isle, Minnesota, approximately one mile from his family residence. Law enforcement officers then took Boelter into custody.
“The horrific, targeted murders of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, as well as the shooting of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman, have shocked the nation and united us in grief. These horrific acts of violence will not go unanswered: the Department of Justice will prosecute this suspect to the fullest extent of the law and if convicted deliver severe consequences for his alleged crimes,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
“Vance Luthor Boelter went on a violent rampage against our elected officials,” said Acting United States Attorney Joe Thompson. “These were targeted political assassinations the likes of which have never been seen in Minnesota. It was an attack on our state and on our democracy. We will not rest until he is brought to justice.”
“This was a horrific act of targeted violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “A gunman, impersonating a police officer, deliberately lured public servants to their own doorstep and opened fire. A Minnesota lawmaker and her spouse were murdered in cold blood, and others wounded, simply for serving as elected officials. This is not only unacceptable—it is an attack on the democratic values that define this nation. This marked the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history, and it would not have been possible without the extraordinary partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The tireless coordination and commitment ensured Boelter was located and taken into custody without further incident. The FBI remains steadfast in our pursuit of justice. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the communities they served.”
“The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to all of the local, state, and federal agencies responsible for justice in this case. I am thoroughly humbled by the response from law enforcement across the state. Our community is shaken by this violence, which strikes at the very heart of our democracy. Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, and our community. Today, we are one step closer to justice as Vance Boelter faces federal charges for his heinous crimes. Our Office stands united in grief and resolve, determined to honor the lives affected and ensure that our communities can begin to heal,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Whitt.
"The violence inflicted upon the Hortman and Hoffman families sparked a manhunt unlike anything we've seen in Minnesota," said Mark Bruley, Brooklyn Park Police Chief "Our investigation with partner agencies is ongoing and we will work to the fullest degree to bring this suspect to justice."
“The deliberate targeting of elected officials and their families is an appalling act of political violence that has no place in our country,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. In response, ATF brought forward key investigative resources, including firearms tracing, NIBIN analysis, and a specially trained K-9 team, to help recover evidence and generate leads. Our agents contributed their full expertise and manpower to the search and continue to support the ongoing investigation. I’m proud of the role ATF has played and commend the extraordinary work of all law enforcement partners who came together to bring the suspect into custody.”
Boelter will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.
This case is a result of a criminal investigation conducted by the FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sherriff’s Office, Champlin Police Department, and New Hope Police Department, together with several other state and local partners. The National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section also assisted in the investigation. This investigation has proceeded with the U.S. Attorney’s Office strong partnership with Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Bradley M. Endicott, Matthew D. Forbes, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting Two Minnesota Lawmakers and Their SpousesRead the Press Release
Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, Minnesota, has been charged by federal complaint with stalking and murdering Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, in addition to stalking and shooting Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife.
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, Vance Luther Boelter put into effect a calculated plan to inflict fear and violence upon Minnesota elected officials and their families. Boelter equipped himself with firearms and body armor, disguised himself as a law enforcement officer, and drove to the home of Senator Hoffman. Boelter knocked on the door repeatedly, claiming to be a police officer. Shortly after the Hoffmans opened the door, they were alarmed to realize Boelter was wearing a facemask. The Hoffmans tried to close the door on Boelter, but Boelter repeatedly shot both Senator and Mrs. Hoffman.
“The horrific, targeted murders of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, as well as the shooting of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman, have shocked the nation and united us in grief,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “These horrific acts of violence will not go unanswered: the Department of Justice will prosecute this suspect to the fullest extent of the law and if convicted deliver severe consequences for his alleged crimes.”
“According to the charges, the defendant had a list of possible targets and went to the homes of public officials to conduct violent attacks,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This type of violence is unacceptable, and the FBI stands united with our law enforcement partners to find and hold accountable anyone who commits such despicable acts. I commend all the law enforcement officers who worked throughout the weekend to find the defendant and take him into custody.”
“Vance Luthor Boelter went on a violent rampage against our elected officials,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “These were targeted political assassinations the likes of which have never been seen in Minnesota. It was an attack on our state and on our democracy. We will not rest until he is brought to justice.”
“This was a horrific act of targeted violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office. “A gunman, impersonating a police officer, deliberately lured public servants to their own doorstep and opened fire. A Minnesota lawmaker and her spouse were murdered in cold blood, and others wounded, simply for serving as elected officials. This is not only unacceptable — it is an attack on the democratic values that define this nation. This marked the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history, and it would not have been possible without the extraordinary partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The tireless coordination and commitment ensured Boelter was located and taken into custody without further incident. The FBI remains steadfast in our pursuit of justice. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the communities they served.”
“The deliberate targeting of elected officials and their families is an appalling act of political violence that has no place in our country,” said Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) St. Paul Field Division. “We extend our deepest condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this tragedy. In response, ATF brought forward key investigative resources, including firearms tracing, NIBIN analysis, and a specially trained K-9 team, to help recover evidence and generate leads. Our agents contributed their full expertise and manpower to the search and continue to support the ongoing investigation. I’m proud of the role ATF has played and commend the extraordinary work of all law enforcement partners who came together to bring the suspect into custody.”
Boelter then traveled to the homes of two other Minnesota elected officials, still disguised as a law enforcement officer. Boelter did not manage to make contact with either of those officials or their families.
Next, Boelter drove to the home of Speaker Emerita and Representative Melissa Hortman. Meanwhile, local law enforcement, having heard of the shooting at the Hoffman residence, drove to the Hortman household to conduct a safety check. Upon arriving, officers saw Boelter’s car, a black Ford Explorer SUV designed to look like a law enforcement vehicle. It was equipped with police-style lights that were on and flashing. Officers saw Boelter, standing several feet from and facing the front door of the Hortman home. Moments later, Boelter fired several gunshots into the home, repeatedly striking Mr. Hortman. As Boelter did so, he rushed into the home and fired several additional shots, repeatedly striking Representative Hortman. Officers provided medical aid to the Hortmans and attempted to pursue Boelter, who abandoned the SUV and fled, initially, on foot. Both Hortmans died from their wounds.
Law enforcement searched Boelter’s SUV and recovered five firearms, including semi-automatic, assault-style rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, and several notebooks filled with handwritten notations. Those notes listed out the names of dozens of Minnesota state and federal elected officials. The notes often identified those officials’ home addresses.
A two-day manhunt, coordinated among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the state, ensued. As a result of those efforts, at approximately 9:15 on the evening of June 15, law enforcement located Boelter in a field in Green Isle, Minnesota, approximately one mile from his family residence. Law enforcement officers then took Boelter into custody.
Boelter will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty.
The FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sherriff’s Office, Champlin Police Department, and New Hope Police Department, together with several other state and local partners, are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs, Bradley M. Endicott, Matthew D. Forbes, and Daniel W. Bobier for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case, with valuable assistance from Trial Attorney Dmitriy Slavin and Deputy Chief Joshua Champagne of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
A complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Nevada Residents Charged for Conspiring to Engage in Voter Registration Fraud in MinnesotaRead the Press Release
Minneapolis, Minn. – Two Nevada residents, formally of Minnesota, were charged by Information with Conspiracy to Engage in Voter Registration Fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Election fraud strikes at the heart of our democracy,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Thankfully, the FBI stopped this fraud in its tracks, before anyone successfully cast a fraudulent ballot. But we will stay vigilant. Whether its jury bribery, witness tampering, or now election fraud—crimes that threaten our democracy have no place in Minnesota.”
“Nothing is more central to our democracy than fair and impartially conducted elections,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Through their actions, Combs and Williams attempted to deprive the citizens of Minnesota of a secure and reliable election process. Along with our partners, the FBI will stop at nothing to identify and bring to justice anyone who threatens the security of our electoral system.”
According to court documents, beginning in 2021 and continuing through 2022, Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs participated in a conspiracy to generate fictitious names and information that they used to fill out Minnesota voter registration applications. Williams and Combs then signed a form certifying that they “have read and understand this statements” and “that giving false information is a felony punishable by not more than 5 years imprisonment or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.”
According to court documents, Williams then provided the completed voter registration forms to Foundation 1, an entity seeking to register voters in Minnesota, which submitted the false voter registration applications to county election offices across Minnesota. Foundation 1 paid Williams for the registrations, and Williams split the proceeds with Combs.
Williams is scheduled to appear for an arraignment and change of plea hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Laura M. Provinzino on July 8, 2025.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office wishes to thank the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section for partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also wishes to thank the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State and the Carver County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and full cooperation with this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs and Trial Attorney Jonathan Jacobson of the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting this case.
Golden Valley Man Pleads Guilty; Forty-Sixth Conviction in the Feeding Our Future Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – A Golden Valley man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud for his role in the $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, in October 2020, shortly after the Minnesota Department of Education announced that it was no longer approving food sites run by restaurants and other for-profit companies, defendant Ahmed Mohamed Artan, 40, acquired a non-profit entity, Stigma-Free International, for use in carrying out the scheme. Artan and his co-conspirators used Stigma-Free International to open a number of new Federal Child Nutrition Program sites around the state of Minnesota, including in Willmar, Mankato, St. Cloud, Waite Park, and St. Paul. At the same time, Artan’s conspirators created additional shell companies to serve as meal vendor companies purporting to provide the meals to be served to children at these Stigma-Free International sites. Together, the defendants claimed to be serving meals to tens of thousands of children each day throughout the state of Minnesota, for which they fraudulently claimed and received millions of dollars in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds.
Over the 12-month period from November 2020 to November 2021, Artan and his co-conspirators fraudulently claimed to have served nearly 5 million meals to children at the Stigma-Free International sites. In support of these claims, they prepared and submitted fraudulent meal count sheets and invoices. The conspirators also submitted fraudulent attendance rosters listing the names of fake children who purportedly received food at the Stigma-Free International sites.
To accomplish his scheme, Artan and his co-conspirators also created a company called Olive Management Inc. that purported to operate a federal child nutrition program site in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The Olive Management site fraudulently claimed to have served meals to 3,000 children a day, seven days a week, at a small storefront deli located in a strip mall in St. Cloud. During the 12-month period from September 2020 to September 2021, the Artan and his co-conspirators fraudulently claimed to have served more than 1.6 million meals to children at the Olive Management site. In support of these claims, the defendants prepared and submitted fraudulent meal count sheets and invoices. In support of their fraudulent claims, the defendants also submitted a fake attendance roster purporting to list the names of 2,040 children who attended the Olive Management site’s “after-school program.” The roster was fraudulent and the names on it were fake.
Artan and co-conspirators also created another company called Optimum Community Services for use in carrying out the fraud scheme. Optimum Community Services purported to have food distribution sites in Golden Valley and Waite Park, at which they claimed—fraudulently—to have served nearly 700,000 meals to children between March and December 2021.
According to court documents, rather than use fraudulently obtained money to serve meals or feed children, Artan and his co-conspirators fraudulently misappropriated much of it. He and his co-conspirators created a shell company called Five A’s Projects LLC, where they transferred more than $1 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds. They used these proceeds to purchase the former location of Kelly’s 19th Hole, a bar and restaurant in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, which will be now forfeited to the United States.
In total, Artan caused a loss of approximately $1,682,664 in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds based on fraudulent reimbursement claims.
Artan pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.
Two Men Charged Federally with Possession of Machineguns related to Graduation Ceremony ShootingsRead the Press Release
St. Paul, Minn. – Hamza Abdirashiid Said, 20, and Amiir Mawlid Ali, 18, have been charged federally with unlawfully possessing machineguns, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, on May 30, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., University of Minnesota Police (UMPD) responded to a report of a shooting at the Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota Campus. The arena was hosting the Wayzata High School graduation ceremony at the time of the shooting, with numerous pedestrians and attendees outside. Officers found a chaotic scene in which two victims—both attendees of the graduation ceremony—suffered gunshot wounds. After interviewing witness and viewing surveillance footage, law enforcement located and apprehended the shooter, Hamza Said. Law enforcement also recovered a Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol equipped with a high-capacity extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device, commonly called a “switch.” Switches turn semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic machineguns. Said has been federally charged by complaint with unlawful possession of a machinegun.
According to court documents, on June 3, 2025, at approximately 3:44 p.m., MPD officers observed a vehicle fail to stop at an intersection. The vehicle then accelerated aggressively through the intersection, and officers noted the windows were tinted to such a degree that they could not observe the interior of the vehicle. The officers initiated a traffic stop and identified three occupants of the vehicle. An MPD officer recognized the front passenger as Amiir Ali. The officer knew from prior investigations that Ali was associated with multiple recent gang-related shootings and was known to carry firearms. The occupants stated they were heading to the Edina High School graduation ceremony at the University of Minnesota. Officers were aware of a shooting that occurred at the Wayzata High School graduation ceremony at the same location just four days earlier. Officers located a Glock 10mm semiautomatic firearm under Ali’s seat. The Glock was equipped with a loaded 33-round extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device, also known as a switch. Ali was arrested when he was located by police responding to the June 6, 2025 shooting at the Burnsville High School graduation ceremony. In recorded jail calls, Ali said that, upon his release, he would need a “button,” a slang term for a switch or machinegun conversion device. Ali has been federally charged by complaint with unlawful possession of a machinegun.
“High school graduation ceremonies are a rite of passage. A time for friends and family to come together to celebrate one of life’s major milestones. To bring machineguns and violence to such a ceremony is immoral and shameful,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “On behalf of all Minnesotans, I want to express a sense of moral outrage at these crimes and assure the public that the perpetrators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Said and Ali made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court yesterday, before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty. Both men are detained, pending detention hearings.
These cases are a result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives and Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minneapolis Police Department, and the University of Minnesota Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian C. Weir is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
St. Paul Woman Charged with Assaulting Law Enforcement Officers During Lake Street Narcotics Search Warrants, Punching an FBI Agent Upon her ArrestRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Isabel Lopez, 27, of St. Paul, Minnesota, has been charged by federal complaint and indictment with assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, on June 3, 2025, law enforcement officers from multiple federal agencies were executing federal search warrants at eight Twin Cities locations. These search warrants were related to a long-term investigation into narcotics trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, and related offenses. The investigation began with the seizure of 900 pounds of methamphetamine, with a street value of between $22 million and $25 million.
One of the search warrant locations was the Cuatro Milpas restaurant on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Shortly after the search warrant execution began, a crowd began to gather. The crowd appeared to be under the mistaken belief that law enforcement was present to arrest individuals illegally present in the country for immigration offenses. This was incorrect. In fact, agents were there to collect evidence pursuant to a federal search warrant signed by a federal judge. Indeed, no one was arrested that day. Recognizing the apparent misunderstanding, law enforcement explained the nature of the search warrant to crowd members.
Some people in the crowd engaged in legal protest activity. Lopez, as detailed below, obstructed, impeded, and assaulted federal agents and officers, in violation of federal law. Lopez physically assaulted several agents and officers. She punched, kicked, and shoved agents and officers. Crowd members moved to restrain Lopez. Even as they were doing so, Lopez kicked an FBI agent. Lopez continued to assault federal agents and officers. As law enforcement attempted to depart the scene, Lopez threw a softball at the back of a deputy from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
On June 9, 2025, Lopez was charged by complaint with Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Officers, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1). When federal agents attempted to arrest Lopez, she punched an FBI agent in the head.
Today, June 10, 2025, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against defendant Lopez. The grand jury charged Lopez with three counts of Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding Officers, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1)—two counts related to the assaults Lopez committed during the June 3rd search warrant execution and one count related to Lopez punching an FBI agent at the time of her arrest. The grand jury also charged Lopez with one count of Obstruction of Law Enforcement During Civil Disorder, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 231(a)(3).
“As laid out in the complaint, federal agents were executing federal search warrants signed by a federal judge,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “The search warrants were part of a long-term drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking investigation involving a transnational criminal organization. The defendant physically attacked law enforcement agents in the course of their duties, even as the crowd tried to hold her back. When the defendant was arrested, she doubled-down, punching an FBI agent in the head. Let me make clear: it is against the law to assault or obstruct federal law enforcement agents. We do not punch cops.”
“Assaulting a law enforcement officer engaged in their lawful duties, or damaging government property during a protest, is not protected under the First Amendment — it is a criminal offense,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will use every available resource to investigate these acts, identify those responsible, and ensure they are held accountable under the law.”
“Our agents were lawfully performing their duties when they were surrounded and obstructed by individuals attempting to interfere with a federal operation. Let me be clear – interfering with federal law enforcement is a crime, and those responsible will be identified and held accountable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt. “HSI and its partners operate with professionalism, purpose, and the full backing of the law. I fully support the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way every day to uphold public safety. No one should face threats, intimidation, or violence while carrying out the duties entrusted to them by the American people. The safety of our agents and officers will never be compromised.”
“Respect for the rule of law is the foundation of our justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge of ATF Travis Riddle. “When federal law enforcement officers are executing a lawful search warrant, which is part of ensuring due process, interference, especially violent interference, will not be tolerated. Anyone who chooses to escalate these situations and assault officers should expect to be held accountable. Actions have consequences.”
Assaulting a federal agent is not only a criminal act–it is an attack on an individual, a member of our community, and the integrity of the justice system itself,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Acts of violence against federal agents will not be tolerated and will be met with swift and appropriate action. This arrest underscores our commitment to upholding the rule of law without compromise and ensuring offenders who attempt to obstruct justice are held fully accountable.”
Lopez made her initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty. She will remain detained pending a detention hearing.
This case is a result of a criminal investigation conducted by the FBI, HSI, DEA, IRS-CI, ATF, USMS, and Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Repeat Offender Who Fired Automatic Weapon into St. Paul Neighborhood Sentenced to 82 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – After pleading guilty to illegally possessing ammunition as a convicted felon, Jermaine Marquize Williams, 35, of Saint Paul, was sentenced to a total of 82 months’ imprisonment—77 months’ imprisonment on the criminal case and an additional 6 months’ imprisonment consecutive for violating the terms of his federal supervised release, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joesph H. Thompson.
“While the people of St. Paul were sleeping in their homes, Williams took an automatic firearm and shot it into the neighborhood,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This conduct was extraordinarily dangerous, utterly brazen, and well-deserving of federal time.”
According to court documents, in August of 2024, Williams fired off multiple rounds from a fully automatic firearm in a densely populated Saint Paul neighborhood, outside a bar just before midnight. Video surveillance depicted Williams firing the machine gun out the driver’s side door of his vehicle before fleeing from the scene in his vehicle. Police recovered multiple discharged casings from the shooting. Williams has a prior 2019 federal conviction for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon, for which he received 65 months’ imprisonment. Williams had only been on federal supervised release for six months at the time he committed this crime.
Williams was sentenced in U.S. District Court on May 28, 2025, before Judge Paul A. Magnuson.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the St. Paul Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case.
Repeat Offender Sentenced to 112 Months for Conspiring to Distribute Methamphetamine and FentanylRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Redby man with an extensive criminal record, including two prior federal convictions, was sentenced to 112 months’ imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“The pipeline of deadly drugs to Red Lake and Indian Country must end,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Redby trafficked in poison, profiting from the addiction and misery of some of our most vulnerable. He will rightly spend nearly a decade in federal prison.”
“Fentanyl kills silently, claiming the lives of unsuspecting victims struggling with substance abuse,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “By introducing fentanyl and methamphetamine into the Red Lake community, Donnell preyed on the vulnerable to enrich himself. This sentence demonstrates that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those who use drugs to exploit and attack communities.”
According to court documents, in September 2024, Bobby Lee Donnell bought approximately 454 grams of methamphetamine and approximately 100 grams of fentanyl from the Minneapolis area. Donnell then drove back toward the Red Lake Nation, where he intended to distribute the methamphetamine and fentanyl. Fortunately, a Minnesota State Trooper stopped Donnell’s vehicle in Morrison County for a traffic infraction, developed probable cause to search the vehicle, and discovered the methamphetamine, fentanyl, and a digital scale.
According to court documents, Donnell is a repeat offender with a long history of convictions in tribal, state, and federal court. At the time of this offense, Donnell was on supervised release for 2022 federal convictions of possessing obscene material with the intent to sell.
Donnell was sentenced in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud to 112 months imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute. This sentence includes a 12-month concurrent sentence for violating his federal supervised release.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Anthony John Crowley has been charged with possession of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, Anthony John Crowley, 52, of Minnetonka, Minnesota, did knowingly possess one or more matters which contained visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
“In recent months, we have seen a rash of agents, officers, and public officials engaging in crimes against children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Let there be no misunderstanding: the U.S. Attorney’s Office has zero tolerance for people in positions of trust and authority who abuse children. Zero.”
“All U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees are required and expected to abide by the laws they enforce. CBP stresses professionalism, honor, and integrity in every aspect of CBP’s mission,” stated Elizabeth Cervantes, acting Executive Director of CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Investigative Operations. “CBP OPR is committed to hold anyone accountable who betrays the public’s trust, while supporting the men and women who proudly uphold their duties to serve and protect.”
“When those who take an oath to uphold the law become the ones who break it in the most egregious way, it erodes the public’s faith in our institutions,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “We are seeing a troubling pattern — multiple arrests in recent months involving individuals in positions of authority charged with exploiting children. Let one thing be clear: position and power will not shield you from accountability. If you harm a child, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will find you. And no matter who you are, we will bring you to justice.”
Crowley made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster, and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the US Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for their investigation and hard work on this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca E. Kline is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Minnesota Men Working for 21 Days of Peace Indicted for Shooting in North MinneapolisRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Kashmir McReynolds and Alvin Watkins, Jr. were indicted in a three-count indictment charging Watkins with felon in possession of a firearm and McReynolds with disposing of a firearm to a convicted felon and possession of firearm while employed for a prohibited person, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“The people of north Minneapolis deserve peace,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “McReynolds and Watkins were paid taxpayer money to bring peace to the community. Instead, they brought the very violence they claimed to be interrupting. This is outrageous. These defendants will be held to account.”
“Armed violence will not be tolerated in our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “The reckless and deliberate use of firearms endangers lives and fuels fear in our communities. The FBI, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Minnesota and our law enforcement partners, is fully committed to identifying, investigating, and holding accountable violent offenders who believe they can operate above the law.”
According to court documents, on the night of Monday, March 10, 2025, after finishing their shifts for 21 Days of Peace, Alvin Anthony Watkins, Jr., 50, of Saint Anthony, Minnesota, and Kashmir Khaliffa McReynolds, 35, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, recklessly fired approximately 43 bullets into the dark, in a residential neighborhood in North Minneapolis. 21 Days of Peace is an initiative of Salem Inc., which is a non-profit organization funded by the Minnesota Legislature to engage in “social equity building and community engagement services.”
According to court documents, gunshots were fired at McReynolds and Watkins by an unknown never-seen shooter. After this initial hail of gunfire from the unknown shooter, no additional gunfire was fired at McReynolds and Watkins. Although McReynolds did not see a person fire the gunshots, he fired numerous rounds in the general direction from which he thought the gunshots had originated, then ran to the other side of the block and continued shooting. He also supplied Watkins with another gun, which Watkins fired a number of times. McReynolds knew Watkins was prohibited from carrying and possessing firearms due to his prior felony convictions. In total, McReynolds and Watkins fired approximately 43 rounds of ammunition.
Watkins and McReynolds made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Forbes is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Apple Valley Woman Charged with Participating in $250 Million Feeding Our Future Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – The 72nd defendant in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme has been charged in a federal indictment with three counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“This fraud is outrageous, brazen, and seemingly never-ending,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “As Acting United States Attorney, I intend to put the full weight of this office behind rooting out and prosecuting the shocking and unacceptable levels of fraud in Minnesota.”
“Stealing from a program designed to feed vulnerable children is not only criminal — it’s unconscionable,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Today’s indictment underscores our commitment to rooting out fraud that targets taxpayer-funded programs and ensuring those who exploit them are held fully accountable. The FBI, alongside our partners, will not relent in our pursuit of those who seek to profit from deception.”
According to court documents, Dorothy Jean Moore, 57, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, launched two purported federal child nutrition program sites in late 2020 under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. According to meal count forms Moore completed and signed, Moore purportedly served 1,500 meals to children a day at each of her sites, which she purportedly operated out of community churches. Through Feeding Our Future, Moore claimed and received reimbursements, in federal taxpayer dollars, for those purported meals.
At the same time, Moore claimed that she operated a catering company called Jean’s Soul Food. She claimed entitlement to further federal reimbursements for food she purported to provide from that company to her own sites. However, bank records show that Moore used little of the reimbursement dollars she received to purchase food. Instead, Moore used those funds for other purposes, including to purchase cars and fund an enhanced lifestyle.
Moore made her initial appearance in U.S. District Court today before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Five Highs Gang Members Convicted by Jury of RICO Conspiracy, Drug Trafficking, and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
Following a three-week trial, a federal jury in Minneapolis convicted five Minnesota men today for their involvement in the Highs — a violent Minneapolis street gang — and in gang-related murders, shootings, and narcotics distribution.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, defendants Tyreese Giles, 24, Josiah Taylor, 31, Trevaun Robinson, 29, William Banks, 35, and Gregory Brown, 35, all of Minneapolis, were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Members of the Highs committed murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies on behalf of the enterprise. As part of their Highs membership, the defendants were expected to retaliate against their rivals, the Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue. These two gangs had been in a gang war that spanned years and alleged members of the Lows gang have been separately charged with federal crimes, including racketeering charges.
“This is the second successful trial against members and associates of the Highs gang in this case in the last three weeks,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This case and these trials show the Department’s relentless determination to hold accountable criminal enterprises that use murder and intimidation to exert power and control narcotics territory. We will continue to dismantle violent gangs and secure justice for victims and their loved ones in communities around the country.”
“The Highs have long terrorized north Minneapolis, bringing drugs, violence, and murder,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “This verdict represents yet another step in our fight against gang violence. I want to thank the coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who joined together to bring down this violent criminal street gang. I also want to thank the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section for lending their expertise and partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on our RICO cases.”
“The FBI is committed to using every legal means available, including federal racketeering statutes, to dismantle these criminal enterprises who plague our society,” said Assistant Director Jose A. Perez of the FBI Criminal Investigative Division. “The Highs have used violence to terrorize and control our streets with no regard for the innocent lives impacted by their dangerous lifestyle. Today’s outcome is the result of coordinated law enforcement efforts with our partners to dismantle this dangerous group and make our streets safer.”
“This case is a powerful example of how we use federal racketeering laws to take down violent gangs at the center of community violence,” said Acting Director Daniel Driscoll of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “These individuals relied on firearms, retaliation, and drug trafficking to fuel chaos and assert fear and dominance over their neighborhoods. ATF special agents worked closely with our partners to map the gang’s structure and document their vicious acts of violence, to bring the full weight of the law against its members. We will continue to use every tool available to protect the public and hold violent offenders accountable.”
“The verdict today reflects the United States Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) dedication to building great partnerships with other federal agencies, as well as state and county law enforcement, to bring violent criminals in our communities to justice,” said Acting Inspector in Charge Steve Hodge of USPIS.
“As financial investigators, IRS Criminal Investigation brings a unique skill set to dismantling violent criminal enterprises,” said Special Agent in Charge Ramsey E. Covington of the IRS Criminal Investigation Chicago Field Office. “Our special agents are experts in exposing how criminal organizations move and hide their illicit funds. By following the money, we developed critical financial evidence on significant fentanyl suppliers. As an agency on the RICO task force to combat violent crime, IRS-CI will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners to make a noticeable impact in our community. These convictions are a critical step in restoring safety and stability to the streets of Minneapolis and maintaining the marked decrease in violence in our community.”
As proven at trial, the gang war escalated when, on Sept. 9, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed at a barbershop in Minneapolis. About two hours later, suspecting that the Lows were responsible for the killing, defendant Giles traveled to Pennwood Market in Lows territory. Once there, Giles, who was dressed in black and wearing a mask covering his face, shot and killed a Lows member. He fired the fatal shot into the victim’s back before he attempted to flee from the scene.
Evidence at trial tied defendant Robinson to two shootings — one into a crowd of individuals in downtown Minneapolis on July 7, 2019, and another in the parking lot of Merwin Liquors, a Highs hangout, on April 2, 2022.
Defendants Taylor and Banks trafficked drugs, including fentanyl, on behalf of the Highs. Evidence proved that Brown was a high-level narcotics supplier for the Highs and coordinated trips to and from Arizona for Highs members to obtain tens of thousands of fentanyl pills to sell on the streets of Minneapolis. Each defendant was arrested in possession of narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and one possessed a firearm in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking.
The jury convicted defendants Giles, Robinson, Banks, And Brown of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Conspiracy. Defendants Taylor and Banks were also convicted of drug trafficking conspiracy. The jury convicted Taylor of the separate crime of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This is the second of several trials in this case, which charged over 40 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Nine defendants are awaiting trial.
The ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.
Trial Attorneys Brian Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Lopez-Calhoun and Carla Baumel of the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the case.
Federal Jury Convicts Five Highs Gang MembersRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – This afternoon, following a three-week jury trial, a federal jury convicted all five defendants on trial in the Highs RICO case of a variety of federal charges, including RICO and murder, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joesph H. Thompson. The Highs are a prominent Minneapolis street gang, whose primary agenda consists of gang-related murders, shootings, and the distribution of narcotics. This is the second of back-to-back large trials in which members of the Highs gang have been convicted of RICO or related charges. The third Highs RICO trial begins on Monday.
“The Highs have long terrorized north Minneapolis, bringing drugs, violence, and murder into our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “This verdict represents yet another step in our fight against gang violence. I want to thank the coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who joined together to investigate and prosecute this violent criminal street gang. I also want to thank the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section for lending their expertise and partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on our RICO cases.”
Defendants Tyreese Giles, 24, Trevaun Robinson, 29, William Banks, 35, and Gregory Brown, 35, all of Minneapolis, were convicted of federal RICO conspiracy. As proven at trial, these defendants were members of various “cliques,” or subsets, of the Highs — a criminal enterprise that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis. Members of the Highs committed murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies on behalf of the enterprise. As part of their Highs membership, these defendants were expected to retaliate against their rivals, the Lows gang, which operated south of West Broadway Avenue. These two gangs had been in a gang war that spanned years and alleged members of the Lows gang have been separately charged with federal crimes, including racketeering charges. Giles was also convicted of committing a murder for the benefit of the gang. Josiah Taylor, 31, was convicted of conspiring to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking.
This is the second of several trials in this case, which charged over 40 defendants with RICO conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and other charges related to their activities as members and associates of the Highs gang. Nine defendants are awaiting trial.
“Our special agents devoted countless hours coordinating the intricate details of this complex investigation, working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle, of the St. Paul Field Division. “The jury’s verdict rightfully recognizes the seriousness of the violence inflicted upon our Minneapolis communities and reflects ATF’s unwavering commitment to relentlessly pursue those who commit craven acts that endanger public safety. Together, we remain resolute and will continue to aggressively target and dismantle violent criminal enterprises to ensure justice and protect our neighborhoods.”
“The Highs built their reputation on fear, violence, and bloodshed,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “For too long, this violent street gang operated with a ruthless disregard for human life — they poisoned the streets with drugs and left neighborhoods living under the shadow of gunfire and murder. Today’s verdict is a critical step in the fight against violent crime. The FBI and our partners will continue to dismantle violent organizations and pursue these dangerous offenders without pause until our communities are safe from their destructive influence.”
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see violent criminals not only arrested but now convicted,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “These guilty verdicts send a powerful and unmistakable message: we are serious about ending violent crime in our cities. This outcome reflects the incredible work of MPD officers along with the tireless efforts of our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s Office. The strategy to target those individuals who cause the greatest harm is paying off. These convictions will surely bring a renewed sense of justice and hope to the individuals and communities that have been harmed by these violent offenders.”
As financial investigators, IRS Criminal Investigation brings a unique skill set to dismantling violent criminal enterprises,” said Ramsey E. Covington, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Chicago Field Office. “Our special agents are experts in exposing how criminal organizations move and hide their profits. By following the money, we developed critical financial evidence on significant fentanyl suppliers. IRS-CI joined the RICO task force to combat violent crime, and we will continue to collaborate with our federal, state, and local partners to make a noticeable impact in our community. These convictions are a critical step in restoring safety and stability to the streets of Minneapolis and maintaining the marked decrease in violence in our community.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and Minnesota Department of Corrections with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. The Ramsey County Sherif’s Office, Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies contributed to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Calhoun-Lopez and Carla Baumel and Brian Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section are prosecuting this case.
Federal Agent Charged with Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Timothy Ryan Gregg has been charged via federal complaint with production of child pornography, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, Timothy Ryan Gregg, 51, of Eagan, Minnesota, attempted, coerced, and enticed a minor victim to take part in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography. According to court documents, the father of the minor victim discovered multiple sexually explicit images and videos on the minor victim’s cell phone. These images and videos depicted the minor and an older individual engaged in sexually explicit activity. The individual in the images and videos were later identified as Timothy Gregg, who is a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations and a Task Force Officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will always hold defendants in positions of public trust to account, particularly when they commit crimes against vulnerable children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “I am proud of the swift and decisive action of the FBI and the Rochester Police Department, who responded immediately and worked together to take Gregg safely into custody.”
“The allegations in this case represent a gross violation of both the law and the responsibilities entrusted to those who wear a badge,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “There is no place in law enforcement — or in any position of public trust — for those who exploit minors. The FBI remains steadfast in our commitment to investigate such acts and ensure that no one is above the law, regardless of their rank or role.”
Gregg made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster, and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the FBI and the Rochester Police Department for their investigation and hard work. The U.S. Attorney’s Office also thanks Homeland Security Investigations for their assistance in safely apprehending the defendant.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry M. Jacobs is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
St. Paul Man Sentenced in Twin Cities Stuffed Animal Fentanyl Distribution ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Paul man was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to his part in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
According to court documents, between August 2022 through December 2023, Quijuan Hosea Bankhead, 31, and others conspired to distribute fentanyl in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. To accomplish their scheme, several of the co-defendants traveled to Phoenix to obtain fentanyl pills from suppliers, hid the pills inside stuffed animals, and then mailed them to addresses in and around the Twin Cities. Law enforcement in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington counties became aware of the trafficking and initiated a joint investigation, which resulted in the seizure of six packages containing over 30,000 grams of fentanyl pills.
Bankhead was sentenced on May 29, 2025, in U.S District Court before Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan.
“Bankhead and his network smuggled deadly fentanyl into Minnesota and had the gall to hide this poison inside of children’s toys—stuffed animals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Bankhead will now serve a well-deserved decade in federal prison.”
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, the Dakota County Drug Task Force, the Washington County Drug Task Force, and the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner prosecuted the case.
Ohio Man Charged with Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Steven Scott Gordon, 53, of Curtice, Ohio has been charged by a superseding indictment with production of child pornography announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph. H Thompson.
According to court documents, the defendant posed online as a 20-year-old woman to publish online erotica about the sexual abuse of children. The defendant, using his alias, encouraged and directed a Minnesota man to create images and videos of sexual abuse of a child in Minnesota.
According to court documents, Steven Scott Gordon’s electronic devices were obtained from the FBI in Ohio. Investigators found Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on the defendant’s computer, including CSAM that was produced by the Minnesota man who transmitted them to Gordon.
“Child sexual predators are among the dangerous of criminal defendants,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Anyone who victimizes and sexually abuses Minnesota children should be prepared to serve decades in federal prison.”
“Every child deserves a safe and innocent childhood,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Gordon’s heinous actions shattered that innocence and caused unimaginable harm. Protecting children and holding vile predators accountable is one of the FBI’s highest priorities. Anyone who exploits a child should expect to face the unflinching efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners."
Gordon was arraigned in U.S. District Court on May 21, 2025, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz, and was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI in partnership with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Rosemount Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Mattessich is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
President Donald J. Trump Appoints Joseph H. Thompson Acting United States Attorney for the District of MinnesotaRead the Press Release
MINNEAPOLIS – Joseph H. Thompson, who has served as a federal prosecutor for sixteen years, has been appointed by President Donald J. Trump to serve as the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota.
“I am honored and humbled to be asked to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota,” said Mr. Thompson. “I look forward to continuing our office’s work combatting violent crime, the scourge of fentanyl and other deadly drugs, and the shocking and unacceptable levels of fraud in our state government programs.”
Mr. Thompson has served as a federal prosecutor for more than sixteen years, first in the Northern District of Illinois and since 2014 in the District of Minnesota. In that time, Mr. Thompson has investigated and prosecuted hundreds of cases, many of which involve matters of national and international significance. Most recently, Mr. Thompson has served as the Chief of the Fraud & Public Corruption section. In this role, Mr. Thompson has overseen an unprecedented effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prosecute fraud against state and federal government programs, including as the lead prosecutor in the Feeding Our Future investigation, which has been recognized by the Department of Justice as the largest Covid-19 fraud in the United States.
From 2023 to 2024, Mr. Thompson served on the Special Counsel team investigating the mishandling of classified documents found at the Penn-Biden Center in Washington, DC, and the personal residence of President Joseph R. Biden in Wilmington, Delaware.
Mr. Thompson previously served as a federal prosecutor in Chicago from 2009 to 2014, where he prosecuted street gangs, drug cartels, corrupt politicians, and domestic terrorists.
Mr. Thompson has tried more than twenty jury trials in every major area of federal prosecution. Mr. Thompson has briefed and argued more than a dozen cases before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Thompson has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a federal prosecutor, including the 2024 Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for his work as the lead prosecutor on one of the largest elder fraud cases in the country.
For more than a decade, Mr. Thompson taught law school, including an advanced criminal law course at the University of Minnesota Law school. Mr. Thompson has also taught trial advocacy to new AUSAs from around the country at the Department of Justice’s National Advocacy Center in South Carolina.
Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Mr. Thompson worked in private practice in Chicago. He also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and for the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau.
Mr. Thompson was born and raised in Minnesota. He earned a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Gustavus Adolphus College, and his law degree, with distinction, from Stanford Law School.