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Monday 4 May 2026
Jackson Man Involved in Shooting Pleads Guilty to being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Jackson, MS – A Jackson man pleaded guilty on Friday, April 17th in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement officers responded to a shooting at Robinson Street on September 15, 2025 in Jackson. The investigation revealed that Derrick Epps, 44, was in possession of a firearm, pursued, and confronted another man outside of a convenience store before opening fire. At the time of the shooting, Epps had previously been convicted of armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault by firearm, and assault on a law enforcement officer, all in Hinds County.
Epps is scheduled to be sentenced on July 23, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Baxter Kruger of the Southern District of Mississippi and FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case with assistance from the Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant U.S. Attorney C. Brett Grantham is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Iowa Farmer Pleads Guilty to Multi-Year Bankruptcy Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
An Iowa farmer who stole over $250,000 from his business partner and filed dozens of false documents over multiple years in bankruptcy court pled guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Kurt Patrick Krauskopf, age 49, from Decorah, Iowa, was convicted of one count of bankruptcy fraud.
In a plea agreement, Krauskopf admitted that he is a Winneshiek County farmer. Krauskopf had a business partnership with another individual, who grew corn and soybeans on various farms in Northeast Iowa. Between 2021 and 2023, Krauskopf sold over $250,000 of the partnerships’ crops to third parties under the false and fraudulent pretense that Krauskopf personally owned the corn and soybeans. Krauskopf then used the sales proceeds from the stolen corn and soybeans for his own sole and exclusive benefit and without his business partner’s knowledge.
In April 2021, Krauskopf filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 12 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Iowa. Chapter 12 is a special chapter of the Bankruptcy Code that is designed to help certain farmers who are struggling financially to propose and carry out a plan to repay their debts. While the case is pending, the farmer-debtor is required to file sworn monthly operating reports that truthfully disclose the farmer’s monthly income and expenses. As part of his plea agreement, Krauskopf admitted that, between 2021 and 2023, he filed dozens of false monthly operating reports in which he failed to disclose income from the sale of his partner’s grain.
Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Krauskopf remains free on bond pending sentencing. Krauskopf faces a possible maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
Krauskopf is the third person convicted this year in the Northern District of Iowa for bankruptcy related offenses. In February, a jury convicted the former president of a defunct Eastern Iowa telecommunications infrastructure business, Dennis Clifford Bruce, age 51, from Marion, Iowa, of one count of conspiracy, two counts of bankruptcy concealment, one count of false bankruptcy declaration, two counts of false statement under oath, and one count of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity. In April, Donita Eckrich, age 64, from Coralville, Iowa, pled guilty to one count of bankruptcy fraud after she admitted she had used the bankruptcy court to defraud a nursing home out of more than $70,000.
The Krauskopf case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Timothy L. Vavricek and was investigated by the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 26-CR-2014.
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Illegal Alien Charged with Unlicensed Dealing of FirearmsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Brazilian national, unlawfully residing in Milford, Mass., has been charged for allegedly dealing firearms without a license. Specifically, the defendant allegedly sold firearms, including a ghost gun to a confidential informant.
Caua Da Silva, 21, was charged in federal court in Worcester with one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license.
According to the charging documents, beginning in July of 2025, an investigation began into Da Silva as a potential source of illegal firearms sales in Massachusetts. As part of the investigation, it was determined that Da Silva is not lawfully present in the United States. Between November of 2025 and April 21, 2026, Da Silva sold firearms to a confidential informant on several different occasions. One of the firearms that Da Silva sold was a privately manufactured firearm, or a “ghost gun.”
The charge of unlicensed dealing in firearms provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The defendant is subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. 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 Thomas Greco, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, Massachusetts State Police, the Milford Police Department, Worcester Police Department, Marlborough Police Department and the Hudson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case was investigated and prosecuted by the Boston Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) as part of Operation Take Back America. HSTFs, which were established by President Trump in Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, are joint operations led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Operation Take Back America is a nationwide federal initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
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.
Husband Found Guilty of Strangling His Wife in Argument over Laundry DetergentRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Johnny Gregory, 42, of Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a Superior Court jury today for charges stemming from strangling his wife in January 2026, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Gregory was found guilty of one count of strangulation. The Honorable Deborah Israel scheduled sentencing for July 31, 2026.
“Today’s guilty verdict reflects the seriousness of the defendant’s actions. He chose violence, and he will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “My office is committed to supporting survivors of domestic violence and prosecuting these cases to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to the government’s evidence, on January 5, 2026, Gregory and his wife got into an argument over laundry detergent. Gregory pushed his wife to the ground, punched her several times in the face, put his knee on her chest, and strangled her with two hands. The victim lost consciousness and urinated on herself. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for her injuries. The victim’s 15-year-old daughter was present at the time of the assault.
Gregory was arrested on January 6, 2026, 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 and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrea Friedman and Charles Klug.
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Hillsborough County Man Convicted of Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Tampa, Florida – A federal jury has found Jordan O’Keefe Woods (33, Seffner) guilty of two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of inducement to travel to engage in prostitution. Woods faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to evidence presented at trial, on September 22, 2024, and July 22, 2025, Woods knowingly trafficked the victim in reckless disregard of the fact that means of force, threats of force, and coercion would be used to cause the victim to engage in a commercial sex act. Woods orchestrated the victim’s commercial sexual activity, determining rates for sex acts and managing communication with soliciting dates, and controlled all the victim’s money.
Additionally, on September 20, 2024, and July 20, 2025, Woods knowingly persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced Victim 1 to travel from North Carolina to Florida to engage in prostitution and sexual activity. Law enforcement encountered the victim at hotels in Tampa, Florida in 2024 and 2025 and observed Woods conducting countersurveillance at both locations while the victim engaged in commercial sexual activity.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.
HSTF: Operation Mousetrap Leads to Midtown Takedown: Multiple Charged in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Connected to 540-Kilogram Cocaine Seizure in MiamiRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal grand jury has charged five South Florida defendants for their roles in a cocaine trafficking organization tied to an international network moving narcotics from Colombia through the Dominican Republic into South Florida.
The indictment charges Daniel “Mickey” Hernandez, 38, of Miami; Frank Gonzalez, 45, of Hialeah; Alexander “Al Biggs” Walker Caraballo, 50, of Miami; Jose Luis “Lil Cuz” Diaz, Jr., also known as “Pri,” 33, of Miami Gardens; and Humberto “Kiki” Moreno, 42, of Miami, with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Hernandez and Diaz are also charged with distribution offenses. Walker and Gonzalez face additional charges for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of firearms and ammunition as convicted felons.
According to court documents, the defendants were part of a Miami-based drug distribution network responsible for kilogram-level cocaine trafficking. Investigators identified Hernandez as a key distributor, with Moreno, Caraballo, and Gonzalez among his suppliers and associates. Agents traced the operation to a high-rise in Midtown Miami, where cocaine was stored and prepared for distribution.
The investigation builds on prior High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) efforts targeting cocaine routes between Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and South Florida, including Operation Final Voyage, which led to the prosecution of high-level traffickers and cooperation from more than 90 defendants.
As part of those efforts, Operation Horseman’s Voyage targeted maritime trafficking networks responsible for importing large quantities of cocaine into South Florida, while Operation Mouse Trap focused on local retail and wholesale distributors. Investigators identified a network importing up to 1,700 kilograms of cocaine aboard high-end fishing vessels traveling from the Dominican Republic to Miami.
The Miami-based distribution operation was allegedly led by Andy Gabriel Mercedes-Hernandez, who directed the receipt, storage, and distribution of cocaine shipments with the assistance of approximately 20 associates, including boat captains, enforcers, and street-level distributors.
The investigation led to multiple enforcement actions. In October 2025, law enforcement arrested two defendants and seized more than $250,000 in drug proceeds concealed in a vehicle. In a separate interdiction, law enforcement seized more than 1,600 kilograms of cocaine from a vessel.
The investigation culminated in a search warrant executed at a Midtown Miami luxury high-rise apartment, where agents seized approximately 536 kilograms of cocaine, 14 firearms — including an unserialized AK-47 — and roughly $3.1 million in cash. Walker was later arrested, and agents recovered additional cocaine packaged for street-level distribution, along with bulk cash concealed in hidden compartments in his vehicle.
In the days that followed, law enforcement arrested additional members of the organization, including Jesus Alberto Salcedo-Perez, Keisy Estibet Peguero, Enmanuel Amauris Rivera-Cabrera, and Mario Joel Rijo-Jimenez. A federal grand jury had already charged several co-conspirators, and additional charges have been filed against others, including cocaine suppliers based in the Dominican Republic and Colombia.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life for the conspiracy charge. Walker and Gonzalez also face additional consecutive sentences of up to life for firearms offenses and up to 15 years for possessing firearms as convicted felons.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Miles Aley of the DEA Miami Field Office made the announcement.
DEA Miami is leading the investigation, with support from the ATF Street Terror Offender Program (STOP) Team, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, City of Miami Police Department, Miami Beach Police Department, City of Homestead Police Department, City of Aventura Police Department, Sunny Isles Beach Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Protection, and the Florida National Guard.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Almas Abdulla is prosecuting the case against the Operation Mouse Trap defendants, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Anika Miranda handling asset forfeiture. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn Kirkpatrick is prosecuting the Operation Horseman’s Voyage defendants, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabrielle Raemy Charest-Turken overseeing asset forfeiture.
This prosecution is part of the HSTF initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Miami comprises agents and officers from ATF, DEA, HSI, BSO, USMS, and USPIS.
An indictment/complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.sdfl.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.sdfl.uscourts.gov, under case numbers 26-cr-20092 and 26-cr-20135.
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Guatemalan Illegal Alien Sentenced for Reentry of a Removed AlienRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle announced that LUCAS TINOCO-TIERES (“TINOCO-TIERES”), age 42, a native of Guatemala, was sentenced on April 29, 2026, for reentry of removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
According to court documents, TINOCO-TIERES, a Guatemalan national, was found in St. Tammany Parish on or around February 18, 2025. He had previously been deported to Guatemala on February 23, 2007.
United States District Judge Lance M. Africk sentenced TINOCO-TIERES to 21 months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release. A mandatory special assessment fee of $100 was also ordered. Upon completing his sentence, the defendant will be deported to Guatemala.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Spiro G. Latsis of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.
