District of Puerto Rico
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Nigerian National Sentenced for Laundering $3.1M in Scam ProceedsRead the Press Release
A Nigerian national was sentenced yesterday to 95 months in prison for his role in a money laundering conspiracy involving millions of dollars tied to various fraud schemes — including business email compromise, romance, and unemployment insurance fraud scams — perpetrated against U.S. citizens.
According to court documents, Oluwasegun Baiyewu, 40, of Houston, Texas, led a conspiracy that laundered over $3.1 million in proceeds of various fraud schemes by purchasing used cars with illicit proceeds and then shipping those cars to West Africa. Between approximately May 2020 and October 2021, Baiyewu worked with at least six other co-conspirators in the United States and Nigeria. Using encrypted messaging applications, such as WhatsApp, Baiyewu and his co-conspirators coordinated the receipt and use of illicit money to purchase salvaged cars and then ship them to Nigeria.
In one instance, Baiyewu conspired to launder funds obtained from a business email compromise scheme perpetrated against a Puerto Rican renewable energy company, which was tricked into sending approximately $280,000 by wire to bank accounts controlled by fraudsters and money launderers. Baiyewu then worked with his co-conspirators to launder the Puerto Rican company’s money by paying toward the purchase of cars located in the United States that he arranged to export and ship to Nigeria to benefit the co-conspirators. A federal jury convicted Baiyewu in August 2025 of one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, through its Cyber-Enabled Scam Initiative (CSI), works to disrupt and stop cyber-enabled criminal networks that prey on Americans. CSI brings together expert prosecutors from across the Division to accelerate the prosecution of cyber-enabled financial crimes, including investment and crypto scams, government imposter schemes, romance and inheritance scams, financially motivated sextortion, lottery and sweepstakes scams, and other predatory schemes. With nationwide jurisdiction and global reach, CSI leverages every available tool to dismantle criminal operations, pursue bad actors, recover criminal proceeds, and obtain justice for victims. The Criminal Division partners with U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country and is a founding member of the Scam Center Strike Force launched in November 2025 by Jeanine Ferris Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, and FBI San Juan Cyber Task Force investigated the case, with assistance from the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force supporting the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Strike Force teams.
Trial Attorneys Emily Powers and Richard Greene of the Criminal Division’s White Collar and Corporate Enforcement Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Linet Olinghouse for the District of Puerto Rico prosecuted the case.
81 Members of a Violent Gang in Puerto Rico Charged with Drug Trafficking and Firearms Violations as Part of Homeland Security Task Force InitiativeRead the Press Release
Note, the release has been updated to include an FBI Director quote and changes to the lede. No factual changes were made.
Today in Puerto Rico, Attorney General Todd Blanche announced 81 members of a violent drug trafficking organization have been charged federally following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department successfully led the takedown and arrest yesterday of 70 defendants charged who are members of this violent drug trafficking organization that had been active for years throughout the West side of Puerto Rico.
“These 81 defendants are alleged drug traffickers of ‘Los Baja Deo’ also known as ‘LBD,’ who maintained a steady supply of highly addictive and potentially lethal substances that endangered the community, fueled addiction and exposed entire public housing projects in Mayagüez and nearby neighborhoods to violence and chaos,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “During this investigation, law enforcement seized 21 firearms. It is estimated that during the span of the conspiracy, this drug trafficking organization was responsible for the distribution of at least 340 kilograms of fentanyl or fentanyl-laced narcotics, and at least 2,200 kilograms of cocaine, among other drugs, generating over $49 million in proceeds. Let this be a warning to those that are terrorizing our communities, our Homeland Security Task Forces around the country are unified to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations throughout the United States.”
“These arrests reflect our commitment to remove violent gangs from our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ramírez-Carbó for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue these gangs that poison our communities with dangerous drugs wherever they operate and will not relent until our neighborhoods are safe.”
“This is yet another huge success for the FBI, the Homeland Security Task Force, and all of our law enforcement partners in San Juan,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Over 80 indictments of a Mayagüez transnational criminal organization involved in large‑scale narcotics trafficking across Puerto Rico - including sending controlled substances to the continental United States through the U.S. Postal Service, generating millions in illicit proceeds annually. The FBI and our partners mobilized a massive amount of resources for this takedown including 13 SWAT teams, CIRG pilots, and more and as always they executed brilliantly. These arrests disrupted one of western Puerto Rico’s most violent drug‑trafficking organizations, dismantled its leadership and distribution networks, and cut off yet another key pipeline of dealt drugs flowing into our country. Outstanding work by our FBI personnel, law enforcement partners, and DOJ.”
“This takedown is the result of lengthy, meticulous work by our teams out in Aguadilla, and it’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this FBI’s efforts to crush violent crime and defend the homeland,” said Special Agent in Charge Carlos R. Goris of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “The people of Puerto Rico can trust that this FBI will continue to tear away at the foundations of these criminal enterprises until our communities can enjoy real peace. I’d like to thank our Police of Puerto Rico colleagues, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, and our HSTF partner agencies for their continued support to the FBI mission.”
“The Puerto Rico Police remains committed to working hand in hand with the Homeland Security Task Force to dismantle violent criminal and drug trafficking organizations that threaten the safety of our communities and spread fear,” said Joseph González, Puerto Rico Police Superintendent. “Our officers are an essential part of these joint efforts with our federal partners, and we recognize the dedication and courage of those who carry out this critical mission every day. Together, we will continue working tirelessly to protect the people of Puerto Rico and those responsible accountable.”
The indictment alleges that from 2021, the drug trafficking organization distributed heroin, fentanyl, cocaine base (crack), cocaine, and marijuana, and within 1,000 feet of the Sábalo Gardens Public Housing Project (PHP), Cuesta Las Piedras PHP, Yagüez PHP, Franklin Delano Roosevelt PHP, Colombus Landing PHP, Jardines de Concordia PHP, Monte Isleño PHP, Mar y Sol PHP, El Maní Ward, La Salud Ward, Buena Vista Sector, Liceo Sector, Broadway Ward, La Chorra Ward, Balboa Ward, Paris Ward, La Quinta Ward, Río Hondo Ward, La Mineral Sector, Villas del Oeste Neighborhood, El Seco Ward, Río Cristal Cluster, and Dulces Labios Ward, and other areas nearby, all for significant financial gain and profit.
The object of the conspiracy was to distribute wholesale quantities and street-amount quantities of controlled substances and trafficking illegal firearms and ammunitions. The defendants communicated with each other using two-way radios, cell phones, instant messaging, and social media. When members of the gang perceived threats to the organization or its members, they committed violence including shootings, kidnappings, and murders to protect themselves and their organization. The gang members also transported and distributed kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl.
The defendants acted in different roles to further the goals of the drug trafficking conspiracy, including as leaders, drug point owners, suppliers, enforcers, runners, sellers, lookouts, and facilitators. Twenty-one defendants are facing one charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The co-conspirators charged in the indictment are:
- José Onairam Medina-Marrero, also known as “La O,” “Omayra,” and “Onairam;”
- Jeffrey Omar Delgado-López, also known as “Jeffrey Menor” and “Menor;”
- Christian Oneil Meléndez-López, also known as “Chucky;”
- Josué Lee Obregón-Vargas, also known as “Josu,” “Chaco,” and “Cha Corta;”
- Ulises Irizarry-Santiago, also known as “Viejo,” “El Viejo Ulises,” “Patrón,” and “Chapo;”
- Anfernee Jonans Martínez-Pérez, also known as “Penny;”
- Ramón Miguel Rodríguez-Pacheco, also known as “Piti,” “Pitín,” “Ramoncito Pacheco,” and “Ramón el Gordo;”
- Nelson Rafael Vargas Valentín-Rivera, also known as “Junito;”
- Cristian Joel Mercado-Rodríguez, also known as “Yoyin;”
- Alexis Omar Millón-García, also known as “Millán,” “Millo,” and “La M;”
- Saturnino Barbosa-Ortiz, also known as “El Viejo” and “Nino;”
- Jeremy Omar González-Díaz;
- Rafael Orlando Martínez-Mercado, also known as “Rafita” and “Rafito;”
- Luis Ezequiel Bayron-Hernández, also known as “Seco” and “El Zorro;”
- Israel Enrique Rivera-Díaz, also known as “Isra” and “Guajiro;”
- Jexiel Rivera-Echandy, also known as “J. Echandy” and “La J;”
- Wiljaniel Echandy-Ortiz, also known as “Lenta” and “Will;”
- Andrés De Jesús-Camacho, also known as “Panda,” “Zeta,” “Cheo,” and “Tres Z;”
- Delvis Habanell Torres-Acevedo, also known as “Delvin” and “Habanell;”
- José Israel Román-Irizarry, also known as “Siki;”
- Jiam Maico Ramos-Vega, also known as “Jan;”
- Ricardo Alexis Torres-Rodríguez, also known as “Balita” and “Bala;”
- Héctor Lucas Zaragoza-Alicea, also known as “Lucas” and “Mostrito;”
- Alexandre Pérez-Díaz, also known as “Alex Quijá,” “Quijú,” and “Quijá;”
- Kevin Oneal Román-Zapata, also known as “Kevin Walter;”
- Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pacheco, also known as “Pitin Junior,” “Piti Junior,” and “Piti;”
- Luis Ángel Cruz-Pérez, also known as “Cecilio” and “La S;”
- Ashley Angely Martell-Prosper, also known as “La Rubia;”
- Caridad Migdali Ferrer-Carrero, also known as “Cari” and “Claribel;”
- Betsy Santiago-Almodovar, also known as “La Rubia” and “La Rubia de Cuestas;”
- Nelson Rafael Vargas-Alers;
- Cristal Yarits Rivera-Matías;
- Louwark Giovanni Rodríguez-Ramírez, also known as “Delvis;”
- Christian Javier Medina-Marrero;
- Christopher José Medina-Marrero;
- Kevin Bryan Ruiz-Millán, also known as “Kevin El Gordo;”
- Christian Oneil Flores-Ramos, also known as “Pollito” and “Pollo;”
- Lester Roberto Rodríguez;
- Joshua Omar Cornier-Valentín, also known as “Ojos Bellos,” “Joshi,” and “Jota Cornier;”
- José Medina-Padilla, also known as “Joselito;”
- Arístides Lorenzo Ruperto;
- José Antonio Rivera-Barbosa, also known as “Chiquitín;”
- Abdiel Omar Sánchez-Negrón, also known as “Blanquito;”
- Félix Alberto Esteves-Vargas, also known as “Felo;”
- Moisés Isaac González-Bayron, also known as “Moi;”
- Neftalí Santiago-Santiago, also known as “Gordo Papá;”
- Jeremy Oneell Rivera-Flores, also known as “Mon” and “Negro;”
- Joshua Méndez-Montes;
- Ryan Lowell Moreno-Ortiz, also known as “Scarface” and “Motorita;”
- Héctor M. Cotto-Rodríguez, also known as “Tello;”
- Gary Jayson Bonet-Martell;
- Dwight Yonice Carrero-Ramírez, also known as “Tripi;”
- Keithy Enid Rosas;
- John Emmanuel Vélez-Borrero, also known as “John el Negro” and “Johnsoto;”
- José Manuel Vélez-Torres, also known as “José El Barroso” and “Ubija;”
- Waleska Morales-Martínez;
- Kelvin Camuy Gonzélez, also known as “Camuy;”
- Diego Andrés Rivera-Ballester;
- Ángel Yandel Figueroa-Rivera, also known as “Dona;”
- Walter Jesús Colón-Rodríguez, also known as “Walter el Viejo;”
- José Joel Morales-Bayron, also known as “John Goti” and “Peste a Sobaco;”
- Amniel Josué Miró-Núñez, also known as “John Zeta;”
- Michael José Díaz-Deriux, also known as “Michael el Mono;”
- Amarilys Torres Rivera;
- Abiezer Bayron Vargas;
- Jean Michael Cruz-Robles, also known as “Jean Carlos;”
- Ezequiel Jamuel Soler-Vélez;
- Plimo Aníbal Picart-Padilla;
- Eriel Omar Rodríguez;
- Jesse Lucre Rodríguez, also known as “Macho” and “Machito;”
- Dereck Alberto Carrero-Torres;
- Santos Alexis Goden-Rodríguez, also known as “Alex Goden;”
- Zuleika Marie Fred-Echevarría, also known as “La Tuca;”
- Elizabeth Díaz-Fábregas, also known as “La Patrona;”
- Edwin Javier Acosta-Ortiz, also known as “Dayan” and “El Pato;”
- Victor González-Ramírez;
- Christy Marie Alicea-Torres, also known as “Marie;”
- Lydia Odalys Pagán-Martínez, also known as “La Flaca” and “La Boxeadora;”
- Roberto Jr. Granell-López;
- Rubi Cristina Rodríguez-Quiñones, also known as “La Rubia;” and
- Abdiel Manuel Ruiz-Lucena, also known as “Nacho.”
If convicted on the drug charges, the defendants face a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. If convicted of both the drug and firearms charges in count seven, the defendants face a minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. All defendants are facing a narcotics forfeiture allegation of more than $49.7 million in U.S. currency.
