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23 June 2026
Federal Jury Convicts Haitian National in Armed Robberies of Delivery Driver and Store ClerkRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- A federal jury has found Laurens Jean-Francois, 23, of Haiti, guilty of two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Jean-Francois committed two armed robberies in Indianapolis over a three‑day period in July 2025.
On July 19, a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver arrived at the Scarborough Lake Apartments to deliver an order. As the victim knocked on the apartment door, Jean‑Francois approached from a stairwell holding a .556 caliber AR‑15 pistol. He demanded the driver’s wallet, cell phone, and food order before telling him to run. The victim later provided police with a description of the suspect, and the robbery was captured by external surveillance cameras.
Three days later, on July 22, Jean‑Francois entered the Xpress Pantry on North High School Road wearing a ski mask, clear latex gloves, and dark clothing. After initially asking a clerk to retrieve a phone charger kept in a locked display, Jean-Francois brandished the same AR‑15 pistol used in the previous robbery, demanding cash from the register.
IMPD officers arrested Jean‑Francois on July 29, 2025, during a traffic stop of a Ford Fusion in which he was a passenger. Officers observed the AR‑15 in plain view, leaning against the rear driver’s side door. Jean‑Francois was also wearing the same ski mask worn in the Xpress Pantry robbery.
Further investigation revealed he was unlawfully present in the United States, as his green card had expired in August 2024.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young presided over the trial and will sentence Jean-Francois at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Matt Barloh and Michelle P. Brady for prosecuting the case, along with paralegal specialists Kayla Whitaker and Paige Carpenter, and Victim Witness Specialists Johnna Preidt and Maurine Bwambok.
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Federal Health Care Fraud Takedown Targets 455 Defendants and $6.5 Billion in False ClaimsRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Today, The Honorable R. Matthew Price, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced criminal charges against four defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud government health care benefits programs. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges include forgery and using fraudulent nursing credentials to Medicaid fraud.
“Every fraudulent claim diverts taxpayer dollars away from programs that are intended to support the health and well-being of American citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Price. “Healthcare fraud not only depletes critical resources but also threatens the long-term sustainability of essential healthcare services. Today’s enforcement action in the Western District of Missouri, along with coordinated efforts across the country conveys a strong message: individuals who engage in healthcare fraud will be identified, investigated, and held accountable for their actions.”
The charges announced today are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history.
In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the Western District of Missouri:
- Darcee Jo Heath, 38, of Linn Creek, Mo., was charged by complaint with forgery and using fraudulent nursing credentials. As alleged in the complaint, Heath forged and presented college records and a diploma claiming she graduated from a licensed practical nurse program in order to obtain employment at a hospital as a graduate practical nurse. The nurses responsible for overseeing Heath’s work recognized her incompetence, which lead to an investigation and her termination. The case is being prosecuted by Camden County, Missouri Prosecutor Richelle Grosvernor and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
- Romond E. Holt, 40, of Kansas City, Mo., was charged by complaint with false statement to receive a health care payment and stealing by deceit in connection with Medicaid fraud in the amount of $4,743.61. As alleged in the complaint, Holt submitted 32 claims for personal care services he purportedly provided to a Medicaid recipient between December 2023 and June 2024. These services were not provided because the Medicaid recipient was hospitalized and in long-term rehabilitation facilities during that time. The case is being prosecuted by Cole County Missouri, Prosecutor Wm. Locke Thompson and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
- Carolyn S. McGinnis, 75, of Richmond, Mo., was charged by complaint with false statement to receive a health care payment and stealing by deceit in connection with Medicaid fraud in the amount of $3,022.94. As alleged in the complaint, McGinnis, a Medicaid recipient, submitted 35 false claims purporting that her personal care attendant, S.M., was providing personal care services to McGinnis at McGinnis’s home. In fact, S.M. was not providing services and McGinnis was not living at home. The case is being prosecuted by Cole County Missouri, Prosecutor Wm. Locke Thompson and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
- Kevin E. Oliver, 30, of Independence, Mo., was charged by complaint with false statement to receive a health care payment and stealing by deceit in connection with Medicaid fraud in the amount of $6,171.40. As alleged in the complaint, Oliver filed 82 fraudulent claims with Medicaid purporting to have provided personal care services to Medicaid recipient, P.O., from January to July 2024. However, P.O. was hospitalized or in a long-term rehabilitation facility on the dates of service falsely claimed by Oliver. The case is being prosecuted by Cole County, Missouri Prosecutor Wm. Locke Thompson and the Missouri Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Nationally, the cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
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.
Charges contained in any indictment, information, or complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
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Dominican National Charged with Illegally Reentering U.S.Read the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANEL DEL CARMEN ZAPATA POLANCO, also known as Anel Polanco, Anel Zapata Delcarme, and Anel Zapata, 42, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint charging him with illegally reentering the United States after being deported.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, in February 2006, Zapata, under the name Anel Zapata Delcarme, was convicted in New York County Criminal Court of possession of a forged instrument third degree. He was sentenced to time served for the offense. In January 2016, Zapata, again under the name Anel Zapata Delcarme, was convicted in the U.S. District Court of the District of New Jersey of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. He was sentenced to 57 months of imprisonment for the offense. On September 19, 2017, Zapata was removed to the Dominican Republic.
It is further alleged that Zapata illegally reentered the U.S. On February 11, 2026, Zapata, under the name Anel Zapata, was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court in New Haven of drug and firearm offenses and sentenced to 10 years of incarceration, execution suspended after three years. On February 24, 2026, Zapata was convicted in Connecticut Superior Court in Middletown of firearm possession and threatening offenses and sentenced to six years of incarceration, execution suspended after two years.
Zapata was arrested after he was released from state prison today. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert A. Richardson in Hartford and was ordered detained.
If convicted of the charge of unlawful reentry, Zapata faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Neeraj N. Patel.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
District of Arizona Announces Charges Involving over $1.2 Billion in False or Fraudulent Claims as Part of National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Today, United States Attorney Timothy Courchaine announced criminal charges against four defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs of over $1.2 billion. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“The billions of dollars of fraud highlighted in today’s announcement should shock and anger every American,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “We must protect our valuable federal health care programs from exploitation by criminals. The message from the success of this takedown is clear – the United States government will protect taxpayer dollars and will prosecute those who seek to defraud our country.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the District of Arizona:
- Susie Kamien, 55, of West Chester, Illinois, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with submitting over $918 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for amniotic wound allografts. As alleged in the information, Kamien was a medical biller who submitted claims to Medicare for allografts that were medically unreasonable and unnecessary, and procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Shane Butland and William Hochul III of the National Rapid Response Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams of the District of Arizona.
- Jimmy Muyumbu, 38, formerly of Glendale, Arizona, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to launder money, and money laundering, in connection with an alleged scheme involving a substance abuse treatment clinic in Arizona that billed Arizona Medicaid over $44 million. As alleged in the indictment, Muyumbu owned and operated an outpatient treatment center called Motherland Counseling LLC (“Motherland”) in Phoenix, Arizona, which was purportedly in the business of providing addiction treatment services for vulnerable patients suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. Muyumbu enrolled Motherland as a provider with Arizona’s Medicaid agency, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (“AHCCCS”). Muyumbu sought out patients enrolled in AHCCCS’s American Indian Health Program, a fee-for-service program for Native American AHCCCS members. Muyumbu and his co-conspirators exploited these patients by submitting approximately $44,920,644 in false and fraudulent claims to AHCCCS for services that were not provided, were not provided as billed, were so substandard that they failed to serve a treatment purpose, were not used as part of or integrated into any treatment plan, were tainted by illegal kickbacks and bribes, and, in some cases, were medically unnecessary. AHCCCS paid approximately $36,678,016 based on these fraudulent claims. Muyumbu then laundered the fraudulent proceeds by purchasing real estate in the greater Phoenix area. The government seized approximately $104,463 in proceeds from Muyumbu’s alleged fraud scheme. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Sarah Edwards and Assistant Chief Jim Hayes of the National Rapid Response Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams of the District of Arizona. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Bozdech is handling the forfeiture aspects of the case.
- Sandra Peters, 45, of Saint Johns, Florida, was charged by information with conspiracy to commit health care fraud in connection with over $10 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for amniotic wound allografts. As alleged in the information, Peters was a sales representative who ordered and recommended allografts that were medically unreasonable and unnecessary, and procured through illegal kickbacks and bribes. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Shane Butland and William Hochul III of the National Rapid Response Strike Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams of the District of Arizona.
- Brian Rowan, 47, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care and wire fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and to pay health care kickbacks, paying health care kickbacks, and transactional money laundering, in connection with a $1.2 billion wound allograft scheme. As alleged in the Indictment, Rowan, the Vice President of Sales for a company that sold expensive amniotic wound allografts, caused hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal kickbacks, bribes, and rebates to be paid to sales representatives and medical providers throughout the country to unlawfully induce purchases of the company’s allografts. Rowan and his co-conspirators concealed these kickbacks and bribes by issuing sham sales invoices to providers in amounts that exceeded the providers’ actual cost of the allografts and directing providers to use the amounts reflected on those invoices for Medicare reimbursement, thereby inflating Medicare’s reimbursements and concealing the providers’ undisclosed and unreported profits. Rowan and his co-conspirators further concealed the kickbacks and bribes by using pass-through bank accounts associated with a shell company to funnel the illegal kickbacks and bribes to providers in exchange for purchasing the company’s allografts. Induced by these unlawful financial incentives, sales representatives and providers targeted elderly patients, many of whom were terminally ill in hospice care, and caused medically unreasonable and unnecessary allografts to be applied to these vulnerable patients. Between December 2021 and June 2024, Rowan and his co-conspirators caused the submission of $1.2 billion in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare, TRICARE, CHAMPVA, and commercial insurers, of which approximately $614 million was paid. Rowan personally made over $24 million, which he used to purchase multi-million-dollar houses, million-dollar life insurance policies, luxury vehicles, and luxury watches. The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Shane Butland and William Hochul III of the National Rapid Response Strike Force, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams of the District of Arizona.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The District of Arizona, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of War Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
CASE NUMBER: U.S. v. Susie Kamien CR-26-0676-PHX-KML
U.S. v. Jimmy Muyumbu CR-26-0668-PHX-DJH
U.S. v. Sandra Peters CR-26-0673-PHX-SMB
U.S. v. Brian Rowan CR-26-0660-PHX-DGCRELEASE NUMBER: 2026-105_National Health Care Fraud Takedown
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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.Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun CrimesRead the Press Release
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Torriano Arzareus Johnson, 34, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine base, also known as “crack,” and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on March 11, 2026, Johnson was a passenger in a vehicle when it was pulled over by law enforcement officers in Huntington. As part of his guilty plea, Johnson admitted that once the vehicle stopped, he fled from the vehicle with a backpack that he threw over a fence as he ran from officers. Johnson further admitted that officers captured him and found in his pant leg approximately 29 grams of crack in a bag and $3,000 he obtained from selling drugs. Officers executed a search warrant for the backpack and found it contained a loaded Glock 43x 9mm pistol. Johnson admitted that he possessed the firearm to protect himself, the drugs, and the cash.
Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute crack, a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, up to five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,250,000.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department.
United States District Judge Robert C. Chambers presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Taylor is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:26-cr-41.
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Connecticut Lab and its Owner Pay over $145K to Settle Allegations of Medicaid Enrollment FraudRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that COASTAL DIAGNOSTICS, LLC, a reference laboratory located in Branford, and its owner, TRICIA CONROY, have entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments and have paid $145,720 to resolve allegations they made material misrepresentations to the Connecticut Medicaid program in their Provider Enrollment Application.
In order to participate in the Connecticut Medicaid program, providers must complete a Provider Enrollment Application. On or about March 6, 2024, Conroy, on behalf of Coastal Diagnostics, completed and submitted a Provider Enrollment Application to the Connecticut Medicaid program. One of the questions in the application asks: “Are any owners, partners, members, officers, directors, shareholders, or managing employees of applicant related by family, marriage, ownership, membership, control, or business relationship to any other provider that is currently, or within the last 5 years, has been, enrolled in the Connecticut Medical Assistance Program?” Conroy answered “No” to this question.
The United States and the State of Connecticut contend that this was a material misrepresentation, as Genco Lab, LLC, a reference laboratory located at the same business address as Coastal Diagnostics, was a Medicaid provider at the time. Genco Lab was owned by Conroy’s husband, and Conroy served as the Chief Operating Officer of Genco Lab. If the question had been answered truthfully and Coastal Diagnostics had disclosed its relationship with Genco Lab, Connecticut Medicaid would not have approved Coastal Diagnostics’ application because, at the time, Genco Lab was under a payment suspension and was being investigated for fraud.
After Coastal Diagnostics began submitting claims for laboratory services, Connecticut Medicaid learned that Coastal Diagnostics and Genco Lab were related and terminated Coastal Diagnostics’ provider agreement.
Based on the above, the U.S. and the State of Connecticut contend that the claims submitted by Coastal Diagnostics were false and fraudulent.
To resolve the government’s claims, Coastal Diagnostics and Conroy agreed to pay $145,720, which covers the time-period from March 6, 2024, to June 3, 2024.
In 2025, Genco Lab and its owners entered into a civil settlement agreement with the federal and state governments in which they paid $1,255,825 to settle allegations that they submitted false and fraudulent claims to government health care programs for medically unnecessary urine drug tests.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard M. Molot and by Assistant Attorney General Christine Miller of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.
This announcement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a coordinated enforcement action involving a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
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.
People who suspect health care fraud are encouraged to report it by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS or the Health Care Fraud Task Force at (203) 777-6311.
Colorado Man Charged in Medicaid Fraud Scheme Connected to Arapahoe County Adult DaycareRead the Press Release
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado along with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office announces that Mohamed Elias Omer, 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury on twelve counts of illegal remunerations to induce Medicaid beneficiaries to attend Nadina Adult Daycare Center, LLC., located in Arapahoe County.
According to the indictment, Omer offered three $500 kickback payments in exchange for referrals of Medicaid beneficiaries for adult daycare, and $10,000 in other kickback payments described as “marketing expense(s)” or “office supply.”
Medicaid is a federal health care program that is funded through taxpayer dollars that are distributed by the state through the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. Medicaid provides adult daycare services to qualified Medicaid beneficiaries.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI Denver Field Office.
The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the Medicaid Fraud, Abuse & Neglect Unit in the Colorado Department of Law.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (‘Fraud Division’). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Case Number: 26-cr-00140-DDD
Clifton Park Telehealth Company to Pay $300,000 to Resolve Allegations of Improper Billing for No-Show Visits and Other ServicesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III announced today that Clifton Park-based Aptihealth, Inc. and Aptihealth Medical, PLLC (Aptihealth), a behavioral health provider operating a telehealth platform, will pay $300,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations concerning its Medicare and Medicaid billing practices. This settlement is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“Aptihealth submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid that did not comply with program requirements,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone. “The integrity of these programs depends on accurate billing and adherence to established rules. I commend the former employee who brought these issues to the government’s attention. The Healthcare Fraud Task Force is committed to identifying and holding accountable those who act with disregard of taxpayer dollars.”
“Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act can negatively affect the integrity of federal health care programs, undermining resources upon which millions of beneficiaries depend. In this case, the defendants’ actions artificially created demand for services and siphoned off funds for services that were never provided,” said Naomi D. Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to safeguard federal health care programs and ensure the return of funds that were falsely received.”
As part of the settlement, Aptihealth admitted responsibility for certain billing conduct described in the settlement agreement. This includes billing Medicare and Medicaid for patient appointments that did not occur because the patient was a “no-show,” billing for responses to patient messages without regard to whether such communications involved billable clinical content, and billing for psychological testing services that were not sufficiently documented.
Aptihealth also implemented an incentive program that involved a small number of patients who received a $25 gift card after attending a therapy session, which the United States contends violated the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Finally, Aptihealth admitted that its compliance program failed to meet certain New York statutory requirements relating to billing oversight, compliance monitoring, and training and education.
The settlement resolves a whistleblower lawsuit filed under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act by a former Aptihealth employee. The Act allows private persons to file civil actions on behalf of the government and share in any recovery. Under the settlement, the whistleblower will receive approximately $51,000 of the settlement proceeds. The case is docketed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York under number 1:23-cv-878.
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. False Claims Act enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. False Claims Act matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and our False Claims Act work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York jointly investigated this matter with the Office of the New York Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Moran represented the United States.
Clarksville Physician Charged with Health Care Fraud Related to Controlled Substance Prescribing SchemeRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – Ramon Aquino, 77, of Clarksville, Tennessee, has been charged by Information with one count of health care fraud in connection with a multi-year scheme involving the prescribing of controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice, announced Braden H. Boucek, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to the Information, Aquino owned and operated North Clarksville Medical Center and prescribed medically unnecessary controlled substances to patients for more than five years. During that period, Aquino issued prescriptions totaling more than 1.08 million pills and doses of controlled substances. The Information alleges that many of those prescriptions were not issued for a legitimate medical purpose in the usual course of professional practice.
The Information further alleges that Aquino prescribed excessive and inappropriate quantities and combinations of controlled substances, resulting in medically unnecessary prescriptions being issued to patients and contributing to patient abuse, misuse, and addiction. Aquino allegedly failed to adequately monitor his patients' use and abuse of prescribed controlled substances and continued to prescribe excessive and inappropriate amounts of those drugs even after receiving warnings regarding his prescribing practices.
According to the Information, Aquino's conduct caused losses of approximately $335,621.73 to health care benefit programs.
“Medical professionals occupy positions of extraordinary trust and responsibility,” said U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek. “When that trust is abused through the unlawful prescribing of controlled substances, patients can suffer serious harm, addiction can flourish, and taxpayer-funded health care programs can be defrauded. Our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who contribute to prescription drug abuse and health care fraud.”
This case is part of the Department of Justice's National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a coordinated nationwide law enforcement effort targeting health care fraud schemes that exploit patients, contribute to prescription drug abuse, and defraud federal health care programs.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Chris Suedekum is prosecuting the case.
Information is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Civil Settlements Reached as Part of Department of Justice National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
Today, United States Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner for the Western District of Kentucky announced civil settlements with 6 defendants in connection with false claims submitted to Medicaid. The civil settlements are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The civil settlements, totaling $23,816,217.60, stem from alleged fraudulent billings to Medicaid for services not provided or tainted by financial conflicts of interest.
“These settlements reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries and ensuring the integrity of publicly funded programs,” said Kyle G. Bumgarner, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. “When providers place their own financial interests ahead of the people they serve, they not only break the law—they put elderly adults and individuals with disabilities at risk of losing the vital supports that allow them to remain safely in their homes. We will continue to hold accountable those who compromise the care our communities rely on.”
“This year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown represents the greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under the decisive leadership of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, and our law enforcement partners, this administration has ushered in a new era of enforcement that will safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
The civil settlements announced today by U. S. Attorney Bumgarner are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals and entities agreed to civil settlements with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky:
Defendants Access Adult Health Day Care Center LLC (Access), Encore AHDC LLC (Encore), and Tatyanas Case Management LLC (TCM) and their respective owners agreed to collectively pay the United States $23,816,217.60 to resolve allegations they violated the False Claims Act, a federal statute that prohibits the submission of false claims for payment to Government programs, such as Medicaid. Serge Adamov, 56, of North Miami Beach, Florida, owned Access, Inna Frimerman, 50, of Overland Park, Kansas, owned Encore, and Tatyana Kolesnikova, 41, of Louisville, Kentucky owned TCM.
Access, Encore, and TCM provided services to Kentucky Medicaid beneficiaries through the Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver Program. The HCB Waiver Program assists elderly individuals and people with physical disabilities in living as independently as possible in their communities. As part of this program, these providers were responsible for delivering conflict‑free case management services and in‑home attendant care, including tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
The United States alleges that Adamov, Frimerman and Kolesnikova had shared financial interests and maximized their profits by referring HCB Waiver beneficiaries to Access and Encore for attendant care services. The United States further alleges that Access and Encore then billed Medicaid for attendant care services which, in some instances, were not provided for as many hours as were billed and in others were not provided at all.
The civil settlement agreements resolve a lawsuit brought by a private citizen under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. The civil case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky and is captioned United States ex rel. Bhatt v. Access, et al., Case No. 3:19-cv-452-RGJ-RSE.
