District of Nebraska
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jeremiah Thurman, 43, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Thurman to a total of 260 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Thurman’s release from prison, he will begin a 20-year term of supervised release. Thurman was additionally ordered to pay $3,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases.
This case began in March of 2024 when the Clarinda Police Department in Iowa received a report of a minor female (Victim 1) having inappropriate conversations with adult men online Thurman was identified as having sexually explicit conversations with Victim 1 and receiving sexually explicit photos and videos of her. The initial investigation revealed Thurman was on the Nebraska Sex Offender registry for a prior crime.
The FBI executed a search warrant for Thurman’s residence on April 12, 2024. During the search, Thurman admitted to sending money to Victim 1 in exchange for nude pictures. A review of texts between Victim 1 and Thurman revealed phone calls and chat communications. Thurman would request explicit photos and videos from Victim 1. Thurman and Victim 1 also discussed how she was still in high school and living with family. As communications came to an end, Thurman discussed meeting up with Victim 1 and suggested getting a motel room. His plans did not occur due to the messages being discovered and police report being made.
“There are an alarming number of child predators online targeting Nebraska’s children, and we will not stop pursuing every single one of them until each is locked up behind bars where they cannot do harm to Nebraska’s children,” said United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Receipt of Child Pornography with Prior Possession ConvictionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Frank Tonini, 41, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for receipt of child pornography after having been convicted of possession of child pornography previously. District Court Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Tonini to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Tonini’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Tonini was ordered to pay $10,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases.
Tonini was on a five-year term of supervised release after being sentenced in 2017 to 56 months’ imprisonment in the District of Nebraska for possession of child pornography. As part of his supervision, he participated in a routine polygraph examination. After multiple exams with significant responses, United States Probation Office did a search of Tonini’s residence. The search yielded three unauthorized cell phones.
Law enforcement searched the three phones. On a phone located under Tonini’s mattress, law enforcement located 60 images of child pornography and five videos of child pornography. Included in the illegal files were images and videos of prepubescent and pubescent children, vaginal, digital and object penetration and violence.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Dakota Parrott, 33, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Parrott to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Parrott’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
On March 24, 2025, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle driven by Parrott for a traffic violation by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper in Lincoln. Parrott was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The trooper conducted a K9 sniff of the vehicle and the K9 alerted to the presence of narcotics. After the alert, troopers began a search of the vehicle, which resulted in the NSP troopers finding marijuana, a large amount of methamphetamine, and a box of 9mm ammunition. The methamphetamine was sent to the State Patrol Crime Laboratory, where it was confirmed to weigh 898 grams, with at least 820 grams of it being pure.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force (LLCNTF).
Lincoln Man Sentenced for Attempted Production of Child Pornography Crime Committed while Awaiting Sentencing for Earlier Child Pornography ConvictionRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Devon Rice, 29, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for attempted production of child pornography. District Court Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Rice to 180 months’ imprisonment to be served consecutive to his 2025 conviction for receipt of child pornography. The total time of imprisonment for Rice is 250 months. There is no parole in the federal system. After Rice’s release from prison, he will begin a 15-year term of supervised release.
Rice was pending sentencing in the District Court of Nebraska for a conviction of receipt of child pornography. While out on pre-trial release in that case, Rice began communicating via Kik messenger application with an undercover officer with the Lincoln Police Department. The undercover officer identified himself as a 14-year-old female from Lincoln.
The conversation quickly turned sexual. Rice asked on numerous occasions for the purported 14-year-old to send “nudes” and “sexy pics.” In June 2025, the conversation involved requests by Rice to meet the purported 14-year-old for sex. Additional requests were made by Rice to the purported 14-year-old for explicit photos.
Eventually, Rice made plans to meet up with the purported 14-year-old at a coffee shop in Lincoln that was within walking distance of the fictitious apartment address the undercover officer had provided to Rice. Investigators with the Lincoln Police Department were waiting at the coffee shop and arrested Rice as he was exiting his vehicle.
Rice was sentenced to 70 months’ imprisonment on August 21, 2025, for receipt of child pornography.
“The Lincoln Police Department is to be commended for this incredible undercover investigative work that will provide the community protection from this insatiable sexual predator long into the future,” said United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods. “Nebraska is safer thanks to this judgement and conviction.”
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.
Venezuelan Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for ATM Jackpotting Following Homeland Security Task Force InitiativeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Juan Manuel Gouveia-Aguilera, 27, originally of Venezuela, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his role in a conspiracy to deploy malware and steal millions of dollars from ATMs in the United States, a crime commonly referred to as “ATM jackpotting.” Chief United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Gouveia-Aguilera to 96 months’ imprisonment, a 5-year term of supervised release, and $500 in special assessments. Gouveia-Aguilera was also ordered to pay restitution as part of his sentence.
The Court found Gouveia-Aguilera to be responsible for more than $3.5 million in losses and this sentence is believed to be the longest federal sentence imposed for an individual’s role in ATM jackpotting. Specifically, Gouveia-Aguilera was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank burglary and fraud in connection with computers, bank fraud, bank burglary, and fraud in connection with computers following a guilty plea.
“The Court’s sentence of Juan Manuel Gouveia-Aguilera reflects the severity of his criminal conduct,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He participated in a scheme to hack ATMs across the United States, the result of which forced them to dispense substantial amounts of cash – known as jackpotting. These malware schemes help fund the operations of violent transnational criminal organizations, such as Tren de Aragua (TdA). We will continue to safeguard the security of our financial institutions and disrupt this network with our law enforcement partners and the District of Nebraska.”
“Today’s sentence is one of many yet to come in this case, and the United States Attorney’s Office looks forward to the day when the leaders and architects of this nationwide conspiracy to victimize American banks to fill the coffers of a terrorist organization are held accountable in federal court,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods. “This appropriate and just sentence is only the beginning of the justice that will be doled out across the entire conspiracy before this case concludes.”
“TdA poses a direct threat to our communities both here in the Midwest and across our country. This violent terrorist organization relies on a wide range of criminal activities to generate revenue supporting their campaigns of violence and terror,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “This case highlights TdA’s plot to deploy sophisticated malware targeting financial institutions across the U.S., syphoning millions of dollars from American banks to fund acts of terrorism. As criminal enterprises change tactics, we surge resources and adapt accordingly to protect the American people.”
“Gouveia-Aguilera and his alleged co-conspirators thought they could hack American ATMs, drain financial institutions, and funnel money to a violent transnational criminal organization without consequence. They were wrong,” said HSI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini. “This 8-year sentence is a warning to every criminal network targeting our financial systems: HSI and our partners will hunt you down, dismantle your operations, and put you in federal prison.”
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s Cyber Crimes and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Joint Task Force Vulcan is investigating and prosecuting a widespread ATM Jackpotting conspiracy that has been tied to designated foreign terrorist organization Tren de Aragua (TdA). To date, 119 defendants have been charged in the District of Nebraska for their role in this conspiracy. Gouveia-Aguilera is the third defendant to be sentenced in the District of Nebraska for crimes in connection with this conspiracy. Two prior defendants were sentenced by United States District Court Judge Susan M. Bazis in Lincoln, Nebraska, in June:
DefendantSentenceOddry Arnoldo Cabrera Torrealba78 months’ imprisonmentCarlos Javier Padron78 months’ imprisonmentThe investigation has established extensive direct and indirect links between the indicted co-conspirators and TdA. According to court documents, TdA is a violent transnational criminal organization that originated as a prison gang in Venezuela in the mid-2000s. TdA has expanded its criminal network throughout the Western Hemisphere and established a presence in the United States. TdA’s criminal activities range from drug trafficking and firearms trafficking to commercial sex trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, theft, fraud, and extortion. TdA members also commit murder, assault, and other violent acts to advance the organization’s criminal activities. TdA has also developed an additional source of revenue stream through financial crimes that target financial institutions throughout the United States, including using ATM jackpotting to steal millions of dollars in cash. The investigation has revealed that the conspiracy has targeted or carried out ATM jackpotting attacks in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and several foreign nations.
FBI’s Omaha Field Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Omaha are investigating the case, with assistance from FBI’s Denver, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Oklahoma, Sacramento, Seattle, and Springfield Field Offices, and the United States Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General, Financial Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, and a significant number of local law enforcement entities across the country.
The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Kansas, Western District of Washington, Eastern District of California, Southern District of New York, Northern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, Eastern District of Oklahoma, Northern District of Oklahoma, Southern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri, Middle District of Louisiana, Middle District of Georgia, Middle District of Wisconsin, and Eastern District of Wisconsin, as well as the Larimer County Attorney’s Office, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Tennessee 9th District Attorney General’s Office, Tennessee 5th District Attorney General’s Office, and the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office have provided significant assistance.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, and the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division.
Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV) was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and has now expanded to target TdA. JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; and the District of Nevada, as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division and Criminal Division. Additionally, the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, HSI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), USMS, and the Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
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Omaha Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years on Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Philip D. Ausherman, 44, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 18, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Ausherman to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ausherman’s release from prison, he will serve a 5-year term of supervised release. Ausherman was found guilty of the conspiracy charge by a federal jury in April.
Ausherman was charged because of his involvement with a Mexican source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas. Ausherman was arrested on January 29, 2025, after a Deputy Douglas County Sheriff conducted a traffic stop after observing Ausherman commit a traffic infraction. During the traffic stop, a drug detecting canine was called to the scene and indicated to the odor of narcotics coming from within Ausherman’s vehicle. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine. During a post-arrest interview, Ausherman admitted receiving more than 17 kilograms of methamphetamine from his Mexican source of supply during the previous six months.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska - August 2026Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 15 unsealed Indictments charging 16 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
David Barrera Jr., age 48, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Barrera Jr. with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about September 16, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Barrera Jr. with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about October 1, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Barrera Jr. with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about December 10, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges Barrera Jr. with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about December 10, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Gurarppan Singh Gill, age 23, of Seward, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on or about May 27, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life of imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
John M. Dubray, III, age 40, and Jill C. Dubray, age 40, of Columbus, Nebraska, are charged in a six-count Indictment. Count I charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with conspiracy to commit bank fraud beginning on October 1, 2015, through on or about August 31, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with bank fraud on or about October 1, 2015, through on or about December 31, 2017. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with bank fraud on or about January 1, 2019, through on or about December 31, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count IV charges John Dubray and Jill Dubray with credit union fraud on or about February 1, 2020, through on or about September 30, 2020. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count V charges John Dubray with theft, embezzlement and misapplication by a bank officer on October 1, 2015, through on or about May 30, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count VI charges John Dubray with bank bribery on or about October 1, 2015, through on or about May 30, 2022. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 30 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Jennifer Marie Harlow, age 48, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about July 8, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 4 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Jose Gerardo Ruiz Alonso, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Ruiz Alonso with being an alien in possession of a firearm on or about July 10, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Ruiz Alonso with being an alien in possession of a firearm on or about July 21, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Josue Isaac Ayala Melgar, age 40
Oscar Aguilar-Pablo, age 41
Luis Antonio Chavez Portillo, age 40
Abraham Gonzalez-Garcia, age 48
Migel Silvas-Ledesma, age 40
Jairo Garcia Murillo, age 44
Andres Ambrocio Perez, age 30
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following a felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Salvador Mora Cisneros, age 45
Antonio Manuel Lucero Reyes, age 63
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Francisco Javier Ledesma Santa Cruz, age 36
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Texas Man Sentenced to 70 Months for Conspiracy to Commit Bank FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Khalil Robinson, 20, of Pearland, Texas, was sentenced on August 13, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to commit bank fraud. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Robinson to 70 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Robinson’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Judge Rossiter ordered Robinson to pay $147,520.20 in restitution to identified victims of the bank fraud conspiracy.
