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1 October 2026
4 Illegal Aliens Arrested on Federal Charges that They Stole Social Security Numbers to Run up Large Retail Credit Card Debts Then Filed for BankruptcyRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – Four illegal aliens were arrested today out of five total charged in separate federal criminal complaints charging them with using other people’s Social Security numbers to obtain credit, mostly from retailers, then running up tens of thousands of dollars in debt which they sought to erase by filing for bankruptcy.
The following defendants were arrested today and are expected to make their initial appearances this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana and Los Angeles:
- Abel Ávila Martínez, 48, of Buena Park, who previously was removed from the U.S. in 1999;
- Walter Anastacio Castellanos-Pérez, 53, of Rancho Dominguez;
- José Alfredo Chávez-Cabello, 54, of Long Beach; and
- Verónica Espinosa-Cortés, 54, of Bell Gardens, whom an immigration judge ordered removed from the U.S. in 1996.
Law enforcement continues to search for the following defendant:
- Moisés Ortuño-Claras, 47, of Anaheim.
Each defendant is charged with fraud in connection with access devices over $1,000. Ávila, Chávez, Espinosa, and Ortuño are Mexican nationals. Castellanos is a Guatemalan national.
“This sweep resulted in the arrest of five illegal aliens charged with stealing Americans’ Social Security numbers to obtain credit, run up debt, and then seek to erase over $140,000 through bankruptcy,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “These defendants allegedly exploited both our financial system and the bankruptcy process and face up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted.”
“As the watchdog of the bankruptcy system, the United States Trustee Program is committed to addressing fraudulent and abusive conduct,” said Peter Anderson, U.S. Trustee for Region 16, which covers the Central District of California. “We appreciate the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners to ensuring that bankruptcy is not a safe haven for fraudsters.”
“Today’s arrests highlight the very real harm caused when individuals misuse Social Security numbers to obtain credit. These schemes leave innocent people to deal with the fallout of fraud and financial damage,” said Christian Assaad, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Social Security Administration, Office of the Inspector General, San Francisco Field Division. “We will continue working with our federal partners to hold accountable those who exploit others and compromise the integrity of our financial system.”
“Identity theft inflicts severe and lasting damage on the financial well-being of hardworking Americans,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles acting Special Agent in Charge Erin Burke. “These arrests send the clear message that HSI and our partners are dedicated to rooting out financial fraud and protecting the public from those who lie and steal to illegally enrich themselves at the expense of innocent people.”
According to affidavits filed with the complaints, from February 2025 to May 2025, the defendants each filed for bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. Each bankruptcy filing included a signed, sworn declaration from each defendant stating under penalty of perjury that he or she used a Social Security number (SSN) not assigned to them to obtain credit.
In each case, the defendants used the credit to accumulate items of value and running up credit card debt, mostly from retailers, and the true SSN holders did not authorize the defendants to use their SSN for any purpose.
Espinosa reported incurring a total of $10,982 in debts including from furniture retailers and a jewelry store. Ortuño reported $63,974 in debts from retailers such as Old Navy, Macy’s, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, and Sam’s Club. Ávila reported incurring $15,964 in debt while Castellanos and Chávez reported debts of $32,961 and $19,153, respectively, mostly from credit cards obtained from retailers.
For example, in November 2021, Espinosa was approved for Daniel’s Jewelers credit lines with a total limit of $3,717, obtained through a misused SSN and in June 2024 made a $1,000 purchase at that jewelry store in Culver City.
From May 2022 to May 2023, Chávez used a MyPremier credit card with a credit limit of $1,000 to accrue purchase charges and cash withdrawals totaling $1,238, obtained through the misused SSN, with the transactions predominantly occurring in Long Beach.
In February 2023, Ortuño was approved for a Bass Pro Shop credit card with a credit limit of $6,000, obtained through the misused Social Security number (SSN) issued by Capital One Bank. He made the application online and in December 2024 used that credit card to make multiple purchases in Orange County for the total amount of $3,522.
In March 2023, Castellanos was approved for a Best Buy credit card with a $2,000 credit limit, obtained through the misused SSN issued by Citi Bank. In May 2023, he used that store credit card to purchase an appliance at a Best Buy store in Compton for approximately $1,206.
In November 2024, Ávila used the internet to apply for a PayPal credit card through the misused SSN and was approved for one with a $6,250 credit limit. In January 2025, he used that credit card to make a $1,185 purchase at a Guitar Center store.
A criminal complaint merely contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
If convicted, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
Special agents with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California are investigating these matters with assistance from the Office of the United States Trustee, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Yi-Fan C. Everett is prosecuting these cases.
25 Year-Old Man Indicted and Arrested for Child ExploitationRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – On September 23, 2026, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Faustino David Reyes-Rodríguez, 25, of Ponce, PR residing in Caguas, with possession, receipt and distribution of child sexual abuse material, announced Héctor Ramírez-Carbó, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The arrest follows an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with the assistance of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
According to the indictment, from in or about December 2025 to May 2026, Reyes-Rodríguez knowingly received and distributed child exploitation material. Moreover, from July 2024 to May 2026, the defendant possessed images of child pornography including images of toddlers, and prepubescent minors in his cellular phone and tablet.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with its law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute persons who use technology to victimize children who are victims of child exploitation crimes,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ramírez-Carbó. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and HSI encourage potential victims to come forward if you have knowledge that this defendant or any other adult has engaged in this type of criminal behavior. Tipsters may remain anonymous.”
“As we begin Fiscal Year 2027, this arrest stands as a stark warning to those who exploit children: HSI is relentless. Predators often use the anonymity of gaming platforms and messaging apps to pose as children, weaving webs of deception to prey on the innocent, ”said HSI San Juan Acting Special Agent in Charge Yariel Ramos. “Regardless of the technology they hide behind, our commitment to finding these offenders and protecting our most vulnerable remains unwavering. We will find you, and you will be held accountable.”
Rivera-Santos had his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López and was ordered to remain temporarily detained at the Guaynabo Metropolitan Detention Center pending further proceedings. If convicted for the charges the defendant faces the following penalties: (1) receipt of child exploitation material - a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years; and (2) possession of child exploitation material - a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. All charges of conviction are to be followed by a term of supervised release after imprisonment of no less than 5 years up to life. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Daynelle Álvarez-Lora of the Crimes Against Children, Human Trafficking and Immigration Unit, prosecuted the case. The Puerto Rico Crimes Against Children Task Force led by HSI was in charge of the investigation, with the collaboration of the Puerto Rico Police Department. To report suspicious activities, call 787-729-6969.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the 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, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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$4.6 Million in Federal Grants Coming to Oregon to Improve Public SafetyRead the Press Release
PORTLAND, Ore. — On September 30, 2026, the United States Department of Justice sent grant award notifications, totaling more than $4.6 million, to organizations and cities in Oregon to continue and enhance their work for public safety work in Oregon.
The United States Attorney’s Office wants to congratulate our local partners on their grant awards. The following are the recipients and their award amounts: Liberty House, $1,000,000.00, City of Gresham-East Multnomah Outreach Prevention Intervention, $1,005,000.00, Oregon CASA Network, $1,031,000.00, Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Inc., $343,065.00, City of Beaverton-Behavioral Health Court, $500,000.00, and The City of Cottage Grove-Cottage-Grove Police Department $800,000.00.
“I thank these organizations for their work to keep our communities safe and congratulate them on their awards,” said U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon. “I am thankful the United States Department of Justice continues to support this important work and our partners throughout our Oregon communities.”
These funds come from Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program and OVW Fiscal Year 2026 State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
The work that will be funded include increased medical clinic services to children who are victims of abuse or neglect, work to prevent and combat juvenile delinquency, reduce youth involvement in violent crime, and strengthen coordinated public safety efforts for youth and families, behavioral health aimed at curbing recidivism, Court Appointed Special Advocates for children removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, supporting the work to assist survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and police department fleet modernization aimed at restoring community trust, and improving public safety.
30 September 2026
‘Pre-IPO’ Boiler Room Operators Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jamie McDonald, announced today that the founders and operators of Legend Venture Partners LLC (“Legend”) and its affiliated entities were sentenced to significant prison time for defrauding their investors, violating their fiduciary duties to those investors, and stealing their funds. MARIO GOGLIORMELLA was sentenced to 52 months in prison, and STEVEN LACAJ and KARIM IBRAHIM, a/k/a “Chris Hayes,” were each sentenced to 42 months in prison. GOGLIORMELLA, LACAJ, and IBRAHIM pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick, who imposed sentence on GOGLIORMELLA on September 16, 2026; LACAJ on September 23, 2026; and IBRAHIM today.
“This Office will continue to prioritize enforcement against fraud in the pre-IPO space,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald. “Our markets—both public and private—can flourish only if their integrity is preserved. By charging undisclosed markups of over a hundred percent and pretending their own disciplinary histories didn’t exist, the defendants—the founders and operators of Legend Venture Partners LLC—stole from hundreds of investors and undermined the functioning of markets that are vital to innovation and growth.”
According to the allegations contained in the Indictment, public filings, and statements made in court:
GOGLIORMELLA, LACAJ, and IBRAHIM engaged in a scheme to defraud investors in a group of related private funds known generally as the “StraightPath Funds” and the “Legend Funds.” The defendants, and others working at their direction, used “boiler room”-style call centers to market the funds to non-professional investors by promising an opportunity to invest in privately held companies expected to go public in the near future (“pre-IPO companies”). The defendants purported to offer investors the chance to acquire shares in pre-IPO companies at favorable prices in advance of an anticipated public offering, at which time, they claimed, the shares would be worth significantly more. The defendants also claimed there were no upfront fees or commissions, and that they would not get paid until their investors got paid.
These representations that the defendants made to investors were lies. In fact, the defendants sold shares to investors at arbitrarily inflated and excessive prices without disclosing to investors the nature or extent of the markup. The defendants’ fraudulent misrepresentations about the operation of their funds allowed them to raise approximately $185 million from hundreds of investors. Based in large part on the excessive and undisclosed share price markups they charged to investors, the defendants were able to divert nearly $28 million in investor funds to themselves. They also used investor funds to pay their sales representatives at least $17.5 million in fees and commissions, despite making explicit representations to investors that fees were not being charged. In addition to misrepresentations about fees and markups, the defendants also misled investors regarding the nature of their investments and hid the involvement of GOGLIORMELLA and IBRAHIM, who had been previously been disciplined by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, in the management of the Funds.
In order to generate interest in the Funds among retail investors, GOGLIORMELLA, LACAJ, and IBRAHIM used finders, or “referral agents,” to pitch prospective investors and thereafter to serve as the investors’ primary point of contact. The defendants used “boiler room”-style call centers wherein salespeople cold-called potential investors, many of whom were not experienced investors, and gave aggressive sales pitches using notes and pitch scripts. The defendants referred to their pitch scripts as “The Bible.” Contrary to the defendants’ claim that they and their agents did not make money unless and until investors received a profit on their investments, the defendants paid referral agents a commission, typically a 10 to 15 percent front-end fee based on the amount of the investment that agents were able to draw to the Funds, plus a portion of the carried interest when the Funds exited their position in a particular company.
At first, the defendants operated this scheme as a marketing arm for StraightPath Venture Partners, Inc. (“StraightPath”). In approximately 2021, multiple individuals associated with StraightPath received subpoenas from the SEC, and in approximately February 2022, StraightPath ceased operations. In approximately February 2022, when StraightPath ceased operations, GOGLIORMELLA, LACAJ, and IBRAHIM began conducting the scheme under the corporate entity Legend Venture Partners, LLC (“Legend”), where they continued to run the same scheme that StraightPath had started. The three principals of StraightPath —Michael Castillero, Brian Martinsen, and Francine Lanaia—were also prosecuted by this Office, convicted at a trial before U.S. District Court Judge Jesse M. Furman in November 2025, and sentenced to 11, 10, and 8 years respectively by Judge Furman in May 2026.
