District of Oregon
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Honduran National Unlawfully Residing in Oregon Found Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Portland Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland found Hugo Gomez-Soto, 51, a Honduran National unlawfully residing in Oregon, guilty today for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose death of a Portland man.
“This case highlights the devastating toll of fentanyl in our community. Fentanyl claims too many lives and leaves families heartbroken,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We remain committed to fighting this epidemic and holding fentanyl traffickers in Oregon accountable.”
As presented at trial, Gomez-Soto sold illicit fentanyl in the form of powder and counterfeit pills to a 29-year-old resident of Southwest Portland. The following day, the victim overdosed on the illicit fentanyl, dying just moments after using it, despite life-saving measures, including Narcan, by those on scene. On January 25, 2024, Gomez-Soto was arrested on state charges. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of both fentanyl powder and counterfeit pills containing fentanyl.
On June 18, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Gomez-Soto with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Gomez-Soto faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison. He will be sentenced on July 10, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit and Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott M. Kerin and Nicole Bockelman.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine and 30 to 50 times more powerful than heroin. A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl—a few grains of the substance—is enough to kill an average adult male. The wide availability of illicit fentanyl in Oregon has caused a dramatic increase in overdose deaths throughout the state.
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
If you or someone you know suffers from addiction, please call the Lines for Life substance abuse helpline at 1-800-923-4357 or visit www.linesforlife.org. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text “RecoveryNow” to 839863 between 2pm and 6pm Pacific Time daily.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Medford Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A convicted felon was sentenced to federal prison today for illegally possessing firearms.
Devon James Wright, 31, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Wright was caught on two separate occasions with firearms. First, on June 23, 2024, Wright was in a car that was stopped for a traffic violation. In Wright’s backpack, police found a semi-automatic pistol and a full magazine. At the time, Wright was on parole for a previous conviction for unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Second, on October 26, 2024, Wright was stopped in a stolen vehicle and before exiting placed a loaded handgun inside the purse of another occupant next to a fully loaded extended magazine.
On March 6, 2025, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Wright with felon in possession of a firearm. On December 8, 2025, Wright pleaded guilty to both counts.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Portland Police Bureau and the Central Point Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa E. LeRitz and John C. Brassell.
Umatilla County Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder, Robbery, and Prohibited Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Umatilla County man pleaded guilty yesterday on the second day of trial to attempted murder, robbery, and felon in possession of a firearm (Armed Career Criminal Act) related to an armed robbery of the Wildhorse Resort and Casino on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in 2022.
Javier Francisco Vigil, 54, pleaded guilty to attempted murder, robbery, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon (Armed Career Criminal Act).
According to court documents, on August 17, 2022, Vigil entered the Wildhorse Casino, walked straight to the cashier cage in the gaming area, and handed the cashier a note demanding $1 million. Vigil then drew a holstered pistol, pointed it at the cashier, and threatened to “bathe everyone in blood.” After getting nearly $70,000 in cash, Vigil exited the casino and shot at the responding Umatilla tribal police officer, who returned fire striking Vigil.
On December 19, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 6-count superseding indictment charging Vigil with attempted murder, interference with commerce by robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon (Armed Career Criminal Act).
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
Vigil will be sentenced on August 4, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Umatilla Tribal Police Department, with the assistance of ATF, the Hermiston Police Department, the Pendleton Police Department, Oregon State Police, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassady Adams and Arin Heinz are prosecuting the case.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Accessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An Aloha, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for accessing with the intent to view child sexual abuse material while on probation for a 2023 conviction for sex abuse.
Thomas Allen Vetsch, 56, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. He is a registered sex offender due to a 2006 conviction for encouraging child sex abuse.
“Protecting our children is the District of Oregon’s top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable.”
“Mr. Vetsch’s 10-year sentence is clearly warranted, as he is a repeat offender with previous convictions for sexual abuse of a minor and accessing child sexual abuse material,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify those engaged in the exploitation of children, whether directly or indirectly, and will continue to seek out and arrest those who access these materials.”
According to court documents, on July 22, 2024, investigators searched Vetsch’s residence and seized a laptop containing 43 images of child sexual abuse material.
On August 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Vetsch with transportation of child pornography and access with intent to view child pornography.
On January 12, 2026, Vetsch pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view child pornography.
This case was investigated by HSI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mira Chernick and Pamela Paaso.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Mexican National Extradited from Canada Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican National pleaded guilty today for conspiring to distribute and distributing narcotics in and around Portland after being extradited from Canada.
Fernando Adolip Cruz-Lerma, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances.
According to court documents, in April and May 2019, Cruz-Lerma conspired with others to engage in drug trafficking. In April, Cruz-Lerma transported a victim from the state of Washington to Clackamas County due to a drug debt that the victim owed to members of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The victim was killed by members of the drug trafficking conspiracy in furtherance of the conspiracy. Cruz-Lerma assisted with leaving the victim’s body along a rural road in Clackamas County after the victim had been killed.
In May 2019, Cruz-Lerma distributed approximately two pounds of methamphetamine.
On June 6, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a superseding indictment charging Cruz-Lerma with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances and to use a communication facility and distribution of methamphetamine.
Cruz-Lerma faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on July 8, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Cruz-Lerma has agreed to pay restitution in full. Marcos Alonso Castillo-Bernal has previously been sentenced as part of this investigation.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Portland Police Bureau, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Canadian authorities to secure the arrest and July 2024 extradition of Cruz-Lerma from Canada.
CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CCITF is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
McMinnville Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A McMinnville, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last Tuesday after possessing methamphetamine with the attempt to distribute in Yamhill County, Oregon.
John Billy Donnahoo, 52, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on May 25, 2024, police officers executed a search warrant on Donnahoo’s residence and seized over one pound of methamphetamine, multiple firearms, ammunition, digital scales, and over $16,000 in cash.
On July 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a multi-count indictment. On November 19, 2025, Donnahoo pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the McMinnville Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Kerin.
Portland Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute FentanylRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for his role in an interstate drug trafficking organization.
Luis Garcia Zurita, 38, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Garcia Zurita was both an interstate drug transporter and local distributor for a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization operating in Portland. In August 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) determined that Garcia Zurita was traveling from Los Angeles, California, to Oregon. Investigators conducted a stop of Garcia Zurita and subsequently applied for and were granted a search warrant for his vehicle. Agents seized from the vehicle approximately 4 kilograms of fentanyl pills and 2 kilograms of cocaine.
On March 5, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Garcia Zurita with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine.
On December 1, 2025, Garcia Zurita pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF). It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul T. Maloney.
CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CCITF is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.
U.S. Attorney's Office Files Petition Seeking Information to Locate Violent Criminal Aliens in OregonRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— Today the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon filed a petition seeking information from four Oregon counties, Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington, to locate violent felons who are likely subject to removal from the United States and under these counties’ supervision.
On November 24, 2025, the U.S. District Court granted a similar petition against the same counties for information to locate 10 violent criminal aliens Oregon officials released into the community. The violent criminal aliens had been convicted in Oregon of a variety of crimes, including rape and sodomy of a minor child, assault, kidnapping, and manslaughter. In its order, the court noted that Oregon law “explicitly permits state law enforcement agencies to ‘exchange information with a federal immigration authority.’”
Currently, there are more than 300 active immigration detainers at the Oregon Department of Corrections for criminals likely subject to removal from the United States.
“The District of Oregon will continue to prioritize the safety of all Oregonians,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We will continue our efforts to prevent violent criminal aliens from further harming our community.”
This petition seeks information possessed by the counties to locate more than 30 violent criminal aliens who have victimized Oregonians through a variety of criminal conduct like sexual abuse, rape, assault, and domestic violence. Following prison sentences, Oregon officials released these violent criminal aliens into Oregon communities rather than to federal immigration authorities, who sent immigration detainers to Oregon officials. State officials did not honor those detainers and released the following violent criminal aliens into Oregon communities:
Criminal Alien 3 was convicted in 2019 of three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree involving a victim under the age of 14. He was sentenced to 225 months in prison and 45 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 5 was convicted in 2018 of one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. He was sentenced to 75 months in prison, 45 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 6 was convicted in 1996 of one count of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, sentenced to several years of supervised probation, and required to register as a sex offender. In 2018, he was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 75 months in prison and 45 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 7 was convicted in 2018 of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Attempted Rape in the First Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence, and Strangulation– Constituting Domestic Violence, and sentenced to 160 months in prison, 24 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 8 was convicted in 2017 of one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, one count of Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct, and one count of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree. He was sentenced to 160 months in prison, 45 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 9 was convicted in 2020 of Attempted Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree and sentenced to 45 months in prison and 75 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 11 was convicted in 2015 of Recklessly Endangering Another Person. In 2016, he was convicted of one count of Rape in the First Degree and one count of Sodomy in the First Degree. He was sentenced to 200 months in prison, 144 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 12 was convicted in 2011 of three counts of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree involving a victim under the age of 14, sentenced to 60 months supervised probation, and required to register as a sex offender. He was convicted in 2018 of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and sentenced to 18 months supervised probation. In 2019, he was convicted of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and Failure to Register as a Sex Offender and sentenced to 8 months in prison. In 2021, he was convicted of Burglary in the Second Degree and sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation. In 2023, he was convicted of Burglary in the Second Degree and sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation.
