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Wednesday 27 May 2026
Staten Island Man Sentenced for Murder-For-Hire Plot and Stalking a Journalist and Prominent Critic of the Iranian GovernmentRead the Press Release
Jonathan Loadholt, 37, of Staten Island, New York, was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for his participation in a plot directed by the Government of Iran targeting Masih Alinejad, a journalist, author, and human rights activist. Loadholt previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit stalking and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who imposed today’s sentence.
“Tehran attempted to murder a U.S. journalist in the United States simply because she exposed a few of that regime’s many abuses,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The defendant now stands convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence for his role in this plot. The Department and its colleagues will work tirelessly to protect Americans and to seek justice when our laws are broken.”
“The Government of Iran has repeatedly attempted to locate and murder Masih Alinejad, right here in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York. “The Government of Iran tried to silence Ms. Alinejad because of her efforts to stand up to the Iranian regime and expose its discriminatory treatment of women, corruption, and human rights abuses. While this plot was directed from Iran, the would-be assassins were American citizens who agreed to kill Ms. Alinejad for money — out of greed. Today’s sentence should be a serious warning to anyone who tries to profit by carrying out the wishes of a hostile foreign regime on United States soil.”
“With today’s sentencing, Jonathan Loadholt will pay the price for participating in a plot orchestrated by Iran to kill a journalist and human rights activist who criticized the Iranian government’s policies,” said FBI Assistant Director Donald Holstead. “The FBI will use all our resources to detect and prevent anyone working for foreign powers who attempts to harm individuals living in the United States, and we will coordinate closely with the Justice Department to make sure such criminals face the full weight of American justice.”
“Jonathan Loadholt served as a hired gun to stalk, surveil, and ultimately assassinate Masih Alinejad — a United States citizen — on behalf of the IRGC,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. “The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force disrupted and arrested him before he could carry out his plan. The FBI will squash all attempts to silence critics of oppressive regimes on American soil.”
As reflected in the charging instruments, other public filings, and statements in public court proceedings:
In 2024, Loadholt’s friend and co-defendant, Carlisle Rivera, also known as “Pop,” a convicted murderer, was hired by Rivera’s criminal confederate, Farhad Shakeri, to murder Masih Alinejad on instructions from high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is a military and intelligence organization that directly reports to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is the Government of Iran’s primary instrument for providing financial and lethal aid to proxy terror groups in the Middle East. Among its activities, the IRGC plots and conducts attack operations outside Iran targeting, among others, U.S. citizens residing abroad and in the United States. Ms. Alinejad is one of the IRGC’s principal targets. The IRGC and the Government of Iran’s intelligence services have long sought to kidnap or murder Ms. Alinejad because of her efforts to promote gender equality and civil liberties in Iran and to expose the regime’s corruption, oppression, and terrorism to the international community. In 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap Ms. Alinejad in the U.S. for rendition to Iran; then, in 2022, the IRGC hired powerful, violent members of the Russian Mob to murder Ms. Alinejad. After those efforts failed, the IRGC turned to Shakeri, who hired Rivera, who in turn recruited Loadholt to assist him, to kill Ms. Alinejad.
Shakeri offered Rivera $100,000 for he and Loadholt to locate and kill Ms. Alinejad, and Rivera agreed. Loadholt was recruited into the plot by Rivera and, using money sent by Shakeri, Rivera and Loadholt conducted surveillance on Ms. Alinejad with the aim of killing her. Using money sent by Shakeri, Rivera and Loadholt purchased a firearm and “burner” cellphones. Loadholt and Rivera spent several months attempting to find and kill Ms. Alinejad, using Loadholt’s car and fake license plates, including by following her to a public speaking event at Fairfield University and repeatedly stalking the Brooklyn house where Shakeri and the IRGC believed Ms. Alinejad lived.
During their efforts to locate and kill Ms. Alinejad, Loadholt and Rivera shared messages about their progress and photographs relating to their murder plot. For example, in February 2024, Loadholt and Rivera messaged about an incoming payment from Shakeri, and then traveled to Fairfield University, where Ms. Alinejad was scheduled to appear, and took photographs on campus. In July 2024, Loadholt and Rivera exchanged messages discussing their expected upfront payment for murdering Ms. Alinejad. During those messages, Loadholt expressed frustration about the apparent absence of a $10,000 advance, partial payment for Ms. Alinejad’s murder, writing to Rivera “So no 10 up front I’m guessing??” and, after Rivera confirmed no upfront payment had been made, Loadholt responded, “I’m so frustrated son I’m like ready to jump out the window.”
On November 7, 2024, before he and Rivera could complete their task of killing Ms. Alinejad, Loadholt was arrested. At Loadholt’s residence, law enforcement agents recovered, among other things, more than two dozen rounds of ammunition.
In addition to the prison term, Loadholt was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
Loadholt is the second defendant to be sentenced in this case. In January 2026, Rivera was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Liman, after previously having pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. Shakeri remains at large.
The case was investigated by FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents and analysts from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department, and the FBI Washington Field Office. U.S. Attorney Clayton thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection New York Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division, and the New York State Police.
This case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig and Michael D. Lockard for the Southern District of New York are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Leslie Esbrook of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Staten Island Man Sentenced for His Role in Plot to Stalk and Murder A Journalist and Prominent Critic of the Iranian GovernmentRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Donald Holstead, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced that JONATHAN LOADHOLT was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for his participation in a plot directed by the Government of Iran targeting Masih Alinejad, a journalist, author, and human rights activist. LOADHOLT previously pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit stalking and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering before U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman, who imposed today’s sentence.
“The Government of Iran has repeatedly attempted to locate and murder Masih Alinejad, right here in New York City,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “The Government of Iran tried to silence Ms. Alinejad because of her efforts to stand up to the Iranian regime and expose its discriminatory treatment of women, corruption, and human rights abuses. While this plot was directed from Iran, the would-be assassins were American citizens who agreed to kill Ms. Alinejad for money—out of greed. Today’s sentence should be a serious warning to anyone who tries to profit by carrying out the wishes of a hostile foreign regime on United States soil.”
“Tehran attempted to murder a U.S. journalist in the United States simply because she exposed a few of that regime’s many abuses,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “The defendant now stands convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence for his role in this plot. The Department and its colleagues will work tirelessly to protect Americans and to seek justice when our laws are broken.”
“With today’s sentencing, Jonathan Loadholt will pay the price for participating in a plot orchestrated by Iran to kill a journalist and human rights activist who criticized the Iranian government’s policies,” said FBI Assistant Director Donald Holstead. “The FBI will use all our resources to detect and prevent anyone working for foreign powers who attempts to harm individuals living in the United States, and we will coordinate closely with the Justice Department to make sure such criminals face the full weight of American justice.”
“Jonathan Loadholt served as a hired gun to stalk, surveil, and ultimately assassinate Masih Alinejad—a United States citizen—on behalf of the IRGC,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI New York Joint Terrorism Task Force disrupted and arrested him before he could carry out his plan. The FBI will squash all attempts to silence critics of oppressive regimes on American soil.”
As reflected in the charging instruments, other public filings, and statements in public court proceedings:
In 2024, LOADHOLT’s friend and co-defendant, CARLISLE RIVERA, a/k/a “Pop,” a convicted murderer, was hired by RIVERA’s criminal confederate, FARHAD SHAKERI, to murder Masih Alinejad on instructions from high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”). The IRGC is a military and intelligence organization that directly reports to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is the Government of Iran’s primary instrument for providing financial and lethal aid to proxy terror groups in the Middle East. Among its activities, the IRGC plots and conducts attack operations outside Iran targeting, among others, U.S. citizens residing abroad and in the United States. Ms. Alinejad is one of the IRGC’s principal targets. The IRGC and the Government of Iran’s intelligence services have long sought to kidnap or murder Ms. Alinejad because of her efforts to promote gender equality and civil liberties in Iran and to expose the regime’s corruption, oppression, and terrorism to the international community. In 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap Ms. Alinejad in the U.S. for rendition to Iran; then, in 2022, the IRGC hired powerful, violent members of the Russian Mob to murder Ms. Alinejad. After those efforts failed, the IRGC turned to SHAKERI, who hired RIVERA, who in turn recruited LOADHOLT to assist him, to kill Ms. Alinejad.
SHAKERI offered RIVERA $100,000 for he and LOADHOLT to locate and kill Ms. Alinejad, and RIVERA agreed. LOADHOLT was recruited into the plot by RIVERA and, using money sent by SHAKERI, RIVERA and LOADHOLT conducted surveillance on Ms. Alinejad with the aim of killing her. Using money sent by SHAKERI, RIVERA and LOADHOLT purchased a firearm and “burner” cellphones. LOADHOLT and RIVERA spent several months attempting to find and kill Ms. Alinejad, using LOADHOLT’s car and fake license plates, including by following her to a public speaking event at Fairfield University and repeatedly stalking the Brooklyn house where SHAKERI and the IRGC believed Ms. Alinejad lived.
During their efforts to locate and kill Ms. Alinejad, LOADHOLT and RIVERA shared messages about their progress and photographs relating to their murder plot. For example, in February 2024, LOADHOLT and RIVERA messaged about an incoming payment from SHAKERI, and then traveled to Fairfield University, where Ms. Alinejad was scheduled to appear, and took photographs on campus. In July 2024, LOADHOLT and RIVERA exchanged messages discussing their expected upfront payment for murdering Ms. Alinejad. During those messages, LOADHOLT expressed frustration about the apparent absence of a $10,000 advance, partial payment for Ms. Alinejad’s murder, writing to RIVERA “So no 10 up front I’m guessing??” and, after RIVERA confirmed no upfront payment had been made, LOADHOLT responded, “I’m so frustrated son I’m like ready to jump out the window.”
On November 7, 2024, before he and RIVERA could complete their task of killing Ms. Alinejad, LOADHOLT was arrested. At LOADHOLT’s residence, law enforcement agents recovered, among other things, more than two dozen rounds of ammunition.
* * *
In addition to the prison term, LOADHOLT, 37, of Staten Island, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.
LOADHOLT is the second defendant to be sentenced in this case. In January 2026, RIVERA was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Liman, after previously having pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire. SHAKERI remains at large.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents and analysts from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department, and the FBI Washington Field Office. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection New York Field Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration New York Division, and the New York State Police.
This case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob H. Gutwillig and Michael D. Lockard are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Leslie Esbrook of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.
Six Charged with Drug Trafficking Following HSTF InvestigationRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— Six defendants were charged for their roles in a drug trafficking organization, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford.
The six defendants below were charged by a second superseding information on April 29, 2026, with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine:
- Rafael Mora Contreras, 45, of Forest Grove, Oregon;
- Cristina Echeverria, 42, of Forest Grove;
- Nathalie Claire Buchanan, 28, of Bend, Oregon;
- Charles Ottis Johnson, 37, of Bend;
- Mariano Perez-Sanchez, 42, of Forest Grove; and
- Dagoberto Ayala-Lopez, 38, of Hillsboro, Oregon.
