District of Nevada

LAS VEGAS – Three Mexican nationals unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances yesterday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Rodolfo Arnoldo Campillo-Castro, Carlos Joaquin Lopez-Orozco, and Hugo Cesar Astorga-Nunez, all citizens of Mexico, are each charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for all three defendants are scheduled for June 16, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Campillo-Castro, Lopez-Orozco, and Astorga-Nunez were all previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

On August 14, 2025, officers with the North Las Vegas Police Department arrested Campillo-Castro for trafficking in controlled substance. On May 29, 2026, after serving a term of 16 to 40 months in prison for Conspiracy to Violate Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Campillo-Castro was remanded by the Nevada Department of Corrections to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Campillo-Castro had been previously deported to Mexico on or about January 13, 2009.

On May 17, 2024, officers with the North Las Vegas Police Department arrested Lopez-Orozco for trafficking in controlled substance. On May 21, 2026, after serving a term of 24 to 60 months in prison for trafficking in controlled substance, Lopez-Orozco was remanded by the Nevada Department of Corrections to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lopez-Orozco had been previously deported to Mexico on or about March 26, 2019.

On May 19, 2026, ICE, Las Vegas, Field Operations Team, while conducting targeted enforcement activities, arrested Astorga-Nunez. Astorga-Nunez, who had been previously deported to Mexico on or about May 24, 2011, and again on or about December 2, 2017. Astorga-Nunez has prior felony convictions for Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Conspiracy to Violate Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and Transport of a Controlled Substance.

If convicted, Astorga-Nunez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

If convicted, Campillo-Castro and Lopez-Orozco each face a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Alejandro Almeida made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who was convicted by a jury for threatening to assault and murder public officials over a seven-month period was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 60 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. The government recommended 71 months in prison. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, from November 30, 2023, through July 7, 2024, Spencer Christjencody Gear threatened public officials using vulgar and violent language in a series of phone calls and sent an email threatening to assault and murder eight federal officials, including judges, as well as three state employees. The threats were intended to intimidate and interfere with the officials as they carried out their duties and to retaliate against them for actions taken in their official roles in Washington, D.C., New York, and Montana. 

“Today's sentencing should send a clear message that the FBI stands firm in its commitment to protecting our public officials and ensuring that individuals who seek to harm others will be held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “Threats of violence are never merely words; they constitute serious federal crimes, and the FBI takes every threat with utmost seriousness. The act of spreading fear and intimidation has no place in our community.”

“The United States Marshals quickly responds to threats against the judiciary and public officials,” said U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield for the U.S. Marshals Service. “This investigation is a result of solid partnerships with our fellow agencies that resulted in a conviction and justice being done.”

“Threats against public officials should never be tolerated,” said Chief Michael G. Sullivan for the U.S. Capitol Police. “I am proud of the men and women of our law enforcement partners, including the Department of Justice for their exceptional work on this case.  Their diligence and commitment to justice helped ensure that the individual responsible was held accountable.”

In February 2026, after a six-day trial, a jury found Gear guilty of nine counts of threatening a federal official and 11 counts of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure. 

Executive Assistant United States Attorney Summer Johnson for the District of Nevada, FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto, U.S. Marshal Gary Schofield, and Chief Michael G. Sullivan made the announcement.

The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Operskalski and Daniel Schiess prosecuted the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – The owner of a security company pleaded guilty today to embezzling over $26 million from his girlfriend’s employer and purchasing high-end merchandise using the stolen funds and selling those items through an online consignment company.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from January 1, 2018 to February 28, 2025, William Keolanui Costa and his girlfriend, co-defendant Cynthia Marie Marabella, devised a scheme to defraud Marabella’s employer where she was employed as a controller at a Las Vegas-based construction company. As part of the scheme, Costa and Marabella fraudulently duplicated bonus checks and deposited the checks into bank accounts controlled by Marabella and Costa; opened credit cards in other peoples’ names and made unauthorized charges then paid the credit cards’ bills with stolen funds; provided false accounting records to the employer; created forged and false bank statements; and sent fictitious invoices from merchant accounts then paid the invoices with stolen funds.

Costa and Marabella used the stolen money to pay off vehicles, living expenses, and credit cards. They also purchased high-end merchandise with the stolen funds, such as expensive purses, shoes, clothing, and jewelry. Marabella sold the merchandise through an online consignment company. They received more than $245,000 from the sales. As a result of the fraud scheme, Costa and Marabella obtained more than $26 million from the employer.

“Stealing more than 26 million dollars through forged checks, fraudulent credit cards, and fabricated invoices is a deliberate and calculated financial attack against an employer,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “This criminal activity was not a mere lapse in judgment. It was a years‑long scheme built to siphon money, falsify records, and conceal the truth. IRS‑CI Phoenix will aggressively pursue anyone who uses deception and access to procure ill-gotten funds, and today’s plea makes clear that large‑scale financial fraud will be met with justice.”

In April 2026, Marabella pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Sentencing has been set for August 4, 2026.

Costa pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Sentencing has been set for September 2, 2026, before United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon. The total maximum statutory penalty is 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown made the announcement.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is prosecuting the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident pleaded guilty Wednesday to exploiting children and possessing hundreds of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

According to court documents, between December 2024 and January 2026, Mohammad Shoaib Taraki sexually exploited two children in his care by producing sexually explicit visual depictions of each child.

From about December 2024 and continuing to about January 2026, Taraki also possessed over 600 images and videos of CSAM depicting sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence, infants and toddlers, and minors under the age of 12. Taraki admitted that he sent 53 videos of CSAM using his two Snapchat accounts, and that he received 21 videos and one image of CSAM from other users on Snapchat.

Taraki pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography.

Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon set sentencing for August 26, 2026. The statutory maximum penalty for each count of sexual exploitation of children is 30 years in prison and the statutory maximum penalty for possession of child pornography is 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin is prosecuting this case.

This case is a part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.justice.gov/psc.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for operating a scheme in which he claimed to be an IRS officer and misrepresented to victims that he was able to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars for them from a fictitious IRS program. The government recommended a sentence of 96 months in prison.

“The defendant pretended to be an IRS agent and preyed on victims – many of whom were non-native English speakers – who struggled to pay their home mortgages,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “He exploited his victims’ financial vulnerabilities and stole hard-earned money from over a dozen victims.”

"This case serves as a reminder of the lengths fraudsters will go to exploit vulnerable individuals for their own financial gain,” said Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “By inventing fake government programs and impersonating IRS officials, Velazquez built a false sense of trust to steal hard-earned money from unsuspecting victims. The IRS will never charge an upfront fee to process a form or secure a refund, nor do we make initial contact with taxpayers via social media or unsolicited text messages."

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Francisco Ivan Velazquez falsely held himself out to be an employee of the IRS and claimed to his victims that he could secure large monetary payments for them from the IRS. Velazquez asserted that these funds were available from a purported IRS program that allowed people who had previously lost a home to foreclosure to recoup money by applying to the IRS and filing certain documents. He advised the victims that, in exchange for a fee, he would submit an application for them to recover the funds. In some instances, Velazquez then helped present a false tax return to the IRS on behalf of a victim claiming the victim had federal tax withholdings of $100,000 or more and requested the withholdings be refunded. Velazquez’s criminal scheme sought at least $1.8 million from the IRS.

Government’s Exhibit 166: Photo of Francisco Ivan Velazquez in U.S. v. Francisco Ivan Velazquez, Case No. 2:22-cr-00090.

Velazquez was convicted at trial of three counts of wire fraud, one count of aiding the presentation of a false tax return, and two counts of impersonating an IRS officer. The jury did not return a verdict on four counts of aiding in the preparation of false tax returns.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey ordered Velazquez to pay approximately $199,198.52 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown; Special Agent in Charge Krystofor Proev for the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation and TIGTA investigated the case. Trial Attorneys John C. Gerardi and Thomas W. Flynn of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, Tax Section, prosecuted the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

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

###

LAS VEGAS – As mail-in ballots are distributed across Nevada for the upcoming primary election, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada encourages all eligible citizens to participate in the democratic process and reminds the public that voting in federal elections is limited to eligible United States citizens. Nevada’s Primary Election will be held on June 9, 2026.

Voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities of American citizenship, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to protecting both lawful participation in the electoral process and the integrity of our elections.

Federal law limits participation in federal elections to eligible United States citizens. Individuals who are not eligible to vote, including non-citizens who may inadvertently receive election-related materials or ballots, should not complete or submit ballots for federal elections. 

“The right to vote is a fundamental part of our democracy,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “We encourage every eligible citizen to participate in the election process while also ensuring compliance with federal voting laws that protect the integrity and fairness of our elections. Federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in elections in Nevada, and our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and pursue credible violations of federal election laws where appropriate.”

“Our republic cannot function without fair elections,” said Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “The Justice Department has a zero-tolerance policy for any attempt to illegally undermine the legitimacy of our elections, and we stand ready to prosecute illegal voters and those who enable them.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, as well as election officials, to safeguard the electoral process and ensure compliance with federal laws protecting lawful participation in elections and public confidence in the integrity of the voting process.

