Western District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Amherst businessman sentenced for COVID fraudRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today Hormoz Mansouri, 71, of Amherst, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and bank fraud, was sentenced to time served and five years’ supervised release, to include one year of home detention. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $3,197,562 and to forfeit $1,888,603.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who handled the case, stated that Mansouri filed fraudulent loan applications under both the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The loans available for these programs were designed to provide emergency financial assistance pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act). Mansouri controlled the following business entities which applied for loans:
- HLM Holding LLC,
- El Team Inc.,
- NPTS Inc.,
- 2060 Sheridan Drive LLC,
- 212 Holden Avenue LLC,
- 350 Old Niagara Falls Boulevard LLC,
- 47 East Amherst LLC, and
- 3600 Harlem Road LLC.
The PPP loans that the Mansouri-controlled entities obtained, either inflated or completely fabricated the average monthly payroll and six of the eight entities had no actual employees or payroll expenses at all. The total amount of money received from the fraudulent PPP loans totaled approximately $3,000,000. The Mansouri controlled entities also received approximately $450,600 in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). These loan applications falsely represented revenues and cost of goods sold. On May 28, 2021, the United States Attorney’s Office seized approximately $1,923,603 of the fraudulently obtained money.
Mansouri also moved the fraudulent PPP and EIDL funds between various bank accounts; commingling the proceeds with legitimate business revenues; and funding certain accounts, including a campaign account (in the name of “Mansouri for County Comptroller”).
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis.
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Two defendants sentenced for their roles in retail theft ring involving over a million dollars worth of stolen merchandiseRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that James Civiletti, 34, of Greece, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce, was sentenced to serve 14 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. In addition, co-defendant Chad Lewis Jr., 20, also of Greece, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, was also sentenced to serve 14 months in prsion.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that between December 2021, and October 17, 2024, Lewis, Jr. conspired with a group of serial larcenists, including Amanda Reeves and Shabon Banks, to engage in an ongoing retail theft conspiracy involving the New York Gold Diamond Pawn Shop. The pawn shop is owned and operated by another co-defendant Dominic Sprague and managed by Civiletti.
Lewis, Jr. and the other larcenists stole new-in-box items from store shelves on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis. They then sold the stolen goods to the pawn shop for a fraction of the actual retail value. The pawn shop, including Civiletti, then resold the stolen merchandise on eBay at much higher prices, resulting in significant profits. The pawn shop purchased 37,936 stolen new-in-box items from Lewis, Jr., Banks, and Reeves on more than 670 occasions, for which the larcenists were paid $290,000.00. The actual losses to the victim-retailers were approximately $1,160,000.00.
Reeves, Banks, and Sprague have also been convicted and are awaiting sentencing.
The sentencings are the culmination of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Internal Revenue Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter.
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Rochester woman going to prison for defrauding Social SecurityRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Wendy Stone, 63, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conversion/unlawful conveyance of government money, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who handled the case, stated that in December 2022, Victim 1 was a recipient of benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. On December 28, 2022, Victim 1 died at a residence in Rochester. Stone discovered Victim 1’s body days after Victim 1 died. She was also aware that Victim 1 collected SSI Program benefits. But rather than inform authorities of Victim 1’s death, Stone took Victim 1’s debit card and spent SSI Program money still being deposited into Victim 1’s account for her own benefit. In furtherance of this scheme, Stone used Victim 1’s social security number to activate a new debit card in the name of Victim 1. In order to conceal Victim 1’s death and continue receiving Victim 1’s SSI Program benefits, Stone moved Victim 1’s corpse into the basement of the residence Victim 1 died in. She wrapped Victim 1’s corpse in plastic, placed it in a recycling bin, and periodically poured bleach on it. Victim 1’s corpse remained in the basement from December 2022 to September 2023. Between January 2023 and September 2023, Stone improperly collected $7,902.00 in SSI Program benefits intended for Victim 1. In addition, on February 6, 2023, Stone recertified SNAP benefits. In her recertification, Stone stated that Victim 1 still resided with her. As a result of this false information, Stone received an additional $1,072.00 in SNAP benefits that she was not entitled to receive.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Amy Connelly and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.
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Honduran man pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Manuel Ramos-Godoy, 42, a citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to illegal re-entry. Ramos-Godoy was then sentenced to serve three months in federal prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fauzia K. Mattingly, who handled the case, stated that Ramos-Godoy is an alien without any legal status in the United States. In July 2006 and September 2014, he was physically removed from the United States pursuant to an order of removal. On May 13, 2025, Ramos-Godoy was found in Erie County while driving a vehicle in a hotel parking lot in Amherst, NY. He did not have any documents allowing him to be lawfully present in the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.
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Clarence man arrested, charged with attempting to have sex with a 12-year-oldRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Daniel Gregory, 33, of Clarence, NY, was arrested and charged with online enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on January 6, 2025, the North Tonawanda Police Department learned that a person named “Daniel Gregory” was sending messages to other Facebook users asking the following question: “You know any NT teens I could hook up with? 13-16” Detectives traced the messages to the defendant. On January 9, 2025, an undercover law enforcement officer created a Facebook profile under the name “Alexis Jones,” and sent Gregory a friend request, which he subsequently accepted. Gregory started sending messages to “Alexis Jones” via Facebook messenger. After sending messages, Gregory began attempting to video call “Alexis Jones” and asked for “Alexis Jones” to call him. No video calls were answered, all communication was done electronically through Facebook messenger. In the subsequent weeks, Gregory consistently attempted to coordinate a meeting with “Alexis Jones,” who he believed was 12 years old. He also repeatedly attempted to video call and sent explicit photos of himself to the undercover account. Some of the conversations between Gregory and the undercover law enforcement officer were sexual in nature.
On February 3, 2025, Gregory arranged to meet “Alexis Jones” at an apartment in the City of Tonawanda to engage in sexual activity. When Gregory arrived at the apartment, North Tonawanda detectives were waiting and took him into custody. They also seized Gregory’s cell phone.
In May 2019, Gregory was convicted of Harassment in the 2nd Degree, in Cheektowaga Town Court, for contacting a minor victim on social media, and attempting to pursue a romantic relationship with the minor for approximately two years.
Gregory made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was remanded back into the custody of New York State. Gregory is currently charged with attempted rape in Niagara County related to this case.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Rochester man going to prison for five years for arsonRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jermaine Fields, 38, of Rochester, NY, who pleaded guilty to arson, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Moynihan, who handled the case, stated that on April 17, 2024, the Rochester Fire Department received an alarm call from the Abundance Co-Op Market on South Avenue in Rochester, for a fire in the men’s bathroom. When firefighters arrived, they entered the bathroom and smelled an odor of burning rubber, but there were no flames visible. Firefighters did observe burned debris with burn patterns on the floor and on the wall behind the toilet. Law enforcement reviewed security camera footage from the store, which depicted a person later identified as Fields, walking throughout the store and entering the men’s bathroom and then exiting. The store fire alarm activated seconds later. Fields was arrested several days later and charged with arson. Fields has also admitted to starting papers on fire in one of the stairwells at the Hall of Justice on Exchange Boulevard in Rochester on April 5, 2024.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Fire Department, under the direction of Chief Stefano Napolitano, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division.
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Hamburg man charged with threatening a member of CongressRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gerald T. Przybylski, 78, of Hamburg, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with transmitting in interstate and foreign commerce, specifically using the internet, communications that contained threats to injure a member of Congress, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on June 13, 2025, Przybylski sent a threatening email to the office email account of a member of the United States House of Representatives (Victim). Among other things, the email stated, “You are obviously unaware of the movement to execute Trump and all his Republican sycophants, not assassination but legal execution under the Constitution of the United States, which you, Donald Trump, and all your Republican colleagues have refused to honor, you have betrayed your oath of office and are a TRAITOR!!!” The email also “You should be afraid for your life!!!” When interviewed by law enforcement, Przybylski stated, “I was probably trying to scare him.”
Przybylski made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia, the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Charles Perras, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, and the United States Capitol Police, under the direction of Chief Michael Sullivan.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Colombian man pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Edwuin Rogelio Lozano, 46, a citizen of Colombia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to illegal re-entry. Rogelio Lozano was then sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Fauzia K. Mattingly, who handled the case, stated that Rogelio Lozano is an alien without any legal status in the United States. In December 2020, he was physically removed from the United States pursuant to an order of removal. On April 6, 2025, Rogelio Lozano was found in Erie County. He was a passenger in a vehicle that was encountered by Department of Homeland Security agents at a local hotel. Rogelio Lozano admitted that he was illegally present in the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.
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Buffalo man pleads guilty to illegally possessing postal keysRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Fortino Pilier, 28, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of a postal service key which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that on October 23, 2024, Pilier was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by Erie County Sheriff’s deputies. During the traffic stop, Pilier fled from the vehicle and deputies pursued and arrested him. After he was arrested, Pilier was searched, and two United States Postal arrow keys were found in his pocket. An arrow key can be used to open authorized mail receptacles owned by the Postal Service. Pilier admitted that he planned to use the arrow keys to unlawfully access mail receptacles.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 14, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.
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Man from Dominican Republic pleads guilty, sentenced for forging an alien resident cardRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Miguel Nunez Carmona, 30, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to forged or falsely made alien resident card. He was hen sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas, who handled the case, stated that on April 23, 2025, during an encounter with U.S. Border Patrol Agents, Nunez Carmona admitted to being in the United States illegally. He had in his possession a United States Permanent Resident Card as proof of his identity and lawful status in the United States. The card contained Nunez Carmona’s photograph and biographical information, along with a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) number. Agents physically examined the resident card and found it to be fraudulent because of the lack of security measures that these cards are typically equipped with, blurry water marks, low quality background imaging, and improper fonts. A records check revealed that Nunez Carmona had never been issued permanent residency in the United States and the USCIS number did not come back to any individual. Nunez Carmona admitted to agents that the resident card was fraudulent.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.
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Honduran man charged with illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Petronilo Castillo Bonilla, 39, a citizen and national of Honduras, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Fauzia K. Mattingly, who are handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on June 24, 2025, Border Patrol agents encountered a vehicle in Buffalo, NY, which was registered to Castillo Bonilla, who was previously ordered removed from the United States. As agents approached two individuals, who were previously seen exiting the vehicle and were now returning to the vehicle, and asked if one was Castillo Bonilla, both individuals immediately ran in opposite directions. After a brief chase and struggle, agents were able to detain both individuals. When questioned about his citizenship and legal status in the United States, Castillo Bonilla did not provide any information for the agents. During a brief search of his clothing, a Honduran passport was discovered. Subsequent investigation determined that Castillo Bonilla is a citizen and national of Honduras, and not a citizen or national of the United States. He was physically removed from the United States in December 2018.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Castillo Bonilla made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Cheektowaga man charged with receipt of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned and indictment charging Roland Andrew, 63, of Cheektowaga, NY, with receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, in May 2025, the legal guardian of a 16-year-old minor female victim alerted Cheektowaga Police that numerous naked videos of the victim were sent to Andrew on the victim’s iPad. A review of the videos confirmed that they were child sexual abuse material. On May 7, 2025, Cheektowaga Police executed a search warrant at Andrew’s residence, seizing several items, including two three cellular devices, a tablet and a laptop. A review of the iPad recovered a text conversation between the victim and a telephone number, later identified as Andrew. During this conversation, the victim sent several videos which constitute child sexual abuse material.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Coons, and the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Mexican man charged with illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Oscar Leo Hernandez Sanchez, 37, a citizen and national of Mexico, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Sanchez was encountered by Customs and Border Protection at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry on the morning of June 26, 2025. He was occupying a tractor trailer in a no parking zone of the entrance to the Duty Free Shop. Sanchez then attempted to back down the ramp of the Peace Bridge, towards Interstate I-190. CBP officers made contact with the Sanchez out of concern that a traffic accident would occur. When asked for identification, he produced a Mexican Passport and a Mexican Consular Identification Document. Sanchez was then escorted to secondary to determine his immigration status in the United States. A records check determined that Sanchez was arrested and physically removed from the United States in December 2011.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Sanchez made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Medina man pleads guilty to possession of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kyle Stack, 39, of Medina, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2020, Stack possessed a cellular phone, which contained more than 4,000 images and videos of child pornography. The child pornography included prepubescent minors less than 12-years-old and images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In addition, Stack possessed a laptop, which contained more than 9,000 images and videos of child pornography.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 7, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.
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Chinese national pleads guilty to falsifying material facts, is sentencedRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jiaxuemo Zhang, 30, of Arizona, pleaded guilty to falsifying, concealing, or covering up a material fact and was sentenced to time served by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. Zhang was then turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that Zhang is a Chinese national who had been studying at the State University of New York at Buffalo (U.B.) under an F-1 non-immigrant visa issued by the U.S. Department of State in 2021. In June 2021, Zhang applied for the visa at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China, stating that he would be attending U.B. and would be majoring in aerospace engineering. However, Zhang failed to include that he had conducted research and studied at Beihang University in China, between approximately September 2017 and December 2019. Beihang University implements or supports the People’s Republic of China’s “military-civil fusion strategy.” Specifically, he conducted research in the Fluid Mechanics Key Laboratory of Education Ministry and the National Laboratory for Computational Fluid Dynamics. Individuals who have a current or prior affiliation with, among other schools, Beihang University, are prohibited from entering the United States by Presidential Proclamation 10043. The State Department would therefore have denied Zhang’s application for an F-1 student non-immigrant visa.
The plea and sentencing are the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Mark Grimm, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, under the direction of Resident Agent-in-Charge Stephen Kaiser, and Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
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Former bank employee arrested, charged with illegally accessing customer accounts and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollarsRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Damani Brown, 28, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, access device fraud and conspiracy to commit access device fraud, computer fraud and conspiracy to commit computer fraud, and bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in August 2024, a Rochester area bank reported to the FBI that, over a couple of weeks in July and August, someone accessed the online accounts of approximately 12 customers and transferred funds out of those accounts. Following an internal review, the bank determined that Brown, a bank employee, used his employee credentials to look up each of the victim accounts around the time that the accounts were unlawfully accessed. Brown was able to see whether the victim customers had ever registered their online accounts, their bank member number and social security number. Shortly after Brown performed a lookup, a co-conspirator registered the victim customer’s online account.
In total, Brown and/or his co-conspirator transferred approximately $477,000 from the 12 accounts without the knowledge or consent of the customers. The money was transferred to other, third-party accounts at the bank, and ultimately, approximately $327,000 was withdrawn as cash from various local branches or funds were transferred through CashApp. Within a few days of these fraudulent transfers, a number of the victims contacted the bank to report the unauthorized activity on their accounts.
In January 2025, the FBI obtained a warrant to search Google Accounts associated with the thefts. Investigators recovered verification emails sent from the bank containing one-time password codes and notification emails sent from the bank with updates regarding the online accounts, including email updates, password resets, and account freezes.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Ransomville man going to prison on child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that John Stuart, 37, of Ransomville, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison and 25 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Stuart must also register as a sex offender.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Gestring, who handled the case, stated that in August 2019, the FBI received a lead indicating that in May 2019, an online user accessed child sexual abuse and exploitation material via a website on the Tor network. Subsequent investigation traced the IP address to Stuart. In October 2020, a search warrant was executed at Stuart’s residence, during which law enforcement seized multiple electronic devices, including two laptop computers, a cell phone, a hard drive, and a desktop computer tower. A forensic review recovered approximately 8,000 videos and approximately 2,000 images of child pornography on one of the laptops, and approximately 150 images and one video of child pornography on the second laptop. Approximately 90 images and 150 videos of child pornography were recovered from the cell phone and approximately 90 images and two videos on the hard drive. Some of the images included depictions of violence against children.
Stuart also admitted that during the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement recovered live marijuana plants, more than a pound of dried marijuana ready for consumption, and that he was a chronic user of marijuana. Stuart was also found to be in possession of three firearms. Because he was a user of controlled substances, Stuart was legally prohibited from owning or possessing firearms.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Coons.
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Ecuadorian man pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today Lorenzo Antonio Loja-Castro, 23, a citizen of Ecuador, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to illegal re-entry. He was then sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas, who handled the case, stated that Loja-Castro is an alien without any legal status in the United States. On May 7, 2024, he arrested and detained by United States Border Patrol agents near Middleport, NY. On July 2, 2024, Loja-Castro was physically removed from the United States. On March 26, 2025, he was found in Erie County, New York. When approached by Department of Homeland Security Agents and asked about his immigration status, Loja-Castro admitted to being in the United States illegally and did not have any immigration documents allowing him to enter or remain in the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
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Tonawanda doctor pleads guilty for his role in prescription scamRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that William Stephan, 65, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of misprision of felony, was sentenced to one year probation and 100 hours community service by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that Stephan is a medical doctor with a family practice located in Tonawanda, NY. In April 2015, Stephan was asked by Erik Berg to sign prescriptions for compounded medications. Over a several-month period, he signed compounded prescriptions for 19 patients. When Berg presented these prescriptions to Stephan, they had already been filled out, as well as the number of refills. Stephan then typically signed these prescriptions based on Berg's representation that the patient had a medical need for the prescription(s). When signing the prescriptions, Stephan did not take note of any refills he was authorizing. Prescriptions signed by Stephan for these patients were refilled more than 500 times. None of the 19 patients were Stephan’s patients.
The compounded medications prescribed by Stephan carried substantial reimbursement rates, which averaged more than $16,000 per prescription. Health care benefit programs paid $8,750,315 in reimbursement for the prescriptions, including refills. Pharmacy benefit managers providing the prescriptions signed by Stephan, would not have approved the prescriptions for reimbursement if they had known that Berg had presented the prescriptions to Stephan already filled out, the compound formula did not address the particular medical needs of a particular patient, but rather to obtain the highest reimbursement from the insurance companies, and that Berg knew that Stephan did not have a doctor-patient relationship with the individual for whom the prescription was written.
In addition, Stephan signed compounded prescriptions for other individuals, including Scott Trapp and Michael Luehrsen.
In June 2016, Express Scripts, Inc. performed an audit of certain prescriptions written by Stephan. During the audit, he and Berg completed audit forms on which Stephan stated that he had written and signed certain prescriptions for compounded medications, concealing the fact that he had not, in fact, written out the prescriptions, and that he did not have a doctor-patient relationship with the patients.
Berg and Luehrsen were previously convicted and awaiting sentencing. Trapp was previously convicted and sentenced.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
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Jamestown man pleads guilty to enticing travel to engage in sexual activityRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Anthony Burris, 34, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to two counts of enticing travel to engage in sexual activity, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins, who is handling the case, stated that between January and March 11, 2021, Burris coerced Victim 1, a woman suffering from drug addiction, to perform commercial sex acts. He did so by threatening the use of physical violence, and by supplying, and at times withholding, quantities of controlled substances. Burris, who knew Victim 1 was physically addicted to controlled substances, also provided transportation, housing, a cellular phone, and food to Victim 1, who was homeless during this time. In exchange, Victim 1 performed commercial sex acts and gave the proceeds to Burris, who posted online advertisements on Skipthegames.com, which contained sexually suggestive photographs of Victim 1. Burris then transported Victim 1 to various locations in the Western District of New York and elsewhere, including to Pennsylvania, to engage in these commercial sex acts.
Between June 2020, and March 11, 2021, Burris coerced a second victim (Victim 2) to perform commercial sex acts, once again threatening physical violence, and providing money for the purchase of controlled substances, and by supplying, and at times withholding, quantities of controlled substances. Like Victim 1, Burris knew Victim 2 was physically addicted to controlled substances and homeless. Victim 2 performed commercial sex acts and gave the proceeds to the defendant. Burris also posted ads for Victim 2 on Skipthegames.com and transported Victim 2 to various locations in the Western District of New York and elsewhere, including Pennsylvania, to perform commercial sex acts.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin, and the Millcreek, PA, Police Department, under the direction of Chief Carter Mook.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2025, before Judge Skretny.
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Ecuadorian man charged with illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today Segundo Juan Maynato-Guaman, a/k/a Segundo Juan Mainato-Guaman, 46, a citizen of Ecuador, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on June 25, 2025, Rochester Border Patrol Agents conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle that Maynato-Guaman was driving at the intersection of Brockport-Spencerport Road and Washington Street. When asked for citizenship, he responded, “Ecuador.” Maynato-Guaman voluntarily presented the agent with a New York State identification card which displayed the name Segundo Mainato-Guaman. When asked if he was present in the United States illegally, Maynato-Guaman replied, “yes, I do not have any documents.” A subsequent records check determined that in December 2009, Maynato-Guaman was physically removed from the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Maynato-Guaman made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Colleen D. Holland and was detained.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Juan Ramirez, Jr.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Prior sex offender going to prison for more than 38 years for raping a 14-year-oldRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kelvin Hunt, 48, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of production of child pornography following a prior conviction, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, was sentenced to serve 465 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who handled the case, stated that in March 1995, Hunt was convicted in Monroe County Court of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison. On February 2, 2024, he entered the home of a 14-year-old minor victim in Rochester, and forcibly raped her. Hunt then took the minor victim’s cell phone and took sexually explicit photos of her. After producing the pornographic images, Hunt forced the minor victim to another location, where he forcibly raped her again. On February 4, 2024, law enforcement located Hunt, took him into custody, and executed a search warrant on the hotel room he was staying in. Investigators seized a loaded semi-automatic handgun, and approximately 71 grams of heroin.
The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, and the United States Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.
Lancaster man who led law enforcement on high speed chase sentencedRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Da’Ron Lipscomb, 33, of Lancaster, NY, who was convicted of high speed flight from an immigration checkpoint, was sentenced to serve six months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who handled the case, stated that on June 26, 2024, Lipscomb was driving a vehicle that approached the primary inspection booth at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry in Buffalo. At the primary inspection booth, he was directed by a Customs and Border Protection officer to report for secondary inspection. Instead of presenting his vehicle for secondary inspection, Lipscomb drove through the Peace Bridge Port of Entry and onto the I-190, in excess of the posted speed. He was followed by marked CBP vehicles. Lipscomb lost control of, and crashed, his vehicle.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
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Jamestown man sentenced on meth chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Raymond Medina, 19, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna M. Duncan, who is handling the case, stated that on the evening of February 28, 2024, Jamestown Police were dispatched to a residence for a domestic incident where the resident had a valid order of protection against Medina. When they arrived, officers observed Medina leaving the residence. An officer made contact with Medina, who immediately became argumentative and began to back away. When the officer attempted to detain him, Medina pulled away. The officer advised Medina to stop, but he refused and yelled “I don't got nothing bro.” It appeared to the officer that Medina was reaching towards his waistband. Medina then fled on foot. The officer deployed his taser with negative results. A perimeter was set up and officers used footprints in the snow and a K-9 to track Medina, who was located balled up on the ground behind a shed, attempting to conceal himself. He was taken into custody without further incident. Along the route that Media fled, officers recovered a quantity of suspected methamphetamine, packaged for individual sale.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Jamestown Police Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division.
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Jamestown man arrested, charged with threatening to kill a Homeland Security AgentRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Matthew White, 43, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with communicating interstate threats, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 30, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations in Buffalo learned that an “X” account, believed to be operated by White, was engaged in publicly posting threats to federal immigration agents and administrators employed by the Department of Homeland Security. On June 4, 2025, White voluntarily spoke with investigators and allowed them to extract and copy the contents of his phone. Investigators recovered a number of threatening posts on “X” including:
- On April 18, 2025, White posted, “Kill them all, ICE is the new age gestapo, stop them.”
- On April 29, 2025, White shared a video clip of Border Czar Tom Homan posted by an “X” user “America,” and commented, “Then understand that if your ICE agents don’t show proof of identity and a signed warrant, we will kill them.”
- In late April, 2025, White posted multiple threatening and violent public comments in response to coverage of several ICE arrest operations, including an ICE arrest operation inside a Virginia courthouse that occurred in April 2025. White posted, “I can’t wait to put a bullet into this guy’s brain, but first his children.”
White made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Genesee County man pleads guilty to multiple charges, including possession of machine gunsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Timothy Tundo, 62, of Bethany, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute LSD, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of machine guns. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Stacey Jacovetti, who are handling the case, stated that in February 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Tundo’s residence in Bethany, which he maintained to manufacture and distribute controlled substances. During the search they seized quantities of LSD, oxycodone, and marijuana, two machine guns, three assault weapons, 12 long guns, five pistols, a cap gun, ammunition, magazines, $2,500 in cash, and drug paraphernalia.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Genesee County Sherriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph Graff, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.
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Former Rochester area teacher pleads guilty to child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kevin Burns, 45, of Irondequoit, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that on November 5, 2024, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at the Burns’ residence in Irondequoit, because of a child pornography file he uploaded to Bing Image. During the search, electronic devices were seized, including a computer. More than 450 images of child pornography were found on the computer. Some of the images depicted violence against children and the sexual exploitation of an infant or toddler.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vacca.
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Federal grand jury indicts Buffalo man on multiple drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Giovanni Ortiz, 31, of Buffalo, NY, with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, in May 2024, HSI and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the drug trafficking activities of Ortiz, which included a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Ortiz. The investigation also determined that Ortiz was utilizing multiple residences for his drug trafficking activities. On August 6, 2024, investigators executed search warrants at residences associated with Ortiz on West Avenue, Rhode Island and Jersey Streets. During the searches, they seized two loaded firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition, magazines, quantities of suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl, $2,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia. A quantity of cocaine was also seized from Ortiz’s vehicle.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Webster man awaiting sentencing on fraud charge pleads guilty to new federal chargesRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Timothy Siverd, 37, of Webster, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, which carry a maximum penalty of 22 years in prison and a $250,00 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who is handling the case, stated thatbetween November 2022, and September 19, 2024, Siverd operated and controlled ROC Scrubby LLC, a residential and commercial cleaning services company. During that time, Siverd overbilled ROC Scrubby clients for cleaning services that were not performed. He would manually change appointments on ROC Scrubby’s booking software without client permission to increase the amount each client would be billed, however employees would not perform the more expensive services. He used, without lawful authority, client credit card numbers to overbill his clients.
Siverd committed this offense while on supervised release for another financial fraud scheme. In April 2024, he pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud for his involvement in the separate scheme and is awaiting sentencing on that charge.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 28, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
Rochester man who lured minor to hotel for sex pleads guiltyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jonathan Woody, 31, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor, before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, maximum penalty of life and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2024, Woody engaged in sexually explicit online and text communications with a 13-year-old child that he met on social media. On January 2, 2024, Woody paid to transport the child to a hotel in Greece, NY, where he rented a room. While at the hotel, Woody provided alcohol and marijuana and engaged in sexual acts with the child. After realizing that the child was missing from home, the child’s family called 911 to initiate a missing person investigation. The child returned home, at which time law enforcement learned of Woody’s interactions with the child. Subsequent investigation resulted in the identification and arrest of Woody.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Wood, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 30, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
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National Health Care Fraud Takedown results in 324 defendants charged in connection with over $14.6 billion in alleged fraudRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — Today, United States Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced criminal charges were brought against Dr. Joel Durinka, and a civil action was filed against Dr. Enaame Farrell in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare. Both matters involved prescribing durable medical equipment (DME) that were not medically necessary. Their conduct resulted in Medicare paying millions of dollars for DME that were not medically necessary. The two matters are part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“This record-setting Health Care Fraud Takedown delivers justice to criminal actors who prey upon our most vulnerable citizens and steal from hardworking American taxpayers,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Make no mistake – this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities.”
Fraud, waste and abuse targeting Medicare impacts all taxpayers who fund the program,” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “This office will not hesitate to pursue those who defraud government programs funded by taxpayer dollars.”
Joel Durinka, 40, of Orchard Park, NY, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and false statements relating to health care matters in connection with a telehealth/durable medical equipment (“DME”) scheme. As alleged in the indictment, Durinka, a medical doctor, billed Medicare for audio-only telehealth visits that were either brief or did not occur at all. Durinka billed Medicare approximately $5.6 million for these fraudulent telehealth visits. It was also part of the scheme that, for the same beneficiaries, Durinka produced and maintained false and fictitious medical records and fraudulently certified orders for braces without regard to the braces’ medical necessity. Durinka billed Medicare approximately $29.6 million for these fraudulent DME orders. The government has seized $325,683.07 in money from Durinka. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evan Glaberson and David M. Coriell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
Enaame Farrell, 50, of Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, was subject to a civil complaint alleging violations of the False Claims Act, as well as other common law causes of action, in connection with scheme to defraud Medicare by causing the submission of false and fraudulent claims for which Medicare paid approximately $3.4 million. As alleged in the complaint, Farrell, a licensed medical doctor, ordered items and services, including durable medical equipment, for Medicare beneficiaries without speaking with or examining the beneficiaries, signing pre-populated order forms within seconds of accessing the beneficiaries’ medical records. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The Justice Department today announced the results of its 2025 takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants, including 96 doctors, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals, in 50 federal districts and 12 State Attorneys General’s Offices across the United States, for their alleged participation in various health care fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended loss. The Takedown involved federal and state law enforcement agencies across the country and represents an unprecedented effort to combat health care fraud schemes that exploit patients and taxpayers.
Demonstrating the significant return on investment that results from health care fraud enforcement efforts, the government seized over $245 million in cash, luxury vehicles, cryptocurrency, and other assets as part of the coordinated enforcement efforts. As part of the whole-of-government approach to combating health care fraud announced today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced that it successfully prevented over $4 billion from being paid in response to false and fraudulent claims and that it suspended or revoked the billing privileges of 205 providers in the months leading up to the Takedown. Civil charges against 20 defendants for $14.2 million in alleged fraud, as well as civil settlements with 106 defendants totaling $34.3 million, were also announced as part of the Takedown.
Today’s Takedown was led and coordinated by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Department of Justice Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and its core partners from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The cases were investigated by agents from HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies. The cases are being prosecuted by Health Care Fraud Strike Force teams from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, 50 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, and 12 State Attorneys General Offices.
“As part of making healthcare accessible and affordable to all Americans, HHS will aggressively work with our law enforcement partners to eliminate the pervasive health care fraud that bedeviled this agency under the former administration and drove up costs,” said Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the Department of Health and Human Services.
“The Criminal Division is intensely committed to rooting out health care fraud schemes and prosecuting the criminals who perpetrate them because these schemes: (1) often result in physical patient harm through medically unnecessary treatments or failure to provide the correct treatments; (2) contribute to our nationwide opioid epidemic and exacerbate controlled substance addiction; and (3) do all of that while stealing money hardworking Americans contribute to pay for the care of their elders and other vulnerable citizens,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The Division’s Health Care Fraud Unit and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices stand united with our law enforcement partners in this fight, and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the integrity of our health care programs for the American people.”
“Health care fraud drains critical resources from programs intended to help people who truly need medical care,” said Director Kash Patel of the FBI. “Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to pursuing those who exploit the system for personal gain. With more than $13 billion in fraud uncovered, this is the largest takedown for this initiative to date. Together, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold those accountable who steal from the American people and undermine our health care systems.”
Transnational Criminal Organizations
29 defendants were charged for their roles in transnational criminal organizations alleged to have submitted over $12 billion in fraudulent claims to America’s health insurance programs.
For instance, a nationwide investigation known as Operation Gold Rush resulted in the largest loss amount ever charged in a health care fraud case brought by the Department. These charges were announced in the Eastern District of New York, the Northern District of Illinois, the Central District of California, the Middle District of Florida, and the District of New Jersey against 19 defendants. Twelve of these defendants have been arrested, including four defendants who were apprehended in Estonia as a result of international cooperation with Estonian law enforcement and seven defendants who were arrested at U.S. airports and the U.S. border with Mexico, cutting off their intended escape routes as they attempted to avoid capture.
The organization allegedly used a network of foreign straw owners, including individuals sent into the United States from abroad, who, acting at the direction of others using encrypted messaging and assumed identities from overseas, strategically bought dozens of medical supply companies located across the United States. They then rapidly submitted $10.6 billion in fraudulent health care claims to Medicare for urinary catheters and other durable medical equipment by exploiting the stolen identities of over one million Americans spanning all 50 states and using their confidential medical information to submit the fraudulent claims. As alleged, the organization exploited the U.S. financial system by laundering the fraudulent proceeds and deploying a range of tactics to circumvent anti-money laundering controls to transfer funds into cryptocurrency and shell companies located abroad. The arrests announced today also include a banker who facilitated the money laundering of fraud proceeds on behalf of the organization through a U.S.-based bank.
The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team and its partners detected the anomalous billing through proactive data analytics, and HHS-OIG and CMS successfully prevented the organization from receiving all but approximately $41 million of the approximately $4.45 billion that was scheduled to be paid by Medicare. HHS and CMS intend to seek to return the $4.41 billion in escrow to the Medicare trust fund for needed medical care. The scheme nonetheless resulted in payments of approximately $900 million from Medicare supplemental insurers. To date, law enforcement has seized approximately $27.7 million in fraud proceeds as part of Operation Gold Rush.
In another action involving foreign influence, charges were filed in the Northern District of Illinois against five defendants, including two owners and executives of Pakistani marketing organizations, in connection with a $703 million scheme in which Medicare beneficiaries’ identification numbers and other confidential health information were allegedly obtained through theft and deceptive marketing. The defendants allegedly used artificial intelligence to create fake recordings of Medicare beneficiaries purportedly consenting to receive certain products. According to court documents, the beneficiaries’ confidential information was then illegally sold to laboratories and durable medical equipment companies, which used this unlawfully obtained and fraudulently generated data to submit false claims to Medicare. Certain defendants controlled dozens of nominee-owned durable medical equipment companies and laboratories that allegedly submitted fraudulent claims for products and services the beneficiaries did not request, need, or receive. Certain defendants also allegedly conspired to conceal and launder the fraud proceeds from bank accounts they controlled in the United States to bank accounts overseas. In total, the defendants caused approximately $703 million in alleged fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, which paid approximately $418 million on those claims. The government seized approximately $44.7 million from various bank accounts related to this case.
Finally, a defendant based in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates who owned a billing company allegedly orchestrated a scheme to prey upon vulnerable individuals in need of addiction treatment by conspiring with treatment center owners to fraudulently bill Arizona Medicaid approximately $650 million for substance abuse treatment services. According to court documents, some of the services billed were never provided, while other services were provided at a level that was so substandard that it failed to serve any treatment purpose. As part of the conspiracy, treatment center owners allegedly paid illegal kickbacks in exchange for the referral of patients recruited from the homeless population and Native American reservations. The defendant received at least $25 million of ill-gotten Arizona Medicaid funds as a result of the conspiracy and is charged with a money laundering offense for his alleged use of those funds to purchase a $2.9 million home located on a golf estate in Dubai.
Fraudulent Wound Care
Charges were filed in the District of Arizona and the District of Nevada against seven defendants, including five medical professionals, in connection with approximately $1.1 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health care benefit programs for amniotic wound allografts. As alleged, certain defendants targeted vulnerable elderly patients, many of whom were receiving hospice care, and applied medically unnecessary amniotic allografts to these patients’ wounds. Many of the allografts allegedly were applied without coordination with the patients’ treating physicians, without proper treatment for infection, to superficial wounds that did not need this treatment, and to areas that far exceeded the size of the wound. Certain defendants allegedly received millions in illegal kickbacks from the fraudulent billing scheme.
“Today's unprecedented enforcement action demonstrates that CMS and our federal partners are united in our mission to protect the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid by crushing waste, fraud, and abuse," said Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz of CMS. "Every dollar we prevent from going to fraudsters is a dollar that stays in the system to serve legitimate beneficiaries. Through advanced data analytics, real-time monitoring, and swift administrative action, CMS is leading the fight to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and the trust Americans place in these vital programs. We're not waiting for fraud to happen—we're stopping it before it starts."
Prescription Opioid Trafficking
74 defendants, including 44 licensed medical professionals, were charged across 58 cases in connection with the alleged illegal diversion of over 15 million pills of prescription opioids and other controlled substances. For example, five defendants associated with one Texas pharmacy were charged with the unlawful distribution of over 3 million opioid pills. As alleged, the defendants conspired to distribute massive quantities of oxycodone, hydrocodone, and carisoprodol, which were subsequently trafficked by street-level drug dealers, generating large profits for the defendants. This coordinated action is a continuation of the Health Care Fraud Unit’s systematic approach to stopping drug trafficking organizations and their pharmaceutical wholesale suppliers, which together have fueled an epidemic of prescription opioid abuse for nearly a decade.
DEA also announced today that in the last six months, DEA charged 93 administrative cases seeking the revocation of pharmacies, medical practitioners, and companies’ authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances.
“Health care fraud isn’t just theft — it’s trafficking in trust. Today’s announcement shows that when doctors become drug dealers and treatment centers become profit-driven fraud rings, DEA will act,” said Acting Administrator Robert Murphy of the DEA. “We’re targeting the entire ecosystem of fraud — from pill mills in Texas to kickback clinics exploiting Native communities. If you abuse your medical license to push poison or pad your pockets, we will hold you accountable.”
Telemedicine and Genetic Testing Fraud
In today’s Takedown, 49 defendants were charged in connection with the submission of over $1.17 billion in allegedly fraudulent claims to Medicare resulting from telemedicine and genetic testing fraud schemes. For example, in the Southern District of Florida, prosecutors charged an owner of telemedicine and durable medical equipment companies with a $46 million scheme in which Medicare beneficiaries were allegedly targeted through deceptive telemarketing campaigns and then fraudulent claims were submitted to Medicare for durable medical equipment and genetic tests for these beneficiaries. The Department continues to focus on eliminating health care fraud schemes that depend on telemedicine, including schemes involving fraudulent claims for genetic testing, durable medical equipment, and COVID-19 tests.
Other Health Care Fraud Schemes
The other cases announced today charge an additional 170 defendants with various other health care fraud schemes involving over $1.84 billion in allegedly false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies for diagnostic testing, medical visits, and treatments that were medically unnecessary, provided in connection with kickbacks and bribes, or never provided at all. For example, in the Western District of Tennessee, prosecutors charged three defendants, including business owners and a pharmacist, with a $28.7 million scheme to defraud the Federal Employees’ Compensation Fund by allegedly billing for medications for injured United States Postal Service employees that were never prescribed by a licensed practitioner and largely were not dispensed as claimed. And in the Western District of Washington and the Northern District of California, prosecutors charged medical providers with allegedly stealing fentanyl and hydrocodone, respectively, that was meant for the providers’ patients, including child patients in need of anesthesia.
“VA’s Integrated Veteran Care Programs provide critical community-based health care to our nation’s disabled veterans and their dependents,” said Acting Inspector General David Case of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG). “Robust oversight of VA’s health care system is one of VA-OIG’s highest priorities. VA-OIG is committed to holding accountable those who defraud government benefits programs intended to care for our nation’s heroes.”
Breaking Down Silos in the Fight Against Health Care Fraud
In connection with the coordinated nationwide law enforcement operation, the Department is announcing that it is working closely with HHS-OIG, FBI, and other agencies to create a Health Care Fraud Data Fusion Center to bring together experts from the Department’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, Health Care Fraud Unit Data Analytics Team; HHS-OIG; FBI; and other agencies to leverage cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics to identify emerging health care fraud schemes. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team was established in 2018 to enhance the Unit’s ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute complex health care fraud schemes. Joining forces with data analysts from HHS-OIG, FBI, and other partners will increase efficiency, detection, and rapid prosecution of emerging health care fraud schemes. It will also implement the President’s Executive Order Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos (Exec. Order No. 14243, 3 C.F.R. 294 (2025)) by reducing duplicative data teams, increasing operational efficiency through a whole-of-government approach, and leveraging cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other agency resources.
Principal Assistant Deputy Chief Jacob Foster, Assistant Deputy Chief Rebecca Yuan, Trial Attorney Miriam L. Glaser Dauermann, and Data Analyst Elizabeth Nolte, all of the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, led and coordinated this year’s Takedown. The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Texas Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the District of Arizona, Central District of California, Northern District of California, Southern District of California, District of Columbia, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Georgia, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern District of Kentucky, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nevada, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Western District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, District of North Dakota, Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, District of South Carolina, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Washington, and Northern District of West Virginia; and State Attorneys General’s Offices for California, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wisconsin. The Health Care Fraud Unit’s Data Analytics Team used cutting-edge data analytics to identify and support the investigations that led to these charges.
In addition to FBI, HHS-OIG, DEA, and CMS, HSI, VA-OIG, IRS Criminal Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Department of Labor, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies participated in the operation. The Medicaid Fraud Control Units of California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin also participated in the investigation of many of the federal and state cases announced today.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Forces. Prior to the charges announced as part of today’s nationwide Takedown and since its inception in March 2007, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force, which operates in 27 districts, charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurers more than $27 billion.
An indictment, information, or complaint 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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The following materials related to today’s announcement are available on the Health Care Fraud Unit’s website through these links:
• Graphics and Resources
• Case Descriptions
• Court Documents
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Lockport man connected to global sex trafficking network going to prisonRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Richard Greer, 58, of Lockport, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison and 25 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who handled the case stated that between April 2019, and August 14, 2023, Greer used Skype to communicate with individuals operating a child-sex-trafficking network from the Philippines. During this period, he exchanged approximately 31,000 messages, 3,099 calls, and 213 media files with the traffickers. The chat conversations discussed, among other things, the sale of live-streaming depictions of child pornography. During some of the conversations, Greer received images of children engaged in sexual activities. Greer would often pay the traffickers for the child pornography that he received.
In December 2023, federal agents executed a search warrant at Greer’s residence, seizing several electronic devices, including a laptop, and a thumb drive. A review of the laptop recovered more than 4,400 images and 44 video files of child pornography and a review of the thumb drive recovered approximately 13,000 images and 900 videos of child pornography. Some of the images and videos included depictions of violence against children and sexual abuse or exploitation of infants or toddlers.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
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Two Buffalo men charged with fentanyl possessionRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Antonio Martinez, 43, and Dominic Daniels, 38, both of Buffalo, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. In addition, Daniels is charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Martinez and Daniels were identified as individuals believed to be engaged in narcotics trafficking during an investigation by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. On June 25, 2025, a search warrant was executed for vehicles and residences on Townsend Street and Easton Avenue in Buffalo, associated with and utilized by the defendants for drug trafficking activities. During the searches, investigators seized approximately 2,123 grams of suspected fentanyl, approximately 144 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, approximately 38 grams of crack cocaine, $16,000 in cash, two loaded firearms, drug paraphernalia, and six cellular telephones.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonso Wright, the U.S. Probation Department, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Timothy Englert, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Rochester woman sentenced for her involvement in a swatting incidentRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Dawnn Marie Walters, 53, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to computers, was sentenced to serve one year probation, to include six months home detention, by U.S. Magistrate Judge Colleen D. Holland.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright, who is handling the case, stated that in August 2023, law enforcement commenced a local swatting call investigation in the Rochester area. Swatting involves and individual making a false report of a serious crime, such as a hostage situation or active shooter, in order to send a SWAT team or law enforcement response to a targeted location. The swatting call in this case involved individuals pretending to be another individual identified as C.F., stating that they had shot someone and provided C.F. parents’ address as the location they had shot someone.
During the investigation, law enforcement discovered several conversations that Walters took part in online, discussing targeting C.F. and her devices. In one of those conversations, Walters agreed to assist a co-conspirator in accessing C.F.’s device. With Walters assistance, the co-conspirator gained access to C.F.’s online accounts, including C.F.’s personal email account. After accessing the email account, an email was sent from C.F.’s personal email account to multiple Monroe County Legislators and New York State Assembly members. The email included C.F.’s name, telephone number, and photographs of deceased children. Other emails sent from C.F.’s email to New York State Assembly members included threats to “shoot up some schools in New York,” which were meant to cause law enforcement to investigate C.F. as the emails were sent from C.F.'s personal email address.
The sentencing is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm and the Orleans County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourque.
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Jamestown man going to prison for narcotics conspiracyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Santos Santiago, 49, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that in November 2023, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Santiago. On November 8, 2023, a search warrant was executed at the Van Buren Street residence of Santiago and his wife Anabell, during which law enforcement seized cash, a quantity of fentanyl, pills, and drug paraphernalia. As law enforcement was securing the apartment, Santiago attempted to destroy his fentanyl causing a large amount of fentanyl to go airborne. Two officers inhaled the cloud with one experiencing physical effects requiring medical attention.
In March 2024, investigators conducted two more controlled purchases of fentanyl from Santiago. In April 2024, another search warrant was conducted, this time at a residence on Whitley Avenue in Jamestown. During that search, investigators recovered fentanyl, crack cocaine, two loaded 9mm pistols, ammunition, $30,369.00 in cash, drug paraphernalia, a switchblade knife, and oxycodone tablets. One of the pistols was reported stolen in June of 2023.
Charges remain pending against co-defendant Anabell Santiago.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson.
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Federal grand jury indicts Buffalo man for possession of a machinegunRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Luis Mercado a/k/a Yvng Fabii, 24, of Buffalo, NY, with possession of a machinegun and possession of a firearm with a removed, altered and obliterated serial number. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Louis M. Testani, and Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on February 9, 2024, Buffalo State University police officers responded to an altercation during a men’s basketball game. While officers were trying to identify the parties involved, Mercado began to run away. When confronted by law enforcement, he stopped running, raised his arms, and stated, “I got the thing on me.” When questioned as to what he had, Mercado stated, “I got the joint on me.” During a pat down on Mercado, officers found a loaded pistol with a suspected machine gun conversion device and extended magazine. Law enforcement later learned that the firearm had a defaced serial number.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Amherst man pleads guilty to selling cocaine and fentanyl that resulted in serious bodily injury to two individualsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Lloyd Smith, 25, of Amherst, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to distribution of cocaine and fentanyl, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan, who is handling the case, stated on May 27 and 28, 2023, Smith communicated by Snapchat and text message with an individual identified as K.W about purchasing narcotics. On May 28, 2023, Smith met K.W., and another individual identified as J.D., to sell them narcotics. After using the narcotics, J.D. lost consciousness. Smith carried J.D. out of his vehicle to J.D.’s vehicle, where he left J.D. K.W. also lost consciousness at the time. After receiving a 911 call from a good Samaritan, Amherst Police responded to the scene of the overdose, finding K.W. and J.D. unconscious and unresponsive in a vehicle. Both individuals survived. Amherst Police found two baggies in K.W.’s pocket, which both tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl. The baggies were purchased from Smith.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 3, 2025, before Judge Vilardo.
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South Korean woman pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Youngshin Nam a/k/a Yejin Nam, 41, a citizen of South Korea, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to illegal re-entry. She was then sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that on April 3, 2024, Nam attempted entry by plane at an airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was refused admission to the United States. She was sent back to South Korea and advised that she was no longer eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program for five years. In July 2024, Nam was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Texas and removed from the United States in September. On May 4, 2025, Nam attempted entry into the United States at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry in Niagara Falls, NY. Nam presented, as proof of identity, a South Korean passport containing the name Yejin Nam. The vehicle was then referred for secondary inspection. Initially, Nam did not comply with routine electronic fingerprinting, before agreeing to submit her fingerprints. This resulted in a positive response revealing that Nam was issued an immigration fingerprint identification number in the name “Youngshin Nam.” The number was issued after Nam’s arrest by Border Patrol agents in Texas in July 2024. Subsequent investigation determined that Nam submitted a falsified application for the Visa Waiver Program, on which Nam falsely and fraudulently answered “NO” to questions concerning her use of any other names or aliases and denied previously being refused admission to the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.
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Pennsylvania man going to prison for 20 years for receipt of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Dylan C. Irvin, 26, of Bradford, PA, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that sometime in June or July 2023, Irvin engaged in sexual activity with a 13-year-old female (victim). Irvin used his cellular telephone to record the sexual activity and then received the video on a Snapchat account he controlled. On March 5, 2024, Irvin was arrested on state charges related to the sexual contact, at which time his cell phone was seized. A search of the phone recovered the video of Irvin and the victim.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler.
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Federal grand jury indicts Cheektowaga man on multiple sex trafficking chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a nine-count indictment charging Darryl Lamont Paul, a/k/a Darryl Lamont, 59, of Cheektowaga, NY, with sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, transportation across state lines of an individual with intent that such individual engage in prostitution, and using and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, for the last 25 years, Lamont has owned NoLimit Entertainment (NLE), a company that provides entertainment, including nude dancers and topless bartenders, for parties such as stags and birthdays. Lamont is accused of conspiring with others to recruit young vulnerable women from area strip clubs, to work for NLE, and he would also refer young women to these strip clubs for additional employment.
During that time, Lamont is accused of using force, fraud, and coercion to sex traffic a total of six victims. He is also accused of transporting one of the victims across state lines to engage in prostitution. In addition, from 2021 to March 13, 2025, Lamont maintained a Beach Road apartment in Cheektowaga, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using cocaine.
Lamont was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.
The indictment is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Brockport woman awaiting sentencing on fraud charge, pleads guilty to making false statementsRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Patricia Hutchins, 53, of Brockport, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to making a false statement, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that in July 2021, U.S. Postal Inspectors executed a search warrant at Hutchins’ Greece residence and seized documents, cash, and electronic devices that were either used in or derived from various wire fraud schemes, including Unemployment Insurance fraud, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, and elder fraud. In October 2022, Hutchins was arrested on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. On May 1, 2024, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and is awaiting sentencing on that charge. As part of her plea agreement, Hutchins she was required to pay restitution to two victims: $20,052.00 to reimburse a financial institution for a fraudulent PPP loan disbursement and $25,100.00 to an elderly individual who had been duped into “paying off a debt for a friend” by sending that money to Hutchins. Hutchins was in a position to make those restitution payment because she was about to gain a substantial sum from the sale of her home.
On October 16, 2024, Hutchins appeared in federal court for sentencing. At that time, she stated that she had invested the entire proceeds of her home sale in a retirement account and did not have any money for restitution. As a result, her sentencing was delayed and she was ordered to withdraw the funds from the retirement account and use them to pay restitution to her victims. On December 4, 2024, Hutchins appeared once again for sentencing. This time, she advised the court that she used all her money to buy gift cards for an individual she claimed was Kenny Chesney. However, Hutchins had used that excuse with law enforcement two previous times when she was actually stealing money from victims and the government.
A review of Hutchins’ financial records confirmed that the proceeds from the sale of her residence—approximately $47,000—were deposited into her bank account one month before her scheduled sentencing on October 16, 2024. In the month leading up to the sentencing, she pulled approximately $15,000.00 out of the account by purchasing 80 $250.00 gift cards at merchants such as Walgreens, Tops, Wegman’s, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. After the original sentencing was adjourned, and she was directed by the Court to gather funds to pay restitution, Hutchins purchased another 40 gift cards totaling approximately $8,500.00. As of November 29, 2024, there was only approximately $1,000 left in her account and her victims had yet to receive any restitution.
While investigating Hutchins’ disbursement of the restitution funds, law enforcement discovered that she had engaged in even more credit card fraud than was originally discovered. For example, she had used a victim’s bank account to make 17 payments on her personal credit card totaling over $14,000. The plea agreement requires Hutchins to pay restitution to these victims as well, brining her total restitution owed to approximately $60,000.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward, Boston Division and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Hutchins will be sentenced on both the fraud and making false statement charges on October 7, 2025, before Judge Geraci.
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Jamestown man going to prison for assisting in the burial of a murder victimRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Matthew Rudy, 43, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of accessory after the fact, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that on May 27, 2014, Anthony Neubauer kidnapped Joseph Anthony and traveled from Jamestown to property in Pennsylvania owned by Matthew Rudy. Neubauer tricked Anthony into traveling by offering him cocaine. After arriving in Pennsylvania, Neubauer and Rudy told Anthony they did not have any cocaine, before shooting and killing him, and then burying him on Rudy’s property. Neubauer and Rudy took Anthony to Pennsylvania because they believed he was a cooperator.
Anthony Neubauer was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm. Additional assistance was provided by the Warren County, PA, District Attorney’s Office.
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Two Guatemalan men charged in separate complaints with illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Sebastian Tzib Putul, 32, and Mario Salguero Sandoval, 36, both citizens and nationals of Guatemala, were arrested and charged in separate complaints with illegal re-entry, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the cases, stated that according to the complaint against Tzib Putul, on June 9, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol Agents stopped a vehicle in Cheektowaga, NY, which included six individuals, including Tzib Putul. When questioned regarding their citizenship and legal status in the United States, it was determined that Tzib Putul is a citizen and national of Guatemala and did not have any documents that would allow him to be or remain in the United States lawfully. Tzib Putul is a native and citizen of Guatemala, who was physically removed from the United States in January 2024.
According to the complaint against Salguero Sandoval, on June 10, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol Agents stopped a vehicle in Buffalo, NY, which included seven individuals, including Salguero Sandoval, who was the driver of the vehicle. When questioned about his citizenship and legal status in the United States, he did not provide any statements and did not provide a valid driver’s license. Salguero Sandoval was taken into custody. It was subsequently determined that he is a citizen and national of Guatemala, who was physically removed from the United States in July 2015.
Both defendants made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and were detained.
These investigations are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The complaints are the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Mexican man arrested, charged with illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Antonio Barcena-Ruiz, 41, a citizen and national of Mexico, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with illegal re-entry, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 31, 2025, Homeland Security Investigations and Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel encountered Barcena-Ruiz and three others in a vehicle in Clarence, NY. When questioned about his citizenship, Barcena-Ruiz stated that he was from Mexico. When asked for documentation, Barcena-Ruiz provided a Mexican passport and a New Mexico driver’s license but had no additional documentation that allowed him to be present or remain in the United States legally. A records check determined that Barcena-Ruiz was physically removed from the United States in 2008, two times in 2009, and in 2010.
Barcena-Ruiz made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy this morning and was detained.
These investigations are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the direction of Acting Field Office Director Steven Kurzdorfer.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Buffalo man convicted by a federal jury of murdering a federal informantRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal jury has found Alphonso Payne, a/k/a Ajay, 29, of Buffalo, NY, guilty of conspiracy to murder a federal informant, murdering a federal informant, conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine, possessing with intent to distribute and distributing cocaine, conspiring to retaliate against a federal informant, retaliating against a federal informant, discharge of a firearm in furtherance of crimes of violence and a drug trafficking crime, and discharge of a firearm causing death in furtherance of crimes of violence and a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Lynch, Michael J. Adler, and Stacey Jacovetti, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that between approximately 2016 and August 20, 2019, Payne, co-defendant Gregory Hay and others conspired to sell cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin. The conspiracy began with Hay selling drugs in the Salamanca, NY, area, before moving his operation to the Olean area, where Payne assisted him with selling drugs. After Gregory Hay’s house was searched on May 7, 2019, by members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Buffalo Police Department, and illegal firearms were seized, Hay and Payne suspected Joshua Jalovick was a police informant. In the early evening of July 1, 2019, Payne and Hay lured Jalovick into the backyard of 87 Freund, where Payne used to live. Once Jalovick was in the backyard, Payne shot him multiple times with a semi-automatic pistol, in front of multiple witnesses. Hay then stood over Jalovick and shot him an additional five times with a revolver. Payne and Hay murdered Joshua Jalovick to prevent him from testifying about their alleged drug trafficking crimes and Hay’s firearm crimes.
Gregory Hay was previously convicted of narcotics conspiracy, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and discharge of firearm causing death in furtherance of crimes of violence and a drug trafficking crime and is awaiting sentencing. In addition to defendants Payne and Hay, defendants Daeshawn Stevenson, Raejah Blackwell, Eric Brooks, and Roland Eady were also convicted for their roles in obstructing a grand jury’s investigation into Joshua Jalovick’s murder.
The verdict is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonso Wright. Additional assistance was provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Mark Grimm, the U.S. Secret Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Charles Perras, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 27, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara who presided over the trial.
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Man from Dominican Republic sentenced for transporting illegal aliensRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Silvestre German Andujar, 53, a citizen of the Dominican Republic living in Hamilton, Ontario, who was convicted of alien smuggling for commercial advantage and private financial gain, was sentenced to serve 36 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maeve E. Huggins and Paul E. Bonanno, who handled the case, stated that on January 3, 2024, Andujar, an alien, and three other individuals who were not citizens or nationals of the United States, traveled on a motorized raft vessel on the Niagara River from Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, Canada. Andujar piloted the vessel across the United States-Canada border. U.S. Border Patrol Agents responded to the area as Andujar and the others got off the vessel, prompting them to flee. Simultaneously, law enforcement observed co-defendant Luis Davis German Soriano, who had driven from New Jersey to an agreed upon location in Youngstown, NY, to pick-up Andujar and the others, driving in the area near the vessel’s landing spot on the shoreline. Officers conducted a traffic stop. Soriano provided conflicting information as to the purpose of his travel but was released by officers. He then drove back to the pick-up location and picked up Andujar and the others inside the van.
On January 4, 2024, U.S. Border Patrol Agents, parked on the Niagara Scenic Parkway near Blairville Road in Youngstown, observed Soriano operating the van that contained Andujar and the three passengers. Agents stopped the van on Youngstown-Lockport Road in Ransomville, NY. All four occupants in the van were arrested and official immigration records checks conducted.
Luis Davis German Soriano was previously convicted and sentenced.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Martin B. Coombs, and the Lewiston Police Department, under the direction of Chief Frank Previte.
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Rochester business owner pleads guilty to tax chargeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gregory J. Coco, 44, of Rochester, pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that Coco owns Century Asphalt Maintenance, a driveway sealing company in Rochester. For the years 2017 through 2022, Coco received payments from customers for services provided by Century Asphalt totaling $2,611,685.57. However, he intentionally failed to advise his tax return preparer of all the income he received, underreporting his income by a total of $1,704,556.57. As a result, Coco failed to pay the Internal Revenue Service a total of $456,683.00.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Harry Chavis.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 7, 2025, before Judge Vacca.
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Guatemalan man pleads guilty, sentenced for illegal reentryRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Wilson Oswaldo Galvan-Lopez, 25, a citizen of Guatemala, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca to illegal reentry. He was sentenced to time served and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that Galvan-Lopez is an alien without any legal status in the United States. In May 2023, he was physically removed from the United States to Guatemala. At some point after, Galvan-Lopez illegally reentered the United States without the proper permission. On March 24, 2025, he was found in a vehicle on Orange Street in Rochester, during a traffic stop.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
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Rochester business owner sentenced for food stamp fraudRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Zina Amba Mbile Mbile, 46, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of food stamp fraud, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $246,890.00 in restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) uses federal tax dollars to help low-income individuals purchase food. Eligible individuals are provided with a debit card from which they can make food purchases at authorized food stores. Businesses authorized to accepts SNAP benefits, can only do so for the sale of eligible food products. It is unlawful to accept SNAP benefits for non-food items such as cigarettes, beer, or for cash. Between March 1, 2020, and July 23, 2024, Mbile, who operated the Beni Food convenience store on Dewey Avenue in Rochester, accepted SNAP benefits from customers in exchange for non-food items, such as cosmetic products. Mbile also exchanged cash for food stamp benefits, resulting in a profit for Mbile. In total, Mbile fraudulently caused $246,890.00 to be deposited into Beni Food’s bank accounts for food that was never purchased.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Charmeka Parker, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and the Monroe County Department of Human Services, under the direction of Commissioner Thalia Wright.
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Pakistan native arrested, charged with illegal reentryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Saima Qamar, 55, a citizen of Canada and native of Pakistan, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Qamar was detained by the Lewiston Police Department, which reached out to U.S. Border Patrol for assistance in identifying the defendant. A records check determined that Qamar was a citizen of Canada and national of Pakistan who was illegally present in the United States after previously having been removed in April 2019.
Qamar made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.
This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol Niagara Falls Station, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Brady Waikal.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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