According to court documents, in July 2025, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Oregon State Police (OSP), and Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF) began investigating a methamphetamine and cocaine supplier in Forest Grove operated and run by Perez-Sanchez. Perez-Sanchez worked as a drug dispatcher and took orders from retail level distributors.
Johnson and Buchanan were drug trafficking partners who routinely purchased large amounts of methamphetamine in the Portland and Salem area to sell in the Bend area. On February 11, 2026, Echeverria, a courier for Perez-Sanchez, delivered a large quantity of methamphetamine to Buchanan at a hotel. Buchanan and Johnson were pulled over by police. Officers located over 4 pounds of methamphetamine in the car. Investigators reviewed text messages during the drug deal with Johnson and Buchanan showing further evidence of drug trafficking.
On February 17, 2026, Echeverria and Mora Contreras, driving separate cars, were both pulled over by OSP troopers after an overnight trip to California to re-supply drugs. OSP troopers located 28 pounds of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of cocaine in Echeverria’s car.
Ayala-Lopez worked as a drug courier for Perez-Sanchez. Ayala-Lopez’s vehicles and residence were searched pursuant to search warrant and investigators located over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine.
DEA is investigating the case with assistance from OSP and CCITF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis Burkhart is prosecuting the case.
CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, OSP, the FBI, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CCITF is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
This arrest is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced for Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. The sentencing took place on May 26, 2026.
John Brave Bird, age 52, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Brave Bird was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2026. He pleaded guilty on February 25, 2026.
Brave Bird was convicted of Sexual Abuse in United States District Court, District of South Dakota in June 2007. As a result of his conviction, he is required to register as a sex offender and update his registration within three business days of relocation or change in employment or student status. In October 2025, Brave Bird updated his sex offender registration to reflect that he was residing at a residence in Sioux Falls. Brave Bird left that residence in early October and did not update his registration. An arrest warrant was issued, and on November 25, 2025, Brave Bird was arrested in Sioux Falls.
This case was brought as a 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 the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Unit prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Zachrison prosecuted the case.
Brave Bird was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Seven Indicted in Alleged Prison-Run Drug Network Linked to CartelsRead the Press Release
VALDOSTA, Ga. — U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes today announced that seven people, including four who reentered the country illegally, have been indicted for a fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking network directed by a state inmate with ties to Mexican cartels, following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized about 35 kilograms of suspected crystal methamphetamine and 3.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl with a street value of $225,000 plus $145,000 in cash. The investigation led to the discovery of two clandestine drug labs.
The initial appearances for the defendants will occur in the U.S. Magistrate Court in Albany, Georgia, at a date set by the Court. The defendants are in federal custody.
The federal indictment in Case No. 7:26-cr-00014, filed on May 13, charges the following individuals:
Luis Alfonso Ramirez, aka “Poncho,” aka “OG Ponch,” 40, of Washington State Prison, located in the Middle District of Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Jacquez Latron Franks, 41, of Gainesville, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Ramiro Villa Chaves, aka “Ramiro Villa Chavez,” 39, of Union City, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Misael Benitez Bustos, 33, of Hampton, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Alejandro Renteria Blanco, 46, of Lilburn, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Bergin Zeylaya Flores, 26, of Brookhaven, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Monique Renee Burton, 32, of Gainesville,is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Chavez, Bustos, Blanco, and Flores are in the U.S. illegally and have previously been deported or removed.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning as early as October 2024 and continuing until this month, the defendants allegedly conspired to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In July 2025, the HSI Violent Gang Unit and the GBI Metro Gang Task Force began an HSTF investigation into the alleged criminal actions of Ramirez, an inmate in the Georgia Department of Corrections who was suspected of trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine using contraband cellphones, including when he was housed at Valdosta State Prison.
Ramirez is an alleged member of the Norteños criminal street gang with ties to Mexican drug cartels. At the time of the alleged offense, both Franks and Villa Chavez had separate prior serious drug felony convictions. The investigation revealed an alleged drug trafficking network operating in numerous counties within Georgia, including Hall, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, Douglas, and Spalding.
This investigation and prosecution are part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threaten the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of criminal aliens from the United States. Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF is comprised of agents and officers from the ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
HSI and GBI are investigating the case with critical assistance from the FBI North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force, GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, GBI West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Clayton County Sheriff's Office, Hall County Sheriff's Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, and East Point Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case for the Government.
An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.
Security Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Embezzling over $26 Million from Girlfriend’s EmployerRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – The owner of a security company pleaded guilty today to embezzling over $26 million from his girlfriend’s employer and purchasing high-end merchandise using the stolen funds and selling those items through an online consignment company.
According to court documents and statements made in court, from January 1, 2018 to February 28, 2025, William Keolanui Costa and his girlfriend, co-defendant Cynthia Marie Marabella, devised a scheme to defraud Marabella’s employer where she was employed as a controller at a Las Vegas-based construction company. As part of the scheme, Costa and Marabella fraudulently duplicated bonus checks and deposited the checks into bank accounts controlled by Marabella and Costa; opened credit cards in other peoples’ names and made unauthorized charges then paid the credit cards’ bills with stolen funds; provided false accounting records to the employer; created forged and false bank statements; and sent fictitious invoices from merchant accounts then paid the invoices with stolen funds.
Costa and Marabella used the stolen money to pay off vehicles, living expenses, and credit cards. They also purchased high-end merchandise with the stolen funds, such as expensive purses, shoes, clothing, and jewelry. Marabella sold the merchandise through an online consignment company. They received more than $245,000 from the sales. As a result of the fraud scheme, Costa and Marabella obtained more than $26 million from the employer.
“Stealing more than 26 million dollars through forged checks, fraudulent credit cards, and fabricated invoices is a deliberate and calculated financial attack against an employer,” said IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “This criminal activity was not a mere lapse in judgment. It was a years‑long scheme built to siphon money, falsify records, and conceal the truth. IRS‑CI Phoenix will aggressively pursue anyone who uses deception and access to procure ill-gotten funds, and today’s plea makes clear that large‑scale financial fraud will be met with justice.”
In April 2026, Marabella pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Sentencing has been set for August 4, 2026.
Costa pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of monetary transactions in criminally derived property. Sentencing has been set for September 2, 2026, before United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon. The total maximum statutory penalty is 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown made the announcement.
This case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Frayn is prosecuting the case.
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Rosebud Man and Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Voluntary ManslaughterRead the Press Release
PIERRE - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte has sentenced a man and woman, both from Rosebud, South Dakota, following their convictions for Voluntary Manslaughter.
Jamie Clairmont, a/k/a Jamie Clairmont-Rogers, age 42, pleaded guilty on January 26, 2026. On May 19, 2026, she was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Keanu Marshall, age 21, pleaded guilty on January 29, 2026. On May 26, 2026, he was sentenced to five years and three months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Clairmont and Marshall were indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2024.
The convictions stem from an incident that occurred on April 9, 2024, in Rosebud, South Dakota, in the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation. On that date, the victim, an adult male, was walking when he confronted a group of people. He picked up a piece of wood and swung it at Clairmont. Clairmont took the piece of wood and struck the victim with it. Marshall then repeatedly punched the victim, knocking him to the ground. The victim was hospitalized with traumatic injuries to the head and face, and he passed away on April 19, 2024.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal court as opposed to State court.
This case was investigated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Albertson prosecuted the case.
Clairmont and Marshall were immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service at the conclusion of their individual sentencing hearings.
Romanian National Sentenced for Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office and Other U.S. VictimsRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.— A Romanian national was sentenced to 56 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release in connection with an online intrusion into an Oregon state government office in 2021 and other cyber attacks on U.S. victims, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford.
“My office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners, here and abroad, to disrupt and dismantle malicious cyber criminal activity and to bring cyber criminals, wherever they may be, to account for their crimes in federal court in Oregon,” said U.S. Attorney Bradford.
According to court documents, Catalin Dragomir, 46, formerly of Constanta, Romania, sold access on the dark web to a computer on the network of an Oregon state government office after obtaining unauthorized access to it in June 2021. During the sale, Dragomir provided the prospective buyer with samples of personal identifying information from the computer. He also sold access to the computer networks of numerous other victims in the United States and across the world, causing losses of at least $250,000. Dragomir operated on the dark web, using aliases to obscure his identity.
In November 2024, Dragomir was arrested in Romania and extradited to the United States in January 2025.
On February 19, 2026, Dragomir pleaded guilty to obtaining information from a protected computer and aggravated identity theft.
The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken for the District of Oregon and Trial Attorneys Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Alison M. Zitron of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, and the Romanian Judiciary to secure the arrest and extradition of Dragomir. The Department of Justice also thanks Darkweb IQ for its assistance with the investigation.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Romanian National Sentenced for Selling Access to Networks of Oregon State Government Office and Other U.S. VictimsRead the Press Release
A Romanian national was sentenced yesterday to 56 months in prison in connection with an online intrusion into an Oregon state government office in 2021 and other cyber-attacks on U.S. victims.
According to court documents, Catalin Dragomir, 46, formerly of Constanta, Romania, sold access to a computer on the network of an Oregon state government office after obtaining unauthorized access to it in June of 2021. During the sale, Dragomir provided the prospective buyer with samples of personal identifying information from the computer. He also sold access to the computer networks of numerous other victims in the United States, causing losses of at least $250,000.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
In November 2024, Dragomir was arrested in Romania. He was extradited to the United States in January 2025.
On Feb. 19, Dragomir pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining information from a protected computer and one count of aggravated identity theft.
The FBI Portland Field Office investigated the case.
Trial Attorneys Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Alison M. Zitron of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken for the District of Oregon prosecuted the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Romanian Ministry of Justice, Directorate for International Law and Judicial Cooperation, and the Romanian Judiciary to secure the arrest and extradition of Dragomir. The Department of Justice also thanks Darkweb IQ for its assistance with the investigation.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cyber and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Rankin County Woman Sentenced to 37 months for Misappropriating Disabled Veteran Benefit FundsRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Rankin County woman was sentenced to 37 months in prison on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, for misusing Veterans Benefit Administration money entrusted to her to benefit a disabled Army Veteran. The total loss of taxpayer funds was $276,450.31. As part of the sentence, the loss amount was ordered payable as restitution to the veteran victim.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Darla Storey, 57, began serving as a fiduciary on March 18, 2016, and was responsible for managing the financial affairs of her adult son who was permanently disabled and wheelchair-bound due to service-connected disabilities. As part of her fiduciary duties, Darla Storey had agreed and was required to use funds entrusted to her solely for the veteran’s benefit, to file regular accountings, and to never commingle the funds.
During her five years as a fiduciary, Darla Storey misappropriated VA funds by using them for her own benefit through transferring the money to her personal bank account, purchasing a vehicle the beneficiary never used, paying bills, and taking trips even when the beneficiary was not living with her. She routinely failed to file proper accountings and used funds entrusted to her for the disabled veteran for her own benefit.
United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi made the announcement.
The Department of Veterans Affairs - Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Brett Grantham prosecuted the case.