Between February 2024 and April 2025, Robinson and others, conspired to steal mail from United States Postal Service (USPS) blue collection boxes around the United States. Checks taken from the stolen mail were resold on Telegram or altered and deposited into bank accounts created by individuals recruited into the conspiracy. In September 2024, USPS Inspectors began receiving reports of mail being placed in blue collection boxes at the Elmwood Post Office and Saddle Creek Post Office in Omaha and not arriving at its intended destination. The Lincoln, Nebraska postmaster also reported multiple blue boxes being pried into and multiple arrow lock keys stolen throughout Lincoln. On January 13, 2025, Omaha police officers found Robinson in possession of stolen mail and recovered a counterfeit key from the blue collection box Robinson broke into. On Robinson’s phone and social media accounts, postal inspectors found evidence of Robinson manufacturing arrow lock keys, recruiting individuals to open bank accounts, and images of checks from Nebraska, Virginia, and Kentucky totaling $167,000. The total value of checks postal inspectors can attribute to the bank fraud conspiracy is approximately $1,968,868. The actual loss attributable to the conspiracy is $813,458.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Omaha Man Who Used Chat GPT to Plan a Robbery Sentenced to 121 months for Bank Robbery and Brandishing a FirearmRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Deron Lewis-Payne, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 13, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for one charge of bank robbery and a second charge of brandishing a Llama Mini-Max .45 handgun during a crime of violence. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Lewis-Payne to 121 months’ imprisonment: 37 months for the robbery charge and 84 months on the brandishing charge to be served consecutively. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lewis-Payne’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On February 10, 2026, Lewis-Payne, entered the i3Bank at 15645 Spaulding St. in Omaha and robbed the bank while brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun and demanding money from two bank employees.
He pointed the handgun at the tellers and told them he would kill them if they did not comply, prompted them to empty their cash drawers, and warned them not to include any dye packs with the cash. The tellers complied and Lewis-Payne took approximately $9,175.00 in cash before fleeing.
i3 Bank surveillance captured his unmasked face and distinctive outfit, including red Nike slides. The footage clearly depicted his face and the handgun used. Residential surveillance cameras located near the bank captured the vehicle he used, including the plates and distinctive features to include a toolbox and particular rust spots.
After the robbery, video surveillance footage and transaction records from multiple retailers at Westroads Mall showed that Lewis-Payne went on shopping spree in which he used cash to buy shoes and clothing apparel. When officers located him near one of his residences, he ran abandoning banded cash in his wake. A search of his residences revealed another currency band, the vehicle used, and most of the outfit he wore during the robbery, including the distinctive red Nike slides.
Lewis-Payne admitted to driving the vehicle, but denied involvement with the bank robbery. He consented to a search of his phone. Officers examined the contents and determined Lewis-Payne used ChatGPT to plan the robbery, including advice on law enforcement response times, how to strip and repair a Llama Mini-Max .45 handgun, and for advice on obtaining ammunition as a felon. Additionally, his Google maps history showed he had most recently searched for directions to i3 Bank.
The handgun was never recovered. Officers recovered $2,397.00 of the $9,175.00 taken during the robbery.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
HSI Arrests Five in Federal Sex Trafficking of Minors Undercover Operation in OmahaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that a three-day undercover operation led by HSI resulted in the arrest and indictment of five men in Omaha, Nebraska, last week. The defendants have been indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Nebraska with the following charges:
- Jocsan Aparicio-Santos, 39, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was charged with Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child and Penalties for Registered Sex Offenders.
- Logan Trigg, 29, of Omaha, was charged with Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child and Penalties for Registered Sex Offenders.
- Bryan E. Dady, 48, of Omaha, was charged with Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child and Penalties for Registered Sex Offenders.
- Tillian Hutton, 25, of Omaha, was charged with was charged with Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child.
- Law Eh, 39, of Omaha, was charged with was charged with Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child and Possession of Child Pornography.
The possible penalties for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Child is a mandatory minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release of five years to life, and a special assessment of $5,000. The penalties for the charge of Penalties for Registered Sex Offenders are 10 years’ consecutive to the underlying sentence. The maximum possible penalties for Possession of Child Pornography are 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, supervised release of five years to life, and special assessments totaling of $26,928.
Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Over the course of August 12 through August 14, 2026, the operation utilized online advertisements about sexual acts for sale. Investigators acting in an undercover capacity communicated with interested individuals seeking sex acts with minors. The subjects charged in the operation showed up to an agreed upon location to allegedly engage in sexual acts with a 14-year-old. Investigators encountered dozens of additional individuals who communicated about sexually exploiting minors. However, these individuals did not appear in person.
These cases are under investigation by HSI. The following agencies assisted HSI with this operation: HSI Denver, Kansas City, Wichita, and Sioux City; the Omaha Police Department; the Colorado Bureau of Investigation; and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
The Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking.
If you see something, say something. The public can provide tips to the HSI tipline at 1-866-347-2423.
Iowa Man Sentenced for Distribution of Methamphetamine Resulting in Death of Omaha WomanRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Tyler Foreman, 32, formerly of Honey Creek, Iowa, was sentenced on August 10, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for Distribution of Methamphetamine Resulting in Death. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Foreman to 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Foreman’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On September 10, 2024, at the Court Apartments in Omaha, Nebraska, the defendant provided a combination of methamphetamine and Alka-Seltzer known as a “meth bomb” to the Victim. The Victim ingested the drug causing an overdose. First responders took the Victim to the hospital and attempted life-saving measures. The Victim died of acute methamphetamine intoxication at the hospital. As part of the investigation, Omaha Police Officers contacted the defendant and located in his backpack 12 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and six Alka-Seltzer packages.
“Anyone who gives a dangerous controlled substance to another human being is taking a chance that person will lose his or her life due to a drug overdose,” said United States Attorney Lesley Woods. “If you take that chance in Nebraska, you can expect the same result that the defendant got in this case because the mandatory minimum penalty applies in every case.”
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Fremont Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Production/Attempted Production of Child Pornography and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Brian L. Garges, 63, of Fremont, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 13, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for production or attempted production of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Garges to 348 months’ imprisonment on the production count and 240 months’ imprisonment on the receipt count. The sentences will be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After Garges’s release from prison, he will begin a ten-year term of supervised release. Judge Rossiter ordered Garges to pay a total of $8,000 in special assessments that support the Defined Monetary Assistance Victims Reserve to provide compensation for victims of child sexual abuse material.
In June 2025, while checking Minor Victim 1’s (MV1) cell phone device to monitor MV1’s blood sugar, counselors at a summer camp found concerning communications between MV1 and an adult male. The camp director reported these communications to the FBI. After obtaining consent to search the MV1’s cell phone, an FBI investigator observed MV1 communicating with Garges. At the time, MV1 was 15 years old. In their conversations, Garges directs MV1 to send him sexually explicit photos of herself, which she does. When federal agents executed a search warrant at Garges’s residence in July 2025, Garges admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conversations with MV1 via WhatsApp and Signal. The investigation revealed Garges began sexually abusing MV1 when she was 10 years old. The abuse continued and escalated until the communications on MV1’s phone were discovered in June 2025.
“It is unthinkable that someone the defendant’s age would prey on a minor in this manner. This sentence fits the crime, and now it is certain that no other children will endure sexual abuse by this predator,” said United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods. “Finding and stopping the sexual offenders that target Nebraska’s children is and will be a top priority of the United States Attorney’s Office and no resource or effort will be spared in holding them appropriately accountable in federal court.”
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that James Dennise Barratt, 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 6, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Barratt to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Barratt is released from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. Barratt was also ordered to pay a total of $9,000 in restitution to the identified victims.
Between August 28, 2023, and November 4, 2023, Verizon reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children five Cybertips of a user uploading child pornography. A Nebraska State Patrol investigation led to the identification of Barratt as the individual responsible.
A residential search warrant was executed at Barratt’s Lincoln home on March 21, 2024, and for Barratt’s cloud-based storage account. Law enforcement located 660 images of child pornography on Barratt’s cell phone, and 17 images and 9 videos of child pornography on Barratt’s cloud-based storage account.
Barratt was interviewed and admitted to looking at child pornography for about five years prior to getting caught.
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Macy, Nebraska Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Abusive Sexual ContactRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Tyrece D. Thomas, 25, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 30, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for one count of Abusive Sexual Contact. United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Thomas to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Thomas’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On June 8, 2020, while Victim 1 was walking home on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, an unknown male, later identified as Thomas, struck her in the head and took her cell phone. Thomas offered to return Victim 1’s cell phone if she had sex with him. When Victim 1 refused and attempted to walk away, Thomas struck Victim 1 again. Victim 1 fell to the ground and Thomas sexually assaulted her. Victim 1 did not know Thomas. Victim 1 went to the hospital after the assault and underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examination (SANE), during which a SANE nurse collected forensic evidence from Victim 1’s body. Victim 1’s SANE kit was sent to the FBI Laboratory. An FBI forensic scientist identified unknown, male DNA on swabs collected from Victim 1 during her SANE exam. The FBI submitted the male DNA to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) but received no potential matches at the time.
On October 4, 2024, the FBI Laboratory notified local FBI agents that a routine CODIS search yielded a possible DNA match between the male DNA collected from Victim 1 and a federal arrestee, Tyrece D. Thomas. The FBI obtained a search warrant and obtained a known sample of Thomas’s DNA. The FBI laboratory confirmed the male DNA collected during Victim 1’s SANE exam was, in fact, Tyrece D. Thomas’s DNA.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services.
Lincoln Woman Sentenced to 25 Years for Possession with Intent to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jennifer Suing, 49, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 30, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual with two prior convictions for a serious drug felony. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Suing to a total of 300 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Suing’s release from prison, she will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
In February 2025, the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force (LLCNTF) performed three controlled buys on Suing who has previously been known as Jennifer Loving and Jennifer Lovings. All of the buys were performed by a Confidential Informant (CI) in Lincoln. The first buy occurred on February 10, 2025, and the CI purchased approximately 6 grams of methamphetamine from Suing. The final controlled buy occurred on February 26, 2025, and the CI purchased approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine actual.
Following the third controlled buy, LLCNTF served a court-authorized search warrant for Suing’s hotel room. During the search of the room, law enforcement found drug paraphernalia, 40 grams of marijuana, and approximately five ounces of methamphetamine, which lab-tested to contain at least 130 grams of methamphetamine actual.
Suing had multiple prior convictions for serious drug felonies in which she served more than 12 months’ imprisonment and was released within 15 years of the commencement of this offense. Specifically, she had been convicted for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska under case numbers 8:13CR271 and 8:05CR250.
This case was investigated by the LLCNTF.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Nicholas Vollertsen, 41, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 30, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Vollertsen to a total of 84 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Vollertsen’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Vollertsen was ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution.
This case began when several cybertips were made online regarding an online cloud storage company. The Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) received a search warrant for the online account. The return contained 111 files of child pornography, which depicted images and videos of prepubescent and pubescent children engaged in sexual acts. After further investigation, law enforcement was able to identify Vollertsen as the suspect for the case. NSP conducted a search warrant at Vollertsen’s residence, where they seized approximately 32 electronic devices. Those devices were extracted and reviewed by law enforcement. At least nine of the devices contained child pornography files. The total number of child pornography files located on Vollertsen’s devices was 189,805.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.
Lexington Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Manuel Enrique Corona-Ramirez, 52, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 23, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Corona-Ramirez to a total of 125 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Corona-Ramirez’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
In 2023, Corona-Ramirez was arrested with Joette Romero in Hall County after an individual called in a terroristic threat at their residence. Corona-Ramirez and Romero arrived at the residence with a gun and demanded money from the individual over a drug debt. This arrest prompted further investigation which later revealed that Corona-Ramirez was working with others to distribute methamphetamine around the central Nebraska area. Over the course of his drug dealing, Corona-Ramirez was responsible for more than 3 kilograms of methamphetamine. He also possessed a firearm and threatened others in furtherance of that drug dealing.
Joette Romero was indicted separately for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. She was sentenced on September 22, 2025, to 87 months’ imprisonment with 4 years of supervised release to follow.
This case was investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes federal partners with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations, Nebraska State Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, and Army National Guard Counter Drug Unit.
July 2026 Grand Jury for the District of NebraskaRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 20 unsealed Indictments charging 21 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Steven R. Harper, age 57, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession of child pornography with a prior conviction on or about October 30, 2025. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Scott Wellensiek, age 53, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession of child pornography with a prior conviction beginning on or about an unknown date, and continuing until on or about May 8, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Diego J. Vigil, age 45, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender from at least on or about May 26, 2026, continuing to on or about June 26, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Jose Alfredo Sandoval-Huitzil, age 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about May 14, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life of imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Aaron Torres, age 28, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about March 17, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 5 years and up to 40 years of imprisonment, a $5,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 4 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Joel Lopez-Franco, age 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about May 6, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life of imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Jermaine Lewis, age 27, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and two counts of obstruction of justice on or about June 30, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl is 20 years of imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 3 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. The maximum possible penalty if convicted of obstruction of justice is 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Peter Lam, age 31, of Garden Grove, California, and Trong Tran, age 23, of Garden Grove, California, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about November 2025, and continuing to on or about June 15, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years and up to life of imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Acting Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Eli Daniel Rascon-Balderas, age 50
Alberto Antonio Ramos, age 45
Yosimar Cortez-Diaz, age 32
Gerson Mejia-Arenibar, age 28
Rafael Lopez-Miranda, age 30
Pascual Lopez-Coc, age 39
Pedro Ornelas-Soto, age 30
Adolfo Garcia-Luna, age 36
Jose Luis Godinez Chepillo, age 31
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following a felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Acting Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Manuel Zavala-Balderas, age 39
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 10 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Acting Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Angel Heredia-Linares, age 60
Osman Naun Meza-Romero, age 36
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Illegal Alien Charged with Unlawfully Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jose Gerardo Ruiz Alonso, 36, of Mexico, was charged in a criminal complaint in federal court in the District of Nebraska for being an alien unlawfully in the United States in possession of firearms. On July 22, 2026, Ruiz Alonso appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson and was detained pending trial.
Per the criminal complaint, on July 21, 2026, the FBI executed search warrants on Ruiz Alonso’s Omaha residence and business. As a result of the search warrants, law enforcement seized approximately 71 firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition from the business. Law enforcement seized two additional firearms and ammunition from his residence. Ruiz Alonso is not a United States citizen and was not legally in the United States. It is illegal under federal law for an alien unlawfully in the United States to possess a firearm.
U.S. v. Jose Gerardo Ruiz Alonso, 8:26MJ321The case is being investigated by the FBI, ATF, DEA, ICE, Omaha Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Bellevue Police Department, La Vista Police Department, and Council Bluffs, Iowa Police Department.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. v. Jose Gerardo Ruiz Alonso, 8:26MJ321Venezuelan Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking of MinorsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Eduardo Jose Perdomo, 38, of Venezuela, was sentenced on July 20, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for sex trafficking of two minors by force, fraud, or coercion. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Perdomo to 240 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Perdomo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Perdomo entered the United States illegally in 2021. Senior Judge Bataillon ordered Perdomo to pay a total of $5,400 in restitution to the minor victims.
On January 6, 2025, the Omaha Police Department received a report of a theft at an Omaha hotel. Responding officers identified indicia of sex trafficking. The Omaha Police Department-Homeland Security Investigations Human Trafficking Task Force immediately began investigating and recovered two minor females, aged 15 and 16, who had been brought to a hotel in Omaha by Perdomo from out of state to be sold for commercial sex.
Perdomo arranged for co-defendant Alfredo Manuel Zambrano-Hurtado to transport Perdomo and the minor victims to Nebraska. Perdomo agreed with co-defendant Michel Martinez-Gonzalez on a plan to both advertise the minor victims online for commercial sex and both correspond to potential sex buyers. Perdomo also arranged a deal with hotel staff allowing staff to have sex with the minor victims in exchange for allowing them to stay at the hotel and engage in commercial sex sales. The minor victims engaged in sex acts at Perdomo’s direction and after buyers paid the minor victims, they would give the money to Perdomo.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Omaha Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Niobrara Man Pleads Guilty to Committing Burglary on the Santee Sioux ReservationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that on July 21, 2026, Clifford Jost pleaded guilty in United States District Court in Omaha, Nebraska, to committing burglary in Indian Country. Jost faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 14, 2026.
In December 2025, Jost took part in a string of burglaries in Knox and Cedar counties, including within the Santee Sioux Reservation. On about December 22, 2025, Jost unlawfully and without authority entered a garage in Bloomfield, Nebraska, which was within the Santee Sioux Reservation. Jost was involved in stealing numerous items from the residence, including a game camera, deer mounts, and two utility terrain vehicles. As part of the investigation, law enforcement obtained and analyzed surveillance footage, Snapchat data, Facebook data, and Verizon data. Surveillance footage from a gas station in Santee and from the residence showed Jost’s role in the crime. Snapchat messages reflect Jost discussing the stolen utility terrain vehicles.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Santee Sioux Nation Police Department.
Cozad Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley Woods announced that Levi McAlevy, 37, of Cozad, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 17, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of distribution of at least 5 grams of actual methamphetamine and one count of distribution of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. McAlevy was convicted of both counts following an April 2026 four-day jury trial in Lincoln. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced McAlevy to a total of 360 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After McAlevy’s release from prison, he will begin a 7-year term of supervised release.
McAlevy sold methamphetamine to a Confidential Informant (CI) working with the CODE drug task force on two occasions in 2024. The first buy occurred on September 19, 2024. McAlevy and the CI traveled to various locations before McAlevy sold the methamphetamine. The Nebraska State Patrol Crime Laboratory confirmed the substance was at least 5.3 grams of actual methamphetamine. The second buy—which involved at least 2.8 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine—occurred on October 2, 2024. Again, McAlevy and the CI traveled to various locations before McAlevy sold the methamphetamine.
Although McAlevy sold smaller amounts of methamphetamine to the CI, the evidence at trial demonstrated that McAlevy was responsible for selling more than 25 kilograms of methamphetamine in central and western Nebraska. The evidence showed that McAlevy used firearms and threats to discourage others from notifying law enforcement about his drug dealing.
This case was investigated by the CODE Task Force which is made up of law enforcement agencies throughout a 22-county area in west-central/southwest Nebraska and includes the North Platte Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Ogallala Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Omaha Woman Sentenced to 18 Months for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Tamara Ricceri-Wolf, 60, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 8, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for one count of wire fraud. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Ricceri-Wolf to 18 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Ricceri-Wolf’s release from prison, she will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Judge Buescher ordered Ricceri-Wolf to pay restitution in the amount of $635,935.05.
An investigation conducted by the FBI determined that between 2018 and December 2022, Ricceri-Wolf, as the Financial Manager for an Omaha company, had access to the company’s financial information and bank accounts. Beginning in 2019 and continuing through at least 2022, Ricceri-Wolf devised a scheme to defraud or to obtain money from the Omaha company, which involved opening American Express credit cards in the name of both the company and company’s owner without knowledge or authorization. After opening the American Express credit cards, Ricceri-Wolf made personal purchases using the credit cards for her own benefit and without authorization. Ricceri-Wolf would use her position as a Financial Manager to make payments from the company’s bank accounts on balances associated with the American Express credit cards. Ricceri-Wolf caused to be made approximately 106 unauthorized payments to American Express totaling at least $538,428.26.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Police Department Dismantles Methamphetamine Conspiracy Located at Airbnb RentalRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Ricardo Gutierrez-Castillo, Eric Luviano-Cabrera and Heleodoro Luviano-Castillo were sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced all three to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After their release from prison, all will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On January 2, 2025, investigators with the Omaha Police Department received a tip from the owner of a South Omaha Airbnb who observed suspicious behavior from the renters, including bringing in large pots and pans, large bags of what looked like salt, and fans. On January 3, investigators observed two individuals loading large totes from the Airbnb into a vehicle. Investigators stopped the vehicle and identified Gutierrez-Castillo, 25, of Elkin, North Carolina, as the driver. Inside the vehicle, 33 kilograms of pure methamphetamine were found in the totes.
After Gutierrez-Castillo was arrested, investigators took Eric Luviano-Cabrera, 41, and Heleodoro Luviano-Castillo, 41, both of Mexico and illegally present in the U.S., into custody. A search warrant on the Airbnb found a makeshift laboratory intended to separate methamphetamine concealed within other compounds. They also found an additional 15 kilograms of pure methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods said, “Methamphetamine is a toxic poison undermining the safety and strength of our communities, and the Omaha Police Department should be commended for tearing down this criminal organization and disrupting the flow of this hazard substance into Nebraska from Mexico.”
This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department.
Nebraska Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Leonel DeLeon, 64, of Wahoo, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 10, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced DeLeon to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After DeLeon’s release from prison, he will serve a 10-year term of supervised release.
DeLeon was charged as a result of his involvement with a Mexico source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. Between February 8, 2024, and June 21, 2024, law enforcement utilized cooperating witnesses who contacted the Mexican source and ordered quantities of methamphetamine. On May 29, 2024, after an order was placed with the source, Deleon delivered more than 50 grams of methamphetamine to a cooperating witness at an Omaha location. The investigation revealed that on four other occasions Deleon delivered additional quantities of methamphetamine to cooperators at Omaha locations.
On July 2, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Deleon’s Omaha apartment and seized 60 grams of methamphetamine and a firearm.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to More Than 20 Years for Drug Distribution Conspiracy and Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Peter Jacobsson, 39, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 9, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for one count of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual and 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine with a prior conviction and one count of use or carry of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Jacobsson to a total of 244 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Jacobsson’s release from prison, he will begin a 10-year term of supervised release.
Jacobsson was a member of a conspiracy to sell methamphetamine in the Lincoln and Omaha areas between February 2022 and March 2025. In September 2024, an undercover officer (UC) made three controlled purchases from Jacobsson. On September 9, 2024, the UC purchased 47 grams of methamphetamine actual. On September 12, 2024, the same UC purchased 52 grams of methamphetamine actual. Lastly, on September 19, 2024, the UC purchased another 51 grams of methamphetamine actual.
On October 16, 2024, Jacobsson was arrested for driving a stolen vehicle. He had 41.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine and a 9mm handgun in his possession. Jacobsson’s cell phone was seized and searched pursuant to a search warrant. The phone contained text messages, owe notes, and other communications with co-defendant Ramon Gaytan and others which were consistent with drug distribution.
Co-defendant Gaytan pleaded guilty to similar charges and is currently scheduled for sentencing on October 15, 2026, before United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis.
An additional co-defendant is currently scheduled for a status conference on July 24, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca.
This case was investigated by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.
Iowa Woman Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Vallene Marie Bell, 35, of Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced on July 9, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Bell to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bell is released from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
This case involves a Mexico source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. Customers order the drugs from the source who then sends a courier to meet them and complete the transaction. The defendants named in the indictment are local couriers, organizers, and customers operating in Nebraska and Iowa who distribute and buy the source’s drugs.
On September 9, 2024, law enforcement, while conducting surveillance, observed the defendant and co-defendant Michelle Renee Horton meet with co-defendant Emerson Reyes-Andrade at an Omaha location and conduct what officers believed was a drug transaction. Following the transaction, Iowa State Troopers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle the defendant and Horton were riding in after they traveled into Iowa. A canine unit arrived during the stop and Horton consented to the canine’s deployment which resulted in a positive indication to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of one pound of methamphetamine.
Horton was sentenced to 84 months’ imprisonment on May 19, 2026. Reyes-Andrade was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment on July 2, 2026.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Former Bank CFO Sentenced to 36 Months’ Imprisonment for Bank Fraud Scheme Involving a Car Wash and Undisclosed Debts in $4.3 Million Loan FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Aaron T. Luneke, 44, of Columbus, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 13, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after being convicted by a federal jury of committing bank fraud and attempted bank fraud in connection with loans he sought to build and operate a Legacy Express Wash, a car wash in Columbus. United States District Brian C. Buescher sentenced Luneke to 36 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Luneke will begin a five-year term of supervised release. Judge Buescher ordered Luneke to pay a $10,000 fine.
The jury found that Luneke attempted to defraud Stearns Bank, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, by using fraudulent and inflated contractor invoices to artificially inflate the valuation of the car wash property in pursuit of a $3.5 million refinancing loan. Further evidence at trial established that Luneke failed to disclose significant personal debts owed to family members in connection with the Stearns Bank loan application. The jury also found that Luneke defrauded Bank of the Valley by submitting fraudulent and inflated invoices from contractors as the basis for additional construction loan proceeds, obtaining two loans totaling approximately $4,320,000.
At the sentencing, Judge Buescher found that Luneke’s abuse of his position as Chief Financial Officer at Bank of the Valley significantly facilitated the commission and concealment of the fraud against the victim bank. The Court further determined that Luneke employed sophisticated means to carry out the scheme; served an aggravating role by organizing, leading, managing, or supervising others in executing aspects of the fraud; obstructed justice by providing false testimony during trial; and caused a victim to suffer substantial financial hardship.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Omaha Field Office; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of Inspector General; the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Inspector General; and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Office of Inspector General.
The case was investigated and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sean Lynch and Sarah Hinrichs and tried with the assistance of Special Assistant United States Attorney Alejandro A. Abreu.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to More Than 19 Years on Methamphetamine ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Fernando Hernandez, 45, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on July 10, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, after having been found guilty by a jury trial of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Hernandez to 235 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hernandez’s release from prison, he will serve a ten-year term of supervised release. Additionally, Hernandez forfeited any claim to more than $30,000 and a vehicle seized during the investigation.
Hernandez was charged because of his involvement with a Mexican source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs areas. Hernandez was a local courier who was distributing the methamphetamine in Nebraska and Iowa. On October 2, 2025, law enforcement utilized a cooperating witness who ordered one pound of methamphetamine from the Mexican source who sent the cooperator to an Omaha location where Hernandez delivered one pound of methamphetamine. After the delivery, Hernandez was seen meeting with other parties who were later stopped and found in possession of one pound of methamphetamine and $4,000.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Production and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Collin D. Jerabek, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 14, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for one count of production of child pornography and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Jerabek to 360 months’ imprisonment on the production count and 240 months’ imprisonment on the receipt and distribution count. The sentences will run concurrent to each other. There is no parole in the federal system. After Jerabek’s release from prison, he will begin a ten-year term of supervised release.
From on or about December 9, 2023, through on or about January 19, 2024, Jerabek posed as a teenage girl on Snapchat to induce four Minor Victims to provide Jerabek with sexually explicit material. Jerabek collected sexually explicit images of teenage girls from the internet and sent those images to the Minor Victims to convince them Jerabek was a similar-aged female. The Minor Victims each produced for and sent to Jerabek, while he was posing as a teenage girl, visual depictions of themselves engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including masturbating and, in at least two instances, anal penetration by an object. In a mirandized interview, Jerabek admitted to knowing the Minor Victims were all under the age of 18. The Minor Victims ranged from 11 to 15 years of age. Jerabek distributed the sexually explicit images sent to him by the Minor Victims to third parties on Snapchat, and in at least one instance, back to the Minor Victim who had sent the image to Jerabek.
“Any sex offender that targets Nebraska’s children can expect the same level of prosecution as Mr. Jerabek, which is to say the maximum authorized under the law for these offenses,” vowed U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods. “ Children need more protection now than ever from this type of online predator. We stand ready to provide it.”
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Norfolk Man Sentenced to 35 Years for Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Noah Hale, 21, of Norfolk, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 9, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Hale to a total of 420 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Hale’s release from prison, he will begin a lifetime term of supervised release. Hale was additionally ordered to pay $3,460 in restitution and $3,000 which will contribute to funds established for victims of these types of cases.
In February 2024, FBI Omaha was contacted regarding an investigation into a trend where individuals groom and subsequently entice victims, often minors, into a variety of concerning behaviors. These behaviors included engaging in and recording self-harm and producing sexually explicit images of themselves at the request of the predator. Noah Hale was identified as a suspect during the investigation. The FBI received several tips that associated Hale using various social media accounts where he requested, posted, and/or sent child pornography.
A search warrant for Hale’s residence and his devices was executed on February 29, 2024. A review of those devices revealed approximately 2,300 media files that were flagged as files of interest. Most of these files appeared to be original content created by females Hale victimized. The files depicted females, a majority of whom were apparent minors, engaged in various circumstances to include: self-harm and self-mutilating behavior, child pornography, and “fan signs” which are files in which the female had written names associated with Hale on their body or on a sign.
FBI underwent extensive efforts to locate the females identified in these files. Thirty minor females, between the ages of 11 and 17, from across the United States and in at least one other country were able to be identified from the 2,300 files. It was discovered that Hale would use various tactics of enticing, love bombing or threatening these minors with physical and sexual harm in order to convince them to produce images or videos of themselves for Hale. The files produced at Hale’s request were often sadistic and degrading.
“Hale is every parent’s worst nightmare: the type of predator who can gain access to their children even when they are in their own homes with their loved ones all around them,” said United States Attorney Lesley Woods. “This type of predator grooms, manipulates, and threatens children and by the time they realize what is going on, the predator has them convinced of the lie that they have to comply with his sick demands. Hale deserves every minute of his federal prison time. May he never talk to another child online so long as he lives.”
After the sentencing, FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said, “Criminals like Noah Hale are a horrific and chilling example of how child predators use technology to locate and victimize the most vulnerable members of our community. We will never stop using every investigative resource we have to identify and apprehend subjects like Hale and ensure he will not be in a position to harm another child for a very long time. We appreciate all the work of our law enforcement partners in this case to help bring some measure of justice on behalf of those victimized.”
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Macy Man Sentenced to One Year and One Day for Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Britain Snyder, 23, of Macy, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 2, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for assaulting a federal officer. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Snyder to one year and one day imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Snyder will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
On or about October 26, 2024, Victim I was a police officer with the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services who was in the performance of her official duties. Victim l's contract with the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services was federally funded. Victim 1 was called to assist with removing Snyder from a residence on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation in Macy, Nebraska. Snyder fled and hid. Victim 1 located Snyder and in the process of taking him into custody, Snyder resisted arrest and assaulted Victim 1 by headbutting Victim l in the head.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Honduran Man Illegally in the United States Sentenced to 18 months for Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Marlon Leiva-Orellana, of Honduras, was sentenced on June 30, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for illegal reentry and unlawfully possessing a firearm. Chief United States District Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Leiva-Orellana to concurrent terms of 18 months’ imprisonment on both charges. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he faces deportation to Honduras. It is unlawful under federal law for an alien unlawfully in the United States, such as Leiva-Orellana, to possess a firearm.
On January 13, 2026, the Omaha Police Department responded to a location near Camden Avenue in Omaha concerning gun shots. Officers arrived and located a Nissan truck with North Carolina license plates. Leiva-Orellana, also known as Marlon Leiva-Orellaha, was the only occupant of the truck. Officers observed a .22 caliber pistol inside the truck. Leiva-Orellana admitted that he had discharged the pistol. The officers arrested him.
In addition to being convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm, Leiva-Orellana was convicted for illegally reentering the United States. Despite being previously removed from the United States in November of 2023, Leiva-Orellana returned without lawful authority.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Omaha Police Department, and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 14 years’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Steven Potter, 54, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced on June 26, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Potter to 168 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Potter’s release from prison, he will serve a five-year term of supervised release. Potter also forfeited any claim to more than $30,000 and a vehicle seized during the investigation.
Potter was charged as a result of his involvement with a Mexico source of supply of methamphetamine known to supply the Omaha and Council Bluffs areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. Potter was a local courier operating in Nebraska and Iowa who distributed the Mexican source’s drugs. On March 7, 2024, law enforcement observed Potter meet with suspected drug couriers at an Omaha location while conducting surveillance. Directly following the meetup, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle occupied by Potter. A search of the vehicle revealed more than 900 grams of methamphetamine. During a post-arrest interview, Potter admitted to delivering pound quantities of methamphetamine for the Mexican source for the past 8 months.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Co-Conspirators Sentenced to 3 Years and over 11 Years in Prison for Defrauding Thousands of InvestorsRead the Press Release
A Nevada man and a Canadian and British national were sentenced today to 36 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and 136 months in prison and three years of supervised release, respectively, for participating in a scheme to defraud thousands of investors of tens of millions of dollars between 2018 and 2022.
According to court documents, Neil Suresh Chandran, 54, a foreign national residing in Nevada and California, created companies that he falsely claimed were about to be purchased by a consortium of billionaires at extraordinary valuations. Chandran and others solicited more than $45 million from over 10,000 investors based on these false representations.
Bryan Lee, 60, of Las Vegas, was the nominee owner and sole officer of ViMarket, a company controlled by Chandran, which received millions in investor funds. Lee knew the funds came from individual investors and knew that the representations made to those investors were false. Nonetheless, Chandran and Lee used investor funds for their own personal benefit, purchasing luxury cars and real estate.
“Neil Chandran and Bryan Lee deceived thousands of investors, exploited their trust, and stole their money,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Those who deceive investors, lie, and steal will be investigated and prosecuted. These two fraudsters deserve the sentence imposed. Their victims suffered because of their greed.”
“Schemes to defraud individual investors like the one carried out by Bryan Lee and Neil Suresh Chandran are personal crimes that have devastating consequences to the victims’ lives that last long after the crime is committed, and the money is spent,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods for the District of Nebraska. “It takes a particularly cold and calculating criminal to perpetrate these schemes and to continue to lie to victims to keep the scheme alive. Individuals who defraud victims in Nebraska and elsewhere will be held accountable under federal law.”
“Chandran and Lee treated investor funds as their own personal piggy bank, using the money to purchase multiple houses and dozens of luxury vehicles,” said Assistant Director in Charge Darren Cox of the FBI Washington Field Office. “Their sentences reflect the commitment of the agents and prosecutors who fought for justice for the thousands of investors whom the defendants swindled out of millions.”
In April 2026, Chandran pleaded guilty to mail fraud and Lee pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud.
The FBI investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Adam L.D. Stempel, Anna Forgie, and Tian Huang of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section; Chelsea Rooney and Adrienne Rosen of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Don Kleine for the District of Nebraska prosecuted the case.
Waverly Man Sentenced to 135 Months for Transportation and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Joshua Hecht, 26, of Waverly, Nebraska, was sentenced on July 6, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography. United States District Court Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hecht to 135 months’ imprisonment for transportation of child pornography and 120 months’ imprisonment for possession of child pornography. The terms of imprisonment will be run concurrently to one another. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Hecht will begin a 5-year term of supervised release.
Beginning in October 2023, Hecht contacted Victim 1 over Snapchat. Victim 1 was a 16-year-old male residing outside of the United States. Hecht maintained contact with Victim 1 and used Victim 1 to create visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct over Snapchat video chat. Specifically, Hecht took screenshots of Victim 1 masturbating.
On January 26, 2024, Hecht flew from Omaha, to Chicago, Illinois, with the plan to fly to meet Victim 1 in person. HSI agents had previously become aware of Hecht’s intended travel and observed Hecht board the flight in Omaha and exit the flight in Chicago. Hecht was then contacted by HSI agents in the jetway, which is the functional equivalent of the border, as he was boarding his flight to leave the United States to meet Victim 1. The agents did a border search of Hecht’s phone and found the images of Victim 1 on Hecht’s phone. Agents then seized Hecht’s phone. Hecht’s phone was then extracted pursuant to a search warrant and reviewed. On Hecht’s phone, agents found multiple videos, depicting Victim 1 and Hecht masturbating on Facetime video calls.
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations.
Omaha Man Sentenced to 14 years for Distributing Methamphetamine and Possessing Firearms as a FelonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Keith McDougald, 46, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 25, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for methamphetamine distribution and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced McDougald to 168 months’ imprisonment on each count to run concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After McDougald’s release from prison, he will serve a three-year term of supervised release.
Between the dates of January 29, 2024, and September 4, 2024, an Omaha Police Department confidential source purchased methamphetamine and firearms from McDougald and firearms from his relative, Demetrius Hunter. At that time, both McDougald and Hunter were prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions. McDougald had a conviction for attempted first-degree sexual assault. Hunter’s convictions were for operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and possession of a firearm by a felon.
On January 29, 2024, McDougald sold the confidential source 114 grams of methamphetamine in a parking lot. On February 19, 2024, McDougald sold the source 392 grams of methamphetamine in another parking lot. On April 29, 2024,
McDougald contacted the source and told the source that he and his nephew (Hunter) were available to meet near 30th and Lake streets to sell a firearm. They sold the source a Sig Sauer P220 .45 cal. handgun and magazine containing seven .45 cal. rounds. On May 14, 2024, McDougald brokered the sale of a Polymer 80 PFC940C 9mm handgun and a high-capacity drum magazine containing one live 9mm round, to the source, for Hunter. On May 22, 2024, McDougald brokered the sale of a Glock 26 9mm handgun and the three magazines, to the source, for Hunter. On May 27, 2024, McDougald and Hunter sold the source an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 multi-caliber pistol and an empty magazine.
On June 3, 2024, Hunter was arrested and booked at the county jail for unrelated charges and while he was incarcerated, he arranged for the sale of a Norinco SKS 7.62x39 cal. rifle, which McDougald sold to the source on June 12, 2024. On July 25, 2024, McDougald sold the source a Cobrayo M11/9 9mm handgun. On August 31, 2024, after Hunter’s release from jail, he sold the source an AM-15 short-barreled rifle and a 60-round magazine, a 100 round drum magazine, and twenty live .223 cal. rounds.
Demetrius Hunter pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm on November 25, 2025 and was sentenced to 92 months to be served concurrently and 3 years supervised release on both counts on March 12, 2026.
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “I want to congratulate the Omaha Police Department and ATF for taking an armed registered sex offender off the street and out of our communities. Unfortunately, it appears this defendant refuses to make better life choices no matter how many convictions have stacked up for him at this point. Nebraska is safer with McDougald behind bars. I am grateful to OPD and ATF for making this case and doing the community an invaluable service in the process.”
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. This case was primarily investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Omaha Police Department.
Illegal Alien Sentenced to 10 Years for Conspiracy to Distribute MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Emerson Reyes-Andrade, 32, of San Salvador, El Salvador, was sentenced on July 2, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Reyes-Andrade to 120 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Reyes-Andrade is released from prison, he will be deported as he is not a United States citizen and was in the country illegally.
Reyes-Andrade was charged as a result of his involvement with a Mexico source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. On September 4, 2024, a cooperating witness working with law enforcement contacted the Mexican source and ordered two pounds of methamphetamine. The source sent Reyes-Andrade who met the cooperator at an Omaha location where he delivered approximately two pounds of methamphetamine to the cooperator.
On November 21, 2024, a search warrant was executed on Reyes-Andrade’s Omaha residence revealing approximately seven grams of methamphetamine. On that same date another search warrant was served on an Omaha residence where Reyes-Andrade had been seen frequenting, and approximately 110 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Dodge County Sheriff Charged and Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
On Monday, July 6, 2026, United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced criminal charges against Dustin Weitzel, 46, of Fremont, Nebraska. Weitzel was charged by information with one count of wire fraud. The penalties for wire fraud are a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum $250,000 fine, both such imprisonment and a fine, a term of supervised release of not more than 3 years, and a mandatory special assessment of $100. Weitzel is scheduled to be sentenced before Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. on October 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The Dodge County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17 (FOP17) was created in approximately 2006. It was a requirement for all Dodge County Sheriff’s Deputies to be members of FOP17. It was also required for all FOP17 members to pay dues which were collected via an automatic paycheck withdrawal.
Weitzel has been employed by the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office since 1999. At some point prior to 2018, Weitzel became Treasurer for FOP17 and served as Treasurer until February 2023. Weitzel stopped serving as Treasurer for FOP17 upon his being elected Sheriff of Dodge County. The dues for FOP17 were used to pay for FOP17’s attorney, an annual golf tournament, training, and various charitable causes. Weitzel’s role as Treasurer was to oversee the collection of dues, maintain the bank accounts, and report on the status of FOP17 funds at the FOP17 meetings. FOP17 had three bank accounts at First State Bank and Trust Co.: a checking account, a golf funds account, and a savings account. At all relevant times in the Information, Weitzel was the only FOP17 member with online access to FOP17’s bank accounts. Weitzel was also a signer on all three accounts.
From April 2018 through February 2022, while Weitzel was Treasurer for FOP17, he made 84 transactions between the FOP17 accounts at First State Bank and Trust Co. and Weitzel’s personal bank accounts at RVR Bank. These transactions were not authorized by the FOP17 Board and were not for FOP17 purposes. Many of the transfers from the FOP17 accounts into Weitzel’s personal accounts were to prevent overdrafts in Weitzel’s personal accounts. In total, $45,500 was wired from FOP17 accounts into Weitzel’s personal accounts. Weitzel in turn returned $40,750.01 in funds from his personal accounts to FOP17 accounts prior to detection. The remaining balance missing from FOP17 accounts is $4,749.99.
As part of this scheme, on August 28, 2020, Weitzel initiated a wire transfer in the amount of $2,500 from the FOP17 checking account at First State Bank and Trust Co. to Weitzel’s personal checking account at RVR Bank.
Weitzel was interviewed and admitted to this conduct.
As part of his plea agreement, Weitzel agreed that he will surrender his law enforcement certification before the sentencing date in this case and that he will not work as a law enforcement officer in the future.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Colombian Woman and Venezuelan Man Sentenced for Sex Trafficking of MinorsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Michel Daiana Martinez-Gonzalez, 29, of Colombia, and Alfredo Manuel Zambrano-Hurtado, 26, of Venezuela, were each sentenced on July 6, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for their roles in sex trafficking of two minors. Martinez-Gonzalez was sentenced for two counts of sex trafficking of a minor by force and Zambrano-Hurtado was sentenced for two counts of sex trafficking of a minor. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Martinez-Gonzalez to 210 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Martinez-Gonzalez’s release from prison, she will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Co-defendant Zambrano-Hurtado was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Zambrano-Hurtado’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. Martinez Gonzalez and Zambrano-Hurtado entered the United States illegally in 2022. Senior Judge Bataillon ordered both to pay special assessments of $10,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act.
On January 6, 2025, the Omaha Police Department received a report of a theft. Responding officers identified indicia of sex trafficking. The Omaha Police Department-Homeland Security Investigations Human Trafficking Task Force immediately began investigating and recovered two minor females, aged 15 and 16, who had been transported to the AmericInn hotel in Omaha by Zambrano-Hurtado from out of state to be sold for commercial sex.
The two minor females reported that Eduardo Jose Perdomo and Michel Martinez-Gonzalez were both advertising the minors online for commercial sex and arranging commercial sex acts with buyers. Zambrano-Hurtado admitted to transporting Perdomo and the victims to Nebraska and transporting one of the minors for commercial sex acts on at least two occasions. The evidence showed that Zambrano-Hurtado also assisted with keeping watch at the hotel. Martinez-Gonzalez admitted that she knew the victims were minors and knew that Perdomo had an arrangement with the hotel employees that they could have sex with the victims anytime they wanted in exchange for allowing them to stay at the hotel. Martinez-Gonzalez further admitted to paying a man in the Dominican Republic to rent two online commercial sex advertisements. Martinez-Gonzalez claimed that one page was intended for her own work in prostitution while the other she rented to Perdomo, but Martinez-Gonzalez got tired of commercial sex work and began utilizing the minors for commercial sex with the clients who responded to her page as well.
Perdomo is scheduled for sentencing in front of Senior Judge Bataillon on July 20, 2026.
“Not all prisons have bars on the doors. Homeland Security Investigations freed these children from a physical and mental prison when they tore down this criminal organization and ripped them out of Nebraska’s streets and put real bars between these human traffickers and the innocent children they were preying on daily,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods. “There is no greater evil than the kind of evil that financially profits from the sex trafficking of a child by force and from enslaving children in the commercial sex trade. Martinez-Gonzalez exploited children in an unthinkable manner for her own selfish gain. She illegally immigrated to the United States to commit the worst crimes imaginable against children in our country. She deserves every second, minute, hour, and month of her federal prison sentence and more. Human traffickers are not welcome in Nebraska, and they would be wise to leave before we catch them because no mercy will be shown to them if we get to them first.”
“HSI’s mission is to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities, and there is no greater priority than safeguarding children from exploitation,” said Homeland Security Investigations Kansas City Acting Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini. “The sentences handed down today reflect the seriousness of these crimes and the focused commitment of HSI and our partners to dismantle trafficking networks and bring predators to justice. Martinez-Gonzalez preyed on innocent children, inflicting unimaginable harm for her own profit. Thanks to the tireless work of our agents and the dedication of the prosecution team, these traffickers will spend years behind bars, unable to harm another child. HSI will continue to pursue those who exploit children with relentless determination, and we will not rest until every victim is rescued and every trafficker is held accountable.”
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Omaha Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Two Illegal Aliens Sentenced in International ATM “Jackpotting” Conspiracy with Ties to Tren de AraguaRead the Press Release
Carlos Javier Padron, 36, an illegal alien from Venezuela, was sentenced yesterday to 78 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to deploy malware and steal millions of dollars from ATMs in the United States, a crime commonly referred to as “ATM jackpotting.” His co-defendant, Oddry Arnoldo Cabrera Torrealba, also known as “Luis Alejandro Berdugo Barraza,” 37, an illegal alien from Venezuela, was sentenced on June 11, to 78 months in prison for similar conduct.
“Carlos Javier Padron and Oddry Arnoldo Cabrera Torrealba helped deploy sophisticated malware as part of a transnational criminal network that hacked ATMs across the United States and stole millions of dollars through a technique known as ATM jackpotting – which caused bank ATMs to dispense the cash inside of them,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Crimes like this undermine the security of our financial institutions and fuel the operations of violent transnational criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua (TdA). This sweeping investigation with the District of Nebraska and our law enforcement partners has disrupted this network at all levels. We will protect our financial institutions from technology enabled fraud.”
“ATM jackpotting is TdA’s business plan and their assessed primary source of revenue to fund their terrorist activities that range from reprehensible forms of human trafficking to armed robbery, murder, and the general undermining of America’s national security by flooding our communities with controlled substances,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods for the District of Nebraska. “We will use these prosecutions to put a chokehold on their funding pipeline.”
“TdA is a violent terrorist organization relying on a range of criminal activities to generate revenue supporting their campaigns of violence and terror,” said Special Agent in Charge Euguene Cowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “As criminal enterprises change tactics, we surge resources and adapt accordingly to protect the American people. FBI Omaha will continue standing shoulder to shoulder with our local, state, and federal partners in the fight to dismantle and disrupt the activities of TdA locally and globally.”
“These individuals participated in a crime that was both an attack on the American financial system, and an effort by Tren De Aragua to fund even more terror in our country,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Kansas City. “I’m proud of our agents and partners for working tirelessly to pursue justice and put consumers at ease, knowing their bank’s health is sound and not at risk of being damaged by violent, dangerous criminals.”
According to court documents, Padron and Torrealba were part of a sophisticated criminal network responsible for ATM jackpottings throughout the United States. The members of the network conspired to develop and deploy a variant of malware known as Ploutus, which was deployed on ATMs and used to permit the unauthorized withdrawal of currency. The conspiracy relied on individuals including Padron and Torrealba to deploy the Ploutus malware onto ATMs in person. Once installed and activated, the malware permitted the co-conspirators to issue commands to the cash dispensing module of the ATM in order to force unauthorized withdrawals of currency. The Ploutus malware also was designed to delete evidence of its existence to prevent financial institutions from detecting its use on ATMs. Padron and Torrealba were arrested by the Lincoln, Nebraska Police Department at the site of a jackpotting in October 2024.
Padron and Torrealba both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank burglary and one count of computer fraud and intentional damage to a protected computer. At their respective sentencings, the Court also ordered both Padron and Torrealba to jointly pay $1,537,696 in restitution to the multiple victim banks.
Following the arrest of Padron and Torrealba, a comprehensive federal investigation identified a network of co-conspirators throughout the United States and abroad. Since the arrests of Padron and Torrealba, 96 other defendants have been indicted for their roles in this conspiracy for related offenses including material support to a designated foreign terror organization, bank burglary, money laundering, damage and unauthorized access to protected computers, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit the same offenses.
The investigation has established extensive direct and indirect links between the indicted co-conspirators and TdA. According to court documents, TdA is a violent transnational criminal organization that originated as a prison gang in Venezuela in the mid-2000s. TdA has expanded its criminal network throughout the Western Hemisphere and established a presence in the United States. TdA’s criminal activities range from drug trafficking and firearms trafficking to commercial sex trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, theft, fraud, and extortion. TdA members also commit murder, assault, and other violent acts to advance the organization’s criminal activities. TdA has also developed an additional source of revenue stream through financial crimes that target financial institutions throughout the United States, including using ATM jackpotting to steal millions of dollars in cash.
FBI’s Omaha Field Office and HSI Omaha are investigating the case, with assistance from FBI’s Denver, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, Oklahoma, Sacramento, Seattle, and Springfield Field Offices, and the United States Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General, Financial Deposit Insurance Corporation, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office, Bates County Sheriff’s Office, Sheridan Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Leesburg Police Department, Sterling Heights Police Department, Kearney Police Department, Warrant Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Colombus Police Department, Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Bluff City Police Department, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Lincoln Police Department, Gothenburg Police Department, Loudon Police Department, Alcoa Police Department, Milford Police Department, Grand Island Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Papillion Police Department, Central City Police Department, Holdrege Police Department, New York State Police, Berkeley Police Department, Cook County Electronic Monitoring Unit, Aurora Police Department, Austin Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, City of Rome Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, McCook Police Department, Nebraska DMV Crime Analysts, Rantoul Police Department, Olathe Police Department, North Platte Police Department, Walla Walla Police Department, Milton-Freewater Police Department, Missoula Police Department, Omaha Police Department, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, Sidney Police Department, Denver Police, Howard County Sheriff’s Office, St. Paul Police Department, Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Glendale Police Department, Columbia Police Department, Brookfield Police Department, Wauwatosa Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Grafton Police Department, South Milwaukee Police Department, Dubuque Police Department, Fargo Police Department, and Paducah Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska, and Joint Task Force Vulcan. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western District of Washington, Eastern District of California, Southern District of New York, Northern District of Illinois, Central District of Illinois, Eastern District of Oklahoma and Eastern District of Wisconsin, as well as the Larimer County Attorney’s Office, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, Tennessee 9th District Attorney General’s Office, Tennessee 5th District Attorney General’s Office, the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana State Police have provided significant assistance.
This Operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from the FBI and HSI with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.
Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV) was created in 2019 to eradicate MS-13 and now expanded at the direction of the Attorney General to target TdA. JTFV is comprised of U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, including Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; Eastern and Western Districts of North Carolina; Western District of Virginia; Southern District of Florida; Eastern District of Texas; Western District of Oklahoma; Northern District of Indiana; District of Nevada; and District of Arizona; as well as the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, Criminal Division, and the Office of Judicial Attaché and DEA partners in Bogotá, Colombia. Additionally, the FBI, HSI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), USMS, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons are essential law enforcement partners with JTFV.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to Prison for Child Exploitation CrimeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Cody Bullman, 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced June 25, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln for attempted receipt of child pornography. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Bullman to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Bullman’s release from prison, he will begin an 8-year term of supervised release.
In March of 2024, a Facebook profile of an undercover officer, presenting themselves as a 13-year-old female, was sent a “friend request” from a Facebook profile determined to belong to Bullman. The undercover officer and Bullman communicated briefly. Then in May of 2024, Bullman asked the undercover officer, “you down to hook up?” The undercover officer responded, indicating to Bullman they were only 13 years old. Bullman said he was okay with that and told the undercover officer, “I just wanna [sic] say your [sic] attractive.” Later in the conversation Bullman sent a sexually explicit photo. Bullman then asked the undercover officer for sexually explicit images or videos of the minor, indicating he would not “do anything with your nudes. It’s for my viewing only.”
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 United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (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 www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations.
Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska - June 2026Read the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the federal Grand Jury for the District of Nebraska has returned 13 unsealed Indictments charging 14 defendants. Indictments are charging documents that contain one or more individual counts that are merely accusations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Kenneth Powers, age 68, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a two-count Indictment. Count I charges Powers with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine beginning on or about September 1, 2025, and continuing to on or about January 15, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Powers with being a felon in possession of a firearm on or about January 15, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Brian De Jesus-Garibaldi, age 20, of San Luis, Arizona, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine on or about April 30, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
William Finely, Sr., age 61, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine on or about March 3, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 5 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
Jason D. McCain, age 46, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with bank robbery on or about April 1, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Peere M. Shackelford, age 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl resulting in death between about January 26, 2026, and January 30, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 20 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a term of supervised release of not less than 3 years and up to life, and a $100 special assessment.
David J. Turner, age 63, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Turner with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on or about March 12, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 25 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $20,000,000 fine, a 10-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Turner with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute on or about March 12, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Turner with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on or about March 12, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Daniel Ray Corter, age 48, of Omaha, Nebraska, is charged in a three-count Indictment. Count I charges Corter with assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating and interfering with a federal officer with bodily injury on or about April 5, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count II charges Corter with assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating and interfering with a federal officer with physical contact on or about April 5, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 8 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Count III charges Corter with impeding, intimidating or interfering with a federal official by threat on or about April 5, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is up to 6 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
Marissa Halterman, age 37, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Christopher Raudales, age 41, of Omaha, Nebraska, are charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of fentanyl on or about April 27, 2026. The maximum possible penalty if convicted is not less than 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, a 5-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States and were found in the United States, without the Acting Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Allan Padilla-Sanchez, age 26
Darwin Flores-Sanchez, age 27
Jose Valenciano-Moreno, age 39
Jose Omar Murillo-Herrera, age 42
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 2 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a one-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
The following individuals were charged with being an alien, who previously had been excluded, deported and removed from the United States following an aggravated felony conviction and were found in the United States, without the Acting Attorney General of the United States or his designated successor having expressly consented to the defendant’s reapplication for admission into the United States:
Jose Caceres-Ascencio, age 49
The maximum possible penalty if convicted is 20 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a 3-year term of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.
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Five Men Arrested and Charged in Plot to Attack and Kill Government Officials and Others Attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship at White HouseRead the Press Release
The Justice Department, along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska, announced today charges against five men for an alleged plot to carry out an attack to kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House last Sunday.
The FBI launched an investigation into the plot and identified a group of conspirators who procured weapons and made plans to carry out the attack. The FBI made arrests over the weekend in Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, and California. The investigation remains ongoing.
“The FBI, our law enforcement partners and our U.S. Attorneys did what they do every day to make America Safe through quick response and vigilance in investigating, disrupting, and dismantling this alleged plan before it could be carried out,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We will take immediate and aggressive action to identify and prosecute those who incite and plan acts of violence.”
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “The complete disruption of this evil plot in record time demonstrates how foolish it is to engage in terrorist plots of this kind from the District of Nebraska. The FBI and its state and local law enforcement partners swiftly and effectively neutralized this threat before it had any chance of success. Federal prosecutors and agents worked tirelessly to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of our nation’s leaders.”
“On June 10, FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat to the UFC America 250 event in Washington, D.C. involving individuals outside of the National Capital Region — and thanks to the rapid action of this FBI, our partners, and the Department of Justice in a multi-state operation, multiple individuals are now in custody and allegedly planned attacks were stopped cold,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “While the result represented the best of investigative work, it was also nothing out of the ordinary for this law enforcement team — we are built to detect, respond to, and bring to justice those who threaten the lives of American citizens — particularly during large gatherings like the historic UFC 250 fight. That’s exactly what we did here. I want to thank our great agents and partners, this work remains ongoing and we will continue to update the public as permitted.”
“Protecting the President of the United States and the White House grounds is priority number one for the U.S. Secret Service,” said Director Sean M Curran of the U.S. Secret Service. “The landscape has changed, and as a result we have seen a dramatic rise in threats against our protectees. I am proud of the men and women of the Secret Service that vigorously monitor, investigate, and arrest those that plot to interfere with our protective mission. We are grateful for our extraordinary partnerships we share with DHS, DOJ, Acting Attorney General Blanche, FBI-JTTF, Park Police, and DC Police.”
“From his home here in Nebraska, Alvarez allegedly directed and recruited others across the country to conduct a horrific attack against government officials in a mass casualty event. Our team worked around the clock to locate and apprehend Alvarez, take him into custody, and collect crucial evidence,” said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of FBI Omaha Field Office. “The local partnerships forged in our FBI Omaha Joint Terrorism Task Force were critical in mitigating the threat posed by Alavarez and others. We are incredibly thankful for the support of the Nebraska State Patrol, Omaha Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluff’s Police Department, and Saline County Sheriff’s Office in our continued efforts to identify and thwart violent attacks against the U.S.”
According to the charges, Tycen C. Proper, 19, of Danville, Ohio; Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, California; Michael Alan Thomas, 32, of Pinon Hills, California; Daniel K. Eskridge, 32, of Kidder, Missouri; and Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, conspired to plan and execute a mass casualty event targeting U.S. officials in attendance at UFC Freedom 250 hosted on the White House grounds. The conspirators allegedly planned to deploy drones armed with explosives in and around the UFC Freedom 250 event in order to force an evacuation of the event and then planned to deploy snipers to fire upon “high value targets” within the fleeing crowd.
Abraham Alvarez
According to the charges filed in Nebraska, the FBI identified Alvarez as the individual using the name “Shepherd” in an encrypted chat app that was used to plan an attack on the UFC Freedom 250 event scheduled to be held at the White House on June 14. The FBI assessed that Alvarez, also known as “Shepherd,” was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the planned attack, based on conversation excerpts in June when Shepherd posted, “This is the best action I see. Position your teams in the purple dots (counter sniper and drones) Long range (circled area) (great shot) Easy out into the river.” Shepherd also allegedly posted other messages including replying to another member on making drones with explosives, “As many and as deadly as we can get.”; that he was working on drones; and had one drone and was working on more.
The complaint further alleges that Shepherd provided a picture and directions for a safe zone at an old church in Nebraska. He instructed the other members to take back roads or the river down to the “pick up location.” Later that same evening, Shepherd also provided locations in the area for drone launch points and sniper positions.
Screenshot of a church, sent by Alvarez, “Shepherd,” to encrypted chat group, from the complaint filed in the District of Nebraska.Tycen Proper
According to filed complaints in the Southern District of Ohio, the Western District of Missouri, the District of Nebraska, and the Central District of California, investigators interviewed Proper at a medical facility on June 11. During the interview, he allegedly said he had planned with others a coordinated attack against the U.S. government during the UFC event at the White House. He said members of the group who wanted to participate in the attack began communicating with each other around March. More serious members of the group, including Proper, moved their communications to an encrypted chat app. They planned to fly small drones with explosives to detonate over the north side of the UFC arena, forcing high value targets to evacuate the premises; the group would then act as snipers and shoot these individuals. Before executing the plan, Proper and other conspirators allegedly planned to rendezvous in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Screenshot of messages and maps on Proper’s phone, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California. Screenshot of messages and maps on Proper’s phone, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California.Proper allegedly amassed firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and tactical gear at his home in Ohio, and he identified potential targets, including multiple members of Congress.
A photo of Proper’s gun, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California.Bryan Roa
According to the complaint filed in the Central District of California, law enforcement executed a search warrant of Roa’s residence and vehicle where they allegedly seized a rifle, handgun, tactical belt, ammunition and a rifle magazine, a two-way radio, and an infrared laser target pointer. A search of Roa’s phone allegedly found messages in a group with Thomas, Proper, and others discussing an attack at the UFC event at the White House, with some users discussing using drones rigged with explosives to initiate the attack, with rooftop snipers killing individuals. Law enforcement also allegedly found Instagram videos Roa had posted of himself shooting guns.
Bryan Roa Roa’s Instagram post of him shooting guns, from the complaint filed in the Central District of California.Michael Thomas
According to the complaint filed in the Central District of California, Thomas allegedly participated in a group chat planning an attack at the UFC event at the White House. In a group chat, on June 7, he allegedly wrote “$1300 gets us the drones and the charges. Yes we should all pitch in and we need it asap…”
In another group chat, Thomas, under a pseudonym, allegedly described “tiers” of operators within their anti-government group, with tier 1 being operators on the ground, tier 2 being drivers and drone operators, tier 3 being logistical suppliers, and tier 4 being social media influencers. “Tier one status is not something to take lightly. … We will make sure they have…All the tier 2 support we can provide. We will try to break them out of jail if we need to.” In the same group chats, Thomas discussed meeting with Roa in person in Southern California in order to conduct “marksmen training” and reflected that the group needed to train for “gorilla style warfare.”
In a June 13 search warrant, FBI agents allegedly seized from Thomas’ residence a rifle, 30-round extended magazines for the rifle, 180 rounds of ammunition, and a pistol.
Daniel Eskridge
Eskridge was charged with conspiracy to commit murder on White House grounds. According to an affidavit filed in the Western District of Missouri, the FBI identified Eskridge while reviewing electronic communications on Proper’s cell phone. The co-conspirators had electronic chats on encrypted social media platforms. In those chats, members of the group allegedly discussed assassinating several U.S. Senators, Representatives, and prominent business executives. Members of the group targeted some legislators based on the group’s perceived belief that the legislators accepted money from pro-Israel lobbies. When discussing potential targets, Eskridge indicated that the target was “big and someone a majority of the country knows.” In the discussions, power grids were also identified as potential targets. On May 22, Eskridge distributed a picture of tactical equipment, including a rifle, helmet, and ballistic vest. The photograph is below.
Daniel Eskridge Photo of tactical equipment from Eskridge, from the affidavit filed in the Western District of Missouri.Also according to the affidavit, in a separate chat group, a conversation took place in early June when Eskridge and some of the other chat group members discussed their plan to attack the UFC Freedom 250 event. Specifically, Thomas stated, “Pensilvania [sic] avenue.” Eskridge said the group should obtain $1,300 in U.S. currency and they needed “5 teams of 3 each team consisting of 1 sniper, 1 tier one operator as support/ look out, [and] one drone operator.” Eskridge said the money would provide them the funding to purchase “drones and charges,” and encouraged the group to all “pitch in.” On June 13, law enforcement officials executed a federal search warrant of Eskridge’s residence. Agents recovered rifles, a shot gun, pistol, and other tactical gear.
If convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conspiracy to commit violence on White House grounds carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Contempt Proceedings for Failure to Comply with a Search Warrant Conclude with Vercel Inc., Admitting Wrongdoing and Agreeing to Pay Government’s CostsRead the Press Release
A U.S.-based technology company, Vercel Inc., agreed today to a enter a Stipulated Dismissal with the United States to resolve civil contempt proceedings related to Vercel’s failure to comply with a federal search warrant issued under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. According to court documents, Vercel Inc., failed to comply with its obligation to disclose information as required by a federal search warrant issued out of the District of Nebraska, until a federal magistrate judge made a preliminary finding that Vercel was in contempt of court.
“When a federal court issues a search warrant, it is not a suggestion, but a mandatory directive, essential to the pursuit of justice, that a recipient company must comply with,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division pursues technology companies who fail to uphold their lawfully mandated obligations. We are pleased Vercel has belatedly complied and accepted responsibility for the unnecessary costs incurred by the Government in this matter.”
“A private company withheld evidence in a federal investigation, and that poor choice landed them in federal court in Nebraska,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods for the District of Nebraska. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not stand for failure to comply with judicially authorized search warrants. We will protect our federal investigations to the fullest extent of the law. We are grateful to our partners at the Criminal Division who helped us recover this critical evidence.”
“While leading a high priority investigation with national and international impact, FBI Omaha and our partners served a lawfully predicated federal search warrant on Vercel Inc.,” said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. “Vercel Inc.’s failure to comply with a lawful court order forced investigators and prosecutors to divert valuable time and resources away from primary investigative matters. To fulfill our mission of protecting the American People and upholding the Constitution with the speed and agility the public expects of us, we rely on companies promptly and completely providing evidence in response to lawful court orders. We will continue working with our Department of Justice partners to aggressively pursue accountability for organizations that fail to uphold their legal responsibilities.”
On Aug. 11, 2025, U.S. Magistrate Judge Ryan Carson issued a search warrant requiring Vercel to disclose the contents of a specified user account in its possession, custody, and control. Three days after Vercel received the search warrant, but prior to Vercel taking any action to execute the warrant, the user deleted the account. Although the deleted information was still located in Vercel’s servers in a deletion queue, Vercel did not recover that information and only provided the Government with some records associated with the account. Vercel failed to meet its obligations to produce the entire contents of the account, believing and representing to the court that the records had been deleted.
On Feb. 2 upon motion from the government and following a hearing as to why Vercel should not be held in civil contempt for failure to comply with the warrant, Magistrate Judge Carson issued an order finding that the Government had established a prima facia case of civil contempt and certified the case to a U.S. District Judge for further proceedings. Only after this finding, on Feb. 5 did Vercel fully comply with the warrant by turning over files it previously believed it did not possess and previously could not locate.
As part of the Stipulated Dismissal, Vercel admitted that at the time it received the search warrant, Vercel’s legal process response tools were inadequate in two ways, which together caused their failure to timely comply with the warrant. First, the tools were not designed in a way that permitted members of Vercel’s Trust and Safety team to locate, preserve, and produce certain content. Second, they were not designed in a way that permitted members of Vercel’s Trust and Safety team to locate, preserve, and produce content that resided in a deletion queue. Vercel has since updated its legal process response tools and procedures to enable the preservation and production of certain content associated with customer accounts, including content that is held in a deletion queue. Vercel has also agreed to pay the Government for the costs it incurred in litigating this matter.
FBI’s Omaha Field Office sought and obtained the original search warrant issued to Vercel as part of an ongoing investigation. Vercel is not and never was a target of the underlying criminal investigation. The warrant was served under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which allows law enforcement to use a search warrant to compel providers to disclose the contents of specified user records.
Senior Counsel Michael J. Christin of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean P. Lynch and Daniel D. Packard for the District of Nebraska are litigating the case.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Stipulation of Dismissal here.
Utah Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Cyberstalking ChargesRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jonas D. Saunders, 22, of Vernal, Utah, was sentenced on June 4, 2026, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for one count of cyberstalking and one count of using a telecommunications device to abuse, threaten, and harass. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Saunders to a total of 24 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Saunders’ release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.
Saunders met Victim 1 in the fall of 2021 when they were both freshman at the same university. A falling out occurred and Saunders eventually transferred schools. In February of 2025, after seeing Victim 1 was in a new relationship, Saunders began threatening and harassing Victim 1 online and through other methods of communication. Saunders’s threats and harassment extended to several of Victim 1’s family members and boyfriend whom he also directly threatened. Many of the threats involved threats to kill Victim 1 and her loved ones using extreme methods.
Saunders’s actions included threats made on Instagram and X, through emails, and repeated calls to Victim 1 and her family. Further harassing actions of Saunders included seeking the assistance of a “hacker” to break into Victim 1’s accounts; sending a mass email to college students at Victim 1’s university exclaiming that Victim 1 was promiscuous and listing her email address; encouraging others on social media to contact Victim 1 and harass her further; and creating a website about her all with the intent to degrade, abuse, and harass her. Saunders’s conduct did not stop until police departments in both Victim 1’s and Saunders’s locations became involved.
United States Attorney Lesley Woods said, “Cyberstalking terrorizes its victims and traps them in a living nightmare. Cyberstalkers can reach their victims anytime, day or night, and they are relentless in their harassment of victims. The United States Attorney’s Office will be equally relentless in its prosecution of these offenders.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
United States Obtains $3.4M in a False Claims Act Judgment Against Nebraska PharmacistRead the Press Release
On May 29, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska entered a default judgment for the United States totaling $3,423,389.84 against Joan Kicken and AME P.C. d/b/a Campbell Drug, for violations of the False Claims Act. The court entered this judgment after Kicken and AME failed to defend against the United States’ allegations.
In its complaint, filed on October 31, 2025, the United States alleged that Kicken owned and operated AMC P.C. d/b/a Campbell Drug in Oshkosh, Nebraska, and sought to unjustly enrich herself by submitting fraudulent billing to Medicare and Medicaid. The complaint alleged that Kicken sought reimbursement from Medicaid for prescription drugs for which valid prescriptions were never issued, billed Medicaid for prescription drugs that were never dispensed, and billed Medicare and Medicaid for name-brand medications (with higher reimbursement rates) when Kicken dispensed generic versions of the same medications. It was further alleged that Kicken knew such actions and billing methods were improper, but she continued to do so for monetary benefit.
“Medicaid and Medicare exist to ensure that every American has access to the care they need. Fraud against these programs is an attack on that promise,” said the United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods. “This case demonstrates that we will pursue healthcare fraud aggressively and without hesitation because protecting the integrity of our public health system is protecting the public itself.”
“Those who defraud Medicaid and Medicare will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Linda T. Hanley, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS/OIG). “HHS OIG will not hesitate to investigate, expose, and pursue individuals who knowingly steal from federal healthcare programs. When providers refuse to follow the law, we will take decisive action—alongside our federal and state partners—to protect these programs and the people they serve.”
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said, “Medicaid funds are provided by hardworking taxpayers. Stolen Medicaid funds harm Nebraska’s most vulnerable citizens. Thanks to the partnership of the Medicaid Fraud Unit, USAO, and OIG, the stolen funds were recovered and will be returned to those who truly need them.”
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement can be reported to HHS at 800 HHS TIPS (800-447-8477).
HHS-OIG and the State of Nebraska’s Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Unit provided investigative support.
Teen Sentenced to 121 Months for Shooting on the Omaha Nation Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Charles Aldrich, 18, of the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, was sentenced on May 27, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for assault with a dangerous weapon with the intent to do bodily harm and using, carrying, or brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Aldrich to 37 months’ imprisonment for the assault charge and a consecutive 84 months’ imprisonment for the use of a firearm during his crime of violence, for a total sentence of 121 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On August 25, 2025, Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services received a call regarding a shooting on Skunk Hollow, a location in the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, and determined that a victim had been shot.
Before the shooting, Aldrich became involved in an argument with his next-door residents. Aldrich retrieved a handgun from a car that pulled up to the street. The argument continued, and Aldrich fired three shots from his driveway toward the next-door residents as they fled. Aldrich pursued and fired five more rounds at them. One was struck by gunfire.
Aldrich returned to his residence and remained there until he subsequently surrendered to law enforcement. Law enforcement searched the residence and recovered the handgun that had been used.
This case was investigated by the Omaha Nation Law Enforcement Services and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Omaha Man and Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Brian T. Smith, 52, and Myria K. Phaisan, 50, both of Omaha, Nebraska, were sentenced in federal court in Omaha for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Smith on May 18, 2026, to 27 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Smith’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Smith was also ordered to pay $455,707.81 in restitution.
Senior Judge Bataillon sentenced Phaisan on May 26, 2026, to a five-year term of supervised release. Phaisan was also ordered to pay $228,402.65 in restitution.
Smith and Phaisan’s co-defendant, Syed Hussain, has not yet been apprehended by law enforcement. Hussain is charged by Indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud, one count of identity theft, one count of misuse of a social security number, and one count of aggravated identity theft. An Indictment is a charging document that contains one or more individual counts that are merely accusations. Hussain is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Smith and Phaisan participated in a scheme using interstate wire communications to defraud various government benefit programs that had been instituted by the United States government in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Specifically, members of the conspiracy fraudulently applied for funds from the Housing Assistance Fund and Emergency Rental Assistance as well as applying for Paycheck Protection Program loans. The conspirators registered internet domains that were variations in spellings or nomenclature of legitimate mortgage companies or financial institutions in order to further their fraudulent activities. The conspirators also acquired names and personal identifying information of individuals to create fraudulent identity documents, such as driver’s licenses, or other documents, to include W-9s, mortgage statements, and rental agreements in support of fraudulent applications. Hussain is alleged to have participated in the same acts as Smith and Phaisan.
As a result of this scheme, the conspirators caused a loss across all programs at issue totaling $1,187,860.90 and an additional intended loss of $42,334.37.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
This case was investigated by the Office of Inspector General – U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Illegal Alien from India Sentenced to 10 Years in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation of Sex Trafficking of MinorsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Kavankumar Patel, 27, of Gujarat, India, was sentenced on May 26, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for two counts of sex trafficking of a minor. Senior United States District Judge Joseph F. Bataillon sentenced Patel to 10 years’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Patel’s release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release. However, Patel is in the United States illegally and faces deportation after completing his prison sentence.
On January 6, 2025, the Omaha Police Department received a report of a theft. Responding officers identified indicia of sex trafficking. The Homeland Security Task Force and the Omaha Police Department immediately began investigating and recovered two minor females, aged 15 and 16, who had been brought to the AmericInn hotel at 2920 S. 13th Court in Omaha from out of state to be sold for commercial sex.
The two minor females reported that their traffickers had instructed that the minors must engage in sex with hotel staff for a reduced room rate or they would be kicked out of the hotel. Two hotel employees paid the trafficker to have sex with one of the minors and a third hotel employee had sex with the other minor. Patel, an employee at the AmericInn, admitted that he used money from the hotel till to pay the traffickers to have sex with one of the minors at the hotel. Hotel employees then permitted the traffickers and minors to remain at the hotel for multiple days. The traffickers would post online advertisements for commercial sex and arrange commercial sex acts involving the minor victims. The minors reported having little food and feeling like they had no choice but to engage in sex acts as directed.
“The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will never tire of working as hard as we need to work to protect the most vulnerable victims in our communities,” said United States Attorney Lesley Woods. “The Homeland Security Task Force rescued these children from a living nightmare, and anyone with knowledge or suspicion of human trafficking in our communities should reach out to state or federal law enforcement immediately to report those concerns and to be part of the effort to free all of Nebraska’s victims of human trafficking.”
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Omaha comprises agents and officers from HSI, FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, USPIS, the IRS-Criminal Investigation Division, and assistance of the Omaha Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska.