Northern District of Ohio
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Lorain County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Related Charges, Including Driving Out of State to Sexually Exploit a MinorRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 47-year-old man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of sending, receiving, and possessing Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM), and to coercing a 13-year-old girl to meet him for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Michael Neville, of Elyria, Ohio, pleaded guilty to five counts in a superseding indictment, those being:
- Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography
- Interstate Travel to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct
- Sexual Exploitation of Children
- Receipt of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
District Judge Charles Esque Fleming accepted Neville’s plea Aug. 26.
According to court documents and evidence presented to the judge, from about Jan. 23, 2024, to Sept. 21, 2025, Neville sent numerous sexually explicit communications to an undercover agent purporting to be the father of a 9-year-old girl, using a social media messaging application. The messages were largely focused on the defendant’s sexual interest in children. Federal agents executed a search warrant and seized Neville’s electronic devices. Forensic analysis of Neville’s devices found that they contained CSAM of pre-pubescent children, and that he sent CSAM material involving the sadistic abuse of an infant to others.
During the investigation, agents also discovered that Neville was communicating with a 13-year-old girl online for about a year. They learned that in August 2021, Neville drove more than 700 miles from Ohio to Massachusetts to meet with the 13-year-old he was messaging online. Once there, he met with the girl and took her to a hotel where he proceeded to coerce her to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Investigators also learned that Neville solicited sexually explicit images from a second minor victim.
Neville is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10, 2026. He faces maximum prison sentences of 20 years for counts 1, 2, and 5, and a maximum of 30 years for counts 3 and 4.
A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Kane for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Justice Department Sues Ohio Landlord for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Against Female TenantsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against Alfred Falgiani Jr., 72, of Girard, Ohio, the owner and manager of rental properties located in and around Girard, Ohio, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, alleges that Falgiani sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2008. According to the complaint, Falgiani offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants, subjected female tenants to unwelcome touching and groping, and took adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances.
“When landlords exploit their position of power to harass or intimidate tenants, they violate the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who abuse vulnerable residents and will work tirelessly to ensure that tenants can live free from sexual harassment and coercion.”
“No one should have to live in fear of a landlord making highly inappropriate advances,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “Housing owners and managers who engage in loathsome behavior and infringe on a person’s right to feel secure in their own home will face justice.”
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Alfred Falgiani, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, should contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291 (press 1 for English, press 2 for Sexual Harassment, then press 4 to leave a message related to Alfred Falgiani), or send an email to [email protected]. Individuals may also submit a report online.
More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This lawsuit is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 54 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.
Justice Department Sues Ohio Landlord for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Against Female TenantsRead the Press Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the owner and manager of rental properties located in and around Girard, Ohio, for engaging in sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, alleges that Alfred Falgiani, Jr., 72, of Girard, sexually harassed female tenants beginning in 2008. According to the complaint, Falgiani offered housing-related benefits in exchange for sexual contact, made unwelcome sexual comments and advances to female tenants, subjected female tenants to unwelcome touching and groping, and took adverse housing-related actions against female tenants who refused his sexual advances.
“Everyone deserves a home where they feel safe and protected. When landlords exploit their position of power to harass or intimidate tenants, they violate both the law and the basic dignity that housing should provide,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable those who abuse vulnerable residents and will work tirelessly to ensure that tenants can live free from sexual harassment and coercion.”
“No one should have to live in fear of a landlord making highly inappropriate advances,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “Housing owners and managers who engage in loathsome behavior and infringe on a person’s right to feel secure in their own home will face justice.”
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate persons harmed by the alleged harassment, civil penalties to vindicate the public interest, and a court order barring future discrimination.
Individuals who believe that they may have been victims of sexual harassment or other types of housing discrimination at rental dwellings owned or managed by Alfred Falgiani, or who have other information that may be relevant to this case, should contact the Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-833-591-0291 (press 1 for English, press 2 for Sexual Harassment, then press 4 to leave a message related to Alfred Falgiani), or send an email to [email protected]. Individuals may also submit a report online.
More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This lawsuit is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 54 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered over $19 million for victims of such harassment.
U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service Announce More than 600 Arrests in Northern Ohio Violent Crime CrackdownRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Hundreds of individuals were apprehended and taken into custody throughout northern Ohio as part of a multi-agency strategic initiative to combat violent crime. The multi-jurisdictional sweep across eight cities, known as Operation Northern Shield, was coordinated among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and task forces.
In May, June, and July, more than 600 people were arrested and nearly 200 firearms were seized along with varying amounts of fentanyl, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, cocaine, illicit drugs, and U.S. currency. Approximately 264 of these arrests came from surges into individual cities, and an additional 355 arrests were from other areas across the District.
“Operation Northern Shield was a different strategy than what was done before. We’ve never targeted multiple cities simultaneously. But we knew that, historically, rising temps in the summer months tend to correlate with rising crime and we needed to act swiftly across our region, not just in one area,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “We were determined to shield our communities with the highest crime areas. We especially would like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for taking the lead in this effort to align state and local agencies and resources to take down some of the most wanted criminals in our District while continuing to perform their regular work to hunt down fugitives.”
“Operation Northern Shield succeeded because agencies did not work in silos, they worked as one team. This is what successful multi-agency operations look like. Different patches, uniforms, and chains of command, one mission making northern Ohio safer,” said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott. “For 23 years our USMS (NOVFTF) was built on and sustained through our partnerships. My special thanks to all the federal, state and local officers, assistant U.S. attorneys, and crime analysts who put in the long hours to make this operation a complete success, ensuring the safety of our communities.”
Plans for Operation Northern Shield began in early 2026, with the goal to partner with local law enforcement agencies in a cohesive and integrated effort to target and apprehend violent fugitives in eight northern Ohio cities including Akron, Cleveland, Lorain, Youngstown, Elyria, Canton, Mansfield, and Toledo.
Fugitives were wanted for crimes of violence such as homicide, manslaughter, assault, robbery, and sex offenses. Other offenses involved human trafficking, firearms, and illegal drugs.
Overall, Operation Northern Shield yielded the following totals from May 17-July 18:
- 619 arrested
- 684 warrants cleared
- 29 (suspected) gang members arrested
- 1.317 kg of narcotics seized (methamphetamine, cocaine, ecstasy, and fentanyl)
- 6 pounds of marijuana seized
- $120,200 in U.S. Currency seized
- 198 firearms, 2 suppressors, 2 machine gun conversion devices, 1 inert grenade, 2 sets of ballistic body armor seized
Many of those apprehended will face state charges, and several are expected to be referred for federal prosecution where appropriate.
Among those arrested who are facing federal charges are:
- Sidney Booty, 47, of Cleveland, a previously convicted felon who was allegedly found possessing an illegal firearm, a silencer, and methamphetamine which he intended to distribute and sell.
- Marcus Brown, 36, and Terence Montgomery, 32, both of Cleveland, were allegedly part of a drug conspiracy that trafficked fentanyl, crack, and cocaine. They are also charged with interstate transportation in aid of racketeering.
Operation Northern Shield was led by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) for the Northern District of Ohio.
U.S. Attorney Toepfer would like to gratefully acknowledge the following agencies for each of their roles in this successful operation to keep Northern Ohio communities safe:
- USMS Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFT) teams from Akron, Canton, Lorain, Mansfield, Painesville, Toledo, and Cleveland
- USMS Special Operations Group, K-9 Team
- Ohio State Highway Patrol Special Response Team
- Ohio Adult Parole Authority
- USMS Southern District of Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team
- Akron Police Department, Gun Violence Reduction Team
- Cleveland Division of Police
- Canton Police Department
- Elyria Police Department
- Lorain Police Department
- Mansfield Police Department
- Toledo Police Department
- Youngstown Police Department
- Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- FBI Cleveland Division
- U.S. Secret Service
Ohio Man and Texas Woman Sentenced Collectively to More Than 56 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – Two people have been sentenced to prison for conspiring to produce child pornography by sexually exploiting two children.
Chaz Jacob, 36, of Toledo, and Amy Fountain, 51, of McDade, Texas, were sentenced to prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick after pleading guilty in February to criminal offenses.
Jacob was sentenced to 420 months (35 years) in prison for Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography, two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography. He was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release and pay a combined $75,000 in restitution to 25 victims.
Fountain was sentenced to 262 months (21.83 years) in prison for Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. She was ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, federal agents were investigating the suspected sexual abuse of a minor victim in Toledo and Jacob was subsequently identified. During a search warrant executed at Jacob’s residence, several of his electronic devices were seized. Forensic analysis of these electronic devices revealed videos that Jacob recorded himself while he sexually abused several minors. Other videos found on the devices depicted Fountain, and her husband Christopher Hagerman, 50, also of McDade, sexually abusing two minors under the age of 12 at Jacob’s residence.
Hagerman pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Produce Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in June and is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 7.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Frank Spryszak for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Six Illegal Aliens Sentenced, Four Charged for Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND and TOLEDO, Ohio – The United States Attorney’s Office has announced immigration enforcement actions in the Northern District of Ohio. These are separate cases and are not related.
The following individuals were sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge after each previously pleaded guilty to their roles in violating federal immigration laws. All defendants will remain detained after serving their sentences, pending deportation from the United States.
Santos DeJesus Gomez, 46, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least two occasions with the most recent being Oct. 26, 2024. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7.
Alonso Diaz-Espinosa, 38, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least three occasions with the most recent being Feb. 13, 2026. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7.
Rigoberto Gomez-Arguijo, 46, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Oct. 28, 2010. He was found in Marion, Ohio, in Marion County, on Jan. 8.
Alan Ramos-Capultitla, 21, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Feb. 14. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7.
Carlos Sauceda-Alvarez, 38, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least two occasions with the most recent being Sept. 23, 2025. He was found near Fremont, Ohio, in Sandusky County, on March 7.
Raul Tiburcio-Mavarro, 45, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least five occasions with the most recent being Oct. 30, 2019. He was found in Wauseon, Ohio, in Fulton County, on March 28.
Additionally, federal grand juries returned indictments charging the following individuals:
Moises Aldana-Barrientos, 53, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being April 3, 2012. He was found in Painesville, Ohio, in Lake County, on March 28, 2022.
Edin Lopez-Herrera, 41, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being on January 29, 2020. He was found in Wickliffe, Ohio, in Lake County, on June 13, 2026.
Jose Manuel Lujan-Sanchez, 44, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least three occasions with the most recent being Dec. 20, 2017. He was found in Toledo, Ohio, in Lucas County, on July 21.
Fernando Mata Hernandez, 39, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Aug. 17, 2017. He was found in Edgerton, Ohio, in Williams County, on July 8.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Frank Spryszak, Ava Rotell Dustin, Brett Hammond, and Gene Crawford for Northern District of Ohio.
These investigations were conducted by U.S. Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Cleveland Office.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Northern District of Ohio Agencies Receive More Than $4M in Grant Awards to Support Criminal Justice ActivitiesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – The Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, awarded almost $290 million to support state, local, and tribal governments in criminal justice activities to keep American communities safe. Of this amount, more than $4 million has been awarded to agencies in the Northern District of Ohio including in Akron, Cleveland, Canton, Lima, Lorain, Toledo, Warren, Youngstown, Lake County, and Mahoning County.
The awards, provided through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, represent the nation’s leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. For more than 20 years, the JAG program has provided critical funding to support law enforcement’s ability to protect the communities they serve, supporting critical needs such as personnel, equipment and supplies, technology, training, information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings, and other operational priorities. JAG funding also supports a wide range of programs that strengthen crime prevention efforts and enhance the effectiveness of prosecutors, courts, corrections agencies, and services for crime victims and witnesses.
“This funding allows our district’s agencies to remain vigilant in their missions to protect our communities and enforce laws,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “Whether it’s to acquire new police vehicles and body armor, or to purchase the latest technology to examine and process evidence, these grant awards will make a positive impact toward upholding the rule of law.”
In addition to foundational uses of JAG funds, specific areas of emphasis were included to the JAG funding opportunities highlighting and encouraging state and local jurisdictions to join federal law enforcement in addressing the most pressing public safety challenges. For Fiscal Year 2025, these areas of emphasis included combatting violent crime, immigration enforcement, safe communities, and safe houses of worship.
BJA awarded more than $199 million in state JAG funding across 56 awards and more than $90 million in local JAG funding across 895 awards.
Examples of initiatives supported by these grants include:
- Providing specialized training to strengthen the prevention, detection, and response to human trafficking and to enhance proactive crime‑reduction efforts through improved officer readiness and increased patrol capacity.
- Enhancing local crime‑fighting efforts by integrating innovative technology, training, and equipment, and using comprehensive crime‑data analysis to guide decision‑making, measure performance, and strengthen strategies addressing violent crime and other public safety issues.
- Strengthening enforcement efforts by supporting investigations related to gang activity and narcotics through targeted operations carried out by specialized units.
- Improving officer safety and readiness by replacing outdated ballistic helmets with modern protective equipment used during high‑risk incidents, tactical operations, active threat responses, warrant service, civil disturbances, and other dangerous calls for service.
All recipients for both state and local JAG awards can be found here.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance, and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; promote fair and impartial administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking or SMART Office – can be found at ojp.gov.
For current funding opportunities, visit ojp.gov/funding/explore/current-funding-opportunities.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Reports More Than $3.2M in Criminal and Civil Collections for April-JuneRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) has announced that criminal and civil collections for the Northern District of Ohio during the months of April, May, and June totaled $3,246,089.50.
As the chief law enforcement officer for the 40 northern counties in Ohio, U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer is responsible for enforcing collections resulting from settlements, restitution paid to crime victims, or money owed to the U.S. Government. In criminal division cases, monetary penalties included as part of a defendant’s judgment are enforced soon after sentencing and are not suspended due to a defendant’s incarceration. In civil division matters, the amounts collected are often the results of monetary settlements.
The months of April, May, and June represent the third quarter (Q3) of the USAO’s Fiscal Year 2026 which runs Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 31, 2026.
During Q3, the Criminal Division collected $3,081,323.23 and the Civil Division collected $164,766.27. Notable cases include:
U.S. v. Mario Salwan – Mario Salwan, 55, a Chagrin Falls businessman, was sentenced to probation in 2024 on one count of Attempted Tax Evasion. Salwan was ordered to pay $511,396.35 in restitution, plus all applicable interest and penalties, to the Internal Revenue Service; this restitution has now been paid in full.
U.S. v. Yaser Najjar – Yaser Najjar, 64, of Westlake, Ohio, was sentenced in 2022 on four counts of attempt to evade and defeat income tax. Najjar was ordered to pay over $503,000 in restitution to the IRS and a $100,000 fine, paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund. The restitution and fine have now been paid in full.
Portage County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A 36-year-old man was sentenced to prison after he admitted to receiving and sending child sexual abuse materials through online and social media platforms.
Eric Michael Spreitzer, of Streetsboro, Ohio, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko after pleading guilty in April to:
- Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
He was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $49,000 in restitution to victims.
Court documents show that federal agents began an investigation into suspected CSAM activity occurring in Portage County and Spreitzer was identified. During a search warrant executed at his residence, agents seized his electronic devices and online accounts. Forensic analysis determined that numerous files containing the sexual abuse of children were on Spreitzer’s devices and in the accounts. Several of the files in his possession included images of prepubescent minors under the age of 12. Investigators found that the defendant committed criminal offenses from about January 2024 to October 2025.
This case was investigated by the FBI Akron Resident Agency and the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Youngstown Man Sentenced to 15+ Years in Prison for Intent to Distribute Cocaine Mailed from Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 42-year-old man was sentenced to prison for intending to distribute nearly four and a half pounds of cocaine that was mailed to Ohio from Puerto Rico.
Jean Carlos Martinez, of Youngstown, was sentenced to 188 months (15.6 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan after he pleaded guilty in April to Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. Martinez was also ordered to serve six years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, on Jan. 23, 2025, postal inspectors seized a parcel that was mailed from Puerto Rico to Campbell, Ohio, which was suspected of containing cocaine. Investigators then proceeded to deliver it to the intended address. Shortly thereafter, Martinez arrived at the delivery address to collect the package. Martinez later admitted that he planned to distribute the cocaine that was inside the package. During lab analysis of the package’s contents, it was confirmed to be approximately 2003.9 grams of cocaine.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration-Detroit Division.
Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Joines led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Joins Law Enforcement Partners for Family-friendly EventRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio will join fellow law enforcement partners to participate in “National Night Out Against Crime,” Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, from 4-8 p.m. at Steelyard Commons, 3447 Steelyard Drive, Cleveland, Ohio, 44109. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
“This event gives families the opportunity to meet the men and women of law enforcement who keep their communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “It’s a way for kids to learn about crime prevention in a fun and educational environment.”
Members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be available to provide educational materials about key awareness initiatives such as sextortion facing teens and fraud scams targeting the elderly.
Additional National Night Out events are planned throughout the Northern District of Ohio. In Akron, activities are planned throughout each of the city’s 10 wards from 4-8:30 p.m. In the Western Division of our District, the Toledo Police Department is sponsoring a community bike riding event from 2:30-4 p.m.
As the chief federal law enforcement official in the Northern District Ohio, U.S. Attorney Toepfer coordinates a comprehensive law enforcement strategy for the Northern District of Ohio that involves federal, state and local partners.
National Night Out was established in 1984 by the Bureau of Justice Assistance through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
The event is held on the first Tuesday in August each year and provides communities across the country with the chance to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances such as cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and more.
Canton Man Pleads Guilty to Buying Guns in Ohio to Smuggle to GreeceRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – An 80-year-old man pleaded guilty in federal court to shipping firearms purchased in Northeast Ohio to sell in Greece.
George Manuselis, a dual citizen of the U.S. and Greece residing in Canton, pleaded guilty to Smuggling Goods from the United States. U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster accepted his plea on July 30.
According to court documents, in April 2022, a firearm recovered in Greece was found to be originally purchased at a legally licensed firearms dealer in Canton. Manuselis was identified as the purchaser. Upon further investigation, agents discovered that several other firearms that were purchased by Manuselis were also recovered in Greece. Manuselis later admitted that he was smuggling the firearms to Greece by secreting them in his suitcase. Manuselis was provided with a warning notice letter about the legal prohibition against straw purchasing, which he signed to acknowledge that he would not purchase firearms for others, nor would he take them out of the country.
However, a short time later, authorities were informed that Manuselis was in the process of purchasing another firearm and that he also had a flight to Greece scheduled to leave the same day. Manuselis was later apprehended and taken into custody at John F. Kennedy International Airport before boarding a flight to Athens. Investigators found that Manuselis had, in fact, again purchased multiple firearms—after being served the warning notice—and that he had them in his possession when he was arrested at the airport on his way to Greece.
Manuselis is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 10. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. As part of his guilty plea, Manuselis agreed to forfeit all of the firearms at issue, including five pistols and approximately 940 rounds of ammunition. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
The prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Duncan T. Brown and Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio.
South Carolina Man Receives 20 Years in Prison for Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a MinorRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – A South Carolina man was sentenced to prison after he admitted to travelling more than 700 miles from the Augusta area to Toledo to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a purported seven-year-old girl.
Edward Wade Green, 54, of Aiken, South Carolina, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick, after he pleaded guilty in March 2024 to:
- Coercion or Enticement of a Minor
- Traveling with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor
- Transportation of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
He was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $78,000 in restitution to 26 victims.
According to court documents, in April 2023, Green was communicating with an undercover agent, on an online platform, who purported to have a seven-year-old daughter. During these communications, Green expressed sexual interest in the purported daughter. After several online conversations, Green agreed to meet the fictitious seven-year-old at a prearranged location in Toledo, Ohio, for the purpose of engaging in sexual conduct with her. Upon Green’s arrival at the agreed-upon location, he was apprehended by federal agents and taken into custody. During a forensic examination of Green’s electronic devices, they were found to contain visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, with at least one image involving a prepubescent minor under the age of 12.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency’s Child Exploitation Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Al-Sorghali and Frank H. Spryszak prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Cleveland Man Sentenced to 22+ Years in Prison for Conspiracy to Traffic Meth from U.S.-Mexico Border to OhioRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 43-year-old man was sentenced to prison for his role in a conspiracy that trafficked illegal drugs sourced from Mexico and mailed to Ohio through the U.S. Postal Service.
Sherman Thomas, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 275 months (22.9 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese. After a 4-day trial in June 2025, a federal jury convicted Thomas of:
- Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Using or Maintaining a Drug Premises
- Possession of Firearms and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon; prior convictions include Aggravated Robbery in 2001, Trafficking Offenses, Having Weapons under Disability and Carrying a Concealed Weapon in 2009.
Thomas was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, the conspiracy ran from about July 2022 through April 2023. Thomas, along with several co-conspirators, obtained drugs from Mexico to press into illicit pills for distribution. Co-defendant, Melvin Hodge, 44, of Sagamore Hills, would contact individuals in Mexico and then travel to the U.S.-Mexico border to obtain methamphetamine and send it through the United States mail. When the methamphetamine arrived in the Northern District of Ohio, Hodge met with another co-conspirator—a U.S. postal carrier—who provided addresses to allow for the safe passage of the methamphetamine through his postal route. The postal carrier then informed Hodge of the locations where the parcels could be retrieved. After receiving the package from the postal carrier, Hodge would provide the methamphetamine to Thomas.
As part of his role in the conspiracy, Thomas maintained a drug premises on Reyburn Road in Cleveland Heights, where he had an industrial pill press which he used to produce illegal pills. He then stored the narcotics at his residence on Father Caruso Drive, in Cleveland. In September 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at Thomas’ residence. During a protective sweep of the home, a bedroom window was found open with the screen laying outside on the ground. While no one was in the apartment at the time of the search, multiple witnesses testified at trial that it appeared that Thomas had dropped from the window, appeared hurt, and ran from the apartment when agents arrived to execute the warrant. Agents seized the following contents from the apartment:
- 4.1 grams of methamphetamine
- 22 bags containing multicolored pills that were locked in a safe, containing approximately 4,193.5 grams of methamphetamine
- Three plastic bags with white powder containing 412 grams of methamphetamine
- A Glock 23 with an extended magazine loaded with 18 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition
- A narcotics ledger, several cellphones, a kilogram pill press, and a money counter.
Agents also searched Thomas’ stash house on Reyburn Road and seized several large bags of a pill binding agent, a rifle, and another pill press machine.
Two co-conspirators were previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. Hodge is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. Carvin Cook, 46, of Cleveland, Ohio, was sentenced to 41 months (3.41 years) in prison.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration-Detroit Division, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Cleveland Metroparks Police Department, the Cleveland Heights Police Department, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
The USAO would also like acknowledge the support and assistance of the United States Marshals Service in this case.
Assistant United States Attorneys Elizabeth M. Crook and James P. Lewis led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
15 Charged in Two Conspiracies to Traffic Meth to OhioRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – Fifteen individuals have been charged in two cases for their alleged roles in a large-scale operation to traffic illegal drugs throughout Northeast Ohio and Pennsylvania. The charges are the result of a year-long investigation by federal and local officials.
According to court documents, conspiracy members allegedly obtained methamphetamine from drug suppliers in Akron, Ohio, as well as arranged shipments from the U.S. border with Mexico. Methamphetamine was purchased in pound quantities and then re-sold to drug customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere in the region. Four residences in Akron were used as stash houses to store, process and distribute methamphetamine. Investigators seized approximately 15 pounds of methamphetamine and a firearm. The investigation revealed drug transactions totaling more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine.
Defendants were apprehended in a series of coordinated arrests from April to May resulting from criminal complaints and a federal 21-count indictment returned in May. The following are charged with:
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Clarence Daniels, 44, of Akron, Ohio
- Larry Finch, 43, of Akron, Ohio
- Nicholas Helfrick, 44, of Akron, Ohio
- Ricardo Allison, 44, of Akron, Ohio
- Sheldon Bell, 45, of Akron, Ohio
- John Townsend, 41, of Akron, Ohio
- Bryce Dittman, 27, of St. Petersburg, Pennsylvania
- Tyler Smith, 28, of East Brady, Pennsylvania
- Anthony Raunikar, 44, of Akron, Ohio
- Marcus Nixon, 45, of Akron, Ohio
- John Koza, 45, of Akron, Ohio
- Earl Breckenridge, 56, of Oil City, Pennsylvania
- Jazzmin Thomas, 30, of Akron, Ohio
- Samantha Lentz, 30, of Doylestown, Ohio
- Craig Consilio, 62, of Akron, Ohio
Additional charges include:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine –Dittman, Smith, Breckenridge, Lentz, Raunikar, Finch, Allison, and Consilio
- Maintaining Drug Premises – Finch, Helfrick, and Consilio
- Use of a Communication Facility to Facilitate a Drug Offense – Daniels, Finch, Helfrick, Allison, Bell, Townsend, Raunikar, Dixon, Koza, Breckenridge, Lentz, and Consilio
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition – Nixon; previous convictions include Illegal Manufacture of Drugs in 2001, and Illegal Assembly or Possession of Chemicals for the Manufacture of Drugs in 2016.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Akron Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kristen Rolph and Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel are leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
Criminal complaints and indictments are charges only and are not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 50-year-old Niles man was sentenced to prison after he admitted to downloading and sharing thousands of child pornography files. The defendant had a pattern of related criminal activity and was previously convicted at the state level for engaging in the same exact conduct in 2019.
Daniel Scharmer was sentenced to 168 months (14 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson after pleading guilty in April to:
- Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
He was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment. In addition, Scharmer was ordered to pay $71,500 in restitution to victims and $10,000 toward the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which was established in 2015 to impose additional assessment to offenders who commit certain crimes, including sexual exploitation and other abuse of children.
According to court documents and evidence, in June 2024, Scharmer was identified as an active participant in criminal activities involving CSAM. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Scharmer’s residence and seized his electronic devices including two desktop computers, several hard disk drives, two portable hard drives, and five laptops. Investigators found that between Oct. 13, 2022, and Jan. 9, 2025, he received or distributed more than 32,000 files containing CSAM, including more than 11,000 involving sadism and masochism and videos of children engaged in sex acts as well as being abused by adults. Investigators identified Scharmer as one of the top three CSAM downloaders in the state of Ohio in October 2024.
In 2019, Scharmer was convicted in Trumbull County for Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor and Illegal Use of a Minor in a Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance.
This case was investigated by the FBI Youngstown Resident Agency, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Niles Police Department.
This prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Kane for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ohio Man with Prior Felony Convictions Sentenced to 7+ Years in Prison for Lurking Outside a Cleveland Home with a Loaded GunRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 46-year-old man was sentenced to prison after he was found with a loaded gun while lurking outside a Cleveland home.
Adam Hall, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 87 months (7.25 years) in prison by U.S. District Chief Judge Sara Lioi. After a three-day trial in April, a federal jury convicted Hall of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Hall was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, on Oct. 3, 2025, Cleveland Police officers responded to a 911 call about an unknown man lurking around a home. The caller reported that the man was repeatedly ringing the doorbell and knocking on windows, and that he refused to leave the property. The caller also reported to 911 dispatchers that the man was dressed in all black and was carrying a backpack. Once on scene, the officers quickly located the man, who was later identified as Hall, in the home’s backyard. Hall was instructed to raise his hands, but he refused and engaged in a physical struggle with several officers. During that struggle, officers recovered a loaded firearm from Hall’s pants. A subsequent search of Hall revealed that he was also carrying ammunition, knives, narcotics, and a condom. At the time he possessed the loaded gun, Hall was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of several prior felonies, including drug trafficking, burglary, and domestic violence against women.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Cleveland Division of Police.
This prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph H. Walsh and Margaret A. Kane for the Northern District of Ohio.
Maple Heights Man with History of Violent Crimes Sentenced to 11 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 38-year-old, previously convicted felon, was sentenced to prison after he was found illegally possessing firearms and ammunition.
Brandon Blackman, of Maple Heights, was sentenced to 137 months (11.41 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan after a federal jury convicted him in January of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition. His prior convictions include Domestic Violence in 2023, Kidnapping and Felonious Assault in 2010, Drug Trafficking in 2019, and Drug Possession in 2008. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents and evidence, Blackman was sought by local law enforcement after he was suspected of being involved in several criminal incidents in July 2024, including fleeing from police during an attempted traffic stop. A short time later, Blackman entered a police station lobby where he was arrested. Police later located the BMW that he was observed driving. While searching the vehicle, officers located a 9mm loaded pistol, a shoebox containing $56,000 in cash, two cellphones, and several designer apparel items. Evidence presented at trial established that Blackman had $6,165 in cash on his person at the time of arrest, and $3,000 in cash inside his apartment, along with a scale, a Pyrex container with cocaine residue, and other evidence of drug trafficking.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Fairview Park Police Department.
This prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristen Rolph and Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel for the Northern District of Ohio.
Cuyahoga County Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Downloading and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Cuyahoga County man was sentenced to federal prison for committing crimes involving Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).
Anthony C. Hayes Jr., 44, of Maple Heights, Ohio, was sentenced to 108 months (9 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese, after pleading guilty in April to Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct. He was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, Hayes was identified during an investigation into suspected illegal downloads of child pornography via multiple peer-to-peer file sharing programs. Investigators found that for nearly a year, Hayes was actively sharing CSAM with others through peer-to-peer programs.
During a search warrant executed at Hayes’ residence, his devices were seized and analyzed. Investigators determined that more than 3,000 CSAM files were located on his computer. Much of the illegal content he shared were videos depicting the rape and torture of children as young as four years old. Several videos showed children being sexually abused for more than an hour.
The investigation leading to the indictment was led by the FBI Cleveland Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. King led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Akron Man Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Summit County man was sentenced to federal prison for receiving, distributing, and possessing materials that depicted the sexual abuse of children.
Brandon Dolly, 23, of Akron, Ohio, was sentenced to 151 months (12.58 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko, after pleading guilty in March to Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct and Possession of Child Pornography, also known as Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). Dolly was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and is required to register as a sex offender. In addition, he was ordered to pay $46,500 in restitution to victims and $15,200 in special assessments.
Court documents show that in January 2025, FBI agents began an investigation into various social media accounts that were suspected of trading CSAM. Brandon Dolly was then identified. A search warrant was executed at his residence in Akron and resulted in the seizure of several electronic devices. Upon further forensic examination, investigators determined that Dolly’s devices contained approximately 29,788 child sexual abuse images and that he had been actively receiving and distributing CSAM from about October 2023 through March 2025.
The case was investigated by the FBI Akron Resident Agency and the Akron Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ohio Babysitter Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for Sexually Abusing Toddlers to Produce Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 26-year-old woman was sentenced to prison after admitting to sexually abusing two children in her care while she was employed as their babysitter and producing videos of the abuse to share with other sexually deviant individuals on social media.
Molly Elisabeth Duncan, of Beachwood, Ohio, was sentenced to 840 months (70 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker after pleading guilty in April to:
- Sexual Exploitation of Children (two counts)
- Distribution of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
She was also ordered to serve 25 years of supervised release after imprisonment.
She was additionally ordered to pay the following:
- $20,000 toward the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which was established in 2015 to impose additional assessment to offenders who commit certain crimes, including sexual exploitation and other abuse of children.
- $8,000 toward the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Assistance Act which was established in 2018 to provide monetary assistance for victims of child sexual abuse.
Judge Barker imposed the sentence on July 22.
According to court documents and evidence, the defendant worked as a nanny in Northeast Ohio for the minor victims’ families from about November 2023 to July 2024. However, court records also indicate that Duncan worked as a nanny in the Northern District of Ohio for approximately 10 years. Duncan sexually abused one victim in Portage County and another in Geauga County—both under the age of two—and recorded the visual depictions on her cellphone. She then shared the videos with others who also had a sexual interest in children through a social media platform. During a forensic analysis of Duncan’s electronic devices, investigators found several CSAM files of each minor victim.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with additional information about this matter is asked to please call the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at 216-698-3151.
This prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Kane and Michelle M. Baeppler for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mahoning Valley Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Columbiana County man was sentenced to federal prison for receiving, distributing, and possessing hundreds of child sexual abuse files.