Queens Man Convicted of Extortion ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A federal jury in Brooklyn this afternoon convicted Shlomo Patchiav, also known as “Slava Fatkhiev,” of participating in an extortion conspiracy in which he repeatedly threatened a victim to force the victim to pay him. The verdict was returned after a three-week trial before United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry. When sentenced, Patchiav faces up to 20 years in prison.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the verdict.
“Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for extorting a victim for money and threatening to hold him ‘hostage,’ and then covering up his connection to the victim after the victim’s murder by concealing his body,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.
“Shlomo Patchiav agreed to extort a victim for money before trying to hide his connection to this conspiracy once the victim was found murdered. May today’s verdict emphasize the FBI’s commitment to ensuring violent intimidation tactics and attempts to cover up crimes do not go unpunished,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
As proven at trial, Patchiav and a co-conspirator (the Co-Conspirator) engaged in an extortion conspiracy in which they used threats and violence against the victim, Shehroz Tokhirov, after the three men failed to reach an agreement in a luxury watch deal. Patchiav owned a wholesale jewelry and diamond business. In June 2022, Patchiav and the Co-Conspirator engaged in discussions with Tokhirov about the potential sale of several luxury watches for approximately $500,000. Thereafter, Patchiav and the Co-Conspirator began demanding money from Tokhirov and threatening him.
On the morning of June 25, 2022, Tokhirov left his apartment in the Kensington section of Brooklyn carrying a plastic bag full of cash. Video surveillance footage showed Tokhirov and the Co-Conspirator at a TD Bank in Brooklyn, where Tokhirov withdrew approximately $10,000 in cash and obtained a cashier’s check for $20,000 that was made out to the Co-Conspirator. The two men then went to a tax services store where Tokhirov signed a document turning over his Mercedes Benz SUV to the Co-Conspirator. Tokhirov was not seen or heard from after that meeting, and, eight months later, his body was recovered from a residence in Ellenville, New York. Evidence admitted at trial, including cell phone location data, placed Patchiav and the Co-Conspirator in Ellenville, New York on June 26, 2022, the day after Tokhirov’s disappearance.
On June 27, 2022, the Co-Conspirator purchased a ticket for a Turkish Airlines flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Republic of Georgia, departing on June 28, 2022. On the date of his departure, law enforcement officers seized from the Co-Conspirator approximately $26,500 in cash and a receipt for the $20,000 check that Tokhirov had obtained at TD Bank on the day of his disappearance.
The Co-Conspirator remains at large.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Megan Larkin and Benjamin Weintraub are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Rehnquist and Paralegal Specialist John Schneider.
The Defendant:
SHLOMO PATCHIAV (also known as “Slava Fatkhiev”)
Age: 45
Kew Gardens, QueensE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 23-CR-99 (DLI)
Peoria County Deputy Receives Hometown Hero AwardRead the Press Release
PEORIA, Ill. – As part of the United States Freedom 250 celebration, U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country have been honoring community members during the month of May. The honorees have shown exemplary service going above and beyond in their capacity as law enforcement, public safety, or victim support.
The Central District of Illinois has recognized Peoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jack Evans who, on January 31, 2026, conducted a lawful traffic stop and subsequent foot pursuit of a fleeing suspect on West Garden Street in Peoria. During the pursuit, the suspect abruptly turned and fired multiple rounds at Deputy Evans at close range, striking him in the leg and torso.Despite being ambushed, wounded, and knocked to the ground, Deputy Evans remained composed and mission-focused, providing information to other law enforcement officers that helped lead to the suspect’s arrest. Deputy Evans’s commitment to protecting the community even while gravely injured reflects the highest traditions of law enforcement service. In honor of his steady professionalism while wounded, Deputy Evans accepted the Hometown Hero Award from Acting U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Gilmore on May 18, 2026.
“Deputy Evans’s brave actions and commitment to public safety during a moment of personal peril made him a natural choice for the Hometown Hero Award,” said Acting United States Attorney Gilmore. “We are immensely grateful for his service and for his recovery.”
“Deputy Evans demonstrated true bravery under fire, and we’re thankful he continues to recover.” said Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins. “I want to thank Acting U.S. Attorney Gilmore for coming to Peoria to recognize his actions and present the Hometown Hero Award.”
Penn Hills Felon Indicted for Possession of Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The one-count Indictment named Andre Aaron Yates, 26, as the sole defendant.
According to the Indictment, on October 8, 2025, Yates, who had been previously convicted of a felony, knowingly possessed a stolen Glock 19 pistol, ammunition, and a 30-round ammunition magazine. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly M. Locher is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, and Monroeville Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Panama City Man Indicted for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Austen Scott Tucker, 29, of Panama City, Florida, has been federally charged with attempted enticement of a minor. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Tucker appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. His jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Tucker faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment.
The case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
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 and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Palmetto Man Indicted for Making False Statements in Connection with a Firearm PurchaseRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – Desmin Terrell Belvin, Jr. (21, Palmetto) has been charged by indictment with making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the indictment, on March 21, 2026, Belvin falsely represented to a federally licensed firearms dealer on an ATF Form 4473 that he was the actual transferee or buyer of a Glock handgun, when in fact he knew he was buying the handgun on behalf of someone else.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
Orlando Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stalking and Interstate ThreatsRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Abdalla Hatim Elhakiem (30, Orlando) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie S. Sneed to 27 months in federal prison for stalking and interstate transmission of a threat to injure. Elhakiem pleaded guilty on February 13, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Elhakiem previously attended the Biochemistry Ph.D. program at the University of Utah. After slashing the tire of a car owned by the victim, a fellow student in the program, Elhakiem was suspended from the University of Utah and returned to Orlando. In November 2024, in violation of a Utah protective order, Elhakiem began sending threatening and harassing emails to the victim from email accounts created using foreign email services based in Switzerland and Germany. Elhakiem sent the victim threats that he would sexually assault and kill her. He used a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and other methods to hide his identity as the source of the threats. On August 6, 2025, Elhakiem sent a threat to kill the victim using a Gmail account that Federal Bureau of Investigation agents were able to tie directly to Elhakiem.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Salt Lake City Police Department and the University of Utah Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan.
Oregon Man Charged with Making Bomb Threats That Terrorized Schools in OhioRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – An 18-year-old man from the state of Oregon has been charged with making dozens of hoax bomb threat calls to schools and other organizations in Ohio.
In March, law enforcement began investigating bomb threats that were made to at least 17 high schools in Ohio, including in Lucas and Lake County. As a result of the threats, multiple schools were placed on lockdown while law enforcement searched for bombs or other signs of terrorism. The threats were found to be swatting, or hoax, calls originating from out of state. Following an investigation, federal agents identified Nathan Hayes, 18, of Sweet Home, Oregon, as the caller. As alleged in the criminal complaint and affidavit, Hayes used multiple aliases to threaten schools and organizations. It is also alleged that he offered swatting services for sale and doxed at least one individual in Illinois. Doxing is the act of publicly revealing someone's private, personally identifying information online without their consent. Hayes also monitored media coverage to see public reaction to his swatting calls.
If convicted Hayes faces up to 10 years in prison.
This case is being investigated by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Dexter L. Phillips is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Oglethorpe Inc. and Top Executives Agree to Pay $32M to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Oglethorpe Inc. (Oglethorpe), an operator of psychiatric hospitals headquartered in Tampa, Florida, along with its founder and principal owner, Robert Cohen, CEO John Picciano, and Chief Operating Office James O’Shea, have agreed to pay $32 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly failing to return overpayments received from the Medicare program for the admission of beneficiaries to three of Oglethorpe’s Ohio facilities.
The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2021 through the present, Oglethorpe and its executives knowingly failed to return to Medicare overpayments that Oglethorpe’s own consultants had identified. The overpayments related to beneficiaries who had been admitted to two hospitals (Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital and Georgetown Behavioral Hospital) and a substance abuse clinic (The Woods at Parkside), even though they did not qualify for inpatient psychiatric care.
“Healthcare fraud has negative impacts for taxpayers and patients alike,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement reflects the Department’s commitment to protecting taxpayer money and ensuring that Medicare payments are consistent with the coverage and payment rules for those services.”
“My office is determined to protect the public fisc and our fragile public health programs,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to pursue companies and individuals who defy Medicare’s regulations for personal gain.”
In 2021, Oglethorpe entered a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) following an earlier False Claims Act settlement with the Department of Justice. As a result of violating that Corporate Integrity Agreement, the defendants agreed to enter into a voluntary exclusion agreement with HHS-OIG under which they will be excluded from Medicare, Medicaid, and all federal health care programs for a period of 10 years beginning in July 2026.
“By enforcing the Corporate Integrity Agreement and securing a voluntary exclusion agreement the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs,” said Chief Counsel Susan Edwards of HHS-OIG. “When entities fail to meet their obligations — especially after entering agreements designed to ensure compliance — we will take decisive action. This outcome underscores that accountability is essential to safeguarding both patients and taxpayer resources.”
The civil settlement concludes a lawsuit filed by four former Oglethorpe employees: Whitney Treloar, a registered nurse, Darren Caruso, former Chief Fiscal Officer, Jeanette Skinner, former Regional Director of Operations, and Joel Snook, the former Director of Financial Operations. The suit was filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and to receive a share of the recovery. The relators’ share of this resolution has not yet been determined. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Whitney Treloar, et al. v. Oglethorpe, Inc., et. al., No. 22-cv-00238 (M.D. Fla.).
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Senior Trial Counsel Justin Draycott of the Justice Department’s Civil Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Keefe for the Middle District of Florida handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Oglethorpe Inc. and Top Executives Agree to Pay $32M to Resolve False Claims Act AllegationsRead the Press Release
Tampa, FL — Oglethorpe Inc. (Oglethorpe), an operator of psychiatric hospitals headquartered in Tampa, Florida, along with its founder and principal owner, Robert Cohen, CEO John Picciano, and Chief Operating Office James O’Shea, have agreed to pay $32 million to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly failing to return overpayments received from the Medicare program for the admission of beneficiaries to three of Oglethorpe’s Ohio facilities.
The settlement resolves allegations that, from 2021 through the present, Oglethorpe and its executives knowingly failed to return to Medicare overpayments that Oglethorpe’s own consultants had identified. The overpayments related to beneficiaries who had been admitted to two hospitals (Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital and Georgetown Behavioral Hospital) and a substance abuse clinic (The Woods at Parkside), even though they did not qualify for inpatient psychiatric care.
“My office is determined to protect the public fisc and our fragile public health programs,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “We will continue to pursue companies and individuals who defy Medicare’s regulations for personal gain.”
“Healthcare fraud has negative impacts for taxpayers and patients alike,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement reflects the Department’s commitment to protecting taxpayer money and ensuring that Medicare payments are consistent with the coverage and payment rules for those services.”
In 2021, Oglethorpe entered a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) following an earlier False Claims Act settlement with the Department of Justice. As a result of violating that Corporate Integrity Agreement, the defendants agreed to enter into a voluntary exclusion agreement with HHS-OIG under which they will be excluded from Medicare, Medicaid, and all federal health care programs for a period of 10 years beginning in July 2026.
“By enforcing the Corporate Integrity Agreement and securing a voluntary exclusion agreement the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of federal health care programs,” said Chief Counsel Susan Edwards of HHS-OIG. “When entities fail to meet their obligations — especially after entering agreements designed to ensure compliance — we will take decisive action. This outcome underscores that accountability is essential to safeguarding both patients and taxpayer resources.”
The civil settlement concludes a lawsuit filed by four former Oglethorpe employees: Whitney Treloar, a registered nurse, Darren Caruso, former Chief Fiscal Officer, Jeanette Skinner, former Regional Director of Operations, and Joel Snook, the former Director of Financial Operations. The suit was filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when they believe that a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and to receive a share of the recovery. The relators’ share of this resolution has not yet been determined. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Whitney Treloar, et al. v. Oglethorpe, Inc., et. al., No. 22-cv-00238 (M.D. Fla.).
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida and the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Keefe for the Middle District of Florida and Senior Trial Counsel Justin Draycott of the Justice Department’s Civil Fraud Section handled the matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
New Orleans Businessman Guilty of Covid-19 Relief FraudRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS – WELLINGTON BROWN (“BROWN”), age 53, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on May 21, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Anna St. John, to providing a false statement to a federal agency, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. Sentencing is set for August 27, 2026.
According to court documents, BROWN provided a materially false statement to the Small Business Administration in an application to obtain a government sponsored loan designed to assist small business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investigation revealed BROWN submitted several fraudulent SBA loan and loan forgiveness applications in 2021 and included false and fraudulent tax documents in support of these filings. The investigation confirmed that BROWN is responsible for a total loss of approximately $123,771.79.
The maximum penalty for false statements to a federal agency is five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney, Richard R. Pickens, II, of the financial crimes unit, is in charge of the prosecution.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
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Mounds Resident Sentenced to Ten Years for Sexual Abuse of A MinorRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ned Elmer Johnson, age 37, of Mounds, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in Indian country.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Lighthorse Tribal Police Department.
On August 12, 2025, Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, from April 2021 until April 2023, Johnson knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a person who had attained the age of 12 years but not yet attained the age of 16 years, and who was at least four years younger than Johnson.
The crime occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Johnson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
Missouri Sex Offender Caught Again with Child PornographyRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man residing in a halfway house after serving prison time for producing child pornography on Tuesday admitted being caught again with child sexual abuse material.
Joseph Trahan, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. He admitted that in August of 2025, he was on supervised release and residing at a halfway house. After learning that Trahan had an unauthorized electronic device and had been viewing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), Trahan’s probation officer met with him on August 6, 2025. Subsequent investigation discovered conversations between Trahan and another registered sex offender on supervised release in another judicial district about sex with a child, as well as more than 600 images containing CSAM. Trahan also had unregistered and unauthorized accounts on TikTok and Instagram.
Trahan is scheduled to be sentenced on September 9. Both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Trahan’s lawyer have agreed to recommend 10 years in prison.
In 2007, Trahan, originally of Phoenix, Arizona, was convicted of production of child pornography in U.S. District Court in St. Louis and sentenced to 270 months in prison, followed by a life term of supervised release. Trahan videotaped himself engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old girl and distributed the tapes through the mail in exchange for money.
The U.S. Probation Office and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Bateman and Sila Karacal are prosecuting the case.
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 the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Matthew Perry’s Former Live-In Personal Assistant Sentenced to Nearly 3½ Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Ketamine to ActorRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A San Fernando Valley man who was actor and author Matthew Perry’s live-in personal assistant was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison for obtaining and repeatedly injecting Perry with ketamine, including the fatal dose that ended Perry’s life in October 2023.
Kenneth Iwamasa, 61, of Toluca Lake, was sentenced by United States District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett, who also fined him $10,000.
Iwamasa pleaded guilty in August 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine resulting in death and serious bodily injury. He is the fifth and final defendant to be sentenced in connection with Perry’s death.
According to court documents, Iwamasa knew Perry since 1992 and became his live-in personal assistant in 2022. In this role, he was paid $150,000 per year and had various responsibilities, including coordinating Perry’s medical care and ensuring that Perry took the medication that he was lawfully prescribed by treating physicians.
Iwamasa is not a medical professional and has no expertise or training in that field. He also was aware of Perry’s long history of drug addiction. Prosecutors wrote in their sentencing position that “rather than help Mr. Perry maintain sobriety, [Iwamasa] became his enabler and drug supplier,” ultimately causing Mr. Perry’s death.
In September 2023 and continuing until Perry’s death on October 28, 2023, Iwamasa conspired with multiple people, including a physician, Salvador Plasencia, 44, a.k.a. “Dr. P,” of Santa Monica, and a drug counselor, Erik Fleming, 56, of Hawthorne, to knowingly and intentionally distribute ketamine to Perry.
Plasencia distributed 20 vials and multiple tablets of ketamine and syringes to Iwamasa and Perry and taught Iwamasa how to inject the ketamine into Perry, knowing that his conduct fell below the proper standard of medical care and that the ketamine transfers were not for a legitimate medical purpose. Plasencia charged a total of $57,000 for these efforts, even though the going price of ketamine was only approximately $15 per vial. Plasencia did not provide the ketamine that caused Perry’s death.
Iwamasa witnessed Plasencia inject Perry with a large dose of ketamine that caused the actor to “freeze up” and be unable to move or speak. Despite Plasencia stating, “Let’s not do that again,” Iwamasa already had begun arranging for a steady – and cheaper – supply of ketamine from Fleming, court documents state.
In October 2023, Iwamasa purchased 51 vials of ketamine from Fleming over the course of 11 days. Fleming obtained the ketamine from his drug source, Jasveen Sangha, 42, a.k.a. “Ketamine Queen,” of North Hollywood.
Leading up to Perry’s death, Iwamasa repeatedly injected Perry with the ketamine that Sangha supplied to Fleming. During this period, Iwamasa witnessed Perry’s increasing addiction to ketamine. He found Perry unconscious at his residence on at least two occasions and witnessed an immediate adverse reaction following a ketamine injection where Perry froze up and was unable to talk or move. On October 28, 2023, Iwamasa injected Perry with at least three shots of Sangha’s ketamine, which caused Perry’s death.
On the day of Perry’s death, after Iwamasa called 911 to Perry’s residence, Los Angeles Police officers questioned him. When asked about what medications Perry was currently taking, Iwamasa provided a robust list of treating doctors and medications
Perry had been prescribed. Iwamasa, however, intentionally omitted ketamine from the list. When Iwamasa recounted the events leading up to Perry’s death, he provided a chronology that concealed the ketamine injections he had administered to Perry, including the third shot that Iwamasa administered just hours earlier, prior to Perry’s death.
Iwamasa also took steps to remove and destroy evidence related to Perry’s use of ketamine in the days leading up to the actor’s death. After doing so, Iwamasa contacted Fleming on the phone and told him that he had cleaned up the scene, including the ketamine bottles and syringes, and that he had “deleted everything,” according to court documents.
Sangha, Plasencia, and Fleming are serving federal prison sentences, respectively, of 15 years, 2½ years, and two years, after pleading guilty to federal narcotics charges.
Mark Chavez, 55, a former San Diego physician, was ordered to serve a sentence of eight months of home detention, 300 hours of community service, and three years of probation. He pleaded guilty in October 2024 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Chavez operated a ketamine clinic and sold the drug to Plasencia, who then distributed it to Perry.
Chavez surrendered his medical license in November 2024. Plasencia surrendered his medical license in September 2025.
The Los Angeles Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Ian V. Yanniello of the National Security Division and Haoxiaohan H. Cai of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted this case.
Man Who Transported $9 Million in Illicit Cash Proceeds for Mexico-Based Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced to Six Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A man who transported $9 million in illicit cash proceeds for a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization has been sentenced to six years in federal prison.
RICARDO TELLO transported bulk cash proceeds for Mexico-based drug traffickers who had distributed cocaine to numerous cities in the United States. Tello picked up at least approximately $9 million from various locations and delivered the money via plane or car to others in the Chicago area. He received about $3,500 per pickup. On one occasion in November 2019, Tello delivered nearly $300,000 to an undercover law enforcement officer in Hillside, Ill.
Additionally, Tello used his logistics company to support the Mexico-based drug traffickers by exporting nearly 50 loads of plastic sheeting that had been used to smuggle at least 450 kilograms of cocaine into the United States.
The drug trafficking organization was allegedly led by OSWALDO ESPINOSA, of Mexico. Espinosa’s organization allegedly used warehouses, garages, and stash houses in Chicago to receive and store the cocaine and cash. Tello, Espinosa, and sixteen others were charged in federal court as part of this investigation. Ten of the co-defendants have pleaded guilty and admitted their roles in the trafficking operation. Espinosa is believed to be in Mexico, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Tello, 39, of Mission, Texas, pleaded guilty in September 2025 to drug distribution and money laundering charges. On May 15, 2026, U.S. District Judge Jorge L. Alonso imposed the six-year prison term and ordered Tello to forfeit $297,699.50 in cash and a Cessna 182P aircraft to the U.S. government.
Tello’s sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Todd C. Smith, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Michael J. Pfeiffer, Director of the Chicago Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of Homeland Security Investigations, and Adam Jobes, Special Agent-in-Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Chicago. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Rosenbloom and Hanna Helwig.
Man Indicted and Arrested for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On May 21, 2026, a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging Barbaro José Del Valle-De Paula, 64 years old, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and firearms offenses, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, from April 29, 2026 through May 13, 2026, defendant Del Valle-De Paula, conspired with other persons to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine base (commonly known as “crack”), heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and Oxycodone (commonly known as Percocet) at Las Gardenias Public Housing Project, and within 1,000 feet of the real property comprising a public or private school and playground. Del Valle-De Paula was arrested on May 13, 2026, in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The defendant made his initial court appearance May 14, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years’ imprisonment and maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; and Michael Mayer, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration made the announcement.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Puerto Rico Police Department are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney José A. Contreras is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Lake Charles-Area Volunteer Coach Charged and Detained for Producing Child Pornography of Local Minor BoysRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On May 26, 2026, Rylekwun J. Poullard, a 29-year-old Lake Charles resident, was ordered detained after being charged by criminal complaint with the production of child pornography in connection with his preying upon young boys in South Louisiana. If indicted and convicted, Poullard faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison and up to 30 years for the charge.
According to evidence presented in court, Poullard, who was a volunteer sports coach in the Lake Charles area, used an Instagram account in which he posed as an adult female named “Brianna” to trick young boys to produce child pornography, offering them money to create photos and videos of themselves engaging in sex acts and to recruit their siblings as well. At least three of victims were boys residing in South Louisiana, with Poullard offering the boys money to perform sex acts and, for two of the boys, to get their brothers involved in the pornographic activity. Poullard was caught after a parent reported the activity to police after finding explicit messages on a victim’s cell phone and police investigated, securing search warrants for Poullard’s electronic devices that uncovered the activity that, by his own admission, had gone on for roughly a year and a half. Poullard was detained pending trial as a danger to the community.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Rayne Police Department, and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon II with assistance from Legal Administrative Specialist Tanya Broussard.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 26-mj-00116-01.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Kevin R. Holmes Takes Office as United States Attorney for the Western District of ArkansasRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH – Kevin R. Holmes has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas. Mr. Holmes was nominated by President Donald Trump on January 5, 2026, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 18, 2026. He took the oath of office on May 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. from United States District Court Judge David Clay Fowlkes, and began work immediately after the ceremony.
“It is an honor to hold this position, and I appreciate President Trump for the trust he has in me to fill this important role,” said U.S. Attorney Holmes. “I also want to thank Senator Boozman and Senator Cotton for their support. I look forward to leading our incredible staff during this pivotal time in our Nation’s history. We stand ready to hold those committing crimes in the Western District of Arkansas accountable and restoring law and order to our communities.”
As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Holmes is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Western District of Arkansas, which includes six divisions and 34 counties within Arkansas, with its primary office in Fort Smith. He oversees a staff of 41 employees, including 21 attorneys and 20 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.
Born in Van Buren, Mr. Holmes is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Arkansas School of Law.
Mr. Holmes succeeds Kimberly D. Harris, who had served as the U.S. Attorney since February 6,2026.
Kent, Washington, man convicted of 17 felonies related to string of armed dispensary and bank robberies following three-week trialRead the Press Release
Seattle – A 26-year-old Kent, Washington man was convicted late yesterday of 17 federal felonies connected to the robbery crew he led in armed robberies of marijuana dispensaries, banks, and credit unions, announced First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Shannon Hartfield recruited, supplied, and managed a team of young people – often juveniles – who went on a robbery spree throughout the Puget Sound region between December 2021 and June 2022. The jury deliberated about three days following the weeks long jury trial. U.S. District Judge Lauren King scheduled sentencing for August 25, 2026.
In the conspiracy, Hartfield took on a managerial role when carrying out the robberies. He recruited others to join his robbery team – often using juveniles, some as young as 14-years old. He recruited over social media and text messages. Hartfield and co-conspirators picked the robbery targets, gave robbers firearms to use, and provided cars the robbery crew used to flee the scenes – often at high rates of speed.
On February 17, 2022, Hartfield and his team robbed Kushman and Have a Heart dispensaries in Snohomish County. On March 11, 2022, Hartfield supervised the robberies of Lucid Cannabis in Auburn and West Seattle Dispensary. On April 18, 2022, Hartfield and the
robbery crew targeted Forbidden Cannabis in Lacy.
In May 2022 after Hartfield and some members of his robbery crew had been arrested and questioned by police in connection with the dispensary robberies, Hartfield decided to target credit unions and banks. On May 26, 2022, a robbery crew hit two credit unions: Seattle Credit Union and Sound Credit Union. On June 7, 2022, the coconspirators failed in an attempt to rob a Chase Bank branch at gunpoint. The group then moved on to rob a Salal Credit Union, holding the victim tellers at gunpoint. Finally, on June 17, 2022, they robbed a Chase Bank branch in Kent and were arrested shortly after by law enforcement. Hartfield has been in custody since that time.
In closing arguments Assistant United States Attorney Kristine Foerster described Hartfield’s role in this string of violent robberies saying, “Shannon Hartfield saw robbery as a team sport - he helped recruit the players, he directed the plays, he supplied equipment, shared in the winnings and now he is legally responsible for the actions of his team.”
Hartfield was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, five counts of robbery, three counts of bank robbery, one count of armed bank robbery, one count of attempted armed bank robbery and six counts of using a firearm in a crime of violence. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on three counts of robbery and three counts of use of a firearm in a crime of violence.
Each of the robbery counts is punishable by up to twenty years in custody. The armed bank robbery is punishable by up to twenty-five years in custody. Using a firearm in a crime of violence is punishable by a mandatory minimum seven years in prison to run consecutive to any other sentence imposed in the case. At sentencing Hartfield faces a mandatory minimum 45 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the FBI with significant assistance from Seattle Police Department, Snohomish County Sherriff’s Office, Bothell Police Department, Lacey Police Department, Tukwila Police Department, Tacoma Police Department, Kent Police Department, King County Sherriff’s Office, and Auburn Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristine Foerster and Amanda McDowell.
Court exhibit Court exhibitJustice Department Recovers over $6M in Additional Funds Linked to 1MDB SchemeRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today that it has obtained an order forfeiting a luxury New York apartment purchased with funds misappropriated from 1MDB, a Malaysian Sovereign Wealth Fund, along with certain rental income. This action resolves a civil forfeiture case filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California seeking the recovery of over $6 million in assets associated with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from 1MDB.
As alleged in civil forfeiture complaints filed in this case, billions of dollars in funds belonging to 1MDB were misappropriated from 2009 through 2015 by high-level officials of 1MDB and their associates, and Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low, through a criminal scheme involving international money laundering and embezzlement. Millions of dollars in such misappropriated funds were then used to purchase a luxury condominium unit in New York City for the benefit of May Ling Catherine Tan (Tan), a personal assistant for Low, who also profited from this asset by retaining rental proceeds. Under the forfeiture order entered in this case, the condominium and rental proceeds held by Tan will be forfeited to the U.S. government.
1MDB was created by the government of Malaysia to promote economic development in Malaysia through global partnerships and foreign direct investment. Its funds were intended to be used for improving the well-being of the Malaysian people. Instead, funds held by 1MDB and proceeds of bonds issued for and on behalf of 1MDB were misappropriated and spent by Low and his co-conspirators on a wide variety of extravagant items, including luxury homes and properties in Beverly Hills, California, New York, and London; a 300-foot superyacht; and fine art by Monet and Van Gogh. The funds also were sent into numerous business investments, including a boutique hotel in Beverly Hills, the movie production company that made “The Wolf of Wall Street,” the redevelopment of the Park Lane Hotel in Manhattan, and shares in EMI, the largest private music-rights holder. As alleged, other funds were provided to various public officials and co-conspirators.
Trial Attorney Barbara Levy of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section (MNF) is prosecuting the civil forfeiture case, with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, and the US Marshals. The FBI’s International Corruption Squad in New York is leading the investigation.
MNF’s International Unit investigates and prosecutes cross-border money laundering schemes involving transnational criminal organizations, cartels, foreign official corruption and related money laundering affecting the U.S. financial system, and prosecutes criminal cases and civil forfeiture matters to recover the proceeds of those crimes.
Significant assistance has also been provided to the Justice Department over the course of its work in the investigations and civil and criminal litigation by the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, U.K. Prudential Regulation Authority, U.K. National Crime Agency, Attorney General’s Chambers of the Territory of the British Virgin Islands, Attorney General’s Office of the Bailiwick of Guernsey and Guernsey Economic Crime Division, International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre, Attorney General’s Chambers of Singapore, Singapore Police Force — Commercial Affairs Division, Office of the Attorney General and Federal Office of Justice of Switzerland, judicial investigating authority of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Criminal Investigation Department of the Grand-Ducal Police of Luxembourg, Republic of Indonesia, Latvian authorities, and French authorities, including the Parquet National Financier and Agency for Management and Recovery of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AGRASC).
Individuals with information about possible proceeds of foreign corruption located in or laundered through the United States should contact federal law enforcement or send an email to tips.fbi.gov/.
Jury Convicts Former National Guard Task Force Member for Illegal Firearm Possession Offenses That Came to Light During an Investigation into Leaks of Sensitive Operational InformationRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal jury on Tuesday found Ruby Celly Uribe, 37, of Sacramento, guilty of unlawfully possessing a machine gun and possessing an unregistered short‑barreled rifle, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
With certain exceptions, federal law prohibits the possession of machine guns and unregistered rifles with barrels shorter than 16 inches.
According to court documents and evidence presented at a trial, Uribe was assigned to the logistics shop at the California National Guard Headquarters in Mather, California, and was a member of the Counterdrug Task Force (CDTF). The CDTF supports local, tribal, and federal law enforcement entities in the interdiction of drug trafficking organizations. While assigned to this unit, Uribe leaked information about upcoming drug raids to a person she knew to be involved with drug dealing. Text messages recovered from Uribe’s and the drug dealer’s phones revealed she shared sensitive information about upcoming operations, including the date and location and the number of military vehicles and aircraft involved.
A federal search warrant of Uribe’s residence resulted in the discovery of a short-barreled rifle. The firearm had been modified to fire in full-automatic mode as a machine gun. In addition, it was a privately made firearm with no serial number, commonly referred to as a ghost gun. A search of Uribe’s cellphone revealed that she was also engaged in trafficking other non‑serialized, short-barreled machine guns, including to a coworker on July 20, 2022.
During preparation for trial in this case, the FBI learned of another illegal firearm that Uribe sold in August 2022. The FBI safely recovered that firearm, which is also a machine gun and short-barreled rifle.
Image of an illegal firearm Uribe sold to a coworker on July 20, 2022.
Image of two illegal firearms Uribe offered to sell to a customer on Aug. 11, 2022. The customer purchased the black one. Officers later recovered the green one from Uribe’s residence on Dec. 13, 2022.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with assistance from the California Military Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian T. Kinsella and Nicole M. Vanek are prosecuting the case.
Uribe is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins on Sept. 11, 2026. Uribe faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Judge Sentences Ahoskie Armed Career Criminal to 15 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Anton Montes Vernon, 31, to 15 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him of illegally possessing a gun as a convicted felon.
Ahoskie Police found a 9mm pistol in Vernon’s pocket on November 9, 2023, in the small town of Ahoskie. Ahoskie Police joined forces with nearby law enforcement agencies to form the Down East Drug & Violent Crime Task Force and conduct saturation patrols in crime-ridden areas of communities in Northampton, Hertford, Gates and Bertie Counties, including Ahoskie. North Carolina previously convicted Vernon of three separate breaking and entering offenses which made Vernon qualify as an Armed Career Criminal.
“This stiff sentence shows that justice reaches into every corner of Eastern North Carolina, even smaller communities like Ahoskie.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This Big Shark Bad Boy will no longer threaten his community with illegal firearms. Our great law enforcement partners all across the District work hard to ensure that felons and career criminals are brought to justice no matter the size of their community. We will convict them at trial and ensure they receive hefty federal prison sentences to keep every North Carolinian safe.”
“Repeat offenders in possession of firearms are extremely dangerous and put innocent lives at risk,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “ATF and our law enforcement partners aim to protect our communities by holding these individuals accountable and putting an end to their cycle of violence.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II imposed the sentence. The Ahoskie Police Department, the Down East Drug Task Force, and ATF investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaren Kelly and Phil Aubart tried the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No.2:25-CR-4-M.
Joint Law Enforcement Effort Exposes Fentanyl Conspiracy; Defendant Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania man has admitted to working with an alleged gang member to sell fentanyl in North Central West Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Ramon Juan Sims, Jr., 29, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. According to the plea agreement and statements made in court, in September 2024, the Weston Police Department, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, and West Virginia State Police conducted a patrol of the Broad Street area of Weston, West Virginia, due to suspected drug activity. The cooperative police effort stopped driver Ramon Sims, and his passenger, Shawn Galin Whitley, Jr., while in possession of fentanyl and $2,040 in suspected drug proceeds. With assistance from the Mountain Region Drug Task Force, police lawfully searched their nearby hotel room and seized 3,750 fentanyl stamps.
Whitley, Jr., 35, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a suspected gang member. Whitley previously pled guilty in April 2026 for his role in the conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
Sims faces up to 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
Investigative agencies include the Mountain Region Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office; and the Weston Police Department.
Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.
Jefferson County Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jefferson County Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt and
Possession of Child Pornography
ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Yerdon, age 55, of Adams Center, New York, pled guilty in federal court May 7th, to charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, admitted that on May 13, 2025, he possessed multiple images and videos of child pornography that he had downloaded from the internet including material depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as five months old. The defendant also possessed nude images of a 7-year-old child Yerdon had created during a trip Yerdon took with the child to the Albany, New York area.
At sentencing, which is currently scheduled for September 8, 2026, in Syracuse, New York, Yerdon faces 15 to 40 years in federal prison for the receipt charge and 10 to 20 years for the possession charge. Both charges carry a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release between 5 years and life. Yerdon will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
“This defendant will now face 15-40 years behind the walls of federal prison for his unconscionable actions” said First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “When caught before, New York State allowed Mr. Yerdon to face probation, furthermore, release him from supervision after serving only one-third of his sentence. This soft on crime approach allowed this defendant to continue preying on young children and reoffend. Thanks to the efforts of the New York State Police and Homeland Security Investigations for catching this predator yet again, my office was able to aggressively prosecute Mr. Yerdon and ensure will now truly face justice for his crimes.”
Yerdon was previously convicted on October 22nd, 2004, in Jefferson County Court for Promoting an Obscene Sexual Performance by A Child less than 17 Years of Age. Mr. Yerdon was sentenced to 10 years’ State Probation and received an early discharge February 15th, 2007.
HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan: “James Yerdon’s reprehensible conduct—including his deliberate exploitation of a child in his care and his collection of images depicting the abuse of extremely young children—lays bare the profound threat posed by predators who target those least able to protect themselves. HSI Albany, in close coordination with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in our commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities and upholding the safety and trust of the public we serve.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Although these types of investigations are difficult, we will continue to seek justice for those who have been victimized. No child should be placed in harm’s way of sexual exploitation and endure the physical, emotional, and psychological suffering it inflicts. I thank our State Police members, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations for their firm, proactive work on this case.”
The case was investigated by HSI and NYSP with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adrian LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Jamaican National Extradited to the United States Pleads Guilty in Lottery and Romance Scheme Targeting Elderly Arizona ResidentRead the Press Release
Tucson, Ariz. – On May 20, 2026, Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie, aka “Ice Man”, 40, a Jamaican national, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud. Bellinfantie was indicted in March 2022 and subsequently extradited to the United States on June 12, 2025, for prosecution in the District of Arizona.
In his plea agreement, Bellinfantie admitted that from December 2015 to January 2019, he and his coconspirators engaged in a romance and sweepstakes scheme targeting an 85-year-old Arizona resident. Bellinfantie and a co-conspirator lured the victim into the scheme by pretending to be romantically involved with her. In furtherance of the scheme, the co-conspirator would send flowers with love messages to the victim’s residence. They also led the victim to believe that she had won the lottery and a new vehicle and convinced her that in order to claim the prize she would need to pay fees and taxes. The victim was told to mail funds to locations across the United States and to transfer money to various money runners. Bellinfante admitted that he received portions of the scheme proceeds.
As a result of the scheme, the victim lost approximately $469,302 that Bellinfantie agreed to pay in restitution. Bellinfantie’s sentencing hearing is scheduled August 18, 2026.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson Office conducted the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Arizona, Tucson, is handling the prosecution. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided valuable assistance with securing the arrest and extradition of Bellinfantie to the United States.
CASE NUMBER: 4:22-CR-0523
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-084_Bellinfantie
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Influence Major International Sports Competition by DopingRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Paul Alexander Askew (46, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to influence major international sports competitions by doping. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, beginning on or about July 10, 2023, and continuing through to on or about January 31, 2024, Askew conspired with a professional track and field athlete and at least one other person to provide the athlete with testosterone, a banned substance, to improve the athlete’s performances at major international track and field competitions. The doping was ongoing during the athlete’s competitions in the 2023 Ed Murphey Classic, in Memphis, Tennessee; the 2023 Xiamen Diamond League, in China; and the 2023 Prefontaine Classic, in Eugene, Oregon. Although the doping conspiracy was revealed before the athlete could compete in other competitions, Askew and the athlete also intended to use illegal testosterone injections to improve the athlete’s performance at the 2024 American Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships, the 2024 United States Olympics Trials, and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
This case was investigated by the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Flanigan.
Inmates Charged in Brutal Assault on Correction Officer at Doña Ana County Detention CenterRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Three inmates accused of violently attacking a correction officer assisting the U.S. Marshals Service at the Doña Ana County Detention Center have been charged federally after the officer was beaten unconscious and tased during a 22 second assault.
According to court documents, on May 11, 2026, John Doe was assisting the U.S. Marshal Service as a correction officer at the Doña Ana County Detention Center when he walked up the stairs to the top level to monitor six inmates who were supposed to be locked in their cells, including a federal inmate whom John Doe was required to observe and monitor on behalf of the U.S. Marshal Service. At the top of the stairs, however, John Doe was met by inmates Juan Gabriel Torres, Sergio Seanez, and Titus Josiah McGaw Bulger, who were not allowed to be in that location, or anywhere else on the second floor. When John Doe reached the top of the stairs, Torres lunged at him and tried to punch him, but Doe was able to duck and evade the strike. Seanez and Bulger then attacked John Doe, punching and bringing him to the ground. Seanez held John Doe down while Torres and Bulger punched, kicked and stomped on John Doe’s body, head and neck, causing John Doe to lose consciousness. The three inmates then continued to strike John Doe, even though he was unconscious and no longer responding. Finally, Torres unholstered John Doe’s taser and tased his unconscious body.
The attack lasted approximately 22 seconds, during which time the defendants punched him approximately 3o times and kicked him approximately 15 times before additional guards entered the housing pod in response to the assault.
John Doe was immediately provided with medical care and transported to the hospital. He survived the attack and eventually regained consciousness.
Torres, Seanez and Bulger are charged with assault involving a dangerous weapon and the infliction of bodily injury on a person assisting officers of the United States and will remain in federal custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, all three men face up to 20 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Detention Center, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Las Cruces Police Department Task Force Officers. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant Gardner and Mark Saltman are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Indictments, Convictions through Guilty Pleas, and Sentencings in Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney, in conjunction with our partner agencies in the Homeland Security Task Force (“HSTF”) announce the following investigative and prosecutorial results for the week of May 18 through May 22, 2026. The HSTF is a permanent, interagency law enforcement task force created by executive order to combat transnational criminal organizations—including cartels, trafficking networks, and foreign terrorist organizations.
Indictments:
- On May 20, 2026, a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Wadimir Ibáñez-Quiñones and Christian Rivera-Cardona with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine. According to court documents, in May 2026, the defendants knowingly and intentionally conspired with each other and others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Lani E. Lear is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Convictions through Guilty Pleas:
- On May 19, 2026, Xavier Omar Maldonado-Negroni pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in case 24-170 (RAM). According to the indictment, the defendant was charged with participating in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated principally in the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Defendant’s initial appearance in court was on May 22, 2024. The court set defendant’s sentencing date for August 19, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Sentencings:
- On May 20, 2026, defendant Roberto Zorrilla-Caminero was sentenced by United States District Court Judge María Antongiorgi-Jordán to a term of imprisonment of 18 months and 1 year of supervised release for an illegal re-entry offense after being previously removed from the United States subsequent to a felony conviction. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on October 30, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-452 (MAJ) and pleaded guilty on February 25, 2026. AUSA Manuel Muñiz-Lorenzi is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 20, 2026, Rey Ivan Freytes was sentenced by Chief Judge Raúl Arias-Mauxuach to 119 months and 18 days of imprisonment to be followed by 10 years of supervised release for his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization that operated principally in the Jardines de Sellés Public Housing Project in San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on May 8, 2024, in Criminal Case 24-170 (RAM), and pleaded guilty on February 4, 2026. AUSAs Joseph Russell and Andrés Orr are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
- On May 21, 2026, defendant Gelson Adrián De La Cruz-Nolberto was sentenced by Judge Aida M. Delgado-Colón to a term of imprisonment of 8 months and 1 year of supervised release for an illegal re-entry offense after being previously removed from the United States subsequent to a felony conviction. According to court documents, defendant was charged by a federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico on November 18, 2025, in Criminal Case No. 25-482 (ADC) and pleaded guilty on March 12, 2026. AUSA Manuel Muñiz-Lorenzi is in charge of the prosecution of the case.
These prosecutions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF San Juan comprises agents and officers from the following federal partners: FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP (OFO, AMO and Border Patrol), the U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. Secret Service, the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA, TSA, FAA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The HSTF also has the following state and local law enforcement partners as participating agencies: the Puerto Rico Police Department; the San Juan, Carolina, Guaynabo, Barceloneta, and Ponce Municipal Police Departments, the Puerto Rico National Guard – Counter Drug Program; the Puerto Rico Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda); the Puerto Rico Port Authority; and the Virgin Islands Police Department.
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Indian National Pleads Guilty to Role in Illegal Gambling RingRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – An Indian national pleaded guilty in federal court today for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling conspiracy occurring at six locations in southwest Missouri.
Tushar R. Patel, 40, a resident of the state of Georgia, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. This successful prosecution is one of many federal fraud cases pursued under the leadership of President Donald Trump and through the establishment of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
Patel admitted that he and his co-conspirators, in aggregate, obtained approximately $9,506,464 in gross proceeds from their wire fraud scheme and illegal gambling businesses and then conducted various financial transactions for the purpose of laundering the proceeds.
On May 14, 2025, Patel was charged, along with eight other individuals, in a 72-count superseding indictment by a federal grand jury in Springfield, Mo. The indictment charges all nine defendants with one count each of participating in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, and operating illegal gambling businesses from July 1, 2022, to May 13, 2025. In addition to the conspiracy counts, all nine defendants were charged with at least one count of wire fraud, and eight defendants were charged with money laundering.Through Patel’s guilty plea, he admitted that he and his co-conspirators ran illegal gambling businesses at four separate locations under the guise of internet amusement arcade games, skill game arcades, and adult arcades. Patel and his co-conspirators hired local employees to work in their businesses, which operated contests of chance, gambling devices, and slot machines in violation of Missouri and Federal law.
Under federal statutes, Patel is subject to a sentence of up to 20, five, and 20 years in federal prison without parole, respectively, for each count to which he pleaded guilty. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the Springfield, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS-Criminal Investigations, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Joplin, Mo., Police Department, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri National Guard Counter Drug Unit, the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center, the Greene County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, the Jasper County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney, and the Johnson County, Mo., Prosecuting Attorney.