Contemporaneous with the execution of their civil settlement, Tatyana Kolesnikova and TCM entered into a Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. The CIA requires implementation of comprehensive compliance controls and claims reviews by an Independent Review Organization.
Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Weyand handled this matter for the United States with assistance from Auditor Phil Bezehertny and Investigator Cristal Fox. This case was also investigated by Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control and the FBI Louisville Field Office.
“Health care fraud steals from taxpayers, exploits vulnerable patients, and puts lives at risk,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today’s historic enforcement action sends a clear message: if you use our health care system to enrich yourself at the expense of patients or the American people, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable. HHS will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect patients, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and restore integrity to our health care system.”
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The claims resolved by the civil settlements are allegations only; there has been no determination of liability.
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Chinese National Sentenced in Conspiracy to Defraud Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Xin Liu, 40, a Chinese national living in Apopka, Florida, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for her material participation in an elder fraud scheme. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing.
United States Attorney Heekin said: “We are unfortunately seeing a rise in the prevalence of elder fraud schemes orchestrated and executed by foreign nationals who target and financially exploit our senior citizens, depleting their life savings and leaving the victims destitute. Raising awareness of these threats is vitally important to preventing more seniors from falling prey to these fraudsters and their schemes. Our state and federal law enforcement partners are working hard to identify and dismantle those fraud schemes, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these fraudsters to the fullest extent of the law.”
Court records reflect that the defendant, a Chinese national residing in the United States with an H-1B visa, participated in a fraud scheme that used telephone calls and electronic messages to target elderly victims. Between July 22, 2025, and July 30, 2025, the defendant drove to at least six locations throughout Florida to pick up money from the elderly victims who were targeted in the fraud scheme, including one victim who lived in an assisted living community for seniors in Gainesville, Florida. In total, the defendant attempted to pick up over $95,000 from the victims and was paid using a portion of the fraudulently obtained proceeds. Liu’s actions created substantial financial hardship for at least one elderly victim.
“Stealing from seniors is not just a financial crime, it’s a betrayal of trust,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “Older Americans should never have to fear being targeted by criminals looking to drain their life savings. This sentence reflects the FBI’s commitment to protecting older Americans and holding those accountable who target them.”
“The abuse of elderly individuals is shameful and one of the most disturbing crimes affecting our nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “IRS-CI will continue to work hand-in hand with our partners and devote resources to protect the vulnerable by dismantling criminal activity that targets elderly victims.”
“These criminals preyed on our most vulnerable residents with sophisticated scams, impersonating federal agents to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells. “Thanks to the swift work of our detectives and federal partners, we’ve stopped this operation and prevented further victims. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.”
Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya said: “Those who prey on our senior citizens for financial gain should know there is no safe haven in Gainesville. These crimes do more than steal money—they exploit trust, create fear, and can cause significant financial hardship for people who are often living on fixed incomes.”
The case involved an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner prosecuted the case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.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.
Child Sex Offender Sentenced to 18 months for Violating Federal Registration RequirementsRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A South Carolina man was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for failing to comply with federal sex offender registration and notification laws.
According to court documents, Will Taite, 63, was convicted for Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in August of 2018 out of Berkeley County, South Carolina. Taite was sentenced to 5 years’ incarceration. Taite was required to wear a GPS location monitor after being released from state prison. In September of 2025, Taite left South Carolina and traveled by Greyhound bus to Mobile, Alabama. When he arrived in Mobile on September 27, 2025, he cut off his ankle monitoring device. Law enforcement began looking for him in the last known location of the monitor. Ultimately, he was found to be residing in downtown Mobile and apprehended on October 15, 2025. He never notified his South Carolina probation officer or the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office of his relocation as required by federal law.
When Taite is released from the Bureau of Prisons, he will be on supervised release for five years. Taite is also required to participate in mental health and sex offender treatment. He is prohibited from having contact with minors.
U.S. Attorney Sean Costello of the Southern District of Alabama the announcement.
The United States Marshals Service investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tandice H. Blackwood prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources.
Charlotte Man Charged with Defrauding the North Carolina Medicaid Program Out of Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars; Announcement Made as Part of Justice Department’s National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Today, United States Attorney Russ Ferguson announced that Ronnie Lorenzo Robinson, Jr., 56, of Charlotte, is charged with health care fraud, making false statements relating to health care matters, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme to defraud Medicaid by submitting claims for psychotherapy services that were never provided to Medicaid recipients. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown announced today.
As alleged in the indictment, Robinson, the beneficial owner of a company called The Fisher of Men Project, LLC, obtained the personal identifying information of medical professionals and Medicaid recipients, then used that information to submit to Medicaid approximately $735,000 in false reimbursement claims for psychotherapy services, without the knowledge, authorization, or approval of those medical professionals or the Medicaid recipients. Robinson’s company received approximately $440,000 as payment from Medicaid as a result of the fraudulent reimbursement claims. As further alleged, Robinson concealed his ownership of the company because he had previously been excluded from Medicaid and instead held out another individual as the owner of the company.
“Part of the reason healthcare costs are out of control is because of fraud like this,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Every dollar spent on healthcare should go toward healthcare—not lining the pockets of criminals. We will work night and day to uncover fraud like this and recover the money that is needlessly being paid in both taxes and healthcare costs.”
“Healthcare fraud schemes drain taxpayer-funded government programs designed to help those in need and raise healthcare costs for all Americans. The FBI and our partners work diligently to hold criminals accountable who defraud the government and to protect the integrity of the programs for those who truly need them,” said FBI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge Reid Davis.
“I’m grateful for the state and federal partnerships that help us find fraud and prosecute criminals,” said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. “Our Medicaid Investigations Division is one of the best in the country, and we’re going to protect taxpayer dollars so they can go where they’re intended – to taxpayers’ health care.”
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The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Ferguson are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina worked with the FBI, and the North Carolina Medicaid Investigations Division to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the Takedown. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Armstrong and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristina Fleisch of the Western District of North Carolina are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Carl’s Cab Operators Charged in $4.2 Million Medicaid Fraud and Kickback SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging Joseph Carl, age 55, of Saratoga County, New York, and Randolph Ekstrom, a/k/a “Randy,” age 48, of Saratoga County, New York, with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks in connection with Medicaid transportation services. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This prosecution is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
“The superseding indictment alleges a sustained scheme to exploit the Medicaid program through false claims, inflated billing, and unlawful kickbacks,” said First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “If proven, this conduct reflects a deliberate effort to convert a taxpayer-funded health care program into a source of illicit profit, including by paying recipients with cash to facilitate fraudulent claims. My office will hold accountable those who corrupt public programs and divert public funds away from legitimate health care services and the patients who depend on them.”
“These allegations describe deceptive actions—billing for services not rendered and bribing beneficiaries—that divert essential financial resources from the Medicaid program and the legitimate medical care it is meant to provide,” stated Naomi D. Gruchacz, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that individuals suspected of abusing federal health care programs are investigated and, when appropriate, brought to justice."
“As alleged in the superseding indictment, Mr. Carl and Mr. Ekstrom stole over $4 million from critical Medicaid funds” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli. “Americans expect government funds to be used as intended, and this investigation proves the FBI will work with our Healthcare Fraud Task Force partners to leverage any resource necessary to investigate and hold accountable anyone looking to take advantage of our systems and line their own pockets at the expense of hardworking Americans.”According to the superseding indictment, between approximately January 2020 and March 2025, the defendants operated and were associated with Carl’s Cab, a Medicaid-enrolled transportation provider. Medicaid is a federal and state health care program that reimburses providers for medically necessary services, including non-emergency transportation to medical appointments.
The superseding indictment alleges that the defendants engaged in a scheme to defraud Medicaid by submitting and causing the submission of claims for transportation services that were not provided, not medically necessary, or improperly inflated. The alleged fraudulent billing included claims for “ghost rides,” claims for trips in which Medicaid recipients were not transported or not seen by medical providers, and claims that improperly increased reimbursement by treating group transportation as multiple individual trips.
The superseding indictment further alleges that the defendants paid cash and controlled substances to Medicaid recipients to induce them to use Carl’s Cab as their transportation provider. These payments were intended to generate additional Medicaid reimbursements and to sustain the fraudulent billing scheme. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement recovered photographs depicting large amounts of U.S. currency prepared for distribution in furtherance of the alleged kickback scheme.
As alleged, the defendants caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims through the New York State Department of Health, which processed Medicaid reimbursements through systems located in Rensselaer County and transmitted payments through interstate wire communications. The alleged conduct resulted in the fraudulent receipt of at least $4,296,374.02 in Medicaid funds.
Carl and Ekstrom are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and health care fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Carl and Ekstrom are also charged with conspiracy to pay health care kickbacks, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
As alleged in the superseding indictment, on August 17, 2023, Carl prepared cash payments to Medicaid recipients and messaged an acquaintance, “I’m stuffing envelopes!!!! $23,500!!!” and attached an unredacted version of the following photograph showing money used for bribes.
In addition, the superseding indictment alleges that on November 2, 2023, Carl prepared cash payments to Medicaid recipients and messaged an acquaintance, “Getting ready to stuff. $27,000 in envelopes for the junkies” and attached an unredacted version of the following photograph showing money used for the bribes:
Carl and Ekstrom were arraigned yesterday in Albany, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista, and were released pending trial scheduled for a date to be determined before United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi.
The charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Northern District of New York worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division, together with the FBI, HHS-OIG, and the New York State Comptroller’s Office, with additional assistance from the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Adam J. Katz are prosecuting the case.
Bucks County Man Indicted on Child Sexual Exploitation ChargesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Charles Dingman, 29, of Yardley, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with use of an interstate commerce facility to entice a minor, and attempt to entice a minor, to engage in sexual conduct; manufacture and attempted manufacture of child pornography; and possession of child pornography.
The indictment alleges that, from approximately June 2025 to October 2025, Dingman used the internet to sexually exploit a minor, persuading the child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct. The indictment further alleges that Dingman possessed child pornography on or about January 29, 2026.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit projectsafechildhood.gov.
The case was investigated by Bucks County Detectives and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Branwen McNabb O’Donnell.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Beaverton Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beaverton, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison last Wednesday for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.
Roberto Ochoa-Vergara, 29, was sentenced to a total of 120 months in federal prison and a total of four years of supervised release.