The StraightPath entities and StraightPath Funds and Legend entities and Legend Funds are no longer operational and are under the control of a court-appointed Receiver tasked with taking possession of StraightPath and Legend’s assets and overseeing a plan to return value to investors.
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In addition to the prison term, GOGLIORMELLA, 49, of Manhasset, New York; LACAJ, 29, of New York, New York; and IBRAHIM, 36, of Queens, New York, were each sentenced to three years of supervised release. They were also ordered to pay restitution of $46 million, as well as forfeiture in the following amounts: Gogliormella: $12,400,000; Lacaj: $7,700,000; and Ibrahim: $8,300,000.
Mr. McDonald praised the outstanding work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Mr. McDonald also thanked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed a parallel civil action.
The case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam S. Hobson and Matthew R. Shahabian are in charge of the prosecution.
U.S. Attorney Moore Capito Presents 2026 Law Enforcement AwardsRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Moore Capito honored more than 60 federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals today for their exemplary investigative work and contributions in cases successfully prosecuted in the Southern District of West Virginia.
During a ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd U.S. Courthouse in Charleston, Capito presented the 2026 Law Enforcement Awards to recognize invaluable assistance within specific categories of cases and office initiatives as well as outstanding overall service.
“These awards recognize law enforcement professionals who exemplify the highest standards of service,” Capito said. “Our honorees have demonstrated integrity, courage, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to public safety and the criminal justice system.”
The honorees were recognized in the following categories:
Category: White Collar Crime
Outstanding White Collar Crime Cases:
U.S. vs Ross Jay Bailey (5:24-cr-105)
U.S. vs Ryan Keith Bailey (5:24-cr-106)
U.S. vs Mark William Bailey (5:23-cr-131)- Special Agent Thomas Atherton, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG)
- Special Agent Terry Hedrick, United States Secret Service
- First Sgt. Brad Burner, West Virginia State Police – Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) (retired)
- Litigation Financial Analyst Stephen DeWayne Rowley, U.S. Attorney’s Office (posthumously)
A federal investigation determined that three members of the same Beckley-area family fraudulently converted more than $4 million in COVID-19 relief funds for their personal enrichment. Each defendant successfully applied for loans meant to help their businesses weather the global pandemic. They instead spent COVID-19 relief funds to buy stocks, cryptocurrency, and real estate among other personal and prohibited uses.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to theft of government money. To date, more than $6 million has been recovered from the defendants through paid restitution and assets subject to forfeiture. The investigation allowed the U.S. Attorney’s Office to apply all available tools to seek justice in these cases: criminal prosecution, False Claims Act litigation, and civil forfeiture proceedings.
Rowley was instrumental in developing the case as Litigation Financial Analyst for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Rowley joined the office in 2011, after 23 years as a federal law enforcement officer, and retired in July 2025. Rowley died on April 23, 2026. His wife of 46 years, Bonnie Rowley, accepted the award.
Category: Project Safe Childhood
Project Safe Childhood (PSC) is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched by the Department of Justice in 2006. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, 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.
Outstanding PSC Case: U.S. vs Alan J. Disomma, Jr. (5:22-cr-227)
- Special Agent Genevieve Baushke, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Special Agent Jared Jankowski, FBI
- Sgt. Jillian Yeager, West Virginia State Police
- Trooper Ricky Jones, West Virginia State Police
In December 2021, Alan J. Disomma, Jr. began communicating online with a woman located in West Virginia whom he believed to be the mother of two minor girls. Disomma stated that he wanted to engage in sexual relations with both girls. Disomma continued to express this intent in a series of text messages over the following year. In December 2022, Disomma flew from Arizona to West Virginia with plans to act on these intentions. Upon his arrival in Charleston, Disomma was arrested by law enforcement officers.
A federal jury convicted Disomma of two counts of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual activity. Disomma was sentenced to life in prison on October 4, 2024.
Category: Drug Trafficking
Outstanding Drug Trafficking Cases:
U.S. vs Robert Earl Cureton, Jr. (3:24-cr-117)
- Lt. Stephen Maniskas, Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force (HVCDTF), Huntington Police Department
- Sgt. Adrian Rosario, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. Alec Bentley, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. Michael Cremeans, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. Jacob Fitzwater, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. David Malcomb, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Sgt. Kerry Arthur, HVCDTF, Barboursville Police Department
- Officer Ryan Harless, Huntington Police Department
- Officer Jarod Martin, Huntington Police Department
On November 26, 2024, law enforcement officers seized approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine and $4,566 in drug proceeds from Robert Earl Cureton, Jr. in Huntington. Cureton transported the drugs and cash that day by Greyhound bus from Detroit, Michigan to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then via rideshare from Cincinnati to Huntington, where officers conducted a traffic stop of the rideshare vehicle.
Investigators had previously conducted multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Cureton in Huntington through the use of confidential informants. Cureton was sentenced on May 12, 2025, to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. The Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force and the Huntington Police Department conducted the investigation.
Operation Ghost
- Special Agent Jennifer King, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Special Agent Carolyn Rash, FBI
- Special Agent Erica Kelley, FBI Detroit Field Office
- Task Force Officer Jacob Kresslein, FBI Detroit Field Office
- Intelligence Analyst Sarah Cole, FBI
- Senior Digital Forensic Examiner Melinda Cash, FBI
- Digital Forensic Specialist Kelsey Billups, FBI
- Staff Operations Specialist Jennifer Ball, FBI
- Staff Operations Specialist Josh Van Meter, FBI
- Special Agent Jared Austin, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Technical Sgt. Kyle Kelly, West Virginia Air National Guard
- Lt. Paul Hodge, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
- Cpl. Brian Hudson, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
- Lt. Hedrick “Bo” Miller, Charleston Police Department
- Sgt. Wesley Daniels, Charleston Police Department
- Sgt. Eric “Seth” Johnson, Charleston Police Department
- Cpl. Jordan Hilbert, Charleston Police Department
- Cpl. Owen Morris, Charleston Police Department
- Cpl. John Waggy, Charleston Police Department
- Cpl. Nigel Waller, Charleston Police Department
- Detective Matthew Justice, Charleston Police Department (now with U.S. Postal Inspection Service)
- Administrative Assistant Lori Lipscomb, Charleston Police Department
- Patrolman Oliver Lopez, Nitro Police Department
- Officer Matthew Cooper, St. Albans Police Department
- Cpl. David Harvey, South Charleston Police Department
Operation Ghost disrupted a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Charleston area between June 2024 and May 2025. A federal grand jury indicted more than a dozen individuals as a result of this investigation, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
Nine defendants pleaded guilty to roles in the DTO conspiracy, and six other defendants pleaded guilty in cases separate from the main indictment. The convicted defendants together have received more than a century of prison time, with seven each sentenced to 10 years or more in prison.
Category: Violent Crime
Outstanding Violent Crime Case: U.S. vs Tiwan Robert Bailey, et al. (2:24-cr-118)
- Special Agent Collin Nash, U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- Special Agent James Erwin, HSI
- Victim Assistance Specialist Kyanna Perkins, HSI
- Criminal Analyst Jessica Griffith, HSI
- Criminal Analyst Chris Powell, HSI
- Computer Forensic Analyst Leland F. “Fred” Pickering, HSI
- Deputy U.S. Marshal Derrick Williams, United States Marshals Service (USMS)
- Cpl. Treavor Dubiel, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
- Cpl. Adam Aldridge, Charleston Police Department
- Detective Joshua Mena, Charleston Police Department (now with HSI)
Tiwan Robert Bailey led a sex trafficking conspiracy during which he trafficked four different female victims, including a 17-year-old girl. Bailey required each victim to engage in commercial sex acts and provide all the money they received to him. Bailey forced his victims to post sex ads online as part of his trafficking scheme. Bailey also obstructed the federal investigation of the sex trafficking conspiracy by seeking to interfere with any potential cooperation and testimony by the minor female victim.
Bailey coerced his adult victims through repeated acts of violence, including sexual assaults and physical beatings. Bailey reinforced this control through threats he issued to his victims in person and through voice messages, texts, and Facebook Messenger. Bailey supplied drugs to the victims suffering from addiction and withheld drugs from them as punishment.
Bailey became a fugitive after a warrant for his arrest was issued in this case in July 2024. The United States Marshals Service captured Bailey on January 17, 2025, in Lexington, Kentucky.
Bailey was sentenced to 25 years in prison on February 9, 2026, following his conviction by a federal jury of all six felony counts against him. Co-defendant Carrie Roy was sentenced to 10 years in prison for her role in the conspiracy.
Category: Project Safe Neighborhoods
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
Outstanding Project Safe Neighborhoods Case: U.S. vs Erin Leigh Keeney, et al. (3:25-cr-161)
- Special Agent Cory Jarrett, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Special Agent Sean McNees, ATF
- Special Agent Jason Berty, ATF
- Special Agent Quinn Conlon, ATF
- Special Agent Launa Hunt, ATF
- Special Agent Kachine Jonese, ATF
- Special Agent Ryan McComas, ATF
- Special Agent Joseph Reed, ATF
- Special Agent Mari Woodford, ATF
- Lt. Steve Maniskas, Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force (HVCDTF), Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. Michael Cremeans, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. Taylor Eastes, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. Jacob Fitzwater, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Cpl. David Malcomb, HVCDTF, Huntington Police Department
- Officer Ryan Harless, Huntington Police Department
This case resulted from an investigation that disrupted a drug trafficking organization (DTO) responsible for distributing quantities of fentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine in the Huntington area. Several of the conspirators possessed firearms during DTO transactions and sold firearms or sold drugs in exchange for firearms. Investigators seized 27 firearms and quantities of fentanyl, carfentanyl, cocaine base, and methamphetamine. All seven individuals indicted as a result of this investigation pleaded guilty.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Charleston field office and the Huntington Violent Crime and Drug Task Force (HVCDTF) conducted the investigation. The ATF field offices in Louisville, Lexington, and London, Kentucky and in Huntington and Clarksburg, West Virginia, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Huntington field office, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Southern District of West Virginia Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division (CUFFED) Task Force, and the Huntington Police Department assisted the investigation.
Task Force of the Year: Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT)
- Commander: Lt. Hedrick “Bo” Miller, Charleston Police Department
The U.S. Attorney’s Award for Task Force of the Year recognizes outstanding cooperative law enforcement efforts and endeavors that have significant and lasting community impact. A highlight of the ceremony, this award honors a task force for one or more specific cases and also for their continuing role in significant investigations and prosecutions.
This year’s award recognizes MDENT for its role in Operation Ghost.
Law Enforcement Officers of the Year
The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards honor individual federal, state, and local officers selected for outstanding contributions to significant cases.
- Federal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Special Agent Collin Nash, U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
- State Law Enforcement Officer of the Year:Sgt. Jillian Yeager, West Virginia State Police (WVSP)
- Local Law Enforcement Officer of the Year: Cpl. David Malcomb, Huntington Police Department
U.S. Attorney’s Office Distinguished Service Award
- Special Agent Jennifer King, FBI
This award recognizes King for her deep experience, strong competitive drive, and unwavering commitment to fairness. Her dedication, professionalism, and service have strengthened the community, and set a standard for law enforcement excellence in this district.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.
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U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey Announces “Four Corners of Public Safety” Initiative Highlighting District’s PrioritiesRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey today announced the launch of his “Four Corners of Public Safety” initiative, a renewed and expanded effort to deepen collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout the Northern District of West Virginia.