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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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Guatemalan Alien Indicted for Illegal Reentry and Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Selvin J. Tello-Perez, 24, of Guatemala, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with illegal reentry by a removed alien and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Tello-Perez appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 8:30 am, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Tello-Perez faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and up to two years’ imprisonment for illegal reentry.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Global ransomware group negotiator involved in $56 million cyberattacks sentenced to 8.5 years in prisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – A Latvian national was sentenced in federal court here today to 102 months in prison for his role as a negotiator in one of the most notorious ransomware groups in the world, known as Karakurt, TommyLeaks and SchoolBoys Ransomware.
Deniss Zolotarjovs, 35, was arrested overseas in December 2023 and transferred to the United States’ custody in August 2024. He pleaded guilty in July 2025 to conspiring to commit both money laundering and wire fraud.
Ransomware is a type of cybercrime that typically involves an intrusion into a victim’s network to steal and/or encrypt the victim’s data via malware, followed by an extortion demand seeking the payment of a ransom in cryptocurrency. The attacks identified in this case included client records like Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, home addresses, healthcare information and the shutdown of a government entity’s 911 system.
“Ransomware groups disrupt victims’ lives, cruelly extracting money through psychological manipulation and fear. And they create lingering security issues,” said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II for the Southern District of Ohio. “Cybercriminals might think they are invulnerable by hiding behind anonymizing tools and complex cryptocurrency patterns while they attack American victims from non-extradition countries. But Zolotarjovs’s prosecution shows that federal law enforcement also has a global reach, and we will hold accountable bad actors like Zolotarjovs, who will now spend significant time in prison.”
“With this sentence, a cruel, ruthless, and dangerous international cybercriminal is now behind bars,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Deniss Zolotarjovs helped his ransomware gang profit from hacks of dozens of companies, and even on a government entity whose 911 system was forced offline. He also used stolen children’s health information to increase his leverage to extort victim payments. The Criminal Division will continue to investigate and prosecute international hackers and extortionists from around the world, no matter where they live or operate.”
“Cybercriminals like Deniss Zolotarjovs may try to hide in the shadows, but the FBI will find them,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Jason Cromartie. “This case demonstrates the relentless pursuit by our FBI special agents, working with partners across the globe, to hold this criminal accountable for the millions of dollars he extorted from U.S. organizations.”
During Zolotarjovs’s involvement in the ransomware conspiracy from June 2021 through March 2023, the group had at least 53 victims and caused more than $56 million in actual losses. Victim companies and clients of victim companies were located in the Southern District of Ohio.
According to court documents, Zolotarjovs was an essential part of the conspiracy in which data was stolen and then used for extortion. Online chats show that Zolotarjovs was personally involved in directly negotiating with victim companies and in strategizing on the extortion threats with coconspirators. Zolotarjovs did not personally execute cyber penetrations against victim companies. Rather, Zolotarjovs’s role was to analyze the data that was stolen and conduct or advise on ransom negotiations.
For example, Zolotarjovs helped escalate the pressure on a pediatric healthcare victim company who was refusing to promptly pay a ransom by deliberately leveraging “patient lists and histories.”. Zolotarjovs also recommend publishing pediatric patient data on the darkweb to punish the victim company for not complying with the organization’s demands.
The defendant would receive 10 percent of the ransom payments he negotiated. He was paid in cryptocurrency, which was then moved through multiple wallets before the funds were ultimately exchanged for Russian rubles.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; A Tysen Duva, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division; and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Barrett.
Law enforcement leaders commended the FBI offices in Cleveland, San Diego, Richmond and Salt Lake City for their vital roles in the investigation and officials in Georgia for their role in the extradition. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing Zolotarjovs’s extradition from Georgia.
Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Timothy S. Mangan, Assistant United States Attorney Matthew C. Singer and Department of Justice Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section Trial Attorney Benjamin A. Bleiberg and Senior Counsel Bryce B. Rosenbower are representing the United States in this case.
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Gainesville Area Gang Member Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Devon Oliver, 18, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for possession of a firearm with a removed serial number. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our communities have been plagued by gang violence for too long, and Operation Take Back America is devoting the full might of the Department of Justice toward removing those dangerous, violent criminals from our streets. This successful prosecution is yet another win for the citizens of the Northern District of Florida, and a reassurance that my office remains committed to delivering the safe streets that they deserve.”
Court documents reflect that on October 22, 2025, the defendant, a documented member of a local gang, was in possession of a firearm with a removed serial number. The firearm, which had an extended magazine loaded with 22 rounds of ammunition, was recovered after the defendant attempted to flee from law enforcement through a Gainesville apartment complex:
“A weapon with its serial number removed and loaded with an extended magazine is a direct threat to every resident and every officer who encounters it,” said Chief Moya, Gainesville Police Department. “We will have zero tolerance for violent offenders who arm themselves unlawfully, and we will continue working relentlessly to take these guns off our streets.”
After serving two years in prison, Oliver will be on supervised release for an additional three years, during which he will be on home detention for six months.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
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.
Fremont Company Agrees to Pay Nearly One Million Dollars to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Involving Paycheck Protection Program LoanRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Fremont-based Innodisk USA has agreed to pay a total of $950,000 to settle allegations that it knowingly violated the False Claims Act when it received and retained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, in violation of PPP rules.
Congress created the PPP in March 2020, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to provide emergency financial support to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized billions of dollars in forgivable loans to small businesses struggling to pay employees and other business expenses. Applicants for a “second-draw” PPP loan were required to certify, among other things, that they, together with their affiliates, employed no more than 300 employees and that they had a decrease in gross receipts in excess of 25 percent compared to an earlier time period.
Innodisk USA is a subsidiary of Innodisk Corporation, a multinational Taiwanese company that is a service-driven provider of industrial embedded flash and DRAM memory products and technologies. The United States alleged that Innodisk USA applied for and obtained a second-draw PPP loan on March 17, 2021, even though the company was not eligible because it exceeded the requisite size standards when including affiliated entities, including its parent company, and because it had not experienced the requisite revenue reduction. According to the United States, despite knowing that it was not eligible for the second-draw loan, Innodisk USA sought and obtained forgiveness of the loan.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian and SBA General Counsel Wendell Davis made the announcement.
The settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Blockquote, Inc. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Blockquote, Inc. v. Innodisk Corp., USA, 3:24-cv-02949-WHO (N.D. Cal.). Blockquote, Inc. will receive $95,000 in connection with the settlement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Savith Iyengar handled this matter. The resolution resulted from a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and SBA’s Office of General Counsel.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.
Fort Dodge Woman Pleads Guilty to Fentanyl ConspiracyRead the Press Release
A woman who conspired to distribute fentanyl pled guilty today in federal court in Sioux City.
Leslie Jo Fanning, age 36, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl.
At the plea hearing, Fanning admitted that between about 2021 and continuing to about June 2024, in the Webster County, Iowa, she and others reached an agreement or came to an understanding to distribute fentanyl. On three separate occasions in May of 2024, Fanning distributed blue pills marked “M-30” which contained fentanyl to an individual cooperating with law enforcement at her residence in Fort Dodge. Fanning admitted to distributing thousands of pills containing fentanyl over the course of the conspiracy.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Fanning is in the custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Fanning faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following any imprisonment of three years up to life.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Fort Dodge Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-03058.
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Former University Professor Convicted for Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — Following a bench trial before visiting U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake, Rodger Githens, 48, of West Sacramento, was found guilty of attempted enticement of a minor and receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
“This verdict stems from overwhelming evidence of a sickening attempt by a privileged defendant to sexually abuse a 7-year-old child,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Protecting children from sexual exploitation is one of my highest priorities, and my office will continue to pursue these cases with the urgency and care they demand.”
According to court documents, Githens had been employed as a professor at a local university and had worked as a consultant for other colleges and universities. In March 2023, Githens, using the profile “Tall laid back,” initiated contact with a Grindr account controlled by an undercover agent. Githens quickly encouraged the undercover agent to establish a Telegram account, which he considered more secure. Githens told the agent he had taboo thoughts every day and was into “babies.” Githens stated that he “would love to have a dad or uncle invite me” and then described in graphic detail what he would like to do with the undercover agent and the agent’s fictional 7-year-old niece. Several times Githens discussed traveling to Fresno to meet the agent and the fictional niece, but on April 19, 2023, law enforcement served a search warrant at Githens’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices. Agents discovered numerous Telegram chats on Githens’s phone including several in which he was exchanging and commenting on videos of young children being raped.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from the West Sacramento Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gappa and McKenzie Hightower of the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section are prosecuting the case.
Githens is scheduled to be sentenced on July 20, 2026, by Judge Otake. Githens faces prison terms of between five and 20 years for the child sexual abuse material charge and from 10 years to life for the attempted enticement charge. He also faces potential fines of $250,000 for each charge, and a lifetime term of supervised release. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case 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 those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Hosts All-Hands Meeting with ATFRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – On April 8, 2026, First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone hosted an all-hands meeting at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Syracuse alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo.
The meeting focused on the U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF’s shared mission, past accomplishments, current priorities, and future coordination efforts. Criminal Division Chief Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Deputy Chief Nicolas Commandeur also delivered remarks, emphasizing continued interagency collaboration and a commitment to upholding federal law.
FAUSA Sarcone stated: “ATF agents work alongside federal prosecutors in my Office every day to ensure the safety of the citizens of this District. I am grateful for their partnership and continued collaboration, which has saved countless lives and prevented untold harms, particularly from violence caused by guns and the dangerous criminals who illegally use them.”
SAC DiGirolamo stated: “Violent crime reduction is a shared responsibility, and our partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office is central to that mission. Together, we are leveraging intelligence, investigative tools, and prosecutorial strength to target the most dangerous offenders and make our communities safer.”
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Felon Sentenced to Seven and a Half Years in Prison for Possessing AmmunitionRead the Press Release
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Tyrone Kenneth Smith, Jr., age 29 of Grand Rapids, was sentenced to 90 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. In imposing sentence, U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker noted that it was “miraculous that no one was seriously hurt . . . [or] killed” when Smith fired off a semiautomatic weapon with a high-capacity magazine in a crowded venue.
U.S. Attorney Timothy VerHey said, “We chose Smith for federal prosecution on this firearms charge because he has repeatedly refused to abide by laws that say he cannot have a firearm. After being convicted no fewer than four times for felony firearms offenses in the State of Michigan, he went out and got himself yet another gun, then took it to a crowded public gathering and fired it off. Through his actions, Smith has told us all that he is a menace to the rest of us, and he cannot be rehabilitated. He deserves the sentence he got today, and we will be watching him when he is eventually allowed out of prison.”
On June 22, 2025, a large group of young people gathered on the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids. Smith was there and pulled a gun from his waistband and fired four rounds, causing everyone to flee the bridge. Surveillance video at the bridge captured the incident; Smith is circled in the image below and a muzzle flash is also visible.
The firearm was recovered and was a Polymer P80 pistol with an extended magazine, these privately made firearms are called “ghost guns” because they do not have serial numbers and are therefore difficult to track.[1] Four shots were fired on the bridge and the extended magazine was loaded with an additional 22 live rounds when it was recovered by police later that night.
“When a convicted felon chooses to unlawfully possess ammunition and a firearm in an attempt to spread fear and cause panic, they should expect swift justice and the full weight of federal law,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The defendant’s actions endangered lives and threatened public safety in a place where visitors deserve peace. I commend the excellent investigative work of our FBI Grand Rapids Resident Agency, alongside the Grand Rapids Police Department, whose partnership uncovered critical evidence leading to the defendant’s arrest.”
“Grand Rapids Police Department appreciates the partnership between local law enforcement, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to address violent crime, and especially gun violence, in our community,” said Interim GRPD Chief Joe Trigg. “Every offender that faces accountability means a safer community for us all.”
The FBI and the Grand Rapids Police Department investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexis M. Sanford prosecuted it.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
[1] https://www.atf.gov/firearms/privately-made-firearms
Erie Resident Sentenced to over Seven-and-a-Half Years in Prison for Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 92 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his conviction of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Shawn Geer, 49.
According to information presented to the Court, on or about July 2, 2023, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Geer possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Geer.
Eastern District of Virginia prosecutes 15 child exploitation cases under Project Safe Childhood in the previous monthRead the Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) prosecuted 15 defendants during the month of April under 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 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the 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.
EDVA brought two new Project Safe Childhood cases during April while achieving eight convictions and five substantial sentences, including a life sentence.
Indictments
On April 7, a federal grand jury indicted Bryan Brooke, 63, of Bates City, Missouri, on a charge of distribution of CSAM. Case No. 3: 26-cr-40
On April 8, a grand jury indicted Nicolas Antonio Lainez, 19, of Hawaii, on counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, sexual exploitation of a child, and transportation of CSAM. Lainez was charged by criminal complaint on March 12 with production of CSAM and transportation of CSAM. Lainez was living with a family on Fort Eustis when he allegedly recorded himself sexually exploiting a six-year-old victim. Case No. 4: 26-CR-28
Pleas
Malachi Morgan Thomas, 24, of Woodbridge, pled guilty on April 2 to sexually exploiting more than 40 minor girls on Snapchat. Thomas coerced the victims, between the ages of 12 and 17, to engage in sexually explicit conduct and directed them to create and send him CSAM. Thomas flew to another state and travelled to a victim’s home where he engaged in sex with her. On Oct. 1, 2020, Fairfax County Police arrested Thomas on charges of rape and sodomy of two minors in Fairfax County. Thomas is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24 and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to 40 years in prison. Case No. 1:25-cr-327
On April 21, Tucker Lee Martin pled guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of children. In 2021, Martin used his Tumblr account to upload a photo of himself engaged in a sexual act while seated next to a three-year-old toddler. Martin also used Snapchat to send graphic photos of himself and solicit CSAM from adults and minors, including asking a child to engage in bestiality. Investigators identified 195 files of suspected CSAM on Martin’s cellphone and 172 files on his Kik account. Martin is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 17 and faces a mandatory minimum of imprisonment of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. Case No. 2:26-cr-32
On April 22, William Thomas Alley, 41, of Hampton, pled guilty to receiving CSAM. Alley used the Kik and Telegram apps to chat with other users about CSAM, and Alley solicited CSAM online. On four of Alley’s electronic devices, investigators identified 398 images of CSAM, including images of toddlers, bestiality, and bondage, and 58 video files of CSAM. Alley is scheduled to be sentenced on July 21 and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. Case No. 4:26-cr-14
On April 22, Christopher Charles Collins, 40, of Newport News, pled guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a child and receipt of CSAM. On Oct. 28, 2025, while on probation, Collins communicated over the Chatiw app and Dischord platform with a person he believed was a 14-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Collins arranged to meet the purported for sex. Law enforcement arrested Collins when he arrived at the prearranged location. Investigators identified numerous CSAM images on Collins’ cellphone. Collins is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30 and faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years and up to life in prison. Case No. 4:26-cr-19
On April 23, Randon Alexander Sprinkle, 31, of Richmond, pled guilty to distribution of CSAM. On May 22, 2025, Sprinkle used the Jack’d online dating app to contact a person he believed to be the father of a nine-year-old child, but who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Sprinkle asked to move the conversation to Telegram and sent the officer a CSAM image. Investigators later identified numerous CSAM images on Sprinkle’s electronic devices. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 26 and Sprinkle faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. Case No. 3:26-cr-2
On April 30, William Dana Holcomb, 70, of Hampton, pled guilty to distribution of CSAM. From April 4-7, 2025, Holcomb engaged in chats in which he offered to pay for “Early Young Teen girl or 10 and Under hopefully.” Among numerous other requests Holcomb made in chats, in one he asked to have sex with a seven-year-old. Investigators identified CSAM on Holcomb’s cellphone, and he admitted that he had distributed CSAM. Holcomb is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10 and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. Case No. 4:25-cr-80
On April 30, David Brent Timberlake, 65, of Henrico, pled guilty to receiving CSAM. Between April 3, 2021, and Aug. 6, 2022, Timberlake requested CSAM files through a peer-to-peer network. For example, on Aug. 6, 2022, Timberlake requested and received a video depicting a victim between 4 and 6 years old being sexually abused by two adult males. That file and numerous other CSAM files were found on Timberlake’s electronic devices. Timberlake is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26 and faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison. Case No. 3:26-cr-26
Trial
On April 23, a federal jury convicted registered sex offender Richard Scott Tyson of sexually exploiting two minors. Tyson, 57, of Gum Spring, was convicted in 2002 of rape involving a child, for which he received a 99-year prison sentence with 86 years suspended. Between 2021 and 2023, Tyson enticed the minors with gifts and trips to hotels, resorts, and amusement parks. During these activities and trips, as well as at Tyson’s home, Tyson engaged in sexual relations with one of the victims and took pictures of both minor victims while they were nude or mostly undressed and posed in sexualized positions in exchange for money. Tyson faces a mandatory minimum of 35 years and up to life in prison when sentenced on July 29. Case No. 3:24-cr-34
Sentencing
Yahmir Deshawn Kawante Hamlet, 25, of Hampton, was sentenced on April 14 to 20 years in prison for coercing minors to produce CSAM. On Dec. 6, 2023, FBI investigators searched Hamlet’s residence and seized devices containing 425 image files and 122 video files of CSAM, including infants and toddlers, masochism, and bestiality. The devices also included sexually explicit conversations between Hamlet and two minors, whom Hamlet paid for sexually explicit images and videos. Case No. 4:25-cr-36
On April 16, Jorge Antonio Escobar, 50, a Colombian national residing in Virginia, was sentenced to eight years in prison for receipt of CSAM. Escobar downloaded and saved images and videos of children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, including depictions of prepubescent minors. Case No. 1:25-cr-283
On April 22, Michael Logan Bourne, 55, of Chantilly, was sentenced to 27 years in prison following his conviction for sexually exploiting minors he targeted online. From February 2022 to April 2023, Bourne used an anonymous Google account to sexually exploit at least six girls to whom he referred as his “slaves,” and persuaded them to “serve” and “please” him by engaging in sexually explicit conduct on live webcams. Bourne received child sexual abuse material from two of his victims. Case No. 1:25-cr-218
On April 23, Dominic Nathaniel Torres, 23, a U.S. Navy sailor stationed in Norfolk, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sex and the coercion of seven other minor victims. Torres strategically targeted middle and high school age girls through social media, then bypassed the security protocols of age restricted social media communities by presenting himself as a minor and using younger photos. Torres requested and received sexually explicit images and videos from minor victims and sent the minors sexually graphic photos and videos of himself. In 2024, Torres travelled to a minor victim’s neighborhood, picked her up near her home, and engaged in sex with her on two separate occasions. Case No. 2:25-cr-10
On April 28, Anthony George Ruggiero, 42, of Gloucester, was sentenced to life in prison following his conviction for sexually abusing a foreign exchange student and receiving child sexual abuse material. In 2021 and 2022, Ruggiero sexually abused and exploited the student while his family hosted her in their home. Ruggiero continued to engage in sexually explicit messages with the student after she returned to her home country, including requesting sexually explicit photos and offering her sexually explicit photos. A federal jury convicted Ruggiero on Nov. 20, 2025. Case No. 4:24-cr-39
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Indictments are merely accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Dominican Republic National Pleads Guilty to Possession of Ammunition by an Illegal Alien in Connection with Shooting of Off-Duty Federal Customs and Border Protection OfficerRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), Michael Alfonso, and Director of the New York Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), Frank Russo, announced today that MIGUEL FRANCISCO MORA NUNEZ pled guilty to possessing ammunition as an illegal alien in connection with the July 19, 2025, shooting of an off-duty CBP Officer in Manhattan. MORA NUNEZ pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Loretta A. Preska and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1, 2026.
“Miguel Mora Nunez shot a federal officer in the face,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Gun-toting criminals threaten our families, our communities, and our law enforcement professionals, who strive every day to keep us safe. New Yorkers want criminals who use guns off the streets, and we are committed to delivering that result.”
“Last year's shooting of an off-duty CBP officer was an attack on the greater law enforcement community and on the rule of law itself, and this guilty plea is a significant step toward holding the defendant accountable and making clear that such violence will not be tolerated,” said HSI Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “Together with our vital partners, HSI New York will continue to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks, ensuring our city, and our country, remain safe.”
“This guilty plea is an important step toward accountability for a brazen act of violence against one of our officers,” said CBP’s Director of New York Field Operations Frank Russo. “Our focus remains on the well-being and recovery of our colleague, and on safeguarding the men and women who serve our communities every day. We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and the NYPD for their exceptional work. Their continued partnership helps keep New York City safer and ensures that those who commit violent acts are brought to justice.”
As alleged in the charging instruments and statements made in public filings and public court proceedings:
On or about July 19, 2025, at approximately 11:50 p.m., MORA NUNEZ shot an off-duty CBP Officer in Fort Washington Park in Manhattan. A bullet MORA NUNEZ fired struck the CBP Officer in the face and right arm. The CBP Officer appeared to return fire, hitting MORA NUNEZ twice, before MORA NUNEZ fled on a motorbike driven by his co-defendant.
MORA NUNEZ entered the U.S. illegally, is in the U.S. unlawfully, and is subject to an order of removal from the U.S.
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MORA NUNEZ, 22, of the Dominican Republic, pled guilty to one count of possession of ammunition as an illegal alien, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton thanked Homeland Security Investigations, CBP, and the New York City Police Department for their assistance in this case.
This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mostafa Khairy, Samantha Fry, and Christy Slavik are in charge of the prosecution.
Destin Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Clarence Brandon Walton, 54, of Destin, Florida pleaded guilty in federal court to failure to register as a sex offender. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “SORNA registration requirements are a vital tool to keep our communities safe and informed when a sex offender moves into a neighborhood. The safety of our communities is not negotiable, and my office will aggressively prosecute any sex offender who fails to register their movements as required by the law.”
Court documents reflect that in July 2006 the defendant pleaded guilty to an offense that requires him to register as a sexual offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The defendant stopped complying with the registration requirements in December 2023, after which an arrest warrant was issued in Georgia for failure to register. On August 15, 2024, an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed the defendant dropping off a child at an elementary school. The deputy discovered the defendant was a sex offender and found no records indicating that he had ever registered as a sex offender in the State of Florida, as required by SORNA.
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Collaboration Between Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement Leads to Major Drug and Firearm Seizures in Broome CountyRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – A collaborative operation between federal, state and local agencies has led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illicit drugs and 20 firearms over the past year in Broome County.
The announcement was made by First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Craig L. Tremaroli, and Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar.
The operation – called Operation Clean Sweep – led to the seizure of 475 grams of fentanyl, 63 pounds of methamphetamine, 2.374 kilograms of liquid methadone, 350 grams of crack cocaine, 1.6 kilograms of cocaine, 2.6 pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, and 400 pounds of marijuana and THC products. It also led to the seizure of 20 firearms illegally possessed.
“Since I was appointed to lead this Office on March 17, 2025, one of my top priorities has been improving and solidifying the collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement in this District, because this collaboration saves lives,” said FAUSA Sarcone. “I have worked tirelessly to achieve that goal and ensure that none of the 32 counties we serve was left behind in the process. This is no truer than in Broome County, where the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff and the dedicated members of state and local law enforcement finally—after 5 long agonizing years of ‘social justice,’ e.g., ‘bail reform’ legislation that stripped away law enforcements ability to investigate, arrest, detain and prosecute violent criminals—with the help of my office and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s Department of Justice, our law enforcement partners in the Northern District of New York can once again use every legal tool at their disposal compliments of the U.S. Department of Justice to once again maximize its ability to protect the public from those who possess illegal firearms, traffic illegal drugs that destroy lives, families, and communities.”
FAUSA Sarcone continued: “I am thrilled to announce some of the stellar results of Operation Clean Sweep along with my partners in combatting crime: the fine law enforcement officials of the Broome County District Attorney’s office led by DA Paul Battisti, the Sheriff’s office led by Fred Akshar, the Binghamton, Vestal, Johnson City and Endicott Police Departments, and our great partners in the New York State Police Troop C, and our federal partners, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, USPIS, and IRS-CI. I assure the public that these incredible seizures and arrests are just part of many successful operations to come in the Northern District of New York.”
“All of this has been removed from the street because Broome County law enforcement is collaborating with our federal, state and local partners,” DA Battisti said. “We have incredible members of law enforcement here in Broome County and every day this collaboration gets stronger.”
SAC Tremaroli stated: “Operation Clean Sweep was a remarkable success because of the incredible partnerships we have at every level of law enforcement within Broome County and beyond. Because while we all may wear a different badge, every one of us has the shared mission of keeping our communities safe and we know we can best accomplish that mission when we work together.”
Sheriff Akshar stated: “The interagency partnership of Operation Clean Sweep should send a clear message to those who continue to peddle poison in our community, to those who possess illegal firearms, and to those who choose violence and put the lives of our community members in danger in Broome County: We are coming for you and you will be held accountable. Our community demands it.”
Pictured above (left to right): Sheriff Akshar, FAUSA Sarcone, DA Battisti, and SAC Tremaroli.
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Burbank Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling $1.8 Million in Money and Property Left to Elderly VictimRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – A San Fernando Valley man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for embezzling approximately $1.8 million from an estate left to an elderly victim by the victim’s late brother.
Jamal Nathan Dawood, 55, a.k.a. “Jimmy Dawood,” of Burbank, was sentenced by United States District Judge James V. Selna, who also ordered him to pay $1,862,352 in restitution and fined him $30,000.
At the conclusion of a seven-day trial in July 2025, a jury found Dawood guilty of six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering.
During the second half of 2019, Dawood offered to assist the victim with the management of real estate properties and retirement savings that the victim had inherited from the victim’s deceased brother. Specifically, Dawood helped the victim open a trust account at a bank for the purpose of managing the retirement savings.
Without the victim’s knowledge or authorization, Dawood then initiated wire and online banking transfers from the victim’s trust account to Dawood-controlled accounts. Without the victim’s knowledge or permission, Dawood also wired money from the victim’s trust account to people with whom Dawood had personal and business relationships.
Dawood convinced the victim to transfer ownership of his home and his late brother’s real estate holdings to various companies. Dawood falsely represented that the victim would retain an ownership interest in his residence and the inherited real estate through these companies. In fact, Dawood and other individuals close to him controlled these companies.
In total, Dawood fraudulently obtained at least $1,862,352 in the victim’s money and property. The illicitly obtained funds were used to purchase real estate in La Crescenta and Fontana.
The FBI investigated this matter.
Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin N. Spencer and Melissa S. Rabbani of the Orange County Office prosecuted this case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis.
Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is staffed seven days a week from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
Information about the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice.
Buffalo man previously convicted of possessing child pornography pleads guilty to new chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jamie Anderson, 26, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction relating to the possession of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of $250,000.
In January 2022, Anderson was convicted of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child in New York State Court. In December 2024, the New York State Police executed a search warrant at Anderson’s Buffalo residence, after receiving a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that he uploaded files containing child pornography to Kik. During the search, law enforcement seized a tablet, which contained at least 10 images of child pornography.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Colleen M. McCarthy. The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera. Additional assistance was provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 11, 2026, before Judge Vilardo.
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Bronx Man Pleads Guilty to Mail Theft OffensesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and J. Buck Buckley, Acting Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, announced that TULIO NUNEZ, 25, of the Bronx, New York, pleaded guilty today in New Haven federal court to offenses related to the theft of U.S. Mail.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 2, 2023, Nunez drove to Campbell Avenue in West Haven and parked in front of a postal collection box. Nunez’s associate then exited the vehicle, opened the service door of the collection box using a counterfeit postal arrow key, removed a basket filled with mail, and placed it in the passenger seat of the vehicle. Law enforcement officers who were conducting surveillance of the postal collection box then converged on the vehicle. Nunez unsuccessfully attempted to flee by reversing his vehicle and striking a law enforcement vehicle before he and his associates were apprehended and charged with state offenses.
On September 23, 2025, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Nunez with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, possession of a key adopted by the post office, and theft of mail.
Nunez pleaded guilty to all three counts of the indictment. At sentencing, which is scheduled for July 27, he faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Nunez has been released on a $10,000 bond since his federal arrest on September 25, 2025.
This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the West Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Lembo and Shan Patel.
Berks County Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years in Prison for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - A resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 262 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Angel Diaz-Gibson, 34.
According to information presented to the Court, from in and around June 2024 to in and around August 2024, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Diaz-Gibson conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine. Further, in and around July 2024, Diaz-Gibson possessed with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Diaz-Gibson.
Friday 1 May 2026
“Dirty Bondsman” Charged with Sex Trafficking and Forced Labor SchemeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces bounty hunter is facing federal charges after he allegedly bonded vulnerable individuals out of jail and exploited them through coercion and threats.
According to court documents, the Federal Bureau of Investigation received information that Robert Jay Hernandez, 62, a bounty hunter working for a bail bond company in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was bonding individuals out of the Doña Ana County Detention Center and requiring them to live at his personal residence. Investigators allege that Hernandez targeted vulnerable individuals, including those struggling with drug addiction and lacking stable housing, and that he exploited them on multiple occasions. Hernandez is specifically alleged to have provided these individuals with drugs and to then have coerced them to perform sexual acts, labor, and other services through threats of being returned to jail.
In one instance in October 2024, Hernandez allegedly bonded a male victim out of custody and required him to perform labor for him, including by assisting in bounty hunting activities without pay, while residing at Hernandez’s home. The victim also reported that Hernandez gave him drugs, including fentanyl, under the guise of medical treatment, even though the victim had not received any prescriptions for any drugs. After the victim left the residence, Hernandez allegedly contacted immigration authorities to report the victim, leading to the victim’s arrest.
In March 2025, Hernandez allegedly initiated contact with a female inmate, made explicit and threatening statements, and later bonded her out. The victim reported that Hernandez coerced her into sexual acts by creating fear that he would return her to jail if she did not do what he said. She also described being located and forcibly returned to custody, with Hernandez pointing a gun at her, after attempting to leave his control.
A third victim reported that after being bonded out in November 2025, Hernandez required her to live with him, controlled her access to fentanyl, and coerced her to engage in sexual acts in exchange for the drugs. She stated she complied out of fear of being returned to jail and to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.
Witness statements and communications from other inmates further corroborate the allegations, describing Hernandez as targeting female inmates with substance dependencies and expecting sexual favors in exchange for assistance.
Court documents further allege that Hernandez, who has a prior felony conviction, unlawfully possessed multiple firearms.
Hernandez is charged with three counts of forced labor and one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and sex trafficking by means of force, threats, fraud and coercion. He will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has been scheduled for May 5, 2026. If convicted of the current charges, Hernandez faces up to life in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, Doña Ana County Detention Center, the Las Cruces / Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigation - Las Cruces. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant Gardner and Maria Y. Armijo are prosecuting the case.
View the Criminal Complaint (Hernandez).pdfA criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Walker Man Sentenced to 282 Months in Federal Prison for Drug DistributionRead the Press Release
Richard Lance Cline Jr., age 35, of Walker, Louisiana, was sentenced to 282 months in federal prison following his convictions for distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Court Judge John W. deGravelles further sentenced Cline to serve five years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment.
As the evidence at trial demonstrated, on February 25, 2021, and March 3, 2021, Cline sold 50 grams or more of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement officer. On March 9, 2021, he was arrested in possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine while attempting a third sale to an undercover law enforcement officer. Cline raised the defense of entrapment, but the jury unanimously rejected the entrapment argument and convicted Cline of distribution of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
“Punishing those who continue to sell drugs in our community is a major priority of this office,” stated U.S. Attorney Wall. “Twenty-three years in federal prison is the type of sentence that should begin to grab their attention.”
“Methamphetamine destroys lives and tears at the fabric of our neighborhoods. Today’s sentencing ensures this offender is off the streets for nearly 24 years,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer. “This lengthy prison term is a victory for public safety and a testament to the seamless collaboration between federal and local law enforcement.”
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert W. Piedrahita and Ellison C. Travis oversaw the prosecution.
Virginia-Based Naval Serviceman Charged for Transporting Lafayette-Area Minor to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
LAFAYETTE – On April 30, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana charged Sadiq Rauf Perry, a 27-year-old Virginia-based naval serviceman, by criminal complaint with transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Perry faces 10 years up to life in federal prison for the charge.
“This case is every parent’s worst nightmare, and our Office deeply appreciates our law enforcement partners’ quick action that led to the recovery of this minor girl. The case is also a reminder to every parent that we must not only be vigilant in our children’s use of the Internet but must also act quickly to report situations where a child may be taken in by one of these predators,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “The tragedy of these cases is that the criminal acts are not something we can take away or undo. That said, we look forward to prosecuting this matter to the fullest extent of the law to ensure accountability and deterrence for these heinous acts and remind our community of the importance of being vigilant as parents and neighbors.”
"The FBI worked closely with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office to find this teen and bring her home safely," said Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. "It is critical for parents and children to understand the dangers of communicating with strangers online. In this case, the family acted quickly and that helped us prevent what could have been a tragic outcome."
As alleged in court documents, this case arose from a parent reporting her 14-year-old daughter to have run away from home after the mother found her engaging in inappropriate communications with someone online claiming to be 18 years old. Shortly after taking her phone and grounding her, the parent realized her daughter to be gone. Law enforcement found that a rideshare transported the 14-year-old to the airport, and she boarded a flight for Norfolk, VA. Both the rideshare and airline flight were purchased by Perry. Perry ensured the minor victim would be able to board the flight without suspicion by providing a fictitious date of birth for her that falsely represented her to be old enough to travel unaccompanied.
Law enforcement secured video surveillance showing the minor to have flown from Lafayette to Virginia and to have been picked up by Perry, who was driving a vehicle registered to him. Law enforcement tracked Perry to a hotel where law enforcement found both Perry and the minor sharing a room with one bed. The minor later disclosed that Perry and she had sexual intercourse at the hotel.
This case is being investigated by the New Orleans and Norfolk Field Offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Virginia Beach Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Sarver with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Joanne Henry-Mills.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is 26-mj-00116-01.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs [email protected]
United States Attorney’s Office www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Western District of Louisiana Twitter @USAO_WDLA
United States Files Civil Complaint Against New Mexico Psychologist Alleging Improper Prescribing of Controlled SubstancesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – The United States has filed a civil complaint in federal court alleging that a New Mexico psychologist unlawfully prescribed controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose, in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.
In a complaint filed in federal court, the United States alleges that Rick Q. Wilson, aka Henry Quintero, prescribed large volumes of benzodiazepines and other controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice, often without adequate examinations, diagnoses, or treatment.
According to the complaint, Wilson issued more than 21,000 controlled substance prescriptions between 2017 and 2020, frequently prescribing high-dose benzodiazepines such as Xanax and combining them with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants like Ambien. CNS depressants, particularly in combination, can slow breathing and result in death. The complaint alleges Wilson relied on repetitive, unsupported diagnoses, failed to develop individualized treatment plans, and did not conduct appropriate monitoring, including drug screening or use of the state’s prescription monitoring program.
The complaint further alleges Wilson ignored clear warning signs of misuse and diversion, including prescribing to patients with substance use disorders, continuing prescriptions despite evidence of drug abuse or non-use, and accepting primarily cash payments. The government also linked Wilson’s prescribing practices to patient harm, including multiple deaths caused by drug toxicity occurring shortly after receiving prescriptions.
The United States seeks civil penalties for each alleged unlawful prescription.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Omar Arellano, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division, made the announcement today.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the government’s investigation. The government’s enforcement is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Cunniff and Auditor Phillip Stella.
View the Criminal Complaint (Hernandez)_0.pdfUSP Canaan Inmate Charged with Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily InjuryRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Frederico Brown, age 49, of Memphis, Tennessee, was indicted on April 28, 2026, by a federal grand jury on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on January 9, 2026, Brown, while an inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary Canaan, assaulted another person resulting in serious bodily injury.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah R. Lloyd is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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U.S. Attorney’s Office Filed 109 Border-Related Cases This WeekRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California filed 109 border-related cases this week, including charges of bringing in aliens for financial gain, reentering the U.S. after deportation, and importation of controlled substances.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California is the fourth-busiest federal district, largely due to a high volume of border-related crimes. This district, encompassing San Diego and Imperial counties, shares a 140-mile border with Mexico. It includes the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the world’s busiest land border crossing, connecting San Diego (America’s eighth largest city) and Tijuana (Mexico’s second largest city).
In addition to reactive border-related crimes, the Southern District of California also prosecutes a significant number of proactive cases related to terrorism, organized crime, drugs, white-collar fraud, violent crime, cybercrime, human trafficking and national security. Recent developments in those and other significant areas of prosecution can be found here.
A sample of border-related arrests this week:
- On April 24, Brandon Ramos Bonilla, a Mexican citizen and border crosser card holder, was arrested and charged with Importation of a Controlled Substance. According to a complaint, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered 61 pounds of cocaine concealed in the roof and firewall of the defendant’s vehicle as he tried to cross the border at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.
- On April 25, Francisco Ramon Garcia and Antonio Ramos, citizens of Mexico, were arrested and charged with Attempted Bringing in Aliens for Financial Gain. According to a complaint, the defendants were captains of a smuggling boat that was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard off Point Loma with five undocumented Mexican nationals on board. Also arrested was Oscar Orozco Avilar, who was charged with Attempted Entry after Deportation.
- On April 28, Fernando Vega-Sanchez, a Mexican citizen, was arrested and charged with Attempted Entry after Deportation. According to a complaint, Vega-Sanchez was arrested by Customs and Border Protection officers at the pedestrian lanes of the San Ysidro Port of Entry after he claimed to be someone else but had no documents. Officers learned his true identity and he was taken into custody. The defendant was previously removed from the U.S. seven times.
The immigration cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO), Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with the support and assistance of state and local law enforcement partners.
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.
U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico Weekly Immigration and Border Crimes ReportRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced its immigration enforcement statistics for this week. These cases are prosecuted in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, along with Homeland Security Investigations El Paso, and assistance from other federal, state, and county agencies.
In the one-week period ending May 1, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office brought the following criminal charges in New Mexico:
- 50 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Reentry After Deportation (8 U.S.C. 1326)
- 6 individuals were charged this week with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. 1324)
- 48 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325)
- 61 individuals were charged this week with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. 1325), violation of a military security regulation (50 U.S.C. 797) and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property (18 U.S.C. 1382), arising from the newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico.
Many of the defendants charged pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1326 had prior criminal convictions for indecent exposure to a minor, aggravated robbery, burglary, narcotics trafficking, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, DUI, theft, and prior immigration offenses.
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.
These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only. The numbers do not include individuals apprehended by immigration enforcement officials and subjected solely to administrative process.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for the District of New Mexico. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal history, including human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The District of New Mexico consists of 33 counties and shares 180 miles of international border with Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from Albuquerque and Las Cruces work directly with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prosecute immigration-related and other federal offenses.
U.S. Attorney Braden H. Boucek Urges Tennessee Supreme Court to Abandon ABA's Exclusive Law School Accreditation PrivilegeRead the Press Release
NASHVILLE – United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee, joined by the Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division G. Charles Beller, and Federal Trade Commission Acting Director of the Office of Policy Planning Clarke Edwards, urged the Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday to open law school accreditation for competition by reducing its exclusive reliance on the American Bar Association (ABA) in determining which law schools provide sufficient education for their graduates to take the Tennessee bar examination. This was a joint response to the Tennessee Supreme Court’s September 16, 2025, order seeking public comments on potential regulatory reforms to increase access to quality legal representation.
As the Supreme Court acknowledged in its order: “Over the years, the Court has come to rely heavily on accreditation by the American Bar Association (‘ABA’) in establishing minimum education requirements for applicants to the Bar.” The order recognized the “growing recognition” that there are currently not enough legal services to meet the needs of many Tennesseans. It asked for comments on how exclusive reliance on the ABA affects the cost of legal services.
United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Braden H. Boucek, issued the following statement:
The ABA requirement meets Tennessee’s definition of a monopoly. It uses its cartel-like status to operate to the detriment of consumers and competitors. To consumers, the requirement increases the cost of already-too-expensive legal services by artificially constraining supply. To aspiring lawyers, instead of pushing for excellence alone, the ABA pushes conformity with narrow political ideologies including those that involve negative racial stereotyping. Discrimination based on race is illegal and wrong and may violate federal law. Tennesseans deserve the best lawyers. Dedication to the Constitution, commitment, and diligence are colorblind qualities and the only qualities anyone needs to succeed in America.
This public comment recognizes that competition is the lifeblood of the American economy. It explained that the ABA standards for law school accreditation impose an elitist model of legal education, driving up the cost of legal education and thereby limiting the supply of lawyers.
President Donald Trump issued an executive order last April that highlighted the need to “reform our dysfunctional accreditation system” in higher education to promote “high-quality, high-value academic programs focused on student outcomes.” Recently, the Florida and Texas Supreme Courts eliminated their express reliance on the ABA and encouraged potential new accreditors competitive entry into the field.
We encourage the Court to end its exclusive reliance on the ABA and collaborate with other states that are working towards opening up law school accreditation to competition.
A copy of this comment can be found at: DOJ FTC Letter: Potential Regulatory Reforms to Increase Access to Quality Legal Representation
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Two Massachusetts Men Plead Guilty to Their Roles in Multi-Million Dollar Bank Fraud RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to their roles in a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Victor Kolawole, 26, of Brockton and Keith Wainaina, 24, of Lowell, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Julie E. Kobick scheduled sentencings for July 23, 2026 and Sept. 9, 2026, respectively. In July 2025, Wainaina and Kolawole were arrested along with four others.
Beginning no later than December 2022, Kolawole and Wainaina conspired with Phalentz Vernot and others to defraud local banks. Specifically, Vernot obtained, without authorization, the names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and bank account numbers of customers of various local banks. Vernot and Wainaina then identified individuals to pose as these customers and procured fake identification documents with the victim customers’ names but the imposters’ photos. Vernot and Wainaina then drove the imposters to banks, where the imposters presented the fake identification documents and withdrew large sums from the victim customers’ accounts in the form of Cashier’s checks. Wainaina and Kolawole then deposited those checks into bank accounts they controlled and used the funds to purchase additional Cashier’s checks payable to Vernot. Vernot used some of the money to pay the individuals posing as bank customers as well as bank insiders who helped to facilitate their scheme, including by intentionally skipping customer verification protocols. Wainaina deposited, or attempted to deposit, more than $762,000 in Cashier’s checks drawn on victims’ accounts into bank accounts he controlled. Kolawole deposited approximately $373,000 in Cashier’s checks drawn on victims’ accounts into bank accounts he controlled.
Vernot pleaded guilty in December 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026.The charges of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud provide for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of money involved in the laundering transactions, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to any sentence received on the other charges. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Connecticut State Police and the Gloucester (R.I.), Sutton, Concord (Mass.), Dracut, Westwood and Abington Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit 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.
Two Individuals and a Corporation Charged with Conspiring to Violate the Clean Air Act and Illegally Emitting Pollutants in Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, returned an indictment today charging Ramón Plaza-Gregory, Ileana Cortés-González, and Mo-Na-Co Biomedical & Environmental Corp. (Monaco) with five violations of the Clean Air Act as well as conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act. The charges relate to emissions from Monaco’s commercial incinerator in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, which is owned by Plaza-Gregory and operated by both Plaza-Gregory and Cortés-González.
According to the indictment, Monaco was permitted to incinerate pathological waste, subject to limitations on the type of materials that could be burned and the amount of emissions that could be released. Starting in August of 2021, Plaza-Gregory and Cortés-González burned unpermitted materials, used malfunctioning equipment, and exceeded emissions limitations. After an inspector from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the defendants of the violations, Plaza-Gregory began operating Monaco’s incinerator on weekends and holidays. The defendants continued to operate the incinerator illegally and emissions excesses were documented again in July 2024. In September 2024, Monaco’s emissions permit expired and was not renewed, yet the Defendants continued to operate the incinerator on weekends and cause emissions up until at least April of 2026.
“The Clean Air Act is a foundational piece of American environmental law, and when its clear guidelines are disregarded, we are committed to enforcing it,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) “Commonsense enforcement actions will help keep our communities healthy.”
“Ensuring that all residents of Puerto Rico enjoy a healthy environment free of hazardous waste and other pollutants is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and our federal and local partners,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to protecting our communities from environmental and health hazards.”
“Environmental crimes are not abstract or victimless crimes — they impact the health, safety, and quality of life of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Carlos R. Goris for the FBI's San Juan Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to investigate these violations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
“Monaco knowingly violated its Clean Air Act permit first by burning biomedical waste, and, once its permit lapsed completely, also continuing to burn pathological waste like animal carcasses. There is no telling what harmful pollution was emitted from improper and incomplete incineration,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “The company president deliberately concealed these violations by failing to record basic information about what was being burned, by not even maintaining a functioning temperature gauge, and by operating on weekends and holidays. Environmental protection depends on companies attempting to comply with the law in good faith, and these knowing and repeated violations and intentional evasion of Clean Air Act requirements justify criminal penalties.”
The Clean Air Act is the country’s primary tool to fight air pollution in an effort “to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation’s air resources so as to promote the public health.” In order to do so, polluting facilities are required to operate pursuant to permits that set limits on what, and how much, pollution can be emitted.
Both Plaza-Gregory and Cortés-González are scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for their respective initial appearances. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each charge. Monaco faces a maximum penalty of $500,000 in fines per charge.
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI’s Aguadilla Resident Agency which participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico.
Report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations at epa.gov/tips. You can provide tips anonymously if you do not want to identify yourself.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Two Individuals and a Corporation Charged with Conspiring to Violate the Clean Air Act and Illegally Emitting Pollutants in Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, returned an indictment today charging Ramon Plaza-Gregory, Ileana Cortes-Gonzalez, and Mo-Na-Co Biomedical & Environmental Corp. (Monaco) with five violations of the Clean Air Act as well as conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act. The charges relate to emissions from Monaco’s commercial incinerator in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, which is owned by Plaza-Gregory and operated by both Plaza-Gregory and Cortes-Gonzalez.
According to the indictment, Monaco was permitted to incinerate pathological waste, subject to limitations on the type of materials that could be burned and the amount of emissions that could be released. Starting in August of 2021, Plaza-Gregory and Cortes-Gonzalez burned unpermitted materials, used malfunctioning equipment, and exceeded emissions limitations. After an inspector from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the defendants of the violations, Plaza-Gregory began operating Monaco’s incinerator on weekends and holidays. The defendants continued to operate the incinerator illegally and emissions excesses were documented again in July 2024. In September 2024, Monaco’s emissions permit expired and was not renewed, yet the Defendants continued to operate the incinerator on weekends and cause emissions up until at least April of 2026.
“The Clean Air Act is a foundational piece of American environmental law, and when its clear guidelines are disregarded, we are committed to enforcing it,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) “Commonsense enforcement actions will help keep our communities healthy.”
“Ensuring that all residents of Puerto Rico enjoy a healthy environment free of hazardous waste and other pollutants is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and our federal and local partners,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to protecting our communities from environmental and health hazards.”
“Environmental crimes are not abstract or victimless crimes — they impact the health, safety, and quality of life of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Carlos R. Goris for the FBI's San Juan Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to investigate these violations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
“Monaco knowingly violated its Clean Air Act permit first by burning biomedical waste, and, once its permit lapsed completely, also continuing to burn pathological waste like animal carcasses. There is no telling what harmful pollution was emitted from improper and incomplete incineration,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “The company president deliberately concealed these violations by failing to record basic information about what was being burned, by not even maintaining a functioning temperature gauge, and by operating on weekends and holidays. Environmental protection depends on companies attempting to comply with the law in good faith, and these knowing and repeated violations and intentional evasion of Clean Air Act requirements justify criminal penalties.”
The Clean Air Act is the country’s primary tool to fight air pollution in an effort “to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation’s air resources so as to promote the public health.” In order to do so, polluting facilities are required to operate pursuant to permits that set limits on what, and how much, pollution can be emitted.
Both Plaza-Gregory and Cortes-Gonzalez are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hector Ramos-Vega of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for their respective initial appearances. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each charge. Monaco faces a maximum penalty of $500,000 in fines per charge.
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI’s Aguadilla Resident Agency which participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico.
Report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations at epa.gov/tips. You can provide tips anonymously if you do not want to identify yourself.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Federal Inmates Charged with Possessing WeaponsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kajuan Woods, age 37, and Patrick Alexander, age 36, both federal inmates, were indicted separately by a federal grand jury on April 28, 2026, with possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on or about March 15, 2026, while an inmate at the Federal Correction Institution Schuylkill (FCI Schuylkill), in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Woods possessed an inmate manufactured weapon, specifically a four-inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a cloth handle, commonly referred to as “shank.”
Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
Patrick Alexander, age 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury while an inmate at FCI Schuylkill, with possessing a weapon. The indictment alleges that Alexander possessed a weapon, specifically, a six-inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a white cord handle on April 3, 2026, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service investigated both cases.
The maximum penalty under federal law for both cases is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Two Admit to Selling Fentanyl, Methamphetamine Near Schools, PlaygroundRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men have admitted to trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine near protected locations in Wheeling, West Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Jason Hill, 42, of Cleveland, Ohio, pleaded guilty to the distribution of heroin and fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a protected location. According to court documents, Hill, also known as “Tay,” was selling the drugs near Wheeling Central Catholic High School and West Virginia Northern Community College. He’s facing one to 40 years in prison.
In a separate case, Matthew Luff, 41, of Wheeling, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to the distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location. According to court documents, Luff sold more than 13 grams of methamphetamine near Heritage Port Playground in Wheeling. Luff is facing 5 to 40 years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.
Investigative agencies the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the Wheeling Police Department.
Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Tickfaw Man Sentenced for Distributing Kilograms of FentanylRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – LARRY G. TURNER, (TURNER), age 52, of Tangipahoa Parish, was recently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Barry W Ashe to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney David I Courcelle. TURNER previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, more than 400 grams of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); §841(b)(1)(A), and 846.
According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least June 26, 2025, TURNER and several other individuals, conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, multiple kilograms of fentanyl throughout the Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington Parishes region of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The conspiracy mainly revolved around TURNER’s residence in Tickfaw, Louisiana. The execution of a federal search warrant at TURNER’s residence led to the recovery of over five (5) kilograms of fentanyl, in counterfeit pill form, along with multiple firearms.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, 22nd JDC District Attorney’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana National Guard. FORT was also assisted by the Louisiana State Police, Bogalusa Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.
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This Week in Fraud: DOJ’s New Fraud Division Announces Numerous Fraud Enforcement Actions and a New Strike Force to Investigate and Prosecute Fraud on the West CoastRead the Press Release
Yesterday, Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Fraud Division announced the formation of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force, a multi-district initiative to increase resources dedicated to prosecuting health care fraud in California, Arizona, and Nevada. “Our message today and every day is simple: If you steal from the American taxpayer, the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will do everything possible to award you free housing in a federal prison,” said Assistant Attorney General McDonald at the press conference. The Strike Force will surge at least 10 additional federal prosecutors to the region who will work in partnership with the HHS Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other law enforcement partners.
In addition to this surge of resources to the West Coast, the Fraud Division is announcing the following fraud enforcement actions taken this week across the country to hold accountable those who defraud the American people.
Benefits Program Fraud
An illegal alien from Mexico was indicted in Albuquerque, New Mexico for allegedly using forged immigration documents and another individual’s Social Security number to fraudulently obtain bank accounts, vehicle financing, and consumer loans while residing illegally in the U.S. The charges include fraud and misuse of a visa, social security fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Two Romanian illegal aliens pleaded guilty for their role in a conspiracy to steal SNAP benefits by using skimming devices to obtain EBT card data and PINs. The defendants used the stolen information to make fraudulent purchases of SNAP‑eligible items, which they later shipped out of state. The defendants agreed to pay full restitution and now face potential federal prison sentences.
A federal judge sentenced Shermeca McCrary, a Johnston County Social Services caseworker, to six months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in a scheme to steal over $100,000 in SNAP benefits. McCrary abused her position to access and divert funds intended for qualified recipients and was ordered to pay $102,000 in forfeiture.
A defendant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa—Joshua Brandon Johnson—was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release for laundering over $20,000 from a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan by withdrawing fraudulently obtained funds to evade child support garnishment. The defendant was ordered to pay $20,208 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.
In Indiana, Joseph M. Merk was sentenced to four and a half years in federal prison for stealing nearly $600,000 through multiple fraud schemes, including PPP loan fraud, identity theft, and tax evasion. He was ordered to pay more than $492,000 in restitution.
Health Care Fraud
A Michigan pharmacy technician pleaded guilty to a $5.6 million health care fraud scheme, admitting he billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers for prescription drugs he never dispensed. He also illegally prescribed oxycodone to drug traffickers in exchange for cash, without regard to whether the prescriptions were actually prescribed by physicians or dispensed in good faith.
The U.S. government seized approximately $2 million from Expert Wound Care PC, a California-based clinic accused of submitting fraudulent Medicare claims for skin graft substitutes and services that were never provided. According to court documents, between September 2025 and April 2026, the clinic submitted over $46.6 million in claims—$34 million of which were approved—despite billing for procedures that didn’t occur. The seizure was authorized by a federal court in Los Angeles.
Scam Centers
DOJ announced the coordinated takedown of scam centers leading to at least 276 arrests. These centers targeted Americans who have suffered millions of dollars in losses from such schemes.
Tax Fraud
Harry Lamar Curtis III, a Houston business owner and former CPA, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failing to pay more than $1.6 million in payroll taxes due to the IRS. The defendant admitted that he failed to file required business and personal tax returns for many years while withholding taxes that were never remitted to the IRS.
Corporate & Financial Fraud
The Fraud Division announced the sentences of two former CEOs of a non-profit medical organization headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, for defrauding the company of almost $2 million. The defendants were sentenced to 40 months’ and 24 months’ imprisonment for their crimes.
An Oregon payment processing broker, Jeremy Todd Briley, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for facilitating over $14 million in unauthorized debits and attempted debits from victims’ bank accounts by providing services to sham companies posing as legitimate merchants. Between 2017 and 2023, he maintained payment processor relationships for the sham companies so that they could process fraudulent debits. Despite repeatedly receiving information that the debits processed on behalf of the sham companies were not authorized by the victims, Briley concealed the fraudulent activities of the sham companies in various ways, and he arranged for a payment processor to deceive banks by manipulating return rates on the fraudulent debits.
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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.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Selling over $8 Million of Dangerous Recreational Drugs Known as “Poppers” That Were Mislabeled as Tape CleanerRead the Press Release
A Texas man pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of criminal conspiracy related to misbranding volatile alkyl nitrites, known by their street name as “poppers,” and selling them as inhalants in violation of federal law. Although the labeling for poppers products often misleadingly claims they are sold as cleaning agents, poppers are commonly misused for recreational purposes by being inhaled through the nose. Critically, misuse of volatile alkyl nitrates can cause serious adverse health effects, including irregular heartbeat, vision loss, and death.
“The defendant helped sell more than $8 million of dangerous drugs misbranded as cleaning agents, while concealing their true intended use as recreational inhalants,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Volatile alkyl nitrites, or poppers, can cause serious and sometimes fatal health effects. Yesterday’s plea reflects the Department’s commitment to keep Americans safe by prosecuting those who participate in the distribution of illegal substances in our communities, particularly when false and misleading labels are involved.”
“Yesterday's guilty plea demonstrates The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who distribute falsely labeled products that endanger public health," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “Nitrite ‘poppers’ can cause serious adverse health effects, including death, when ingested or inhaled, and the FDA will continue to take appropriate actions to protect the public health.”
“Misrepresenting hazardous products to evade federal safety requirements is illegal,” said Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). “To protect the safety of the American public, CPSC will work with our federal law enforcement partners to identify violations, shut down criminal operations, and hold offenders accountable.”
According to court documents, Brett Sandy, 41, of Austin, Texas, worked for an Austin-based poppers manufacturer from January 2019 until in or around February 2025. Sandy oversaw the bookkeeping for the company and spoke with customers seeking to purchase poppers to misuse as a drug. Sandy admitted that the poppers shipped from his employer, with names such as “love potion” or “pumpkin spice latte,” were falsely labeled as “tape cleaner” to defraud the FDA and the CPSC about the intended purpose of the substances. Sandy also admitted that he facilitated the sale of hundreds of bottles of poppers from his company to an individual with the understanding that the individual intended to distribute them as a drug at a “sexy singles party.” In pleading guilty, Sandy agreed that the evidence shows that, while he worked for the company, it sold more than $8.4 million in unlawful poppers products.
Sandy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and one count of conspiracy to violate the Consumer Product Safety Act. He faces a statutory maximum term of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing date has not been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Max J. Goldman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
Consumers who have experienced an adverse event (illness or injury) after using nitrite “poppers” should consult their healthcare providers. To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), visit Industry and Consumer Assistance and Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet.
The Health and Safety Unit within the Department’s Criminal Division works with law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute violations of federal laws designed to protect public health and safety. The unit focuses on corporations and individuals who make and sell dangerous drugs, food, and other consumer products that could cause significant harm to Americans. For more information, see https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/health-safety-unit.
Texas Man Charged with Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Texas man appeared in federal court on April 30, 2026, after being charged by criminal complaint on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, for allegedly possessing a substance containing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A). William Mayes, Jr., 35, was detained following his initial appearance.
The complaint alleges that Mayes, Jr., was found in possession of 300 pounds of a substance containing methamphetamine after a traffic stop conducted by the Illinois State Police led to a search of his vehicle.
If convicted, Mayes, Jr., faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a maximum $10,000,000 fine, and not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release.
Agencies participating in the investigation include the Illinois State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weir is representing the government in the prosecution.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Tennessee man, whose non-profit had no revenue and no employees when he fraudulently received a CARES Act loan intended to help small businesses, pled guilty yesterday in federal court.
Paul Eugene Welborn Jr., 67, of Mountain City, Tenn., pled guilty to wire fraud related to misrepresentations he made on his application for a CARES Act loan.
The CARES Act is a federal law, enacted in March of 2020, that was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration to provide loans of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses that were experiencing a loss of revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the CARES Act authorized the SBA to issue “advances” of up to $10,000 to small businesses within three days of the business having applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan.
According to court documents, Welborn founded a non-profit called Wings of Hope in 2011. When Welborn applied for a CARES Act loan in 2020, Wings of Hope had no employees, and little or no revenue or expenses. On his SBA loan application paperwork, however, Welborn claimed Wings of Hope had $2 million in gross revenue, employed more than 12 people and had $2 million in annual expenses, including $330,000 in costs of goods sold, $410,000 in nonprofit costs of operations, and $260,000 in lost business rents.
As a result of these misrepresentations, on June 9, 2020, Wings of Hope was awarded a $159,900 EIDL loan, which included a $10,000 advance.
Welborn improperly used the funds for numerous personal expenses, including purchases at Omaha Steaks, QVC, HSN, Amazon, Macy’s, Best Buy, and various fast-food restaurants. In addition, Welborn transferred portions of the loan funds between various personal bank accounts.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Kareem A. Carter, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal investigation, Washington DC Field Office made the announcement.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Pierce is prosecuting the case.
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.
Subject Arrested and Federally Charged for Deadly Berea Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, KY.— A federal criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in Lexington on Friday charging Brailen Weaver with armed bank robbery, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and causing death with a firearm in the course of the crime of violence.
According to the criminal complaint, Weaver entered a US Bank in Berea, Ky, on April 30, 2026, at approximately 1:57 p.m. Upon entering the bank, Weaver immediately shot and killed a bank employee and then killed a bank teller. Weaver checked multiple drawers in the bank and immediately left. Investigators worked throughout the day to identify a suspect, as the perpetrator was hooded with a black mask. Weaver was ultimately identified as a suspect and his vehicle was located later in the evening. Law enforcement attempted to stop Weaver’s vehicle, leading to a pursuit that exceeded 100 miles per hour. Weaver ultimately crashed his car and then fled on foot. Around 3 a.m. this morning Weaver was captured.
“As alleged, this deplorable act of violence in broad daylight has left two families in Kentucky with unthinkable loss. Our hearts go out to them,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “On day one, President Trump and this Department of Justice reprioritized tackling violent crime. Thanks to the relentless pursuit of law enforcement, Brailen Weaver is off the street and behind bars, and he will now face justice for his alleged heinous actions.”
“The FBI sends our condolences to two families who lost their loved ones in this horrific act of violence,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In the days ahead, we will work 24/7 with our partners to conduct a full investigation and see to it that the individual responsible is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Senseless violence has no place in our community. Two innocent people lost their lives due to greed and a complete disregard for the value of life. Thankfully, through the tireless efforts of the Kentucky State Police, FBI, ATF, Lexington Police Department, and many other law enforcement partners, a suspect is in custody and no longer able to wreak havoc in the Eastern District of Kentucky. We will do everything within our power to vindicate this terrible loss,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
“A senseless tragedy unfolded in Berea, KY yesterday after a coward with zero regard for human life allegedly murdered two bank employees and then led law enforcement on a dangerous pursuit throughout the eastern Kentucky region. Fulfilling a pillar of the FBI's mission to protect the American people, FBI Louisville along with numerous law enforcement partners was able to safely apprehend the subject and restore safety to the citizens of Berea and the surrounding areas,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “We offer our condolences to all who were so tragically affected by yesterday's indefensible acts, and we will stop at nothing to ensure this alleged murderer is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“While I recognize that we’ve tragically lost two fellow Kentuckians and send our most heartfelt condolences to their families, I’m grateful this incident was brought to this conclusion – apprehension of the suspect with no further harm to our communities and law enforcement." Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police “There is inherent danger in this profession, but the professionalism and cooperation among multiple local, state, and federal partners enabled this successful outcome. Our personnel will continue to support this investigation and work to ensure successful prosecution, bringing justice to the victims' families.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI, ATF, Kentucky State Police, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Melton is representing the United States in this case.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations. The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Weaver is scheduled to appear in court for his initial appearance on Monday at 2 p.m., in Lexington.
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Statement Regarding Recent Media Reports on Court RulingRead the Press Release
The following may be attributed to First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda:
“Yesterday, a report appeared in both local and national media pertaining to U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose of the District of Rhode Island and her decision to release Bryan Rafael Gomez in connection with a habeas petition seeking his release. Those media accounts erroneously state that Judge DuBose made the decision to release him with knowledge that authorities in the Dominican Republic had issued an arrest warrant in connection with a homicide in that country.
As our recent filing in this matter makes clear, Judge DuBose did not have knowledge at the time of her ruling that Gomez was wanted by authorities in the Dominican Republic.”
The Court’s Order to Show Cause is attached.
2026_05_01_-_26cv245mrd_gomez_-_ecf_07_-_resp._to_order_to_show_cause.pdfSouth Carolina Man Ordered to Pay $271,444.86 for 2022 West Virginia Turnpike Crash that Polluted Paint CreekRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Dennis Eugene West, 58, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, was ordered to pay $266,444,86 in restitution on April 29, 2026, for negligent discharge of pollutants into United States waters. West was previously sentenced to three years of federal probation and fined $5,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 24, 2022, West was driving a tractor trailer in the northbound lane of the West Virginia Turnpike/Interstate 64-77 when he crashed while crossing Skitter Creek Bridge in Fayette County. Numerous totes containing alkyl dimethylamine that West was hauling ruptured as a result of the crash, and the pollutants spilled onto the bridge and ultimately discharged into Paint Creek. The discharge of the pollutants into Paint Creek, a tributary of the Kanawha River, continued until August 25, 2025, and caused adverse impacts on the aquatic life of the creek including the killing of several species of fish. The crash also shut down that entire section of the West Virginia Turnpike for more than 12 hours.
As part of his guilty plea, West admitted that he operated the tractor trailer while under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Law enforcement determined that West’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was more than 0.08 percent. West Virginia law prohibits any person from operating a commercial motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.04 percent or more. West further admitted that he did not have a permit issued pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act to discharge pollutants, including alkyl dimethylamine, into Paint Creek or any other water in West Virginia.
West also pleaded guilty on behalf of his trucking business, Gadsden, Gaillard and West LLC, to negligent discharge of pollutants into United States waters. The trucking firm’s insurance policy, which covered West, previously paid over $900,000 toward environmental containment, site cleanup, personal injury expenses, property damages, and other related costs.
“The defendant chose to transport a hazardous chemical while intoxicated, and that reckless decision didn’t just break the law — it put lives at risk and scarred this community’s environment,” said United States Attorney Moore Capito. “What followed, however, was a remarkable show of professionalism and resolve. I want to recognize the investigators from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and the West Virginia State Police, whose work ensured accountability in this case. Equally important are the first responders — men and women who ran toward danger, not away from it — who secured the scene, protected the public, and worked tirelessly, hour after hour, to contain the damage and begin restoring what was harmed. Their swift, coordinated response turned what could have been far worse into a situation this community can recover from. Their commitment deserves not just our thanks, but our respect.”
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger ordered the restitution and imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and Special Assistant United States Attorney David Lastra prosecuted the case with assistance from Financial Litigation Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Combs.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-175.
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San Antonio Felon Pleads Guilty to Bombing ATMs in 2025Read the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio felon pleaded guilty Thursday to two federal charges related to ATM explosions in September 2025 and his possession of multiple firearms, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Dustin Jay Ammons, 44, attempted to destroy ATMs at two San Antonio banks on Sept. 12 and Sept. 26, 2025. Surveillance video showed Ammons arriving at the banks in a black Ram 3500 pickup truck, wearing black gloves with a skeleton hand design, a black hooded jacket or sweatshirt, dark blue pants, and black and white training shoes, and placing pipe bombs at the ATMs. The footage from both videos also showed explosions that resulted in unsuccessful breaches of the machines.
On Dec. 12, 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a federal search warrant at Ammons’s residence. Inside the garage, agents discovered a homemade explosives lab containing Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN). Agents also located firearms (including a 9mm short-barreled rifle), magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition throughout the house, as well as a pipe bomb in Ammons’s vehicle.
ATF queried the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) for Ammons and his address, and found no firearms, short-barreled rifles or destructive devices registered to him. Additionally, Ammons does not possess a license or permit allowing him to possess, manufacture, transfer, or ship explosive materials such as PETN.
Ammons has been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including possession of a stolen firearm, possession of burglary tools, and multiple counts of theft and burglary of a building.
Ammons pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of explosive materials, transport by non-licensee. He faces up to 15 years in prison for the possession charge and a maximum of 10 years in prison for the transport charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The ATF, FBI, and San Antonio Police Department are investigating the case with assistance from the San Antonio Arson and Bomb Squad and Bexar County Fire Marshal.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting the case.
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Sacramento Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against Anthony Julian Ramirez, 32, of Sacramento, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on Jan. 14, 2026, Ramirez was the passenger in a car stopped by law enforcement officers for a traffic violation. During the stop, the driver of the car was found to have multiple pending arrest warrants and admitted to having drug paraphernalia in the car. Officers searched the car and under Ramirez’ passenger seat, found a loaded Springfield Armory Hellcat 9 mm handgun. When booking Ramirez into jail following his arrest, deputies also found a round of 9 mm ammunition in his shoe. Ramirez is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of multiple felony convictions, including for burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, and five convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The FBI and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Reputed Drug Dealer Who Tortured Women He Accused of Stealing Drugs Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FLINT — On April 30, 2026, a federal court sentenced Bobby Boseman, a.k.a. Killa B, 46, of Flint to 235 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and maintaining a drug premise, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Terence Green, Chief of Police for the City of Flint.
U.S. District Court Judge F. Kay Behm imposed sentence on Boseman following his guilty plea for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and maintaining a drug premises.
According to court documents, between February 26, 2021, and August 3, 2021, Boseman used and maintained his residence on Tebo Street in Flint to manufacture, distribute, and use cocaine. He also directed and led others who sold drugs from the home and allowed his drug customers to use drugs there. On three occasions during this time period, police recovered from the home drugs, firearms, and large amounts of ammunition.
Court documents reveal that during Boseman’s arrest on August 3, 2021, police found two naked and injured women in the home. According to the women, Boseman accused them of stealing some drugs and kept them naked and unfed for days, beat them, and forced them to engage in sexual acts. The women’s faces and bodies were bruised and bloodied. One of the women suffered a collapsed lung while the other’s eyes were nearly swollen shut.
“Only a coward beats women. And only a pimp forces them to sell their bodies. This rapacious drug dealer treated these women worse than animals,” said Gorgon.
“Make no mistake, the FBI will not tolerate those who invoke fear, violence, and exploitation in our communities,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “This defendant chose to torture women, distribute dangerous drugs, and inflict lasting harm through ruthless criminal actions. This sentence ensures the defendant will have years in federal prison to reflect on those choices while justice is served. I commend our FBI Flint Resident Agency team, alongside the Flint Police Department and Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG) for their investigative work throughout this investigation.”
This investigation was conducted by special agents of the FBI, in conjunction with the Flint Police and Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ann Nee and Anthony Vance.
Repeat Felon Sentenced for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Jacques Devone Sullivan, 51, of Mobile was sentenced on May 1, 2026, to fifty-three (53) months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Sullivan was also sentenced to fifty-two (52) months to be served consecutively for violating his probation in a case involving Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Felony.
According to court documents Sullivan has multiple prior felony convictions for Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, Driving Under the Influence, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
After his convictions, on May 10, 2024, the United States Probation Office along with deputies from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of Sullivan’s residence after receiving information that Sullivan was distributing fentanyl. In his bedroom deputies found a firearm, which was manufactured outside Alabama, and ammunition. Sullivan admitted he was a felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Following the term of incarceration, Sullivan will be placed on three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms along with Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Hutchins III prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence
from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Puerto Rico Man Pleads Guilty to Clean Water Act Violation in Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research ReserveRead the Press Release
A Puerto Rico Man was charged and pleaded guilty yesterday for violating the Clean Water Act for construction and filling activities on a property in the las Mareas area of Salinas, Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, Orlando Rivera-Alejandro placed fill material in Mar Negro, within the waters of the United States, and within the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR), despite knowing that the area was a federally protected reserve. Between January 2020 and March 2022, Rivera-Alejandro built multiple structures on top of the filled area, including a gazebo and a concrete boat ramp. He also constructed a dock and numerous concrete-filled PVC poles within Mar Negro, discharging concrete directly into Mar Negro during the construction. Rivera-Alejandro did not seek or receive approval to fill the area or to engage in construction within Mar Negro. At no point was Rivera-Alejandro permitted to do so.
As a part of the plea agreement, Rivera-Alejandro has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and remove all structures and alterations to the property and to engage in remediation of the environmental harm, damage, and changes that altered the property from its natural state. Rivera-Alejandro is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1.
The photographs below depict the property in May 2019 and in March 2022, demonstrating the illegal construction.
The JBNERR was designated as a reserve in 1981 to protect the wetlands and study the biological and societal impacts of estuarine habitat, as well as provide recreation and educational opportunities to local communities. The reserve is home to the endangered brown pelican, peregrine falcon, hawksbill turtle and West Indian manatee. Congress enacted the Clean Water Act in 1972 to protect and maintain the integrity of the waters of the United States. It prohibits the discharge of any pollutant and fill material into waters of the United States except when a permit is obtained from the United States.
This case is part of an ongoing investigation into the destruction of wetlands in Puerto Rico. Rivera-Alejandro is the sixth individual convicted for illegal construction within the JBNERR in recent years. Previously convicted individuals include Luis Enrique Rodríguez-Sánchez, sentenced in June 2024; Awildo Jiménez-Mercado, Rafael Carballo-Diaz, and Nathaniel Hernandez-Claudio, sentenced in September 2024; and Pedro Luis Bones-Torres, sentenced in March 2025.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, and U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI which participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico.