Eastern District of North Carolina
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Brunswick County Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Federal Prison for Child Sexual Abuse Material CrimesRead the Press Release
NCDPSWILMINGTON, N.C. – A Shallotte man was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment followed by 10 years of supervised release for receipt of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“These child predators hurt our children, causing lifelong damage to our communities. This case highlights the critical partnership between federal, state, and local agencies in protecting children,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to work together to bring child sex offenders to justice and prevent further harm.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Department of Homeland Security and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office investigated Scott Anthony Lewis, 65. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a Cyber Tip from Dropbox, reporting that one of its users had uploaded child sexual abuse material to their platform. Law enforcement traced the IP address from that DropBox account to Lewis.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Lewis’ residence, and seized digital devices being seized that contained child sexual abuse materials. Lewis had previously served in the U.S. Navy but had left the service in 2018. Since then, he had been working as a self-employed licensed electrician. Lewis, a previously registered sex offender, was on supervised probation for incest at the time of his arrest. At the time he downloaded some of the images located on his device he was out on bond for the incest charge to which he later entered a guilty plea.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charity Wilson prosecuted the case, and the Department of Homeland Security and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for case no. 7:24-CR-100-M-BM.
Fentanyl Hidden in Ironing Board Leads to 15-Year Federal Sentence for Raleigh ManRead the Press Release
NCDPSRALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a Raleigh man, Joshua McClain, 31, to spend more than 15 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine out of a Cary hotel room.
“Fentanyl traffickers take lives across our communities, and dealers like McClain – who repeatedly return to this trade – fuel that crisis,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This sentence reflects the seriousness of his conduct and reinforces our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the public and hold repeat offenders accountable.”
According to court documents, investigators began surveilling McClain in January 2024 after observing suspected drug activity at a Raleigh motel. Officers saw a vehicle leaving the motel after a suspected drug deal and stopped it a short time later. The driver of the vehicle was identified as McClain, and officers confirmed he had several outstanding warrants. During the search, officers found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and cash.
Following his release on bond, McClain returned to the Cary hotel where he had been staying. Staff inspecting the room found multiple bags of narcotics hidden inside the lining of an ironing board. The substances included fentanyl, ANPP—a chemical precursor used to make fentanyl—and other controlled substances.
In March 2024, while being processed at the Wake County Detention Center, officers again discovered even more drugs McClain had concealed on his body, including additional fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and cocaine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aria Q. Merle prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Cary Police Department, the Holly Springs Police Department and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-00340.
Rocky Mount Truck Driver Charged Federally After December 26th Bank Robbery and Shootout with Arresting OfficersRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A United States Magistrate Judge signed a complaint on December 27, 2025, charging Willie Edward Mcgee, Jr. with bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
“As alleged, this defendant didn’t just rob a bank - he threatened innocent civilians with explosives and then opened fire on police officers,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “That is not desperation, it is domestic terror. Thanks to the extraordinary courage and professionalism of our law enforcement partners, he is alive, in custody, and facing decades in federal prison. Let this serve as a warning: if you bring violence into our communities or target the men and women who protect them, this Department of Justice will meet you with the full weight of the federal government and ensure you are removed from the streets for a very long time.”
“When bad guys shoot at our law enforcement partners, we will aggressively pursue federal charges against them. Brave officers in Rocky Mount, and across the nation, regularly put their lives on the line to protect and serve,” said United States Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We honor them and will do everything we can to make sure that they go home to their families at the end of each shift. We intend to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt that this man robbed a bank and shot his gun during and related to that crime of violence. God bless the brave men and women who responded, and rest assured, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina has your back.”
"It is inexcusable for anyone to put the lives of the men and women in blue at risk. They selflessly protect our communities every day, so the rest of us are safe. FBI Charlotte commends the Rocky Mount Police Department for taking immediate action to make an arrest in this case. We also thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of North Carolina for quickly bringing federal charges,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
According to the complaint, on December 26, 2025, Mcgee entered a First Citizens Bank in Zebulon and demanded that the bank teller give him money under the threat of exploding C-4. The teller gave Mcgee $3,234 in cash, and Mcgee fled the bank.
Officers responded to the bank and began investigating the robbery. Surveillance footage depicted Mcgee leaving the scene of the robbery in a semi-truck. Later that day, Rocky Mount Police located the semi-truck in a Hobby Lobby parking lot in Rocky Mount. Police officers were surveilling the semi-truck when Mcgee exited the semi-truck armed with a Ruger AR 5.56 rifle. Mcgee immediately began firing at the officers. Officers returned fire and struck Mcgee. While taking Mcgee into custody, officers recovered the AR rifle he used to shoot at officers and a handgun from Mcgee’s waistband.
As explained in the complaint, several items worn by or used by Mcgee during the robbery were later recovered from the semi-truck.
Thankfully, no law enforcement officers or members of the public were injured during the arrest. Additionally, bomb technicians from the FBI and SBI rapidly responded, secured the scene, and ensured no explosive devices were present.
The federal complaint charges Mcgee with armed bank robbery and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on the bank robbery charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the discharging a firearm charge.
The FBI, ATF, NC SBI, Zebulon Police Department, and Rocky Mount Police Department are investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aria Merle, Charles Loeser, and Tyler Lemons are prosecuting the case.
This investigation is ongoing. If you have any information about the alleged crimes, please contact the FBI at (704) 672-6100.
A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Fraudster Who Submitted over $365,000 in Fake COVID Unemployment Benefits Applications Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
NCDOCWILMINGTON, N.C. – A Pitt County woman pleaded guilty to defrauding the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security (NCDES) by submitting false pandemic unemployment benefits (UI) applications intended for more than $365,000 in federal benefits. Yolanda Baker, age 51, faces up to ten years in prison, and a $250,000 fine when a federal judge sentences her later this year. She will also be ordered to repay a forfeiture money judgment of $368,022.00.
“This kind of fraud steals resources from North Carolinian citizens who needed real help during a national emergency,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Our office will continue holding accountable those who used the pandemic as an opportunity for personal gain. We will protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that criminals who exploit public programs face serious consequences.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, from in or about May 2020 to June 2021, Baker carried out a scheme to defraud NCDES UI program by submitting sixty-five fraudulent UI applications. She falsely represented the employment status of the listed applicants and provided fraudulent supporting documents. After the applications were approved, the funds were deposited into accounts Baker controlled.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes is prosecuting the case, and the United States Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General is investigating the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CR-31-M.
Department of Justice Agents Seize $8.5 Million in Cryptocurrency and Disrupt Investment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Adobe Stock ImageRALEIGH, N.C. – Federal agents seized nearly $8.5 million worth of Tether, a cryptocurrency pegged to the U.S. dollar. Investigators traced the seized funds to a cryptocurrency address allegedly linked to money stolen from victims of cryptocurrency investment scams, commonly known as a “pig butchering scheme."
“By seizing these stolen funds, we strike at the heart of organized criminals who use scams to prey on hardworking, innocent citizens,” said E.D.N.C. U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Our office will continue working with the FBI and other law enforcement partners to disrupt fraud schemes, protect victims, and hold bad guys who exploit the promise of new technologies to commit old crimes accountable.”
“This substantial cryptocurrency seizure is an example of the FBI’s commitment to fight for victims in this ever changing cyber-fraud landscape,” said FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. “One victim dipped into a child’s college savings and a spouse's retirement fund before being locked out of the account, losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in an instant. This seizure helps claw back the money that rightly belongs to victims.”
According to court filings, criminal actors approached and recruited victims by disguising themselves to build trust through a business or romantic relationship. Fraudsters typically sent victims an innocuous and misleading text message or an unsolicited message to a social media account or online dating profile. Once they established contact, scammers claimed they could help victims make large profits trading cryptocurrency. Then the criminals steered victims to fictitious cryptocurrency trading platforms that gave the false appearance of being legitimate. These fake platforms displayed fabricated investment portfolios with abnormally large returns to entice victims to invest more money.
When victims later attempted to withdraw funds, the fraudsters refused and froze the accounts. In some cases, the criminals demanded victims pay a “tax” or “penalty” before accessing their money. Some fraudsters even posed as a “cryptocurrency recovery firm,” offering to retrieve lost investments for an upfront fee, further compounding the injury.
Victims unknowingly sent their investments to wallets controlled by these scammers rather than to accounts in their own names. Scammers immediately transferred those funds to several other wallets to hide the nature, source, and ownership of the money. Agents and analysts from the FBI traced those funds into and through several cryptocurrency wallets used as a part of the fraud and money laundering scheme, recovering all funds subject to seizure.
Since 2024, the FBI has partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina to seize over $15 million on behalf of victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud. Other seizures include:
$2.6 million seized on behalf of multiple victims, including a 61-year-old man in Spring Hope and a 50-year-old man in Raleigh. Each victim believed he was in a romantic relationship with the fraudster, exchanging messages via the WhatsApp platform.
$4.99 million seized on behalf of multiple victims, including a 67-year-old man from Angier. This victim also believed he was in a romantic relationship with the fraudster, using the WhatsApp and Telegram platforms to communicate.
Avoid falling victim to cryptocurrency or romance scam fraud by following these steps:
If someone you don’t know contacts you online or by phone, never give any personal information. In fact, the FBI advises you should always ignore a random stranger’s attempt to connect or befriend you, if you don’t already know them in real life.
Do not invest money based on advice from someone you’ve met solely online.
Verify the validity of any investment opportunity or cryptocurrency investment with your own independent research, separate and apart from what the unknown scammer tells you.
If you already invested funds and believe you are or may be a victim of a scheme, do not pay any additional fees or taxes to withdraw your money. Just cap your losses.
Do not pay for services that claim to recover lost funds. It’s a trap.
Be on the lookout for domain names that impersonate legitimate financial institutions, especially cryptocurrency exchanges.
Misspelled URLs, often with just a slight deviation, like an extra letter or missing one letter, from the actual financial institutions’ real website, may be, indeed almost certainly are, fake.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is. There is no such thing as a get-rich-quick scheme. Certainly not from a random stranger you never met in person who targeted you on the internet.
The Department of Justice acknowledges Tether for its assistance in effectuating the transfer of these assets.
If you are a victim of a cryptocurrency scam, or other scam involving the use of the Internet, please file a report with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov and with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Nash County Drug Dealer Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Selling over 22 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
NCDOCRALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a Nash County man to 20 years in federal prison for selling more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. On February 14, 2024, Kenneth Orlin Simmons, Jr., age 36, pleaded guilty to these crimes.
“Drug dealers flood our communities with deadly methamphetamine and arm themselves with guns to violently carry out their trade. Criminals like this Big Shark Bad Boy pose a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This sentence sends a clear message: if you poison our communities and endanger the lives of our children and families, you will sit in a federal prison for a long time. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to shut down these operations, clean these villains off our streets, and protect the citizens.”
