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Thursday 26 March 2026
Homeland Security Task Force: Waterbury Man Charged with Drug Distribution and Firearm Possession OffensesRead the Press Release
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that ENRIQUE DELLVALLE-PEREZ, 39, of Waterbury, has been charged by indictment with drug distribution and firearm offenses.
As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, an investigation determined that Dellvalle-Perez was distributing cocaine and crack cocaine in and around Waterbury. On September 25, 2025, a court-authorized search of Dellvalle-Perez’s residence on Bucks Hill Road in Waterbury revealed more than four kilograms of cocaine, a loaded Glock 27 semi-automatic pistol, and other items. Dellvalle-Perez was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on that date.
It is further alleged that Dellvalle-Perez’s criminal history includes state felony drug convictions.
On March 24, 2026, a grand jury in New Haven returned an indictment charging Dellvalle-Perez with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, an offense that carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of at least five years; and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 15 years.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Dellavalle is currently released on a $150,000 bond.
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.
This investigation includes members of the DEA New Haven District Office (NHDO) Task Force, which is composed of participants from the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, and the New Haven, Waterbury, Branford, West Haven, Ansonia, Meriden, Naugatuck, Middletown, and Shelton Police Departments.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathan J. Guevremont and Justyn P. Stokely.
Hampshire County Man Convicted of Drug and Firearms Charges Following a Three-Day TrialRead the Press Release
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – After a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted an Augusta, West Virginia man today of trafficking methamphetamine and illegally having nine firearms, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Charles Frederick Muffley, III, 50, was convicted of on all three counts charged in the Superseding Indictment, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine hydrochloride, also known as ice, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of firearms. The evidence presented at trial established that Muffley played a central role in a drug trafficking operation responsible for distributing several pounds of high-purity methamphetamine throughout Hampshire County and surrounding areas. According to trial testimony, in September 2024, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted a package containing nearly a pound of methamphetamine.
That package led them to Muffley, who split drug packages and distributed methamphetamine with other co-conspirators for several months. Following the interception of the pound of methamphetamine, Muffley continued to distribute methamphetamine. Muffley’s home was later searched pursuant to a search warrant. Officers seized methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, six digital scales, cash, ammunition, and nine firearms—including handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Muffley is prohibited from having firearms because of prior felony convictions.
“This conviction reflects the serious danger posed by drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “The defendant not only distributed methamphetamine but also did so while unlawfully possessing firearms. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable.”
Muffley is facing 15 years to life for the conspiracy conviction and up to 30 years in prison for the possession with intent conviction because he has a prior felony conviction for a drug trafficking offense. Muffley is facing up to 15 years for the firearms conviction. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing will be scheduled by the Court at a later date.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.
Investigative agencies include the Potomac Highlands Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; U.S. Postal Investigations; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department; and the Hampshire County Prosecutor’s Office.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.
Hammond Man Sentenced to 192 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
HAMMOND- Jahmal Sanders, 30 years old, of Hammond, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Philip P. Simon after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing a stolen firearm, announced United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred.
Sanders was sentenced to 192 months imprisonment followed by 2 years of supervised release. The 192 months was ordered to have 144 months to be served consecutive to the state sentence he is currently serving, and 48 months to be served concurrent with his state sentence.
“This is a great example of how Project Safe Neighborhoods partners the intelligence and efforts of local law enforcement with the investigative resources of the federal government to make our community, and nation, safer. A previously convicted robber and burglar is going to prison for possessing five guns, one of which was stolen in a burglary. He is also currently serving a separate sentence for rape, and he will then be punished for these crimes. We are thankful for the fine work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Gang Response Investigative Team Task Force and the Hammond Police Department to put this violent criminal behind bars,” Mildred said.
