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2 October 2026
Two Men Plead Guilty to Multiple Armed Carjackings Committed During December 2022 SpreeRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — Stephan Anthony Harper 26, and Larry Torian Francois, 26, both residents of the District, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in connection with a series of violent armed carjackings committed in December 2022, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Harper, aka “Blacs,” and Francois, aka “Fatz,” each admitted to participating in four separate armed carjackings carried out across Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Harper and Francois entered their pleas before the Honorable Jia M. Cobb, each pleading guilty to possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting and to carjacking and aiding and abetting. Both defendants also agreed to admit their involvement in additional carjackings.
Judge Cobb scheduled sentencing for February 24 and May 26, 2027, respectively.
According to the plea documents, the government’s evidence would have established that Harper, Francois, and their co‑conspirators carried out the following carjackings:
Dec. 11, 2022 – Capitol Heights, Maryland (Acura MDX)
About 8:30 p.m., the defendants participated in the armed carjacking of a gray 2020 Acura MDX from victim S.A. outside a 7‑Eleven on Ritchie Road. One suspect jumped on the victim’s back while another displayed a handgun. The suspects fled in the stolen vehicle and later transported it across state lines into Washington, D.C.Dec. 11, 2022 – Washington, D.C. (Audi A4)
Around 11:30 p.m., the defendants carjacked a gray Audi A4 from victim A.F. near Randolph Street and Eastern Avenue NE. Two suspects brandished a handgun and demanded the keys before fleeing with the vehicle into the District.Dec. 21, 2022 – Hyattsville, Maryland (Dodge Charger)
At approximately 11:24 p.m., the defendants approached victim J.G. at a Royal Farms gas station on Annapolis Road. One suspect pointed a handgun and threatened to kill him if he did not surrender his white 2019 Dodge Charger. The suspects fled with the vehicle into D.C.Dec. 22, 2022 – Temple Hills, Maryland (Dodge Charger)
Shortly after midnight, at about 12:34 a.m., the defendants stole a gray 2020 Dodge Charger from victim I.C. at a Royal Farms station on Allentown Road. One suspect struck the victim in the head with a handgun, then punched and kicked him before fleeing with the vehicle.The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Levy. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, the Metropolitan Police Department and the Prince George’s County Police Department.
24cr551
Two Individuals Plead to Roles in $11 Million Bank Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – Two more defendants have admitted to their roles in an $11 million conspiracy to defraud banks by depositing stolen checks and withdrawing the funds, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
The following individuals each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to a one-count Information charging them with conspiracy to commit bank fraud:
- Raymond Wade, 43, of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on September 28, 2026. Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2026.
- Dwayne Reddon, 40, of Trenton, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on September 29, 2026. Sentencing is scheduled for February 9, 2027.
Between July 21, 2026 and August 4, 2026, eight other individuals pleaded guilty for their roles in the same conspiracy. Charges remain pending against Wayne Bessant, 45, of Hamilton, New Jersey, and Ryan Small, 33, of Ewing, New Jersey.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From March 2023 through June 2025, the Defendants conspired to deposit stolen checks—including U.S. Department of Treasury checks—at various banks in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The conspirators impersonated the businesses or individuals listed as payees on the stolen checks, often by acquiring business documents in the names of the payees. Once the conspirators acquired fraudulent business documents or opened fraudulent bank accounts, they deposited the stolen checks and split the proceeds. In total, the conspirators deposited or attempted to deposit over 100 Treasury and commercial checks totaling over $11 million. Many of the Treasury checks were refunds issued as Employee Retention Credits, a program the Internal Revenue Service created during the COVID-19 pandemic to encourage businesses to retain employees.
The bank fraud conspiracy charge is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and also carries a fine of up to $1,000,000, twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark-Trenton Resident Agency under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; special agents with Homeland Security Investigations, Cherry Hill, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy; special agents with the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Jenifer L. Piovesan; special agents with Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Northeast Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael Carpenter; special agents with the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jessica Herrington; special agents with the U.S. Air Force – Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 307, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Rebecca B. Bates; and postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Philadelphia Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge, Christopher Nielson, with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.
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.
Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Bleiberg and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Alanna M. Jereb of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel:
Wade: Michael J. Pappa, Esq.
Reddon: Dan Holzapfel, Esq.
reddon.information.pdf wade.information.pdfTwo D.C. Men Arrested for August Murder in NorthwestRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Henry Buchanan, 48, and Charles Jenkins, 46, both of Washington, D.C., were arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed for the August 4, 2026, shooting death of 23-year-old Xavier Fogle, in the 2600 block of 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
They were presented in D.C. Superior Court on October 1, where Judge Dorsey Jones found probable cause for their arrest and ordered them detained pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 19, 2026.
According to the arrest warrants, at around 4:15 a.m., on August 4, 2026, the victim, Xavier Fogle, was captured on CCTV footage pulling on door handles in the 1400 block of Clifton St. NW, where defendant Buchanan’s car was parked. Buchanan is then seen on CCTV footage walking out of his building neighboring Clifton St., getting into a verbal altercation with the victim, and then making a phone call. Call detail records from Buchanan’s phone show that the call was placed to Co-defendant Jenkins. Buchanan is then seen on CCTV footage getting into his white BMW sedan and driving in the direction where the victim was headed on foot. About a block away, Buchanan is seen on CCTV footage exiting his vehicle and seemingly receiving something—presumably a firearm—from Jenkins, who was exiting the same building as Buchanan and running to catch up with him after the phone call Buchanan is then seen on video taking the item, chasing the victim, in the 2600 block of 15th St. NW, and fatally shooting him twice in the back of the legs.
Buchanan at the intersection, pointing toward the victim.
Picture of Jenkins showing black object sticking out of his fanny-pack
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Cocuzza.
These charges are merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
2026 CF1 015482 & 2026 CF1 015493
Trumbull County Man Sentenced to 23+ Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse OffensesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A Trumbull County man has been sentenced to federal prison for engaging in online activities that involved Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM).
James Joseph Cataline, 47, of Hubbard, Ohio, has been sentenced to 282 months (23.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Pamela A. Barker, after pleading guilty in May to:
- Receipt of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct
- Possession of Child Pornography, or Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
- Transferring Obscene Material to a Minor
Cataline was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $5,000 toward the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which was established in 2015 to provide justice for victims of trafficking. A restitution hearing will be held Dec. 10.
According to court documents and evidence, from about December 2024 to November 2025, Cataline had a history of engaging with CSAM. Investigators also discovered that he was directly engaging with minors to solicit sexually oriented materials from them, including making video calls. Cataline shared explicit materials of himself with others who he believed were minors, but were in fact, undercover agents.
During a search warrant executed on his electronic devices, investigators found more than 120 images and videos on his laptop. Cataline’s cellphones contained more than 2,400 CSAM files including approximately 600 videos and 1,800 images. Several files involved prepubescent minors under the age of 12.
The investigation leading to the indictment was led by the FBI Youngstown Resident Agency, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, and the Mentor Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Kane for the Northern District of 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.
Three Sentenced for Multi-State Bank Fraud Scheme Involving Fake U.S. Military IDsRead the Press Release
EVANSVILLE- Three co-conspirators have been sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating a multi-state bank fraud scheme that targeted federally insured financial institutions. Using stolen identities, sophisticated counterfeit documents, and chemically “washed” checks, the defendants carried out an organized effort to steal tens of thousands of dollars while attempting to defraud victims of more than $300,000 in total. This case was brought as part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
DefendantCharge(s)SentenceRestitution Samuel B. Javier, 28, of Bronx, New YorkConspiracy to commit bank fraud & aggravated identity theft4 years, 6 months imprisonment, 1 year of supervised release$58,800Courtney J. Jackson, 38, of Connecticut Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, & aggravated identity theft. 8 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release$58,800.00Patricia A. Cimino (a.k.a. Pattianne Rodriguez), 62, of Connecticut Conspiracy to commit bank fraud & aggravated identity theft3 years imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release $58,800.00According to court documents, between August 1 and September 16, 2025, the three defendants carried out—and attempted to carry out—approximately 30 fraudulent withdrawals at financial institutions across Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Using stolen identities and counterfeit identification cards, the defendants successfully stole $58,800 and attempted to steal a total of $180,058.19.
As one example, on September 13, 2025, Jackson and Javier directed Cimino to enter a bank in Princeton, Indiana, and falsely identify herself as “M.B.” to withdraw funds from the victim’s account. Jackson and Javier supplied Cimino with counterfeit identification documents bearing M.B.’s name and Cimino’s photograph, including a counterfeit U.S. Army identification card. When bank staff requested additional verification, Cimino provided M.B.’s Social Security number and date of birth, which Jackson and Javier relayed to her through an earpiece. Cimino successfully withdrew $8,700 from the victim’s account.
On September 17, 2025, Javier shipped a package from Indianapolis to the Bronx, New York, via FedEx. Inside the package were seven counterfeit U.S. Army identification cards, seven counterfeit U.S. passport cards, and 14 stolen checks. The fraudulent identification cards featured Cimino’s photograph paired with the personal information of seven different victims.
The defendants also obtained stolen checks, chemically “washed” them to remove the original ink, and rewrote the checks payable to themselves for higher amounts. They then attempted to deposit the altered checks into bank accounts controlled by members of the conspiracy. Through this scheme, the defendants intended to steal an additional $149,286.45.
Samuel Javier is a citizen of the Dominican Republic whose visa has expired. At the time he entered his guilty plea, Javier acknowledged that he will be subject to removal from the United States upon completion of his sentence.
“These defendants didn’t hesitate to exploit stolen identities, counterfeit documents, and even fake U.S. Army identification cards to carry out their scheme. Pretending to serve in our nation’s military to steal from innocent Americans is not just fraud, it is an appalling act of deception that insults the men and women who wear the uniform with honor. Their conduct was deliberate, coordinated, and deeply harmful,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Today’s sentences reaffirm our commitment to protecting Hoosiers by aggressively pursuing fraudsters and holding accountable those who weaponize deceit against our financial institutions.”
“Fraudsters can use sophisticated tactics and move across state lines, but they can’t hide from investigators who know how to follow the evidence,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “This investigation is a good example of law enforcement agencies working together to identify a coordinated criminal scheme and bring those responsible to justice. We will continue to pursue criminals who target our financial institutions and steal from others for their own gain.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Indiana State Police investigated this case. The sentences were imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew P. Brookman.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew B. Miller and Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted this case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud 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.
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Three Northeast Louisiana Defendants Sentenced in Separate Federal Firearms and Narcotics CasesRead the Press Release
MONROE – On September 21, 2026, United States Chief District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced three defendants in separate federal firearms and narcotics cases committed in Northeast Louisiana.
Michael D. Lynch, 40, of Monroe, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Prohibited Person, followed by three years of supervised release, after his May 21, 2026, guilty plea.
Roy Tullos, 46, of West Monroe, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, followed by three years of supervised release, after his February 20, 2026, guilty plea.
Christian J. South, 22, of Newellton, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for Illegal Possession of a Machinegun followed by one year of supervised release, after his May 21, 2026, guilty plea.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
LYNCH
According to court documents, Monroe Police Department (MPD) officers responded to reports of gunfire on a local street on May 25, 2025. Surveillance footage showed Lynch’s vehicle in the area. Officers later located Lynch, searched his vehicle, and recovered a 9mm round of ammunition, a loaded Taurus G2C pistol under the passenger seat, and a loaded extended magazine. Lynch admitted possessing the firearm and ammunition knowing that his prior conviction for domestic violence made it unlawful for him to do so.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and MPD investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheyenne Y. Wilson with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
TULLOS
According to court documents, members of the Metro Narcotics Unit of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) executed an arrest warrant on Tullos at a Monroe-area hotel on April 19, 2024. Inside the room, officers located fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, baggies, and $1,448 in cash. Agents also recovered two loaded pistols—a Taurus “The Judge” and an HK P30SK 9mm, both confirmed through testing to be functional firearms. Tullos admitted possessing the methamphetamine with intent to distribute and also acknowledged he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction.
The case was investigated by the OPSO. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheyenne Y. Wilson with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
SOUTH
According to court documents, law enforcement responded to a shooting in Tensas Parish in which South and his vehicle were struck by gunfire on July 22, 2024. While waiting for South’s vehicle to be towed, officers discovered a discarded Glock 19 equipped with an extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device on the roadway. South was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and a matching 9mm casing was located inside. He had previously been seen on social media holding a similar firearm. DNA testing produced a DNA profile on the weapon linking South to the weapon.
The case was investigated by ATF and Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Crichton with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot.
These prosecutions were part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Court documents and information may be found at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Numbers: 3:26 cr 00089 (Lynch), 3:25 cr 00122 (Tullos), 26 00005 (South).
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Public Affairs
Cara Alexander: (337) 262-6704
[email protected] www.justice.gov/usao-wdlaThree Men Plead Guilty to Poaching More than 40 Bobcats and Exporting them to CanadaRead the Press Release
CONCORD –Three men pleaded guilty this week in federal court to violating the Lacey Act, illegally hunting dozens of wild Bobcats in New Hampshire in order to ship the animals’ pelts to Canada, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces.
Sherwood Dubrey, Jr., 48, and Randy Inman, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Lacey Act and Sherwood Dubrey Sr., 72, pleaded guilty to violating the Lacey Act before U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante this week. The Court scheduled sentencing for each defendant in January 2027. Dubry Jr. and Inman face a maximum prison term of five years and no more than three years of supervised release; Dubrey Sr. faces a maximum prison term of one year and no more than one year of supervised release.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife A reference photo of a BobcatEnacted 126 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a wild cat native to North America. In New Hampshire, it is unlawful to hunt or trap bobcats. To export a lawfully hunted bobcat pelt, the law requires that hunters obtain a tag under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (or CITES). Because hunting bobcats is illegal in New Hampshire, New Hampshire does not have an export program for bobcats and does not distribute CITES tags for bobcats. New York, which has a lawful bobcat hunting season, has an export program for bobcats and provides successful trappers or hunters of bobcats CITES tags.
According to the public record, Dubrey Jr. and Inman conspired to violate the Lacey Act by poaching Bobcats in New Hampshire, transporting them to New York where Dubrey Sr. obtained false CITES tags to make the bobcats appear as though they were killed in New York, then shipping them to Canada to be sold at a fur auction. Text messages and other evidence obtained through the investigation showed that for more than four years, Dubrey Jr. and Inman routinely killed bobcats in New Hampshire, including by using bait piles on their property and on state land to lure the bobcats to be shot. They then transported the poached bobcat pelts to New York to be falsely tagged and exported to Canada. In their messages, the defendants acknowledge that their bobcat poaching is illegal and discuss the details of the scheme. In one such message, Inman confirmed to Dubrey Jr. that he shot or choked out an illegally trapped bobcat; in another, Dubrey Jr. told his father that he did not want a legal bobcat hunting season in New Hampshire because that would create “competition.” Inman and Dubrey Jr. also used rifles with scopes that could capture videos and photographs of their illegal kills and sent those videos and images to others via text messages. In total, from 2018 to 2022, Dubrey Jr. and Inman illegally exported at least 41 poached bobcat pelts.
“The people of New Hampshire have enacted hunting laws that conserve our resources and define our sense of fair play,” said Erin Creegan, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Hampshire. “Baiting and poaching dozens of bobcats for profit disregards that democratic consensus and the duty of sportsmanship shown by New Hampshire’s hunters. Crossing state or international lines will not protect poachers from accountability for their actions.”
“This case began with the dedicated work of New Hampshire Fish and Game conservation officers and shows what we can accomplish together,” said Assistant Director Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “Over four years, the defendants illegally killed at least 41 bobcats and falsified where the animals were taken so they could be sold on the international market. Their actions undermined the tagging system that wildlife managers, hunters, and trappers depend on to keep the fur trade legal and sustainable. Our message is clear—exploiting wildlife for profit has consequences, and we will work with our state partners to bring those responsible to justice.”
“We are grateful for the vital assistance provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service throughout this lengthy poaching investigation,” said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officer Lieutenant William Boudreau. “Protecting wildlife requires a united front, and the collaboration between our state conservation officers and federal agents was instrumental in bringing these violators to justice. Investigations into wildlife poaching do not end at the state line.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department led the investigation with valuable assistance from the Gilmanton Police Department, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Enforcement Branch, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter prosecuted the case in coordination with Trial Attorney Mark Romley of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section.
Three D.C. Men Found Guilty of Murder for November 2021 ShootingRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Demonte Gibson, 28, Tre’Quan Nelson, 26, and Asani Forte, 29, all of Washington, D.C., were found guilty today in D.C. Superior Court, related to a shooting on November 3, 2021, that killed 34-year-old Delonte King and injured several others, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
“Individuals who commit acts of violence against residents of the District have no place in our society,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Today’s verdict takes violent offenders off our streets and contributes to a safer D.C. for everyone.”
Gibson was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder while armed, one count of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of malicious destruction of property, and one count of conspiracy.
Nelson was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit murder while armed.
Forte was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit murder while armed.
This is a retrial as the case resulted in a hung jury in April 2025. Superior Court Judge scheduled sentencing for Gibson on January 8, 2027.
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 2:02 p.m., on November 3, 2021, members of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Third District responded to the report of a shooting in the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW. Upon arrival, the members located an adult male victim, Delonte King, unconscious and breathing, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the head and back. Shortly thereafter, a second adult male shooting victim, 64-year-old Allen Hillyer, was located in the 2900 block of 14th Street, NW. Mr. Hillyer was conscious and breathing but suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm. District of Columbia Fire & EMS units were summoned to the scene, and both victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
Later, two additional victims, who were not injured but suffered destruction of property, were inside their home when a bullet came through a third-floor bedroom window, located in Trinity Towers, right up the street from the shooting location. ShotSpotter did not alert to this incident, but later provided that approximately 25 rounds were from the reported location. Surveillance video showed all three defendants congregating together without masks in the area of the shooting and eventually, the defendants were arrested for the shooting spree. A search warrant of Gibson’s apartment uncovered guns and ammo (including head stamps that match some of the head stamps on shell casings found at the murder scene – 40 caliber) they also found a ski mask and purple brand jeans that appear to be identical to the ski mask and the jeans worn by Gibson during the homicide shooting.
Surveillance image of the three defendants in front entrance of 1443 Fairmont Street, NW
Gibson was arrested on February 27, 2023, Nelson was arrested on March 30, 2023, and Forte was arrested on April 25, 2023. All have been in custody since.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin DeRiso.
2023 CF1 001170
2023 CF1 001903
2023 CF1 002532
Telfair County man sentenced to 20 years in prison for the illegal transportation of a minorRead the Press Release
DUBLIN, Georgia: A McRae, Georgia man and woman have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to child sexual abuse charges.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Noah Zackery Cason, 25, of McRae, Georgia, was sentenced to 240 months in prison and a $2,500 fine followed by 15 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Transportation of a Minor. Cason was also ordered to pay an assessment in the amount of $100 to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Assistance Fund. Cason must register as a sex offender upon completion of his prison sentence.
Cason’s co-defendant, Alexandra McLain, 26, of McRae, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and a $2,000 fine followed by 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of Child Pornography. McLain was also ordered to pay an assessment in the amount of $100 to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Assistance Fund. McLain must register as a sex offender upon completion of her prison sentence.
There is no parole in the federal system.
As described in court documents and testimony, In November 2024, Cason traveled to Oklahoma to pick up and transport a minor child to his residence in McRae. The guardian of the minor child filed a missing person report and investigators determined that the defendants were the perpetrators through online activity on apps, including Snapchat and WhatsApp.
While travelling to Georgia, Cason engaged in sexual acts with the minor victim during a stop in Alabama. Upon returning to their residence, Cason engaged in sex acts with the minor victim and recorded the abuse, with McLain’s knowledge and encouragement. McLain was also present during several of the sexual assaults. Searches of the defendants’ electronic devices contained videos and images depicting Cason participating in sexual activity with the minor victim.
With the use of license plate readers, investigators confirmed the defendant’s vehicle had traveled along a route consistent with travel to and from Oklahoma and Georgia. Investigators tracked the defendants to their residence and initially contacted Cason who denied knowing the minor victim or of her whereabouts. After further questioning, Cason admitted to transporting the victim from Oklahoma to Georgia and to having sexual contact.
“These defendants preyed on a child’s vulnerabilities, and their monstrous actions have created irreparable harm,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “This office has an unyielding commitment to protect children and serve justice for the victims and their families.”
If you are or have information about victims of child exploitation, contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline at report.cybertip.org or 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
“There is no excuse for adults who exploit and sexually abuse children. The actions of these defendants caused profound harm to a child, and today’s sentences hold them accountable for that harm,” said Brad Snider, Senior Supervisory Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Savannah office. “The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who prey on children and use technology to facilitate their abuse.”
This case was investigated by the FBI, Human Trafficking Unit, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Amtrak (Okla.) Police Department, and Telfair County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Stephan.
Tallahassee Felon Convicted, Sentenced for Unlawful Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Nathan Taylor Porter, 21, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced after a federal conviction for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This felon’s repeated offenses demonstrated his brazen disregard for the law and posed a threat to the safety of our community. My office remains committed to safeguarding our citizens against the predations of dangerous criminals, like this defendant, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases until our residents get the safe, crime-free streets that they deserve.”
A federal investigation revealed that on October 17, 2025, law enforcement located a loaded .40-caliber pistol in Porter’s backpack during a search. Porter admitted ownership of the firearm. At the time that Porter possessed the firearm, he was a convicted felon and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. While he was awaiting trial in state court for his unlawful firearm possession, Porter was caught with another firearm on March 14, 2026.
Porter was sentenced to 51 months’ imprisonment followed by three years of Supervised Release at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee by District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The case was jointly investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The 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.
Stilwell Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jimmy Joe Johnson, age 31, of Stilwell, Oklahoma, was sentenced to sixty-three months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Ammunition.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Adair County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On October 15, 2025, Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on March 14, 2025, law enforcement discovered Johnson in possession of 18 rounds of ammunition after having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The Honorable John A. Woodcock, Jr., Senior United States District Court Judge for the District of Maine, sitting by designation, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Johnson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Stillwater Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Kevin Landry, age 29, of Stillwater, New York, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Landry admitted that in September 2024, he used a messaging application to receive child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In 2020, Landry pled guilty in Tennessee state court to solicitation of a minor to commit aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor after obtaining a nude photo of a female child through Snapchat and then threatening to distribute that photo to others if the child would not send more nude photos. He was sentenced to an order of deferral and judicial diversion for that offense.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone said: “After receiving a proverbial slap on the wrist from state authorities, Kevin Landry continued to prey on innocent children. As this federal sentence demonstrates, this office, alongside HSI and all our law enforcement partners, will continue to exercise the full weight of federal law to protect children and impose the harshest consequences on Internet pedophiles like Landry.”
“Kevin Landry’s sentence reflects the severe consequences awaiting those who exploit children and traffic in child sexual abuse material,” said HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone. “His conduct was not a lapse in judgment, it was a calculated pattern of predatory behavior targeting vulnerable victims. Child exploitation investigations are among the most disturbing and consequential matters HSI confronts, and we will continue to bring every available resource to bear against those who sexually exploit children and perpetuate their abuse.”
In addition to the term of imprisonment, United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered that Landry serve a 15-year term of supervised release which will begin after he is released from prison. Landry was also ordered to pay $21,000 in restitution to the victims of his offense.
This case was investigated by HSI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Stephenville man sentenced to 160 months in federal prison for wire fraud and identity theftRead the Press Release
FORT WORTH, Texas — United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Ryan Raybould, announced that a federal court sentenced Stephenville businessman Clayton Lloyd Iley, 41, to more than 13 years in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft on Oct. 1. These offenses arose from a scheme wherein he illegally obtained credit cards and offered a scam loan program to victims.
“Clayton Iley’s conduct caused real financial and emotional harm to the victims he targeted, many of whom trusted him with their personal information and hard‑earned money,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “This sentence reflects our commitment to holding fraudsters accountable. Those who steal from members of our community, manipulate them with fabricated schemes and misuse their identities will face significant federal consequences.”
“This 160-month sentence holds the defendant accountable for a multi-year fraud scheme that exploited members of our communities,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI will continue to work in close coordination with our partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt fraud schemes that threaten the public.”
According to court records, Iley operated an insurance brokerage business named Clayton Texas Legacy Insurance Group, LLC from its headquarters in Cross Plains, Texas and offered home, auto, life, health, farm & ranch, and commercial insurance policies to the public.
Court documents show from January 2020 through May 2026, Iley used at least two entities he controlled, Texas Legacy Holdings and Enterprises, LLC and Spartan Global Security, LLC dba as “Black Eagle PMC” to conduct financial transactions. Texas Legacy Holdings operated as a holding company and was used to conduct financial transactions. Spartan Global purported to offer private security services, commercial security services, corporate security services, and private military contracting services. Iley defrauded victims by, among other things:
- Falsely representing to victims that he could invest their funds in a “Bonded Note” loan program that was provided by the U.S. Department of Defense to private military contractors, when in reality, Iley knew the relevant loan program did not exist; during the relevant time period, Iley collected over $2 million based on this misrepresentation and used the funds to pay his own personal expenses and to execute other parts of his fraudulent scheme
- Falsely represented to specific Texas Legacy Insurance clients that he would accept client funds and cause Texas Legacy Insurance to initiate requested insurance policies on their behalf, when in in reality, Iley knew he would accept their insurance premium payment funds, fail to open requested insurance policies, and instead intended use their funds to pay his own personal expenses and to fund the relevant fraudulent scheme
- Provided victim personal identifying information (e.g., first name, last name, etc.) to financial institutions to fraudulently secure credit cards bearing the names of those specific victims without the knowledge or authority of each victim, then used the resulting credit cards deposit funds into Spartan Global bank accounts and claim the transactions were gross receipts for the business; and pay for his own personal expenses and exotic collector vehicles.
As part of his plea agreement, Iley agreed to forfeit property over 90 exotic collector vehicles obtained with funds from his fraudulent scheme. To date, federal investigators have seized and secured a preliminary order of forfeiture for the following vehicles which will be sold to fund restitution owed to the victims of Iley’s fraud scheme:
- 2012 Lamborghini Model Ave
- 2016 Ferrari Model 488
- 2022 Maserati Model MC20
- 2021 Porsche Taycan
- 2013 Toyota Model Tundra
- 2014 Dodge SRT Viper
- 2022 Maserati Model MC20
- 2018 Ferrari Model 488
- 2022 Maserati Model MC20
- 2015 Lamborghini Model Huracan
- 2023 Jeep Gladiator
- 2015 Lamborghini Huracan
- 2012 Lamborghini Aventador
- 1968 Pontiac Model FB
- 1989 AM G M99
- 1990 BMY M923A
- 1993 AM General
Iley pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft offenses on June 17. U.S. District Court Judge Mark Pittman imposed the 160-month sentence yesterday.
The FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency, the Texas Rangers, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Stephenville Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac McDonald from the Fort Worth Division prosecuted the case.
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St. Lawrence County Man Charged with Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Tyler C. Windoloski, age 32, of Massena, New York, appeared in federal court last month on a charge of possessing child pornography. Windoloski appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro and was detained pending a trial.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), made the announcement.
The complaint filed against Windoloski alleges that he possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on a cellphone, including material depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as three years old. The cellphone was discovered on August 25, 2026, in connection with searches of his home and person. Windoloski is a registered sex offender based on a 2018 New York state conviction for a child pornography-related offense.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “Despite being prosecuted by the state for similar conduct in 2018 involving child pornography, this defendant, as alleged, has demonstrated once again, that he is a serious danger to our community and especially to our children. Now that he is in federal court, as a registered sex offender, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. We will not stop our efforts to investigate and prosecute sex offenders when they harm children.”
“Tyler Windoloski is alleged to have possessed numerous images and videos of that material, including depictions of children as young as three years old,” said HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone. “The public should understand that offenders who collect this material help sustain a criminal marketplace that revictimizes children every time these images and videos are possessed, viewed, or shared. HSI Massena will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our federal, state, and local partners to identify offenders, protect children, and bring these cases before the courts.”
Because of Windoloski’s prior conviction, the charge filed against him carries a term of imprisonment of between 10 to 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Windoloski will also be required to continue registering as a sex offender upon his release from federal prison.
A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case was investigated by HSI with assistance from the Massena Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Social Adult Day Care Owner Pleads Guilty to $65M Medicaid FraudRead the Press Release
A Brooklyn man pleaded guilty today to defrauding New York State Medicaid of approximately $65 million through claims for social adult day care services and home health care services that were not provided.
According to court documents, Ahsan Ijaz, 29, of Brooklyn, New York, was an owner of Happy Family Social Adult Day Care Center, Inc. and Family Social Adult Day Care Center Inc., social adult day care centers located in Brooklyn, and Responsible Care Staffing Inc., a home health care fiscal intermediary in Brooklyn. Over approximately seven years, Ijaz’s businesses paid cash kickbacks and bribes to Medicaid recipients to induce them to enroll with the businesses and billed Medicaid for services that were not provided, including when certain Medicaid recipients were not in the United States at the time of service. Ijaz is the 10th defendant to plead guilty in connection with the scheme.
Ijaz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2027 and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division); U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. for the Eastern District of New York; Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Acting Special Agent in Charge Pete Gizas of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York; and Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), made the announcement.
HHS-OIG, HSI New York, and NYPD investigated the case.
Deputy Chief Patrick J. Campbell and Trial Attorney Leonid Sandlar of the National Fraud Enforcement Division’s Health Care Fraud Section are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire Kedeshian for the Eastern District of New York, who is assisting with forfeiture matters.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
Sex Offender Convicted of Sexually Exploiting a ChildRead the Press Release
On September 16, 2026, a jury convicted Terry Mead, Jr., age 51, of Watervliet, New York of sexual exploitation of a child while under a duty to register as a sex offender, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office Craig Tremaroli, and Watervliet Police Chief William Rice made the announcement.
The evidence at trial established that, on March 3, 2025, the defendant sexually exploited a four-year-old child for a few minutes while the child was in his care. He took two sexually explicit photographs of the child in which the child’s genitals are displayed in a lewd and lascivious manner. The defendant sent one of those pictures to a third party via text messaging, which ultimately led to his arrest. As a result of his convictions, the defendant is facing a mandatory minimum term of 35 years in prison and a maximum of 170 years. The penalties also include a maximum fine of $250,000, restitution to the victim, registration as a sex offender, and special assessments.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated, “This week, Terry Mead Jr., a registered sex offender, exercised his right to a trial. Working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, the jury swiftly convicted him of all counts in the superseding indictment, including sexually exploiting a child and distributing an image of his horrific crime. Now Mr. Mead will have decades in prison to reflect on the pain he caused the child in this case. We expect him to likely spend the rest of his life in prison so he can no longer harm children. This administration will continue to prosecute those who prey on our community’s children to the fullest extent of the law.”
“FBI Albany’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force worked tirelessly on this investigation to pursue justice for the young victim and ensure Mr. Mead was held accountable for his disgusting abuse,” said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany Field Office. “With the jury’s conviction, this sick predator will likely spend the rest of his life in federal prison – a fate he undeniably deserves. The FBI will continue to work in lockstep with our partners from the Watervliet Police Department and all our partners at every level of law enforcement to relentlessly investigate any predator who seeks to harm our most vulnerable.”
Watervliet Police Chief William Rice stated “This case involved the exploitation of a young child who was entrusted to the defendant’s care. Our detectives worked closely with the FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force throughout this investigation, and I want to commend the investigators and federal prosecutors for their dedication to ensuring that the evidence was thoroughly investigated and presented in court. The conviction holds the defendant accountable for his actions and, most importantly, provides a measure of justice for the child and the child’s family. The Watervliet Police Department will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect children and aggressively investigate anyone who exploits them.”
The Albany FBI’s Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Watervliet Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Kopita and Carling Dunham are prosecuting the case as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood program.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Schenectady Man Sentenced to 240 Months for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Gregory Magin, age 46, of Glenville, New York, was sentenced on August 4, 2026 to 240 months for distribution and possession of child pornography.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division Craig Tremaroli; and New York State Police (NYSP) Superintendent Steven G. James made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Magin admitted that in July 2024, using an Internet-based messaging application (“application”), he encouraged the production of multiple child pornography videos by another user who was actively sexually abusing a 14-year-old child. Magin then used the application to distribute one of those child pornography videos to another user. Additionally, during that same month, Magin possessed and distributed approximately 14 child pornography videos to other users of the application, including a video depicting the sexual abuse of a prepubescent child.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Words cannot describe the horror that child victims endure at the hands of people like Gregory Magin. That nightmare does not end when the abuse stops but sticks with these children for the rest of their lives. Magin will have 20 years in prison to think about the pain that he has caused to these children. We are thankful for our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners that investigated this case and uncovered Magin’s crimes.”
“Mr. Magin’s actions were horrifying, which is exactly why he’s going to federal prison for two decades,” said Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Division. “Today, our thoughts are with the victims whose abuse was not just encouraged by this monster but perpetuated through his distribution. The FBI will continue to relentlessly investigate these dangerous predators and ensure their victims are delivered the justice they deserve.”
NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James stated: “Anyone who engages in any type of predatory acts against children should understand that such crimes will not be tolerated. The evidence gathered and work done by the State Police and our law enforcement partners, lead to this sentencing and ensures the defendant will serve time for his deplorable crimes. I commend our State Police members, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Albany Division for their steady and proactive work on this case.”
In addition to the 20 years of imprisonment, United States District Court Judge Mae A. D’Agostino imposed 15 years of supervised release, a $40,000 fine, special assessments, forfeiture, and directed restitution to victims of the offense.
FBI-Albany, Colonie Police Department, and the New York State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Vickey prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Saratoga Springs Man Sentenced to 210 Months for Distribution and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jeffrey Hart, age 51, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was sentenced September 14, 2026, to 210 months for distribution and possession of child pornography.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
As part of his guilty plea, Hart admitted that, after being convicted of the New York State offense of possessing a sexual performance by a child, he used an Internet-based group messaging application to send a video depicting the sexual abuse of a child to another user. Hart also admitted to possessing at least 79 images and 29 videos depicting the sexual abuse of children on his cell phone.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Thanks to the efforts of our federal law enforcement partners, another dangerous individual who victimized children will likely be spending the rest of his natural life in prison, which is likely less time than his victims who still have to live with the memory of this monster’s abuse. Our office has zero tolerance for any crimes against children, especially those committed by individuals who have previously been convicted of such horrendous acts.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Patrone stated: “Despite a prior conviction for conduct involving the sexual exploitation of a child, Jeffrey Hart again engaged in crimes that inflicted lasting harm on child victims and deeply wounded the sense of safety this community expects and deserves. Every image and video in this case represents a child who was abused, and every act of possession or distribution compounds that harm. Hart’s 210-month sentence is a serious consequence for a serious crime, and HSI Albany, together with the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and our law enforcement partners, will continue working relentlessly to dismantle the networks that enable child exploitation.”
In addition to the 210 months of imprisonment, United States District Court Judge Anne M. Nardacci imposed 15 years of supervised release and directed restitution to the victims of the offenses.
HSI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Vickey prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Rockford Man Sent to Federal Prison for Child Pornography OffenseRead the Press Release
A man who distributed, received, and possessed child pornography was sentenced today to more than seven years in federal prison. Anthony Paul Harden, age 48, from Rockford, Iowa, received the prison term after a February 23, 2026, guilty plea to receipt of child pornography.
Evidence at court hearings in the case showed that in August 2025, law enforcement officers searched Harden’s home in Rockford. They seized four electronic devices that contained child pornography. Between May 2023 and July 2025, Harden received and possessed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography, including depictions of infants and sadistic and masochistic conduct. He also distributed child pornography to undercover law enforcement computers.
Harden was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Harden was sentenced to 90 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to make $3,000 in restitution to a victim in the case. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
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 www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
Harden is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Devra T. Hake and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-2065.
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Rensselaer Woman Indicted in $668,884 Social Security and NYS Pension Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Kimberly Cardella, 59, of Rensselaer, NY was arraigned September 18, 2026, in Albany, NY before U.S. Magistrate Daniel J. Stewart on multiple counts including bank fraud, theft of government property and aggravated identity theft. A federal grand jury indicted Cardella on September 3, 2026. The charges arise from a joint investigation involving the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General and the New York State Comptroller’s Office. According to the indictment, Cardella’s mother-in-law was a Social Security beneficiary and a NYS pensioner who passed away in 2009. Because neither the Social Security Administration nor the New York State and Local Retirement System had been made aware of the death, both agencies continued to fund the dead mother-in-law’s checking account. Cardella wrote checks for her personal use against that account, signing the checks in her mother-in-law’s name for nearly 17 years after the death. This caused a loss of more than $530,000.00 to the Social Security program and more than $138,000.00 to the NYS pension fund. This action is part of an ongoing effort of the Trump Administration’s Fraud Task Force aimed at eliminating fraud across the country.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge, Boston/New York Field Division, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG), and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli made the announcement.
First Assistant United States Attorney John Sarcone stated, “The fact that this defendant openly signed her own dead mother-in-law’s name on checks that did not belong to her, in effect adopting her mother-in-law’s identity to obtain public funds intended for those in genuine need, as alleged, is simply shocking. The fact that she continued this scheme for nearly seventeen years underscores the need for continued robust oversight and enforcement in our public benefits programs. Hat’s off to the SSA-OIG and the New York State Comptroller’s investigators who jointly investigated this case. My office stands ready to enforce laws against self-interested fraudsters like this who shamelessly convert public funds away from programs for the elderly and those who are truly in need.”
“Diverting more than half a million dollars in Social Security benefits is an egregious crime that directly harms the beneficiaries these programs are meant to support,” said Amy Connelly, Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Boston–New York–Philadelphia Field Division. “Working alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the New York State Comptroller’s Office, we will continue to pursue those who exploit federal and state benefit programs and ensure these vital funds remain protected for the individuals they are intended to serve.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli stated "Kimberly Cardella allegedly scammed the state and federal governments out of nearly $670,000 over a 17-year period by taking money meant for her deceased mother-in-law. Thanks to the work of my investigators and partners in the federal government, her brazen fraud has been exposed, and she will be held accountable."
The charges filed against Cardella carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for bank fraud, 10 years for theft of government property, and a mandatory 2 years for aggravated identity theft; with additional fines of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years. Cardella may also be ordered to pay restitution to the United States of America and to New York State. In addition, the government is seeking forfeiture of $530,735.00 lost to fraud in this case. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
SSA-OIG and the NYS Comptroller’s Office are investigating the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Arne Soldwedel is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Prison sentences handed down to nine members of Salina drug trafficking ringRead the Press Release
TOPEKA, KAN. – Nine defendants have been sentenced to prison terms for their part in an international drug trafficking ring that brought large amounts of methamphetamine into Kansas.
In 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Riley County Police Department launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating in the Manhattan and Salina area. Over time, law enforcement seized large quantities of methamphetamine during multiple traffic stops. As two examples, law enforcement seized 62.9 pounds of methamphetamine during one traffic stop and found 20 pounds after another traffic stop.
Through the course of the investigation, DEA agents concluded that Gonzalo Escobedo, 49, an illegal alien from Mexico, was acting as the local leader of the organization.
On multiple occasions, Escobedo instructed subordinates to pick up crystal methamphetamine and cocaine from suppliers in California and Arizona then return to Kansas for further distribution. Some co-conspirators also made trips to Mexico to bring back liquid methamphetamine that, once in Kansas, was then converted to crystal methamphetamine.
“Drug trafficking organizations with connections to international cartels reach far and wide, even to central Kansas,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Often in these communities the drug operations will cross jurisdictions, which create barriers for law enforcement in identifying and disrupting the operation as a whole. When local and federal law enforcement agencies partner together, our communities receive a greater impact.”
According to court documents, the following defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. They were sentenced to the following prison terms:
• Gonzalo Escobedo, 49, was sentenced to 240 months, • Joseph K. Murdoch, 32, was sentenced to 240 months, • Manuel Meza, 31, was sentenced to 240 months, • Aaron Noonan, 32, was sentenced to 180 months, • Amanda Hubbard, 43, was sentenced to 180 months, • Julisa Esparza, 26, was sentenced to 180 months, • Shelbie Louise Durham, 29, was sentenced to 126 months, • Harley David Blair, 46, was sentenced to 121 months, and
• Michael Anthony Jones, 51, was sentenced to 77 months.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Riley County Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Debenham prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
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Prison Term Handed Down to D.C. Man for February 2020 Chinatown Murder and Shooting at Police During ChaseRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Jaykell Mason, 26, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 18 years in prison, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, for charges related to a deadly shooting that killed 29-year-old Terence Dantzler and led to a police chase on February 13, 2020, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Mason pleaded guilty on June 26, 2026, to one count each of second-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed. Superior Court Judge Jason Park ordered the defendant to the prison term to be followed by five years of supervised release.
“Terence Dantzler was taken in a cold, deliberate act of violence that shattered a family and shook this community,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “The defendant not only executed an innocent man but then fired at an officer who stepped forward to protect others. Our hearts are with Mr. Dantzler’s loved ones, and we hope this accountability offers even a small measure of strength as they continue to bear an unimaginable loss.”
According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 5:06 p.m., on Feb. 13, 2020, Mason, approached Dantzler, in the 700 block of 8th Street NW and the two spoke briefly. During that time, Mason then raised a firearm, aimed at Dantzler’s head and fired once, striking Dantzler. The victim fell to the ground after which the defendant then fired two more rounds into Dantzler's body before fleeing on foot. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department caught up with Mason in the 1000 block of H Street NW. Mason fired upon the officers, who then returned fire, striking Mason in the hand. Dantzler was transported to a nearby hospital where he died of his injuries. Mason was apprehended shortly thereafter and has been in custody since.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Wes Faulkner, Jr.
2020 CF1 001985
Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Firearm and Ammunition OffenseRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man with multiple prior criminal convictions was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition.
Derrick J. Poe, 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy to 40 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In April 2026, Poe pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition after being charged by criminal complaint in February 2026.
Between Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 18, 2025, Poe distributed crack cocaine to undercover law enforcement in three separate controlled purchases in Salem, Mass. Poe was arrested after the third controlled purchase. A subsequent search of Poe’s Lynn residence resulted in the recovery of suspected crack cocaine and other evidence of drug distribution as well as three firearms and ammunition. Two of the firearms were privately made polymer-80 pistols, bearing no serial numbers, which are commonly referred to as “ghost guns.” The third firearm was a Springfield Armory 9mm pistol that had been reported stolen from Columbus, Ohio:
Poe is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions, including in Alabama. These include a 2006 conviction for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and robbery as well as a 2012 conviction for receiving stolen property. Poe received concurrent 10-year and 20-year sentences for the 2006 drug and robbery offenses – sentences which were later suspended and he was ordered to serve four years in prison followed by four years of supervised probation. As for the 2012 receipt-of-stolen-property offense, Poe received a 69-month prison sentence that was suspended, with credit for time served, and was placed on probation for 60 months. In 2016, he was convicted in Massachusetts state court of possessing Class B drugs with intent to distribute.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas A. Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn and Salem Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aidan Lang of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Pensacola Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Providing False Statements to Pensacola Credit UnionsRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Shawn Steele, 52, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for making false statements to federally insured institutions. This investigation is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Defrauding federally insured financial institutions by lying on loan applications has landed this fraudster in federal prison, and should be a warning to others looking to make a quick buck by ripping off a credit union.”
Between March 7, 2023, and June 30, 2023, the defendant obtained loans from Pen Air Credit Union and Central Credit Union of Florida for a Jeep Wrangler, a Ferrari 488 Pista, and a Cape Horn boat. The defendant submitted false pay stubs and provided false information when applying for the loans with the intent to influence the financial institutions’ loan decisions. Based on these false representations, the defendant was granted loans in the amounts of $98,120.07, $250,000 and $299,243.00.
“This sentence holds Shawn Steele accountable for his actions and the financial harm caused by his conduct,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate financial crimes and ensure those who commit fraud are held accountable.”
The sentence was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud 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.
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.
Pair Sentenced for Roles in Business Email Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – Two individuals who conspired with others to execute a business email compromise scheme that stole more than $1.5 million from victims throughout the United States were recently sentenced in U.S. District Court in Abingdon.
Shelton, 57, of Wytheville, Virginia, and Olivia Oxley, 36, of Brooklyn, New York, both pleaded guilty in July last year to conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. For her role in the conspiracy, Oxley was sentenced to one year and one day of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Shelton was sentenced to 300 hours of community service and five years of supervised release. Both were also ordered to pay restitution to four victims totaling over $1.5 million jointly and severally with their coconspirators. Neither Shelton nor Oxley were leaders of the scheme but instead facilitated the transfer of the fraudulent funds. Shelton and Oxley forwarded almost all of the fraudulently obtained proceeds to coconspirators overseas.
Zamar Tara McPherson, 49, of Boynton Beach, Florida, has also pleaded guilty to being part of the conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing.
“The Western District of Virginia will continue to prioritize scammer and fraudsters who prey on our citizens,” First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “Special thanks to the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Virginia State Police, and all the state and local agencies who assisted in this investigation.”
According to court documents, McPherson, Shelton, Oxley, and others conspired to engage in a business email compromise scheme. The victims in this case had planned to send legitimate wire payments to certain payees. A member of the conspiracy created and utilized fictitious email accounts, however, and provided new account information for the wire payments to the victims. The victims were then defrauded into sending large sums of money to bank accounts belonging to McPherson, Shelton, and Oxley. McPherson, Shelton, and Oxley created and utilized personal and illegitimate business accounts at various financial institutions to facilitate these fraudulent wire transfer payments.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci, Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division and Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. Acting Special Agent in Charge Kai Wah Chan made the announcement.
Several law enforcement agencies throughout the United States investigated the case, including Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C., St. Paul; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Eden Prairie, Minnesota Police Department; Virginia State Police; Middlesex County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office; and Palm Beach County, Florida Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Corey Hall is prosecuting the case.
Oneida County Man Sentenced to Four Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Win Naing, age 21, of Utica, New York, was sentenced September 15, 2026, to 4 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Naing admitted that during a search of his home in Utica, New York, he possessed a cellular telephone on which he stored hundreds of images and videos of child pornography depicting the sexual abuse of children as young as four. Naing also admitted that he had obtained the child pornography from an internet-based social networking application installed on his phone.
In addition to the term of imprisonment, Chief U.S. District Judge, Brenda K. Sannes sentenced Naing to a 15-year term of supervised release to begin after Naing is released from federal prison at which time Naing will be required to register as a sex offender. Naing was also ordered to pay $21,000.00 in restitution to victims of his offense.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “This defendant’s criminal conduct is abhorrent and only serves to revictimize the children depicted in the child sexual abuse material the defendant sought out and collected. The defendant’s conduct has now landed him in federal prison, which will hopefully serve as a warning to him and to others inclined to engage in this type of conduct. You will be found and you will be prosecuted.”
“Mr. Naing was in possession of a deeply disturbing amount of child sexual abuse material,” said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany Field Office. “As he heads to federal prison for the next four years, the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force will continue to relentlessly pursue any predator seeking to exploit our children through the collection of this sickening and incredibly harmful content.”
This case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the New York State Police with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. The was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adrian S. LaRochelle as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Oneida County Man Sentenced for Possessing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Christopher Pratt, age 40, of Utica, New York, was sentenced on September 10, 2026, to 11 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Anthony Patrone, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.
As part of his previously entered guilty plea, Pratt admitted that after sustaining a New York State conviction related to child pornography, Pratt possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on his cell phone, on August 12, 2025. Pratt also admitted that between October of 2023 and January of 2025, he uploaded and distributed child pornography using an online social media application.
In addition to the term of imprisonment imposed, United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi also imposed a 15-year term of supervised release that will begin after Pratt is released from prison. Pratt was also ordered to pay $27,000 in restitution to the victims of his offense.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone stated, “I commend our law enforcement partners for their steadfast commitment to protecting children and making sure individuals like the defendant do not remain free in our communities, where they can harm more kids. With the defendant’s disturbing history of child pornography-related offenses, this federal prison term is a just and appropriate punishment.”
“This sentence reflects the gravity of Christopher Pratt’s conduct, which included possessing, uploading, and distributing child sexual abuse material after a prior child pornography-related conviction,” said HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone. “Every file traded online represents a real child victim, and the distribution of this material expands the harm, fuels further exploitation, and undermines the safety of our communities. HSI Syracuse remains unwavering in its commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to pursue those who exploit children and to seek justice for victims.”
HSI investigated the case with assistance from the New York State Police and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Carbone and Adrian LaRochelle are prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Okmulgee Resident Sentenced for Illegally Possessing FirearmRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Deaundray Chrisshawn Williams, age 36, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to thirty-seven months in prison for one count of Felon in Possession of Firearm.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Okmulgee Police Department.
On September 23, 2025, Williams pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, on December 15, 2024, law enforcement discovered Williams in possession of a revolver after having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year imprisonment.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The Honorable John A. Woodcock, Jr., Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, sitting by designation, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Williams will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lewis M. Reagan represented the United States.
Oklahoma Resident Sentenced for Threatening to Murder a Member of CongressRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – While death threats against federal officials continue to rise, a Jay resident was sentenced today after entering a plea of guilty to threatening to assault, kidnap, and murder United States Representative Josh Brecheen and to knowingly engaging in a course of conduct that caused, attempted to cause, or would be reasonably expected to cause substantial emotional distress to Congressman Brecheen and his family.
U.S. District Judge Gustavo A. Gelpi sentenced Chad Allen Haeberle, 35, to 52 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release on each conviction, to be served concurrently.
“This case, as well as recent attacks targeting public figures serve as a stark reminder that political violence and intimidation have no place in our nation.” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Nassar. “Today’s sentence reflects a clear message: those who threaten public servants, attempt to instill fear, or seek to influence our democratic process through violence will be held fully accountable. The health of our democracy depends on a political process free from coercion or fear. We remain committed to protecting that foundation and ensuring that all public officials can carry out their duties free from violent threats.”
According to a sentencing memorandum filed by the United States, Haeberle sent multiple threatening e-mails to Congressman Brecheen between December 23, 2024 and July 23, 2025 in an effort to further Haeberle’s political agenda and retaliate against Congressman Brecheen for exercising his official duties. Haeberle self-identified one threat as “containing specific terrorist threats” against Congressman Brecheen. Haeberle also specified that the threats made of murder should be taken “as a serious and credible threat.” Haeberle had previously encouraged violent political acts to wage class warfare and endorsed politically motivated murder in social media postings.
Haeberle was arrested by the United States Marshals Northern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Task Force in July 2025. Even while in custody on that arrest, Haeberle repeated threatening rhetoric against Congressman Brecheen. A federal grand jury indicted Haeberle in August 2025.
Court documents also referenced several other recent threats and acts of political violence. Haeberle will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
Ohio Man Charged for Possessing Dangerous Biological WeaponRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A federal grand jury has indicted a 34-year-old man with possessing a deadly biological agent.
Brandon L. Baxter, of East Cleveland, was charged with Prohibitions with Respect to Biological Weapons and Possession of a Biological Toxin by a Restricted Person.
According to allegations in the indictment, Baxter was knowingly in possession of a biological agent, ricin, which is known to be lethal to humans. Baxter was previously convicted for being part of a terrorist collective that attempted to detonate explosives at the base of the Route 82 bridge in Macedonia, Ohio in 2012. Baxter is expected to appear for arraignment on Oct. 14, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan D. Greenberg.
U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio and FBI Cleveland Division Special Agent in Charge Joshua DelManzo made the announcement.
The investigation in this case is being conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division with assistance from the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of East Cleveland Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Duncan T. Brown is leading the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio, along with Trial Attorney Ryan D. White of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for both counts. The sentence will be determined by the court after a review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offenses, and the characteristics of the violations.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
October Begins with Nearly 300 New Federal Immigration Cases in Western District of TexasRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 289 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from September 25 through October 1, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. Charges were brought against alien smugglers and illegal aliens with past convictions for child sex crimes, numerous DWIs, violent crimes, and numerous prior removals.
Among the new cases, Wilber Rafael Garces-Perez, an illegal alien from Venezuela, was arrested in Austin and charged with one count of assaulting, resisting, interfering, and impeding a federal officer. A criminal complaint alleges that Garces-Perez ignored the orders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) officers to place his vehicle in park and step out during a traffic stop. The complaint alleges and body camera footage shows that after further direction from the officers in Spanish, Garces-Perez abruptly closed his car window and drove off, striking one of the ICE ERO officers in the torso with his driver’s side-view mirror.
Near Del Rio, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico, Diego Armando Victorio-Adame. Victorio-Adame has been deported four times and is now charged with illegal re-entry. He was convicted of a felony in 2022 for possession of a controlled substance. Victorio-Adame has also been previously convicted of two DWIs and assault causing bodily injury.
An illegal alien and convicted sex offender from Guatemala was charged with illegal re-entry in El Paso. Jaime Felipe Batres was arrested near Fort Hancock after just being removed from the U.S. in August. In September 2025, Felipe Batres was convicted of indecent assault and corruption of minors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Javier Nicolas Francisco-Francisco, also an illegal alien from Guatemala, was arrested just over three miles west of the Paso Del Norte Port of Entry on Thursday. Francisco-Francisco was deported for the second time in 2023 through Phoenix, Arizona. He’s been convicted of three felonies since 2014, including operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and aggravated assault with a weapon.
In San Antonio, Roberto Guerrero-Cano, an illegal alien from Mexico, was encountered by ICE ERO officers at the Bexar County Jail after he was convicted of a DWI on Sept. 25. Guerrero-Cano was previously removed from the U.S. in 2014 following an illegal re-entry conviction. In 2010, he was convicted of assault causing bodily injury and possession of prohibited weapons. Guerrero-Cano now faces another illegal re-entry charge.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
These cases are 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.
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North Braddock Man Charged with Carrying Out Six-Year Social Security FraudRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of North Braddock, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of social security fraud, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
The two-count Indictment named Daniel M. Wallar, 70, as the sole defendant, and was unsealed today upon Wallar’s arrest.
According to the Indictment, from June 3, 2019, until May 30, 2025, Wallar—who was named as the representative payee on another person’s Social Security benefit account—unlawfully converted such payments for purposes other than for the use and benefit of that individual. Wallar is charged at Count One with theft of public money and at Count Two with representative payee misuse.
As to Count One, the law provides for a term of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. As to Count Two, the law provides for a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Executive Assistant United States Attorney Carolyn J. Bloch is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment.
An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Norristown Man, 20, Pleads Guilty to a Spree of January 2025 Carjackings, Attempted Carjackings, and Related OffensesRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Anthony Bell, 20, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty before United States District Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro to conspiracy to commit carjacking, three counts of carjacking, two counts of attempted carjacking, two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and aiding and abetting, arising from his role in a series of carjackings and attempted carjackings committed in January 2025.
The defendant was charged by indictment in July of last year.
As detailed in court filings and statements, the string of carjackings began with the theft of a Chevy Cruze on January 24, 2025.
Bell and his co-conspirators then used the Chevy Cruze to commit an armed carjacking of an Infiniti QX80 days later. Bell drove the Infiniti to a shootout in Norristown later that day. After the shootout, Bell and his co-conspirators carjacked another vehicle, a Chevy Silverado, to escape. They attempted two more carjackings using the stolen truck — one in Whitemarsh Township and one in Philadelphia — before successfully carjacking a Nissan Rogue in Philadelphia. All of these carjackings took place on January 28, 2025, and all of the victims were held at gunpoint.
Police apprehended Bell on January 29, 2025, after a high-speed chase on I-476 and I-76, when Bell crashed the carjacked Nissan Rogue after striking another vehicle. Bell had in his possession a key to the Chevy Silverado that had been taken before the Rogue.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1 and faces a maximum possible term of life imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of 14 years in prison, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed, five years of supervised release, a $2,000,000 fine, and an $800 special assessment.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Bowerman.
New Orleans Man Sentenced to 137 Months for Possession of Drugs and GunRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – ROMALIS WILLIAMS (“WILLIAMS”), age 33, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana was sentenced on October 1, 2026 by United States District Judge Brandon S. Long after being found guilty by a jury of possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) and being a felon in possession of firearms, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
Judge Long sentenced WILLIAMS to 137 months in federal prison, six years of supervised release, and ordered WILLIAMS to pay a $200.00 mandatory special assessment fee.
On March 25, 2024, NOPD officers, while conducting routine surveillance observed WILLIAMS in the 8700 block of Green Street with a bulge on the right front side of his waistband. WILLIAMS proceeded to get onto a bicycle and ride down Green Street and, while doing so, kept adjusting an object in his waistband area. WILLIAMS then shoved his right hand deep into his pants as if he were attempting to hide an object. Officers believed WILLIAMS may have been in possession of a firearm concealed in his waistband and commanded WILLIAMS to stop his bicycle. WILLIAMS disregarded the command, dropped the bicycle, and ran from the officers. Officers chased WILLIAMS into the 1700 block of Joliet Street. WILLIAMS jumped several fences before being detained.
During the search of WILLIAMS’ person, a distributable amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine were found in a clear plastic bag inside WILLIAMS’ pants pocket. A stolen Springfield Armory Model XDM, 40 caliber pistol, was recovered from WILLIAMS’ left pant leg. WILLIAMS, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed of the Violent Crime Unit and Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Kippers of the General Crime Unit.
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.
New Orleans Man Sentenced for Being Felon in Possession of FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – BRYAN ROGERS (“ROGERS”), age 21, of New Orleans, was sentenced on September 30, 2026, by United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry, after previously pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
ROGERS was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, along with payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
According to court documents, on May 18, 2025, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (“JPSO”) deputies encountered ROGERS during a traffic stop in Marrero, Louisiana. During the course of this traffic stop, law enforcement located a Glock Model 30 Gen4, .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with an extended magazine containing 20 rounds of ammunition under the front passenger seat of the vehicle ROGERS was operating at the time. The recovered firearm was previously reported as stolen to the New Orleans Police Department, according to court records. Through their investigation, law enforcement developed evidence establishing that ROGERS possessed the recovered firearm before JPSO initiated the traffic stop. ROGERS is a convicted felon and therefore federally prohibited from possessing firearms.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Shannon Kippers of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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New Orleans Man Indicted for Sex Trafficking of a Minor, and Distribution of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a MinorRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MARCUS WILLIAMS ROBINSON (“ROBINSON”), age 28, of New Orleans, was charged in a three-count indictment on September 24, 2026, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. Count 1 charged ROBINSON with Sex Trafficking by Force, Fraud or Coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections, 1591(a)(1), (a)(2) and (b)(1). Count 2 charged ROBINSON with Sex Trafficking of a Minor by Force, Fraud or Coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections, 1591(a)(1), (a)(2), (b)(1), and (b)(2). Count 3 charged ROBINSON with Distribution of Materials Involving the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1).
If convicted, ROBINSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten (10) years and a maximum sentence up to a lifetime imprisonment per count, for Counts 1 and 2, and a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years up to twenty (20) years imprisonment for Count 3. As to each count, ROBINSON faces a term of supervised release of no less than five (5) years and up to a lifetime after his release from prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, sex offender registration and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.
According to the indictment, between May 2025 and November 2025, in the Eastern District of Louisiana, and elsewhere, ROBINSON trafficked an adult victim and a minor victim, forcing them to engage in commercial sex acts. ROBINSON also sent nude images and a nude video of the minor victim via text message.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana State Police in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Anne Flippo, of the Public Integrity Unit and Human Trafficking Child Exploitation Task Force.
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 Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Human Trafficking Child Exploitation Task Force, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
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New Jersey man convicted of soliciting child pornography in southern IllinoisRead the Press Release
BENTON, Ill. – A southern Illinois jury convicted a New Jersey man of asking a purported minor for child pornography.
A jury found Nicholas R. Emper, 44, of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, guilty of one count of attempted solicitation of child pornography.
“This 44-year-old man attempted to get naked pictures from someone he believed was a 12-year-old child. He went to trial claiming he was merely role-playing. The jury rightly rejected that defense, and common sense and the rule of law prevailed,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This office will never relent in our pursuit of online predators.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Emper began communicating with an undercover law enforcement agent posing as a 12-year-old minor in February 2025. During the online conversation, Emper asked the minor for child sexual abuse material.
“Exploitation doesn’t begin with physical contact; it begins with a willingness to target a child,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Ryan Presley. “That willingness alone is dangerous. This verdict shows that our communities will not tolerate those who seek opportunities to exploit the vulnerable. The FBI Springfield Field Office will continue to confront that danger head on.”
Penalties for attempted solicitation of child pornography are five to 20 years’ imprisonment. Emper’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2027.
FBI led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Sanders and Tom Leggans are prosecuting the case.
New Jersey Woman, Colombian Lover Convicted in $13M Federal Program Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Jael Watts, 45, of Alloway, New Jersey, and Luis Pino-Copete, 42, of Bogota, Colombia, were convicted by a jury of orchestrating a sweeping nationwide scheme to steal millions of dollars in federal program funds administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), designed to benefit elderly, disabled, and homeless Americans. This action is a part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
“These convictions send a clear message that those who exploit federal programs for personal gain will be held fully accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “The defendants fabricated payrolls and client lists, even using the identities of deceased individuals, to siphon millions meant for the most vulnerable Americans. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and our federal and state partners for their relentless pursuit of justice in this case.”
“These two defendants traded their Tuscan spa robes for his and hers orange jumpsuits,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone for the Northern District of New York. “I commend the hawkish work of OSC and our federal partners and thank my Assistant U.S. Attorneys for their tireless work in delivering these fraudsters justice. Had they been referred to state or local authorities for prosecution due to the irresponsible no bail laws here in NYS these two could have fled to Colombia.”
As proven at trial, Watts and Pino-Copete operated a shell company called Pearl Transit Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, which purported to employ drivers all over the United States who gave rides to the elderly and disabled and engaged in street outreach for homeless Americans. In reality, Pearl Transit employed no such drivers and performed no such services. Rather, over the time-period of July 2019 through October 2025, Watts devised and executed a scheme to defraud numerous state and local administrators of federal pass-through funds designed to help the needy, including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Section 5310 Program and HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), some of which were funded during the COVID pandemic by the CARES Act, by submitting false employment and customer information using stolen identities of real people, purporting to establish that Pearl Transit had provided rides to the elderly, disabled, and homeless. Some of the individuals listed as Pearl Transit’s recipients were deceased at the times they purportedly received rides from Pearl Transit, and some of the purported drivers were individuals who did not have driver licenses and have never driven a car in their life (one had a learner’s permit at the time the defendants claimed she drove for Pearl Transit). Over the relevant period, the defendants sought reimbursement of over $13 million in federal funds through false claims and submissions. Proof at trial established that the defendants lived a lavish lifestyle off of the over $1.6 million in federal funds they fraudulently obtained as part of the scheme:
- $529,500 in CDBG funds from Gwinnett County, Georgia;
- $429,885 in Section 5310 funds from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority;
- $283,000 in ESG funds from Kern County, California; and
- $379,149 in Section 5310 funds from the City of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Watts married Pino-Copete in Colombia in 2023, and Pino-Copete joined the fraud scheme shortly thereafter in January 2024. In January 2025, he entered the United States on a visa issued in December 2024, and his role in the crimes progressed after Watts was initially charged by complaint with wire fraud in connection with the scheme in July 2025. The defendants are pictured below conspiring to submit false documents in an effort to obtain $50,000 in federal funds from the City of San Bernadino, California while Watts was detained on the wire fraud complaint at the Albany County Correctional Facility in September 2025.
“When criminals use funds meant for our most vulnerable on lavish lifestyles, they must face the consequences,” said Assistant Secretary Ronnie Kurtz of HUD Community Planning and Development. “Fraudsters have been stealing funds from Georgia to California, but thanks to the work of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we are standing up for taxpayer dollars and creating real accountability. At HUD, we are putting an end to the status quo to stop the fraud before it happens. If you receive even one tax dollar, we expect results.”
“Fraudsters who target federal transportation programs steal directly from the vulnerable communities these funds are meant to serve,” said Special Agent in Charge Brian C. Gallagher of the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. “The convictions demonstrate that together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners we will move swiftly and decisively to protect taxpayer dollars and hold accountable anyone who attempts to exploit these critical transportation resources.”
“Jael Watts and Luis Pino-Copete’s selfish actions diverted more than $1.5 million in federal funds to support their lavish lifestyle while depriving elderly, disabled, and homeless Americans of resources intended to benefit them. Those entrusted with overseeing HUD funds have a responsibility to protect those resources and ensure they reach the vulnerable communities they were intended to serve,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn A. Rice of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Northeast Region. “This is not a victimless crime. Every dollar they stole could have been used to help vulnerable Americans. HUD OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who abuse positions of trust and jeopardize critical federal programs.”
“Watts and Pino orchestrated a nationwide scheme to defraud the public,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “Thanks to the vigilance of my office and our work with our federal law enforcement partners, they will be held accountable for their crimes. I thank the United States Attorney’s and federal Department of Transportation Inspector General's office for their partnership and excellent work allowing justice be served.”
The investigation was spearheaded jointly by federal and state investigators. It began in late 2024 when Watts submitted claims for reimbursement of nearly $750,000 through the Section 5310 Program to the New York State DOT on behalf of Pearl Transit. The Office of the New York State Comptroller (“OSC”) found the invoices suspicious and initiated an audit. In response to the audit, Watts and Pino-Copete generated numerous false documents using stolen identities of real people in an effort to convince New York State that Pearl Transit had actually performed the services it sought reimbursement for. OSC quickly brought in DOT-OIG, which swiftly referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2025. The resulting joint federal and state investigation, joined by HUD-OIG, uncovered a multi-year nationwide scheme perpetrated by Watts to steal federal program funds perpetrated against administrators of these federal programs all over the country (including Georgia, North Carolina, California, and New York). Following Watts’ arrest in July 2025 and the search of her cell phone and computer, investigators uncovered Pino-Copete’s role in the crimes and he was initially charged for his role in the scheme in December 2025 and detained pending trial.
Searches of the defendants’ cell phones uncovered scores of communications between the defendants about creating fake documentation to respond to OSC’s audit requests. Watts declared, “one has to be committed to this type of work . . . and I am committed,” and boasted, “they are not smart . . . we are much smarter.” An exhaustive review of the defendants’ numerous bank accounts showed that the over $1.5 million they fraudulently obtained just from Georgia, North Carolina, and California was spent entirely on a lavish lifestyle, including over $100,000 spent on Porsche rentals, over $100,000 spent at Loro Piana in Manhattan (an Italian luxury clothing brand where women’s jackets can cost $9,500 and purses can cost $4,500), and a nearly year-long travel spree in 2024 that ranged from Colombia, to Aruba, and four months in Europe. Selfies the defendants took while spending fraud proceeds in Europe at a Tuscan spa and touring the BMW plant that were offered at trial are pictured below.
In another aspect of the scheme, the defendants sought CDBG reimbursements by claiming they provided free dental prostheses to homeless individuals. In reality, the defendants printed dentures at their home with an unsanitary 3-D printer and charged homeless individuals fees for scanning their mouths and fitting the dentures. Pino-Copete is pictured below showing off cash he obtained from a homeless dental client at a flea market in Maryland to Jael Watts on a video call while she was incarcerated at the Albany County Correctional Facility.
Following a multi-week jury trial in Utica, the jury found Watts and Pino-Copete guilty of all crimes charged in a third superseding indictment handed up earlier this month: Watts was convicted of one count of false statement, one count of aggravated identity theft, five counts of wire fraud; and Watts and Pino-Copete were convicted of one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of false document, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
At sentencing before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi currently scheduled for January 21, 2027, Watts and Pino-Copete face a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, a maximum of twenty years in prison, fines of up to $250,000, and supervised release terms of up to three years. Watts and Pino-Copete also face a restitution order of at least $1.9 million. In addition, Pino-Copete, who is not a U.S. citizen, faces removal and deportation following completion of any term of imprisonment.
DOT-OIG, HUD-OIG, and the OSC are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark, Joshua R. Rosenthal, and Michael J. Whalen for the Northern District of New York are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
New Jersey Woman, Jael Watts, and Colombian Lover, Luis Pino-Copetes, spending their fraudulent earnings in hotel. Jael Watts and Luis Pino-Copete taking a photo. Colombian Lover showing off their fraudulent earnings, while New Jersey Woman is in jail. Image of Jael Watts, 45, as she is in jail and Luis Pino-Copete, 42, sitting at home.New Jersey Woman, Colombian Lover Convicted in $13 Million Federal Program Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Note: View Indictment Here.
Jael Watts, 45, of Alloway, New Jersey, and Luis Pino-Copete, 42, of Bogota, Colombia, were convicted by a jury of orchestrating a sweeping nationwide scheme to steal millions of dollars in federal program funds administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), designed to benefit elderly, disabled, and homeless Americans. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Brian Gallagher, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. DOT – Office of Inspector General (“OIG”), Northeastern Region, and Shawn Rice, Special Agent-in-Charge, HUD-OIG, Northeast Region, made the announcement. This action is a part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
As proven at trial, Watts and Pino-Copete operated a shell company called Pearl Transit Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, which purported to employ drivers all over the United States who gave rides to the elderly and disabled and engaged in street outreach for homeless Americans. In reality, Pearl Transit employed no such drivers and performed no such services. Rather, over the time-period of July 2019 through October 2025, Watts devised and executed a scheme to defraud numerous state and local administrators of federal pass-through funds designed to help the needy, including the Federal Transit Administration (“FTA”)’s Section 5310 Program and HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) and Emergency Solutions Grant (“ESG”), some of which were funded during the COVID pandemic by the CARES Act, by submitting false employment and customer information using stolen identities of real people, purporting to establish that Pearl Transit had provided rides to the elderly, disabled, and homeless. Some of the individuals listed as Pearl Transit’s recipients were deceased at the times they purportedly received rides from Pearl Transit, and some of the purported drivers were individuals who did not have driver licenses and have never driven a car in their life (one had a learner’s permit at the time the defendants claimed she drove for Pearl Transit). Over the relevant period, the defendants sought reimbursement of over $13 million in federal funds through false claims and submissions. Proof at trial established that the defendants lived a lavish lifestyle off of the over $1.6 million in federal funds they fraudulently obtained as part of the scheme:
- $529,500 in CDBG funds from Gwinnett County, Georgia;
- $429,885 in Section 5310 funds from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority;
- $283,000 in ESG funds from Kern County, California; and
- $379,149 in Section 5310 funds from the City of Raleigh, North Carolina.
Watts married Pino-Copete in Colombia in 2023, and Pino-Copete joined the fraud scheme shortly thereafter in January 2024. In January 2025, he entered the United States on a visa issued in December 2024, and his role in the crimes progressed after Watts was initially charged by complaint with wire fraud in connection with the scheme in July 2025. The defendants are pictured below conspiring to submit false documents in an effort to obtain $50,000 in federal funds from the City of San Bernadino, California while Watts was detained on the wire fraud complaint at the Albany County Correctional Facility in September 2025.
The investigation was spearheaded jointly by federal and state investigators. It began in late 2024 when Watts submitted claims for reimbursement of nearly $750,000 through the Section 5310 Program to the New York State DOT on behalf of Pearl Transit. The Office of the New York State Comptroller (“OSC”) found the invoices suspicious and initiated an audit. In response to the audit, Watts and Pino-Copete generated numerous false documents using stolen identities of real people in an effort to convince New York State that Pearl Transit had actually performed the services it sought reimbursement for. OSC quickly brought in DOT-OIG, which swiftly referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2025. The resulting joint federal and state investigation, joined by HUD-OIG, uncovered a multi-year nationwide scheme perpetrated by Watts to steal federal program funds perpetrated against administrators of these federal programs all over the country (including Georgia, North Carolina, California, and New York). Following Watts’ arrest in July 2025 and the search of her cell phone and computer, investigators uncovered Pino-Copete’s role in the crimes and he was initially charged for his role in the scheme in December 2025 and detained pending trial.
Searches of the defendants’ cell phones uncovered scores of communications between the defendants about creating fake documentation to respond to OSC’s audit requests. Watts declared, “one has to be committed to this type of work . . . and I am committed,” and boasted, “they are not smart . . . we are much smarter.” An exhaustive review of the defendants’ numerous bank accounts showed that the over $1.5 million they fraudulently obtained just from Georgia, North Carolina, and California was spent entirely on a lavish lifestyle, including over $100,000 spent on Porsche rentals, over $100,000 spent at Loro Piana in Manhattan (an Italian luxury clothing brand where women’s jackets can cost $9,500 and purses can cost $4,500), and a nearly year-long travel spree in 2024 that ranged from Colombia, to Aruba, and four months in Europe. Selfies the defendants took while spending fraud proceeds in Europe at a Tuscan spa and touring the BMW plant that were offered at trial are pictured below.
In another aspect of the scheme, the defendants sought CDBG reimbursements by claiming they provided free dental prostheses to homeless individuals. In reality, the defendants printed dentures at their home with an unsanitary 3-D printer and charged homeless individuals fees for scanning their mouths and fitting the dentures. Pino-Copete is pictured below showing off cash he obtained from a homeless dental client at a flea market in Maryland to Jael Watts on a video call while she was incarcerated at the Albany County Correctional Facility.
Following a multi-week jury trial in Utica, the jury found Watts and Pino-Copete guilty of all crimes charged in a third superseding indictment handed up earlier this month: Watts was convicted of one count of false statement, one count of aggravated identity theft, five counts of wire fraud; and Watts and Pino-Copete were convicted of one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of false document, and one count of aggravated identity theft.
At sentencing before U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi currently scheduled for January 21, 2027, Watts and Pino-Copete face a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, a maximum of twenty years in prison, fines of up to $250,000, and supervised release terms of up to three years. Watts and Pino-Copete also face a restitution order of at least $1.9 million. In addition, Pino-Copete, who is not a U.S. citizen, faces removal and deportation following completion of any term of imprisonment.
“These two defendants traded their Tuscan spa robes for his and hers orange jumpsuits,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarcone said. “I commend the hawkish work of OSC and our federal partners and thank my Assistant U.S. Attorneys for their tireless work in delivering these fraudsters justice. Had they been referred to state or local authorities for prosecution due to the irresponsible no bail laws here in NYS these two could have fled to Colombia.”
“These convictions send a clear message that those who exploit federal programs for personal gain will be held fully accountable,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “The defendants fabricated payrolls and client lists, even using the identities of deceased individuals, to siphon millions meant for the most vulnerable Americans. I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and our federal and state partners for their relentless pursuit of justice in this case.”
“When criminals use funds meant for our most vulnerable on lavish lifestyles, they must face the consequences,” said Ronnie Kurtz, HUD Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development. “Fraudsters have been stealing funds from Georgia to California, but thanks to the work of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, we are standing up for taxpayer dollars and creating real accountability. At HUD, we are putting an end to the status quo to stop the fraud before it happens. If you receive even one tax dollar, we expect results.”
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli stated, "Watts and Pino orchestrated a nationwide scheme to defraud the public. Thanks to the vigilance of my office and our work with our federal law enforcement partners, they will be held accountable for their crimes. I thank the United States Attorney's Office and federal Department of Transportation Inspector General's office for their partnership and excellent work allowing justice be served."
“Fraudsters who target federal transportation programs steal directly from the vulnerable communities these funds are meant to serve,” said Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent-in-Charge, Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region. “The convictions demonstrate that together with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners we will move swiftly and decisively to protect taxpayer dollars and hold accountable anyone who attempts to exploit these critical transportation resources.”
“Jael Watts and Luis Pino-Copete’s selfish actions diverted more than $1.5 million in federal funds to support their lavish lifestyle while depriving elderly, disabled, and homeless Americans of resources intended to benefit them. Those entrusted with overseeing HUD funds have a responsibility to protect those resources and ensure they reach the vulnerable communities they were intended to serve,” said Special Agent in Charge Shawn A. Rice with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Inspector General (OIG). “This is not a victimless crime. Every dollar they stole could have been used to help vulnerable Americans. HUD OIG will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who abuse positions of trust and jeopardize critical federal programs.”
DOT-OIG, HUD-OIG, and the OSC are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark, Joshua R. Rosenthal, and Michael J. Whalen are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division ('Fraud Division'). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Watts Indictment.pdfNaturalized citizen from Nigeria and former professor sentenced in student financial aid fraud schemeRead the Press Release
mystrikingly.comHOUSTON – A 43-year-old man living in Richmond, TX will serve time in federal prison for orchestrating a years-long scheme involving fraudulent student financial aid applications and the misuse of victims’ identities.
Emmanuel Olugbaike Finnih is originally from Nigeria and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. He was also formerly an adjunct professor at Texas Southern University.
Finnih pleaded guilty March 20 to theft of government funds, fraud, unlawful use or transfer of identity documents, and aggravated identity theft.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen ordered Finnih to serve 78 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard how Finnih used false identities, transcripts, UPS boxes, and bank accounts to carry out the scheme, leaving victims with student loan debt that damaged their credit and hindered legitimate school enrollment.
“Higher education costs are already skyrocketing out of control, and it’s scammers like Finnih who make it worse, more expensive, and financially damaging for everyone,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz. “This fraudster will now suffer the consequences of his manipulative, deceitful, un-American crimes.”
“I am proud of the work of OIG Special Agents and our law enforcement partners for shutting down another student aid fraud ring and holding Mr. Finnih accountable for his criminal actions,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Wingle of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Central Regional Office. “We will continue to aggressively pursue those who misappropriate education funds for their own selfish purposes. America’s students and taxpayers deserve nothing less.”
For approximately five years, Finnih submitted more than 100 fraudulent financial aid applications to the Department of Education using the identities of numerous straw students at colleges and universities across Texas.
He used other individuals’ personal identifying information to prepare, submit, and sign fraudulent financial aid applications and master promissory notes in their names. He also used mailing addresses, phone numbers, and email accounts he controlled to receive communications from the Department of Education and the schools.
Finnih then obtained financial aid refunds through electronic transfers, checks, and prepaid debit cards sent to addresses or bank accounts he controlled.
As part of his plea, Finnih admitted repeatedly using the personal identifying information of two victims over several years to fraudulently obtain federal financial aid.
Authorities also discovered Finnih possessed false identity documents, including temporary driver permits and identification cards, that he intended to unlawfully use or transfer as part of the scheme.
The fraud left some victims with tens of thousands of dollars in student loans fraudulently placed in their names, significantly affecting their credit.
The court also heard how Finnih would often masculinize the names of female straw students while continuing to use their correct social security numbers and dates of birth. This allowed him to pose as the straw students more easily and further the scheme.
In at least one instance, Finnih called a local community college and attempted to have financial aid payments unfrozen after the school flagged fraudulent transcripts associated with one of the straw students.
Finnih submitted fraudulent aid applications seeking over $1.3 million in grants and loans, of which $921,189.08 was disbursed.
Finnih was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Department of Education – OIG conducted the investigation with assistance from Lone Star College Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad R. Gray prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, which 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.
Monessen Woman Pleads Guilty to More Than $1.8 Million Bank Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - A resident of Monessen, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of bank fraud, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
Emily Roberts, 55, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge W. Scott Hardy.
In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that Roberts, while providing cleaning services at the victims’ home, repeatedly stole checks from the victims’ checkbook, wrote the checks out to cash, and forged a signature on the checks before depositing the money into her own personal bank account. Roberts obtained $1,893,750 through the deposit of 636 checks during the period of January 2014 to March 2026.Judge Hardy scheduled sentencing for February 10, 2027. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 30 years in prison, a fine of the greater of $1 million or twice the defendant’s gain from the offense, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Assistant United States Attorney William B. Guappone is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and North Strabane Township Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Roberts.
Mexican National Charged with Selling Fake Government Identification Documents, Including “Green Cards” and Social Security CardsRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced today that Laboriel Serrano Fernandez, aka Ivan Serrano, 42, a Mexican national who entered the U.S. illegally and has been residing in Norristown, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged by indictment with four counts of transferring unlawful identification documents.
The defendant made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth L. Toplin.
The indictment alleges that on multiple dates earlier this year, Serrano knowingly transferred false identification documents that appeared to be issued by and under the authority of the United States, knowing that such documents were produced without lawful authority.
“Selling fake identification documents is a serious crime that threatens our national security and puts all of us at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “My office will prosecute to the fullest extent anyone putting these fraudulent IDs into circulation.”
“The production and distribution of counterfeit government documents is a serious criminal activity that compromises our national security,” said HSI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Nathan Abel. “HSI remains committed to leveraging our investigative expertise to identify and dismantle the criminal networks that profit from this fraud.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years in prison.
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 case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eileen Castilla Geiger and Erin Fountaine.
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.
Mequon Doctor Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawful PrescribingRead the Press Release
Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on October 1, 2026, United States District Judge Lynn Adelman sentenced Jerry Jones III (age 69), a former emergency room physician from Mequon, Wisconsin, to 27 months’ imprisonment.
On June 29, 2026, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances outside the usual course of professional practice and without a legitimate medical purpose. The charges stem from Jones’s unlawful prescribing of controlled substances between 2021 and 2025. According to court records, during that period, Jones operated a medical clinic from his residence in which he purported to provide addiction treatment via telehealth.
Rather than providing legitimate addiction treatment to his patients, Jones prescribed buprenorphine (meant to treat opioid addiction), benzodiazepines (meant to treat anxiety), and stimulants (meant to treat ADHD) in exchange for cash, without a demonstration of medical necessity. Jones charged more money for higher dosages and based on the number of prescriptions he issued. As part of his operation of the pill mill he disguised as a medical practice, Jones received $294,850.72 through CashApp and Venmo from his drug customers.Jones was aware, while he was engaging in this conduct, that he was not providing legitimate medical care and that at least some of the people to whom he was prescribing dangerous controlled substances were selling them on the street.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Adelman said that Jones’s “patients were more like customers” who “ordered drugs at specific dosages” and that Jones was not engaged in the legitimate practice of medicine. Judge Adelman discussed Jones’s thirty-nine years of lawful medical practice and his voluntary surrender of his medical license as demonstrating that Jones no longer posed a danger to the community. However, Judge Adelman also noted that a prison sentence was important punishment because of the serious nature of the offense and the need to deter other medical professionals who may be tempted to engage in similar unlawful prescribing practices.
“We trust our medical professionals to use their license and the authority granted to them to do only what is safe and in the best interests of their patient,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Schimel. “This defendant abused that trust and contributed significantly to the deadly drug epidemic afflicting our communities by selling dangerous drugs for cash. Like any other illegal drug trafficker, he belongs in prison for such conduct.”
“Medical professionals are entrusted with the health and safety of their patients, and that trust comes with an enormous responsibility,” said DEA Milwaukee Assistant Special Agent in Charge John G. McGarry. “DEA will continue working with our federal, state and local partners to identify those who divert controlled substances and hold them accountable.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration – Diversion Control Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Julie F. Stewart.
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Maui Man Admits to Selling Methamphetamine and CocaineRead the Press Release
HONOLULU – United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Douglas Taylor, a/k/a “Dougiie 2 Fresh,” 37, of Maui, pled guilty on October 2, 2026 to two counts of distributing more than fifty grams of methamphetamine. Sentencing is scheduled for January 19, 2027 before United States District Judge Jill A. Otake.
According to court records, Taylor agreed to sell a confidential source methamphetamine and cocaine over the course of ten controlled buys. As part of his plea agreement, Taylor admitted to selling 398.46 grams of methamphetamine, as well as 33.916 grams of cocaine, between October 2024 and August 2025.
Taylor faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000, plus a term of supervised release.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Maui Police Department investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeannette Graviss is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Massachusetts Man Convicted of Laundering $1.2M from Internet-Enabled Romance ScamsRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Massachusetts man was convicted on September 28, 2026, for his role in a multi-year conspiracy to launder money that was stolen from victims across the United States as a part of a series of internet-enabled romance scams, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Manaseh Mintah, 43, of Dracut, Massachusetts, was convicted of one count of money laundering conspiracy, three counts of money laundering, and one count of operating an unlicensed money transmitting business. Mintah was convicted following a two-week trial before U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court. Sentencing is scheduled for March 16, 2027.
“Cyber-enabled fraud schemes take advantage of vulnerable Americans, especially older Americans, stealing their hard-earned life savings and destroying families’ financial security. Transnational criminal networks may think that they can hide behind computer monitors, but our office, alongside our federal partners, will relentlessly track down these bad actors and the people who launder money on behalf of these criminal networks.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
“Romance‑scam network operators believe themselves untouchable, hiding behind keyboards and laundering money through shell companies with impunity,” said FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. “But reality hits hard when they hear a guilty verdict read out loud in a U.S. federal court. The FBI Newark Joint Organized Crime Task Force disrupts transnational groups to protect Americans who are being targeted and prevent them from losing their life savings to these malicious criminals.”
“Romance scams prey on the trust of vulnerable individuals and too often shatter their finances and lives. This verdict makes it clear that those who move illicit funds for fraudsters will be held accountable,” stated Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, IRS Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office. “IRS‑CI is dedicated to partnering with fellow law enforcement agencies to expose financial crimes that victimize our citizens.”
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial:
Mintah laundered money sent to him directly by victims of internet-enabled romance scams through numerous bank accounts opened in his own name, and also under the name of Dazionking LLC, a shell business entity that he formed to launder money. Mintah would then move these victim proceeds from the Dazionking accounts and his own personal account to coconspirators through wire transfers, cash withdrawals, and other means. As part of this scheme, Mintah received and transferred at least approximately $1.2 million, knowing that the transactions were for the purpose of disguising or hiding the proceeds of criminal activity.
The money laundering conspiracy charge and one of the money laundering charges carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Two of the money laundering charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The operating an unlicensed money transmitting business charge carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison. The money laundering charges each carry a potential fine of up to $500,000 and the operating an unlicensed money transmitting business charge carries a potential fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the FBI Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, New Jersey, and the FBI Cleveland Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joshua J. DelManzo in Cleveland, Ohio, with the investigation leading to the conviction. U.S. Attorney Frazer would also like to thank special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Jennifer Piovesan in Newark, as well as special agents of the HSI Detroit Field Office, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeremy Piercynski in Cleveland, Ohio, for their assistance in the case.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Levin, Chief of the Cybercrime Unit, and Sean Nadel of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsels: Michael V. Calabro, Esq. and Georgina Pallitto, Esq.
mintah.supersedingindictment.pdfMaryland Man Indicted for Producing, Possessing, Transporting Child Sex Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced, today, that a Maryland man is facing federal indictment in connection with child sex abuse crimes.
Charles Mark Wooters, 34, of Easton, is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child; transportation of child sex abuse material (CSAM); and receipt of CSAM; along with five counts of possession of CSAM.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office, and Chief Alan Lowrey, Easton Police Department.
According to the indictment, in November 2025, Wooters allegedly uploaded more than two dozen CSAM files, depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to an internet-based file storage account. Additionally, law enforcement found that Wooters possessed CSAM files on multiple electronic devices and an internet-based cloud storage account associated with his email address.
Wooters is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting a minor and a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years for transporting CSAM. He also faces a minimum of five years for receipt of CSAM, along with a maximum of 10 years for each count of possessing CSAM.
Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is 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 Attorney’s 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 justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and Easton Police Department for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Man Admits Shooting Two During St. Louis Drug Deal Gone WrongRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – A man from Pine Lawn, Missouri on Friday admitted shooting two men during a fentanyl deal gone wrong.
Terrance McKinnies, 39, of Pine Lawn, pleaded guilty to one count of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. As part of his plea, he admitted directing a group of people to the area of Cass Avenue and Collins Avenue in St. Louis on Dec. 12, 2024, to sell them fentanyl. McKinnies had sold fentanyl to the same group once already that day and once a day or two earlier. McKinnies arrived at the meeting first. When the buyers arrived, one got into the passenger seat of McKinnies’ car, a Chevrolet Cavalier. An armed man walked up, opened the passenger door and began to struggle with the buyer. The buyer pushed his assailant to the ground and began to run away. Both the assailant and McKinnies shot at the buyer. McKinnies continued to shoot after the group drove away. The buyer and one of the other passengers in that car were shot in the back and injured. In a later interview with law enforcement, McKinnies said he fired shots because the drug deal “went bad.”
McKinnies is scheduled to be sentenced on January 13. Both the U.S. Attorney’s office and McKinnies’ lawyer have agreed to recommend 10 years in prison.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Szczucinski is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Magnolia woman fraudulently bills Medicaid for nonexistent mental health servicesRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A 34-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to health care fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Tekiyah McLeod served as the registered agent for nLove Community Services LLC, which purported to provide mental health therapy services to Medicaid beneficiaries.
McLeod admitted billing Medicaid approximately $477,872 for mental health therapy services that were never provided, including services purportedly provided to herself. She also used a nurse practitioner’s name and National Provider Identifier to submit fraudulent claims without the practitioner’s knowledge or consent.
As a result of the fraudulent claims, McLeod received approximately $453,323 from Medicaid.
“Another day, another Medicaid fraudster brought to justice. Why are medical expenses so out of control in this country? In large part because of scammers like Tekiyah,” said U.S. Attorney Aaron Reitz. “Her conduct is despicable, and I trust she’ll have time to dwell on that while in prison for ripping off the American taxpayer.”
U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted the plea and will impose sentencing Dec. 16. At that time, McLeod faces up to 10 years in federal prison for health care fraud and a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years for aggravated identity theft as well as a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
McLeod was permitted to remain on bond pending sentencing.
The FBI conducted the investigation with assistance from the Texas Attorney General’s Office – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Virginia Office of the Attorney General – Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Alum is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division which 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.
Lynn Man Arrested and Charged for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lynn man has been arrested and charged with allegedly receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Zachary Brodeur, 37, was charged by criminal complaint with one count of receipt of child pornography. Following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Sept. 29, 2026, the defendant remains detained in state custody on related charges.
According to the charging documents, Brodeur was identified in an online chatroom in which he engaged with a law enforcement agent posing as a 14-year-old boy.
It is alleged that during a subsequent search of Brodeur’s cell phone, approximately 138 videos depicting CSAM were located in the phone’s downloads folder. It is further alleged that the videos depicted minors between the ages of five and 11 years old. Brodeur was convicted as a Youthful Offender for rape of a child and possession of child pornography in Massachusetts state courts.
The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a sentence of at least 15 years and up to 40 years in prison, at least five years and up to a lifetime 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. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lynn Police Department and the Scituate Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Conroy of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The details contained in the charging document are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in the court of law.
Libya native convicted by a federal jury of threatening two WDNY judgesRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal jury has convicted Akram Marseet, 42, a native of Libya living in Golden, Colorodo, with threatening to murder two Rochester Federal judges while they were engaged in the performance of their official duties. The conviction carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
“Today’s verdict reinforces a fundamental principle: threats against members of our judiciary will never be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. “Judges deserve to carry out their work free from intimidation and threats of violence.”
According to testimony presented by the Government, Marseet was the plaintiff in a civil case in United States District Court for the Western District of New York. In January 2024, a federal judge dismissed Marseet’s case.
On January 10, 2024, the U.S. Marshals Service received a report that a direct threat was conveyed via a telephone call to the Clerks’ Office for the Western District of New York and included individuals protected by the Marshals Service. The caller identified himself as Akram Marseet, who stated a pending case number and began to discuss the details of his civil case. The clerk who took the call had spoken to Marseet several times in the past and recognized his voice. Prior to the phone call, Marseet also visited the clerk’s office on multiple occasions.
Marseet became very agitated during the phone conversation because his case was dismissed. He made several statements regarding two judges as being “dirty sons of (expletive)” and criminals. Marseet stated, “If I ever come across any of you, you will be dead sons of (expletive).”
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Everardo A. Rodriguez and Katelyn M. Hartford. The verdict is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina, the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 1, 2027, before Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes of the Northern District of New York, who presided over the trial of the case.
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