Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Three Philadelphia Men Charged by Superseding Indictment with Conspiring to Distribute Large Amounts of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Jimmy King, 50, Jermaine King, 51, and Mahmud Sheppard, 28, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and firearms offenses.
The superseding indictment alleges that, between January 2024 and July 2025, the three men operated a drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) responsible for distributing over 500 pounds of methamphetamine throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding region.
As further alleged, Jimmy King routinely traveled to California where he sourced bulk quantities of methamphetamine, which he shipped back to Philadelphia using fake names and addresses. With the assistance of Jermaine King and Sheppard, Jimmy King diverted these packages and then distributed the methamphetamine to customers.
FBI agents surveilled the trio for months as they obtained and distributed methamphetamine. On July 23, 2025, agents served a search warrant on Jimmy King’s residence, where they located approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms.
If convicted, each of the defendants faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Stram and Christopher E. Parisi.
This case 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 Philadelphia comprises agents and officers from, among others, FBI, HSI, DEA, and ATF, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Two Men Indicted in Lehigh Valley-Area Drug CasesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that two defendants have been charged in separate Lehigh Valley-area drug cases just unsealed.
Richie Rivera, 33, of Reading, Pennsylvania, was charged by indictment with possession with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
The indictment alleges that, on or about February 24, 2026, in Berks County, Pa., the defendant was found in possession of approximately 1.24 kilograms of heroin, approximately 435 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, medetomidine, and xylazine, approximately 711 grams of cocaine, and approximately 206 grams of methamphetamine.
The indictment further alleges that, prior to possessing these narcotics, Rivera was convicted in October 2023 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Reading Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rosalynda M. Michetti.
Samuel Paulino, 51, of Union City, New Jersey, was charged by indictment with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine.
The indictment alleges that on or about March 2, 2026, in Northampton County, Pa., the defendant was found in possession of approximately four kilograms of heroin and approximately six kilograms of cocaine.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Schopf.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictments are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Philadelphia Man Convicted at Trial of Unlawful Possession of a Gun and Ammunition by a FelonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Arthur Thompson, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted late yesterday afternoon at trial of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.
As detailed in court filings and proven at trial, on December 20, 2022, two Philadelphia police officers saw the defendant commit a traffic violation and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Thompson stopped his car, got out, tossed a loaded firearm, and ran away from the officers. After a brief foot chase, the defendant was detained and later charged locally with firearms violations.
Thompson was federally indicted in January of last year and then charged by superseding indictment in December. He had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year and was not permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8 and faces a maximum possible sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Gun Violence Task Force, and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Tracie J. Gaydos.
Two Foreign Nationals Sentenced to Prison in March for Illegally Reentering the United States After DeportationRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that two foreign nationals convicted separately of illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations were sentenced to prison this month.
Jorge Adalberto Dejesus Rondon, aka Jorge Garcia, Henry Matos, and Edwin Carrillo, 38, a Dominican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh to 40 months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
Dejesus had previously been removed from the U.S. three times: in February 2011, following his conviction and sentencing on drug charges in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas; in June 2015, after serving the sentence imposed for his first illegal reentry conviction in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and in August 2019, after serving sentences for illegal reentry in the Southern District of Texas and violating his supervised release in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
After Dejesus eluded an attempted arrest in April of last year, law enforcement officers located and arrested him in June in a Philadelphia residence.
The defendant was charged by indictment with illegal reentry in July and pleaded guilty in November.
Warlin DeJesus Arnaud-Salcedo, 41, a Dominican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Costello to 14 months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
Arnaud-Salcedo had previously been removed from the U.S. in May 2016.
In May of last year, ICE encountered the defendant on the 6100 block of Hegerman Street in Philadelphia, while searching for other individuals. He provided identification and was permitted to leave the area. Shortly thereafter, ICE personnel determined that Arnaud-Salcedo had reentered the country illegally. They located and took him into custody the following day.
Arnaud-Salcedo was charged by indictment with illegal reentry in June of last year and pleaded guilty in October.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Dubnoff and Mark Sendek.
Philadelphia Man Convicted at Trial of Manufacturing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Harry Dallas, 44, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted today at trial of manufacturing child pornography, specifically, videorecording himself engaged in sex acts with an underage girl.
In June 2023, in Center City, Dallas, then 40 years old, encountered a runaway teenager, who had been reported missing from her home state for several weeks. The evidence at trial established that the 15-year-old girl had no money or shelter, a situation that Dallas used to his advantage. Dallas drove the minor to his home in Northeast Philadelphia, where he sexually abused her over the course of several days and filmed videos of himself and the minor engaged in various sex acts. He also took photos of her, including one that depicted the girl while fully nude and asleep.
Dallas used a cellphone to film the videos and take the explicit photos. In 2024, FBI Philadelphia executed a search warrant on Dallas’ cloud-based account, which revealed the videos and images Dallas had taken of the minor in June 2023.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8 and faces a maximum possible term of 90 years in prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Justin Ashenfelter and Amanda McCool.
Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Multiple Robberies Targeting Armored TrucksRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Mujahid Davis, 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Gail A. Weilheimer on two counts of Hobbs Act robbery (Counts One and Five), attempted Hobbs Act robbery (Counts Three and Seven), and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (Count Six).
The defendant was charged by superseding indictment in January, along with Dante Shackleford, 26, also of Philadelphia.
As detailed in case filings and admitted to by the defendant, Davis, with others, participated in the following crimes:
- the July 2, 2025, robbery of a Brinks truck in Philadelphia
- the July 15, 2025, attempted robbery of a Brinks truck in Philadelphia
- the August 12, 2025, robbery of a Brinks truck in Elkins Park, Pa.
- the October 3, 2025, attempted robbery of a Brinks truck in Philadelphia
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on August 4 and faces a maximum possible term of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum of seven years’ imprisonment, a five-year term of supervised release, and a $1,500,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Eckert and Kwambina Coker.
Indian National Illegally in U.S. Pleads Guilty to Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Harshpreet Singh, 25, an Indian national illegally in the U.S., entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Catherine Henry to possession of a firearm by an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States.
The defendant was charged by indictment in October of last year.
As detailed in court filings, on August 28, 2024, at approximately 1:17 a.m., Pennsylvania State Police troopers and Bethel Township Police Department officers responded to a Bethel, Pennsylvania, residence for a report of a shooting incident relating to a home invasion. At the same time, Berks County police dispatch advised officers of a call for a gunshot victim at a gas station less than half a mile away from the residence.
Officers found A.S., charged elsewhere, inside of a vehicle at the gas pumps with a gunshot wound to the torso, with the defendant and a co-defendant also in the vehicle.
After A.S. was transported to the hospital for treatment, police officers canvassed the area around the gas station and discovered two firearms in a gravel lot across the street: a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic pistol, loaded with 12 live rounds of ammunition; and a privately manufactured firearm bearing no serial number, loaded with 17 live rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Another firearm, a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, loaded with 13 live rounds of ammunition, was located in the yard of the residence that had reported the home invasion.
Forensic testing on the three guns subsequently found a DNA profile consistent with a mixture of four contributors, with Harshpreet Singh included as a potential contributor to this mixture profile.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9 and faces a maximum possible term of 15 years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Bethel Township (Berks County) Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rosalynda M. Michetti.
Former Immigration Officer Pleads Guilty to Accepting BribeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Amara Dukuly, 44, of Woodlyn, Pennsylvania, a former immigration officer employed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge John M. Younge to aiding and abetting the bribery of a public official in exchange for an official act.
As detailed in court filings, from approximately 2015 to his arrest in June 2025, Dukuly used his status as a USCIS employee to solicit bribes from individuals, in exchange for promises to help them obtain assistance with their immigration status.
On April 4, 2025, Dukuly received a $6,000 bribe from an individual to help with the removal of “terrorist” references from the individual's immigration file. Dukuly promised the individual that after the “terrorist” references were removed, his file would be “clean.”
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14 and faces a maximum possible term of 15 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anita Eve and Robert Livermore.
Dauphin County Man Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Ardavan Alamoutinia, 33, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez on one count of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, 10 counts of mail fraud, one count of theft of government money, and one count of aggravated identity theft, arising from a scheme to fraudulently obtain emergency funds meant for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The defendant and co-defendant Aryanah Davison, 26, of Harrisburg, Pa., were charged by indictment in May 2023, with Davison pleading guilty to her role in the scheme in January of last year.
As detailed in court filings, Alamoutinia and Davison used stolen identities to file over 500 fraudulent applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”). These 500-plus fraudulent applications were filed using at least 375 identities of current or former employees of Company 1, Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) which a co-conspirator had stolen and transferred to Davison.
After receiving the PII, Alamoutinia and Davison filed, or caused to be filed, the fraudulent PUA applications in 27 different states, resulting in a loss to the government of at least $2,886,876.
The two co-defendants converted at least $2,500,000 of the fraudulent proceeds in this case, spending them, in part, on a luxury sports vehicle and hundreds of thousands of dollars of cryptocurrency.
Alamoutinia is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9 and faces a maximum possible term of 232 years’ imprisonment. Davison will be sentenced at a later date; she also faces a maximum possible term of 232 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney S. Chandler Harris.
Philadelphia Man Who Murdered Gas Station Attendant During Armed Robbery Sentenced to Life in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Chihean Jones, aka “Cha,” 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge for two commercial robberies in the city and the murder of a gas station attendant during one of those robberies. Judge Hodge sentenced Jones to life in prison for the murder and 20 years each for the robberies, to be served concurrently.
Jones was charged by second superseding indictment in January 2024 with two counts of robbery interfering with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), murder in the course of using and carrying a firearm, and using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In November of last year, a federal jury found him guilty on all counts.
As detailed in court filings and proven at trial, on August 22, 2022, the defendant drove two other men to a cell phone store on the 100 block of East Olney Avenue. While Jones waited in his Chevrolet Suburban, the two others went inside the store, forced their way into a back room, and stole multiple cell phones. The three men then fled the scene in the defendant’s Suburban.
Then, on January 17, 2023, Jones, accompanied by his girlfriend and two other men, drove the Suburban to a gas station on the 7100 block of Torresdale Avenue, which the group intended to rob. They planned to wait for the gas station attendant to leave the store to smoke a cigarette, at which point the defendant would approach with his .45-caliber pistol. The two men accompanying Jones would zip-tie the attendant and force him back into the station to open the safe.
When the attendant failed to exit, however, the group sent the defendant’s girlfriend into the store to see what was happening and to determine if the men could kick in the door to the register area. After she reported back, the three men entered the store. Immediately upon entering, Jones pushed his pistol under the protective glass and shot the attendant in the back as the attendant tried to run away. Jones and the two men ransacked the store and stole the attendant’s wallet, as he lay dying on the floor.
“The defendant shot an unarmed man in the back because it was easier than chasing after him,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “He and his crew then pawed through the victim’s pockets, as he lay dying. In the face of such senseless violence and casual cruelty, this life sentence is richly deserved. We are all safer with Chihean Jones behind bars.”
“Chihean Jones committed a horrific and cowardly act when he shot and killed an innocent victim simply trying to make a living,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “In partnership with the Philadelphia Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the ATF Philadelphia Field Division will continue to work tirelessly to ensure justice for the victims and to make our communities safer from dangerous criminals like Jones.”
This case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Parisi and Amanda McCool.
Puerto Rico Woman Who Flew to Philadelphia with Nearly 15 Pounds of Cocaine in Checked Bag Sentenced to Almost Three Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Karelys Colon Sevilla, 29, of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was sentenced today to 34 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge for transporting nearly 15 pounds of cocaine to Philadelphia in a checked bag on a commercial flight.
The defendant was charged by indictment in May 2024 with one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and pleaded guilty in October of last year.
As detailed in court filings, on February 13, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) received information that Colon was flying from Puerto Rico, via Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, to the Philadelphia International Airport (“PHL”) and possibly concealing narcotics in her checked luggage.
After HSI confirmed that Colon was indeed a ticketed passenger set to arrive at PHL, investigators sought and received from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas an anticipatory search warrant for the defendant’s luggage, contingent on an alert from a Police K-9 on the luggage.
Following the arrival of Colon’s plane to PHL, Pennsylvania State Police K-9 Ivan was instructed by his handler to examine every piece of checked luggage from that flight. K-9 Ivan only alerted to the presence of narcotics on one piece of luggage, a blue-gray soft-sided bag bearing a tag with the defendant’s name and flight information.
Pursuant to the search warrant and the K-9’s alert, investigators then opened the bag and recovered approximately 6.8 kilograms of a white substance, which testing later showed was cocaine.
This case was investigated by HSI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, and Pennsylvania State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eileen Castilla Geiger.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to Prison for Sexually Assaulting Woman Seated Next to Him on Philadelphia-Bound FlightRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Vernon Baker, 41, of Linden, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 25 months’ imprisonment and one year of supervised release by United States District Judge Anita B. Brody for sexually assaulting the woman seated next to him on a flight into Philadelphia.
The defendant was charged by indictment in January of last year with one count of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft and pleaded guilty in December.
As detailed in court filings, on October 30, 2024, aboard a commercial flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, Baker made sexual advances toward the female passenger sitting next to him.
After the victim refused his advances, Baker took out his penis and forcibly tried to get the victim to touch him. He then grabbed her breast over her clothing and untied her pants. Traumatized and shaken, the victim rushed to the back of the cabin where she reported this assault to flight attendants.
This case was investigated by the FBI, the Federal Air Marshal Service, and the Philadelphia Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josh Davison and Special Assistant United States Attorney Meagan Gordon.
Philadelphia Man Convicted at Trial of Robbing Kensington Pharmacy at GunpointRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Michael Nixon, 31, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted at trial of robbery which interferes with interstate commerce (Hobbs Act robbery), using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, arising from his gunpoint robbery of a pharmacy located on the 2900 block of North 5th Street in Philadelphia’s Kensington section.
As proven at trial, on December 22, 2021, at approximately 5:44 p.m., Nixon forced Victim #1, a pharmacy employee, back into the store, as Victim #1 was attempting to get to their car. Once inside the pharmacy, Nixon demanded access to the store’s controlled substances safe and told Victim #1 to put the narcotics from the safe into plastic bags. As Victim #1 did so, Nixon pointed a black firearm at them and urged them to hurry up. Once the defendant had the bottles of drugs, he exited the store, ran to a waiting blue Dodge Charger, and got into a passenger seat.
Nearby Philadelphia Police Department (“PPD”) Narcotics Strike Force (“NSF”) officers observed Nixon flee the store and enter the vehicle. At that time, the NSF officers attempted to stop the Charger, but the vehicle sped off and led police on a high-speed pursuit through the city. During the vehicle pursuit, PPD officers observed what appeared to be medicine bottles being thrown from the vehicle.
Following a minor vehicle accident at the 3100 block of Janney Street in Philadelphia, both Nixon and the driver of the vehicle were taken into police custody.
PPD officers went back to the route of travel and recovered multiple bottles of controlled substances, specifically alprazolam tablets and one partially broken bottle containing methylphenidate hydrochloride tablets, which matched the substances stolen from the pharmacy.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 8 and faces a maximum possible term of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Stram and Justin Oshana.
Former Philadelphia Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Violating Inmates’ Civil Rights, Falsifying Use-of-Force ReportsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Christopher Knight, 47, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Paul S. Diamond on five counts of depriving individuals of their civil rights under color of law and two counts of falsifying records.
The defendant was charged by indictment in May of last year.
As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, while working as a prison guard at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, Knight pepper-sprayed five subdued victims in a matter of months.
On January 8, 2023, Knight blasted his first victim with pepper spray while the victim was lying face down on the ground with his hands behind his back. Knight then continued to spray the victim, striking him during the handcuffing process and after he was handcuffed.
Two days later, Knight pepper-sprayed another handcuffed victim while the victim was being escorted down a hallway by another guard. Later that day, Knight struck his third victim with spray while the victim was returning to his cell, and Knight continued to pepper-spray this victim after he was handcuffed.
On March 20, 2023, Knight attacked his fourth victim, blasting the victim with spray while the victim was writing on a piece of paper and not posing a threat. Knight continued to spray this victim while he was lying on the ground in pain. Then, on March 24, 2023, Knight attacked his fifth victim, striking the victim with spray, even though he was lying face down on the ground.
Knight falsified multiple use-of-force reports by knowingly omitting key details of his attacks when describing his own actions.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on July 15 and faces a maximum possible term of 90 years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Priya DeSouza and Michael Miller.
Five Philadelphia Men Convicted at Trial of Conspiring to Commit at Least 29 Carjackings, Including the Murder of a Carjacking Victim, the Murder of a Potential Witness, and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that five Philadelphia men were convicted today at trial of conspiring to commit armed carjackings in and around Philadelphia and sell the stolen cars to buyers, who would then ship the vehicles to Africa for resale.
The defendants[1] were charged by superseding indictment in July 2024.
Mikal McCracken, aka “Kal,” 24, was convicted this afternoon of counts related to carjacking resulting in death, where he and three others carjacked and killed a former marine in February of 2022. He was also convicted of counts related to his participation in a conspiracy, with two others, to murder a potential witness in February of 2022. McCracken was also convicted for offenses related to an additional 20 armed attempted or completed carjackings. Those 20 armed carjackings included five where victims were shot or shot at. One of the victims was carjacked and shot on two separate occasions a month apart.
Amin Muse, aka “Miyn” and “Miyns,” 24, was convicted of counts related to carjacking resulting in death, where he and three others carjacked and killed the former marine. He was also convicted of counts related to his participation in the conspiracy, with two others, to murder the potential witness. Muse was also convicted for offenses related to an additional eight armed attempted or completed carjackings. Those 20 armed carjackings included one where the victim was shot at.
Aleem Abdul-Hakim, aka “Fatleem,” 23, was convicted of counts related to carjacking resulting in death, where he and three others carjacked and killed the former marine. Abdul-Hakim was also convicted of offenses related to an additional five armed attempted or completed carjackings.
Dean Fosque, aka “30,” 28, was convicted of offenses related to nine armed carjackings, which included three shootings, where one of those three victims was hit.
Kavon Coleman, aka “Ski,” 23, was convicted of offenses related to four armed attempted or completed carjackings, which included one shooting where the victim of the attempted carjacking was shot — and that victim had been a previous victim of this conspiracy.
As detailed in court filings and proven at trial, between October 2021 and October 2022, groups of rotating carjackers, including McCracken, Muse, Abdul-Hakim, Fosque, Coleman, and others, committed dozens of gunpoint carjackings, often carrying out multiple carjackings in one night. Many of these crimes occurred in Southwest and Northeast Philadelphia, and there were also carjackings in the surrounding suburbs, including Yeadon, Millbourne, Lower Southampton, and King of Prussia.
The carjackers used firearms and often assaulted their victims, sometimes by shooting them. In addition to cars, they also took personal identification, credit cards, and money from their victims. In several cases, conspirators then used the stolen identification materials to commit fraud crimes.
In all, the conspiracy involved approximately 60 carjackings, 29 of which were charged in the superseding indictment, including the carjacking which resulted in the murder of the victim, and the second murder of the potential witness. The charges included numerous shootings, including four shootings that left the victims (one of whom had been carjacked and shot on two different occasions) seriously injured.
The first murder occurred on February 6, 2022, when McCracken, Muse, and Abdul-Hakim, along with Jonathan Akubu, charged elsewhere, carjacked Victim 1, and shot and killed him in the process.
In their haste to flee the scene in Victim 1’s car, which was already running, the carjackers failed to take Victim 1’s key fob, which they would need to continue operating the stolen car after it was eventually shut off. Accordingly, they enlisted the help of a locksmith (Victim 2) to make them a new key for the car.
Shortly after the key was made, the police located and recovered Victim 1’s vehicle. Members of the conspiracy—McCracken, Muse, and Akubu, charged elsewhere, feared that law enforcement would identify the locksmith through forensics, because he touched the car while making the replacement key. The three believed that the locksmith would then cooperate with law enforcement investigating the killing, so they murdered Victim 2 on February 12, 2022, to prevent him from betraying them.
The investigation revealed that the carjackers, who usually operated in smaller groups of two to four, had been responsible for numerous carjackings dating as far back as October of 2021. Several carjacked cars were discovered in shipping containers bound for countries abroad.
“These defendants ran one of the most extensive and terrible carjacking rings in American history that terrorized and, in some cases killed, its victims. When viewed by the sheer scale and volume of violent robberies, this prosecution represents perhaps the most successful carjacking prosecution in the history of the Department of Justice,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “That campaign of dread is done. The streets we walk and drive on are now safer thanks to the fantastic work of the FBI and all of our law enforcement partners on the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force.”
“These convictions should send a clear message: those who commit brazen, violent crimes targeting our community will be identified, pursued, and held accountable,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. “At the center of this case, and every crime, are the victims. These convictions are a testament to our relentless pursuit of justice — for the victims who lost their lives, for the loved ones they left behind, and for the survivors among us, each permanently altered by these senseless acts of violence. This investigation was driven by the expertise, intelligence, and resources of the FBI's Violent Crime Task Force. Partnership remains a force multiplier in our work and our success — no single agency alone can take on such complex violent crimes. We continue to see meaningful progress across our city in reducing violent crime, and while our work is not done, today reflects our shared commitment to a safer city for everyone who calls Philadelphia home.”
“This case represented some of the very worst of what we saw during the rise of violent carjackings: calculated, coordinated, and completely indifferent to human life,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel. “These individuals didn’t just steal cars — they terrorized neighborhoods, took innocent lives, and attempted to silence witnesses to cover their crimes. Thanks to the relentless work of the Philadelphia Police Department and our federal partners, this violent crew has been dismantled and held accountable. Let this be clear: if you bring this level of violence to our city, we will bring the full weight of law enforcement down on you. At the same time, we are seeing real progress: violent crime, including carjackings, continues to trend down because of the dedication of our officers and the strength of these partnerships. This is what the work looks like, and we are not slowing down.”
“Our Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force has been a game changer, as this case again demonstrates,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Through the teamwork of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Violent Crime Unit, the FBI, the Philadelphia Police Department, and our ATF Special Agents, we have brought these dangerous criminals to justice. As summer approaches, these convictions should be a deterrent to those who think they can terrorize this city.”
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced at a later date and face maximum possible terms of life in prison.
This case was investigated by the Philadelphia Carjacking Task Force, comprising the FBI, Philadelphia Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with significant assistance from the Philadelphia offices of Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, which helped investigate and uncover carjacked cars meant to be exported overseas. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph LaBar and Katherine Shulman.
[1] Co-defendants Amadou Moussa and Davon Squire were also charged in the superseding indictment and will be tried separately.
Consent Judgment Entered Against Bucks County Company Resolving Allegations of False Claims for Billing Group Art Classes in Assisted Living and Adult Day Facilities as Occupational TherapyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – U.S. Attorney David Metcalf announced today that the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has entered a consent judgment against Segal Arts, LLC, and its sole owner and manager, Irina Segal. In its complaint against Segal and her business, the United States alleges that they violated the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729–3733, by submitting or causing the submission of claims for payment to Medicare for one-on-one occupational therapy services that were not provided. Instead of the medically necessary one-on-one therapeutic exercise described in Segal Arts’ Medicare billing, Segal Arts provided group arts-and-crafts sessions to Medicare beneficiaries at assisted living and similar facilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
“This investigation and its resolution by consent judgment reflect our ongoing focus on pursuing individuals who defraud Medicare, especially when occupational therapy providers in the Medicare program should be providing medically necessary services to our older adult populations,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf.
“Civil enforcement is an important component in safeguarding the integrity of the Medicare program,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Regional Office for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that Medicare program dollars are only paid for services that were actually provided to patients.”
Among other things, the complaint alleges that, even after Segal was interviewed and educated by HHS-OIG agents about the individual, skilled therapy requirements associated with the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code used in the billing, Segal Arts failed to repay to the Medicare program the amounts it had reimbursed for non-covered, group art sessions. The consent judgment requires Segal to repay $200,000, based on her ability to pay.
The allegations are described in detail in the complaint. The case is captioned United States of America v. Segal Arts, LLC, Civil No. 26-1693 (E.D. Pa.).
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca S. Melley and litigative consultant Priscilla Brandon.
All claims in the complaint are allegations only. There has been no determination of civil liability.
California Man Sentenced to Five and Half Years in Prison for Loan Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Frank Hamilton, 55, of Simi Valley, California, who previously pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy affecting a financial institution, was sentenced to 66 months in prison, two years’ supervised release, and restitution of $6,093,024.90 by United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone yesterday for loan fraud conspiracy, in which Hamilton and his co-schemers defrauded multiple banks, other lenders, and the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) out of millions of dollars in loans that were either funded or guaranteed by the SBA.
As detailed in case filings and admitted to by the defendant, prior to the pandemic, Hamilton and his conspirators started filing fraudulent applications for SBA 7(a) loans, which are loans funded by banks and other lenders and partially guaranteed by the SBA. During the pandemic, Hamilton and his co-conspirators transitioned to Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”), which were funded by the SBA, and Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, which were funded by banks and other lenders but fully guaranteed by the SBA. PPP loans were also eligible for forgiveness if a large percentage of the loan was used to pay employees, as the goal of that program was to enable businesses to continue to pay their employees during the pandemic despite the loss of a company’s business due to the pandemic.
To obtain these loans, Hamilton advised his conspirators how to submit false loan applications and helped them generate fake documents, including false tax returns, to support the false applications. In addition, Hamilton assisted conspirators in obtaining “shelf companies,” that is, companies that had been created by a vendor who registered a non-functioning business in a state, paid all required fees for several years, and then sold the company “off the shelf” so that it could be used by individuals who needs to make it appear that they had a company that had been in business for a significant length of time.
Hamilton also helped conspirators open bank accounts and obtain websites and email addresses for those non-functioning companies. Moreover, he sometimes even joined his conspirators on phone interviews with lenders. To conceal the scheme and give the fraudulent submissions more legitimacy, Hamilton often used names of conspirators or their non-functional companies in the applications and back-up documents of other conspirators as employees or vendors of the non-functioning companies.
In addition to assisting others to apply for fraudulent loans, Hamilton applied for fraudulent loans for one of his own minimally-functioning companies, as well as three shelf companies that he owned. As a result of this sophisticated fraud, the conspirators applied for loans totaling approximately $9 million, of which approximately $7,088,010 was funded.
As part of their plan, the conspirators turned over a majority of their proceeds to Hamilton so that he could invest the funds for them and return money to them in installments sufficient to make their loan payments plus a small sum for their personal use.
Some conspiracy members made payment on their loans for at least a short period of time. Many did not, as Hamilton did return some money to his co-conspirators, instead keeping most of the money for himself. Despite Hamilton’s receipt of more than a million dollars of loans for Hamilton’s own companies, and his receipt of the majority of the millions of dollars of his co-conspirators’ loans, Hamilton did not make a single payment on any of his own loans. As a result, the vast majority of loans went into default, resulting in more than $7 million in losses to the SBA.
This case was investigated by the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Judy Smith and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Varun Trivedi.
U.S. Attorney Announces Additional Enforcement Action as Part of National Effort to Combat Electrical Stimulation Fraud Scheme and Recover MillionsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the filing of a complaint under the False Claims Act in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This is the latest action in the national investigation into the scheme of improper billing using the RST-Sanexas neoGEN-series electric stimulation device. Federal healthcare programs do not reimburse for electrical nerve stimulation treatments furnished in outpatient clinics to treat pain, nor do they cover vitamin injections used in conjunction with such treatments. As detailed below, this District and others have pursued and settled various False Claims Act cases against electrical stimulation providers, recovering millions.
The complaint is against Drs. Michael Glickert and Joseph Novof of St. Louis, Missouri, as well as their integrated chiropractic clinic, The Vanguard Clinic LLC, and Sanexas device distributorship, Fleur de Lis, LLC, alleging violations of the False Claims Act. As alleged in the complaint, Glickert is a chiropractor who helped develop the scheme for billing Sanexas treatment and vitamin injections to insurance and promoted that scheme nationwide. Novof is an emergency room physician who served as Medical Director for Vanguard, as well as two other Sanexas clinics, and distributed Sanexas devices nationwide.
Beginning in late 2018, Glickert promoted Sanexas treatment and vitamin injections as reimbursable by Medicare and provided coding instructions. But the United States alleges that Glickert knew that billing Medicare could be considered fraudulent. And despite later admitting in a federal complaint that their billing of Sanexas treatment and vitamin injections was not covered by Medicare, Glickert continued to bill Medicare. Meanwhile, Novof falsely certified that vitamin injections were medically necessary, despite not even knowing the ingredients in those injections.
“Our office continues to lead the national charge to hold alleged fraudsters accountable for improper Sanexas billing,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “We will continue working closely with our partners at CMS’s Center for Program Integrity, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Justice Department’s Civil Division, and sister U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country to pursue any other providers who inappropriately billed for these devices and caused false claims to be submitted.”
The ongoing national effort to identify and combat electrical stimulation billing fraud is a collaboration between this District, the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (“CMS”) Center for Program Integrity, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), other federal healthcare programs, state partners, and sister U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country.
The cases in this District have been investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. They have been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eric S. Wolfish and Civil Chief Gregory B. David.
Prior DOJ press releases related to the Sanexas national initiative include:
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/two-doctors-and-their-medical-practice-pay-more-181000-resolve-false-claims-act
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/us-attorney-announces-two-additional-civil-settlements-part-national-effort-combat
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/us-attorney-announces-additional-civil-settlement-chiropractor-and-his-practice-part
- https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/rst-sanexas-inc-and-its-owners-agree-pay-15-million-resolve-allegations-they-caused
The investigation and pursuit of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud, including in the healthcare technology arena. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the FCA. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims above are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Maryland Man Sentenced to over Three Years in Prison for Mailing Threatening Communications to Jewish Institutions, Civil Rights ViolationsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Clift Seferlis, 55, of Garrett Park, Maryland, was sentenced this afternoon by United States District Judge Mark A. Kearney to 37 months in prison, three years of supervised release, $40,000 fine, and a $2,200 special assessment for mailing threatening communications targeting Jewish institutions and organizations.
In November of last year, Seferlis pleaded guilty to 17 counts of mailing threatening communications and eight counts of obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs, arising from threats sent to Jewish organizations and entities.
As detailed in court filings, from at least March 2024 through at least June 2025, the defendant used the United States mail to send at least 40 letters and two postcards to more than 25 Jewish institutions and organizations, including synagogues, Jewish museums, community centers, schools, nonprofit organizations, and a Jewish delicatessen, located in multiple jurisdictions. Many of these written communications threatened to destroy physical buildings and/or injure individuals.
The threatening communications were intended to intimidate recipients and interfere with congregants and others in the enjoyment of their free exercise of religious beliefs.
“Threats directed at religious institutions are attacks not just on those communities but on the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Individuals who attempt to intimidate or terrorize others because of their faith will face the full force of federal law.”
“This case serves as a stark reminder that members of our community can still face threats because of their beliefs,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office. “No one should have to live in fear because of who they are or what they believe. The FBI and our partners remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting every member of our community and holding those who seek to intimidate or harm others fully accountable.”
This case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia, with assistance from FBI Baltimore, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Montgomery County (Md.) Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland’s Greenbelt office. The Anti-Defamation League, Secure Community Network, and Delaware Valley Intelligence Center also provided assistance with this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Dubnoff for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Trial Attorney Taylor Payne of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Lehigh County Man Who Defrauded Victims of Nearly $2 Million Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Chinedu Ekuma, 45, of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, and $1,751,968 in restitution by United States District Judge John M. Gallagher yesterday for carrying out a scheme that defrauded victims of nearly $2 million through various internet scams.
The defendant was charged by information and pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud in November of last year.
As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, from about August 2020 through March 2023, Ekuma was part of a scheme to defraud victims and to obtain money and property of these victims by materially false pretenses, representations, and promises. The victims were individuals and businesses that intended to make payments to businesses and individuals for personal and/or business reasons. Several of the victims were led to believe their money was being used for investment opportunities (which turned out to be nonexistent) and several more were victims of romance/friendship scams.
Ekuma owned entities called Intelaris Solutions, LLC (“Intelaris Solutions”) and Verge Capital (“Verge Capital”), and opened several bank accounts in the name of these entities.
He and others caused the fraud victims to send payments to the Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital bank accounts, by falsely representing to the victims that those accounts were associated with the businesses and individuals who the victims intended to pay, when, in fact, the Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital bank accounts were controlled by Ekuma, and Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital had no legitimate relationship with any of the victims. After the fraud proceeds were received into the Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital bank accounts, Ekuma transferred most of the fraud proceeds to other co-schemers and retained other amounts of the fraud proceeds for himself.
As part of the scheme, the defendant and co-schemers created, or caused the creation of, fraudulent documentation that falsely represented that Intelaris Solutions and Verge Capital were entitled to payments from the victims.
In total, the scheme resulted in victims losing over $1.75 million and attempted to cause an additional approximately $650,000 in losses.
This case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Allentown Resident Agency and IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Francis A. Weber.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Violent Home Invasion RobberyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Tyrek Byrd, 37, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Cynthia M. Rufe to 15 years in prison for his role in a violent home invasion robbery targeting a local business owner and his family.
In September 2025, a federal jury convicted Byrd of conspiring to commit armed home invasion robberies, Hobbs Act robbery, and using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
As proven at trial, in December 2019, Byrd and two co‑conspirators carried out a violent home invasion robbery targeting business owners whom they believed kept large amounts of cash at their homes. The conspirators researched their victims and businesses and used a GPS tracking device to determine where the victims lived before carrying out the robberies.
On the night of December 31, 2019, Byrd and two accomplices confronted the owner of a Delaware County nail salon as the victim returned to the business. The robbers forced the victim inside, zip‑tied his wrists, covered his mouth with duct tape, and beat him while demanding money.
The men then forced the victim to take them to his home, where they encountered the victim’s wife, children, and nanny. Inside the residence, the robbers zip‑tied the family members, ransacked the home, and continued assaulting the victim while demanding cash. During the ordeal, the assailants threatened the family and stated that they had been watching the victims for weeks.
After terrorizing the family for approximately 40 minutes, the robbers fled with thousands of dollars in business proceeds, jewelry, and other valuables.
Byrd’s coconspirator, Shaquan Brown, was previously sentenced to more than 22 years’ in prison for his role in this and other robberies. Another coconspirator, Willie Singletary, received a sentence of 17 years’ imprisonment for this role in the conspiracy.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives the Haverford Police Department, Uwchlan Township Police Department, with assistance from the FBI and the Montgomery County Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Carissimi, Brian Doherty, and J. Jeanette Kang.
Delaware County Woman Sentenced for Carjacking, Shooting at Victim, and Fleeing with Infant in Stolen SUVRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Phillis Fugah, 25, of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Timothy J. Savage to ten years and one day in prison and five years of supervised release for carjacking and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
The defendant previously pleaded guilty to one count of carjacking and one count of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in connection with an August 29, 2024 armed carjacking and shooting in Upper Darby.
As detailed in court filings and admitted by the defendant, Fugah and a male accomplice approached a Honda Pilot parked on the 7100 block of West Chester Pike, where a man sat in the vehicle with his two young children while waiting for his wife. The accomplice opened the passenger-side door but fled the scene.
Fugah then opened the driver’s side door, got behind the wheel, and pointed a gun at the victim while demanding money. The victim’s five-year-old son exited the vehicle through the front passenger door and ran to the sidewalk. The victim exited the rear driver’s side door and attempted to stop the defendant, telling her that his infant child remained inside the vehicle.
During the struggle, Fugah raised the firearm and shot at the victim, with the bullet partially shattering the driver’s-side window and striking the victim’s baseball cap, narrowly missing his head. A fragment of the bullet also struck the window of an occupied SEPTA bus across the street, passing over the heads of several passengers.
Fugah then fled in the Honda Pilot with the infant still inside the vehicle. The SUV was located a short distance away, and the child was recovered unharmed.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Newtown Square Resident Agency and the Upper Darby Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Doherty and Special Assistant United States Attorney Sandra Urban.
Aetna Agrees to Pay $117.7 Million to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Aetna Inc., a national insurer incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $117,700,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting or failing to withdraw inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for its Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees in order to increase its payments from Medicare.
Under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare beneficiaries may opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in private health plans offered by insurance companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations, or MAOs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays MAOs a fixed monthly amount adjusted for various risk factors that affect expected health expenditures for the beneficiary. In general, CMS pays MAOs more for sicker beneficiaries expected to incur higher healthcare costs. To make these “risk adjustments,” CMS collects medical diagnosis codes from the MAOs.
The United States alleges that Aetna submitted inaccurate and untruthful patient diagnosis data to CMS in order to inflate the risk adjustment payments it received from CMS, failed to withdraw the inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis data and repay CMS, and falsely certified in writing to CMS that the data was accurate and truthful. The settlement announced today resolves these allegations.
“The government pays private insurers over $530 billion each year to care for Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “We will continue to hold accountable insurers that knowingly submit inaccurate or unsupported diagnoses to improperly inflate reimbursement.”
“The government pays Medicare Advantage Organizations to facilitate vital healthcare to our seniors and other vulnerable citizens. When corporations or individuals threaten the Medicare Advantage program by diverting those limited government resources through fraud, waste, or abuse, we will continue to pursue all available remedies against them,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
“Medicare Advantage relies on accurate reporting and attempts to manipulate the system undermine both the program’s integrity and the beneficiaries it serves,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s settlement makes clear that no company is beyond accountability, no matter how large or well known. Those who seek to exploit Medicare Advantage should expect to be identified and held responsible, and HHS‑OIG will continue to protect taxpayer funds and the integrity of this vital program.”
The United States contends that, for payment year 2015, Aetna operated a “chart review” program in which it paid diagnosis coders to review medical records (also known as “charts”) and identify all medical conditions that the charts supported. Aetna relied on the results of those chart reviews to submit additional diagnosis codes to CMS to obtain additional payments. However, Aetna’s chart reviews did not substantiate some diagnosis codes previously reported by Aetna to CMS. Aetna did not delete or withdraw those diagnosis codes, which would have required Aetna to reimburse CMS. The United States alleges that Aetna used the results of its chart reviews to identify instances where Aetna could seek additional payments from CMS while ignoring those same results when they indicated Aetna was overpaid.
The settlement also resolves further allegations that, for payment years 2018 to 2023, Aetna knowingly submitted or failed to delete or withdraw inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for morbid obesity to increase the payments it received from CMS for beneficiaries enrolled in its MA plans. The medical records for individuals diagnosed as morbidly obese typically include one or more Body Mass Index (BMI) recordings. Aetna submitted or failed to delete inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for morbid obesity for individuals whose recorded BMI was inconsistent with a diagnosis of morbid obesity, and these codes increased the payments made by CMS.
The civil settlement related to morbid obesity resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Mary Melette Thomas v. Aetna Inc., et. al., number 24-cv-339 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, a former Aetna risk-adjustment coding auditor, to receive a $2,012,500 share of the settlement amount.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in conjunction with HHS-OIG.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at www.oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Fraud Section Attorneys Nelson Wagner and Edward Crooke and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Carr and Gregory B. in den Berken, and Civil Chief Gregory David, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Aetna CR agreement.pdf Aetna MO agreement.pdfAetna Agrees to Pay $117.7 Million to Resolve Allegations that it Violated the False Claims Act by Submitting or Failing to Correct Inaccurate Diagnoses for Medicare Advantage EnrolleesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced today that Aetna Inc., a national insurer incorporated under the laws of Pennsylvania, has agreed to pay $117,700,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting or failing to withdraw inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for its Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees in order to increase its payments from Medicare.
“The government pays Medicare Advantage Organizations to facilitate vital healthcare to our seniors and other vulnerable citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “When corporations or individuals threaten the Medicare Advantage program by diverting those limited government resources through fraud, waste, or abuse, we will continue to pursue all available remedies against them.”
Under the Medicare Advantage (MA) Program, also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare beneficiaries may opt out of traditional Medicare and enroll in private health plans offered by insurance companies known as Medicare Advantage Organizations, or MAOs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays MAOs a fixed monthly amount for each enrolled Medicare beneficiary. CMS adjusts these monthly payments to account for various “risk” factors that affect expected health expenditures for the beneficiary. In general, CMS pays MAOs more for sicker beneficiaries expected to incur higher healthcare costs and less for healthier beneficiaries expected to incur lower costs. To make these “risk adjustments,” CMS collects medical diagnosis codes from the MAOs.
Aetna owns and operates MAOs that offer MA plans to beneficiaries across the country. The United States alleges that Aetna submitted inaccurate and untruthful patient diagnosis data to CMS in order to inflate the payments it received from CMS, failed to withdraw the inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis data and repay CMS, and falsely certified in writing to CMS that the data was accurate and truthful. The settlement announced today resolves these allegations.
The United States contends that, for payment year 2015, Aetna operated a “chart review” program, under which it retrieved medical records (also known as “charts”) from healthcare providers documenting services provided to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Aetna’s MA plans. Aetna retained diagnosis coders to review those charts to identify all medical conditions that the charts supported and to assign the beneficiaries diagnosis codes for those conditions. Aetna relied on the results of those chart reviews to submit additional diagnosis codes to CMS that the healthcare providers had not reported for the beneficiaries to obtain additional payments from CMS. According to the United States, Aetna’s chart reviews did not substantiate some diagnosis codes reported by providers that had previously been submitted by Aetna to CMS. Aetna did not delete or withdraw these inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes, however, which would have required Aetna to reimburse CMS. The United States alleges that Aetna used the results of its chart reviews to identify instances where Aetna could seek additional payments from CMS while improperly failing to use those same results when they provided information about instances where Aetna was overpaid. $106,200,000 of the settlement amount resolves those allegations.
The remaining $11,500,000 of the aggregate settlement amount resolves further allegations that, for payment years 2018 to 2023, Aetna obtained increased payments from CMS by knowingly submitting or failing to delete inaccurate and untruthful diagnosis codes for morbid obesity for individuals whose recorded BMI was inconsistent with a diagnosis of morbid obesity. The settlement related to morbid-obesity codes resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The settlement provides for the whistleblower, a former Aetna risk-adjustment coding auditor, to receive a $2,012,500 share of the settlement amount. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Mary Melette Thomasv. Aetna Inc., et. al., No. 24-cv-339 (E.D. Pa.).
“The government pays private insurers over $530 billion each year to care for Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. “We will continue to hold accountable insurers that knowingly submit inaccurate or unsupported diagnoses to improperly inflate reimbursement.”
“Medicare Advantage relies on accurate reporting and attempts to manipulate the system undermine both the program’s integrity and the beneficiaries it serves,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Today’s settlement makes clear that no company is beyond accountability, no matter how large or well known. Those who seek to exploit Medicare Advantage should expect to be identified and held responsible, and HHS‑OIG will continue to protect taxpayer funds and the integrity of this vital program.”
The matter was handled in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter Carr and Gregory B. in den Berken, former auditor George Niedzwicki, and litigative consultant Lauren M. Cordrey, along with Civil Fraud Section attorney Nelson Wagner and Assistant Director, Edward C. Crooke. HHS-OIG assisted the investigation.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ or 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Savani Group Owners and Associate Convicted of Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that three individuals were convicted today at trial in connection with a racketeering conspiracy encompassing multiple fraud schemes.
The defendants, charged in a 42-count indictment in January 2023, have been convicted as follows:
Dr. Bhaskar Savani, age 60, of Ambler, Pennsylvania, was convicted of one count of conspiring to violate the RICO law; one count of conspiring to commit visa fraud; one count of visa fraud; one count of conspiring to obstruct justice; one count of conspiring to commit healthcare fraud; eleven counts of healthcare fraud; one count of conspiring to engage in money laundering; twelve counts of money laundering; one count of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service; one count of wire fraud as to a false tax return; and one count of conspiring to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Arun Savani, age 58, of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, was convicted of one count of conspiring to violate the RICO law; one count of conspiring to commit visa fraud; one count of visa fraud; one count of conspiring to obstruct justice; one count of conspiring to commit healthcare fraud; eleven counts of healthcare fraud; one count of conspiring to engage in money laundering; twelve counts of money laundering; one count of conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service; and one count of wire fraud as to a false tax return.
Aleksandra Radomiak, a/k/a “Ola”, age 48, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, was convicted of one count of conspiring to violate the RICO law; one count of conspiring to commit healthcare fraud; and one count of healthcare fraud.
As proven at trial, the brothers Bhaskar Savani and Arun Savani built a complex criminal enterprise (the “Savani Group”) that amassed millions of dollars through multiple fraud schemes. Defendant Bhaskar Savani was a dentist by training. Defendant Arun Savani generally controlled the finances of the Savani Group. Through their criminal enterprise, Bhaskar and Arun Savani orchestrated long-running schemes to enrich themselves, including through:
- A visa fraud scheme to file false H-1B visa applications and petitions with the U.S. Department of Labor and U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to exploit a workforce comprised of foreign nationals, mostly from India, who were dependent on the Savani Group and forced to kickback wages and fees to the Savani Group.
- A health care fraud scheme to fraudulently obtain Medicaid contracts and fraudulently bill Medicaid using nominee business owners after Savani Group dental practices were terminated from Medicaid insurance contracts. The Savani Group defrauded Medicaid of more than $30 million through the scheme.
- A health care fraud scheme to submit false bills to Medicaid using another dentist’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) on dates when the other dentist was physically outside of the United States and for dental services performed by uncredentialed dentists.
- A money laundering scheme to transfer and conceal health care fraud proceeds from the nominee-owned dental practices through a complex web of Savani group corporate entities’ bank accounts that ultimately benefited the Savani brothers and their associated corporate entities.
- A tax and wire fraud scheme involving false business expenses and the failure to report some taxable payroll to fraudulently decrease the amount of personal and payroll taxes due and owing. Through the scheme the Savani brothers and their companies failed to pay taxes on approximately $1.6 million of unreported personal income and $1.1 million of their employees’ unreported income. They failed to pay personal and payroll taxes and fraudulently expensed through their businesses, among other personal expenses, college tuition payments, personal property taxes, and pool and lawn maintenance costs for their personal homes.
- A mail fraud scheme and Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) conspiracy to place prototype dental implants, labeled “Not For Human Use,” not cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in human patients without their knowledge or consent.
The defendants will be sentenced in July 2026. Bhaskar and Arun Savani, respectively, face a statutory maximum sentence of 420 years’ imprisonment and 415 years’ imprisonment, along with fines. Defendant Aleksandra Radomiak also faces a substantial sentence, with up to 40 years’ imprisonment and fines.
“This sprawling investigation and prosecution meant untangling a complex web of fraudulent billing practices and sham medical entities,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Our office worked with numerous state and federal partner agencies to unravel and prove the multiple healthcare fraud schemes at the heart of this operation. It’s gratifying to dismantle this crooked enterprise and hold those responsible to account. Fraud and abuse cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars a year and rob the healthcare system of vital resources.”
“This significant prosecution exemplifies the commitment of the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners to protect taxpayer-funded programs from fraudsters and corrupt healthcare professionals who seek their own personal enrichment by bilking government programs and then laundering their ill gotten gains,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva. “The Criminal Division, and all of our partners including the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will continue using every law enforcement tool available to identify, disrupt and dismantle organized fraud and those who corruptly manipulate the worker visa and Medicaid programs. Fraudsters and money launderers like Bhaskar and Arun Savani and their associates who do so will pay a heavy price.”
“This conviction demonstrates the critical importance of partnerships across law enforcement agencies when confronting complex financial and organized criminal activity,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. “By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we were able to expose and dismantle a racketeering enterprise built on deception and fraud. The FBI, working closely alongside our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, will continue to pursue those who exploit others for personal profit and bring them to justice.”
“Today’s verdict sends a clear message: those who corrupt the Medicaid program for personal gain—no matter how elaborate their schemes—will be held fully accountable,” said Maureen Dixon, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “The Savani Enterprise exploited vulnerable patients, manipulated government programs, and siphoned taxpayer dollars for their own benefit. HHS‑OIG, alongside our federal and state law enforcement partners, remains unwavering in our commitment to protect the integrity of Medicaid and to defend the public’s trust in our healthcare system.”
“The defendants orchestrated a years‑long scheme to defraud Medicaid, evade taxes, and launder millions of dollars through a complex network of companies and accounts,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office. “These crimes do not just enrich wrongdoers, they drain vital public resources and erode trust in government programs. These convictions make clear that those who defraud the government will be held accountable. IRS‑CI will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle financial fraud schemes and protect the public.”
“Today’s convictions send a clear message that those who build criminal enterprises on the backs of vulnerable patients, exploited workers, and U.S. taxpayers will be held to account,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia, Eric McLoughlin, “For years, the Savani Group manipulated our immigration system, corrupted healthcare programs, and laundered their illicit proceeds through a maze of shell companies and accounts. This investigation and resulting prosecution reflect the strength of our partnerships with federal and state agencies and our shared commitment to dismantling complex fraud schemes wherever they take root.”
“Visa fraud undermines our legal immigration system and often victimizes those seeking legitimate opportunities in the United States,” said Anthony Tortora, Resident Agent in Charge at the DSS Philadelphia Resident Office. “The Diplomatic Security Service is committed to investigating these schemes and protecting the integrity of the visa process. This conviction sends a clear message that such fraud will not be tolerated.”
“The FDA’s approval process exists to protect patients from untested medical devices,” said Fernando McMillan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metro Washington Field Office. “These defendants deliberately circumvented that safeguard by implanting unapproved dental devices into unsuspecting patients. The FDA will not tolerate such disregard for public safety and federal law.”
“Today’s verdict holds the defendants accountable for their criminal conduct. The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is unwavering in its commitment to protect the integrity of the Foreign Labor Certification programs. When bad actors exploit vulnerable workers or attempt to game the system, we investigate, we expose, and we hold them accountable,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General. “We will continue working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure these programs serve legitimate labor needs — not criminal enterprises. Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony D. Scicchitano, Paul Shapiro, and J. Andrew Jenemann, and Department of Justice Money Laundering, Narcotics, and Forfeiture Section Attorneys Kenneth P. Kaplan and Chelsea R. Rooney.
Pennsylvania Brothers Convicted of Decades Long Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Three individuals were convicted today at trial in connection with a racketeering conspiracy encompassing multiple fraud schemes, including visa fraud to employ foreign workers unlawfully, soliciting salary kickbacks from the employed workers, and health care fraud billing schemes resulting in over $32 million in losses to Pennsylvania Medicaid.
As proven at trial, Bhaskar and Arun Savani built a complex criminal enterprise they dubbed “the Savani Group” that amassed tens of millions of dollars through outright fraud at every turn. Bhaskar was a dentist by training and controlled the numerous dental practices of the Savani Group, and Arun generally controlled the finances and real property holdings of the Savani Group. Ola Radomiak was a long-term employee and executive at the Savani Group and facilitated the Savanis’ conspiracy to defraud Medicaid. Through their criminal enterprise, Bhaskar and Arun Savani substantially enriched themselves over the course of a decade. Their offenses included filing numerous false H-1B visa applications, fraudulently billing health care benefit programs in the names of non-treating dentists, obstructing a grand jury investigation, laundering fraud proceeds through a complex web of financial transactions, wire fraud, and mail fraud. By their fraud, they obtained more than $32 million from Medicaid through nominee-owned dental practices used to bill Medicaid after the Savani Group’s Medicaid contracts were terminated.
“This significant prosecution exemplifies the commitment of the Department of Justice and its law enforcement partners to protect taxpayer-funded programs from fraudsters and corrupt healthcare professionals who seek their own personal enrichment by bilking government programs and then laundering their ill gotten gains,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department's Criminal Division. “The Criminal Division, and all of our partners including the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, will continue using every law enforcement tool available to identify, disrupt and dismantle organized fraud and those who corruptly manipulate the worker visa and Medicaid programs. Fraudsters and money launderers like Bhaskar and Arun Savani and their associates who do so will pay a heavy price.”
“This sprawling investigation and prosecution meant untangling a complex web of fraudulent billing practices and sham medical entities,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “Our office worked with numerous state and federal partner agencies to unravel and prove the multiple healthcare fraud schemes at the heart of this operation. It’s gratifying to dismantle this crooked enterprise and hold those responsible to account. Fraud and abuse cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars a year and rob the healthcare system of vital resources.”
“This conviction demonstrates the critical importance of partnerships across law enforcement agencies when confronting complex financial and organized criminal activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs of the FBI Philadelphia Field Office. “By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we were able to expose and dismantle a racketeering enterprise built on deception and fraud. The FBI, working closely alongside our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, will continue to pursue those who exploit others for personal profit and bring them to justice.”
“Today’s verdict sends a clear message: those who corrupt the Medicaid program for personal gain — no matter how elaborate their schemes — will be held fully accountable,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “The Savani Enterprise exploited vulnerable patients, manipulated government programs, and siphoned taxpayer dollars for their own benefit. HHS‑OIG, alongside our federal and state law enforcement partners, remains unwavering in our commitment to protect the integrity of Medicaid and to defend the public’s trust in our healthcare system.”
“The defendants orchestrated a years‑long scheme to defraud Medicaid, evade taxes, and launder millions of dollars through a complex network of companies and accounts,” said Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Newark Field Office. “These crimes do not just enrich wrongdoers, they drain vital public resources and erode trust in government programs. These convictions make clear that those who defraud the government will be held accountable. IRS‑CI will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle financial fraud schemes and protect the public.”
“Today’s convictions send a clear message that those who build criminal enterprises on the backs of vulnerable patients, exploited workers, and U.S. taxpayers will be held to account,” said Special Agent in Charge of Eric McLoughlin of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Philadelphia Field Office. “For years, the Savani Group manipulated our immigration system, corrupted healthcare programs, and laundered their illicit proceeds through a maze of shell companies and accounts. This investigation and resulting prosecution reflect the strength of our partnerships with federal and state agencies and our shared commitment to dismantling complex fraud schemes wherever they take root.”
“Visa fraud undermines our legal immigration system and often victimizes those seeking legitimate opportunities in the United States,” said Resident Agent in Charge Anthony Tortora of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Philadelphia Resident Office. “The Diplomatic Security Service is committed to investigating these schemes and protecting the integrity of the visa process. This conviction sends a clear message that such fraud will not be tolerated.”
“Today’s verdict holds the defendants accountable for their criminal conduct,” said Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG). “The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General is unwavering in its commitment to protect the integrity of the Foreign Labor Certification programs. When bad actors exploit vulnerable workers or attempt to game the system, we investigate, we expose, and we hold them accountable. We will continue working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure these programs serve legitimate labor needs — not criminal enterprises. Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional.”
Brothers Bhaskar and Arun Savani, charged in January 2023, have now been convicted by a jury of conspiracy to conduct a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to commit visa fraud, visa fraud, conspiracy to obstruct justice, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, money laundering conspiracy, concealment and transactional money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Treasury, and wire fraud. Bhaskar Savani was also convicted of conspiracy to distribute in interstate commerce an adulterated and misbranded medical device.
Bhaskar and Arun Savani, respectively, face a statutory maximum penalty of 420 years in prison and 415 years in prison. Sentencing hearings are scheduled on July 8 for Bhaskar Savani and July 9 for Arun Savani.
Aleksandra “Ola” Radomiak was convicted of conspiracy to conduct a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and health care fraud. Ola Radomiak’s sentencing hearing is scheduled before the Honorable Jeffrey L. Schmehl on July 14.
This case was investigated by the FBI, HHS-OIG, IRS-CI, HSI, DSS, Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, DOL-OIG, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, and the State of Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Kenneth Kaplan and Chelsea Rooney of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant United States Attorneys Anthony Scicchitano, Paul Shapiro, and J. Andrew Jenemann for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section’s (MNF) mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.
MNF’s Money Laundering and Forfeiture Unit investigates and prosecutes sophisticated money laundering schemes involving financial facilitators, gatekeepers, and other individuals and entities laundering criminal proceeds, and litigates complex civil forfeiture cases to recover assets on behalf of victims.
Par Funding Pleads Guilty to Defrauding InvestorsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Complete Business Solutions Group, Inc., doing business as Par Funding (“Par Funding”), entered a plea of guilty before United States District Court Judge Mark A. Kearney to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and securities fraud arising from a wide‑ranging scheme that defrauded investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars. Par Funding is currently under the control of a receiver appointed by a federal judge in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s civil lawsuit against Par Funding and its principals, and that receiver appeared today to enter the plea on behalf of the corporation.
In January 2025, the Court found the Par Funding fraud scheme caused an actual fraud loss of approximately $404,737,299, which it reduced to $288,395,088 after factoring in credit for collateral that federal authorities seized from Par Funding when the investigation became public in July 2020, upon the SEC placing Par Funding in receivership.
According to court filings and statements made in court, Par Funding operated a merchant cash advance company in Center City Philadelphia that provided short‑term financing to small businesses across the country. To fund those advances, the company and its principals raised hundreds of millions of dollars from investors while making materially false and misleading representations regarding the company’s leadership, underwriting practices, financial condition, and risk profile.
As described in the indictment, the defendants concealed the identity and criminal history of company founder Joseph LaForte, misrepresented the company’s underwriting standards and portfolio performance, and misled investors about default rates, profitability, insurance coverage, and self‑dealing by company insiders. These misrepresentations were used to solicit and maintain investments used to finance the company’s merchant cash advance business, which failed to generate enough profit to sustain itself without the continued influx of new investor money.The Par Funding investigation has also resulted in guilty pleas and sentences for the company’s primary principals. Joe LaForte, the company’s founder and leader, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and related offenses, and was sentenced to approximately 15½ years in prison. His brother, James LaForte, a senior executive involved in enforcing collections, also pleaded guilty and received a sentence of roughly 11½ years. Joseph Cole Barleta, the company’s CFO, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy and was sentenced to 5½ years in prison. Perry Abbonizio, Renato Gioe, and Lisa McElhone, and tax professionals Rodney Ermel and Kenneth Bacon, also pleaded guilty to felony offenses related to their involvement with Par Funding and the LaFortes, and where each received a prison sentence.
This case was investigated by the FBI, FDIC OIG, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Pennsylvania State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Newcomer, Samuel Dalke, and Eric Gill. The SEC in Florida investigated and litigated the civil securities fraud charges, which formed the basis of a portion of the criminal prosecution.
Jalen Smith Pleads Guilty to Bribery and Point-Shaving Scheme to Fix NCAA, CBA Men’s Basketball GamesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Jalen Smith, 30, of Charlotte, North Carolina, entered a plea of guilty before United States District Court Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro on charges in connection with a bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men’s basketball games and Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) games and charges related to an unlawful possession of a firearm. Smith pleaded guilty to Counts One, Two, and Five of the indictment charging him with bribery in sporting contests, and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 224 and 2 (Count One); conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Count Two); and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Count Five); and to Count One of an information charging him with possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
In an indictment unsealed on January 15, 2026, Smith had been charged in connection with the bribery and point-shaving scheme. Smith engaged in the scheme to influence or fix NCAA and CBA men’s basketball games from at least in or about September 2022 through at least in or about February 2025. After co-schemers profited on fixed CBA games, the co-schemers turned their attention to fixing NCAA men’s basketball games and Smith was enlisted as a “fixer,” working together with others to recruit and bribe NCAA men’s basketball players to underperform and help ensure their team failed to cover the spread in games during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 NCAA men’s basketball seasons. Then, through various sportsbooks, Smith helped to arrange for large wagers to be placed on those games, betting against the team whose player or players they had bribed to engage in this point-shaving scheme. Smith had a leadership role in the scheme, particularly in recruiting, managing, and paying players for their roles in the scheme. Smith and other fixers approached and communicated with the players, in person and through social media, text message communications, and cellular telephone calls, offering the players bribe payments, usually ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.
Smith and other fixers specifically targeted college players for whom the bribe payments would meaningfully supplement, or exceed, the student-athletes’ legitimate opportunities for “Name-Image-Likeness” compensation. The fixers also generally targeted their scheme players on teams that were underdogs in games and sought to have them fail to cover the spreads in those games. Many of these players accepted the offers and agreed to help fix specific games so that the fixers would win their wagers. The bribery and point-shaving scheme involved, in total, more than 39 players on more than 17 different NCAA Division I men’s basketball teams who then fixed and attempted to fix more than 29 NCAA games.
In early March 2024, for example, Smith and other fixers recruited and offered a bribe to a player on an NCAA men’s basketball team, and the player agreed to underperform in an upcoming game. Around halftime of that game, when the score was tied, Smith texted the player, expressed his concern about the score, and urged the player to underperform in the second half, telling him that the game “need[ed] to be a blowout,” that the player was “supposed to be . . . losing” and was costing him money, and that the team needed to get “blow[n] out next half.”
To capitalize on this scheme, the fixers made wagers totaling millions of dollars, generating substantial proceeds for the fixers and the players who collectively received hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribe payments for fixing their teams’ basketball games. When the fixers were successful with their wagers on fixed games, Smith and other co-schemers traveled to NCAA campuses and made cash bribe payments to the players who had agreed to participate in the point-shaving scheme.
On March 6, 2026, Smith was charged by information with possession of a firearm by a felon. This firearms charge arose from a search of Smith’s residence in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 21, 2025, where Smith was found in unlawful possession of a loaded Khar Arms CT380 semi-automatic pistol.
The bribery in sporting contests charge carries a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud brings a maximum possible sentence of 20 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The firearms charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 15 years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
This case was investigated by FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Louis D. Lappen and Jerome M. Maiatico.
Anyone who believes they may have information about these crimes and would like to report the information is asked to call FBI Philadelphia at 215-418-4000 and reference “NCAA point-shaving.”
Illegal Alien Charged with Fraudulently Voting in 2024 Federal ElectionRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Mahady Sacko, 50, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with fraudulent voting in the 2024 federal election by an illegal alien.
Sacko is an illegal alien who was ordered deported in 2000. Despite being an illegal alien, Sacko allegedly unlawfully voted in person in the 2024 general election for federal office. Sacko falsely represented that he was a U.S. citizen in order to vote and register to vote.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison.
This case was investigated by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
The charges and allegations contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Serial Robber Sentenced to over 32 Years for Terrorizing More Than a Dozen Victims in Philadelphia Between 2022 and 2023Read the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Montez Moore, 32, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 32 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay over $200,000 in restitution to victims by United States District Court Judge Gail A. Weilheimer for robbing several cellphone stores and individuals who sold high-end merchandise on Facebook Marketplace, and, in one instance, kidnapping and carjacking an employee of a business.
Moore was charged in three separate indictments filed in October 2023, December 2023, and March 2025. As charged in the first indictment, in March 2022, Moore robbed a jeweler at gunpoint after Moore tricked the jeweler into believing that Moore intended to purchase a high-end watch from him on Rising Sun Avenue. As charged in the second indictment, in December 2022, Moore and several other defendants robbed a Castor Avenue cellphone store at gunpoint and stole a firearm from the manager of the store. In May 2023, Moore was arrested at his Henry Avenue apartment in possession of the manager’s firearm. In that same case, also in December 2022, Moore also conspired with others to rob a Castor Avenue check cashing business that resulted in the owner of that business being kidnapped and carjacked at gunpoint. As charged in the third indictment, Moore and several other defendants robbed two cellphone stores at gunpoint, one on South Broad Street in December 2021, and one on Castor Avenue in November 2022. Prior to the robbery on South Broad Street, Moore and his codefendants kidnapped and carjacked an employee of the store. Additionally, Moore committed seven additional gunpoint robberies and one burglary in Philadelphia between December 2022 and February 2023.
In November 2025, Moore pled guilty to interference with interstate commerce by robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, and using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. At the time of his guilty plea, all of Moore’s charges in indictments were consolidated for sentencing. The facts of Moore’s three cases revealed one constant, overarching theme— Moore was a conman who robbed innocent victims after deploying trickery or ambush. He selected his victims either by using the internet or stalking businesses that he thought would be easy to rob. In some instances, Moore created a phony Facebook Marketplace account and purported to be a man from Delaware who moonlighted as a high-end jewelry salesman and sold goods on the secondary market. Moore then solicited transactions from individuals who offered to sell him watches, jewelry, and handbags, and arranged to meet his victims under the guise of engaging them in legitimate financial transactions. But, when the victims arrived at the agreed upon location to conduct business, Moore stuck a gun in their faces and stole their property. On one another occasion, Moore selected a cellphone store on South Broad Street as a business to rob. He recruited two accomplices to follow an employee of the store home on New Year’s Eve in 2021. When the victim arrived at the parking lot of his apartment complex, Moore’s accomplices forced the victim into his own car at gunpoint and drove him back to the store where Moore met them and used the victim’s keys to access the store and steal cellphones, tablets, and videogame consoles worth tens of thousands of dollars.
In all, Moore harmed fourteen people in the wake of his crimes. He decided to use a gun to exert power over victims who had what he wanted: cash, cellphones, watches, jewelry, handbags, and electronics. The seriousness of the offenses cannot be overstated, and the severe punishment he received is warranted and necessary to protect the public. The citizens of this district and country expect that violent crimes committed against innocent, hardworking people are treated seriously and carry significant consequences. The lengthy sentence Moore received accounts for the public’s basic expectations and serves to promote respect for the law and how it is enforced.
The case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Division and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin Ashenfelter.
Philadelphia Correctional Officer and His Former Supervisor Convicted at Trial in Connection with Violation of Inmate’s Constitutional RightsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that a correctional officer and his former supervisor were convicted at trial, in connection with the violation of an inmate’s constitutional rights and an attempt to cover it up.
Jahaan Andrews, 34, and Georgia Malloy, 58, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, worked at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. Andrews was a correctional officer (“C.O.”) and Malloy was a lieutenant with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons (“PDP”) who supervised him.
Andrews and Malloy were charged by indictment in September of last year, along with another C.O., Oneil Murray, 31, of Philadelphia, with Deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury and aiding and abetting, Falsification of records, and other related charges. Murray pleaded guilty to the charges earlier this month.
As proven at trial, on or about October 6, 2020, Andrews detained Inmate 1, a pretrial detainee, in a holding room, purportedly because Inmate 1 was wearing the wrong color jumpsuit. The defendants, along with the correctional sergeant, charged elsewhere, and another C.O. subsequently removed Inmate 1 from the holding room and escorted him to his cell, to conduct a strip search of Inmate 1 and have him change into the correct jumpsuit.
Once inside Inmate 1’s cell, the group of correctional officers ordered Inmate 1 to strip. They then punched, kicked and assaulted Inmate 1 numerous times, knocking him to the ground. As a result of the assault, Inmate 1 was hospitalized with injuries to his face, ribs, and scrotum, and had to undergo emergency surgery.
After any use of force by a C.O. against an inmate, PDP correctional officers who used force, and those who witnessed another C.O. use force, were required to complete reports about what happened, prior to the end of their shift.
In the weeks that followed the assault, the defendants and the correctional sergeant conspired to falsify records, with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation and proper administration of a matter within the jurisdiction of the FBI.
Andrews and Murray wrote their use of force reports about the October 6 incident, and Malloy her investigation report, so that they exaggerated the aggressiveness of Inmate 1 and disclosed as little of the true nature of the force the C.O.s used against him as they believed was necessary, to avoid scrutiny of their conduct by their superior officers and others. The reports also falsely claimed that the correctional sergeant did not use force in the October 6, incident.
Andrews faces a maximum possible sentence of 35 years in prison and Malloy a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison.
“Correctional officers hold extraordinary power over those in their custody, and with that power comes a clear obligation to protect individuals’ rights while in custody,” said U. S. Attorney Metcalf. “The defendants abused that authority by violently assaulting an inmate and then attempting to conceal their misconduct. This guilty verdict affirms that civil rights violations, especially by those sworn to uphold the law, will be investigated and prosecuted, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
"Let these convictions show that no law enforcement officer is above the law," said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Field Office. "Together with our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to aggressively investigate potential abuses of power and civil rights violations in our community. We remain steadfast in investigating and bringing to justice those who abuse their authority."
This case was investigated by the FBI, with significant assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Michael Miller.
Former Gladwyne Entrepreneur Who Bilked Investors Out of Millions of Dollars Sentenced to over Nine Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Josh S. Verne, 48, formerly of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, now a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was sentenced today to 111months in prison, 3 years supervised release, $1300 special assessment and forfeiture in the amount of $12,173,759 by United States District Judge John F. Murphy for a series of schemes through which the defendant defrauded dozens of investors, prospective investors, employees, and business partners out of millions of dollars.
The defendant was charged by indictment in August 2024 and, in March of last year,
pleaded guilty to nine counts of wire fraud, three counts of securities fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
As detailed in case filings and admitted to by the defendant, Verne carried out a series of schemes from at least in or about 2017 to 2020, through which he defrauded dozens of investors, prospective investors, employees, and business partners out of millions of dollars, forged documents, and obstructed justice by threatening, intimidating, and retaliating against others in connection with the federal criminal investigation.
Verne held himself out as a wealthy and successful businessman, entrepreneur, and investor, and he carried out his fraudulent activities through a series of limited liability companies, of which he was the chief executive and over which he maintained control.
Among other things, Verne falsely represented his prior business successes, falsely represented his personal net worth, falsely represented his own investments, and falsely represented the financial health of his companies and investments, in order to induce others to invest in or provide loans to him or his companies. For instance, he provided an investor with a forged Goldman Sachs statement that showed family investment holdings for Verne of more than $50 million, when, in fact, Verne did not have an investment account at Goldman Sachs in his own name or in his family’s names, much less an account with a market value of more than $50 million.
Further, Verne misused business and investor funds to repay prior debts and to finance an affluent lifestyle he could not afford, such as personal expenses related to renovations to his showcase vacation property on the Jersey shore, travel on private jets, contributions to political candidates, personal charitable contributions, and country club payments.
In order to delay and prevent discovery by law enforcement of his own misconduct, Verne later sent bank and FedEx confirmations purporting to confirm delivery of funds to investors to whom he had promised repayment; the bank and FedEx confirmations were false and fraudulent.
At one point, Verne stole the identity of a former employee from his company, forging the employee’s signature on a sales agreement to disguise an unauthorized sale of the employee’s shares of stock. Verne obtained $150,000 from the unauthorized sale and used those funds to make payments to himself and to a prior investor.
Finally, after Verne met with FBI agents and learned details about the investigation, the defendant obstructed justice by contacting the former employee and threatening to divulge false, embarrassing information about him because the employee provided information to law enforcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Shapiro and Jerome Maiatico. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Philadelphia Regional Office investigated civil securities fraud charges against Verne, which are pending.
Bethlehem Man Convicted at Trial of Election Fraud OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Matthew Laiss, 32, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was convicted today at trial of election fraud offenses in connection with the 2020 presidential election.
The defendant was charged by indictment in September of last year with one count of voting more than once in a federal election and one count of voter fraud and was convicted on both charges.
As detailed in court filings, from at least October 2012 until about August 2020, Laiss resided in, and was lawfully registered to vote in, Ottsville, Pennsylvania, a municipality located in Bucks County. In or around August 2020, Laiss moved his primary residence from Ottsville, Pennsylvania, to Frostproof, Florida. The same month, he applied for and obtained a Florida driver’s license and registered to vote in Florida.
In or about October 2020, the Bucks County Board of Elections mailed a ballot for the November 2020 general election to the defendant’s former address in Ottsville, Pennsylvania, where Laiss’s parents continued to reside.
As proven at trial, on or about October 31, 2020, Laiss filled out and returned the Pennsylvania mail-in ballot, casting a vote for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America.
Then, on or about November 3, 2020, Laiss went to a polling location in or around Frostproof, Florida, and voted in the 2020 general election, casting a vote for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America.
“Today’s conviction reinforces a simple principle: our elections must be fair, secure, and lawful, " said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Casting a ballot in more than one jurisdiction undermines public trust and dilutes the votes of others. Our office will continue to protect the integrity of federal elections and hold accountable those who violate the law.”
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced June 10, 2026, and faces a maximum possible sentence of five years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 to $250,000 fine, for each of the charges on which he was convicted.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of State, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark Dubnoff.
Two Philadelphia Men Sentenced for August 2023 Armed CarjackingRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA — United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Quadir Findley, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh for his role in an August 5, 2023, armed carjacking in Philadelphia. Co-defendant Eric Dickerson, 25, also of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was previously sentenced on April 16, 2025, by United States District Court Judge Gerald A. McHugh for his role in the carjacking.
Findley was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. Following a jury trial, he was convicted of carjacking, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Dickerson was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Following a jury trial, he was convicted of carjacking.
As proven at trial, in the early morning hours of August 5, 2023, the defendants approached the victim and forcibly stole the victim’s vehicle at gunpoint. During the offense, Findley threatened kill the victim and forced the victim to the ground before the defendants fled in the stolen vehicle.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Catherine S. Dos Santos and Priya T. De Souza.
Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Jose Torres-Vega, aka “Pete” and “Big Hommie” of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Timothy J. Savage to 216 months’ imprisonment followed by 8 years of supervised release for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
The defendant was charged in a 20-count superseding indictment in June of 2023 with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and maintaining a drug house.
As detailed in case filings and statements, Torres-Vega was the leader and organizer of a drug trafficking group which operated in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Torres-Vega obtained distribution quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and crack cocaine from suppliers in and around the Philadelphia area, and coordinated street sales of narcotics via his subordinates. Torres-Vega utilized a stash property, where he stored bulk narcotics and multiple firearms. A search warrant executed at the stash property revealed a cache of loaded firearms, to include an assault rifle, as well as bulk fentanyl.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Pennsylvania State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Kivitz and Lindsey Mills.
Former Philadelphia Nonprofit Executive Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Money Laundering Charges involving $1.6 millionRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that John A. Miller, 76, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Kelly B. Hodge to one count of wire fraud and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction involving criminally derived property.
Miller served as the executive director and treasurer of a Philadelphia-based religious nonprofit organization that provided financial assistance to the widows and orphans of deceased clergy members. From 2015 through 2022, he diverted money to himself by masking wires intended for beneficiaries with personal checks issued to himself. To conceal the payments, Miller made false and misleading records in the nonprofit’s internal accounting ledgers. In total, Miller misappropriated more than $1.6 million.
According to court filings, after Miller diverted the nonprofit funds into his personal accounts, he used the proceeds for personal expenses, including luxury travel and the purchase of a luxury condominium in Philadelphia. After being made aware of the fraud investigation, Miller liquidated the proceeds by selling the property. Despite the sale, law enforcement agents seized the fraudulent proceeds as the transaction took place.
Under the plea agreement, the defendant will pay $1,626,556 in restitution and forfeit $281,109.96 in fraud proceeds derived from the sale of the condominium.
Miller faces a maximum possible sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2026.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alisa Shver and Alexander Bowerman.
Philadelphia Man Pleads Guilty to Carjacking and Brandishing a Firearm During Crime of ViolenceRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Nasir Warlow, 21, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania entered a plea of guilty before United States District Court Judge Joel H. Slomsky on one count of carjacking and one count of using and carrying firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
On March 20, 2025, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania indicted Nasir Warlow in connection with a September 3, 2024, carjacking in Southwest Philadelphia. He is charged with carjacking and a related firearms offense stemming from the forcible theft of a 2017 Nissan Sentra.
At approximately 5:08 a.m., the victim parked his silver 2017 Nissan Sentra on the 6700 block of Woodland Avenue when Nasir Warlow and two accomplices, all wearing masks and dressed in black, approached the vehicle. Warlow approached the driver’s side, pointed a firearm at the victim, and ordered him out of the car, while the two accomplices approached from the passenger side. Warlow and the two accomplices then entered the vehicle and fled northbound on 68th Street.
Police located the stolen Nissan near Cobbs Creek Parkway and Baltimore Avenue and initiated a pursuit. The chase ended when Warlow crashed into the front porch of a residence on the 300 block of Horton Street, causing significant damage to both the home and the vehicle.
After pleading guilty, Warlow is set to be sentenced on June 8th, 2026, before the Honorable Joel H. Slomsky.
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.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Sandra Urban.
Four Foreign Nationals Sentenced in February for Illegally Reentering the United States After DeportationRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that four foreign nationals convicted separately of illegally reentering the United States after prior deportations were sentenced this month.
Fernando Hernandez-Mercano, 33, a Mexican national, was sentenced by United States District Judge John F. Murphy to 18 months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be removed from the United States for the third time.
Hernandez-Mercano’s prior removals were both in April of 2012, after encounters with the U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) became aware that the defendant was again in the U.S. illegally, and, between May 2022 and August 2024, had been arrested in Pennsylvania four times for driving under the influence.
Immigration officers took him into custody in May of last year and he was charged by indictment with illegal reentry in June, pleading guilty in September.
Jose Osmon-Flores, aka Wilson Omar Santos-Paz, 32, a Honduran national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez to 15 months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
The defendant had previously been removed from the U.S. in April 2012, after he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol near Laredo, Texas.
In January 2023, ICE learned that Osmon-Flores had been arrested by the Philadelphia Police Department for the sexual abuse of his then-three-year-old daughter.
Pursuant to a guilty plea, the defendant was convicted in July 2025 in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas of indecent assault on a person less than 13 years of age and unlawful contact with a minor – sexual offenses. He was sentenced to a term of 11½ to 23 months of confinement but received credit for time served and was immediately released.
Days later, on July 11, 2025, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) conducted a joint operation, surveilling a Philadelphia address where Osmon-Flores was believed to reside. After confirming the defendant’s identity, they arrested him without incident on a criminal complaint and warrant.
Osmon-Flores was charged by indictment with illegal reentry in August and pleaded guilty in October.
Leonel Hernandez-Martinez, 41, a Guatemalan national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Kai N. Scott to eight months in prison for illegal reentry. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
Hernandez-Martinez had previously been removed from the U.S. four times: in January 2011, after an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Washington, D.C., area; October 2016, after the U.S. Border Patrol encountered him in Arizona; January 2019, after an illegal reentry conviction in the Middle District of Pennsylvania; and in April 2021, following an illegal reentry conviction in the District of New Mexico. The defendant’s criminal history also reflects convictions in the commonwealth of Virginia, for identity theft (2008), forgery, trespass, and driving while intoxicated (2010).
Last summer, ICE learned that Hernandez-Martinez was in Lancaster County Prison. He was taken into federal custody in August, charged by indictment with illegal reentry in September, and pleaded guilty in October.
Ivan Josue Ruiz Hernandez, aka Josue Ivan, 26, a Honduran national, was sentenced by United States District Judge Timothy J. Savage to time served, approximately two and a half months, for illegal reentry. Having completed his sentence, he will be removed from the United States again.
Ruiz Hernandez had previously been removed from the U.S. in January 2014. After he was encountered by the U.S. Border Patrol in April 2018, he was charged with illegal reentry in the District of New Mexico, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 38 days’ confinement, after which he was again deported to Honduras.
ICE became aware that the defendant had entered the U.S. illegally once again and took him into custody on a criminal complaint in December of last year. He was charged by information with illegal reentry and pleaded guilty in January, waiving prosecution by indictment.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The cases were investigated by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, HSI, and the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alisa Shver, Sara Solow, Mark Sendek, and Josh Davison.
Lehigh Valley Man Pleads Guilty to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud and Defrauding Local Car DealershipsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Justin Heimbach, 34, of Bath, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge John M. Younge on six counts of mail fraud and four counts of wire fraud.
The defendant was charged with those offenses by indictment in August 2024, arising from his schemes to defraud the federal government and multiple local car dealerships.
In March of 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which created the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (PUA). The PUA program provided unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation, or extended unemployment benefits.
As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, Heimbach, who operated a construction company called TeamKJ Construction, engaged in a scheme that caused fraudulent PUA applications to be filed in the names of individuals allegedly no longer employed by TeamKJ as a result of COVID-19. In reality, the applications contained a number of materially false statements, including that the applicant had lost their job with TeamKJ as a result of COVID-19 and the date the applicant lost their job with TeamKJ due to the pandemic.
In addition, Heimbach successfully defrauded multiple Lehigh Valley car dealerships by purchasing vehicles in the names of other construction companies registered to or associated with him, and writing checks for those vehicles on bank accounts that had an insufficient balance to cover the transaction.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on June 11, 2026.
This case was jointly investigated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and FBI Philadelphia’s Allentown Resident Agency and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney S. Chandler Harris.
Member of Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison for Distributing PCP and Other NarcoticsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Phillip Gillard, 48, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 18 years in prison, 10 years’ supervised release, and $2,400 in fines and assessments by United States District Judge John M. Gallagher for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
In July 2023, a grand jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania returned a 54-count superseding indictment charging Gillard and eight co-defendants with their participation in a large-scale drug trafficking organization (“DTO”) operating in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, in the immediate vicinity of the Memphis Street Academy, a charter school located at 2950 Memphis Street.
The defendant was convicted at trial of federal drug trafficking and firearm offenses in February 2024.
The charges arose from the FBI’s two-year investigation into the Gillard drug trafficking organization, which supplied other drug traffickers with wholesale quantities of methamphetamine, phencyclidine (“PCP”), fentanyl, and other narcotics.
Throughout the course of the investigation, law enforcement agents conducted surveillance and undercover sting operations, during which drugs were purchased from the defendants. Gillard and his co-defendants maintained three separate properties in connection with their drug trafficking organization, all of them less than 1,000 feet away from the Memphis Street Academy.
In total, the FBI confiscated over 20 pounds of pure methamphetamine, three gallons of PCP, one and a half kilograms of cocaine, 900 grams of crack cocaine, 400 grams of fentanyl, and 11 firearms.
Co-defendants Diane Gillard, Sharif Jackson, Amin Whitehead, Cesar Maldonado, Terrence Maxwell, Raphael Sanchez, Melvin Dreher, and Arron Preno pleaded guilty to their roles in the Gillard DTO.
Diane Gillard was sentenced to 16 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, Jackson to 15 years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, Whitehead to 11½ years in prison and 10 years of supervised release, Maldonado to eight years in prison and eight years of supervised release, Maxwell to more than seven and a half years in prison and five years of supervised release, Sanchez to seven and a half years in prison and three years of supervised release, Dreher to five years in prison and three years of supervised release, and Preno to six months in prison and two years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Philadelphia Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations, with extraordinary cooperation from the Memphis Street Academy, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Robert Schopf.
Last of Six People Charged in Scheme to Remove or Destroy Evidence Left in Impounded Vehicle Has Been ArrestedRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced the arrest of the last of six defendants charged in connection with a scheme to remove or destroy evidence from a vehicle impounded by the Pennsylvania State Police.
The six defendants — Tyree Goldsmith, 38, Kyle Smith, 41, Lamont Sparrow, 38, Latonya Upchurch, 57, and Taleah Goldsmith, 39, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Shafiq Taylor, 30, of Glenolden, Pa. — were charged by second superseding indictment, which was unsealed in August of last year, and all but Sparrow were arrested soon thereafter.
Last week, the U.S. Marshals Service located Sparrow and took him into custody. He made his initial appearance in federal court in Philadelphia before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynne A. Sitarski.
All six defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of tampering with objects or proceedings, and one count of destruction or removal of property to prevent search or seizure.
Tyree Goldsmith, Smith, Sparrow, and Taylor have also been charged with one count of malicious damage by means of fire to a vehicle used in interstate commerce.
In addition, Tyree Goldsmith, Taleah Goldsmith, and Upchurch have been charged with two counts of wire fraud, and Tyree Goldsmith with one count each of possession of a firearm by a felon and use of fire to commit a felony.
The indictment alleges that the defendants’ conspiracy arose from a traffic stop that resulted in Tyree Goldsmith’s vehicle being impounded.
As detailed in the indictment, on April 27, 2024, at approximately 3:29 a.m., members of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) conducted a traffic stop of Tyree Goldsmith while he was operating his Ford F-450 in Philadelphia. After observing marijuana and a scale in plain view inside the truck, PSP troopers advised Goldsmith that they would be requesting a tow truck and impounding his vehicle at the PSP barracks, pending a search warrant. The troopers further advised the defendant that criminal charges may be filed, depending on what they recovered from inside the F-450.
A short time later, the vehicle was towed to the PSP Philadelphia Barracks impound lot.
Early the same morning, PSP troopers obtained and executed a Philadelphia County search warrant for the Ford F-450, recovering a .40 Glock semiautomatic pistol loaded with 19 live rounds of ammunition, nine plastic bags containing marijuana, a digital scale, and $865 in U.S. currency.
The indictment alleges that, between approximately April 27, 2024, and April 29, 2024, the six defendants, and others, created and executed a plan to gain entry into the PSP Philadelphia Barracks impound lot, in order to remove the gun, marijuana, and other items from the Ford F-450. They allegedly did so at the behest of Tyree Goldsmith, who was on federal supervision and state parole, and sought to avoid being charged with additional crimes that would violate the conditions of his release.
After breaking into the impound lot and discovering that the firearm and drugs had already been removed from the Ford F-450, the indictment alleges, the defendants decided to set fire to the vehicle, believing that, if the truck were destroyed, PSP would not be able to use the recovered items as evidence against Tyree Goldsmith.
The indictment further alleges that Tyree Goldsmith purchased an insurance policy prior to the Ford F-450 being set on fire, and, after he, Smith, Sparrow, Taylor, and others ignited a blaze on April 29, 2024, that damaged the truck, he directed Upchurch and Taleah Goldsmith to file a fraudulent insurance claim for the vehicle.
This case is currently scheduled to go to trial in October.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Arena and Assistant United States Attorney Ashley N. Martin.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Resident of Cyprus Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Geoffrey Magistrate, 61, a current resident of Limassol, Cyprus, and a prior resident of Pennsylvania,[1] was sentenced this week to 18 months in prison by United States District Judge Gerald J. Pappert for money laundering.
The defendant was arrested on a criminal complaint in August of last year. He was charged by information in October and pleaded guilty in November to one count of money laundering, waiving prosecution by indictment.
As detailed in court filings, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”) Global Illicit Financial Team (“GIFT”) identified Magistrate as a corporate service provider in Cyprus potentially involved in concealing and laundering funds obtained from illicit enterprises.
Based upon this information, an IRS undercover agent (the “Undercover Broker”) proceeded to contact Magistrate by phone and explained that the Undercover Broker had clients looking to shield their identities and move money. Magistrate immediately probed the Undercover Broker for more information about what services the Undercover Broker’s clients needed, and provided detailed suggestions of how to achieve the supposed clients’ goals of laundering money.
As further detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, after meeting the Undercover Broker’s “client” (the “Undercover Client,” another IRS agent) in person, Magistrate developed a scheme to launder what he believed to be proceeds of bank fraud through a bank account he controlled in Cyprus.
The scheme consisted of claiming that a U.S. company was investing in Magistrate’s Cypriot company, which would then, in turn, send money back to the United States to purchase real estate property in the Philadelphia area. In fact, the money would be sent back to a company that Magistrate believed was controlled by the Undercover Client.
In furtherance of the scheme, Magistrate created a false paper trail to document the bogus purpose of the transfers of purported bank fraud proceeds to Cyprus, sent misleading emails purporting to document and describe a phony real estate investment, concocted a story to facilitate the transfer of purported bank fraud proceeds from Cyprus back to the United States, created fake documents showing that Magistrate’s company would invest in real estate properties in the Philadelphia area, and advised the Undercover Broker on how to shield the Undercover Client’s identity from banks and regulators by having someone else pose as the ultimate beneficial owner of the U.S. company to which the funds would be returned.
From January 2025 to July 2025, in multiple transactions, the defendant laundered a total of $800,000, keeping a $60,000 commission for himself.
This case was investigated by IRS-CI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ruth Mandelbaum.
[1] The defendant is a dual citizen of the United States and Cyprus.
Montgomery County Man Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Insider Trading Linked to CVS’s 2023 Acquisition of Oak Street HealthRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Carlos Sacanell, 59, of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 24 months’ imprisonment and a $5000 fine by United States District Judge Wendy Beetlestone for insider trading.
The defendant was charged by indictment in October 2024. In September of last year, he pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud (insider trading) and one count of making a false statement to a federal agency.
As detailed in court filings and admitted to by the defendant, Sacanell obtained material nonpublic information from his domestic partner, who was an executive at Oak Street Health, about CVS Health Corporation’s acquisition of Oak Street Health in 2023. At all times relevant to this matter, both CVS and Oak Street Health were publicly traded companies on the New York Stock Exchange, with ticker symbols CVS and OSH, respectively.
Sacanell used the material nonpublic information obtained from his domestic partner to trade stock and options in Oak Street Health before the transaction was publicly announced on February 8, 2023, resulting in him obtaining profits of approximately $617,000.
When the defendant was interviewed by the FBI in April 2024, he falsely told agents that he did not obtain from his domestic partner information regarding CVS’s planned acquisition of Oak Street Health before the acquisition was publicly announced on February 8, 2023.
This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Francis A. Weber. The Securities and Exchange Commission also charged Sacanell, in a parallel matter.
Bucks County Man Sentenced to over Eight Years in Prison for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Christos Sinchuk Rallis, 52, of Warrington, Pennsylvania, was sentenced this week to 100 months’ imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky for child pornography offenses. Judge Slomsky also ordered Sinchuk Rallis to pay $38,000 in restitution to minor victims.
The defendant was charged by indictment in January of last year with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography. He pleaded guilty to both charges in August.
As detailed in court filings and statements, Sinchuk Rallis actively sought out and shared images of horrific sexual abuse of children, including images depicting rape, torture, or bondage of children as young as infants. A forensic analysis of the defendant’s devices found more than 609 videos and 249 standard images of child sexual abuse material.
Sinchuk Rallis committed these offenses while employed as a Bucks County Correctional Officer. Prior to relocating to Pennsylvania, he worked as a San Francisco police officer for 16 years.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ruth Mandelbaum.
Philadelphia Man Who Committed Three Armed Carjackings in Less Than an Hour Sentenced to over 21 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Symair Carson-Williams, aka “Lil Meer,” 20, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 253 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and over $10,000 in restitution by United States District Judge Gerald A. McHugh for taking part in a carjacking spree in the city in early 2024.
Carson-Williams was charged by indictment in May 2024 with conspiracy to commit carjacking, three counts of carjacking, and three counts of using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. In March of last year, he was convicted on all charges at trial.
As proven at trial, the defendant was part of a group that conspired to commit three armed carjackings in Philadelphia in less than one hour. Video surveillance footage, cell phone data, forensic evidence, items recovered from one of the stolen vehicles, and victim testimony linked Carson-Williams to the carjackings.
Carson-Williams and his co-conspirators first stole a blue 2019 Honda CR-V from the 1800 block of Lansing Street in Philadelphia during the overnight hours of January 27, 2024.
Approximately 90 minutes later, just before 5 a.m., they drove the stolen CR-V to the Sunoco gas station located on the 5300 block of North 5th Street and pulled up next to a 67-year-old man putting air in his car’s tires. Two of the offenders jumped out of the CR-V, both armed with handguns, wearing black clothing and black balaclava masks, and demanded that the victim give up the keys to his 2011 BMW 328i. One of the offenders put a gun to the back of the man’s head and forced him to the ground. When the victim told the males that the key was in the car, one of the carjackers entered the BMW and the other male returned to the Honda CR-V. Both vehicles fled the scene.
At approximately 5:15 a.m., a 34-year-old man parked his gray 2013 Chevrolet Equinox on Shelmire Avenue in the northeast section of the city. Two of the carjackers suddenly ran up to the driver’s side of his car and pointed guns at him. As they held the victim at gunpoint, the stolen Honda CR-V drove up. The gunmen ordered the victim to lay on the ground with his face down and threatened to shoot him if he got up. The offenders then stole the victim’s vehicle and personal possessions, including his wallet, money, watch, and power tools.
Finally, at approximately 5:45 a.m., the stolen blue CR-V pulled up next to a 54-year-old man pumping gas at the Conoco station on the 5700 block of Rising Sun Avenue. Two of the offenders, both armed with handguns, approached the victim and pointed the guns at his face. After forcing the victim to the ground at gunpoint, one of the carjackers got behind the wheel of the victim’s Honda Accord, and the other male reentered the CR-V. Both vehicles fled in the same direction.
“The victims of these carjackings were on their morning routines, when Symair Carson-Williams and his co-conspirators put a gun to their heads and made them fear for their lives,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “Today’s sentence demonstrates that if you terrorize the people of Philadelphia, you can expect life-changing consequences. This defendant, now 20, will be spending more than 21 years behind bars.”
“Federal carjacking penalties are severe, and Carson-Williams will spend many years in prison for this triple-carjacking spree,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “Together with our Carjacking Task Force partners and using ATF’s unique forensic and investigative tools, we are making Philadelphia’s streets safer by bringing criminals like this to justice.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Branwen McNabb O’Donnell and Brian Doherty.
Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Robert Redding, 43, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 35 years’ imprisonment and 10 years of supervised release by United States District Judge Gerald J. Pappert for child pornography offenses. Judge Pappert also ordered Redding to pay $25,000 in restitution to the minor victims.
The defendant was charged by indictment in March of last year with one count of distribution and attempted distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. In August, he pleaded guilty to all charges.
As detailed in court filings and statements, Redding had previously served more than a decade in prison for hands-on sexual offenses committed against a 13-year-old girl, and after his release, was required to register as a sex offender under Megan’s Law.
While still under the supervision of Pennsylvania State Parole, Redding resumed his criminal activities, this time by participating in an online child pornography community, trading videos depicting children, including some as young as babies and toddlers, being raped by adult men, and uploading images of child sexual abuse to online accounts.
The defendant committed some of these new crimes while residing at Kintock Residential Reentry Center as a condition of his state parole and used at least one electronic device unknown to and unauthorized by his parole officer, to commit some of the offenses.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly Harrell and Eileen Castilla Geiger.
Third Nigerian Extradited to U.S. in Connection with the Sextortion and Death of an Area Young ManRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Afeez Olatunji Adewale, 26, was extradited from Nigeria to the United States to face charges related to the sexual extortion and death of a young man in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Adewale is charged by indictment with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. He appeared in federal court in Philadelphia before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lynne A. Sitarski yesterday.
Adewale was arrested in Nigeria on August 17, 2023, as part of a wider operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists targeting minors in the United States. He was extradited to the United States on Friday, February 13, 2026, with the assistance of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja, and the FBI, who took him into custody. The support and assistance of Nigerian security authorities was essential to this effort, notably that of Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Adewale’s co-defendants, Imoleayo Samuel Aina, aka “Alice Dave,” 27, and Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, 26, were extradited to the U.S. in August 2024.
Abiodun pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud and was sentenced by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky in June 2025 to five years in prison.
Aina later pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, interstate threat to injure reputation, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy, and wire fraud, and was sentenced by Judge Slomsky in October 2025 to six years in prison.
This case was investigated by FBI Philadelphia’s Fort Washington Resident Agency and the Abington Township Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Brown.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Mexican National Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison for Using a Vehicle to Assault, Resist, Oppose, Impede, Intimidate, or Interfere with a Federal AgentRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Cristian Geovanni Rojas Benitez, 37, a Mexican national who overstayed his visa and remained illegally in the United States, was sentenced today to 14 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Gail A. Weilheimer for forcibly assaulting, resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, or interfering with an officer of the United States, while using a deadly or dangerous weapon — specifically, a motor vehicle — while the officer was engaged in the performance of official duties.
Rojas Benitez was charged by indictment in August of last year and pleaded guilty in October. During his plea hearing, the defendant admitted that he intentionally drove his pickup truck in the direction of a federal agent.
As detailed in court filings and statements, on the morning of June 23, 2025, that Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI") agent and other federal officers were attempting to locate Rojas Benitez and take him into administrative custody after he had violated conditions of his immigration release, including a 2024 conviction in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas for false identification to law enforcement, operating a vehicle without ignition interlock, knowing and intentional possession of a controlled substance, and driving an unregistered vehicle.
Based on information they had received, the federal officers surveilled a residence in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. At approximately 8:30 a.m., a man matching the description and photograph of Rojas Benitez exited the residence and got into a pickup truck. When the defendant started to drive away, the federal officers quickly conducted a vehicle stop.
Rojas Benitez did not comply with the federal officers’ commands to get out of the vehicle or roll down his window. During this encounter, the HSI agent moved to the front of the vehicle to maintain visibility of the driver. The law enforcement officers told Rojas Benitez that if he did not comply, his window would be broken, and when Rojas Benitez continued not to comply after multiple warnings, one of the federal officers broke the rear driver’s side window of the truck.
The defendant then put the vehicle in drive and drove over the sidewalk in the direction of the HSI agent, who had to push off the truck with his hand and jump out of way to avoid being struck. The defendant also narrowly avoided hitting a passing school bus.
Rojas Benitez then fled the state and was ultimately located by the U.S. Marshals Service on July 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The case was investigated by HSI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Enforcement and Removal Operations, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
City Man Who Committed Armed Robbery and Shot at Philadelphia Police Officers Sentenced to over 15 Years in Prison for Illegal Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Carlian Gonzalez, 36, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 188 months in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Court Judge Kai N. Scott for possession of a firearm by a felon.
The defendant was charged by indictment in June 2024 and pleaded guilty last November.
As detailed in court filings and statements, on September 14, 2023, Gonzalez robbed a victim of his cell phone on a sidewalk in North Philadelphia, pointing a gun to his head and demanding he turn over his phone. Shortly after the robbery, the victim stopped police officers patrolling the area and informed them that Gonzalez had robbed him and was armed with a gun.
The officers followed behind Gonzalez and activated their lights and sirens, in an attempt to stop him. Video footage shows Gonzalez dismount the bicycle he was riding, raise his arm, and fire several shots at the police vehicle. One officer returned fire and hit Gonzalez in the ankle, causing Gonzalez to fall and drop his gun, which the defendant knew that he was not permitted to possess, due to his status as a convicted felon.
This case was investigated by the Philadelphia Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Osborne.
City Man Sentenced to Eight and a Half Years in Prison for Armed Carjacking in West PhiladelphiaRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Kristian Jackson, 20, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 102 months’ imprisonment, a five-year term of supervised release, and restitution of $7,400 by United States District Judge Juan R. Sánchez for committing an armed carjacking in West Philadelphia in September 2024.
Jackson and co-defendants Legend Hall, 20, also of Philadelphia, and Jalaal Claitt, 20, of Atlanta, Georgia, were charged by superseding indictment in April of last year.[1] Jackson pleaded guilty in October to one count of carjacking and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
As detailed in court filings and statements, on September 17, 2024, Victim #1 parked on the 300 block of 62nd Street in Philadelphia and reported being immediately approached by three males, later identified by investigators as Hall, Jackson, and Claitt.
One of the defendants asked Victim #1 to drive them somewhere. When Victim #1 refused, two of the males took out handguns and told Victim #1 to get out of the car. The three males then got into Victim #1’s black Chevy Malibu and drove off with Victim #1’s iPhone 14 and approximately $500 that was in the car.
Last week, Claitt pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking and one count of carrying, using, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; Hall pleaded guilty to the same counts last July. They will be sentenced at a later date, and both face a maximum possible sentence of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum term of seven years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the FBI Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force and the Philadelphia Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert and Special Assistant United States Attorney Samantha A. Arena.
[1] In addition, Claitt and Hall were charged with an October 2024 carjacking in Upper Darby, Pa.