According to court documents, on February 7, 2025, Ochoa-Vergara and a co-conspirator sold 128 grams of fentanyl out of the trunk of Ochoa-Vergara’s car. On March 5, 2025, Ochoa-Vergara sold almost 400 grams of fentanyl and a pistol.
On March 7, 2025, a Hillsboro Police Department officer found Ochoa-Vergara unconscious, slumped over while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle partially blocking the road. A search of Ochoa-Vergara and the vehicle revealed over $10,000 in cash, three bags totaling over 300 grams of fentanyl powder, and small bags containing cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Pursuant to a search warrant of Ochoa-Vergara’s residence, investigators found a pistol and over one kilogram of fentanyl powder.
On March 18, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Ochoa-Vergara with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and felon in possession of a firearm. On April 2, 2026, Ochoa-Vergara pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm.
On August 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned another indictment charging Ochoa-Vergara, along with his co-conspirators, with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and felon in possession of a firearm.
On April 2, 2026, Ochoa-Vergara pleaded guilty to Count 1 of the Indictment charging possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated these cases, with assistance from the Hillsboro Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Bockelman prosecuted the cases.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Bahamian National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A Bahamian national who was unlawfully present in the U.S. and wanted for murder in the Bahamas pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing a firearm as an illegal alien.
According to court records, Shelton Thompson, 38, of the Bahamas, has been unlawfully present in the U.S. since August 2024. During a traffic stop, law enforcement encountered Thompson and determined that he was illegally present in the U.S. after initiating a traffic stop. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered a firearm that Thompson was prohibited from possessing under federal law.
“South Florida's proximity to international borders makes vigorous enforcement of immigration and firearms laws essential to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Individuals who enter or remain in this country unlawfully and illegally possess firearms will be investigated and prosecuted. We will continue to use every lawful tool available to protect our communities from dangerous offenders.”
Thompson faces up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
FBI Miami is investigating the case, with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Pierce is prosecuting the case.
This case is being prosecuted by the Border and Immigration Crimes Enforcement (BICE) Section. BICE was created by U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones in November of 2025 to strengthen South Florida’s border security posture, protect maritime and land points of entry, enforce federal immigration law, and dismantle transnational smuggling networks operating through the region. The Section brings together narcotics, immigration, fraud, and violent-crime expertise into a single coordinated unit focused on border-driven threats.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 26-cr-20087.
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Arkansas Woman Indicted for Identity Theft and Impersonating a Registered Nurse in Tennessee as Part of the National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
Memphis, TN – Today, United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced criminal charges against a defendant in connection with an alleged scheme to defraud multiple healthcare agencies. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from a multi-year scheme to impersonate a licensed registered nurse, identity theft, and wire fraud.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Eliminating fraud by medical personnel and others who misuse their positions of trust to blatantly disregard and endanger the lives of others for their own financial gain is a top priority for this administration. We thank our federal agency partners for their diligent and thorough investigations to root out healthcare fraud, and we stand ready to hold offenders accountable for their crimes of dishonesty."
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Dunavant are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
In the Western District of Tennessee, Heather May Wilbanks Greene, 40, of Lepanto, Arkansas, was charged with two counts of identity theft and one count of wire fraud for allegedly engaging in a multi-year scheme to impersonate a registered nurse and obtain employment across Tennessee and Arkansas.
As alleged in the indictment, from September 2020 through October 2023, Greene practiced as a registered nurse using the stolen license numbers of two registered nurses in Tennessee. Greene never completed nursing school, never passed the NCLEX‑RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses), and was never licensed as a registered nurse. Despite this, Greene submitted false resumes misrepresenting her education, experience, and licensure status to obtain employment at more than 30 different health care facilities including nursing homes and correctional institutions. While employed, Greene allegedly performed duties reserved for licensed nurses, such as providing medical treatment, administering medications, accessing confidential medical information, and evaluating patient conditions. As a result of the fraud, Greene received $200,000 in wages and compensation to which she was not legally entitled. If convicted on all charges, Greene faces up to 20 years in federal prison, up to $250,000 in fines, or both, a special assessment fee of $100, and three years of supervised release. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Raney Irwin of the Western District of Tennessee.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Western District of Tennessee, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Alexandria felon previously convicted in Potomac Mills shooting sentenced to four years for possessing a machinegunRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – An Alexandria man was sentenced today to four years in prison for possessing a machinegun.
According to court documents, on April 17, 2025, Jamarion Dawon Jackson, 23, was driving on the right shoulder of Interstate 95 at more than 100 miles per hour past heavy traffic in Fairfax County when he passed a Virginia State Trooper. The Trooper activated his emergency equipment and pursued Jackson, who subsequently crashed into a parked vehicle on the right shoulder and then struck two additional vehicles on the roadway. Jackson then fled on foot and unsuccessfully attempted to enter two vehicles. Jackson then tried to jump through the open passenger side window of a third vehicle, but the driver accelerated and Jackson was injured and apprehended.
During an inventory search of Jackson’s vehicle, a Trooper recovered a loaded handgun with a 31-round magazine and equipped with a machinegun conversion device, rendering the firearm capable of fully automatic firing.
In 2022, Jackson shot a victim at the Potomac Mills Mall and fled. Jackson pled guilty to unlawful discharge of a firearm within an occupied building, felony destruction of property, and carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to time served and an 11-year suspended sentence. As a previously convicted felon, Jackson cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas J. Patterson and Reed Sawyers prosecuted the case.
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:26-cr-22.
Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Aiming Laser at Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office HelicopterRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man pleaded guilty to federal charges for aiming a laser pointer at a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and striking the cockpit over a dozen times.
According to public court documents, on October 7, 2025, Jorge Pinon Armendariz, 48, aimed a green laser pointer at the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Metro 1 helicopter while it was flying over Albuquerque. Armendariz struck the aircraft multiple times from two separate locations, including multiple strikes to the pilot’s eyes.
Using the aircraft’s onboard camera, the crew tracked the laser beam first to a vehicle in the McDonald’s drive-thru and later to the nearby residence. Ground deputies responded to the residence, and Armendariz fled the scene. Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputies subsequently identified Armendariz as the individual who aimed the laser at Metro 1 that night.
At the time of the incident, Armendariz had an active state warrant for violating conditions of pretrial release in a state case allegedly involving receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.
At sentencing, Armendariz faces up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
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 Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jena Ritchey is prosecuting the case.
Alabama Provider Pays $300,000 to Resolve False Claims as Part of 2026 National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
Today, United States Attorney Thomas Govan announced that the Middle District of Alabama has reached a $300,000 civil settlement resolving allegations that New Life Center for Change, Inc., doing business as Teen University, and its owner, Alfonza Smith, 72, of Smiths Station, Alabama, submitted false claims to the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The settlement, filed in federal court, is part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. According to the government, the Phenix City-based provider billed Alabama Medicaid for Basic Living Skills services for at-risk children that were not actually rendered.
“Protecting the integrity of Medicaid and ensuring that vulnerable children receive the services they are promised are among our highest priorities,” said United States Attorney Thomas Govan. “When providers bill for care that was never delivered, they waste taxpayer dollars and betray the trust placed in them. I want to thank the Alabama Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General for their exceptional work and collaboration in helping us hold providers accountable and safeguard taxpayer funds.”
The settlement announced today by U.S. Attorney Govan is part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death.
Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history.
In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme.
The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
Assistant U.S. Attorney MaryLou E. Bowdre worked with the Alabama Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) to resolve the Middle District of Alabama case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
5 Individuals and 2 Companies Charged as Part of Department of Justice National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
Today, United States Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky announced criminal charges across 4 cases and against 7 defendants in connection with alleged schemes to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The charges stem from fraudulent billing of Medicaid and Medicare, identity theft, misuse of a DEA number, making false statements relating to health care matters, acquiring and attempting to acquire controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge.
United States Attorney Kyle Bumgarner stated, “Today, we announce four separate indictments charging five individuals and two local companies with defrauding the Medicaid and Medicare health programs. Those programs provide vital healthcare coverage to the elderly and the disadvantaged. They are funded by the hard work of the American taxpayer. As alleged in the respective charging documents, these defendants allegedly defrauded those vital healthcare programs, costing millions in loss to the American taxpayer and putting their own profit above the needs of patients.”
“These indictments are the product of President Trump and Vice President Vance’s determination to root out fraud that has plagued our healthcare programs for too long,” said U.S. Attorney Bumgarner. “And, these indictments were only secured because the Commonwealth of Kentucky is fortunate to have well-coordinated federal and state law enforcement agencies focused on achieving a single mission: to identify and hold accountable anyone that steals from the American taxpayer. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky is committed to investigating and prosecuting health care fraud and aggressively pursuing restitution from the criminals that have defrauded hardworking American citizens. Congratulations to the law enforcement agencies and Assistant United States Attorneys who have worked diligently to bring these important health care fraud investigations to fruition.”
“This year’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown represents the greatest whole-of-government effort to combat health care fraud in our Nation’s history,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Under the decisive leadership of President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, and our law enforcement partners, this administration has ushered in a new era of enforcement that will safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
"Every dollar stolen from Kentucky's Medicaid system is a dollar taken from someone in need. Our Office is proud to work with the outstanding U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Kentucky, Kyle Bumgarner and other federal partners in holding fraudsters accountable for stealing your tax dollars," said Attorney General Russell Coleman. "We're laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who take advantage of the vital Medicaid program and defraud our Commonwealth."
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Bumgarner are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the Western District of Kentucky.
Angela Renfro, 57, Briana Gosnell, 35, KLF Company LLC, and Freedom Center LLC, all of Louisville, Kentucky, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and health care fraud in connection with billing for services that were fraudulent, unauthorized, and in many instances, not rendered, resulting in the submission of $11,049,088.08 in fraudulent and unauthorized claims to Kentucky Medicaid, of which $10,735,081.56 was paid. As alleged in the indictment, KLF Company LLC entered into agreements with certain medical providers to provide services to its clients. As part of the conspiracy, Renfro and Gosnell used the providers' National Provider Identifiers (“NPIs”) to bill, through KLF Company LLC and Freedom Center LLC, for peer support and psychoeducation services that were fraudulent, unauthorized and, at times, not rendered. Renfro and Gosnell were also charged with aggravated identity theft for using the APRNs’ NPI numbers without their knowledge and permission. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Ansari, Kayla Campbell, and David Weiser of the Western District of Kentucky, with the assistance of the Kentucky Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. This case is being investigated by the FBI Louisville Field Office and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control.
Dr. Christian Berkhahn, 51, of Louisville, Kentucky, was charged by information with conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud or deceit and health care fraud in connection with using his DEA number to order controlled substances in others’ names. As alleged in the information, Dr. Berkhahn, a physician, prescribed Cotempla, a Schedule II controlled substance, in his employee’s child’s name and requested the employee retrieve the prescription from the pharmacy and provide it to Dr. Berkhahn. As further alleged, Dr. Berkhahn prescribed oxycodone, a Schedule II controlled substance, in the name of another individual, knowing that someone else would actually acquire the prescription from the pharmacy. Both drugs were paid for by Kentucky Medicaid. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Ansari and Kayla Campbell of the Western District of Kentucky. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kentucky State Police, the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General, the Louisville Metro Police Department, and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control.
Einar Serrano Reyes, 35, of Opa-Locka, Florida, was charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with billing for services that were not rendered, resulting in the submission of $315,050 in false claims to Medicare. As alleged in the indictment, Reyes entered into a lease agreement on behalf of JL Serenity Center LLC for a building located in Louisville, Kentucky. As part of the conspiracy, Reyes credentialed JL Serenity Center LLC with Medicare in order to bill for medical services. As further part of the conspiracy, Reyes hired a medical doctor to allegedly oversee medical treatment at JL Serenity Center LLC. Ultimately, Reyes used the doctor’s NPI number to bill Medicare for services not rendered to any patients. Reyes is also charged with aggravated identity theft for using the name and social security number of another person without lawful authority when submitting the false Medicare claims. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Ansari and Kayla Campbell of the Western District of Kentucky. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Meredith Rachael Douglass, 38, of Louisville, Kentucky, was charged by indictment with theft of medical products, making false statements relating to health care matters, and acquiring and attempting to acquire controlled substances by misrepresentation, fraud, deception, and subterfuge. As alleged in the indictment, Douglass, a registered nurse and hospital employee, stole controlled substances from the hospitals where she worked. As further alleged in the indictment, Douglass used her position to obtain fentanyl, hydromorphone, and oxycodone. Finally, as alleged, Douglass falsely documented vital signs and fentanyl administration for a patient after the patient had been discharged from the hospital. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Ansari and Kayla Campbell of the Western District of Kentucky. This case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“Health care fraud steals from taxpayers, exploits vulnerable patients, and puts lives at risk,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Today’s historic enforcement action sends a clear message: if you use our health care system to enrich yourself at the expense of patients or the American people, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will hold you accountable. HHS will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect patients, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and restore integrity to our health care system.”
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Western District of Kentucky, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Louisville Metro Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kentucky State Police, the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Office of Inspector General, and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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2026 National Health Care Fraud TakedownRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Today, United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced criminal charges against four defendants in connection with two separate schemes to commit health care fraud. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to rooting out health care fraud and prosecuting the criminals who perpetrate these crimes. These fraud schemes are dangerous and often result in physical and emotional harm to patients, including through medically unnecessary treatment or the failure to provide the correct treatment,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect the integrity of our health care programs.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Muldrow are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individuals were charged in the District of Puerto Rico: Josué Saez Rodríguez and Chancey Irmaries Olmed Pérez in Criminal Case 26-239 (FAB); and Carlos Andrés Rendón Bermúdez and Jandiel Santos Rodríguez in Criminal Case 26-240 (GMM).
Josué Saez Rodríguez, 42, and Chancey Irmaries Olmed Pérez, 40, both of Comerío, Puerto Rico, were charged by Indictment with 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), and 21 U.S.C. § 331(k) (Misbranding of Drugs) in connection with a conspiracy and scheme and artifice to defraud which involved the advertising, communication, sale, and distribution of products for defendants’ financial gain and profit which defendants were not authorized to possess and distribute. The products included Semaglutide, Mounjaro, Steroids, and Tirzepatide. Saez Rodríguez was also charged with 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) (Possession with Intent to Distribute Anabolic Steroids). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney José A. Contreras of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
Carlos Andrés Rendón Bermúdez, 32, of Columbus, Ohio, and Jandiel Santos Rodríguez, 22, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, were charged by Indictment with 18 U.S.C. § 1349 (Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1341 (Mail Fraud), 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (Wire Fraud), and 21 U.S.C. § 331(k) (Misbranding of Devices) in connection with a scheme and artifice to defraud to perform dental services without proper licensing. Rendón Bermúdez was also charged with 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) (False Statements). As alleged in the Indictment, Rendón Bermúdez performed dental procedures on patients without a valid license to practice dentistry. These procedures included application of braces, teeth whitening, dental cleaning, veneer application, and cavities. He also grinded patients’ teeth using an electric grinding tool, administered anesthesia to patients, and provided prescription antibiotics following dental procedures. Santos Rodríguez was Rendón Bermúdez’s representative in Puerto Rico and coordinated dental appointments. He advertised dental services on social media and falsely told patients that Rendón Bermúdez was a licensed dentist. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jose A. Contreras of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
“Health care fraud threatens both public resources and public safety,” said Carlos R. Goris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. “When individuals abuse health care programs for financial gain, they jeopardize critical services, exploit vulnerable populations, and erode confidence in the systems designed to help those in need. The FBI will continue working alongside our federal, state, and local partners to investigate these schemes, protect patients, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
“The FDA regulates medical devices as part of its mission to protect the public health, which includes ensuring that prescription dental devices are lawfully obtained, distributed, and dispensed,” said Special Agent in Charge Juan Berríos, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Miami Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who fraudulently dispense prescription devices to unsuspecting patients.”
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the following law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the cases filed during the Takedown: FBI, FDA, Police of Puerto Rico and San Juan Municipal Police as part of the Caribbean HEAT (Healthcare Enforcement and Accountability Task Force).
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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22 June 2026
United States Files Complaint Against Boston Musicians’ Association, Local 9-535, American Federation of Musicians, Alleging Union’s Election of Officers Violated Labor LawRead the Press Release
BOSTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a complaint on behalf of the Department of Labor alleging the Boston Musicians’ Association, Local 9-535 of the American Federation of Musicians (the “Union”), violated the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (the “Act”), during its December 2025 election of union officers.
The Act regulates labor unions and requires unions to ensure that every member in good standing is eligible for candidacy for office. The Act also requires unions to conduct elections in accordance with their constitution and bylaws. The United States alleges the Union failed to uniformly apply one of its candidate qualifications when it allowed some, but not all, candidates to run for office despite membership suspensions. This violation of the Act affected the outcome of the election for the offices of Secretary-Treasurer and Board of Directors. The Complaint seeks an order declaring the election for Sectary-Treasurer and Board of Directors void and requiring the Union to rerun an election for those offices under the supervision of the Department of Labor.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Benjamin of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit is handling the matter.
The claims in the United States’ Complaint are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.
U.S.–Israeli Citizen Extradited from Norway Is Arraigned in Orlando on Indictment Alleging Threats to Jewish Community InstitutionsRead the Press Release
Michael Ron David Kadar, 27, a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, was arraigned today on an indictment from the Middle District of Florida charging him with hate crimes and obstruction of the free exercise of religion committed against Jewish institutions throughout Florida, including schools and community centers. In addition, Kadar faces charges in the District of Columbia for threats made against the Israeli Embassy and the Anti-Defamation League Washington, D.C. offices and in the Middle District of Georgia for cyberstalking and conveying false information to police dispatch regarding an alleged hostage situation at a residence in Athens, Georgia.
“The alleged crimes stand out for their cruelty and for the harm they caused to the Jewish community,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “When technology is exploited to terrorize houses of worship and community centers, it is an attack on religious liberty and public safety. We will never lose sight of the families, staff, and first responders who were forced to live with these threats.”
“Targeting individuals, groups, or institutions for their religious beliefs is contradictory to the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and against the law,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The crimes alleged in this indictment caused undue trepidation and threats of harm to the Jewish community in our district and will not be tolerated.”
“The FBI takes all threats seriously and will always utilize the full extent of our resources to restore safety and security,” said Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Crawford of the FBI Tampa Field Office. “This indictment demonstrates that commitment and our promise to work together with our partners to protect the civil rights of all Americans.”
An investigation into numerous threats made to individuals and organizations in the United States led to the identification and arrest of Kadar in Ashkelon, Israel, and the instant indictment. The indictment from the Middle District of Florida charges that in early 2017, Kadar made multiple calls relaying bomb and active shooter threats to numerous Jewish Community Centers throughout Florida, including to preschool programs operated at those facilities. Additionally, the indictment charges Kadar with attempting to obstruct the free exercise of religion at the Jewish Community Centers when he made those threats. Many of the calls resulted in the temporary closure and evacuation or lockdown of the targeted facilities and required law enforcement and emergency personnel to respond to and clear the area, although no actual explosives were found.
Kadar arrived in the United States on June 18 following extradition from Norway, where he had been detained at the request of the United States. He traveled to Norway after serving a sentence in Israel for related conduct.
The hate crime charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the bomb threats charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and the interstate threats charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. If convicted, Kadar could also be subject to court-ordered restitution.
This case was investigated by the FBI Tampa Field Office, FBI Washington Field Office, and FBI Atlanta Field Office.
Trial Attorney Jared Hosid of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kara M. Wick and Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach for the Middle District of Georgia and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Kenerson for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the cases with assistance from the Criminal Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this case. The Department of Justice also acknowledges and appreciates the assistance of Norwegian authorities.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S.–Israeli Citizen Extradited from Norway Is Arraigned in Orlando on Indictment Alleging Threats to Jewish Community InstitutionsRead the Press Release
Orlando, FL — Michael Ron David Kadar, 27, a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, was arraigned today on an indictment from the Middle District of Florida charging him with hate crimes and obstruction of the free exercise of religion committed against Jewish institutions throughout Florida, including schools and community centers. In addition, Kadar faces charges in the District of Columbia for threats made against the Israeli Embassy and the Anti-Defamation League Washington, D.C. offices and in the Middle District of Georgia for cyberstalking and conveying false information to police dispatch regarding an alleged hostage situation at a residence in Athens, Georgia.
