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Wednesday 8 April 2026
Cincinnati man who supplied methamphetamine to area drug dealers sentenced to 10 years in prisonRead the Press Release
CINCINNATI – Quinten McCommons, 36, of Cincinnati, was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 120 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, McCommons was a source of supply of methamphetamine for numerous street-level drug traffickers throughout the greater Cincinnati region.
In October 2023 and November 2023, McCommons distributed methamphetamine that was lab-confirmed to be between 81 percent and 98 percent pure crystal methamphetamine. He conducted drug sales transactions at the Beechmont Mall.
When law enforcement officials searched McCommons’s residence, they discovered methamphetamine, digital scales and more than $2,300 in cash.
McCommons has prior local convictions for aggravated drug trafficking, aggravated possession of drugs and possession of marijuana, as well as aggravated assault, domestic violence, disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing.
The defendant was arrested in November 2023 and pleaded guilty in October 2025 to possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Joseph O. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit; and officials with the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Court Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorney David P. Dornette is representing the United States in this case.
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Center City Real Estate Agent Sentenced to More Than Three Years in Prison for Lengthy Fraudulent Loan SchemeRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf announced that Jonathan Barach, 47, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 37 months’ imprisonment and two years of supervised release by United States District Judge Mia Roberts Perez, in connection with a fraudulent loan scheme in which he raised millions of dollars from individuals and businesses, supposedly for short-term real estate financing opportunities, when no such projects existed. Judge Perez also ordered Barach to pay a forfeiture judgment of $1,496,928.99, victim restitution in the amount of $1,496,928.99, and a $200 special assessment. The Court issued judgment after hearing live testimony from multiple victims of Barach’s crimes who described the enduring financial, emotional, and mental impact that Barach’s theft had on themselves and their families.
The defendant was charged by information in August of last year and pleaded guilty in September to one count of wire fraud and one count of making an illegal monetary transaction.
As detailed in court filings, Barach served as a licensed residential real estate agent and the co-founder and principal agent for The Barach Group, LLC, a Philadelphia-based real estate team, and formed a second company, TBG Real Estate, LLC, also based in the city.
In addition to offering traditional residential real estate services, between July 2017 and April 2021, Barach used the Barach Group and TBG Real Estate to fraudulently solicit and raise approximately $3.1 million from 19 individuals and businesses for purported, but, in reality, non-existent, short-term real estate investments in Philadelphia.
Barach raised these funds through a series of material misrepresentations, including by falsely stating that the money would be used to provide bridge loans to builders and contractors looking to purchase and flip distressed real estate properties or to complete renovation projects. However, there were no real estate projects, no financing opportunities existed, and Barach knew the newly raised capital would be used for his own purposes and debts. In fact, not a single dollar was invested in real estate.
Instead, Barach typically transferred victim funds to his personal bank accounts, withdrew large sums of cash, made assorted personal expenditures — including a 4.7 carat diamond ring purchased for more than $46,000, designer clothing from Louis Vuitton, and expensive front-end seats at sporting events — and made five- and six-figure deposits at casinos and sportsbook operations.
Barach manipulated and victimized people he knew personally, and many victims trusted him with their retirement accounts, children’s educational funds, and life savings. Although he paid back some of his earlier lenders with a portion of the funding secured from later lenders, over $1.49 million of the fraudulently obtained loan proceeds remain unpaid.
This case was investigated by the FDIC Office of Inspector General, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the FBI, with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Terri Marinari and Samuel Dalke.
Career Criminal Headed to Federal Prison for Violent Crime Spree, Including Carjacking and Gunpoint AbductionRead the Press Release
INDIANAPOLIS- George Landy, 55, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, attempted interference with commerce by robbery, and carjacking.
According to court documents, in October 2022, George Landy committed three violent crimes in Indianapolis over the span of just eight days.
On October 16, 2022, at approximately 3:12 p.m., Landy entered the Family Dollar on East 38th Street, pretending to shop for cold medicine and carrying a box to the checkout counter as if he intended to purchase it. Instead, he lifted his shirt to reveal a .22‑caliber semiautomatic handgun tucked into his waistband and demanded money from the clerk. The clerk was forced to hand over $200.
On October 23, 2022, at approximately 2:15 a.m., Landy attempted to rob a McDonald’s on West 38th Street. He approached the drive‑through window, forced it open, pointed a firearm at an employee, and demanded money. He fired a shot toward the worker, then attempted unsuccessfully to open the cash register himself. Landy then fired another shot into the restaurant before fleeing on foot. No one was injured.
On October 24, 2022, Landy approached a woman walking to her car in the parking lot of a Dollar Tree on Pendleton Pike in Lawrence, Indiana. He initiated a conversation under the guise of asking for her phone number and a date. As the woman began getting into her vehicle, Landy lifted his shirt to display a firearm and ordered her into the passenger seat. He demanded money, warning that “bad things would happen” if she could not pay. When the victim explained she only had $30 in cash, Landy abducted her and her vehicle to drive to two banks, where he compelled her to withdraw $500. He then drove her downtown and left her at the IndyGo bus station, stealing her wedding ring, debit card, driver’s license, and other jewelry before fleeing in her car.
Landy has an extensive criminal history, including 22 prior convictions, 12 of them felonies, ranging from burglary and felony theft to drug offenses and resisting law enforcement. At the time of the 2022 armed robberies, he was on probation for felony auto theft.
“These were brazen, violent robberies that evinced a blatant disregard for human life and the safety of our community. These terrifying crimes could easily have resulted in tragedy, and the emotional toll inflicted on innocent people simply going about their daily routines is profound,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Today’s sentence affirms that individuals who commit violent acts in our community will be held fully accountable.”
“George Landy victimized numerous innocent people during his violent crime spree, leaving lasting trauma in its wake. The offenses he committed—both in this case and in his past—are deeply disturbing and unequivocally heinous. The only appropriate place for Landy is where he is now headed: federal prison. I am extremely proud of the police officers and agents whose dedication and relentless efforts brought him to justice,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jorge Rosendo.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelsey Massa, who prosecuted this case.
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.
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California Drug Dealer Sentenced to 31 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Fortunato Beltran, 45, to 31 years in federal prison for conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and fentanyl and selling methamphetamine and fentanyl. On November 21, 2025, a federal jury convicted Inmate Beltran of the charges.
“Fentanyl kills everyone, especially our kids. This California thug brought his Mexican poison here to kill children in our communities. We sent a strong message: Learn the lesson: don’t sell drugs, go to prison for decades if you do: do better.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
In early 2024, ATF and DEA began investigating a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization shipping tens pounds and hundreds pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine to Eastern North Carolina. Inmate Beltran orchestrated bulk shipments of methamphetamine and fentanyl from California and Mexico into Eastern North Carolina for distribution. Agents with the ATF and DEA purchased over $100,000 of drugs from Inmate Beltran’s organization, totaling 35 pounds of methamphetamine and almost seven pounds of fentanyl.
“Drug trafficking creates a cycle of violence in our communities that too often includes illegal firearm use and possession,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “Coordinated efforts among our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners help break up these drug trafficking networks, stop violent gun crimes, and make our neighborhoods safer.”
W. Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. ATF and DEA investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley J. Avera and Special Assistant United States Attorney Alison N. Lester prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-CR-71-M-4.
Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Setting NYPD Vehicles AblazeRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jakhi McCray pleaded guilty to committing arson of 10 New York City Police Department (NYPD) vehicles and one trailer in Brooklyn, New York. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Seth D. Eichenholtz. When sentenced, McCray faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment, as well as a fine and restitution in an amount to be determined by the Court.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, NYPD, announced the guilty plea.
“The defendant’s actions were not only dangerous, but they were also a direct attack on public safety and the rule of law,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “By deliberately setting fire to multiple police vehicles in the pre-dawn hours, the defendant put at risk the lives of first responders and residents asleep in their beds nearby, and ultimately, strained resources meant to protect the community. Today’s guilty plea ensures accountability and sends a clear message that acts of violence and destruction against law enforcement will be met with serious consequences.”
“This defendant’s actions—setting fire to multiple NYPD vehicles and causing significant damage—demonstrates a blatant disregard for public safety and the rule of law. Arson is not a form of protest—it is a dangerous crime that puts lives at risk,” stated ATF Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo. “The swift work of the ATF New York Arson and Explosives Task Force, comprised of ATF, NYPD, and FDNY personnel, underscores the strength of our coordinated response to violent crime. We remain committed to working alongside our partners to protect our communities and ensure those who commit violent acts are brought to justice.”
As detailed in court filings and facts presented during the plea proceeding, on June 12, 2025, McCray scaled a fence into a secure, private lot on DeKalb Avenue between Wilson Avenue and Central Avenue in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn that housed NYPD vehicles, and intentionally set on fire 10 NYPD vehicles and one trailer. Shortly thereafter, an NYPD officer assigned to inspect the lot saw the fire and observed McCray escaping through a hole in the fence. McCray ultimately self-surrendered on July 21, 2025. NYPD estimates the arson caused over $800,000 in damages. The arson was committed two days before protests were scheduled to be conducted over the June 14-15, 2025 weekend, compromising NYPD resources to protect and secure the public.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca M. Urquiola is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
JAKHI MCCRAY
Age: 22
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 26-CR-68 (ENV)
Borrower at Failed Oklahoma Bank Charged with Bank Fraud and Money LaunderingRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal grand jury in the Western District of Oklahoma returned an indictment yesterday charging SHAUN U. CHRISTIAN (“Christian”), 57, of Lindsay, Oklahoma, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering in relation to the now-defunct First National Bank of Lindsay (“FNBL”).
According to court documents, Christian is alleged to have conspired with FNBL’s former President and CEO, Danny Seibel, 55, to defraud FNBL. The indictment alleges that, among other things, Christian and Seibel submitted false information in connection with multiple loans in 2021. Seibel is further alleged to have manipulated bank records related to Christian’s accounts to conceal overdrafts and past-due balances, allowing additional funds to be extended to Christian. The alleged scheme continued until shortly before FNBL’s failure in October 2024. The indictment also alleges that Christian laundered proceeds from the fraud through various personal expenditures.
Christian is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, four counts of bank fraud, and three counts of money laundering. If convicted, Christian faces a maximum penalty for each count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud of 30 years in prison and a maximum penalty for each count of money laundering of ten years.
On December 3, 2025, Seibel was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, six counts of bank fraud, ten counts of false bank entries, one count of obstructing the examination of a financial institution, and one count of failure to maintain an anti-money laundering program. If convicted, Seibel faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for each conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and false entry count, five years for obstructing the examination of a financial institution, and ten years for failure to maintain an anti-money laundering program.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General, the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General, the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julia E. Barry and Jackson D. Eldridge for the Western District of Oklahoma; and Trial Attorneys Mark Goldberg, Elysa Q. Wan, and J. Ryan McLaren of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture (MNF) Section Bank Integrity Unit are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Billings man sentenced to 5 years in prison for sexual abuse on the Crow Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Billings man who sexually assaulted a child on the Crow Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 60 months in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
Matthew Paul Stopsatprettyplaces, 49, was convicted by a jury in December 2025 of abusive sexual contact of a child.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided.
The government alleged in court documents and at trial that in 2019, Stopsatprettyplaces gave 9-year-old Jane Doe a ride to a family member’s residence in Hardin. En route, he took advantage of Jane Doe while she was asleep. He first put his hands on Jane Doe’s thighs, which woke her up. But Stopsatprettyplaces continued the assault by putting his hand on her inner thighs and then under her shirt, fondling her bare breasts. On a subsequent occasion at Jane Doe’s house in Hardin, Stopsatprettyplaces again assaulted Jane Doe, ten 10 years old, by kissing her all over and fondling her over her clothes.
Jane Doe disclosed the sexual abuse a few years later to a therapist, who mandatorily reported to the child abuse hotline, which triggered an immediate investigation by the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelsey Hendricks and Paul Vestal prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI.
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Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Theft of MailRead the Press Release
Marvell Trevenski Jackson, Jr., age 26, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Brian A. Jackson to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and theft of mail, announced U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall.
According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, between at least July 2023, and continuing through at least May 2025, Jackson conspired with others, known and unknown, to defraud federally insured financial institutions, including Neighbor's Federal Credit Union (“NFCU”), Essential Federal Credit Union (“EFCU”), First Guarantee Bank and Trust (“FGB”), Navy Federal Credit Union (“Navy FCU”), and Regions Bank, among others. Jackson and his co-conspirators employed a variety of methods, including stealing or obtaining stolen mail to obtain personal and financial information of bank customers; altering or washing checks stolen from the mail; creating counterfeit checks using stolen bank account information; disseminating spam text messages designed to trick bank customers into revealing bank account information and login credentials; and using that confidential information to unlawfully access and transfer funds from victims accounts. To further the purpose of the conspiracy and to evade detection, Jackson recruited other individuals, commonly known as “money mules,” to either open accounts or whose existing accounts could be used to receive the fraud proceeds. Once the stolen funds were deposited into the accounts held by the money mules or other co-conspirators, these individuals withdrew the funds, keeping a portion for themselves and providing the majority to Jackson.
Between at least July 2023 and continuing until at least May 2024, Jackson conspired with others, known and unknown, to obtain personal identifying information (“PII”), along with personal and business checks, that were stolen from the U.S. mail.
For example, between July 1, 2023, and September 26, 2023, Jackson communicated with a co-conspirator, a mail carrier and resident of Denham Springs, Louisiana, to purchase over $119,000 worth of checks stolen from the mail, including a check in the amount of $1,450. Members of the conspiracy later altered the check, changing the payee to that of a money mule and the amount payable to $60,000. Members of the conspiracy deposited the check at a Regions Bank in Baton Rouge. The funds were withdrawn before the bank identified the fraud, causing a loss of $60,000 to Regions Bank.
In another instance, in or around February 7, 2024, Jackson stole mail, including personal and business checks totaling at least $20,378 that had been placed for collection in the blue boxes at the US Postal Service's office located on Florida Street in Baton Rouge. These stolen checks and others, totaling over $270,000, were later located in a residence used by Jackson, along with the tools and supplies required for printing counterfeit checks.
In total, Jackson and his conspirators obtained or sought to obtain over $500,000 by negotiating, and attempting to negotiate, altered or counterfeit checks using checks and other financial data obtained from stolen U.S. mail.
Members of the conspiracy also engaged in “smishing,” short for “SMS phishing,” a cyber-attack technique whereby perpetrators use Short Message Service (“SMS”) or text messages purporting to be from reputable companies to induce victims to reveal personal information, such as usernames, passwords, or bank account numbers.
Between April and May 2025, members of the conspiracy sent fraudulent text messages to customers of NFCU, EFCU, and FGB. The text messages falsely reported unauthorized financial transactions and directed customers to provide login credentials and other confidential information needed to access their bank accounts. In some instances, members of the conspiracy followed fraudulent text messages with phone calls to customers to elicit personal and confidential information regarding their accounts by impersonating bank employees.
Members of the conspiracy then used the bank account information provided by customers to conduct unauthorized electronic transfers of funds from victims' accounts. To conceal the fraud and evade detection, Jackson advertised the scheme using his Instagram account and recruited money mules to open bank accounts at NFCU, EFCU, and FGB, which could be used to receive unauthorized electronic transfers from customers’ bank accounts in exchange for keeping a portion of the funds.
Thereafter, members of the conspiracy unlawfully accessed and transferred funds from customer's accounts to the accounts opened by money mules at NFCU, EFCU, and FGB. Jackson directed the money mules to withdraw or to electronically transfer the stolen funds to himself or other members of the conspiracy.
Jackson and his co-conspirators executed the smishing scheme in East Baton Rouge Parish, Iberville Parish, Livingston Parish, and others, defrauding financial institutions including NFCU, EFCU, FGB, and their customers of over $300,000.
Jackson’s convictions are punishable by a maximum of 35 years in prison, a $1,250,000 fine, and up to 8 years of supervised release. The Court may also order restitution.
“Fraud comes in all shapes and sizes,” stated U.S. Attorney Wall. “This administration, and our office, are committed to using every tool available to pursue fraudsters and hold them fully accountable for their actions.”
U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of the U.S. Postal Service, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Lundin Craig is in charge of the prosecution.
Action Across the Country Today Prosecute Schemes to Defraud over $260 Million in Taxpayer Funded COVID Relief and Social Security Disability ProgramsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division announced the following actions of the Department of Justice across the country today to hold individuals accountable for schemes that attempted or succeeded in defrauding taxpayer-funded programs of over $260 million.
“The National Fraud Enforcement Division will vigorously pursue those who steal taxpayer dollars. We will find you and bring you to justice for the American people,” said Colin McDonald, Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
In the District of New Jersey: U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced that tax preparer Leon Haynes, 52, of Teaneck, New Jersey, who sought more than $170 million in fraudulent COVID-19-related tax refunds was sentenced today to 12 years in prison. Haynes was also ordered to pay more than $55 million in restitution to the Internal Revenue Service. Following a six-day jury trial in November 2025 before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini, Haynes was convicted of 15 counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false tax returns, one count of mail fraud, and two counts of tax evasion. This is the largest COVID-19 tax relief fraud case to be tried to date in the country.
In the District of Colorado: U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly announced that Ikponmwosa Erhinmwinrose, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Nyerhovwo Presley Agbure, 34, of Atlanta, Georgia, were each sentenced in connection with a fraud ring that stole millions in government funds and victimized thousands of people nationwide. Erhinmwinrose will spend 17 years in federal prison, and Agbure will spend 57 months in federal prison for their involvement in this fraud ring.
According to the evidence presented at the trial and sentencing of Erhinmwinrose, he and other conspirators, including Agbure, applied for more than $90 million in government benefits and stole more than $7.6 million in government benefits from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, multiple state unemployment insurance programs including from the state of Colorado, and tax refunds. The PPP and EIDL are economic relief programs launched by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Middle District of Florida: U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe announced that Viviana Barnwell was sentenced this morning in Tampa to two years in prison. Barnwell’s adult son, P.C., was a beneficiary of Social Security disability benefits. P.C. went missing in 2016 and remains missing to this day. Despite reporting him missing to the local police, Barnwell concealed his death from the Social Security Administration, which continued to make monthly benefit payments onto P.C.’s debit card. Barnwell had control of that card and used it to withdraw and spend P.C.’s benefits for her own use. The total loss was $96,186.
In the Eastern District of Missouri: U.S. Attorney Thomas Albus announced that the owner of a fossil replica company was indicted Wednesday and accused of fraudulently seeking disability benefits. Scott A. Taylor, 50, is still on probation from a prior disability fraud case. In September 2025, Taylor pleaded guilty to one felony count of theft of government money. In December 2025, Taylor was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to repay $106,923 to the Social Security Administration. The new indictment accuses Taylor of applying for Social Security disability benefits in January 2026, falsely claiming that he had not worked since 1993.
A charge set forth in an indictment is merely an accusation and does not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. The Fraud Division will fulfill that mission by coordinating with agencies responsible for administering benefit programs; partnering with federal, tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement on fraud-fighting efforts; developing systems and processes that ensure efficient identification of fraud against taxpayer dollars; and equipping prosecutors and law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and resources needed to bring criminal actors to justice.
Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Tuesday 7 April 2026
Two Men Plead Guilty to Cocaine TraffickingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Randolph man and a Boston man have pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to cocaine trafficking charges, following a series of arrests targeting gangs in the Brockton and Randolph areas. The charges stemmed from the search of a luxury apartment in Dorchester, where over a kilogram of cocaine and two loaded guns were recovered.
Giovany Fouyolle, 31, of Randolph, pleaded guilty on March 25, 2026 to one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Adonis Graham, 34, of Boston, pleaded guilty today to one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Court Judge Brian E. Murphy scheduled sentencings for May 26, 2026 and July 2, 2026, respectively.
Fouyolle and Graham were arrested on Dec. 17, 2025, after search warrants were executed at numerous residences and stash houses associated with the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang and their Randolph-based affiliates. One of the places searched was a unit at the Imprint Apartments in Dorchester, which Fouyolle used as a stash location. Approximately 1,170 grams of cocaine, along with two loaded guns and $2,000 cash in bare kitchen cabinets, were located in the apartment.
The charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million. The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime provides for a sentence of at least five years and up to life in prison, consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Abington, Acushnet, Ashland, Boston, Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Chelsea, East Bridgewater, Medford, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Stoughton, Taunton and West Bridgewater Police Departments; Plymouth and Suffolk County Sheriff’s Departments; Massachusetts Department of Correction; Plymouth, Norfolk and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offices; and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cutshall and Philip A. Mallard of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit are prosecuting the case.
Three 18th Street Gang Leaders Sentenced to over 115 Years in Prison for Racketeering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Jose Douglass Castellano, also known as “Chino,” a high-ranking member of the 18th Street gang, was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to more than 35 years’ imprisonment for racketeering conspiracy in connection with his participation in the October 25, 2017 murder of 20-year-old Jonathan Figueroa in Saugerties, New York. Castellano is the third and final gang leader to be sentenced under a seventh superseding indictment in connection with a sprawling racketeering conspiracy that also involved the September 12, 2016 murder of 15-year-old Joshua Guzman in Hempstead, New York; the February 2, 2018 murder of 20-year-old Oscar Antonio Blanco Hernandez in Queens; and multiple shootings and other gang activity. Junior Zelaya Canales, also known as “Terco,” a Queens-based regional gang leader, and Walter Fernando Alfaro Pineda, also known as “Clever,” a Texas-based national gang leader, were each sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment in February and March 2026, respectively. Co-defendants Yanki Misael Cruz Mateo, also known as “Doggy” and “Wino,” Israel Mendiola Flores, also known as “Chapito,” Yoni Alexander Sierra, also known as “Arc Angel” and “Wasson,” Jose Jimenez Chacon, also known as “Little One,” Carolina Cruz, also known as “La Fiera,” and Eric Chavez, also known as “Lunatico,” were also previously sentenced.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James Barnacle, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) announced the sentences.
“The defendants were high-ranking members of an international criminal organization fueled by violence and fear that left a wake of sorrow and destruction in its path,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “These significant sentences send the message that our Office will never waiver in its efforts to eradicate the scourge of gang violence. It is my sincere hope that the justice meted out provides a measure of comfort and closure for the victims of these senseless crimes. The arrest, prosecution, and incarceration for decades of violent gang members achieves the goal of the Administration’s Operation Take Back America: protecting our communities from those individuals like these defendants who cause the greatest harm.”
Mr. Nocella also expressed his appreciation to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office, the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations Dallas, the New York State Police, the Kingston Police Department, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the Nassau County Police Department, the Hempstead Police Department, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs for their assistance during the investigation.
“For years, these three high-ranking 18th Street gang members plagued our community with senseless violence, death, and tragedy without any consideration for public safety. May today’s significant sentences highlight the shared determination of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to dismantle a notorious international gang’s hierarchy, and offer a small sense of closure to the victims of their unthinkable actions,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
According to court filings and proceedings, 18th Street is a well-known and well-established international criminal organization and violent street gang with members and associates residing throughout New York State including Queens and Long Island, and elsewhere throughout the United States including Houston, Texas. 18th Street members regularly engage in murder, attempted murder, assault, extortion, illegal drug and firearms trafficking, false identification document production, witness tampering, and money laundering.
The defendants and their co-conspirators committed multiple acts of violence to promote and enhance the prestige and reputation of the gang, and to maintain and increase their own membership and status in the gang, including the following:
September 12, 2016 Murder of Joshua Guzman
In September 2016, Zelaya Canales, then the regional leader of the Shatto Park Locos Sureños (“SPLS”) sect of 18th Street, ordered that Guzman be killed, in part, because the gang perceived Guzman to have been disrespectful towards 18th Street gang members. In the evening of September 11, 2016, Zelaya Canales dispatched two lower-level gang members to Long Island to lure Guzman out and murder him as part of a demonstration of their allegiance to 18th Street. On September 12, 2016 at approximately 1:03 a.m., the Hempstead Police Department received a ShotSpotter notification of gunshots fired near the intersection of Linden Avenue and Laurel Avenue in Hempstead, New York. A Hempstead Police Department officer and members of Nassau Police Department responded to the location and discovered the body of 15-year-old Guzman near the curb. Guzman was shot once in the back of the head and pronounced dead at the crime scene. Following the murder, Zelaya Canales arranged and agreed with Alfaro Pineda to send one of the perpetrators to Texas to thwart his apprehension.
July 9, 2017 Attempted Murder of Rival Gang Members
On July 9, 2017, at approximately 10:35 p.m., NYPD officers responded to the Woodside section of Queens, New York, after numerous calls were made to 9-1-1 concerning multiple gunshots. Multiple witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing approximately three to four men run towards Woodhaven Boulevard. After a canvas of the area, police officers recovered nine 9-millimeter shell casings among other evidence. Zelaya Canales led the shootout with assistance from at least two additional 18th Street gang members over a territorial dispute with a rival gang.
NYPD subsequently went to Zelaya Canales’s apartment in Queens to execute two arrest warrants unrelated to the shooting. During the execution of the warrants, NYPD ultimately recovered a 9-millimeter Ruger with a defaced serial number, 4 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition, 56 rounds of .357 magnum ammunition, 34 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition and 23 rounds of .38 ammunition. Subsequent forensic ballistics examination revealed that the Zelaya Canales’s 9-mm Ruger was the same weapon that fired the 9-millimeter shell casings found at the crime scene of the July 9, 2017 shootout in Woodhaven.
September 20, 2017 Assault of John Doe
On September 20, 2017, Chavez, together with another 18th Street gang member, approached John Doe on the street and shot him because they believed he was a member of the rival gang Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13). John Doe survived and was treated for a gunshot wound at a local hospital.
October 25, 2017 Murder of Jonathan Figueroa
By October 2017, gang members in New York suspected Jonathan Figueroa, a fellow 18th Street gang member, of cooperating with law enforcement in connection with the investigation of the murder of Joshua Guzman. Senior gang members, including Castellano, sought Alfaro Pineda’s authorization to murder Figueroa. Alfaro Pineda’s authorization was sought because Alfaro Pineda had initiated Figueroa into 18th Street in Houston, Texas, and because murdering a fellow gang member required approval from a senior member of the gang, such as Alfaro Pineda. With Alfaro Pineda’s authorization, Castellano activated gang members based in Kingston, New York, and directed them to coordinate with Queens-based gang members to see to Figueroa’s execution. Gang members in Kingston then began digging a grave in Turkey Point State Forest in anticipation of Figueroa’s arrival.
In the late-night hours of October 24, 2017, Cruz Mateo lured and travelled with Figueroa from Queens to Kingston, New York. Upon their arrival in Kingston, they were met by Flores and other 18th Street members and associates who, into the early morning hours of October 25, 2017, brought Figueroa to Turkey Point State Forest, brutally stabbed him to death and buried him in the makeshift grave. Cruz Mateo ordered the murder to be video-recorded—capturing multiple 18th Street members and associates repeatedly stabbing Figueroa, slashing his throat, amputating his ear, and dragging his body. In the video, Cruz Mateo stated that Figueroa was being murdered for “being a rat.” Cruz-Mateo then sent the video to other 18th Street members as a warning to other gang members who disrespected the gang or may cooperate with law enforcement. Figueroa, whose body was discovered in February 2018 by the FBI, along with state and local law enforcement authorities, in a five-foot deep grave in Turkey Point, sustained more than 100 stab wounds including at least one stab wound to the head that appears to have fractured his skull, and a slash to his throat that ruptured his trachea.
February 2, 2018 Murder of Oscar Antonio Blanco Hernandez
On February 2, 2018, several gang members killed Blanco Hernandez because they believed he was a member of the rival MS-13 gang. Chacon had met Blanco Hernandez weeks earlier through their mutual employer, a New Jersey-based house painting company. On the morning of the murder, Cruz and Chacon picked up Blanco Hernandez at his home in New Jersey under the guise of going to smoke marijuana as friends. Cruz and Chacon drove Blanco Hernandez to Queens where they met 18th Street gang members including Cruz Mateo and Sierra who entered the rear passenger seat of Cruz’s car on opposite sides, sandwiching Blanco Hernandez between them. Cruz drove Chacon, Cruz-Mateo, Sierra and the victim about 1.6 miles away to a quiet residential neighborhood. Cruz-Mateo, Sierra and Blanco-Hernandez got out of the car and started walking eastbound, while Cruz and Chacon stayed behind with the car. After walking for a few minutes, Cruz-Mateo drew a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun and shot Blanco-Hernandez in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Blanco Hernandez’s body was discovered on a residential street in the Jamaica Hills section of Queens. He sustained three gunshot wounds: two gunshots to the torso and one to the head.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan P. Lax, Erin Reid, Adam Amir and Rebecca Urquiola are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Tareva Torres.
These convictions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threatens the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Central Operations and Regional Enforcement (CORE) Region 28, located in New York, is comprised of agents and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEAJ, US Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP), the US Marshals Service SDNY, the US Marshals Service EDNY, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), US Postal Inspection Service, US Coast Guard, US Federal Probation SDNY, US Federal Probation EDNY, Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the United States Secret Service, the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.
The Defendants:
WALTER FERNANDO ALFARO PINEDA, also known as “Clever”
Age: 46
Houston, Texas
(Sentenced to 480 months’ imprisonment on 3/16/26)JUNIOR ZELAYA-CANALES, also known as “Terco”
Age: 29
Jamaica, New York
(Sentenced to 480 months’ imprisonment on 2/20/26)JOSE DOUGLAS CASTELLANO, also known as “Chino”
Age: 27
Brooklyn, New York
(Sentenced to 425 months’ imprisonment on 4/7/26)Co-Defendants Previously Sentenced:
YANKI MISAEL CRUZ MATEO, also known as “Yenki Misael Cruz Mateo,” “Yankee Mateo,” “Doggy,” and “Wino”
Age: 26
Jamaica, New York
(Sentenced to 540 months’ imprisonment on 1/14/25)ISRAEL MEDIOLA FLORES, also known as “Chapito” and “Sinaloa”
Age: 31
Kingston, New York
(Sentenced to 425 months’ imprisonment on 5/16/23)YONI ALEXANDER SIERRA, also known as “Arca,” “Arc Angel,” and “Wasson”
Age: 27
Jamaica, New York
(Sentenced to 204 months’ imprisonment on 1/10/25)JOSE JIMENEZ CHACON, also known as “Little One”
Age: 27
New Brunswick, New Jersey
(Sentenced to 269 months’ imprisonment on 11/12/24)CAROLINA CRUZ, also known as “La Fiera”
Age: 32
Elizabeth, New Jersey
(Sentenced to 150 months’ imprisonment on 2/11/25)ERIC CHAVEZ, also known as “Lunatico”
Age: 27
Jamaica, New York
(Sentenced to 135 months’ imprisonment on 5/13/25)E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-139 (S-7) (LDH)
Ten Defendants Sentenced to Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine in the Magic ValleyRead the Press Release
BOISE – U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced the sentences of ten defendants who conspired to distribute methamphetamine in the Magic Valley. According to court records, the defendants possessed and distributed large quantities of methamphetamine throughout the Magic Valley area. During the investigation, federal, state, and local law enforcement officers seized over 30 pounds of methamphetamine from the drug trafficking organization. Several individuals involved in the conspiracy traveled to Arizona and California to obtain methamphetamine that they brought back to Idaho for distribution.
Today, Oscar Alejandro Perez-Gomez, 33, of Jerome, was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Perez-Gomez to serve five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
The following defendants were previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy:
- Luis Enrique Gonzalez, 41, of Jerome, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and on October 16, 2025, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Leonardo Espinoza-Romero, 33, of Jerome, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and on May 14, 2025, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Daniel D. Thomas, 49, of Jerome, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, and on June 17, 2025, was sentenced to 110 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Jesus Arturo Torres-Herrera, 37, a Mexican National, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and on January 14, 2026, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. He will be deported to Mexico upon his release from prison;
- Liliana Morales-Caliz, 36, a Mexican National, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine, and on December 17, 2025, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison and will be deported to Mexico upon her release;
- Artemio Morgan Hurtado, Jr., 35, of Shoshone, was convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and on April 24, 2025, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release;
- Robert Troglia, 54, of Jerome, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine, and on May 15, 2025, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release;
- Patrick Delacruz, 41, of Jerome, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and on June 5, 2025, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release; and
- Raquel May, 29, of Twin Falls, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and on June 17, 2025, was sentenced to three years of probation.
As part of the same investigation, nine additional defendants were prosecuted in Idaho state courts for crimes including possession of controlled substances and trafficking in methamphetamine.
The cases were primarily investigated by the Idaho State Police and Drug Enforcement Administration. In addition to the work of these agencies, U.S. Attorney Davis thanked the following agencies for assisting in the investigation: Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office, Twin Falls Police Department, Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Jerome County Sheriff’s Office, Jerome Police Department, Jerome County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Cassia County Sheriff’s Office, Cassia County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Minidoka County Sheriff’s Office, Minidoka County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher A. Booker and Francis J. Zebari prosecuted the cases.
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Tax preparer indicted for filing false tax returns causing thousands in fraudulent claimsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A Houston area woman has been taken into custody on charges that she willfully helped clients file false tax returns with the IRS, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Bobbie Zermeno aka Roberta Villarreal is set to make her initial appearance in Houston federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray at 2 p.m.
A federal grand jury returned the 14-count indictment March 25, which was unsealed upon her arrest.
Zermeno ran a tax preparation business in Houston from at least 2017 to 2022, according to the charges. At times during those years, she allegedly added false credits or deductions on tax returns to fraudulently lower her clients’ overall tax liability.
The indictment alleges Zermeno utilized false Schedule C losses for businesses that did not even exist and false car mileage expenses to fraudulently inflate her clients’ tax refunds. The false amounts claimed on these returns would, at times, exceed thousands of dollars, according to the charges.
Zermeno allegedly earned money from the scheme by charging her clients preparation fees of hundreds of dollars per return. The charges also allege she did not disclose some of these fees to her clients.
If convicted, she faces up to three years in prison for each count of aiding in the preparation and filing of false tax returns as well as potential fines of up to $250,000.
IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine Lu and Brad Gray are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
St. Louis Fentanyl Dealers Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp on Tuesday sentenced a fentanyl dealer from St. Louis to prison for 155 months in prison, days after sending a co-defendant to prison for 210 months.
Sentenced Tuesday was Toneisha D. Smith, 27, who sold fentanyl to the Drug Enforcement Administration and nearly hit three DEA task force officers with her car when they were investigating her. Trequan A. Dotson, 25, was sentenced on April 2. Three others have also been convicted.
Police responding to a violent domestic dispute at Dotson’s home in the 4600 block of Newport Avenue in St. Louis in August of 2023 found fentanyl, a money counting machine, $10,111 in cash and two AR-style rifles, one AK-style pistol and four AR-style pistols, many with large-capacity magazines. Police then found more fentanyl and drug paraphernalia at an apartment in the 2300 block of South 7th Street, which Dotson used for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl. Police found more fentanyl after Dotson led them on a high-speed chase on Oct. 16, 2023.
After being jailed, Dotson told another member of the drug trafficking conspiracy to supply fentanyl to Smith and taught Smith how to mix fentanyl with cutting agents before selling it. Smith admitted that she and her co-defendants, including Larry C. Hayes III, sold fentanyl to the DEA from March to June of 2024.
During a court-approved search of Smith’s home on Miami Street in St. Louis on April 1, 2024, investigators found Smith, Hayes and Marcel Harris along with fentanyl, cash and an AR-style pistol. On June 18, 2024, investigators were preparing for another court-approved search of a residence on Sidney Street in St. Louis. Smith left the home and got into her vehicle before officers and agents arrived. When she saw task force officers approach her vehicle, she sped away, aiming her Kia K5 at three of the task force officers. The officers were able to jump out of the way. Smith drove over the parking lot curb and through an adjoining yard and trees before flattening all four tires when she drove off a small embankment. She ultimately escaped. Investigators found fentanyl, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the home. They also found a Rock River Arms AR-15 that had been stolen from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“This investigation is a prime example of the dangers DEA personnel face on a daily basis protecting our communities from drug-related violence and the drugs that are poisoning our citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Davis, DEA St. Louis Division. “We remain relentless in our pursuit of drug traffickers wreaking havoc on the American people, as we work towards a Fentanyl Free America.”
Smith was charged by complaint on June 18, 2024, and investigators found her and Hayes in a home on California Avenue the next day, along with fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.
Smith pleaded guilty in December to one count each of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, assaulting or resisting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Dotson pleaded guilty in September to one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of fentanyl in a separate, 2023 case and admitted violating his supervised release in a 2019 case.
Hayes, 25, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Harris, 23, of Jennings, Missouri, pleaded guilty in June to a fentanyl conspiracy charge. In addition to the conduct described above, he admitted being caught twice by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department with fentanyl, including after an Aug. 10, 2023, high-speed chase. U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp sentenced Harris to 10 years in prison in September.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Voss prosecuted the case.
Soviet Illegal Alien Convicted by Federal Jury for Selling Fentanyl and Ecstasy Through the MailRead the Press Release
NEW BERN, N.C. – A federal jury convicted an illegal alien, Janusz Pachomow, 49, for conspiring to use the mail to send deadly drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and ecstasy all over the United States. Pachomow entered the United States from the former Soviet Union in the 1970s.
This illegal alien met individuals from Europe and Australia while purchasing drugs through the dark web. Using encrypted applications, Pachomow agreed to ship drugs all over the United States through the U.S. Mail. Though an encrypted email account, these co-conspirators provided a temporary link to Pachomow that contained purchasers’ names, addresses, and the drug types and quantities purchased. He would then fulfill those orders from the large stash of drugs at his house. Pachomow received payment in cryptocurrency.
“In Soviet Russia, drugs sell in mail. Not in USA. What a disgrace to escape communism only to pollute the land of the free. Simple Lesson: Drugs Kill, Prison Awaits -Do right.” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
Pachomow made his elderly mother drive him to the local post office to mail the drugs across the country. He typically mailed between three to 18 shipments a day. In an attempt to avoid detection, Pachomow affixed return addresses for various, random, uninvolved local businesses near his home. Those businesses received undeliverable items.
Law enforcement investigated and uncovered the scheme as local businesses reported suspicious mail “returned” to their addresses. German customs officials intercepted a suspicious package bound for Pachomow containing over 15 pounds of ecstasy pills shaped like Homer Simpson and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un. The pills were hidden inside a water heater.
While executing a search of his home, law enforcement discovered large quantities of drugs, a plethora of drug paraphernalia including fentanyl gloves, and packing supplies matching the envelopes already recovered.
In response to the jury’s verdict, Rodney Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, USPIS, said "the U.S. Postal Inspection Service values our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina who helped bring this investigation to a successful conclusion. Illegal shipments of drugs threaten the safety of all our communities. These crimes are a priority for Postal Inspectors and demonstrate the importance of our mission that includes the safeguarding of the Postal Service, its customers, and preventing the illegal use of the U.S. Mail.”
“This verdict reflects the successful collaboration across international borders and agencies to disrupt a criminal enterprise responsible for distributing dangerous drugs to communities nationwide,” said Mark M. Zito, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations Charlotte. “Through the combined efforts of the United States Postal Inspection Service, German customs, HSI Frankfurt, and our partners in the Eastern District of North Carolina, HSI remains committed to pursuing individuals who exploit online marketplaces and the postal system for illicit profit at the expense of public safety.”
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan accepted the jury’s verdict. The USPIS, HSI, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, and Aberdeen Police Department investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys David G. Beraka and Logan Liles prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-242-FL.
Sixteen-Time Waterloo Felon Sentenced to over Two Decades in Federal Prison for Distributing Fatal Dose of FentanylRead the Press Release
A woman who distributed a mixture of fentanyl, heroin, and xylazine that caused an overdose death was sentenced April 6, 2026, to 21 years in federal prison.
Bridgette Marie Washington, age 47, from Waterloo, Iowa, received the prison term after a September 22, 2025, guilty plea to one count of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death.
Court records show that between July 2022 and January 2023, Washington and two other individuals sold methamphetamine, powder heroin, and M-30 pills which contained fentanyl. Washington sold drugs that led to four non-fatal overdoses in September, November, and December 2022. On January 2, 2023, Washington sold substances she marketed as “A1” drugs (meaning that they were potent) to multiple customers. Each person who used the drugs Washington sold on that day lost consciousness. One individual who used some of the drugs died as a result of using them. Washington had an extensive criminal history, including convictions for 15 felony offenses prior to the conduct that led to her federal charge.
Washington was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Washington was sentenced to 252 months’ imprisonment. She must also serve a six-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Washington is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was investigated by the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Waterloo Police Department, Cedar Falls Police Department, Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Department, Evansdale Police Department, Waverly Police Department, Hudson Police Department, La Porte City Police Department, the Bremer County Sheriff’s Department, and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nicole Nagin and Dan Chatham.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-02014-CJW-MAR.
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Sioux City Man to Federal Prison for Meth ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Todd Babb, 62, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced in federal court in Sioux City on April 6, 2026, to 210 months’ imprisonment. Babb pled guilty November 19, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Evidence showed that Babb was previously convicted of at least five prior felony drug offenses, one in Iowa District Court and one in Federal Court in the Northern District of Iowa. Babb admitted that between 2018 and August 2024, he and others conspired to distribute more than 500 grams of mixed methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. During a search of Babb’s residence, law enforcement seized over $3,000 in cash and ¼ pound of methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others. Approximately one pound of methamphetamine was also seized from a vehicle observed driving away from Babb’s residence.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Babb to 210 months’ imprisonment, and he must serve a ten-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Babb remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-4068. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Repeat Felon Sentenced to Almost 22 Years in Prison for Gun and Drug Trafficking CrimesRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson announced today that a repeat felon was sentenced to prison for almost 22 years for illegal gun possession and using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activities.
Terence Gerod McBride, 39, of Charlotte, was sentenced to 262 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On June 20, 2025, McBride pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Alicia Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Chief Estella D. Patterson of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), joined U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.
“McBride is in his thirties now, but he will be in his sixties when he is released from federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Armed, repeat offenders are being held accountable and serving real time in the federal system. Taking these crimes seriously and removing dangerous people and their weapons from our streets will save countless lives.”
According to court documents, on June 15, 2023, around 6:30 p.m., CMPD officers attempted to stop an SUV being driven by McBride, but the defendant refused to stop. As officers followed McBride, the defendant discarded a backpack onto a residential street containing a Glock, model 33, .357 caliber semi-automatic pistol, 17.31 grams of cocaine, and over $20,000 in cash. Six days after the attempted traffic stop, CMPD officers arrested McBride in the driveway of a residence near where the defendant had discarded the backpack containing the firearm. When McBride was arrested, he had a South Carolina ID bearing McBride’s picture but another name. He also had $13,994 in cash on his person. McBride was released on state bond following his arrest.
According to court records, McBride later became a suspect in a homicide stemming from a March 17, 2024, shooting in Charlotte. Warrants were issued for McBride’s arrest. McBride was located in New York on August 16, 2024. The defendant was in the front seat passenger of a car that ran a red light. During the subsequent traffic stop, law enforcement recovered two firearms and an amount of cocaine base. McBride was again in possession of fraudulent identification.
McBride is in federal custody. He will be ordered to report to the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.
In making the announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson thanked the ATF and CMPD for their investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte handled the prosecution.
Registered Sex Offender to Serve Ten Years in Federal Prison for Repeat Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – GEORGE WALTERS, 78, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
“The stiff sentence imposed by the Court justly punishes Walters as a repeat child predator who possessed and shared child porn less than one year after completing federal supervision related to his prior child pornography conviction,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester. “Protecting our children from vile predators will always remain a priority of this office.”
According to public records, in September 2025, FBI agents conducted an online undercover investigation to identify individuals possessing and sharing child pornography. Through their investigation, law enforcement identified an internet protocol (IP) address associated with Walters that made several child pornography images and videos available to others through a file-sharing website. Walters is a registered sex offender, having previously been convicted 2010 in the Western District of Oklahoma for possession of child pornography. Most recently, Walters was arrested on October 27, 2025, after law enforcement executed a search warrant on his phone and found child pornography.
On November 4, 2025, a federal grand jury charged Walters with possession of child pornography. Walters pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026, and admitted he knowingly possessed child pornography.
At the sentencing hearing on April 6, 2026, U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced Walters to serve 120 months in federal prison, followed by supervised release for life. In announcing his sentence, Judge Palk cited the Walters’ criminal history and emphasized that Walters committed the offense less than a year after being discharged from supervised release for his prior child pornography conviction.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Hale prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the DOJ Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, PSC 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 PSC, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison for Accessing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—An Aloha, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison yesterday for accessing with the intent to view child sexual abuse material while on probation for a 2023 conviction for sex abuse.
Thomas Allen Vetsch, 56, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release. He is a registered sex offender due to a 2006 conviction for encouraging child sex abuse.
“Protecting our children is the District of Oregon’s top priority,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford. “Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable.”
“Mr. Vetsch’s 10-year sentence is clearly warranted, as he is a repeat offender with previous convictions for sexual abuse of a minor and accessing child sexual abuse material,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “HSI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify those engaged in the exploitation of children, whether directly or indirectly, and will continue to seek out and arrest those who access these materials.”
According to court documents, on July 22, 2024, investigators searched Vetsch’s residence and seized a laptop containing 43 images of child sexual abuse material.
On August 20, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Vetsch with transportation of child pornography and access with intent to view child pornography.
On January 12, 2026, Vetsch pleaded guilty to accessing with intent to view child pornography.
This case was investigated by HSI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mira Chernick and Pamela Paaso.
Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children is encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.
Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Panama City Beach Man Indicted for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – David Carlton Lee, 59, of Panama City Beach, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of transportation of child pornography, one count of possession/access with intent to view child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Lee appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 27, 2026 at 8:30 in Tallahassee, Florida before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Lee faces a minimum 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to 20 years imprisonment, on the transportation count; and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the possession counts.
The case is being jointly investigated by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Panama City Beach Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Member Sentenced for Armed Assault Against RivalRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court yesterday for his involvement in an armed assault against a member of a rival motorcycle club.
Bryan S. Fletcher, also known as “Fletch,” 49, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to eighty-four months in federal prison without parole for assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
On Sept. 17, 2022, Fletcher and twelve other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, the Los Valerosos, chased and forced a lone rival gang member from the road in Blue Springs, Mo. Various members of the Pagan’s and Los Valerosos were armed with firearms and at least one axe handle. Fletcher, who was an associate of the Los Valerosos at the time, and others confronted the victim on the side of the roadway. The victim was shot seven times, with wounds to his knee, thigh, forearm, biceps, buttocks and back of his leg. Fletcher and several others fled the scene before law enforcement could arrive.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley K. Kavanaugh and Robert Smith. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Mo., Police Department, the Blue Springs, Mo., Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Operation Take Back America
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.
Orleans Parish Resident Sentenced to 144 Months for Assault on a Postal Employee and Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JODY HARRIS (“HARRIS”), age 33, a resident of Orleans Parish, was sentenced on March 10, 2026 by U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion to 144 months, three (3) years of supervised release, and a mandatory $200.00 special assessment fee, after previously pleading guilty to Assault of a Postal Employee, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2114(a) and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 922(g)(1), and 924(a)(8), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
On or about December 16,2024, HARRIS assaulted a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee with the intent to rob, steal mail, money and other property of the United States. In doing so, HARRIS endangered a USPS letter carrier by using a dangerous weapon, a Beretta Model APX handgun.
According to court documents, on the day of robbery, the victim was delivering mail on his route in the 8400 block of Forshey Street. HARRIS approached the victim and brandished the
Beretta firearm, after removing it from his black cross body bag. HARRIS then threatened the victim while armed with the handgun, and demanded the victim give him everything he possessed, Fearing for his life, the victim gave HARRIS the USPS vehicle keys, USPS mail scanner, and his USPS mail satchel with mail inside. HARRIS then entered the USPS vehicle and stole the USPS Arrow key, a key used by USPS employees to access blue collection boxes.
During the robbery, HARRIS stole a USPS mail scanner with GPS capabilities. The mail scanner tracked to the 8800 block of Forshey Street. As a part of the investigation NOPD discovered that HARRIS frequented a residence in the 8800 block of Forshey Street and confirmed that HARRIS recently left the residence.
Later that same day, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) got a search warrant for the Forshey Street residence and recovered postal vehicle keys, a postal Arrow Key, a Debit Card with the name "Jody F Harris,” a firearm, a Beretta Model APX, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol with a loaded magazine as well as stolen mail.
After leaving the Forshey Street residence, the investigation then revealed that HARRIS drove his vehicle to a residence in the 6300 block of Baccich Street. As a result, NOPD got a search warrant for the Baccich Street residence and seized a USPS mail satchel with the Postal Carrier's initials, a black cross body bag with red trim, drugs and drug paraphernalia, 139.3 grams of marijuana, 2.1 grams of Xanax, .8 grams of Xanax, l.l grams of crack cocaine and a digital scale. HARRIS was subsequently arrested.
HARRIS previously pled guilty to a felony in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, and thus, was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Office of the Inspector General and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Katherine Kaufman of the General Crimes Unit, Alexandra Giavotella of the Public Corruption Unit and Gregory M. Kennedy of the Violent Crimes Unit handled 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).
Orange County Man Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating Fraud Scheme that Submitted Nearly $270 Million in Bogus Claims to Medi-CalRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – An Orange County man has pleaded guilty to submitting nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims over an 11-month span to Medi-Cal for expensive prescription drugs containing generic ingredients that were not medically necessary and, in many instances, not provided to the purported recipients, the Justice Department announced today.
Paul Richard Randall, 66, of Orange, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of wire fraud committed while on release. He has been in federal custody since June 2025.
“This defendant used a public health program as his personal piggy bank,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. “This guilty plea should send a message that this administration — consistent with the President’s war on fraud — will not turn a blind eye while criminals fleece taxpayers.”
“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the Department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.”
“The defendant was a repeat fraudster who caused Medi-Cal, a program designed to help those in need, to be billed nearly $270 million for expensive and medically unnecessary medications,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “He and his co-schemers stole over $178 million through false and fraudulent claims for these medications, lining their own pockets with public funds. The Criminal Division will aggressively prosecute those who defraud Medicaid and exploit taxpayer-funded benefit programs.”
“Schemes that bill Medicaid for costly drugs that patients never needed or received threaten the integrity of the program,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “This plea shows our firm resolve, alongside our law enforcement partners, to exposing such fraud operations, ensuring those responsible are held accountable, and safeguarding taxpayer-funded health care programs.”
According to his plea agreement, Randall, along with Kyrollos Mekail, 37, of Moreno Valley, and Patricia Anderson, 58, of West Hills, took advantage of Medi-Cal’s suspension of its requirement that health care providers obtain prior authorization before providing certain health care services or medications as a condition of reimbursement. The suspension of the prior authorization requirements was part of an ongoing transition of Medi-Cal’s prescription drug program to a new payment system.
Through a business called Monte Vista Pharmacy, Randall and his co-schemers exploited Medi-Cal’s prior authorization suspension by billing Medi-Cal tens of millions of dollars per month for dispensing high-reimbursement, non-contracted, generic drugs through Monte Vista Pharmacy. Some prescription medications purportedly were to treat pain and included Folite tablets, a vitamin available over the counter.
Normally, these high-cost reimbursement medications would have required prior authorization under Medi-Cal’s old payment system. Medication involved in this scheme was medically unnecessary, frequently was not dispensed to patients, and procured by kickbacks.
From May 2022 to April 2023, Monte Vista billed Medi-Cal more than $269 million and was paid more than $178 million for 19 expensive, non-contracted drugs containing low-cost, generic ingredients that were not medically necessary, not provided, or both.
Randall and others then laundered their illicit proceeds by transferring the proceeds of the Medi-Cal fraud scheme to a third party to pay kickbacks to Anderson, to promote the fraud scheme and to conceal and disguise the transfers from detection by law enforcement.
Randall admitted in his plea agreement to transmitting by wire at least approximately $269,120,829 in false and fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal for purportedly dispensing the fraud scheme medications that Anderson prescribed, on which Medi-Cal paid at least approximately $178,746,556.
United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi scheduled an August 3 sentencing hearing, at which time Randall will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.
Relatedly, Mekail pleaded guilty in August 2024 to two counts of health care fraud and awaits sentencing. Anderson is charged with two counts of health care fraud.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the FBI, and the California Department of Justice are investigating this matter.
Assistant United States Attorney Roger A. Hsieh of the Major Frauds Section and Trial Attorney Siobhan M. Namazi of the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section are prosecuting this case. Assistant United States Attorney James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section is handling asset forfeiture matters in this case.
Oneida County Man Pleads Guilty to Money Order FraudRead the Press Release
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Delos Thurston, age 27, of Clinton, New York, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to money order fraud. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”), made the announcement.
Thurston admitted that between April 2025 and January 2026, while he was employed as the Postmaster of the Morrisville, New York, Post Office, he fraudulently issued 179 money orders for his own benefit without paying for them, and in so doing stole $118,088.19 from the United States.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “This defendant stole from the honest, hard-working American taxpayer. That he did so by abusing the authority entrusted to him as a public servant is abhorrent. We thank the Office of Inspector General for its continued efforts to bring fraudsters to justice.”
USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew M. Modafferi stated, “The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General is committed to upholding the integrity of the Postal Service and its workforce. Our office will continue to investigate Postal Service employees who violate the public’s trust and engage in fraudulent activity. The USPS-OIG is thankful for the great longstanding relationships we have developed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat fraud.”
Sentencing is scheduled for August 6, 2026, before Senior U.S. District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. Thurston faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The USPS-OIG is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is prosecuting the case.
New Yorkers sentenced to federal prison for illegal counterfeit passport operation in the Eastern District of Texas as part of Operation Take Back AmericaRead the Press Release
SHERMAN, Texas – Two New York women have been sentenced to federal prison for an illegal counterfeit passport operation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Ciera Julieth Blas, 32, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on April 7, 2026.
Kelly Josek, 41, of New York, New York, also pleaded guilty to fraud and misuse of visas, permits, and other documents and was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison by Judge Mazzant in January 2026.
According to information presented in court, officers with the Flower Mound Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Blas, where Josek was a passenger. During the stop, officers discovered seven U.S. Passport Identification Cards along with accompanying bank cards matching the names identified on the passports. The investigation was turned over to the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service who later discovered that Blas and Josek used the personal identifying information of over 80 other individuals, along with passport-style photos of 12 different individuals, to create counterfeit passport cards bearing their names and images.
“This case highlights the significant work of local law enforcement in protecting our communities, and our nation every day,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “In this case, a routine traffic stop was anything but routine. Counterfeit passport cards, and other identifying documents, enable all types of crime from fraud to terrorism. We take these crimes very seriously and we appreciate the Court sentencing Blas to the statutory maximum sentence of ten years imprisonment and Josek to over seven years.”
“Today’s sentencing is very welcome and the positive result of several years of unceasing investigative work by the DSS Resident Office in Dallas,” said Ryan Pack, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Houston Field Office. “The significance of the penalty clearly demonstrates how seriously fraud involving the use of counterfeit U.S. passport cards and other official government documents is taken.”
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.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Flower Mound Police Department, and the U.S. Secret Service. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.
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New York Man Charged in Multi-State Cargo-Theft ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A New York man has been indicted for allegedly conspiring to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of cargo and sell the items for illicit profit. The goods allegedly stolen include beer worth approximately $35,200; 33,750 pounds of frozen snow crabs worth approximately $325,000; pallets of blueberries; and more than $430,000 worth of designer cologne.
Romoy Forbes, 31, a Jamaican national living in Deer Park, N.Y., has been indicted for interstate transportation of stolen goods, and conspiracy to commit that offense. Forbes was previously arrested on Feb. 5, 2026 in Long Island, N.Y., after being charged by complaint in the District of Massachusetts. He was later released on conditions and will be arraigned in federal court in Worcester at 3:15 p.m. today.
According to the indictment, Forbes and his co-conspirators were able to steal the goods, partly through fraudulent emails that they sent to shippers. The emails were made to appear as though they were being sent by legitimate trucking carrier companies, offering and agreeing to receive and deliver goods that the shippers had advertised as in need of transportation.
On July 15, 2025, Forbes allegedly obtained the frozen snow crab from a storage warehouse in Worcester, Mass. that was intended to be delivered on behalf of a freight service company based in Maine, to a customer in Jacksonville, Fla. Forbes allegedly procured the seafood by falsely representing that he was acting on behalf of a trucking carrier company based in Illinois. Instead of delivering the goods to the true customer in Florida, Forbes allegedly transported it to a loading dock in Queens, N.Y.
According to the charging documents, on June 6, 2025, before the alleged seafood heist, Forbes allegedly obtained a shipment of beer worth approximately $35,200, from a brewery in Newark, N.J. that was intended for delivery to a customer in Portland, Maine. Instead of delivering the beer to the true customer in Maine, Forbes allegedly drove the beer to Long Island, N.Y., where he provided it to an individual in return for payment.
In addition, on June 26, 2025, Forbes allegedly obtained blueberries from a storage business in Winslow Junction, N.J., that was intended to be delivered on behalf of a freight service company based in Maine, to a customer in Illinois, by falsely representing that Forbes was acting on behalf of a trucking carrier company based in New Jersey. Forbes allegedly did not deliver the fruit to the customer. Instead, on June 27, 2025, a contact in Forbes’ cellphone named, “My customer for everything,” allegedly texted Forbes, “You bringing the blues,” to which Forbes texted “Yes, just text me the address,” “we can do 4000 and I will bring it to you right now,” and “OK, so I will be there tomorrow to drop off the blueberries.”
After the seafood, beer and blueberry thefts, on July 25, 2025, Forbes allegedly conspired to steal cologne in Ronkonkoma, N.Y. that was intended to be delivered on behalf of a freight service company based in Illinois, to a customer in Los Angeles, by falsely representing that Forbes was acting on behalf of a trucking carrier company based in Illinois. Instead of delivering the fragrances to the true customer in California, Forbes allegedly contacted his “customer for everything” offering to sell the cologne and sent the contact a video of the cologne, to which the contact replied, “Ok.”
The charge of interstate transportation of stolen goods provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit that offense carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the FBI in New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea of the Worcester Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
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.
New Jersey Man Sentenced to Prison for Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and False Use or Forgery of a PassportRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Michael Scott Hillwig, 59, of Camden, New Jersey, was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false use or forgery of a passport. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “It is of vital importance to raise awareness about the vulnerability of our personal identifying information online, which fraudsters relentlessly pursue as they seek to enrich themselves by exploiting their victims. As this defendant has learned, my office is just as relentless in our pursuit of criminals like him, and we aggressively prosecute such frauds to the fullest extent to achieve justice for the victims of these crimes.”
Court documents reflect that in May 2023, the defendant unlawfully obtained personal identification information of other people, including their names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and passport card numbers. He then fraudulently withdrew funds from the bank accounts of multiple victims by presenting U.S. passport cards bearing his photograph, but with the personal identifying information of the victims. During the course of this fraud scheme, Hillwig travelled to financial institutions in South Carolina and throughout Florida, including in Bonifay, Niceville, and Winter Garden, where he would provide bank tellers with a victim’s social security number and the fraudulent U.S. passport card in order to make withdrawals from their bank accounts.
“This case demonstrates how criminals exploit U.S. passports to victimize innocent Americans,” said Ryan McSeveney, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office. “Working with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Holmes County Sheriff's Office, and our federal partners, DSS remains committed to protecting the integrity of U.S. travel documents and bringing to justice those who use them for identity theft and financial fraud.”
Hillwig’s term of imprisonment will be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Hillwig was also ordered to pay restitution to his victims.
The case involved a joint investigation by U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
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.
National Partnership of Insurance Brokers and its Former Subsidiary Agree to Pay over $135 Million for Affordable Care Act Enrollment Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
AP of South Florida, LLC (APSF), an insurance brokerage company headquartered in Florida, has agreed to plead guilty for its role in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment fraud scheme. APSF, through its highest-ranking executives, preyed on thousands of vulnerable consumers to fraudulently enroll them into fully subsidized ACA plans, for which the federal government awarded $141.5 million in unwarranted subsidies. In a parallel civil resolution, AssuredPartners, Inc., a national partnership of insurance brokers and the then-parent company of APSF, agreed to pay $107 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent ACA health insurance plan applications. AssuredPartners, Inc., is not charged in the criminal information.
The Department of Justice announced this case and two others in support of President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud at a press conference in Washington today.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the Department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.”
The Criminal Case
The federal government offers subsidies to help eligible beneficiaries pay for health insurance plans. These subsidies are offered as tax credits to beneficiaries or as payments to insurers as Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs). APTCs are paid directly to insurance plans by the federal government in the form of a payment toward the beneficiary’s applicable monthly premium.
A criminal information was filed yesterday charging APSF with one count of major fraud against the United States. APSF has agreed to resolve the criminal charge by pleading guilty and paying restitution of $27.6 million. As part of its plea agreement, APSF admitted that, through certain of its executives and employees, APSF knowingly and intentionally defrauded the federal government. According to court documents, APSF targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and, through “street marketers” working on APSF’s behalf, sometimes offered cash and gift cards to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans. APSF enrolled these vulnerable consumers in ACA plans that were fully subsidized by the federal government by submitting false and fraudulent applications for individuals whose income did not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the subsidies. As a result of being enrolled in subsidized ACA plans for which they did not qualify, some of these consumers experienced serious disruptions in their medical care or prior insurance coverage under Medicaid or other programs. Some consumers who APSF fraudulently enrolled into fully subsidized ACA plans lost access to free health benefits through Medicaid or local assistance programs, and as a result, these consumers faced increased costs in accessing HIV medication, medication to treat opioid dependence and medication to treat mental health disorders. At times, consumers faced unaffordable co-pays and other costs because APSF enrolled these consumers in plans without regard to the consumers’ medical needs, the availability of other programs (including Medicaid and local assistance programs) and the consumers’ ability to pay out-of-pocket costs.
“APSF defrauded the U.S. government in order to line their pockets by exploiting the vulnerable,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The FBI and its partners are working every day to put an end to corporate malpractice. We are turning off the spigot and other entities ripping off the taxpayer for illicit gain should take note.”
“As yesterday’s resolution demonstrates, the Criminal Division will pursue both corporate and individual actors that defraud the United States taxpayer and exploit consumers,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Together with our partners, we previously prosecuted the former President of APSF, who will serve 20 years in prison for his crimes. Yesterday, the Department is announcing that his employer, APSF, has agreed to plead guilty for its role in the scheme and will pay $27 million in restitution. For over a year, APSF made money on the backs of vulnerable consumers and by siphoning money from a critical social safety net meant to protect working families. The conduct was orchestrated by APSF’s highest ranking executive and was pervasive throughout the company. Open and notorious corporate frauds will not be tolerated.”
“Exploiting people in crisis to generate profit at the expense of taxpayers is unconscionable,” said Inspector General T. March Bell of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “By manipulating the ACA marketplace and disrupting access to essential treatments, APSF compromised core federal health care protections and inflicted real harm on consumers who relied on those safeguards. HHS‑OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to apply the full scope of our oversight and enforcement authorities to protect taxpayer dollars and consumers.”
“Yesterday’s action underscores that companies cannot enrich themselves by manipulating federal health care programs and exploiting vulnerable individuals,” said Chief Guy Ficco of IRS Criminal Investigation. “In this case, executives falsified eligibility information to drive millions in improper subsidies, turning a program meant to provide care into a source of illicit revenue. IRS Criminal Investigation traced the flow of funds behind this scheme, and we will continue to pursue those who misuse taxpayer dollars for personal gain.”
According to court documents, APSF received commissions and other payments from an insurance company in exchange for enrolling consumers in the ACA plans. In turn, APSF paid a street marketing company in exchange for consumer referrals. To maximize these commission payments, APSF used misleading sales scripts and other deceptive sales techniques to convince consumers to state that they would attempt to earn the minimum income necessary to qualify for a subsidized ACA plan, even when the consumers initially stated to APSF’s insurance agents that they had no income. APSF also bypassed the federal government’s attempts to verify income and other information and deliberately a large volume of applications to Medicaid for various individuals in a way that guaranteed their denial so that they could sign up these same consumers for a fully subsidized ACA plan and maximize commissions.
APSF’s former president, Cory Lloyd, was previously convicted at trial in November 2025 for his role in the scheme and sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment. According to court documents, Lloyd began the scheme at a legacy entity. In February 2021, APSF acquired certain assets of that legacy entity. Lloyd then became the President of APSF, where he continued to orchestrate the fraud scheme on behalf of APSF.
Evidence presented in Lloyd’s trial showed that, while President of APSF, he received complaints from a medical provider alerting Lloyd that multiple consumers, “who were homeless, were given cash to sign up” for these ACA plans. The provider further complained that: “All of them have opioid addiction and were desperate for money. All of them were unaware they had insurance until the provider tried to get them medications through the county hospital for uninsured patients. These people are worse off than if they had no insurance because they are being asked to pay >$500 per month for their medications.” Evidence presented in Lloyd’s trial also showed that, despite receiving such warnings, APSF continued to fraudulently enroll consumers in fully subsidized ACA plans by “bumping up” their income to make them appear qualified for subsidies.
A change of plea hearing for APSF will be set for a later date, where the terms of the plea agreement between APSF and the Department of Justice will be considered by a federal judge. If the plea agreement is accepted by the court, APSF will be sentenced by a federal district court judge at a later date.
The government reached its criminal resolution with APSF based on several factors, including the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct; the fact that the fraud began at a legacy entity whose assets were acquired by APSF in February 2021; APSF’s failure to conduct adequate acquisition diligence, oversee the acquired operations, and detect the open and pervasive fraudulent scheme, which allowed the conduct to persist at APSF for approximately 18 months after the asset acquisition; and the pervasiveness of the offense, which involved multiple former APSF employees and former members of its senior executive management, including its President (Lloyd), who personally conducted and promoted the scheme. APSF also did not voluntarily and timely self-disclose the conduct to the Department of Justice but did receive credit for clearly accepting responsibility for its criminal conduct, cooperating with the government’s investigation, and implementing remedial measures.
FBI, HHS-OIG and IRS-CI are investigating the criminal case.
Assistant Chief Jamie de Boer and Trial Attorney D. Keith Clouser of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the criminal case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
The Civil Case
The False Claims Act settlement resolves allegations that, from February 2021 through September 2022, APSF knowingly submitted false or fraudulent applications for subsidized ACA plans on behalf of thousands of consumers in order to obtain commissions and bonus payments from insurers. APSF contracted with “street marketers” who targeted homeless shelters, bus stops, drug treatment clinics and similar locations. The marketers offered incentives, such as cash or gift cards, to individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans or to provide their personal information so that APSF could submit applications on their behalf. APSF employees then submitted applications falsely representing that the consumers would make a minimum income amount just over the federal poverty line in order to cause the government to pay the highest subsidy amount.
APSF employees also knowingly submitted false information to Florida’s Medicaid program in order to generate letters stating that the applicant was denied Medicaid coverage and then used these letters as a qualifying event to trigger a Special Enrollment Period, which allowed APSF to submit applications for ACA plans outside of the normal enrollment periods. APSF employees also evaded the federal government’s attempts to verify information in consumers’ ACA applications by submitting false information in response to inquiries from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services when it sought to verify the false information (including income information) submitted by APSF. Some consumers experienced disruptions in their medical care as a result of being enrolled by APSF in subsidized ACA plans that did not provide coverage for their medical needs. APSF received commissions, bonuses, and/or other payments for consumers it enrolled in ACA plans, and a significant portion of APSF’s revenues from these fraudulently obtained payments flowed up to its then-parent corporation, AssuredPartners.
“Federal benefit programs funded by American taxpayers provide an important safety net for vulnerable populations,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Yesterday’s resolution sends the clear message that the United States will hold accountable actors who exploit those programs to enrich themselves at the expense of the public.”
“Our office will use all available tools, including the False Claims Act, to confront those who submit false claims under the Affordable Care Act,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe for the Middle District of Florida. “This case exemplifies our dedication to protecting our nation’s taxpayers from fraud.”
“This $135 million resolution lays bare a brazen scheme that caused real harm by targeting vulnerable individuals for profit and disrupting their access to critical care,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “Because of APSF’s manipulation of individuals’ enrollment statuses, Medicaid and other programs intended to support vulnerable populations were undermined in fulfilling their mission. HHS-OIG will continue to aggressively pursue accountability for those who choose greed over patients and work to protect the integrity of public resources.”
The settlement resolves allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The whistleblower will receive $24.3 million as their share of the recovery in this case.
The resolution obtained in the civil matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The civil matter was handled by Attorneys Wendy Zupac and David Wiseman of the Civil Division’s Fraud Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Bloor for the Middle District of Florida.
The Commercial Litigation Branch’s Fraud Section investigates complex health care fraud allegations and files suit under the civil False Claims Act to recover money on behalf of defrauded federal health care programs. Settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act exceeded $6.8 billion in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025. Working with United States Attorneys, investigative agencies, and whistleblowers, Fraud Section attorneys have recovered more than $85 billion in False Claims Act settlements and judgments since 1986.
The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability in the civil settlement.
Middlesex County Man Charged with Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
TRENTON, N.J. – An Old Bridge, New Jersey man was arrested and charged with child pornography offenses, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced today.
Daniel Berwick, 38, was charged by criminal complaint with two counts of producing child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Berwick made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh in Trenton federal court today and was detained.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In August and September 2025, Berwick persuaded and enticed Minor Victim-1 and Minor Victim-2 to send him photos and video recordings on the social media platform Snapchat that depicted the minors engaged in sexual activity. As part of his scheme, Berwick catfished his victims by presenting himself as a 17-year-old high school student and appropriating the photos and video recordings of an adult content creator. Law enforcement became aware of Berwick after Minor Victim-1 reported him on Snapchat after he threatened to send compromising photos of her to her family and officials at her high school. After searching Berwick’s electronic devices, law enforcement uncovered, among other things at least 1,000 images of child pornography, including prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, sexual abuse or exploitation of an infant or toddler, and images portraying sadistic or masochistic conduct.
The production of child pornography charges each carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years imprisonment and a maximum term of 30 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The possession of child pornography charge carries a maximum term of 20 years imprisonment, which is increased from a maximum of 10 years because at least one image associated with the offense includes a prepubescent minor, and a fine of up to $250,000.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Offense, under the direction of Prosecutor Linda Estremera, and the Old Bridge Police Department, under the direction of Chief of Police Thomas J. Montagna, for their assistance in the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/psc.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel: Robert C. Scrivo, Esq., Mandelbaum Barrett PC
berwick.complaint.pdfMexican citizen sent to federal prison for importing $1.4M worth of cocaineRead the Press Release
McALLEN, Texas – A 24-year-old foreign national with a B1/B2 visa has been sentenced for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Roberto Ferral-Sanchez pleaded guilty Nov. 25, 2025.
U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton has now ordered Ferral-Sanchez to serve 48 months in federal prison. Not a U.S. citizen, he is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment. At the hearing, the court heard that Ferral-Sanchez was not a lower-level participant in the organization given the amount of narcotics involved. In handing down the sentence, the court noted bringing narcotics across an international border is a critical and risky drug trafficking function.
On Sept. 14, 2025, Ferral-Sanchez approached primary lane at the Hidalgo Port of Entry. Authorities referred him to for further inspection where an X-ray of the Chevrolet Cruze he was driving revealed anomalies along the rocker panels on both sides of the vehicle.
Law enforcement removed the back paneling and discovered two hidden aftermarket compartments containing approximately 16 sealed and marked bundles.
The packages tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately 18.7 kilograms and have an estimated street value of approximately $1.4 million.
Ferral-Sanchez will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose A. Garcia prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Sentenced for Attempting to Receive Child Pornography and Unlawfully Being in the United StatesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – A Mexican national living in Oklahoma City was sentenced today after being arrested in Owasso for attempting to meet a minor child for sex, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge William P. Johnson sentenced Jose Luis Granados Baltazar, 33, for Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography and Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien. Granados Baltazar was ordered to serve 60 months imprisonment, followed by lifetime supervised release. Upon his release, Granados Baltazar is expected to face removal proceedings.
In May 2025, Granados Baltazar began Facebook messaging with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old. For several days, Granados Baltazar was communicating with an undercover police officer. Granados Baltazar discussed sexual topics, sent the purported minor child a photograph of his penis, requested a sexually explicit photograph, and wanted to meet for sex. When Granados Baltazar arrived at the agreed-upon location in Owasso, he was detained. While booking Granados Baltazar into jail, law enforcement determined that he had been previously removed from the United States in 2022.
Granados Baltazar will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Owasso Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan E. Michel prosecuted the case.
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 U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, local, and tribal 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 Justice.gov/PSC.
Mexican National Extradited from Canada Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican National pleaded guilty today for conspiring to distribute and distributing narcotics in and around Portland after being extradited from Canada.
Fernando Adolip Cruz-Lerma, 25, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances.
According to court documents, in April and May 2019, Cruz-Lerma conspired with others to engage in drug trafficking. In April, Cruz-Lerma transported a victim from the state of Washington to Clackamas County due to a drug debt that the victim owed to members of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The victim was killed by members of the drug trafficking conspiracy in furtherance of the conspiracy. Cruz-Lerma assisted with leaving the victim’s body along a rural road in Clackamas County after the victim had been killed.
In May 2019, Cruz-Lerma distributed approximately two pounds of methamphetamine.
On June 6, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a superseding indictment charging Cruz-Lerma with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute controlled substances and to use a communication facility and distribution of methamphetamine.
Cruz-Lerma faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of $10 million. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and five years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on July 8, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.
As part of the plea agreement, Cruz-Lerma has agreed to pay restitution in full. Marcos Alonso Castillo-Bernal has previously been sentenced as part of this investigation.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford of the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Portland Police Bureau, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF). The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon is prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with Canadian authorities to secure the arrest and July 2024 extradition of Cruz-Lerma from Canada.
CCITF, led by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, works to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations operating in and around Clackamas County, and reduce illegal drugs and related crimes throughout the community. The task force is comprised of members from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, the FBI, and the Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. CCITF is supported by our community with the passage of the Public Safety Levy and grant funding from the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.
This 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.
Mexican Illegal Alien Sentenced to Time Served for Re-Entry of Removed Alien and Illegal Use of a Social Security NumberRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DANIEL ALDAIR QUEZADA-QUEZADA, a/k/a “Cristobal Flores,” age 29, a native of Mexico, was sentenced on April 1, 2026, for re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), and illegal use of a social security number, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Section 408(a)(7)(B), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. QUEZADA-QUEZADA was sentenced time to served, and a $200.00 mandatory special assessment fee by U.S. District Judge Sarah S. Vance. QUEZADA-QUEZADA has been detained in federal prison since February 19, 2025.
According to court documents, QUEZADA-QUEZADA, reentered the United States after being previously deported on June 9, 2020. QUEZADA-QUEZADA is a native and citizen of Mexico who has no claim of United States citizenship nor lawful immigration status. On December 25, 2024, QUEZADA-QUEZADA was arrested and charged by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Alcoholic Beverages in a Motor Vehicle, and a Driver Must Be Licensed Violation in Terrebonne Parish, LA. On December 27, 2024, federal officers visited Gulf South Services, Inc. in Gray, LA, where QUEZADA-QUEZADA claimed employment. QUEZADA-QUEZADA had provided the company with a South Carolina State Identification Card and Social Security Card under the name “Cristobal Flores.” On that same day, QUEZADA-QUEZADA executed pre-employment forms with Gulf South Services, Inc. stating he was a U.S. citizen and authorized to work under the Social Security Number he provided earlier. On January 8, 2025, the federal officer began to investigate the true identity of Cristobal Flores and the Social Security Number used by QUEZADA-QUEZADA. On January 10, 2025, federal officers determined that the Social Security Number was legitimately issued to a U.S. citizen, not QUEZADA-QUEZADA.
U.S. David I. Courcelle praised the work of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, the Louisiana State Police and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of 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).
Member of Multi-State "Smash-and-Grab" Crew Sentenced for Luxury Retail Burglary SpreeRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Washington, D.C. man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his involvement in a string of smash and grab burglaries.
Ronald Patterson, Jr., 35, was sentenced on April 1, 2026 by U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani to 37 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Patterson was also ordered to pay $33,000 in restitution. In September 2021, Patterson, Jr. pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce and one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods. Patterson was indicted by a federal grand jury in January 2023 along with two co-conspirators.
Patterson was a member of a group of individuals who conducted “smash and grab” burglaries of luxury stores from Florida to Massachusetts. Patterson admitted his participation in 14 such burglaries with a total of $506,532 worth of merchandise stolen. Many of the burglaries were recorded by store surveillance cameras. The videos show a group of men breaking into a store by smashing the glass doors. After entering the closed stores, the men grabbed and stole armfuls of high-end merchandise. The investigation revealed that Patterson listed for sale stolen merchandise on his social media account.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and the Wrentham Police Chief William R. McGrath made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Woodbury Police Department (N.Y.), Pocono Township Police Department (Pennsylvania), Leesburg Police Department (Virginia) and the Tilton Falls Police Department (N.J.). Assistant U.S. Attorney David G. Tobin of the Major Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.
Med Spa Owner Pleads Guilty to Performing Thousands of Injections Using Counterfeit ProductsRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Stoughton, Mass. woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to charges relating to thousands of injections she performed using counterfeit Botox and dermal fillers imported from China and Brazil. The defendant, who was not licensed to perform injections, received more than $1 million in client payments for these procedures.
Rebecca Fadanelli, 40, pleaded guilty to four counts of importing merchandise contrary to law, two counts of selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug and two counts of selling or dispensing a counterfeit device. U.S. District Court Judge Julia E. Kobick scheduled sentencing for July 1, 2026. Fadanelli was arrested and charged in November 2024.
According to the charging documents, beginning in at least March 2021, Fadanelli, the owner of Skin Beaute Med Spa with locations in Randolph and South Easton, Mass., imported counterfeit Botox, Sculptra and Juvéderm from China and Brazil and performed thousands of injections using these and other counterfeit drugs and devices for which she received more than $1 million in client payments. Fadanelli falsely represented to her clients and employees that she was a nurse; in fact, Fadanelli is an aesthetician and was never licensed to perform injections or otherwise dispense or administer prescription drugs or devices.
The charge of importing merchandise contrary to law provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charges of knowingly selling or dispensing a counterfeit drug or counterfeit device each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
If you or a family member believe you received services involving a counterfeit drug or counterfeit device from Fadanelli and/or Skin Beaute Med Spa between 2021 and 2025, please complete the questionnaire located on the FDA’s website at https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/criminal-investigations/oci-vw-assistance. Information about the status of the case is located on the U.S. Attorney’s Office website: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/victim-and-witness-assistance-program/united-states-v-rebecca-fadanelli.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Fernando P. McMillan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations; and Jennifer De La O, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Boston Field Office made the announcement today. The Medicaid Fraud Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Stoughton and Randolph Police Departments also provided valuable assistance in the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie Wright and Sarah Hoefle of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Setting Fire to Two Rockford ChurchesRead the Press Release
ROCKFORD — A man was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for setting fire to two Rockford churches.
MARZAVIOUS THOMAS set fire to the churches on Oct. 19, 2022. The first arson occurred at Bethesda Covenant Church, 2101 E. State St. in Rockford. Thomas poured gasoline on entrance doors of the church and on the ground, causing a fire. Thomas then drove to Crosspoint Church, 3215 E. State St. in Rockford, where he threw a piece of concrete through the glass entry doors. He poured liquid from a container and unsuccessfully attempted to light the liquid. Thomas later returned with an object he lit on fire and dropped into the entryway through the broken glass doors, causing a fire to develop rapidly. The fires caused a combined damage to the churches of more than $35,000.
Thomas, 31, of Rockford, pleaded guilty last year to federal arson charges. In addition to the five-year prison term, U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston ordered Thomas to pay restitution to the churches.
The sentence was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Christopher Amon, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Valuable assistance was provided by the Rockford Fire Department and the Rockford Police Department.
“Arson is a serious violent crime, and it is by sheer luck that these fires did not set Bethesda and Crosspoint churches ablaze, or seriously harm or kill anyone inside,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica S Maveus argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum.
Madison Man Sentenced for Unlicensed Dealing of GunsRead the Press Release
JACKSON, MS – Madison resident, Harold Keith Temple, was sentenced last week to three years in prison for unlicensed dealing of guns.
According to court documents, after receiving a warning from federal agents that dealing in firearms without a license violates federal law, Temple sold more than 700 guns at auctions and other locations. At sentencing, the court noted that several of those guns were later used in crimes or found in the possession of convicted felons and arrested persons. Some of the guns have been found outside Mississippi’s borders—in neighboring states and as far away as El Salvador.
Temple was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2025. He pled guilty in November 2025.
U.S. Attorney J.E. Baxter Kruger for the Southern District of Mississippi and ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson, made the announcement.
“This defendant’s actions showed a complete disregard for public safety—illegally selling guns without a license to convicted felons that resulted in violent crime here in the states and as far away as El Salvador,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “ATF will continue to work alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure these offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable in federal court with a significant sentence to be served in prison.”
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America 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).
Local man sentenced for smuggling illegal aliens in disguised fishing tripRead the Press Release
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 47-year-old Corpus Christi man has been ordered to federal prison for attempting to smuggle two illegal aliens through the Intracoastal Waterway, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
Christopher Henson pleaded guilty Sept. 29, 2025.
U.S. District Judge David S. Morales has now ordered Henson to serve 36 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Henson’s prior smuggling conduct and possession of a firearm on two occasions despite being a felon.
The investigation revealed Henson used his boat to bypass interior Border Patrol checkpoints while transporting illegal aliens along coastal waters. He posed trips as fishing excursions, sailing south to pick up illegal aliens at Port Mansfield, then traveling north to dock at locations beyond the checkpoints.
On March 30, 2025, authorities were conducting surveillance in an area known as a drop-off point for illegal aliens transported along coastal waterways. They observed Henson preparing to dock his boat.
As law enforcement approached, Henson jumped into the water and attempted to flee. Authorities soon took him into custody and discovered a firearm in his jacket.
A search of the vessel revealed two illegal aliens who had traveled north with Henson from Port Mansfield.
He has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
U.S. Coast Guard, BP, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Lamont prosecuted the case.
This case is also part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the DOJ 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..
Local Man, Guilty of Violating the Federal Controlled Substances ActRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – LIKE CHEN, age 36, pled guilty on April 1, 2026, before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, a mixture and substance containing one hundred (100) kilograms or more of a detectable amount of marijuana, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
According to court documents, on April 14, 2025, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agents observed an individual identified as Yilei Zhou pick up Hanjie Wu, a known marijuana distributor, from an airport in Houston, Texas and drive him to a residence in Katy, Texas, where they picked up a co-conspirator, then drove to Denham Springs, Louisiana. The following day, two other individuals, Wei Bin Chen and LIKE CHEN, left Denham Springs, traveled to a nearby storage facility and retrieved multiple large trash bags from a storage unit. They then drove to another storage facility in Slidell, Louisiana. Zhou and Wu then drove to same facility in Slidell where they all met with an additional co-conspirator. Wei Bin and LIKE CHEN then loaded the large trash bags into the co-conspirator’s vehicle and all parties left the storage facility.
Forrest County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a traffic stop the CHEN’s vehicle on Interstate 59 headed towards Hattiesburg, Mississippi. A consensual search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 43.5 kilograms of marijuana.
Mississippi Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of a co-conspirator’s vehicle on Interstate 59 in Picayune, Mississippi. A consensual search of his vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 22.7 kilograms of marijuana.
Based on the seizures that occurred in Slidell and Mississippi, Livingston Parish officers obtained search warrants for the residence and storage facility in Denham Springs. When the officers arrived at the residence, a co-conspirator ran from the residence and was arrested. Inside the residence, officers located $1,552.00 in currency, hundreds of rubber bands, a vacuum sealer and a money counter. From the storage unit, officers seized 38.5 kilograms of marijuana.
On the drug conspiracy count, LIKE CHEN faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a maximum term of imprisonment of forty (40) years, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, at least four (4) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, Forrest County Mississippi Sheriff’s Office, and the Picayune, Mississippi Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys André Jones and Nolan D. Paige of the Narcotics Unit.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF New Orleans comprises agents and officers from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
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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Little Rock Man Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of a Postal EmployeeRead the Press Release
LITTLE ROCK—Christopher Juan Sheard will spend the next 121 months in federal prison for the armed robbery of a postal employee. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed down today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.
A Superseding Information was filed on December 1, 2025, charging Sheard, 23, of Little Rock, with one count of armed robbery of a postal employee. Sheard pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2025. Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Sheard to serve three years’ supervised release and ordered restitution in the amount of $44,614.67. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that on February 26, 2024, Sheard, armed with a loaded Glock 20, model Gen 5 firearm equipped with an extended magazine, robbed a postal carrier of their postal key. The postal carrier was delivering mail to an apartment complex when Sheard approached with his hand on a pistol which was tucked into his waistband. Subsequent to Sheard’s arrest while incarcerated, he made several phone calls to different individuals discussing selling the postal key for cash and the robbery. In one phone call, Sheard stated they need to “find [the postal employee] on Facebook and chop [the postal employee] down.”
Sheard’s criminal history includes convictions for possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, felony fleeing, and obstruction of governmental operations.
This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department.
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La Crosse Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sex Trafficking of a MinorRead the Press Release
MADISON, WIS. – Chadwick M. Elgersma, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Dwayne Davis, 31, La Crosse, Wisconsin, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson to 12 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a minor. Davis pleaded guilty to this charge on January 12, 2026. His prison term will be followed by 20 years of supervised release.
The investigation of Davis began on June 4, 2024, when a 16-year-old girl called 911. During the frantic call, the girl said she needed help because Davis had threatened to kill her. Further investigation revealed that Davis was trafficking the girl for sex. The girl met Davis over the internet in the spring of 2024 and disclosed to him her history of prior trafficking and abuse. In response, Davis began transporting her from her home in Viroqua, Wisconsin, to La Crosse for prostitution dates. Davis posted ads for her online and kept almost all the money she earned from the prostitution dates.
At sentencing, Judge Peterson observed that Davis’s actions were monstrous in that he recognized and preyed on the minor’s vulnerability. Judge Peterson further noted that Davis’s history of domestic violence, combined with the victim’s call to 911, demonstrated his capacity for violence.
The charge against Davis was the result of an investigation conducted by the La Crosse Police Department, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Pfluger prosecuted this case.
Kansas City Woman Sentenced for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy and Involvement in 2021 HomicideRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo. woman was sentenced in federal court for her role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and using a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.
Idella Gardner, 37, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.
On Oct. 9, 2024, Gardner pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime.
Between January 2019 and July 2022, Gardner was an armed drug dealer who actively participated in the purchase and distribution of cocaine. The investigation established that Gardner aided members of a street gang and other members of the conspiracy on at last forty occasions where she took part in coordinating drug transactions. When law enforcement officers arrested Gardner on Mar. 9, 2022, she was found in possession of cocaine, cell phones, firearm magazines, and live ammunition. The investigation relied on court-authorized wire intercepts of co-defendant’s telephones, physical surveillance, interviews, and text message evidence documenting the defendant’s involvement in drug trafficking.
At the sentencing hearing, the Government also presented evidence regarding Gardner’s involvement in a 2021 homicide. The evidence established that on Apr. 22, 2021, Gardner discharged a firearm into an occupied apartment near the intersection of Lockridge Avenue and Benton Boulevard in Kansas City, Missouri, intending to target another individual.
As a result of the shooting, an innocent female victim, identified as A.O. in court documents, was struck in the head while lying in bed inside of her apartment. When A.O. failed to show up for work, a concerned colleague went to A.O.’s apartment and contacted law enforcement after observing A.O. unresponsive through a bedroom window. At the time she was located, A.O. was barely breathing. She was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries two days later.
The Court found, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Gardner was responsible for the fatal shooting. Considering this finding and the defendant’s role in the drug conspiracy, the Court imposed a substantial upward variance from the advisory sentencing guideline range.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Moeder. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.
Justice Department Prosecutes a Half-Billion Dollars in Healthcare and COVID Fraud Schemes Exploiting Taxpayer Funded ProgramsRead the Press Release
The Justice Department announced today three separate civil and criminal actions to hold two companies and two individual defendants accountable for schemes that attempted to fraudulently bill taxpayer-funded programs of over $500 million.
Department of Justice efforts support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the Department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.”
National Partnership of Insurance Brokers and its Former Subsidiary Agree to Pay Over $135 Million For Affordable Care Act Enrollment Fraud Scheme
AP of South Florida, LLC (APSF), an insurance brokerage company headquartered in Florida, has agreed to plead guilty for its role in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment fraud scheme. APSF, through its highest-ranking executives, preyed on thousands of vulnerable consumers to fraudulently enroll them into fully subsidized ACA plans, for which the federal government awarded $141.5 million in unwarranted subsidies. In a parallel civil resolution, AssuredPartners, Inc., a national partnership of insurance brokers and the then-parent company of APSF, agreed to pay $107 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting fraudulent ACA health insurance plan applications. AssuredPartners, Inc., is not charged in the criminal information.
The Criminal Case
The federal government offers subsidies to help eligible beneficiaries pay for health insurance plans. These subsidies are offered as tax credits to beneficiaries or as payments to insurers as Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs). APTCs are paid directly to insurance plans by the federal government in the form of a payment toward the beneficiary’s applicable monthly premium.
A criminal information was filed yesterday charging APSF with one count of major fraud against the United States. APSF has agreed to resolve the criminal charge by pleading guilty and paying restitution of $27.6 million. As part of its plea agreement, APSF admitted that, through certain of its executives and employees, APSF knowingly and intentionally defrauded the federal government. According to court documents, APSF targeted vulnerable, low-income individuals experiencing homelessness, unemployment, and mental health and substance abuse disorders, and, through “street marketers” working on APSF’s behalf, sometimes offered cash and gift cards to induce those individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans. APSF enrolled these vulnerable consumers in ACA plans that were fully subsidized by the federal government by submitting false and fraudulent applications for individuals whose income did not meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the subsidies. As a result of being enrolled in subsidized ACA plans for which they did not qualify, some of these consumers experienced serious disruptions in their medical care or prior insurance coverage under Medicaid or other programs. Some consumers who APSF fraudulently enrolled into fully subsidized ACA plans lost access to free health benefits through Medicaid or local assistance programs, and as a result, these consumers faced increased costs in accessing HIV medication, medication to treat opioid dependence and medication to treat mental health disorders. At times, consumers faced unaffordable co-pays and other costs because APSF enrolled these consumers in plans without regard to the consumers’ medical needs, the availability of other programs (including Medicaid and local assistance programs) and the consumers’ ability to pay out-of-pocket costs.
FBI, HHS-OIG and IRS-CI are investigating the criminal case.
The Civil Case
The False Claims Act settlement resolves allegations that, from February 2021 through September 2022, APSF knowingly submitted false or fraudulent applications for subsidized ACA plans on behalf of thousands of consumers in order to obtain commissions and bonus payments from insurers. APSF contracted with “street marketers” who targeted homeless shelters, bus stops, drug treatment clinics and similar locations. The marketers offered incentives, such as cash or gift cards, to individuals to enroll in subsidized ACA plans or to provide their personal information so that APSF could submit applications on their behalf. APSF employees then submitted applications falsely representing that the consumers would make a minimum income amount just over the federal poverty line in order to cause the government to pay the highest subsidy amount.
APSF employees also knowingly submitted false information to Florida’s Medicaid program in order to generate letters stating that the applicant was denied Medicaid coverage and then used these letters as a qualifying event to trigger a Special Enrollment Period, which allowed APSF to submit applications for ACA plans outside of the normal enrollment periods. APSF employees also evaded the federal government’s attempts to verify information in consumers’ ACA applications by submitting false information in response to inquiries from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services when it sought to verify the false information (including income information) submitted by APSF. Some consumers experienced disruptions in their medical care as a result of being enrolled by APSF in subsidized ACA plans that did not provide coverage for their medical needs. APSF received commissions, bonuses, and/or other payments for consumers it enrolled in ACA plans, and a significant portion of APSF’s revenues from these fraudulently obtained payments flowed up to its then-parent corporation, AssuredPartners.
The settlement resolves allegations originally brought in a lawsuit filed by a whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, which allow private parties to bring suit on behalf of the government and to share in any recovery. The whistleblower will receive $24.3 million as their share of the recovery in this case.
The claims resolved by the civil settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability in the civil settlement.
California Man Pleads Guilty to Orchestrating $270M Medication Reimbursement Fraud Scheme
A California man pleaded guilty yesterday to submitting nearly $270 million in fraudulent claims over an 11-month span to California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) for expensive prescription drugs that were medically unnecessary and, in many instances, not provided to the purported recipients.
According to court documents, Paul Randall, 66, of Orange, along with pharmacist and pharmacy owner Kyrollos Mekail, 37, of Moreno Valley, and nurse practitioner Patricia Anderson, 58, of West Hills, exploited Medi-Cal’s suspension of its requirement that health care providers obtain prior authorization before providing certain medications at the beginning of 2022. Medi-Cal temporarily suspended the requirement as part of a transition to a new payment system. Using a business called Monte Vista Pharmacy, which Mekail owned, Randall and his co-schemers billed Medi-Cal tens of millions of dollars per month for purportedly dispensing high-reimbursement drugs containing cheap, generic ingredients that were manufactured in unique dosages, combinations or package quantities and were not included in the applicable maximum price lists that cap Medi-Cal reimbursements.
In furtherance of the scheme, Randall paid illegal kickbacks to patient marketers in exchange for Medi-Cal beneficiary information and thereafter paid illegal kickbacks to Anderson to sign pre-filled prescriptions for 19 high-reimbursement, non-contracted, generic drugs. Anderson never met the patients, reviewed their medical records or otherwise determined that the medications were medically necessary before signing the prescriptions. The medications, which included pain creams and Folite tablets, a vitamin available over the counter, were billed for thousands of dollars each, including approximately $13,424 for one prescription of meloxicam 5 mg, a generic drug that typically costs between $5 and $25 for a 30-day supply in larger dosages.
Randall received a portion of Monte Vista’s reimbursements from Medi-Cal, at times equaling approximately 40% of Monte Vista’s profit from the false and fraudulent claims. Randall admitted in his plea agreement that he caused at least $269,120,829 in false and fraudulent claims to Medi-Cal from May 2022 to April 2023, of which Medi-Cal paid at least approximately $178,746,556. Randall also admitted that he committed the offense while on release in another criminal case.
Randall and others laundered their illicit proceeds by transferring the money to a third party to pay kickbacks to Anderson in an attempt to conceal the crime from law enforcement.
In his plea agreement, Randall agreed to forfeit property obtained from the fraud, including bank account balances exceeding $17 million, three vehicles, seven real properties, and sports memorabilia. To date, the government has seized approximately $126.5 million in assets that Randall and his co-schemers accumulated from the scheme, including $111 million in bank funds and securities, nine luxury vehicles totaling approximately $1 million, nine luxury real properties totaling approximately $13.5 million, and more than $1 million worth of sports memorabilia.
Randall pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud. He faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Relatedly, in August 2024, Mekail pleaded guilty to two counts of health care fraud and awaits sentencing. In April 2025, Anderson pleaded guilty to two counts of health care fraud and also awaits sentencing.
The FBI, HHS-OIG, and the California Department of Justice are investigating the case.
Business Owner Sentenced to Over Four Years in Prison for $100M COVID-19 Tax Credit Scheme
A Nevada woman was sentenced yesterday to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiring to defraud the United States by fraudulently claiming nearly $100 million in COVID-19 related employment tax credits.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Candies Goode-McCoy, formerly of Las Vegas, conspired with others to file tax returns seeking fraudulent refunds based on the employee retention credit and paid sick and family leave credit, credits which Congress created to aid struggling businesses during the COVID-19 global pandemic. From approximately June 2022 through September 2023, McCoy filed more than 1,200 tax returns for her own businesses and those of others, which falsely claimed these credits and sought refunds totaling more than $98 million.
In total, the IRS paid out approximately $33 million as a result of the scheme. Personally, Goode-McCoy received over $1.3 million in fraudulent refunds. She also received approximately $800,000 from clients for filing fraudulent returns. McCoy used the proceeds to pay for vacations, luxury cars and other luxury goods, and to gamble at casinos.
Goode-McCoy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the government with respect to claims. In addition to the term of imprisonment, McCoy was ordered to pay the IRS $26,022,188 in restitution.
IRS Criminal Investigation and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case.
Justice Department Conducts Court-Authorized Disruption of DNS Hijacking Network Controlled by a Russian Military Intelligence UnitRead the Press Release
Today, the Department of Justice and the FBI announced a court-authorized technical operation to neutralize the U.S. portion of a network of small office/home office (SOHO) routers compromised by a unit within Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU) Military Unit 26165, also known as APT28, Sofacy Group, Forest Blizzard, Pawn Storm, Fancy Bear, and Sednit. The unit used the routers to facilitate malicious Domain Name System (DNS) hijacking operations against worldwide targets of intelligence interest to the Russian government, including individuals in the military, government, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Since at least 2024, GRU actors have exploited known vulnerabilities to steal credentials for thousands of TP-Link routers worldwide. The actors then accessed many of these compromised routers without authorization and manipulated their settings to redirect DNS requests to GRU-controlled servers - i.e., malicious DNS resolvers. GRU actors were indiscriminate in their initial targeting and manipulation of routers. The actors then implemented an automated filtering process to determine which DNS requests were of interest and warranted interception. For select targets, the GRU’s DNS resolvers provided fraudulent DNS records for specific domains that mimicked legitimate services – including Microsoft Outlook Web Access – to facilitate Actor-in-the-Middle attacks against encrypted victim network traffic. In doing so, the GRU actors harvested unencrypted passwords, authentication tokens, emails, and other sensitive information from devices on the same network as the compromised TP-Link routers.
“The GRU’s predatory use of networks in American homes and businesses for its malicious cyber operations remains a serious and persistent threat,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “NSD will continue to use every tool at our disposal to detect such intrusions and expel hostile foreign actors from our Nation’s networks.”
“Russian military intelligence once again hijacked Americans’ hardware to commandeer critical data,” said U.S. Attorney David Metcalf for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “In the face of continued aggression by our nation-state adversaries, the U.S. government will respond just as aggressively. Working with the FBI — and our partners around the world — we are committed to disrupting and exposing such threats to our nation’s cybersecurity.”
“Operation Masquerade demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identifying, exposing, and disrupting the Russian government's efforts to compromise American devices, steal sensitive information, and target critical infrastructure,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI’s Cyber Division. “GRU actors compromised routers in the US and around the world, hijacking them to conduct espionage. Given the scale of this threat, sounding the alarm wasn't enough. The FBI conducted a court-authorized operation to harden compromised routers across the United States. We urge all router owners to take the remediation steps outlined today, because defending our networks requires all of us. The FBI will continue to use its authorities to identify and impose costs on state-sponsored actors who target the American people.”
“Operation Masquerade – led by FBI Boston – is the latest example of how we’re defending our homeland from Russia’s GRU which weaponized routers owned by unsuspecting Americans in more than 23 states to steal sensitive government, military, and critical infrastructure information,” said Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks of the FBI’s Boston Field Office. “The FBI utilized cutting edge technology and leveraged our private sector and international partners to unmask this malicious activity and remediate routers. Now we’re asking everyone who has a router to secure it, update its firmware, and replace it if needed. By working together, we can guard against nefarious nation state actors trying to compromise our national security.”
As described in court documents unsealed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the FBI developed a series of commands to send to compromised routers in the United States, designed to collect evidence regarding the GRU actors’ activity, reset DNS settings (i.e., remove GRU DNS resolvers and force routers to obtain legitimate DNS resolvers from their Internet Service Providers (ISP)), and to otherwise prevent the GRU actors from exploiting the original means of unauthorized access.
As described in court documents, the government extensively tested the operation on firmware and hardware for affected TP-Link routers. Other than stymieing the GRU’s ability to access the routers, the operation did not impact the routers’ normal functionality or collect the legitimate users’ content information.
The court-authorized steps to remediate compromised routers can be reversed by legitimate users at any time through factory resets with hardware reset buttons. Legitimate users can also reverse changes by logging into web management pages and restoring desired settings (e.g., factory default settings).
To better protect themselves, all users of SOHO devices are encouraged to conduct the following remediation steps:
- Replace End-of-Life and End-of-Support routers;
- Upgrade to the latest available firmware;
- Verify the authenticity of DNS resolvers listed in router settings; and
- Review and implement firewall rules to prevent the unwanted exposure of remote management services.
Users are encouraged to navigate to the official TP-Link website and review documentation for their affected routers in the download center to learn more about proper configurations. Users should also ensure their routers are operating the latest firmware and review the End-of-Life product lists to determine if their routers should be replaced. Additional remediation guidance is provided in a separate PSA.
The FBI is working with ISPs to provide notice of the operation to users of SOHO routers covered by the court’s authorization. If you believe you have a compromised router, please contact your local FBI field office or file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
The FBI Boston and Philadelphia Field Offices and Cyber Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section led the disruption effort. Black Lotus Labs® at Lumen and Microsoft Threat Intelligence provided valuable technical contributions to this announcement. MIT Lincoln Laboratory provided valuable assistance with testing and validation.
Justice Department Conducts Court-Authorized Disruption of DNS Hijacking Network Controlled by a Russian Military Intelligence UnitRead the Press Release
PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney David Metcalf, the Department of Justice, and the FBI today announced a court-authorized technical operation to neutralize the U.S. portion of a network of small office/home office (SOHO) routers compromised by a unit within Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff (GRU) Military Unit 26165, also known as APT28, Sofacy Group, Forest Blizzard, Pawn Storm, Fancy Bear, and Sednit. The unit used the routers to facilitate malicious Domain Name System (DNS) hijacking operations against worldwide targets of intelligence interest to the Russian government, including individuals in the military, government, and critical infrastructure sectors.
Since at least 2024, GRU actors have exploited known vulnerabilities to steal credentials for thousands of TP-Link routers worldwide. The actors then accessed many of these compromised routers without authorization and manipulated their settings to redirect DNS requests to GRU-controlled servers - i.e., malicious DNS resolvers. GRU actors were indiscriminate in their initial targeting and manipulation of routers. The actors then implemented an automated filtering process to determine which DNS requests were of interest and warranted interception. For select targets, the GRU’s DNS resolvers provided fraudulent DNS records for specific domains that mimicked legitimate services — including Microsoft Outlook Web Access — to facilitate Actor-in-the-Middle attacks against encrypted victim network traffic. In doing so, the GRU actors harvested unencrypted passwords, authentication tokens, emails, and other sensitive information from devices on the same network as the compromised TP-Link routers.
“Russian military intelligence once again hijacked Americans’ hardware to commandeer critical data,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “In the face of continued aggression by our nation-state adversaries, the U.S. government will respond just as aggressively. Working with the FBI — and our partners around the world — we are committed to disrupting and exposing such threats to our nation’s cybersecurity.”
“The GRU’s predatory use of networks in American homes and businesses for its malicious cyber operations remains a serious and persistent threat,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “NSD will continue to use every tool at our disposal to detect such intrusions and expel hostile foreign actors from our Nation’s networks.”
“Operation Masquerade — led by FBI Boston — is the latest example of how we’re defending our homeland from Russia’s GRU, which weaponized routers owned by unsuspecting Americans in more than 23 states to steal sensitive government, military, and critical infrastructure information,” said Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks, of the FBI’s Boston Field Office. “The FBI utilized cutting edge technology and leveraged our private sector and international partners to unmask this malicious activity and remediate routers. Now we’re asking everyone who has a router to secure it, update its firmware, and replace it if needed. By working together, we can guard against nefarious nation state actors trying to compromise our national security.”
“Operation Masquerade demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identifying, exposing, and disrupting the Russian government's efforts to compromise American devices, steal sensitive information, and target critical infrastructure,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of FBI’s Cyber Division. “GRU actors compromised routers in the US and around the world, hijacking them to conduct espionage. Given the scale of this threat, sounding the alarm wasn't enough. The FBI conducted a court-authorized operation to harden compromised routers across the United States. We urge all router owners to take the remediation steps outlined today, because defending our networks requires all of us. The FBI will continue to use its authorities to identify and impose costs on state-sponsored actors who target the American people.”
As described in court documents unsealed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the FBI developed a series of commands to send to compromised routers in the United States, designed to collect evidence regarding the GRU actors’ activity, reset DNS settings (i.e., remove GRU DNS resolvers and force routers to obtain legitimate DNS resolvers from their Internet Service Providers (ISPs)), and to otherwise prevent the GRU actors from exploiting the original means of unauthorized access.
As described in court documents, the government extensively tested the operation on firmware and hardware for affected TP-Link routers. Other than stymieing the GRU’s ability to access the routers, the operation did not impact the routers’ normal functionality or collect the legitimate users’ content information.
The court-authorized steps to remediate compromised routers can be reversed by legitimate users at any time through factory resets with hardware reset buttons. Legitimate users can also reverse changes by logging into web management pages and restoring desired settings (e.g., factory default settings).
To better protect themselves, all users of SOHO devices are encouraged to conduct the following remediation steps:
- Replace End-of-Life and End-of-Support routers;
- Upgrade to the latest available firmware;
- Verify the authenticity of DNS resolvers listed in router settings; and
- Review and implement firewall rules to prevent the unwanted exposure of remote management services.
Users are encouraged to navigate to the official TP-Link website and review documentation for their affected routers in the download center to learn more about proper configurations. Users should also ensure their routers are operating the latest firmware and review the End-of-Life product lists to determine if their routers should be replaced. Additional remediation guidance is provided in a separate PSA.
The FBI is working with ISPs to provide notice of the operation to users of SOHO routers covered by the court’s authorization. If you believe you have a compromised router, please contact your local FBI field office or file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
The FBI Boston and Philadelphia Field Offices and Cyber Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the DOJ National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section led the disruption effort. Black Lotus Labs® at Lumen and Microsoft Threat Intelligence provided valuable technical contributions to this announcement. MIT Lincoln Laboratory provided valuable assistance with testing and validation.
Irish National Sentenced in Multi-State Home Repair Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An Irish national who was living unlawfully in the United States was sentenced today in federal court in Rhode Island for his role in a scheme to defraud homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.
John O’Brien, 28, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. to 56 months in federal prison. He is expected to be deported following the completion of his sentence. O’Brien pleaded guilty on December 11, 2025, to wire fraud.
“John O’Brien’s scheme was not just fraudulent, it was predatory. He deliberately targeted homeowners and exploited their trust for personal and financial gain,” said United States Attorney Calenda. “This case reflects a broader pattern of individuals known as ‘Traveling Conmen’ who cross state lines for the purpose of defrauding victims. Individuals who engage in this kind of calculated deception should expect to be aggressively investigated and prosecuted in federal court. This office will continue to prioritize protecting individuals from this type of premeditated scheme. Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of O’Brien’s conduct and the harm it causes to victims.”
“O’Brien preyed on unsuspecting homeowners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by posing as a skilled tradesman and contractor—someone they could trust. Instead, this conman fleeced homeowners of upwards of $1 million while inflicting substantial damage to their homes. In one case, O’Brien, an illegal immigrant from Ireland, used his origin to build rapport with an elderly veteran in Warwick, Rhode Island over their shared Irish heritage only to extort him for tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary home repairs,” said Homeland Security Investigations New England Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Grimming. “These scammers actively manipulate homeowners’ emotions, and anyone can be a victim. We urge homeowners to be wary of anyone offering unsolicited services and, most importantly, to come forward if they’ve been victimized. After today’s sentence, O’Brien will serve serious federal prison time and be subsequently deported.”
Colonel Michael Lima of the Warwick Police Department stated, “This case is a direct result of the exceptional work of our detectives and the strong partnerships we’ve built with our local, state, and federal law enforcement colleagues. Their persistence, attention to detail, and commitment to protecting our community ensured that a sophisticated and predatory scheme was thoroughly investigated and brought to justice.”
As outlined in court documents, O’Brien and his co-conspirators induced homeowners to pay for home repairs that were unnecessary and often not completed. O’Brien falsely claimed structural problems, overstated repair needs, and misrepresented the necessity of services, as well as the qualifications of his purported construction companies, including Traditional Masonry & Construction.
In some instances, O’Brien initially performed or recommended minor repairs before falsely claiming that additional, more extensive work was urgently needed, significantly increasing the cost to homeowners.
O’Brien’s fraud scheme came to the attention of law enforcement when an 83-year-old Warwick resident, identified in court documents as Victim 1, contacted the Warwick Police Department to report that he had been defrauded by a contractor. Victim 1 reported that O’Brien told him that, while doing work in the neighborhood, he observed cracks in Victim 1’s foundation.
O’Brien offered to repair the damage to the foundation and collected $9,500 from Victim 1. As work proceeded, O’Brien claimed that further damage was discovered. O’Brien revised the costs for repairs and sought an additional $80,000 from the victim. A home inspector hired by the United States Attorney’s Office later reviewed the property and found no evidence of a need for these extensive foundation repairs.
At the change of plea hearing on December 11, 2025, O’Brien admitted to defrauding property owners of over $1.5 million between July 2021 and March 2025.
The scheme O’Brien executed is becoming increasingly common throughout the United States. According to the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, the Traveling Conmen Fraud Group has been recognized as a Transnational Organized Crime group. Members are typically groups of Irish or U.K. nationals who entered the United States on pleasure or tourist visas and overstayed their visits or, more commonly, entered the United States illegally.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Taylor A. Dean and Sandra R. Hebert.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Warwick and East Providence Police Departments.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Rhode Island comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Department of Labor-Office of Inspector General, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Intelligence & Analysis, and Rhode Island Police Departments in Warwick, Newport, Providence, East Providence, and Lincoln, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.
Illinois man pleads guilty to traveling to Zanesville to engage in sex acts with minor after meeting onlineRead the Press Release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Illinois man who traveled to Muskingum County to engage in sexual activity with a local teenager pleaded guilty in federal court here today.
Immanuel D. Nellum, 30, of Peoria Heights, Illinois, faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison. He is convicted of coercion and enticement of a minor and traveling interstate with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual activity with a minor.
According to court documents, Nellum met the victim on the online app Friend when she was 12 years old. Between August 2023 and August 2025, Nellum and the victim engaged in an online relationship and exchanged nude images and videos of themselves.
Nellum’s phone contained more than 141,000 messages between him and the victim, including approximately 5,500 attachments. Of those, more than 10,000 messages and 2,000 attachments were noted as being exchanged on social media platforms like Snapchat.
Nellum admitted that he traveled to Zanesville to engage in sex acts with the minor. In August 2025, law enforcement located Nellum at the Quality Inn in Zanesville with the minor and arrested him. Nellum’s phone showed that he made 75 videos of his encounters with the minor at the hotel.
The defendant was charged in Muskingum County and arrested on Aug. 19. He was charged by federal criminal complaint the next month.
Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors at a future hearing.
Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and Zanesville Police Chief Scott Comstock announced the guilty plea entered today before Chief U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison. Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski is representing the United States in this case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s 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.
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Illegal Alien Sentenced for Unlawful ReentryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jorge Alberto Mejia Rodriguez, a/k/a Alberto Mejia, a/k/a Jorge Mejia, age 45, a Mexican national unlawfully present in Bryan County, Oklahoma, was sentenced to time served for one count of Unlawful Reentry of Removed Alien.
The charge arose from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
On January 21, 2026, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to the charge in federal district court. According to investigators, on November 17, 2025, Rodriguez, an alien, was found in the United States without obtaining the express consent of the Secretary of Homeland Security to reapply for admission to the United States after having been previously removed on September 27, 2018, and August 23, 2014.
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 Honorable Ronald A. White, Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.
Hardin man pleads guilty to possessing child pornographyRead the Press Release
BILLINGS – A Hardin man accused of possessing child pornography admitted to charges today, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
The defendant, Randall Allen Flatlip, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a $250,000 fine, a $17,000 special assessment, a $5,000 special assessment, and not less than five years to a lifetime of supervised release.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy C. Cavan presided. U.S. District Judge William W. Mercer will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be set for a later date. Flatlip was detained pending further proceedings.
The government alleged in court documents that the government received a tip on July 3, 2022, that someone uploaded a video depicting child pornography to a Google account around June 25, 2022. The email address associated with the account was connected to Flatlip. The subscriber information for the email address included Flatlip’s address in Hardin. When the government searched email accounts associated with Flatlip, they learned several images and videos had been deleted prior to the execution of the warrant. Moreover, law enforcement spoke with an individual that witnessed Flatlip access child pornography on electronic media when living in Hardin.
Flatlip was charged with possession child pornography in Utah in 2016, but was not convicted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zeno Baucus is prosecuting the case. The FBI and BIA conducted the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
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