Designed to reinforce ongoing partnerships while forging new connections, the initiative reflects the district’s commitment to a unified approach to public safety. By bringing leaders and agencies together, the Four Corners aims to enhance coordination, share resources more effectively, and ensure a consistent, district-wide strategy for addressing key criminal threats.
“The Four Corners highlights the good work we are already doing across the district and serves as a framework to bring all of us together with an even greater purpose,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “Our shared mission is to make our communities safer, stronger, and better places to live and work, and this initiative helps us do exactly that.”
The Four Corners of Public Safety outlines the district’s foundational priorities, which include disrupting drug trafficking networks, reducing violent crime, protecting residents from fraud and financial exploitation, and supporting vulnerable members of the community. By focusing on these core areas, the initiative provides a clear direction for collaborative action and targeted enforcement strategies.
Through coordinated efforts with state prosecutors and ongoing partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement, the initiative strengthens the district’s ability to respond to emerging threats, share intelligence, and implement prevention-focused strategies. These collaborative efforts reinforce the office’s broader mission to safeguard the Northern District of West Virginia and uphold the rule of law.
Aligned with Department of Justice priorities, the Four Corners initiative reflects a comprehensive, multi‑agency approach to confronting crime from every angle. By ensuring that federal, state, and local partners work in step with one another, the initiative helps build safer communities and demonstrates a shared commitment to protecting the people of Northern West Virginia.
Read more here.
Two Alleged White Supremacists Charged with Hate Crimes for Attacks at Oceanside Pier; Third Attacker Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – An indictment unsealed in federal court today charges two alleged white supremacists from Riverside County with hate crimes in connection with racially-motivated attacks on two U.S. Marines and a third man at the Oceanside pier in June 2025.
Austin Yohe and Daniel Burns are also charged with obstruction of justice for lying to Riverside court personnel, local law enforcement officers in Oceanside, and FBI agents about their roles in the assault. The FBI arrested Yohe yesterday afternoon in Riverside, California. At approximately the same time, Burns was taken into custody at an associate’s home in Wilsonville, Alabama.
The third defendant, Johnny Lee Lane, pleaded guilty today to three federal hate crimes offenses—one for each of the victims. Lane admitted he participated in the attacks on the three victims along with Yohe and Burns, and that the assaults were racially motivated.
The indictment identifies the victim of the first attack as T.L.W., a 21-year-old Black and Asian American man, and the victims of the second attack as two U.S. Marines, T.J. and E.H., a 24-year-old black man and a 23-year-old white man, respectively.
The indictment alleges that Yohe and Burns both claim membership in the group COORS 88, which espouses white supremacy, and that Burns has a tattoo on his arm that reads, “skinhead.” Lane, charged separately in an information, is referred to in the indictment by the initials J.L.
According to the indictment, on June 7, 2025, Yohe, Burns, and Lane drove to Oceanside and went to the beach near the Oceanside Pier. At approximately 8:30 p.m., after attending a family funeral earlier that day, T.L.W. and his wife were sitting on a bench north of the Oceanside Pier and next to a concrete building that had restrooms and outdoor showers when Yohe and Burns approached, identified themselves as “skinheads,” and attacked T.L.W. without provocation.
The indictment alleges that Yohe and Burns punched T.L.W. multiple times, kicked and stomped on him, and slammed his head into the concrete wall of the building. As T.L.W. crawled away and back onto the sand, Lane approached, yelled “Get that n****r!,” and kicked and stomped on T.L.W. As a result of the attack, T.L.W. was hospitalized and suffered serious injuries to his upper body, including a concussion, swelling on his head, and cuts and bruises.
According to the indictment, after they finished assaulting T.L.W., Yohe, Burns and Lane walked southbound to the plaza near the Oceanside Pier. The two Marines, T.J. and E.H., were standing in the plaza eating funnel cake while they waited to get a table at a nearby restaurant. As they walked through the plaza and proceeded up the stairs, Yohe, Burns, and/or Lane yelled racial slurs, including n****r, at T.J. and E.H., who stood there and did not follow the defendants or make any gestures towards them.
About one to two minutes later, the indictment said, Yohe and Burns came back down the stairs with Lane following. Yohe walked up to E.H. and, without provocation, punched him forcefully in the face. Moments later, Burns approached T.J. and, without provocation, punched him forcefully in the head. Even then, T.J. and E.H. did not immediately fight back, and instead, they stepped backwards and tried to de-escalate the encounter.
Undeterred, Yohe and Burns lunged forward and continued assaulting T.J. and E.H., which included punching, grabbing, tackling, and kicking the Marines. The indictment alleges that Lane then joined the continuing assault, struck both T.J. and E.H., and kicked E.H. multiple times in or near his head while E.H. was on the ground trying to fight off Yohe.
During the attack, one of the defendants yelled that E.H.—who is white—was a “n****r lover.” As a result of the attack, E.H. suffered serious head injuries, including a concussion, orbital fracture, sinus fracture, and fractured cheekbone. T.J. also suffered injuries from the attack, including multiple contusions to his head and an injury to his hand that required him to undergo physical therapy.
The three obstruction of justice charges in the indictment—one against Yohe and two against Burns—stem from alleged false statements that the two defendants made on the night of the attacks and in interviews afterwards. Burns is alleged to have knowingly lied to the Oceanside Police Department on the night of the attacks, telling an officer that he was not with Yohe but instead was “coming to pick them up,” that he had “just left the gym in San Bernardino,” and that he was “not involved,” which he told the officer to “look at the video” to confirm.
Burns is also alleged to have knowingly lied to FBI agents during an interview months later, on November 25, 2025, when he told them that the incident began when E.H. punched Yohe first and that he only came down the stairs and started fighting after E.H. punched Yohe. The indictment alleges that Yohe knowingly lied to a court employee in Riverside County on June 13 and 17, 2025, when he claimed that he had gone to Oceanside because his friend was stranded there and needed a ride, that his friend had been involved in an altercation before Yohe arrived, and that Yohe and his friend were “attacked” as they were walking to Yohe’s car. According to the indictment, Yohe referred to himself as a “victim” of that attack.
Yohe made his initial appearance in federal court today in San Diego before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu. The United States moved to detain Yohe as a serious risk of flight and danger to the community. At the request of Yohe’s appointed counsel, the detention hearing was continued to Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10 a.m. A motion hearing and trial setting is scheduled before U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro on October 30, 2026, at 9 a.m.
Burns made his initial appearance in federal court today in the Northern District of Alabama where he will be held pending proceedings to effectuate his removal and transfer to San Diego.
After entering pleas of guilty to the three hate crimes charges, Lane was released on a $25,000 personal appearance bond. His sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2027, at 9 a.m. before Judge Montenegro.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Songer and C. Seth Askins. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division provided assistance and certified hate crime charges pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 249(b)(1).
DEFENDANTS
Case Number 26cr3776-RBM
Austin Yohe Age: 23 Riverside, CA
Daniel Burns Age: 30 Wilsonville, AL
Case Number 26cr03839-RBM
Johnny Lee Lane Age: 23 Riverside, CA
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Hate Crime – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 249
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
Obstruction of Justice – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1512
Maximum penalty: Twenty years in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Three Fraudsters Sentenced to Combined 235 Months in Federal Prison for $16M Student Loan, PPP Fraud SchemesRead the Press Release
DETROIT - Brandon Robinson, 42, of Detroit, was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison for orchestrating overlapping federal student aid and PPP fraud schemes, announced Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division and United States Attorney Jerome Gorgon, Jr.
U.S. District Court Judge Laurie J. Michelson ordered that Robinson, the ringleader of the scheme, serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and pay restitution as follows:
- $10,521,189.05 to the Department of Education
- $1,357,493.00 to various state workforce agencies
Michelson sentenced Robinson following his guilty pleas to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Alongside Robinson, Antonio Robinson, 37, of Ferndale was sentenced to 84 months imprisonment and Joshuan Porter, 36, of Detroit was sentenced to 55 months imprisonment.
“These defendants stole more than $16 million from federal programs designed to assist students and unemployed Americans,” said Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. “The defendants enrolled straw students across more than 100 schools in more than 20 states to collect these proceeds. They now face prison time for their egregious actions. We commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for its outstanding work prosecuting this case.”
“These defendants thought federal programs were easy money. They were wrong,” said Gorgon. “We are making sure that federal program fraudsters bear the consequences.”
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Scott Wingle, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Central Regional Office, and Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
“I’m proud of the work of OIG special agents and our law enforcement colleagues for shutting down yet another fraud ring and holding these fraudsters accountable for their criminal actions,” said Scott Wingle, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General’s Central Regional Office. “The OIG is committed to fighting student aid fraud and we will continue to aggressively pursue those that participate in these types of crimes.”
“Brandon Robinson exploited two taxpayer-funded assistance programs designed to support individuals in need of unemployment benefits or Federal Student Aid—programs that Americans depend on. Today's sentencing highlights the commitment by my agency and Vice President Vance’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud to aggressively pursue fraudsters and hold them accountable,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “We will continue to pursue those individuals that attempt to exploit the unemployment insurance system and other programs designed to support hardworking Americans. Accountability is coming.”
The case was jointly investigated by agents from the Department of Education Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Labor Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Particka.
About the Case:
According to court documents, Brandon Robinson was responsible for leading a years-long scheme to obtain fraudulent Federal Student Aid (FSA) benefits involving so-called “straw students.” Antonio Robinson and Joshuan Porter took direction from Robinson and served as middlemen, ferrying information and kickbacks between Brandon Robinson and the fake students.
The three submitted fraudulent FSA claims for more than 1,200 individuals, involving over 100 schools in more than 20 states, between January 2015 and November 2023. They were awarded more than $16M in FSA benefits and collected more than $10M of it before being caught.
The three also worked together to file over 100 fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance between March 2020 and June 2021, Collecting around $1.3M in false unemployment benefits.
About the National Fraud Enforcement Division: On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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Tahlequah Resident Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Robbie Lee Holmes, age 38, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information of one count of Voluntary Manslaughter in Indian Country, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Felony Information alleged that on or about June 21, 2025, Holmes, upon sudden quarrel and heat of passion, knowingly and unlawfully killed the victim.
The crime occurred in Cherokee County, within the boundaries of the Cherokee Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the District 27 Drug and Violent Crime Taskforce, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Holmes will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Conway represented the United States.
Syracuse Woman Charged with Social Security Fraud and Theft of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK – Rhonda Cook, age 61, of Syracuse, New York made her initial appearance September 14, 2026, in federal court on charges of social security fraud and theft of government property. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Amy Connelly, Special Agent-in-Charge, Boston–New York–Philadelphia Field Division, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG) made the announcement.
According to the indictment, Cook received and kept Social Security money intended for a Social Security recipient while serving as a representative payee for that recipient and did not use the money for the benefit of the recipient. This action is part of an ongoing effort of the Trump Administration’s Fraud Task Force aimed at eliminating fraud across the country. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
First Assistant United States Attorney John Sarcone stated, “This case demonstrates that our commitment to identifying and prosecuting fraud applies across the board, whether it is a five-figure, six-figure or even greater case, my office stands ready to hold people accountable when they illegally take resources from those who truly need it.”
“Diverting Social Security benefits entrusted to one’s care is a serious violation that harms both the beneficiary and the integrity of a program relied upon by millions,” said Amy Connelly, Special Agent‑in‑Charge, SSA OIG Boston–New York–Philadelphia Field Division. “Our office will continue to identify and stop those who take advantage of these benefits and ensure they are used as intended.”
The charges filed against Cook include a maximum term of 10 years in prison for theft of government property and 5 years in prison for each of the social security fraud counts. Cook may also be ordered to pay restitution to the government. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
SSA OIG is investigating the case, and it is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Arne Soldwedel.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Springfield, Missouri Man Pleads Guilty for Being a Felon in Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today for his illegal possession of a firearm.