National Fraud Enforcement Division
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Houston-area resident sentenced to 10 years for stock investment Ponzi schemeRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 41-year-old Mont Belvieu man has been ordered to federal prison for wire fraud in connection with a Ponzi-style investment scheme, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Carl Channing Spence pleaded guilty Jan. 30.
U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal has now ordered Spence to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard from three of Spence’s 19 known victims who detailed the devastating effects Spence’s scheme had on their lives and financial futures. In handing down the sentence, the court noted the unusually predatory nature of Spence’s actions and that he seemed to specifically target friends, colleagues and community members who he knew to be particularly vulnerable to his scheme.
From January 2022 through August 2023, Spence operated “AEI Financial” from his residence. He solicited friends, acquaintances and colleagues by promising high returns through stock trading specializing in “meme stocks.” Spence promised victims 10 to 12 percent returns by investing in popular stocks during a period of rapid stock market gains. Instead, he diverted funds for personal use and to make purported returns to earlier investors.
Once victims provided funds, Spence created fraudulent account statements that falsely showed investment growth and returns which he used to persuade victims to reinvest. In reality, he commingled investor funds into a single account and lost much of the money through unsuccessful trades.
The scheme resulted in numerous victims who received fraudulent account statements but never recovered their original investments or promised returns. Spence took in approximately $2.1 million from the known victims.
FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from Mont Belvieu Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Carter and Brad Gray prosecuted the case.
Homeland Security Task Force: Woodbridge Man Found with 21 Kilos of Cocaine Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that REGINALD ROGERS, 37, of Woodbridge, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to a cocaine trafficking charge.
According to court documents and statements made in court, as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, on February 23, 2026, Connecticut State Police troopers stopped a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Rogers was driving in Trumbull. A K9 sniff of the vehicle alerted for the presence of narcotics, and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately 21 kilograms of cocaine hidden in two compartments (“traps”) that were installed under each front seat. Rogers was arrested on state charges at that time.
Rogers pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of life. He also agreed to forfeit the vehicle he used to transport the narcotics.
Rogers is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for August 26.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward 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 New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. The Bridgeport, Danbury, Stamford, and Stratford Police Departments assisted this investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justyn P. Stokely and Lauren C. Clark.
Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Uncovers Methamphetamine Conspiracy that Results in New York Man Being Sentenced to More Than 11 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Orlando Nembhard will spend the next 135 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state, cross-country conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, by United States District Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker.
On December 3, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a five-count Indictment charging Nembhard, 34, of Mt. Vernon, New York, with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Nembhard’s co-defendant, Joe Brandon, of Newport, Arkansas, is awaiting jury trial and was also charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.
On January 6, 2026, Nembhard pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Chief Judge Baker also sentenced Nembhard to serve five years’ supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
On May 13, 2024, Dallas, Texas, Police Department officers were working interdiction at the airport. Officers randomly deployed a K9 to perform an open-air sniff on luggage from various flights. The K9 alerted on a suitcase originating from Phoenix, Arizona, and destined for Little Rock, Arkansas. Officers removed the suitcase and discovered 10 vacuum-sealed bundles, approximately 7.6 kilograms in total, that contained white crystalline substances. The substance was tested and determined to be methamphetamine. Through an investigation, several latent prints lifted from the items identified Brandon.
Homeland Security (HSI) agents in Little Rock, Dallas, and Phoenix began an investigation into Brandon and the origin and source of the methamphetamine. The investigation revealed that the suitcase had been checked at the Phoenix airport under Nembhard’s name. The suitcase and an airline ticket for Nembhard and Brandon were connected to a credit card for Nembhard. A review of video surveillance from the Phoenix airport showed Nembhard arriving with Brandon. Nembhard and Brandon unloaded two suitcases from a vehicle. Nembhard checked the two suitcases and both he and Brandon purchased tickets to Little Rock with a connection through Dallas. While Brandon boarded the plane destined for Little Rock, Nembhard left the airport and never boarded the flight to Little Rock.
On July 24, 2024, agents conducting surveillance observed Nembhard driving Brandon to the Phoenix airport where Brandon checked a suitcase and flew back to Little Rock. At the airport in Little Rock, agents deployed a K9 to conduct an open-air sniff of several suitcases coming off the flight. The K9 alerted to a black suitcase with Brandon’s name on the tag. The bag was placed on the luggage carousel and Brandon was observed taking the bag to exit the airport. As officers approached Brandon, he ripped the name tag off the suitcase and attempted to flee but was apprehended and placed into custody. Agents conducted a search of the suitcase and located 120,000 fentanyl pills in 10 heat-sealed bags that weighed 24 pounds.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Little Rock, HSTF Dallas, and HSTF Phoenix comprises agents and officers from the Little Rock Police Department, Dallas (Texas) Police Department, and Chandler (Arizona) Police Department with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
The investigation was conducted by HSTF Little Rock, with assistance from HSTF Dallas, HSTF Phoenix, the Little Rock Police Department, the Dallas Police Department, and the Chandler Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bart Dickinson.
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Additional information about the office of the
United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at
https://www.justice.gov/edar
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@USAO_EDAR
Hartford Drug Trafficker Sentenced to More Than 6 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that TYSHAWN COLEMAN, also known as “Ty” and “Mazi,” 36, formerly of New Britain and Hartford, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to 81 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for trafficking narcotics and for violating the conditions of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction.
According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation by the FBI’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force revealed that Tyshawn Coleman and his brother, Troy Coleman, were selling fentanyl and crack cocaine in Hartford. In November and December 2020, investigators made five controlled purchases of fentanyl, totaling 900 dose bags of the drug, from Troy Coleman. On April 13, 2021, Troy Coleman was shot multiple times outside of a restaurant located at 2393 Main Street in Hartford. Troy Coleman, who possessed fentanyl and crack cocaine at the time of the shooting, was released from the hospital approximately one week later.
As the investigation continued, an undercover law enforcement officer purchased fentanyl from Tyshawn Colman in late April and early May 2021. On May 5, 2021, investigators conducted a court authorized search of Tyshawn Coleman’s apartment on Sisson Avenue in Hartford. The search revealed distribution quantities of fentanyl and crack cocaine, items used to process and package narcotics for street sale, a .40 caliber “ghost gun” with a loaded high-capacity magazine, a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number, and additional loaded gun magazine, ammunition, and $4860 in cash. Troy Coleman was located and arrested on unrelated charges later that day. Tyshawn Coleman remained a fugitive until his arrest on July 16, 2025.
Tyshawn Coleman has been detained since his arrest. On January 21, 2026, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, fentanyl.
Tyshawn Coleman’s criminal history includes two convictions for conspiracy to commit murder, three convictions for accessory to first-degree assault, a conviction for first degree assault, a conviction for sale of a controlled substance, and a federal firearm conviction in 2020 for which his was sentenced to 46 months of imprisonment.
Tyshawn Coleman was on federal supervised release at the time of this offense. Judge Shea sentenced him to 57 months of imprisonment for the fentanyl distribution charge, and a consecutive 24 months of imprisonment for violating the conditions of his supervised release.
Troy Coleman, also known as “Hoy” and “TJ,” pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 67 months of imprisonment.
This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Gang Task Force and the Hartford Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan J. Keefe.
Google Employee Charged with Insider TradingRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), James C. Barnacle, Jr., announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging MICHELE SPAGNUOLO, a/k/a “AlphaRaccoon,” a software engineer at Google, with commodities fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering arising from his scheme to misappropriate confidential information from his employer and use that information to place a series of profitable Google-related trades on a prediction market platform. SPAGNUOLO, who resides in Switzerland, was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in the Southern District of New York.
“Today’s charges reinforce a decades-old message: corporate insiders cannot use confidential business information to turn a profit in our markets,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “As alleged, Spagnuolo violated the duties he owed to his employer and used Google’s confidential business information to make more than $1.2 million in trading profits on Polymarket. Insider trading compromises the integrity of our markets, and the American people want this greed-driven conduct investigated and prosecuted.”
“Michele Spagnuolo allegedly abused his elevated access to confidential trends to place bets with nonpublic information and receive more than one million dollars in unlawful profits,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI remains dedicated to searching for fraudsters who betray their employer for personal financial gains.”
As alleged in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:(1)
SPAGNUOLO is a software engineer at Google. In connection with his role, SPAGNUOLO had access to Google’s internal data systems, including an internal software tool that provided him with access to confidential, nonpublic data. That software tool bore a banner that stated, in part, “Google Confidential” in red text. Indeed, SPAGNUOLO certified his understanding of various Google confidentiality and ethics policies. SPAGNUOLO created an account on Polymarket, which is a prediction marketplace, in May 2024. That account was known as “AlphaRaccoon.” Shortly after accessing Google’s internal information, SPAGNUOLO used the AlphaRaccoon account to place trades in various markets on Polymarket. In total, from on or about October 15, 2025, through on or about December 4, 2025, SPAGNUOLO used the AlphaRaccoon account to risk approximately $2,754,092 on markets related to Google’s internal information. Soon after Google’s information was publicly announced, and the markets resolved, SPAGNUOLO’s AlphaRaccoon account profited approximately $1.2 million based on his use of inside information in connection with bets placed on Polymarket.
* * *
SPAGNUOLO, 36, an Italian citizen residing in Switzerland, is charged with one count of violating the Commodity Exchange Act, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison; one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and one count of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the FBI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Burnett, Ryan B. Finkel, and Allison Nichols are in charge of the prosecution.
^
As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitutes only allegations and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Fruitland Man Pleads Guilty in in Fatal Drunk Driving CrashRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Fruitland man pleaded guilty to second degree murder after driving drunk at 107 miles per hour and crashing into an oncoming vehicle, killing the driver.
According to court documents, on December 9, 2024, Timothy Begay, 39, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was driving drunk when he crossed the center line and hit a car driving the opposite direction, killing the driver. At the time of the crash, Begay was driving 107 MPH. Medical records showed that he has a blood alcohol level of .239.
Begay pleaded guilty to second degree murder and faces up 15 years in prison at sentencing.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.
Four Individuals Sentenced in Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Kidnapping of U.S. Postal Service Letter CarrierRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – Four members of a large-scale drug trafficking conspiracy involving the kidnapping of a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier at gunpoint, and kilogram quantities of cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to Rhode Island, have been sentenced in federal court to lengthy federal prison terms.
District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. sentenced Edgar Medina, 41, of Johnston, to 30 years’ imprisonment; Ronald Hall, 43, of Providence, to 20 years’ imprisonment; Andres Garay, 39, of Providence, to 10 years’ imprisonment; and Alijah Parsons, 34, of Providence, to 60 months’ imprisonment.
After a 13-day trial, a jury convicted Edgar Medina on February 13, 2026, of kidnapping, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and aiding and abetting possession and attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. Medina was previously convicted of drug trafficking and firearms charges, in 2004.
The jury also returned guilty verdicts against Parsons for the conspiracy, possession, and attempted possession with intent to distribute charges, and against Garay for attempted possession with intent to distribute. Garay was previously convicted of federal drug trafficking charges, in 2010 and 2014.
Prior to trial, Hall pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He was previously convicted of offenses involving firearms and/or controlled substances in 2000, 2005, 2012, 2013, and 2014, as well as conspiracy to commit murder in 2000.
Irving Medina, 33, of Providence, the fifth member of the conspiracy, pleaded guilty on March 14, 2024, to a charge of conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He was sentenced in March 2024 to 70 months of incarceration, to be followed by four years of federal supervised release.
According to court documents and witness testimony, on June 1, 2021, Edgar Medina and Ronald Hall kidnapped a USPS letter carrier at gunpoint while searching for cocaine they believed was missing from a package delivered in Pawtucket. They drove the letter carrier to his own home, intending to search the residence, and interrogated the USPS employee at gunpoint. Upon finding the home locked and a neighbor outside, Medina and Hall and ultimately returned the USPS employee near the original abduction point. Photographs subsequently found in co-conspirators’ cellphones revealed additional photographs of USPS employees, taken both before and after the kidnapping.
During the investigation, Postal Inspectors learned of several packages that had been previously shipped from fictitious people and addresses in Puerto Rico to addresses in Rhode Island associated with Edgar Medina. Agents also intercepted additional packages that a Rhode Island State Police K-9 alerted for the presence of narcotics. Court-authorized searches of the packages resulted in the discovery of a total of more than three kilograms of cocaine. Postal Inspectors arranged for controlled deliveries of those packages on June 8, 2021, under surveillance by U.S. Postal Service Inspectors, members of the Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, and the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force. As the packages were delivered, Edgar Medina, Andres Garay, and Ronald Hall were arrested.
“The individuals participated in a significant drug trafficking conspiracy that relied on violence and intimidation,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “These sentences hold the defendants accountable for conduct that endangered both the public and a federal employee carrying out his duties. I thank the prosecutors in this office, the Postal Inspectors, and our partners in law enforcement for their diligent work throughout this investigation.”
“The sentencing of these defendants sends a strong and unmistakable message: anyone who threatens, targets, or harms letter carriers will be relentlessly pursued and held fully accountable,” said J. Buck Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division. “Violence, kidnapping, and drug trafficking offenses that endanger postal employees and the communities they serve will be met with an aggressive law enforcement response and unwavering prosecution. The safety of our employees and the protection of our communities remains a top priority for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Postal inspectors will continue to work alongside our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who commit violent crimes or seek to intimidate public servants carrying out their duties.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine Lowell and Sandra Hebert.
The matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Providence Domicile, with assistance of USPIS task force officers from the Rhode Island State Police, Groton, Connecticut Police Department, and the Massachusetts State Police; with significant assistance from the Pawtucket and Providence Police Departments; the U.S. Marshal Service; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Fort Erie man pleads guilty to sneaking meth and fentanyl across the borderRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Eric Hagen, 57, of Fort Erie, Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to importation of controlled substances, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1,000,000.
In June 2024, Hagen was convicted of possessing child pornography in St. Catharines, Ontario. On the morning of August 1, 2025, Customs and Border Protection encountered Hagen at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, and he was referred for a secondary inspection. During Hagen’s secondary screening, CBP found multiple cellular telephones, hard drives, a laptop, and a baby monitor, as well as two plastic containers, which contained methamphetamine and fentanyl.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Sasha Mascarenhas. The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2026, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
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Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Federal Prison for Meth and Cocaine ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Matthew Groat, 42, from Fort Dodge, Iowa was sentenced on May 27, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City. In 2006 Groat was convicted in the same federal court for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 200 months’ imprisonment.
On January 6, 2026, Groat pled guilty and admitted that from August 2025 through November 2025 he and others distributed over 2,200 grams of methamphetamine and at least 10 grams of cocaine to individuals in the Fort Dodge area. Groat also admitted that on two occasions in September 2025 he distributed about 10 grams of cocaine to individuals cooperating with law enforcement and on two other occasions in September 2025 and three times in October 2025, he distributed a total of more than 130 grams of pure methamphetamine. Groat further admitted to obtaining 5 to 10 pounds of methamphetamine from a local source during the four months of the conspiracy and selling it to people around Fort Dodge.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Groat to 108 months’ imprisonment and a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Groat remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Fort Dodge Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa DCI Criminalistics Laboratory.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-3054. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Former Greenwood Policeman Sentenced for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
GREENVILLE, MS - Jamario Sanford, 38, of Greenville, MS, was sentenced today to seven and a half years in federal prison after pleading guilty on a previous date to conspiracy to aid and abet, and to attempt to aid and abet, the possession, transportation and distribution of illegal narcotics.
According to court documents, the defendant was arrested on October 30, 2025. At the time of the offense, Sanford received multiple bribes while being employed as a law enforcement officer with the Greenwood Police Department.
United States Attorney Scott Leary stated, “This conviction resulted from the hard work and dedication of agents with the FBI who invested time and resources to bring this case home. Our citizens expect dedication and professionalism from law enforcement, and in this case, they got it. A special thanks also to the prosecutors in this case, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Mims and Sam Stringfellow, they are excellent prosecutors who are driven to protect their fellow Mississippians.”
Chief Judge Debra M. Brown sentenced Sanford to 90 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. Sanford was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following sentencing.
FBI Special Agent in Charge of the FBI-Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff said, “We hold positions of trust and serve as stewards of authority within our community. Sanford betrayed his oath to protect and serve when he chose instead to shield criminals from accountability. We will continue working alongside our community partners to rebuild and strengthen public trust in law enforcement. The FBI remains steadfast in its commitment to aggressively investigate and bring to justice those who abuse their authority."
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert Mims and Sam Stringfellow prosecuted the case.
Former Dallas Housing Authority Employee Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Stealing Government FundsRead the Press Release
A former Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) maintenance supervisor who stole from DHA was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Joel Ipina, 50, pled guilty in November 2025 to theft concerning programs receiving government funds. He was sentenced on May 21, 2026, by United States District Judge Jane J. Boyle, who also ordered him to pay $473,641 in restitution.
“This defendant abused a position of trust to steal public funds intended to serve the Dallas community. This sentence reflects our commitment to protecting taxpayer-funded programs and holding accountable those who exploit them,” said U.S. Attorney Raybould.
According to court documents, Ipina was employed by DHA from 1995 to 2024. DHA receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a maintenance supervisor, Ipina was responsible for approving maintenance work orders and selecting contractors to perform work on properties under his supervision.
From approximately August 2019 through February 2024, Ipina carried out a scheme to enrich himself by steering maintenance contracts to a company he owned and controlled without DHA’s knowledge. As part of the scheme, he submitted fabricated competing bids to ensure contracts were awarded to his company and caused DHA to pay for work that was never performed.
“Joel Ipina’s selfish actions diverted almost $500,000 in federal funds intended to provide housing services to vulnerable community members and also took away the opportunity for other actual hard-working companies to compete for contracts and provide services to the Housing Authority of the City of Dallas,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Aaron McCullough with the HUD, Office of Inspector General (OIG). “HUD OIG will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to diligently pursue and hold accountable individuals who take advantage of their positions of trust and misuse public funds.”
The HUD Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise Aldendifer prosecuted the case.
Former Corporate Executive Sentenced to 26 Months in Prison for Insider Trading SchemeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that PAUL JORGENSEN, the former Chief Revenue Officer of Doximity, was sentenced on May 21, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla to 26 months in prison for committing securities fraud in connection with a multimillion-dollar scheme to trade in stock and options of Doximity based on inside information in advance of the company’s quarterly earnings calls.
“While employed as a senior executive at Doximity, Paul Jorgensen repeatedly used Doximity’s confidential information to trade in advance of the company’s quarterly earnings calls, earning himself more than $2.5 million in illegal profits,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Insider trading destroys faith in the fairness and integrity of our markets. This Office is committed to protecting market integrity and rooting out bad actors. As this prosecution and sentence make clear, executives who trade on their company’s confidential information will be prosecuted.”
According to the allegations in the Information and statements made in public court proceedings:
JORGENSEN engaged in a scheme to reap illegal profits by trading on material nonpublic information regarding Doximity, a publicly-traded company, in violation of the duties of trust and confidence owed to the company and its shareholders.
Doximity is an online networking service for medical professionals that trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “DOCS.” JORGENSEN joined Doximity in 2017 and became Chief Revenue Officer in 2022. As a senior executive at Doximity, JORGENSEN had access to confidential information about Doximity’s financial outlook, performance, and earnings results, and owed a duty of trust and confidence to the company. Doximity restricted its employees from trading in the lead-up to the company’s quarterly earnings calls, and from engaging in options trading. Doximity further required all employees to hold their Doximity shares in company-monitored brokerage accounts.
In July 2022, as Chief Revenue Officer, JORGENSEN became aware that Doximity’s add-on sales to clients, referred to as “upsells,” had declined over the previous quarter. On July 28, 2022, JORGENSEN attended a Board meeting in advance of the upcoming earnings call in which the company’s negative results were discussed. Following the Board meeting, JORGENSEN texted a close family member that he was “[n]ot selling [his] DOCS shares” because he had “non-public confidential info and it’s just not right to sell.” Two days later, however, after JORGENSEN learned that he had been reassigned to a sales role at the company, JORGENSEN texted the same family member that he “decided to sell [his] DOCS shares” because he needed to “protect us first and foremost.” The following day, JORGENSEN sold 61,162 shares of Doximity that he secretly held in a personal brokerage account.
During the company’s quarterly earnings call on August 4, 2022, Doximity publicly announced its negative results regarding upsells and lowered its annual guidance by six percent. Doximity’s share price fell by approximately seven percent, and JORGENSEN avoided losses of more than $300,000.
In 2023, JORGENSEN again traded based on Doximity’s confidential information. In July 2023, JORGENSEN became aware that Doximity’s upsells had continued to decline over the previous quarter. In addition, on July 13, 2023, JORGENSEN learned that he was being terminated as part of a larger round of layoffs, and that the layoffs would be announced on the company’s upcoming quarterly earnings call. In advance of the earnings call, JORGENSEN sold 15,000 shares of Doximity stock, earning $114,000 in illicit profits, and 1,300 call options, earning an additional $200,000 in illicit profits. JORGENSEN also purchased 4,700 put options using his personal brokerage account.
During the company’s quarterly earnings call on August 8, 2023, Doximity publicly announced its company layoffs and negative results regarding upsells and lowered its annual guidance by eight to nine percent. Doximity’s share price fell by approximately 23 percent. Following the earnings call, JORGENSEN closed out his put position, earning nearly two million dollars in illicit profits. JORGENSEN was terminated from Doximity in August 2023.
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In addition to the prison sentence, JORGENSEN, 53, of Charlotte, North Carolina, was sentenced to two years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,532,775.52 in forfeiture.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Clayton also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for its cooperation and assistance in this investigation.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandra Rothman is in charge of the prosecution.