“Drugs destroy lives and tears apart communities, and when traffickers arm themselves, the danger only grows. I’m proud of the work our team put into holding this individual accountable and ensuring he can no longer victimize our citizens. A sincere thank you to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, and the ATF for their hard work with this case,” said Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, in July 2022, Simmons sold over a kilogram of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in Nash County. The Nash County Sherriff’s Office along with the DEA later obtained a search warrant for Simmons residence. During that search, law enforcement seized 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, nearly 1,000 grams of marijuana, a stolen Glock .40 caliber handgun, a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun, an AR-15 rifle, a 29-round magazine with 22 .40 caliber rounds, and a 96-round drum magazine.
Simmons was previously convicted of felonies including two counts of felony abduction of children, and also of two counts of sexual battery.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, Aria Q. Merle prosecuted the case. The Nash County Sheriff’s Office, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and the ATF investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-00015.
Federal Judge Sentences Raleigh Drug Kingpin Who Convinced Former Youth Football Coach to Transport over 13 Pounds of Cocaine to 50 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Duplin County Sheriff's Office 8/22/2022RALEIGH, N.C. – On December 11, 2025, a federal judge sentenced a Raleigh man to 600 months, which is 50 years, in federal prison for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl, and other narcotics throughout the Raleigh area. Earlier this year a federal jury convicted Akeem Netron Holder Evans, age 36, of multiple counts of conspiracy, possession, and intent to distribute illegal drugs.
“This dealer ran a large-scale drug operation, exploited people he trusted, and pumped deadly drugs into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This sentence, spending the next 50 years in federal prison, makes it crystal clear: if you sell drugs here, we will find you, we will convict you, and you will spend decades behind bars. This Big Shark Bad Boy won’t hurt our families and children for a long time.”
“For years, Akeem Evans peddled poison to his own community without a second thought. He’ll have the next 50 years in federal prison to reflect on his actions. This case is a direct result of the FBI's relentless determination to partner with state and local departments to rid our neighborhoods of drug-fueled gang violence," said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
"The sentencing of Akeem Evans brings closure to a deeply disturbing case. We are pleased that justice has been served and that those who distribute deadly substances into our community are being held accountable. This outcome reflects the strong collaborative efforts between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Raleigh Police Department. We are sincerely grateful for this partnership, as well as for the continued support and dedication of our local, state, and federal partners whose work was instrumental in this case," said Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Evans operated a long-running drug trafficking organization out of multiple residences in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. Investigators determined that Evans’ organization distributed at least 11 kilograms of cocaine, more than 4.8 kilograms of crack cocaine (35 pounds combined), fentanyl, oxycodone, and marijuana, and that Evans orchestrated others in storing, transporting, cooking, and selling drugs.
As part of the operation, Evans exploited personal relationships to help sell drugs. He even convinced his former childhood football coach to transport kilogram quantities of cocaine into the Raleigh area for distribution, demonstrating the depths he would sink to insulate himself and expand the tentacles of his gang.
The investigation revealed that Evans and his co-conspirators used stash houses, encrypted communications, and counter measures in a vain attempt to evade law enforcement. Investigators also identified Evans as coordinating drug deals with multiple customers and directing them where to purchase drugs.
In March 2022, during the execution of a search warrant, officers recovered several kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of grams of crack cocaine, fentanyl pills, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and firearms from multiple locations connected to Evans and his dirty gang of drug peddlers.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashley H. Foxx, Toby Lathan, and Robert Dodson prosecuted the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-140-D-1.
American Distillation Pleads Guilty After Releasing Pollution into the Cape Fear RiverRead the Press Release
NC DOCNEW BERN, N.C. – American Distillation, Inc. (ADI) pleaded guilty to knowingly discharging tert-Butyl alcohol and other pollutants into the Cape Fear River in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. ADI is a chemical processing company located in Navassa, outside of Wilmington. The company’s owner, Andrew J. Simmons, Jr., also pleaded guilty to failing to pay federal taxes. These guilty pleas follow an earlier guilty plea by ADI’s former plant manager, Barry Darnell White, to discharging pollutants into the Cape Fear River in violation of the Clean Water Act on ADI’s behalf.
“This was not an accident, and it was not a paperwork violation,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “ADI deliberately decided to dump harmful chemicals into a North Carolina river to increase profits. When corporations choose pollution over safety, we will hold them criminally accountable and enforce the law without hesitation.”
“The Cape Fear River features diverse habitats, from freshwater streams to a vital saltwater estuary, supporting rare aquatic species and old-growth forests. The company’s multi-year illegal discharges of industrial waste poses a serious threat to the River’s water quality and is harmful to ecosystems,” said Chuck Carfagno, Special Agent in Charge of the EPA's criminal enforcement program in North Carolina. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that the EPA and its partner agencies are committed to protecting the environment and pursuing those who threaten our natural resources.”
“The defendant willfully engaged in a long pattern of violations of the internal revenue laws,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “Tax evasion is not a victimless crime, it affects every American by stealing resources vital to fund schools, maintain public infrastructure, and enhance social welfare.”
“The defendant’s alleged repeated dumping of chemical-laden wastewater into North Carolina rivers and streams was a brazen violation of the Clean Water Act that defrauded the EPA and endangered communities that rely on those waters,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Keith Squires of the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General. “Today’s action shows the EPA OIG’s firm commitment to working with our partners to defend our waterways and hold violators fully accountable when they attempt to profit at the expense of human health and the environment."
According to the information presented in court, ADI was incorporated in 1992 to make and sell industrial grade ethyl alcohol. ADI regularly accepts large quantities of tert-Butyl alcohol (TBOH) from its customers. TBOH is highly flammable, colorless oily liquid with a sharp alcohol odor. TBOH is a pollutant that constitutes a solid waste, chemical waste, and an industrial waste under the law. During distillation, ADI created and stored byproducts in an approximately 250,000-gallon storage tank (known as Tank 14), which regularly stored liquid wastewater that included TBOH, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone mixed with water.
ADI’s EPA-issued permit required ADI to properly dispose of TBOH byproduct, but beginning in late 2019 through 2024, ADI accepted more TBOH and other chemicals from its customers than it could legally and safely process and remove. From 2020 to 2024, five to six times per year, White released approximately 2,500 gallons of liquid wastewater from Tank 14 by connecting a hose that drained into a nearby pipe that drained directly to the Cape Fear River. ADI released TBOH byproduct from Tank 14 into the Cape Fear River to ensure maximum profits without ceasing operations. ADI management had informed some employees that if operations came to a halt, the company would suffer serious financial harm, potentially including dissolution.
Congress enacted the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1948 and amended it substantially in 1972 to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. In addition, the CWA prevents, reduces, and eliminates water pollution in the United States to conserve the Waters of the United States for the protection and propagation of fish and aquatic life and wildlife, for recreational purposes, and for the use of such waters for public drinking water, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
The CWA prohibits the discharge of pollutants into the waters of the United States from any point source without a permit issued under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”). The discharge of any pollutant by any person is unlawful except in compliance with such a permit. Under the CWA, the EPA may delegate the authority to states to implement and enforce NPDES permits to states. The EPA delegated such authority in 1975 to North Carolina.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Beraka is prosecuting the case. The EPA Criminal Investigation Division, EPA Office of Inspector General, and IRS Criminal Investigation are investigating the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:25-CR-00097-FL.
North Carolina Social Services Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing over $100k from SNAP Benefits ProgramRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Wayne County woman who engaged in a scheme to defraud more than $100,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and managed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services (“DSS”), pleaded guilty to theft of government property. Shermeca McCrary, age 46, faces a maximum term of ten years in prison, and a $250,000 fine when sentenced later this year. She will also be ordered to pay a forfeiture money judgment of $102,000.00.
“Safeguarding taxpayer-funded assistance programs is one of our office’s core responsibilities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “When a government employee abuses her position of trust to steal benefits intended to help families in need, we will act to hold her accountable. I appreciate the work of our federal, state, and local partners as we continue to protect these programs for the communities they serve.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, between January 2021 to January 2024, McCrary using her position and privileges as a North Carolina Department of Social Services case worker, unlawfully accessed the SNAP accounts of qualified individuals and converted $102,000 in government funds for her own personal benefit and use.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes is prosecuting the case. The United States Department of Agriculture, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, and the Johnston County Department of Social Services – Program Integrity, are investigating the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-275-M.
Raleigh Man Sentenced for Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material on his Work LaptopRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a Raleigh man, Joseph Matthew Dobbs, age 45, to 135 months in federal prison for possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), after a federal jury convicted him earlier this year.
“Predators who target children have no place in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This office will pursue them relentlessly, charge them aggressively, and make sure they face the consequences they deserve. We will always stand up for the most vulnerable and protect the families of this district. This criminal won’t bother our children for at least 11 years.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in early November 2022, Dobbs worked from home as an IT support engineer for a multinational technology company. During a routine remote session, a supervisor observed content on Dobb’s work-issued laptop that appeared to be CSAM. The company immediately terminated his employment and provided screenshots to law enforcement.
The Raleigh Police Department executed a search warrant at Dobb’s apartment and seized the company laptop. Investigators reviewed the device and the company’s back-up servers and found that Dobbs had stored over 300 CSAM images. Many images showed children under the age of 12.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lori Warlick and Logan Liles prosecuted the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-182-FL.
Snapchat Predator Nets 14 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a Virginia man to 174 months in federal prison after he met a minor on Snapchat and manipulated her into sexual activity. On May 7, 2025, David Anthony Howard, II, age 27, pleaded guilty to transporting a minor across state lines to engage in criminal sexual activity.
“Criminals who use apps like Snapchat to target and exploit our children are some of the worst offenders we face,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will not hesitate to bring the full force of the federal law down against anyone who preys on minors. Parents deserve to know we are doing everything possible to keep their kids safe.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in April 2023, a Vance County mother reported that her fifteen-year-old daughter was missing and possibly being held by an adult male. The FBI, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, the Dinwiddie County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police determined that the minor was in Virginia with Howard at his residence. Further investigation revealed that Howard met the minor on Snapchat and manipulated her into a romantic and sexual relationship, traveling repeatedly from Virginia to her home in North Carolina to engage in sexual acts with her. He also enticed her to provide sexual images and videos. Finally, on the night of April 22, 2023, Howard tricked her to sneak out of her house and go to his home in Virginia. He kept her at his residence, continuing to sexually exploit her, until law enforcement recovered her five days later.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Blondel, Sarah Nokes, and Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case, and the FBI, the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, the Dinwiddie County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-237-FL.
Illegal Alien Charged with Assaulting and Impeding ICE OfficersRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – An illegal alien was arrested and charged with forcibly assaulting and impeding agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by allegedly ramming his vehicle into agents’ vehicles and narrowly missing an ICE agent.
“Assaulting a federal officer is an attack on the rule of law itself,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “When someone allegedly drives a vehicle to threaten or endanger ICE agents, we treat it with the utmost seriousness. We have zero tolerance for conduct that puts our officers or the public at risk, and this office will take every lawful step to protect our families, officers, and communities.”
“When a federal agent is attempting to make a lawful arrest, there is no excuse to respond with violence. The FBI will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to support illegal immigrant enforcement operations,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
According to allegations in the criminal complaint, Milton Ermilo Arreaga Roblero, 23, was taken into custody in Morrisville, after ICE agents attempted to stop his vehicle during an enforcement operation. Initially, Roblero allegedly came to a complete stop before he suddenly backed into one agent’s vehicle and then drove into four different ICE vehicles. The complaint further alleges that he forced one of the agents on scene to jump out of the way narrowly avoiding Roblero crashing into him. Roblero was taken into custody after he allegedly drove over the curb, through a garden bed and then collided with a civilian’s vehicle.
Roblero is charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers and faces maximum penalty of twenty years in prison if convicted. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-MJ-02535-JG.
Raleigh Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Threatening to Kill POTUS and U.S. Secret Service AgentRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced a Raleigh man on Friday to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release, for threatening to kill then-President Joseph Biden and threatening to kill the U.S. Secret Service agent who came to investigate the original threat. On August 19, 2025, he pleaded guilty to the charges.
“This sentence makes one thing clear: threatening to murder the President of the United States or any federal agents sworn to protect our nation will bring swift and serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We do not tolerate violent statements that cross the line into criminal threats. Our office will continue to defend the safety of our public officials and stand firmly behind our law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us every day.”
“This case highlights the dangers our public officials face every day,” stated Meghan Dubea, USSS Resident Agent in Charge - Raleigh Resident Office. “Law enforcement and our judicial system must never waver even when threatened with violence or facing danger. We are thankful for the Raleigh Police Department and for the United States Attorney's Office for ensuring Michael Ferr was held accountable.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Michael James Ferr, 31, posted several disturbing comments on X.com (formerly Twitter) on January 10, 2025. His comments included death threats to then-President Biden.
On January 14, 2025, U.S. Secret Service agents interviewed Ferr about his threats. During the interview, Ferr threatened to kill the agent.
The National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The United States Secret Service investigated the case with the assistance from Raleigh Police Department.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-00085.
Roanoke Rapids Police Officer Arrested and Charged with Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – The FBI arrested a Halifax County man yesterday on criminal charges related to his alleged involvement with child sexual abuse material (CSAM). At the time of his arrest, Isaac Nielsen, age 31, was employed by the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.
According to the complaint, in May 2025, an undercover officer engaged in a chat with a user on a website known for promoting user-generated sexual content. During those conversations, Nielsen allegedly distributed child pornography to the undercover officer and discussed his interest in engaging in sexual contact with children. The undercover officer’s agency determined that the user was located in North Carolina and notified the FBI. On December 1, 2025, the FBI identified Nielsen as the user, obtained an arrest warrant, and arrested him.
Nielsen is charged with the distribution and possession of child pornography. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 30 years’ imprisonment. A complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blondel is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Raleigh Durham Child Exploitation Task Force is investigating the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
A copy of this press release is located on our website.
Ringleaders of National COVID-19 Fraud Scheme Sentenced to 204 Months in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Edward Sheldon Whitaker to 120 months in prison and, his wife, Schunda Coleman, to 84 months in prison for their roles in organizing a nationwide COVID-19 fraud scheme. The Court ordered both defendants to pay more than $10 million in restitution after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering for their role in facilitating dozens of North Carolina residents to obtain fraudulent Paycheck Protection Act (“PPP”) COVID-19 loans. Additionally, the Court ordered forfeiture money judgments against Whitaker and Coleman in the amount of $3,872,548.24, as well as the forfeiture of the marital residence in Edinburg, Texas, and other accounts and property.
“Defrauding our nation during an emergency is disgraceful. Today’s sentences send a loud and clear message,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “While hardworking Americans pulled together during the pandemic, these defendants chose to line their own pockets. This office will continue delivering tough, no-nonsense justice to anyone who steals from taxpayers – we will not let fraudsters get rich off the backs of honest citizens.”
“The defendants created a scheme with the sole intent of enriching themselves during a national crisis,” said Special Agent-In-Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “They orchestrated a recruitment program to generate millions of dollars in fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans meant for those in need during the COVID-19 Pandemic. IRS-CI will continue its collaborative investigative efforts alongside our law enforcement partners to find those stealing from the federal government and subsequently the taxpayers.”
Whitaker and Coleman, a married couple from Edinburg, Texas, ran a scheme to abet individuals submitting fraudulent PPP loan applications nationwide. According to the court documents, the pair created fake supporting documents and false company payroll records, which they provided to co-conspirator applicants for a fee. They also coached “clients” on how to falsify the number of employees and gross wages of a phony business to make it appear eligible for a PPP loan. Whitaker instructed individuals how to make it appear as though PPP loan proceeds were being paid out as wages, when in reality, the defendants transferred the money back to themselves.
Whitaker and Coleman facilitated more than $15 million in fake PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) disbursements nationwide. To further promote the scheme, they paid middlemen to recruit additional co-conspirators willing to file fraudulent loan applications.
To date, more than thirty defendants who conspired with Whitaker and Coleman have received federal prison sentences.
In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who suffered negative economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act and additional appropriations authorized up to $649 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses through the PPP. Financial institutions issued the PPP loans, which were guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka prosecuted the cases. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation investigated the cases.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-00257-D.
Raleigh Man Sentenced for Selling Dangerous Counterfeit Car AirbagsRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – On September 30, a federal judge sentenced a Raleigh man to one year and a day for importing and selling thousands of counterfeit car airbags into the Raleigh area over the past two years. The defendant, Mateen Mohammad Alinaghian, 31, sold the counterfeit airbags locally and to online buyers through Facebook Marketplace. The court also ordered Alinaghian to pay restitution in the amount of $83,405.95 to the victims who unknowingly purchased a counterfeit airbag, and to the car manufacturers, and forfeit $154,693.16.
“Selling fake airbags recklessly puts our citizens in danger,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This sentence makes clear that we do not tolerate criminals who endanger drivers on our roads. We will keep working with our partners to take these threats off the streets and out of our cars.”
“Unregulated and untested counterfeit airbags threaten the safety of the traveling public and place unsuspecting consumers at significant risk,” said Greg Thompson, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Mid-Atlantic Region. “This sentencing underscores DOT-OIG’s commitment to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to keep these dangerous products out of the nation’s vehicles and off our roads”
“This case spotlights the serious consumer health and safety dangers posed by many counterfeit products like fake vehicle airbags and exemplifies the importance of interagency cooperation in protecting public safety and bringing counterfeiters to justice,” said Secretary of State Elaine Marshall.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Alinaghian, imported approximately 2,500 counterfeit air bags into Raleigh between May 2022 and April 2024. Alinaghian imported airbags with counterfeit markings of Honda, Chevrolet, General Motors, and Toyota, from a supplier in the United Kingdom. Alinaghian then sold the counterfeit airbags to unsuspecting customers using the Facebook Marketplace seller profile of “Matt AutoParts” or “Medo Smith” to advertise and sell the counterfeit airbags.
According to testing done by Honda, General Motors, and Toyota, the steering wheel airbags obtained and sold by Alinaghian were not manufactured by the car companies and often included materials of lesser quality. In testing, the counterfeit airbags often malfunctioned, either not fully inflating or worse, inflating late – posing a potentially serious risk of injury to the vehicle driver.
The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. The investigation included a search of Alinaghian’s house, which resulted in the seizure of approximately 20 counterfeit airbags, and multiple seizures by Customs and Border Control of in-bound packages from the United Kingdom containing counterfeit airbags en route to Alinaghian.
After identifying that Alinaghian was importing the counterfeit airbags from a source in the United Kingdom, HSI contacted law enforcement abroad. As a result, the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PICU) executed a search warrant on September 19, 2024, PICU officers searched two residential and one business address and seized a total of 500 counterfeit airbags and an estimated £140,000 in cash. Three men were arrested on suspicion of fraud by false representation, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to distribute counterfeit goods. The UK investigation is still ongoing.
Although not specifically linked to this case, according to a consumer alert published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), three people in the U.S. were killed and two people suffered injuries from September 2023 to July 2024 as a result of their vehicles being fitted with substandard replacement airbags.
Individuals who suspect they purchased a counterfeit airbag should consult their brand’s dealership or a reputable mechanic to determine if the parts need to be replaced, and report it to their local Homeland Security Investigations office or submit an online complaint to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Haughton prosecuted the case. The Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the N.C. Secretary of State Trademark Enforcement Division or Anti-Counterfeit Task Force.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-cr-00013-FL.
Largest North Carolina Behavioral Health Practice Agrees to Pay $1.9 Million to Resolve Allegedly False Medicare ClaimsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Mindpath Care Centers, North Carolina, PLLC, North Carolina’s largest behavioral health practice with offices statewide, along with former officers Jeff Williams, Abigail Sheriff, and Sarah Williams, paid $1,900,000 to the United States to resolve allegedly false Medicare claims billed for psychotherapy and related services.
“This large settlement demonstrates our steadfast commitment to protect taxpayer money and to guard the integrity of our vital health care programs,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Behavioral health practices and other health care providers seeking Medicare funds must make honest claims for payment based upon documented medical need. We will hold those who abuse health care programs accountable. Our office will zealously pursue damages and civil penalties against medical practices who violate the laws.”
“Health care professionals are expected to submit true and accurate billing, which is critical to protecting the integrity of the Medicare program,” stated Special Agent in Charge Kelly J. Blackmon with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “This settlement reflects the ongoing commitment of HHS-OIG and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to addressing allegations involving improper billing practices and the potential exploitation of enrollees in our nation’s federal health care programs.”
This settlement arose from whistleblower allegations that Mindpath fraudulently billed for Psychotherapy and medication management sessions. The United States filed a complaint alleging that Defendants “systematically billed for fraudulent Psychotherapy treatments, without required documentation of the separate time and Psychotherapy treatments of patients to maximize their profits, all in blatant disregard of Medicare billing requirements.”
More specifically, the Government alleged that, from 2018 to 2020, Mindpath billed Medicare without providing documentation of “separate and distinct Psychotherapy treatments”, “failed to adequately correct problems repeatedly raised by Mindpath employees,” and “demonstrated a pattern of reckless disregard or deliberate ignorance toward stated concerns about billing fraud” while being “primarily focused on generating income.” Ultimately, Mindpath agreed to pay $1.9 million to resolve the False Claims Act allegations.
The False Claims Act mandates that the Government recover triple the money falsely obtained, plus substantial penalties for each false claim submitted, and attorneys’ fees and costs to the whistleblower. The civil claims resolved by settlement here are allegations only, with no judicial determination or admission of liability. The defendants deny these allegations.
This matter was handled in partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina and the HHS Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Neal Fowler represented the United States.
Dominican National Previously Convicted of Child Sex Offenses Charged with Perjury and Immigration FraudRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – On November 18, a federal grand jury indicted Jeffry Jose De Pena, 39, an illegal alien Dominican national who was unlawfully present in the United States, on charges of perjury and immigration fraud. The indictment alleges that De Pena lied about his prior criminal history when he applied for temporary protection to stay in America.
“We remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of our children and society by ensuring alien applicants provide truthful information and are not child sex predators,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “While these charges are only allegations at this stage, the public should know that our office will scrutinize false statements and continue to uphold the rule of law and support our federal partners as they carry out their mission.”
According to the indictment and previously issued court immigration documents, De Pena is alleged to have knowingly made a materially false statement under penalty of perjury on his Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), when he submitted it to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) in December of 2021. In response to the question “Have you EVER engaged in, ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in any of the following:…[a]ny kind of sexual contact or relations with any person who was being forced or threatened?” he answered “No.” CIS approved the application on January 5, 2022.
On February 20, 2023, in the Superior Court in Wake County, a grand jury returned three indictments charging De Pena with having committed five counts of indecent liberties with a child and seven counts of first-degree sex offense with a child by an adult from January 1, 2007, through January 1, 2012. On March 21, 2024, De Pena was convicted of indecent liberties with a child and first-degree sex offense with a child by an adult. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of between 300 and 420 months and ordered to register as a sex offender. De Pena confessed to having committed the crimes from January 1, 2007, through January 1, 2012. In 2007, the victim was only four years old. Because he was not arrested until after he obtained DACA status, immigration officials were unaware of his crimes and claimed lack of sexual exploitation of children prior to approving his application.
De Pena is charged in a two-count indictment. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is prosecuting the case. ICE ERO officers and HSI agents assigned to the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force are investigating the case as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing initiative designed to aggressively target child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtain immigration benefits.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-00288.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Nigerian Man Convicted in Federal Trial of Fraud and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal jury convicted Saheed Sunday Owolabi, 34, from Nigeria on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for his role in several cyber fraud schemes.
“Fraud schemes like this drain millions from hardworking people in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse the anonymity of the internet to enrich themselves by stealing from our citizens.”
According to court records and trial evidence, Owolabi pretended to be a woman to build online relationships with men in the United States, a scheme known as a romance scam. He and his co-conspirators used these fake relationships to convince victims to send money and personal information. Owolabi and others used bank accounts provided by the victims to launder money from other fraudulent operations. Owolabi joined a scheme that stole and laundered more than $120,000 from a victim in the Eastern District of North Carolina and defrauded hundreds of others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudsters gained unauthorized access to information about a pending home closing and sent spoofed emails instructing the victim to transfer funds to a bank account they controlled. When the victim complied, the money went to accounts linked to Owolabi and his associates. Owolabi then directed others on how to move and distribute the money, including sending portions to himself. Investigators recovered chat messages in which Owolabi admitted he was running a romance scam until he realized he was actually communicating with another fraudster. That individual mocked Owolabi’s efforts and told him to “learn how to do a clean job.”
Owolabi faces up to 40 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release when sentenced in January 2026.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad DeVoe is prosecuting the case, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-CR-137-M.
Wendell Man Found Guilty at Federal Trial for Armed Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Wendell man for armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm after robbing the PNC Bank in Zebulon on February 7, 2024.
“A violent criminal waving a gun while wearing a mask terrorizes innocent employees and customers. We will not tolerate this antisocial mayhem in the Eastern District of North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “I want to thank our local and federal partners whose swift investigative work ensured this conviction. This menace will spend years in prison, away from law abiding citizens.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Victor Antwan Perez, 24, entered the PNC Bank in Zebulon on the morning of February 7, 2024, wearing a ski mask with a distinctive pattern, a black jacket, grey pants, black latex gloves, lavender crocs, and a black handgun.
Perez walked up to a teller, waved the handgun in her face, and demanded money while pointing the gun at her. As the teller gathered the money, Perez threatened to shoot her fingers off if she did not hurry.
Perez sped away from the bank with the stolen money. About three weeks later, law enforcement conducted a search warrant of Perez’s home and car, and recovered the distinctive patterned mask, a black jacket, grey pants, black latex gloves, lavender crocs, and a black handgun.
Officers also seized Perez’s phone, and forensic analysis placed the phone at the bank during the robbery.
Perez faces a mandatory minimum of seven years and a maximum of life in prison when sentenced.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles E. Loeser and Logan Liles prosecuted the case. The Zebulon Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-110-D-RJ.
Sampson County Drug Boss Found Guilty of Selling Massive Amounts of Methamphetamine into Eastern NC CommunitiesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal jury convicted a Sampson County native on twelve counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine stemming from his leadership of a large-scale methamphetamine distribution operation in Eastern North Carolina.
“This verdict sends a strong message: if you flood our communities with deadly drugs, we will come after you,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This defendant chose to run a major cross country methamphetamine operation, and now he will face the consequences. Our office will continue to protect the people of North Carolina with unwavering resolve.”
“Through a collaborative effort, ATF and our law enforcement partners disrupted a dangerous drug dealing network that stretched from coast to coast,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Bringing an end to this criminal operation will have a major impact on bettering public safety in our community.”
“I am truly grateful for the cooperation between my office, our federal partners, and the United States Attorney’s Office. These partnerships have allowed us to stop the flow of drugs before they even get to Sampson County preventing overdoses and other catastrophic effects,” said Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Homer Allen Faison, III, age 47, led a drug trafficking organization that transported methamphetamine and other drugs from California into Eastern North Carolina for distribution. Evidence showed that Faison traveled to California to acquire pounds of pure methamphetamine, set up shipments of that methamphetamine into Sampson County, and managed the sale of that methamphetamine at homes and businesses in Clinton. The investigation revealed repeated large-quantity deliveries, organized communications, and continuous drug selling from 2020 until Faison’s arrest in May of 2023.
Faison faces a minimum penalty of 120 months and up to life in prison when sentenced in February 2026.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Webb and Charles Loeser are prosecuting the case. The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Clinton Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Knott led this multi-year investigation.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to 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).
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.7:23-CR-00065-D-1.
Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for String of Dollar General RobberiesRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A U.S. Federal Judge sentenced a Scotland Neck man, Achontay Malik Cotten, 22, to 11 years in federal prison for multiple armed robberies.
“Armed robbers terrorize employees and patrons alike, endangering the community,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Thanks to the quick and coordinated response, our local and federal law enforcement partners caught this criminal, so he faced the music. Our office remains committed to removing violent offenders from our communities and neighborhoods and keeping North Carolina families safe.”
“This 11-year federal prison sentence sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with committing a violent crime in North Carolina. You will be caught and held accountable. Thanks to the quick response of our partners at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, this armed robbery spree ended without anyone being hurt. The FBI is committed to crushing violent crime and these powerful partnerships are achieving real results to protect our communities,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
“We are grateful and thankful for our continued partnership with our U.S. Attorney’s Office to remove violent offenders from our communities,” said Edgecombe County Sheriff Clee Atkinson. “We will continue working with our citizens and our local, state, and community partners to make this area a safe place to live and play.”
“We value our partnership with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in addressing violent crime in Franklin County. Our goal is focused on removing violent criminals from our communities and keeping our citizens safe,” said Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, prior to October 11, 2023, Cotten and his gang robbed several Dollar General stores in Franklin County. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office guarded different Dollar General locations throughout the evening. Around 9:50 p.m., deputies at the Dollar General on NC 561 Highway in Louisburg spotted three suspects robbing the store.
As deputies moved in, the suspects sped off in a nearby getaway car, leading deputies on a high-speed chase through multiple counties. During the pursuit, one of the vehicle’s passengers fired several shots at pursuing deputies. The car eventually stopped, and four suspects ran off into nearby woods. Law enforcement quickly located and apprehended Cotten, who later admitted to driving the getaway car.
Investigators also linked Cotten to other armed robberies of Dollar General stores in Franklin County, including on October 8 and October 10, 2023, when armed criminals held employees at gunpoint before fleeing with stolen proceeds.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaren Kelly and Leonard Champaign prosecuted the case. The FBI Raleigh Durham Safe Streets Task Force, the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-213-M-BM-1.
Former Deputy Sheriff Sentenced for Production of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A U.S. Federal Judge sentenced a former deputy sheriff from Harnett County Sheriff’s Office to 23 years followed by 15 years of supervised release, and $10,000 in restitution, for producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“This defendant disgraced his badge and betrayed the community he swore to protect,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Law enforcement officers who engage in crimes of child exploitation are no different that the predators they should be stopping. Our office will zealously pursue those who fuel the demand for child sexual abuse material, no matter their title or position.”
“Those who are sworn to uphold the law and protect our communities carry a profound responsibility,” said Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant who also oversees North and South Carolina. “When that responsibility is violated in such a horrific manner, it erodes public trust and inflicts irreparable harm. HSI is committed to working alongside our partners to hold these offenders accountable and safeguard the vulnerable.”
“The North Carolina SBI is working around the clock with our local and federal partners to investigate and eliminate child sex exploitation in North Carolina. It is especially alarming when a law enforcement officer is charged with violating the laws they have sworn to uphold. The NC SBI remains committed to protecting children and families from sexual predators wherever and whoever they may be,” said Chip Hawley, NC SBI Director.
“I want to thank the United States Attorney’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security for their dedication and professionalism throughout this investigation and prosecution. Their joint efforts helped assist in our mission to keep Harnett County safe and ensure justice is served,” said Harnett County Sheriff Wayne Coats.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, working with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, investigated Johnathan A. Edwards, 37. In October 2023, investigators discovered that Edwards had sexually exploited children on the website Omegle while investigating allegations that he had sexually harassed a Harnett County Detention Center inmate. In Edwards’s Google account, investigators found videos showing Edwards video-chatting minor children on Omegle and encouraging them to undress and sexually abuse themselves, often after the children disclosed that they were 13 or 14 years old. In November 2023, Omegle shut down following allegations that the website had failed to take any precautions to protect children.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charity Wilson and Erin Blondel prosecuted the case. The SBI, the Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations, and the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-73-FL-BM.
Cartel-Linked Drug Trafficker Gets 20 Years for Pumping Meth into North CarolinaRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Morrisville man will spend the next 20 years in federal prison for flooding North Carolina and the Southeast with methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs. Federal prosecutors held Julio Cesar Orozco-Gomez, 34, a naturalized citizen and cartel member, accountable after he pled guilty to the charges on September 30, 2024.
“This cartel thug poisoned our communities with meth and fentanyl and armed himself with high-powered weapons to protect his criminal business,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Thanks to the work of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, we dismantled a cartel pipeline and made North Carolina safer. This case shows that these dangerous drugs are not made in North Carolina, and the Cartel has to work to import this poison. Let me be clear – anyone who participates in such cartel activity will find themselves locked up in federal prison for a long time.”