“Targeting individuals, groups, or institutions for their religious beliefs is contradictory to the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and against the law,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “The crimes alleged in this indictment caused undue trepidation and threats of harm to the Jewish community in our district and will not be tolerated.”
“The alleged crimes stand out for their cruelty and for the harm they caused to the Jewish community,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “When technology is exploited to terrorize houses of worship and community centers, it is an attack on religious liberty and public safety. We will never lose sight of the families, staff, and first responders who were forced to live with these threats.”
“The FBI takes all threats seriously and will always utilize the full extent of our resources to restore safety and security,” said Special Agent in Charge Rodney E. Crawford of the FBI Tampa Field Office. “This indictment demonstrates that commitment and our promise to work together with our partners to protect the civil rights of all Americans.”
An investigation into numerous threats made to individuals and organizations in the United States led to the identification and arrest of Kadar in Ashkelon, Israel, and the instant indictment. The indictment from the Middle District of Florida charges that in early 2017, Kadar made multiple calls relaying bomb and active shooter threats to numerous Jewish Community Centers throughout Florida, including to preschool programs operated at those facilities. Additionally, the indictment charges Kadar with attempting to obstruct the free exercise of religion at the Jewish Community Centers when he made those threats. Many of the calls resulted in the temporary closure and evacuation or lockdown of the targeted facilities and required law enforcement and emergency personnel to respond to and clear the area, although no actual explosives were found.
Kadar arrived in the United States on June 18 following extradition from Norway, where he had been detained at the request of the United States. He traveled to Norway after serving a sentence in Israel for related conduct.
The hate crime charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, the bomb threats charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and the interstate threats charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. If convicted, Kadar could also be subject to court-ordered restitution.
This case was investigated by the FBI Tampa Field Office, FBI Washington Field Office, and FBI Atlanta Field Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kara M. Wick and Diane Hu for the Middle District of Florida, Trial Attorney Jared Hosid of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach for the Middle District of Georgia and Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik Kenerson for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the cases with assistance from the Criminal Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in this case. The Department of Justice also acknowledges and appreciates the assistance of Norwegian authorities.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah Honors Tooele County Sheriff Deputy with Hometown Hero AwardRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is proud to announce Deputy Jeremy Taubman of the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office as the inaugural Hometown Hero Award recipient in our district.
On February 1, 2025, Deputy Taubman sprang into action to rescue a man and his dog from the icy waters of Stansbury Lake in Tooele County, Utah. According to reports, the man had fallen through the water while attempting to save his four-legged companion from the icy conditions. Despite freezing temperature, low visibility, and stressful conditions, Deputy Taubman successfully tossed his department-issued water rescue rope within arm’s reach of the man and was able to reel him and the dog out of the freezing water.
“Today is an absolute honor for the District of Utah. Deputy Taubman’s selfless and quick actions saved a man that day and saved a family from tragedy and heartache,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “Deputy Taubman’s swift response made all the difference and that is why he is an extraordinary example of heroism in our community. Thank you, Deputy Taubman, for your bravery and for serving in the District of Utah.”
“I am truly honored to receive the Hometown Hero Award as part of the United States 250th celebration here in Utah. While my name is on this award, it reflects the support, guidance, and trust of many people around me. The lessons I’ve learned have shaped both my career and my approach to serving our community. It is a privilege to do this work, and I accept this award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah with gratitude and humility.”
“Deputy Taubman’s actions during this incident reflect the highest standards of service and dedication we expect from our deputies," said Sheriff Paul J. Wimmer of the Tooele County Sheriff's Office. "His quick thinking and steady response helped save a life and demonstrated the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office's commitment to serving and protecting our community. We are proud of his actions and grateful for the positive impact he continues to make in Tooele County.”
Sponsored by the Department of Justice, the Hometown Hero Award is in celebration of Freedom 250, the United States of America’s 250th year of celebrating its independence. Nationwide, in 93 U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the Department honors one individual in each district for their extraordinary service in their local community.
Three Noncitizens Convicted of Illegal Voting and Related Election Offenses in Federal ElectionsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – Three noncitizens have pleaded guilty in separate federal cases to illegally voting in federal elections and related election offenses.
Federal law requires that a person be a U.S. citizen to register and vote in federal elections. According to court records, the defendants knowingly registered and voted in federal elections despite being ineligible to do so because they were to U.S. citizens.
“Voting in federal elections is one of the most important rights and responsibilities of American citizenship,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Federal law is clear: only United States citizens may vote in federal elections. These defendants admitted that they knowingly violated that law. The Southern District of Florida is committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and ensuring that those who undermine public confidence in the electoral process are held accountable.”
Moises Lima Junior, a Brazilian national who became a lawful permanent resident on Jan. 17, 2024, registered to vote on Feb. 18, 2024, and falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen. On Oct. 21, 2024, Lima Junior knowingly voted in a federal election despite knowing he was not a U.S. citizen. He pleaded guilty to making a false claim of citizenship in order to vote and voting by an alien on February 12 and was sentenced on May 27.
Gordon Louis, a Haitian national and a convicted felon, knowingly voted in the 2020 general election for federal offices, including President, Vice President, and member of the House of Representatives, despite knowing he was not a U.S. citizen. Louis pleaded guilty to voting by an alien and was sentenced on April 15.
Roberto Figueredo, a Cuban national whose lawful permanent resident status had been revoked and who had been ordered removed from the U.S., submitted a Florida voter registration application on Jan. 29, 2020, falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen and falsely affirming that he was eligible to vote. At the time, Figueredo was a convicted felon whose voting rights had not been restored. On Oct. 1, 2020, he knowingly cast a ballot in a federal election. Figueredo pleaded guilty to casting a false ballot and voting by an alien on Sept. 30, 2025 and was sentenced on February 4.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami, made the announcement.
HSI Miami and HSI Fort Lauderdale investigated the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Killoran and Timothy Farina prosecuted the cases.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case numbers 25-cr-60254 (Lima Junior), 25-cr-20237 (Louis), and 25-cr-80094 (Figueredo).
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Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Laundering Proceeds of International Fraud Scheme Targeting SeniorsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that CHASE HARRIS pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit money laundering based on his role in laundering proceeds from an international technology-support fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims and resulted in the theft of more than $1.2 million from approximately 25 known victims across the United States. In connection with today’s resolution, the Government is immediately recovering $282,376 in restitution that will be used to compensate victims. HARRIS pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 29, 2026.
“Chase Harris profited from a scheme that preyed on seniors by stoking and exploiting their fear,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “After his co-conspirators extracted money from their victims, Harris laundered that money and sent it to India. Today’s plea, together with Harris’s restitution of over $1.2 million for victims, reflects this Office’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us.”
According to the Information, plea agreement, and statements made in public court proceedings:
From at least in or about November 2023 through at least in or about July 2024, HARRIS participated in an IT fraud scheme targeting elderly victims throughout the United States. As part of the scheme, HARRIS’s co-conspirators identified elderly victims and caused pop-up ads to appear on their computers, falsely informing them that their computers had been infected with a virus. At times, HARRIS’s co-conspirators posed as federal agents and threatened their victims with baseless criminal charges. Amid their coercive demands, the co-conspirators told victims that they had to pay for IT services to resolve these fraudulent issues, directing victims to send handwritten checks to various businesses, including several owned or controlled by HARRIS—including CSH Management LLC, C4H Management LLC, and S2J Consulting LLC. However, no services were ever provided.
After receiving checks from the victims, HARRIS transferred most of the proceeds from the scheme, totaling more than $1.2 million, to an India-based company operated by one of his co-conspirators. In return, HARRIS kept a portion of the stolen funds as a fee. While discussing the profitability of the scheme with HARRIS, one of his co-conspirators told him, “We can make millions [i]n [a] [j]iffy.”
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HARRIS, 36, of Keller, Texas, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. HARRIS also agreed to forfeit all proceeds from the offense and make restitution to victims in the amount of $1,240,847.99.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is 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 investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Hudson Valley White Collar Crime Task Force and the Orange County District Attorney's Office in this investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reyhan Watson and Timothy Deal are in charge of the prosecution.
Tallahassee Man Indicted for Firearm Possession by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – David B. Davis, 43, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Davis appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Davis faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tallahassee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
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 is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The 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.
St. Louis Felon Admits Selling Methamphetamine, Cocaine in Homeland Security Task Force CaseRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon from St. Louis on Monday admitted selling nearly two pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover federal agent and being caught with cocaine, guns and more meth.
Anthony Watkins, 37, of St. Louis, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to seven counts: four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted selling a total of 814 grams of meth, or about 1.8 pounds, to an undercover agent on four occasions between June and August of 2024. When federal agents conducted a court-approved search of Watkins’ home on Sept. 4, 2024, they found about 3.1 pounds of meth, about one pound of cocaine, a stolen .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol, a 9mm pistol and an AR-style rifle. As a felon, Watkins is banned from possessing firearms.
Watkins is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24.
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 St. Louis comprises agents and officers from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Untied States Marshal Service (USMS); Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
St. Louis County Felon Admits Robbing BankRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A convicted felon on Monday admitted robbing a Creve Coeur bank in 2025.
Matthew Parker, 48, of Hanley Hills, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of bank robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He admitted robbing a bank in the 11400 block of Olive Boulevard in Creve Coeur on June 16, 2025. Parker handed a note demanding money to a bank employee while holding one hand in the front pocket of his sweatshirt. The employee handed over cash and Parker left. Multiple images of Parker were released to the public and several people contacted law enforcement to provide his name, phone number and address. On July 1, 2025, officers conducted a court-approved search of Parker’s home and found a pistol. Parker is a convicted felon and is thus barred from possessing firearms. After Parker’s arrest, he said he robbed the bank because he owed someone money.
Parker is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28.
The Creve Coeur Police Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nichole Frankenberg is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Southern Tier man going to prison for distribution of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David J. Johnston, 57, of Olean, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Prior to February 19, 2024, Johnston was in a relationship with co-defendant Kayla R. Kio. During the relationship, he requested that Kio take naked videos of a 5-year-old child that they both had access to. On February 19, 2024, Kio took a sexually explicit video of the minor victim using her cell phone and then sent it to Johnston via text message. He took a screen shot from the video, which constituted child pornography, and sent it back to Kio and to other individuals. During this time, Johnson also sent Kio a different image of child pornography via text message. On March 13, 2024, during the execution of a search warrant at Johnston’s residence, law enforcement seized three cell telephones. A review of the cell phones recovered approximately 11 images and one video of child pornography.
Kio was previously convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Eric Butler.
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Shavertown Man Found Guilty of Bank Fraud and ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that James Mahon, IV, age 66, of Shavertown, Pennsylvania, was found guilty by a federal jury on June 18, 2026, of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, Mahon was the former Executive Vice President of Tammac Holdings, a Wilkes-Barre company that specialized in the origination of mortgages for manufactured housing. After originating loans, Tammac would sell loan portfolios to banks and investors while continuing to service the loans. From 2008 through 2021, Mahon and other employees of Tammac suppressed delinquency rates on loan portfolios by falsifying payments to loans and also repossessed properties without remitting the proceeds to banks and investors. Tammac executives also provided false records to auditors, banks and investors, and misrepresented the status of their loan portfolios when Tammac was sold to an investment firm in 2019.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph J. Terz and Geoffrey W. MacArthur prosecuted the case.
Mahon faces a maximum of 60 years of imprisonment, a $500,000 fine, and a term of supervised release. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
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Seymour Electrician Charged with Embezzling $200k from EmployerRead the Press Release
NEW ALBANY- Clyde Shane Hatton, 47, of Seymour Indiana, has been charged with one count of wire fraud.
According to court documents, from October 2004 through February 2022, Hatton was employed in various electrician-related roles by Victim Company A, a corporation that designs, manufactures, and distributes engines and vehicle parts. As part of his employment, Hatton was issued an employee credit card for business-related expenses.
Beginning in October 2020, Hatton carried out a scheme to defraud his employer by purchasing wire and other equipment with no intention of using the items for work duties. Instead, he sold the wire to a scrap yard and kept the proceeds for his personal use. Hatton concealed the scheme by submitting receipts and falsely claiming the purchases were legitimate business expenses.
In total, Hatton embezzled approximately $202,173.51 from his employer and sold fraudulently obtained wire to the scrap yard 107 times.
The FBI Indianapolis Field Office investigated this case. Hatton has agreed to plead guilty, and a federal district court judge will enter his change of plea at a later date.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Wood, who is prosecuting this case.
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Second Missouri Man Charged in Plot to Kill Government Officials During Ultimate Fighting Championship White House EventRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A St. Joseph, Mo., man was charged in an alleged plot to attack and kill government officials and others attending the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event held at the White House on June 14, 2026.
Jordan Rincker, 28, was charged in a one-count criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit murder. He made his first appearance in federal court today after his arrest on June 21, 2026.
“This case demonstrates the effectiveness of our law enforcement partners and U.S. Attorneys working together to prevent violence before it can take place,” said U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri. “We will continue taking decisive action against those who seek to endanger national security and threaten the safety of Americans. By staying proactive, we will disrupt their operations, break apart their networks, and hold those responsible accountable under the law.”
According to the complaint, Rincker accepted $1,200 in cash from co-conspirator, Abraham Hermosillo Alvarez, 31, of Omaha, Neb., to disperse payment to other co-conspirators involved in the UFC event attack plot. The complaint alleges that with this money Rincker sent Bryan Omar Roa, 24, of Calimesa, Calif., $100 through CashApp, for gas to drive from California to Washington, D.C. to pick up the “drone operator” for the attack. Both Alvarez and Roa were arrested and charged last week for their involvement in the plot to kill government officials during the UFC event at the White House.
Rincker allegedly communicated with co-conspirators on an encrypted messaging application. According to court documents, Rincker also gave a 12-gague pump action shotgun to Alvarez during an in-person meeting in Omaha. During this meeting, Alvarez gave Rincker a ballistic plate, face shield, 3D printer, 3D printing filament, night vision goggles, binoculars, a “wire checker,” and a minicomputer. Alvarez allegedly gave Rincker the 3D printer to make drones. The complaint also states Rincker “traded” the 12-gauge pump action shot gun with an ammunition-filled bandolier.
While executing a search warrant of Rincker’s home and storage unit, investigators found:
- FN Reflex 9mm pistol with a magazine and loose 9mm rounds
- FMK AR1 eXtreme multi-caliber rifle
- A Remington 597 .22 LR caliber rifle
- 3D printed Glock-style pistol with 3D-printed magazine and 3D-printed
- ammunition
- Gas mask with cartridge
- Night vision goggles
- Multiple electronic devices
- 3D printer (Ender brand)
- 3D printer (Creality brand)
- 3D filament
- 3D printed gun parts
- Shield Strike Face Level III ballistic plate
- Plate carrier with plates inside
- Thermal imaging scope
- Muzi Works off grid mesh network
- A mini-Mac computer
The charges contained in this complaint or any others are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Brackett, Trey Alford, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Chlarson. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Rochester man sentenced for possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Zachary Guthrie, 32, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
In October 2024, the New York State Police (NYSP) executed a search warrant at Guthrie’s residence after receiving CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that Guthrie uploaded child pornography to Instagram and Discord. During the search, investigators seized his cell phone. A forensic review of the phone recovered more than 200 videos, and more than 320 images of child pornography. Some of the images depicted the sexual exploitation of children as well as violence against children.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Brendan Dunford, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
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Repeat Felon Sentenced to 140 Months for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – A Mobile man was sentenced today to 140 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to court documents, Roderick Gerard Reed, 22, has prior felony convictions for Robbery 3rd, Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, and Attempt to Distribute a Controlled Substance. On February 5, 2025, officers with MPD observed a vehicle on Dauphin Island Parkway with illegal tint. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop and Reed fled from police exceeding 50 mph in a 25-mph zone, ultimately crashing. Fortunately, no one was injured. Reed was taken into custody, and officers located a loaded Glock firearm and one pound of marijuana inside the vehicle. A second loaded magazine was found in the center console.
After the period of incarceration, Reed will have three years of supervised release, during which he will be subject to drug testing and other restrictions.
U.S. Attorney Sean Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms along with the Mobile Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tandice H. Blackwood prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
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.
Randolph Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Randolph man pleaded guilty on June 15, 2026 in federal court in Boston to cocaine trafficking and firearm charges, following a series of arrests targeting gangs in the Brockton and Randolph areas.
London Cohen, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy scheduled sentencing for Sept. 29, 2026. Cohen was charged in February 2026 along with seven co-conspirators.
Cohen was arrested on Dec. 17, 2025, after authorities executed search warrants at numerous residences and stash houses associated with the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang and their Randolph-based affiliates. During a search of Cohen’s residence three handguns and ammunition were located in a bathroom trash can.
Elsewhere in Cohen’s residence, controlled substances including cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA and marijuana were recovered. In the basement living room, there were various items commonly used in large-scale drug trafficking, such as a kilogram press device, a respirator mask, digital scales, plastic bags and bottles of cutting powder.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, supervised release for at least three years and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, supervised release for up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Boston Division; the Abington, Acushnet, Ashland, Boston, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Chelsea, East Bridgewater, Medford, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Stoughton, Taunton and West Bridgewater Police Departments; Plymouth and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Departments; Massachusetts Department of Correction; and the Plymouth, Norfolk and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
Queens Jewelry Store Owner Sentenced to Prison for Fencing Jewelry Stolen from Mall Stores and Kiosks Across the U.S.Read the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that SALIM SAKAL, 55, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for buying and selling jewelry stolen from mall-based stores and kiosks across the country.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between May 2023 and April 2024, an organized jewelry theft ring of Colombian nationals burglarized jewelry stores and kiosks in malls in Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, and Virginia. The total losses from the burglaries exceed $4.4 million. Members of the conspiracy also cased additional jewelry stores and kiosks in Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Delaware.
Sakal was the co-owner of Ramoun Jewelry, located in Corona, New York, which sold jewelry and gold to retail customers. The business also purchased jewelry and gold from third parties. Sakal conspired with members of the organized jewelry theft ring to receive, store, and sell jewelry stolen from seven burglaries between August 2023 and April 2024. Sakal paid his co-conspirators cash for the stolen merchandise for a fraction of the actual retail amount, and then sold it to others, including those he knew would melt down the gold. Ramoun did not have a valid second-hand dealer license required under the laws and regulations of New York City, and he did not maintain required records, including the identifying information of the sellers, a description of the items purchased, and the date and time of the purchase.
To date, none of the stolen jewelry has been recovered by law enforcement.
Judge Dooley ordered Sakal to pay restitution of $2,471,457, jointly and severally with others convicted in this case.
On January 27, 2026, Sakal pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell and receive stolen goods.
Sakal, who is released on a $1 million bond, is required to report to prison on October 5.
This investigation has been conducted by the FBI New Haven’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force with the assistance of the Milford (Conn.) Police Department, the Hamilton Township (N.J.) Police Division, the Delaware State Police, the Henrico County (Va.) Police Division, the New York State Police, the New York Police Department, the Pensacola (Fla.) Police Department, the Paterson (N.J.) Police Department, the Mentor (Ohio) Police Department, the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Police Department, the Greece (N.Y.) Police Department, and the Lombard (Ill.) Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David T. Huang.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, and FBI Field Offices in New York, Dallas, Miami, and Tampa for their assistance.
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.
Prior Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Darin Leroy Vanness, 32, of Milton, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This is another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, through which we are devoting the considerable resources of the Department of Justice toward protecting our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Keeping our communities safe is accomplished by the excellent work of our state and federal law enforcement officers to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals, like this defendant, and my office will continue to back up those efforts with successful prosecutions and federal prison sentences.”
Court documents reflect that on November 14, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Milton, Florida, in relation to an aggravated assault investigation. In the defendant’s bedroom, investigators located a .22-caliber rifle, more than 190 rounds of ammunition, 3D printers, a safe, and other firearm parts. Inside the safe, investigators located loaded pistols that were made utilizing 3D-printed lower receivers and frames, as well as more ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Vanness was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Vanness faces up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Milton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 27, 2026, at 1:00pm. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The 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 available 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.
Previously Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Continuing to Commit Child Sexual Abuse OffensesRead the Press Release
TOLEDO, Ohio – A previously convicted sex offender from Williams County was sentenced to federal prison for committing offenses that involved sexual abuse of children while he was out on parole for a separate offense.
James McGregor, 39, of Montpelier, Ohio, was sentenced to 240 months (20 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick, after pleading guilty in February to Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). He was also ordered to serve 20 years of supervised release after imprisonment. After imprisonment, he is required to register as a sex offender.
According to the indictment, from about January through December 2024, McGregor knowingly received and distributed visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. During the investigation, agents seized two cellphones which were found to contain CSAM.
This investigation was led by the FBI Toledo Resident Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Al-Sorghali for the Northern District Ohio led the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and 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, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Plymouth Man Convicted of PPP FraudRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Plymouth man has been found guilty by a federal jury of wire fraud for submitting fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications on behalf of business entities he owned and controlled.
Joseph Kerrissey III, 49, was convicted on June 18, 2026 of three counts of wire fraud relating to three fraudulent PPP loans submitted between July 2020 and April 2021. U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs scheduled sentencing for Sept. 16, 2026. Kerrissey was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in April 2024 and later indicted by a federal grand jury.
Evidence presented at trial established that, between 2020 and 2021, Kerrissey submitted multiple fraudulent PPP loan applications on behalf of companies he owned and controlled. The applications falsely stated that Kerrissey had not been convicted of a felony involving fraud within the previous five years and that he was not serving a term of probation for such a conviction, when in fact he was on probation stemming from prior fraud-related felony convictions. The applications also contained false claims regarding payroll expenses and business income and were supported by fabricated tax returns.
As a result of the scheme, Kerrissey obtained over $43,000 in PPP loan proceeds to which he was not entitled. Evidence further showed that after receiving the funds, Kerrissey transferred substantial portions of the money from business accounts into his personal bank account and subsequently directed much of those funds into personal brokerage and investment accounts. The fraudulent loan applications were submitted to multiple PPP lenders and caused interstate wire transmissions in furtherance of the scheme.
The charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
On March 26, 2026, United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the creation of the Benefit & Voter Fraud Team, a district-wide initiative established in response to the rampant fraud being uncovered across Massachusetts. The Team is led by two senior federal prosecutors serving as Fraud Coordinators, whose mission it is to aggressively investigate and prosecute misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits in Massachusetts.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected benefit fraud in Massachusetts by calling 1-855-SCAM-MA-1 (855-722-6621).
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The Fraud Division is 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.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office; and Jason Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian Sullivan and Sandra Gonzalez Sanchez of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.
Philadelphia Woman Pleads Guilty to Election Fraud OffenseRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Miya Pack, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty today before United States District Judge Joshua D. Wolson to one count of voting more than once in a federal election, in connection with the 2024 presidential election.
The defendant was charged by indictment in September of last year.
As admitted by the defendant at her change of plea hearing, Pack was registered to vote in Bergen County, New Jersey, had been registered there since in or about 2004, and until October 2024 had no history of having voted in New Jersey. In 2016, Pack registered to vote in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
On October 26, 2024, the defendant voted in person at an early voting location in Bergen County, New Jersey, casting a vote for the office of President of the United States of America.
On Election Day, November 5, 2024, Pack went to a polling place in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and cast another ballot in the 2024 general election, including another vote for the office of President of the United States of America.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on October 1 and faces a maximum possible sentence of five years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine.
This case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Office of the Superintendent of Elections for Bergen County, New Jersey, and the Office of Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nancy E. Potts.
Owasso Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Attempted Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – JERRY RAY BROWN, 48, of Owasso, has been sentenced to serve 66 months in federal prison for attempted bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public records, on March 28, 2025, Brown entered the First National Bank in Choctaw, Oklahoma, approached a teller window, and demanded access to the bank’s vault. The employee behind the counter was an off-duty police officer working security at the bank. The officer drew his firearm and confronted Brown, who raised his hands and fled the bank. Following an investigation, Brown was arrested on April 24, 2025.
On May 20, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Brown with attempted bank robbery. Brown pleaded guilty on November 4, 2025, and admitted that he intentionally attempted to take money or property from the bank by means of intimidation.
At a sentencing hearing on June 18, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Brown to serve 66 months in federal prison. In announcing the sentence, Judge DeGiusti noted that Brown’s prior 51-month federal sentence for multiple bank robberies in 2020 had not deterred him from engaging in similar conduct. Public records show Brown was convicted of two bank robberies in the Northern District of Oklahoma in Case No. 20-CR-240.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office with assistance from Oklahoma City Police Department and Choctaw Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Gridley and Drew Davis and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) Laney Ellis prosecuted the case. SAUSA Ellis is an attorney with the City of Oklahoma City who is assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office as part of a partnership to enhance federal efforts to address and reduce violent crime within Oklahoma City.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
North Andover Man Charged with Armed Robbery of Danvers CVS PharmacyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A North Andover man was charged on June 17, 2026 in federal court in Boston in connection with the May 2026 armed robbery of a CVS Pharmacy in Danvers, Mass., where the defendant allegedly robbed the store of various prescription drugs at gunpoint.
Gareth Francis, 45, has been charged with one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, commonly known as Hobbs Act robbery and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Francis is currently held in pretrial custody on state charges in Salem District Court. Francis will make his initial appearance in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging document, on May 11, 2026, minutes before 8:00 PM, Francis allegedly entered the store wearing a ski mask and carrying a black plastic bag and a firearm and walked over to a door to the pharmacy area, which was locked. It is alleged that he turned and pointed his gun at a pharmacy technician standing at the register before climbing over the counter.
Francis allegedly then made it to a back counter in the pharmacy, telling another pharmacist to “open the [narcotics] safe now or I’ll shoot you” as he pointed a gun at her.
Over the next few minutes, the pharmacists retrieved various bottles and boxes of prescription drugs at Francis’s demand and placed them into his bag. It is alleged that Francis again demanded the pharmacist open the safe, telling her that she had “30 seconds” or he was “gonna shoot [her].” After a cellphone alarm was heard going off, Francis allegedly told the pharmacist that she was “lucky,” and he left the pharmacy.
An officer arrived outside the store and saw Francis run out the rear entrance through which he had entered. It is alleged that the officer ordered Francis to stop, but Francis kept running as the officer chased him on foot. The officer eventually caught up to Francis, tackling him to the ground in the middle of the street, where a physical struggle ensued. While on the ground, the officer saw Francis holding a silver firearm in his hand, which he was allegedly attempting to raise toward the officer. The officer was eventually able to disarm Francis and maintain control over him until additional officers arrived to assist, at which time Francis was placed under arrest. A loaded 9mm firearm, multiple magazines of ammunition, and a bag containing the stolen drugs were recovered from the scene.
According to the charging document, Francis has prior federal convictions for providing false information in connection with firearms purchases and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The charge of Hobbs Act robbery provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Danvers Police Department, Massachusetts State Police and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potapchuk of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nicaraguan national admits to forcible sexual assault of minor on cruise shipRead the Press Release
HOUSTON - A 47-year-old man who was a fugitive for two decades has entered a guilty plea to sexual abuse of a 15-year-old female, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
In 2003, Elias Luis Herrera worked on a cruise ship that had departed Galveston along with fellow crewman – Edgerton Phillip Medford. In the early morning hours of July 17, the victim was walking near a pool when both men grabbed her arms, forced her down and held her on a deck chair so she could not escape.
The men removed their uniforms and took turns sexually assaulting her while the minor victim screamed throughout the attack.
A federal grand jury returned the indictment in 2004.
While on a subsequent cruise, Herrera fled from arrest in Cozumel, Mexico, and later traveled to Costa Rica. He remained a fugitive for over 20 years before his arrest in Costa Rica and subsequent extradition to the United States in October 2025.
U.S. District Judge Sim Lake accepted the plea and set sentencing for Sept. 18. At that time, Herrera faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. He has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.
Medford was extradited in 2007 and later pleaded guilty. He was removed to St. Vincent and the Grenadines following his sentence.
FBI - Texas City Resident Agency conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Laurence Goldman and Kimberly Ann Bulger Leo prosecuted the case.
U.S. Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica provided significant assistance in securing the extradition from Costa Rica with support of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs. The United States extends its gratitude to the Government of Costa Rica, Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Costa Rica’s Office of Technical Assistance and International Relations and its prosecutorial and law enforcement authorities for making the extradition possible.
Navajo Man Charged with ArsonRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Navajo man is facing federal charges for burning down a dwelling.
According to court documents, on May 13, 2026, Rashaan McMillan, 31, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, set fire to and burned down the dwelling of John Doe and Jane Doe.
McMillan is charged with arson of a dwelling and will remain in federal custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, McMillan faces up to life 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 Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case.
An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nashville Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud Fresno CountyRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Jafaar September Nyangoro, 53, of Nashville, Tennessee, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to a scheme to defraud Fresno County, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, sometime before Sept. 14, 2020, Nyangoro, co‑defendant Peter Bah Acha, 46, of Berlin, Germany, and others secretly gained control of an email account used by the finance director of a Fresno nonprofit to submit fraudulent invoices to Fresno County for payment through Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions. Posing as the finance director, they fraudulently represented to the County of Fresno that the nonprofit’s bank account information had changed and that payments should be sent to an account at a different bank that Nyangoro had recently opened. Believing that they were communicating with the legitimate nonprofit business, the county employees updated the nonprofit’s bank account information accordingly.
According to court documents, between Sept. 24, 2020, and Oct. 13, 2020, the County of Fresno initiated several ACH transfers totaling more than $1.5 million to Nyangoro’s bank account instead of the nonprofit’s bank account. At times, Nyangoro, Acha, and others communicated with each other through various means, including WhatsApp. For example, on Oct. 16, 2020, after Regions Bank reversed some of the ACH transfers for suspected fraud, Nyangoro sent a WhatsApp message: “We’re in deep s***. The last 3 transactions from County of Fresno have been reversed. Please call me ASAP!”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David L. Gappa and Cody Chapple are prosecuting the case.
Nyangoro is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Sept. 21, 2026. Nyangoro faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 as well as restitution. 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.
Nashua Man Indicted for Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
Nashua Man Indicted for Bank Robbery
CONCORD – Mario Monserrate Morgan, 41, of Nashua, New Hampshire, was indicted by a federal grand jury for unarmed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. According to the indictment, Morgan robbed a Citizens Bank located at 238 Main Street in Nashua on June 9, 2026. He will appear in federal court in Concord on a later date.
If convicted, Morgan faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Nashua Police Department led the investigation with valuable assistance provided by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Shannon is prosecuting the case.