Members of the public who believe they have information regarding possible election fraud or unlawful voting activity may contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or submit tips online through the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.tips.fbi.gov.

Learn more about the Voting Rights Act and other federal voting laws at DOJ Voting Section.

###

LAS VEGAS – A 19-year-old southern California man pleaded guilty today to importation and possession with intent to distribute more than 70 pounds of ketamine that was discovered in his luggage.

According to court documents, on or about September 29, 2025, Nehemiah Bayonne arrived at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, from London, England. After deboarding the airplane, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer referred Bayonne to Customs for a baggage inspection. During the inspection of Bayonne’s two bags, CBP officers found a total of 32 “bricks” of ketamine – 16 bricks in each bag. The approximate total weight of ketamine was 32.8kg (72.3 lbs). Ketamine is a schedule III controlled substance.

According to the DEA, Ketamine, commonly known on the street as Special K, is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control.

Bayonne pleaded guilty to one count of importation of a controlled substance and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva set sentencing for August 24, 2026. The maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in prison, a period of supervised release, a fine, and a mandatory special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Bush is prosecuting the case.

###

RENO – A Reno man, previously employed as a registered nurse, who admitted to sending and receiving child sexual abuse materials was sentenced Wednesday by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to 84 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release. The government recommended 151 months and lifetime supervision.

According to court documents and information provided in court, between March 2024 and August 2024, Ryan Horton used the Kik messenger application to send and receive images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. A subsequent search of Horton’s cellphone conducted by the FBI revealed over 5,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material, including children as young as toddlers engaged in sexually explicit conduct with adults.

Horton pleaded guilty to one count of distribution and receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

"The images shared by Mr. Horton exemplify the serious issue of child exploitation," said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. "By sharing and trading abusive images, his actions perpetuated a vicious cycle of harm. Horton possessed thousands of images and videos of child sexual abuse; much of it was particularly violent, even depicting the abuse of children as young as toddlers. We extend our gratitude to the dedicated members of the FBI's Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task force and the U.S. Attorney's office for investigating these critical cases to hold dangerous child predators accountable."

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Horton will be required to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current in each of the following jurisdictions: (1) where he resides; (2) where he is an employee; and (3) where he is a student.

The case was investigated by the Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force comprised of the FBI, Nevada Attorney General’s Office, Sparks Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Keenan prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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.justice.gov/psc.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Nicaraguan national and a Mexican national unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances yesterday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Jose Leonel Gomez-Palma a citizen of Nicaragua and Isidrio Lopez-Ramirez a citizen of Mexico, are both charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for May 26, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Gomez-Palma and Lopez-Ramirez were both previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally. 

On April 30, 2026, officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Gomez-Palma for Driving Under the Influence and Possess Gun Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs. On May 2, 2026, the Clark County Detention Center remanded Gomez-Palma to U.S. Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE) custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gomez-Palma was previously deported to Nicaragua on or about September 8, 2012. Gomez-Palma has felony convictions for Possess Narcotic Controlled Substance (cocaine), Carjacking, Kidnapping, Attempted Robbery, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Since 1994, Gomez-Palma’s felony convictions have resulted in 24 years and four months in combined prison sentences.

On September 19, 2025, ICE learned that Lopez-Ramirez was in custody at the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC). On August 25, 2025, the Las Vegas, Nevada, Eighth Judicial District Court, convicted Lopez-Ramirez of DUI 3rd, a felony. On April 27, 2026, after serving a 12-to-30-month sentence, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Lopez-Ramirez to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lopez-Ramirez was previously deported to Mexico on or about September 3, 2011, and again on or about November 10, 2020. 

If convicted, Gomez-Palma faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

If convicted, Lopez-Ramirez faces a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
 

###

LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and the Justice Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit on Monday held a Health Care Fraud Consortium Workshop with law enforcement partners to discuss health care fraud trends, emerging schemes, and the tools available to investigate and prosecute these offenses.

The workshop brought together representatives from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Fraud Section, along with Assistant United States Attorneys and staff from the District of Nevada.

This workshop follows the Justice Department’s announcement establishing the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force, a multi-district initiative that includes the District of Nevada, District of Arizona, and Northern District of California. The Strike Force brings together federal prosecutors and law enforcement partners to take a coordinated, data-driven approach to identifying and disrupting health care fraud schemes.

Participants shared insights on current fraud trends, coordinated investigative strategies, and opportunities to enhance collaboration across agencies. The discussion emphasized a unified commitment to protecting patients, safeguarding both public and private health care programs, and ensuring that health care dollars are directed toward legitimate care—not fraud.

“The strength of our enforcement efforts lies in our partnerships,” said representatives of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “By working together, we can more effectively detect, investigate, and prosecute those who exploit the health care system.”

The workshop also highlighted key Justice Department initiatives aimed at strengthening the prevention and detection of corporate misconduct, including health care fraud. The Justice Department’s Criminal Division recently launched a Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program, which provides potential financial incentives to individuals who report original, truthful information that leads to successful forfeiture in cases involving corporate crime, including health care fraud schemes involving private insurance plans.

In addition, under the Criminal Division’s Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy, companies that voluntarily self-report misconduct within 120 days of receiving an internal whistleblower report may be eligible for a presumption of declination, provided they meet applicable criteria and report before the Department initiates contact.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and its partners will continue to use every available legal tool to identify, investigate, and prosecute health care fraud offenses. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected wrongdoing in the health care industry.

For more information about reporting potential corporate misconduct, individuals may contact the Justice Department at [email protected].

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada and the Justice Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit Hold a Health Care Fraud Consortium Workshop With Federal Partners

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today to 13 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his involvement in selling counterfeit pills containing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a person.

According to court documents, on September 2, 2023, Izaiah Flood and his co-defendant Davon Johnson sold pills, which they represented as ecstasy, to an individual on the Las Vegas Strip. The victim immediately ingested one pill. Within two hours, the victim lost consciousness; within six hours after the drug sale, the victim suffered cardiac arrest. The victim was later declared brain dead and pronounced deceased.

“Fentanyl is a scourge to our communities and in this instance, a person’s life was lost,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “The defendant disregarded and endangered the victim by selling counterfeit pills that were made with fentanyl. Working with our law enforcement partners, we are committed to prosecuting drug dealers who are plaguing our communities with dangerous and deadly drugs like fentanyl and ensuring justice is served for the victim and their loved ones.”

Flood pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. He was sentenced today to 156 months in prison. The government recommended a 188-month term of imprisonment.

Co-defendant Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced Monday to 156 months in prison. The government recommended a 210-month term of imprisonment.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brenna Bush prosecuted the cases.

###

LAS VEGAS – Five illegal aliens unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances this week to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Juan Manuel Castellanos-Velazquez; Jimmy Jeyson Escobar-Nerio; Victor Hugo Garcia-Dominguez; Marbin Alexander Ramirez-Rodas; and Antonio Trinidad Garcia-Gallo are all charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for Juan Manuel Castellanos-Velazquez and Jimmy Jeyson Escobar-Nerio are scheduled for May 11, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier, III. Preliminary hearings for Victor Hugo Garcia-Dominguez, Marbin Alexander Ramirez-Rodas, and Antonio Trinidad Garcia-Gallo are scheduled for May 13, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Castellanos-Velazquez, Garcia-Dominguez, and Garcia-Gallo are citizens and nationals of Mexico. Escobar-Nerio, and Ramirez-Rodas are citizens and nationals of El Salvador. All five were previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

On April 7, 2023, officers from the North Las Vegas Police Department arrested Castellanos-Velazquez for two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance, Sale/Transfer Controlled Substance, and Conspiracy to Violate Uniform Controlled Substances Act. On April 13, 2026, after serving a 36-to-96-month sentence for drug trafficking, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Castellanos-Velazquez to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Castellanos-Velazquez was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on eight prior occasions: February 28, 2008; August 24, 2008; August 28, 2008; December 30, 2008; April 21, 2016; May 4, 2016; May 18, 2016; and May 27, 2016.

On April 4, 2026, officers from the North Las Vegas Police Department arrested Escobar-Nerio for Driving Under the Influence. On April 8, 2026, the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center remanded Escobar-Nerio to ICE custody in Las Vegas Nevada. Escobar-Nerio was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on two prior occasions: October 10, 2019, and January 8, 2021. Escobar-Nerio has a prior felony conviction from December 16, 2020, out of the United States District Court, Southern District of California for deported alien found in the United States, the same charge he is currently facing.

On September 11, 2024, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Garcia-Dominguez for Kidnapping and Robbery with Use of a Deadly Weapon. On April 16, 2026, after serving a 19-to-96-month sentence for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Garcia-Dominguez to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia-Dominguez was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on two prior occasions: August 10, 2020, and December 20, 2023. Garcia-Dominguez also has a prior felony conviction for Attempt Burglary, and a conviction for Battery Domestic Violence.