This investigation was led by the FBI, the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) Mayagüez Strike Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Initiative. Today, the following agencies collaborated during the arrests: U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)–Office of Field Operations, CBP-Special Response Team (SRT), Puerto Rico National Guard–Counterdrug Program, Guaynabo Police Department–Special Response Team (SRT), and the Puerto Rico Police Department–SWAT Team.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alberto López-Rocafort, Teresa Zapata-Valladares, Natalia Quiñones-Cruz, María López-Aponte, and Frank Norris for the District of Puerto Rico are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (August 17 through August 21, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of August 17 through August 21, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On August 17, 2026, Carlos Manuel Cotto-Cruz (1) and Pablo De la Cruz-Arias (21) pleaded guilty to Count One in CR Case 22-213 (ADC). According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances within one thousand (1,000) feet of the Vista Hermosa Public Housing Project (PHP), the Villa España PHP, the Luis Lloréns Torres PHP, and other areas nearby. Both defendants were arrested on May 25, 2022. The Court set defendant Carlos Manuel Cotto-Cruz’s sentencing date for December 14, 2026, and defendant Pablo De la Cruz-Arias’ for November 5, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 18, 2026, Carlos Ramón Santiago Velázquez pleaded guilty to Count Three of the Superseding Indictment in Criminal Case 25-059-11 (FAB) as amended, namely conspiring to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. Defendant was arrested on October 2, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 30, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 20, 2026, Harry Acevedo Méndez pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case No. 24-456 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with drug trafficking inside state prison facilities. Defendant was arrested on December 17, 2024. AUSA Myriam Y. Fernández-González in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 21, 2026, Jonathan Cabassa-Cintrón pleaded guilty to violating Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(ii), and 846, in Criminal Case 25-441 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Defendant was arrested on October 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 30, 2026. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 21, 2026, Karla Paola Gómez Pereira pleaded guilty via straight plea to Count One of Indictment in case number 26-010 (ADC). According to the indictment on December 22, 2025, the defendant was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 5 kilograms. Defendant was arrested on December 22, 2025. The defendant’s sentencing date is to be set by the Court. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 21, 2026, Juan Carlos Montero Florian pleaded guilty to all drug related charges in Indictment in case number 24-429-03 (SCC). According to the indictment on October 13, 2024, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 5 kilos aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, possession with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 5 kilos aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and jettisoning bales of cocaine. Defendant was arrested on October 13, 2024. The defendant’s sentencing date is to be set by the Court. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 21, 2026, Alejandro Saenz-Escobar pleaded guilty to possession of Suboxone in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo in Criminal Case 25-475 (CVR). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with possessing Suboxone in MDC with the intent to distribute that Suboxone to others. Defendant was in MDC due to his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that operated in Manatí, Puerto Rico (principally the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project) and areas nearby. Defendant was charged with possession of the Suboxone on November 12, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 6, 2026. SAUSA Daphne Cordero and AUSA Joseph Russell in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 21, 2026, Carlos Alexis Serrano-Vega pleaded guilty to Count One and Six in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project and other areas in and around Fajardo, Puerto Rico, while also carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Defendant was arrested on July 27, 2022. The Court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 30, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On August 18, 2026, Marino Johnson-Devers was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Camille Vélez-Rivé to a term of 120 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on June 3, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-254 (CVR) and pleaded guilty on May 20, 2026. AUSA Antonio J. López-Rivera is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 18, 2026, Bienvenido Pelliecier Negrón was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge Francisco A. Besosa to 70 months of imprisonment and supervised release term of five years for conspiring to import into the United States 234 kilograms of cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on March 20, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-145 (FAB), and pleaded guilty on August 26, 2025. AUSA Camille García Jiménez was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 18, 2026, Welkin A. González Pérez was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to time served while detained pending trial and a one-year supervised release term for re-entry of removed alien. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on June 11,2026, in Criminal Case 26-253, and pleaded guilty on August 18, 2026. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 19, 2026, Héctor L. Derkes was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado to 192 months (16 years) in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for coordinating the importation of large quantities of drugs from South America into Puerto Rico and the continental United States, as well as conspiring to launder the drug trafficking proceeds. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on November 3, 2021, in Criminal Case 21-359, and pleaded guilty on June 9, 2026. AUSA Ricardo Imbert Fernández is in charge of the prosecution of the case. The case was previously handled by former AUSA Ryan McCabe.
- On August 20, 2026, Joshua Rivera-Cruz was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to nine (9) years of incarceration for his armed participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 13, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 20, 2026, Michael J. Rodríguez Cruz was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño Coll to 48 months of imprisonment, to be served consecutively to a term of 96 months of imprisonment, and 6 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on June 11, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC) and pleaded guilty on April 28, 2026. Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Individual Indicted and Arrested for CarjackingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On August 18, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested Benjamín Obed Velázquez Hernández, from San Juan, PR, with two carjackings, announced Héctor Ramírez Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. On July 30, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Velázquez Hernández with two carjackings and two counts of firearms violations.
According to the Government’s allegations, on July 23, 2025, in the District of Puerto Rico, Benjamín Obed Velázquez Hernández, while carrying and brandishing a firearm, did take a motor vehicle, to wit: a white, Hyundai Santa Fe, that had been transported, shipped or received in interstate or foreign commerce, from the presence of an adult male, by force, violence and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm. On August 13, 2025, Velázquez Hernández is also charged with the armed carjacking of a grey Mitsubishi Eclipse from an adult male by force, violence and intimidation. Both victims were working as Uber drivers at the time of the carjackings.
“The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who threaten our communities with senseless acts of violence face the consequences of their actions. I commend the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and the FBI for their excellent work in the investigation and arrest of this individual,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ramírez-
Carbó.“FBI San Juan is committed to crushing violent crime and will continue to work diligently to disrupt carjackings, Hobbs Act violations, and kidnappings in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands,” said Carlos Goris, Special Agent in Charge FBI San Juan. “Protecting citizens and bringing justice will always remain our highest priority.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Vance Eaton of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section is in charge of the prosecution of the case. If convicted, the defendant faces a sentence of up to fifteen years in prison for the carjackings and up to life in prison for the firearms charges.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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58-Year-Old Hatillo Man Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On August 18, 2026, special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Carlos Cabrera González, a 58-year-old male from Hatillo, Puerto Rico, on criminal charges for child exploitation, announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
On August 12, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Cabrera González on charges of receipt, transportation, and possession of child exploitation material.
According to court documents, from in or about February 2024, to May 2026, defendant Cabrera González knowingly received and transported child exploitation material via electronic devices. Moreover, the defendant, using electronic devices, such as a Samsung A12 mobile device, a Samsung Tab A tablet, and a Lenovo IdeaPad Laptop, possessed images of child pornography, including child pornography of a prepubescent minor or a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.
“We will continue to investigate, prosecute, and bring to justice any individual who victimizes children in our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó of the District of Puerto Rico. “There’s no greater priority than safeguarding our children from predators who seek to exploit or harm them. Viewing and possessing child sexual abuse material constitutes some of the most offending criminal conduct.”
“The exploitation of children is a heinous crime that leaves lasting trauma, and ICE HSI is committed to relentlessly pursuing those who seek to victimize the most vulnerable among us,” said HSI San Juan Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos. “These offenses carry severe penalties under federal law, and we will utilize every resource at our disposal to hold perpetrators accountable. As students return to the classroom, I urge all parents, guardians, and educators to remain vigilant regarding online safety. Please familiarize yourselves with the ‘Know2Protect’ campaign and its resources to help us create a safer digital environment for our children.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina Agrait Barreto of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI is in charge of the investigation.
If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: (1) receipt of child exploitation material – five to 20 years in prison; (2) transportation of child exploitation material – five to 20 years in prison; and (3) possession of child pornography – a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment. All charges of conviction are to be followed by a term of supervised release after the term of imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to [email protected].
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Former Leader of a Violent Transnational Criminal Organization Sentenced to 360 months in Prison for Engaging in a Continuing Criminal Enterprise as Part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado sentenced José Julio Rodríguez-Cumba, a.k.a. “Chambi/Chembi/Josué/Chambo/Patrón,” to 360 months (30 years) of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release for running a continuing criminal enterprise. Rodríguez-Cumba was arrested in the District of Puerto Rico on October 4, 2021, and pleaded guilty on April 14, 2026.
According to court documents, Rodríguez-Cumba directed a large-scale drug trafficking organization (the Enterprise), that utilized land and sea transportation assets to import and distribute multi-hundred-kilogram shipments of cocaine from South America into Puerto Rico and the continental United States. The defendant admitted that he was responsible that more than 2,000 kilograms of cocaine that were going to be unlawfully imported into the United States and distributed as part of the Enterprise.
Rodríguez-Cumba made millions of dollars in profit from drug trafficking. This defendant directed members of the enterprise to use violence, possess firearms, including machine guns for protection and in furtherance of the Enterprise.
From on or about July 2023 and continuing up to and until May 22, 2024, while in the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Guaynabo, Rodríguez-Cumba caused other individuals to introduce buprenorphine into MDC.
Rodríguez-Cumba agreed to forfeiture of various properties, including a luxury yacht - “El Ancla”, a 2014 Pershing, 62-foot vessel, and other assets including cash, real property, and personal property, as well as firearms.
“The sentence imposed reflects the severe consequences for those who choose to dedicate their lives to crime and poison our streets and communities with harmful drugs. This case represents the comprehensive efforts being deployed to target and dismantle the most dangerous criminal organizations and hold their members accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó for the District of Puerto Rico. “Prosecutors and law enforcement at every level are working together to dismantle and eliminate armed trafficking organizations that threaten our communities.”
“Today is an important day for HSI San Juan but more important for Puerto Rico. The sentencing of a dangerous gang leader like José J. Rodríguez-Cumba is the direct result of the seamless collaboration between HSI San Juan, the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office," said HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos. "By working together to build a comprehensive case against him, we have successfully removed a violent criminal from our streets for decades. This result sends an unequivocal message: HSI remains fully committed to investigating and holding accountable those who terrorize our communities.”
This investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Ricardo Imbert Fernández of the Transnational Organized Crime Section 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (August 10 through August 14, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of August 10 through August 14, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On August 11, 2026, Rayner Corredera-Luis pleaded guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h) in Criminal Case 25-397. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to launder money. Defendant was arrested on October 9, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 13, 2026. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 12, 2026, Jorge Siberón-Flusa pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute four hundred (400) grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, a Schedule II Narcotic Drug Controlled Substance all in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(A)(vi), and 846. Defendant was arrested on August 1, 2024. The court set the defendant’s sentencing date for November 10, 2026. SAUSA Edwin Cabán Jr. is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On August 10, 2026, Reinaldo Kidany Carrasquillo-Rodríguez was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to the time already served and supervised release of 3 years for a drug-trafficking violation. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 7, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-332 (ADC), and pleaded guilty on May 29, 2024. AUSA Antonio Pérez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 12, 2026, Ramón Antonio Vega-Ortiz was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to a term of 120 months (10 years) imprisonment and a supervised release term of five years for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 450 kilograms of cocaine and conspiracy to launder in monetary instruments. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 23, 2021, in Criminal case 21-350 (ADC), and pleaded guilty to the charge(s) on July 14, 2023. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 13, 2026, Juan L. Tereforte-Bello, a.k.a. “Tostin” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to seven (7) years and three (3) months in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 13, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 13, 2026, Eduardo A. Tolentino-Meléndez was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to five (5) years in prison for his participation in a drug trafficking organization that worked out of various Public Housing Projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, principally the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on May 13, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On August 13, 2026, José Francisco De La Cruz-Díaz was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to a term of 120 months imprisonment and a supervised release term of five years concurrent to each count of conviction in Criminal case 22-234 (RAM). According to court documents, defendant was indicted on February 19, 2025, and pleaded guilty to all charges on April 22, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Meat Processing Plant and Four Employees Charged with Conspiring to Violate the Clean Water Act and Discharging Pollutants in Naguabo, Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – An indictment was unsealed today charging César P. Borges-Arroyo, Neftalí Borges-Gómez, Erison Delgado-Santos, Héctor Fulgencio-Cabrera, and Ganaderos Borges Inc. (GBI), with four violations of the Clean Water Act as well as conspiring to violate the Clean Water Act. The charges relate to the discharge of pollutants from GBI into the waters of the United States.
GBI is a corporation in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, that operates a slaughterhouse and meat processing plant. The operations encompass receiving and holding live animals for slaughter, butchering animals (bleeding), initial processing of animals, and operations that produce consumer-ready meat products. According to the indictment, the defendants conspired for the benefit of GBI, to knowingly discharge a pollutant — specifically wastewater from the meat processing waste retention lagoon — into waters of the United States without having obtained a Clean Water Act permit.
“We allege that this meat processing plant and at least four of its employees conspired to pump animal flesh, blood, and feces into a creek that flows to the ocean and a public beach,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The conduct alleged here sacrifices public health for economic gain, and it is a crime. The Department of Justice will hold violators accountable.”
“GBI repeatedly and intentionally violated the Clean Water Act by discharging untreated wastes into the Caribbean Sea at Tropical Beach in Naguabo,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez Carbó for the District of Puerto Rico. “This prosecution sends the message that those who purposely undermine federal environmental laws and endanger the environment and Puerto Rico communities will face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.”
“The defendants’ willfully disregarded the complete prohibition on discharges under the Clean Water Act and knowingly sent a disgusting sludge of animal blood and waste, and cleaning products into the Caribbean Sea, only miles from nature preserves, beaches, and a military base. Illegal discharges such as these cause serious harm, jeopardizing the safety and health of the water, wildlife, and human health,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA will ensure that polluters who blight our communities and coastal waters will be held accountable.”
Starting in August 2018 and continuing through at least September 2025, GBI president Borges-Arroyo and GBI operator Borges-Gómez directed employees including, but not limited to, Delgado-Santos and Fulgencio-Cabrera to discharge liquid waste from GBI’s waste retention lagoon towards an adjacent creek. They did this by using a submersible pump placed in the waste retention lagoon and connected to a hose, attempting to avoid millions of dollars in annual waste removal costs.
GBI generated waste from various on-site processes, including animal intake, slaughtering, hide removal, butchering, and cleaning. The waste included animal blood, hair, tissue, and feces, as well as grease, wastewater, disinfectant, and other liquids used inside the GBI slaughterhouse and processing areas. The mixed waste flowed from the facility to a discharge pipe that emptied into a waste retention lagoon located on the southwest corner of the GBI property. The western edge of the waste retention lagoon is adjacent to a creek which travels approximately half-a-mile to the Caribbean Sea at Tropical Beach in Naguabo, Puerto Rico.
GBI held a non-discharge wastewater treatment permit that required liquid waste to be hauled from the facility to a disposal facility. At no time was any waste permitted to be discharged on-site or to any other body of water. The permit expired on July 31, 2019, and they continued to violate the Clean Water Act until at least September 2025.
To conceal the illegal waste discharge, the defendants hid the submersible pump and hose when it was not being used and provided false and misleading statements and documents to authorities to hide the illegal activities.
The defendants are scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos Vega of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for their respective initial appearances. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each charge. GBI faces a maximum penalty of $500,000 in fines per charge.
EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case with assistance from the FBI. EPA and FBI participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
Report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations at epa.gov/tips. You can provide tips anonymously if you do not want to identify yourself.
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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Meat Processing Plant and Employees Charged with Conspiring to Violate the Clean Water Act and Discharging Pollutants in Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
An indictment was unsealed today charging César P. Borges-Arroyo, Neftalí Borges-Gómez, Erison Delgado-Santos, Héctor Fulgencio-Cabrera, and Ganaderos Borges Inc. (GBI), with four violations of the Clean Water Act as well as conspiring to violate the Clean Water Act. The charges relate to the discharge of pollutants from GBI into the waters of the United States.
GBI is a corporation in Naguabo, Puerto Rico, that operates a slaughterhouse and meat processing plant. The operations encompass receiving and holding live animals for slaughter, butchering animals (bleeding), initial processing of animals, and operations that produce consumer-ready meat products. According to the indictment, the defendants conspired for the benefit of GBI, to knowingly discharge a pollutant — specifically wastewater from the meat processing waste retention lagoon — into waters of the United States without having obtained a Clean Water Act permit.
“We allege that this meat processing plant and at least four of its employees conspired to pump animal flesh, blood, and feces into a creek that flows to the ocean and a public beach,” said Principal Deputy Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The conduct alleged here sacrifices public health for economic gain, and it is a crime. The Department of Justice will hold violators accountable.”