Scotty L. Skiba, 39, of Salem, Ohio, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams, after pleading guilty in February to Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct and Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). He was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $40,000 in restitution to victims. He was additionally ordered to pay $10,000 toward the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Assistance Act, which was established in 2018 to provide monetary assistance for victims of child sexual abuse.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, from about July 2024 to June 2025, investigators found that Skiba was knowingly receiving and distributing digital files that contained images of the sexual abuse of children. During the execution of a search warrant execution at his residence, multiple electronic devices were seized. Forensic analysis revealed that Skiba possessed more than 1,500 images and videos of CSAM on his devices. Numerous videos depicting the rape, bondage, and torture of children were more than five minutes long, with at least one video nearly an hour in length. Investigators also learned that Skiba had previously engaged in sexual contact with two minors.
The investigation leading to the indictment was led by the FBI Youngstown Resident Agency and the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Noble County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeastern Human Trafficking Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. King led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
16 Charged in Trafficking Ring Allegedly Operating Out of a Mansfield Car WashRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Sixteen individuals have been charged for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking ring operating out of a car wash in Mansfield, Ohio. The charges are the result of a three-year-long investigation by federal and local officials.
According to the superseding indictment filed July 8, the defendants are alleged to be responsible for trafficking large quantities of controlled substances in Richland County and the surrounding areas. Oxycodone was obtained from suppliers in Detroit, Cleveland, and Toledo which co-conspirators redistributed in Mansfield. The drugs and proceeds, were then stored at the New Millinium Car Wash and at a residence on Johns Avenue, both in Mansfield.
Throughout the investigation, agents seized approximately 895 grams of cocaine, 127 oxycodone pills, and 50 grams of cocaine base (crack), as well as 1.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1,980 pressed fentanyl tablets, and 120 grams of powdered fentanyl. Agents also seized cash proceeds totaling more than $61,832 and numerous illegally possessed firearms during the investigation.
Individuals were apprehended in a series of coordinated arrests. One defendant, Carl Henderson, 56, of Los Angeles, California, remains at large.
A federal grand jury returned an 18-count indictment charging the following individuals with Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Cocaine Base (Crack), and Oxycodone:
- Calvin Caldwell, aka Petey, 67, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Carl Henderson, 56, of Los Angeles, California
- Damell Owens, 48, of Cleveland, Ohio
- Leon Moses, aka Lee, 47, of Toledo, Ohio
- Phillip Douglas Jr., 44, of Fraser, Michigan
- Robert Wade, aka Hollywood, 53, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Nashone Howard, aka Black, 53, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Edward Brooks, 67, of Ontario, Ohio
- Joann Robertson, 73, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Effie James, 69, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Jaynell Thornton, 67, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Timothy Moyer, 67, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Paul Baumer, 59, of Mansfield, Ohio
- Dreama Henderson, 42, of Mansfield, Ohio
- David George, 55, of Mansfield, Ohio,
- Toni Crawford, 66, of Mansfield, Ohio
Caldwell was additionally charged with:
- Distribution of Oxycodone
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine
- Felon in Possession of Ammunition; prior convictions include Aggravated Trafficking in 1995, Possession of Drugs in 2004, Distribution of Cocaine Base in 2008, and Trafficking in Cocaine in 2014
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
- Distribution of Cocaine Base (Crack)
- Distribution of Oxycodone
- Maintenance of Drug Premises
Owens was additionally charged with:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition; prior convictions include Felonious Assault in 2004, and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribution of Cocaine and Cocaine Base in 2013
- Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
Howard was additionally charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm; prior convictions include Aggravated Battery/Great Bodily Harm in 1991; Possession of Controlled Substances and Manufacture/Deliver Controlled Substances in 1994.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney David Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio, Special Agent in Charge Joshua Del Manzo of the FBI Cleveland Division, and Mansfield Police Chief Jason Bammann.
This case was investigated by the FBI Mansfield Resident Agency and the Metro-Richland County (METRICH) enforcement unit with assistance from the Mansfield Police Department, Richland County Sheriff Department, and the Marion County Drug Task Force (MARMET). The U.S. Marshals Service and Wyandot County Sheriff Office assisted with the arrests. The Richland County Prosecutors office provided valuable legal support throughout the investigation.
The prosecution is being led by Assistant United States Attorney Vasile Katsaros for the Northern District of Ohio.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Michigan Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Assaulting a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – A 29-year-old man was sentenced for a drug offense and for assaulting a federal officer while the officer was performing his official duties.
Damarko Amir Kimble, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 121 months (10.08 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary after pleading guilty in April to Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance and Assaulting, Resisting, and Impeding a Federal Officer. He was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, on Oct. 7, 2024, federal officers encountered Kimble at a service plaza parking lot on the I-80/90 turnpike in Sandusky County. Kimble’s rental vehicle had expired registration tags. A K-9 working with the officers alerted to the presence of illegal substances in Kimble’s vehicle. During a probable cause search of Kimble’s vehicle, a backpack was located on the rear floorboard. The backpack contained a plastic bag that officers suspected to be methamphetamine. The substance was later analyzed at a forensic laboratory and confirmed to be 577.7 grams of pure methamphetamine. As the officers attempted to arrest Kimble, he rushed towards one of them and knocked him off his feet, throwing him to the ground. Kimble attempted to flee but was apprehended.
The investigation was led by the U.S. Border Patrol Sandusky Bay Station.
Assistant United States Attorney Dexter L. Phillips for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
Canton Man Sentenced to 15+ Years in Prison for Meth and Heroin Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A 45-year-old man was sentenced to prison for his role in operating a drug trafficking enterprise out of his restaurant and home in Summit County.
Jerrick Jermain Daniels, of Canton, was sentenced to 180 months (15.6 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster after pleading guilty in March to:
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
- Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition; prior convictions include Possession of Cocaine in 2002 and 2005, Felonious Assault in 2007, and Trafficking in Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Heroin in 2014.
- Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime
Daniels was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release after imprisonment.
According to court documents, agents were investigating suspected drug trafficking taking place in Summit County, Ohio, when Daniels was identified as a suspect. In May 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at his residence located on Navarre Road and at his restaurant on Fremont, both located in Canton. In total, the following items were seized during the investigation:
- Bond Arms Roughneck .45 ACP handgun
- Springfield XD-9 handgun with a loaded magazine
- Smith and Wesson M&P handgun, with an extended magazine
- Carina RTA 12-gauge shotgun
- Glock 48 handgun
- Glock 42 handgun
- Glock 17 handgun
- Springfield XD-9 handgun
- Taurus G2C handgun
- Two digital scales with residue
- 156.74 grams of heroin
- 138.475 grams of pure methamphetamine
- Packing materials from the narcotics
Daniels later admitted possessing the narcotics with the intent to distribute them and that he used the firearms to further his drug trafficking operation.
This case was investigated by the FBI Canton Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
Summit County Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Committing Crimes While Out on ParoleRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 32-year-old Summit County man was sent back to prison for committing drug offenses while he was out on parole.
Darren Tibbets, of Akron, was sentenced to a total of 144 months (12 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent. Tibbets received 24 months in prison (2 years) for being in violation of the terms of his supervised release after he was imprisoned for a previous drug conviction. He was also sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison after pleading guilty in December 2025 to the following charges:
- Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl
- Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl
Both sentences will run consecutively.
Court documents show that in 2025, federal agents began investigating suspected drug trafficking in Akron, Ohio. Tibbets was subsequently identified. During the investigation, law enforcement found that Tibbets was actively involved in illegal drug trafficking. In total, investigators seized approximately 21 grams of heroin and fentanyl from Tibbets.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brett S. Hammond.
Georgia Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for Stealing $1.7 Million Through Business Email SchemeRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Georgia man has been sentenced to prison for participating in a scheme to defraud victim entities by illegally accessing their email accounts to identify their true vendors and then posing as those vendors in emails requesting payments.
Chinedu Opute, 43, of LaGrange, Georgia, was sentenced to 72 months (6 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan after pleading guilty in January to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, and Aggravated Identity Theft. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment, pay a $15,000 fine, and pay over $1.4 million in restitution.
According to court documents and evidence presented in court, in 2023, Opute and his co-conspirators engaged in a widespread campaign to compromise business email accounts and steal victim funds. They gained unauthorized access to victims’ email accounts and then posed as legitimate third-party creditors or vendors to whom the victim business owed money. The conspirators then sent a fraudulent email with payment instructions directing the victims to send funds to bank accounts that the conspirators, in fact, controlled.
Opute was responsible for setting up the bank accounts that were used to receive, and subsequently disburse, the stolen funds. Specifically, in early 2023, Opute established a fake company, Overseas Dry Food Supplier LLC (ODFS), as well as a fake identity, Angel Adames, that he used to open a bank account in the name of ODFS. In June 2023, the ODFS bank account received more than $1 million in stolen funds from three victims, including a local government entity in the Northern District of Ohio. Opute immediately disbursed the stolen funds by loading them onto prepaid credit cards in the names of real people that were disguised to look like payments to gig employees. Opute then withdrew those funds from the prepaid cards at ATMs in the Atlanta area.
Opute kept approximately 30-40% of the stolen funds and used the money to fund his lavish lifestyle. He used the funds to make a $200,000 down payment on an Atlanta-area condo and to buy a $100,000 Range Rover and luxury jewelry.
In total, eight victims lost a combined $1.7 million because of Opute’s scheme. Investigators also discovered that he, and his coconspirators, had targeted other victims in attempts to obtain another $5.1 million through fraud.
This investigation was led by the FBI Cleveland Division.
Assistant United States Attorney Megan R. Miller for the Northern District of Ohio led the prosecution.
Career Offender Sentenced to More Than 20 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio, – A Summit County man, who has been designated, federally, as a career offender, has been sentenced to prison for drug trafficking after a two-year long investigation.
Robert Parham, 55, of Akron, was sentenced to 247 months (20.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster after pleading guilty in March to the following charges as outlined in the indictment:
- Three Counts of Felon in Possession of a Firearm; prior convictions include Aggravating Trafficking in Drugs and Trafficking in Cocaine in 2018; Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs and Trafficking in Drugs in 2013; Complicity to Commit Burglary in 2005; and Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs in 1995.
- Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine
- Four Counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Cocaine
- Possession of a Machine Gun
- Maintaining a Drug Involved Premises
In late 2023, federal agents began investigating suspected drug trafficking occurring throughout the Akron, Ohio, area. On July 2, 2024, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Parham’s apartment in Akron where they seized:
- 178 grams of methamphetamine
- 142 grams of cocaine
- 355 grams of fentanyl
- Drug trafficking paraphernalia, including plastic baggies, a digital scale, kilo presses, blenders, and cutting agent.
- 28 firearms, including two stolen firearms. One firearm was outfitted with an attached machine gun conversion device.
- Marijuana, ecstasy tablets, three cellphones, and $1907.88 in U.S. currency.
The investigation leading to the indictment was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the FBI Akron Resident Agency and the Akron Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
Elyria Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Prison for Receipt, Distribution, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Lorain County man was sentenced to federal prison for receipt, possession and distribution of pornographic materials involving children.
Christopher Jackson, 27, of Elyria, Ohio, was sentenced to 186 months (15.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker, after pleading guilty in March to the following charges in the indictment:
- Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
He was also ordered to serve 15 years of supervised release after imprisonment. Restitution will be determined at a later date.
According to court records, agents were conducting investigation into suspected CSAM activity on social media platforms and identified Jackson as an individual downloading child pornography. Jackson was later apprehended. During a forensic analysis of his electronic devices and online accounts, investigators found approximately 955 images and 371 videos of CSAM. Further investigation revealed that Jackson had been possessing and viewing CSAM for more than 17 years.
The investigation leading to the indictment was led by the FBI Cleveland Division and the Elyria Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Margaret Kane for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Three Russian Nationals and Two Companies Indicted for International Cybercrimes Resulting in More Than $62M in Victim LossesRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today in the Northern District of Ohio charging three Russian nationals and two related “bulletproof hosting” companies for their roles in cybercrimes against U.S. victims, causing tens of millions of dollars in losses.
The indictment, returned in December 2024, charges the following defendants with conspiracy to commit and aid and abet computer fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering:
- Alexander Alexandrovich Volosovik, 43, of St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Kirill Andreevich Zatolokin, 34, of St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Yulia Vladimirovna Pankova, 29, of St. Petersburg, Russia;
- Medialand LLC, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia; and
- ML.Cloud LLC, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia
In addition to the unsealing of the indictment, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program announced today that it is offering a reward of up to $10 million and possible relocation for actionable information on foreign government-linked associates of Pankova, Volosovik and Zatolokin, their malicious cyber activities, or foreign government-linked use of Media Land or ML.Cloud. U.S. sanctions were announced in November 2025 against the indicted defendants and companies.
“From their overseas haven, these defendants ran the criminal infrastructure that powered attacks on critical institutions across our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their actions put the American public at risk. We will continue to dismantle these networks and protect our critical infrastructure from cybercriminals at home and abroad.”
“The victims in this case are not only in Ohio, but also in 20 other states across the country, touching every aspect of Americans’ lives. They include banks, schools, government entities, hospitals, and media companies,” said U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “Together with our international partners, we will aggressively combat the efforts of individuals who hide behind computers anywhere in the world who seek to profit and wreak havoc by targeting the infrastructures that support our communities.”
“With today’s actions, the FBI and our partners are striking at the core services that cybercriminals rely on to attack U.S. critical infrastructure,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI Cyber Division. “Media Land has enabled malicious activity causing tens of millions in losses and impacting victims across 21 states and multiple countries. This is another step in our broader campaign to shrink the space in which these actors can operate, forcing them to work harder, take greater risks, and lose the anonymity they depend on.”
“Today’s announcement underscores the importance of global partnerships and international collaboration, especially in a borderless world riddled with cyber criminals,” said Special Agent in Charge Josh DelManzo of the FBI Cleveland Field Office. “The methods used by these bad actors, including ransomware, malware, phishing and other cyber activity, serves as a reminder that whether for business or personal use, when you are online, criminal networks will stop at nothing to hack, attack, share, or sell your information for their own greed, gain, and profit. The FBI and its partners will continue to identify and cripple criminal networks and freeze their infrastructures to reduce or remove the threats to the public and further protect trusting individuals and companies.”
“The Department of State is committed to countering malicious cyber activities that threaten U.S. critical infrastructure and our national security,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service for Cyber & Technology Security Gharun Lacy. “We remain relentless in our efforts to generate information that helps our law enforcement partners disrupt campaigns against our national interest and bring these malicious cyber actors to justice.”
According to allegations in court documents, Medialand LLC (owned by Volosovik) and ML.Cloud (at the time of investigation and indictment, owned by Pankova) were both based in St. Petersburg, Russia, and provided infrastructure including computer servers and related internet services. Medialand’s infrastructure also operated out of multiple countries including China, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United States. These businesses provided what are known as “bulletproof hosting” services for client users to not only conduct criminal activities, but also to evade detection by law enforcement. Such businesses knowingly and intentionally market and/or lease their infrastructure to cybercriminals. According to the indictment, Volosovik advertised their services on criminal forums, touting features and services advantageous to cybercriminals. Medialand and ML.Cloud provided criminal client co-conspirators with the means to infect victim computers with malware and ransomware and then extort those victims for money and cryptocurrency. Other computer-based crimes facilitated by Medialand and ML.Cloud included supporting criminal marketplaces, registering fraudulent domain, and providing a platform from which to launch phishing and brute-force attacks. According to the indictment, 42 victims in 21 states were targeted by criminal groups who used Medialand’s and ML.Cloud’s services.
The November 2025 Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions against the named defendants and entities were joined in full by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and in part by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The OFAC sanctions block all U.S. property and prohibit transactions by U.S. persons. Volosovik, Zatolokin and Pankova were individually sanctioned. Medialand and its subsidiaries Media Land Technology (MLT) and Data Center Kirishi (DC Kirishi) along with Medialand’s sister company, ML Cloud were also sanctioned.
The criminal investigation is being led by the FBI Cleveland Division, with the assistance of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and OFAC. Valuable assistance was provided by the National Police of the Netherlands, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Netherlands, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Federal Police.
Trial Attorney Christen Gallagher of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Duncan T. Brown for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
This action is part of Operation Riptide, an ongoing FBI campaign targeting the criminal actors, infrastructure, and financial networks behind cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime, and fraud against the American people. Last year, Americans reported over $20 billion in losses to cybercrime, a 26 percent single-year increase. Operation Riptide is the FBI’s sustained enforcement response to that threat.
Anyone with information should contact Rewards for Justice via its Tor-based tips-reporting channel at:
he5dybnt7sr6cm32xt77pazmtm65flqy6irivtflruqfc5ep7eiodiad.onion (Tor browser required).
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Three Russian Nationals Indicted for International Cybercrimes Resulting in More Than $62M in Losses to VictimsRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio has announced the unsealing of an indictment charging three Russian nationals for their roles in malicious cyber activities against U.S. critical infrastructure affecting victims in 21 states and in several countries, with losses amounting to tens of millions of dollars. These charges are the result of a seven-year-long investigation.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment in December 2024 charging the following defendants with Conspiracy to Commit and Aid and Abet Computer Fraud, Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering:
- Alexander Alexandrovich Volosovik, 43, of St. Petersburg, Russia
- Kirill Andreevich Zatolokin, 34, of St. Petersburg, Russia
- Yulia Vladimirovna Pankova, 29, of St. Petersburg, Russia
- Media Land, LLC, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia
- ML.Cloud, LLC, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Russia
In addition to the unsealing of the indictment, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program announced today that it is offering a reward of up to $10 million and possible relocation for actionable information on foreign government-linked associates of Pankova, Volosovik and Zatolokin, their malicious cyber activities, or foreign government-linked use of Media Land or ML.Cloud. U.S. sanctions were announced in November 2025 against the indicted defendants and companies.
“From their overseas haven, these defendants ran the criminal infrastructure that powered attacks on critical institutions across our nation,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Their actions put the American public at risk. We will continue to dismantle these networks and protect our critical infrastructure from cybercriminals at home and abroad.”
"The victims in this case are not only in Ohio, but also in 20 other states across the country, touching every aspect of Americans’ lives. They include banks, schools, government entities, hospitals, and media companies,” said United States Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio. “Together with our international partners, we will aggressively combat the efforts of individuals who hide behind computers anywhere in the world who seek to profit and wreak havoc by targeting the infrastructures that support our communities.”
“With today’s actions, the FBI and our partners are striking at the core services that cybercriminals rely on to attack U.S. critical infrastructure,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI Cyber Division. “Media Land has enabled malicious activity causing tens of millions in losses and impacting victims across 21 states and multiple countries. This is another step in our broader campaign to shrink the space in which these actors can operate, forcing them to work harder, take greater risks, and lose the anonymity they depend on.”
According to allegations in court documents, Media Land, LLC, owned by Volosovik, and ML.Cloud, owned by Pankova, at the time of investigation and indictment, were both based in St. Petersburg and provided infrastructure for computer servers and related internet services. Media Land’s infrastructure also operated out of multiple countries including China, Finland, the Netherlands, and the United States. These businesses provided what are known as “bulletproof hosting” services for client users to not only conduct criminal activities, but also to evade detection by law enforcement. Such businesses knowingly and intentionally market and/or lease their infrastructure to cybercriminals. According to the indictment, Media Land and ML.Cloud provided infrastructure and tech support to criminal client co-conspirators with the means to infect victim computers with malware and ransomware and then extorted those victims for money and cryptocurrency. Other computer-based crimes facilitated by Media Land and ML.Cloud included supporting criminal marketplaces, fraudulent domain registrations, and providing the platform from which to launch phishing and brute force attacks.
“Today’s announcement underscores the importance of global partnerships and international collaboration, especially in a borderless world riddled with cyber criminals,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Josh DelManzo. “The methods used by these bad actors, including ransomware, malware, phishing and other cyber activity, serves as a reminder that whether for business or personal use, when you are online, criminal networks will stop at nothing to hack, attack, share, or sell your information for their own greed, gain, and profit. The FBI and its partners will continue to identify and cripple criminal networks and freeze their infrastructures to reduce or remove the threats to the public and further protect trusting individuals and companies.”
“The Department of State is committed to countering malicious cyber activities that threaten U.S. critical infrastructure and our national security,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary and Assistant Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service for Cyber & Technology Security Gharun Lacy. “We remain relentless in our efforts to generate information that helps our law enforcement partners disrupt campaigns against our national interest and bring these malicious cyber actors to justice.”
Investigators found that dozens of victim organizations were targeted by criminal groups who used Media Land’s and ML.Cloud’s services. Victim entities included banks, schools, government entities, hospitals, and media companies. The victims were located throughout the U.S. and across the world. In the Northern District of Ohio, victims were located in: Akron, Brookfield, Canton, Cleveland, Elyria, Medina, Findlay, Solon, and Valley View. At least 20 other states were also affected including: California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington state, and Wisconsin. International victims were located in Australia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and the United Kingdom.
“Cybercriminals persist in their efforts to disrupt networks and systems while remaining undetectable and difficult to trace. Bulletproof hosting providers are increasingly becoming common accomplices, posing an imminent and significant risk to the resilience and safety of critical systems and services,” said CISA Industry Team Operations Manager, Nicholas Colella. “CISA’s global collaboration with governments, law enforcement, and the private sector is making it harder for cybercriminals to remain anonymous online. Our joint BulletProof Defense guide provides actionable information to reduce the effectiveness of this nefarious infrastructure and risk to this threat.”
Anyone with information should contact Rewards for Justice via its Tor-based tips-reporting channel at: he5dybnt7sr6cm32xt77pazmtm65flqy6irivtflruqfc5ep7eiodiad.onion (Tor browser required).
More information is available on the RFJ website at RewardsForJustice.net.
Rewards for Justice
Rewards for JusticeIn November 2025, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, joined by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, designated Media Land as a Specially Designated National (SDN) for facilitating global ransomware operations, DDoS attacks, and malicious cyber activities. The sanctions block all U.S. property and prohibit transactions by U.S. persons. Volosovik, Zatolokin, and Pankova were individually sanctioned. Media Land subsidiaries Media Land Technology (MLT) and Data Center Kirishi (DC Kirishi) along with Media Land’s sister company, ML Cloud were also sanctioned.
On July 13, the European Union also announced sanctions as a crucial step in the international fight against cybercrime.
This investigation is being led by the FBI Cleveland Division, with the assistance of the Cybersecurity/Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
U.S. Attorney Toepfer would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance of the following agencies in this investigation:
- National Police of the Netherlands
- Public Prosecutor's Office of the Netherlands
- United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency
- United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Australian Federal Police
The prosecution in this case is being led Assistant United States Attorney Duncan T. Brown for the Northern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Christen Gallagher of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS).
Additional Partner Statements
Australian Federal Police
“The AFP welcomes and supports the United States’ Department of Justice announcement on the indictment on the principal Media Land operator, Aleksandr Alexandrovich Volosovik – also known as Yalishanda,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Cyber and Special Investigations Sandra Booth said. “AFP’s cooperation with partner law enforcement agencies in the United States and internationally is critical in disrupting criminal activity. The AFP remains committed to continuing its relentless work to target cybercriminals.”
”Bulletproof hosting enables cybercriminal activity including ransomware, scams, malware infections, and other malicious offending that harms people online in Australia and overseas.
“The disruption and removal of bulletproof hosts is a vital step to prevent cybercriminals who prey on the victims online.”
National Police and Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Netherlands
Police and Public Prosecution Service: New EU sanctions crucial step in international fight against cybercrime
“The Netherlands Police and Public Prosecution Service welcome the EU sanctions that were imposed on two Russian companies, the CEO of these companies, and another key player in organised cybercrime. The sanctions were introduced to make it harder for cyber criminals to continue their activities, and to disrupt their criminal business model.”
United Kingdom National Crime Agency
The National Crime Agency welcomes today’s action against the key operators behind the bulletproof hosting service Media Land AKA Yalishanda.
Deputy Director Paul Foster, National Cyber Crime Unit, said “Working together across borders is essential to dismantling the infrastructure that enables serious cybercrime. This action reflects the strength of close collaboration between international partners to identify, disrupt, and bring cybercriminals to justice. Bulletproof hosting forms a critical part of the cybercriminal ecosystem, providing resilient infrastructure that facilitates ransomware, phishing, malware and other serious offences. Continued action against these key enablers is essential to reducing their resilience, disrupting the services cybercriminals depend on, and increasing the cost and risk of cybercrime.”
filed_indictment.pdfParma Man Sentenced to Prison for Fraud Conspiracy that Targeted the ElderlyRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Cuyahoga County man was sentenced to prison for his role in romance fraud schemes that targeted the elderly throughout Northern Ohio and elsewhere.
Abdoul Issaka Assimiou, 38, of Parma, Ohio, was sentenced to 63 months (5.25 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after pleading guilty in October 2025 to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Money Laundering. Assimiou was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $220,485 in restitution to 15 victims.
According to court records, from December 2017 to March 2024, an international elder fraud and money laundering conspiracy targeted older Americans in the Northern District of Ohio and across the United States. Conspirators used dating websites and social media platforms to interact with victims, creating fake personas to establish close, often romantic, relationships. Victims, misled by false stories such as claims of gold inheritances, sent money via wire transfer to accounts controlled by Assimiou and others. For over three years, Assimiou retained portions of these stolen funds and purchased products to ship to co-conspirators in Ghana.
The FBI Cleveland Division investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. McDonough, prosecuted the case.
This investigation and prosecution are in response to the Elder Justice Initiative Program originating from the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017 (EAPPA). The mission of the EAPPA and Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department of Justice’s enforcement efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams that target the nation’s elderly population.
To report suspected elder financial abuse, visit: tips.fbi.gov/home or justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Ghanaian National Extradited to U.S. to Face Accusations of Using Romance Fraud Schemes to Take $8+ Million from Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 31-year-old Ghanaian National was extradited from the Republic of Ghana to face charges that involve defrauding more than 80 elderly victims out of more than $8 million.
According to court documents, Frederick Kumi, aka Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng, aka Abu Trica, of Swedru, Ghana, and co-defendant Daniel Yussif, aka Denteni, aka Slab, 31, of Accra Ghana, were part of a criminal network that targeted elderly victims in romance scams across the United States since 2023. Kumi was arrested in Ghana Dec. 11, 2025, and extradited to the United States July 9.
Court records allege that from about April 2023 to November 2025, Kumi was part of a criminal network that devised romance fraud schemes to obtain money from elderly United States citizens. Kumi and Yussif acted as leaders of a group that used online dating sites and social media to identify and target their victims, who were often widows or divorcees. Kumi employed advanced techniques including AI-driven video platforms to engage with the victims under fictitious female personas. Others involved in the deception leveraged Ghanaian associates to communicate directly with victims via encrypted apps and by phone, to maintain the false identities used to facilitate the fraud. After being misled by false stories or gold or diamond inheritances, the victims sent money via wire transfer to financial accounts controlled by conspiracy members. Portions of the funds were further provided to co-conspirators in Ghana and elsewhere. Kumi and other co-conspirators used money mules based in Ghana, and contacts in the Ghanaian immigrant community in the U.S., to launder millions of dollars through fake businesses and bank accounts.
Kumi allegedly used his ill-gotten gains to acquire luxury vehicles and other items of value. Assets seized by international law enforcement partners included a mansion in Ghana, a Lamborghini, Tesla Cybertruck, Mercedes Benz, and BMW.
U.S. v. Kumi et al, case# 1:25CR590 U.S. v. Kumi et al, case# 1:25CR590Kumi has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Additionally, his ill-gotten gains are subject to forfeiture. Kumi faces up to 20 years imprisonment.
If convicted, each defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including each defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, his role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentences will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Each defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Elliot Morrison for the Northern District of Ohio.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank the Ghana Attorney General’s Office, EOCO – Ghana Economic Organized Crime Office, GPS – Ghana Police Service, Ghana Cyber Security Authority, NACOC – Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana National Intelligence Bureau, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Sensitive Investigation Unit, U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra for their cooperation in securing the arrest and extradition from Ghana.
The investigation and prosecution are conducted under the Elder Justice Initiative Program, established by the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act of 2017 (EAPPA). The EAPPA and Elder Justice Initiative aims to coordinate and strengthen the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat abuse, neglect, financial fraud, and scams targeting older adults.
To submit a report of suspected elder financial abuse, please visit tips.fbi.gov/home or justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation.
Ohio Woman and Two Sons Charged with Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS and Pandemic-era Programs of More Than $5MRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Three Lorain County residents, a mother and her adult sons, have been charged with conspiring for more than five years to defraud the IRS and several taxpayer-funded programs established to assist small business owners during the pandemic.
A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Junera Holt Sr., 55, and her sons, Divante Holt, 32, and Richard Henry, 35, with:
- Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
- Wire Fraud
- Aiding and Assisting in the Preparation of False Tax Returns
- Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Bank Fraud
Additionally, Junera Holt was charged with:
- Filing a False Tax Return
- Aggravated Identity Theft
- Bank Fraud
Henry was additionally charged with:
- Bank Fraud
- Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Criminally Derived Property
According to allegations contained in court documents, defendants orchestrated two conspiracies to submit fraudulent applications and claims in efforts to seek more than $5 million in government funds. These methods included obtaining both tax refunds and COVID-19 pandemic stimulus funds through identity theft, the use of shell entities, and numerous misstatements.
In the tax fraud conspiracy, between 2019 and 2024, the conspirators are alleged to have filed numerous false claims with the IRS in their own names and in the names of shell entities and identity theft victims. They are alleged to have claimed approximately $1,533,395.
It is also alleged that the defendants engaged in a wide-ranging conspiracy to obtain COVID-19 pandemic stimulus funds, primarily unemployment insurance benefits for those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The amount of funds alleged to have been fraudulently sought was approximately $3,273,455.
Additionally, allegations contained in the indictment outline that in 2021 the defendants submitted fraudulent loan applications seeking at least $337,645 in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for purported small businesses—funds intended to help small businesses to continue to employ their workers during the pandemic.
This investigation was led by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General-Office of Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Wojtasik and Erica Barnhill for the Northern District Ohio are leading the prosecution.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Canton Man Sentenced to 13+ Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A Stark County man has been sentenced to federal prison for receiving, distributing, and possessing materials that depicted the sexual abuse of children.
Brian Dazey, 38, of Canton, has been sentenced to 160 months (13.3 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Nugent, after pleading guilty to Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, and Possession of Child Pornography, also known as Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). Dazey was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and is required to register as a sex offender.
In May of 2025, law enforcement in the Canton area were investigating suspected CSAM activity. Investigators learned that the child pornography was downloaded from both a church and a grocery store where Dazey was employed. On June 30, 2025, agents executed a search warrant on Dazey’s person and residence and seized his cellphone. Dazey admitted to downloading, viewing, and trading child pornography on several social media platforms. During forensic examination of his electronic devices, investigators located more than 130,000 videos and images depicting child sexual abuse.
The case was investigated by the FBI Canton Resident Agency, the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Jackson Township Police Department, and the Canton Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph P. Dangelo for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Cleveland Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Possessing Meth and Crack with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 28-year-old Cuyahoga County man has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing distribution amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine base, more commonly known as “crack.”
Haroon Gaines, 28, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 170 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher Boyko after being convicted by a federal jury in March 2026 of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Cocaine Base.
According to court documents, Gaines was discovered unconscious in the hallway of the La Quinta Inn in Independence, Ohio. Law enforcement responding to the scene found distribution amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine base “crack” in his pockets. According to investigators, the drug amounts found equated to about a two-month supply of methamphetamine and 200 user doses of crack cocaine. Testimony and video footage evidence presented at trial revealed that Gaines was driving in donuts in the parking lot outside of the hotel, knocking on hotel patrons’ doors, and then eventually passed out on the third-floor hallway.
In total, investigators seized:
- 45.76 grams of methamphetamine (with 92% purity)
- 20.2 grams of cocaine base
- A Smith & Wesson, Model M&P, .22 caliber rifle, with magazines and ammunition
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Independence Police Department.
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Brenna L. Fasko and Paul E. Hanna.
Wisconsin Man Pleads Guilty to Selling and Smuggling Firearms to Saudi ArabiaRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 61-year-old man pleaded guilty in federal court for selling firearms and related parts without a license to buyers in Saudi Arabia, shipping the prohibited items, and then lying to federal inspectors about it.
Mark Buschman, of Viroqua, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Smuggle Goods from the United States before U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr., who accepted his plea.
According to the indictment, from about February 2019 to December 2024, Buschman ran an illegal export operation that shipped U.S acquired firearms out of the country. After obtaining the firearms and their related parts in the U.S., he advertised the items for sale on eBay and other online marketplace-style websites. Buschman’s advertising generated sales leads from buyers in Saudi Arabia and he eventually sold and shipped the items to them. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, Saudi Arabian-based buyers paid the defendant approximately $305,614.
Court documents indicate that serial numbers from some of the firearms and firearms parts were removed before Bushman shipped the items. He then hid the firearms and firearm parts inside household appliances and tools such as toasters, coffee makers, space heaters, fans, and landscaping hedge trimmers before he packaged the items for shipment. Buschman did not declare that the shipments contained firearms or their parts when sending to freight forwarders located in Ohio, New Jersey, Oregon and elsewhere.
Buschman is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9, 2026. He faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. As part of his guilty plea, Buschman agreed to forfeit $180,000 in criminal proceeds. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cleveland Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Cleveland Office (of the Pittsburgh Division), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Elements of the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also assisted HSI. The Vernon County Sheriff's Office and the La Crosse County Sheriff's Office assisted with the execution of the arrest and search warrants.
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Shepherd, Jerome J. Teresinski, and Henry DeBaggis for the Northern District of Ohio. Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the Department’s National Security Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Stephan of the Western District of Wisconsin U.S. Attorney’s Office, assisted during the investigation of this case.
Cuyahoga County Man Pleads Guilty to Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 66-year-old man has pleaded guilty in federal court for terrorizing employees at a local bank as he demanded cash and threated them with a bomb.
Mason Hart, of Euclid, pleaded guilty to Bank Robbery before U.S. District Judge Charles Esque Fleming, who accepted his plea.
According to court documents, on Feb. 17, Hart entered Fifth Third Bank on Lakeshore Boulevard in Euclid around 1 p.m. Hart went to a customer desk and began writing. He then waited his turn in line to speak to a teller. Hart handed a demand note to the teller, and placed a taped shoe box on the counter in the teller’s line of sight. The note to the teller read, "I HAVE A BOMB IN THE BOX ITS REMOTE CONTROL ACTAUATE DO AS I SAY AND NOBODY WILL GET HURT." In response to Hart’s threat, the teller handed over $920 in United States currency. Hart then fled the bank on foot. He was apprehended at a later time.
Hart is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 10. He faces a prison sentence of up to 57 months in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Scott Zarzycki for the Northern District of Ohio.
Last of Six Defendants Pleads Guilty to Role in Multi-state Securities FraudRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – The last of six men from Florida has pleaded guilty to his role in a scheme to manipulate the stock prices of publicly traded “penny stock” companies based in Florida, Colorado, and Wyoming. The stocks were sold at inflated prices to victim investors throughout the country, including in the Northern District of Ohio.
Charles Vaccaro, 68, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud. Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. accepted Vaccaro’s plea on June 24.
In addition, the co-defendants below previously pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- Dror Svorai, 57, of Hollywood, Florida - Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud, Securities Fraud, , Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments.
- Dennis Ruggeri, 80, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida - Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.
- Kevin Hagen, 57, of Davie, Florida - Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud.
- Gary Berlly, 74, of Plantation, Florida - Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud.
- Yosef Biton 45, of Sunny Isles, Florida - Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud.
- Eli Taieb, 52, of Davie, Florida - Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud (charged separately).
According to court documents and evidence presented in Court, from approximately January 2014 to July 2019 the defendants intentionally conspired, along with others, to defraud victims who bought shares of stock in public companies whose share prices the conspirators were manipulating. The companies were traded on the OTC Markets, which typically serve smaller public companies that don’t qualify to be traded through traditional U.S. stock exchanges..
The defendants acquired small publicly-traded companies, issued millions of shares to themselves and to friends, relatives, and other nominees at little or no cost, and then artificially controlled the price and volume of shares through a number of tactics. One method they used was through promotional media efforts designed to generate public interest and increase the price and trading volumes in the stock. The defendants had the ability to influence or control the authorship, timing, and content of the press releases and promotions, which were issued by the same companies whose stock they were selling. Because the defendants or their nominees controlled significant amounts of stock, they coordinated the sale of large blocks of shares to coincide with the press releases and promotions to entice would-be investors to purchase the stock.
The defendants also provided false and misleading information to attorneys and brokers to conceal their true relationship to the companies, which allowed them to deposit and sell stock they would not otherwise have been able to sell.
The defendants then profited by selling stock on the public market at artificially inflated prices without disclosing that they controlled both the stock and the companies themselves, or that they were artificially manipulating the companies’ stock prices. Once the defendants stopped promoting the stock, the stock price fell, causing investors to lose money. The defendants used the profits from their scheme to enrich themselves and fund luxurious lifestyles.
Among the items seized during the investigation, and later ordered forfeited, were:
- $236,131.05 from a bank account
- 2016 Range Rover vehicle, purchased for $90,327.79
- 2018 Rolls Royce Dawn vehicle, purchased for $376,660.94
- 2019 Porsche 911 vehicle, purchased for $164,481.14
- 2018 Tesla Model S 100D vehicle, purchased for $116,919.83
- 2001 Azimut 70’ yacht, purchased for $265,925
- AB JET 330 dinghy, purchased for $28,670.00.
In total, investors lost more than $26 million as a result of the scheme.
Each defendant’s sentence is determined by the Court after a review of factors unique to the case, including prior criminal record, if any, role in the offense, and characteristics of the offense. Berlly was sentenced to 18 months of probation and ordered to pay $18,063.14 in restitution. Hagen was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and $2,033,442.04 in restitution. Biton was sentenced to six months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $392,000 in restitution.
This case was investigated by the Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Barnhill, Brenna Fasko, and James Morford.
Former Church Employee Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling FundsRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – A 43-year-old woman has been sentenced to prison for embezzling money from a church where she was previously employed.
Shenia Watson, aka Shenia Brown, of Toledo, Ohio, was sentenced to 40 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary, after she pleaded guilty in February to Wire Fraud, Access Device Fraud, and Aggravated Identity Theft. Judge Zouhary also ordered Watson to serve three years of supervised release and pay $410,574.39 in restitution.
According to court documents, Watson was an employee of Perfecting Church in Toledo, Ohio.
As a church employee, Watson was responsible for managing parishioner donations. Investigators discovered that from about June 2019, to June of 2023, Watson used her position at the church to embezzle church funds from an app that was used to receive donations from parishioners. To conceal her embezzlement activities, Watson knowingly provided the board of directors with fraudulent monthly financial summary reports. Additionally, Watson secured a credit card in the name of the church’s pastor and used it to pay church expenses to conceal its true financial condition and to conceal her embezzlement activities.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Dexter Phillips led the prosecution.
Cuyahoga County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A 35-year-old man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of sending and receiving Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) and coercing a purported 14-year-old girl to meet him for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Michael Strimbu, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography, and Coercion and Enticement. District Judge John R. Adams accepted Strimbu’s plea June 25.
According to court documents and evidence presented to the judge, Strimbu communicated with a purported 14-year-old girl, through a social media application in January. Throughout his sexually explicit communications with her, he expressed interest in meeting her for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts. He was later arrested and taken into custody. During forensic examination of his electronic devices, investigators found hundreds of images and videos depicting real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including prepubescent minors under the age of 12.
Strimbu is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 10. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the Cuyahoga County Crimes Against Children Task Force-Internet Crimes Against Children, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Kane and Joseph P. Dangelo for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Portage County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse ChargesRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of sending and receiving child pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).
Joshua Whan, of Kent, pleaded guilty to the following charges in the indictment:
- Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Transportation of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
Chief Judge Sara Lioi accepted Whan’s plea June 23.
According to a criminal complaint and affidavit, in February 2026 federal agents were notified by the Streetsboro Police Department of suspected CSAM online activity occurring in Portage County. Investigators identified Whan and they learned that he regularly engaged with others through social media platforms and online forums to share CSAM and discuss his sexual interest in boys. In one conversation he indicated that he was visiting Disney World to “check out all the hot kxds (sic) while walking the parks.” Investigators seized Whan’s electronic devices during a search warrant execution at his residence. A forensic analysis of the content of the devices determined that they contained more than 2,100 images and 600 videos that depicted mostly male children, including toddlers, being raped and sexually abused.
Whan is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 6. He faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the FBI Akron Resident Agency, the Streetsboro Police Department, the Kent Police Department, and the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Kane for the Northern District of Ohio.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ohio Man Back in U.S. Custody After Fleeing to Bangkok to Avoid Drug Trafficking ChargesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 35-year-old man is in federal custody after being charged for possessing numerous illicit drugs intended for distribution. After his initial encounter with law enforcement, he fled the country. Authorities located him in Asia where he was arrested and deported back to the United States.
According to the criminal complaint and affidavit filed in April, the U.S. Postal Service received for mailing, three packages in late 2025 that were suspected of containing illicit drugs. The packages were mailed from San Bernadino, California, to an address in Parma, Ohio. During a search warrant execution on the packages, agents found pills which later tested positive for being 1,136 grams (2.5 pounds) of methamphetamine. The packages were destined for a residence connected to Stanislav Vinokurov. During a consensual search of the residence, investigators located various controlled substances and drug trafficking tools, including:
- Methamphetamine – approximately 7,149 grams
- Fentanyl – approximately 305.1 grams
- Bromazolam – approximately 193.6 grams
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) – approximately 101.3 grams
- Cocaine – approximately 79.3 grams
- Ketamine – approximately 17.4 grams
- Dimethyltryptamine – approximately 17.3 grams
- Approximately $24,512 in U.S. Currency
- Scales, a vacuum sealer, and packing materials
In May, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Vinokurov with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Fentanyl, and MDMA. Federal and international law enforcement partners located him in Bangkok, Thailand. They arrested him and brought him to the United States to face pending charges. If convicted, Vinokurov faces up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio, Acting Inspector in Charge David Cunningham for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Pittsburgh Division, and Special Agent in Charge Joseph O. Dixon for the DEA Detroit Field Division, made the announcement.
This case is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, DEA Cleveland District Office, and the Parma Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Marshals Service for their valuable assistance in this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Joines is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ohio Dentist Agrees to Pay $500,000 to Resolve Allegations of Submitting False Claims to MedicaidRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – Today, United States Attorney David M. Toepfer announced that a Cuyahoga County dentist has agreed to settle allegations that he submitted claims to Medicaid for services that were ineligible for reimbursement. Medicaid is a federal health program that primarily provides benefits to low-income individuals who qualify and is administered through the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM). This settlement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“Providers who submit claims for payment from federal healthcare programs have a responsibility to verify that those claims are legitimate. It is our duty to ensure that each taxpayer dollar is spent wisely,” said U.S. Attorney Toepfer. “Therefore, if we suspect fraud, we are obligated to earnestly investigate such matters and hold people accountable for their actions. I’d like to especially thank the Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for partnering with us in this investigation.”