According to court documents and evidence, Orozco-Gomez led a cartel-connected group that produced and distributed methamphetamine and other drugs across the region. He identified himself as a member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, which the United States designated in early 2025 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Orozco-Gomez ran and supervised a liquid conversion lab in his Morrisville apartment and detached garage. There, he and his co-conspirators converted liquid methamphetamine smuggled from Mexico into crystal meth by drying it with hazardous chemicals such as acetone. Prosecutors proved that his manufacturing and distribution created a substantial risk of harm to human life because he engaged in these hazardous processes in a residential area. During the investigation, Orozco-Gomez bragged about using a college-educated chemist to help him with this hazardous process.
Federal and local law enforcement searched his home and seized several kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and fentanyl. They also recovered four guns, ammunition, and over $50,000 of cash in the case.
During sentencing the Judge described his operation as a “pipeline” that funneled deadly chemicals from Mexico into the Eastern District of North Carolina. The Judge also noted, the “staggering amount” of drugs the group trafficked represented “tens of thousands of fatal doses.”
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly L. Sandling and Logan W. Liles prosecuted the case. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and various local law enforcement agencies investigated the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-38-M-RJ.
Wilmington Couple Convicted at Trial of Trafficking Young WomanRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – On September 25, 2025, following a four-day trial, a federal jury in Raleigh convicted Dartez Omar Faulk and Rosalind Carol Comfort of three counts of sex trafficking following a four day trial.
“These depraved reprobates preyed on vulnerable young women to make money from their suffering and addiction,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Mercifully, one woman’s mama bear quickly sprang into action when she could not reach her daughter after a few days and promptly called law enforcement. The FBI and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office acted with admirable alacrity and remarkably rescued the daughter before something worse happened. A team of Federal Prosecutors fought hard to serve these miscreants justice for their heinous acts. Now these villains can expect to receive decades in prison they earned at sentencing. All of New Hanover County should sleep more peacefully knowing these two will not prowl the streets for a long time.”
“Human traffickers often prey on the vulnerability of their victims, making empty promises for a better life with a stable and loving home. It's nothing more than a bait-and-switch scheme. Quickly, they force victims into sex or labor trafficking, for personal profit. The FBI and our local law enforcement partners will never stop working to combat trafficking of any kind in our communities,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Faulk and Comfort lured a 26-year-old woman into commercial sex by preying on her drug addiction and abusive relationship. Between January 22 and 29, 2024, they coerced her into prostitution using violence, threats, drugs, and intimidation. They took all the money, did not let her leave the apartment where they were prostituting her, and hunted her down when she tried to escape. Faulk told Comfort that he would kill the victim at one point, and Comfort told him that they had been seen on camera with her.
On January 28, Faulk sent text messages to the victim’s mother threatening to kill her if her mother did not pay $3,500. The mother called 911 and reported her daughter missing. On January 29, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office identified online ads connected to the defendants. Working with the FBI, investigators rescued the victim. Further investigation revealed that Faulk and Comfort had lured a second vulnerable young woman, only 20 years old, into commercial sex, going so far as to advertise her for sex as she lay unconscious from a drug overdose.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III accepted the verdict. The FBI, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and Carolina Beach PD investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Blondel and Ashley Foxx are prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.7:24-CR-00091-D-BM.
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Justice Department Files Denaturalization Complaint Against Child Sex Offender Who Fraudulently Obtained U.S. CitizenshipRead the Press Release
On Sept. 24, the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint to revoke the citizenship of Hector Daneri Regalado, who, after naturalizing in 2010, was convicted of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child within the timeframe in which he was required to establish good moral character to naturalize.
“The allegations in this complaint demonstrate the value the United States places upon both the integrity of its naturalization process and, more importantly, ensuring that criminals – especially child predators – do not game a system designed to prevent such individuals from obtaining the privilege of U.S. citizenship,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
Pursuant to North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25 (1970), Regalado pled guilty in 2012 to two counts of Taking Indecent Liberties with a Child, in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14–202.1. According to the prosecution’s proffer, over the course of approximately two years, Regalado regularly sexually abused his victim from the time she was twelve until she was fourteen. The conduct to which he pled occurred in 2007, during the pre-naturalization period during which Defendant was required to demonstrate good moral character.
This is the tenth denaturalization action that the Department has filed since Jan. 20.
This case was investigated as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing national initiative between the Justice Department and ICE. This case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Litigation, General Litigation and Appeals Section, Affirmative Litigation Unit, with assistance from ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Five Defendants Charged Federally, More Than 30 State Warrants Executed in Henderson Crime Suppression EffortRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle, along with federal and local law enforcement, announced that five individuals have been charged in separate federal cases as part of a coordinated enforcement operation. In addition to the federal charges, more than 30 state warrants were executed in the Henderson area. The operation targeted violent offenders, drug traffickers, and absconders, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to protecting communities destabilized by violent crime and drug activity.
“These charges and arrests show that law enforcement will not stand idly by while violent offenders and absconders fuel instability in Henderson,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This surge reflects the strength of our local, state, and federal partnerships, and we remain committed to supporting Henderson and Vance County in this united fight against crime. If you commit a federal crime, you can expect to spend a lot of prison time.”
“The FBI is committing resources to support our law enforcement partners across North Carolina every day. The FBI Raleigh Durham Safe Streets Task Force is honored to have assisted the Henderson Police Department in this important fugitive roundup. When we work together to address and mitigate violent crime, the American people win and the Justice system can take the next step to hold offenders convicted in court, accountable,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
“Enforcement operations like this demonstrate the importance of collaboration,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Through partnerships and a commitment to public safety, we’re finding and apprehending those individuals that pose the greatest threats to our communities.”
“Violent offenders threaten the safety and stability of our neighborhoods, and this operation shows the strength of coordinated law enforcement at every level,” said U.S. Marshal Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., of the Eastern District of North Carolina. “The U.S. Marshals Service remains committed to working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to ensure fugitives are apprehended and communities across Henderson and Vance County are safer as a result of these efforts.”
“This operation is a result of planning, intelligence sharing, and collaboration. It sends a clear message that criminal activity has no place in our neighborhoods, and we will use every resource available to uphold the safety and integrity of our communities,” said Commander of the State Highway Patrol, Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr. “But our work does not stop with arrests, it continues with prevention, community outreach, and making sure that our enforcement efforts are matched by support for the families and neighborhoods most affected by crime.”
“On behalf of the SBI and our hard-working agents, we are extremely proud to join forces with our local, state, and federal partners to arrest probationers and absconders in Vance County to reduce crime and keep citizens safe. We are committed to assisting our sheriffs, chiefs, and U.S. Attorneys with the ongoing effort to get drugs off the street and put violent offenders in jail. Without the strong partnerships with other law enforcement agencies, the success of this type of operation would not be possible,” said the North Carolina SBI Director Chip Hawley.
“Successful collaboration with our local, state, and federal partners is essential to strengthening our communities and making North Carolina safer for everyone,” said ALE Director Bryan House. “I'm grateful for the strong relationships we've built that make operations like this possible.”
“This operation is an excellent example of how effective law enforcement collaboration can be in improving safety in our communities,” said Leslie Cooley Dismukes, Secretary for the Department of Adult Correction. “I’d like to thank all our law enforcement and prosecution partners for their ongoing assistance to reduce crime and ensure compliance among those we supervise.”
“This operation exemplifies the effectiveness of collaboration among law enforcement agencies with diverse areas of expertise. Extensive preparation was devoted to its planning and execution, and the success achieved reflects the strength of federal, state, and local agencies working in unison. As the Chief of Henderson, I am proud of our relationship with each of these agencies and look forward to more proactive projects in the near future,” said Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Participating agencies included the FBI, the ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina SBI, the North Carolina ALE, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, District Attorney Mike Waters, the Henderson Police Department, the Oxford Police Department, and the Vance County Sheriff's Office.
Law enforcement divided the effort into three arrest teams and three search teams, conducting approximately 30 absconder warrant services and 40 warrantless searches. Together, the teams executed coordinated arrests and searches aimed at reducing violent crime and holding fugitives accountable. According to court documents, the following five individuals, all from the Henderson area, were arrested on federal charges as part of the recent enforcement effort:
• Qwmaine Raekwon Knott of Henderson, 29, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison.
• Andre Khan of Henderson, 30, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.
• Terrance Hargrove of Henderson, 47, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, consecutive to any other sentence, and up to life in prison.
• Keith Bagley of Oxford, 46, is charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
• Shamar Evans of Oxford, 34, is charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon. If convicted, he faces a minimum of five years and up to 35 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Loeser, Jaren Kelly, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Becker are prosecuting the cases.
These federal cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
A copy of this press release is located on our website.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Media Advisory - Press ConferenceRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorney Ellis Boyle, along with representatives from the Henderson Police Department, the 11th Prosecutorial District Attorney Mike Waters, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Colonel Freddy Johnson, the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes, and the ATF will hold a press conference on Friday to provide an update on a joint state and federal law enforcement operation in Henderson. The update will include information on state and federal arrests and illegal firearm and drug seizures.
WHERE: Henderson Police Department, 200 Breckenridge St., Henderson, NC 27536
WHEN: Friday, September 19, at 3:00 p.m.
Media please arrive at the police department by 2:30 p.m. for set up.
For logistical information in advance of the media availability, the Public Information Officer with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. No case specific information is available until the press conference.
Beaufort County Felons to Spend Decades in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Bobby Lee Moore, Jr., age 45, and Andre Trell Hamilton, age 43, were sentenced for conspiring to distribute and aiding and abetting one another to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin. Moore pleaded guilty on March 20, 2025, and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. Hamilton pleaded guilty on March 26, 2025, and was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
“These two sold a lot of drugs flooding our families and communities with poison,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to work with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the DEA to go after these big shark bad boys and hold them accountable in federal court. The streets of Beaufort County will be safer for the next two decades while they think about who they hurt.”
According to court records and evidence presented at their sentencings, from February 2021 to July 2023, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) utilized a confidential source to arrange controlled purchases of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl from Moore. On each occasion, Moore communicated directly with the source to set up the drug deals. On May 31, 2023, Hamilton sold drugs after Moore set the meeting location. Hamilton sold 56.77 grams of pure methamphetamine in exchange for $1,000 in U.S. currency.
Hamilton’s criminal history spans two decades. Courts previously convicted him of multiple assaults, domestic violence, breaking and entering, burglary and several larcenies. In Beaufort County, courts convicted him of habitual misdemeanor assault in both 2012 and 2013.
Moore’s criminal history dates back to September 2001. The state convicted him of drug distribution and crimes of violence, with five prior drug-related convictions.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judges. Agencies involved in the investigation include the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Dixon prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-00073-D-RJ.
Wilmington Man Sentenced to More Than 27 Years in Prison for Running a Sex Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Wilmington man was sentenced today to more than 27 years in prison (327 months) for sex trafficking and operating a prostitution enterprise. On February 25, 2025, Christopher Todd Evans pled guilty to the charges.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Evans, 41, operated an “escorting” website and business for over a decade between 2010 and 2022. The business was initially called Cape Fear Entertainers and later called Cape Fear Escorts. Evans rented office space in downtown Wilmington and even made victims sign bogus “contracts” promising not to engage in sex trafficking and prostitution. Through Cape Fear Escorts, Evans prostituted more than 200 adult and minor females.