“GBI repeatedly and intentionally violated the Clean Water Act by discharging untreated wastes into the Caribbean Sea at Tropical Beach in Naguabo,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez Carbó for the District of Puerto Rico. “This prosecution sends the message that those who purposely undermine federal environmental laws and endanger the environment and Puerto Rico communities will face felony prosecution for their illegal conduct.”
“The defendants’ willfully disregarded the complete prohibition on discharges under the Clean Water Act and knowingly sent a disgusting sludge of animal blood and waste, and cleaning products into the Caribbean Sea, only miles from nature preserves, beaches, and a military base. Illegal discharges such as these cause serious harm, jeopardizing the safety and health of the water, wildlife, and human health,” said Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA will ensure that polluters who blight our communities and coastal waters will be held accountable.”
Starting in August 2018 and continuing through at least September 2025, GBI president Borges-Arroyo and GBI operator Borges-Gómez directed employees including, but not limited to, Delgado-Santos and Fulgencio-Cabrera to discharge liquid waste from GBI’s waste retention lagoon towards an adjacent creek. They did this by using a submersible pump placed in the waste retention lagoon and connected to a hose, attempting to avoid millions of dollars in annual waste removal costs.
GBI generated waste from various on-site processes, including animal intake, slaughtering, hide removal, butchering, and cleaning. The waste included animal blood, hair, tissue, and feces, as well as grease, wastewater, disinfectant, and other liquids used inside the GBI slaughterhouse and processing areas. The mixed waste flowed from the facility to a discharge pipe that emptied into a waste retention lagoon located on the southwest corner of the GBI property. The western edge of the waste retention lagoon is adjacent to a creek which travels approximately half-a-mile to the Caribbean Sea at Tropical Beach in Naguabo, Puerto Rico.
GBI held a non-discharge wastewater treatment permit that required liquid waste to be hauled from the facility to a disposal facility. At no time was any waste permitted to be discharged on-site or to any other body of water. The permit expired on July 31, 2019, and they continued to violate the Clean Water Act until at least September 2025.
To conceal the illegal waste discharge, the defendants hid the submersible pump and hose when it was not being used and provided false and misleading statements and documents to authorities to hide the illegal activities.
The defendants are scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos Vega of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for their respective initial appearances. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each charge. GBI faces a maximum penalty of $500,000 in fines per charge.
EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division investigated the case with assistance from the FBI. EPA and FBI participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico are prosecuting the case.
Report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations at epa.gov/tips. You can provide tips anonymously if you do not want to identify yourself.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (July 27 through July 31, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of July 27 through July 31, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On July 29, 2026, Junior Alcántara-Escoboso pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 28, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 29, 2026, Estefanny Parra-Rosa pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 29, 2026, Emanuel Antigua Evangelista pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 26-202 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with reentry of removed alien after a felony conviction. Defendant was arrested on May 5, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 16, 2026. SAUSA Steven Liong-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 30, 2026, Bryan Abdiel Camarena-Rodríguez pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On July 30, 2026, Augusto Quilarte-Brito was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 34 months of imprisonment for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on March 6, 2025, in Criminal case number 25-114 (SCC), and pleaded guilty on February 13, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 30, 2026, Luis Natanael Hernández-Corporán was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to a term of 27 months of imprisonment for aiding and assisting entry of an aggravated felon to the United States. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 18, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-387 (SCC), and pleaded guilty on April 16, 2026. SAUSA Steven Liong-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Man Sentenced to 264 Months in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 28, 2026, United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado sentenced Luis Rolando Rivera Cruz to 264 months (22 years) in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release for child exploitation. Rivera Cruz was indicted on January 16, 2025, arrested on January 29, 2025, and pleaded guilty on December 16, 2025.
According to court documents, from May to July 2024, Luis Rolando Rivera Cruz, 54 years old, used a cellular phone, as well as internet instant messaging services, to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 14-year-old female minor, to engage in sexual activity. Moreover, the defendant transferred obscene material to the minor.
“Exploiting children is a heinous crime that inflicts profound and lasting harm. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that those who prey on minors are brought to justice. We will continue to pursue these offenders with unwavering commitment and hold them fully accountable under the law,” said Héctor Ramírez Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
“Child exploitation is not limited to producing images. This 264-month sentence reflects the severity of these crimes and sends a clear message: When a predator begins to deceive, manipulate, or entice a minor through social media or digital platforms, they are already committing an extremely serious crime. HSI San Juan remains vigilant and relentless in identifying, investigating, and bringing to justice those who seek to exploit children. Our priority is to protect minors and hold these predators accountable for their actions,” said HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos.
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez Lora from the Exploitation and Immigration Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (July 20 through July 23, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of July 20 through July 23, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On July 21, 2026, Sergio Ramírez-Payano pleaded guilty to possessing a machinegun in Criminal Case 25-409 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with possessing with intent to distribute more than five (5) kilograms of cocaine, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, possessing a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking, the possession of a firearm by a felon, and possessing a machinegun. Defendant was arrested on October 1, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 20, 2026. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 22, 2026, Juan José De la Cruz Natera pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 21, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 22, 2026, Yanzie Vázquez González pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 22, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 22, 2026, Pedro J. Santiago Rodríguez pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 22, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 23, 2026, Michael Félix Sánchez Ogando pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 22, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 23, 2026, Luis Manuel Olivo Morán pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 22, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On July 22, 2026, Joseph David Vázquez Ayala was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño Coll to a term of imprisonment of 78 months and 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on July 11, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC) and pleaded guilty on April 22, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 22, 2026, Omar Jhon Paredes was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 37 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to import cocaine in excess of 150 kilograms of cocaine and a concurrent term of six months imprisonment for improper entry by alien. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on May 8, 2025, in Criminal case 25-226 (ADC), and pled guilty to the charge(s) on March 12, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 23, 2026, Denis Ditrán was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach to time served with immediate deportation to the Dominican Republic and 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit wire, mail, and bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. According to court documents, this defendant was indicted on June 12, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-275(RAM), and pleaded guilty on June 25, 2026. SAUSA Vanessa Bonano is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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75-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison for Transportation of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 21, 2026, United States District Court Judge Gina Méndez-Miró sentenced Carlos Manuel Collazo-Pérez to 188 months (15 years and 8 months) in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, for child exploitation charges. Collazo-Pérez, a 75-year-old man from Toa Baja, PR, was indicted on September 18, 2025, arrested on September 19, 2025, and pleaded guilty to Count Two of the Indictment, transportation of child pornography, on April 21, 2026.
According to court documents, from on or about March 8, 2021, through on or about August 6, 2025, defendant Carlos Collazo Pérez, using electronic devices which had internet capabilities and were manufactured outside of Puerto Rico, knowingly transported images of child pornography, as defined by Title 18, United States Code, Section 2256(8)(A), that is, sexually explicit images of minors and minors engaging in sexual acts, including images of prepubescent minors or minors who had not attained 12 years of age. On August 14, 2025, an extraction was completed on Collazo Pérez’s work laptop. Within the extraction agents found over 25,500 photos and videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Most of the media was downloaded from a browser that provides private web browsing to anonymize your online activity and hide your IP address while browsing.
“The exploitation of children is a serious crime that inflicts lasting harm on the most vulnerable members of our community. Each image collected and traded represents a child who was victimized, and the staggering volume of material recovered in this case reflects a level of suffering that is difficult to comprehend,” said Héctor Ramírez Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners remain unwavering in our commitment to protect children and to bring those who prey upon them to justice. We will continue to pursue these offenders aggressively and ensure they are held fully accountable for the damage they cause.”
“A 188-month prison sentence reflects the gravity of this case and the devastating impact of these crimes. The evidence showed that Carlos Manuel Collazo-Pérez was not just a child predator, but an active collector—amassing more than 25,000 images of child sexual abuse material. This staggering volume underscores the seriousness of his offenses and the ongoing threat posed by individuals who exploit the most vulnerable among us. HSI remains resolute in our mission to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who commit these heinous acts. Today’s sentence is a victory for the victims and a warning to anyone who would consider engaging in such reprehensible behavior,” said HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit prosecuted the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI was in charge of the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (July 13 through July 17, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of July 13 through July 17, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On July 14, 2026, Melvis Marcano-González pleaded guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment in Criminal Case 21-317 (PAD). According to the Indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 225 kilograms of cocaine, aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Defendant was extradited from Colombia on June 13, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 9, 2026. AUSA Camille García Jiménez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 17, 2026, Kenneth Córdova-Real pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 23-353 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various public housing projects in and near Manatí, PR including the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on September 22, 2023. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 19, 2026. AUSAs Andrés Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 17, 2026, Jadriel Yandel Bruno-Rodríguez pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 23-353 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various public housing projects in and near Manatí, PR including the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on September 22, 2023. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 19, 2026. AUSAs Andrés Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 17, 2026, Kelvin Joel Rivas-Quiñonez pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 23-353 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various public housing projects in and near Manatí, PR including the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on September 22, 2023. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 13, 2026. AUSAs Andres Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 15, 2026, Jeffrey Figueroa-Rosado pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 16, 2026, Luis Abdiel Reyes Nieves pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 17, 2026, Ezequiel Olivo Bido pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 14, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 17, 2026, Moisés Serrano De Jesús pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 17, 2026, Alexie Delgado Torres pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case number 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On July 13, 2026, Joseph Ríos-Vélez was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 108 months (9 years) of imprisonment to be followed 6 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on January 21, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 13, 2026, Jonathan Martínez-González was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 84 months of imprisonment (7 years), to be served consecutively to the 72-month (6 years) sentence imposed in case number 23-133 (MAJ), to be followed 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on January 14, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 15, 2026, Yander Luis José-Peña pleaded guilty and was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia L. Carreño-Coll to time served for improper entry by an alien. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 22, 2026, in Criminal Case 26-159. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney oversaw the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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22-Year-Old Humberty J. Carrillo-García Charged with 5 Counts of Threatening Interstate CommunicationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 16, 2026, a grand jury returned an indictment against Humberty Jesús Carrillo-García, 22, from Gurabo, for making threatening interstate communications between March and June 2026 in violation of 18 U.S.C. 875(c), announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The defendant was arrested on July 20, 2026, and remains detained pending trial.
“This individual made statements about his desire to do harm to various groups of people, including federal and state law enforcement, and motivated others to commit acts of violence against multiple groups of people. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has no tolerance for illegal threats, especially threats that target innocent people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ramírez-Carbó. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our community from those individuals who jeopardize our public safety.”
“This individual publicly expressed a desire to commit acts of violence against multiple groups—including federal and state law enforcement, members of our armed forces, religious communities, and the public at large—and attempted to motivate others to do the same. Threats of domestic terrorism, religious‑motivated violence, and harm against our servicemembers or public institutions are intolerable. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has zero tolerance for illegal threats designed to intimidate or endanger innocent people,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ramírez‑Carbó. “We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect our community and respond decisively to anyone who threatens our public safety.”
“Threatening federal government employees, and inciting violence of any kind, against members of our community, is unacceptable and the FBI will not allow this type of behavior to impact the quality of life of our people,” said Carlos Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are generally joyful communities, where this type of violence is unheard of, and we will continue to work with our local, and federal law enforcement partners to keep it that way. As always, we encourage anyone to report suspicious behavior to the FBI and local authorities, before it's too late.”
According to the indictment and the motion for detention, Carrillo-García used TikTok and X (previously Twitter) to post threats to do harm to various groups. The defendant identified himself as a Nazi, has emphasized his idea/desire of killing Jewish people, American soldiers, and other groups. He has also highlighted his desire to carry out a terroristic attack. The defendant posted videos of himself speaking about his desire to do harm to various groups of people and to bomb different locations – with the intent to scare people. Here are examples of Carrillo-García’s interstate threats published on social media:
- The Defendant posted publicly on X pictures of himself holding a knife and stating that he would use it to tear apart American soldiers and Jews, as well as another picture of himself with a machete.
- The Defendant posted a public video in which he says that arms must be taken up against the United States, and he calls on the listener to shoot at North American soldiers, hit and stab Jews, burn “gringo” businesses, and to burn Jewish synagogues and Judeo Cristian churches including Jehovah’s Witnesses and Pentecostal churches.
- The Defendant posted a public video in which he says that police and CIA agents must be killed.
- The Defendant posted a public video in which he states that various locations must be bombed, including the White House, Fort Buchannan, Camp Santiago, First Bank, Oriental Bank, Banco Popular, and the United States Post Office.
- The Defendant posted public videos in which he states and demonstrates with a knife and stick that “yankees” and “gringos” should be cut and beat to death, and he also states that Police of Puerto Rico must be killed.
Each of the five counts of conviction carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. If the defendant is found guilty, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Vance Eaton of the Violent Crimes Division is prosecuting the case. The FBI’s San Juan Cyber and Violent Crimes Divisions are in charge of the investigation.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Hacienda Employee and Business Owner Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud Conspiracy Involving Loss over $650,000Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 20, 2026, Harry E. Mueriel-Falero, a Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda or “PRDT”) employee pleaded guilty to his intentional participating in a wire fraud conspiracy involving the loss of approximately $665,693 in Puerto Rico tax revenue, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349. Business owner Gabrielle López-Berríos, pleaded guilty to participating in the same wire fraud conspiracy and a conspiracy to bribe a separate Hacienda employee, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666. The defendants were indicted on October 23, 2025, and arrested on October 29, 2025.
According to the plea agreement in the case of Harry E. Mueriel-Falero, he knowingly and willfully conspired to commit wire fraud to defraud the PRDT by creating and submitting false information in the tax returns of several individuals and entities to eliminate or reduce tax debts with the PRDT or illegally claim tax refunds. From June 2023 through December 2024, Muriel-Falero was an employee and agent of the PRDT with duties that included physically and electronically accessing and reviewing tax returns and documents related to invoicing and collection of owed taxes. The defendant had privileged access to the PRDT’s online platform, the Internal Revenue Unified System (GenTax/SURI) and was experienced and able to access, monitor, and modify taxpayer information, including creating taxpayer credits, modifying income tax, employee retention tax and sales tax information.
As part of the conspiracy, Muriel-Falero corruptly solicited and accepted cash payments and other benefits, in exchange for submitting false information to the PRDT. The false information was submitted to the PRDT for the elimination of taxes owed, evasion of taxes, and theft of funds, with a total approximate loss to the PRDT of $665,693. One of the individuals Muriel-Falero conspired with was defendant Gabrielle López-Berríos, a Puerto Rico resident and business owner.
In April 2024, defendant Gabrielle López-Berríos negotiated and paid defendant Muriel-Falero money in cash through Person A to create and submit false information in López-Berríos personal tax returns to eliminate and reduce tax debts with the PRDT resulting in an approximate loss to the PRDT exceeding $11,192.
In addition to illegally obtaining personal tax relief through defendant Muriel-Falero, defendant Gabrielle López-Berríos also participated in a bribery conspiracy to obtain illegal tax relief for his companies, G FITNESS & BODY PERFORMANCE LLC and VEEVO LLC. Defendant López-Berríos paid money in bribes and kickbacks through Person A to a separate Hacienda employee in exchange for creating and submitting materially false information into PRDT’s GenTaxSURI system for the elimination of corporate taxes owed, evasion of taxes, and theft of funds. From November 2021 through April 2023, defendant López-Berríos made bribe payments to illegally erase and reduce a tax debt of his companies of approximately $18,671.
The sentencing hearing for defendant Muriel-Falero and defendant López-Berríos were scheduled for October 9, 2026, and October 16, 2026, respectively, by District Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy from the District of Puerto Rico’s Financial Fraud & Public Corruption Section is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an ongoing effort to combat public corruption and fraud committed by Puerto Rico Department of Treasury employees. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico announced the indictment of twenty-six individuals and corporations in this bribery and wire fraud scheme in October 2025 and the July 2, 2026 guilty plea of Luis A. Jiménez-Guzmán, an Hacienda employee who admitted to participating in a similar bribery conspiracy involving the loss of approximately $5,000,000.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (July 7 through July 11, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of July 7 through July 11, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On July 7, 2026, Jacier Collazo-Cruz pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 23-353 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various public housing projects in and near Manatí, PR including the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on September 22, 2023. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 5, 2026. AUSAs Andres Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 10, 2026, Joe Mercado pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import approximately 340 kilograms of cocaine into the United States in Criminal Case 25-144 (CVR). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to import cocaine; importation of cocaine; conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; and possession with intent to distribute cocaine- all in excess of 5 kilos of cocaine. Defendant was arrested on March 31, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 9, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On July 9, 2026, Vicente González pleaded guilty and was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to time served for stowing away on a vessel and improper entry by an alien. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on June 3, 2026, in Criminal Case 26-233. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney oversaw the prosecution of the case.
- On July 9, 2026, Julio Linarez-Cabrera was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado-Colón to 30 months of imprisonment and a supervised release term of five years for conspiracy to import approximately 150 kilograms of cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on November 6, 2024, in Criminal case 24-416 (ADC), and pleaded guilty to the charge(s) on April 8, 2026. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 9, 2026, Camilo Mieses-Guerrero was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to a term of 36 months of imprisonment for aiding and assisting entry of an aggravated felon to the United States. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 18, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-387 (SCC), and pleaded guilty on April 15, 2026. SAUSA Steven Liong-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 9, 2026, Rafelín Zorrilla-Delgado was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to a term of 15 months of imprisonment for aiding and assisting entry of an aggravated felon to the United States. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 18, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-387 (SCC), and pleaded guilty on April 9, 2026. SAUSA Steven Liong-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 9, 2026, Antonio Matrillé-Tejada was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to a term of 18 months of imprisonment for aiding and assisting entry of an aggravated felon to the United States. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 18, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-387 (SCC), and pleaded guilty on April 9, 2026. SAUSA Steven Liong-Rodríguez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 10, 2026, Daniel Morla-Reyes, a.k.a “Bebe/Bebe Murales/El Domi,” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gina Méndez-Miró to 173 months and 21 days for his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various public housing projects in and near Manatí, PR including the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on September 20, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-353(GMM), and pleaded guilty on March 31, 2026. AUSAs Andres Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 10, 2026, Michael Mercedes-Vázquez pleaded guilty and was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia L. Carreño-Coll to time served for stowing away on a vessel and improper entry by an alien. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on June 3, 2026, in Criminal Case 26-232. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney oversaw the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Two Individuals Indicted and Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 1, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Alejandro Morales-Varela and Gabriel Andrés Vélez-Ramírez on charges for production of child exploitation material, receipt, distribution, and possession of child pornography.
Alejandro Morales-Varela, a 25-year-old man from Arecibo, was arrested via a criminal complaint on June 26, 2026. Gabriel Andrés Vélez-Ramírez, 28-year-old man from Lajas, was arrested on July 8, 2026. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents arrested both defendants.
According to court documents, from May to June 2026, Morales-Varela and Vélez-Ramírez, aiding and abetting each other, knowingly persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced a 5-year-old male minor, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct using a cellular phone. The defendants are further charged with receipt/distribution and possession of child exploitation material.
“There are no cases more important for the Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico U.S. Attorney’s Office than crimes against children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute anyone who exploits minors for sexual purposes,” said Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Those who engage in child exploitation and create child sexual abuse material will be tracked down and held accountable for their heinous conduct.”
Yariel Ramos, HSI San Juan’s Acting Special Agent in Charge said: “In the past two weeks, HSI San Juan has made six arrests for child exploitation offenses, with suspects ranging in age from 19 to 63 years old, across multiple communities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These arrests underscore our unwavering commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable. With the support of U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force, our agents are able to leverage critical partnerships and resources. The Renewed Hope Act will further equip our agency with advanced tools and increased personnel to identify victims faster and bring perpetrators to justice. We will continue to pursue those who exploit children and ensure their crimes are met with the full force of the law.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI is in charge of the investigation.
If convicted for the charges, the defendants face the following penalties: production of child exploitation material - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years up to life; receipt and distribution of child pornography - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years up to 20 years; possession of child pornography - a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, all charges of conviction to be followed by a term of supervised release after imprisonment of no less than 5 years up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to [email protected].
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Héctor Ramírez-Carbó Serves as Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Héctor Ramírez-Carbó serves as Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico pursuant to the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, 5 U.S.C. § 3345 et seq., subject to the time limitations set forth in 5 U.S.C. § 3346.
Mr. Ramírez-Carbó has served in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico for more than 17 years as a civil and criminal litigator, Chief of the Civil Division, and, since 2020, as the First Assistant United States Attorney.
As Acting United States Attorney, Mr. Ramírez-Carbó serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Puerto Rico and is responsible for overseeing the prosecution of federal criminal cases and the litigation of civil matters on behalf of the United States. He also works closely with federal, Commonwealth, and local law enforcement agencies to protect the public, uphold the rule of law, and advance the priorities of the Administration and the Department of Justice.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico is committed to enforcing federal law, safeguarding the rights and safety of the public, and ensuring the fair and impartial administration of justice throughout the District.
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Former Private Equity Fund Manager Indicted and Arrested for Embezzling Millions of Dollars from a Private Equity FundRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On July 2, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Gian C. Piovanetti with embezzlement of bank funds, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.
According to court documents, Gian C. Piovanetti, a certified public accountant, embezzled, and aided and abetted in the embezzlement of approximately 11 million dollars from a private equity fund he managed as part of his employment and connection with a local Financial Institution. The defendant carried out this embezzlement through a series of unauthorized transfers of fund assets under the custody and control of the Financial Institution. Piovanetti secretly, and in contravention of his fiduciary duty, used the proceeds of the fraud to purchase luxury items for himself and others, including his family members, as well as to pay balances owed on credit cards, and for the purchase of real estate.
Between May 6, 2024, and July 1, 2024, the defendant embezzled, and aided and abetted in the embezzlement, of approximately $11,266,493.00 of the funds from the equity fund’s deposit account. These transactions were unrelated to the allowable investments under the fund, were not approved by the fund’s Investment Committee, and lacked a valid purpose for a private equity fund. Some of the illegal transactions that the defendant executed were thousands, and on occasions more than one million dollars. Other transactions were in favor of companies that the defendant and family members were in control of, including the purchase of a 2024 Porsche Cayenne Coupe registered in the name of the defendant’s wife, and the acquisition of options to purchase apartments outside of Puerto Rico.
“As alleged in the indictment, this defendant enriched himself and family members by spending millions of dollars that did not belong to him. The defendant did not fulfill his fiduciary duties and betrayed the trust that his employer and clients had in him,” said Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will prosecute and seek just punishment against anyone who victimizes their clients for their own personal gain.”
“This arrest underscores the FBI’s commitment to pursuing complex financial crime and safeguarding the integrity of our financial institutions," said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's San Juan Field Office. "Embezzlement and money laundering are not victimless crimes — they erode public trust and harm our economy. We will continue working closely with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law.”
Piovanetti is charged with one count of embezzlement of bank funds, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, and five counts of money laundering. The defendant is scheduled to have his initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos-Vega of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julian Radzinschi is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 29 through July 2, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 29 through July 2, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On July 1, 2026, José González Herrera pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for November 17, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 1, 2026, Ángel Agosto Andino pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 1, 2026, Bernardo De la Cruz Pizarro pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 1, 2026, Alex Encarnación Febus pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 1, 2026, Victor Sifonte Rivera pleaded guilty to Count One of the Indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 29, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 2, 2026, Carlos Pereira Cruz pleaded guilty to Counts One and Seven in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 30, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Andres Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On July 2, 2026, Miguel Antonio Galva-Tavárez pleaded guilty to 8 U.S.C. 1326(a) in Criminal Case 26-158. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with Reentry of a Removed Alien. Defendant was arrested on April 17, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 30, 2026. SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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63-Year-Old Caguas Man Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Israel Arroyo-Chiqués, a 63-year-old from Caguas, Puerto Rico, was arrested on criminal charges for child exploitation, announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Special Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Arroyo-Chiqués today.
On July 1, 2026, a federal grand jury indicted Arroyo-Chiqués on charges involving the coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, from or about December 2025, to April 2026, Arroyo-Chiqués used a cellphone, online instant messaging services, and social media to knowingly persuade, induce, entice, and coerce a 14-year-old male minor to engage in sexual activity. From January to March 2026, the defendant received and distributed images depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct via instant messaging applications using his cellular telephone and other electronic devices. Defendant also possessed and accessed with intent to view child pornography.
Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó of the District of Puerto Rico; and HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI is in charge of the investigation.
If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: (1) coercion and enticement of a minor - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years up to life in prison; (2) receipt and distribution of child exploitation material – 5 to 20 years in prison; and (3) possession of child pornography –a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment. All charges of conviction are to be followed by a term of supervised release after the term of imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
For more information about HSI’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, visit Know2Protect.gov. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969 or send an email to [email protected].
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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35-Year-Old Toa Alta Man Arrested for Child Exploitation, Cyberstalking and Online ThreatsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Gabriel Alfonso Núñez-Robles, a 35-year-old from Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, was arrested on criminal charges for child exploitation, cyberstalking and online threats, announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. On July 7, 2026, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agents arrested Núñez-Robles.
According to court documents, from February 2026 to May 2026, Núñez-Robles knowingly received, distributed and transported child pornography using a cellular phone. Núñez-Robles was also found to possess child pornography material on his cellular device, including child pornography of a prepubescent minor who had not attained 12 years of age.
Núñez-Robles is further charged with cyberstalking a female minor between the ages of 11 and 16. He is also charged with cyberstalking an adult female from in or about the year 2016, through April 2026, and sending her a communication via an instant messaging application containing a threat to injure.
Acting U.S. Attorney Héctor Ramírez-Carbó of the District of Puerto Rico; and Carlos R. Goris Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina Agrait-Barreto of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, is prosecuting the case. The FBI is in charge of the investigation.
If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: distribution and receipt of child exploitation material and transportation of child exploitation material - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; possession of child exploitation material - a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.Cyberstalking carries maximum sentence of five years of imprisonment, and cyberstalking of children, 10 years in prison. Interstate communications – threats, carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. All charges of conviction are to be followed by a term of supervised release after imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Individuals Sentenced to 35 and 25 Years in Prison for Firearms Violations and Double MurderRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States District Court Judge Pedro A. Delgado-Hernández sentenced two defendants, Sean Díaz-De León and Juan Carlos Pagán-Bonilla, charged with the murder of two transgender women in April 2020 in Humacao, PR. The defendants were arrested on May 4, 2020, indicted on May 13, 2020, and pleaded guilty in October and December 2025.
According to court documents, on June 30, 2026, defendant Sean Díaz-De León was sentenced to 35 years in prison and five years of supervised release for carrying and using a firearm during a crime of violence which resulted in the murder of L.P.S. and S.A.V.R., two transgender women. On December 4, 2025, Díaz-De León pleaded guilty to shooting and killing both victims and disposing of their bodies with co-defendant Pagán-Bonilla. On May 22, 2026, Juan Carlos Pagán-Bonilla was sentence to 25 years in prison and five years of supervised release for using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence which resulted in the double murder of the transgender women. Pagán-Bonilla pleaded guilty on October 20, 2025.
On April 21, 2020, Sean Díaz-De León and Juan Carlos Pagán-Bonilla agreed and planned to meet on a double date with L.P.S. and S.A.V.R. at L.P.S.’s residence in the municipality of Las Piedras. The defendants and the victims socialized, smoked marihuana, made small talk, and got to know each other. L.P.S. recorded a short video showing all their faces that she published online on the Snapchat social media application. At some point, Díaz-DeLeón and L.P.S. moved to a different bedroom and had sexual relations. Afterwards L.P.S. admitted to Díaz-De León that she was transgender and Díaz-De León got angry.
Pagán-Bonilla and S.A.V.R. also had sexual relations. Subsequently, Díaz-De León told Pagán-Bonilla that S.A.V.R. was also transgender and that he wanted to kill both women because he felt like they tricked them into having sex without telling them that they were transgender. The victims tried to calm down the defendants and proposed that they get more marihuana to smoke and talk. The defendants however, decided to shoot the victims once they reached the highway. Díaz-De León shot and killed both victims. Both defendants, to conceal their crimes, filled the car with trash to make it more flammable and set the car on fire under a bridge in Barrio Mambiche Prieto in Humacao.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney José Contreras prosecuted the case.
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United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow Announces ResignationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces his resignation as United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, effective July 7, 2026, and issues the following statement:
It has been the honor of my professional life to serve the people of Puerto Rico and the United States as the United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. My resignation comes after having served the Department of Justice for over 37 years.
I owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated attorneys and professional staff in the U.S. Attorney’s Office -- I was truly blessed to have served with the finest men and women in the Department. I am so very proud of the great work that the office has accomplished and will continue to accomplish.
I thank our brave and steadfast federal, state, and local law enforcement partners who risk their safety every day to make our communities safer. I also appreciate more than you can know the support of the community and the many of you who have expressed your appreciation to me over the years. I thank President Trump for nominating me for the position in 2019 and the Senate for my confirmation. I also thank President Biden for allowing me to remain in my position throughout his administration.
During my tenure as United States Attorney, I have been guided by the firm belief that our pillars of government must stand as a City Upon a Hill. I have striven to abide by the Office Mission Statement:
The first duty of society being justice – our mission shall be to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all. We shall enforce the law, ensure public safety, and defend the interests of the United States against all threats, foreign and domestic, while always adhering to the highest professional and ethical standards.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence, may God Bless the people of Puerto Rico and our wonderful country.
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Hacienda Employee Pleads Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy Involving Loss of $5 MillionRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, Luis A. Jiménez-Guzmán, a Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Departamento de Hacienda or “PRDT”) employee was charged and pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy involving the loss of approximately $5,000,000 in Puerto Rico tax revenue, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371.
According to the plea agreement in the case, Luis A. Jiménez-Guzmán, knowingly and willfully conspired to commit federal program bribery and wire fraud, as well as accepted bribe payments in exchange for his corrupt acts. From February 2019 through March 2023, Jiménez-Guzmán was an employee and agent of the PRDT with duties that included physically and electronically accessing and reviewing tax returns and documents related to invoicing and collection of owed taxes. The defendant had privileged access to the PRDT’s online platforms, the Puerto Rico Integrated Tax Administration System (PRITAS) and the Internal Revenue Unified System (GenTax/SURI) and was experienced and able to access, monitor, and modify taxpayer information, including creating taxpayer credits, modifying income tax, employee retention tax and sales tax information.
As part of the bribery conspiracy, Jiménez-Guzmán corruptly accepted cash payments and other benefits, in exchange for submitting false information to the PRDT. The false information was submitted to the PRDT for the elimination of taxes owed, evasion of taxes, and theft of funds. For example, on August 16, 2021, Jiménez-Guzmán received a $10,000 bribe payment from Person H to erase and reduce a tax debt of one of Person H’s customers.
The illicit payments were solicited and accepted by Jiménez-Guzmán, who illegally eliminated the PRDT tax liabilities and obtained illegal tax refunds for several individual and business taxpayers, with a total approximate loss to the PRDT of $5,000,000.
“Together with our law enforcement partners, our office will continue to aggressively pursue corrupt individuals in the government who take advantage of the system to benefit a few in exchange for bribes,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow. “This prosecution serves as a warning to other public employees involved in these types of schemes that they will be investigated and prosecuted, and that such violations will not be tolerated.”
“The FBI remains committed to protecting the integrity of Puerto Rico’s public institutions,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “Today’s proceedings reflect our continued efforts to investigate and expose schemes that compromise the fair administration of government programs and erode public trust. We will continue working closely with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure that those who abuse their positions for personal gain are held accountable.”
Defendant Jiménez-Guzmán made his initial court appearance at the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico where he waived indictment and pleaded guilty to a one-count Information before United States District Judge Silvia L. Carreño-Coll. He faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars, and supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine his sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Christine Amy from the District of Puerto Rico’s Financial Fraud & Public Corruption Section is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of an ongoing effort to combat public corruption and fraud committed by Puerto Rico Department of Treasury employees. In addition to the above matter, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico announced the indictment of twenty-six individuals and corporations in a similar bribery and wire fraud scheme in October 2025.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 22 through June 26, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 22 through June 26, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On June 22, 2026, José Esteban Rivera-Tolentino pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD) to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project and other areas in and around Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Defendant was arrested on February 24, 2023. The Court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 11, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Andyel González-Sáez pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ) to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and a firearm-related murder. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Jeremy Millán-Isaac pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ) to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Joseph Russell in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Xavier Thompson-Bido pleaded guilty in Criminal Case 25-272 (SCC) to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on July 10, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz González and Andrés Orr in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 24, 2026, Yomar Gabriel Rivera-Hernández pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-170 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated principally in the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Defendant was arrested on May 22, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 22, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 25, 2026, Jeremy José Maldonado-Rivera pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 25-104 (RAM). Defendant was arrested on February 25, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 25, 2026, Javier Sánchez-Pérez pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 25-104 (RAM). Defendant was arrested on February 25, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 25, 2026, Denis Ditrán pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire, mail, and bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 in Criminal Case 25-275 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with engaging in a scheme to defraud a retail store and a financial institution using false identification documents. Defendant was arrested on June 17, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. Social Security Administration SAUSA Vanessa Bonano is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 26, 2026, Omar Ramos-Avilés pleaded guilty to violating 18 U.S.C. § 1001 in Criminal Case 25-274. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with knowingly making a false statement to law enforcement officers during the course of their investigation. Defendant was arrested on June 13, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 25, 2026. United States Coast Guard SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 26, 2026, Edgardo Santiago-Colón pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 24-456 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with drug trafficking within a state prison facility. Defendant was arrested on December 17, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 2026. AUSA Myriam Y. Fernández-González is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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FBI Arrests Puerto Rico Resident for Threats of Violence and Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) San Juan Field Office announced today the arrest of Robinson De La Cruz Hilario (DE LA CRUZ), following an investigation that uncovered repeated online threats of mass violence targeting the LGBTQ community, as well as the receipt and possession of illegal child exploitation material.
According to the criminal complaint and supporting affidavit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, DE LA CRUZ engaged in a pattern of alarming online activity between 2024 and 2026. Investigators identified multiple public social media posts in which DE LA CRUZ expressed admiration for past mass shooters, made violent anti LGBTQ statements, and referenced carrying out a future attack.
In February 2026, the FBI received a referral indicating that DE LA CRUZ had shared a “tactical” map suggesting preparations for a potential mass casualty event. Agents later executed federal search warrants on DE LA CRUZ’s online accounts and residence. Evidence recovered included communications transmitted through interstate networks in which DE LA CRUZ explicitly threatened acts of violence.
During the execution of a federal search warrant on June 24, 2026, agents also recovered electronic media containing illegal images and videos involving minors alleged to constitute child sexual abuse material and obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children. The affidavit states that investigators identified both real and AI generated visual depictions prohibited under federal law. DE LA CRUZ admitted during an interview to operating the accounts involved and acknowledged that some of his posts could be interpreted as threats.
DE LA CRUZ is charged with violations of:
- 18 U.S.C. § 875(c) — Interstate communication of threats
- 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2) — Receiving child pornography, or attempting to do so
- 18 U.S.C. § 1466A — Receipt and possession of obscene visual representations of the sexual abuse of children.
DE LA CRUZ was taken into federal custody on June 24, 2026. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico and is being investigated by the FBI San Juan Counterterrorism Squad.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. For further information, please contact the FBI San Juan Public Affairs Office.
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criminal_complaint.pdf-_signed.pdf affidavit.pdf-_signed.pdfFormer Social Security Administration Employee Found Guilty of 23 Counts including Theft of Social Security Funds, Social Security Misuse and Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On June 24, 2026, after a week-long trial, a federal jury convicted Myrna Faria, a/k/a Myrna Oliveras-Santiago, a former Social Security Administration employee, of embezzling and stealing SSA funds, namely Retirement Insurance Benefits, Survivors Insurance Benefits and Auxiliary Benefit payments, to which she knew she was not entitled.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Faria was employed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) from approximately 1991 through 2019 as a “Social Insurance Specialist” and “Claims Specialist” working in the Workload Support Unit in San Juan, Puerto Rico. From March 2012 through March 2024, Faria embezzled and stole approximately $1,812,455.10 in SSA funds, namely Retirement Insurance Benefits, Survivors Insurance Benefits and Auxiliary Benefit payments, to which she knew she was not entitled.
Faria utilized her position within SSA to submit false claims on behalf of others, using the identity of individuals she believed to be deceased. She then approved those false claims and submitted her own bank and address information to fraudulently receive the corresponding SSA beneficiary proceeds. Faria proceeded to withdraw, transfer, and spend the money from the accounts that fraudulently obtained the SSA funds. Over the span of twelve years, Faria submitted and approved 13 fraudulent claims.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge for the Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General; Carlos Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office; and Blasdimir Rojo, Postal Inspector in Charge, Miami Division made the announcement.
The Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case with assistance from the Puerto Rico Police Department.
Social Security Administration Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vanessa D. Bonano-Rodríguez and Niranjan Emani prosecuted the case.
Myrna Faria is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Gina R. Méndez-Miró on September 29, 2026. She faces a mandatory sentence of two years imprisonment for violating 18 U.S.C. §1028A (aggravated identity theft) which must be served consecutively to any sentence imposed for the violation of 18 U.S.C. §641 (theft of government funds), 18 U.S.C. §1343 (wire fraud), and 18 U.S.C. §1341 (mail fraud).
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 15 through June 18, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 15 through June 18, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On June 16, 2026, Eli Couvertier Pollock pleaded guilty to possession of a machinegun in Criminal Case 24-182. He also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for October 5, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 18, 2026, Lino Calcaño-Rodríguez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 18, 2026, Jan C. Dalmau-Román pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 18, 2026, Carlos Mercado-Molina pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 23, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Laura Díaz-González are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 18, 2026, Rodney Alexis Maldonado-Marquez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Criminal Case 25-365. Defendant was arrested on September 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 16, 2026. Special AUSA Javier Rivera and AUSA Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 18, 2026, Efraín Ramírez-Cortés pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Criminal Case 25-365. Defendant was arrested on September 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 16, 2026. SAUSA Javier Rivera and AUSA Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On June 15, 2026, Carlos Obed La Llave Otero was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 60 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 20, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 15, 2026, Merchisede Rivera Rivera was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 60 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 20, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 15, 2026, Isaías Molina Valle was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 144 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 24, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 15, 2026, Jomael Aponte Rivera was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colon to 144 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 6, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 15, 2026, Luis Joel Couret Clas was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colon to 12 months of imprisonment to be served consecutively to the sentence imposed in case number 24-059 (MAJ) to followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 2, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 15, 2026, Carlos Rodríguez Núñez was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colon to 27 months and fifteen days of imprisonment, to be served concurrently and consecutively to state court sentences, to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 6, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 16, 2026, Isaías Caleb De Jesús was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Maria Antongiorgi Jordan to 84 months of imprisonment to be followed by 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was indicted on December 11, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ) and pleaded guilty on March 17, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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2026 National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced criminal charges against four defendants in connection with two separate schemes to commit health care fraud. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to rooting out health care fraud and prosecuting the criminals who perpetrate these crimes. These fraud schemes are dangerous and often result in physical and emotional harm to patients, including through medically unnecessary treatment or the failure to provide the correct treatment,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the integrity of our health care programs.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Muldrow are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the District of Puerto Rico: Josué Saez Rodríguez and Chancey Irmaries Olmed Pérez in Criminal Case 26-239 (FAB); and Carlos Andrés Rendón Bermúdez and Jandiel Santos Rodríguez in Criminal Case 26-240 (GMM).
Josué Saez Rodríguez, 42, and Chancey Irmaries Olmed Pérez, 40, both of Comerío, Puerto Rico, were charged by Indictment with 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), and 21 U.S.C. § 331(k) (Misbranding of Drugs) in connection with a conspiracy and scheme and artifice to defraud which involved the advertising, communication, sale, and distribution of products for defendants’ financial gain and profit which defendants were not authorized to possess and distribute. The products included Semaglutide, Mounjaro, Steroids, and Tirzepatide. Saez Rodríguez was also charged with 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney José A. Contreras of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
Carlos Andrés Rendón Bermúdez, 32, of Columbus, Ohio, and Jandiel Santos Rodríguez, 22, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, were charged by Indictment with 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1341 (Mail Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), and 21 U.S.C. § 331(k) (Misbranding of Devices) in connection with a scheme and artifice to defraud to perform dental services without proper licensing. Rendón Bermúdez was also charged with 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) (False Statements). As alleged in the Indictment, Rendón Bermúdez performed dental procedures on patients without a valid license to practice dentistry. These procedures included application of braces, teeth whitening, dental cleaning, veneer application, and cavities. He also grinded patients’ teeth using an electric grinding tool, administered anesthesia to patients, and provided prescription antibiotics following dental procedures. Santos Rodríguez was Rendón Bermúdez’s representative in Puerto Rico and coordinated dental appointments. He advertised dental services on social media and falsely told patients that Rendón Bermúdez was a licensed dentist. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose A. Contreras of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
“Health care fraud threatens both public resources and public safety,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “When individuals abuse health care programs for financial gain, they jeopardize critical services, exploit vulnerable populations, and erode confidence in the systems designed to help those in need. The FBI will continue working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to investigate these schemes, protect patients, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
“The FDA regulates medical devices as part of its mission to protect the public health, which includes ensuring that prescription dental devices are lawfully obtained, distributed, and dispensed,” said Special Agent in Charge Juan Berríos, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who fraudulently dispense prescription devices to unsuspecting patients.”
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: FBI, FDA, Police of Puerto Rico and San Juan Municipal Police as part of the Caribbean HEAT (Healthcare Enforcement and Accountability Task Force).
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.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Individual Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison for Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach sentenced Daniel García-Martín to a term of 15 months imprisonment, 2 years supervised release, a $5,500 fine, and forfeiture of firearms and ammunition for firearms violations related to possession of firearms by a convicted felon. García-Martín was arrested on October 17, 2025, and pleaded guilty on March 19, 2026.
According to court documents, Daniel García-Martín, 68, of Lajas, Puerto Rico, possessed three firearms and 143 rounds of ammunition in his residence knowing that he had been convicted of a felony. The firearms and ammunition were seized during the execution of a federal search warrant at his residence by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. García-Martín was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 in the Superior Court of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico and released from custody in 2005.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office, made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was in charge of the investigation of the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linet Olinghouse and Seth Erbe prosecuted the case.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 8 through June 12, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 8 through June 12, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On June 8, 2026, defendant Noel De León-De La Rosa pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 25-097(GMM). According to the Indictment, the defendant was charged with a conspiracy to import 5 kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. De León-De La Rosa also pleaded guilty to Count 1 in Criminal Case 25-254 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The defendant was arrested on May 19, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 8, 2026. AUSA Antonio J. López-Rivera is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 8, 2026, Juan Gabriel Cruz-Torrens pleaded guilty to Count One and Six in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project and other areas in and around Fajardo, Puerto Rico, while also carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 28, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 8, 2026, Edwin Lemuel Marcano-Ferrer pleaded guilty to Count One and Six in Criminal Case 22-327 (PAD). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing Project and other areas in and around Fajardo, Puerto Rico, while also carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 28, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 9, 2026, Charlie J. Dalmau-Román, a.k.a “Tres Deos/Tres Dedos” and Luis R. Pérez-Colón, a.k.a “Mencho/Luisito” pleaded guilty to the charges in counts one and seven of the indictment in case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of several public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project and with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendants were arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendants’ sentencing date for September 15, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 9, 2026, José M. Rodríguez-Torres pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 23-114 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, from in or about the year 2019 and continuing up to and until the return of the Indictment, in Majinas Ward, Las Guaras Ward, Cerro Gordo Ward, José A. Castillo Public Housing Project in the Municipality of Sabana Grande, Sabana Eneas Ward in the Municipality of San Germán, Sabana Yeguas Ward in the Municipality of Lajas, Parabueyon Ward in the Municipality of Cabo Rojo and areas nearby. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 8, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 10, 2026, Raúl González-Santiago pleaded guilty to Count One in Criminal Case 25-365. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on September 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 8, 2026. Special AUSA Javier Rivera and AUSA Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, Onix Y. Couvertier-Pollock, a.k.a “Gato/Gatito/Yamil,” Ángel L. Sanjurjo, a.k.a “Vaca,” Yasiel Morales-López, a.k.a “Pausa/Rubio,” and Ángel M. Franqui-González, a.k.a “Blanquito” pleaded guilty to the charges in counts one and seven of the indictment in Criminal Case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of several public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project and with possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendants were arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendants’ sentencing date for September 16, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz-González and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Darío Alexander López pleaded guilty to all drug related charges in Criminal Case 24-429-02 (SCC). According to the indictment on October 13, 2024, the defendant was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 5 kilos aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, possession with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of 5 kilos aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and jettisoning bales of cocaine. Defendant was arrested on October 13, 2024. AUSA Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Jeuris Rodríguez-Payano pleaded guilty to Count One in case 22-520 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to manufacture and distribute 321 kilograms of cocaine, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the cocaine would be imported into the United States. Defendant was arrested in the Dominican Republic and extradited to Puerto Rico on August 20, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 9, 2026. AUSA Camille García-Jiménez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On June 9, 2026, defendant Raúl O. Matos-De Jesús was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to 84 months (7 years) in prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-170, and pleaded guilty to the charge(s) on February 26, 2026. AUSAs Andrés Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 10, 2026, defendant Ángelo González-Farfan was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 30 months of imprisonment for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 6, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-114 (SCC), and pled guilty to the charges on January 29, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 10, 2026, Josmar Farfan-Guerra was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 30 months of imprisonment for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 6, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-114 (SCC), and pled guilty to the charges on February 19, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Michael Miranda-Santiago was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 60 months of imprisonment and six years of supervise release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on June 8, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-238 (SCC), and pled guilty to the charge(s) on February 20, 2026. AUSA Pedro R. Casablanca is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 11, 2026, defendant Edison Ruiz-Garallua was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to 51 months of imprisonment and six years of supervise release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on April 3, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-132 (RAM), and pled guilty to the charge(s) on March 13, 2026. AUSA Pedro R. Casablanca is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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World Elder Abuse Awareness DayRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Do you know how to spot a government imposter? This World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico joins the Elder Justice Coordinating Council and other government agencies and organizations across the country to spread the word about government and business imposter scams.
Government imposter scams are a serious problem: in 2025, the FTC received more than 375,000 reports about government imposters, with reported losses of $917 million.
These imposter scammers lie and pretend to be someone they’re not. Their goal? Trick you into giving them money, access to your financial accounts, or your personal information. They make up complicated stories about so-called emergencies, so you’ll panic and act quickly before you have time to think about what to do or talk to someone you trust.
One common scam starts with an unexpected call from someone who says they’re from a well-known business, saying there’s suspicious activity on your account.
To “help” you, they transfer you to someone who says they’re from the government. This so-called helper, who claims to be from the FBI, the FTC, or some other law enforcement agency, urges you to move your money to “protect it” — maybe by transferring it to an account they give you, depositing it in a “government account” or crypto ATM for “safekeeping,” or getting cash or gold and giving it to a courier. But it’s all a lie. No one from the government will ever ask you to do these things. Only scammers will.
Other lies might involve a “suspended Social Security number” or supposed eligibility for government benefits. In all cases, that scammer will go to great lengths to convince you they’re with the government: fake caller ID or official-looking letters, for example. The agency name might be real or made up (but real-sounding), and some scammers might show you an employee ID or badge — all to seem more real. But they’re not.
To recognize and avoid a government imposter, keep these things in mind:
- Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.” Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government threaten to suspend your government benefits if you don’t pay immediately. Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government demand that you pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards.
Talk to someone you trust if you’re worried about a problem with your account or identity — especially if the stranger says they’re from the government or the situation is serious or involves a crime. Visit ejcc.acl.gov/imposters for more on imposter scams. And if you spot an imposter scam — or any other type of scam — report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Four Individuals Arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, Social Security Misuse, Aggravated Identity Theft and Forced LaborRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On June 10, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a 21-count indictment charging six individuals with conspiracy to commit identity theft, wire fraud, bank fraud, social security misuse, aggravated identity theft, and forced labor. The following agencies partnered with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate the case and execute the arrests today: Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), with the collaboration of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the United States Secret Service.
According to court documents, defendants
- Josué A. Marrero-Otero (fugitive)
- Yesenia Marrero-Collazo (arrested)
- Anthony Marrero-Rosario (arrested)
- Vivian D. Marrero-Ginés (arrested)
- José A. Vilorio-Figuereo (arrested)
conspired with each other and a sixth defendant (not identified publicly or arrested) to produce and transfer identification documents, authentication features and false identification documents including, Puerto Rico birth certificates, social security cards, and Puerto Rico driver’s license, that appeared to have been issued by or under the authority of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and were in and affected interstate commerce, knowing that such documents and features were stolen and produced without lawful authority. As noted above, defendant Josué A. Marrero-Otero remains a fugitive from justice.
To execute the fraudulent scheme, defendant Anthony Marrero-Rosario produced the documents with identifying information belonging to real individuals, provided them to his brother Josué A. Marrero-Otero who knowingly transferred and used the falsified documents to fraudulently apply for bank loans with Bank A and Bank B using the stolen identities. Marrero-Otero and his partner Yesenia Marrero-Collazo forced vulnerable victims to fraudulently apply for bank loans with Bank A and Bank B using the stolen identities; and along with defendant Vivian D. Marrero-Ginés forced vulnerable victims to fraudulently apply for lines of credit with Bank C and Bank D and retail stores, using the stolen identities. The defendants obtained approximately $114,559.49 in money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.
Josué A. Marrero-Otero and Yesenia Marrero-Collazo are facing one count of forced labor. From September 2023 through December 2023, these defendants forced Victim-1 through threats of physical violence to submit false information using false and fraudulent identification documents to obtain commercial credit and property for the benefit of Marrero-Otero and Marrero-Collazo.
Defendant José A. Vilorio-Figuereo participated in the conspiracy and knowingly transferred false identification documents by mail to the continental United States.
“Financial fraud is one of the largest challenges facing American citizens and businesses today. Prevention and prosecution of crimes of this nature will remain a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said United States Attorney, W. Stephen Muldrow. “The defendants took advantage of vulnerable victims and used them to get loans and credit lines fraudulently, to enrich themselves. We understand there may be more victims, so if you suspect you could be one, or know about other victims, please contact HSI at (787) 729-6969 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).”
“Today’s arrests demonstrate HSI San Juan’s steadfast commitment to protecting our communities from those who exploit the most vulnerable for financial gain,” said Yariel Ramos, HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge. “This criminal organization not only stole identities and defrauded financial institutions, it preyed on people experiencing homelessness and coerced them into participating in its schemes. Thanks to the outstanding collaboration between our federal, state, and local partners, we have dismantled a dangerous network and sent a clear message that those who engage in identity theft, document fraud, and forced labor will be aggressively investigated and brought to justice.”
"In this case vulnerable individuals were exploited through identity theft, fraud, and coercion for personal gain," said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's San Juan Field Office. "The FBI remains committed to protecting our communities from those who seek to profit by manipulating and victimizing others, and we will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who seek to enrich themselves through fraud, and the victimization vulnerable members of our communities.” The defendants will make their initial court appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mariana Bauzá-Almonte of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least two years in prison for the aggravated identity theft charges. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Vanessa D. Bonano-Rodríguez from the Social Security Administration is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Four Defendants Plead Guilty to Federal Crimes Related to the Murder of Puerto Rico Police Sergeant Eliezer Ramos Vélez in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) ProsecutionRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the guilty pleas of the following four defendants charged in Criminal Case No. 24-453 (MAJ).
- Victor J. Pérez-Fernández, a/k/a “La Cone”, “Vitu”, “Vitikin”, “Enano”
- Luis N. Isaac-Sánchez, a/k/a “Chimbo”, “CDobleta”, “Dobleta”
- Olvin O’Neill Concepción-Tapia, a/k/a “Sinfo”
- Daniel J. López-Vega, a/k/a “Dany”
All four defendants, as reflected in the Plea Agreements, accepted responsibility for their role and participation in the drug trafficking conspiracy (Count One) in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a)(1), 846, and 860. The drug conspiracy charged that the defendants conspired with others to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute significant quantities of drugs, including heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs in the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project (PHP), Luis Llorens Torres PHP, Los Mirtos PHP, Lagos de Blasina PHP, La Esmeralda PHP, El Coral PHP, Jardines de Monte Hatillo PHP and other nearby areas. That offense carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Two defendants – Pérez-Fernández and Issac-Sánchez – also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (Count Seven), in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Section 924(c). That charge carries a mandatory sentence of five years’ imprisonment (and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment), to be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.
Two defendants – Concepción-Tapia and López-Vega – also pleaded guilty to the substantive firearms-related murder of Sgt. Ramos Vélez (Count Nine), in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Section 924(c)(2), which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
All four defendants admitted to their participation in the murder of Sgt. Ramos-Vélez and all plea agreements include a provision that the murder sentencing guidelines provision (U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Section 2A1.1), applies to their cases. The murder guidelines provision applies whether a defendant pleaded guilty to the drug trafficking conspiracy (Count One) or to the substantive firearms-related murder (Count Nine). Specifics with respect to each guilty plea are below:
- On June 10, 2026, Victor J. Pérez-Fernández pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to his participation in the charged drug trafficking conspiracy (Count One) and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (Count Seven). The Court set the defendant’s sentencing date for September 18, 2026.
- On June 11, 2026, Luis N. Isaac-Sánchez pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to his participation in the charged drug trafficking conspiracy (Count One) and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking (Count Seven). The Court set the defendant’s sentencing date for September 22, 2026.
- On June 11, 2026, Olvin O’Neill Concepción-Tapia pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to his participation in the charged drug trafficking conspiracy (Count One) and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking resulting in the death of Sgt. Ramos-Velez (Count Nine). The Court set the defendant’s sentencing date for September 22, 2026.
- On June 11, 2026, Daniel J. López-Vega pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to his participation in the charged drug trafficking conspiracy (Count One) and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking resulting in the death of Sgt. Ramos-Velez (Count Nine). The Court set the defendant’s sentencing date for September 22, 2026.
Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) and Chief of the Gang Section Alberto López-Rocafort; Deputy Chief of the Gang Section, AUSA Teresa Zapata-Valladares; and AUSAs Laura Díaz-González, and Joseph Russell are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Convictions through Guilty Pleas and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (June 1 through June 5, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following prosecutorial results for the week of June 1 through June 5, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On June 3, 2026, Michael Rodríguez-Seib, a.k.a “Teco” was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to seven (7) years of incarceration for participating (as a drug processor) in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of several public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on December 5, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-453, and pled guilty to the charge(s) on February 19, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 4, 2026, Jesús Cruz-Martínez pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to commit wire, mail, and bank fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 in Criminal Case 25-275. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with engaging in a scheme to defraud a retail store and a financial institution using false identification documents. Defendant was arrested on June 17, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 2, 2026. United States Social Security Administration SAUSA Vanessa Bonano is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 4, 2026, Ángel Ocasio-Cancel pleaded guilty to Count One in case 25-365. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Defendant was arrested on September 11, 2025. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for September 02, 2026. AUSA Andrés Orr and SAUSA Javier Rivera-Rivera are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 5, 2026, Manuel O. Robles-Osorio pleaded guilty to Counts one and six of the Indictment in Criminal case 22-327 (PAD). According to the Indictment, the defendant was charged with participating (as a drug seller) in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of the Pedro Rosario Nieves Public Housing project in Fajardo PR, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on July 27, 2022. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 28, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero Romo and SAUSA Carlos Romo Aledo are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On June 3, 2026, defendant Lloyd Guzmán-Ortiz was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to a term of 204 months (17 years) of imprisonment and a supervised release term of ten years for violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j) Firearms violations resulting in death; and 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1) and 860, Drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on June 8, 2023, in Criminal Case 23-238 (SCC), and pled guilty to Counts one and seven of the indictment. AUSA Pedro R. Casablanca is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 3, 2026, defendant Ángel Luis Valle-Delgado was sentenced by United States Senior District Judge Francisco A. Besosa to thirty months of imprisonment and four years supervised release for using his position as a postal employee to divert and steal parcels containing controlled substances to further their distribution. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on October 30, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-448, and pled guilty to the charges on February 3, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear and United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General SAUSA Tania Salas-De Jesús are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 4, 2026, Edwin Rodríguez-Rodríguez was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to thirty months of imprisonment for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 6, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-114, and pled guilty to the charges on February 19, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 4, 2026, Heusnel Beroni-Rivera was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to thirty-four (34) months for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 6, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-114, and pled guilty to the charges on March 12, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On June 4, 2026, Gabriel Batista was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Silvia L. Carreno-Coll to term of imprisonment of 33 months and no supervised release for conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute nearly 800 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on February 19, 2025, in Criminal Case 25-085, and pled guilty to the charges on January 23, 2026. United States Coast Guard SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Puerto Rico Pharmacies Agree to Pay $4.6 Million to Federal Authorities in Medicare and Medicaid Fraud CasesRead the Press Release
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico has recovered over $4.1 million from four Puerto Rico pharmacies and their owners during the period from February 26 to May 28, 2026.
The pharmacies and owners have agreed to pay $4.6 million to resolve allegation of Medicare and Medicaid fraud between January 2021 and January 2024, for billing for diverted prescriptions sold to unsuspecting patients which had been misrepresented as properly sourced, despite unverifiable origins. Officials warn that such practices threaten patient safety and the integrity of federal health programs, which require medications to come from approved distributors. Diverted drugs may be improperly stored or handled, affecting their safety and effectiveness. The below-listed pharmacies and their owners agreed to pay and have paid the civil penalties outlined below:
Pharmacy
Owner(s)
Amount of Penalties
Amount of Penalties Collected to Date
Farmacia Unity (Aibonito)
Raúl Morera
Enid Rivera
$600,000
$165,000
Farmacia La Rampla (Yabucoa)
Edwin Gómez
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
Farmacia Monte Verde (Bayamón)
María T. Rivera
Valerie Cintrón
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
Farmacia Santa Olaya (Bayamón)
Jaime Figueroa
$2,000,000
$2,000,000
These cases were investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, with support from other federal and local agencies.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rafael López Rivera investigated and prosecuted the cases.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Indictments, Convictions through Guilty Pleas, and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Prosecutions (May 26 through May 29, 2026)Read the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following investigative and prosecutorial results for the week of May 26 through May 29, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Indictments:
- On May 28, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a nine-count indictment charging three Dominican nationals with conspiracy and attempt to import cocaine into the United States from the Dominican Republic. According to court documents, on May 15, 2026, defendants José Manuel Clase-Montilla, Daniel Luis Cuevas, and Pedro Emmanuel Carrión-Sánchez knowingly and intentionally conspired to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Specifically, HSTF seized approximately 178 kilograms of cocaine that the defendants were smuggling in a vessel. Defendant Carrión-Sánchez is facing one count of failure to heave because, while being the person in charge of the vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, he knowingly and unlawfully failed to obey an order by an authorized Federal Law enforcement officer to heave that vessel. In addition, the three defendants are each facing an immigration charge of improper entry by alien. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Luis A. Valentín is in charge of the prosecution of the case. A copy of the indictment is attached to this press release.
- 26-217_adc_indictment_redacted.pdf
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On May 27, 2026, Paola Romero-Marín pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine in Criminal Case No. 25-277 (RAM). According to court documents, the defendant attempted to transport kilograms of cocaine through the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The defendant was arrested on June 13, 2025. AUSA Ryan R. McCabe is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 27, 2026, Paul Herrera-Rivera, Jazhiel Ocasio-Herrera, Jean Fernández-Garay and Yander Santos-Ramos pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Paul Herrera-Rivera, Jazhiel Ocasio-Herrera and Yander Santos-Ramos also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking in Criminal Case No. 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of several public housing projects in the Carolina and San Juan areas, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. Defendants were arrested on December 11, 2024. The court set defendants’ sentencing date for August 26, 2026. AUSA Laura Diaz and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 28, 2026, José David Serrano-Santiago pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (Count One) and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy (Count Seven) in Criminal Case No. 25-392 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in public housing projects and other areas in and around Cayey, Puerto Rico, and with using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on September 26, 2026.AUSAs R. Vance Eaton and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 29, 2026, Christopher J. Fontanez-Vega pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (Count One) and possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy (Count Seven) in Criminal Case No. 25-392 (SCC). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances in public housing projects and other areas in and around Cayey, Puerto Rico, and with using firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. Defendant was arrested on September 25, 2026. AUSAs R. Vance Eaton and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 29, 2026, Melvin Germán-Muñoz pleaded guilty to violations of 18 U.S.C. § 2199 and 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a) in Criminal Case No. 26-160. According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with stowing away on a vessel and improper entry by an alien. Defendant was arrested on April 17, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing for June 29, 2026. U.S. Coast Guard SAUSA Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On May 26, 2026, Yomvier Torres-Ruiz was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach to 121 months’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently with the state-level sentence in Cr. Nos. ISCR-2022-00597; ISCR-2022-00598; ISCR-2022-00599; ISCR-2022-00600 and ISCR-2022-00601. The Court imposed a term of supervised release of five years. The defendant was sentenced for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged on March 22, 2023, in Criminal Case No. 23-114 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on February 25, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero-Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 26, 2026, Luis J. Alvarado-De La Cruz was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Gina Méndez-Miró to five years’ imprisonment for conspiring to distribute between 3.5 kilograms and 5 kilograms cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was charged on May 22, 2024, in Criminal Case No. 24-188 (GMM), and pleaded guilty on February 24, 2026. AUSAs R. Vance Eaton and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 26, 2026, Luis Marino Medina-Martínez was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 87 months of imprisonment for drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was charged on May 4, 2023, in Criminal Case No. 23-178 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on February 11, 2026. AUSA Antonio Pérez is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 27, 2026, Jeorge Jhonney Lara was re-sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to 96 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for conspiring to possess and possessing with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine aboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. According to court documents, defendant was charged on April 4, 2023, in Criminal Case No. 23-139 (MAJ), and pleaded guilty on October 31, 2023. AUSA Antonio J. López-Rivera is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 27, 2026, Antonio López-Olivencia was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 33 months of imprisonment and 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on January 26, 2026. AUSA Laura Díaz González and Andres Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- Ezequiel Soto Bonilla was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 60 months of imprisonment and 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, defendant was charged on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on February 12, 2025. AUSA Laura Díaz González and Andres Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 28, 2026, Juan Ortiz-Mendoza was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colon to 144 months of imprisonment and 8 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, the defendant was charged on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty January 30, 2026. AUSA Laura Díaz González and Andres Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 28, 2026, Jonathan Rodríguez-Acosta was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón to 120 months of imprisonment and 6 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, the defendant was charged on April 9, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-184 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on January 30, 2026. AUSA Laura Díaz González and Andres Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 28, 2026, Argelis Marcano-Zerpa was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Silvia Carreño-Coll to 30 months of imprisonment for conspiring to import more than five kilograms of cocaine into the United States, jettisoning property subject to forfeiture, and related charges. According to court documents, defendant was charged on March 6, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-114 (SCC), and pleaded guilty to the charges on February 19, 2026. AUSA Lani Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 29, 2026, Wanda Vargas-Álvarez was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Gina Méndez-Miró to 12 months and 1 day of imprisonment followed by supervised release term of 6 years for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 200 to 300 grams of cocaine. According to court documents, defendant was charged on May 22, 2024, in Criminal Case No. 24-188 (GMM), and pleaded guilty on October 21, 2025. AUSAs R. Vance Eaton and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Nurse Indicted and Arrested for Tampering with FentanylRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 28, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an 8-count indictment charging Jackeline Correa-Vázquez, 45 years old, with tampering with fentanyl, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, beginning on or about a date unknown but not later than March 28, 2023, defendant Jackeline Correa-Vázquez was licensed by the Puerto Rico Board of Nursing, Department of Health, as an Advanced Practice Nurse with a Clinical Concentration in Anesthesia. By virtue of her employment and position of trust within the medical field, Jackeline Correa-Vázquez engaged in a scheme where she repeatedly accessed and illegally obtained vials of Fentanyl Citrate, entrusted for legitimate patient care, tampered with those vials by removing the Fentanyl Citrate, and replacing it with clear liquid substances intended to conceal the theft. Through these acts, Correa-Vázquez abused her professional position, jeopardized patient safety, and falsified the integrity of controlled substances maintained by her employers.
“The defendant betrayed the trust of patients and her employers by tampering with critical medicine,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Today’s charges reflect the seriousness of these offenses and should make clear that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will work tirelessly to investigate and prosecute anyone who endangers the safety of patients seeking medical treatment.”
“The people of Puerto Rico place their trust in our healthcare institutions during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. When that trust is violated, the DEA will act decisively,” said Michael Mayer, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Caribbean Division. “This investigation demonstrates our commitment to protecting patients, safeguarding the integrity of controlled substances, and holding accountable anyone who abuses a position of trust for personal gain. Through our Fentanyl Free America initiative and the strong partnerships we maintain with healthcare providers and law enforcement agencies, we will continue to pursue those who jeopardize public safety and undermine confidence in our medical system.”
“The FDA oversees the U.S. drug supply to ensure that it is safe and effective, and those who knowingly tamper with medicines put patients’ health at risk,” added Acting Special Agent in Charge Juan Berríos, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. “The FDA will continue to hold accountable those who compromise the safety and security of our healthcare system.”
Correa-Vázquez is charged with four counts of tampering with consumer products in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1365(a), which have a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. She is also charged with four counts of acquiring or obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, subterfuge in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(a)(3) which have a maximum penalty of four years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The defendant is scheduled for her initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos Vega of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Puerto Rico Police Department, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, and the Puerto Rico Department of Health are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Myriam Y. Fernández-González, Chief of the Asset Recovery, Money Laundering & Transnational Organized Crime Section, and AUSA María L. Montañez-Concepción, Deputy Chief of Asset Recovery, Money Laundering & Transnational Organized Crime Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Toa Alta Man Indicted for Drug Trafficking and Firearms ViolationsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 28, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Harold Borrero-Borrero, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and firearms offenses, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, beginning in or about 2025, defendant Borrero-Borrero, conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), and marijuana, at the Enrique Catoni Public Housing Project in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. Borrero-Borrero was arrested on May 21, 2026, in possession of drugs and multiple firearms, including one without a serial number. As part of the conspiracy, the defendant and his co-conspirators possessed and had access to a vehicle that resembled an “unmarked” law enforcement car. The defendant and his co-conspirators stored drugs, in kilogram and user quantities, as well as packaging materials, in a stash house; maintained weapons and ammunition of various calibers to protect themselves and their narcotics; communicated with each other using cellphones; possessed hundreds of thousands of dollars in United States currency, the product of their sale of narcotics; recorded narcotics sales, cash distributions, and other pertinent information pertaining to the organization in “drug ledgers”; and in order to carry on the business of the conspiracy, they kept in their possession tools of the drug trafficking trade, including but not limited to: a bulletproof vest, black ski masks, an extra license plate, and a safe.
Harold Borrero-Borrero is charged with one count of controlled substance conspiracy, two counts of possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises.
The defendant made his initial court appearance May 21, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years of imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Michael Mayer, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Puerto Rico Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Myriam Y. Fernández-González, Chief of the Asset Recovery, Money Laundering & Transnational Organized Crime Section, and AUSA María L. Montañez-Concepción, Deputy Chief of Asset Recovery, Money Laundering & Transnational Organized Crime Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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indictment_26-201adc_5-28-26.pdfFive Individuals Pleaded Guilty for Trafficking Migratory BirdsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Five individuals pleaded guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, for the five defendants, all Puerto Rico residents, admitted to unjustly enriching themselves through the trafficking, taking, trapping, sale, and barter of migratory birds. The defendants captured and possessed migratory birds; illegally held them in temporary housing; offered the birds for sale on private internet chat groups; sold the birds to local purchasers; negotiated the price of the birds, paid for, and received payments for the trafficking of migratory birds in Puerto Rico and elsewhere. The migratory birds illegally trafficked included:
- Bahama Pintail ducks;
- Northern Pintail ducks;
- Black-bellied whistling ducks;
- Eastern spot-billed ducks;
- Blue-wing Teal;
- Canadian geese;
- Wood ducks; and
- White-crowned pigeons.
In criminal case 25-504 (PAD), defendant Héctor Rivera González pleaded guilty on May 22, 2026, to a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. He will be sentenced on August 7, 2026, and faces up to two years in prison.
In criminal case 25-503 (ADC), the following defendants pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Each defendant is pending sentencing up to 5 years in prison.
[1] Ricardo Morales-Colón: pleaded guilty on March 5, 2026, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2026;
[2] Derline Cordero-Galloza: pleaded guilty on March 26, 2026, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 29, 2026;
[3] Ezequiel Muñiz-Salas: pleaded guilty on March 5, 2026, and his sentencing is scheduled for June 17, 2026; and
[4] Edison Pérez-Collado: pleaded guilty on April 23, 2026, and his sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2026.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; in conjunction with the investigating agency, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Erbe, Chief of the Financial Fraud and Public Corruption Section is prosecuting the case.
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Aguadilla Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 27, 2026, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach sentenced Leonardo Román-Domenech, age 40, of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, to 14 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for the transportation of child exploitation material, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Román-Domenech was indicted on April 3, 2025, arrested on April 9, 2025, and pleaded guilty on February 2, 2026.
According to court documents, from July through October 2021, Leonardo Román-Domenech, used a cellphone device with internet capabilities to knowingly transport images of a 15-year-old female minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Carlos Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Juan Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emelina Agrait Barreto of the Child Exploitation and Immigration Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
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Man Indicted and Arrested for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 21, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Barbaro José Del Valle-De Paula, 64 years old, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and firearms offenses, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, from April 29, 2026 through May 13, 2026, defendant Del Valle-De Paula, conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet) at Las Gardenias Public Housing Project, and within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising a public or private school and playground. Del Valle-De Paula was arrested on May 13, 2026, in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The defendant made his initial court appearance May 14, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment and maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Michael Mayer, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Puerto Rico Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney José A. Contreras is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Indictments, Convictions through Guilty Pleas, and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following investigative and prosecutorial results for the week of May 18 through May 22, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Indictments:
- On May 20, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Wadimir Ibáñez-Quiñones and Christian Rivera-Cardona with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. According to court documents, in May 2026, the defendants knowingly and intentionally conspired with each other and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Lani E. Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On May 19, 2026, Xavier Omar Maldonado-Negroni pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in case 24-170 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated principally in the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Defendant’s initial appearance in court was on May 22, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 19, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On May 20, 2026, defendant Roberto Zorrilla-Caminero was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to a term of imprisonment of 18 months and 1 year of supervised release for an illegal re-entry offense after being previously removed from the United States subsequent to a felony conviction. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on October 30, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-452 (MAJ) and pleaded guilty on February 25, 2026. AUSA Manuel Muñiz-Lorenzi is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 20, 2026, Rey Ivan Freytes was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Mauxuach to 119 months and 18 days of imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated principally in the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-170 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on February 4, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 21, 2026, defendant Gelson Adrián De La Cruz-Nolberto was sentenced by Judge Aida M. Delgado-Colón to a term of imprisonment of 8 months and 1 year of supervised release for an illegal re-entry offense after being previously removed from the United States subsequent to a felony conviction. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on November 18, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-482 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on March 12, 2026. AUSA Manuel Muñiz-Lorenzi is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA hosts ONDCP Director and Federal and State Law Enforcement Agencies to discuss Path to Zero, a USPIS law enforcement initiative to continue fighting drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the HSTFRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) hosted ONDCP Director Sara Carter and federal and state law enforcement agencies to discuss Path to Zero, a United States Postal Inspection Service law enforcement initiative to continue fighting drug trafficking in the Caribbean and the Homeland Security Task Force Initiative.
Combating drug trafficking through the mail is one of the highest priorities for postal inspectors. Across the country postal inspectors play a central role in disrupting the drug supply chain globally; working diligently with agency partners, all committed to fight drug trafficking. Postal inspectors will not allow the mail to be a back door for drug and firearms trafficking organizations operating in Puerto Rico, or in any American community.
Today, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (Postal Inspection Service) announced the results of operation “Path to Zero,” a Puerto Rico based drug interdiction initiative. Operation Path to Zero, led by the Postal Inspection Service’s Miami Division, and its San Juan Domicile, was launched in January 2026 and to date has resulted in the seizure of over 556 kilograms of cocaine found in over 448 USPS parcels destined for the mainland United States. Operation Path to Zero has been a partnership with, and supported by, Postal Inspection Service – Puerto Rico Police Task Force, the US Attorney’s Office – District of Puerto Rico, and the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) comprised of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations Division.
Puerto Rico serves as a gateway for a large portion of cocaine shipments sent through the U.S. Mail by foreign terrorist organization to the mainland United States. The Postal Inspection Service through Operation Path to Zero is closing this gateway for good, and has increased its resources in Puerto Rico, and implemented a strategy that is focused on the interdiction and removal of drugs from the mailstream at the source in Puerto Rico. The Postal Inspection Service has also increased its focus on the interdiction of firearms, criminal proceeds, and dangerous drugs, such as fentanyl, destined to Puerto Rico from the mainland United States.
“We will not allow for the U.S. Postal Service to be used to traffic drugs,” said Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale. “As a result of this operation we have removed a significant amount of illegal drugs from the mailstream before it could reach the mainland United States. We are not done. Postal inspectors will continue to work with our Homeland Security Task Force, the Puerto Rico Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office partners to stop the flow of drugs, firearms, and criminal proceeds through the mail.”
“Under President Trump’s leadership and newly-released National Drug Control Strategy, the United States continues to wage a relentless offensive against illicit drugs. This drug seizure operation shows how Puerto Rico has been targeted for exploitation by smugglers,” said Sara Carter, National Drug Control Policy Director. “No matter how drug traffickers try to smuggle drugs, we will stop them at every point of entry—including borders, waters, airspace and mail. I am grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their hard work.”
“Law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean continue the efforts to attack drug trafficking cartels, transnational organizations and violent crime,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “Our common goal is to make our communities safer, and with the help of ONDCP, HIDTA, and initiatives like Path to Zero and the Homeland Security Task Force we will continue producing great results and dismantling drug trafficking networks that only bring violence and death to our communities.”
“The HIDTA program is unique in its ability to support coordinated law enforcement strategies which maximize the effectiveness of local resources to reduce the supply of illegal drugs in our communities and the United States as a whole,” said John F. Kanig, Executive Director, Puerto Rico / U.S. Virgin Islands High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. “We are committed to working with our public safety and public health partners for a better future”.
The Postal Inspection Service utilized a variety of methods to identify drugs sent through the mail, including information from the public. The Postal Inspection Service offers rewards of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for drug trafficking related offenses. Information on drug trafficking may be reports to postal inspectors at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis.gov.
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Indictments, Convictions through Guilty Pleas, and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following investigative and prosecutorial results for the week of May 11 through May 15, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Indictments:
- On May 14, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Jesús Martínez-Cedeño with possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances. According to court documents, in April 2026, the defendant knowingly and intentionally imported into the United States, from Colombia and other places, five kilograms or more of cocaine. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Antonio L. Pérez-Alonso is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 14, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Ezequiel Amaro-Rosario (Dominican) with re-entry of removed alien. On May 10, Amaro-Rosario who had been previously removed from the United States, attempted to enter and was found in the United States, without obtaining, prior to his re-embarkation at a place outside the United States, the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission into the United States. United States Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Cody A. McKinney is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On May 11, 2026, Carlos Jadriel Rivera-León pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 23-353 (GMM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various public housing projects in and near Manatí, Puerto Rico, including the Enrique Zorilla Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on September 22, 2023. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 14, 2026. AUSAs Andrés Orr and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 12, 2026, Ramsell Maldonado-Tatis, William Boria-Rosa and Orlando Resto-García pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 24-453 (MAJ). Wilfredo Hernández-Vizcarrondo, Carlos Delgado-Torres and Justin Landrau-Cirino pleaded guilty to drug charges in that same case. According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various Public Housing Projects in Carolina and San Juan, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. Defendants were arrested on December 11, 2026. The court set defendants’ sentencing date for August 5, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 13, 2026, Josué Isaac-Febus and Joshua Rivera-Cruz pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 24-453 (MAJ). Juan Tereforte-Bello and Eduardo Tolentino-Meléndez pleaded guilty to drug charges in that same case. According to the indictment, the defendants were charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various Public Housing Projects in Carolina and San Juan, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. Defendants were arrested on December 11, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 14, 2026, Michael García-Marquez pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges in case 24-453 (MAJ). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated out of various Public Housing Projects in Carolina and San Juan, including the Sabana Abajo Public Housing Project. Defendant was arrested on December 11, 2026. The court set defendant’s sentencing hearing for August 12, 2026. AUSAs Laura Díaz and Joseph Russell are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On May 12, 2026, Justin Carlo Padilla was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to 111 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 22, 2023, in case 23-114 (RAM), and pleaded guilty to the charges on February 11, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero Romo is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 12, 2026, Xavier González-Rivera was sentenced by Judge Pedro A. Delgado to 84 months of imprisonment and supervised release term of 6 years for distribution of controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on July 20, 2022, in Criminal case 22-327 and pled guilty to the charge(s) on January 27, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 12, 2026, Justin Carlo Padilla was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl Arias Marxuach to 111 months of imprisonment and 5 years of supervised release for distribution of controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 22, 2023, in Criminal case # 23-114, and pled guilty to the charge(s) on February 11, 2026. AUSA Corinne Cordero in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 13, 2026, Roric Harvey Nuñez-García was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Marxuach to 30 months in prison for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a machinegun in cases 25-104 and 25-279. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on March 5, 2025, in case 25-104 and on July 20, 2025, in case 25-279 and pleaded guilty to the charges on February 12, 2026. AUSA Joseph Russell is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are 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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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23 Members of the Criminal Organization known as La Familia Nunca Muere (the Family Never Dies) Charged with Racketeering and Murder as part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) InitiativeRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 12, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging 23 members of a racketeering enterprise known as La Familia Nunca Muere (LFNM) with racketeering—murder, drug trafficking, and firearms violations. This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
“This criminal Enterprise used gun violence and murder as mere business tools to maintain power and control. The filing of RICO charges gives us the capacity to systematically dismantle the violent gangs that fuel bloodshed and keep families living in fear,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “These charges are a key part of our unified strategy to eradicate drug driven gang violence in our communities. Through RICO charges prosecutors can charge and bring to justice the entire criminal Enterprise as one organization—we can reach every participant from leadership to street level shooters and show a pattern of coordinated crime across gangs rather than isolated acts. It allows us to tell the full story of how different gangs coordinated murders, drug trafficking, and intimidation to advance a shared enterprise, instead of presenting each case as a stand-alone crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, together with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively pursue these gangs wherever they operate and will not relent until our neighborhoods are safe.”
“Violence of this magnitude will not become the norm in Puerto Rico, and the DEA, alongside our law enforcement partners, is committed to confronting it head-on,” said DEA Caribbean Division Special agent in Charge Michael Mayer. “This investigation targeted individuals who believed they could use murder and intimidation to strengthen their criminal organization and spread fear throughout our communities. What they encountered instead was a united effort by federal and local agencies working side by side, sharing intelligence, resources, and manpower to dismantle those responsible. This case represents far more than arrests and indictments, it represents our collective determination to protect the public, disrupt violent criminal networks, and restore safety to the communities affected by this violence.”
“The FBI will continue working aggressively alongside our federal and state partners to identify, investigate, and dismantle violent criminal organizations that threaten our communities,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “This case reflects the value of interagency collaboration to support efforts aimed at pursuing individuals linked to drug trafficking, violence, and the illegal use of firearms. Those who use fear and violence to operate should understand that law enforcement will continue working relentlessly to bring them to justice.”
The indictment alleges that the defendants were members and associates of a criminal organization engaged in drug distribution and acts of violence, including murder. The transnational criminal organization referred to as La Familia Nunca Muere (LFNM), composed of Las FARC (also known as Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Cantera and Las FARC Company), Cantera Nueva Generación (CNG) and other gangs from the areas of San Juan, Bayamón, Comerío, Trujillo Alto and Carolina including its members and associates, constituted an “Enterprise,” as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1961(4) (“the Enterprise”), that is, a group of individuals associated in fact, whose members functioned as a continuing unit for a common purpose of achieving the objectives of the Enterprise. The Enterprise was engaged in, and its activities affected interstate and foreign commerce.
According to court documents, from 2019 to the present, the Enterprise distributed heroin, cocaine base (commonly known as crack), cocaine, marijuana, fentanyl, Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet), and Alprazolam (commonly known as Xanax) at the Villa Kennedy, Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, El Mirador de las Casas, and Las Margaritas Public Housing Projects (PHPs), and other areas. Also, according to the indictment, members of the organization committed acts of violence to further the objectives of the Enterprise. These acts of violence served to promote and enhance the prestige, reputation and position of the Enterprise amongst rival criminal organizations, protect members and associates from law enforcement and rival drug trafficking organizations, and preserve and protect their operation.
As part of the racketeering conspiracy, defendant [1] Emmanuel Pacheco-Marín was the principal leader of LFNM, overseeing the LFNM members and associates under Las FARC; [2] Edison Merced-Olivera and [3] Alberto Valdez were leaders of the LFNM, overseeing the LFNM members and associates under Las FARC. These three leaders conspired with others to import cocaine from the Dominican Republic into Puerto Rico, and to further distribute narcotics within Puerto Rico and the continental United States.
On or about October 6, 2025, [1] Pacheco-Marín and [2] Merced-Olivera, after learning about the murder of a Las FARC leader – Héctor Alcántara-Domínguez, a.k.a. “Mariachi” – ordered the members of the Enterprise to find the people responsible for “Mariachi’s” murder and to execute them in retaliation. On that same date, at least 14 members of the Enterprise planned, kidnapped, tortured, executed and disposed of the bodies of five individuals: N.B., W.J.G.R., J.D.S.M., J.R.P., and E.D.M. in retaliation for the murder of “Mariachi.” The fact that the Enterprise murdered these five individuals does not mean that any or all of those victims were involved in the murder of “Mariachi.”
The 14 individuals charged with murder in aid of racketeering, who, if convicted, are facing up to life in prison and who are eligible for the death penalty are:
[1] Emmanuel Pacheco-Marín, a.k.a. “Bebo Las Farc/Bebo/Manuel/Cabezón/Viejo
[2] Edison Merced-Olivera, a.k.a. “Chino/Chino Pai/Chino Oriental/El Loco/
Chino Las Margaritas/China/Pai/Pay”
[4] Segismar Rodríguez-Rivera, a.k.a “Segis/Seji/Ceji/Segui”
[5] Rafael Prek-Vargas, a.k.a “Gordito/Goldito”
[6] Nefty Oquendo-Rosario, a.k.a. “Mencho/N”
[8] Fernando Hilario-Figueroa, a.k.a. “Bazuka/Bazu/Nando de Playita/Boti/Bazukaso/
Mi Alma Gemela”
[9] Jean Carlos Ramos-Valdivia, a.k.a. “Caponi/El Cantante/El Flaco”
[10] Pedro J. Cintrón-Álvarez, a.k.a. “Torombolo/Toro”
[12] Adam Miranda-Rivera
[13] Efraín Ortiz-Rivera, a.k.a. “Topi/Topy/El Malnacido 357/Topo 2024”
[14] Jonathan Selander-Tanco, a.k.a. “Pollo/Gallina/Gato/Ojos Claros”
[15] Wilson Álvarez-Barrera, a.k.a. “Wilson Fama/Fama/La Fama”
[16] Adnell Dones-Valdivia, a.k.a. “Crispan/Crispancito”
[18] José Yariel Ortiz-Santiago, a.k.a. “Sangre”
The other defendants charged in the conspiracy to participate in a racketeering Enterprise are:
[3] Alberto Valdez, a.k.a. “Pelota/Pelotero”
[7] Steven González-Sánchez, a.k.a “El de los Tatuajes/Tatuajes”
[11] Jorge Torres-Rodríguez, a.k.a. “Polly/Poyi/Ponce/Pollina”
[17] Luis Alfonso Amezquita-Falú, a.k.a. “Diablón”
[19] Christian López-Díaz, a.k.a. “Christian 25/Chris 25”
[20] Carlos Zalduondo-Díaz, a.k.a. “Colo”
[21] Sergio Meléndez-Maldonado, a.k.a. “Cape”
[22] Jessica Rosario-Burgos, a.k.a “La Mother”
[23] Nallelys Colón-Borrero, a.k.a “Naye/SylellaN”
The indictment also charges eight additional counts, including: murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, crack, cocaine, fentanyl, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The charged defendants occupied different roles in the Enterprise, to wit, principal leader, leaders, drug point owners, enforcers, runners, sellers, lookouts and coordinators. All are facing narcotics, firearms, ammunition and RICO forfeiture allegations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Camille García from the Asset Recovery, Money Laundering, and Transnational Organized Crime Section, and Laura Díaz-González from the Gang Section are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
If convicted of the RICO charges, the defendants face up to life imprisonment and, as noted above, 14 defendants charged with the murders of N.B., W.J.G.R., J.D.S.M., J.R.P., and E.D.M. are eligible for the death penalty. The penalties for a conviction on drug trafficking charges are a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment. Defendants convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking face a mandatory consecutive sentence of five years up to life imprisonment. Defendants convicted of possessing a machinegun in furtherance of drug trafficking face a mandatory consecutive sentence of 30 years up to life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
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 San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Man Sentenced to 30 years in Prison and 15 Years of Supervised Release for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 14, 2026, United States District Court Judge Aida Delgado Colón sentenced Luis Ángel Domenech‑Acabá to 360 months (30 years) in prison, to be followed by 15 years of supervised release for child exploitation. On February 25, 2026, after a three-day jury trial, Luis Ángel Domenech‑Acabá, 35, from San Juan, was found guilty of production and possession of child pornography. This sentence was imposed consecutively with a state sentence of six years for lewd acts in a separate case.
According to the evidence presented at trial and reviewed by the jury, from September 2017 to September 2018, Domenech‑Acabá sexually exploited a female minor, who was 15 years old at the time. The evidence showed that he used a cellular phone and internet messaging services to persuade, induce, entice, or coerce the minor to engage in sexual activity for the purpose of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
During trial, the government presented testimony and digital evidence establishing that, using cellphones and other devices, Domenech‑Acabá produced images and videos depicting a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. He also possessed images and videos of the minor and of other minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, which he kept in a secured folder on his cellular phone.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Yariel Ramos, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daynelle Álvarez‑Lora and Emelina Agrait Barreto of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking, and Immigration Unit prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc.
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21-Year-Old Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A man was arrested on May 12, 2026, in the state of Minnesota on criminal charges related to child exploitation.
According to court documents, in August 2024, Roberto Gadiel León-López, then 19, transported a then 13-year-old female minor, from her house to another location, with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
An investigation was initiated by law enforcement authorities related to this incident and, on April 15, 2026, a federal Grand Jury returned a one count indictment charging León-López with transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2423(a). An arrest warrant was issued and, on May 12, 2026, León-López was arrested in Minnesota following a traffic stop. The defendant had his initial appearance on May 13 and is scheduled to have a detention and identity hearing on Monday, May 18, 2026, in Minnesota. He is expected to be transferred to the District of Puerto Rico after the scheduled hearings for further criminal proceedings.
“Our dedicated team of prosecutors, victim witness coordinators, and support personnel will continue to work with our equally dedicated law enforcement partners to combat child exploitation and to bring these offenders to justice,” said W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. “We will prosecute criminals who exploit our children to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Protecting children from exploitation and abuse remains one of the FBI’s highest priorities,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “This arrest reflects the relentless work of our agents and law enforcement partners to identify offenders, locate them wherever they may be hiding, and ensure they are brought to justice. The FBI will continue to aggressively pursue the protection of vulnerable children and prosecution of those who would seek to harm them.”
If convicted, Roberto Gadiel León-López faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum penalty of up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Elba Gorbea is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, 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 www.justice.gov/psc. An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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