On March 16, 2026, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Ramirez-Rodas for Domestic Battery by Strangulation, Battery Domestic Violence on Pregnant Victim, Coercion Domestic Violence with Threat or Use of Physical Force, Driving Under the Influence, and Child Abuse or Neglect. On April 17, 2026, the Clark County Detention Center remanded Garcia-Gallo to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia-Gallo was previously removed on November 25, 2022. Garcia-Gallo has prior felony convictions for Trafficking Controlled Substance from 2015, and Prohibited Alien in Possession of Firearm from 2021.

On April 17, 2024, officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Garcia-Gallo for four counts Possession for Sale Controlled Substance, Trafficking Controlled Substance, and Conspiracy to Violate Uniform Controlled Substances Act. On April 22, 2026, after serving a 2-to-5-year sentence for Trafficking in Controlled Substance, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Garcia-Gallo to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Garcia-Gallo was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on two prior occasions: August 20, 2015, and June 9, 2020. Garcia-Gallo was previously convicted in 2018, for felony Trafficking Controlled Substance, and he was also convicted in 2020 for Deported Alien Found in the United States, the same charge he is currently facing.

If convicted, Ramirez-Rodas faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

If convicted, Escobar-Nerio; Garcia-Dominguez; and Garcia-Gallo all face a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

If convicted, Castellanos-Velazquez, faces a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the cases; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the cases.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force held a panel discussion Monday on criminal charging and asset forfeiture involving cryptocurrency, as well as how digital currency continues to evolve. The panel brought together federal and local law enforcement partners to share information, discuss recent cases, and strengthen coordination in identifying and stopping criminal activity involving cryptocurrency.

Panelists discussed trends in cryptocurrency-related crimes, tools used to investigate these cases, and the legal process for seizing digital assets. The group also talked about the challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations that use cryptocurrency to move and hide illegal proceeds, and ways agencies can continue working together to address those threats and recover funds for victims.

“The Homeland Security Task Force underscores our shared commitment to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada Sigal Chattah. “Cryptocurrency is evolving, but our task force partners are using every available tool to disrupt money laundering and seize funds for victims.”

“The FBI, along with its local, state, and federal partners have seen actors, across the full spectrum of threats that we investigate, to include criminal, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and cyber threats, leverage the encryption and anonymity that virtual currency offers,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “For these actors, virtual currency is just another layering technique, used to obfuscate who the true beneficial owners are. We are committed to any tool and partner that assists us in tracing the money, which illuminates networks and identifies opportunities for asset forfeiture.”

“Cryptocurrency can move quickly,” said Special Agent in Charge John Wester, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “ATF is happy to be a part of this panel and discussion. Technology is constantly evolving, and it is important that members of law enforcement stay knowledgeable about new technology/platforms that may be involved in federal investigations.”

“Cryptocurrency is increasingly being adopted by Transnational Criminal Organizations, as it provides the capability to rapidly and safely transfer capital across borders through an encrypted blockchain,” said Brandon Lesky, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Las Vegas District Office. “We’ve seen this play out in some of our drug investigations. Mexican cartels and other global criminal networks, for example, trade bulk cash for cryptocurrency to facilitate global drug trafficking. Cryptocurrency has become a borderless financial tool. These new tools undoubtedly complicate detection. This is why we must align our efforts and pool resources. This symposium provided an opportunity for law enforcement to collaborate with federal prosecutors and improve their strategy for tracking and prosecuting financial crimes.”

“As cryptocurrency has become an integral part of the global financial system, its mainstream presence unfortunately makes it an attractive vehicle for opportunistic criminals,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dave Lowe. “But at their core, all financial crimes have the same bones. This is why IRS-CI remains committed to our foundational strength: following the money. By combining our deep financial expertise with cross-agency collaboration, we are uniquely positioned to deconstruct even the most complex transactions to identify stolen funds and hold bad actors accountable.”

Participants included representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Law enforcement speak at Cryptocurrency Panel held at U.S. Attorney's Office.

###

LAS VEGAS – Two Mexican nationals were sentenced today by United States Chief District Judge Andrew Gordan to terms of imprisonment followed by terms of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States after being removed from the United States.

According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings, Hilario Villegas-Espinoza and David Carachuri-Terrazas, both from Mexico, were found in the United States after previously being deported.

Villegas-Espinoza was sentenced to 20 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Villegas-Espinoza was previously deported and removed to Mexico on or about November 4, 2009, and again on February 11, 2011. Villegas-Espinoza has prior felony convictions for Illegal Reentry After Deportation out of Texas, and Attempt Lewdness with a Child Under the Age of 14 out of Nevada where he served 45 to 113 months in Nevada State prison.

Carachuri-Terrazas was sentenced to 13 months in prison and one day followed by three years of supervised release. Carachuri-Terrazas was previously deported to Mexico on or about August 28, 2018. Carachuri-Terrazas served 48 to 120 months in Nevada State prison for felony Coercion, and Violation of Extended Protective Order.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of Deported Alien Found in the United States. After serving their prison sentences they will again be deported from the United States.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the cases.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

###

LAS VEGAS – A Henderson, Nev., woman pleaded guilty today to embezzling over $26 million from her employer and purchasing high-end merchandise using the stolen funds and selling those items through an online consignment company.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Cynthia Marie Marabella was employed as a controller at a Las Vegas-based construction company. As part of her duties, she managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, and received financial statements from various banks and credit card companies.

Marabella admitted that, from January 1, 2018, to about February 28, 2025, she and her boyfriend co-defendant William Keolanui Costa devised a scheme to defraud Marabella’s employer. As part of the scheme, they: fraudulently duplicated bonus checks and deposited the checks into bank accounts controlled by Marabella and Costa; opened credit cards in other peoples’ names and made unauthorized charges then paid the credit cards’ bills with stolen funds; provided false accounting records to the employer; created forged and false bank statements; and sent fictitious invoices from merchant accounts then paid the invoices with stolen funds.

Marabella and Costa used the stolen money to pay off vehicles, living expenses, and credit cards. They also purchased high-end merchandise with the stolen funds, such as expensive purses, shoes, clothing, and jewelry. Marabella sold the merchandise through an online consignment company. Marabella and Costa received more than $245,000 from the sales. As a result of the fraud scheme, Marabella and Costa obtained more than $26 million from the employer.

Marabella pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. The total maximum statutory penalty is 30 years in prison. Sentencing has been set for August 4, 2026, before United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigations and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is prosecuting the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States after being removed on three prior occasions from the country.

According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings, on April 27, 2025, Cesar Daniel Reyes-Rodriguez was found in the United States after he was previously deported to Mexico on June 25, 2019; October 18, 2019; and On June 23, 2023.

On April 26, 2025, officers with the North Las Vegas Police Department arrested Reyes-Rodriguez for his fourth DUI since 2016. Reyes-Rodriguez was previously convicted of his third DUI, a felony, in 2018. Reyes-Rodriguez also has previous felony convictions for Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell out of the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada (2018), and Illegal Reentry after Deportation out of the U.S. District Court, District of Nevada (2021).

Reyes-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of Deported Alien Found in the United States. After serving his prison sentence he will be deported to Mexico for a fourth time.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Polish national was sentenced Monday for photographing and video- and audio-recording vital U.S. military installations and aircraft, equipment, and operations without approval of the installation commander.

According to court documents, Michal Miroslaw Rokita is a foreign national who travelled on a passport issued by Poland to the United States with the intent to unlawfully take images and audio recordings of vital U.S. military installations and equipment. From about April 7, 2026, to April 14, 2026, Rokita took photographs of installations and equipment of the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) and the Tonopah Test Range (TTR), without first obtaining permission of the military installation commander. The NTTR and the TTR are designated under 18 U.S.C § 795 and Executive Order No. 10104 as vital military installations and are located within Nevada.

At various times Rokita met with a person who is a naturalized U.S. citizen and operates a website identified as DreamlandResort.com. Rokita provided photographs and video- and audio-recordings to the person. On April 11, 2026, Rokita met with the person in Las Vegas to participate in a livestream event on YouTube titled “Our fearless Field Investigator Michal reports from his recent recon mission to Tikaboo Peak.” During the livestream, Rokita and the other person showed and described a large number of photographs and video recordings. 

