Eastern District of Washington
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Toppenish Man Found Guilty of Assault by StrangulationRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on August 19, 2025, a jury returned a guilty verdict in the trial of Rickie Lorenzo Smith, 51, a member of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation of one count of Assault of a Spouse, Intimate Partner, or Dating Partner by Strangulation in Indian Country in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153, 113(a)(8). Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian presided over the trial and set sentencing for December 2, 2026. Smith faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison to be followed by up to 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Smith assaulted his then-partner by hitting, choking and strangling her while the two attended a birthday celebration in Pioneer Park in Toppenish, Washington on August 17, 2023. Evidence of the victim’s injuries, the victim’s testimony, and the testimony of a bystander who called 911 and reported the crime was presented at trial. Smith has multiple prior arrests related to domestic violence incidents. The jury acquitted Smith of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury.
“Today’s guilty verdict reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in pursuing justice,” stated Serrano. “Assault by strangulation is a grave and violent offense, and this outcome demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring accountability and safeguarding the well-being of our community. This case also underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and our resolve to address it with the seriousness it demands.”
“This trial verdict emphasizes that assault against intimate partners will not be tolerated,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Rickie Lorenzo Smith will see consequences for his actions thanks to the hard work of our investigators and prosecutors in pursuing justice on behalf of victims and keeping our communities safe. Their tireless efforts resulted in this outcome, as well as contributing to a 14% drop in the violent crime rate for the state of Washington last year. The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime, including on tribal lands.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Yakima RA and the Yakama Nation Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten and Michael D. Murphy.
1:25-CR-2039-SAB
Tri-Cities Man Found Guilty of Large-Scale Fentanyl TraffickingRead the Press Release
Richland, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on August 13, 2026, a jury found David Mendoza Ayala, 30, guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke presided over the trial and set sentencing for November 12, 2026. Mendoza Ayala faces a sentence of at least 10 years, and up to life, in prison followed by no less than 5 years, and up to life of supervised release.
According to court documents Mendoza Ayala was a long-standing investigative target of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force. He had been suspected of being involved in large-scare drug trafficking for many years. Mendoza-Ayala learned that law enforcement was closing in and as a result, went into hiding. Although hiding, Mendoza Ayala continued his drug trafficking, utilizing other people’s names and addresses to avoid detection. Following months of tireless surveillance and evidence collection, investigators obtained search warrants for Mendoza Ayala’s apartment, two garage units, multiple luxury vehicles, and four storage units. During the searches, investigators located in excess of 50,000 fentanyl pills, substantial amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine, approximately $10,000 in drug cash proceeds, and over a dozen firearms to include AR style rifles. All told, investigators seized 13 vehicles associated with the Defendant and his illicit conduct.
During trial, evidence was also presented that inside Mendoza Ayala’s apartment, two small children were located – mere feet away from fentanyl laced pills scattered throughout the carpet and apartment.
“For years, David Mendoza Ayala, engaged in large scale drug trafficking, pushing poison into our community,” stated Serrano. “While Mendoza Ayala was able to escape consequences by hiding and fleeing from law enforcement, this case serves as proof that my office, along with our partners in federal and local law enforcement, never give up. Through their tireless efforts and investigation, Mendoza Ayala was arrested and a jury convicted him for his conduct. Those who, like this Defendant, make a profit off the lives our citizens, will be tirelessly pursued and brought to justice.”
“Mr. Mendoza Ayala showed a complete disregard for human life by having deadly fentanyl pills in the apartment, some of which were scattered on the carpet, within reach of two young children,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Along with more than 50,000 fentanyl pills, investigators seized luxury vehicles, and more than a dozen firearms. Through Fentanyl Free America, DEA is relentlessly targeting those who put our communities at risk, disrupting the fentanyl supply chain, and holding traffickers accountable.”
“This case is a great example of why the partnership between the DEA, and the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force is so important. Teamwork has been a pillar of success for Detectives working diligently to combat those attempting to traffic drugs to our region,” added Isaac Merkl, the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force Commander.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Tri-Cities Resident Office and the Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon Pang.
4:24-CR-06011-MKD
Stevens County Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on August 19, 2026, Richard Timothy Kalesnick, age 41, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for Possession of Child Pornography. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice also imposed a life term of supervised release to follow the prison term, as well as imposing a $3,000 special assessment pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA). Assessments under the AVAA are paid into a fund from which child pornography victims can obtain restitution at a later date.
According to court documents, Kalesnick pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography between April 1, 2024, and November 19, 2024. Kalesnick was previously convicted of two counts of First Degree Child Molestation in 2013, for his molestation of two minor females, both under the age of 10. Initially sentenced to 12 months in custody, Kalesnick was later released, ordered to attend sex offender treatment, and subject to supervision by the Washington State Department of Correction. Violations of that supervision led to a second prison term that ended in 2019. Over the next several years, even with court-ordered treatment, Kalesnick regularly fantasized about minor females, rape, and violence. He committed several violations of the conditions of his supervision, including viewing and possessing child pornography.
“Protecting the children, the most vulnerable, in our community is the most important work done by our office. We will continually protect our children from monsters, like Kalesnick, who offend and reoffend and perpetuate fear and harm within our community,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. “This sentence is the result of a strong partnership between federal and local authorities, where everyone involved recognized that Kalesnick is a significant threat. This federal and state team worked together to remove Kalesnick from the streets.”
“The Stevens County Prosecutors Office is deeply grateful for the hard work that the U.S. Attorney’s Office put in to securing a conviction for this offender, said Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney Erika George. “Kalesnick’s arrest was the result of collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, and we are all greatly served by a sentence that removes a clear danger to children from our community for a substantial period of time.”
“Protecting children and holding those who prey upon them accountable remains one of the Stevens County Sheriff's Office's highest priorities,” said Stevens County Sheriff Brad Manke. “Despite the demands on our agency and limited resources, our deputies and detectives serving as cross-designated task force officers with Homeland Security Investigations demonstrated exceptional dedication and investigative work throughout this case. We will continue working to protect our children and communities.”
“Kalesnick chose to disregard every chance at reform, ultimately posing a persistent threat to public safety,” said Acting HSI Seattle Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “By securing this sentence, we have successfully removed a predatory threat from our streets. I am proud of the collaborative effort between HSI and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office in this case, and we will continue our work to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann T. Wick.
2:25-cr-00192-TOR
Toppenish Man Sentenced for Domestic Violence AssaultsRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on August 6, 2025, United States District Court Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Alex Jeffery James-Tulee, twenty-three, to thirty-seven months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for one count of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to an Intimate or Dating Partner and one count of Assault of an Intimate or Dating Partner by Strangling or Suffocating, all within the exterior bounds of the Yakama Nation.
According to court documents, James-Tulee assaulted two different women whom he was involved in a domestic relationship and both enrolled members of the Yakama Nation. One assault occurred in November 2022, when James-Tulee assaulted his then-partner by striking and biting her in Toppenish, Washington, causing substantial bodily injury. The second assault with strangulation occurred in July 2025 when James-Tulee bit and choked a different partner outside of a residence in Wapato, Washington. One of the victims reported suffering repeated acts of violence at the hands of Tulee.
“Domestic violence undermines the safety and wellbeing of our entire community,” stated Serrano. “Our office remains committed to holding offenders accountable and supporting survivors through every step of the process. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement, tribal and community partners to ensure that those affected by domestic violence are heard, protected, and empowered.”
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of Mr. James-Tulee’s repeated and escalating violence against his partners and shows that domestic violence offenders will see consequences for their actions. Along with other forms of violence, abusers may seek to instill fear and exert control by strangling or suffocating their partners. Let this be a message to them: this egregious violence will not be tolerated. Native American women experience the highest rates of domestic abuse in the nation, and FBI Seattle remains committed to working alongside our Tribal partners to ensure victims are protected and offenders held responsible," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yakama Nation Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Murphy.
1:25-CR-2117-RLP
Warm Springs Man Found Guilty of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a ChildRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on August 5, 2025, a jury found Gordon Dean Rhoan, 25, guilty of attempted aggravated sexual abuse of child. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke presided over the trial and set sentencing for October 27, 2026. Rhoan faces a sentence of at least 30 years, and up to life, in prison followed by no less than 5 years of supervised release and up to a lifetime of supervision and registration as a sex offender.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Rhoan is a member of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and had been living on tribal trust land of the Yakama Nation along the Columbia River in Klickitat County. The evidence established that in February of 2023, Rhoan attempted to engage in oral sex with a seven-year-old girl. This victim courageously testified about this abuse before the jury.
During the trial, evidence was presented that this was not the first child Rhoan had victimized. Evidence showed two separate incidents of Rhoan’s abuse of a child. The first prior incident occurred on the Warm Springs Reservation in February 2020, where Rhoan sexually assaulted a fifteen-year-old girl and admitting to having had sexual relations with her at least nine times over a three-year period. The second instance occurred in April/May of 2020, when a mother found Rhoan in bed with her five-year-old daughter. During that incident, Rhoan claimed not to know where the child was when he was, in fact, attempting to hide the child in the bed. When the woman discovered the child, her pants were pulled down, and she was not wearing underwear.
“I commend the courage of this young victim -- without her willingness to come forward, we could not hold a recidivist sex offender accountable,” stated Serrano. “Through the courage of this victim, her family and the efforts of our tribal and FBI partners, a dangerous offender who was never going to stop victimizing children has been removed from our community.”
"Mr. Rhoan displayed a shocking pattern of conduct endangering the most vulnerable members of his community. Protecting our children and bringing their offenders to justice is one of the most important things the FBI does. I am proud of the work by our investigators and Tribal partners, and the courage of the victims who told their stories, ensuring Mr. Rhoan was held accountable for his actions," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Yakima Resident Agency and Bend, Oregon Resident Agency, the Columbia River Intertribal Police Department, and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Murphy.
1:24-CR-2008-MKDOkanogan County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on August 3, 2026, Daniel John Standley, age 37, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell also imposed a life term of supervised release following the prison term as well as imposing a $10,000 special assessment pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act (AVAA). Assessments under the AVAA are paid into a fund from which child pornography victims can later obtain restitution.
According to court documents, on June 1, 2024, the minor victim, then 11 years old, disclosed to a friend’s mother that Standley had been molesting her. Law enforcement was contacted. During the ensuing investigation, the victim described grooming and sexual abuse that started when she was approximately five or six years old. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at Standley’s residence in Okanogan, Washington, they found sex toys that had been described by the victim and several electronic devices. Forensic review of the devices revealed sexually explicit images and videos of the victim. One video is over ten minutes long and depicts the child being coached and coerced to perform sex acts, including performing oral sex on Standley.
The Okanagan County Prosecutor’s Office also charged and convicted Standley for several counts of child molestation in the first degree related to this investigation.
“Cases like this shine a light on some of the darkest acts in our community,” stated Serrano. “I am tremendously proud of the work this office and its law enforcement partners do to root out predators like Standley can no longer terrorize a child.”
“Mr. Standley’s crimes against this child were horrific,” said Acting HSI Seattle Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “His sentence will not fix the trauma he brought to this little girl, but it will keep him from harming anyone else for a very long time. HSI will not stop searching for and investigating those predators perpetrating acts like these.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations and the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann T. Wick.
2:24-cr-00150-RLP
Port Orchard Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Attempting to Engage in Sexual Acts with Minor ChildrenRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on July 29, 2026, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice, sentenced Raymond S. Sulak, age 65, of Port Orchard, Washington, to 10 years of imprisonment to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release for the Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor. Judge Rice also ordered Sulak to pay $28,000 in restitution to multiple minor victims, and a $40,000 fine.
According to court documents and information disclosed during court proceedings, in late July of 2024, the Washington State Police Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force (MECTF), along with the Spokane Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (Spokane- ICAC), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Chelan and Douglas County Sheriffs’ Offices, conducted a multi-day undercover operation in Wenatchee, Washington, aimed at identifying individuals seeking to sexually exploit children online.
From July 25, 2024, to July 27, 2024, Raymond S. Sulak (Sulak) communicated via two internet facilitated communication applications with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as the mother of two girls, aged 9 and 12, living in the Eastern District of Washington. During the communications, the undercover agent was present in Chelan County, while Sulak was located in and around his residence in Port Orchard. Sulak was clear as to his intentions during these communications, going so far as to obtain sexually transmitted disease testing so that the purported mother would allow him to have sexual intercourse with her minor daughters without a condom.
Sulak travelled by motorcycle to Wenatchee on July 27, 2024, for the purpose of sexual intercourse with the two minor girls, to a location specified by the undercover officer. Upon his arrival at the location, Sulak was placed under arrest and searched. Law enforcement officers also obtained a search warrant for Sulak’s motorcycle. During the searches, officers located an iPhone, an iPad, a blue penis ring, STD testing results, coconut lubricant, and a male enhancement medication called “Night Man.” Sulak was subsequently charged in Chelan County Superior Court. Sulak posted bail and returned to his residence in Port Orchard.
Thereafter, Sulak’s iPad and iPhone were forensically examined by HSI forensic staff. The examiners located the chats between Sulak and the undercover officer on the devices, along with image and video files depicting minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children identified 48 of the files possessed by Sulak as images or videos depicting minor children previously identified by law enforcement in unrelated investigations. Investigators also located other disturbing information on Sulak’s devices, including Sulak’s attempts to coordinate the rape of another purported child at a hotel in California with a woman named “Jane.” Investigators also located communications between Sulak and a registered sex offender in the Seattle area wherein the two men coordinated the distribution and receipt of their respective child pornography collections.
On February 19, 2025, Sulak was indicted by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Washington for Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography.
On February 21, 2025, the Seattle and Spokane ICAC Task Forces, Washington State Patrol MECTF and SWAT units, and HSI agents, located and arrested Sulak at his residence in Port Orchard.
“This investigation highlights the value of proactive investigations to identify sexual predators who seek to abuse children in our community,” said First Assistant Serrano. “The cooperative efforts of our federal, state and local law enforcement prevented the sexual abuse of another child and identified image and video files possessed by Sulak depicting the sexual abuse of other minor children. Thanks to our law enforcement team, Sulak will now be behind bars for the next 10 years and will have federal supervision conditions the remainder of his life.”
“We will continue to work with our state and local partners to ensure those trying to harm our children are identified and prosecuted,” said acting HSI Seattle Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “These are some of the most heinous crimes that someone can do to the most vulnerable members of our community. A sentence like this should send a message that these crimes will not be tolerated.”
“While our responsibilities to the public are many, there are few more important than the apprehension of those who would so recklessly and alarmingly harm our children for their own gratifications. The Washington State Patrol thanks our partners in public safety at the Department of Justice as well as the other federal and local agencies who worked together to take this dangerous individual off our streets,” said Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste. “We will never stop protecting the most vulnerable in our society - our children.”
The case was investigated by the Washington State Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force, the Washington State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force- Spokane and Seattle, Homeland Security Investigations Wenatchee Office, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Chelan County Prosecutor’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland.
Former Washington State Employee Sentenced for Theft of $50,000 from Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance ProgramsRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – On July 28, 2026, United States District Court Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Tasha Hoggatt, age 51, of Valencia, California, to five years of probation, including six months of home confinement, after Hoggatt pleaded guilty to theft concerning programs that receive federal funds. Judge Pennell also ordered that Hoggatt pay $51,403 in restitution and a $4,000 fine. The Plea Agreement can be found here.
Based on court documents, between October 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022, Hoggatt was employed with the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) as a Human Resource Consultant. Between May 16, 2024, and September 19, 2024, Hoggatt was employed with ESD as a Benefits Specialist. While employed with ESD, Hoggatt filed false and fraudulent Paid Family Medical Leave Act applications in her own name and in the name of two family members setting out fictitious medical information and supported by documents with forged doctor signatures. Hoggatt also fraudulently applied for Washington State unemployment insurance benefits between October 31, 2022, and May 16, 2024, while not employed by ESD. Hoggatt falsely represented to ESD that she was unemployed during this period, but she was in fact employed in California. Through her false submissions, Hoggatt stole $51,403 from Washington State’s Paid Family Leave and Unemployment Insurance programs.
“Washington State Employment Security Department uses state and federal funds to provide resources for individuals in need. When people take advantage of these programs, they should expect to be prosecuted by United States Attorney’s Office; this is especially true when someone, like Hoggatt, works for the Department,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano.
“Tasha Hoggatt abused her position at the Washington Employment Security Department to steal more than $51,000 in benefits meant for workers in genuine need,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “Today's sentence underscores a simple truth: if you exploit federal programs and betray the public’s trust, my office will pursue you relentlessly.
Our dedication to working with our law enforcement partners remains unwavering, as we uphold a rigorous zero-tolerance policy towards any misuse of our systems. Those who seek to exploit these programs will inevitably be identified and brought to justice. Accountability is not just a promise—it’s a guarantee."
The case was investigated by Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy J. Kelley.
2:26-CR-00021-RLP
Coeur d’Alene Physician Sentenced to 40 Months Imprisonment and $1.25 Million in Restitution for Involvement in Fraudulent Telemedicine Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – On July 8, 2026, Chief District Court Judge Stanely A. Bastian sentenced defendant Dr. David Antonio Becerril of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, age 70, to a 40-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison for his role in a nationwide telemarketing conspiracy to defraud Medicare. Dr. Becerril was convicted after a jury trial in September 2025 of 16 felony counts including Conspiracy to commit Health Care Fraud, Conspiracy to commit Wire Fraud, and multiple counts of Health Care Fraud, Wire Fraud, and False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters. Judge Bastian also ordered Dr. Becerril to pay restitution in the full amount he defrauded from Medicare, $1,250, 667.19, and ordered forfeiture in the form of a money judgment of $37,340, the amount which Dr. Becerril directly profited from the fraudulent scheme.
At trial, in September 2025, the United States presented evidence that between February 2018 and September 2019, Dr. Becerril, a licensed Washington physician, participated in a scheme and conspiracy to obtain millions of dollars by falsely billing Medicare for medically unnecessary genetic tests and durable medical equipment, including back, knee, shoulder, and ankle braces. The evidence at trial showed that while contracting with the fraudulent telemedicine and telemarketing company Real Time Physicians, LLC, (“Real Time”) Dr. Becerril signed false and fraudulent orders for genetic tests and braces for elderly Medicare beneficiaries that Dr. Becerril had never seen, spoken to, heard of, or had any contact with whatsoever, and which included deceased patients as well as elderly patients who had no limbs for the braces they were prescribed by Dr. Becerril. Dr. Becerril reviewed the Real Time prescriptions for, on average, 26 seconds before signing them and falsely attesting to their medical necessity. Real Time paid Dr. Becerril $20 for each phony prescription he falsely certified to be used to fraudulently bill Medicare.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Bastian remarked that while working for Real Time, Dr. Becerril performed no legitimate medical work and did not exercise any independent medical judgment. Doctors, like lawyers and judges, Judge Bastian pointed out, are trained to protect and maintain their licenses, protect their clients, and protect the system in which they operate, and Dr. Becerril failed to do that by essentially selling his medical license through his signature. Judge Bastian further agreed with the United States that through and even after trial, Dr. Becerril has been “steadfastly unapologetic” for his actions.
“Today’s sentencing reflects the seriousness of Dr. Becerril’s long‑running scheme to defraud the taxpayer-funded Medicare program, which is designed to provide medically necessary care to patients, not enrich fraudster physicians,” said Special Agent in Charge Robb R. Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Pacific Regional Office. “As Judge Bastian noted, Dr. Becerril’s conduct amounted to selling his medical license ‘for $20 a signature,’ demonstrating his limitless greed and a callous disregard for his patients and taxpayers. HHS‑OIG is proud of the relentless, collaborative work that brought this case to a successful conclusion. Working closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, HHS-OIG will continue to aggressively investigate health care fraud allegations to protect federal health care programs and the millions of Americans who rely on them.”
“This sentence shows our office’s commitment to vigorously prosecute Medicare fraudsters and to hold them to account especially those who, like Dr. Becerril, violated their oaths and medical ethics for a buck at the expense of the taxpayer and the endangerment of the elderly and disabled,” said First Assistant United States Attorney, Pete Serrano. “We are very proud of our continued partnership with HHS-OIG in ensuring that those who defraud our public health programs have to deal with the very real consequences of their fraudulent actions.”
The case was investigated by Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten and Tyler Tornabene and Health Care Fraud Contractor Echo D. Fatsis.
1:23-CR-02029-SAB
Verdict Press Release can be found here.
Spokane Valley Man Arrested After a Joint FBI, DEA, Spokane Valley and Steven’s County Drug Trafficking InvestigationRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on Friday July 10, 2026, Jack Alexander Gentry, 45, of Spokane Valley, was arrested after a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging him with multiple counts of distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Gentry faces a ten-year mandatory minimum jail sentence based upon the quantities of drugs he has been alleged to have distributed.
At the time of his arrest, agents located and seized 14 firearms one of which has been identified as a personally manufactured gun or ghost gun, countless rounds of ammunition, magazines, gun parts and approximately $28,000 in cash, as well as distribution amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
This case is being investigated by the FBI, the Spokane Valley Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. Gentry is currently in federal custody pending resolution of his federal charges.
This investigation 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 Seattle comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), The United States Marshals Service (USMS), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the United States Secret Service (USSS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
2:26-CR-75-TOR
Career Offender on Federal Supervision Sentenced to More Than 25 Years in Prison for the Murder of a Yakama Nation ManRead the Press Release
Yakima, WASHINGTON — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on July 13, Antonio Montellano, 44, was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge Stanley Bastain to 328 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release stemming from his murder conviction of a Yakama Nation man in January 2025.
Based upon information presented at the time of sentencing, Montellano was under federal supervision for his conviction of Importation of Cocaine and Methamphetamine in 2012 in the Southern District of California after serving an over 10-year prison sentence. Montellano’s supervision was transferred to the Eastern District of Washington and specifically Yakima in 2023. In January 2025 while at the home of the victim, Montellano and the victim got into an argument. The defendant had been ingesting methamphetamine and had not slept for several days. Likely due to his drug usage and lack of sleep, Montellano acted impulsively in response to what he considered to be an inappropriate act. Montellano picked up a shovel and struck the victim in the head and continued to strike him after he had fallen to the ground. After the murder, Montellano covered the victim’s body with a blanket, searched his home for surveillance cameras, took additional items and fled. During the late hours of January 28, 2025, the victim’s family discovered his body.
Due to the quick investigative efforts of the Yakama Nation tribal police and FBI, they determined that the victim’s new cellular phone was missing. The FBI called the victim’s phone and Montellano answered the call. Montellano provided a fake name and lied about how he came into possession of the phone. Utilizing phone data and Flock camera footage, the FBI was able to identify Montellano as the primary suspect. Due to the egregious facts of the case, multiple citizens cooperated with law enforcement which greatly assisted the investigation. As the investigation progressed, the FBI learned that Montellano fled to California and then crossed the border into Mexico. Based upon the cooperative efforts between the Department of Justice and Mexican authorities, specifically Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana (FESC) in Baja California and the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM), Montellano, a U.S. citizen, was deported from Mexico to the United States. On June 10, 2025, the Grand Jury returned an indictment charging the defendant with Second Degree Murder. After Montellano was returned to the United States from Mexico, he admitted to killing the victim. On November 4, 2025, Montellano pled guilty to Second Degree Murder.
The victim’s family noted that he had a large family including several grandchildren that dearly missed his presence. Multiple family members and friends attended the sentencing hearing and addressed the court. The family’s loss can never be made whole commenting on the tragic impact his senseless murder had on their family especially on those who found him that tragic morning. In imposing sentence, Chief District Court Judge Bastian noted Montellano’s criminal history and the need for the court to impose a sentence to protect the public. The Court had concerns of the defendant’s impulsive behavior which, in this case, led to the death of the victim.
First Assistant Pete Serrrano stated, “Behind every senseless act of violence is a family member forever changed whose loss echoes far beyond the crime scene. Justice cannot restore a life lost to senseless violence, but it can confirm that every victim matters and that repeated criminal behavior has devastating consequences. I am thankful for the efforts of all involved to bring this repeat violent offender back to face his crimes.”
“Not only did Mr. Montellano violently and repeatedly attack this victim, but he also took steps to cover up the murder before fleeing the state and country,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Nevertheless, he could not escape the consequences of his crime. No matter how far a subject may run, and how many borders he may cross, the FBI will work diligently with our partners to bring them back to face justice.”
The case was investigated by the Yakama Nation Tribal Police and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon.
1:25-CR-2065-SAB
Admitted Leader of La Nuestra Familia Prison Gang Sentenced to 10 Years for Trafficking Fentanyl from his Prison CellRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on July 9, 2026, Felipe Feliciano Ramirez (a/k/a “Casper”), age 45, was sentenced by Chief District Court Judge Stanley Bastain to 120 months of incarceration to be followed by 8 years of supervised release stemming from his conviction for Distribution of Fentanyl while inside the Bureau of Prisons.
Ramirez was convicted in 2014 in the Eastern District of California for his role as a Regimental Commander for La Nuestra Familia (“NF”), a violent prison gang, where he was responsible for the trafficking of a significant amount of methamphetamine and cocaine into the community. He was sentenced to 336 months of imprisonment in the Bureau of Prisons (“BOP”). While serving this sentence, Ramirez was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in NF’s paramilitary organizational structure. He was ultimately housed at the United States Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado. From there, he continued his drug trafficking activities, which included the distribution of a significant amount of fentanyl via the mail, which he orchestrated from his prison cell.
The Bureau of Prisons’ National Gang Unit (“NGU”) learned Ramirez was utilizing the recorded BOP phone line and email system to broker drug deals, the proceeds of which he used to pay his mandatory ‘contribution’ to his NF superiors. Ramirez would source drugs, mostly fentanyl, from NF’s Mexican Regiment, and direct their distribution into various communities. Through the NGU’s diligence, they uncovered this scheme, broke the code being used, and determined there was a package of fentanyl pills heading to Spokane, Washington. They passed this information to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, who located and seized the package from the commercial carrier preventing their distribution into the community.
During the process of resolving his case, Ramirez admitted he was a leader in this criminal organization and affirmed he was an NF Lieutenant. In imposing sentence, the Court noted Ramirez’s 20 plus years of involvement in the criminal justice system and the commission of this serious offense while already serving a significant drug trafficking sentence. The Court declined Ramirez’s request to impose his sentence concurrent to his 336 months sentence, noting there is no free crime. Ultimately, the Court decided to impose the 120-month sentence with 80 months running consecutive to his current sentence with the rest to run concurrently. It was also noted Ramirez’s initial sentence would be extended by the loss of “good time” credits with this new criminal conduct.
“This prison-based gang is a threat to our communities. From within the prison walls, they are trying to assert their influence, power, and control through the recruitment of our youth forcing themselves into our communities, coordinating, directing and engaging in ongoing criminal conduct,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. “This admitted Lieutenant is just one example. We are thankful for the hard work of our partners within the BOP and the ATF for targeting this threat and remaining vigilant to continue to hold them accountable for their conduct.”
ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais stated, “Mr. Ramirez is a textbook example of recidivism. Not only was he already serving a significant prison sentence for his prior offenses, but he continued to push poison into our neighborhoods from behind bars. Mr. Ramirez and La Nuestra Familia are a plague on our communities, and ATF will continue to bring the full might of the Department of Justice to their doorstep.”
"This case demonstrates how the BOP's intelligence capabilities extend far beyond our institution walls," said Federal Bureau of Prisons Director William K. Marshall III. "Our NGU worked with law enforcement partners to disrupt a fentanyl trafficking scheme and protect the community from these deadly drugs. This additional sentence sends a clear message that criminal activity will be pursued relentlessly, and those who continue to orchestrate crimes from behind bars will be held fully accountable."
For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
4-CR-02027-SAB-3
Richland Man Who Used Online Platforms to Solicit Minor Girls Indicted by Eastern Washington Grand Jury on 15 Counts of Child Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on July 8, 2026, Otoniel Parraga, a 22-year-old Richland man, was indicted by a federal grand jury with 15 separate criminal offenses surrounding his use of online platforms to solicit multiple minor victims.
Parraga was initially charged on April 27, 2026, in Benton County Superior Court Case Number 26-1-00358-03, with one count of Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor, one count of Rape of Child in the Third Degree and one count of Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes.
The federal indictment now charges Parraga with seven counts of Sex Trafficking of Children, seven counts of Online Enticement and Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor, and one count of Production of Child Pornography. This case continues to be investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Should a member of the public have information to provide to law enforcement regarding this case, such information should be directed to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 509-727-8788.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
4:26-CR-6029-MKD
Hometown Hero Detective Edgar Salazar Recognized by the Department of JusticeRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on July 9, 2026, the Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington recognized Detective Edgar Salazar as its 2026 Hometown Hero.
Detective Salazar has been a law enforcement officer with the Moses Lake Police Department for 11 years, where he has served with distinction. For the last approximately 5 years, he has performed exceptional work on the MLPD Street Crimes Unit with an emphasis on community safety investigations, to include very significant drug trafficking and firearms offenses. He also served as a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration and MLPD’s lead firearms instructor. Detective Salazar also takes pride in his role as a peer support counselor for his fellow police officers.
Prior to joining MLPD, Detective Salazar was a Police Officer for the Western Shoshone Department of Safety in Elko, Nevada. Prior to his domestic law enforcement experience, he was a Marine for 6 years, honorably serving the United States in 2 combat tours in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During the first day of Beyond Wonderful, a three-day EDM musical festival at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington on June 17, 2023, five officers, working undercover at the concert, found themselves in the midst of a terrifying scenario. A gunman, 26-year-old James Kelly, was assaulting his girlfriend in the campground area of the event space. When two bystanders attempted in to intervene (Brandy Escamilla, age 29, and Josilyn Ruiz, age 26), Kelly indiscriminately opened fire in the campground, killing the two good Samaritans and wounding at least three others. Kelly then took his girlfriend hostage, dragging her into a nearby field where he continued to violently assault her.
Despite being in undercover assignments without ballistic vests, standard police equipment, or their usual firearms, and armed only with small backup pistols, the officers exhibited unmatched bravery amid the chaos and panic that ensued from the very large crowd. They navigated approximately 150 yards of open grassy terrain, advancing towards the gunman who was actively firing in their direction. Their swift and decisive action allowed them to close in on the suspect to about 65 yards. Detective Salazar then took a crucial shot with his pistol, successfully incapacitating the gunman. Thanks to the fearless and skilled response of these officers and the exceptional shot by Detective Salazar, the threat was ended, Kelly was apprehended, and immediate aid was provided to the victims. There is no question that without Detective Salazar’s heroic actions, more lives would have been lost.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “Our office is honored to recognize Detective Salazar as the 2026 Hometown Hero for his bravery, sacrifice and exemplary service to our community on behalf of the Department of Justice.”
"The Moses Lake Police Department is extremely proud of the professionalism and dedication to service displayed by Officer Salazar and all the officers that responded to this horrific event, something they will remember for the rest of their lives. As we celebrate Officer Salazar today, we also remember there are families that are missing their loved ones and will surely grieve for the rest of their lives as well. I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for recognizing Officer Salazar today."
Repeat Sex Offender Sentenced to 27 years for Victimizing Minors Online and Possessing Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney S. Peter Serrano announced that on June 24, 2026, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Corbett Lloyd Craig, age 42, of Goldendale, Washington, to 324 months in prison to be followed by a lifetime period of supervised release after pleading guilty to two counts of Enticement and Attempted Enticement of a Minor and one count of Possession of Child Pornography.
According to court documents and information presented at sentencing, from early in 2022 up until his arrest in June 2025, Craig, utilizing social media, contacted two minor girls for the purpose of coercing them to provide him with sexually explicit videos and images. Craig enticed one of the minor girls by offering her money via gift cards and on-line payments. It was clear from the online communications that Defendant knew these were minors and intended to elicit and did obtain child sex abuse material victimizing these minors online. Based upon that investigation, a search warrant was executed at Craig’s home that resulted in the discovery of thousands of additional images of child sex abuse material.
As noted by District Court Judge Dimke, what makes this case even more aggravated supporting this substantial sentence, is Craig’s prior history of engaging in the same and similar conduct. In 2017 Craig was convicted of Encouraging Child Abuse in the Second Degree, Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, and Contributing to the Sexual Delinquency of a Minor in Clackamas County Superior Court, Oregon. Child abuse images from this previous case and the child he victimized, were found on his computer by federal investigators in this case.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano stated, “This recidivist sex offender has continued to harm minor victims in our community. Despite court intervention and treatment, this sex offender has continued to victimize children and made it clear he will not stop. I commend the dedication and work from our law enforcement partners and the commitment of this office to bring justice to these victims. Removing this defendant from our community and ensuring he can’t have access to children is the only way to ensure its protection. Our office is committed to hunting down these offenders and holding them to account.”
“Mr. Craig was fully aware that his actions were not just extremely immoral, but illegal as well,” said acting HSI Seattle Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “This sentence will keep this predator off the streets and keep our children safer. HSI will continue to investigate these crimes against children. We owe our communities nothing less.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.
1:25-cr-02073-MKDRepeat Offender Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 20, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Robert Joseph McNabb, age 35, to 180 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to trafficking significant amounts of fentanyl while on federal supervision.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police Department identified a Mexico-based distribution network operating in the greater Spokane area. Through surveillance and vehicle tracking data, they identified a particular residence in Spokane Valley as a location where couriers for this organization would drop off large quantities of controlled substances for further distribution into the community. Messages located on a cell phone for one of the couriers identified Robert McNabb as the recipient of the drugs at that residence. The messages further indicated McNabb had just received approximately ½ kilogram of fentanyl powder in exchange for $18,000.
Investigators also learned of an active arrest warrant for McNabb’s multiple violations of his federal supervised release conditions. McNabb was previously convicted of distribution of methamphetamine in 2019 and served a 5-year federal sentence. He was released onto federal supervision in March of 2023 and, based upon this investigation, quickly returned to trafficking drugs.
On October 7, 2025, a search warrant was executed on residence where McNabb was living in the basement with a 16-year-old female, who later advised that she was McNabb’s girlfriend; she also advised that they used drugs together. In their shared bedroom, under the bed, law enforcement located approximately 450 grams (just short of ½ kilogram) of pressed fentanyl powder, a scale, and unused baggies to package the fentanyl. In a backpack on one side of the bed, law enforcement located a loaded firearm, U.S. Currency, and a wallet containing McNabb’s identification. On the other side of the bed, law enforcement located a pink backpack that contained high school paperwork.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “Our office takes peddling fentanyl and recidivism seriously. While some in the criminal justice system seize the opportunity to better their lives after serving their sentence, others, like McNabb, do not. McNabb is a repeat offender, who, while under court supervision, continued to traffic poison to our community – he also preyed on a child. This child should have never been exposed to an offender like McNabb, nor to the poison he peddled. McNabb, as a convicted felon, should never have possessed a firearm, but he did, exposing it and fentanyl to this child. My office will prosecute repeat offenders, especially dangerous ones like McNabb, and we will seek sentences that protect our community.”
“Robert McNabb showed a blatant disregard for the law and for the safety of our community when he continued trafficking dangerous amounts of fentanyl even while under federal supervision,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “This sentence reflects DEA’s commitment to hold repeat offenders accountable and protect Americans from the deadly threat of fentanyl. Through Fentanyl Free America, we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt drug trafficking networks and save lives.”
“This case is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal law enforcement work together with a shared commitment to protecting our community. I am proud to recognize the exceptional work of the Spokane Police Department detectives and our law enforcement partners, whose persistence, professionalism, and attention to detail helped dismantle a dangerous drug trafficking operation and remove a significant amount of fentanyl from our streets. Their dedication and the collaboration with the USAO continue to make Spokane a safer place for everyone.”