Lonnie B. Dean, 52, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm. This defendant was charged as a part of Operation Spring Cleaning, that was coordinated by the United States Attorney’s Office and law enforcement across southwest Missouri.
Dean pleaded guilty to the sole count of the indictment that charged him with illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On Dec. 24, 2025, Dean was contacted by law enforcement during a traffic stop. During that contact, Springfield Police Officers note that Dean had a current warrant for his arrest. As Dean was taken into custody, officers found a Glock Model 43x, 9mm firearm. The firearm was found in Dean’s waistline. Officers noted that the firearm was loaded with ammunition and had a round of ammunition chambered in the weapon. Dean has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, and a prior illegal possession of a firearm.
Under federal statutes, Dean is subject to sentences of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole and a maximum fine of $250,000. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Burau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Springfield Missouri Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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.
South Carolina Man Sentenced to 27 Years in Federal Prison for Child Sex TraffickingRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Michael Nathaniel Holland, 37, has been sentenced to 27 years in federal prison for transporting a minor across state lines with intent that the minor engage in criminal sexual activity. United States Attorney D. Michael Dunavant, for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
According to information presented in court, in November 2024, Holland traveled from his home in Columbia, South Carolina to Jackson, Tennessee to pick up a 12-year-old girl that he had been communicating with over Snapchat for several months. After picking her up, Holland drove the minor back to his home in South Carolina. Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were ultimately able to locate the minor at Holland’s residence.
The minor told investigators that Holland performed several sexual acts on her after they arrived at his home. A search of Holland’s cell phone corroborated the minor’s statements, as investigators located several photographs and videos on Holland’s phone which showed him engaging in various sexual acts with the minor at his residence.
Following his guilty plea to the transportation offense earlier this year, United States District Court Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Holland on September 28, 2026 to 324 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
After he is released from prison, Holland will have to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration & Notification Act (SORNA), and he was also ordered to pay the $5,000 special assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA).
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, “Travelers and traffickers who target and victimize children cannot hide from ultimate detection and aggressive prosecution by this office. This predator exploited a vulnerable child in a horrific way, and will now rightly suffer significant consequences.”
“When a child is victimized, we will use every resource available to investigate the crime, pursue the offender, and seek justice for the victim and their family,” said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “This sentence is a result of the coordination of the FBI Nashville Field Office – Jackson Resident Agency and the FBI Columbia Field Office. I commend the investigators, prosecutors, and victim specialists for their relentless work to bring Michael Holland to justice.”
This case was investigated by members of the FBI in Columbia, South Carolina and in Jackson, Tennessee.
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow and former Assistant United States Attorney Christie Hopper prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact our Media Relations Team at [email protected]. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates
Six Individuals Charged in Connection with Smash-and-Grab Robberies of Jewelry StoresRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Six people have been charged for their roles in smash-and-grab robberies targeting jewelry stores across New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
Since early 2025, numerous jewelry stores have been victimized by smash-and-grab robberies in New Jersey and Staten Island, New York, each committed by groups of individuals employing similar tactics. While the victim jewelry stores were open for business, masked and gloved perpetrators used crow bars and/or sledgehammers to smash the glass doors and front windows of the store. Once inside, the perpetrators smashed glass display cases, stealing whatever jewelry was inside.
“As alleged, these defendants committed brazen, day-time robberies of jewelry stores by smashing through glass, creating chaos, instilling fear in employees and customers, and making off with hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry, but in the end, thanks to the work of federal law enforcement and our state and local partners, these defendants now face serious federal charges. These arrests serve as a reminder that if you commit violent crimes in New Jersey, law enforcement will use every tool to find you and make sure that you face justice.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
“Customers at these jewelry stores found themselves caught in the middle of violent robberies carried out by masked men who showed little regard for anyone who might get hurt,” said FBI Newark, Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Roddy. FBI Newark partnered with state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and track down these subjects so no one else would be put in danger. The work being done to protect the people of New Jersey has been incredible, and this case is just one stellar example.”
Shaquan Jones, 24, of Newark, and Kayron Caldwell, 34, of Newark, were each separately charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery for robbing a jewelry store in Paterson, New Jersey on May 14, 2025. Caldwell was indicted on August 5, 2026. He appeared before the Honorable Susan D. Wigenton on August 13, 2026, entered a plea of not guilty, and was ordered detained. Jones was charged by complaint and appeared before the Honorable José R. Almonte, United States Magistrate Judge, on July 29, 2026; he was ordered detained.
Wyzier Peterson, 28, of Paterson, New Jersey; Corey Boyd, 29, of Paterson, New Jersey; and Terrance Drakeford, 33, of Paterson, New Jersey, were each charged by complaint with one count of Hobbs Act robbery for robbing a jewelry store in Wayne, New Jersey on June 16, 2026. All three defendants appeared before the Honorable José R. Almonte, United States Magistrate Judge, on September 10, 2026, and were ordered detained.
Derreck Proctor, 33, of Newark, New Jersey was charged by complaint with one count of Hobbs Act robbery for robbing a jewelry store in Union City, New Jersey, on March 7, 2026. Proctor appeared before the Honorable André M. Espinosa, United States Magistrate Judge, on September 23, 2026, and was released on bail.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
The perpetrators of the May 2025 robbery in Paterson smashed through the glass door and front windows of the jewelry store in the middle of the day using crow bars. Two perpetrators cut themselves on broken glass, leaving behind blood. Investigators tested the blood on the scene and found that it contained Jones’s DNA and Caldwell’s DNA. In the days following the robbery, Jones took pictures of himself holding a wad of cash with a bandage on his left hand, which investigators recovered from Jones’s online cloud storage account. Following the robbery, Caldwell ran internet searches for butterfly bandages and wound treatment.
Investigators apprehended Proctor for his role in the March 2026 Union City robbery based on blood evidence as well. During that robbery, perpetrators carrying 10-pound brand-name sledgehammers smashed display cases inside the store and took jewelry from inside the cases. When examining the crime scene, law enforcement found blood left behind by a perpetrator who had likely cut their hand on broken glass. DNA analysis confirmed that the blood matched Proctor. Security camera footage from a hardware store showed that Proctor purchased two 10-pound, brand-name sledgehammers with cash several weeks before the robbery.
The perpetrators of the June 2026 Wayne robbery also smashed through the jewelry store’s glass front door using sledgehammers before smashing the display cases and fleeing in an SUV. Video surveillance captured the perpetrators changing to a second vehicle several blocks from the robbery. Boyd drove the second getaway car, in which Peterson and Drakeford were both passengers. When Haledon Police attempted to stop the second getaway car for a traffic infraction a few minutes later, the car fled and crashed one block away. Law enforcement apprehended Drakeford at the scene of the crash, but the other occupants fled on foot. Boyd and Peterson were later identified and apprehended.
Each defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment for Hobbs Act robbery, and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the amount of money involved in the offense, whichever is greater.
U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Newark Field Division, under the direction of Stefanie Roddy, with the investigation. He also thanked the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Union City Police Department, the Wayne Police Department, the Jersey City Police Department, the Perth Amboy Police Department, the Woodbridge Police Department, the Paterson Police Department, the Edison Police Department, the Bloomfield Police Department, the City of Passaic, the Haledon Police Department, the Newark Police Department, the North Brunswick Police Department, the Paramus Police Department, and the New York Police Department for their roles in this collaborative effort to investigate and apprehend the individuals engaging in the smash-and-grab robberies, occurring across multiple jurisdictions.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Thompson of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit and Sean Nadel of the Cybercrime Unit in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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Defense counsel:
Shaquan Jones: F.R. “Chip” Dunne, III, Esq., Springfield, NJ
Kayron Caldwell: John Yauch, Office of the Federal Public Defender, Newark, NJ
Wyzier Peterson: Benjamin West, Esq., Office of the Federal Public Defender, Newark, NJ
Corey Boyd: Charles Alvarez, Esq., Bloomfield, NJ
Terrance Drakeford: Stacy A. Biancamano, Esq., Kenilworth, NJ
Derreck Proctor: Michael J. Pappa, Esq., Hazlet, NJ
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to over Three Years in Federal Prison for Possessing a Firearm as a FelonRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on September 28, 2026.
Austin Joseph Means, 35, was sentenced to three years and six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Means was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2025. He pleaded guilty on June 29, 2026.
On March 13, 2025, detectives with the Sioux Falls Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in northwest Sioux Falls. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives detained a number of individuals, including Means. A subsequent search of the residence revealed, among other items, a semi-automatic pistol and an extended magazine loaded with 15 live rounds of ammunition. Forensic testing of the firearm proved that Means had earlier possessed the firearm. Since Means had been previously convicted of a felony—Possession of a Controlled Substance—he is not legally permitted to possess firearms.
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). Through PSN, the District of South Dakota seeks to bring together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Sioux Falls Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell prosecuted the case.
Means was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Sioux Falls Man Sentenced to 7 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. The sentencing took place on September 28, 2026.
Jason Pfuhl, 41, was sentenced to seven years and eight months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Pfuhl was indicted for possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute by a federal grand jury in November 2025. He pleaded guilty on June 15, 2026.
Sioux Falls Police officers came into contact with Pfuhl after they stopped the vehicle in which he was a passenger. They eventually searched the vehicle and found approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine in the area where Pfuhl was seated in the car.
This case was investigated by the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Hodges prosecuted the case.
Pfuhl was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Signal Diagnostics Agrees to Pay over $20M to Settle False Claims Act Allegations for Failing to Refund Overpayments to the HRSA Uninsured ProgramRead the Press Release
Signal Diagnostics LLC (Signal) has agreed to pay the United States $20.5 million to resolve allegations that Signal violated the False Claims Act by knowingly retaining and improperly avoiding its obligations to repay the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing, Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured Program (the “Uninsured Program”) for overpayments for claims Signal submitted for patients who had health insurance.
“When companies knowingly retain federal healthcare program funds they were not entitled to receive, they violate the public’s trust and the law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Today’s settlement reflects our commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that providers meet their obligations to return money to which they were not entitled.”
“Providers who receive federal program funds must meet their legal obligation to return money they are not entitled to. By knowingly avoiding repayment of overpayments, Signal Diagnostics undermined the integrity of a program designed to support uninsured patients during a national public health emergency,” said Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Miranda L. Bennett of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “HHS‑OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that entities that misuse federal health care dollars are held fully accountable.”
Between approximately May 2020 and April 2022, the Uninsured Program reimbursed eligible providers for COVID-19 tests, testing-related items and services, treatment, and vaccines performed on uninsured individuals. During the Public Health Emergency, Signal provided COVID-19 tests to individuals at public testing sites and on client sites.
The settlement announced today resolves allegations that from January 2022 to May 2023, Signal knowingly and improperly avoided obligations to repay HRSA for overpayments reimbursed to it from the Uninsured Program. Specifically, between October 2020 and March 2022, Signal submitted claims for COVID-19 testing services and specimen collection to the Uninsured Program. The United States alleges that starting in or around January 2022, Signal initiated an internal audit to determine whether it had submitted ineligible claims to the Uninsured Program. Through the audit, Signal determined that it had submitted claims to the Uninsured Program that were ineligible for payment because the individuals had insurance.
The audit identified errors that caused the submission of claims to the Uninsured Program for people who had insurance, including instance where Signal’s internal system had created multiple profiles for the same individuals with conflicting insurance information and claims were submitted to the Uninsured Program when there were alternative insurances listed on file. From January 2022 to May 2023, Signal continued to conduct its audit and calculated the amount of overpayment received from the Uninsured Program for ineligible claims, and knowingly and improperly avoided its obligation to repay HRSA for those overpayments.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort by Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, with assistance from HHS-OIG. This matter was handled by Civil Division Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Elizabeth J. Kappakas, Lindsay DeFrancesco, and James Nealon.