Rokita and two other people discuss the content of the livestream at 23:00 of the livestream, U.S. v. Michal Miroslaw Rokita, Case No. 226-mj-00296

Rokita pleaded guilty to one count of photographing defense installations without authorization and one count of publication of photographs of defense installations without authorization. U.S. Magistrate Judge Maximiliano D. Couvillier III sentenced Rokita to time served.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Keaton Southwick for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations PJ Detachment 1, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – Two Mexican nationals unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Jesus Guadalupe-Rosales and Daniel Augusto Lopez-Conchas are both charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for April 30, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Elayna J. Youchah.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Guadalupe-Rosales and Lopez-Conchas are both citizens and nationals of Mexico and were both previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

On July 17, 2025, officers from the Henderson Police Department arrested Guadalupe-Rosales for four counts of Possess to Sell Controlled Substance; Trafficking Controlled Substance; three counts of Possess Controlled Substance; and Operate Place for Sale/Gift/Use of Controlled Substance. On April 8, 2026, after serving a 12-to-30-month sentence for Possession of Controlled substance with Intent to Sell, 2nd Offense, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Guadalupe-Rosales to U.S. Immigration Custom Enforcement (ICE) custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Guadalupe-Rosales has been deported six times: May 22, 2012; July 13, 2012; June 19, 2014; August 25, 2015; November 24, 2015; and July 27, 2020. In addition to his most recent drug conviction, Guadalupe-Rosales was twice convicted for Drug Trafficking, the first time in 2013, and again in 2018. Guadalupe-Rosales also has a felony conviction for Fraud and misuse of Visas from 2015, and a 2020 felony conviction for Deported Alien Found Unlawfully in the United States, the same offense he is currently charged with. After serving prison time on each of his convictions, Guadalupe-Rosales was deported by ICE.

On March 29, 2024, officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Lopez-Conchas for Sell/Transport Controlled Substance, two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substances, and Conspiracy to Violate Uniform Controlled Substances Act. On April 3, 2026, after serving a 24-to-72-month sentence for Trafficking Controlled Substance, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Lopez-Conchas to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lopez-Conchas has been deported three times: March 24, 2011, March 1, 2015, and January 26, 2020.

If convicted, Guadalupe-Rosales faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

If convicted, Lopez-Conchas faces a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

LAS VEGAS – Two men have been arrested and made their initial appearances in court on April 10, for allegedly trafficking significant quantities of fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, and methamphetamine, and for laundering drug proceeds to Mexico.

An indictment unsealed Friday charges Francisco Felix and Alexis Arturo Martinez, also known as Arego Martinez Reglado, for conspiring to distribute large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. On April 9, federal law enforcement executed multiple search warrants on the defendants’ stash houses and a storage locker and seized approximately 30,000 fentanyl pills; 2.25 kilograms of fentanyl powder; 2.3 kilograms of heroin; one pound of methamphetamine; a semi-automatic rifle; and over $30,000.

“This indictment is a direct result of the coordinated actions and outstanding investigative work by the Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “The defendants were poisoning our communities with drugs. Nevada is safer thanks to the whole-of-government partnership and interagency collaboration. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rid crime and drugs from our communities.”

“Fentanyl traffickers must be held accountable for the destruction caused by their crimes, and these arrests are the first step to holding those responsible,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “Our Homeland Security Task Force will continue to fight against drug traffickers putting dangerous individuals behind bars and sending a clear message: if you peddle drugs and carry guns in our community, we will find you, and we will stop you.”

“Through coordinated efforts and strong partnerships, two narcotics criminals will face the full force of the law for the devastation they caused,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which oversees Nevada. “DEA is in lockstep with our HSTF partners, remaining ever committed to disrupting drug trafficking networks and halting the flow of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs. Together, we will continue to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

Photo of drugs, cash, and assault rifle with ammunition seized by law enforcement, U.S. v Francisco Felix and Alexis Arturo Martinez, Case No. 2:26-cr-0048-GMN-MDC

The indictment charges one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance; six counts of distribution of fentanyl; four counts of distribution of methamphetamine; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and four counts of money laundering.

Felix and Martinez were remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. A jury trial has been scheduled for June 15, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Gloria M. Navarro.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is life in prison, and there is a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence. Any sentence would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

This case was investigated by the FBI and DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Brister is prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of 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. The Las Vegas HSTF comprises agents and officers from federal, state, and local law enforcement, with the prosecution being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Nevada businesswoman pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiring to defraud the United States by filing false tax returns claiming over $15 million dollars in COVID-19 related tax credits. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, Adonia Stiles, a Las Vegas-based real estate agent, tax preparer, and clothing store owner, conspired with others to file false tax returns fraudulently seeking refunds based on the employee retention credit (ERC) and sick and family leave credit. Congress created both the ERC and the sick and family leave credit to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic.   

One of Stiles’s coconspirators was Candies Goode-McCoy, who was sentenced Monday to 54 months in prison for her role in the scheme. Stiles had Goode-McCoy file 11 false employment tax returns for Stiles’s clothing store seeking more than $800,000 in refundable tax credits. Stiles also directed 18 other people to Goode-McCoy for her to file over 150 false employment tax returns. Goode-McCoy claimed $15 million in fraudulent tax credits on these taxpayers’ behalf, causing the Treasury to pay more than $7 million in refunds. In exchange for making these referrals to Goode McCoy, Stiles received at least $135,000, which she did not report as income on her individual income tax returns.

Stiles pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to file false claims. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration are investigating the case.

Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Criminal Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

###

A Nevada woman was sentenced yesterday to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to defraud the United States by fraudulently claiming nearly $100 million in COVID-19 related employment tax credits.

The Department of Justice announced this case and two others in support of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud at a press conference in Washington today.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the Department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, formerly of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit and paid sick and family leave credit, credits which Congress created to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. From approximately June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed more than 1,200 tax returns for her own businesses and those of others, which falsely claimed these credits and sought refunds totaling more than $98 million.

In total, the IRS paid out approximately $33 million as a result of the scheme. Personally, Goode-McCoy received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds. She also received approximately $800,000 from clients for filing fraudulent returns. McCoy used the proceeds to pay for vacations, luxury cars and other luxury goods, and to gamble at casinos.

Goode-McCoy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims. In addition to the term of imprisonment, McCoy was ordered to pay the IRS $26,022,188 in restitution.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada joined in the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case.

Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez of the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

LAS VEGAS — A Nevada woman was sentenced yesterday to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to defraud the United States by fraudulently claiming nearly $100 million in COVID-19 related employment tax credits.

The Department of Justice announced this case and two others in support of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud at a press conference in Washington today.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the Department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.”

“Rooting out fraud is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “We will not tolerate wrongdoers who commit fraud schemes that siphon taxpayer dollars to fund lavish lifestyles at the expense of American taxpayers. We are coordinating with IRS Criminal Investigation, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to stop bad actors and hold them fully accountable.”

“This sentencing brings to an end one of the biggest COVID fraud cases our agency has seen,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office. “The Employee Retention Credit was created to support eligible businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and their employees during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. To attempt to steal almost $100M from American taxpayers by exploiting this program is staggering. But IRS Criminal Investigators are the experts at following the money, and through our work we will continue to ensure the integrity of our tax system and these much-needed federal programs by bringing justice to these brazen criminals.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, formerly of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit and paid sick and family leave credit, credits which Congress created to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. From approximately June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed more than 1,200 tax returns for her own businesses and those of others, which falsely claimed these credits and sought refunds totaling more than $98 million.

In total, the IRS paid approximately $33 million as a result of the scheme. Personally, Goode-McCoy received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds. She also received approximately $800,000 from clients for filing fraudulent returns. McCoy used the proceeds to pay for vacations, luxury cars and other luxury goods, and to gamble at casinos.

Goode-McCoy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims. In addition to the term of imprisonment, McCoy was ordered to pay the IRS $26,022,188 in restitution.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Chattah and Acting Special Agent in Charge Gregory of IRS Criminal Investigation joined in the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case.

Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez of the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – Four Mexican nationals unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Laurentino Salvador Juarez-Martinez; Serguio Raudel Contreras-Torres; Brandon Castanon-Bautista; and Pablo Covarrubias-Islas are all charged with one count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for all defendants are scheduled for April 20, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, all four defendants are citizens and nationals of Mexico who were previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally.

On March 27, 2024, Juarez-Martinez was arrested for two counts of Possess Controlled Substance; four counts of Possess for Sale Controlled Substance; two counts of Trafficking Controlled Substance; and Operate Place for Sale/Use/Gift of Controlled Substances. On April 1, 2026, after serving a 24-to-60-month sentence for drug trafficking, the Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Juarez-Martinez to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Las Vegas, Nevada. Juarez-Martinez was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on seven prior occasions: on or about July 6, 2010; October 14, 2010; May 14, 2012; October 9, 2012; April 13, 2015; December 13, 2016; and September 18, 2019. Juarez-Martinez has two prior felony convictions for Deported Alien Found Unlawfully in the United States, the same offense he is currently charged with.

On April 2, 2026, Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Contreras-Torres to ICE custody in Las Vegas, Nevada, after Contreras-Torres served a 14-to-48-month sentence for the felony offense of Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell. On September 21, 2021, officers with the North Las Vegas Police Department arrested Contreras-Torres for Trafficking a Controlled Substance. Contreras-Torres failed to show for his court appearance and a warrant was issued. On September 9, 2025, ICE Fugitive Operations Team arrested Contreras-Torres in Las Vegas, Nevada, and turned him over to face his state drug charges. Contreras-Torres was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on two prior occasions: December 22, 2018, and December 27, 2018. Contreras-Torres also has two prior misdemeanor drug convictions.

