Middle District of Pennsylvania
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Dallastown Man Sentenced to 21 Months’ Imprisonment for Defrauding a Financial InstitutionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on August 27, 2026, United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick sentenced Jason Motter, age 42, of Dallastown, Pennsylvania, to 21 months’ imprisonment for executing a scheme to defraud a financial institution in connection with a $773,409 residential loan application.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on or about April 13, 2023, Motter applied for a residential loan. In support of the loan application, Motter provided bank statements he had fraudulently altered to increase the account balances by approximately $400,000. Later, on or about June 8, 2023, knowing he had provided fraudulently altered bank statements, Motter provided the bank with a written representation in which he affirmed that the information he provided on the application was “true, accurate, and complete.”
The bank relied on the fraudulent loan application and disbursed $773,409 to Motter. Subsequently, during an internal audit, the bank learned of Motter’s fraud and demanded that he immediately repay the loan balance. In response to the bank’s demand, Motter refinanced the loan and repaid the balance of the loan in its entirety.
The FBI Philadelphia’s Capital Area Resident Agency investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph J. Terz prosecuted the case.
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Northampton County Man Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Wei Fu, age 40, of Easton, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion to 60 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release, for possessing child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, following the execution of a search warrant at Fu’s Easton residence in March 2024, investigators found over 10,000 videos and pictures of child pornography on Fu’s electronic devices. The images and videos included those showing the sexual assault of infants and toddlers.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Bethlehem Township Police Department, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Mechanicsburg Man Sentenced to 78 Months’ Imprisonment for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Connor Waterman, age 25, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Keli M. Neary to 78 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, for possessing child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, following the execution of a search warrant at Waterman’s Mechanicsburg residence in February 2023, investigators found numerous videos and pictures of child pornography on Waterman’s smartphone. The images and videos included those showing the sexual assault of infants and toddlers.
Homeland Security Investigations, the Upper Allen Police Department, Cumberland County Criminal Investigation Division, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Inmate Charged with Threatening Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Foust, age 42, an inmate at United State Penitentiary (USP), Allenwood, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of threatening federal officers.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that August 5, 2025 and November 6, 2025, at USP Allenwood, Foust threatened to assault and murder multiple employees of the federal Bureau of Prisons, including a corrections officer, a corrections counselor, and a prison physician, all of whom were engaged in the performance of their official duties.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 40 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Florida Man Charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire FraudRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kevin Gan, age 24, of Wellington, Florida, was charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that between June of 2026 and July 16, 2026, Gan was part of a group that executed a scheme to defraud victims in the State College, PA area of money and property. It is alleged that members of the conspiracy would transmit electronic communication to the victims. The communication, often in the form of a home computer screen “pop-up,” was purportedly from “Microsoft” or a government agency and informed the victim that the victim’s computer had been “hacked,” and that financial account security was compromised. The “pop-up” or caller provided a phone number for the victim to call. It is further alleged that upon calling the phone number, the victim would be connected to a member of the conspiracy, who provided the victim with disinformation and falsely informed the victim that there was a problem with the victim’s bank account, that the victim’s bank account was not secure, or that there was illegal activity on their computer, and that the victim needed to transfer money from the account to keep the money secure. It is alleged that the member of the conspiracy directed the victim to withdraw cash from the victim’s bank account or convert cash into gold bars or coins and meet them at locations or “couriers” were used to retrieve the money.
It is further alleged that on July 16, 2026, Gan traveled from New York to State College to collect $30,000 in cash from a victim of the conspiracy.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the State College Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Daniel Frias Rodriguez, age 50, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was indicted on August 26, 2026, by a federal grand jury on the charge of illegally reentering the United States after having previously been removed.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Frias Rodriguez illegally reentered the United States without proper authorization and was found in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on August 14, 2026. Frias Rodriguez was previously removed from the United States through New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 16, 2013, after a conviction for an aggravated felony.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Francis P. Sempa is prosecuting the case.
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 York comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Red Lion Resident Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud for Depositing Counterfeit U.S. Treasury CheckRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rashu D. Powell, age 52, of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to one count of bank fraud.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, in July 2024, Powell deposited a counterfeit U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $421,502.10 in a business account that he controlled at Members 1st Federal Credit Union, in York, PA. Following this deposit, Powell made a series of withdrawals from the account in order to use the money, including a $3,000 cash withdrawal, a $100 ATM withdrawal, and a $1,100 transfer to a personal bank account. In August 2024, Members 1st FCU withdrew the full amount of the fraudulent check deposit from Powell’s business account, which prevented him from using any additional funds derived from the fraudulent deposit.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service with assistance from the West Manchester Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty for bank fraud is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Massachusetts Woman Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Trafficking in Stolen Human RemainsRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Katrina Maclean, age 47, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was sentenced on August 18, 2026, to 24 months in prison by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for interstate transportation of stolen property.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Maclean admitted to her role in a nationwide network of individuals who bought and sold human remains, including remains stolen from Harvard Medical School.
Other individuals were indicted with Maclean on charges of conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen property as part of the same investigation. From 2018 through 2022, Cedric Lodge, who managed the morgue for the Anatomical Gifts Program at Harvard Medical School, located in Boston, Massachusetts, stole organs and other parts of cadavers donated for medical research and education before their scheduled cremations. Lodge at times transported stolen remains from Boston to his residence in Goffstown, New Hampshire, where he and his wife, Denise Lodge, sold the remains to Katrina Maclean, Joshua Taylor, and others, making arrangements via cellular telephone and social media websites. At times, Cedric Lodge allowed Maclean and Taylor to enter the morgue at Harvard Medical School and examine cadavers. On some occasions, Taylor transported stolen remains back to Pennsylvania. On other occasions, the Lodges shipped stolen remains to Taylor and others out of state.
Maclean and Taylor sold the stolen remains for profit, including to Jeremy Pauley in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Jeremy Pauley also purchased stolen human remains from Candace Chapman Scott, who stole remains from her employer, a Little Rock, Arkansas mortuary and crematorium. Scott stole parts of cadavers she was supposed to have cremated, many of which had been donated to and used for research and educational purposes by an area medical school, as well as the corpses of two stillborn babies who were supposed to be cremated and returned as cremains to their families. Scott sold the stolen remains to Pauley and shipped them to him.
Seven other defendants have previously entered guilty pleas and were sentenced to imprisonment in related cases, including Joshua Taylor, Andrew Ensanian, Matthew Lampi, Cedric and Denise Lodge, Angelo Pereyra and Candace Chapman Scott. Lampi was sentenced to 15 months in prison; Pereyra was sentenced to 18 months in prison; Ensanian was sentenced to 6 months in prison; Denise and Cedric Lodge were sentenced to 96 months and 12 months in prison respectively; and Joshua Taylor was sentenced to 24 months in prison. Additionally, Candace Chapman-Scott, who stole remains from an Arkansas crematorium where she was employed and sold them to Pauley in Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty in Arkansas federal court and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the East Pennsboro Township Police Department, and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin prosecuted the case.
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Drug Trafficking and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Fernandito Arroyo, age 28, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 18, 2026, to 180 months’ imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion for distribution of cocaine and fentanyl and carrying and using a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking offense.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on multiple occasions between July 18, 2024 and November 19, 2024, Arroyo sold controlled substances to a confidential informant in Wilkes-Barre. On November 19, 2024, Arroyo sold a firearm and ammunition to an individual who could not legally possess a firearm and provided that individual with cocaine.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Jenny P. Roberts prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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ID Logistics US, Inc. Agrees to Pay $2.36 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to a Paycheck Protection Program LoanRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that ID Logistics US, Inc. (IDUSA) has agreed to pay $2,362,360 to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for which it was not eligible.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was a federal law enacted in or about March 2020 designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through a program referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). PPP loans were guaranteed by the SBA and, if the loan proceeds were used for eligible expenses, the SBA would forgive the loan balance and accrued interest. To obtain a PPP loan, a qualifying business had to submit a PPP loan application to an authorized lender. The PPP loan application required the business, through its authorized representative, to acknowledge the PPP rules and make certain affirmative certifications that the applicant was eligible to obtain a PPP loan. Whether an applicant qualified as a small business was determined, in part, by assessing the number of employees of the business, including any domestic and foreign affiliates.
IDUSA is a subsidiary of ID Logistics Group SA, a French company founded in 2001 that has, in addition to IDUSA, at least fifteen other affiliated companies around the world.
According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, IDUSA submitted an application for a PPP loan certifying that, together with its affiliates, it had fewer than 500 employees, when, with affiliate entities counted, it had more than 500 employees and was therefore not eligible for the PPP loan.
Once IDUSA was made aware of the investigation, they fully cooperated with the United States to resolve the matter.
“The SBA is committed to rooting out every dollar of PPP fraud,” said Wendell Davis, SBA General Counsel. “Alongside the US Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the agency will aggressively pursue bad actors to hold them accountable and recover pandemic relief funds improperly obtained from the program.”
This settlement resolves a lawsuit originally filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which permits a private party to file a complaint on behalf of the United States and share in a portion of the Government’s recovery. This qui tam is captioned United States ex rel. Verity Investigations, LLC v. ID Logistics US, Inc. No. 3:25-CV-00387 (M.D.P.A.). The whistleblower will receive $236,236 of the settlement amount.
The investigation and resolution of this matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Haken and the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Lebanon Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Timothy Cassidy, age 33, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania and Menominee, Michigan, was indicted on August 12, 2026, by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender after relocating to Maryland.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that from May 2025 through the present, despite being required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), Cassidy traveled in interstate commerce from Pennsylvania to Michigan and failed to register his address as required by SORNA.
This matter was investigated by the United States Marshals Service (USMS). Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Two Detained Pending Trial for Conspiracy to Defraud Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that two individuals, Ceyon Calvert, 43, and Christal Calvert, 38, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, were arrested on June 28, 2026, by federal agents in Florida for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, their arrests follow an indictment which alleges that beginning on an unknown date and continuing until April 2026, the defendants orchestrated a wide-scale Publishers Clearing House scam targeting elderly victims. The indictment states that scam participants would falsely tell victims that they won multi-million-dollar prizes and instructed the fraud victims to provide tens of thousands of dollars to other scheme participants as upfront taxes and fees in order to collect those prizes. Today, the defendants were arraigned in Federal Court and pleaded not guilty. United States Magistrate Judge Sean A. Camoni ordered them detained pending trial.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Lackawanna County Man Sentenced to 24 Months Imprisonment for Identity Theft OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Domingo Castillo, a/k/a “Jose Antonio Garcia”, age 62, of Scranton Pennsylvania, was sentenced on August 5, 2026, to 24 months’ imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion for one count of aggravated identity theft.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Castillo previously admitted that on or about April 9, 2021, in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, Castillo knowingly possessed and used a means of identification of another person during and in relation to a felony, namely making a false statement in a passport application.
The case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service of the Department of State. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
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Dover Resident Charged with Defrauding Elderly Victim of over $1 Million and Using Proceeds for His Personal BenefitRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that William D. Brenner, age 62, was indicted on August 5, 2026, by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions in connection with an alleged fraud scheme against an elderly victim.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Brenner allegedly defrauded an elderly victim, who was born in 1936, of over $1 million by persuading her and her power of attorney, who was also the alleged victim’s daughter, that he could offer them a better investment opportunity than what the elderly woman already had in place. The alleged victim and her power of attorney were led to believe that the funds would be placed in an investment account, which Brenner would personally manage and would earn fixed interest payments over a two-year period. In reality, Brenner then used the funds to purchase a commercial property in his own name, without the victim’s lawful authorization.
Brenner also allegedly forged an agreement that appeared to show the elderly woman and her power of attorney authorizing him to use the money to purchase the commercial property, which is located in Caneyville, Kentucky. Brenner allegedly created this forgery by using authentic signatures that he obtained from the elderly woman and her power of attorney on a different document.
Brenner allegedly obtained control of the elderly victim’s retirement savings by persuading her and her power of attorney to move the funds into an account at a local federal credit union where he was a board member and where he maintained accounts in the names of other businesses. That account was created in August 2021. Once the funds were in that account, Brenner allegedly used them for his own and his family members’ benefit. By September 2021, Brenner allegedly depleted almost all of the funds from the account.
Brenner is charged with several counts of monetary transactions in criminal derived property for use of the elderly woman’s funds. In addition to buying the commercial property, Brenner allegedly purchased a new Dodge Ram pickup truck, a skid steer, and other tools and motorized equipment.
The indictment also contains forfeiture allegations, including for the commercial property located in Caneyville, Kentucky.
The United States Secret Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The maximum penalty for wire fraud is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The maximum penalty for monetary transactions in criminally derived property is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Walnel Mordan Soto, age 37, of the Dominican Republic, who most recently resided in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of illegal reentry into the United States.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Mordan Soto was encountered at the Schuylkill County Jail on July 6, 2026, after having previously been removed on or about October 6, 2016, via Alexandria, Louisiana, subsequent to a conviction for committing an aggravated felony. Mordan Soto did not receive permission to reenter the United States, as required by law.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is up to 20 years of imprisonment, plus a fine and a term of supervised release. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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United States Attorney’s Office Sues State College Landlord for Sexual Harassment and Retaliation in HousingRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today it filed a lawsuit against Venkatachalam Mani, a landlord in State College, Pennsylvania, for sexually harassing his female tenant and then retaliating against her when she refused his sexual advances, in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
The tenant filed a complaint against Mr. Mani with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). After an investigation, HUD determined that Mr. Mani discriminated against the applicant in violation of the Fair Housing Act and issued a charge of discrimination. After the tenant chose to have the matter decided in federal court, HUD referred the matter to the Department of Justice. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages to compensate the tenant and her children and a court order barring future discrimination.
The lawsuit alleges Mr. Mani made sexual advances toward his tenant; she rejected the advances; he sexually assaulted her; and then he engaged in months long retaliation by showing up at the leased property uninvited and failing to complete required maintenance on the property. The lawsuit also alleges that Mr. Mani’s refusal to fix a furnace after his tenant rejected his advances caused the tenant to be without heat in freezing cold temperatures and move out of the home when the furnace eventually caught fire.
“This lawsuit involves a landlord who failed to fix a tenant’s furnace despite freezing temperatures because she refused his sexual advances, forcing her family to move out even though they did not have another place to live,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This conduct is immoral and unlawful. The Justice Department will continue to uphold the rights of female tenants to housing without the threat of sexual harassment by a landlord.”
“Attempts to exploit tenants for sexual favors, sexual assault, and retaliation by landlords will never be tolerated in the Middle District of Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller.
If you are a victim of sexual harassment by a landlord or property manager or have suffered other forms of housing discrimination, call the Justice Department’s Housing Discrimination Tip Line at 1-800-896-7743 or submit a report online. More information about the Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt. This case is part of the Justice Department’s Sexual Harassment in Housing Initiative. The initiative, which the Department launched in October 2017, seeks to address and raise awareness about sexual harassment by landlords, property managers, maintenance workers, loan officers, and other people who have control over housing. Since launching the initiative, the department has filed 53 lawsuits alleging sexual harassment in housing and recovered approximately $19 million for victims of such harassment. Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violation to the office’s Civil Rights Coordinator by calling 717-614-4911 or email [email protected].
Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Butler represents the government in this lawsuit.
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Federal Inmate Convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter in the Death of CellmateRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG– The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Rudy Mendoza, age 41, was convicted on July 31, 2026, of voluntary manslaughter in the death of his cellmate following a five-day jury trial before United States District Judge Keli M. Neary. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on July 30, 2019, the Bureau of Prison’s staff found Mendoza’s cellmate dead in their cell within the Special Housing Unit at United States Penitentiary, Canaan, Waymart, PA. The correctional officers found blood in various locations throughout the cell and the victim had multiple injuries to his head and face. The cause of death was cardiorespiratory collapse secondary to physical trauma.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorneys Scott Ford, Stephen Dukes, and William Behe prosecuted the case.
The maximum penalty for these offenses is 15 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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United States Attorney’s Office Joining Law Enforcement, Community Leaders and Residents for National Night Out EventsRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania will join their law enforcement partners, neighbors, and communities for National Night Out Events in cities across the state.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions of people take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.
Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe. For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
Below is a list of National Night Out Events that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be attending, all hosted by local participating law enforcement agencies.
Scheduled Events:
- Swatara Township Police Department National Night Out
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Vanatta Park
- Scranton Police Department National Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Scranton High School
- Plains Township Police Department National Night Out
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Birchwood Park
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Luzerne County Man Sentenced to 151 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking and Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Ricky Charles Patterson, age 45, a resident of Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 151 months’ imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Malachy E. Mannion, for one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on May 2, 2025, ATF agents served a federal search warrant at Patterson’s residence in Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Pursuant to the warrant, agents seized fentanyl, methamphetamine, and a loaded Smith & Wesson revolver. Patterson, a previously convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Kingston Police Department, and the Luzerne County Drug Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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Schuylkill County Man Indicted for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Craig Hardy, age 66, of Ashland, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender upon relocating to New York.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that from November 3, 2025 and continuing to the present, despite being required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), upon relocating to New York, Ney failed to register his address as required by SORNA.
This matter was investigated by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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West Lawn Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison for Trafficking in Stolen Human RemainsRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Joshua Taylor, age 49, of West Lawn, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 27, 2026, to 24 months in prison by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Taylor admitted to his role in a nationwide network of individuals who bought and sold human remains, including remains stolen from Harvard Medical School. Taylor purchased human remains from multiple individuals knowing that those remains were stolen.
Other individuals were indicted with Taylor on charges of conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen property as part of the same investigation. From 2018 through 2022, Cedric Lodge, who managed the morgue for the Anatomical Gifts Program at Harvard Medical School, located in Boston, Massachusetts, stole organs and other parts of cadavers donated for medical research and education before their scheduled cremations. Lodge at times allegedly transported stolen remains from Boston to his residence in Goffstown, New Hampshire, where he and his wife, Denise Lodge, sold the remains to Katrina Maclean, Joshua Taylor, and others, making arrangements via cellular telephone and social media websites. At times, Cedric Lodge allowed Maclean and Taylor to enter the morgue at Harvard Medical School and examine cadavers. On some occasions, Taylor transported stolen remains back to Pennsylvania. On other occasions, the Lodges shipped stolen remains to Taylor and others out of state.
Maclean and Taylor sold the stolen remains for profit, including to Jeremy Pauley in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Jeremy Pauley also purchased stolen human remains from Candace Chapman Scott, who stole remains from her employer, a Little Rock, Arkansas mortuary and crematorium. Scott stole parts of cadavers she was supposed to have cremated, many of which had been donated to and used for research and educational purposes by an area medical school, as well as the corpses of two stillborn babies who were supposed to be cremated and returned as cremains to their families. Scott sold the stolen remains to Pauley and shipped them to Pauley in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Several other defendants have previously entered guilty pleas in related cases, including Joshua Taylor, Andrew Ensanian, Matthew Lampi, Katrina Maclean, Cedric and Denise Lodge, and Angelo Pereyra. Lampi was sentenced to 15 months in prison; Pereyra was sentenced to 18 months in prison; Ensanian was sentenced to 6 months in prison; Denise and Cedric Lodge were sentenced to 96 months and 12 months in prison respectively. Katrina Maclean is awaiting sentencing. Additionally, Candace Chapman-Scott, who stole remains from an Arkansas crematorium where she was employed and sold them to Pauley in Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty in Arkansas federal court and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the East Pennsboro Township Police Department, and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
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Man Sentenced to 57 Months’ Imprisonment for Homicide by Vehicle While DUI at National ParkRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Christopher M. Thomas, of Bushkill, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 22, 2026, to 57 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Karoline Mehlachick for homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, in June 2024, Thomas was driving his vehicle through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area while high on methamphetamine. Multiple cars and two motorcycles had come to a stop more than 400 feet in front of Thomas to let deer cross the road. Thomas did not stop but continued to travel at a high rate of speed. Thomas crashed full speed into one of the motorcyclists, who was pronounced dead on scene. A subsequent blood draw from Thomas and forensic analysis revealed Thomas had significant levels of amphetamine and methamphetamine in his blood.
In imposing the sentence at the top of Thomas’s sentencing guideline range, Judge Mehalchick noted the serious and deadly nature of the offense, the need to provide just punishment, and the need to deter Thomas and others from committing similar offenses.
The National Park Service and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno prosecuted the case.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Troy Darnell McFall, age 54, of Harrisburg, PA, was sentenced to 33 months in prison and five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for failure to register as a sex offender.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, McFall was convicted of Aggravated Indecent Assault, Unlawful Contact with a Minor, Indecent Assault, and Corruption of Minors in Pennsylvania state court in 2005. As a result, he was required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). From December through July 2025, McFall traveled in interstate commerce without updating his sex-offender registration.
The United States Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Harrisburg Man Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Robert Hiler, age 54, of Harrisburg, PA, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and seven years of supervised release by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for failure to register as a sex offender.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Hiler was convicted of indecent assault, indecent exposure, and corruption of minors in 1995. As a result, he was required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). From at least June of 2019 until January of 2025, Hiler failed to register after traveling in interstate commerce, moving from Pennsylvania to California.
The United States Marshals Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Dauphin County Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Reginald Hopkins, age 49, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson to 20 years in prison and five years of supervised release following his conviction after a trial by jury for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition as an armed career criminal.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the case involved the execution of a search warrant on February 19, 2021, at Hopkins’ apartment, resulting in the seizure of three firearms (an Astra Constable 9mm handgun, a Hi-Point CF380 .380 handgun, and a S&W M&P 9 Shield 9mm handgun), several magazines, and 9mm and .380 ammunition. One of the magazines was a high-capacity drum magazine that was loaded with 39 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Hopkins was home alone when law enforcement executed the search warrant, and the firearms were sitting in plain sight next to his bed and near a chair in the living area.
The Harrisburg Police Bureau’s Street Crimes Unit and the Community Policing Unit, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the matter. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera and Deputy Criminal Chief Michael Consiglio prosecuted the case.
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Schuylkill County Man Sentenced to 21 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking OffenseRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Mark Thompson, age 51, of Ashland, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 21 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release by Senior United States District Judge Robert D. Mariani for one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Thompson previously admitted that beginning in January of 2025, and continuing to on or about April 25, 2025, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Thompson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine.
The FBI, the Shenandoah Police Department, and the Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Buchanan prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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Defendants Sentenced for Interstate Auto Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Nigel Criss, age 27, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Rafael Otero Nieves, age 41, of Baltimore, Maryland, were sentenced on July 21, 2026, to 54 months’ imprisonment and 84 months’ imprisonment, respectively, by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann for interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Criss, Otero, and eight additional co-conspirators conspired with each other and others to transport stolen motor vehicles interstate and to receive, possess, conceal, store, sell, and dispose of stolen motor vehicles that had been transported interstate.
Criss, Otero, and their co-conspirators took the stolen vehicles—typically high-end, “muscle” type cars—across state lines to “car meetups” and “street takeovers,” at which the co-conspirators would take over a parking lot, intersection, road, or portion of a highway. The vehicles were then shown off in person at the meetups and on social media and driven in a reckless and dangerous manner, such as drifting and “burning out” the vehicles.
The co-conspirators stole numerous vehicles across multiple states. For example, on October 3, 2023, Criss, Otero, and other co-conspirators traveled to a car dealership in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, to steal two 2017 Cadillac CTS-V’s, a 2016 Cadillac CTS-V, two 2019 Cadillac CTS-V’s, a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro, a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro, and a 2019 Chevrolet Corvette.
Ten co-conspirators were charged in this case. Several have been sentenced as follows, while the remaining defendants are pending sentence following guilty pleas:
- Nigel Criss, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—54 months’ imprisonment;
- Ian Quintana Torres, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—pending sentence;
- Shamar Morris, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—12 months’ imprisonment;
- Jumaane Wright, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania—deceased;
- Raymond Steward, of Camden County, New Jersey—6 months’ imprisonment;
- Rafael Otero Nieves, of Baltimore County, Maryland—84 months’ imprisonment;
- Jose Otero Nieves, of Baltimore County, Maryland—pending sentence;
- Jesus Terrero, of Baltimore County, Maryland—pending sentence;
- Tyler Hoagland, of Howard County, Maryland—18 months’ imprisonment, and;
- Robert Jones, of Prince George’s County, Maryland—pending sentence.
In imposing the sentences, Chief Judge Brann noted the sheer volume of vehicles stolen by Criss and Otero—more than two dozen each—and the supervisory roles each defendant played in the wide-ranging, multi-state conspiracy.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pennsylvania State Police, Central and Eastern Auto Theft Task Forces investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno prosecuted the case.
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Chinese Woman Charged with Assaulting Federal OfficersRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Hua Zhen Dong, a citizen of the Republic of China, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of assaulting federal officers.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on July 9, 2026, Herrera was found by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers in State College, PA. An investigation showed that there was an immigration warrant for Dong’s arrest at that time. Dong refused to comply with the officers’ investigation and kicked, bit and scratched them as she resisted arrest.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 8 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to Nigerian National Charged with Money Laundering and Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail FraudRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Okeoghene Patrick Udugba, age 45, of Frisco, Texas, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of Money Laundering and Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Udugba and others orchestrated overlapping romance and business email compromise schemes. As part of the scheme, Udugba and others utilized social media and dating websites to meet and establish purported romantic relationships with persons in multiple states. Those persons were groomed and ultimately used by Udugba and others as money mules to receive and cash fraudulently obtained checks.
To obtain the checks, members of the conspiracy sent emails from “spoofed” addresses in Nigeria, claiming to be representatives of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The spoofed emails directed that FWS grant funds be used to pay fabricated invoices, which falsely represented that the money mules were contractors and consultants of FWS who had performed work on grant-eligible projects. As a result of the fraudulent emails and invoices, FWS’s grant administrator issued payments in excess of $300,000.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Department of Interior Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution 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 comprises agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Department of Interior (DOI) Office of Inspector General (OIG) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 30 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Cumberland County Man Indicted for Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Jesse White, age 48, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was charged by criminal complaint with receipt and possession of child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the complaint alleges that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received reports via their CyberTipline on June 19, 2026, which were flagged as child pornography and White was identified as the producer of such files. On July 21, 2026, the FBI executed a federal search warrant at White’s residence and seized multiple computers and hard drives and conducted a preliminary on-site review of the devices. It is alleged that one hard drive contained numerous files containing images of child pornography depicting minors between the estimated ages of seven to 15 years old engaged in sexually explicit activity. It is further alleged that in a separate drive, agents found approximately 100 files depicting child pornography.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Christian Haugsby is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the crimes charged in the Complaint is 30 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Two Men Charged with $52 million COVID-19 Tax Credit Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A California man was arrested yesterday after a grand jury sitting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania returned an indictment charging him with conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering.
According to the indictment, Christopher Slater was part of a multi-state conspiracy to defraud the United States of more than $52.7 million by filing hundreds of false tax returns claiming Paid Sick and Family Leave Credit (SFLC) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC) credits. Congress authorized the SFLC tax credit to reimburse businesses for wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. Congress authorized the ERC to incentivize businesses to keep employees on their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This indictment alleges that Christopher Slater orchestrated a multi-state fraud scheme that sought more than $50 million in taxpayer-funded pandemic relief funds,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “This brazen fraud is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The Fraud Division will continue to hold anyone accountable who steals from American taxpayers and abuses programs intended to provide relief during a national crisis.”
Slater allegedly conspired with others to recruit business owners, use their information to file false tax returns and then launder the proceeds of the fraud. In total, Slater allegedly caused at least 290 false tax returns to be filed for 35 businesses claiming over $52.7 million in COVID-19 tax credits, of which the IRS paid out over $32.2 million.
The indictment also charged Mark Keagel, of York, Pennsylvania, with money laundering, conspiracy and theft of government property. Keagel owned two defunct businesses whose information he allegedly passed on to one of Slater’s co-conspirators. According to the indictment, Slater’s associates filed false tax returns on behalf of Keagel’s businesses. In response, the IRS mailed approximately $3.6 million in fraudulent Treasury checks to Keagel, who then allegedly laundered those proceeds.
If convicted, Slater faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each of the seven mail fraud and mail fraud conspiracy counts. Slater and Keagel also face a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison for each of the money laundering and money laundering conspiracy counts. Keagel faces a sentence of up to ten years in prison for each count of theft of government property.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller of the Middle District of Pennsylvania the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Deputy Chief Ezra Spiro of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma of the Middle District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Two Men Charged in $52 million COVID-19 Tax Credit Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller announced that a California man was arrested on Monday after a grand jury sitting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania returned an indictment charging him with conspiracy, mail fraud and money laundering.
According to the indictment, Christopher Slater was part of a multi-state conspiracy to defraud the United States of more than $52.7 million by filing hundreds of false tax returns claiming Paid Sick and Family Leave Credit (SFLC) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC) credits. Congress authorized the SFLC tax credit to reimburse businesses for wages paid to employees who were on sick or family leave and could not work because of COVID-19. Congress authorized the ERC to incentivize businesses to keep employees on their payroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Slater allegedly conspired with others to recruit business owners, use their information to file false tax returns and then launder the proceeds of the fraud. In total, Slater allegedly caused at least 280 false tax returns to be filed for 35 businesses claiming over $52.7 million in COVID-19 tax credits, of which the IRS paid out over $32.2 million.
The indictment also charged Mark Keagel, of York, Pennsylvania, with money laundering, conspiracy and theft of government property. Keagel owned two defunct businesses whose information he allegedly passed on to one of Slater’s co-conspirators. According to the indictment, Slater’s associates filed false tax returns on behalf of Keagel’s businesses. In response, the IRS mailed approximately $3.6 million in fraudulent Treasury checks to Keagel, who then allegedly laundered those proceeds.
“This indictment alleges that Christopher Slater orchestrated a multi-state fraud scheme that sought more than $50 million in taxpayer-funded pandemic relief funds,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division.
“This brazen fraud is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The Fraud Division will continue to hold anyone accountable who steals from American taxpayers and abuses programs intended to provide relief during a national crisis.”
“This indictment shows our Office’s longstanding commitment to prosecuting fraudsters and protecting our tax dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller.” “This Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to stop these schemes and protect taxpayers hard earned money.”
“IRS-Criminal Investigation is committed to protecting the integrity of our financial system by disrupting complex financial crimes and pursuing those responsible, stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office.”
If convicted, Slater faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each of the seven mail fraud and mail fraud conspiracy counts. Slater and Keagel also face a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison for each of the money laundering and money laundering conspiracy counts. Keagel faces a sentence of up to ten years in prison for each count of theft of government property.
Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller of the Middle District of Pennsylvania made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant Deputy Chief Ezra Spiro of the Criminal Division’s Tax Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma of the Middle District of Pennsylvania are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Florida Man Sentenced to 121 Months in Prison for Child Exploitation CrimeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Brett Michael Smith, age 35, of Hillsborough County, Florida, was sentenced yesterday to 121 months’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for receipt of child pornography.
According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, pursuant to a federal search warrant, FBI agents seized and analyzed Smith’s cell phone and computers. The forensic analysis uncovered approximately 20,000 images and 4,500 videos of child pornography including videos that depict sadistic imagery and the sexual abuse of multiple children including infants. A review of Smith’s Internet search history showed that he searched for child pornography on multiple occasions beginning in November 2020 and continuing through March 13, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by FBI – Philadelphia Division, Allentown RAC, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (Tampa, Florida), the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (Largo, Florida), and the Minersville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Mechanicsburg Business Owner Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Pay Employment TaxesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Omar Barron, age 49, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to imprisonment for 12 months plus one day by United States District Judge Keli M. Neary, for failing to account for and pay employment taxes.
According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Barron owns Miracle Steel, Inc., a structural steel business located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. In 2024, Barron was charged with failing to account for and pay over employment taxes on behalf of Miracle Steel for 2018 and 2019 and two quarters of 2020. As part of a guilty plea, Barron admitted to failing to pay over $980,784.95 in employment taxes during his commission of the offense. As part of the sentence, Judge Neary ordered Barron pay the full outstanding tax liability as restitution.
“Business owners have a responsibility to withhold income taxes for their employees and then remit those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service,” stated Yury Kruty, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office.
The investigation was conducted by IRS-Criminal Investigation, Philadelphia Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Terz.
Adams County Man Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for Receiving Child PornographyRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jason Lee White, age 39, of Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson for receiving child pornography. Judge Wilson also ordered White to pay victims restitution in the amount of $133,500, and to pay assessments totaling $17,100.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, law enforcement began investigating White in 2023 after learning that he had been communicating with underage girls on Instagram and soliciting sexually explicit images from them. Following the execution of a search warrant at White’s home in November 2023, law enforcement seized computer devices that contained tens of thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography, which White received via the internet.
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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christian T. Haugsby.
Carlisle Man Indicted for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Caleb McRoberts, age 33, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender after relocating to Ohio.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that from December of 2023 and continuing to the present, despite being required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), McRoberts failed to register his new address upon relocating to Ohio, as required by SORNA.
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Scalera is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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United States Attorney’s Office Reaches Settlement with Roll R Way Ensuring Access to Individuals with DisabilitiesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced a civil settlement with Roll R Way, a skating center with three locations in York, Chambersburg, and Donora, to ensure equal access under Title III under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
According to U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller, the U.S. Attorney’s Office received several complaints that families with children with Type 1 Diabetes were refused entry into Roll R Way skating center. On separate occasions, each family wanted to enter with their child’s diabetes treatment supplies, which included a small amount of food and drink to regulate the child’s low blood sugar. Management of the skating center refused the families entry because of its “no outside food or drink” policy. The failure to accommodate prevented access to the business for these families and a policy without exception prevents other families with children with diabetes, food allergies, or other dietary restrictions from full and equal enjoyment of the goods and services of the skating center in violation of the ADA.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Roll R Way must revise its “no outside food or drink policy” to include a reasonable accommodation for those patrons with diabetes and dietary restrictions. Roll R Way will train their employees on the new accommodation policy and provide notice to the public to request an accommodation if needed. Roll R Way will also pay $500.00 to each complainant family.
Title III of the ADA prohibits public accommodations, like family amusement centers, from excluding people with disabilities from enjoying goods, services, privileges, facilities, and advantages provided. For more information regarding the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat discrimination, please visit ADA.gov. To learn more about the obligations of public accommodations under federal disability rights statutes, call the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301, 800-514-0383 (TTY). Anyone in the Middle District of Pennsylvania may also report civil rights violation to the office’s Civil Rights Coordinator by calling 717-614-4911 or email [email protected].
The settlement agreement was reached to avoid the costs and burdens of litigation and does not represent an admission of liability by Roll R Way. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Butler represented the government during the investigation and settlement.
Berwick Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Child Exploitation CrimeRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Vincent Shaffer, age 46, a resident of Berwick, Pennsylvania, was sentenced yesterday to 180 months’ imprisonment by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann, for receipt of child pornography.
According to the United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on December 7, 2023, FBI agents served a federal search warrant at Shaffer’s residence in Berwick, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. Pursuant to the warrant, agents seized and later analyzed his cell phone. The forensic analysis uncovered approximately 54 images and videos of child pornography including a video exceeding one hour in duration that depicts the sexual abuse of multiple children including infants.
The investigation was conducted by FBI – Philadelphia Division, Williamsport RAC. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
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Lehigh County Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Distributing A Fatal Dose of FentanylRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dimitris Smith, Jr., age 48, of Whitehall, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on July 1, 2026, to life imprisonment by United States District Judge Karoline Mehalchick for distributing fentanyl resulting in death.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Smith distributed a deadly dose of fentanyl on December 11, 2023, in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County. A 38 year old female died after ingesting the fentanyl. Between March 14, 2024, and April 1, 2024, Smith also distributed fentanyl and cocaine to an undercover law enforcement officer. During this time period Smith was on federal supervised release from a prior drug trafficking conviction. On January 26, 2026, Senior United States Judge Robert D. Mariani sentenced Smith to 2 years imprisonment, to be served consecutive to the sentence on this case, for the supervised release violation. This is Smith’s third federal drug trafficking conviction.
During the five-day trial, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office presented testimony of 32 witnesses, including experts in forensic pathology, forensic toxicology, serology DNA profiling, forensic chemistry and historical cell site data. Witness testimony, the victim’s cell phone data and text messages, DNA evidence seized at the crime scene, and CashApp payment records were among the evidence presented that proved Smith was the dealer who supplied the fentanyl that killed the victim.
The FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Jenny P. Roberts and Patrick Bannon prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was brought as part of a district wide initiative to combat the nationwide epidemic regarding the use and distribution of heroin. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the Heroin Initiative targets heroin traffickers operating in the Middle District of Pennsylvania and is part of a coordinated effort among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit heroin related offenses.
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Enola Man Indicted for Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Shirley, age 33, of Enola, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on child exploitation charges.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges Shirley attempted to coerce and entice a minor to produce child pornography between June and July of 2025. The indictment also alleges Shirley produced child pornography in February 2026 depicting a separate minor than previously alleged. The indictment further alleges Shirley possessed child pornography involving a prepubescent minor on June 11, 2026.
Shirley had his arraignment and initial appearance on the indictment on July 1, 2026. He is currently in custody pending trial.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen W. Dukes is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for the charges alleged is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. The production of child pornography offense also carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Two Monroe County Men Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Eli Valentine Calero, age 44, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and John Charles Ehrhard, Jr., age 57, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, were found guilty following a five-day jury trial on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, a jury found Calero and Erhard guilty of conspiring to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine between 2024 and 2025. The jury also found Calero guilty of possessing with intent to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine and Ehrhard guilty of five counts of distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Pennsylvania State Police. Deputy Criminal Chief Jenny P. Roberts and First Assistant John Gurganus prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The defendants are facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
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EagleBank Agrees to Pay More than $9.7 Million to Resolve Bank Secrecy Act InvestigationRead the Press Release
Note: A copy of the non-prosecution agreement and statement of facts can be found here.
HARRISBURG — U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller announced that EagleBank, a community bank with operations in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and its parent entity, Eagle Bancorp Inc. (collectively, EagleBank), entered into a non-prosecution agreement today and agreed to pay over $9.7 million to resolve the Justice Department’s investigation into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.
“It is simply unacceptable for financial institutions to permit fraud under their noses,” said U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Our office is determined to investigate corporate crimes and fight financial fraud. We thank our partners for working with us.”
“For more than a decade, EagleBank knowingly allowed favored clients to operate a check kiting scheme, even as compliance personnel repeatedly tried to stop it,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Financial institutions are the first line of defense against financial crimes and must be gatekeepers, not gateways, for criminal activity. As this resolution makes clear, when banks deliberately allow unlawful conduct to persist, the Criminal Division will ensure they are held accountable.”
“EagleBank’s failure to stop major fraud weakened the financial system and enabled criminal activity,” said Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Division. “The FBI will continue working with partners to hold institutions accountable and protect the public.”
According to the non-prosecution agreement, EagleBank admits that between 2010 and 2021, it willfully failed to establish an anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) program, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act. In one instance, the bank admits that it allowed two customers, a son and his father, to operate a check kiting scheme for more than a decade through accounts at EagleBank. Check kiting is a form of fraud in which an accountholder writes a check for an amount greater than the amount available in the account and deposits that check into an account at a different bank, with the intent that the second bank will credit the funds to the second account before discovering the check was not supported by sufficient funds. Fraudsters frequently continue to write bad checks, often in a circular pattern amongst banks, to nominally cover overdrafts by continuing to take advantage of the delay in processing checks.
In this case, the father was a friend and business partner of EagleBank’s former chairman and CEO, who resigned in 2019. Over the course of the scheme, senior bank executives repeatedly overrode the efforts of compliance personnel to close the accounts and end the illicit conduct. EagleBank’s facilitation of this scheme resulted in a loss of almost $6.3 million to another financial institution.
Under the terms of the non-prosecution agreement, EagleBank agreed to pay the United States a fine of $9,057,821.62 and forfeiture of $736,515. The forfeiture amount consists of EagleBank’s proceeds from overdraft fees on the accounts involved in the check kiting scheme. EagleBank has further agreed to take additional remedial measures to strengthen its AML/CFT program, to cooperate with the Department’s investigation, and to report any violations of federal criminal law to the Department.
The FBI investigated the case.
This case is being prosecuted by Chief Michael P. Grady of the Bank Integrity Unit of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma for the Middle 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 Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
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EagleBank Agrees to Pay More than $9.7 Million to Resolve Bank Secrecy Act InvestigationRead the Press Release
Note: A copy of the non-prosecution agreement and statement of facts can be found here.
EagleBank, a community bank with operations in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and its parent entity, Eagle Bancorp Inc. (collectively, EagleBank), entered into a non-prosecution agreement today and agreed to pay over $9.7 million to resolve the Justice Department’s investigation into violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.
“For more than a decade, EagleBank knowingly allowed favored clients to operate a check kiting scheme, even as compliance personnel repeatedly tried to stop it,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Financial institutions are the first line of defense against financial crimes and must be gatekeepers, not gateways, for criminal activity. As this resolution makes clear, when banks deliberately allow unlawful conduct to persist, the Criminal Division will ensure they are held accountable.”
“It is simply unacceptable for financial institutions to permit fraud under their noses,” said U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Our office is determined to investigate corporate crimes and fight financial fraud. We thank our partners for working with us.”
“EagleBank’s failure to stop major fraud weakened the financial system and enabled criminal activity,” said Assistant Director Heith Janke of the FBI’s Criminal Division. “The FBI will continue working with partners to hold institutions accountable and protect the public.”
According to the non-prosecution agreement, EagleBank admits that between 2010 and 2021, it willfully failed to establish an anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) program, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act. In one instance, the bank admits that it allowed two customers, a son and his father, to operate a check kiting scheme for more than a decade through accounts at EagleBank. Check kiting is a form of fraud in which an accountholder writes a check for an amount greater than the amount available in the account and deposits that check into an account at a different bank, with the intent that the second bank will credit the funds to the second account before discovering the check was not supported by sufficient funds. Fraudsters frequently continue to write bad checks, often in a circular pattern amongst banks, to nominally cover overdrafts by continuing to take advantage of the delay in processing checks.
In this case, the father was a friend and business partner of EagleBank’s former chairman and CEO, who resigned in 2019. Over the course of the scheme, senior bank executives repeatedly overrode the efforts of compliance personnel to close the accounts and end the illicit conduct. EagleBank’s facilitation of this scheme resulted in a loss of almost $6.3 million to another financial institution.
Under the terms of the non-prosecution agreement, EagleBank agreed to pay the United States a fine of $9,057,821.62 and forfeiture of $736,515. The forfeiture amount consists of EagleBank’s proceeds from overdraft fees on the accounts involved in the check kiting scheme. EagleBank has further agreed to take additional remedial measures to strengthen its AML/CFT program, to cooperate with the Department’s investigation, and to report any violations of federal criminal law to the Department.
The FBI investigated the case.
This case is being prosecuted by Chief Michael P. Grady of the Bank Integrity Unit of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Romel Sharma for the Middle 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 Bank Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes banks and other financial institutions, including their officers, managers and employees whose actions threaten the integrity of the individual institution or the wider financial system.
Reading and Philadelphia Men Charged with Robbery and Firearms OffensesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Alfredo Cardona Padilla, age 48, Ceferino Charles Hernandez, age 49, both of Reading, Pennsylvania, and Paul Gerald Simmons, age 51, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were charged by indictment with robbery and firearm offenses.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, on or about March 18, 2024, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, Padilla, Hernandez, and Simmons conspired to and did unlawfully take and obtain United States currency that belonged to a company operating in Pennsylvania as a skill-game operator. The indictment further alleges that the company’s property was taken from two employees against their will by means of actual and threatened force, violence, and fear of injury. The indictment also alleges that, during and in relation to the robbery, the defendants brandished firearms.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Chambersburg Police Department, Reading Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalties under federal law are life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and special assessment. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons indicted are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Dominican National Charged with Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG -The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Fernando Rivas, age 46, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was indicted on June 24, 2026, by a federal grand jury on the charge of illegally reentering the United States after having previously been removed.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Rivas illegally reentered the United States and was found in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 2026. Rivas was removed from the United States through Alexandria, Louisiana, on April 7, 2015, after a conviction for an aggravated felony.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Evelyn M. Stoner is prosecuting the case.
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 York comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
Connecticut Man Charged with Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Carlos Torres, age 60, of Connecticut, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender upon relocating to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania from Connecticut.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that from October 2025 and continuing to June 9, 2026, despite being required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”), upon relocating to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, from Connecticut, Torres failed to register his address as required by SORNA.
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) investigated the matter. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Clinton County Woman Charged with Federal Tax CrimesRead the Press Release
HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Dawn Herlocher, age 48, of Loganton, Pennsylvania was charged by a federal grand jury with 40 counts of violating federal tax laws.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Herlocher was the sole owner, operator, and member of two employee leasing and staffing companies. For each company, dating back to the tax quarter ending on June 30, 2020, and through the tax quarter ending on March 31, 2025, Herlocher failed to account for and pay over the trust fund taxes due and owing to the Internal Revenue Service, on behalf of the companies’ employees.
The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney K. Wesley Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
Upon conviction on all counts in the Indictment, the maximum combined penalties are 200 years imprisonment, as well as a term of supervised release following imprisonment, a fine, and the imposition of a special assessment. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by a court after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments only contain allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Centre County Man Charged with Conspiracy to Produce Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Morris W. Reese, age 65, of Centre County, Pennsylvania, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury on one charge of conspiracy to produce child pornography.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Reese conspired with others to produce child pornography from November 2024 to November of 2025.
The FBI, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Centre County District Attorney’s Office investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Alisan V. Martin is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law is up to thirty years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Williamsport Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Failure to Register as A Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Darrell Crose, age 47, of Williamsport, PA, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann to 18 months in federal prison on a charge of failure to register as a sex offender.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, from at least January 2025 until October 28, 2025, Crose was required to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and did not do so after traveling in interstate commerce, moving from Michigan back to Pennsylvania. He has a lifetime requirement to register and must report any change in residency.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorney Robin Zenzinger prosecuted the case.
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Old Forge Man Pleads Guilty to Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that John Festino, age 66, of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on June 22, 2026, before United States District Judge Julia K. Munley to money laundering.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, beginning in or about December 2024 and continuing through July 2025, Festino, a former field engineer employed by a multi-national telecommunications company, devised a scheme to fraudulently obtain telecommunications equipment owned by his employer and resell the property to third-party buyers. Festino advertised the sale of stolen equipment via the internet, including on eBay. In total, Festino received approximately $434,550 in his personal bank accounts from the sales of stolen equipment. During the scheme, Festino conducted a series of financial transactions involving the fraudulently obtained funds, including withdrawing large sums of cash and purchasing a new vehicle for $41,000. Festino’s former employer estimates that the value of the stolen equipment is approximately $2.2 million.
The matter was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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