This year the Administration launched the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division to enhance the Administration’s war on fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. When unscrupulous actors exploit these programs for their own financial gain, they defraud the government, harm the people these programs are designed to aid and protect, and undermine American businesses that play by the rules. The Civil Division’s FCA enforcement plays a critical role in combatting such fraudulent schemes, recovering billions of dollars for the American taxpayers, and holding wrongdoers accountable. FCA matters will continue to be on the forefront of the battle against fraud, and the Civil Division’s FCA work will support and advance the mission of the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Schenectady Drug Trafficking Brothers Plead Guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Defendants Jalen Parker, age 32 and Juwan Parker, age 31, of Schenectady, New York, have both pled guilty before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine base. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Federal Bureau of Investigation Albany Field Office Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli and Schenectady Police Department Chief Brian Whipple made the announcement.
The brothers admitted to being a part of a drug trafficking organization that operated in Schenectady and Albany counties. Jalen Parker admitted to distributing over 200 grams of actual methamphetamine and over 325 grams of cocaine base between July 2024 and January 2026. Juwan Parker further admitted to selling over 47 grams of crack cocaine to another individual on July 9, 2024 and selling 14 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine on May 27, 2025. Upon execution of a search warrant at the brother’s residence in Schenectady, law enforcement recovered two firearms, 30 grams of fentanyl, and 300 grams of cocaine.
“Drug crime continues to plague our communities, and in this case, it appears to run in the family,” said First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. “These brothers conspired to peddle poison in the community with no regard for the harm it causes—fueling potential violence and straining local resources and support networks. Thanks to the efforts of the FBI and the Schenectady Police Department, these defendants are off the streets and will face lengthy prison sentences for their roles in this operation.”
“The Parker brothers were responsible for trafficking dangerous narcotics onto the streets of Albany and Schenectady counties,” said Craig Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albany Field Office. “The FBI responded with the full force of the partnerships on our Safe Streets Task Force, and now both brothers are facing a substantial amount of time behind bars. The FBI is wholly committed to working with our partners at every level of law enforcement to leverage the resources needed to protect our communities from callous criminals looking to poison our citizens through the sale of dangerous drugs.”
“Those who profit from bringing dangerous drugs and firearms into our neighborhoods should expect the full attention of law enforcement. These guilty pleas demonstrate the strength of our federal partnerships and our shared commitment to holding drug traffickers accountable and keeping our community safe,” said Schenectady Police Chief Brian Whipple.Sentencing is scheduled for December 18, 2026. Jalen faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months and a maximum of life in prison at sentencing. Juwan faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 60 months and maximum of 40 years in prison at sentencing.
The FBI and Schenectady Police Department investigated the case; Assistant United States Attorney Paul DerOhannesian is prosecuting the case.
Roswell Felon Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison After Armed Encounter with PoliceRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Roswell man who fired a handgun while fleeing police officers during a foot pursuit was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on May 16, 2025, Roswell Police Department detectives conducting a crime suppression operation attempted to contact Daniel Garcia, 39, after observing him walking in the roadway. The detectives activated their vehicle’s emergency lights, exited the vehicle, and identified themselves as police officers. Garcia fled on foot, clutching a satchel across his chest, and one of the detectives pursued him.
During the pursuit, the detective heard a gunshot and observed a muzzle flash coming from Garcia’s location. The detective returned fire, striking Garcia in the lower extremities. Detectives apprehended Garcia and recovered a handgun near him.
During an interview with investigators, Garcia admitted possessing the handgun but claimed it accidentally discharged into the ground while he was running. He also claimed he did not realize the detectives were law enforcement because they were not wearing uniforms and he had not seen their emergency lights. Garcia acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a prior felony conviction for trafficking methamphetamine.
Garcia pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Upon his release from prison, he will be subject to three years of supervised release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.
The Roswell Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Roswell Police Department. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
Registered Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of MinorsRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – A repeat sex offender who used social media and online messaging platforms to target and sexually exploit minors was sentenced today in U.S. District Court.
Jeremy Barton, 46, a registered sex offender, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy to 300 months in federal prison, to be followed by 20 years’ supervised release for federal offenses involving the enticement and sexual exploitation of minors and distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Barton was previously convicted in state court for sexually assaulting minors and was a registered sex offender at the time he committed the federal offenses.
According to court documents, Barton used multiple social media and messaging platforms to contact and lure minor boys, often by disguising his identity by impersonating young females. He engaged in persistent efforts to entice the children to record themselves engaging in sexually explicit conduct. He enticed them to send him pictures and videos of that conduct and later distributed the CSAM to members of online chatrooms hosted on an encrypted app. As the administrator of several of those chatrooms, Barton actively participated in online communities dedicated to the exploitation of children. At a subsequent search of Barton’s home, investigators also recovered numerous images and videos of CSAM from Barton’s digital devices.
The court also ordered $10,000 in restitution to victims identified through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and a $3,000 assessment under the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.
“Barton repeatedly used online platforms to target and exploit children, despite a prior conviction and court supervision,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “His conduct was deliberate, predatory, and persistent. Today’s sentence ensures that he will not have access to children for decades, and it delivers accountability for the harm he caused to vulnerable victims. Our office remains steadfast in protecting children and aggressively prosecuting those who seek to exploit them.”
“This level 3 sex offender will now spend more than two decades behind bars for preying on young children for his own sick gratification,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Those who seek out images of child sexual abuse help drive a demand for this depraved material, resulting in the continued exploitation of these children. Today’s sentence holds Jeremy Barton accountable for his actions and highlights the solid work of the FBI's Child Exploitation – Human Trafficking Task Force, committed to its mission of protecting our most vulnerable from harm.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christine Lowell, with the assistance of Assistant United States Attorney Lee Vilker.
The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Narragansett Police Department.
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.
Pakistani Nationals residing in Bakersfield and Los Angeles County charged in a scheme to defraud MedicareRead the Press Release
FRESNO, Calif. — On Sept. 17, a grand jury indicted Nouman Mustafa, 36, of Torrance, and Mohsin Khan, 40, of Bakersfield, on multiple counts of health care fraud and aggravated identity theft for submitting millions of dollars in fraudulent claims for durable medical equipment to Medicare, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced today.
On Feb. 11, 2026, Mustafa was arrested on a criminal complaint at the Los Angeles International Airport while trying to board a one-way flight to Pakistan. Khan was arrested at his home in Bakersfield yesterday and will make his initial court appearance today.
According to court records, Mustafa and Khan are Pakistani nationals with dual United States citizenship who have worked in the United States as security guards, warehouse managers, and licensed insurance agents. From January 2025 through January 2026, they created a series of shell companies designed to look like legitimate durable medical equipment (DME) companies. In reality, none of the companies had physical storefronts, warehouses, or any locations where legitimate business could have been conducted. Mustafa and Khan then used these companies to quickly submit more than $3.5 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare. They typically relied on one company for only a few weeks or months until its claims began getting denied for suspected fraud, at which point they shifted to the next company.
Mustafa and Khan got the information to file the fraudulent claims from their contacts in Pakistan and elsewhere. This information included details about real Medicare beneficiaries and their doctors. The defendants kept approximately 30% of the proceeds and sent the remainder back to their contacts.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with assistance from the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arelis Clemente and Joseph Barton are prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Mustafa and Khan face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the health care fraud counts and a mandatory minimum of two years in prison, consecutive to the sentences they receive for any other counts, for each of the aggravated identity theft counts. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Running a Fake Investment Scheme That Defrauded Victims in Ohio and Florida of over $3MRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – An Ohio man has pleaded guilty to creating a phony investment opportunity which he used to convince unsuspecting victims to trust him with their money and then used their funds for his own personal benefit such as to gamble at casinos.
John E. Brown II, 45, of Brecksville, Ohio, pleaded guilty to 17 counts of Wire Fraud and two counts of Engaging in a Monetary Transaction in Criminal Proceeds. U.S. District Judge Dan A. Polster accepted Brown’s plea on Sept. 29, 2026.
According to court documents, Brown devised an investment scheme that he called “rolling code ticket packages” which were, according to Brown, bundled admission tickets to experiences such as sporting events or theme parks. From about May 2020 to May 2024, Brown promoted his investment opportunity by giving prospective investors information about the ticket packages. One way he convinced victims to invest was to point out that the value of the ticket packages would fluctuate in price based on a variety of factors including the stock price of theme parks or how well a professional sports team was performing that season. Another false selling point Brown highlighted was that the ticket packages frequently “split,” thereby doubling the number of tickets in the bundle and making it more valuable. Brown further misrepresented the investment by telling victims that he could generate profits by trading ticket packages when they increased in value.
Brown even went so far as to engage the assistance of other individuals to act as either successful investors or “code” buyers, in a coordinated effort to assure victims that it was safe to make significant investments. Additionally, he told some victims that the ticket packages were insured against losses, when in fact, they were not.
When victims were finally convinced to invest, Brown directed them to transfer their investment money to his business bank accounts. With the victims’ funds fully in his control, Brown spent the money for the benefit of himself including transferring approximately $1,375,000 to various casinos so he could gamble. When victims asked why they were not seeing returns on their investments, Brown provided them with fake documents suggesting he purchased the ticket codes on their behalf and gave them false assurances that their investments were safe.
Three of the victims were located in Berea, Mayfield Heights, and North Royalton, Ohio. Two victims resided in Cape Coral and Orlando, Florida. Collectively, victims lost more than $3 million by investing in what they were deceptively led to believe was a sound financial opportunity.
Brown faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of Wire Fraud charged in counts 1-17, and 10 years in prison for each count of Engaging in a Monetary Transaction in Criminal Proceeds charged in counts 18 and 19. Brown also faces fines of up to $4,750,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2027. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division.
Assistant United States Attorney Edward D. Brydle led the prosecution for the Northern District of Ohio.
Nurse Formerly Employed at Ann Arbor Hospital Charged with Assisting Escape of Detained Illegal AlienRead the Press Release
DETROIT — A criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan charging Chloe Renae Freeman, 29, of Whitmore Lake, Michigan, with instigating or assisting an escape, a misdemeanor offense, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Field Division.
According to the complaint, on May 28, 2026, Freeman, then employed as a registered nurse at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, knowingly and willfully assisted a detained illegal alien in escaping from federal custody. The individual had been arrested earlier that day by U.S. Border Patrol Agents after attempting to flee, during which he tripped and fell on pavement. Following EMS evaluation, agents transported him to the hospital for further medical care.
Agents remained with the detainee until he was moved to the hospital’s X‑ray area. Freeman allegedly used her hospital badge to access the restricted X-ray area and then directed the detainee toward the ambulance bay exit, enabling him to flee. The detainee has not yet been located by U.S. Border Patrol.
If convicted, Freeman faces a maximum statutory penalty of one year of imprisonment.
A criminal complaint is only a charging document and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Norman Liquor Store Owner to Serve More Than Six Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – KAYVAN KARYA RASOLKHANI, 47, of Norman, Oklahoma, has been sentenced to serve 78 months in federal prison for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
Public records show that, prior to October 2025, Rasolkhani engaged in online communications with an undercover FBI agent in which he discussed intentions to sexually assault two fictitious girls offered by the agent. On October 15, 2025, the FBI executed search warrants on Rasolkhani’s person, vehicle, residence, and his workplace, University Liquor. During the operation, agents seized a cell phone containing child pornography.
On January 22, 2026, Rasolkhani was charged by Information with possession of child pornography. Rasolkhani pleaded guilty on February 19, 2026, and admitted he knowingly possessed images containing child pornography, including images of prepubescent minors.
At a sentencing hearing on September 30, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Rasolkhani to serve 78 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Rasolkhani was also ordered to pay $76,500 in restitution. In announcing his sentence, Judge DeGiusti noted the disturbing nature of Rasolkhani’s conduct and the need to protect the public.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jordan Ganz and 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.
New York Man Sentenced for Mortgage Fraud and Maintaining an Illegal Marijuana Grow House Following Homeland Security Task Force InvestigationRead the Press Release
BANGOR, Maine: A New York man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Bangor for submitting a false mortgage loan application and maintaining a marijuana-involved premises.
U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann sentenced Ken Yiu, 49, of Brooklyn, New York, to time-served (one day) prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Yiu pleaded guilty on December 10, 2025.
According to court records, Yiu purchased a house in Saint Albans using an $80,000 residential mortgage loan he obtained from a Maine bank. To receive the funding, Yiu submitted a loan application in which he answered “Yes” to the question, “Do you intend to occupy the property as your primary residence?” Yiu never intended to occupy the property as a residence. From September 2020 through January 2024, he instead used the property to grow and distribute marijuana.
In December 2024, federal law enforcement agents interviewed Yiu. During the interview, Yiu admitted selling marijuana he grew at his Saint Albans property to buyers in Massachusetts. Investigators executed a federal search warrant at the property in January 2025. The search confirmed that Yiu had used and maintained the property to grow and distribute marijuana.
Neither Yiu nor his property was licensed through the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy.
The FBI, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS-Criminal Investigation investigated the case with assistance provided by the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office.
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. The Maine HSTF comprises agents and officers from FBI; HSI; DEA; IRS-Criminal Investigation; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Diplomatic Security Service; U.S. Customs and Border Protection; U.S. Border Patrol; Coast Guard Investigative Service; and Transportation Security Administration, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
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New Haven Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking Narcotics from Branford Hotel RoomRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that TERRENCE DAVIS, 41, of New Haven, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sarah F. Russell in New Haven to 60 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for trafficking narcotics.
According to court documents and statements made in court, members of the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force developed evidence that Davis was selling fentanyl and crack cocaine from a hotel in Branford. On October 15, 2025, investigators made a controlled purchase of narcotics from Davis. On October 17, 2025, a court-authorized search of Davis’ hotel room revealed nearly 700 grams of cocaine, more than 70 grams of fentanyl, drug packaging materials, and $13,867 in cash. Davis was arrested on state charges at that time and was subsequently released on bond.
This matter was adopted for federal prosecution and, on January 7, 2026, Davis was charged by indictment. He was arrested federally on January 8, 2026, and, on that date, a search of the same hotel room where Davis was staying revealed approximately 60 grams of fentanyl, 25 grams of crack cocaine, and seven grams of powder cocaine.
Davis has been detained since his arrest. On June 30, 2026, he pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine.
This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan Guevremont and Christopher Lembo with the assistance of Law Student Intern Molly McCammon.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement toward identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
HSTF New Haven comprises agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, HSI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, U.S. Department of Labor, and Connecticut State Police, with prosecutions led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Milford Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, Del. – On September 29, 2026, Charles Meritt, 54, of Milford, waived indictment and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A), and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) & 924(a)(8).
According to court documents, on March 16, 2026, Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a federal search warrant at Meritt’s residence. In his bedroom, agents recovered more than 2.5 kilograms (about 5.5 pounds) of methamphetamine, more than 600 grams of cocaine, six firearms, a scale, and packaging materials.
Meritt faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Wallace and DEA Philadelphia Field Division Special Agent in Charge Timothy Flaherty made the announcement.
The DEA’s Philadelphia Field Division investigated the case with assistance from Delaware State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Frey is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:25-CR-00157-RGA
Middleton Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Producing Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
BOISE – Robert Michael Harris, 43, of Middleton, Idaho, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today.
“This sentence reflects our deep commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, our children,” said U.S. Attorney Davis. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their dedication to combatting child exploitation and for their thorough investigation in this case.”
According to court records, the investigation began when Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) received information that a messaging and social media account, later identified as belonging to Harris, was part of an online group dedicated to the sharing of child sexual abuse material. HSI determined that Harris had used his account to post over one hundred files of child sexual abuse material within the group. HSI subsequently seized two cellphones belonging to Harris pursuant to a federal search warrant. HSI located thousands of files of child sexual abuse material on the cellphones, including several explicit videos that Harris had produced. HSI and the Middleton Police Department identified the victims in the produced videos as a two-year-old child and an eight-year-old child who had spent time at Harris’ home.
“Crimes against children are among the most heinous someone can commit,” said Acting HSI Seattle Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “We will not stop finding and investigating predators like Harris. We owe this to our children and communities.”
“The Middleton Police Department sincerely appreciates Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their partnership, dedication, and effective prosecution in bringing this case to a successful conclusion and securing a 30-year sentence,” said Middleton Police Chief Jeff Smith. “More than a year of collaboration and investigative work reflected a shared commitment to this case, and we are proud of what was accomplished together.”
Senior U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill also ordered Harris to serve a lifetime term of supervised release following his prison sentence and to pay $48,000 in restitution to the victims in the images that he possessed. Harris will be required to register as a sex offender as a result of his conviction.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of Homeland Security Investigations, the Middleton Police Department, and the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which led to the charge, and the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorney Kassandra McGrady who prosecuted the case.
These cases were 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. As part of Project Safe Childhood, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Idaho and the Idaho Attorney General’s Office partner to marshal federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Miami Real Estate Developer Sentenced for $89 Million Investor Fraud and Tax SchemeRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A Miami real estate developer has been sentenced more than 11 years in federal prison for defrauding investors of approximately $89 million, diverting investor funds to finance a lavish lifestyle, failing to pay millions of dollars in payroll taxes, and lying to a bank to obtain financing for a 68-foot yacht.
U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore sentenced Rishi Kapoor, 41, formerly of Miami, to 136 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to money laundering and conspiracy to fail to pay payroll taxes.
“Rishi Kapoor raised approximately $89 million from investors by promising real estate developments, then diverted millions of dollars to fund his own lavish lifestyle,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “He used investor money on a yacht, a diamond ring, and a multimillion-dollar home, while also withholding payroll taxes from employees and failing to send that money to the IRS. Kapoor will now spend more than 11 years in federal prison for a years-long scheme built on deception, greed, and the misuse of other people’s money.”
“Financial fraudsters cannot hide behind luxury or lies,” said Scott Johnson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “IRS-CI Special Agents will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners—we achieve the strongest outcomes when we unite our efforts.”
According to court records, Kapoor was the chief executive officer of Location Ventures, a Miami-based real estate development company that promoted projects in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Miami Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. Kapoor raised approximately $89 million from investors, but most of the projects for which he solicited the money were never built.
Rather than use investor funds as promised, Kapoor diverted millions of dollars for his own benefit. Between 2018 and 2023, Kapoor received more than $6 million from Location Ventures and its projects. He misappropriated investor funds to finance personal expenditures, including a 68-foot yacht, a 2.8-carat diamond ring, and a $5.9 million home in Cocoplum. Kapoor also falsely represented to investors that he had invested approximately $13 million of his own money in Location Ventures with his business partner and family, when they had contributed only about half that amount.
Kapoor also made misrepresentations to escrow agents to obtain the release of pre-construction condominium deposits and then misused those funds for himself and for expenses unrelated to the projects for which the money had been designated. As part of this case, Kapoor agreed to forfeit a 2.8-carat diamond ring purchased with investor proceeds.
Kapoor also withheld approximately $1.3 million in payroll taxes from Location Ventures’ employees but failed to pay those taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. Instead, he paid himself more than $2 million from Location Ventures bank accounts.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also filed a civil action against Kapoor.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quinoñes, Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott A. Johnson of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Florida Field Office, made the announcement.
FBI Miami and IRS-CI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Young and Daya Nathan prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Grosnoff is handling asset forfeiture.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 26-cr-20073.
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Mexican National Sentenced in Federal Court for Illegal Reentry after DeportationRead the Press Release
RAPID CITY – U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Camela C. Theeler has sentenced a Mexican man convicted of Illegal Reentry after Deportation. The sentencing took place on September 22, 2026.
Rodrigo Ginez-Valiente, 33, was sentenced to time served. He will be deported to Mexico.
In February 2026, Ginez-Valiente was indicted by a federal grand jury for Illegal Reentry after Deportation. He pleaded guilty on June 29, 2026.
Ginez-Valiente is an alien who was deported from the United States to Mexico in 2018. On May 11, 2026, Ginez-Valiente was found by law enforcement in Rapid City. It is a federal felony for an alien to be in the United States after having been deported from the United States without obtaining the consent of the Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States for lawful admission into the United States.
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).
This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Schroeder prosecuted the case.
Mexican National Sentenced for Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
HAMMOND – Hever Alan Ramirez-Hernandez, 44 years old, of Mexico, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after pleading guilty to felony reentry of removed alien, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Ramirez-Hernandez was sentenced to time served, followed by 1 year of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 Special Assessment. The supervised release term would go into effect should the Defendant remain in, or return to, the United States within that period following expected removal proceedings.
According to documents in the case, after his arrest in Lake County, Indiana, in September 2025, Defendant voluntarily departed for Mexico. In January 2026, however, Defendant attempted to illegally reenter the United States, after which he was prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas and removed to Mexico. Fewer than four months later, federal immigration authorities again found the Defendant in Lake County, Indiana, after he had illegally reentered the country.
“The Defendant was deported earlier this year and did not respect our nation’s laws, borders, or sovereignty then or when he again illegally entered the United States. Once he is released, the Defendant needs to leave and not return again to the United States illegally,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Mildred.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Hammond and East Chicago Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zachary D. Heater.
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.
Maryland Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Minors to Produce CSAMRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland man learned his fate in federal court for committing child sex abuse crimes.
U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Mark Travis Brigham, 37, of Mount Airy, to 25 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexually exploiting a child and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Brigham pled guilty to the charges in June 2026.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Akil Baldwin, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Sheriff Charles A. Jenkins, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office; and J. Charles Smith III, State’s Attorney for Frederick County.
According to court documents, between September 2023 and August 2024, Brigham persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced three minor females, between 13 and 14 years old, to engage in sexually explicit conduct. He used his cellphone to produce multiple sexually explicit images of the victims. Brigham also placed a hidden camera in a bathroom and secretly recorded adults and minors showering and using the toilet.
On August 6, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at Brigham’s Mount Airy residence. During the search, law enforcement seized a tablet, digital camera with a SD card, and two cellphones, along with 35 firearms, ammunition, and a magazine. Investigators then examined the devices and uncovered the CSAM files.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
Know2Protect is a Department of Homeland Security national public awareness campaign to educate and empower children, teens, parents, trusted adults and policymakers to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse; explain how to report online enticement and victimization; and offer resources for victims and survivors and their supporters. Learn more about Know2Protect at www.dhs.gov/know2protect.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and State’s Attorney’s Office for Frederick County, for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandria A. Bell and Paul E. Budlow who prosecuted the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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Maryland Felon Sentenced in D.C. for Illegal Possession of Glock Near U Street CorridorRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Tyzell Myrick, 30, a previously convicted felon residing in Bowie, Maryland, was sentenced today in the District of Columbia to 33 months in federal prison for possessing a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber pistol while on supervised release following a conviction for a violent gunpoint robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Myrick pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras on June 12, 2026, to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the 33-month prison term, Judge Contreras ordered Myrick to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 41-month prison sentence.
According to court documents, on August 17, 2025, about midnight, Metropolitan Police officers were on patrol near the Crown Gas station on Florida Avenue NW, just off the U Street corridor, when they spotted Myrick walking with the distinct shape of a firearm protruding from his pants. Myrick attempted to walk away and conceal his body from the police, but officers stopped him, recovered the Glock pistol, and arrested him.
The recovered firearm was loaded with one round of .40 caliber ammunition in the chamber, and an additional 20 rounds in its 22 round capacity magazine.
At the time of his arrest, Myrick was on supervised release for the July 2017 gunpoint robbery of a GameStop in Maryland. On September 17, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland sentenced Myrick to six months in prison for the robbery and 84 months for brandishing a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Washington Field Office.
The matter was prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Liss. Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump's Executive Order to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.
Still from police body-worn camera showing the recovery of the firearm from Myrick’s pants.
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Mark Hanf and the COO of Novato-Based Pacific Private Money Agree They Are Responsible for at Least $71 Million in Restitution to VictimsRead the Press Release
SAN FRANCISCO – Mark Hanf, the founder and CEO of Pacific Private Money, pleaded guilty in federal court today to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering. Nam Phan, the fund group’s COO, previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy on September 23, 2026.
Hanf, 66, of Tiburon, California, and Phan, 58, of Novato, California, were charged by Information by the United States Attorney on August 31, 2026. Under the plea agreements filed in the case, the defendants pleaded guilty to all counts charged.
In pleading guilty, Hanf and Phan admitted to defrauding Pacific Private Money investors through false statements and omissions about the negative financial situation of Pacific Private Money’s various investment funds, their use of new investor funds to pay redemptions to prior investors, and the safety and security of the investment opportunities as part of a conspiracy that began in December 2021 and continued through December 2025. During this time, Hanf served as the enterprise’s Chief Executive Officer and majority owner, and Phan as the enterprise’s Chief Operating Officer. Among other things, Hanf and Phan admitted to knowingly releasing sanitized financial statements to investors that misled them about their investments, manipulating loan tapes shown to at least one investor, and telling a corporate investor that Pacific Private Money owned certain loans that they knew had already been sold. They admitted that during the conspiracy period between December 2021 and December 2025, Pacific Private Money raised approximately $106.7 million from investors. Both defendants agreed in their plea agreements that they would be responsible for restitution to victims of no less than $71,790,425.
As part of his plea agreement, Hanf also admitted to taking approximately $12,000 from a Pacific Private Money fund bank account, which had been funded by investors, and transferring it to his personal bank account to use to pay his monthly home mortgage in May 2025.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelbe, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) San Francisco Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe made the announcement.
Hanf’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 17, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. and Phan’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 10, 2027, at 10:00 a.m., both before United States District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley. Hanf and Phan each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison as to the wire fraud conspiracy count, and Hanf faces a maximum of 10 years in prison as to the money laundering count. Any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christiaan Highsmith and Patrick O’Brien are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Mimi Lam, Maryam Beros, and Breana Dos Santos. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and IRS-CI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Marin County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance in the investigation.
Mansfield Man Charged with Sexually Abusing Minors in Haiti During Mission TripsRead the Press Release
SHREVEPORT – On September 22, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), secured a federal criminal complaint charging Maylon Foshee, 23, of Mansfield, with engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors in a foreign country. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in federal prison.
“Protecting children from sexual abuse wherever it occurs is one of this Administration’s highest priorities, and identifying, investigating, and prosecuting child predators in our Louisiana communities lies at the heart of our Office’s mission to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our Office thanks the FBI for its phenomenal investigative work and looks forward to seeing justice done in this significant case.”
According to court documents, Foshee traveled to Haiti numerous times between 2023 and 2026 while working with a ministry organization in Gonaives, a coastal city in Haiti. During that period, Foshee allegedly engaged in illicit sexual conduct with several minor victims under his care, including minors who resided with him or who received financial support from him. In August 2026, investigators interviewed three minor victims who described incidents of alleged sexual abuse that occurred while Foshee housed or supervised them in Haiti.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.The FBI investigated the case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheyenne Y. Wilson, with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. Learn more at https://www.justice.gov/psc/about-project-safe-childhood.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer. The case number for this matter is currently pending assignment.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs
Cara Alexander: (337) 262-6704
[email protected]Lycoming County Man Indicted for Possession of A Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
WILLIAMSPORT - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Raymond Poust, Jr., age 23, of Hughesville, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on June 30, 2026, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Fugitive Tracking Unit encountered Poust in Lycoming County where he was in possession of a stolen handgun. At the time Poust was encountered, he was a prohibited possessor, having been convicted of a felony just a few months prior.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Philadelphia’s Capital Area Resident Agency. Assistant Luisa Berti is prosecuting the case.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 15 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Luzerne County Man Charged with Illegal Firearm and Cocaine PossessionRead the Press Release
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jaquan Pankey, age 29, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on drug trafficking and firearms charges.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Pankey possessed with the intent to distribute cocaine on August 9, 2026, in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The indictment also alleges that Pankey possessed a Rock Island .45 caliber pistol as a felon, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
The Federal Burau of Investigation, Safe Streets Task Force, and the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 35 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Luzerne County Man Charged with Illegal Firearm Possession as a FelonRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Shawn Adams, age 56, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a firearms charge.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Adams possessed two firearms, that is, a High Point .45 caliber handgun and a Jennings .22 caliber handgun on July 6, 2026. The indictment also alleges that Adams is a felon, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
The FBI Philadelphia’s Capital Area Resident Agency, Safe Streets Task Force, and the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
The maximum penalty under federal law for these offenses is 15 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Lowell Man Sentenced to Six and a Half Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl and Crack CocaineRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for distributing fentanyl and cocaine base (crack cocaine).
Gino Hem, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 66 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release. In June 2026, Hem pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; one count of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base; and three counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl. The defendant was arrested and charged in October 2025 and has remained in federal custody since.
On four separate occasions between July 14, 2025 and Oct. 3, 2025, Hem met cooperating witnesses and an undercover officer in Lowell to sell them crack cocaine and fentanyl. Hem filled orders from the cooperating witnesses and undercover officer for “fingers” of “brown,” i.e., fentanyl, and quantities of “hard,” i.e., cocaine base.
On a fifth date, on Oct. 22, 2025, the undercover officer ordered two ounces of “hard” from Hem. He was taken into custody upon arriving at the agreed upon drug deal location. During a search, more than two ounces (53 grams) of cocaine base were found hidden inside Hem’s underwear. Hem was also carrying $2,632 cash.
Hem has multiple prior convictions for state and federal crimes, including federal convictions for Distribution of Heroin and Dealing in Firearms without a License in 2016, for which he was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fred M. Wyshak, III of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit prosecuted the case.
Lowell Man Sentenced to Prison for Hiding More Than $6 Million in PayrollRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Lowell man was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for his involvement in payroll tax avoidance and workers’ compensation insurance fraud.
Henry Lam, 68, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Denise J. Casper to 13 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Lam was also ordered to pay $1,652,573 in restitution. Lam was arrested in July 2025, following his June 2025 indictment, and pleaded guilty to failure to collect and pay over taxes and mail fraud in May 2026.
Between 2016 and 2023, Lam owned and operated HL Temporary Services – a temporary employment agency in Lowell that served client companies in New England. The client companies paid HL Temporary Services for the temporary employees’ work on an hourly basis. Lam cashed these client’s checks at check cashing businesses in Massachusetts and paid the temporary employees primarily in cash. By using cash payments, Lam hid over $6.2 million in payroll and avoided paying more than $1.5 million in required payroll taxes. Lam also used HL Temporary Services’ false payroll numbers to obtain worker’s compensation insurance at lower premium rates.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Thomas Demeo, Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. Valuable assistance was provided by the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen A. Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit prosecuted the case.
Longmeadow Woman Sentenced to Nearly Two Years in Prison for Massive Commercial Loan Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Longmeadow woman was sentenced today in federal court in Springfield, Mass. for defrauding commercial lenders out of more than $18 million over a four-year period. Together with her co-conspirators (her husband, Louis R. Masaschi, and her sister, Christine Gendron), she provided financial institutions with numerous false and fraudulent rent rolls and forged lease agreements for numerous properties located in Springfield, Mass.; East Longmeadow, Mass.; and Enfield, Conn.
Jeannette Norman, 58, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni to 22 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release with four months in home confinement. Norman was also ordered to pay $18,203,030 in restitution. In September 2025, Norman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud.
In April 2025, Masaschi pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of wire fraud and was sentenced in July 2026 to four years in prison, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $18,203,030 in restitution. In June 2026, Gendron pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was sentenced in July 2026 to six months in prison, three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $392,607 in restitution.
Norman and Masaschi were partners in dozens of limited liability companies, including LL Realty Developers, LLC, through which they owned primarily commercial and some residential property in Western Massachusetts, Connecticut and elsewhere. Norman, Masaschi, and Gendron conspired with each other and others to fraudulently obtain loans for their companies from financial institutions and commercial lenders by providing materially false, fictitious and fraudulent financial information – including false rent rolls and forged lease agreements. After receiving the loans, Norman and Masaschi defaulted on the loans, causing substantial losses to the financial institutions and commercial lenders, including two community credit unions, and leaving the buildings vacant.
Between May 2016 and November 2018, Norman, Masaschi and Gendron fraudulently obtained or sought to obtain approximately $60,123,000 in loans and caused a total loss of $18,203,030.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven H. Breslow and Caroline Merck of the Springfield Office prosecuted the case.
Little Eagle Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Groping Woman Without Her PermissionRead the Press Release
ABERDEEN - United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Sexual Contact without Permission. The sentencing took place on September 22, 2026.
Vincent Anthony Makes Him First, age 47, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Makes Him First was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2025. He pleaded guilty on June 22, 2026.
On October 8, 2024, Makes Him First invited a woman to drink alcohol with him behind a grocery store in McLaughlin, South Dakota, within the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation. After consuming alcohol to excess, they decamped to a nearby garage, where the woman lost consciousness and Makes Him First groped her buttocks without her consent.
This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal Court as opposed to State Court.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.
Makes Him First was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to serve his federal sentence.
LeFlore County Resident Sentenced to 30 Years for Aggravated Sexual AbuseRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Ronald Craig Summers, age 35, of Spiro, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse in Indian Country.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police.
On October 9, 2025, Summers pleaded guilty to the charge. According to investigators, between January 2024 and continuing until October 7, 2024, Summers knowingly engaged in a sexual act with a child who had not attained the age of 12 years.
The crime occurred in LeFlore County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
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, Tribal, 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.
The Honorable John A. Woodcock, Jr., Senior Judge in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, sitting by designation, presided over the hearing in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Summers will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Morgan Muzljakovich and Nicole Paladino represented the United States.
Las Vegas Man Sentenced to over Four Years in Prison for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 54 months in prison and three years of supervised release for selling methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance. The government recommended a sentence of 78 months in prison.
“This sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to removing dangerous drug traffickers from our communities,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “The distribution of methamphetamine ravages neighborhoods and destroys lives. By taking this individual off the streets for more than four years, we are sending a clear message that those who profit from fueling addiction in Nevada will be held fully accountable under federal law.”
“Across the United States, methamphetamine continues to tear through communities, leaving widespread destruction along its path,” said David S. Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which covers Nevada. “More than ever, ensuring accountability for drug criminals within the justice system serves as a critical deterrent. DEA stands united with our federal partners in our commitment to safeguard Americans.”
According to court documents, on July 2, 2024, Urkeno Walter met an individual at a parking lot and sold 416.8 grams (about one pound) of methamphetamine in exchange for cash. Then, on August 1, 2024, he sold 892.4 grams (about two pounds) of methamphetamine in exchange for cash.
Walter pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of a controlled substance-methamphetamine.
The DEA investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Brister prosecuted the case.
The public is urged to report a possible violation of controlled substances laws and regulations to the DEA by calling 1-877-792-2873 or submitting a tip online at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
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Las Vegas Man Sentenced to over 23 Years in Prison for Child Exploitation and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man was sentenced today by United States District Judge Gloria M. Navarro to 281 months in prison to be followed by 35 years of supervised release for sexually abusing and recording the abuse of two children in his care and for maintaining a collection of images and videos of child sexual abuse material on his digital devices.
“We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Today’s sentence highlights that those who sexually exploit children, through whatever technological means, will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Protecting children is the FBI's non-negotiable priority,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “Together with our law enforcement partners at every level—federal, state, local, and tribal—we are united in identifying and investigating anyone who seeks to exploit or harm the vulnerable.”
According to court documents, Adam Joseph Cardenas coerced a seven-year-old child and a three-year-old child, both of whom were in his care, to take part in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing sexually explicit images and videos. He distributed images using a mobile messaging application, and he possessed more than 600 images of child sexual abuse material depicting children as young as infants.
Cardenas pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography. In addition to imprisonment, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, Cardenas must register as a sex offender and keep the registration current where he resides and where he is an employee or student.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Afroza Yeasmin 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 epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. 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, visit www.justice.gov/psc.
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Knoxville Automotive Supplier Agrees to Pay $4.2 Million to Settle Paycheck Protection Program False Claims Act CaseRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that ARC Automotive, Inc. (“ARC”) agreed to pay $4,200,000 to resolve allegations that it knowingly made false statements in obtaining a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), and also when seeking forgiveness of the loan, in violation of the False Claims Act (“FCA”).
In March 2020, Congress created the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) to provide emergency financial assistance to American businesses suffering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, through the PPP, authorized loans to small businesses to help pay for certain business-related expenses, including payroll. The U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) administered the PPP and guaranteed the loans, which were eligible for forgiveness if certain program requirements were met. Regulations promulgated by the SBA set forth various loan eligibility requirements. Under SBA regulations, businesses involved in bankruptcy proceedings were ineligible for PPP loans. To assist the SBA in making eligibility determinations, the loan and forgiveness applications required that borrowers certify that they provided truthful information in response to questions about eligibility requirements, and that they were eligible for the PPP.
ARC is a manufacturer of automotive airbag inflators and has a principal office located in Knoxville. It operates manufacturing plants in Tennessee and Kentucky, and entities related to ARC operate manufacturing facilities in other countries, including China. According to the contentions of the United States contained in the settlement agreement, in May 2020 ARC received $2,935,062 after applying for a loan under the PPP. In June 2021, the loan was forgiven after ARC applied for loan forgiveness. The United States contends that ARC falsely certified in its loan and forgiveness applications that it provided truthful information and that it was eligible for the PPP. Specifically, the United States alleges that ARC falsely stated in its application that its owners were not presently involved in bankruptcy proceedings when it knew that one of its parent companies was involved in a bankruptcy proceeding in China, which rendered ARC ineligible for the loan.
This settlement is the result of a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the SBA’s Office of General Counsel. The settlement amount will be paid over time. The investigation that preceded the settlement was prompted by a lawsuit filed in July 2025 under the qui tam or “whistleblower” provisions of the FCA, which permit a private individual (known as a “relator”) to sue on behalf of the government for false claims and to share in any recovery. Pursuant to the settlement, the relator will receive a share of the settlement payments made by ARC.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph C. Rodriguez and Ben D. Cunningham represented the United States.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within federal benefit programs.
The claims settled by this agreement are allegations only, and there has been no determination or admission of liability.
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Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo. man has pleaded guilty to a firearms violation.
Tanner N. Breece, 28, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to information presented in court, on March 25, 2024, Kansas City, Missouri Police Department officers were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle crash at I-435 and Winner Road in Jackson County, Missouri. The driver (Breece) and a female passenger had fled before police arrived.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located a Springfield Armory, Model Prodigy, 9mm Luger pistol, serial number NMH53493, loaded with 13 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber.
Law enforcement officials swabbed the Springfield Armory pistol for genetic material and DNA comparative analysis tended to show that Breece’s DNA was present on the firearm. Breece had a 2019 conviction for felony stealing in the Circuit Court of Ray County, Missouri.
Under federal statutes, Breece is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes IV. It was investigated by Kansas City, Mo. Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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.
Justice Department Files Judicial Misconduct Complaint Alleging MN Judges Made Improper and Unethical Comments to the New York TimesRead the Press Release
Today, The Department of Justice filed a complaint of judicial misconduct against Hon. Patrick J. Schiltz, Hon. John R. Tunheim, and Anonymous District Judges at the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.
On September 17, 2026, the paper published an article titled Trump’s Minnesota Surge Threatened Democracy, Judge Warns. The article explains that Judge Patrick Schiltz of the District of Minnesota sat for a 90-minute interview. Six other “members of Minnesota’s federal bench” also “agreed to speak to the New York Times about last winter’s tumult.” This included “six of the seven judges who held active status in Minnesota last winter.”
Judges are ethically prohibited from commenting publicly on cases pending in any court and making political or policy statements concerning matters that are or have been before them.
"Seven federal judges in the District of Minnesota talked to the New York Times about cases, some of which are on-going, in a manner that the Department of Justice views as a clear violation of their ethical duties," said Attorney General Todd Blanche. "Their conduct has undermined public confidence in an impartial judiciary in Minnesota."
“Our complaint alleges that federal judges in Minnesota used their official judicial office to pander to the press about immigration policies,” said Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter. “Judges who covet publicity rather than follow the rule of law by adjudicating cases or controversies undermine the public’s confidence in an impartial jury.”
“An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. “But public confidence in judicial impartiality cannot survive if judges seek out media attention and pander to the press. Regrettably, judges in the District of Minnesota have done just that—by disregarding their ethical duties and launching a partisan press campaign, these judges advance their policy preference, allowing criminal illegal aliens to run free in Minnesota. This Department of Justice will not let that stand, and today’s complaint ensures we have a fair and impartial forum to continue to vigorously enforce our Nation’s immigration laws in court.”
The Department’s judicial misconduct complaint requests that the judges who spoke to the New York Times about immigration cases recuse themselves from any matters involving the U.S. Department of Homeland Security because the public now reasonably questions their impartiality in cases involving that agency. The complaint also requests that the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit initiate an investigation into the judges’ improper and unethical conduct.
The complaint can be viewed here.
Justice Department Announces Arrest and Arraignment of Two Illegal Aliens on Federal Immigration Charges and Failure to Register as a Sex OffenderRead the Press Release
FORT SMITH — The United States Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas announced today that two individuals have been arraigned on charges of Illegal Reentry. Edwin Hernandez‑Viera, age 44, a Salvadoran national residing in Fort Smith has been arrested and arraigned on federal charges of illegal reentry into the United States and failure to register as a sex offender. Jaime Mena-Najera, age 20, a citizen of Mexico, was arraigned on the federal charge of illegal reentry.
Hernandez‑Viera appeared on Monday, September 28, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Mark E. Ford in Fort Smith, where he entered pleas of not guilty to both charges. Mena-Najera appeared on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, before United States Magistrate Christy D. Comstock in Fayetteville, where he entered a plea of not guilty.
Per Court records, in September 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) received information from law enforcement authorities in El Salvador indicating that Hernandez‑Viera—who had previously been removed from the United States—had unlawfully reentered the country and was living in the Fort Smith area. Salvadoran authorities also advised that Hernandez‑Viera is the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant in El Salvador for the Rape of a Minor or Incapacitated Person.
Hernandez‑Viera has a prior conviction in Sebastian County District Court for two counts of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, stemming from offenses committed in 2010. (See Sebastian County Circuit Court, Docket No: CR-2009-826)
Per Court records, Mena-Najera was arrested in August 2026 after he was apprehended by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office subsequent to an encounter with Arkansas State Police.
United States Attorney Kevin R. Holmes made the announcement. These cases are being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Fort Smith/Fayetteville Divisions, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Arkansas State Police, Benton County Sheriff’s Office and international law enforcement partners. Assistant United States Attorneys Erin Allison and Carly Marshall are prosecuting the cases.
If convicted, Hernandez-Viera faces a statutory maximum of twenty years in federal prison.
If convicted, Mena-Najera faces a statutory maximum of two years in federal prison.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.
Jury Convicts Las Vegas Man of Armed Robberies and Firearms ViolationRead the Press Release
LAS VEGAS – A federal jury yesterday convicted a Las Vegas man for committing two armed robberies, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and for unlawful possession of a firearm after felony convictions.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on April 18, 2025, Soloman Tremain White entered a store and brandished a Sig Sauer P365 9mm semiautomatic pistol. He stole money and fled the store. The next day, on April 19, 2025, White entered a sandwich shop and brandished a 9mm semiautomatic pistol. He fled the store with stolen money.
White has prior felony convictions, including attempted grand larceny and voluntary manslaughter, both in Clark County, Nevada. He is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions.
Following a two-day trial, White was found guilty of two counts of interference with commerce by robbery; two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and three counts of prohibited person in possession of a firearm. The jury deliberated approximately one hour before returning their verdict.
“This conviction is a testament to our office's commitment to eliminating violent gun crime from our neighborhoods,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Working hand-in-hand with our federal and local law enforcement partners, we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to aggressively prosecute offenders who use firearms to terrorize local businesses and workers.”
“Law-abiding citizens should never have to experience the terror of having a firearm pointed at them,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto for the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. “These armed robberies were bold and brazen, and we are fortunate they ended without injury before the suspect fled. We have said it numerous times, but it merits repeating: Nevadans deserve to feel safe in their own neighborhoods. Together with our partners, the FBI remains fully committed to removing violent criminals from our communities.”
“ATF is committed to ensuring that firearms remain out of the hands of prohibited people,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alex Buenaventura, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF). “The suspect in this case is a repeat offender and prohibited from carrying a firearm. ATF takes our pledge to this community seriously. The conduct of the suspect in this case endangered the safety of members of this community and will not be tolerated. ATF will continue to work alongside our partners to ensure the safety of the Las Vegas community.”
White is scheduled to be sentenced on January 11, 2027, by United States District Judge Cristina D. Silva. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years confinement. A federal district judge will determine sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI, ATF, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys in the District of Nevada.
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Joint Investigation Results in Guilty Plea of Bloods Gang Member for Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CONCORD – Manchester resident Moise Rodriguez, 34, pleaded guilty today in federal court to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. U.S. District Judge Paul Barbadoro has scheduled sentencing for January 11, 2027. Rodriguez faces a guideline imprisonment range of 5 years to a maximum prison term of life in federal prison and 5 years of supervised release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) Violent Crime Task Force (“VCTF”), to include Manchester Police Department detectives, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) is leading an investigation into New Hampshire street gangs involved in narcotics and firearms violations. According to the public record, in January of 2025, ATF VCTF obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s Snapchat account where they uncovered various images and messages related to narcotics trafficking, firearm possession, and his affiliation with the Bloods. On August 25, 2025, ATF VCTF executed a residential search warrant on Moise Rodriguez’ residence.
Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and ExplosivesA search of the his bedroom uncovered a Taurus Pistol, Model G3, 9x19mm, bearing an obliterated serial number with a green laser attachment; over a dozen rounds of ammunition; a plastic baggie with ten (10) grams of cocaine; two (2) plastic baggies, each with 1.3 grams of methamphetamine; seventy-seven (77) blue pills stamped (M) (Oxycodone); two (2) suboxone pills; $252 in United States Currency; a plastic baggie with MDMA rocks and prescription pills; a variety of sealed “designer” marijuana pouches; a digital scale with white powdery residue on top; and a cell phone. After his arrest, the defendant confessed that he possessed the firearm and trafficked narcotics.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Marin and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hunter prosecuted the case.