“Medicaid fraud steals from taxpayers and vulnerable Ohioans. If you try to cheat this program, you will be held accountable,” said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson.
The settlement announced today by U.S. Attorney Toepfer is part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the DEA seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since Oct. 1, 2025.
In the Northern District of Ohio, Stanley Meckler, DDS, 72, of Pepper Pike, agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act (FCA). The FCA imposes liability for claims submitted to the federal government that are false. The settlement agreement follows an investigation by federal, state, and local partners into John W. Ball, DDS, 68, who was employed by Meckler’s dental practice, Family Dental Care, in Parma. Investigators learned that during the relevant time frame, Ball was excluded from participating in the Medicaid program for defaulting on a federal loan. However, during the time he was excluded, Meckler was billing ODM for services provided by Ball by listing Meckler as the rendering provider instead of Ball. In 2021, Meckler sold the practice and the new owner discovered that Ball was excluded from being a Medicaid provider.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of coordinated efforts between the U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBI Cleveland Division. The USAO would like to acknowledge the Ohio Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Unit and the Ohio Board of Pharmacy for their valuable assistance with this investigation. The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
This matter was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Deucher for the Northern District of Ohio.
Other cases nationally are being prosecuted by:
- The Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces.
- U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, 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 Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin.
- State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
About the National Fraud Enforcement Division
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Continuing to Commit Child Sexual Abuse OffensesRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – A previously convicted sex offender from Williams County was sentenced to federal prison for committing offenses that involved sexual abuse of children while he was out on parole for a separate offense.
James McGregor, 39, of Montpelier, Ohio, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick, after pleading guilty in February to Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). He was also ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release after imprisonment. After imprisonment, he is required to register as a sex offender.
According to the indictment, from about January through December 2024, McGregor knowingly received and distributed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During the investigation, agents seized two cellphones which were found to contain CSAM.
This investigation was led by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
California Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for his Role in Illegal Firearms PurchasesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A previously convicted felon from California has been sentenced to prison for traveling about 2,500 miles across the country to convince a 67-year old woman he met through online dating to purchase assault-style pistols on his behalf.
Chariece Chew, 32, of Hayward, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese after he was found guilty by a jury in August 2025 of the following offenses:
- Two Counts of Straw Purchasing of Firearms
- Two Counts of Felon in Possession of Firearms; previous convictions include Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine in 2019
In 2024 Chew was active on an online dating app where he met a 67-year-old woman from Ohio. After conversing through the app, he took a Greyhound bus from California to Ohio to meet with her. During his visit, he asked her to help him purchase four AK-style pistols for his purported “security company.”
The woman purchased two Micro Draco 7.62 caliber pistols at a Cleveland-area firearms dealer. She later went to a second location in Parma to purchase a Micro Draco and a Mini Draco, 7.62 caliber pistols for Chew. After Chew acquired the firearms from the woman, he returned to California on a Greyhound bus. One of the firearms acquired by Chew in Ohio was later recovered in Modesto, California.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Zarzycki, and Brenna Fasko for the Northern District of Ohio.
Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 32+ Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
AKRON, Ohio – A Stark County man, and previously convicted sex offender, has been sentenced to federal prison for child sexual abuse offenses.
Daniel Dobies, 57, of Canton, Ohio, was sentenced to 390 months (32.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko, after pleading guilty in February to the following charges in the indictment:
- Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Real Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
He was also ordered to serve a lifetime of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $3,000 in restitution to one of the victims identified in the CSAM that Dobies possessed and distributed.
According to court documents, agents were conducting investigations into suspected CSAM activity on social media platforms and identified Dobies in 2025. During a search warrant execution at his residence, which he shared with co-defendant Shane Stouffer, 46, investigators found electronic devices belonging to Dobies that contained approximately 150 videos and 309 images of CSAM. The files included depictions of children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
Investigators also learned that Dobies had previous convictions for Gross Sexual Imposition in 1991, and Attempted Rape in 1993, both involving minor victims, out of Lake County, Ohio.
Stouffer is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges of receipt and possession of CSAM.
The investigation was led by the FBI Canton Resident Agency and the Canton Police Department with assistance from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Stark County Sex Offender Registry.
Assistant United States Attorney Peter E. Daly for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Pharmacist on the Run for Nearly 12 Years Pleads Guilty to Role in Defrauding the IRSRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – An Ohio pharmacist who was indicted more than a decade ago and was a fugitive on the run, has pleaded guilty to his role in defrauding the IRS. He was located and arrested overseas earlier this year.
Sbeih Sbeih, 57, previously of North Olmstead, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the IRS. In February, he was arrested in the country of Georgia after being a fugitive for 11 years.
According to allegations in court documents filed in 2014, Sbeih a was a registered pharmacist licensed by the Ohio Pharmacy Board. Together with codefendant Osama Salouha, 54, previously of Strongsville, the men conspired to divert proceeds from Salouha’s businesses, Southside Pharmacy in Lorain and Medicine Center Pharmacy in Elyria, into personal, non-business bank accounts to otherwise conceal income from their accountant and the IRS.
Osama Salouha was additionally charged for his role in illicitly selling opioids and opiates. Salouha remains a fugitive. His wife, Samah Salouha, 48, also previously of Strongsville, pleaded guilty in 2015 for her role in the conspiracy for making false statements and structuring bank deposits to avoid triggering bank reports to the IRS. She was sentenced to three years of probation.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, FBI Cleveland Division, Ohio Board of Pharmacy, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Akron Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Drug Task Force, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain County Drug Task Force, Strongsville Police Department, MEDWAY Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Cleveland Heights Police Department. The USAO would like to acknowledge the country of Georgia and their Prosecutor General’s Office for their valuable assistance to coordinate the extradition of the defendant to the United States.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Collyer.
Ohio Doctor Ordered to Pay Nearly $1M for Facilitating Fraud on MedicareRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – An Ohio physician has been sentenced for her role in a healthcare fraud conspiracy that fraudulently billed Medicare for more than $1,842,524.
Muna Orra, 42, of Westlake, Ohio, was sentenced to five years of probation by U.S. District Judge John R. Adams after she pleaded guilty in January to making False Statements Related to Health Care Matters. She was also ordered to pay $997,641 in restitution to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare provides health benefits mainly to individuals age 65 and older or to those who meet certain criteria.
According to court documents, Orra used her position as a licensed medical doctor in the state of Ohio to issue doctor’s orders for durable medical equipment (DME), primarily braces, and genetic testing for patients who did not need the equipment and tests she authorized.
From about February 2018 to September 2021, Orra was employed by a telemedicine company based in the state of Georgia as an independent contractor physician. The telemedicine company provided her with documents containing patients’ details such as medical exam notes and recommended treatment plans, along with a detailed written order for the DME or genetic tests. Orra would review the patient files and electronically approve the orders, which she submitted to the telemedicine company to use for billing. The telemedicine company then submitted bills for the equipment and tests, with Orra’s orders as purported proof those items were medically necessary.
However, the investigation found that Orra did not meaningfully review the patient records to determine if the prepared orders were medically reasonable and necessary, nor did she conduct required assessments that could only be performed in person despite signing orders indicating that she did. The investigation also revealed that when Orra opened the electronic patient files, she frequently executed her electronic signature on the relevant order within just seconds of accessing the patient file.
In total, Orra caused Medicare to be billed approximately $93,473 for medically unnecessary genetic testing orders and $1,749,051 for medically unnecessary braces for patients. Medicare paid approximately $64,189 on those bills for genetic testing and $933,452 on the bills for braces.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
This case was investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division and the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Erica Barnhill led the prosecution.
To submit a complaint about healthcare fraud or abuse of services, visit oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud.
Six Illegal Aliens Sentenced, Four Others Indicted for Immigration OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND and TOLEDO, Ohio – The United States Attorney’s Office has announced immigration enforcement actions for the month of May in the Northern District of Ohio. These are separate cases and are not related.
The following individuals have been sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge after each previously pleaded guilty to their roles in violating federal immigration laws. All defendants will remain detained after serving their sentences, pending deportation from the United States.
Jeyson Rodriguez-Lanza, 35, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being March 15, 2023. He was found in Norwalk, in Huron County, on Feb. 17.
Genry Sanchez-Espinoza, 29, a citizen of Honduras, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Feb. 9, 2018. He was found in Sandusky, in Erie County on Feb. 16.
Mario Gregorio-Arias, 49, a citizen of Guatemala, was sentenced to four months in prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least four occasions with the most recent being April 17, 2018. He was found in Norwalk, in Huron County, on Feb. 17.
Candelaria del Rosario Lopez-Bautista, 38, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. She was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Nov. 16, 2010. She was found in Perkins Township, in Erie County, on Feb. 20.
Cesar Mazariegos-Lopez, aka Cesar Masariegos-Lopez, aka Cesar M. Lopez, 45, a citizen of Mexico, was sentenced after pleading guilty to illegal reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the most recent being Nov. 16, 2010. He was found in Perkins Township, in Erie County, on Feb. 20.
Yeixon Brito-Gonzalez, aka Yiexon Maikenedy Brito-Gonzalez, 21, a citizen of Venezuela, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to Possession of Fraudulent Documents. In January, he was found residing in Sandusky, in Erie County, and possessed counterfeit Legal Permanent Resident and Social Security cards.
Additionally, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Victor M. Diaz-Montes De Oca, 34, a citizen of Mexico, with Providing Contraband in Prison and Illegal Reentry. According to court documents and evidence presented before the judge, he was found in Lisbon, in Columbiana County, attempting to provide tobacco, six cellphones, and 30 vapes, to an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution, Elkton. He was previously removed from the United States on at least one occasion with the most recent being April 20, 2014.
Federal grand juries also returned indictments for the following individuals:
Miguel Galindo De Jesus, 49, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with Illegal Reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the with the most recent being Dec. 11, 2012. He was found May 8 in Canton, in Stark County.
Miguel Angel Hernandez-Chavez, 33, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with Illegal Reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least two occasions with the most recent being June 11, 2024. He was found April 9 in Bryan, in Williams County.
Anibal Tejada-Estrella, 45, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was charged with Illegal Reentry. He was previously removed from the U.S. on at least one occasion with the with the most recent being June 20, 2023. He was found April 22 in Brooklyn Heights, in Cuyahoga County.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Simko, Ava Rotell Dustin, Jennifer King, Brett Hammond, Dexter Phillips, and Alissa M. Sterling for Northern District of Ohio.
These investigations were conducted by U.S. Border Patrol-Sandusky Bay Station and the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.