Criminal Alien 13 was convicted in 2012 of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. In 2016, he was convicted of Attempted Murder with a Firearm and sentenced to 90 months of prison and 36 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 14 was convicted in 2020 of one count of Rape in the First Degree, one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, one count of Extortion, one count of Coercion, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence, and one count of Assault in the Fourth Degree. He was sentenced to 194 months and 364 days in prison, several years’ post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 19 was convicted in 2020 of one count of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and one count of Strangulation–Constituting Domestic Violence. He was sentenced to 96 months of imprisonment and 36 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 20 was convicted in 2008 of one count of Rape in the First Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. He was sentenced to 175 months of imprisonment, 120 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender. In 2016, he was convicted of one count Sexual Abuse in the First Degree involving a victim under the age of 14 and sentenced to 75 months in prison, 45 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 21 was convicted in 2012 of Assault in the Fourth Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence. He was sentenced to 24 months of supervised probation. In 2016, he was convicted of two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree involving a victim under the age of 14 and sentenced to 150 months in prison, 45 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 22 was convicted in 2016 of one count of Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree and one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. He was sentenced to a total of 175 months in prison, 140 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 23 was convicted in 2017 of two counts of Attempted Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct and two counts of Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. He was sentenced to 120 months in prison, 24 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 24 was convicted in 2016 of Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Assault in the Fourth Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence, and Strangulation–Constituting Domestic Violence. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 36 months of probation. In 2018, he was convicted of Attempted Rape in the First Degree, Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. He was sentenced to 195 months in prison, 95 months post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 25 was convicted in 2015 of one count of Rape in the First Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence. He was sentenced to 100 months in prison, 3 years of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 26 was convicted in 2015 of one count Rape in the First Degree and sentenced to 100 months in prison, 140 months of post-prison supervision, and required to register as a sex offender.
Criminal Alien 27 was convicted in 2016 of Coercion–Constituting Domestic Violence and sentenced to 3 years of probation. Then in 2017, he was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 75 months in prison and 120 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 28 was convicted in 2017 of Theft in the Second Degree and sentenced to 12 months of probation. She was convicted in 2020 of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 75 months in prison and 120 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 30 was convicted in 2020 of two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 150 months in prison and 120 months of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 31 was convicted in 2018 of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree and sentenced 5 years of probation. That probation was revoked in 2023 and he was sentenced to 19 months in prison and 3 years of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 32 was convicted in 1992 of two counts of Public Indecency and sentenced to 3 years of probation. He was convicted in 1994 of Theft in the Second Degree and sentenced to 30 days in jail and 2 years of probation. In 1996, Criminal Alien 32 was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 19 months in prison and 10 years of post-prison supervision. In 2025, he was convicted of Failure to Report as a Sex Offender and sentenced to 2 years of probation.
Criminal Alien 33 was convicted in 2017 of three counts of Using a Child in a Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct and two counts of Rape in the Third Degree and sentenced to 238 months in prison and 3 years of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 34 was convicted in 2014 of three counts of Sodomy in the First Degree, eight counts of Sodomy in the Second Degree, three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, and one count of Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree and sentenced to over 1,000 months in prison and 3 years of post-prison supervision. In 2024, however, the judgment was amended to reflect convictions only for three counts of Attempted Sodomy in the Second Degree.
Criminal Alien 35 was convicted in 2017 of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 75 months in prison and 10 years of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 36 was convicted in 2016 of Assault in the Fourth Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence and sentenced to 36 months of probation. In 2019, he was convicted of two counts of Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to a total of 36 months in prison and 5 years of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 38 was convicted in 2016 of Rape in the First Degree, Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, and Assault in the Fourth Degree–Constituting Domestic Violence and sentenced to 287 months in prison and 20 years of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 40 was convicted in 2017 of Sodomy in the First Degree and two counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 250 months in prison and 20 years of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 42 was convicted in 2011 of Menacing – Constituting Domestic Violence and sentenced to two years of probation. In 2015, he was convicted of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 75 months in prison and 10 years of post-prison supervision.
Criminal Alien 44 was convicted in 2020 of Rape in the Second Degree and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and sentenced to 150 months in prison. After a successful appeal, however, the judgment was modified to one conviction for Sexual Abuse in the First Degree and one conviction for Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree with a total sentence of 89 months in prison and 10 years of post-prison supervision.
Guatemalan National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Pleads Guilty to DepredationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Guatemalan National unlawfully residing in the United States pleaded guilty today after intentionally striking a government vehicle with his car.
Alvaro Carrillo, 33, pleaded guilty to depredation of government property.
According to court documents, on November 11, 2025, federal border patrol agents assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers initiated a traffic stop of a car Carrillo was driving. Carrillo put the car in drive and fled the scene. Carrillo struck the border patrol agents’ vehicle several times during the pursuit, ultimately losing control of his car and colliding with a concrete barrier.
On December 9, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Carrillo with aggravated assault and depredation of government property.
Carrillo was sentenced today to time served after serving nearly five months in custody and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,409.27.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon prosecuted the case.
Portland Man Charged in Drug and Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man has been charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Aaron Nathaniel Gabbert, 50, made his initial appearance on Friday before a U.S. magistrate judge.
According to court documents, on March 25, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant for Gabbert’s residence after identifying Gabbert as a narcotics distributor. During the search warrant, investigators seized 34 firearms, including rifles, a shotgun, and handguns, many of which were loaded. Investigators also located a ballistic helmet and vest, along with approximately one pound of cocaine.
The majority of the cocaine was located in the basement along with multiple firearms, over $11,000 in cash, and an apparent 3-D printed firearm suppressor, also known as a “silencer.” Investigators also located what appeared to be two destructive devices.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office- Special Investigation Unit- Dangerous Drugs Team are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott M. Kerin and Kemp Strickland are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.
This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Colombian National Unlawfully in the United States Pleads Guilty to Interstate Burglary Conspiracy Targeting Asian American Business OwnersRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.— A Colombian national unlawfully residing in the United States pleaded guilty today in federal court for his role in a multi-state burglary conspiracy that targeted Asian American business owners in Oregon and Washington.
Jhon Alexander Quintero, also known as Edwin Andres Cadena-Pineda, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods.
According to court documents, in early October 2025, Quintero and six co-conspirators targeted homes for burglary in Oregon and Washington by traveling from state to state, staying in short-term rentals, identifying and surveilling potential burglary victims—who were all Asian American business owners—and then performing reconnaissance on the victims’ residences.
When they carried out the burglaries, Quintero and his co-conspirators employed signal jamming technology, perimeter countersurveillance, and seven-way group calls. They entered their victims’ homes by shattering glass doors. Once inside, they ransacked the residences, stealing United States and foreign currency, jewelry, designer handbags, purses, wallets, travel documents, and other valuables. After the burglaries, the crew returned to their short-term rental and package the proceeds for transport, transfer, or transmittal.
The investigation revealed that Quintero and the crew burglarized a home in Auburn, Washington, on October 3, 2025, then a home in Gresham, Oregon, on October 5, then a home in Eugene, Oregon, on October 6, and a home in Salem, Oregon, on October 9. All the burglary victims were Asian American business owners who were away working at their businesses. Between the Eugene and Salem burglaries, detectives with the Eugene Police Department became aware of the group’s movements and began surveillance.
Following the burglary in Salem, detectives learned that Quintero and his co-conspirators returned to their rental in Eugene and executed a search warrant at the rental that night. Investigators recovered money and property, believed to be stolen from the various residences, more than a dozen cell phones, believed to be used by the burglary crew, evidence of money wires to Bogota, Colombia, and various Colombian travel documentation, including passports. They also located commercial-grade Wi-Fi signal jammers that were plugged in and charging following their suspected use during the burglary that day.
Upon noticing the officers executing the search warrant, Quintero and the rest of the crew fled into a nearby wooded area. Law enforcement eventually detained all seven individuals. Investigators later performed searches of the devices, which revealed additional evidence of the conspiracy, including sending and receiving coordinates for the houses they burglarized, surveillance communications, and shared messages containing messages highlighting the burglary targets from the preceding days. For instance, Quintero researched the value of jewelry the night of the Auburn burglary, received the contact information for a Colombian shipping company two days after the Eugene burglary and then called that company, and returned to the Eugene rental to package stolen property the night of the Salem burglary.
On November 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment charging Quintero and the other six members of the burglary crew with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen goods.
On December 3, 2025, Quintero made his initial appearance in federal court and was ordered detained.
Quintero faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on June 30, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Eugene Police Department with assistance from the Salem Police Department, the Auburn Police Department, and the Gresham Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren.
Pakistani National Residing in Southern California Charged with Fraudulently Billing Medicare PlansRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— The owner of Oregon Clinical Laboratory in Klamath Falls, Oregon, has been charged by criminal complaint with healthcare fraud after allegedly participating in a scheme to fraudulently bill Medicare Advantage insurance plans for laboratory testing services never performed.
Jahangeer Ali, 34, a citizen of Pakistan, made his first appearance on February 27, 2026, in the Central District of California. A detention hearing was held on March 4, 2026, in the Central District of California and Ali was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
According to court documents, from June 2025 through January 2026, Oregon Clinical Laboratory submitted more than $46 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare Advantage plans. However, no providers actually ordered testing services and none of the Medicare Advantage beneficiaries on the claims actually received testing services from the company. As a result of the fraud, Medicare Advantage plans paid out over $28 million on the fraudulent claims.
On February 26, 2026, Ali was arrested at the Los Angeles International Airport prior to boarding a flight to Turkey with an ultimate destination of Pakistan.
A detention hearing was held today in the District of Oregon and Ali was ordered to remain in custody pending further court proceedings.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Ho is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Woodburn Man Charged with Threatening to Kill a U.S. SenatorRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Woodburn, Oregon, man made his initial appearance today after threatening to kill a United States Senator.
Donald Leroy Smith, Jr., 51, has been charged by information with threatening a federal official with the intent to intimidate that official for the performance of official duties.
According to court documents, on November 12, 2025, Smith left a voicemail for a U.S. Senator stating he was “coming to kill you,” that “you need to be dead,” and that he was going to “put a bullet in your head.”
Smith made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate judge. He was ordered released pending further court proceedings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from United States Capitol Police, United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, Oregon State Police, and the Woodburn Police Department. First Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Narus and Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Kilcup are prosecuting the case.
An information is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Accused of Laundering Millions of Dollars in Narcotics Trafficking ProceedsRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.— The owner and operator of Tienda Santa Maria II LLC has been charged with money laundering after using his money service businesses to launder narcotics trafficking proceeds and structure financial transactions to avoid suspicion of law enforcement.
Jose Alonso Paramo Arguello, 45, a citizen of Mexico and unlawfully residing in the United States, has been charged by criminal complaint with money laundering.
According to court documents, Arguello is the owner and operator of Tienda Santa Maria II in Phoenix, Oregon, along with two other businesses, Tienda Santa Maria in Medford, Oregon, and Paramos Barber Shop in Central Point, Oregon. Arguello uses his three businesses to transfer narcotics trafficking proceeds to Mexico by breaking down transactions into smaller amounts and using fake names and addresses for the money senders to conceal the true nature and source of the funds.
From January 2, 2024, through December 3, 2025, Arguello’s three money service businesses transferred more than $13 million in wire transfers of $500 or more to Mexico, an amount often indicative of narcotics trafficking. Of that, over $7 million was sent to locations in Mexico associated with narcotics trafficking.
The Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) provided an informant with cash to attempt to wire money to Mexico. The informant told Arguello he was a drug dealer to which Arguello responded, “You sell whatever you want, you’re a merchant, period.” From November 2025 through January 2026, Arguello laundered over $45,000 in what the informant represented as drug trafficking proceeds through 22 wire transfers. While doing so, Arguello received a 10% commission to launder the funds. Arguello referred to this commission as a bribe.
Arguello made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate judge. He was ordered detained pending a further court proceeding scheduled for March 23, 2026, in Medford.
IRS-CI is investigating the case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET), and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Cardani and Julia Jarrett are prosecuting the case.
This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air and Army National Guard Counterdrug program, Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Portland Man Indicted for Posting Violent Threats OnlineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment last Tuesday charging a Portland man with threatening an elected official and a minor victim online.
Travis William Juhr, 41, has been charged with transmitting interstate threats.
According to court documents, Juhr threatened an elected official in Nevada when he left a threatening voicemail and posted on his X account, “I hope you have your doors and windows locked. Because I love a challenge when hunting my PREY…” along with a photograph of the victim.
Additionally, Juhr threatened a minor victim because the victim attended a counter-protest to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The minor victim received several threatening messages from Juhr from different X accounts after the victim’s personal identifying information was posted online.
Juhr made his first appearance in federal court Friday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty.
If convicted, Juhr faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.
The FBI is investigating the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan G. Bodell is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Beaverton Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Sexually Exploiting Minors Online and Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beaverton, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually exploiting multiple minors online and receiving sexually explicit images and videos of the minor victims.
Misael Flores Ramirez, 35, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison and 15 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, it was reported that, from April 2023 through September 2023, Flores Ramirez was in contact with a 12-year-old minor victim. Flores Ramirez sent over 30 sexually explicit images and videos of himself to a minor victim who he met on the social media application Wink. Flores Ramirez requested and received over 30 images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from the minor victim and threatened to stop talking if the images were not sent.
A search of Flores Ramirez’s phone revealed over 2,000 images of CSAM and contact with other minors. Specifically, beginning in February 2023 through March 2023, Flores Ramirez requested and received sexually explicit images from a 14-year-old minor victim. He then shared the videos and images of the minor victim with multiple Telegram users. Flores Ramirez used WhatsApp and Telegram chatrooms devoted to trading CSAM to receive images and share videos of minor victims.
On September 10, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five-count indictment charging Flores Ramirez with sexual exploitation of children, transfer of obscene matter to a minor, and distributing, receiving, and possessing child pornography.
On September 18, 2025, Flores Ramirez pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and receipt of child pornography.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley prosecuted the case.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Springfield Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Prison for Federal Hate Crime ViolationRead the Press Release
A Springfield, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for a federal hate crime after assaulting a victim on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Daniel Andrew McGee, 26, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
“The right to live safely in one’s community is a fundamental civil right,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. “The District of Oregon remains committed to combatting hate crimes and protecting that right for all. While no conviction can undo the harm caused, we hope this sentence will bring some measure of justice to the victim and our community.”
“Hate crimes impact not just individuals, but entire communities,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres of the FBI Portland Field Office. “The FBI works together with our partners to prevent hate crimes from impacting our communities, and every attack on someone because of who and what they are deserves to be acted on by the full extent of the law.”
According to court documents, on the evening of July 5, 2021, McGee met the victim at the victim’s apartment after communicating on the dating application Grindr, an application originally designed for, and primarily used by, gay men. McGee assaulted the victim over the course of several minutes, striking the victim on the head with a wooden tire thumper and using his hands to try to gouge the victim’s eyes out. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries during the assault, including serious head wounds.
The investigation revealed McGee had been researching and planning the attack for weeks. For at least one month prior to the attack, McGee searched the internet for homophobic and graphically violent anti-gay material. McGee planned for the attack by purchasing the weapon and other materials from Amazon and searching the internet for suggestions on how to get away with murder.
On Nov. 18, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene, Oregon, returned a one-count indictment charging McGee with a federal hate crime involving an attempt to kill.
On Nov. 25, 2025, McGee pleaded guilty to count one of the indictment.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Eugene Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Huynh for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith for the Civil Rights Division Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
Springfield Man Sentenced to over 12 Years in Prison for Federal Hate Crime ViolationRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.— A Springfield, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for a federal hate crime after assaulting a victim on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Daniel Andrew McGee, 26, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
“The right to live safely in one’s community is a fundamental civil right. The District of Oregon remains committed to combatting hate crimes and protecting that right for all,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “While no conviction can undo the harm caused, we hope this sentence will bring some measure of justice to the victim and our community.”
“Hate crimes impact not just individuals, but entire communities,” said Acting FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres. “The FBI works together with our partners to prevent hate crimes from impacting our communities, and every attack on someone because of who and what they are deserves to be acted on by the full extent of the law.”
According to court documents, on the evening of July 5, 2021, McGee met the victim at the victim’s apartment after communicating on the dating application Grindr, an application originally designed for, and primarily used by, gay men. McGee assaulted the victim over the course of several minutes, striking the victim on the head with a wooden tire thumper and using his hands to try to gouge the victim’s eyes out. The victim sustained life-threatening injuries during the assault, including serious head wounds.
The investigation revealed McGee had been researching and planning the attack for weeks. For at least one month prior to the attack, McGee searched the internet for homophobic and graphically violent anti-gay material. McGee planned for the attack by purchasing the weapon and other materials from Amazon and searching the internet for suggestions on how to get away with murder.