On November 23, 2025, officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Castanon-Bautista for two counts of Robbery with a Deadly Weapon; Burglary while in Possession of Firearm; and Carry Concealed Weapon Without a Permit. On March 28, 2026, the Clark County Detention Center remanded Castanon-Bautista to ICE Las Vegas, Nevada, custody based on an immigration detainer. Castanon-Bautista was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on two prior occasions: October 3, 2023, and July 1, 2024. Castanon-Bautista has a felony conviction for Larceny from Person. Castanon-Bautista’s other convictions include attempted Grand Larceny, Assault, and two separate drug related offenses.

On March 22, 2025, officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested Covarrubias-Islas for Conspiracy to Violate Uniform Controlled Substances Act, and two counts of Possess to Sell Controlled Substance. On March 27, 2026, Nevada Department of Corrections remanded Covarrubias-Islas to ICE custody at Las Vegas, Nevada, based on an immigration detainer. Covarrubias-Islas was previously removed and deported from the United States to Mexico on three prior occasions: July 19, 2015, November 12, 2015, and September 4, 2018.

If convicted, Juarez-Martinez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

If convicted, Contreras-Torres, Castanon-Bautista, and Covarrubias-Islas all face a maximum statutory penalty of 2 years in prison, a one-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the cases; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the cases.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

RENO – A Sparks resident was sentenced today by United States District Judge Miranda M. Du to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing four Native American children on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and two other children.

“This sentence underscores the severity of the sexual abuse crimes the defendant committed against children,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Thanks to the diligent work by our law enforcement partners, the defendant is no longer a danger to the community. We will continue to work together to protect our youth from child predators.”

“Angel Fernandez is a child predator, and today he received a fittingly severe sentence,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “We must protect the children in our community from the actions of sex offenders like Fernandez, who abused four Native American children on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and two others. The FBI is committed to tirelessly working to identify and arrest anyone who preys on innocent children. I am grateful for the law enforcement officers and prosecutors who investigate these horrifying cases and hold dangerous child predators accountable.”

From 2004 until 2022, Angel Fernandez engaged in the sexual abuse of multiple children and continued to abuse some of the victims after they reached 16 years of age.

Fernandez pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor within Indian Country and two counts of abusive sexual contact within Indian Country. Following his release from imprisonment, the Court ordered that he serve 15 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

The FBI and Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Penelope Brady and Andrew Keenan prosecuted the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Nevada man made his initial appearance in court on Friday to face allegations of attempting to coerce children to produce sexually explicit content and receiving child sexual abuse material.

As alleged in the indictment, between about January 6, 2023, and about May 29, 2024, Carl Schilbe attempted to order and coordinate the live streaming of the sexual abuse of children. Between about April 18, 2024, and about April 19, 2024, Schilbe received child sexual abuse material.

Schilbe is charged with three counts of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of receipt of child pornography. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by HSI. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin of the District of Nevada and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower of the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.

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

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

###

LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is set to begin presenting evidence in the trial involving alleged members and associates of La Mara Salvatrucha, commonly referred to as MS-13. This phase of the trial is scheduled to begin on March 30, 2026, before United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

As alleged in a 34-count third superseding indictment returned by a federal grand jury, Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, aka Molesto; David Arturo Perez-Manchame, aka Walter Melendez, aka Herbi, and aka Catracho; and Joel Vargas-Escobar, aka Momia, are alleged members and associates of MS-13. Charges include murder, attempted murder, and/or kidnapping in aid of racketeering, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, causing death through the use of a firearm, and aiding and abetting.

The FBI investigated the case.

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

###

LAS VEGAS – Two Mexican nationals unlawfully residing in Las Vegas made their initial court appearances today to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Ismael Bernal Olguin and Jaime Adalberto Espinosa-Ramos are both charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. Preliminary hearings for both defendants are scheduled for April 10, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaints and statements made during court proceedings, Olguin and Espinosa-Ramos are both citizens and nationals of Mexico and were both previously deported and removed from the United States and reentered the United States illegally. On March 9, 2026, Nevada Highway Patrol arrested Olguin for Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and False Statement to Obstruct Public Officer. On March 11, 2026, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Espinosa-Ramos for Driving Under the Influence. Olguin and Espinosa-Ramos were both turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody based on immigration detainers, and ICE referred them for Federal prosecution.

Olguin had previously been deported by ICE on two prior occasions; on or about December 11, 2018, and again on March 1, 2022. Olguin has three prior separate felony convictions for Attempt Possession of Stolen Vehicle, Attempt Battery with Substantial Bodily Harm, and Deported Alien Found Unlawfully in the United States, the third being the same offense he is currently charged with.

Espinosa-Ramos had previously been deported by ICE on four prior occasions; on or about March 2, 2006, September 16, 2016, October 22, 2020, and July 24, 2024. Espinosa-Ramos has a prior felony conviction from the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, for Illegal Reentry after Deportation, the same offense he is currently charged with.

If convicted, Olguin faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

If convicted, Espinosa-Ramos faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

LAS VEGAS - A Nevada man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and helping file false federal returns for clients just months after pleading guilty to related charges in a separate case.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Michael J. Moore, of Las Vegas, operated a tax and accounting business known as X Tax Pros that he used to promote an illegal tax avoidance scheme. Moore advertised X Tax Pros as being the “only” tax and bookkeeping company specializing in clients from the adult entertainment industry. From approximately August 2025 through October 2025, Moore promised clients he could file tax returns that would eliminate the taxes they owed to the IRS; in fact, the returns he prepared for clients typically resulted in large tax refunds that the clients were not entitled to receive. To carry out the scheme, Moore created fraudulent entries on his clients’ tax returns, including purported losses from business entities belonging to other clients. In most cases, the entities were either defunct or dormant and no longer filed tax returns. In exchange, Moore required his clients to pay him certain fees, often taken directly out of their tax refund. In just three months, Moore’s scheme caused a tax loss to the United States exceeding $250,000.

Moore executed the present scheme after he had already pleaded guilty to carrying out a virtually identical scheme, one that caused a tax loss of at least a $3.5 million, in a related Nevada case, United States v. Michael J. Moore, Case No. 2:25-cr-00225-JAD-NJK. While awaiting sentencing in that matter, Moore concealed his identity to avoid detection while continuing his fraudulent criminal conduct.

For his latest conduct, Moore pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return, and aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16 and faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and three years in prison for aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return. He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

###

A Nevada man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and helping file false federal returns for clients just months after pleading guilty to related charges in a separate case.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Michael J. Moore, of Las Vegas, operated a tax and accounting business known as X Tax Pros that he used to promote an illegal tax avoidance scheme. Moore advertised X Tax Pros as being the “only” tax and bookkeeping company specializing in clients from the adult entertainment industry. From approximately August 2025 through October 2025, Moore promised clients he could file tax returns that would eliminate the taxes they owed to the IRS; in fact, the returns he prepared for clients typically resulted in large tax refunds that the clients were not entitled to receive. To carry out the scheme, Moore created fraudulent entries on his clients’ tax returns, including purported losses from business entities belonging to other clients. In most cases, the entities were either defunct or dormant and no longer filed tax returns. In exchange, Moore required his clients to pay him certain fees, often taken directly out of their tax refund. In just three months, Moore’s scheme caused a tax loss to the United States exceeding $250,000.

Moore executed the present scheme after he had already pleaded guilty to carrying out a virtually identical scheme, one that caused a tax loss of at least a $3.5 million, in a related Nevada case, United States v. Michael J. Moore, Case No. 2:25-cr-00225-JAD-NJK. While awaiting sentencing in that matter, Moore concealed his identity to avoid detection while continuing his fraudulent criminal conduct. 

For his latest conduct, Moore pleaded guilty to wire fraud, aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return, and aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16 and faces maximum penalties of 20 years in prison for wire fraud and three years in prison for aiding and assisting the filing of a false tax return. He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Patrick Burns of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez of the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case.

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman made her initial appearance in court on Tuesday before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $365,000 in payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

According to allegations contained in court documents, beginning in April 2009 through February 2026, Narda Yvonne Locklear improperly received and converted the SSA benefit payments of her deceased grandmother for her own use. Because the SSA was unaware of the death, the SSA continued to deposit Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits payments in the bank account. Locklear possessed a debit card issued in her grandmother’s name that allowed her access to the bank account. Additionally, she made false representations to the SSA in her application for Supplemental Security Income benefits and during redeterminations. As a result of the fraud scheme, Locklear obtained over $365,000 in SSA payments.

Locklear is charged with three counts of bank fraud, two counts of theft of government money, and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 112 years in custody. A jury trial has been scheduled for May 18, 2026, before United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent-in-Charge Christian Assaad of the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, San Francisco Field Division, made the announcement.

The SSA OIG investigated the case. Special Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Weidhaas is prosecuting the case.

###

RENO – A Reno man who is a registered sex offender was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to 60 months in prison to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for receiving child sexual abuse material images and videos after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) forwarded a CyberTip to law enforcement. The United States Sentencing Guidelines range for this offense was 151 to 188 months. The government had recommended a 151-month sentence to be followed by Lifetime supervised release.

According to court documents, beginning about June 6, 2024, William Alan Barragan Diaz downloaded and possessed images and videos of child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence and found child sexual abuse material files on his cell phones. Some of the images and videos analyzed were of children under 12 years of age engaged in sexually explicit conduct and intercourse with adults. In total, over 6,200 images and over 400 videos of child sexual abuse material were recovered from the two electronic devices seized from Diaz.

“A registered sex offender who received thousands of child sexual abuse images and videos was sentenced to the mandatory minimum penalty,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “As part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative to combat child sexual exploitation, we remain committed to working with the Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force to protect young children and bring child predators to justice.”

“Mr. Diaz was a serious threat to children due to his repeated exploitation,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office. “This sentencing demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the FBI and our partners to justice for vulnerable victims. Few situations are more urgent than when a child is at risk. Those who exploit children cause lasting harm, and possessing and trading child sexual abuse material only continues the abuse.”

In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Diaz will be required to register as a sex offender and keep the registration current.

This case was investigated by the Northern Nevada Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force comprised of the FBI, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, the Sparks Police Department, and the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair prosecuted the case.

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

To report an online child sexual exploitation offense, call 911 or go NCMEC’s CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org.

###

LAS VEGAS – Three Mexican nationals and one Honduran national were all sentenced this week by United States District Judge Gloria Navarro to terms of imprisonment followed by terms of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States after being removed on a combined 14 prior occasions from the United States.

According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings, Alfredo Covarrubias-Jimenez, Moises Jeronimo-Martin, Angel David Olivera-Hernandez, all from Mexico, and Rigoberto Osorio-Merlo, from Honduras, were all found in the United States after previously being deported.

Alfredo Covarrubias-Jimenez was sentenced to 16-months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Covarrubias-Jimenez had five prior deportations to Mexico. Covarrubias-Jimenez has prior felony convictions for Inflict Corporal Injury on a Spouse out of California, and Drug Trafficking out of Nevada where he served 24 to 120 months in Nevada State prison.

Moises Jeronimo-Martin was sentenced to 13-months in prison and one day followed by one year of supervised release. Jeronimo-Martin had six prior deportations to Mexico. Jeronimo-Martin served 12 to 30 months in Nevada State prison for felony DUI.

Angel David Olivera-Hernandez was sentenced to 12-months in prison and one day followed by three years of supervised release. Olivera-Hernandez had one prior deportation to Mexico. Olivera-Hernandez served 24 to 60 months in Nevada State prison for felony Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

Rigoberto Osorio-Merlo was sentenced to 9-months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Osorio-Merlo had two prior deportations to Honduras. Osorio-Merlo served 12 to 30 months in Nevada State prison for felony Reckless Driving Resulting in Substantial Bodily Harm or Death.

All four defendants pleaded guilty to one-count of Deported Alien Found in the United States. After serving their prison sentences they will all again be deported from the United States.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the cases.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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

###

RENO – A grand jury indictment was unsealed today charging a White Pine County, Nevada man for allegedly setting two wildfires on public lands in northern Nevada.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, on or about June 17, 2022, Henry Conrad Vogler set a wildland fire designated as the Lookout Springs Fire in the Spring Valley area of Nevada. Later, on July 7, 2024, he allegedly set a wildland fire designated as the North Creek Fire, in the Spring Valley area. Both fires occurred on publicly owned land. Vogler does not have the authority to set fire upon public lands.

Vogler is charged with two-counts of timber set afire. The maximum statutory penalty is 5 years’ imprisonment. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Trevis Guy, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Land Management, made the announcement.

The Bureau of Land Management investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Randolph J. St. Clair is prosecuting the case.

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

###

LAS VEGAS – A Henderson, Nev., resident made his initial appearance in court on Friday in connection to a 17-count superseding indictment charging him for allegedly smuggling misbranded prescription drugs under the brand names “Ride,” “Kinky Kong,” “Stif,” “TBone,” and “Kinky Pink.”

According to allegations in the superseding indictment, David Ralph Webber owned and operated Passion Plus Enterprises Inc. and Whole Science Health. He was not a registered pharmaceutical manufacturer with the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor was he licensed to administer prescription drugs or as a wholesaler of prescription drugs.

As alleged, from at least 2018 to present, Webber used his companies to import hundreds of thousands of misbranded prescription drug capsules and tablets containing sildenafil, sildenafil citrate, and tadalafil — the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis — into the United States. The prescription drugs were manufactured in India at facilities that were not registered with the FDA. To evade customs detection and enforcement, Webber falsely declared that the wire transfers to the manufacturers were for business management consultancy services; and he allegedly paid a packaging company to list false ingredients and false claims that the drugs were “100% Natural” and did not require a prescription.

Webber allegedly sold the misbranded prescription drugs to smoke shops, convenience stores, and adult novelty stores in Nevada and throughout the southwestern United States, and directly to consumers through a website he operated. In total, he made more than $1.9 million dollars in revenue from his sales of misbranded prescription drugs.

A federal grand jury returned the superseding indictment charging Webber with one count of introduction of a misbranded drug into interstate commerce; four counts of wholesale distribution of prescription drugs without a license; seven counts of smuggling; and five counts of mail fraud.

A jury trial is set for September 29, 2026, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. The maximum statutory penalty is 20 years in custody.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Robert M. Iwanicki of the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations Los Angeles Field Office, and Inspector in Charge Glen Henderson for the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Phoenix Division made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FDA and USPIS. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Oliva and Kimberly Frayn are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know has taken these products and/or suffered adverse health effects as a result of these products, please contact investigators at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/email/oc/oci/contact.cfm.

A Superseding Indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man who has prior felony convictions was sentenced on Monday by United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware to 132 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl, and unlawful possession of firearms including a 9mm handgun without a serial number. The government recommended a sentence of 151 months incarceration.

According to court documents, between September 13, 2022, and October 5, 2022, Jason Roon conspired with others to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. On October 5, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Roon’s residence and found about 606.5 grams of methamphetamine, as well as “owe” sheets reflecting Roon’s distribution of the drugs. During the search, law enforcement located two AR-15 .223 caliber rifles; a .22 caliber rifle; a 9mm handgun with no serial number; a 9mm handgun; a .380 ACP caliber handgun; and a 9mm handgun, and various amounts of ammunition. He has prior felony convictions in Los Angeles, including possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession/purchase for sale narcotics/controlled substance; transport/sell narcotics/controlled substance; and possession of a controlled substance for sale; and in Ventura County, Calif., receive known stolen property and transport a controlled substance.

Roon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Anthony Chrysanthis for the Los Angeles Division, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the DEA, FBI, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

If you have any information about individuals or groups involved in a possible violation of controlled substances laws and regulations to include the growing, manufacture, distribution or trafficking of controlled substances, you are urged to make a report to the DEA online at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip. You can remain anonymous, and all tips are handled with strict confidentiality.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Barstow, Calif., man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 10 years in prison followed by 20 years of supervised release for enticing someone to allow him to engage in sexual acts with the person’s child. While on supervised release, the defendant will be required to undergo sex offender counseling, submit to polygraph testing, submit to computer monitoring, must receive approval before he may work, cannot have knowing contact with minors, and cannot go to or remain at places primarily used by or for children.

According to court documents, between March and May 2023, Clifford Robert Sanchez used Wickr, an online messaging application, as well as text messages and phone calls, to converse with someone he believed had a four-year-old daughter and attempted to arrange a meeting at which he would sexually abuse that child. He described the sex acts that he wished to perform on the child, and he purchased sexual abuse implements that he referred to as “little gifts.” Sanchez also sent child sexual abuse materials to the purported mother and later admitted to moderating a chat room in which child sexual abuse materials were traded. On May 2, 2023, Sanchez met the mother at a restaurant and law enforcement arrested him.

Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of coercion and enticement. In addition to the prison sentence and supervised release, Sanchez was ordered to pay $41,000 in restitution.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by HSI.

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

###

LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national who has multiple drug-related felony convictions made his initial court appearance Thursday to face charges of illegally reentering the United States after previously being removed from the country.

Elvin Francisco De La Rosa-Alvarez is charged with one-count of deported alien found in the United States. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe.

According to allegations contained in the criminal complaint and statements made during court proceedings, De La Rosa-Alvarez is a citizen and national of Mexico who was previously deported on June 13, 2013, and reentered the United States illegally.

On February 25, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Fugitive Operations Team took De La Rosa-Alvarez into custody after he was encountered in Las Vegas, Nevada. De La Rosa-Alvarez has two separate drug trafficking convictions from 2010, one from Mineral County, Nevada and a second from Clark County, Nevada. De La Rosa-Alvarez was also convicted in 2022 in the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada, for Conspiracy to Violate Uniform Controlled Substance Act, and High-Level Possession of Controlled Substance. On February 9, 2022, De La Rosa-Alvarez was sentenced to 24 to 60 months in custody and ordered to self-surrender on February 11, 2022. De La Rosa-Alvarez failed to surrender and there is an active warrant for his arrest in that case.

If convicted, De La Rosa-Alvarez faces the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Ruben Levya made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada is prosecuting the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

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.

A complaint is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

###

LAS VEGAS – A former County Commissioner from Nye County, Nevada, was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Las Vegas for his alleged role in applying for fraudulent COVID-19 relief funds on behalf of his restaurant in Pahrump. In total, he received more than $500,000 through programs administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, and Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).

“Fraud will not be tolerated in our community—regardless of the position or identity of those involved,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office. “Fraud erodes public trust and undermines the institutions our communities rely on every day. The FBI remains committed to protecting the integrity of our public institutions and ensuring that no one is above the law.”

According to allegations contained in court documents, Leonardo F. Blundo owned and operated a restaurant named Carmelo’s Bistro in Pahrump, Nevada. As alleged, from about March 31, 2020 to about September 6, 2021, Blundo submitted false PPP, EIDL, and RRF applications. As part of the scheme, he falsely inflated the restaurant’s gross revenue, its average monthly payroll, and its number of employees when completing applications for those loans and grant. Additionally, he provided false documentation to support some of the false and fraudulent claims in those applications. Blundo obtained two PPP loans, two EIDLs, and an RRF grant totaling more than $500,000.

A federal grand jury charged Blundo with five counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. His initial appearance has been scheduled before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts for March 24, 2026.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is 120 years of prison, a three-year term of supervised release, a $1,750,000 fine, and a $700 special assessment.

Executive Assistant United States Attorney Summer Johnson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Delzotto made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of the District of Nevada’s Public Corruption Strike Force. The Strike Force is within the Office’s Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys with extensive public corruption experience will handle cases of allegations of criminal misconduct. This specialized unit will focus on the investigation and prosecution of all federal crimes affecting government integrity, including bribery of public officials at all levels of government, election crimes, and other related offenses. This endeavor will be a collaborative effort with federal, state, and local agencies across the Silver State.

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

###

A Swiss executive pleaded guilty today to participating in a multimillion-dollar securities fraud scheme after living abroad as a fugitive for nearly 11 years.

According to court documents, Martin Schlaepfer, 67, a Swiss national, identified himself to victims as the Chief Executive Officer of Malom Group AG, a purported Swiss investment company. Beginning as early as October 2009, Schlaepfer and his co-conspirators located in Switzerland and Las Vegas, Nevada, orchestrated a scheme in which they promoted investments that they knew to be fictitious. Schlaepfer and his co-conspirators told victims that, for an up-front payment, Malom would provide access to lucrative investment opportunities and substantial cash loans. To effectuate this scheme, the co-conspirators provided victims with fabricated bank documents purporting to show that Malom held hundreds of millions of dollars in overseas bank accounts. When victims wired their money into an escrow account controlled by the co-conspirators, the money was released and disbursed to, among others, Schlaepfer for his own personal use. As a result of the scheme, victims were defrauded of approximately $6 million.

Schlaepfer was indicted in December 2013. He was arrested in Italy in September 2024, pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice, and extradited to the United States in July 2025. Three of Schlaepfer’s co-conspirators, Anthony Brandel, James Warras and Sean Finn, were found guilty of conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud and securities fraud following separate jury trials in 2015 and 2020 and each sentenced to 87 months in prison. A fourth defendant, Joseph Micelli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud in 2015 and was sentenced to 60 months in prison. A fifth defendant, Hans-Jurg Lips, remains at large outside the United States. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Schlaepfer pleaded guilty to securities fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

The FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office is investigating the case.

Senior Counsel Anna G. Kaminska and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez for the District of Nevada are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Italian authorities to secure the extradition of Schlaepfer from Italy.

LAS VEGAS — A Swiss executive pleaded guilty today to participating in a multimillion-dollar securities fraud scheme after living abroad as a fugitive for nearly 11 years.

According to court documents, Martin Schlaepfer, 67, a Swiss national, identified himself to victims as the Chief Executive Officer of Malom Group AG, a purported Swiss investment company. Beginning as early as October 2009, Schlaepfer and his co-conspirators located in Switzerland and Las Vegas, Nevada, orchestrated a scheme in which they promoted investments that they knew to be fictitious. Schlaepfer and his co-conspirators told victims that, for an up-front payment, Malom would provide access to lucrative investment opportunities and substantial cash loans. To effectuate this scheme, the co-conspirators provided victims with fabricated bank documents purporting to show that Malom held hundreds of millions of dollars in overseas bank accounts. When victims wired their money into an escrow account controlled by the co-conspirators, the money was released and disbursed to, among others, Schlaepfer for his own personal use. As a result of the scheme, victims were defrauded of approximately $6 million.

Schlaepfer was indicted in December 2013. He was arrested in Italy in September 2024, pursuant to an Interpol Red Notice, and extradited to the United States in July 2025. Three of Schlaepfer’s co-conspirators, Anthony Brandel, James Warras and Sean Finn, were found guilty of conspiracy and multiple counts of wire fraud and securities fraud following separate jury trials in 2015 and 2020 and each sentenced to 87 months in prison. A fourth defendant, Joseph Micelli, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud in 2015 and was sentenced to 60 months in prison. A fifth defendant, Hans-Jurg Lips, remains at large outside the United States. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Schlaepfer pleaded guilty to securities fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on June 9, 2026. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI’s Las Vegas Field Office is investigating the case.

Senior Counsel Anna G. Kaminska and Assistant United States Attorney Richard Anthony Lopez are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Italian authorities to secure the extradition of Schlaepfer from Italy.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to three years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for selling a large quantity of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on July 17, 2024, Josiah Judah was introduced by co-defendant Urkeno Walter as the co-defendant’s “right hand man”. During the conversation, Judah said Walter used him in drug sale negotiations with Mexican drug traffickers and Judah often received complimentary rooms at a hotel which he used to sell drugs. On August 28, 2024, in a parking lot, Judah sold two pounds of methamphetamine for $2,800.

Judah pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine.

“Today’s sentencing sends a stern message to drug traffickers who peddle drugs and endanger the safety and wellbeing of our communities,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Special Agent in Charge of the Los Angeles Division, which oversees Nevada. “One by one, you will be held accountable. The strong partnership between local, state, and federal agencies demonstrates DEA’s relentless commitment to bringing drug criminals to justice and halting the flow of methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs.”

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Chrysanthis made the announcement.

The DEA investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Brister prosecuted the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – A felon was sentenced today by Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 42 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for unlawfully possessing a semiautomatic pistol.

According to court documents, on December 17, 2021, Ricardo Heriberto Miranda, also known as “Pee-Wee,” was released from the Southern Nevada Detention Center to begin a new term of supervised release in a separate case. He did not report to the United States Probation Office.

On December 29, 2023, Miranda and another person were in a stolen car that collided at a high speed with two parked vehicles. After the collision, Miranda placed a loaded 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol in his pocket and walked to a nearby residence. He then placed the pistol inside a wheel well of a pickup truck parked at the residence. Miranda and the other person left the scene of the collision. The pistol had been stolen from a licensed firearms dealer in Las Vegas. 

Miranda has prior felony convictions for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute a controlled substance in the District of Wyoming, and attempt possession of stolen vehicle in Clark County, Nevada.

Miranda pleaded guilty to one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge John Wester, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig prosecuted the case.

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

###

LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national was sentenced today by United States District Judge Jennifer Dorsey to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally reentering the United States after being removed on four prior occasions from the country.

According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings, on February 6, 2025, Victor Manuel Navarro-Quesada was found in the United States after he was previously deported to Mexico on May 4, 2010; August 4, 2014; November 13, 2018; and June 10, 2019.

On February 5, 2025, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Navarro-Quesada for Trafficking a Controlled Substance and four counts of Possess to Sell a Controlled Substance. Navarro-Quesada has previous felony convictions for Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell out of the Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada, and Illegal Reentry after Deportation out of the U.S. District Court, District of Colorado.

Navarro-Quesada pleaded guilty to one count of Deported Alien Found in the United States. After serving his prison sentence he will be deported to Mexico for a fifth time.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Salt Lake City Acting Field Office Director Levya Ruben made the announcement.

The ICE Salt Lake City, Las Vegas Sub-Office investigated the case; and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada prosecuted the case.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas woman and her son pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States by filing false tax returns with the IRS and diverting portions of the resulting tax refunds to themselves.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Iris Hondermann owned and operated a tax preparation business in Las Vegas. Her son Ivan Odiaga, also of Las Vegas, worked for the business. From approximately 2017 through 2021, Hondermann and Odiaga prepared tax returns for clients that included one or more false items, including business profits and losses, COVID-19 sick and family leave credits, and residential energy credits.

Between 2017 and 2021, Hondermann and Odiaga prepared false tax returns with the IRS seeking a total of more than $5 million in refunds that their clients were not entitled to receive. At times, Hondermann and Odiaga also diverted portions of client tax refunds without their clients’ knowledge or consent. From 2017 through 2021, they diverted more than $1.1 million in false tax refunds to bank accounts one or both of them controlled.

Finally, Odiaga filed approximately 279 tax returns using the unique identifier of another tax preparer without permission, even though the IRS had issued multiple letters warning him against such misuse.

Hondermann and Odiaga are scheduled to be sentenced on June 8, 2026. Both face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for conspiracy to defraud the United States. They also face periods of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory for the IRS Criminal Investigation's Phoenix Field Office made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Trial Attorneys Thomas W. Flynn and Stuart A. Wexler of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas business owner was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining nearly $4 million dollars from a food brokerage company.

According to court documents, Richard Vairo owned Richard’s Brazilian Sausage LLC, a Florida company that purportedly sold sausage to grocery stores in Florida. From September 2021 to about October 2022, he carried out a scheme to solicit money from a Las Vegas food brokerage company to increase the sales of sausage to a supermarket chain. As part of the scheme, he falsely stated that he would repay the food brokerage company a percentage of the gross profits received from the sausage sales. He sent false weekly statements to the food brokerage company; and repeatedly misrepresented that a bank had placed a hold on the funds in the bank account. He never sold sausages to the supermarket.

Throughout the scheme, Vairo used a social media messaging application and emails to misrepresent that he was selling to the supermarket. The food brokerage company loaned Vairo nearly $11 million, and Vairo repaid the food brokerage company about $7 million, using the victims’ own money as if the repayment came from sales to the supermarket. In total, the food brokerage company had a net loss of about $3,887,620. Vairo used the money he fraudulently obtained from the food brokerage company to support his lifestyle, to pay his bills and debts, and to conduct his business activities.

“Richard Vairo betrayed the trust of a local food brokerage company, stealing nearly $4 million through a calculated fraud scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “Thanks to a thorough FBI investigation, Vairo is being held accountable, sending a clear message that we will not tolerate financial crimes that harm victims. The FBI remains steadfast in protecting businesses and pursuing justice. If you suspect financial fraud, help us keep our community safe by reporting tips at tips.fbi.gov.”

Vairo pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud. In addition to imprisonment, Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon sentenced Vairo to three years of supervised release.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and FBI Special Agent in Charge Delzotto made the announcement.

The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Schiess prosecuted the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – A jury convicted a Las Vegas man of threatening to assault and murder federal officials and state employees in Washington, D.C., New York, and Montana.

Court records and trial evidence showed that, from November 30, 2023, through July 7, 2024, Spencer Christjencody Gear made a series of threatening phone calls and sent an email threatening to assault and murder eight federal officials, including judges, as well as three state employees. The threats were intended to intimidate and interfere with the officials as they carried out their duties and to retaliate against them for actions taken in their official roles.

After a six-day trial, Gear was found guilty of nine counts of threatening a federal official and 11 counts of transmitting a communication containing a threat to injure.

Sentencing is scheduled on June 1, 2026, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years for each count of threatening a federal official and five years for each count of transmitting a threat to injure.

“This verdict affirms a core principle: the First Amendment protects free speech, but it does not protect threats,” said Executive Assistant United States Attorney Summer Johnson for the District of Nevada. “The defendant’s calls and email were made to instill fear and included threats to assault and kill federal officials, judges, and state employees. This verdict makes clear that this conduct crosses a legal line.”

“Threats of violence are never just words—they are serious federal crimes, and the FBI takes every threat seriously,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “Spreading fear and intimidation has no place in our community. Our commitment is unwavering: any threat, whether spoken or written, will be investigated thoroughly. We stand firm in protecting our public servants and ensuring that those who seek to harm others are held accountable.”

Executive Assistant United States Attorney Johnson, Special Agent in Charge Delzotto, Marshal Gary Schofield for the U.S. Marshals Service, and Chief Michael G. Sullivan for the U.S. Capitol Police made the announcement.

The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and U.S. Capitol Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jacob Operskalski and Daniel Schiess are prosecuting the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man pleaded guilty Monday to using a firearm and Molotov cocktails to destroy and damage vehicles and property at a Tesla Collision center in March 2025.

According to court documents, on March 18, 2025, Paul Hyon Kim spray-painted the word “RESIST” on the front of the Tesla Collision center entrance. He then used a PA-15 multi-caliber firearm equipped with a .300 BLACKOUT upper receiver attached to the lower receiver; and a 7.62mm silencer to shoot out surveillance cameras. Kim then fired several shots into vehicles. Next, Kim threw three Molotov cocktails into three vehicles; two exploded and erupted into flames, and a third did not detonate. In total, Kim damaged five Tesla vehicles.

Kim pleaded guilty to two counts of arson of property used in interstate commerce; one count of attempted arson of property used in interstate commerce; and one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device). The mandatory minimum statutory penalty is five years in prison. The total maximum statutory penalty is 70 years in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 27, 2026, before United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. A federal judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada, Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division, and Special Agent in Charge John Wester for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) San Francisco Field Division made the announcement.

The FBI, ATF, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case with significant assistance from the Clark County Fire Department.

###

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 150 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for possessing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine with intent to sell from his apartment.

According to court documents, on or about June 29, 2023, Elijah Sylee Shelton possessed with the intent to distribute over 300 grams of methamphetamine, over 45 grams of fentanyl, and nearly six grams of cocaine. Shelton has prior felony convictions including burglaries and using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. He was on federal supervised release at the time of the current crimes.

In October 2025, a jury convicted Shelton of three counts: (1) possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; (2) possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and (3) possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Shelton hid most of the drugs in women’s purses inside his apartment’s ventilation system.

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Division made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys James Gaeta and Joshua Brister prosecuted the case.

###

LAS VEGAS – The District of Nevada collected $11,808,878.69 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2025, announced First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah. Of this amount, $11,184,107.37 was collected in criminal actions and $624,771.32 was collected in civil actions.

Additionally, the District of Nevada worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $15,031.84 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $100 was collected in criminal actions and $14,931.84 was collected in civil actions.

“The District of Nevada is committed to collecting restitution for victims of federal crime and criminal and civil debts owed to the United States,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Chattah. “The Financial Litigation Unit and Asset Recovery Unit are a critical part of fulfilling our mission by collecting restitution and debts owed. Thanks to the dedicated Assistant U.S. Attorneys and professional staff we are holding wrongdoers financially accountable for their crimes.”

The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the District of Nevada, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $30,514,684.99 in asset forfeiture actions in Fiscal Year 2025. Forfeited assets are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

• In December 2024, a victim received $3,443,286.03.
• In April 2025, the District of Nevada and the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) authorized the forfeited $531,308.46 of the fraudulently obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans be paid to the Small Business Administration.
• In May 2025, the District of Nevada and MNF authorized the forfeited $1,068,123.94 of the fraudulently obtained PPP loans be paid to the Small Business Administration.
• In July 2025, a victim received $32,193,787.94.

###

A former Nevada business owner pleaded guilty today to willfully failing to pay over employment taxes on behalf of the cleaning company she owned and operated.

According to court documents and statements made in court: Deborah Meadows, 64, formerly of Las Vegas, owned and operated A to Z Employment Services LLC, which provided carpet, upholstery and roadside cleaning services in Nevada. Meadows controlled all financial matters related to the company. She also was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and income taxes from her employees’ wages and paying those funds over to the IRS, as well as filing quarterly employment tax returns with the IRS.

From the first quarter of 2010 through the fourth quarter of 2020, however, Meadows withheld taxes from her employees’ wages but did not pay over those taxes to the IRS or file the required quarterly employment tax returns. From 2018 through 2021, Meadows also did not file individual tax returns, even though she was required to do so by law. In total, Meadows caused a tax loss to the U.S. government exceeding $1.2 million.

After the IRS began investigating Meadows, she took steps to obstruct the grand jury investigation. In response to a grand jury subpoena, Meadows provided investigators with altered bank records and inaccurate tax records. These altered bank records purportedly showed that another company Meadows owned had made sizeable tax payments to the IRS, when in fact the company had not made any such payments. She also provided inaccurate individual and employment tax returns that allegedly showed taxes paid to the IRS, when in fact Meadows knew at the time that she had never paid such taxes.

Meadows pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to account for and pay over trust fund taxes. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Meadows is scheduled to be sentenced on May 21, 2026.

Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada made the announcement.

IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant Deputy Chief Eric Powers and Trial Attorney Regina Jeon of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section are prosecuting the case, with substantial assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.