For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
2:25-CR-00165-TOR-1
2:18-CR-00045-TOR-1Former CEO Pleads Guilty to $24,000,000 Embezzlement SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on June 24, 2026, Patrick Alan Bucknum, age 55, formerly of Wenatchee, Washington, pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Washington to one count of wire fraud.
As set out in court documents, Bucknum was the Chief Executive Office of Community Clinic Network (CCN), a company located in Wenatchee, Washington. CCN managed health care payment contracts for a conglomerate of health care clinics across Washington. Beginning in April 2017, Bucknum devised a scheme to obtain funds from CCN’s business bank accounts, which he attempted to invest in stocks, options, and exchange-traded funds. Bucknum initially intended to keep profits from the investments for himself and return the embezzled funds to CCN. Bucknum was influenced by social media showing aggressive trading strategies. However, due to Bucknum’s poor trades, he lost the majority of the funds invested. As a result, Bucknum embezzled additional funds in an attempt to recover his losses. Between 2017 and 2023, Bucknum embezzled approximately $30,000,000 from CCN to invest, returning approximately $7,000,000 to CCN over that same time frame.
Bucknum also embezzled funds from CCN for personal purchases, including $100,000 to purchase a pickup truck, $77,000 to purchase a Tesla, and $33,000 to purchase a boat. In August 2024, Bucknum embezzled $1,199,000 to purchase precious metal coins. In total, Bucknum caused a loss to CCN of approximately $24,368,427.37. As part of his plea agreement, Bucknum has agreed to forfeit to the United States the pickup truck, Tesla, boat, and precious metal coins, including coins in gold, silver, and platinum all obtained with embezzled funds.
Bucknum is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on September 23, 2026. The Plea Agreement can be found here.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy J. Kelley and Frieda K. Zimmerman.
2:26-cr-0062-TORDefendant Sentenced to 78 Months for sourcing Spokane-Area IPO Blood Criminal Street GangRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on June 23, 2026, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Pennell sentenced Jessica Demaine, age 39, to 78 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release for her role in a trafficking methamphetamine to the IPO Blood criminal street gang operating in the Spokane area.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives initiated an investigation in 2025 into members of a Spokane based “IPO Blood” violent criminal street gang. An undercover ATF agent purchased multiple firearms as well as a large quantity of methamphetamine from members of this group. During one of the buys, ATF learned the source of supply for the methamphetamine being sold was a woman whose 3-year-old child had gotten into the source’s “pow” (street slang for fentanyl) and overdosed. Review of local news articles and police reports revealed the source likely to be Jessica Demaine. Demaine is currently pending state charges stemming from this incident and is presumed innocent (Spokane County Superior Court case 25-1-00660-32). Demaine has claimed her boyfriend, Cameron Franklin, was responsible for the minor child’s overdose.
Follow-up investigation by both the ATF and Drug Enforcement Administration confirmed that Demaine was acting as a source of supply to the IPO street gang. Evidence as to Demaine’s role as a drug source of supply was in part confirmed by several sources of information, phone records, text messages, and CashApp records.
Demaine was federally indicted for her role as a source of supply to the gang and arrested in May of 2025. Demaine was released, over the United States’ objection, to attend inpatient treatment in June 2025. The Court then allowed her to live at an Oxford House (clean and sober house) and ultimately with her sister in the Cheney, Washington area.
In December 2025, Demaine tested positive for methamphetamine, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. The next day, Demaine was located at Franklin’s Spokane-area residence when a federal search warrant was executed by DEA stemming from their continued investigation into the Mexico-based source of supply. Demaine was arrested and detained pending sentencing. At her detention hearing, it was learned that despite claims she was caring for an elderly gentlemen, Adult Protective Services (“APS”) was called out to assist and advised the residence was “in complete filth.” In revoking her pre-trial release and ordering her detained, Magistrate Judge Ekstrom found Demaine was not taking her federal charges seriously, despite the gravity of the situation.
In March 2026, Demaine pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Pennel on June 23, 2026, to 78 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. In imposing sentence, Judge Pennell found that Demaine was a risk to the community, noting that even after almost losing her child to a drug overdose, she did not change her behavior. Instead, she remained involved with the very man Demaine claimed was at fault and continued to traffic drugs into the community. Judge Pennell also commented on Demaine’s lack of acceptance of responsibility for her criminal conduct emphasizing that she was not the victim in this case.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “This sentence was well deserved in this case given Demaine’s wanton disregard for the safety of the community, including her own child and a vulnerable, elderly gentleman whom she claimed was in her care. I commend ATF, DEA and our local partners for diligently pursuing Demaine, who is connected with an international criminal organization.”
“Jessica Demaine’s sentence underscores the devastating impact that drug traffickers have on our communities when they choose profit over human life,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “By supplying methamphetamine to a violent criminal street gang, Demaine helped fuel the cycle of addiction, violence, and exploitation that threatens public safety in Spokane.”
“Rather than accepting responsibility for her profound betrayal of both the law and the most basic responsibilities of parenthood, Ms. Demaine continues to play the victim,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “But no amount of excuses, deflection, or self-pity can erase the harm caused by her trafficking poison into our community. ATF will remain relentless in its pursuit of drug traffickers, and we will work tirelessly to ensure they are held accountable for the destruction left in their wake.”
For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
2:25-CR-0075-RLP-1United States Attorney’s Office bids farewell to long time Federal Prosecutor David HerzogRead the Press Release
On June 12, 2026, Assistant United States Attorney David Herzog announced his departure from the Department of Justice to return to the private practice of law. During his 18 years of service, AUSA Herzog focused on child exploitation and human trafficking cases, including leading a nine-year investigation into the sexual exploitation of Cambodian girls by an American, which resulted in conviction at trial and a 70-year sentence. AUSA Herzog leaves DOJ as a nationally and internationally recognized expert in online child exploitation and sex trafficking. He has served in a number of supervisory roles in Los Angeles and Spokane, ultimately rising to Chief of Appeals in Spokane over the last several years.
A native of Spokane and graduate of the Garfield Apple program and Shaw Middle School, AUSA Herzog was co-valedictorian at Gonzaga Prep in 1993. He attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, where he graduated summa cum laude in English while playing Division I soccer and violin in the university orchestra. After earning a Master of Philosophy degree in English Literature at the University of Glasgow, he graduated cum laude from law school at Georgetown. He clerked for several federal judges and was an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Los Angeles before joining DOJ in 2008. AUSA Herzog will be joining Clyde & Co., an international law firm based in London, where his practice will focus on commercial litigation and appeals. AUSA Herzog and his wife, Spokane County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Emily Sullivan, will continue to raise their two children in Spokane.
“It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to stand up in court on behalf of the people of the United States—particularly for children and other victims of violent crimes who cannot often stand up for themselves,” Herzog said. “My job as a federal prosecutor has never been to win cases; it has always been to seek justice.” He noted that this responsibility remains the same, regardless of politics. “I have served proudly under Presidents, Attorneys General, and United States Attorneys of both parties, and the job has never changed: do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons, every time. It is a unique responsibility held by all prosecutors, and I have done my level best to meet it.”
AUSA Herzog specifically complimented his colleagues: “The career prosecutors at the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Washington are among the most professional, excellent, and ethical lawyers anywhere. They set incredibly high standards for themselves and the office, at large, and they meet it every day, in the face of significant challenges inside and outside the courtroom. What a gift it has been to stand shoulder to shoulder with them over the years. I will miss my friends and colleagues very much, and I will look on their work with pride as they continue to serve justice every day.”
At the same time, AUSA Herzog lamented the trend of former and current government officials publicly weighing in on cases without hearing the actual evidence presented to juries: “For 250 years, our society has relied on juries to resolve conflicts. When a jury receives evidence, evaluates whether the elements of a crime are met beyond a reasonable doubt, follows a court’s instructions, and speaks with a unanimous voice, justice is served – regardless of how a particular verdict comports with anyone’s personal views or political beliefs. That is what it means to follow the rule of law.”
Pete Serrano, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, lamented losing AUSA Herzog as a prosecutor, but wished him well: “For nearly two decades, Dave Herzog has aggressively sought to protect the most vulnerable among us. He is a first class litigator and person, and the Spokane community can be proud that one of its own has dedicated so many years to keeping it safe. It would be easy to judge his success merely by the sheer number of years he has fought to protect our community. Our office will measure his service by the prosecutors he has helped train, the wisdom he has departed to his colleagues, the many, many documents he has authored or improved, and the convictions he has obtained at trial and sustained on appeal.”
Stephanie Van Marter, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, echoed those sentiments. “Our office, and I, will miss Dave very much as a colleague, but I know we will remain friends for life. Our dads went to college together at Gonzaga, we went to high school together, and we have worked closely as colleagues for years. His respect for the work of this office, for the rule of law, and for due process, are beyond reproach. If the test of leadership is leaving something better than you found it, Dave passes with flying colors—this office has been permanently enriched by his time here.”
The Spokane United States Attorney’s Offices wishes Dave Herzog the best and extends its gratitude on behalf of the Eastern District of Washington for his years of service and commitment to justice. Thank you, Dave!
Eastern Washington Jury Convicts Three Defendants of Conspiring to Impede Federal Officers in the Execution of Their DutiesRead the Press Release
Spokane, WA – On May 28, 2026, a jury of twelve people from across the Eastern District of Washington convicted Defendants Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II of violating federal law by conspiring to impede law enforcement officers or injure property used in the execution of their duties. After 8 days of trial and over a day of deliberations, the jury found Defendants guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt, of the crime. Sentencing has not yet been set by United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell, who oversaw the trial.
In the summer of 2025, a federal Grand Jury made up of different members of this community returned an Indictment charging Archer, Forral, and Mavalwalla, along with six other Defendants with Conspiracy to Injure or Impede Officers of the United States. The charges arose from an event at an ICE facility in Spokane in June 2025. That day, defendants and others prevented law enforcement officers from engaging in their official duties of transporting individuals from a detention facility in Spokane to a detention facility and the immigration court near Tacoma. For more than nine hours that officers were denied the ability to transport the detainees. The charged defendants and uncharged co-conspirators destroyed property, blocked exits to prevent officers from safely leaving with the detainees. Several officers testified during the trial that they feared for their safety because of the actions taken by the defendants and other co-conspirators.
After the Grand Jury returned its Indictment, nearly a year of extensive litigation took place, with each defendant retaining or being appointed highly-experienced criminal defense counsel. The defense lawyers in this case ranged from the two leaders of the Federal Defender’s office and two former federal prosecutors, to multiple attorneys from a well-respected private law firm in Spokane. Those six attorneys, engaged in extensive pre-trial motion practice. Judge Pennel presided over several hearings, denying motions to dismiss and presiding over the scope and admissibility of evidence. The other six Defendants pleaded guilty during this time, leaving three at trial.
Those Defendants along with their six defense counsel and two Assistant United States Attorneys, selected the jury. The jury selection process took over a day to allow the parties and the Court, to extensively examine the potential jurors to ensure a fair and impartial jury was impaneled.
Throughout the trial, there were ongoing motions and evidentiary rulings which included the exclusion of additional evidence. Much of the Defendants’ conduct on June 11, 2025, was recorded on video. The United States called numerous witnesses. Two of the Defendants exercised their constitutional right to testify while the other exercised the constitutional right not to testify. Defense called additional witnesses and the case rested on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. For over a day, 12 jurors deliberated over the evidence admitted. On Thursday May 28, 2026, the jury unanimously found each Defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the charged offense.
“The United States Attorney’s Office has been encouraged to see so many members of the community engaged with this case. We look forward to the same level of public interest in all of our criminal cases against defendants charged with domestic violence and rape of children in Indian Country, human trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, violent felons with illegal arsenals, and the exploitation of children as young as infants and toddlers,” said Pete Serrano, First Assistant United States Attorney. “As our office has said from the beginning, everyone in this free country has the right to make their voices heard, and we encourage the exercise of that right. But no one has the right to cross the line into lawbreaking. We presented facts and evidence to a grand jury, made up of citizens from this district who found probable cause that crimes were committed. Upon being charged, these defendants were afforded their rights and represented by counsel throughout the process. For 250 years in this country, we have turned to juries to resolve those disagreements. Here, twelve individuals from across our community heard 8 days of evidence and concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that these three defendants committed the crime as charged, that they agreed to impede law enforcement officers and injure their property as they did their jobs.”
Mr. Serrano continued: “Just because the jury did not find in a way that some people wanted, does not negate the fact that a crime occurred. Our office’s sole motivation for the charging and prosecution of these individuals was to hold them accountable to the law as each attorney in this office has sworn an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution. This case was brought by my office, was agreed upon by the grand jury, and concluded with a multi-day trial by jury because the alleged crimes were committed. Statements made by current or former public officials who never set foot in the courtroom during the trial bear no relevance to these facts or the outcome of this case. There is no better system in the world for resolving conflicts than the jury system enshrined in our Constitution, and we should all cherish this right whether we agree with outcomes produced by our system. Had the jury’s verdict gone another way, the United States Attorney’s Office would be issuing this same statement today: the jury has rendered its verdict, let us all respect it.”
2:25-CR-00113-RLP
Department of Justice Accuses States of Undermining the Constitution and Putting Public Safety at RiskRead the Press Release
On Wednesday, May 27th, the Department of Justice filed lawsuits against the states of Maine, Washington, Oregon, and Massachusetts, challenging their policies that deny confidential license plates to federal agents. These lawsuits come after each state refused to rescind their policies in response to a letter from the Department explaining the policies’ illegality on constitutional grounds.
As alleged in the complaint, these policies are unconstitutional and threaten operational effectiveness and agent and public safety at a time where federal law enforcement agents are facing harassment and heighted tensions with portions of the communities they serve. If federal agents cannot use confidential plates, criminals can track and evade law enforcement and disrupt critical intelligence and takedown operations that result in the removal of drug smugglers, human traffickers, pedophiles, and other very violent criminals from our communities. There is no justification for states to deny confidential license plates to federal agents, and doing so unnecessarily increases safety risks.
“This Department of Justice will exercise any and all lawful authorities to support the brave men and women of law enforcement,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Law enforcement officers risk their lives every day to keep Americans safe and must be able to carry out their duties effectively. By denying undercover license plates to DHS components, including ICE, while issuing them to their own state agencies, these governors are pursuing discriminatory and obstructionist policies against federal law enforcement. These actions undermine federal immigration enforcement, allow dangerous criminals to escape justice, and terrorize American communities.”
“I’m grateful to represent our law enforcement partners in this lawsuit to protect their ability to safely and effectively do their jobs. This lawsuit has one single goal: ensure that these brave men and women can remove the worst of the worst from our community without unnecessarily jeopardizing their own safety and public safety,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano.
Acting Attorney General Blanche has instructed the Department’s Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. This lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country.
Defendant Sentenced to 36 Months for Fraud and Witness TamperingRead the Press Release
Richland, WA - First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano, announced that on May 21, 2026, Ahmad K. Bachay, age 40, of San Diego, California, was sentenced after having pled guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, and witness tampering. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Bachay to a 36-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Judge Dimke also ordered Bachay to pay restitution in the amount of $400,805 and forfeiture of $85,277.
According to court proceedings, in February 2019, the FBI opened an official investigation into allegations that Bachay and others were involved in a scheme to defraud insurance companies and obtain money and property by staging automobile accidents, and filing false and fraudulent claims with insurance companies. As part of the investigation, the FBI used a confidential human source (CHS) who covertly recorded conversations with individuals suspected of being involved in the staged accident scheme. The CHS provided information to the FBI regarding violations and suspected violations of the Federal criminal laws.
In May 2020, the FBI executed warrants to search residences in Washington and California for evidence of federal crimes. Following the execution of search warrants, a number of Defendants, including Bachay, attempted to identify who was cooperating with the FBI. On December 21, 2020, Bachay, used the threat of physical force against a person, by telling “John Doe”, an individual who was assisting the FBI in an ongoing investigation, that Bachay would identify and kill a particular person’s family in Iraq if that person was working with the FBI. On January 3, 2021, Bachay telephoned “John Doe” and accused “John Doe” of carelessly discussing the staged accidents with other individuals in the Iraqi community. “John Doe” later reported to the FBI that Bachay verbally threatened “John Doe” stating that he would travel to Eastern Washington to kill “John Doe” and “John Doe’s” family.Prior to the grand jury returning the indictment, Bachay, his wife, and children, left the United States. Bachay was considered a federal fugitive until his arrest on May 17, 2024, in the United Kingdom. After 16 months of resisting his return to the United States, Bachay was extradited back to the Eastern District of Washington.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “Staged collisions, like those involved in this case, make our streets dangerous, unnecessarily divert first responders’ attention and resources, and increase insurance premiums for all of us. Bachay’s attempts to undermine justice by threating to kill others and moving half-way across the world were unsuccessful thanks to our federal and state law enforcement and private industry partners who worked tirelessly to hold this fraud perpetrator accountable. This great resolution is a win for tax payers and insurance premium payers.”
“Over the course of several years, Mr. Bachay conspired with multiple others to defraud insurance companies with false claims, risking the safety of those involved in the staged collisions while wasting the time and resources of first responders who should have been assisting people with real emergencies," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "Even worse, he threatened to kill a suspected witness and his family, then fled overseas for more than a year to evade the law. As this case demonstrates, staged auto accidents are serious crimes with real victims and real consequences."
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation, with the assistance of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This case was prosecuted by Brandon Pang, Patrick Cashman and former AUSA George Jacobs.
4:21-CR-6042-MKD-5Michigan Man Sentenced to 28 Years of Imprisonment for Online Sexual Extortion of Minor VictimsRead the Press Release
Richland, Washington- Pete Serrano, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Andrew Steven Otto, age 27, of Escanaba, Michigan, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of Production of Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Child Pornography. United States District Court Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 28 years of imprisonment to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, and $30,640.68 in restitution.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, beginning in November of 2023, and continuing for months thereafter, Otto, then a 24 year old male, presented himself to be a 15 year old male on an online application frequently used by children and teens. During this timeframe, Otto pursued a 14 year old girl in the Eastern District of Washington, manipulating the child into believing that the two were in an online relationship. Otto told the child she was beautiful and that he wanted to date her. Otto solicited sexually explicit photos of the minor; when she refused, Otto assumed another person’s online identity and threatened the child. These threats included physical harm to the victim and the victim’s mother. After the victim sent one photo, Otto used the other online identity to extort the child, threatening to post the sexually explicit photo on the child’s school website.
Otto pursued another 11 year old child in the State of Illinois in the same manner. He complimented her and made her believe that he loved her. Thereafter, he requested sexually explicit images of the minor. When the minor refused, he coerced her, using multiple, fraudulent, online identities to threaten her. Otto also used these identities to inform the minor that Otto had died by suicide because of the child’s lack of response.
Both minor victims experienced significant and ongoing trauma as a result of Otto’s crimes.
The Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members went to Escanaba, Michigan, to locate Otto. There, they worked with local Homeland Security Investigations agents and local law enforcement to arrest Otto for his crimes. A search warrant was executed at Otto’s residence and multiple electronic devices were seized. A forensic examination of these devices included sexually explicit images and videos of the local Eastern District of Washington victim and the Illinois victim. Investigators located additional sexually explicit content depicting other children, as well as communications wherein Otto sought and received a sexually explicit video depicting a 6 to 8 year old child.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Dimke commended the local victim’s bravery and resilience throughout the court process. She highlighted the “absolute terror” that each minor victim must have felt in the face of Otto’s tactics. Judge Dimke also informed Otto that it appeared that he did not sufficiently understand the level of harm that he had inflicted on the young victims, and that this posed a significant concern for Otto’s potential rehabilitation.
“Otto preyed upon these young victims in the most harmful way possible. With the help of our local and federal law enforcement partners, my office will continue to pursue individuals such as Otto, who victimize young children in our community, regardless of where they live. I am grateful for the cooperation of our local ICAC team, Homeland Security Investigations, and the law enforcement agencies in Michigan who brought Otto to justice,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano.
“Mr. Otto’s crimes are particularly heinous and highlight the actual dangers lurking online for minor children,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “We will continue to aggressively work as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children task force to find and arrest those responsible for taking advantage of our children.”
“The collaborative partnership of the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SER-ICAC) unites our law enforcement counterparts from Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, Benton County, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in conjunction with the concerted efforts of law enforcement agencies in Michigan and the United States Attorney’s Office, has proven instrumental again in securing a guilty plea with a substantial sentence, ” stated Commander Damon Jansen with the Richland Police Department. “Outcomes like this, marked by their severity, contribute significantly to the administration of justice for the children within our community and beyond who have endured egregious abuse yet have emerged as survivors.”
The case was investigated by the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Kennewick Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Escanaba Department of Public Safety and the Michigan State Police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland.
Defendant Sentenced to 15 Years for Carjacking and Weapons OffensesRead the Press Release
Richland, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 21, 2026, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Hector David Flores, age 29, of Kennewick, WA, to 15 years in federal prison for Carjacking, Brandishing a Firearm in Commission of a Crime of Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Judge Dimke imposed 5 years of federal supervision upon Flores’ release from custody.
According to court documents, on June 10, 2025, Benton County Deputies observed Flores driving a vehicle just east of the Duportail Bridge in Richland. Deputies had been involved in an incident less than a week before, where Flores assaulted two deputies, and escaped by fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Anticipating that Flores would flee again, spike strips were deployed in an attempt to disable his vehicle. Despite successfully puncturing both front tires, Flores fled. Minutes later, his vehicle was reported abandoned in a nearby neighborhood. As deputies responded to the area, Flores was observed as a passenger in a truck. It was later learned that Flores had approached a good Samaritan and requested a ride to Pasco. The good Samaritan agreed. However, after a sheriff’s vehicle attempted to stop the truck, Flores pulled a loaded firearm, pointed it at the good Samaritan, and commanded him to keep driving. Instead, the good Samaritan was able to push the firearm away, bring the truck to a stop, and run to safety, advising officers of the firearm in the process.
Flores stole the vehicle and drove away. Deputies pursued Flores in a high-speed chase, where Flores weaved in and out of traffic, and drove in the wrong lane of travel. Based on the incredible risk of harm posed by Flores, Deputies employed a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) maneuver, which ultimately allowed the pursuit to end.
Flores was taken into custody. Inside the vehicle, Deputies located three loaded firearms, one of which was stolen, 32 grams of methamphetamine, 62 grams of fentanyl, baggies, a scale and approximately $1,200 in cash, and Flores’s wallet and identification.
“In Washington, criminals have been emboldened by bad legislation that encourages the belief that they can elude law enforcement, evade capture, and avoid consequences,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. “This case serves to show that my office, alongside our local law enforcement partners and federal agencies, will not let that happen. We will every tool possible to put an end to violent acts, protect our communities, especially our good Samaritans, and hold that criminals accountable.”
“The victim in this case was simply trying to lend a helping hand to a stranger in need, and, in the process, became the target of the type of violent crime that continues to plague our community,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “Fortunately, the victim was able to escape, and the unrelenting pursuit of local law enforcement brought Flores into custody without any other citizen being harmed. ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to put an end to this type of violence.”
This case was initially investigated by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Richland Police Department. The case was formally adopted for federal prosecution by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The case was prosecuted by Brandon Pang, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
4:25-cr-6032-MKD-1
Serial Arsonist Sentenced to 240 Months in Federal Prison for Setting Multiple Wildfires and Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 11, 2026, Chief District Court Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Zachary Tyler Vantuyl, age 34, of Selah, Washington to 240 months in federal prison for five counts of federal arson and felon in possession of a firearm. Vantuyl was also ordered to pay $1,010,343.44 in restitution for costs and damages assessed from the wildfires.
According to public documents and materials presented at sentencing, Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) were investigating a series of wildfires set in 2023 and 2024. During these investigations and through the courage of eyewitness reports, agents began to see a pattern emerge involving what was confirmed to be a serial arsonist at work here in Eastern Washington.
Investigators were able to identify a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado pickup and the description of a male subject later confirmed to be Vantuyl at these fires in what was described by witnesses as disturbing behavior. Both the vehicle and Vantuyl were seen at wildfires set on September 3, 2024, and September 25, 2024. Specifically, on September 3, 2024, at approximately 1:00AM, a witness described to federal fire investigators having heard a vehicle and heard tires “peeling out” near the witness’s residence as the vehicle left the area. Within a few moments of the sound, the witness saw flames and embers in the area where the vehicle was stopped. At a follow up interview with ATF agents on September 25, 2024, the witness further described the vehicle as having a large 4x4 written on the driver’s corner and damage to the driver’s side of the vehicle. The witness described the driver as a white male with a “weathered” face, broad shouldered, with no facial hair and of average height. When the witness asked the man what he was doing, he claimed he was “DNR” (Department of Natural Resources). A firefighter with Kittitas Fire Rescue, who responded to the fire, contacted Vantuyl while the defendant was driving his truck near the fire. The firefighter went on to give an accurate description of the defendant’s vehicle. Both the witness and firefighter immediately identified Vantuyl from a photo array.
Similarly, at the scene of a September 25, 2024, wildfire, another firefighter witness advised federal investigators that he had seen a vehicle consistent the description of the defendant’s truck at the scene. The firefighter advised that, after the fire department arrived, Vantuyl’s truck left the scene at a high rate of speed, but returned about fifteen minutes later, hanging back and observing the fire. On September 26, 2024, a “Flock” camera in Selah captured a photograph of the defendant’s vehicle. The subsequent vehicle stop confirmed the details provided by witnesses and on surveillance cameras. Witnesses further took a photograph of the white Chevrolet Silverado that later came back registered to Vantuyl.
From the investigation, it was learned that Vantuyl had set additional fires on private property in White Swan, Washington. Specifically, on or about May 15, 2023, Vantuyl set fire to brush or grass on the privately-owned property of a now-former landlord located in White Swan, within the exterior boundaries of the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation. According to the victim, who both testified at an earlier hearing and provided a victim impact statement to the court, the victim and the victim’s spouse had hired Vantuyl to care for the owner’s several horses and other farm chores. Vantuyl lived on their farm for approximately two years and during that time, set multiple fires on the property (displayed below).
The victim wrote: “I came to know him very well and began to see patterns that led me to believe he was the arsonist that set over a dozen fires on and near our farm. Even more disturbing and dangerous is his insidious and vindictive nature that led him to kill five of our dogs and abuse and shoot our horses. Mr. Vantuyl is incapable of feeling compassion for the suffering of animals and people. His motivation to cause harm and inability to feel remorse makes him a very dangerous man in any society.” The witness testified that the deaths of the animals happened after Vantuyl would make a remark, asking which ones were more valuable, or when he was annoyed at something.
On October 2, 2024, agents executed search warrants and conducted a traffic stop near Vantuyl’s residence in Selah, Washington of the white 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck registered and driven by Vantuyl. During the traffic stop of Vantuyl’s truck, law enforcement located a large gun case in the backseat, which contained a Savage Arms 93R17 bolt action, .17 H.M.R. caliber rifle. Vantuyl is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms. During the search of Vantuyl’s residence, they recovered evidence linking him to the fires.
On April 9, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Vantuyl with one count of “Timber Set Afire,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1855, and six counts of Arson of Federal Property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(f). Vantuyl was also charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Pursuant to a written plea agreement, counts 4 and 5 were dismissed at sentencing, though they were considered for restitution purposes.
The federal arson charges involved fires located both in Yakima County and Kittitas County and identified on the following map:
This was not Vantuyl’s first time setting fires. In 2012, Vantuyl was convicted of two counts of Arson in the First Degree and three counts of Arson in the Second Degree in Kittitas County Superior Court for five separate fires he started in April, May and June 2012 in Ellensburg, Washington. He was sentenced to a total period of confinement of 120 months, followed by 18 months of community custody, and ordered to pay $193,791.52 in restitution. Vantuyl also has several other arson-related charges, including convictions for unlawful burning, false reporting of fires to 911, as well as convictions for property damage, domestic violence, and violation of a protection order.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “The Eastern District of Washington is an ideal target for a serial arsonist like Mr. Vantuyl - in the summer when he set most of the fires, the landscape is dry with highly flammable brush and trees and high winds. Fire interdiction challenges are significant and forest fires are a known and potentially deadly risk in the region. And we know all too well about how fast fires can spread. Today’s sentencing sends a strong message that arson is not tolerated in the Eastern District of Washington, and my office will prosecute such cases to the fullest extent possible. This case is the result of excellent collaborative investigative efforts led by the ATF, federal and state authorities, and numerous firefighting and law enforcement agencies. I am grateful for the hard work and dedication it took from this team to bring this serial arsonist to justice.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais said of today’s sentence: “This sentence holds a dangerous offender accountable for a calculated pattern of destruction that put lives, homes, and entire communities at risk. Serial arson is not a victimless crime. It terrorizes neighborhoods and drains critical emergency resources. Our agency remains committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who use fire as a weapon and to safeguarding the public from acts of deliberate violence.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) as well as fire investigators from the Bureau of Land Management or the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Many firefighting components and law enforcement agencies responded to the fires or otherwise contributed to the investigation. Those include:
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Kalispel Tribe of Indians / Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Idaho Department of Lands
Selah Fire Department
Selah Police Department
Yakima Police Department
Yakima Fire Department
Yakima County Fire
Yakama Nation Fire Management
Kittitas County Fire and Rescue
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Letitia A. Sikes and Courtney R. Pratten.
Case Nos. 1:25-CR-2045-SAB; 1:24-CR-2072-SAB.
Defendant Sentenced to Thirty Months in Federal Prison for Decades-Long Identity Theft and Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 7, 2026, United States District Court Judge Rebecca Pennell sentenced Raymond Kenneth Musgrove, age 78, to 30 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $1,025,544.69 in restitution to the United States. The Court also imposed a $1,100 special assessment.
Musgrove pled guilty to two counts of false representation of a Social Security number, five counts of wire fraud, and one count of theft of government funds. He was also found guilty at bench trial of three counts of aggravated identity theft stemming from a decades-long scheme in which he impersonated a real Vietnam veteran to unlawfully obtain government benefits and services.
According to court records and evidence presented, Musgrove engaged in a fraudulent scheme spanning more than 25 years. Beginning as early as 1997, he assumed the identity of a real individual, identified in court documents as J.M.C., a United States Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam. While posing as J.M.C., Musgrove obtained Veterans Affairs compensation benefits, received healthcare services through the Department of Veterans Affairs, opened financial accounts using the victim’s identity, and submitted false statements and documentation to maintain and reinstate benefits.
Even after the real J.M.C. died in 2018, Musgrove continued the scheme by falsely claiming the death had been reported in error and successfully persuaded agencies to resume benefit payments. The fraud continued until 2023, when his attempts to obtain additional benefits led to the discovery of the scheme.In total, Musgrove fraudulently obtained more than $860,000 in federal benefits, contributing to the total restitution amount ordered in this matter.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the sentence reflects the gravity of Musgrove’s conduct, which involved a highly calculated and sustained fraud scheme, the exploitation of a deceased veteran’s identity, significant financial losses to the government, and repeated efforts to deceive federal agencies over decades.
District Court Judge Rebecca Pennell, before imposing sentence, told Musgrove, “Your offense conduct was lengthy and very troubling. I don’t think it can be fairly characterized as just a mistake . . . You had been living a lie for decades.” Judge Pennell went on to note Musgrove seemingly had no concern for how his actions would impact the victim or his family, and that his pattern of putting himself before others “stops today.”
First Assistant Pete Serrano noted, “Mr. Musgrove carried out a calculated and deeply troubling fraud for decades, exploiting the identity of a military veteran to steal over a million dollars in benefits intended for those who have honorably served our country. This sentence reflects the seriousness of his conduct and underscores our commitment to protecting public resources and holding accountable those who abuse positions of trust for personal gain.”
“Today's sentencing underscores the VA OIG’s commitment to investigating and holding accountable those involved in fraudulent activities targeting veterans,” said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.”
“Raymond Musgrove falsely represented the identity of a veteran as his own to deceptively receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, diverting critical benefits meant for veterans who earned them through service and sacrifice,” said Michelle L. Anderson, Assistant Inspector General for Audit as First Assistant, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General. “His actions represent a theft from our veterans and the systems designed to support them.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frieda K. Zimmerman of the Eastern District of Washington. For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of WashingtonDefendant Sentenced to 300 Months for Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 6, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas Rice sentenced William Scott Morse, to a total of 25 years of imprisonment to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release after pleading guilty to various sex trafficking offenses stemming from his knowing solicitation of minor victims for sex.
According to court documents and information revealed during the sentencing hearing, in late September 2024, Minor Victim 1 posted a babysitting ad on Craigslist. Minor Victim 1 identified herself as 15 years old and indicated that she and her friend were CPR certified and were looking to babysit in the evenings or weekends. Morse responded asking if the victim would like to make quick money—but not for babysitting. Morse corresponded with the child extensively describing sex acts he was looking to pay for. He ultimately offered her $320 for sex and went to her home where he engaged in sexual contact with the minor.
Search warrants for Morse’s email accounts showed he was also conversing with Minor Victim 2, who was 16 years old and had also posted a babysitting ad on Craigslist. He promised her quick cash for sex. Minor Victim 2 did not take Morse up on the offer.
In this case, Morse entered a global plea agreement, which required him to enter a plea of guilty to both the federal offenses detailed herein as well as to plead guilty in the Spokane County Superior Court to Rape of a Child in the Third Degree, in violation of RCW 9A.44.079(1). Morse will enter his guilty plea in Spokane County now that the federal sentence has been imposed.
First Assistant Serrano said, “The impact of an offense like this extends beyond the child victims themselves to the entire community. It is tragic that our local teenagers cannot even seek babysitting positions without being propositioned by offenders.”Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam said, “Strong partnerships between local and federal agencies are of critical importance in protecting the young and vulnerable members of our community.”
“Mr. Morse is a threat to the community who persistently targeted innocent and vulnerable teens looking for babysitting jobs online,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “He knew how young these victims were but continued to prey on them anyway. It is our hope that this long prison sentence will keep other young people safe from his crimes.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Perez of the Eastern District of Washington and Scott Donahue for the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.Defendant Sentenced to 240 Months for Large-Scale Fentanyl Trafficking OperationRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 6, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas Rice sentenced Clinton Paul Patterson, age 42 to 240 months (20 years) in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release for his role in a significant fentanyl trafficking operation that distributed tens of thousands of pills across Eastern Washington.
The sentence follows an extensive investigation involving law enforcement agencies, including the Regional Anti-violence Enforcement and Narcotics Task Force (RAVEN) and federal partners, which uncovered a sophisticated drug distribution network operating between Seattle and Spokane, with meetings frequently arranged in Ritzville, Washington. According to court documents and information revealed during the sentencing hearing, beginning in December 2023, approximately 5,475 fentanyl pills (weighing over 480 grams), along with cocaine, firearms, and multiple cell phones were seized from the execution of a residential search warrant. Law enforcement, through surveillance footage, determined that location was utilized for the distribution of fentanyl in Spokane. Text message evidence revealed that Patterson —identified through phone records and financial transactions—was the source of supply for that fentanyl being trafficked out of this residence. The messages showed Patterson directed drug distribution activities, coordinated meeting locations, and arranged payments through Cash App and cash exchanges. Records confirmed multiple payments totaling thousands of dollars corresponding to drug transactions.
Patterson was arrested on October 21, 2024, in Pasco, Washington. Subsequent searches of his residence and vehicle resulted in the seizure of additional narcotics, including:
•Approximately 1,449 grams of fentanyl recovered from a toilet, where Patterson hadattempted to destroy evidence when law enforcement knocked and announced their presence athis door.
•189 grams of fentanyl pills found in his vehicle.
•Cocaine and MDMA located within his residence.In issuing this sentence, Judge Rice considered Patterson’s extensive criminal history, which included prior convictions for attempted second-degree murder and a previous federal drug trafficking offense. Notably, Patterson had previously received a reduced federal sentence for fentanyl distribution but continued engaging in similar criminal conduct upon release, resulting in the this conviction. Additionally, while in custody, Patterson made threats against his own legal counsel and a federal prosecutor, further raising concerns about public safety and deterrence.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, “This sentence was well deserved in this case given the huge quantity of deadly fentanyl involved and Patterson’s pattern of violent and drug-related criminal conduct. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of federal and local law enforcement to combat the distribution of fentanyl, a highly dangerous and often deadly substance contributing to the opioid crisis nationwide.”
“This 20-year sentence sends a clear message: those who profit from poisoning our communities with fentanyl will be held accountable,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Through Fentanyl Free America, DEA is relentlessly targeting the individuals and networks responsible for distributing this deadly drug. With strong enforcement, intelligence-driven investigations, and strategic partnerships, we are working every day to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain and save American lives.”
Sergeant Julian Covella of the RAVEN Task Force said, “This sentence is reflective of the many hours of hard work and dedication shown by the lead investigator in this case and the RAVEN Task Force members as a whole. The RAVEN Task Force is proud of the collaborative work between our local and federal partners as we continue to battle the fentanyl epidemic affecting our community.”
For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.Wapato Man Sentenced for Drive-by ShootingRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that Caludgrio Joseph Bianco, age 26, of Wapato, Washington, was sentenced to 40 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release by Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Bianco pled guilty to Drive-By Shooting pursuant to the Assimilative Crimes Act and to Possession of a Stolen Firearm on November 18, 2025.
According to court documents and information presented at sentencing, on March 15, 2025, Bianco, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, fired two shots at an occupied dwelling in Wapato as he drove by the home. The shooting was captured on neighbors’ security cameras. This appeared to be a random act of violence as Bianco did not know the victim homeowners. Further investigation revealed that the firearm used by Bianco, which was recovered by law enforcement the day of the shooting, was stolen from a residence in Seattle, Washington approximately three months earlier. An indictment was handed down on May 13, 2025. In addition to his term of imprisonment, as a condition of his supervised release, Bianco was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommended treatment.
“While the actions of law enforcement and this successful prosecution will not erase the fear and impact this event caused the victims, it is a step forward as this dangerous individual has been removed from the community,” stated Serrano. “I am grateful for the swift actions by our law enforcement partners in investigating this case, seizing and removing a stolen firearm and getting justice for such a violent act.”
“In a reckless and senseless act of violence, Mr. Bianco shot at the home of people he did not even know using a stolen firearm," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Seattle. "It is incredibly fortunate no one was injured, especially given how close these shots came to the residents inside. The FBI, together with our partners, is committed to combatting violent crime on tribal lands and throughout the state of Washington.”This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Yakama Nation Police Department and the Wapato Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.
Registered Sex Offender and Mexican National Sentenced to 24 Months Imprisonment for Assault of Federal Law Enforcement OfficersRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on April 16, 2026, District Court Judge United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke, sentenced Victor Lara-Lopez, age 42, of Pasco, Washington, Washington, to 24 months of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting two federal law enforcement officers.
According to court documents and information revealed during the sentencing hearing, in 2022, Lara-Lopez was convicted in the Superior Court of Washington- County of Benton, of molesting a 12 year old child. Lara-Lopez was sentenced to a prison term above the standard range because he held a position of trust over the child at the time of the offense. At the time of this sexual abuse, Lara-Lopez, a citizen of Mexico, was unlawfully residing in the United States. Lara-Lopez served his prison term in the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) and was released back into the community, despite his lack of status and sex offense conviction.
In June of 2025, local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers identified Lara-Lopez as a person residing unlawfully in Pasco, Washington, and sought to arrest him on an administrative warrant. In the early morning hours of June 13, 2025, two ICE officers identified Lara-Lopez in a vehicle near his Pasco residence. The officers, wearing clearly marked law enforcement gear and identifying themselves as law enforcement, approached Lara-Lopez in his vehicle and attempted to execute the warrant and arrest Lara-Lopez. Lara-Lopez refused to turn off his vehicle, provide his name, or exit his vehicle. Both officers stepped on the running board of the vehicle in an attempt to arrest Lara-Lopez. Lara-Lopez then began to drive the vehicle, initially reversing, then driving forward onto the sidewalk, hitting an ICE vehicle with such force that the front bumper was pulled off. Both officers were forced to jump off of the vehicle’s running board to avoid being crushed between Lara-Lopez’s vehicle and an ICE vehicle. Both officers sustained injuries as a result of Lara-Lopez’s conduct. Lara-Lopez fled the scene.
The United States Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation sought and obtained a federal complaint and arrest warrant for Lara-Lopez for two counts of Assault on a Federal Law Enforcement Officer. Lara-Lopez remained whereabouts unknown for a full month, despite efforts by the United States Marshalls Service (USMS), Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI to locate him.
Lara-Lopez was apprehended in his vehicle on July 15, 2025. Lara-Lopez initially refused to exit the vehicle. Two other individuals were located in the vehicle with Lara-Lopez, including a minor child. Lara-Lopez was prohibited from contact with minor children due to his supervision conditions for the prior sex offense conviction. Officers also located fraudulent identification for Lara-Lopez after he was placed into law enforcement custody. Lara-Lopez pled guilty to assaulting both ICE officers on December 2, 2025.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Dimke noted Lara-Lopez’s history of failing to comply with law enforcement. She advised that Lara Lopez’s refusal to comply with the lawful directives of federal law enforcement officers, and specifically federal immigration officers, put the community, the officers and Lara-Lopez at great risk.
“Lara-Lopez sexually abused a vulnerable, local child. He was permitted to return to our community despite this conviction and his illegal presence in the United States. The ICE officers in this case sought to protect this community by lawfully removing Lara-Lopez from it. This case highlights the importance of ICE’s work in our community. Here, ICE was removing a child sex offender who is not here lawfully from our community – I’d like to thank the ICE officers involved. My office will aggressively continue to pursue people, like Lara-Lopez, who are unlawfully present, who seek to harm members of our community, or who assault federal law enforcement officers who are doing their jobs,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Serrano.
“Law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to apprehend dangerous criminals and protect the American people,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Mr. Lara-Lopez’s reckless behavior not only injured two federal agents but was particularly egregious in light of his prior conduct exploiting a child from a position of trust. The FBI is committed to holding those who assault federal agents, like Mr. Lara-Lopez, accountable for their actions.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel Holland.
East Wenatchee Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years in Prison for Shooting and Trafficking MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on April 14, 2026, United States District Judge Rebecca Pennell sentenced Victor John Stevenson, age 37, of East Wenatchee, Washington, to 17.5 years of prison on drug trafficking and firearm charges. Judge Pennell also ordered that, following his sentence, Stevenson be on supervised release for 4 years. Stevenson was found guilty on November 13, 2025, and December 16, 2025, following two separate jury trials.
According to court documents and evidence presented at the trials, on September 4, 2024, Stevenson, despite being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition and shot at a vehicle in the parking lot of the Wenatchee Valley Mall in East Wenatchee. Stevenson was eventually connected to the shooting through various evidence, including DNA and ballistics evidence analyzed by the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory.
On September 26, 2024, Stevenson, who was serving a term of community custody supervision from a prior state assault conviction, reported to the Wenatchee Department of Corrections (DOC) office for a random drug test. After Stevenson tested positive, DOC officers were authorized to search inside his vehicle. After officers located suspected drugs and a firearm in a safe in Stevenson’s vehicle, they contacted members of the Columbia River Drug Task Force, who had also been investigating the September 4th shooting. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and subsequently recovered approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, a firearm, and ammunition in Stevenson’s vehicle.
DOC officers subsequently traveled to Stevenson’s residence and located a pistol in the driveway. The pistol was analyzed by the Washington State Patrol laboratory and confirmed to be the weapon used in the September 4th shooting. Stevenson was then interviewed by members of the Columbia River Drug Task Force and admitted to the shooting. Investigators also located a phone call Stevenson made to an inmate at the Chelan County Jail in the days following the September 4th shooting. In the recorded call, Stevenson, apparently referencing the shooting, said “I don’t think one was enough” and “I’m gonna have to get a little closer next time.”
Stevenson was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to previous felony convictions. One of Stevenson’s prior felony convictions related to a shooting he committed at the same location, the Wenatchee Valley Mall, in 2006.
“Victor Stevenson posed a tremendous danger to the people of the Wenatchee Valley and we appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners who work to arrest and prosecute those, like Mr. Stevenson, who repeatedly commit acts of violence on our streets,” stated Serrano.
“Homeland Security Investigations is grateful for the support and collaboration of our partner agencies, which led to Mr. Stevenson’s apprehension and conviction,” said April Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge, HSI Seattle. “This outcome enhances the safety of the Wenatchee Valley community. We hope this substantial sentence encourages Mr. Stevenson to reflect on his actions and pursue positive change.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Columbia River Drug Task Force. The Washington State Department of Corrections and the Washington State Patrol’s Crime Laboratory provided invaluable assistance. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich and Law Clerk Jessica Vye.
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Clarkston Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Role in Overdose DeathRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced on March 31, 2026, that Shannon Louise Grove, age 53, was sentenced on fentanyl distribution charges which resulted in an overdose death. United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Grove to 5 years in federal prison, to be followed by 6 years of supervised release.
Based on court documents and arguments presented through the pendency of the case, Grove was a longtime drug distributor in the Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington area. She had previously been convicted in 2015 in Asotin County, Washington of Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Deliver, as well as a conviction in Nez Perce County, Idaho of Possession of Methamphetamine. In October 2024, Grove distributed fentanyl to a Lewiston man, which ultimately resulted in his death. Phone records and other data confirmed Grove’s involvement in the distribution. Based on that conduct, Grove was indicted by a Grand Jury on June 4, 2025. She pled guilty on December 30, 2025.
“Fighting the scourge of fentanyl is a priority for the Department of Justice and for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington,” stated Serrano. “This case embodies the devastating impact illicit fentanyl has on individuals, families, and communities. Our deepest sympathies are with the victim and his family, as well as with all others who have lost loved ones due to fentanyl or other controlled substances. We commend the work of our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to prevent the introduction of these substances into this district.”
“For years, the defendant helped fuel the addiction crisis, and sadly, that cycle ended in tragedy,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI and our partners will hold accountable those who profit from addictions and cause harm in our communities.”
This case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Lewiston Resident Agency; Lewiston Police Department; and the Quad Cities Drug Task Force. The Quad Cities Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdiction task force involving numerous law enforcement agencies including the Lewiston Idaho Police Department, Clarkston Washington Police Department, and the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca R. Perez.
The Rosenda Strong/Jedidah Iesha Moreno Murder Cases Have ConcludedRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington – As of March 30, 2026, all seven defendants indicted for their involvement in the Rosenda Strong/Jedidah Iesha Moreno murders have been sentenced. The following information was made public during the legal proceedings.
In early October 2018, Rosenda Strong, who was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, was reported as missing. Later that month, Jedidah Iesha Moreno was also reported as missing. Both women were reported as last being seen within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation Indian reservation. The Yakama Nation Police Department (“YNPD”) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) began two separate investigations into the cases of the missing women. Cissy Strong, the sister of Rosenda Strong, led a public campaign to ensure that her sister would not be forgotten.
On November 28, 2018, the remains of Jedidah Iesha Moreno were discovered in the closed area of the Yakama Nation. It was determined that she had been bound and shot by multiple caliber bullets.
On July 4, 2019, human remains were found in a freezer within the boundaries of the Yakama Nation Indian reservation. Dental records confirmed that the human remains were those of Rosenda Strong.
Despite the lack of physical evidence, the FBI and the YNPD refused to allow these cases to go cold. Over the next few years, the FBI and the YNPD conducted hundreds of interviews, followed up on leads throughout the United States, dug up multiple areas were tipsters advised remains would be located, and obtained and executed multiple search warrants. As the investigation progressed, the FBI learned that the two cases were related. The FBI learned that Jedidah Iesha Moreno had shot and killed Rosenda Strong at a residence in Wapato, Washington.
After the murder, Andrew Zack and Jamaal Pimms stuffed Rosenda Strong’s body into a freezer. Andrew Zack, Kevin Todd Brehm, and Michael Moody attempted to find a location to dump the freezer. Ultimately, the FBI learned that Andrew Zack contacted Wilson Louis Hunt and advised him of the situation. Zack inquired about a good location to dump the body. Wilson Louis Hunt subsequently met with the men and advised him of a place to dump the freezer that contained the body. The men then dumped the freezer at the location in which it was later found.
A day or so after the murder of Rosenda Strong, Jedidah Iesha Moreno shot Wilson Louis Hunt. Later that evening. Moreno and Zack were at a residence in Toppenish, Washington. Moreno and Zack exchanged words, and Zack entered a garage to urinate. Moreno took out her gun and fired multiple shots at Zack. Zack suffered a minor wound and hid on the floor of the garage. Zack was able to make phone calls and beg for assistance.
Ultimately, Uriel Balentine Badillo arrived at the residence. Badillo found Moreno but could not find Zack. At that time, Zack was still on the floor hiding in the garage. Badillo transported Moreno to another location to look for Zack. Upon arrival, a Native American female advised Badillo that he needed to restrain Moreno and take her back to the residence in Toppenish. Moreno was bound and gagged and transported back to the residence.
Upon their return to the residence, Zack had emerged from his hiding spot. Zack, Badillo, and two juveniles were present. Badillo forced Moreno into the trunk of a stolen vehicle. Badillo shut the trunk and fired multiple shots into the trunk. Moreno was struck by multiple bullets. The two juveniles were instructed to dump Moreno’s body at another location. After dumping the body, one of juveniles fired multiple rounds into Moreno’s lifeless body.
The following day, Joshua Max Estrada arrived home and learned what had happened. The juvenile told Estrada where he had dumped the body. Estrada teased the juvenile for dumping the body in such a public place. Estrada and the juvenile were then tasked with picking up Moreno’s body and dumping it at another location. Estrada and the juvenile found Moreno’s body, put it into the back of Estrada’s truck, the dumped the body in the closed area. After dumping the body, the juvenile again filed multiple rounds into the lifeless body.
On June 13, 2023, an Indictment was returned charging all known individuals who were involved in the murder investigations. Ultimately, all of the Defendants pled guilty. Cissy Strong was present for almost every court hearing and exercised her right to speak at the sentencing hearings.
United States District Chief Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed the following sentences:
- Kevin Todd Brehm, to 70 months in federal prison for being an Accessory After the Fact. Brehm will also serve a 3-year term of federal supervised release after serving his custodial sentence. Brehm was sentenced on March 30, 2026.
- Uriel Balentine Badillo, to 292 months in federal prison for Kidnapping Resulting in Death. Brehm will also serve a 5-year term of federal supervised release after serving his custodial sentence. Badillo was sentenced on March 25, 2026.
- Wilson Louis Hunt, to 84 months in federal prison for being an Accessory After the Fact. Hunt will also serve a 3-year term of federal supervised release after serving his custodial sentence. Hunt was sentenced on January 14, 2026.
- Andrew Norris Zack, to 43 months in federal prison for being an Accessory After the Fact and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Zack will also serve a 3-year term of federal supervised release after serving his custodial sentence. Zack was sentenced on December 2, 2025.
- Jamaal Antwan Pimms, to 26 months in federal prison for Misprision of Felony. Pimms will also serve a 1-year term of federal supervised release after serving his custodial sentence. Pimms was sentenced on May 28, 2025.
- Joshawa Max Estrada, to 100 months in federal prison for being an Accessory After the Fact. Estrada will also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after serving his custodial sentence. Estrada was sentenced on March 26, 2025.
- Michael Lee Moody, to 87 months in federal prison for being an Accessory After the Fact. Moody will also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after serving his custodial sentence. Moody was sentenced on March 11, 2025.
“The sentencing of Kevin Brehm today concludes an intensive seven-year long investigation by our tribal partners, federal agencies, local police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring justice to Rosenda Strong,” stated First Assistant Pete Serrano. “Rosenda Strong was senselessly murdered and for years her family sought answers. Through the tireless efforts of law enforcement, the advocacy of Rosenda Strong’s sister and family, we hope today brings a measure of peace and finality to this community. The United States Attorney’s Office is grateful for all the partners who worked so hard to seek answers and to the Strong family for their relentless pursuit of justice for Rosenda. We will continue to fight for those silenced by violence.”
“Seven and a half years after this horrific murder, the final sentence in this tragic case has been handed down,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Seattle. “We hope today will help bring a degree of comfort and closure to the families of the victims, in knowing that justice has been served. FBI Seattle has a strong, long-standing commitment to investigating violent crime on tribal lands alongside our partners in tribal law enforcement and at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We do not forget. We do not give up. And we will hold violent offenders accountable, no matter how long it takes.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Yakama Nation Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Murphy and Tom Hanlon.
Local Physician Sentenced to 1 Year Imprisonment, a $60,000 fine, and Restitution of $349,272.79 for Adulterating and Misbranding Medical Devices with the Intent to DefraudRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington — On March 25, United States District Court Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Dr. Eric Edward Haeger, age 57, of Brewster, Washington, to one year and a day in federal prison followed by a one-year term of supervised release after Haeger pleaded guilty to adulterating and misbranding medical devices with the intent to defraud or mislead. Judge Pennell also sentenced Haeger to pay a $60,000 fine and $349,272.79 in restitution. The Plea Agreement can be found here.
In June 2021, Philips Respironics initiated a recall for certain CPAP and BiPAP devices due to potential health risks associated with the foam used in the devices for sound abatement. The recall was classified as a Class I recall because there was a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, the devices would cause serious adverse health consequences or death. The potential health risks identified at the time included inflammatory response, asthma, nausea or vomiting, and toxic or cancer-causing effects.
Based on court documents, between July 2021 and July 2023, Haeger purchased over 500 used and recalled CPAP and BiPAP devices through online resellers, which were shipped to the Eastern District of Washington. Haeger, and others at his direction, including his own children, would then open the devices, attempt to remove the foam using screw drivers, hooks, and other tools, and then put the devices back together. This conduct occurred in locations that were not designed or operated as clean rooms for the purpose of manufacturing medical devices.
Haeger and staff at his sleep clinic, Central Washington Medical Associates, under his control and supervision would then provide the used, recalled, and adulterated devices to Washington State Medicaid patients. Staff at the sleep clinic under Haeger’s direction and control would then bill the used, recalled devices to Medicaid with the false and fraudulent representation that they were new devices that were in good working order.
At sentencing, the Court concluded that Defendant had adulterated and provided to patients 440 devices that were then billed to Medicaid for over $600,000, of which $439,272.79 was paid to Defendant. The United States contended that the number of devices and loss was even more extensive. The United States argued that each of these devices presented potential harm to the patients in the way they were adulterated, both because the adulteration exasperated the risk of inhaling harmful particulates and because the devices were altered from the carefully engineered and FDA approved design, which could cause additional problems with the devices such as overheating.In sentencing Haeger to just over 12 months imprisonment, Judge Pennell acknowledged Haeger’s conduct was ongoing and extensive and that he continued to blame others for his own decisions. Judge Pennell recognized Haeger’s conduct created potential harm for his patients by creating a significant concern of contamination. Judge Pennell also stressed how Haeger’s conduct served to undermine confidence in medical professionals and medical institutions, which can cause further anxiety and stress for those seeking medical treatment when they are not sure they can trust their own doctors.
“Dr. Haeger violated the trust of his patients who were misled into believing Dr. Haeger was providing them with safe and reliable medical equipment,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. “Instead, Dr. Haeger devised an extensive scheme to defraud his patients and Medicaid, prioritizing profit over patient health and safety. Conduct that puts profits over patients is egregious, and my office will continue to prosecute such cases.”
“The FDA is committed to protecting patients from adulterated and misbranded medical devices that may compromise health and safety,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Los Angeles Field Office. “This case demonstrates the serious consequences of altering recalled medical devices and misrepresenting them to patients and healthcare programs.”
“Putting recalled and unsafe medical devices into the hands of vulnerable patients is an egregious violation of the trust our healthcare system relies on,” said Robb Breeden, Special Agent in Charge of the Pacific Area Regional Office for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “Patients deserve to know that the equipment they depend on is safe and effective—not secretly refurbished, adulterated, or contaminated. Our investigation underscores a simple truth: when providers put profits ahead of patient safety, we will hold them accountable.”
“The adulterations by Dr Haeger show a dangerous disregard for the safety of his patients,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said. “This is a win for patient safety, for protecting public dollars from fraud, and for ensuring citizens of Washington get necessary healthcare. This case exemplifies the great work our team is doing in collaboration with our federal partners to fight fraud and protect Washingtonians.”
“As a physician, Dr. Haeger knew he had a responsibility to act in the best interest of patients who trusted him with their health,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Instead, he risked the safety of hundreds of Medicaid patients by issuing them recalled medical devices he had tampered with, then fraudulently billing Medicaid representing the machines as new. Even worse, these Medicaid patients had limited treatment options, and he took advantage of their vulnerability for his own gain. Together with our state and federal partners, the FBI will hold accountable fraudsters who choose greed over their patients’ health.”
The case was investigated by the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations, the Washington State Medicaid Fraud Control Division, the Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy J. Kelley.
- Former Riverside School Paraeducator Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Multiple Minor Victims
Othello Man Sentenced to 15 Months Incarceration for Odometer TamperingRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on March 17, 2026, in Spokane, Washington, U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Reynaldo Garza, age 53, of Othello, Washington, to 15 months incarceration and ordered he pay $21,080 in restitution to four victims of his scheme to rollback odometers in used vehicles. Judge Pennell also ordered that, following his incarceration, Garza be on supervised release for 1 year. As a condition of his supervised release, Judge Pennell ordered that Garza is not permitted to sell any vehicles.
On October 1, 2025, a federal jury in Spokane, Washington convicted Garza of five felony counts of Odometer Tampering. As evidence presented at the trial established, a thorough investigation initiated by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office determined that Garza would purchase used high-mileage cars for cheap. Garza would replace the odometers in the vehicles with an odometer purchased from wrecking yards or used auto parts sellers. The new odometer would display many fewer miles than the vehicle’s actual mileage. Garza then sold the vehicles under the false and fraudulent representation that they had fewer miles than was true. In some cases, Garza sold cars by misrepresenting the mileage by up to 100,000 miles less than the actual mileage. In other cases, the difference was tens of thousands of miles. In doing so, Garza made thousands of dollars in profits for each fraudulent sale.
In total, Garza tampered with the odometers of at least 21 different vehicles. At sentencing, the United States offered the testimony of an expert who calculated that the total miles removed by Garza via odometer rollback was 2,142,682 miles.
In sentencing Garza to 15 months, Judge Pennell acknowledged that Garza’s conduct was not an isolated event, but had been ongoing for years, and that Garza committed a significant offense where he targeted his own community and breached their trust. Judge Pennell further stated that the dollar amount lost did not fully reflect the pain and suffering that Garza’s conduct had caused to his victims. In argument, the United States explicitly referenced how several victims still have to drive the vehicle Garza tampered with because they simply cannot afford to purchase a different vehicle.
“Mr. Garza is not the first nor the last person commit odometer fraud in the Eastern District of Washington. Our office takes these crimes seriously and will investigate and prosecute all instances of odometer tampering. Mr. Garza’s sentence reflects the harm he imposed on our community. This sentence should serve as a message that odometer tampering is a significant and serious offense that will not be tolerated in our community,” stated First Assistant Serrano.
“Odometer fraud is a serious and costly crime. It's also dangerous. These purchasers were defrauded into believing that the vehicles were more than 100,000 miles newer than in reality—taking on additional risks from safety-critical components affecting steering and braking. NHTSA is committed to working with U.S. Attorneys’ offices to investigate, prosecute and sentence those who defraud unsuspecting car buyers. This sentencing provides justice for the numerous victims who suffered significant financial losses. NHTSA will continue to protect Americans from these deceptive and dangerous practices,” stated NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Odometer Fraud and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy J. Kelley. and Jacob E. Brooks.
Individuals with information relating to odometer tampering should call NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. More information on odometer fraud, including prevention tips, is available on NHTSA’s website.
Moses Lake Man Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced today that Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Billy Gene Pinson, age 45, 35 years imprisonment for three counts of Production of Child Pornography, two counts of Possession of Child Pornography, and one count of Commission of a Felony Sex Offense by an Individual Required to Register as Sex Offender. Pinson pleaded guilty on October 15, 2025. Judge Bastian sentenced Pinson to 35 years in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release. Judge Bastian also ordered restitution for one victim in the amount of $3,000, imposed a $10,000 assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act, and ordered the forfeiture of electronic devices used in connection with Defendant’s crimes.
According to court documents, Pinson is a repeat sex offender, convicted in 1994 of two counts of Rape of a Child in the First Degree and in 2013 of Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes. Required to register as a sex offender, Pinson was already abusing his next victims before probation expired on his 2013 sex offense. Between February 2014 and October 2018, Pinson raped and sexually abused eight more children and exploited at least two more identifiable victims. Pinson’s victims were as young as four years old.
The case came to light in March 2019, according to the filed plea agreement, when one of Pinson’s minor victims – then six years old – disclosed abuse at Pinson’s residence in Moses Lake. The ensuing investigation led to four more children disclosing years of sexual abuse by Pinson. Some of the victims described being photographed nude and in sexual poses and seeing these images on Pinson’s phone. Additional victims were identified when computer hard drives belonging to Pinson were forensically reviewed and found to contain child pornography produced by Pinson, in addition to child pornography Pinson obtained online. A safe in Pinson’s garage contained printed child pornography photographs, a baggie of one of his victim’s hair, and several pairs of used little girls’ underwear. Pinson’s DNA was matched to semen on the underwear.
“Crimes involving the sexual exploitation and abuse of minor children are the most reprehensible crimes,” said Serrano. “Pinson has proven over and over that he will harm a child he desires if given the chance, and the sentence today puts that to end. Our office is committed to working alongside our state and federal partners to seek justice for these victims, and I’m grateful for a sentence that removes Pinson from our community. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, but I hope the length of Pinson’s sentence helps them healing.”
“This defendant’s actions caused devastating harm to multiple victims, and today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes,” said Grant County Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Guernsey. “The Grant County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office takes crimes involving the victimization of children with the utmost seriousness, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. Our office is grateful to see this defendant finally held accountable for the profound harm he inflicted on multiple victims. We appreciate the U.S. Attorney’s Office for taking on such a significant and challenging prosecution. The thorough investigation by the Moses Lake Police Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made this outcome possible, and we hope the victims can now begin the process of healing and moving forward.”
Captain Mike Williams, of the Moses Lake Police Department added, “While we are happy to close the book on the prosecution phase of this repugnant and tragic case, we are reminded that there are eight victims whose lives were irrevocably changed by this criminal. Our hope is that this sentence will bring some measure of peace to them. MLPD would like to thank our federal partners with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and United States Attorney's Office for their work on this case. The scope of the investigation was staggering, and with their help, all of the victims were able to have their voices heard.”
“This substantial prison sentence removed Pinson from our community where he can never again groom, exploit, or terrorize another child,” said Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “HSI was able to bring this case to justice because brave young victims spoke up and our special agents, with assistance from Moses Lake Police Department and the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office, quickly stepped in to investigate without hesitation. We know that no sentence can erase the lifelong trauma these children carry, but HSI will stand with them—for as long as it takes—and we will not stop. HSI is unwavering in our mission to protect children, pursue predators like this repeat, dangerous sex offender and work with our communities to find, stop, and prosecute anyone who dares to harm a child.”
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated jointly by Homeland Security Investigations and the Moses Lake Police Department. Pinson was first prosecuted by the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office. This federal case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ann T. Wick.
Defendant Sentenced to 25 Years of Imprisonment for Using Access to Infant and Toddler to Produce Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on March 11, 2026, Christopher Scott Marsh, age 45, was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release after using his access to extremely young children to produce child sexual abuse material, abusing a position of trust and exploiting victims too young to understand or report the abuse.
According to court records filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Marsh used children in his care—one two-year-old and the other an infant under the age of one—to create sexually explicit material. At the time of the offenses, the children were being cared for by the defendant’s girlfriend and, in part, by Marsh himself. Prosecutors emphasized that Marsh occupied a position of trust and used that access to exploit and abuse particularly vulnerable minors. Because of their extremely young ages, the children had no meaningful ability to understand what was happening or to report the abuse. Their limited verbal skills and developmental stage left them without any opportunity to stop or disclose the conduct.
Prosecutors also outlined evidence that the Marsh’s sexual interest in children was longstanding. Court filings indicate he had been consuming child sexual abuse material for approximately 14 to 20 years and possessed a significant volume of illegal images and videos. Investigators further determined that he created additional exploitative material by digitally manipulating images of a real minor he knew, placing that child’s face onto existing explicit content. Prosecutors argued that the defendant’s escalating behavior demonstrated the need for a substantial term of imprisonment to protect the public and deter future offenses.
In this case, Marsh entered a global plea agreement, which required him to enter a plea of guilty to both the federal offenses detailed herein as well as two counts of Child Molestation in the First Degree, in violation of RCW 9A.44.083, in Spokane County Superior Court. Marsh will enter his guilty pleas in Spokane County now that the federal sentence has been imposed.
First Assistant Serrano said, “The impact of an offense like this extends well beyond the child victims; these crimes impact the victims’ families and our entire community. The families that entrusted Marsh are now left in a vulnerable place with extreme anxiety and difficulty trusting any caretaker as they move forward. Crimes against children a priority to my office; we will do everything possible to protect the children of our community.”
“It is heartbreaking that Mr. Marsh took advantage of the trust placed in him to exploit children who depended on him for care and protection," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "In doing so, he caused long-lasting suffering to the young victims and their families. Holding child predators accountable for their crimes is important but difficult work, and I commend the investigators and prosecutors who keep our communities and children safe.”
“Predators who exploit our most vulnerable threaten the sanctity and security of our community at every level.” Said Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney Preston McCollam. “Cases like this underscore the critical importance of strong partnerships between local and federal agencies. I am deeply grateful for the diligent, professional team of local and federal partners who work tirelessly every day to hold offenders like this accountable.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spokane Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alison L. Gregoire of the Eastern District of Washington and Amanda Fry for the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington
Career Offender Convicted of Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Unlawful Possession of Firearms Sentenced to 30 Years Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that James Anthony Stinson, age 55, of Spokane, Washington was sentenced March 18, 2026, to 30 years in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release following his trial convictions for 11 felonies pertaining to Sex Trafficking, Drug Trafficking, and Unlawful Possession of Firearms. The Court also imposed $28,000 in restitution to the victims.
Based on evidence presented during the jury trial, the investigation into Mr. Stinson began in 2021 following a series of controlled purchases of crack cocaine. Some of those purchases occurred from Mr. Stinson’s hotel room in the Spokane Valley. Based on the controlled purchases, law enforcement with the FBI, Spokane Police Department, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Mr. Stinson’s adjoining hotel rooms. They located distribution quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and fentanyl pills, along with multiple illegally possessed firearms, as well as evidence that the rooms may also have been used for sex trafficking. Mr. Stinson had installed video surveillance cameras controlled by him to film the activities in the rooms. Further investigation into Mr. Stinson’s phones and other digital evidence revealed videos of Mr. Stinson threatening and violently beating one of the victims he trafficked. Messages on Mr. Stinson’s phones revealed his ongoing use of force, fraud, and coercion to force victims to engage in sex work and provide him with the proceeds of the activity, as well as evidence of significant financial gains from his combined human trafficking and drug trafficking operations.
Mr. Stinson was previously convicted in Washington State Superior Court for Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine), for which he served 132 months and was released in 2011. In 2012, Mr. Stinson was convicted in federal court in the Eastern District of Washington for Addict and Unlawful User of a Controlled Substance in Possession of Firearm and Ammunition, for which he served 120 months in prison. At the time of his arrest in 2021, Mr. Stinson was on federal supervised release.
First Assistant Serrano said, “The sentence imposed here reflects the seriousness of Stinson’s actions. Crimes involving drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession are devastating to our communities. Mr. Stinson distributed controlled substances and exploited and coerced, through violence or the threat of violence, multiple vulnerable women to engage in sex work. He took advantage of these women’s addiction and other personal vulnerabilities for his own benefit. Mr. Stinson is a violent predator with a lengthy criminal history, and I am grateful for the work of many law enforcement partners whose efforts led to Mr. Stinson being taken off the streets.”
“As this investigation into Mr. Stinson progressed, it revealed even more crimes, all of them harmful to the public,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Unfortunately, he did not seem to learn his lesson from prior convictions and returned to criminal activity, including distribution of dangerous drugs, illegal possession of firearms, and even sex trafficking through force and coercion. This case highlights the importance of the FBI’s Spokane Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking Task Force, which was instrumental in bringing Mr. Stinson to justice and is an effective asset in keeping our Eastern Washington communities safe.”
This case was a multi-jurisdiction investigation conducted by the FBI Spokane Child Exploitation/Human Trafficking Task Force, which is a partnership between the FBI, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and Spokane Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca R. Perez and Lisa Cartier-Giroux.
Pasco Man Sentenced to 20 Years Imprisonment for Soliciting Sexual Acts and Explicit Content from Minors OnlineRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on March 11, 2026, Chief United States District Court Judge Stanley A. Bastian, sentenced Manuel A. Rodriguez, age 29, of Pasco, Washington, to 20 years of imprisonment for Online Enticement of a Minor and Attempted Production of Child Pornography. Judge Bastian also ordered that following his sentence, Rodriguez will serve a lifetime term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and abide by a number of conditions, to include those pertaining to Rodriguez’s access and use of electronic devices.
According to court documents, in February of 2023, a student at a local high school disclosed that she had been sexually assaulted by a 26-year-old male when she was 15 years old. The sexual assault resulted in a pregnancy. A subsequent investigation by the Pasco Police Department (PPD) identified the male as Manuel A. Rodriguez, who resided in Pasco, Washington. Further investigation by PPD revealed that Rodriguez sought out the 15-year-old girl on the Snapchat application in October of 2022. Rodriguez messaged with the 15-year-old in a sexually explicit manner for an extended period of time. In December of 2022, Rodriguez picked the 15-year-old girl up in his vehicle on two occasions. Each time, Rodriguez transported the minor girl to a location in Pasco, Washington, and sexually assaulted her.
PPD and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SER-ICAC) obtained records from Rodriguez’s Snapchat account. Therein, detectives discovered that Rodriguez had communicated with numerous Snapchat users who identified themselves as minor girls, including girls as young as 13. The communications were sexually explicit. One such minor was identified as a 14-year-old girl living in another state. Rodriguez received and requested image and video files depicting the 14-year-old girl.
“Rodriguez reprehensibly used online applications to target, meet, and sexually abuse children in the Eastern District of Washington. I applaud the courage of the 15-year-old victim, whose report enabled law enforcement to protect other children from Mr. Rodriguez’s conduct,” stated First Assistant Serrano. “Through the courage of the victim and the tireless efforts of our ICAC Team, this offender will no longer be in the community to harm children. Although no sentence can overcome the ongoing harm suffered by the minor victims in this case, the collaborative work of the state and federal law enforcement officers and my office in this case makes clear that we will use every available tool and resource to protect our children.”
“Offenders who use social media platforms to exploit children often believe they can hide behind a screen,” said Hyrum Stohel, Sergeant with the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (SER-ICAC) Task Force. “But through careful investigation and digital forensics, law enforcement is often able to identify those responsible and stop further victimization. Investigations like this demonstrate the importance of partnerships between local law enforcement and federal agencies to identify offenders, protect victims, and prevent further harm to children in our communities.”
“The extraordinary bravery of a victim, who worked with local law enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations special agents to provide crucial digital evidence, was instrumental in putting this child predator behind bars,” said Homeland Security Investigations Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Her courage not only brought Rodriguez to justice, but also protected other children from potential harm. Predators who use online platforms to groom and arrange meetings with vulnerable children will find no refuge from law enforcement.”
This case was investigated by the Pasco Police Department and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is comprised of special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and local detectives from the Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco Police Departments, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland.
4:25-CR-6003-SABRegistered Sex Offender Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – On March 11, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Steven Eric Prestwood, age 39, to 15 years in federal prison followed by a lifetime term of supervised release after pleading guilty to receipt of child pornography. The Court also imposed $72,000 in restitution to go to the known victims portrayed in the images and ordered Prestwood to comply with sex offender registration requirements amongst several other stringent conditions upon release from prison.
According to court documents, in April 2025, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office received multiple tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding uploads of child sexual abuse material linked to an online messaging account associated with Prestwood. Investigators identified communications in which Prestwood sought and received explicit images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minors, including prepubescent children and infants.
Law enforcement officers later arrested Prestwood and seized Prestwood’s cellular phone. A forensic examination revealed hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of children. Many of the files involved extremely violent and sadistic conduct against young victims. Investigators also determined that hundreds of the images and videos had previously been identified by NCMEC and were linked to numerous known child victims.
Prestwood was previously convicted in 2021 in Spokane County Superior Court for possession of depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. At the time of the federal offense, he was a registered sex offender and was out of compliance with registration requirements.
In imposing sentence, the Court found that a significant term of imprisonment was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law, provide just punishment, protect the public, and deter future criminal conduct. The Court sentenced Prestwood to 180 months (15 years) in federal custody, to be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release.
“This sentence reflects the grave harm caused by the exploitation of children and the continued danger posed by repeat offenders,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. “The Department of Justice remains committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who seek out and distribute child sexual abuse material.”
“This case is extremely disturbing, made even more so by the fact that he did not learn his lesson from his last offense and continued his harmful behavior,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Mr. Prestwood not only possessed thousands of meticulously organized images and videos of child sexual abuse, but much of it was especially violent, even depicting the torture of children. I’m grateful for the law enforcement officers and prosecutors who investigate these horrifying cases to hold dangerous child predators accountable.”
“Sexual predators forever alter the lives of the innocent children they victimize,” said Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels. “Working together with NCMEC and our local, state, and federal partners, we will relentlessly work to identify and hold accountable those who exploit and harm the vulnerable children in our community.”
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alison L. Gregoire of the Eastern District of Washington.
For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
2:25-cr-00112-TOR
Pasco Man Sentenced to 5 Years Imprisonment for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on March 5, 2026, District Court Judge United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke, sentenced Ricardo Velazquez Reyes, age 23, of Pasco, Washington, to five years of imprisonment for the Receipt of Child Pornography. Judge Dimke also ordered that following his sentence, Velazquez Reyes serve a 15 year term of supervised release, register as a sex offender, and abide by a number of conditions pertaining to Velazquez Reyes’s use and access to electronic devices. Velazquez Reyes was also ordered to pay $154,000 in restitution to minor children depicted and identified in the sexual exploitation files he received, possessed and distributed.
According to court documents, a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) conducted an undercover investigation into individuals utilizing an online platform to distribute, receive and possess files known to law enforcement to constitute child pornography. On multiple occasions spanning from December of 2023 through March of 2024, Velazquez Reyes distributed known child pornography files depicting minor children to the undercover Special Agent. In March of 2024, a search warrant was executed at Velazquez Reyes’s residence in Pasco. HSI agents and members of the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SER-ICAC) served the warrant. Multiple electronic devices were seized from Velazquez Reyes’s residence. An HSI forensic examiner located more than 1,000 child pornography files on Velazquez Reyes’s electronic devices. These files depicted minor children, including those under the age of 12, engaged in sex acts, bondage and defecation. Velazquez Reyes was interviewed by detectives with the SER-ICAC on scene. Velazquez Reyes admitted that he had obtained child pornography utilizing the dark web and that he was sexually stimulated by child pornography. Velazquez Reyes also advised that he was enrolled as a student in a cybersecurity program at a local college at the time of his arrest.
“Mr. Velazquez Reyes distributed sickening images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of minor children in our community and abroad” stated First Assistant Serrano. “This material often depicts the worst day of a young child’s life, yet Mr. Velazquez Reyes distributed these images and videos and gained personal gratification from them. Thanks to the proactive work of Homeland Security Investigations and the Southeast Regional ICAC team, Mr. Velazquez Reyes was identified, apprehended and prosecuted for his conduct, preventing the further distribution of these horrific images and videos.”
“Every image or video of child sexual abuse represents a real child who was victimized,” said Damon Jansen Commander of the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (SER-ICAC) Task Force. “When offenders download, possess, and distribute this material, they are continuing the cycle of abuse for those victims. This case highlights the importance of proactive investigations and strong partnerships between Homeland Security Investigations and our Southeast Regional ICAC Task Force. Together, we are committed to identifying offenders, rescuing victims, and holding those who exploit children accountable.”
“By leveraging our advanced cyber capabilities, HSI relentlessly pursues those who traffic in the abuse of children and ensures they are brought to justice,” said HSI Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Together with our local partners, we are protecting vulnerable victims and helping to rescue children worldwide from this horrific exploitation.”
The case was investigated by the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is comprised of special agents with Homeland Security Investigations and local detectives from the Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco Police Departments, along with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laurel J. Holland.
4:24-CR-6015-MKD
Second Spokane Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Running a Commercial Pill Press Operation in the Hillyard AreaRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice has sentenced Nicholas Adams, 37, of Spokane, Washington to a 20 year term of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of court supervision upon his release stemming from his role in running a commercial pill press operation out of his residence in the Hillyard neighborhood of Spokane.
According to court documents and information discussed during the sentencing hearing, Adams and his co-defendant Timothy Maddox obtained a commercial pill press via the mail from China and set up a ‘pill press operation’ in the basement of Adams’ residence, mixing powder fentanyl and cutting agents to make their own fentanyl pills for bulk distribution into the community.
Search warrants were executed at multiple locations in November 2023 and yield a massive amount of fentanyl powder, cutting agents, pill press parts, and multiple firearms along with an operational commercial pill press (below). Given the extremely hazardous conditions and contamination of nearly every flat surface created by operating a pill lab, the Department of Ecology assisted in the execution of the search warrant at Adams’ residence.
According to calculations by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the amount of fentanyl powder Maddox and Adams had on hand to produce pills was easily enough to make over 2,000,000 fentanyl pills containing a lethal dose. Put another way, the amount of fentanyl powder they had on hand to make these illicit pills could kill the entire population of Spokane County almost 4 times over.
In addition to their fentanyl pill production, Maddox and Adams possessed large quantities of methamphetamine, along with heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana. They each also armed with multiple loaded firearms in their respective residences, which included loaded (and chambered) handguns, loaded modified shotguns, and AK-type rifles. In Maddox’s residence, he also had a loaded (with a round chambered) firearm with a “Glock switch” making it a fully automatic machine gun, with a loaded large drum magazine as well as three sets of body armor.
Notably, Adams engaged in this conduct after being repeatedly involved in the criminal justice system. Since 2012, he has repeatedly perpetrated acts of violence against others and then disregarded court orders attempting to keep his victims safe from him. His history also shows a dedication to his controlled substance abuse despite multiple court interventions. In fact, when he was arrested for this offense, he was initially released from custody to attend inpatient drug treatment. However, he continued to use drugs and was returned to custody.
“Stopping the production and flow of fentanyl into our communities is one of the most challenging crises we face as law enforcement. This is a matter of importance as it will protect public health. This investigation and prosecution provide a tremendous example of the collaborative approach we take to fighting this serious and ever-increasing threat to our communities,” said First Assistant Serrano. “The volume of fentanyl that this investigation took of the street is truly staggering. I cannot overstate the impact our team made here, by identifying a repeat criminal who was manufacturing vast quantities of this deadly drug while heavily armed. Removing him for decades will protect this community in ways seen and unseen. We want the public to know that these threats exist and that our team is working tirelessly to combat them wherever and whenever they appear.”
“This 20-year sentence advances DEA’s unwavering commitment to a Fentanyl Free America,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “By possessing massive amounts of fentanyl powder and operating a commercial pill press capable of producing more than two million potentially lethal fentanyl pills, the defendant was directly placing lives in Spokane County at risk. Fentanyl Free America is our nationwide effort to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain, reduce its availability, and save American lives through relentless enforcement, education, increased public awareness, and strong strategic partnerships. Together, we will continue working to Make America Fentanyl Free.”
“HSI Seattle and its partners have removed a major public safety threat by securing decades long sentences for both defendants in one of Eastern Washington’s largest fentanyl pill manufacturing cases,” said HSI Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “With both Adams and his co-conspirator Maddox now behind bars, HSI has safeguarded the community and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the American people. By shutting down their makeshift lab in a residential community, HSI helped eliminate an operation capable of producing over two million deadly pills—saving countless lives and protecting families from harm.”
“I am very pleased with news of the successful investigation, prosecution, and conviction of the people in this case.” Said Sheriff Nowels. “Those convicted clearly presented a danger to our entire region as they made the decision to flood our community with Fentanyl and other lethal drugs. This case highlights the importance of unwavering relationships and cooperation between local law enforcement and all our federal partners to bring justice and safety to Spokane and surrounding communities.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement & Narcotics (RAVEN) Task Force, and the Spokane Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard.
2:23-CR-00143-TOR-2DEA Search Warrants in Tri-Cities Result in Largest Drug Seizure in EDWA HistoryRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on March 3, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration executed federal search warrants at multiple locations in the Tri-Cities, Washington area that resulted in the largest seizure of controlled substances in EDWA history.
The federal search warrants were based on an ongoing drug trafficking investigation into Amador Sanchez and several co-conspirators. The investigation revealed Sanchez utilized multiple residences, including at least one residence in each of the Tri-Cities, to facilitate and conceal his illegal activities. Notably, Sanchez was on federal supervised release stemming from a previous federal drug trafficking conviction. The investigation is ongoing. Indictments are expected to be presented to a federal grand jury.
In total, approximately over 200 pounds of methamphetamine, over 164 pounds of powdered fentanyl, and over 5 pounds of cocaine were seized along with approximately $2,000,000 in U.S. Currency and 16 firearms were seized. Please note these are preliminary estimates.
“This momentous drug seizure reflects the tireless work of our law enforcement partners to protect our communities,” stated First Assistant Pete Serrano. “The enormous quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine seized in this case had the potential to cause devastating harm across our region. Our office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who traffic deadly drugs—especially repeat offenders who continue to endanger public safety. We will continue working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to hold drug traffickers accountable and keep our communities safe.”
“This historic seizure, the largest in the history of the Eastern District of Washington, marks significant progress toward a Fentanyl Free America,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The extraordinary amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine removed from the Tri-Cities area would have devastated families and communities. Through strong enforcement, strategic partnerships, and increased public awareness, DEA remains unwavering in its commitment to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain and save American lives.”
The charges contained in any Indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration Tri-Cities Resident Office, which includes state law enforcement partners as well as federal agents from the United States Border Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, United States Marshals, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Repeat Drug Trafficking Offender in Moses Lake Sentenced to 15 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Spokane, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice has sentenced Gregory Wilson, 55, of Moses Lake, Washington to a 15-year term of incarceration, to be followed by 10 years of court supervision upon his release stemming from his repeated drug trafficking activities.
According to court documents and information discussed during the sentencing hearing, in 2015 Wilson was convicted of selling large quantities of methamphetamine and sentenced to 120 months in federal prison; however, he was released a few years later pursuant to a compassionate release motion, over the United States’ objection, after serving less than half of his initial sentence (1:15-CR-2065-SAB). In his compassionate release motion, Wilson assured the Court he was a changed man—he just wanted to be with his elderly parents and minor child. His term of supervised release was terminated early, over the United States’ objection.
Within 6 months of the termination of his supervised release, the Moses Lake Police Department received information Wilson was again engaged in significant drug trafficking activities and began the current investigation. A state investigation was initiated in 2023 at which time Moses Lake Streets Crimes Unit conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Wilson and a search of his Moses Lake area residence. He was arrested on state charges and soon bonded out. From evidence obtained during the 2025 federal investigation, it became clear Wilson had never ceased his drug trafficking activities. As the federal investigation progressed, law enforcement was able to locate him traveling from Yakima with a drug load of methamphetamine and fentanyl bound for the Moses Lake community. Based upon the evidence from both the state and federal investigations, he was indicted for his pervasive drug trafficking activities from 2023-2025. This sentence reflects the seriousness of his criminal conduct.
“Prolific drug traffickers like Mr. Wilson have proven that they will deceive the Court to obtain benefits and reductions they are not entitled to in order to be set free to continue harming our communities,” said First Assistant Pete Serrano. “Reduction programs only work if they are applied to those who are truly qualified. Sadly, what occurred here was the early release of a dangerous Defendant into the community with no safety measures in place to monitor his activities. Thanks to the tireless dedication of our state and federal law enforcement partners and the commitment of our office to bring this Defendant to justice, we were able to remove this threat from the Moses Lake community.”
“Drug traffickers who repeatedly choose to profit by distributing dangerous narcotics in our communities will face the full force of the United States justice system. Let this serve as a clear message to anyone who traffics in deadly drugs: ATF and our law enforcement partners will relentlessly pursue you, dismantle your networks, and hold you accountable for the harm you inflict on our communities. ATF and the Moses Lake PD Street Crimes Unit remain ever vigilant in our fight to keep our Eastern Washington communities safe,” stated Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais.
“I am proud of and thankful for our partnership with ATF as it allows us to amplify our Street Crimes Unit and pursue pervasive drug dealers who choose to distribute their poison into our community,” said Moses Lake Police Department Chief Dave Sands.
This case was investigated by the Moses Lake Police Department Street Crimes Unit in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard.
2:25-CR-00053-TOR-1
Hanford Contractor, Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS), Agrees to Pay $3.45 Million to Resolve Allegations of FraudRead the Press Release
Richland, Washington – First Assistant United States Attorney S. Peter Serrano announced that on February 2, 2026, federal contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions (HMIS) paid $3,450,000 to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a settlement agreement resolving allegations that HMIS fraudulently overcharged the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for millions of dollars in labor hours.
This settlement with HMIS resolves allegations under the False Claims Act that HMIS’ management was aware of and failed to prevent inflated labor hours being charged to DOE. These hours were paid to HMIS by DOE from federal funds and included payment for labor hours for which HMIS employees were not scheduled or assigned sufficient work to perform.
Since 2020, HMIS has had a multi-billion dollar performance-based prime contract with DOE for infrastructure and site services which are integral and necessary to accomplish the environmental cleanup mission. Under its prime contract with DOE, HMIS receives reimbursement for its claimed allowable costs, including labor. According to the allegations filed in court, HMIS fraudulently inflated reimbursable costs by failing to provide its employees with work assignments sufficient to fill an entire shift and then directed those same employees to record their time as if they had worked the entire shift. This false recording of time resulted in HMIS knowingly submitting false claims for the payment of those labor hours.
Under the settlement agreement entered into with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, HMIS admitted that between August 17, 2020, and September 30, 2025, it sought and received reimbursement from DOE for labor hours made up of unallowable excessive idle time. HMIS has further admitted in the settlement agreement that, at times, it did not schedule or assign sufficient work to be performed by its personnel. HMIS has paid a total settlement amount of $3,450,000, of which $1,725,000 is restitution.
“Corporate fraud perpetrated upon the taxpayer at Hanford distracts from DOE’s vital clean up mission,” stated First Assistant U.S. Attorney Serrano. “This resolution shows our continuing commitment to fighting fraud at Hanford and to ensuring that those tasked with the responsibility of essential environmental cleanup do not abuse our trust in them. I am grateful that HMIS ultimately did the right thing by admitting its conduct and paying back twice what it took from the taxpayers. I hope every individual and business that contracts with the federal government sees this settlement and knows there’s a real risk of prosecution when the United States is defrauded.”
In December 2021, a HMIS employee came forward with allegations of labor mischarging by filing a qui tam complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court (EDWA) under the False Claims Act. In May 2024, the same individual, a whistleblower known as a “Relator” under the False Claims Act, came forward with a second qui tam complaint, also filed under seal, making additional allegations of HMIS’ fraud. When a relator files a qui tam complaint, the False Claims Act requires the United States to investigate the allegations and elect whether to intervene and take over the action or to decline to intervene and allow the relator to go forward with the litigation on behalf of the United States. The relator is generally able to then share in any recovery. This settlement resolves both qui tams filed by the relator. As part of the settlement agreement, the relator will receive $793,500 of the settlement amount and is entitled to have HMIS pay the relator’s attorney fees.
“I thank and commend the relator-whistleblower for bringing serious and credible allegations of fraud to our attention” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Serrano. “Through the relator’s information and the years’ long investigation, we are able to uncover fraud and hold HMIS accountable. I hope the public sees this and understands that when viable information is reported to law enforcement, whether that’s through the filing of an under seal qui tam complaint or stepping forward as a witness, they allow the Department of Justice to do its job and hold fraudsters accountable” continued Serrano.
“The Office of Inspector General remains committed to ensuring the integrity of the Department’s contractors by detecting and holding accountable those who engage in schemes to defraud the Government. The American taxpayers should never be responsible for the costs associated with work that was not performed. This settlement is the result of a collaborative effort with our Office of Investigation’s team and the U.S. Attorney’s Office who have repeatedly demonstrated their dedication to ensure public funds are used for the mission-related purposes for which they are intended,” stated Assistant Inspector General for Investigations Lewe Sessions. “I would like to extend my deep gratitude to our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for pursuing this matter as we remain devoted to partner with them to aggressively investigate those who seek to defraud Department programs and American taxpayers.”
The settlement was the result of an investigation jointly conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) and the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General. The USAO’s investigation and prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Frieda K. Zimmerman, Jacob E. Brooks, Molly M.S. Smith, and Tyler H.L. Tornabene. The Relator was represented by the law firms of Smith & Lowney, PLLC, Mehri & Skalet PLLC, and Hanford Challenge.
Settlement Agreement
4:24-CV-05051-SAB
4:21-CV-05156-SAB
Two Defendants Indicted for Forced Labor, Victim Tampering, Aggravated Identity Theft, Mail Fraud, and Wire Fraud involving Yakima and Benton County H-2A WorkersRead the Press Release
YAKIMA, Washington – Two individuals from the Yakima area have been indicted by a federal grand jury for illegally transporting over 100 temporary foreign agricultural workers over the border of the United States and engaging in both forced labor practices and victim tampering. Cesar Jamie Rebolledo Diaz and Socorro Ramos, both of Yakima, Washington, were charged in a ten-count Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Yakima, Washington, on February 11, 2026. The United States Marshal Service and other law enforcement agencies are currently attempting to execute the arrest warrants for both Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos.
The federal Indictment alleges that Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos fraudulently obtained 103 temporary work visas under the H-2A program by falsely representing they both worked for Marquez Farms LLC, in Wapato Washington, on documentation submitted to the United States Department of Labor, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the United States Department of State. Additionally, Ramos fraudulently held herself out to the public, while working to obtain temporary work visas, as the co-owner of Marquez Farms LLC.
The Indictment further alleges Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos recruited foreign laborers from Mexico under false pretenses of providing a temporary paying job at Marquez Farms LLC, which they promised included adequate housing, food, paid travel and visas, and predictable location and hours of work. Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos then transported 103 foreign laborers from the border of the United States and Mexico to the Eastern District of Washington. This transportation was done in overcrowded school buses with no available air conditioning or water. Upon arriving in the Eastern District of Washington, some of the workers found themselves without the work promised, and others found themselves working for no pay. Moreover, the workers were not consistently provided food or adequate housing facilities. The Federal Indictment alleges that when authorities from the state of Washington began to investigate how Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos were treating the foreign laborers in their employ, Rebolledo Diaz and Ramos instructed the foreign laborers to remain silent and to report on foreign laborers who were interacting with state investigators.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano stated, “My office is committed to seeking justice for these vulnerable victims and protecting the integrity of a federal program vital to the success of our agricultural sector in the Eastern District of Washington.”
Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito said, “The Office of Inspector General is unwavering in our commitment to protect the integrity of the Department of Labor’s Foreign Labor Certification programs. When bad actors exploit vulnerable workers or attempt to game the system, we investigate, we expose, and we hold them accountable. At the same time, we safeguard the U.S. employers who follow the law and play by the rules. We will continue working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure these programs serve legitimate labor needs — not criminal enterprises. Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional.”
The charges contained in this Indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten, Jeremy J. Kelley, and Tyler H.L. Tornabene. They were investigated by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service.
Four Defendants Charged via Superseding Indictment for Fraud and Exploitation-Related Federal Offenses involving Yakima and Benton County H-2A WorkersRead the Press Release
YAKIMA, Washington – Four individuals from the Yakima and Tri-Cities area have been charged via Superseding Indictment by a federal grand jury for fraudulently obtaining temporary work visas (H-2A visas) and subsequently unlawfully transporting over 500 temporary foreign laborers over the United States/Mexico border and into the Eastern District of Washington.
Francisco Rodriguez Martel, his wife Esmeralda Rodriguez, and Erica Cisneros, all from the Tri-Cities area, and Giovanna Sierra Carrillo, of Yakima, were charged in a fifty-one count Superseding Indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Yakima, Washington, on February 11, 2026.
The Superseding Indictment alleges Rodriguez-Martel, Cisneros, and Carillo conspired to fraudulently obtain temporary work visas under the H-2A program by falsely representing to multiple federal agencies that approximately ten agricultural farms in Yakima and Benton Counties needed temporary foreign labor for crop seasons 2022, 2023, and 2024. The defendants operated their farm labor contract business under the name “Harvest Plus.” Rodriguez-Martel, Cisneros, and Carillo submitted documentation falsely representing Harvest Plus as a farm labor contractor for various farms located in Sunnyside, Goldendale, Pasco, Wapato, Yakima, and Prescott, Washington. These representations were made on paperwork submitted to the United States Department of Labor, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the United States Department of State. By submitting fraudulent applications with bogus job locations, hours, and wages, and agreeing to provide food, approved housing, safety equipment, fair wages and hours (to include overtime), and coverage for injury or illness, the defendants successfully obtained hundreds of illegitimate temporary H-2A work visas.
The Superseding Indictment also alleges Rodriguez-Martel, Cisneros, and Carillo recruited and lured foreign laborers from Mexico with promises of legal employment at various farms in the Eastern District of Washington, which included adequate housing, food, paid travel and visas, and predictable locations and hours of work. Upon arriving in the Eastern District of Washington, many workers found themselves performing non-approved domestic labor, working overtime without pay, were forced to work under extreme heat conditions without access to clean water, and were exposed to chemical pesticide agents without proper protection. Moreover, some laborers found themselves in overcrowded and unapproved housing with no access to kitchen facilities. Additionally, Rodriguez-Martel imposed mandatory illegal housing and food fees.
The Superseding Indictment further alleges Rodriguez-Martel and Esmeralda Rodriguez threatened to call immigration authorities on, and Rodriguez-Martel threatened the physical safety of, the foreign laborers in the employ of Harvest Plus to ensure the foreign laborers did not alert the responsible Washington state agency about the illegal employment practices of the defendants.
Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito said, “The Office of Inspector General is unwavering in our commitment to protect the integrity of the Department of Labor’s Foreign Labor Certification programs. When bad actors exploit vulnerable workers or attempt to game the system, we investigate, we expose, and we hold them accountable. At the same time, we safeguard the U.S. employers who follow the law and play by the rules. We will continue working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure these programs serve legitimate labor needs — not criminal enterprises. Fraud will not be tolerated. Accountability is not optional.”
“The importance of this case cannot be understated,” said Pete Serrano, First Assistant United States Attorney. “When the United States Attorney’s office receives credible information from investigating agencies that stand as the basis for immigration fraud, we will charge these cases. The United States Attorney’s office will protect these vulnerable victims and the integrity of a vital federal programs, including the H-2A program which is critical to Eastern Washington’s agricultural successes” stated Serrano.
The charges contained in this Superseding Indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten, Jeremy J. Kelley, and Tyler H.L. Tornabene. They were investigated by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service.
Yakama Repeat Offender Sentenced to 7 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
Yakima, Washington –United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Mitchell Jason Ranes aka Cricket, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, age 45, of Toppenish, Washington, to 7 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. Ranes will also be on federal supervised release for three years after serving his custodial sentence.
According to court records, Ranes pattern of criminal history led to this recent sentence. On September 6, 2000, Ranes was convicted of Drive-By-Shooting and sentenced to 33 months in prison. He was subsequently released, placed on a term of supervised release, violated his term of supervised release and was sent back to prison. On September 17, 2007, Ranes was convicted of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and sentenced to 77 months in prison. He was subsequently released, placed on a term of supervised release, again violated his term of supervised release and was again sent back to prison. On January 23, 2024, the Defendant was convicted of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. Ranes was released from prison and on March 25, 2024, began serving a term of supervised release, and for a third time, violated his terms of supervised release and was sentenced to a time served sentence followed by a term of 34 months of supervised release.
Upon his recent release from prison, Ranes again engaged in dangerous conduct. On January 22, 2025, law enforcement officers were looking for Ranes due to an outstanding arrest warrant. Ranes was observed in a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle fled, attempting to elude pursuing police vehicles. After a lengthy car chase, the suspect car crashed near a residence and Ranes was apprehended. Ranes was later booked into the Yakima County jail. During the booking process, 6 rounds of ammunition was in Ranes’ pocket, a new federal crime.
On April 9, 2025, a federal indictment was filed charging Ranes with being a Felon in Possession of Ammunition and on October 17, 2025, he pled guilty to the Indictment.
On February 3, 2026, Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 84 months to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Judge Dimke based her sentence on Ranes’ lengthy criminal history involving firearms and found significant the multiple opportunities he had on prior
supervision to attain services for substance abuse which he did not take advantage of and instead had a history of absconding and engaging in new criminal conduct.United States Attorney Serrano stated, “I’m grateful to our office for pursuing this case. While some may question why the United States would prosecute the possession of ammunition, there is no need to look beyond Mr. Ranes’ persistent firearms-related criminal history. Yakima is now safer with Mr. Ranes off the streets for the next 7 years.”
Lieutenant Church with the Yakima County Sheriff’s state, “This case is a great example of collaboration with fellow law enforcement and federal partners working to get a dangerous person with a significant criminal history off the streets for a significant amount of time. This type of collaboration is what it takes to truly make an impact on public safety in Yakima County. Thanks again to our law enforcement partners and the US Attorney’s Office.”
“Mr. Ranes has a pattern of criminal history dating back over a quarter century in which he repeatedly violated his supervised release and persisted in possessing firearms despite being prohibited from doing so by federal law,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Together with our partners, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Forces will continue to combat violent crime throughout the state of Washington and nationwide.”
This case was investigated by the Southeast Washington Safe Streets Task Force which consists of agents and task force officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office, the Toppenish Police Department, and United Stats Customs and Border Protection. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon.
MultiCare Health System to Pay Millions to Settle Fraud CaseRead the Press Release
Court Records Establish That MultiCare Endangered Patients and Fraudulently Billed Taxpayers for Medically Unnecessary Spinal Surgeries. MultiCare’s Settlement Follows Federal and State Settlements with Providence Health & Services and Dr. Jason A. Dreyer in Related Actions
Spokane, WA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington today announced that MultiCare Health System (MultiCare), a Tacoma-based hospital and healthcare system that owns and operates MultiCare Deaconess Hospital (Deaconess) and MultiCare Rockwood Clinic in Spokane, will pay $3,728,000 to resolve federal and state allegations that it knowingly endangered patient safety and falsely and fraudulently billed Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs for spinal surgery procedures performed at Deaconess between 2019 and 2021, by Dr. Jason Dreyer, formerly a licensed physician and MultiCare neurosurgeon.
This settlement with MultiCare comes after two years of successful federal litigation by the United States and the State of Washington,[1] and is part of six years of federal and state investigations, which resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement with Providence Health & Services (Dr. Dreyer’s previous employer) in 2022,[2] and a more than $1.1 million individual settlement with Dr. Dreyer in 2023, which resolved the allegations of the fraud committed while at MultiCare and a nine year exclusion of Dr. Dreyer from Medicare.[3]
In this settlement, MultiCare made factual admissions regarding its conduct, agreeing to pay a total of $3.728 million, $1.6 million of which is restitution, due to the egregious nature of MultiCare’s violations of federal and state law as shown by its own admissions and detailed court records. .[4] Based on MultiCare’s factual admissions and court records, the investigation and resulting litigation has shown that MultiCare hired, credentialed, and supervised Dr. Dreyer while MultiCare ignored and failed to take appropriate action on numerous red flags, warnings, and specific evidence of Dr. Dreyer’s fraud and endangerment of the public, all while increasing its own revenue with fraudulently obtained tax payer money.
Significantly, the court records reveal that, within months of Dr. Dreyer starting to operate on patients at MultiCare, two different physician assistants assigned at MultiCare to assist Dr. Dreyer in the operating room raised patient safety concerns directly to MultiCare management. The first physically walked out of the operating room while Dr. Dreyer was performing surgery, out of fear of patient harm, and immediately complained to MultiCare management. The second physician assistant also raised patient safety concerns to MultiCare management and resigned from MultiCare rather than continuing to work with Dr. Dreyer for fear of further patient endangerment. Court records show that MultiCare did not stop or curtail Dr. Dreyer’s surgeries based on the serious patient safety concerns of its own medical staff, or multiple other red flags. MultiCare instead allowed Dr. Dreyer to perform a high volume of medically unnecessary complex spinal surgeries. Despite knowledge of these concerns about Dr. Dreyer, MultiCare not only permitted Dr. Dreyer to continue performing surgeries, but further incentivized Dr. Dreyer to perform medically unnecessary surgeries quickly by tying his compensation directly to the number of surgeries he performed and their complexity. MultiCare continued to fraudulently bill various federal health care benefit programs for those surgeries.
Several months after two physician assistants reported concerns about Dr. Dreyer, the United States Attorney’s Office directly informed MultiCare that it was investigating concerns that Dr. Dreyer had harmed patients, falsified diagnoses, and performed medically unnecessary surgeries, while working at Providence. The United States Attorney’s Office even supplied documents and evidence to support its concerns. Dr. Dreyer was still permitted to perform surgeries at MultiCare, including the surgery that initiated the present case. Dr. Dreyer was permitted to perform surgeries as a neurosurgeon at MultiCare with little restriction until, over MultiCare’s objection, the Washington State Department of Health summarily restricted Dr. Dreyer from conducting spinal surgeries.
“As the voluminous court records of this case demonstrate, MultiCare had direct knowledge of the danger Dr. Dreyer posed to patients, including through reports made by its own medical staff, and later from explicit warnings from federal investigators,” said Pete Serrano, the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “MultiCare nonetheless allowed Dr. Dreyer to operate on unsuspecting patients for nearly two years, generating thousands in additional revenue and putting profits before patient safety. Today, thanks to years of comprehensive investigation and litigation, MultiCare has been held accountable for its role in defrauding the taxpayers and endangering some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Court records show that MultiCare signed a prior settlement agreement in August of 2023 resolving these allegations, then backed out of the agreement, and then litigated the case for two years before resolving it with the settlement announced today. “Today’s settlement shows that no matter who you are, from an individual to a large corporation, if you commit fraud and choose to litigate with the United States rather than accept responsibility, you will be held accountable for your violations and you will pay more in the end,” said Serrano.
“The alleged violations by MultiCare show a wanton disregard for ethics and the medical principle to do no harm,” Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said. “This settlement is a win for patient safety and protecting public dollars to get people necessary healthcare.”
“Patients trust that the care that they receive from their health providers is medically necessary and in their best interest,” said Special Agent in Charge Robb R. Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “When providers perform medically unnecessary surgeries and bill federal health care programs including Medicare and Medicaid for them, they not only violate that trust but also exploit programs designed to protect vulnerable populations. HHS-OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who put their own profits over patient safety.”
“Healthcare providers have a fundamental duty to protect the well-being of their patients, and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service will work tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of our service members and their families,” said John Helsing, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Department of Defense, Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Western Field Office. “This settlement concludes an intensive multi-year investigation and underscores our commitment to holding providers accountable for putting financial gain over patient safety.”
“We will continue to hold accountable those who prioritize profits at the expense of the health and safety of vulnerable patients,” said Special Agent in Charge Derek M. Holt of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General. “We applaud our law enforcement partners and colleagues at the Department of Justice for their dedicated work to protect the welfare of the millions of Americans who rely on our federal health care programs, including the FEHBP.”
“This settlement highlights our steadfast commitment to ensuring high-quality healthcare for veterans,” said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “The VA OIG is grateful for the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners in this case.”
“This is the culmination of a multi-year, multi-agency, collaborative effort to fight egregious health care fraud directly impacting patient safety in Eastern Washington. For years Dr. Dreyer, and both MultiCare and Providence, the hospitals that employed him and unleashed him on an unsuspecting public, endangered and harmed our friends and neighbors while lining their own pockets with taxpayer money,” said First Assistant Serrano. “We could not have held this individual accountable, nor the hospitals that knowingly profited from the fraud, without a dedicated multi-agency team. It is that team that has forced those responsible to pay tens of millions of dollars, stopped Dr. Dreyer from being able to continue harming patients, and that brought the truth of what happened out from the corporate shadows and into the light of day. I’m grateful for the close collaboration we have had with our partners at the Washington Medicaid Fraud Control Division, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Office of Personnel Management Office of Inspector General, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General,” continued First Assistant Serrano.
This court case began in April 2022, when a former patient of Dr. Dreyer’s at MultiCare, Dr. Deannette Palmer, filed a qui tam complaint under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.[5] The joint investigation and litigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Seattle Field Office; the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Spokane Resident Office; the Office of Personnel Management, Office of Inspector General, Seattle Field Office; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Seattle Field Office; and the State of Washington Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler H.L. Tornabene and Derek Taylor and health care fraud contractor Echo Fatsis of the Eastern District of Washington handled this matter for the United States. Assistant Attorney Generals Rachel Sterett and Adam McGerty of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office handled this matter for Washington.
Settlement Agreement
2:22-cv-00068-SAB
[1] On January 26, 2024, the United States and the State of Washington filed their Complaint-in-Intervention. United States and State of Washington File False Claims Act Complaint Against MultiCare for Knowingly Endangering Patients and Fraudulently Billing for Spinal Surgery Procedures, U.S. Dept. Just. (Jan. 26, 2024), https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/united-states-and-state-washington-file-false-claims-act-complaint-against-multicare
[2] Providence Health & Services Agrees to Pay $22.7 Million to Resolve Liability From Medically Unnecessary Neurosurgery Procedures at Providence St. Mary’s Medical Center, U.S. Dept. Just. (Apr. 12, 2022), https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/providence-health-services-agrees-pay-227-million-resolve-liability-medically
[3] Former Physician to Pay More than $1.1 Million to Resolve Allegations He Performed Medically Unnecessary Procedures, U.S. Dept. Just. (Apr. 24, 2023), https://www.justice.gov/usao-edwa/pr/former-physician-pay-more-11-million-resolve-allegations-he-performed-medically
[4] Due to the voluminous nature of the referenced court records below, this press release includes hyperlinks to the specific court records relied upon. The primary court records referred to are found at ECF No. 16, ECF No. 64, and ECF No. 71.
[5]When a whistleblower, or “relator,” files a qui tam complaint, the False Claims Act generally allows the relator to share in any recovery. In the settlement agreement announced today, the relator, Dr. Palmer, will receive 17% of the settlement amount, $633,760. Dr. Palmer was represented by the Gilbert Law Firm of Spokane. In addition to receiving a share of the settlement amount, relators are also entitled to have all of their attorney fees and costs in the action paid by the defendant in successful False Claims Act qui tam case like this one.