In fact, Cape Fear Escorts was a front for human trafficking and prostitution. Evans used manipulation, control, threats, and occasionally violence to coerce women to prostitute and give him their earnings. He intimidated victims and made them believe that he was well connected and that no one would ever help them. Evans’s exploitation and abuse left countless women struggling with addiction, trauma, and pain.
“Evans made money by exploiting these girls and women and exposing them to all manner of depravity and bodily harm,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Monsters who prey upon others have no place in the Eastern District. The lengthy and appropriate sentence in this case is based on the dedicated work of the FBI, our local partners, and federal prosecutors. We thank law enforcement for their great work on this case. The Eastern District and our citizens are safer because this pimp will spend decades in prison.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin C. Blondel and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Stephany prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:23-CR-82-M.
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Justice Department Issues Policy Defending Parental Rights in SchoolsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – On September 8, 2025, Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a memorandum to all United States Attorneys highlighting the Department of Justice’s policy to prevent and act upon violations of parental rights and First Amendment liberties in educational settings. General Bondi also directed United States Attorneys to work with federal, state, and local partners to identify and respond to credible threats against parents whose federal rights have been violated.
Under the leadership of President Trump and General Bondi, parents’ First Amendment rights – and their “fundamental right to direct the moral and religious education of their children” – will be protected from unlawful attacks.
United States Attorney Ellis Boyle stated, “Here in the Eastern District of North Carolina, parents should feel safe to raise their children in accord with their religion and customs and as the Supreme Court recently recognized in Mahmoud v. Taylor to protect them from the radical ideology that has infiltrated our schools. We will protect parental rights when parents interact with their children’s schools. To promote this and inform parents across the District, we shared a copy of the Attorney General’s memo with all county boards of education in the EDNC, the North Carolina Department of Education, the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate. Let me be very clear – here in Eastern North Carolina, we fully support the Attorney General’s policy, and we will act quickly to enforce it. Conspiring to violate constitutional rights is a crime under federal law. We will enforce these laws.”
The Attorney General’s full memo can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/ag/media/1413671/dl?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
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ICE Captures Illegal Alien Who Cape Hatteras Park Rangers Cited for Poaching FishRead the Press Release
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Earlier this week, the U.S. Marshals arrested Walter Betancourth, 46, a Honduran citizen illegally present in the United States, and turned him over to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”). The Marshals arrested Betancourth following his appearance in Federal Court related to fish and wildlife crimes at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Court documents show that on June 15, 2025, Park Rangers noticed a group of five Hispanic males overfishing red drum. The Rangers’ investigation revealed that Betancourth and his gang poached 16 red drum. The daily limit is one per person. Several of the fish were too big and should have been thrown back. Betancourth had an existing final order of removal from the United States from April 14, 2022.
“Illegal Aliens come to our land and exploit our national resources doing as they please because they completely disregard our shared values, customs, and rules. North Carolina strictly regulates our fish to ensure their availability to all North Carolina citizens now and in the future. This sort of disgusting disregard for our natural bounty is exactly the sort of behavior you might expect from someone who chose to unlawfully enter and illegally remain in the United States, ignoring a final order of removal,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Let this serve as a reminder to those aliens who are illegally present – we will find you and send you back no matter where you are or what you are doing – even just fishing at the beach. I commend the fine cooperation of the Park Rangers, the Marshals, and ICE in effectuating Betancourth’s deportation.”
Betancourth’s arrest was facilitated by active cooperation between ICE, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Those and other components of the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security will continue to work together to further the nationwide mission to repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement.
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Salvadoran National and Convicted Child Molester Charged with Naturalization Fraud and Passport FraudRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Isidro Arcenio Alvarado, 57, a U.S. citizen born in El Salvador, appeared in federal court yesterday for his initial appearance. On August 20, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with naturalization fraud and passport fraud. The indictment alleges that Alvarado lied about his criminal history on his application to obtain U.S. citizenship and used a fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate to obtain a U.S. passport.
“We will not tolerate illegal aliens or lying immigrants who get status to stay in this wonderful country if they hurt children,” said United States Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We do not tolerate any crimes against children. If you do this, we will kick you right back out.”
According to the indictment, Alvarado allegedly knowingly made materially false statements under oath and penalty of perjury on his naturalization application and during a naturalization interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In response to the questions “Were you EVER involved in any way with any of the following:…[f]orcing or trying to force someone to have any kind of sexual contact or relations?”; “Have you EVER committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit, a crime or offense for which you were NOT arrested?”; “Have you EVER given any U.S. Government officials any information or documentation that was false, fraudulent, or misleading?”; and “Have you EVER lied to any U.S. government officials to gain entry or admission into the United States or to gain immigration benefits while in the United States?” Alvarado answered “No.” Alvarado took the oath of citizenship and naturalized on October 12, 2022. On March 7, 2023, Alvarado used his fraudulently obtained naturalization certificate to apply for a passport from the U.S. Department of State.
On April 25, 2023, police arrested Alvarado and charged him with committing multiple sex offenses against a child. On July 8, 2025, in the Superior Court of North Carolina for Wake County, Alvarado pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent liberties with a child. The state court judge sentenced him to a suspended term of imprisonment of between 32 and 58 months and ordered to register as a sex offender. Alvarado confessed to committing these the crimes against a 10-year-old child from January 1, 2019, through April 10, 2021. State law enforcement agents did not arrest him until after he naturalized, so immigration officials were unaware of his crimes prior to granting citizenship.
Alvarado is charged in a four-count indictment. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison as well as the automatic revocation of his U.S. citizenship.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. ICE ERO officers and HSI agents assigned to the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force are investigating the case as part of Operation False Haven, an ongoing initiative designed to aggressively target child molesters and other egregious felons who fraudulently obtain U.S. citizenship. USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security Division is assisting with the initiative. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-208-D-BM.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Fraudster Who Submitted over $340,000 in Fake COVID Unemployment Benefits Applications Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Pitt County woman who submitted false pandemic unemployment benefit applications pleaded guilty to theft of government property charges on Wednesday. Shontavia Riddick, 32, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison when a federal judge sentences her later this year.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Riddick defrauded the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security (NCDES) by submitting more than 65 fraudulent unemployment benefits claims, requesting more than $340,000 in unemployment benefits. Riddick made false representations on the applications about the applicant’s employment and submitted fraudulent documents to support the applications.
“When people lie, cheat, and steal taxpayers’ money that should be used to support actual struggling citizens, it undermines the whole system,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We cannot allow individuals to loot the cellar to get fat while starving people go without. Not in Eastern North Carolina.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea. United States Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CR-19-M.
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Carteret County Man Arrested After Threatening to “Shoot up” Black Children at a PreschoolRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Federal agents, working with local deputies, arrested Zachary Charles Newell on Monday, September 1, 2025, for a criminal complaint charging him with making vile threats, including to “shoot up a black pre school,” in social media posts.
“The defendant’s alleged threats deeply disturb us as federal law enforcement agents and have no place in our society, certainly not in Eastern North Carolina. We will meet this evil with the full force of the federal law enforcement apparatus.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will not tolerate using the internet to spread fear or target communities, especially innocent children, with heinous threats of violence.”
“Every child in North Carolina deserves go to school without fear. Your FBI will work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate threats directed at schools. This federal charge should be a warning to anyone who believes they can sit behind a keyboard and make violent threats, anonymously. FBI Charlotte commends the Carteret County Sheriff's Office for taking immediate action to make an arrest. And we are grateful to our partners at the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of North Carolina to levy federal charges as well,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
According to court documents, on August 31, 2025, Google notified the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center of threatening comments posted by YouTube user “CommentatorsHateMe.” Investigators identified the account as belonging to Newell.
On August 26 and 27, 2025, Newell allegedly used the account to post threats directed at public YouTube channels discussing a wrestling match involving Raja Jackson. In one instance, Newell wrote, “I’m gonna shoot up a black pre school. 20 black babies will be shot.” The affidavit also alleges that Newell directed additional racist threats promoting violence against Black individuals.
If convicted, Newell faces up to five years in federal prison.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The FBI is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Blondel is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.4:25-MJ-01076.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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Four Men Indicted for Expansive Scheme to Defraud State Employees' Credit Union (SECU)Read the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal grand jury indicted Keyondre Deionta Purvis, 27, Calvin Daminice Stewart, 29, Michael Raekwon Ryner, 29, and Quavedrian Da’mon Gibson, 27. The indictment alleges the defendants engaged in an expansive scheme to defraud the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU).
“Protecting the integrity of banks and credit unions that serve North Carolina’s public is a top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of fraud and safeguard the trust and money placed in these institutions.”
According to the indictment, in the summer of 2022, the defendants allegedly carried out a fraud upon SECU by exploiting a security vulnerability. After securing access to numerous SECU accounts, the defendants engaged in sham transactions – repeatedly depositing and withdrawing funds from member accounts to artificially inflate the accounts’ assumed balances during a reconciliation period. The defendants were then alleged to have withdrawn large amounts of cash in excess of the true account balances. According to the indictment, after the defendants completed the sham activity and the inflated withdrawals during the reconciliation period, the accounts were left with negative balances that were not repaid, thus defrauding SECU.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Gates presided over Stewart's initial appearance. The FBI is leading the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Beraka is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-00204.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Federal Judge Sentences Elizabeth City Career Criminal to 14 YearsRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A U.S. District Judge sentenced Miguel Yasmir Williams, a 35-year-old man from Elizabeth City to 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute and possessing a firearm as a felon. Williams entered his guilty plea on January 29, 2025.
“Miguel Williams kept on selling drugs and poisoning our communities. No more,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This prison sentence puts him out of business. Law enforcement officers caught this dangerous drug dealer armed with a gun that he used to terrorize good citizens and families. We will ensure he pays the price for harming our communities by spending a long time in prison.”
“For too long, drugs have profoundly affected the lives of countless individuals in our community. We want to send a clear message: if you are engaged in selling this poison, especially to our family members, we will not stand idly by. We are committed to actively pursuing those who distribute these harmful substances. Weapons and drugs will no longer plague our community,” said Elizabeth City Police Interim Chief Eddie Graham.
“There is an absolute connection between drug dealing and gun violence in our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “A firearm in the hands of a drug dealer and felon is a serious danger, and ATF and our law enforcement partners will continue to do everything possible to apprehend those that pose these threats to our communities.”
According to court documents and information presented in court, Elizabeth City Police Officers responded to a bar in downtown Elizabeth City on February 10, 2024, after the bar requested emergency assistance. When EMS arrived, they found Williams unresponsive and prepared him for transport to the hospital. EMS personnel noticed a gun handle sticking out of his pocket. The gun was not only loaded but also stolen. At the hospital, medical personnel discovered a bag containing cocaine in his possession. This cocaine was packaged into numerous smaller baggies for distribution.
Due to his extensive criminal history, including convictions for kidnapping and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver cocaine, as well as larceny of a firearm, Williams faced enhanced federal sentencing.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announced the sentencing after Judge Dever's ruling. The Elizabeth City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart and Robbie Dodson prosecuted it.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Related court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina's site or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:24-CR-28.
Raleigh Trafficker Sentenced for Cocaine and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Wilbert Lee Howard, III, 42, to 16 years in federal prison for leading a major cocaine trafficking operation in the Raleigh area. Howard pleaded guilty to his crimes on June 12, 2025.
“This defendant had multiple prior state convictions for cocaine trafficking and possessing firearms, but he never learned his lesson. He continued to pump poison into our neighborhoods instead of being a contributing member of society,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Our neighborhoods, families, and communities are safer with this man behind bars. If you think you can make money and get away with selling drugs in Eastern North Carolina, you are wrong. Our federal and state law enforcement will find you, take your drugs, guns, cars, and money, and you will go to prison. Justice in this case is strong, it’s fair, and it sends a message loud and clear.”
According to court documents and information presented in court, from September 2023 to July 2024, Howard distributed approximately 14 kilograms of cocaine in Raleigh and its surrounding communities. The investigation revealed that Howard was obtaining kilograms of cocaine and distributing them to other drug dealers for sale in the Raleigh area. Law enforcement conducted multiple traffic stops of individuals working with Howard and recovered cocaine, marijuana, and cash.
On July 17, 2024, officers executed search warrants at properties used by Howard for drug trafficking and recovered cocaine, cash, and multiple firearms, including a shotgun and a 9mm handgun.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Raleigh Police Department investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey L. Peaden prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-00264.
Alien Charged with Illegal Voting in Federal ElectionsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment Tuesday charging a Canadian citizen with illegally registering to vote and voting in federal elections in 2022 and 2024.
“Every single time a noncitizen casts an illegal vote in North Carolina, it steals and nullifies the vote of an actual citizen,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “If the records are correct, this Canadian citizen appears to have voted in New Hanover and Pender County elections over the past 20 years. We intend to prove his illegal conduct in court and put an end to it.”
“Every American deserves to exercise their right to vote without interference in the democratic process. We appreciate the North Carolina Board of Elections partnership and commitment to working together to ensure fair elections in our state,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
“I am proud of the efforts of our investigators who worked this case prior to handing it off to our law enforcement partners at the FBI. Nothing is more critical to our democracy than confidence in our electoral process, which is why vigorous enforcement of our election laws must be a priority. The NC State Board of Elections team continues to stand ready to assist the U.S. Attorney’s Office as they investigate and prosecute voter fraud in North Carolina,” said Sam Hayes, the Executive Director of the NC State Board of Elections.
According to the indictment, Denis Bouchard, 69, falsely claimed to be a United States citizen to vote in federal elections, including the most recent 2024 presidential election. Bouchard, who has resided in the United States since the 1960s, never obtained U.S. citizenship. Despite his status as an alien, Bouchard certified that he was a U.S. citizen on voter registration applications in 2022 and 2024, when he cast a ballot in the 2024 presidential election and 2022 congressional election.
Bouchard is charged with two counts of 18 U.S.C. § 1015(f) and two counts of 52 U.S.C. § 20511(2)(B). If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment on each count.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after the initial appearance in court today. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, with assistance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a referral of the case by the North Carolina Board of Elections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Haughton is prosecuting the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 7:25-CR-00083.
An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Fayetteville Man Sentenced to 24 Years for Federal Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II sentenced Celestio Lefranz Harrington, 34, of Lillington, to 24 years in federal prison on Wednesday for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy involving methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl.
“Drug traffickers like Harrington flood our communities with meth, cocaine, and fentanyl that kill our children and destroy our families. They prey on the devastation these poisons inflict,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will relentlessly target major suppliers, dismantle their networks, and hold them accountable by sending them to federal prison for decades.”
In early 2023, detectives with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office received information identifying Harrington as a source of supply for multiple types of drugs in the Fayetteville area. Surveillance showed that he traveled throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and to Philadelphia to meet drug suppliers and addicts.
On March 29, 2023, investigators stopped Harrington’s car as he travelled back from Philadelphia. During the search, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers discovered approximately 4.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and 4.1 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the trunk. Investigators then searched Harrington’s Fayetteville apartment and found an additional 3.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, approximately 489 grams of fentanyl, and items used to package drugs for resale.
In total, the investigation revealed that Harrington distributed over 180 kilograms of methamphetamine, which is about 400lbs, 15 kilograms of cocaine, and a kilogram of fentanyl, which is enough to kill five times the population of Lillington.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Webb prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the outstanding efforts of these dedicated law enforcement officers in cleaning up the streets of Eastern North Carolina.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-336.
Federal Court Sentenced Clayton Woman for Laundering Millions for Cartels and Moving Kilo Quantities of NarcoticsRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – On Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced a Clayton woman to 11 years in federal prison for money laundering and trafficking large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. Oralia Rodriguez-Flores, 40, pleaded guilty at the end of last year to conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and to distributing 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
“Let this case stand as a warning to those willing to help Cartels poison our communities. We will target your drugs, your finances, and your profits and seize them. Then we will ensure you spend decades in prison. Cartel crime will not pay in Eastern North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Rodriguez-Flores thought she could hide behind money laundering schemes and drug trafficking networks, but she thought wrong.”
“This outcome is the result of dedicated work by law enforcement at every level,” said Jae W. Chung, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “The DEA remains committed to pursuing those who choose to traffic dangerous drugs and profit off of other’s addiction.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, from June 2021 to June 2024, Rodriguez-Flores distributed large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine that had been shipped from Mexico and laundered the proceeds from the sale of these drugs back to Mexico.
In January 2023, agents learned that Rodriguez-Flores was supplying kilogram quantities of cocaine to a drug trafficking organization (DTO) based in South Carolina. On January 16, 2023, Rodriguez-Flores delivered 4 kilograms of cocaine to the DTO. On January 5, 2024, Rodriguez-Flores sold 891.2 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine.
Approximately two weeks later, Rodriguez-Flores traveled to Kentucky to pick up drug proceeds when agents seized $39,391 in U.S. currency from Rodriguez-Flores as she returned to Raleigh. On February 2, 2024, agents seized 40 kilograms of cocaine from her semi-trailer truck in Kentucky.
Rodriguez-Flores admitted to being involved with drug trafficking for approximately three years and explained her scheme to agents. She distributed drugs to customers in the Carolinas that originated in Mexico. Rodriguez-Flores was also responsible for laundering millions of dollars in drug proceeds to Mexico.
Rodriguez-Flores’ prosecution results from an investigation by the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Illicit Finance Task Force (IFTF) and from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. Created in 2024 in partnership with the Treasury Executive Office of Asset Forfeiture (TEOAF), the IFTF is an interagency anti-money laundering task force comprised of prosecutors and agents. The IFTF is dedicated to combatting money laundering activities affecting the Eastern District of North Carolina through strategic use of criminal and civil laws.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Toby Lathan and Charles Loeser prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-235.
Compliance Director and Office Manager of Substance Abuse Company Convicted in Scheme to Pay Medicaid Kickbacks to PatientsRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Two former leaders of Life Touch LLC, a Kinston-based substance abuse treatment company, have pleaded guilty to their roles in a scheme to pay kickbacks to Medicaid patients. Keke Komeko Johnson, of Pikeville, the Compliance Director, and Francine Sims Super, of Kinston, an office manager, admitted to their roles in a scheme involving the payment of kickbacks to patients, and tax violations.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our federal and local law enforcement partners will continue to pursue crooks who prey upon America’s generous social service safety net. These two fraudsters not only targeted federal tax dollars but also took advantage of vulnerable individuals who were trying to turn their lives around. The more kickbacks that they paid to vulnerable addicts, the more they were able to help the company steal from Medicaid,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This case leaves no doubt: Medicaid kickback thieves face serious consequences.”
According to court documents, Johnson, Super, and others, used Medicaid reimbursement funds to purchase more than $1 million in gift cards. In some instances, the purchases were routed through personal bank accounts. The gift cards were then routinely handed out to patients on a weekly basis to incentivize the patients to show up for services. Over four years, Johnson, Super, and other Life Touch LLC employees and agents, routinely paid patients based on the number of days per week that the patients showed up to receive services. Every day a patient showed up, the more money Lifetouch LLC received as a kickback. In furtherance of the scheme, Johnson made false statements to Medicaid auditors, and Super created false documents to support their crimes.
According to court documents, Johnson and Super also received kickbacks from 1st Choice Healthcare Services, LLC, a lab company that they hired for drug testing services for Life Touch LLC patients. Neither reported this as income on tax returns, which meant they committed the crime of failure to file a tax return.
At sentencing, scheduled for November of 2025, Johnson faces a maximum of 11 years in prison. Super faces a maximum of 6 years in prison.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Swank accepted the plea. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Investigations Division investigated this case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tasha Gardner, and Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Gilmore are prosecuting the case for the government.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CR-27 and 4:25-CR-28.
A Federal Judge Sentenced Halifax County Man to 17 Years for Exploiting Children OnlineRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced a Roanoke Rapids man to 17 years in prison for distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Christopher Skipper, 39, previously pled guilty to distribution and possession of CSAM while on federal supervised release for an earlier child pornography conviction. The judge sentenced him to 210 months in prison, followed by an additional 18 months for violating his supervision, and 60 months of supervised release.
“Our office will continue to protect children and prosecute child predators who exploit and abuse the most vulnerable members of our community. If you hurt children this way, we will find you and hold you accountable for the endless revictimization that these children face. We will put you in federal prison for as long as possible to protect our communities and children,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
“Let this sentencing serve as a stark warning: Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners will stop at nothing to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who exploit and harm our children,” said Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant, who also oversees North and South Carolina. “The depraved actions of individuals like this defendant will not go unanswered. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect the most innocent among us and ensure that predators face the full consequences of their crimes.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, in Fall 2024, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) related to Skipper. Investigators determined that Skipper was using a Kik social media account to distribute CSAM. A search of his Kik account revealed numerous exchanges where he shared explicit images, distributed CSAM, and expressed sexual interest in children.
On June 27, 2024, Skipper shared images and videos of CSAM with another Kik user, including a video depicting a young girl being sexually assaulted by an adult male. Further investigation linked the Kik account to Skipper’s residence in Roanoke Rapids.
At sentencing, the court highlighted the more than 700 videos of CSAM found on Skipper’s phone, his explicit statements of interest in children, and the extreme impact of distributing such material on the victims.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-00082.
Man Sentenced to Maximum Prison Time Following the Shooting of an Off-Duty Police OfficerRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – A Robeson County felon has been sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by an additional two years for violating his federal supervised release, following a domestic violence assault that resulted in the shooting of an off-duty Dunn Police Officer. Daniel Wayne Locklear, 41, pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in April 2025.
“The United States will not permit violent felons to attack innocent women and citizens with guns. God bless this Dunn police officer who put his own life at risk to stop this Big Shark Bad Boy mid-crime,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Thankfully he has recovered from being shot in the leg. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his courage. The Dunn Police Department is righteously proud of this hero, as are we all.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on September 19, 2023, a woman rushed into the Exxon Gas Station in Linden and asked the clerk to call 911. Locklear entered shortly after the woman and began yelling at her. The clerk attempted to block the woman from Locklear, but Locklear flashed a gun and pushed the clerk out of the way. Locklear then grabbed the female victim by the legs and began dragging her out of the store. An off-duty Dunn Police Officer, who was also inside the gas station, attempted to de-escalate the situation and stop Locklear from leaving with the woman. Locklear drew his firearm and shot at the officer while he fled out of the store. The officer returned fired, striking Locklear in the forearm and abdomen. Once outside of the gas station, Locklear fired 15 rounds into the store and then fled in his car. The off-duty officer was hit by a bullet in his upper leg, but he successfully kept Locklear from taking the woman.
“An attack on an officer is an attack on the entire community. Violence against the brave men and women that work so hard to protect us cannot be tolerated, and ATF will continue to do everything possible to support our law enforcement colleagues,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones.
“Domestic violence has widespread consequences that affect not only the victim but also their family, friends, communities, and workplaces. We are firmly against any form of violence in Cumberland County and stand united with the Department of Justice in addressing this issue. I commend the remarkable heroism of the off-duty officer who took swift action,” said Cumberland County Sheriff Johnathan Morgan.
“On the evening of this incident, Officer Joshua Elliott’s actions saved the life of the female victim, the store clerk, and the customers inside the business. Officer Elliott’s dedication to his career, his years of training, and his calling to be a police officer — to ‘be alert and vigilant to enforce the criminal laws of this state’ — gave him the ability to act decisively in this crisis situation and save lives. By doing so, he became a hero. This heroic act demonstrates Officer Elliott’s steadfast commitment to the law enforcement oath of office, answering the call of duty without hesitation. We are thankful that justice has been served for the innocent victims, including Officer Elliott, who was directly involved in this incident,” said Dunn Police Chief Cary Jackson.
As a convicted felon who was on federal supervised release, Locklear was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. Despite this, when officers located Locklear’s vehicle, they found a loaded 9mm firearm with a 30-round large capacity magazine nearby.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The Dunn Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Foxx prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24CR00294D-1.
Repeat Offender Busted with Cocaine, Marijuana, and Cash Gets Federal TimeRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Alston Lamonte Parker, age 39, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after law enforcement executed two search warrants and located drugs, a firearm, and cash.
“We appreciate the partnership with the Halifax County Sheriff and the ATF to get this Big Shark Bad Boy off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will continue to focus on making Eastern North Carolina safer for the good citizens who proudly live there.”
According to court records and evidence presented at sentencing, on March 5, 2024, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) officers executed two search warrants at two residences in Roanoke Rapids, one on Zoo Road and another on New Hope Street. The warrants were based on three years of prior surveillance of Parker. Investigators determined the Zoo Road residence served as a stash house for narcotics, while the New Hope Street residence was used to store Parker’s drug proceeds.
During the searches of both properties and Parker’s vehicle, HCSO seized 586.68 grams of cocaine, 1,605 grams of prepackaged marijuana, eight grams of crack cocaine, and $13,079 in U.S. currency. They also recovered a Springfield Armory, Model XDS 9mm pistol that was registered to an individual in Virginia. An additional $11,851 in U.S. currency at the New Hope Street residence.
Parker is a convicted felon and was on federal supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute cocaine at the time of his March 2024 conduct. Parker was convicted of this offense in 2010 and served 156 months in federal prison. Parker also has an additional felony conviction for possession of cocaine from 2005.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. Agencies involved in the investigation include the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Dixon prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:24-CR-00057-M-RJ.
FBI Snuffs Out Opioid ‘Blaze’Read the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Courtney Linwood “Blaze” Matthews, 40, of Fayetteville, was sentenced today in federal court to 40 years in prison for his role as the leader of a multi-year drug trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing more than 839 kilograms of cocaine, 9.5 kilograms of heroin, and 3.4 kilograms of fentanyl across Eastern North Carolina. Matthews, who laundered drug proceeds through vehicle purchases and other assets, also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
“Linwood “Blaze” Matthews pleaded guilty to possessing and selling enough fentanyl to kill most of Fayetteville along with 9.5 kg of heroin and 839 kg of cocaine which is 1,854 pounds and is nearly the weight of a Mitsubishi Mirage,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “Blaze flooded the area with dangerous opioids and narcotics that hurt Fayetteville families. Now thanks to their tireless work, our law enforcement partners have put that fire out making the community safer.”
“The amount of illegal drugs “Blaze” Matthews is responsible for pumping into our community is staggering. The FBI and our partners are unwavering in our fight against violent crime on our streets,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
According to court documents and other information presented in court, the Fayetteville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and other law enforcement agencies identified Matthews as the head of a large-scale drug trafficking organization. The investigation established that Matthews was one of the most high-volume drug dealers in the area, coordinating with multiple co-conspirators to import and distribute kilograms of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in Cumberland and Robeson counties. Matthews had previously been convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana in the Eastern District of North Carolina in 2008.
In September of 2023, law enforcement was able to conduct a controlled purchase of one kilogram of cocaine from Matthews and co-defendant Anthony Mack at a residence owned by Matthews in Fayetteville. During the spring of 2024, investigators used tools to track Matthews’ source of supply and distribution network. During the investigation, agents seized significant quantities of drugs, drug packaging material, more than $213,000 in cash, firearms, and business records showing Matthews was funneling drug money into vehicles and other assets. Evidence showed Matthews wasn’t just moving drugs; he was running a car rental business with assets purchased with drug proceeds, directing others, keeping stash houses, and making sure his operation kept pumping narcotics into the community.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Fayetteville Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Webb prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-00177-D-1.
Halifax Man Sentenced as Armed Career CriminalRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – Trevonta Lynch, 34, a convicted felon and armed career criminal, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison following a traffic stop in which he reached for a firearm in front of law enforcement.
“Trevonta Lynch is a violent repeat offender who pulled a loaded gun on law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “That dangerous act could have cost lives – now it’s costing him 15 years of freedom. Let this be a warning: if you threaten our officers or our communities, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and you will spend years in federal prison where you can’t hurt anyone again.”
“This case is not about marijuana. It’s about a violent career criminal with a history of violent felonies and disregard for the law,” said Halifax County Sheriff Tyree Davis. “Thanks to our partnership with federal law enforcement, we removed this dangerous individual from the streets of Halifax County and into federal prison where he belongs. I have said repeatedly – we are not playing. We will use every legal resource to protect our citizens and will not allow criminals to disrupt our neighborhoods.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, on October 2, 2023, Halifax County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was driving without its headlights after dark. When approached, Lynch produced a small baggie of marijuana and told deputies that was the only thing he had on him. During the encounter, Lynch continued to reach around the rear floorboard of the car. Deputies told him to stop, and after several requests for Lynch to tell Deputies what he was reaching for, Lynch admitted that he was reaching for a firearm. Deputies searched the vehicle and recovered a loaded 9mm pistol with a large capacity magazine, 83 grams of marijuana, and various paraphernalia consistent with trafficking marijuana.
Lynch, who was on supervised probation at the time of the stop, has been convicted of 12 instances of breaking and entering in North Carolina, which are violent felonies. As Lynch has committed three or more violent felonies before his possession of the firearm on October 2, 2023, he is subject to enhanced federal penalties, including a 15-year mandatory minimum sentence.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Halifax County Sheriff’s Office and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Phil Aubart prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:23-CR-66-FL.
Media Advisory - U.S. Attorney to Announce Office PrioritiesRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – United States Attorney W. Ellis Boyle, will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce the offices priorities for the coming year.
WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office 150 Fayetteville St., Suite 2100, Raleigh, NC 27601
WHEN: Tomorrow at 3:30PM
Media, please arrive at our office by 3:00PM for set up.
For logistical information in advance of the media availability, please contact Katie Holcomb Vollmer at [email protected].
W. Ellis Boyle Sworn in as United States AttorneyRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – W. Ellis Boyle. has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The oath was administered by United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle at the Terry Sanford Courthouse in Raleigh. Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Mr. Boyle as the interim U.S. Attorney on August 7, 2025.
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Boyle is the lead federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of North Carolina, which includes the 44 eastern most counties of North Carolina. He oversees a staff of 119 employees, including 58 attorneys and 61 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes across the district, including crimes related to immigration, gang violence, National Security, drug trafficking, and violent crime. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
Before becoming the U.S. Attorney, Mr. Boyle practiced law at Ward and Smith, P.A., where he practiced litigation, representing businesses, government entities, and individuals in complex matters. He also served as General Counsel and Deputy Secretary at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS), which employs over 27,000 people. The department oversees the state's prison and probation/parole systems, the State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, the National Guard, and the juvenile justice system.
Prior to his role at DPS, Mr. Boyle was an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Eastern District of North Carolina for two years. During his time in the Civil Division, he tried many cases in federal court. He gained extensive experience representing the United States in cases involving negligence and medical malpractice claims for personal injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), as well as in bankruptcy cases.
Before serving as an AUSA, Mr. Boyle was an associate in the business litigation practice group of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice in Winston-Salem, where he primarily represented companies in matters related to business disputes and dissolution.
Mr. Boyle is from northeastern North Carolina, born and raised in Edenton. He earned a degree in history from Davidson College. After graduating, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Army where he served as an infantry officer for four years, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. Following his time in the Army, Mr. Boyle earned a law degree from Wake Forest University Law School. After graduating, he spent a year as a law clerk for the Honorable Claude Hilton, a U.S. District Court Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia.
Raleigh Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
RALEIGH, N.C. – Christopher Pacas-Aragon of Raleigh was sentenced today to 25 years in prison for distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). On February 11, 2025, Pacas-Aragon pleaded guilty to the charge.
“There is no place in our community for those who distribute child sexual abuse material, which only perpetuates the unspeakable crimes these victims have endured,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this horrific crime and our continued commitment to pursuing those who exploit children online.”
“This sentencing sends a clear message: those who exploit or harm children will be identified, investigated, and held fully accountable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Cardell T. Morant who also oversees North and South Carolina. “HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities and working with our law enforcement partners to ensure predators face justice.”
According to court documents and other information presented in court, Pacas-Aragon, 27, a registered sex offender, uploaded Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) using the KIK messenger application. Investigators with the Raleigh Police Department (RPD) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), received a lead from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Data System advising that a KIK user (later identified as Pacas-Aragon) uploaded three videos depicting CSAM to the messenger application. Pacas-Aragon was detained on November 1, 2022, after law enforcement executed a warrant at his residence, uncovering over 20,000 instances of CSAM.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. RPD, HSI, and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonard Champaign prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-00258.