On November 18, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene, Oregon, returned a one-count indictment charging McGee with a federal hate crime involving an attempt to kill.
On November 25, 2025, McGee pleaded guilty to count one of the Indictment.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Eugene Police Department. Joseph Huynh, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and Tenette Smith, Trial Attorney for the Civil Rights Division Criminal Section, prosecuted the case.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition in the Deschutes National ForestRead the Press Release
EUGENE, Ore.—A Bend, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition after officers responded to gunfire in the Deschutes National Forest.
Cody Joe Hunt, 38, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on Feb. 13, 2025, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers responded to gunfire in the Deschutes National Forest near China Hat Road. Officers arrived to find Hunt fleeing into the woods, leaving behind an assault rifle and shell casings. They tracked him through the snow and discovered ammunition in his pockets matching the assault rifle. He was arrested on separate charges. A search warrant for Hunt’s devices revealed additional evidence that he had possessed the rifle found in the woods in the preceding weeks after participating in its purchase at a local firearm dealer. Hunt is a convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
On Sept. 18, 2025, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count superseding indictment charging Hunt with felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
On Nov. 18, 2025, Hunt pleaded guilty to counts one and two.
The U.S. Forest Service investigated the case with support from the Deschutes County Digital Forensics Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. McLaren prosecuted the case.
Washington State Man Found Guilty After Escape from Federal CustodyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A federal jury in Portland, Oregon, found Brandon Charles Nelson, 40, guilty yesterday of escape after failing to report to the Northwest Regional Re-entry Center (NWRRC) in Portland.
According to court documents, Nelson was convicted of felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to 36 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. On Feb. 25, 2025, after violating his release conditions for a third time, Nelson’s supervision was revoked, and he was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 18 months of supervised release. While in custody at Victorville Federal Corrections Institute (FCI), Nelson met criteria for placement in a residential re-entry center and was referred to the NWRRC. He was approved to travel unescorted and required to report no later than Nov. 20, 2025. Nelson absconded and failed to report as directed and required. Victorville FCI reported Nelson as an escapee to the United States Marshals Service (USMS) on Nov. 21, 2025, and the USMS arrested him on Dec. 5, 2025, without incident.
On Dec. 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Nelson with escape from custody.
Nelson faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on June 8, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
The USMS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Arin Heinz prosecuted the case.
Real Estate Broker Pleads Guilty to Avoiding Reporting Requirements and Obstruction of JusticeRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A licensed real estate broker pleaded guilty Monday after avoiding reporting requirements and drafting fake property leases when her client’s illegal marijuana grow was raided.
Tyra Foxx, 46, pleaded guilty to avoiding reporting requirements and obstruction of justice.
According to court documents, between January 2020 through November 2020, Foxx was a real estate broker for Jose Orozco and assisted with his purchase of agricultural properties to grow hemp and marijuana. When Orozco purchased these properties, Foxx made large cash payments to the property owners outside of escrow, and knowing RE/MAX did not accept cash payments, converted $100,000 into money orders and used a third-party broker’s trust account to transfer over $2 million dollars into escrow accounts.
On October 13, 2020, Foxx received $175,000 from Orozco to purchase agricultural property in Josephine County, Oregon. Foxx did not file a Form 8300 upon receipt of the funds as required, but instead, transferred the money to a client trust account at another real estate office. This caused a Currency Transaction Report to be filed in that real estate office’s name rather than Orozco’s name.
After learning that law enforcement had raided one of Orozco’s illegal marijuana grows, Foxx drafted fake property leases for Orozco and suggested he place phony construction liens to be levied on the property to prevent it from being forfeited by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
On February 23, 2026, Foxx was charged by an amended superseding information with avoiding reporting requirements and obstruction of justice.
On count one, Foxx faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. On count two, Foxx faces 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on May 11, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
Jose Orozco previously pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced April 6, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
The Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team, HSI, and IRS investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Brassell is prosecuting the case.
Oregon Business Owner Sentenced to Federal Prison for Employment Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An owner and president of a collection of healthcare staffing companies was sentenced to federal prison today for willfully failing to pay over employment taxes to the IRS on behalf of the companies he owned and operated.
Jeffrey A. Kruse, 56, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay over $2.8 million in restitution.
According to court documents, Kruse was the founder, owner, and president of a collection of healthcare staffing companies that provided temporary staffing of medical and healthcare workers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. Kruse was in charge of payroll for the businesses and responsible for collecting and accounting for and paying over to the IRS on a periodic basis employment taxes for the businesses’ employees. Kruse falsely underreported and underpaid his employment tax obligations by creating two sets of tax forms for his employees – a false set of tax forms that he sent to the government that underreported his employees’ compensation and the employment tax due, and an accurate set of tax forms that Kruse sent his employees for use in reporting their own tax obligations.
Kruse’s conduct caused a total tax loss of over $3.6 million.
On June 20, 2025, Kruse was charged by information with one count of willful failure to collect, account for, and pay over trust fund taxes.
On August 6, 2025, Kruse pleaded guilty to count one of the information.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew T. Ho prosecuted the case.
Alaska Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison for Wire FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Cameroonian national residing in Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced to federal prison today for fraudulently obtaining more than $172,000 in taxpayer money from emergency programs intended to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peter Igwacho, 65, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $182,225.15 in restitution.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between April 2020 and October 2021, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Igwacho filed at least five fraudulent applications for pandemic stimulus funds through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. The information on those forms, in support of his request for stimulus funds, was fraudulent. The applications submitted by Igwacho were filed on behalf of a sole proprietorship that did not, in fact, have actual business operations, payrolled employees, or the reported gross revenues.
Further, upon receipt of the stimulus funds, Igwacho did not spend those funds on approved pandemic-related expenses but instead spent the money on personal expenses. The PPP and EIDL programs were designed to help small businesses facing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 23, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count superseding indictment charging Igwacho with wire fraud.
On August 21, 2025, Igwacho was convicted of all three counts following a three-day jury trial.
This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. It was prosecuted by Robert Trisotto and Meredith Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit
https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
Portland Man Sentenced to over 24 Years in Federal Prison for Sex Trafficking Three MinorsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sex trafficking three minor victims.
Eric Lamont Harris, 51, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Harris began trafficking 15-year-old Minor Victim 1 in Spring 2022. Minor Victim 1 was a ward of the state and reported missing in March 2022. Harris began trafficking 16-year-old Minor Victim 2 in June 2022. In July 2022, Harris brought Minor Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 from Portland to Kennewick, Washington, with the intent that they engage in prostitution at a hotel he booked in Kennewick. After Minor Victim 2’s parents reported her missing, the FBI and Kennewick Police recovered Minor Victim 1 and Minor Victim 2 in Kennewick. Harris met 17-year-old Minor Victim 3 in June 2022 and began trafficking her in August 2022.
Each victim lived with Harris while he trafficked them. Harris booked hotel rooms for the minor victims’ commercial sex dates, transported them to and from those dates, facilitated the posting of online escort advertisements featuring the minor victims, and received thousands of dollars’ worth of commercial sex proceeds from the minor victims.
On September 16, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an eight-count second superseding indictment charging Harris with transportation with intent to engage in prostitution, three counts of sex trafficking of a child, three counts of sex trafficking of a child – benefitting from participation in a venture, and sexual exploitation of children.
On November 6, 2025, Harris pleaded guilty to the eight-count indictment on the fourth day of his ten-day trial.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Portland Police Bureau, the Kennewick Police Department, and the Medford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charlotte Kelley and Robert Trisotto prosecuted the case.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
Gearhart Man Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting a Child and Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Gearhart, Oregon, man pleaded guilty today for secretly filming a minor victim while nude and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Joseph Tyler Biamont, 35, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, Gearhart Police discovered that Biamont was in possession of a thumb drive containing secretly recorded videos of the minor victim while nude. The videos were filmed from what appeared to be a dummy smoke detector above the victim’s bed, behind a teddy bear, and from Biamont’s cell phone, depicting the minor victim going to the bathroom, showering, and changing clothes. Biamont is visible in some of the videos. Investigators also found files of CSAM of other minor victims on Biamont’s thumb drive and videos of an adult victim nude in the bathroom.
On May 6, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a six-count indictment charging Biamont with sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography.
On count one, Biamont faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. On count six, Biamont faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and five years to life of supervised release. He will be sentenced on August 19, 2026, before a U.S. District Court judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Biamont has agreed to pay restitution to the victims.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office and the Gearhart Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Salem Man Sentenced to over 21 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Salem, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse material from child sex traffickers in the Philippines in exchange for money.
Steven Daniel Griswold, 44, was sentenced to 262 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $12,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.
According to court documents, from 2018 through 2019, Griswold paid for and received livestreamed “shows” featuring the sexual abuse and exploitation of children as young as three years old in the Philippines. During the livestreams, Griswold gave child sex traffickers in the Philippines specific instructions on how to abuse the children and received child sexual abuse material from the traffickers. Griswold typically paid traffickers between $20 to $40 for the livestreams. Griswold left the United States for the Philippines in 2020 after learning he was under investigation for uploading child pornography to Snapchat in an unrelated case.
On November 14, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Griswold with sexual exploitation of children, attempted sexual exploitation of children, and receiving child pornography.
Griswold was arrested in the United States in March 2024 after being deported from the Philippines. He was transported to Portland, Oregon, for his arraignment on May 9, 2024. On November 5, 2025, Griswold pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of children.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eliza Carmen Rodriguez and Charlotte Kelley prosecuted the case.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office and Other U.S. VictimsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Romanian national pleaded guilty yesterday in connection with an online intrusion into an Oregon state government office, along with multiple cyber attacks on other U.S. victims.
Catalin Dragomir, 45, formerly of Constanta, Romania, pleaded guilty to obtaining information from a protected computer and aggravated identity theft.
According to court documents, Dragomir sold access to a computer on the network of an Oregon state government office after obtaining unauthorized access to it in June 2021. During the sale of access to the computer, Dragomir provided the prospective buyer with samples of personal identifying information from the computer to prove he had actual access to the network. Dragomir also sold access to the computer networks of numerous other victims in the U.S., causing losses of at least $250,000.
On May 21, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five-count indictment charging Dragomir with obtaining information from a protected computer, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft.
Dragomir was arrested in Romania in November 2024 and extradited to the United States in January 2025.
Dragomir faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release for obtaining information from a protected computer and a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000, and one year of supervised release for aggravated identity theft.
He will be sentenced on May 26, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Dragomir has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims and forfeited cryptocurrency.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorneys Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Alison M. Zitron of the Justice Department’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, and the Romanian judiciary to secure the arrest and extradition of Dragomir. The Department of Justice also thanks Darkweb IQ for its assistance with the investigation.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime 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 cybercriminals and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Romanian National Pleads Guilty to Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office and Other U.S. VictimsRead the Press Release
Yesterday, a Romanian national pleaded guilty in connection with an online intrusion into an Oregon state government office in 2021 and other cyber attacks on U.S. victims.
According to court documents, Catalin Dragomir, 45, formerly of Constanta, Romania, sold access to a computer on the network of an Oregon state government office after obtaining unauthorized access to it in June of 2021. During the sale of access to the computer, Dragomir provided the prospective buyer with samples of personal identifying information from the computer. He also sold access to the computer networks of numerous other victims in the U.S., causing losses of at least $250,000.
Dragomir was arrested in Romania in Nov. 2024 and extradited to the United States in Jan. 2025.
Dragomir pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining information from a protected computer and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for obtaining information from a protected computer, to be followed by a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Portland Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Alison M. Zitron of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken for the District of Oregon are prosecuting the case. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, and the Romanian judiciary to secure the arrest and extradition of Dragomir. The Department of Justice also thanks Darkweb IQ for its assistance with the investigation.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime 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 cybercriminals and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Pacificorp Agrees to Pay $575 Million to Settle Claims for Damage Caused by Six Wildfires in Oregon and CaliforniaRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— PacifiCorp has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve the United States’ claims for damages resulting from six wildfires in Oregon and California.
The four Oregon fires are:
- The “242 Fire,” which began on Sept. 7, 2020, near Chiloquin and burned 8,916 acres of federal land;
- The “Archie Creek Fire,” which began on Sept. 8, 2020, near French Creek in the Umpqua National Forest and burned 67,000 acres of federal land;
- The “Echo Mountain Complex Fire,” which began on Sept. 7, 2020, near Otis and burned approximately 2,500 acres, including federal land; and
- The “South Obenchain Fire,” which began on Sept. 8, 2020, east of Eagle Point and burned 14,780 acres of federal land.
The two California fires are:
- The “Slater Fire,” which began on Sept. 8, 2020, on Slater Butte National Forest lands within the Klamath National Forest and burned 157,229 acres of federal land within the Klamath, Six River, and Rogue River Siskiyou National Forests; and
- The “McKinney Fire,” which began on July 29, 2022, on land next to the Klamath National Forest and burned 39,000 acres of federal land.
The settlement resolves the United States’ claims that PacifiCorp’s electrical lines negligently started all six fires. The settlement monies will help repay the United States for the substantial costs it incurred fighting the fires, which is critical because the U.S. Forest Service now spends more than half of its budget on wildfire suppression annually. Settlement funds will also be distributed to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to restore some of the 290,000 acres of public land that were burned.
These recoveries are among the largest federal wildfire recoveries to date.
“The United States and PacifiCorp have reached a settlement that ensures fair compensation to the American taxpayer for fire-related damages,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “This agreement strikes a balance by addressing the government’s significant fire-suppression costs and loss of natural resources without preventing PacifiCorp from offering electricity at fair prices.”
“Wildfires remain a recurring threat to our natural resources, the safety of our communities, and their economic well-being. The costs of land losses and fire responses are substantial,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “Recouping the costs associated with these wildfires is a priority for our office, and this settlement achieves that.”
“This settlement served the Department’s longstanding policy of holding individuals and corporations responsible for damages caused by wildfires. Every fire impacting federal lands, no matter the size, is a priority,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Grant of the Eastern District of California.
This settlement is the result of a joint effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for Oregon and the Eastern District of California, the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis Lien of the District of Oregon and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tara Amin and Kelli L. Taylor of the Eastern District of California handled the cases for the U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. PacifiCorp continues to deny liability for these fires.
A Central Point, Oregon, Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Central Point, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for felon in possession of a firearm after he and his co-defendants targeted an elderly victim and stole over $250,000 worth of gold, cash, and firearms.
Jonathan Anthony Kinsella, 53, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, in August 2023, Kinsella, a convicted felon, came up with a plan and solicited his wife and friend to burglarize an elderly victim. Kinsella and the two co-defendants split approximately $103,000 in cash, $180,000 in gold coins, and five firearms. Police executed a search warrant at Kinsella’s residence and found a .40 S & W caliber pistol, a .30-30 Winchester caliber rifle, a Colt .38 Special revolver, and a 12-guage weapon made from a shotgun.
On February 1, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Kinsella with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.
On October 20, 2025, Kinsella pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Portland Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal Law Enforcement OfficerRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man pleaded guilty today after assaulting a federal officer at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.
Robert Jacob Hoopes, 25, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault of a federal employee with a dangerous weapon resulting in bodily injury.
According to court documents, on June 14, 2025, Hoopes threw a large rock and struck an ICE officer in the head, causing a significant laceration over the officer’s eye. Later that same day, he and two other individuals were seen using an upended stop sign as a makeshift battering ram, which resulted in significant damage to the main entry door to the ICE building.
On August 5, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Hoopes with aggravated assault on a federal employee with a dangerous weapon and depredation of federal property.
Hoopes faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on May 12, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Hoopes has agreed to pay full restitution, estimated to be over $7,000
The FBI is investigating the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
Oregon Business Owner Sent to Prison for Employment Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— The owner of a tree removal business was sentenced to prison today for willfully failing to pay over employment taxes to the IRS on behalf of the company she owned and operated.
Joyce Leard, 47, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Leard was also ordered to pay $2,880,346.25 in restitution and $100 special assessment.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from approximately 2017 through 2024, Leard owned and operated Mr. Tree Inc., a Happy Valley, Oregon, company that provided tree removal and landscaping services to customers. The company advertised itself as being in business for thirty years and employed approximately 50 to 75 employees each year.
Leard was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes from the wages of her employees and paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter, as well as filing quarterly employment tax returns with the IRS.
From the fourth quarter of 2018 through the fourth quarter of 2020, Leard withheld taxes from her employees’ wages but did not pay over those taxes to the IRS or file quarterly employment tax returns. Instead, she used funds in Mr. Tree’s business bank account to pay other expenses and creditors and purchased approximately $3.5 million of real estate. During this period, the company also did not file a corporate tax return, and, from 2018 through 2020, Leard did not file a personal income tax return, as required by law.
Leard’s conduct caused a total tax loss of over $3.5 million.
On January 14, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 12-count indictment charging Leard with willful failure to account for and pay over tax and willful failure to file return.
On June 16, 2025, Leard pleaded guilty to one count of willful failure to account for and pay over tax.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case. Trial Attorneys J. Parker Gochenour and Megan E. Wessel of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section prosecuted the case with substantial support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
U.S. Attorney's Office Collects $20,238,028.08 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2025Read the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford announced today that the District of Oregon collected more than $20.2 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2025. Of this amount, nearly $15 million was collected in criminal actions and over $5.2 million was collected in civil actions. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
“The District of Oregon’s Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit provides critical support to victims of crime by holding those who profit from criminal conduct accountable and pursuing civil recoveries,” said U.S. Attorney Bradford. “We take seriously our obligation to make victims as financially whole as possible. Our annual collections reflect the dedication, persistence, and resolve of our team in the pursuit of justice.”
For example, to date, the government has recovered over $4.5 million in restitution from Sergey and Galina Lebedenko, who used their ill-gotten gains to purchase fourteen homes and properties, seven vehicles, an ownership interest in a private jet, and countless luxury items. After pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and wire fraud, the Lebedenkos were ordered to pay over $33 million in restitution. The government sought to remit and restore forfeited assets on behalf of the victim, including real properties and nineteen financial accounts.
In another example, the government secured the full restitution payment totaling $1.346 million from Michael James Defrees, who was convicted of wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. Defrees agreed to satisfy this obligation prior to sentencing, but failed to do so. The United States secured payment through seizing three vehicles, multiple winter sports equipment, a racing boat, and a trailer, and helped facilitate the sale of two parcels of real property to pay his restitution judgment in full and satisfy his forfeiture money judgment.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.
Portland Man Found Guilty of Failing to Obey a Lawful Order and Creating a Disturbance at the ICE Building in South PortlandRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland, Oregon, man was found guilty today for failing to obey a lawful order and creating a disturbance at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in South Portland.
David Pearl, 35, was found guilty on two counts following a bench trial today – count one for failing to obey a lawful order and count two for creating a disturbance.
According to court documents, on the evening of June 21, 2025, law enforcement vehicles were prevented from leaving the ICE facility by a line of people. While most of the crowd dispersed, Pearl and others refused to move and were taken into custody.
Eight days later, on June 29, 2025, Pearl returned to the facility. As federal law enforcement officers attempted to arrest another individual, Pearl interfered by attempting to physically separate the individual from the officers. Pearl was taken into custody and cited for impeding or disrupting the performance of official duties by a government employee.
On June 30, 2025, Pearl was charged with two counts by information for failing to obey a lawful order and creating a disturbance.
The Federal Protective Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Bolstad and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Bodell prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Charged with Illegal Reentry After DeportationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States made his first appearance in federal court last Thursday after being removed to Mexico in June 2018.
Manuel Cruz-Ramirez, 38, has been charged by criminal complaint with illegal reentry. He was detained in this federal case, pending further court proceedings.
Cruz-Ramirez was released on bail after being charged in Marion County, Oregon, in an amended indictment that includes rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, and purchasing sex with a minor.
According to court documents, on February 3, 2026, Cruz-Ramirez was apprehended when a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officer encountered him at a Portland International Airport terminal checkpoint. Cruz-Ramirez presented a Mexico passport in the name of an alias. The TSA officer notified Customs and Border Protection after the passport did not return full data. Customs and Border Protection used fingerprints to identify Cruz-Ramirez. A review of his immigration file and relevant electronic databases indicated that Cruz-Ramirez entered the United States on June 25, 2018, was placed in expedited removal proceedings on June 26, 2018, and was removed to Mexico on June 28, 2018.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to over 33 Years in Federal Prison for Coercion and Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beaverton, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for coercion and enticement of a minor after he directed the minor victim to send him child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Michael Cambalik, 43, was sentenced to 405 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release. Cambalik will pay restitution to the minor victim.
“Our foremost responsibility is the safety of children. Predators like this one hide in plain sight, including on online gaming platforms,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “We will remain vigilant in holding them accountable and keeping our children safe.”
“Today’s sentence sends a clear message emphasizing the FBI’s unwavering commitment to holding child sex abusers accountable for their actions,” said FBI Portland Acting Special Agent in Charge Mari Panovich. “Our focus while investigating these horrendous crimes is victim-centric and removing violent offenders from our community continues to be a top priority.”
According to court documents, in December 2024, the parent of a then-nine-year-old minor victim contacted their local police department after finding CSAM texted to an unrecognized phone number from the minor victim. Cambalik, a registered sex offender, contacted the minor victim through an online video game, Call of Duty. After posing as a female minor, Cambalik coerced the minor victim into sending him sexually explicit photos and videos.
On May 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Cambalik with sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child pornography, and coercion and enticement of a minor.
On November 12, 2025, Cambalik pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor.
This case was investigated by the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Paaso.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Lake Oswego Resident Sentenced to Federal Prison and Forfeits over $500,000 for Cocaine Trafficking and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Lake Oswego, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for trafficking cocaine and laundering the proceeds through a business bank account to buy cryptocurrency.
Michael Wayne Frost, 47, was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit over half a million dollars’ worth of assets involved in his money laundering offense, including cryptocurrency and cash.
According to court documents, law enforcement officers engaged in multiple controlled purchases of cocaine from Frost. On July 2, 2024, a federal search warrant was served on Frost’s residence in Lake Oswego. Agents seized a kilogram of cocaine and about $20,000 in cash from the residence. Agents later applied for additional warrants and seized more than $509,000 in cash and cryptocurrency tied to the cocaine sales. Frost deposited some of the cash into a business bank account he controlled and then transferred funds to Robinhood, a platform he used to invest in cryptocurrency, in an effort to launder the drug proceeds.
On August 21, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a seven-count indictment charging Frost with distributing cocaine and money laundering.
On September 24, 2025, Frost pleaded guilty to count one of the Indictment charging possession with intent to distribute cocaine and counts two and three of the Indictment charging money laundering.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the Gresham Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Asset Recovery and Money Laundering Unit at the United States Attorney’s Office. It was prosecuted by Kemp Strickland and Christopher Cardani, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.
Warm Springs Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing Two MinorsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually abusing two minors on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
Harold Charley, 39, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release.
According to court documents, in January 2024, Charley, a prior sex offender, engaged in sexual abusive contact with two minor victims between the ages of 12 and 16 over the course of several weeks on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.
On September 23, 2025, Charley was charged by superseding information with two counts of abusive sexual contact.
On October 7, 2025, Charley pleaded guilty to two counts of abusive sexual contact.
This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Warm Springs Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela Paaso.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Portland Resident Pleads Guilty to Damaging Federal PropertyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland resident pleaded guilty yesterday to depredation of government property after damaging cameras affixed to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building and setting debris on fire.
Alistair Macfarlane Sidener, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of depredation of government property.
According to court documents, on June 12, 2025, Sidener intentionally damaged several cameras mounted on the facility by shooting paint at them from a water gun and striking cameras with a long metal pole. Shortly after damaging the cameras, Sidener lit debris on fire that had been placed against a metal gate.
On January 28, 2026, Sidener was charged by superseding information with depredation of government property.
Sidener faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000, and three years of supervised release. Sidener will be sentenced on May 27, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Sidener has agreed to pay restitution in full.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Oregon Mother and Daughter Facing New Charges Related to Forced Labor and Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A grand jury in Oregon last Wednesday returned a superseding indictment charging a mother and daughter from Tigard, Oregon, with 12-counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and forced labor. The indictment alleges that Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 67, and Yolandita Marie Andre, 31, coerced the labor and services of three victims, including a minor victim, to work for little or no pay in an adult foster care home. Valmont has separately been charged with confiscating the documents of the victims to compel their labor and services, along with engaging in healthcare fraud by participating in a conspiracy with Andre to request Medicaid “exceptional payments” for additional paid hours for employees while paying the victim employees little to nothing for their labor, lying about the victims’ residence in the home, and falsifying a disability claim for herself that allowed Andre to be paid hourly for providing care to her as a Homecare Worker. Andre and Valmont have also been charged with making multiple false statements regarding healthcare fraud for the same behavior.
According to court documents, Valmont and Andre, the owners and operators of Velida’s Home Care in Tigard, allegedly recruited the three victims to travel from Haiti to the United States to work with promises of a nice place to live, and steady and reliable work. Upon their arrival in September 2023, all three were compelled to work long, difficult hours for little to no pay at Velida’s Home Care. Valmont took the victims’ immigration paperwork and controlled practically every aspect of their daily living, which compelled them to work as caregivers in the home. The victims continued working under threats of serious harm until the minor victim disclosed their situation to a medical professional in the summer of 2024. At that point, the Oregon Department of Justice authorities commenced an investigation.
In addition, the defendants allegedly requested and received payments from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Medicaid by falsely claiming they needed to pay additional and current employees for more hours for foster care residents with exceptional care needs. Instead of paying the three victims a proper hourly wage, the defendants instead kept the money they obtained from the ODHS and Medicare by paying them little or nothing. Finally, Andre also stated under penalty of perjury that she served as Valmont’s caregiver and submitted claims purporting to be Valmont’s caregiver during times when Andre was either not with Valmont or Valmont was working with others. Moreover, Valmont alleged she was disabled and required Andre’s care while also holding herself out to ODHS as a purported caregiver herself.
Committing forced labor and conspiracy to commit health care fraud are each punishable by a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison per count of conviction and force labor requires mandatory restitution. Making a false statement related to health care fraud is punishable by up to five years in federal prison per count of conviction.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from Tigard Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oregon Mother and Daughter Facing New Charges Related to Forced Labor and Health Care FraudRead the Press Release
A grand jury in Oregon yesterday returned a superseding indictment charging a mother and daughter from Tigard, Oregon, with 12-counts of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and forced labor. The indictment alleges that Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 67, and Yolandita Marie Andre, 31, coerced the labor and services of three victims, including a minor victim, to work for little or no pay in an adult foster care home. Valmont has separately been charged with confiscating the documents of the victims to compel their labor and services, along with engaging in healthcare fraud by participating in a conspiracy with Andre to request Medicaid “exceptional payments” for additional paid hours for employees while paying the victim employees little to nothing for their labor, lying about the victims’ residence in the home, and falsifying a disability claim for herself that allowed Andre to be paid hourly for providing care to her as a Homecare Worker. Andre and Valmont have also been charged with making multiple false statements regarding healthcare fraud for the same behavior.
According to court documents, Valmont and Andre, the owners and operators of Velida’s Home Care in Tigard, allegedly recruited the three victims to travel from Haiti to the United States to work with promises of a nice place to live, and steady and reliable work. Upon their arrival in September 2023, all three were compelled to work long, difficult hours for little to no pay at Velida’s Home Care. Valmont took the victims’ immigration paperwork and controlled practically every aspect of their daily living, which compelled them to work as caregivers in the home. The victims continued working under threats of serious harm until the minor victim disclosed their situation to a medical professional in the summer of 2024. At that point, the Oregon Department of Justice authorities commenced an investigation.
In addition, the defendants allegedly requested and received payments from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) and Medicaid by falsely claiming they needed to pay additional and current employees for more hours for foster care residents with exceptional care needs. Instead of paying the three victims a proper hourly wage, the defendants instead kept the money they obtained from the ODHS and Medicare by paying them little or nothing. Finally, Andre also stated under penalty of perjury that she served as Valmont’s caregiver and submitted claims purporting to be Valmont’s caregiver during times when Andre was either not with Valmont or Valmont was working with others. Moreover, Valmont alleged she was disabled and required Andre’s care while also holding herself out to ODHS as a purported caregiver herself.
Committing forced labor and conspiracy to commit health care fraud are each punishable by a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison per count of conviction and force labor requires mandatory restitution. Making a false statement related to health care fraud is punishable by up to five years in federal prison per count of conviction.
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from Tigard Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliza Carmen Rodriguez for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Elizabeth Hutson of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are prosecuting the case.
Anyone who has information about human trafficking should report that information to the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information about human trafficking, please visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. Information on the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human trafficking can be found at www.justice.gov/humantrafficking.
An indictment is only an accusation of a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Troutdale Woman Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Violate the Clean Water Act for Discharging 500,000 Gallons of Pollutants in HillsboroRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Troutdale, Oregon, woman pleaded guilty today in federal court for conspiring to violate the Clean Water Act by receiving and discharging industrial wastewater from a facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, to a sanitary sewer system.
Kayla Hartley, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Clean Water Act.
According to court documents, from February through September 2020, Hartley, as the Director of Operations at the Northwest Slurry Solutions and Hydro Excavation, LLC (“Northwest Slurry”) facility in Hillsboro, marketed the company as able to accept and dispose of industrial wastewater, despite having no permit or authorization to discharge that type of waste. Under Hartley’s leadership, Northwest Slurry accepted approximately 500,000 gallons of industrial wastewater containing chemical pollutants including hydrofluoric acid, titanium, molybdenum, vanadium, arsenic, and other heavy metals. Northwest Slurry discharged those half-a-million gallons of pollution to the Hillsboro sanitary sewer.
When staff from Clean Water Services, which operates the sanitary sewer system in Hillsboro, visited Northwest Slurry’s facility, Hartley attempted to conceal the fact that her company was discharging industrial wastewater.
On July 15, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Hartley with conspiracy to violate and violating the Clean Water Act.
Hartley faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. She will be sentenced on May 12, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge.
This case was investigated by the EPA Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from Clean Water Services. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew T. Ho and William M. McLaren are prosecuting the case.
This case was an Environmental Crimes Task Force (ECTF) investigation. ECTF is an initiative in the District of Oregon that identifies, investigates, and prosecutes significant environmental, public lands, and wildlife crimes. ECTF leverages the resources and effort of federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and law enforcement to protect human health, safeguard natural resources and wildlife, and hold violators accountable. If you witness an event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, please call 9-1-1. After alerting local emergency authorities, please also report incidents to the EPA’s Report a Violation website (https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations) or by calling the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
Owner of Money Service Business Unlawfully Residing in the United States Sentenced for Conspiring to Launder Drug ProceedsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Guatemalan national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced to federal prison today for laundering money for drug traffickers in the Portland metropolitan area through her money service business La Popular.
Brenda Lili Barrera Orantes, 40, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, Barerra Orantes owned and operated La Popular stores in Hillsboro, Beaverton, Woodburn, Odell, and Canby, Oregon, as well as in Vancouver, Washington. From August through November 2024, La Popular stores sent over $4.2 million dollars through wire transfers to places in Mexico associated with drug trafficking. During this same time period, Barrera Orantes and other co-conspirators accepted $49,500 in cash that was represented as drug proceeds and laundered it through La Popular stores.
Barrera Orantes accepted cash she believed was generated from drug dealing, and in exchange for a 10% commission, conducted wire transactions using techniques that made the laundered funds harder to detect, including using false sender information, structuring wire transfers into smaller amounts, and using different La Popular stores to help conceal the drug proceeds.
On April 16, 2025, investigators executed federal search warrants at Barrera Orantes’ Beaverton residence and three La Popular stores in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Vancouver and arrested Barrera Orantes. During the warrants, agents seized more than $300,000 in cash, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, jewelry, and high-end clothing.
On May 13, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 23-count indictment charging Barrera Orantes with money laundering and conspiracy, failure to file a currency transaction report, and failure to file a suspicious activity report.
On October 24, 2025, Barrera Orantes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. She also agreed to forfeit her Beaverton residence and all the seized cash and other property involved in her money laundering offense.
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher L. Cardani and Julia Jarrett prosecuted the case.
Firefighter Sentenced to over 12 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of Children and Interstate Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A man from St. Helens, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for ordering live-streamed child sexual abuse and traveling to the Philippines to engage in illicit sexual activity while working as a firefighter for the Lake Oswego Fire Department.
Kenneth Green, 57, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $50,000 special assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018.
According to court documents, from 2017 through 2019, Green paid for and received livestreamed shows featuring the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines. During the shows, Green gave child sex traffickers in the Philippines specific instructions on how to abuse the children and received child sexual abuse material from the traffickers. Devices seized from Green’s residence pursuant to a search warrant revealed additional chats with child sex traffickers.
In 2019, Green spent months communicating with a trafficker in anticipation of traveling to the Philippines to abuse children. He discussed details related to travel, accommodations, and the sexual abuse of children ages 9 to 17 years old. In November 2019, Green traveled to the Philippines with the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors. Upon arriving, defendant claimed to get sick and could not meet with the trafficker.
On February 7, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Green with sexual exploitation of children, receiving child pornography, interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity, and attempted foreign sex tourism.
On October 24, 2025, Green pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eliza Carmen Rodriguez and Charlotte Kelley prosecuted the case.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.
Oregon Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempting to Sell Cocaine Purchased from the Dark WebRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—An Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine purchased from the dark web.
Dominick Jeffrey Aragon, 32, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents, in February 2025, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) task force intercepted a parcel addressed to Aragon’s residence containing approximately one ounce of cocaine. In March 2025, they intercepted a second parcel destined for Aragon at the same address that contained two ounces of cocaine.
The investigation continued into April 2025, when USPIS and RADE seized two additional parcels addressed to Aragon at an acquaintance’s residence that contained controlled substances.
At the time of these offenses, Aragon was on federal supervised release after completing a 15-month federal prison sentence for distributing cocaine.
On September 29, 2025, Aragon pleaded guilty to attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.
This case was investigated by USPIS and RADE. It was prosecuted by John C. Brassell, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and Olivia Mendez, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
RADE is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. RADE includes members from Oregon State Police, the Grants Pass Police Department, Josephine County Probation & Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.
Mexican National Unlawfully Residing in the United States Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national unlawfully residing in the United States was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for felon in possession of a firearm after absconding from supervision for sixteen months.
Alfredo Terrero-Ortega, 28, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on January 31, 2023, despite an ICE detainer, Oregon public officials released Terrero-Ortega from the Oregon Department of Corrections to post-prison supervision in the community. If the detainer had been honored, Terrero-Ortega would have been deported to Mexico upon his release.
In June 2023 in Oregon, within five months of his release, Terrero-Ortega threatened to kill a woman and shoved her to the ground while she was holding her baby. He also strangled her. She reported the incident, and he absconded from his post-prison state supervision. On November 7, 2024, the U.S. Marshals found and arrested Terrero-Ortega in Portland. When arrested, Terrero-Ortega, had a black satchel containing a loaded 9mm pistol, methamphetamine, zip lock baggies, a phone, handwritten credit card information, and documents linked to Terrero-Ortega’s girlfriend.
On December 17, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a single-count indictment charging Terrero-Ortega with felon in possession of a firearm.
On October 2, 2025, Terrero-Ortega pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah K. Bolstad prosecuted the case.
Delhi, India Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Illegally Export Aviation Components from Oregon to RussiaRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A man from Delhi, India, was sentenced to federal prison today for conspiring with others to export controlled aviation components and a navigation and flight control system to end users in Russia, in violation of the Export Control Reform Act.
Sanjay Kaushik, 58, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and 36 months of supervised release.
“This was no lapse in judgment. It was a calculated, profit-driven scheme involving repeated transactions, substantial gains, and coordination with foreign co-conspirators, including sanctioned Russian entities,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “This defendant sought, on multiple occasions, to undermine safeguards critical to U.S. national security and foreign policy for his own personal gain.”
According to court documents and following today’s sentencing, beginning in early September 2023, Kaushik conspired with others to unlawfully obtain aerospace goods and technology from the United States for entities in Russia. The goods were purchased under the false pretense that they would be supplied to Kaushik and his Indian company, when in fact they were destined for Russian end users.
In one such instance, Kaushik and his co-conspirators purchased an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS), which is a device that provides navigation and flight control data for aircraft, from an Oregon-based supplier. Components such as the AHRS require a license from the Department of Commerce to be exported to certain countries, including Russia. To obtain an export license for the AHRS, Kaushik and his co-conspirators falsely claimed that Kaushik’s Indian company was the end purchaser and that the component would be used in a civilian helicopter. Kaushik and his co-conspirators obtained the AHRS – which was ultimately detained before it was exported from the United States – on behalf of and with the intention of shipping it, through India, to a customer in Russia.
Kaushik was arrested in Miami, Florida, on October 17, 2024, pursuant to a criminal complaint and arrest warrant and has remained in custody since then.
On November 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging Kaushik with conspiring and attempting to export products in violation of the Export Control Reform Act and the Export Administration Regulations, specifically attempting to illegally export a navigation and flight control system from Oregon to Russia through India, and false statements in connection with an export.
On October 9, 2025, Kaushik pled guilty to count one of the indictment, conspiring to sell export-controlled aviation components with dual civilian and military applications to end users in Russia.
The sentencing was announced by Scott E. Bradford, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon, Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg of the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and Special Agent in Charge Brent Burmester of the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), San Jose Field Office.
BIS Portland investigated the case, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Gregory R. Nyhus, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorney Emma Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section prosecuted the case.
Brush Prairie, Washington Woman Pleads Guilty to and Sentenced for Mail TheftRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Brush Prairie, Washington, woman pleaded guilty yesterday and was sentenced for mail theft while working as a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee.
Darcy Rae Nolan, 57, pleaded guilty to the information charging theft of mail by an officer or employee. Nolan was sentenced to two years of probation. The court ordered Nolan to pay restitution.
According to court documents, from February 2024 through December 2024, Nolan, as a city carrier for the USPS Parkrose Station Post Office, stole medications from the mail on at least 15 occasions by manipulating USPS records regarding parcels or opening parcels and stealing the medications. A search of Nolan’s purse and vehicle recovered approximately 137 pills and capsules that were later identified as five different types of prescription amphetamines.
On November 10, 2025, Nolan was charged by information with theft of mail by a postal employee.
The USPS Office of Inspector General investigated the case. First Assistant United States Attorney William M. Narus and Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Trisotto prosecuted the case.
Warm Springs Man Charged with Eluding Police Officers and Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon, man has been charged with possessing multiple firearms as a felon and eluding police officers after a high-speed chase.
Edward Francis Jones, 32, has been charged by criminal complaint with felon in possession of a firearm and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
“Running from justice puts lives at risk and threatens the safety of everyone around us,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “I am grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their commitment to protecting the community by locating and removing this dangerous fugitive from our streets.”
“The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is thankful to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, and the Oregon State Police for arresting Jones,” said Acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Oregon Pete W. Cajigal. “The unwavering dedication, relentless hard work, and steadfast diligence of these agencies stand as a powerful testament to the exceptional caliber of law enforcement that safeguards and serves our communities.”
“Our community is safer because of our partnerships with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, said Acting FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Shark. “Those partnerships allowed us to take both weapons, and a felon in possession of those weapons, off our streets.”
According to court documents, on November 6, 2025, Warm Springs Police officers were patrolling on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation when they observed a Hyundai sedan that matched the description of a stolen car. As the officer checked the license plate, the driver placed the car into drive and drove at a high speed into a field. As the officer activated his overhead lights and sirens, the car came to a sudden stop after hitting something. A male, identified as Jones, exited the car and began running. Officers attempted to chase Jones but lost sight of him.
Inside the stolen car, officers found a loaded 9mm handgun with an obliterated serial number sitting on the driver’s seat. Officers also found alcohol, fireworks, a backpack containing a bag believed to contain methamphetamine, a baggie of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and approximately 94 rounds of ammunition. A second backpack was found inside the vehicle with mail belonging to Jones.
On January 7, 2026, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed a female known to be affiliated with Jones in a Chrysler 300. Officers initiated a traffic stop for an expired registration. The vehicle did not stop and continued traveling through Madras, Oregon, at extremely high speeds, passing vehicles and driving into oncoming traffic. The car ultimately lost control and crashed. A male exited the driver’s seat and fled on foot. Drone operators from the Prineville Police Department located the fleeing suspect approximately 100 yards east. Officers contacted the suspect, identified as Jones, and took him into custody. Inside the car, officers observed a handgun lying on the driver’s side floorboard. An additional blue pistol belonging to the female occupant was also found on the driver’s side floorboard.
Jones has been wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service since May 29, 2025, for two separate supervised release violation cases with underlying felon in possession charges. Law enforcement has attempted to arrest Jones multiple times. The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Warm Springs Police Department, Hood River Police Department, and Wasco County Sheriff’s Office participated in the search for Jones.
Jones made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.
The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlotte Kelley is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oregon City Man Sentenced to over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute CocaineRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— An Oregon City, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for selling drugs after an investigation into an overdose death led to his prosecution.
Toren Paul Flom, 32, was sentenced to 140 months in federal prison and four years of supervised release.
“Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this crime. This defendant is a career offender with prior felony drug convictions and was on post-prison supervision when he sold drugs to the victim here,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford. “Drug crimes are not victimless – they tear families apart and weaken our communities as a whole, creating wounds that endure long after the crime itself.”
“Driven by greed, this drug dealer chose to put deadly drugs into our community with no regard for the lives and families harmed,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Flom’s sentence means he can no longer contribute to overdoses or cause more heartbreak for victims and their loved ones. HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and dismantle drug trafficking organizations that profit from this suffering and to protect the safety of our neighborhoods.”
“I’m grateful for the continued collaboration among law enforcement agencies to hold dangerous drug traffickers accountable,” said Portland Police Chief Bob Day. “Cases such as this help reduce the amount of dangerous drugs in our city and the devastating impact they have on so many lives.”
According to court documents, on June 2, 2024, law enforcement responded to an emergency call regarding a deceased victim who had overdosed on multiple controlled substances. The investigation revealed that Flom had distributed multiple controlled substances to the victim prior to his overdose death. Ultimately, investigators were not able to conclusively establish that Flom was the sole source of drugs that caused the victim’s overdose death. Nonetheless, investigators pursued a criminal investigation into Flom’s drug trafficking activities. Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Flom’s residence in July 2024 and seized approximately 7.2 gross kilograms of psilocybin mushrooms, 1.29 gross kilograms of ketamine, 1.2 gross kilograms of cocaine, 607 gross grams of MDMA, and 102 grams of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
On July 23, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a five-count indictment charging Flom with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine.
On September 10, 2025, Flom pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
HSI and the Portland Police Bureau – Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassady A. Adams prosecuted the case.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives.