Northern District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Speaks at the New York State Sheriff’s Association Winter Training ConferenceRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – On January 21, 2026, First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III gave remarks at the New York State Sheriff’s Association Winter Training Conference. At the conference, First Assistant Sarcone discussed collaboration across the 32 counties in the Northern District of New York to investigate crimes, protect local communities, and ensure dangerous criminals are prosecuted and detained.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “The partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement across the 32 counties of the Northern District of New York is essential to protecting our communities and one of my top priorities. By working closely with our sheriffs and investigators, we strengthen our ability to disrupt violent crime, combat narcotics trafficking, and ensure that dangerous offenders are prosecuted and held accountable. I truly appreciate the opportunity to give remarks highlighting the critical collaboration between federal and state law enforcement that has taken place in the Northern District of New York.”
Juan Figueroa, Ulster County Sheriff and President of the Sheriff’s Association, stated “The New York State Sheriff’s Association was honored to have the First Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District to discuss prosecution of criminals committing felonies in New York State and how we can collaborate on sensitive investigations.”
John Sarcone speaking at New York State Sheriff’s Association Winter Training Conference
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Swears in Special Assistant U.S. AttorneyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – On February 3, 2026, Saratoga County Assistant District Attorney William G. Berger was sworn in as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
SAUSAs are able to prosecute cases in federal court under the supervision of the U.S. Attorney’s Office while remaining employed as ADAs. Other ADAs recently sworn in as SAUSAs include: First ADA Michael T. Johnson (Herkimer County); Chief ADA J. Sam Rodgers (Madison County); ADAs Manpreet Kaur and Kathleen Hofmann (Montgomery County); and Chief ADA Christopher Bednarski and Senior ADAs Sara Fitzpatrick and Alphonse L. Williams III (Onondaga County).
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “We are proud to welcome William Berger as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. His experience as an Assistant District Attorney in Saratoga County and his commitment to public safety will strengthen our efforts to combat violent crime and complex criminal organizations throughout the Northern District of New York. Partnerships like this exemplify the strong collaboration between state and federal law enforcement, ensuring that we use every available resource to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.”
Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby stated: “Our ongoing collaboration with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York is essential to our mission of dismantling complex criminal enterprises that threaten the safety of our communities. By working hand-in-hand with our federal partners, we can leverage shared resources, intelligence, and expertise to pursue justice more effectively and keep the people of Upstate New York safe. These strategic partnerships strengthen every level of law enforcement.”
Pictured above (left to right): Saratoga County Assistant District Attorney William G. Berger, First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, and Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby.
Chinese National Found Guilty of Smuggling 207 Pounds of Marijuana into the United StatesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Wenjian Zhuo, age 32, a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been found guilty of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute following a jury trial in federal court in Syracuse.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Robert Garcia, Chief of United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, and Farhana Islam, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Enforcement Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), made the announcement.
Evidence presented during the two-day trial proved that on January 22, 2025, Zhuo drove from New York City to the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation where his van was loaded with 94 kilograms (approximately 207 pounds) of marijuana. Zhuo began to transport the marijuana back to New York City where he intended to deliver it when Border Patrol pulled him over and seized the marijuana.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “For far too long, criminal networks have exploited the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation as a gateway for smuggling illegal drugs into our country. We will not tolerate anyone using this border region as a safe haven for trafficking. If you attempt to move narcotics through this corridor, you will be investigated, arrested, prosecuted, and held fully accountable. Border Patrol and DEA work every day to close this valve and this time, they were successful.”
Chief of United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector Robert Garcia stated, “Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents remain vigilant in protecting the nation from the dangers posed by human and narcotics trafficking. This case demonstrates the dedication and teamwork of our agents and all our law enforcement partners in the area, including the United States Attorney’s Office, in intercepting illicit drugs before they reach our communities. We also commend the United States Attorney’s Office for their dedication to prosecuting those who attempt to exploit our border for criminal activity, ensuring they are held accountable and brought to justice.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge of the New York Enforcement Division Farhana Islam stated, “Once again, justice is being delivered to those criminal networks and individuals flooding the Northeast corridor with illegal marijuana. Today’s guilty verdict against Wenjian Zhuo reinforces our commitment to identify, target, and prosecute all those who profit from illicit drug distribution. The DEA New York Enforcement Division remains steadfast in our pursuit of holding accountable anyone trafficking drugs across our borders and into our neighborhoods.”
Zhuo will be sentenced on June 23, 2026, by United States Senior District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby, who presided over the trial. The charge of conviction against Zhuo carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Border Patrol and DEA investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas Collyer prosecuted the case
Chinese National Found Guilty of Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving $2.2 Million in Walmart Gift CardsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jun Wang, age 63, a Chinese national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been found guilty of participating in a money laundering conspiracy following a bench trial in federal court in Albany.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
Evidence presented during the bench trial in December 2025 proved that, between June 2019 and June 2021, Wang redeemed $2,285,039.81 in gift cards originally purchased by defrauded victims throughout the United States (including in the Northern District of New York). Wang, who received the gift card information electronically from co-conspirators overseas, used the fraud proceeds to buy other gift cards at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in Florida to disguise the source and nature of the funds. To try to evade detection and disguise the volume of his gift card redemptions, Wang often used different registers within the same store and frequently drove from store to store to redeem gift cards, sometimes visiting several Walmart stores on the same day. Wang often redeemed gift cards just hours, and sometimes minutes, after they were purchased by victims. Multiple victims testified at trial about the gift cards they purchased after being scammed online or over the phone. Although the trial evidence proved that Wang’s role in the scheme was to redeem gift cards purchased by victims he never interacted with directly, he admitted to an FBI agent in a secretly recorded conversation that “[w]e all know” about the fraud, which is “[e]asy to know.” In relation to one elderly victim, Wang explained on the recording, “[t]he only loser is the lady,” and, “[o]ther than this lady, everybody’s happy.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “Wang was a knowing and essential player in a calculated, international scheme that preyed on victims, including the elderly, throughout the United States. We will tirelessly pursue and hold accountable individuals involved in every level of these fraud schemes. There is no safe harbor for those who profit from exploiting vulnerable Americans.”
Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated, “Mr. Wang was part of an international scheme that stole millions from hardworking Americans across the country and right here at home. This conviction illustrates the FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will not tolerate this deceitful behavior, and will continue to provide our expert resources to investigate these crimes and prosecute the criminals who are intent on defrauding the American public.”
Wang will be sentenced on June 16, 2026, by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino, who presided over the bench trial and rendered the guilty verdict in a 20-page decision. The charge of conviction against Wang carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
FBI investigated this case with the assistance of local law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry, Michael D. Gadarian, and Tamara B. Thomson prosecuted the case.
Pulaski Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of a Child ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Scott Goodrich, age 54, of Pulaski, New York, was sentenced on February 12, 2026 to 25 years (300 months) in federal prison for four counts of sexual exploitation of a child and two counts of possession of child pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Goodrich admitted that he sexually abused a child for several years. Goodrich took pictures and videos of his sexual abuse and stored the pictures on his electronic devices. Goodrich also used social media platforms to engage in distributing and receiving child pornography depicting other victims. Goodrich possessed nearly 200 files of child pornography that he had personally created, and hundreds of additional files of child pornography he had received via the Internet.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The sexual exploitation of a child is among the most vile and reprehensible crimes we prosecute, and this defendant committed this crime over and over again. The defendant not only abused a child, but he documented his crimes in images and videos for his own gratification, compounding the harm and perpetuating the victimization. This 25-year sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant’s conduct and sends a clear message that those who prey on children will be identified, prosecuted, and removed from our communities.”
Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: "Scott Goodrich committed horrific acts by repeatedly abusing a vulnerable child, producing and storing graphic images and videos of the abuse, and distributing deeply exploitative child pornography depicting other innocent victims online. This investigation demonstrates HSI's relentless pursuit of justice for victims and our determination to hold offenders fully accountable. Together with our partners, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety of every child and safeguard our communities from these heinous crimes."
United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also sentenced Goodrich to serve a 15-year term of supervised release to begin after Goodrich is released from prison. Goodrich will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
HSI investigated the case with assistance from the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
St. Margaret’s Center Pays $1.3 Million Under the False Claims ActRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III announced today that the Center for Disability Services Holding Corporation, d/b/a St. Margaret’s Center (SMC), a skilled nursing facility located in Albany, New York, has agreed to pay $1,300,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by billing for care that was worthless and falsely attesting that it had implemented a compliance program that promoted quality care.
“St. Margaret’s Center receives millions of public healthcare dollars to care for very sick children,” said First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “Those children deserve quality care, and I expect all nursing homes will fulfill their obligations to vulnerable residents and the taxpayers who fund them. Thank you to the New York State Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their collaboration on this case.”
This settlement resolves allegations that between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, SMC provided care that was grossly substandard and therefore worthless. During this time, New York State surveys, or inspections, revealed that SMC did not consistently provide sufficient nursing staff, ensure that residents were free of significant medication errors, or provide respiratory and tracheostomy care and suctioning. During one such survey the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) determined that SMC failed to adequately supervise three residents, jeopardizing their health or safety. NYSDOH placed SMC into “immediate jeopardy” status for over a month in 2022. Based on NYSDOH’s findings, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services placed SMC on its Special Focus Facility list which identifies nursing homes throughout the United States that have a history of serious quality issues.
As a condition of receiving federal and state Medicaid dollars, SMC annually certified that it adopted and implemented an effective compliance program that addressed quality of care. SMC admitted that its compliance program failed to meet the statutory compliance program requirements. For example, SMC’s compliance officer admitted under oath that they had “no idea” how to identify potential compliance risks associated with caring for medically fragile infants and children and was unaware that SMC had been placed in “immediate jeopardy” status by NYSDOH. SMC’s compliance program did not include quality of care as a potential risk area until March 2023, after the government investigation in this matter had commenced.
Contemporaneously with the settlement announced today, SMC agreed to enter into a quality-of-care Corporate Integrity Agreement with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), which will remain in effect for five years and address quality of care and resident safety within SMC.
The settlement resolves a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by two former SMC employees. The Act allows private persons to file civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. Under the settlement, the whistleblowers will receive approximately $247,000 of the settlement proceeds. The case is docketed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York under number 1:22-cv-0004.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York jointly investigated this matter with the Office of the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Moran represented the United States.
Settlement Agreement###
Delaware County Man Pleads Guilty to Social Security Fraud ChargeRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Brian Gill, age 59, of Andes, New York, pled guilty on January 20, 2026 to a charge of social security fraud. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge, Boston/New York Field Division, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), made the announcement.
As part of his plea, Gill admitted that between January 2021 and November 2023, while Gill was actively collecting social security disability benefits, Gill was also managing and personally engaging in physical labor for a tree services company he owned and operated. Gill also admitted he concealed from the Social Security Administration (SSA) the fact that he was working and falsely stated on a SSA form that he had not been working.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This kind of social security fraud is a serious offense that robs taxpayers of funds needed to assist those who are truly unable to work. Thanks to the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, people who try to game the system, like this defendant, are identified and held accountable.”
“Brian Gill chose to lie to obtain Social Security disability insurance benefits while actively working physical labor for a tree service he owned,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy Connelly, SSA OIG, Boston/New York Field Division. “Social Security disability insurance benefits are reserved for individuals who are truly unable to work. When someone misrepresents their abilities to collect benefits they are not entitled to, it undermines the integrity of the program and steals from hardworking taxpayers. We will aggressively pursue those who try to cheat the American taxpayers for personal gain.”
Sentencing is scheduled for May 21, 2026 before United States Chief District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Gill faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. As part of his plea, Gill agreed to pay restitution to the SSA for the funds he fraudulently collected. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Offices of the New York State Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Gillis and Adrian LaRochelle are prosecuting the case.
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Saratoga County Felon Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Drug Distribution and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jason Brundige, age 51, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced on February 5, 2026 to 84 months’ imprisonment for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) made the announcement.
Brundige previously admitted to distributing cocaine on multiple occasions and, during one of those drug sales, displaying a loaded firearm to his drug customer. Brundige also admitted to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute it from a hotel in Malta, New York.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This sentence reflects the seriousness of combining drug trafficking with firearms. Individuals who distribute dangerous drugs while armed put entire communities at risk, and our Office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold such offenders fully accountable.”
Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo stated: “Firearms in the hands of drug traffickers escalate violence and endanger the public. This case demonstrates ATF’s continued commitment to working with our federal, state, and local partners to aggressively target armed drug traffickers and remove them from our communities.”
Sheriff Jeffrey Brown stated: “This sentence sends a clear message that drug trafficking and gun violence will not be tolerated in Saratoga County. I commend the collaborative efforts of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, ATF, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case to a successful resolution.”
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also sentenced Brundige to serve a 4-year term of supervised release to begin after Brundige is released from prison.
The case was investigated by the ATF and SCSO and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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Illegal Alien Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Agent Making Arrest Under Laken Riley ActRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michel Manuel Garcia Rojas, age 39, a citizen of Nicaragua, pled guilty yesterday to an indictment charging him with resisting, impeding, and assaulting a federal officer engaged in official duties and inflicting bodily injury. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
According to the plea and documents previously filed in the case, Garcia Rojas entered the United States illegally in 2023 and had been engaged in removal proceedings since that date while living freely in the United States. In March 2025, HSI learned that Garcia Rojas and another illegal alien had been charged with the New York State misdemeanor offenses of Petit Larceny and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Given the nature of the state charges, both aliens were subject to immediate detention under the then-newly enacted Laken Riley Act. HSI promptly went to effectuate the arrests before the subjects were released on the state charges.
Upon his arrest by federal authorities, Garcia Rojas was handcuffed and placed inside the backseat of a federal law enforcement vehicle. He then got out of the vehicle and attempted to walk away. An HSI Special Agent confronted Garcia Rojas and attempted to place him back under arrest. Garcia Rojas fought back, striking the agent in the face and throwing him into a door as the Special Agent wrestled to subdue Garcia Rojas. It ultimately took numerous law enforcement officers and the use of a taser to subdue and rearrest Garcia Rojas. Garcia Rojas inflicted numerous injuries on the agent, including numerous abrasions and bruises, including to the agent’s jaw, and a back injury that kept the agent out of work for months.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone said: “Thanks to the Laken Riley Act, we have taken a violent illegal alien off the streets here in the Northern District of New York. Garcia Rojas’ assault on a federal agent faithfully doing his job should be a stark reminder to everyone of the danger these criminals pose. I commend my prosecutors and HSI for their exceptional work in bringing swift justice to this defendant.”
Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: “The brazen and violent actions of Michel Manuel Garcia Rojas, a Nicaraguan national with a prior criminal history, represent a direct threat to the safety of our agents, officers and the communities we serve, and reflect the danger law enforcement face each day. Assaulting a federal agent in the line of duty is an egregious and unacceptable crime that will not be tolerated. This case underscores the critical importance of strong enforcement measures like the Laken Riley Act, which empower law enforcement to protect our nation from those who disregard our laws. HSI remains steadfast in pursuing justice for those who endanger our personnel, our partners, and the public alike.”
Garcia Rojas is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on June 16, 2026. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, a term of supervised release of up to three years, and deportation following any term of imprisonment. Garcia Rojas will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim of his offense. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute(s) the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
HSI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case.
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Colonie Man Sentenced to 87 Months for Murder-for-Hire PlotRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jeal Sutherland, age 58, of Colonie, New York, was sentenced today to 87 months in prison for using an interstate commerce facility in a murder-for-hire scheme targeting a Capital Region man. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As detailed in Sutherland’s plea agreement and an earlier-filed criminal complaint, between November 2024 and January 2025, Sutherland used his cell phone to arrange the murder of a man who is the father of a child with Sutherland’s then-partner. As part of this plot, Sutherland agreed to forgive a debt of the person he hired to kill the victim. Sutherland also agreed to pay an undercover FBI agent – whom Sutherland believed to be a hog farmer – for use of a Pennsylvania farm to dispose of the victim by having pigs consume the body. Sutherland admitted that in late January 2025, he had another man put the carcass of a Canada goose on the doorstep of the victim’s mother. When the dead bird was discovered, it had a threatening note stuffed in its beak that had been written at Sutherland’s direction.
The intended victim was not harmed, and the FBI arrested Sutherland on January 27, 2025. Sutherland has been in custody since his arrest.
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also imposed a $15,000 fine and ordered a 3-year term of supervised release to follow Sutherland’s release from prison.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Jeal Sutherland thought he could order up the murder of his romantic rival right from his cell phone. Thanks to the hard work of FBI Albany and members of my office, Sutherland will now be dialing out from a federal prison for the foreseeable future.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “The details of Mr. Sutherland’s callous plans are deeply disturbing and prove he had every intention of ending a life. Instead, his vicious and intricate plot has landed him in federal prison. This case clearly illustrates the FBI will work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to swiftly investigate and interrupt any individual looking to carry out such egregious acts of violence in our communities.”
The FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force investigated this case, with assistance from the Colonie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Joseph S. Hartunian prosecuted this case.
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Indian National Indicted for Smuggling Illegal Aliens Across Canadian Border into United StatesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on January 28, 2026, charging an Indian national for his role in a scheme to smuggle Indian nationals from Canada across the northern border into the United States.
According to court documents, Shivam Lnu, 22, directed smuggling operations from January 2025 through June 2025, coordinating the illegal transport of aliens across the U.S.-Canada border into Clinton County, New York. On Jan. 26, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles traveling in tandem near the U.S-Canada border. Both vehicles accelerated to avoid agents, triggering a pursuit. One vehicle went off the road and became immobilized, while the other was later stopped in Mooers, New York. The vehicles contained a total of 12 undocumented aliens. WhatsApp messages between one of the drivers and a number connected to Shivam allegedly revealed coordination of smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S. from Canada on numerous occasions in and prior to January 2025, including exchanging proof of life photographs and directions to safe houses in upstate New York.
Shivam is charged with one count of conspiracy to illegally bring aliens to the United States and four counts of illegally bringing aliens to the United States for the purpose of private financial gain. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count. If convicted of all four counts of illegally bringing aliens to the United States, Shivam faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of fifteen years. Shivam was initially charged by criminal complaint on June 13, 2025, with one count of conspiracy to transport aliens.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York, and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “As alleged, this defendant was a manager in an international smuggling operation that was responsible for sneaking an untold number of illegal aliens into our country. We will do everything we can to hold him and every member of his organization accountable under the law. No smuggler is safe in the Northern District of New York.”
Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: “Human smuggling across our northern border poses a serious threat to national security and public safety, and exposes vulnerable individuals to extreme risks as they endure harsh elements to illegally enter our country. The indictment underscores how an individual — who himself was unlawfully present in the United States — allegedly orchestrated this smuggling operation that escalated into a dangerous pursuit, compounding the risks and challenges faced by our communities. HSI Massena remains unwavering in our commitment to disrupt these networks and safeguard our communities, working closely with our law enforcement partners to hold those who profit from illegal smuggling accountable.”
The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/ HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 435 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 385 U.S. convictions; more than 330 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
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 Neighborhood.
The HSI Rouses Point and U.S. Border Patrol Burke Station are investigating the case, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.
Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt of the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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New York Man and Alleged Member of Nihilistic Violent Extremist Organization 764 Charged with Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Aaron Corey, also known as “Baggeth,” of Albany, New York, appeared in federal court yesterday after being charged with receiving child pornography.
“The 764 network is a depraved criminal group that exploits vulnerable children and revels in their abuse,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The very serious crimes alleged in this indictment will be aggressively prosecuted until justice is served, as the Justice Department and federal partners continue efforts to take down this violent extremist network.”
“Let this send a warning to anyone engaged in any conduct that involves assaulting children: You eventually will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “I thank the FBI and the New York State Police for their hard work and the sacrifices they make to keep our communities safe.”
“Aaron Corey, an alleged member of the nihilistic violent extremist group 764, has been charged today for allegedly receiving sexually explicit content of minors via the Internet. Preying on our nation’s children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, is beyond comprehension,” said FBI Co-Deputy Director Christopher Raia. “The FBI won’t tolerate these heinous acts and remains determined to stop these predators in their tracks. Along with our law enforcement partners, the dangerous criminals involved with the atrocious activities of violent online networks will be held accountable.”
According to the criminal complaint, between October and December 2025, Corey received video and image files depicting pre-pubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct via the Internet.
The complaint also alleges that Corey is a member of “764,” a criminal organization of Nihilistic Violent Extremists operating within the United States and abroad. Those involved with the 764 network methodically target vulnerable, underage populations by using social media to encourage the possession, production, and sharing of extreme gore media and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Members of 764 seek to desensitize young people to violence and break down societal norms regarding it. They normalize the possession, production, and sharing of explicit CSAM and gore material to corrupt and groom their victims toward future violence, gain notoriety among other members of the network, and spread fear for the purpose of accelerating chaos with an aim toward the disruption of society.
The charge filed against Corey carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life. If convicted, a judge will impose a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Corey’s initial appearance yesterday in Albany was before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart for the Northern District of New York. Corey was ordered detained pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for tomorrow.
The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping for the Northern District of New York is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Level 2 Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison for Unregistered Email AccountRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kyle Caton, 38, a registered sex offender of Albany, New York, was sentenced yesterday to a total of 18 to 24 months in prison following his plea of guilty for failure to register an email address he used to access pornography with the New York State Sex Offender Registry and admission to violating his federal supervised release in doing so. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Acting U.S. Marshal Christopher Amoia made the announcement.
According to Caton’s admissions and statements made in court, Caton was convicted of receipt of child pornography in 2019 and sentenced to 88 months of incarceration, followed by 15 years of post-release supervision. Caton has been registered as a Level 2 sex offender with New York State ever since. Caton violated his supervised release conditions almost immediately following his release from prison by possessing an unauthorized internet-capable device he used to view and possess pornography and was sentenced to 9 months of incarceration. Just three months after his release from that sentence, Caton created an email account, which he used to access pornography, and failed to register the email account with the New York State Sex Offender Registry.
In this case, Caton previously pled guilty to failure to register the email address with the New York State Sex Offender Registry and admitted to violating the terms of his second term of supervised release in doing so. Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentenced Caton to a term of imprisonment of 12 to 18 months on his guilty plea, followed by a term of imprisonment of 6 months on the violation of supervised release, for a total sentence of 18 to 24 months in prison. Caton was also ordered to serve a 15-year term of supervised release and remains obligated to register as a sex offender.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “Here in the Northern District of New York, we prosecute every sex offender who fails to comply with their registration requirements to the fullest extent of the law. The Marshals’ excellent work combined with my Office’s dedication to holding this sex offender accountable ensured Kyle Caton is right back where he belongs: in prison.”
“The successful prosecution of habitual offender Kyle Caton reinforces the United States Marshals Service’s unwavering commitment to locating and apprehending non-compliant sex offenders. Failure to register is not a technical violation, but a serious crime that places communities at risk,” stated Acting U.S. Marshal Christopher Amoia. “SORNA requires convicted sex offenders to register and keep their registration current in each jurisdiction where they reside. Failure to comply with these requirements is a federal offense and undermines efforts to protect the public and monitor known offenders.”
The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Albany County Man and Alleged Member of Nihilistic Violent Extremist Organization 764 Charged with Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Aaron Corey, a.k.a. “Baggeth,” of Albany, New York, appeared in federal court on February 3, 2025, after being charged with receiving child pornography. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Federal Bureau of Investigation Co-Deputy Director Christopher Raia, Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the FBI, made the announcement.
According to the criminal complaint, between October and December 2025, Corey received video and image files depicting pre-pubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct via the Internet.
The complaint also alleges that Corey is a member of “764,” a criminal organization of Nihilistic Violent Extremists operating within the United States and abroad. Those involved with the 764 network methodically target vulnerable, underage populations by using social media to encourage the possession, production, and sharing of extreme gore media and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Members of 764 seek to desensitize young people to violence and break down societal norms regarding it. They normalize the possession, production, and sharing of explicit CSAM and gore material to corrupt and groom their victims toward future violence, gain notoriety among other members of the network, and spread fear for the purpose of accelerating chaos with an aim toward the disruption of society.
“The 764 network is a depraved criminal group that exploits vulnerable children and revels in their abuse,” said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The very serious crimes alleged in this indictment will be aggressively prosecuted until justice is served, as the Justice Department and federal partners continue efforts to take down this violent extremist network.”
“Aaron Corey, an alleged member of the nihilistic violent extremist group 764, has been charged today for allegedly receiving sexually explicit content of minors via the Internet. Preying on our nation’s children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society, is beyond comprehension,” said FBI Co-Deputy Director Christopher Raia. “The FBI won’t tolerate these heinous acts and remains determined to stop these predators in their tracks. Along with our law enforcement partners, the dangerous criminals involved with the atrocious activities of violent online networks will be held accountable.”
“Let this send a warning to anyone engaged in any conduct that involves assaulting children: You eventually will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “I thank the FBI and the New York State Police for their hard work and the sacrifices they make to keep our communities safe.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “The allegations against Mr. Corey are inexcusable and deeply depraved. The FBI is steadfast in our mission to collaborate with our law enforcement partners at every level across the country and overseas to identify, investigate, and bring to justice any criminal associated with this disturbing network that aims to manipulate our children into harming themselves. While this dangerous activity happens online, these predators cannot hide from the FBI and will be held accountable.”
The charge filed against Corey carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute(s) the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Corey had an initial appearance yesterday in Albany, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart, and was ordered detained pending a detention hearing. The detention hearing is scheduled for February 5, 2026.
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Massachusetts Man Charged for Assaulting Federal Officer with Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
Note, the release has been updated to include a quote from the FBI Director.
Cedric E. Cundiff, 67, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, appeared in federal court yesterday for an initial appearance on a charge of assaulting a federal officer with a knife.
“This case illustrates the danger that our Marshals and other agents face on a daily basis as they work to keep us safe,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will continue vigorously prosecuting anyone who attacks our brave law enforcement officers — if you cross that line, you will pay.”
“The defendant allegedly assaulted a member of the U.S. Marshals Service who was carrying out their lawful duties, and the FBI takes any attacks on law enforcement officers very seriously,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This arrest should demonstrate the FBI will aggressively investigate assaults on the law enforcement officers who protect our communities and work with our Justice Department partners to make sure violent actors are brought to justice.”
“Each and every day, our law enforcement partners put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “As alleged, the defendant violently attacked an officer who was doing just that. Let me be loud and clear: harassment, obstruction, and violence of any kind against members of federal law enforcement will not be tolerated. Anyone who does not heed this warning will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“This was a dangerous and volatile arrest that underscores the real risks our law enforcement partners face every day,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli of the FBI Albany Field Office. “The defendant, already a wanted individual out of Massachusetts, is now facing significant federal prison time for these serious allegations. The FBI will not tolerate any act of violence against our law enforcement partners who work around the clock to keep our communities safe.”
“Violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Christopher Amoia for the Northern District of New York. “Assaults on officers who are carrying out their lawful duties pose a serious threat to public safety and the rule of law. The United States Marshals Service, in partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies, remains committed to holding individuals accountable for such acts.”
The complaint alleges that on Jan. 29, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force went to a residence in Syracuse, New York, to execute an arrest warrant for Cundiff. Cundiff was wanted in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, on charges including robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, members of the task force located Cundiff inside the Syracuse residence. After seeing members of the task force at the door, Cundiff fled to a bedroom. When a task force officer with the U.S. Marshals attempted to open the door, Cundiff cut the investigator’s hand with a knife, causing two lacerations and a fracture.
Cundiff appeared yesterday in Syracuse, New York, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz for the Northern District of New York. He was detained pending further proceedings.
The charge filed against Cundiff carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and New York State Police are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie for the Northern District of New York is prosecuting the case.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Massachusetts Man Charged for Assaulting Federal Officer with Dangerous WeaponRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Cedric E. Cundiff, age 67, of Massachusetts, appeared in federal court yesterday for an initial appearance on a charge of assaulting a federal officer with a knife.
The announcement was made by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli, and Christopher Amoia, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of New York.
The complaint alleges that on January 29, 2026, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force went to a residence in Syracuse, New York, to execute an arrest warrant for Cundiff. Cundiff was wanted in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, on charges including robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon.
As alleged in the criminal complaint, members of the task force located Cundiff inside the Syracuse residence. After seeing members of the task force at the door, Cundiff fled to a bedroom. When a task force officer with the U.S. Marshals attempted to open the door, Cundiff cut the investigator’s hand with a knife, causing two lacerations and a fracture.
“This case illustrates the danger that our Marshals and other agents face on a daily basis as they work to keep us safe,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “This Department of Justice will continue vigorously prosecuting anyone who attacks our brave law enforcement officers – if you cross that line, you will pay.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “Each and every day, our law enforcement partners put themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe. As alleged, the defendant violently attacked an officer who was doing just that. Let me be loud and clear: Harassment, obstruction, and violence of any kind against members of federal law enforcement will not be tolerated. Anyone who does not heed this warning will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “This was a dangerous and volatile arrest that underscores the real risks our law enforcement partners face every day. The defendant, already a wanted individual out of Massachusetts, is now facing significant federal prison time for these serious allegations. The FBI will not tolerate any act of violence against our law enforcement partners who work around the clock to keep our communities safe.”
Acting U.S. Marshal Amoia stated: “Violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. Assaults on officers who are carrying out their lawful duties pose a serious threat to public safety and the rule of law. The United States Marshals Service, in partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies, remains committed to holding individuals accountable for such acts.”
Cundiff appeared yesterday in Syracuse, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz and was detained pending further proceedings.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The charge filed against Cundiff carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and New York State Police are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case.
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Indian National Indicted for Smuggling Illegal Aliens Across Canadian Border into United StatesRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York returned an indictment on Jan. 28, 2026, charging an Indian national for his role in a scheme to smuggle Indian nationals from Canada across the northern border into the United States.
According to court documents, Shivam Lnu, 22, directed smuggling operations from January 2025 through June 2025, coordinating the illegal transport of aliens across the U.S.-Canada border into Clinton County, New York. On Jan. 26, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles traveling in tandem near the U.S-Canada border. Both vehicles accelerated to avoid agents, triggering a pursuit. One vehicle went off the road and became immobilized, while the other was later stopped in Mooers, New York. The vehicles contained a total of 12 undocumented aliens. WhatsApp messages between one of the drivers and a number connected to Shivam allegedly revealed coordination of smuggling illegal aliens into the U.S. from Canada on numerous occasions in and prior to January 2025, including exchanging proof of life photographs and directions to safe houses in upstate New York.
Shivam is charged with one count of conspiracy to illegally bring aliens to the United States and four counts of illegally bringing aliens to the United States for the purpose of private financial gain. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count. If convicted of all four counts of illegally bringing aliens to the United States, Shivam faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of fifteen years. Shivam was initially charged by criminal complaint on June 13, 2025, with one count of conspiracy to transport aliens.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
The investigation and charges are supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/ HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 435 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 385 U.S. convictions; more than 330 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
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 Neighborhood.
The HSI Rouses Point and U.S. Border Patrol Burke Station are investigating the case, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.
Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt of the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convicted Child Rapist Pleads Guilty to Producing Child Sexual Abuse Material with Two Separate Victims, Faces 25-100 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Andrew Edick, 39, a Level 2 registered sex offender of Mohawk, New York, pled guilty today to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. Each count related to Edick’s exploitation of a separate victim. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
In pleading guilty, Edick admitted that in in the summer of 2022, he filmed the genitalia of a female child born in 2013 and knowingly transported the video between Facebook accounts he controlled. Edick also admitted that later that year, he filmed himself having sexual intercourse with a female child born in 2009. Edick later sent the video to the child and told her to delete it after viewing.
In 2012, Edick was convicted after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual misconduct in Herkimer County Court. As part of his plea in that case, Edick admitted that he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old female child without her consent. As a result of that conviction, Edick has been registered as a Level 2 sex offender in New York State, including when he committed the new offenses in 2022.
Edick’s plea resolves an indictment on which he was scheduled for trial beginning February 2, 2026. Edick was originally charged in connection with these crimes by a complaint filed in May 2023, following an investigation by HSI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Edick was arrested when HSI executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered a cellular phone that contained, as Edick admitted in his plea, numerous videos and images of child sexual abuse material. Edick has been detained ever since his initial arrest.
“Andrew Edick is a relentless sexual predator, whose nightmarish crimes are over,” Acting United States Attorney Sarcone said. “I commend the work of our prosecutors and HSI in securing this conviction. Their work ensures that this dangerous predator will spend decades in prison, and our children are exponentially safer today.”
"Andrew Edick’s actions represent the most egregious betrayal of trust and innocence imaginable. Edick, an already convicted child rapist, repeatedly abused vulnerable minors and deliberately documented and distributed images depicting their suffering. The trauma he inflicted is permanent, and his crimes are beyond reprehensible. HSI remains relentless in our pursuit of predators like Edick and our commitment to protecting children from such evil.”
Edick is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on May 29, 2026. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, a maximum sentence of 100 years in prison, a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, a fine of up to $500,000, and will again be required to register as a sex offender. In addition, Edick is responsible for restitution to the victims of his crimes and forfeiture of the device used in connection with his crimes. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
HSI investigating the case, with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Michael J. Whalen are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Federal, State, and Local Officials Gather to Combat Violent Crime, Narcotics Traffickers, and Child Sex Offenders at Hudson Valley Law Enforcement SymposiumRead the Press Release
On January 27, 2026, over 100 federal, state, and local law enforcement officials gathered at the Orange County Government Center to discuss their efforts to combat crime on behalf of the people of New York. Participants included, among many others, the U.S. Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of New York, leaders of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), District Attorneys and Sheriffs from Albany County, Rockland County, Orange County, Westchester County, Dutchess County, Greene County, and Rensselaer County, and senior leaders of the New York State Police.
The presentations and discussions focused on combining resources across offices and departments to combat the greatest threats to the quality of life and safety of the good people of the Hudson Valley. Areas identified as requiring a collective effort included:
- Removing gun-toting career criminals from our streets;
- Dismantling sophisticated narcotics production and distribution enterprises, including the violent transnational gangs that have invaded communities across the Hudson Valley; and
- Protecting our children from sexual predators.
Several case studies involving multi-agency efforts that led to highly successful prosecutions were discussed with an eye toward greater cooperation in the future. The participants also discussed community engagement and community priorities, including “hot spots” where the need for a combination of federal, state, and local resources is most acute.
“It is invaluable to hear directly from our state and local partners,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. “Our principal objective is to deliver a better quality of life, including safe streets, for the people of the Hudson Valley, and we can best achieve that objective if we work in concert with our state and local partners. Together, we have brought—and will continue to bring—our most violent and most dangerous criminals to justice.”
“Public safety does not stop at district or county lines,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York John A. Sarcone III. “This symposium underscores the power of strong partnerships among federal, state, and local law enforcement to confront the most serious threats facing our communities—violent crime, narcotics trafficking, and the exploitation of children. By sharing intelligence, coordinating resources, and aligning our priorities, we are better positioned to dismantle criminal organizations, protect the most vulnerable, and deliver real results for the people we serve.”
“Drugs, guns, and violent crime are endemic public safety concerns that know no boundaries,” said Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler. “In order to best protect the residents of Orange County from these ever-present dangers, we must work with our law enforcement partners, near and far. I am grateful not only for all of the law enforcement professionals who attended the symposium, but also for the commitment to work together to serve the residents of the Hudson Valley. This historic event highlights the importance of collaboration in effective law enforcement in the 21st century.”
“This meeting was a tremendous opportunity to gather officials from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to share information and ideas on how we can leverage our resources to identify, investigate, and bring to justice the dangerous criminals bringing harmful narcotics and weapons into our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albany Field Office Craig Tremaroli. “I’m incredibly grateful to all the partners who made the time to attend this important discussion, and I look forward to working together to achieve our shared goal of keeping all our communities safe.”
“DEA New York remains steadfast in our commitment to working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to target those looking to distribute illicit narcotics throughout the Hudson Valley region,” said DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “These symposiums provide us the opportunity to gather and collaborate with our partners, which helps strengthen our resolve to enhance public safety and helps protect our communities from drug poisonings which are harming our neighbors.”
“HSI New York was honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow law enforcement leaders at the Hudson Valley Law Enforcement Symposium, united by our shared commitment to protecting our communities,” said HSI New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “Bringing together the strength and expertise of federal, state, and local partners is how we turn the tide against violent crime, drug traffickers, and those who prey on our children. When we unite our resources and resolve, we deliver real results—making the Hudson Valley a safer place for every New Yorker.”
“We appreciate our U.S. Attorneys for hosting and participating in this collaborative effort,” said Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s New York Division Bryan DiGiralamo. “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, when combined with strong partnerships across all levels of law enforcement, enhances investigations and plays a critical role in reducing violent gun crime and keeping our communities safe.”
“Special thanks to our United States Attorneys for the Southern and Northern Districts of New York, and the Orange County District Attorneys’ Office, for bringing together our federal, state and local law enforcement partners for this meeting,” said DEA Northeast Regional Associate Chief of Operations Frank Tarentino. “The DEA is committed to working with all our law enforcement partners across the region in targeting those drug trafficking organizations and individuals who are responsible for the most harm. This is the DEA’s focus, both here and abroad, and we will continue this fight until we have a fentanyl-free America.”
Stillwater Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kevin Landry age 28, of Stillwater, New York, pled guilty on January 23, 2026, to receiving child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Landry admitted that in September 2024, he used a messaging application to receive child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In 2020, Landry pled guilty in Tennessee state court to solicitation of a minor to commit aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor after obtaining a nude photo of a female child through Snapchat and then threatening to distribute that photo to others if the child would not send more nude photos. He was sentenced to an order of deferral and judicial diversion for that offense.
Acting United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Landry caught a huge break from state authorities after sexually exploiting a child—and he squandered it. His guilty plea in federal court makes one thing unmistakably clear: repeat offenders who prey on children will face swift, aggressive prosecution and severe consequences. This office, alongside HSI and all our federal law enforcement partners, will use the full weight of federal law to protect children and impose the harshest consequences on those who prey on them.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Keegan said: “Kevin Landry’s actions represent a shocking disregard for the safety and dignity of children. His repeated exploitation underscores the grave threat posed by individuals who commit these offenses. HSI Albany remains relentless in our pursuit of those who prey on the most vulnerable, ensuring they are held fully accountable. The public can be assured that protecting children from such depravity is our highest priority.”
At his sentencing on May 27, 2026, Landry potentially faces a term of imprisonment of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison. Landry also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Nassau County Detective Charged with Attempting to Sexually Exploit a ChildRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Robert Sacco, a Nassau County Detective, age 38, of Huntington, New York, was charged yesterday by complaint with attempted sexual exploitation of a child.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli made the announcement.
As alleged in the complaint, in October 2025, Sacco communicated with an undercover law enforcement officer over an online application and encrypted messaging for about four months. During those communications, Sacco expressed his sexual interest in children, discussed meeting the undercover officer and his purported 10-year-old daughter to sexually abuse her, and ejaculated on pictures of the undercover officer’s purported 10-year-old daughter. By January 2026, Sacco suggested video chatting with the undercover officer and the purported child so that Sacco could watch the undercover officer sexually abuse the child for Sacco’s sexual gratification. Sacco communicated with the undercover officer about the sex acts the undercover officer would engage in with the purported child.
On January 23, 2026, Sacco signed into a video call on an encrypted application with the intent to watch the undercover officer engage in sexually explicit conduct with the purported 10-year-old child, including oral sex. When the undercover officer told Sacco that the purported child would not come out of her room, Sacco asked if the undercover officer wanted to “postpone.”
“The allegations in this case describe a profound betrayal of public trust,” said Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “A sworn law enforcement officer is accused of using an online communications platform to pursue the sexual exploitation of a child and to facilitate horrific abuse for his own gratification. Let me be clear: anyone who preys on children—especially those entrusted to protect the public—will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No badge, no position, and no title will shield a child predator from justice.”
Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli stated: “The details of the allegations against Mr. Sacco are absolutely vile. As a member of law enforcement, Mr. Sacco allegedly broke the very laws he swore to uphold, and now he faces serious charges and significant time in federal prison. The FBI’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force will continue to use every resource available to swiftly identify, investigate, and bring to justice these dangerous predators looking to harm our most vulnerable.”
Sacco appeared yesterday in Brooklyn, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia Henry and is detained pending his transfer to the Northern District of New York for an appearance at a later date.
The charge filed against Sacco carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI is investigating the case with the assistance of the Colonie Police Department and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Vickey is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced for Distribution of Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACAUSE, NEW YORK – Edwin Morones, age 23, a Mexican citizen who formerly resided in Watertown, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 25 years (300 months) in federal prison for three charges of distribution of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea Morones admitted that during November and December 2024, Morones used a social media platform to participate in groups dedicated to trading child pornography and sent numerous child pornography files to other users, including one child pornography file Morones had personally created. Morones also distributed non-pornographic but still sexually explicit images of children that Morones had personally created. An analysis of Morones’ social media account revealed over a dozen images and videos constituting child pornography. Morones has no current legal status in the United States.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The defendant, who was illegally present in the U.S., used what he thought was a secure social media platform to distribute child pornography and indulge his sick sexual fantasies. But our law enforcement partners, including the dedicated agents at HSI, have methods to monitor and identify child predators, no matter how they communicate. We thank those who work with law enforcement and honor their oaths to protect and defend the constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic by apprehending dangerous criminals like this. We cannot play politics in ensuring the safety and security of the citizens we serve.”
Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: “Edwin Morones, a Mexican national illegally in our country, shamelessly abused his unlawful presence to prey on children and distribute vile content online. Together with our law enforcement partners, HSI Syracuse will bring predators in our communities to justice, no matter their background or status, as reflected with today's sentence. HSI Syracuse will continue to defend our neighborhoods and safeguard our children from those who exploit our most vulnerable and flout U.S. rule of law."
United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also sentenced Morones to serve a 15-year term of supervised release to begin after Morones is released from prison. Morones will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release.
HSI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Gregory Conrad Puzio, a/k/a “Tony G.,” age 40, of Albany, New York, pled guilty today to receiving child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Puzio admitted that in February 2025, he used a messaging application to receive child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including a video where the child victim was sexually abused and beaten. In late June 2025, Puzio was charged by local authorities with use of a child in a sexual performance and possessing a sexual performance by a child based on this conduct but was subsequently released on bond. After a federal complaint was filed on July 8, 2025, federal agents arrested Puzio and he did not contest federal detention.
Acting United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Puzio’s disgraceful crimes were somehow not enough for detention in state court. But our partners at HSI and the NYSP quickly brought this case to my office so that this dangerous individual is now off the street and far from any children. My Office and our state and federal law enforcement partners will never hesitate to bring viable federal charges when we believe a defendant who has been released by a state court should be detained for the protection of the community.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Keegan stated: "Gregory Puzio's guilty plea reflects the depravity of the defendant's crimes against children and underscores the urgent need for aggressive investigation and prosecution in such heinous offenses. Together with our law enforcement counterparts, HSI will stop at nothing to ensure that predators face the full force of justice and that our communities are safeguarded from such egregious harm. I commend HSI Albany and our vital partners for their relentless investigative efforts and exceptional collaboration in protecting our children."
NYSP Superintendent James said: “The exploitation and abuse of children is among the most serious crimes we confront, and the New York State Police remain committed to working side by side with our federal and local partners to identify offenders and protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. This guilty plea reflects the strength of that collaboration and sends a clear message that those who prey on children will be held accountable.”
At his sentencing on May 26, 2026, Puzio faces a term of imprisonment of at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison. Puzio also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
This case was investigated by HSI and the NYSP, with assistance from the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Operation Tidal Wave: Seven Indicted in $7.1 Million Money Laundering Conspiracy Following Investigation That Resulted in One of the Largest-Ever Firearms Seizures in the History of the Northern District of New YorkRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Iziah Cox, 38, of Albany, Kaya Cox, 41, of Albany, Sincere Cox, 26, of Albany, Davion Carrington, 38, of Albany, Jahmell Manso, 27, of Albany, Tiffany Banks, 42, of Albany, and Tamicca Jennings, 34, of Troy, New York were charged last week with conspiring to launder $7.1 million in proceeds of a complex fraud scheme with victims from all over the world, according to an indictment unsealed earlier today. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), made the announcement.
The indictment is the latest result in the Operation Tidal Wave investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI’s Albany Regional Financial Crimes Task Force that resulted in the seizure of 135 firearms last August. See https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/two-albany-men-charged-fraud-investigation-resulted-one-largest-ever-firearms-seizures.
According to the indictment and documents previously filed in the case, Iziah Cox and his coconspirators were part of a scheme to defraud businesses, individuals, and financial institutions and launder over $7.1 million in illegal proceeds through transactions designed to conceal and disguise the nature, location, source, ownership, and control of their ill-gotten gains. The victims of the fraud were located all over the world, and many of them were businesses that were victimized by business email compromises (“BECs”). Through these BECs, the businesses received an email that appeared to be from a legitimate company with which they had an ongoing financial relationship. But the email accounts were controlled by members of the conspiracy, who instructed the businesses to wire future payments to bank accounts controlled by other coconspirators. To make the bank accounts appear legitimate and trick the victims and financial institutions into authorizing the payments, the conspirators registered “doing business as” (“DBA”) entities, in Albany County and elsewhere, in the names of real companies from all over the world. Those DBA registrations were then used by the conspirators to open bank accounts in the names of those companies, which in turn were used to receive and rapidly disburse the fraud proceeds.
The investigation began last summer after a local financial institution, headquartered in Albany, New York, alerted the FBI to a series of account openings and fraudulent financial transactions at its Capital Region branches. On August 19, 2025, the FBI’s Albany Regional Financial Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of members of local, state, and federal agencies, executed search warrants at numerous locations throughout the Capital Region. In executing those warrants, agents uncovered and seized a total of 135 firearms, including machineguns, high-capacity magazines, and firearms with obliterated serial numbers.
Iziah Cox was separately charged by the grand jury with illegal possession of a firearm as a felon in connection with the firearms seizure.
“I commend the tireless work of my Assistant U.S. Attorneys, the FBI, the IRS, and the Albany and Troy Police Departments in spearheading this investigation and terminating this worldwide fraud scheme,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone said. “I also thank our local banking partners for their hawkish effort in spotting this scheme, which ultimately led to law enforcement seizing scores of dangerous firearms and getting them off our streets. We have all saved lives here.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “This meticulous investigation produced one of the largest weapons seizures in the Northern District of New York, and today’s indictments illustrate the staggering depth of the alleged financial fraud that led to that seizure. The alleged scheme was complex, but thanks to our invaluable private sector and state and local law enforcement partnerships – especially the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center – these individuals are all facing serious federal charges and our communities are undoubtedly safer. This investigation should send a very strong message that the FBI will not tolerate any criminal looking to fund their illicit business on the backs of hardworking Americans.”
Troy Police Chief Dan DeWolf said “the excellent partnerships with our Federal, State and local law enforcement partners are the reason for this very successful investigation. The arrests of several unscrupulous defendants and the large seizure of firearms certainly help make our communities much safer. I’m proud and grateful for the hard work of all those involved in bringing this investigation to a triumphant finish.”
Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox said, “Operation Tidal Wave indictment represents the culmination of an extensive multi-agency investigation. The message is clear, criminal activity of this magnitude will not be tolerated. We are grateful for our strong partnership with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, whose combined efforts were critical in the success of this operation.”
The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. The firearm charge against Iziah Cox carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The charges in the indictments are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI and its Albany Regional Financial Crimes Taskforce is investigating the cases, with assistance from Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the New York State Comptroller’s Office, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, the Albany Police Department, the Troy Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Capital Region Crime Analysis Center and the New York State Intelligence Center. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark, Matthew M. Paulbeck, and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting the cases.
Ithaca Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Zachary Jackson, age 38, of Ithaca, New York, was sentenced on Friday, January 16, 2026, to 15 years (180 months) in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine; possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Farhana Islam, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), New York Enforcement Division, made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Jackson admitted that on November 19, 2024, he possessed a kilogram of cocaine and a Glock handgun which he used to protect himself while distributing controlled substances in the Ithaca and Auburn, New York areas. Jackson could not legally possess a firearm because he had been previously convicted of assault with intent to cause serious physical injury with a weapon, a felony offense for which he served over 10 years in prison.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Drug dealers, especially ones with violent criminal histories like this defendant, should know that law enforcement in the Northern District of New York will find them and put them behind bars. Thanks to the investigative efforts of local agencies and the DEA, our communities are now safe from this dealer, his drugs, and his gun.”
“Once again, DEA’s New York Enforcement Division and our partners removed a repeat drug trafficker who relied on violence to fuel his criminal enterprise,” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “The sentencing of Zachary Jackson sends a clear message to those who look to poison our communities; that the DEA will target you and bring you to justice! We are committed to preserving public safety and remain focused on keeping our neighborhoods safe.”
United States Chief District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed an 8-year term of supervised release to begin after Jackson is released from prison.
DEA investigated the case with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); New York State Police; the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force (FLDTF); the Auburn Police Department; the Ithaca Police Department; and the Onondaga, Cayuga, and Tompkins County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography ChargesRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Arif Karicic, age 36, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty on January 16, 2026, to distribution and possession of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement.
As part of his plea, Karicic admitted that between November 2024 and February 2025, he sent child pornography files to other people through smartphone social networking applications. The FBI’s investigation also revealed that on February 12, 2025, Karicic possessed child pornography on two electronic devices at his Syracuse residence.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The evidence of this defendant’s illegal activity reveals a disturbing sexual interest in young children. In addition to the serious harm child pornography offenses do to the original victims portrayed in the files, there is a real risk such offenders turn to hands-on abuse of their own. Thanks to the diligent efforts of our law enforcement partners, this defendant’s deviancy has been identified and he will be held accountable for his despicable actions.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Karicic’s offenses are heinous and the impact on his innocent victims is immeasurable. This plea ensures he will spend a substantial amount of time in federal prison where he can no longer exploit our children. FBI Albany’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force will continue to leverage our federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships to aggressively investigate and bring to justice these sick predators terrorizing our most vulnerable.”
Sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2026, before United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi. Karicic faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in federal prison on the distribution charges, a maximum term of 20 years in federal prison for each of the charged offenses, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. Karicic will also be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Albany County Felon Sentenced for Receiving Firearms Stolen from Hudson Falls Gun Store and Using the Firearms in Furtherance of Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kwahpreme Mitchell, age 34, of Watervliet, New York, was sentenced January 9, 2026, to 106 months in federal prison for possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James; and Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Mitchell admitted to receiving firearms from Jonathon Combs and Martin Taft that they had stolen from Calamity Jane’s Firearms and Fine Shoes, a federally licensed firearms dealer, in Hudson Falls, New York, on October 21, 2022. In exchange for the stolen firearms, Mitchell agreed to provide Combs and Taft with 150 grams of cocaine, which they intended to distribute. Additionally, on or about October 15, 2022, Mitchell provided Combs with approximately 3.5 grams of cocaine base in exchange for a shotgun. Mitchell could not legally possess firearms, as he had been previously convicted of a New York State felony drug charge.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Mitchell has now been held accountable for his poisoning of our communities with drugs and stolen guns. We again express our appreciation for the collaboration between ATF NY Albany, the NYSP, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and this Office in combating violent crime and keeping our communities safe.”
Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, stated, “This sentence reflects the serious danger posed when stolen firearms are funneled into drug trafficking networks. Mitchell’s actions tied together two violent threats – stolen guns and illegal drugs – putting communities at risk. ATF NY, alongside our state and local partners, remains committed to disrupting firearms trafficking at every point, holding offenders accountable, and preventing stolen guns from being used to fuel further crime and violence.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James stated, “I applaud our law enforcement officials at all levels for their strong police work and dedication to intercepting the trafficking of cocaine and weapons within our communities. The sentencing of Mr. Mitchell sends a clear message that we will find the people responsible for putting illegal substances and firearms in the hands of others. We will remain vigilant alongside our law enforcement partners in keeping these criminals off our streets and to maintain the safety of all New Yorkers.”
Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy stated, “This sentencing sends a clear message—those who target businesses in our county will be held accountable. Through strong collaboration with our law enforcement partners, justice was served, and our commitment to the victims remains unwavering.”
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a 3-year term of supervised release to begin after Mitchell is released from prison.
NYSP, ATF and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case with assistance provided by the Washington and Warren County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Vickey prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Rensselaer County Man Sentenced for Money Order FraudRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Matthew Dundas, age 26, of Petersburgh, New York, was sentenced to two years of probation with 80 hours of community service and a $4,000 fine on January 14, 2026, for money order fraud. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew M. Modafferi, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”) made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Dundas admitted that, while he was employed with the United States Postal Service, between January 2023 and September 2024, he fraudulently issued 105 money orders to himself without paying for them and stole $76,976.61 from the United States. Dundas repaid the money he stole prior to pleading guilty.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Government employees stealing from taxpayer dollars is an egregious betrayal of the public trust and will be met with swift and decisive action. Our Office will continue to root out any self-dealing and fraud in the government. We thank the Postal Service, Office of Inspector General for its continued efforts to root out fraud from within.”
Special Agent in Charge Matthew M. Modafferi stated, “The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General is dedicated to protecting the U.S Mail and the U.S. Postal Service. When a Postal Service employee decides to break the public’s trust and participates in criminal acts, USPS OIG Special Agents will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice. The sentence imposed on the defendant will serve as a clear reminder to Postal Service employees of the consequences when they utilize their position to commit crimes. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of New York for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”
The USPS-OIG investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted it.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 330 Months for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Crimes and for Violating Supervised Release ConditionsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jabree Jones, a.k.a. “Breezy,” age 33, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced on January 9, 2026, to 300 months in prison for drug trafficking and firearms crimes, including a conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes.
Jones, who was on federal supervised release at the time of his offense, was sentenced to an additional 30 months in prison, to be served consecutively, for violations of his release conditions, including for false statements to U.S. Probation. Jones will serve a total term of 330 months in prison.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Farhana Islam, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Enforcement Division (NYED), and Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
In pleading guilty, Jones admitted to his participation in a drug conspiracy from January to May 2023, that included eleven instances of drug distribution between January and May 2023, and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine on May 23, 2023, after the ATF and DEA searched a property on Western Avenue in Albany where they found one of Jones’ coconspirators, Brandon Bartley, with 34 firearms, including an illegal machinegun, as well as more than 400 grams of fentanyl pills, more than 7,000 grams of pills containing methamphetamine, and more than 700 grams of cocaine. That same day, the DEA and ATF also search a property in Halfmoon, New York, where they found another one of Jones’ coconspirators, Anthony Luizzi, along with about 11 kilograms of fentanyl pills and five firearms, including a defaced shotgun.
Another suspect in the investigation, Anthony Zaremski, was fatally shot during the execution of a federal search warrant at his apartment in Clifton Park, New York on May 23, 2023, after Zaremski opened fire and wounded two officers.
Acting United States Attorney John Sarcone stated, “Jabree Jones was a major driver of drug trafficking and gun violence in this region. While on federal supervision, he chose to flood our communities with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine and to use firearms, including machineguns. This sentence removes an extraordinarily dangerous individual from our streets for decades. Let this case send a clear message: those who combine deadly drugs with illegal guns will face relentless prosecution and severe consequences. Thank you to the brave men and women from DEA and ATF who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe and rid them of the scourge of violent criminals.”
“Today’s sentencing is a true reflection of the dedicated work the DEA New York Enforcement Division and our law enforcement partners have when targeting those individuals who jeopardize the safety of our communities when trafficking illicit narcotics and firearms” stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam. “Mr. Jones’ threat and terror to our communities ends today. The DEA has and remains committed to safeguarding our neighborhoods and strive for a fentanyl-free America.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo stated, “Mr. Jones’ crimes caused a devastating impact on our community by engaging in firearms trafficking and drug distribution. He helped fuel addiction, death and violence. ATF remains committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to disrupt these dangerous networks, to seizing illegal firearms before they reach the streets, and to protecting the safety of the public. We applaud all of the partners involved in making our community safer.”
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also imposed a supervised release term of five years, to begin after he finishes his prison term. Jones was also ordered to pay restitution to the State of California and the State of Georgia for fraudulently obtaining unemployment insurance from those states in 2020 and 2021.
The following defendants were also charged in connection with this investigation:
- Anthony Luizzi pled guilty to drug and gun crimes in connection with his trafficking of large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and his possession of the guns found at the Western Avenue property and Halfmoon property. Luizzi was sentenced to 210 months in prison and a $10,000 fine on October 1, 2024.
- Brandon Bartley also pled guilty to drug and gun crimes in connection with his trafficking of large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, and his possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. He was sentenced to 180 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.
- Devon Newsome pled guilty to transferring 29 firearms to Jones that were ultimately found at the Western Avenue property. He was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
The DEA and the ATF investigated the case, with assistance from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), the Rotterdam Police Department, and the Henry County, Georgia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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New Jersey Woman and Colombian Man Charged with Wire Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jael Watts, age 44, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and Luis Pino-Copete, age 41, of Bogota, Colombia, were indicted on December 4, 2025, on a wire fraud conspiracy charge related to their operation of a transportation company called Pearl Transit. Watts was separately charged with ten counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG), Northeastern Region, and State of New York Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli made the announcement.
According to the superseding indictment, Watts and Pino Copete operated a non-profit company called Pearl Transit Corporation that claimed to provide transportation services to elderly and disabled persons in New York and several other States. Watts applied for grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Section 5310 program, which was awarded and managed by New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT). Between September 2024 and July 2025, Watts submitted vouchers to New York State for reimbursement of operational costs associated with providing transportation to eligible riders and, with Pino-Copete’s help, provided false supporting documentation in support of their requests. Watts and Pino-Copete fraudulently sought payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars, including Section 5310 funds, by falsely representing to New York State that Pearl Transit had transported disabled and elderly residents. However, Pearl Transit never provided any transportation nor employed a single driver. The indictment further alleges that on or about March 20, 2022, Watts used the name of an attorney on an FTA grant application without that attorney's knowledge or consent.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “As alleged, Watts, working with her husband Pino-Copete, perpetrated a massive fraudulent scheme against the Department of Transportation in New York. She submitted requests for reimbursement for services that were made up out of thin air. Those funds were meant to help transport some of our most vulnerable—the elderly and disabled. These charges show that these crimes will only transport you to prison, as Watts and Pino-Copete now face the prospect of many years in prison.”
DOT-OIG Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Gallagher stated: “Today’s indictment illustrates the depth of the alleged fraud committed by Watts and Pino-Copete. The DOT-OIG takes very seriously our responsibility to investigate and pursue those who commit fraud and attempt to steal from government funds. We’re committed to working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to protect taxpayer dollars and uphold the integrity of federally funded programs.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli stated: “Watts and Pino-Copete allegedly conspired to scam the State of New York out of more than $1 million dollars meant to transport deserving New Yorkers for needed care and services. Thanks to the work of my office, this fraud was detected before any payment was made. My office will continue to aggressively root out fraud and partner with law enforcement to hold offenders responsible. I thank Acting United States Attorney Sarcone and the United States DOT Inspector General for their work with my office in protecting public funds.”
Watts was originally arrested on July 21, 2025, on a criminal complaint. On August 19, 2025, following several detention hearings, United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart ordered Watts detained pending a trial before United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi. She was previously indicted on October 16, 2025, on ten counts of wire fraud.
Pino-Copete was arrested on December 9, 2025, in New Jersey, at which time he was ordered detained pending trial. Pino-Copete was arraigned on the superseding indictment on December 29, 2025, in Albany, before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart.
Pino-Copete faces up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Watts faces at least 2 years and up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
DOT-OIG, the New York State Comptroller’s office, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
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Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Relentless JusticeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – The Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of two weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the country.
“We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes.”
“Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “This year, the FBI has led multiple nationwide surges across the U.S. to find and arrest hundreds of child predators. We will not stop until every child can live a life free of exploitation. We will utilize the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state, and local partners to protect communities across the nation from such horrific crimes.”
John A. Sarcone III, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, stated: “Operation Relentless Justice reflects our tireless commitment to keeping our children safe. I am proud of the work of the prosecutors in my Office and the men and women of the FBI, who are truly relentless in their pursuit of justice on behalf of the most vulnerable and precious members of our communities. We will remain steadfast in getting every single child predator off the streets and behind bars.”
Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albany Field Office, stated: “Operation Relentless Justice was a huge success thanks to the strong partnerships on our Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Task Force. Working together, we removed eight dangerous predators from our communities. Six were charged federally and two were charged by New York State. And we won’t stop there. The FBI will continue to leverage our law enforcement partners to use every resource at our disposal to identify, investigate, and bring to justice any predator seeking to harm our most vulnerable.”
In the Northern District of New York, those arrested and charged, in separate cases, are:
- Thomas J. Meehan, age 36, of Valatie, New York, who is alleged to have been selling child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting victims less than 13 years old over the internet for at least two years. Numerous images and videos of CSAM were also found on the defendant’s cell phone. Meehan faces at least 5 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case.
- David McMurray, age 42, of Utica, New York, who was previously convicted in federal court for distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison and a term of 20 years of post-release supervision. As alleged, on September 2, 2025, while McMurray was still on supervision for his prior conviction, the United States Probation Office conducted a search of McMurray’s residence in Utica, New York and recovered a cell phone McMurray was not authorized to possess. A subsequent search of the phone by FBI revealed that McMurray had used it to search for and access with intent to view CSAM online. McMurray faces at least 10 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Adrian S. LaRochelle are prosecuting the case.
- Vincent Lee Evans, age 45, of Rensselaer, New York, who allegedly possessed approximately 2,400 images and 150 videos of CSAM on a cell phone while on supervision in connection with his prior federal conviction for possession of child pornography. Evans faces at least 10 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Vickey is prosecuting the case.
- David Wickham, age 37, of Blossvale, New York, who allegedly used various social media applications to distribute and receive CSAM and was a member of group chats dedicated to exchanging CSAM depicting very young children. CSAM files were also found on Wickham’s cell phone. Wickham faces at least 5 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.
- Mark Porto, age 58, of Albany, New York, who allegedly received CSAM depicting pre-pubescent minors via the Internet between October 2022 and February 2023. Porto faces at least 5 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Vickey is prosecuting the case.
- James Winston III, age 27, of Utica, New York, who allegedly possessed a cell telephone that contained numerous CSAM files. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle is prosecuting the case.
Those arrested throughout the country are alleged to have committed various crimes, including the production, distribution, and possession of CSAM; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking. Some of the alleged offenders include an airman out of Dallas, TX, who was arrested with his wife for producing CSAM, as well as a Police Officer from Raleigh, NC, who distributed CSAM to an undercover officer while discussing his interest in engaging in sexual contact with children. In another case involving enticement of a minor, the Miami Field Office arrested a Guatemalan national who was previously deported in 2011, and had previous arrests for battery, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, and carrying a concealed weapon.
As sextortion cases continue to rise, this operation highlights arrests of individuals who target vulnerable children online including the five leaders of Greggy’s Cult, as well as a Virginia man who persuaded a 14-year-old to produce CSAM. The victim attempted suicide after he allegedly told her to kill herself.
This effort follows other successful operations, including Operation Restore Justice in May, which resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders, including 8 from the Northern District of New York.
The FBI’s Victim Services Division (VSD) assisted victims during this operation and provided services, to include forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD's mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.
These operations underscore the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. attorneys’ offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
Indictments and complaints are merely allegations. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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- Thomas J. Meehan, age 36, of Valatie, New York, who is alleged to have been selling child sexual abuse material (CSAM) depicting victims less than 13 years old over the internet for at least two years. Numerous images and videos of CSAM were also found on the defendant’s cell phone. Meehan faces at least 5 years in prison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin S. Clark is prosecuting the case.
Watertown Man Sentenced for Possessing 10 Pounds of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Seth Demiceli, age 25, of Watertown, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 132 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Demiceli admitted that on January 16, 2025, he drove from the Rochester, New York area to Watertown with approximately 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine that he intended to sell.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This drug dealer was apprehended by law enforcement with a terrifying amount of methamphetamine in his car. I commend the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, who caught the defendant, seized his deadly drugs, and ensured he will not endanger our community for a long time to come.”
Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo stated: “This case underscores the importance of strong partnerships and proactive enforcement in stopping drug traffickers who fuel addiction and violence. Thanks to the efforts of ATF NY Syracuse Field Office, the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit, the Metro Jefferson Drug Task Force and U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of NY. We will continue working side by side with our law enforcement partners to hold traffickers accountable and keep our neighborhoods safe.”
United States District Judge Elizabeth C. Coombe also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Demiceli is released from prison.
ATF investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit and the Metro Jefferson Drug Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
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Member of Deadly Human Smuggling Organization Extradited from CanadaRead the Press Release
A dual Canadian-American citizen made his initial appearance in court in Plattsburg, New York, today after being extradited from Canada to face charges relating to his role in a deadly human smuggling conspiracy that left a family of four, including two small children, dead in the St. Lawrence River.
In June 2024, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York returned an indictment against Rahsontanohstha Delormier, also known as Storm, 31, of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation (AMIR), Canada, for conspiring to engage in alien smuggling and four counts of alien smuggling for profit.
According to court documents, Delormier was arrested in Canada in August 2024 along with co-conspirator Stephanie Square at the request of the U.S. government. Delormier’s and Square’s extraditions followed extensive coordination and cooperation between U.S. and Canadian law enforcement authorities. Square, 52, of the AMIR, was extradited in October 2025. Co-conspirator Timothy Oakes, 34, from the AMIR, was arrested on June 15 and remains detained pending trial for his role in the alleged deadly conspiracy. U.S.-based co-conspirators Dakota Montour, 31, and Kawisiiostha Celecia Sharrow, 43, both of the AMIR in New York, and Janet Terrance, 45, of Hogansburg, New York, entered guilty pleas on Jan. 23, 2025, Oct. 8, 2024 and March 6, 2025, respectively.
According to court documents, Delormier was allegedly a member of an alien smuggling conspiracy which resulted in the deaths of eight migrants. As alleged, Delormier, a Native American Indian living on the Canadian portion of the AMIR — which overlaps the United States and Canada — was a known alien smuggler and smuggled aliens by boat utilizing the St. Lawrence River. The evidence establishes that during the week of March 27, 2023, a prolific Canadian smuggler contacted co-conspirators Sharrow and Square to smuggle a family of four across the St. Lawrence River into the United States. Both Square and Sharrow had previously moved aliens for the alien smuggling organization. Delormier was allegedly recruited by Square to assist in the movement of the aliens and agreed to enter the conspiracy despite the dangerous conditions on the St. Lawrence River.
According to court documents, Delormier provided co-conspirator Montour access to a pickup truck to transport the aliens via roadways from mainland Cornwall to co-conspirator Oakes’ residence on Cornwall Island, Canada, which serves as a notorious staging area for smugglers to cross contraband and people across the river from Canada into the United States.
Pursuant to surveillance footage and hotel records, Montour picked up the family of four, including two small children, from the Elect Inn in Cornwall, Canada on March 29, 2023, at approximately 3:21 a.m.
Mother and child departing room 140 at the Elect Inn walking towards Montour’s vehicle on March 29, 2023 at 3:21 a.m. Father and child departing room 140, pulling the door closed before the father walks towards Montour’s vehicle on March 29, 2023 at 3:21 a.m.On March 29, 2023, at 3:26 a.m., Montour crossed the Seaway International Bridge Toll Plaza onto Cornwall Island and then traveled on Island Road towards Buckshot Road and Timothy Oakes’s residence.
According to court documents, while the aliens were in transit in Delormier’s pickup truck driven by Montour, Delormier was delivering a small green boat that Square had purchased to transport the aliens across the St. Lawrence River. Delormier assisted Square in picking up the boat and attempted to stage the boat for the aliens’ transportation. However, during Delormier’s attempt to stage the boat, Delormier lost control of the vessel and ended up stranded in the frigid St. Lawrence River. On March 30, 2023, at approximately mid-day, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) rescued Delormier from an abandoned cabin on St. Regis Island. Delormier was suffering from symptoms of hyperthermia. AMPS also recovered a submerged green boat with Delormier, which AMPS photographed and seized. The boat was identified by a cooperating witness as being the same boat sold to Square and Delormier earlier for the alien smuggling event.
As alleged, undeterred by the loss of Delormier and the boat to the St. Lawrence River, Square recruited and paid Oakes to transport the aliens across the St. Lawrence River in his small boat. The family of four arrived at the Oakes’s residence on March 29, 2023, at approximately 3:35 a.m. and stayed until that same evening. On March 29, 2023, Square, Montour and Oakes negotiated the family’s perilous crossing.
According to court documents, on March 29, 2023, at approximately 9:29 p.m., Oakes’ vehicle with a light blue boat in tow is recorded traveling eastbound away from the Oakes’ residence towards a public boat launch. The vehicle depicted was registered to Oakes.
Oakes’s vehicle with light blue boat in tow on March 29, 2023, at 9:29 p.m., appearing to match the boat found in the river during recovery efforts.According to court documents, on March 29, 2023, between 10:09 p.m. and 10:50 p.m., AMPS received multiple calls from citizens on Cornwall Island reporting hearing cries for help on the St. Lawrence River. The callers also reported the terrible weather conditions. During this time, Square instructed Montour to search the banks of the St. Lawrence River for the missing family.
On March 30, 2023, AMPS received a report that Casey Oakes, Timothy Oakes’ brother, was missing since the evening of March 29, 2023. Between March 30 and 31, 2023, AMPS conducted a riverine search for Casey Oakes. During the search, AMPS recovered the bodies of eight deceased foreign nationals, including two small children, from the frigid St. Lawrence River near Cattle Island and Chatelain Island. AMPS also recovered a light blue boat. On July 3, 2023, the decomposed body of Casey Oakes was recovered near Ross Island, approximately eight miles from the eight deceased migrants.
Timothy Oakes’ light blue and white boat being recovered from the St. Lawrence River near the bodies of the eight deceased migrants.Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York and Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Field Office made today’s announcement.
HSI Massena engaged in an extensive years-long investigation of the case, with assistance from the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C., CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force, New York State Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department, Ontario Provincial Police, Sûreté du Québec, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Cornwall Police Service. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant support with foreign legal assistance requests and securing the arrest and extradition of Delormier.
The investigation and indictment were coordinated and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant U,S, Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/ HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 425 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 375 U.S. convictions; more than 325 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
Trial Attorney Jenna E. Reed of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jonte McCall, age 39, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty yesterday to possession of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, McCall admitted that on December 23, 2021, he was convicted of the New York State offense of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child Less Than 16 Years Old and was placed on probation. He further admitted that in February 2024, while still on probation, he possessed a cell phone that contained 14 videos of child pornography.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “The defendant, already a registered sex offender and while on state probation, chose to once again seek out and gratify his sexual desires with child pornography. This behavior is disgusting and intolerable. Sex offenders in the Northern District of New York who reoffend will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is another prime example of how the senseless bail laws and soft-on-crime New York State legislature does not protect our children. Albany legislatures, this should be a wake-up call.”
“Crimes against children represent the deepest form of depravity and inflict lasting harm on the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Buffalo. “HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to investigating these horrific offenses and bringing perpetrators to justice. Protecting children will always be our highest priority.”
Sentencing is scheduled for April 27, 2026, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes. Because of his prior conviction, McCall faces a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of between 5 years and up to life. McCall will also have to pay restitution to victims, forfeit the cell phone used to commit the offense, and again be required to register as a sex offender. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes a defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case is being investigated by HSI with assistance from the New York State Police Troop D Computer Crimes Unit and the Onondaga County Probation Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Florida Man Pleads Guilty to Travel with Intent to Engage in Unlawful Sex and Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Michael Fegley Jr., 31, of Tampa, Florida pled guilty yesterday to travel with intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct and transportation of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Fegley admitted that he traveled from Florida to the Northern District of New York intending to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with a purported 13-year-old child. He also admitted that he brought with him about 1,000 images and videos depicting child pornography that he had obtained on the internet.
At sentencing on April 27, 2026, Fegley faces a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 5 years and a maximum of 20 years on the child pornography charge and a maximum of 30 years on the travel charge, a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life, restitution to victims, court-ordered destruction of property used to commit the offenses, special assessments, fines, and registration as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone said: “The defendant’s admitted conduct is deeply disturbing. He not only traveled across multiple states to meet a purported child for unlawful sexual conduct, but he brought with him vile depictions of the sexual abuse of children. Let the defendant’s case be a warning to all predators: If you come into the Northern District of New York with the goal of harming a child, you will be prosecuted.”
“This individual’s calculated decision to cross multiple state lines in pursuit of exploiting someone who he believed was a child demonstrates a disturbing level of predatory intent,” said Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Buffalo. “HSI will stop at nothing to track down and bring to justice those who target children, regardless of where their crimes take them. HSI Albany, together with our partners, is unwavering in their resolve to shield children from harm and see that those who prey on them are held to account.”
This case was investigated by HSI in coordination with the New York State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Syracuse Man Sentenced to 120 Months for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Cyril Swan, age 30, was sentenced last week to 120 months in prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of ATF Bryan DiGirolamo made the announcement.
As part of his prior plea, Swan admitted that he began selling methamphetamine and fentanyl to another individual during the summer of 2024, and that he sold approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine and 8 grams of fentanyl during the offense.
Senior United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd also imposed a five-year term of supervised release, to begin after Swan completes his sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone stated: “Peddling dangerous drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine in this District will not be tolerated. I commend ATF for getting this dealer off the streets for 10 years and sending a message to other would-be drug dealers.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo stated: “This sentence reflects the strong, coordinated work of ATF NY and our partners in Syracuse. By identifying and removing individuals who drive drug trafficking and the harm it fuels, we remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard our neighborhoods and reduce violent crime. Special thank you to ATF NY Syracuse Field Office, Syracuse PD Criminal Intelligence Division, the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit & the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Northern District of NY.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case with assistance from the Syracuse Police Department Criminal Intelligence Division and the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone prosecuted the case.
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Onondaga County Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kurt Dobler, 31, of Syracuse, New York pled guilty last week to possession of child pornography. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Dobler admitted that he was convicted in February 2023 in Fulton County Court of possessing a sexual performance by a child and was sentenced to 10 years’ probation. While on probation for that crime, in May 2025 he knowingly possessed thousands of child pornography files on his cellphone, including files depicting the sexual abuse of infants.
At sentencing on March 31, 2026, Dobler faces a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years, a term of supervised release of at least five years and up to life, restitution to victims, forfeiture of the device used to commit the offense, special assessments, fines, and registration as a sex offender upon release from prison.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone said: “The defendant was completely undeterred from this heinous conduct despite a prior State conviction for doing the same thing, presumably because he received a slap-on-the-wrist probationary sentence. Now he will be spending at least a decade in jail. That’s the power of federal law enforcement, and my Office won’t hesitate to use it on repeat sex offenders like this defendant.”
“Kurt Dobler's guilty plea is a stark reminder of the depravity that HSI works tirelessly to confront in defense of our children,” said Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge, HSI Buffalo. “The defendant's admitted actions are nothing short of monstrous and have no place in a civilized society. I commend the unyielding determination of HSI Syracuse personnel and our law enforcement partners in ensuring this predator is held accountable and justice is delivered for the innocent victims.”
This case was investigated by HSI in coordination with the New York State Police and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. United States Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection assisted in the search.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Gadarian is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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New York Woman Charged with Smuggling Aliens from Canada for ProfitRead the Press Release
Stacey Taylor, 42, of Plattsburgh, New York, appeared for an arraignment Monday after a federal grand jury in Albany returned an indictment on Oct. 2 charging her for her role in an international alien smuggling conspiracy that brought aliens primarily from India into the United States across the northern border.
According to court records, U.S. Border Patrol agents interdicted the defendant’s vehicle near Churubusco, New York, in the early morning hours of Jan. 20. Upon encountering the defendant, U.S. Border Patrol located four foreign nationals inside her vehicle. Agents then determined the four men, three Indian nationals and one Canadian national, had just crossed the U.S.-Canadian border illegally, without inspection, in the freezing cold. When law enforcement later examined the defendant’s cellphone, they observed text messages that indicated that the defendant had been involved in multiple other smuggling ventures in the days prior. Since her January 2025 arrest, the defendant was subsequently stopped in a suspected alien smuggling venture in August 2025, and was implicated in alien smuggling as recently as September 2025.
According to the indictment, Taylor is charged with conspiring with others to engage in alien smuggling, and four counts of alien smuggling for profit, with three counts being second or subsequent offenses. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison per count of alien smuggling for profit, and additional time for second and subsequent offenses.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York made the announcement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rouse’s Point and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol Champlain Station are investigating the case. HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington D.C. and CBP’s International Interdiction Task Force provided significant assistance.
The investigation is a result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations and eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating within the Americas that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, the Northern District of New York, the District of Vermont, and the Southern District of Florida. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 425 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 375 U.S. convictions; more than 325 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations 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.
New York Woman Charged with Smuggling Aliens from Canada for ProfitRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Stacey Taylor, 42, of Plattsburgh, New York, appeared for an arraignment Monday after a federal grand jury in Albany returned an indictment on Oct. 2 charging her for her role in an international alien smuggling conspiracy that brought aliens primarily from India into the United States across the northern border.
According to court records, U.S. Border Patrol agents interdicted the defendant’s vehicle near Churubusco, New York, in the early morning hours of Jan. 20. Upon encountering the defendant, U.S. Border Patrol located four foreign nationals inside her vehicle. Agents then determined the four men, three Indian nationals and one Canadian national, had just crossed the U.S.-Canadian border illegally, without inspection, in the freezing cold. When law enforcement later examined the defendant’s cellphone, they observed text messages that indicated that the defendant had been involved in multiple other smuggling ventures in the days prior. Since her January 2025 arrest, the defendant was subsequently stopped in a suspected alien smuggling venture in August 2025, and was implicated in alien smuggling as recently as September 2025.
According to the indictment, Taylor is charged with conspiring with others to engage in alien smuggling, and four counts of alien smuggling for profit, with three counts being second or subsequent offenses. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison per count of alien smuggling for profit, and additional time for second and subsequent offenses.
Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York made the announcement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Rouse’s Point and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Border Patrol Champlain Station are investigating the case. HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington D.C. and CBP’s International Interdiction Task Force provided significant assistance.
The investigation is a result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations and eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating within the Americas that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border, the Northern District of New York, the District of Vermont, and the Southern District of Florida. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 425 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 375 U.S. convictions; more than 325 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.
Trial Attorney Chelsea Schinnour of the Criminal Division’s HRSP and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Stitt for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations 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.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Herkimer County Felon Sentenced to 88 Months for Possessing and Intending to Distribute Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm by a FelonRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michael Austin, age 47, of Frankfort, New York, was sentenced today to 88 months’ imprisonment for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing two firearms as a felon. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Austin admitted that between April 2024 and August 2024, he sold approximately 13 ounces of cocaine to one customer over the course of 7 transactions, and on August 15, 2024, he possessed an additional 78 grams of cocaine at his residence, which he intended to distribute to others. Austin further admitted that on July 26, 2024, he illicitly sold two handguns to that same customer despite having been convicted in federal court of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base in 2010. He was sentenced to 67 months’ imprisonment for that offense.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “Michael Austin didn’t learn his lesson after already spending years in federal prison. He continued to endanger the residents of Herkimer County by illegally peddling drugs and firearms. Today’s sentence sends the message to him and other would-be traffickers of drugs and firearms that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will relentlessly pursue dangerous criminals to keep our communities safe.”
Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo said: “Illegal firearms in the hands of convicted felons, combined with drug trafficking, create a cycle of danger that threatens every layer of our community. ATF and our law enforcement partners remain committed to stopping that cycle of violence. This sentencing reflects the power of collaboration—ATF NY Syracuse Field Office, DEA, New York State Police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office NDNY and the New Hartford Police Department working together to safeguard our communities.”
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed a 6-year term of post-release supervision.
ATF investigated the case, with assistance from DEA, NYSP Special Investigations Unit-Marcy, and the New Hartford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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Operation Catch Me if You Can: Nigerian Ringleader of Nationwide Bank Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracies Sentenced to Twenty Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Oluwaseun Adekoya, a/k/a “Ace G.,” a/k/a “BRODA,” a/k/a “Legendary,” a/k/a “SANTA,” a/k/a “SANTANA,” a/k/a “Sammy LaBanco,” a/k/a “Sean Maison,” a/k/a ”Kiing_maison,” age 40, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey, was sentenced yesterday to 20 years in prison. Earlier this year, a jury found Adekoya guilty of bank fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft after a three-week trial. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
Proof at trial established that from the comfort of his luxury apartment in New Jersey, Adekoya, a career fraudster, obtained publicly available information regarding people’s home equity lines of credit (“HELOCs”) at localized credit unions throughout the United States, shifting his focus over time to different parts of the country to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. He then utilized encrypted messaging platforms, like Telegram, to obtain Social Security numbers, account numbers, mother’s maiden names, and other personal identifying information (“PII”) for individuals he had identified as having substantial amounts of equity available in their HELOCs. Adekoya then gave this information to a vast web of managers he recruited from all over the country, along with fake driver’s licenses for lower-level workers to use to impersonate the HELOC customers and conduct withdrawal transactions on their accounts. To insulate himself from detection, Adekoya utilized a web of “burner” phones and encrypted messaging applications and laundered his substantial share of the proceeds through bank accounts in other people’s names. Adekoya also reinvested some of the proceeds into continuing the fraud scheme by purchasing air and bus travel for coconspirators, fake driver’s licenses, and rental cars used to drive workers to credit unions.
Adekoya, a citizen of Nigeria, previously obtained lawful permanent resident status in the United States in 2004. In sentencing Adekoya, U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino noted that Adekoya is a “a perpetual thief” and a “flagrant serial offender” who has orchestrated increasingly sophisticated felony identity-theft and fraud offenses since he started his criminal career in 2008 at the age of 22.
“For nearly two decades, Oluwaseun Adekoya abused the privilege of lawful permanent resident status to steal the identities of innocent Americans so he could live lavishly in our country, without an ounce of remorse,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone said. “Now he gets to spend two decades in prison, and he deserves every last day of his sentence. I look forward to his subsequent removal from the United States.”
Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Adekoya spent almost two decades of his life creating a massive criminal network that stole from hard-working Americans. This sentence ensures he’ll spend the next two decades of his life in federal prison. The FBI is grateful to the numerous law enforcement and banking institution partners who provided the assistance needed to take down Mr. Adekoya and his associates and ensure justice for the victims. We remain deeply committed to using every resource available to investigate and bring to justice any individual or organization focused on defrauding our citizens.”
The investigation into Adekoya began in May 2022, when Broadview Federal Credit Union (formerly CAP COM Federal Credit Union and State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU)), headquartered in Albany, identified a series of impersonation transactions at its branches in the Capital Region and referred the case to the FBI-Albany. The ensuing investigation led to the discovery of Adekoya as the mastermind of the nationwide operations and the prosecution of 13 additional coconspirators through a series of superseding indictments, all of whom pled guilty for their roles in the offenses prior to trial.
The defendant’s conspiracies were brought to a screeching halt by his federal arrest on an initial indictment on December 12, 2023. He has since been detained and the government twice superseded the indictment to add additional coconspirators and charges. Evidence at trial showed that when the FBI attempted to enter the defendant’s luxury apartment on December 12, 2023, to execute a federal search warrant, Adekoya wiped the primary phone he had used to orchestrate the conspiracy. Nonetheless, the FBI seized numerous “burner” phones used by Adekoya to perpetrate the charged crimes. The FBI also seized Rolex watches, a $51,000 Tiffany engagement ring, designer handbags and shoes, and approximately $26,000 in a bank account used by Adekoya to launder his proceeds. Those items and others have since been forfeited by the government.
As part of Adekoya’s sentence, he will also be required to serve five years of supervised release and pay restitution of over $2.2 million and a mandatory special assessment of $1,100. He is also subject to removal from the United States upon completion of his term of imprisonment.
The following codefendants previously pled guilty in connection with the conspiracies and were sentenced as follows:
- David Daniyan, a/k/a “Bamikole Laniyan,” a/k/a “David Enfield,” a/k/a “Africa,” age 61, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Daniyan was sentenced to 54 months’ incarceration, 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $2.2 million in restitution.
- Kani Bassie, a/k/a “$,” age 36, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and one count of aggravated identity theft. Bassie was sentenced to 11 years’ incarceration and 5 years of supervised release and will be ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined by the Court at a later date.
- Davon Hunter, a/k/a “Scams,” age 27, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Hunter was sentenced to 42 months’ incarceration, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $469,499.18 in restitution.
- Christian Quivers, a/k/a “Denzel Carter,” a/k/a “E,” age 20, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Quivers was sentenced to 42 months’ incarceration, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $385,650 in restitution.
- Jermon Brooks, a/k/a “JayB,” a/k/a “beezy,” age 20, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Brooks was sentenced to 36 months’ incarceration, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $385,650 in restitution.
- Akeem Balogun, age 56, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Brooks was sentenced to 21 months’ incarceration, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $262,200 in restitution.
- Victor Barriera, age 64, of Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Barriera was sentenced to time served, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $203,352 in restitution.
- Danielle Cappetti, age 46, of Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Cappetti was sentenced to time served, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $142,796 in restitution.
- Jerjuan Joyner, age 50, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Joyner was sentenced to 12 months’ incarceration, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $135,998 in restitution.
- Gaysha Kennedy, age 46, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Kennedy was sentenced to time served, 2 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $24,500.
- Crystal Kurschner, age 44, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Kurschner was sentenced to time served, 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $220,850 in restitution.
- Sherry Ozmore, age 56, of Richmond, Virginia, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Ozmore was sentenced to time served, 3 years of supervised release, and restitution in the amount of $229,303.18.
Codefendant Lesley Lucchese, age 53, of Manhattan, previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and is scheduled for sentencing next year.
FBI-Albany investigated the case and obtained invaluable assistance from numerous law enforcement agencies all over the country. Those include the FBI Field Offices in New York, Newark, Richmond, Chicago and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Brooklyn/Queens, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; La Crosse, Wisconsin; Fort Walton Beach, Florida; and York, Pennsylvania. Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; New York law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police; Cohoes PD; Colonie PD; Elmira PD; Corning PD; Plattsburgh PD; Albany County Sheriff’s Office; and Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies including the Pennsylvania State Police and Franklin County District Attorney’s Office; Alabama law enforcement agencies including the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gasden PD, and Rainbow City PD; Georgia law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow PD; Kansas law enforcement agencies including Lawrence PD and Overland Park PD; New Hampshire law enforcement agencies including Rochester PD, Manchester PD, and Amherst PD; the Delaware State Police; Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; the Virginia State Police; Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including Onalaska PD and Eau Claire PD; and Indiana law enforcement agencies including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark, Mathew M. Paulbeck, and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting this case.
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Union Ex-President Arrested on Theft and Wire Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kye Carbone, 68, of Athens, New York, was arrested on October 17, 2025, on an indictment charging him with 30 counts of wire fraud and theft from a labor union. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, made the announcement.
Between 2003 and 2023, Carbone served as the president of United Federation of College Teachers Local 1460, the union representing faculty members at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. As alleged in the indictment, Carbone stole over $290,000 from the Local between 2011 and 2023, when he was voted out of office. Carbone used the money for his personal expenses, restaurants and travel, and buying and renovating a property in Athens.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “As alleged, Carbone embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union he claimed to serve and used the money to fund his lifestyle and buy a home in the Hudson Valley. Upstate New York is a wonderful place to live. But if you steal money from a union, your next home will be a federal prison.”
Special Agent-in-Charge Mellone said: “An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving labor unions. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of fraudulent activity and protect the American worker.”
Carbone is charged with three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343, and 27 counts of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 501(c). The wire fraud charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine per count, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. The embezzlement charges carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000 per count, as well as up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Carbone was arraigned on October 17 in Albany, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista, and pled not guilty. He was released pending trial. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Walter is prosecuting the case.
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U.S. Attorney and Federal Law Enforcement Partners Meet with Rensselaer County and Troy Police Department OfficialsRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – In September, Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and key federal law enforcement partners met with Sheriff Kyle Bourgault of the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office; District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly of the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office; and Chief Daniel De Wolf of the City of Troy Police Department.
Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone stated: “Our law enforcement partners in Rensselaer County work tirelessly to keep our citizens safe, and their collaboration with my office and federal investigators has led to countless significant arrests and prosecutions. Together, we are making a difference every day, and I look forward to continuing our important work.”
Sherriff Bourgault stated: “Yesterday’s meeting with Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone reinforced the strength of our partnership. His commitment, combined with the hard work of our deputies and federal investigators, ensures that we are united in one mission—keeping our community safe. I am proud to continue this collaboration to protect the people of Rensselaer County.”
District Attorney Donnelly stated: “Rensselaer County looks forward to a continued partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and other federal law enforcement agencies, as we strive to do all that we can to prioritize public safety.”
Chief De Wolf stated: “Police work and keeping our communities safe have become increasingly difficult in recent years. Thankfully, we have great relationships with our federal law enforcement partners, including our U.S. Attorney’s Office. With the help of our federal partners, we have been able to enhance our crime fighting capabilities and arrest those committing crimes in our neighborhoods. The federal, state and local law enforcement agencies of Rensselaer County will always keep the safety of our citizens at the forefront, and our work together only strengthens our resolve.”
Pictured above (from left to right):
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremiah Healey, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Albany Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli, City of Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf, Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, Deputy U.S. Attorney Daniel Hanlon, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Criminal Chief Cyrus Rieck, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shane Nastoff.
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Representatives of the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Southern Districts of New York Meet with Rabbi Joel Friedman and Other Members of Federal Law Enforcement to Discuss Protecting the Jewish CommunityRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – This fall, Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III of the Northern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton of the Southern District of New York, and other top federal law enforcement officials met with Rabbi Joel Friedman in Manhattan to discuss the safety and security of the Jewish community.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “As Jewish people across the Northern District of New York observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, they can be sure that law enforcement is taking every action to protect their safety, security and well-being. Everyone has the right to practice their religion in peace. Any violent or threatening conduct, motivated by anti-Semitism, will be investigated, prosecuted, and punished.”
Rabbi Friedman stated: “At a time of increasing antisemitism and horrific attacks on Jews around New York, we are eternally grateful to our law enforcement partners who stand with us against hate crimes and other forms of discriminatory actions. Our federal law enforcement officers work hard every day to ensure the rights of all Americans and we are moved by their desire to protect Jews and minorities from hateful harm. We look forward to continued partnership and we wish everyone a peaceful and successful new year, filled with blessings for all people.”
From left to right:
Sean Buckley, Deputy U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York (SDNY)
FBI NY Assistant Special Agent in Charge Spencer Horn
Patrick Lin, SDNY U.S. Marshals Service, Acting Commander for the New York/ New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force (NYNJ/RFTF)
EDNY U.S. Marshal Vincent F. DeMarco
Yuri Babayev, Deputy U.S. Marshal for SDNY
NDNY Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone
Rabbi Joel Friedman
Jhovanny Gomez, Acting U.S. Marshal, SDNY
SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton
Homeland Security Investigations NY Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel
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Pennsylvania Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Involving Multiple Victims in Different StatesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Trevor Metterhauser, 41, of Pennsylvania, pled guilty on November 13, 2025, to attempted aggravated sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children, and multiple counts of possession of child pornography. The aggravated sexual abuse and sexual exploitation charges involve two toddlers (one located in upstate New York and the other in Texas).
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Metterhauser admitted that he was convicted of possessing child pornography in Pennsylvania in 2011. In November 2022, Metterhauser conspired with Brandon Whitford to sexually exploit an approximately 4-year-old girl in the Northern District of New York. Metterhauser traveled from his home in Pennsylvania to Whitford’s home in New York, where Metterhauser made recordings that depicted the child naked. Whitford sexually assaulted the child shortly after Metterhauser left, recorded that content, and sent it to Metterhauser.
In December 2022, the defendant agreed with Carlos Julian Ruiz to sexually assault an approximately 2-year-old child and to record that abuse. Metterhauser traveled from Pennsylvania to Texas to commit the assault and record his sexual abuse of the 2-year-old child.
When Metterhauser was arrested in the Northern District of New York in early 2023, he had with him multiple electronic devices that contained the recordings of his sexual assault of the Texas victim; child pornography he received from Whitford depicting the New York victim; and child pornography he obtained from the internet.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “The defendant’s admitted conduct is horrendous beyond description. This plea provides much needed finality and certainty for the victims and ensures that this dangerous predator never terrorizes another child. My office and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue pedophiles who target our innocent children for their own twisted sexual gratification.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Tremaroli stated: “Trevor Metterhauser is one of the most disturbing predators FBI Albany has investigated. His sinister crimes spanned multiple states, and the details of his abuse are truly horrific. His admission now ensures he will spend the rest of his life locked up in federal prison. Today, our thoughts are with the children he harmed through his appalling actions. The FBI remains fiercely dedicated to aggressively investigating dangerous predators like Mr. Metterhauser who victimize our most vulnerable.”
If the district court accepts the parties’ plea agreement, at sentencing on March 12, 2026, the defendant will receive a term of imprisonment of 80 years, a lifetime term of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000, forfeiture of devices used to commit the offenses, must pay restitution to the victims, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Whitford and Ruiz have each pled guilty to offenses related to their roles in the abuse of the victims.
FBI-Albany and FBI-San Antonio investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Gadarian and Benjamin A. Gillis are prosecuting it with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Nurse Practitioner Sentenced to 18 Months and Ordered to Pay over $160,000 in Restitution for Health Care Fraud and Unlawful Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III announced today that Anja Salamack, age 50, of Delray Beach, Florida, was sentenced in late October to 18 months in prison and a one-year period of home detention for submitting false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs and for issuing prescriptions for a controlled substance for non-medical purposes and outside the usual course of profession practice. The charges were part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
Salamack, formerly an Albany resident, was a psychiatric nurse practitioner who resided in Florida but claimed to be practicing in Albany. Salamack pled guilty to health care fraud for submitting false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs in New York State for health care services that she never provided, e.g. psychotherapy services, and evaluation and management services. Salamack caused $163,639.58 in losses. Salamack also pled guilty to unlawful drug distribution (also known as drug diversion), for issuing prescriptions for the controlled substance amphetamine (e.g. Adderall) for non-medical purposes and outside the usual course of professional practice. For instance, from November 2018 to May 2023, Salamack regularly prescribed amphetamine in the name of a person who had not been her patient since 2016. Salamack issued these prescriptions (108 in total) at the request of a relative of the former patient.
As part of her sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Ann M. Nardacci ordered that Salamack pay full restitution to the victims of her fraud along with a $10,000 fine and serve a two-year term of supervised release, to begin after her term of imprisonment. And in connection with her guilty plea, Salamack also surrendered her DEA registration (which had allowed her to prescribe controlled substances).
In a separate civil settlement agreement, Salamack admitted that she submitted claims to Medicare for psychotherapy services that were not rendered. She also admitted that she used $48,670 in Provider Relief Funds (PRF) for impermissible purposes. The PRF was money that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act had allocated to healthcare providers to pay for costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Salamack agreed to pay $188,850 to resolve her False Claims Act liability.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This medical professional abused the privilege of providing care to others, and now she will pay the price for it. Thanks to a thorough investigation by the DEA and HHS, Anja Salamack is out of business, will have to compensate her victims—including the federal government through her significant civil settlement—and spend over a year in a federal prison.”
“Anja Salamack’s actions were no different from those of any drug trafficker, when she knowingly chose to put profits above the health and well-being of those lives she took an oath to help” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “While Salamack’s sentencing of 18 months sends a message; the harmful effects from her actions of unlawfully prescribing the controlled substance amphetamine for non-medical purposes could last much longer. Health care professionals must and will be held accountable when wrongfully and illegally prescribing controlled substances.”
“The defendant in this case, a nurse practitioner, put patients’ well-being in jeopardy and exploited health care programs meant to benefit her community,” stated Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “HHS-OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect essential programs and hold accountable those whose actions could result in potential patient harm.”
The June 2025 charges were a part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants for their alleged participation in health care fraud and illegal drug diversion schemes that involved the submission of over $14.6 billion in alleged false billings and over 15.6 million pills of illegally diverted controlled substances. The defendants allegedly defrauded programs entrusted for the care of the elderly and disabled to line their own pockets. In connection with the takedown, the Government seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, and other assets.
The DEA’s Tactical Diversion Squad (TDS) investigated this case. TDS is comprised of DEA Special Agents and Diversion Investigators, as well as Investigators from the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and the Colonie Police Department assisted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph S. Hartunian and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett prosecuted the criminal case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Moran represented the United States in the civil matter.
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Manhattan Man Sentenced for Possessing Twenty-Two Kilograms of CocaineRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Sean Christianson, 45, of Manhattan, New York, was sentenced today to 151 months in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Christianson admitted that on February 25, 2025, he traveled from the New York City area to Liverpool, New York, with twenty-two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in his vehicle. Christianson intended to sell the cocaine in the Syracuse area. Law enforcement apprehended Christianson as he arrived in Liverpool. At the sentencing hearing, the evidence also established that Christianson maintained a New York City apartment for the purpose of drug distribution and illegally possessed firearms in connection with his drug activity.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, another drug dealer and a huge quantity of narcotics have been put away for a long time. Drug dealers will not get away with selling narcotics in the Northern District of New York.”
“Today’s sentencing of Sean Christianson sends a clear message to those individuals who are looking to flood our upstate communities with illicit narcotics and violence” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “The DEA and our law enforcement partners understand the harmful effects dangerous drugs have on our communities and we will continue do everything we can to make sure justice is delivered.”
United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to begin after Christianson is released from prison.
DEA investigated the case with assistance from the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Syracuse Police Department, and City of New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis prosecuted the case.
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Madison County Sex Offender Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Sex Offender Registration and Supervised Release ViolationsRead the Press Release
UTICA, NEW YORK – Floyd Wood, age 57, of DeRuyter, New York, was sentenced on October 8, 2025 to a total of 24 months in prison: 18 months for violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and a consecutive 6 months violating his conditions of federal supervised release.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia made the announcement.
In 2017 Wood was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, and 15 years of supervised release following his conviction for Coercion and Enticement of a 12-year-old child. He began his term of supervised release in November of 2023 upon his release from prison. Months later, Wood activated a second email account which he willfully failed to register with the Sex Offender Registry, as required by law. For months thereafter, Wood lied to his supervising Probation Officer about his email accounts, and the new account was only discovered when, during a home visit, Wood was found trying to hide an unauthorized smart phone from Probation Officers.
Following the terms of imprisonment, Wood will resume a term of supervised release for 10 years, during which he will again be obligated to follow his sex offender registration obligations.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone, III said: “Sex offender registration laws are designed for the protection of the public. They are simple to understand and follow. Any willful failure to strictly comply will be investigated and aggressively prosecuted by my office to ensure public safety.”
Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia stated: “The arrest of Floyd Wood highlights our continued commitment to locating and apprehending individuals who pose a threat to our communities. The U.S. Marshals Sex Offender Branch works closely with our federal, state, and local partners to track offenders and enforce sex offender registration requirements under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. These efforts are central to the mission of the U.S. Marshals Service. We remain fully dedicated to deploying the necessary resources to locate and apprehend non-compliant sex offenders nationwide, ensuring that those who violate federal law are brought to justice.”
The United States Marshal Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa M. Fletcher prosecuted both this case and Wood’s 2017 conviction, as a part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
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Jury Convicts New Rochelle Man of Pandemic Fraud and Identity TheftRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Aly Kaba, age 30, of New Rochelle, New York, was convicted on October 21, 2025 following a five-day trial of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft for fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits using stolen identities. Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before returning a guilty verdict on all counts.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge, Northeast Region, United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG), made the announcement.
The trial evidence showed that in late 2020, Kaba conspired with his former roommate, Tony Brobbey, and fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits from the New York State Department of Labor worth more than $150,000. To make the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, Kaba used multiple stolen identities, including a victim named J.F., a victim named J.M., as well as two men who died more than a decade before the pandemic. Kaba’s fraudulent claims sought more than $500,000 in benefits. The evidence also showed that Kaba used fraud proceeds on overseas travel and a Rolex watch.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated: “Kaba used stolen identities to fleece benefits programs intended to benefit workers during a desperate time. Thanks to the hard work of prosecutors in my office and each law enforcement agency involved in this task force, Kaba’s days of exotic travel on the taxpayers’ dime are over and his next trip will be to federal prison.”
USPIS Acting Inspector in Charge Nicholas Bucciarelli stated: “Mr. Kaba’s conviction should serve notice to anyone hoping to misuse the mail for fraudulent purposes. Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will vigorously investigate mail fraud, protect public funds, and bring perpetrators to justice.”
HSI Special Agent in Charge Keegan said: "This conviction reinforces HSI Albany's commitment, alongside our law enforcement partners, to protecting communities from fraud and ensuring that relief programs serve those who truly need them. We are proud to have successfully brought justice in a case that safeguards the public by preventing the exploitation of critical government resources."
USDOL-OIG Special Agent in Charge Jonathan R. Mellone stated: “Aly Kaba unlawfully profited from a scheme that used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain critical taxpayer funds intended for qualified individuals in need of unemployment insurance benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safeguarding the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains a top priority for the Office of Inspector General. We will continue to work closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to ensure the protection of U.S. Department of Labor programs and operations.”
Kaba’s sentencing is scheduled for February 27, 2026. The conspiracy and mail fraud charges each carry a maximum term of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a mandatory term of 2 years in prison, to be imposed consecutively to any other term of imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Brobbey previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. His sentencing is scheduled for January 7, 2026.
This case was investigated by USPIS, HSI, and USDOL-OIG, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New York Field Office and the New York State Department of Labor’s Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander P. Wentworth-Ping and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting the case.
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Former Prison Guards Sentenced to Prison for Assault on InmateRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Michael Williams, age 39, of Bloomingburg, New York, and Rohail Khan, age 28, of Utica, New York, have been sentenced to 21 months and 24 months in federal prison, respectively, for depriving an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility of his rights under color of law. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
When Williams and Khan pled guilty, they admitted to assaulting an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in April 2023, along with fellow correction officer Brandon Montanari, age 34, of East Concord, New York. Montanari, Williams, and Khan punched and kicked the inmate without cause in a hallway in the middle of the night, and they later agreed with each other to lie about what happened to internal investigators. After the beating, the inmate was forced to reveal the nature of his underlying criminal conviction to his fellow inmates, and within 24 hours the inmate was hospitalized after an attack by another inmate.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “It is despicable, cowardly, and dangerous for a group of corrections officers to assault a defenseless inmate without cause and then lie about it. My office will continue to prosecute those who abuse their badges in this way.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Williams and Mr. Khan violated the oath they swore to uphold as officers of the law. As they head to federal prison for their actions, the FBI remains committed to working with our partners to investigate and hold accountable any officer who abuses their position to deliberately cause harm to others.”
Montanari was previously sentenced to 37 months’ imprisonment for his role in the assault.
FBI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Michael D. Gadarian prosecuted the case.
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