According to documents in the case, on February 10, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sanders’ residence in Hammond. Officers recovered five firearms, including a firearm that was stolen during the burglary earlier that morning. Sanders’ criminal history revealed he has prior felony convictions for robbery and burglary, and such, is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He is currently serving a 13-year sentence for a rape conviction out of Lake County, Indiana.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation/Gang Response Investigative Team Task Force and the Hammond Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Toth.
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.
Hamilton County Man Pleads Guilty to Meth ChargesRead the Press Release
Anthony Neuroth, 49, from Kamrar, Iowa, pled guilty March 25, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City. Neuroth was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of distributing methamphetamine.
Neuroth was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution and aiding and abetting another in the distribution of methamphetamine, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, in September 2007.
At the plea hearing, Neuroth admitted that between about November 2022 through about February 2024 he and others conspired to distribute more than 150 grams of methamphetamine. On four occasions in 2022 and 2023 Neuroth distributed ½ ounce quantities of methamphetamine to an individual cooperating with law enforcement.
Sentencing before United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Neuroth remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending sentencing. Neuroth faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $8,000,000 fine, and at least eight years of supervised release following any imprisonment.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa DCI Laboratory, Iowa State Patrol, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Webster City Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-3035. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Guatemalan Man to Federal Prison for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
A man who illegally reentered the United States after being deported as a felon was sentenced today to four years in federal prison.
David Pineda-Medrano, age 39, from Guatemala but had been residing in Rolfe, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 29, 2025, guilty plea to one count of being a felony found after illegal reentry.
At the plea and sentencing hearings, Pineda-Medrano admitted he had illegally reentered the United States after a June 2022 removal. Prior to his removal in 2022, he was convicted of Attempted First Degree Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Child or Minor in the District of Columbia and served more than four years in prison. At some point after his removal, defendant illegally reentered the United States. He was found in Rolfe after he was arrested and convicted of Assault Causing Bodily Injury or Mental Illness when he used an 18-inch machete to strike another in the head with the flat side of the blade, which caused injury, and then placed the blade against the victim’s throat and threated to kill him.
Pineda-Medrano was sentenced in Sioux City by United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand. Pineda-Medrano was sentenced to 48 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. He is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and investigated by Enforcement and Removal Office of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Bureau.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-CR-03041.
Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Georgetown Woman Sentenced for Fentanyl Trafficking ConspiracyRead the Press Release
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A Georgetown, Ky., woman, Mabel Francis Soto, 70, was sentenced on Tuesday to 60 months by U.S. District Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to her plea agreement, Soto conspired with her co-defendant, Taylor Burden, to sell drugs out of Soto’s residence in Georgetown, Kentucky. On October 19, 2022, after while surveilling Soto’s residence, a search warrant was obtained for Soto’s residence.
A search of Soto’s residence recovered more than 100 grams of fentanyl pills, crushed fentanyl pills, and a distribution quantity of methamphetamine. Law enforcement also found a handgun and approximately $251,100 in drug proceeds.
Burden was previously sentenced in January 2026 to 60 months in prison for his role in the fentanyl trafficking conspiracy.
Under federal law, Soto must serve 85 percent of her prison sentence. Upon her release from prison, she will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for 4years.
Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Darin Allgood, Georgetown Police Department, jointly announced the sentence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Georgetown Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Rieker is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
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Four Illegal Aliens Charged with Federal Immigration CrimesRead the Press Release
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A federal grand jury in Birmingham has charged four illegal aliens with immigration crimes, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Catherine L. Crosby.
Geremias Ponce, 22, a citizen of Honduras, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after having been previously deported, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and being an alien in possession of a firearm.
Carlos Crisostomo Garcia, 48, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after having been previously deported and being an alien in possession of a firearm.
Jose Yosho Ibarra-Daniel, 40, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm.
Aldo Osiel De Blas-Salazar, 23, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with illegally reentering the United States after having previously been deported.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
Fort Dodge Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Distributing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Pry’Shayn Mosley, 21, from Fort Dodge, Iowa, was sentenced March 23, 2026, to 25 years’ imprisonment, in federal court in Sioux City, Iowa. Mosley pled guilty November 12, 2025, to one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of distribution of child pornography.
At the plea hearing, Mosley admitted that between May 2022 and October 2022 he enticed two minors under the age of 18 to engage in sexually explicit conduct in order to produce visual depictions of such conduct. Mosley further admitted to possessing and distributing this child pornography to other persons, including children. During the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Mosley’s residence. Law enforcement seized several electronic devices along with marijuana, drug distribution paraphernalia, cash, and two loaded firearms. Also, during the search, Mosley convinced a juvenile at the residence to retrieve a package of drugs from another room and attempt to discard the drugs - cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl – so the police would not find them. Officers observed the juvenile and stopped him before he could destroy the evidence. The child pornography created and distributed to children by Mosely involved material that portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct.
United States District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand sentenced Mosley to 300 months’ imprisonment and 5-years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Mosley must also pay $700 in fines and assessments. Mosley remains in custody of the United States Marshal until he can be transported to a federal prison.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”
The case was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department and Webster County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kraig R. Hamit.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 25-3002. Follow us on X @USAO_NDIA.
Florida Man Admits Running Nationwide Bank Impersonation SchemeRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO –Albert Guerra of Florida pleaded guilty in federal court today to bank fraud and money laundering charges, admitting he traveled across the country impersonating bank employees to defraud victims—many of them elderly.
According to his plea agreement, Guerra and his criminal associates obtained bank customer information, called victims and falsely claimed to be investigating fraud at the victims’ banks. He convinced victims to withdraw cash and deliver it to purported bank employees—which were just rideshare service drivers that Guerra sent to retrieve cash from victims and to deliver back to him. Guerra frequently told the drivers they were picking up documents from “my grandma” and “my grandpa.”
The plea agreement details how after flying from Houston to San Diego on October 26, 2025, Guerra defrauded at least three victims in the greater San Diego area, collecting $13,000 from one victim, $37,000 from another, and $86,300 from yet another. Just days later, Guerra made a $24,000 cash payment for a Tesla Model 3 in Las Vegas. And in January 2026, Guerra travelled to Portland, Oregon, where he defrauded at least one victim out of $40,000.
Guerra is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino on June 18, 2026, at 9 a.m.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric R. Olah.
If you or someone you know is aged 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
DEFENDANT Case Number 26cr607-JLS
Albert Guerra Age: 26 Miramar, FL
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Bank Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1344(2)
Maximum penalty: Thirty years in prison and $1 million fine
Money Laundering – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1957
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
San Diego Elder Justice Task Force
Federal Bureau of Investigation
San Diego Police Department
Portland Police Bureau (Oregon)
Fentanyl Traffickers Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
POCATELLO – U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis announced today that Marcos Gallegos, 43, of Pueblo, Colorado, and Morgan Galloway, 25, of Pocatello, Idaho, were sentenced to federal prison for possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. U.S. District Judge David C. Nye sentenced Gallegos to 188 months in federal prison and Galloway to 60 months in federal prison.
According to court records, on August 22, 2024, probation and parole officers with the Idaho Department of Correction searched an apartment where Gallegos and Galloway were living in Pocatello after receiving a tip from the Pocatello Police Department that both Gallegos and Galloway were selling drugs. During the search, law enforcement found and seized 122.78 grams of fentanyl along with a firearm. The Pocatello Police Department obtained a warrant to search a storage unit rented by Gallegos and Galloway where they found and seized $28,000 in drug proceeds.
Judge Nye ordered Gallegos’ 188-month prison sentence to be served consecutively to the sentences that he is currently, which are two seven-year sentences for two Bannock County drug-related cases. Judge Nye also ordered Gallegos to complete five years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Judge Nye ordered Galloway to complete four years of supervise release following her 60-month prison sentence.
Both Gallegos and Galloway pleaded guilty to the charge on December 11, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Davis commended the work of the Idaho Department of Corrections Probation and Parole, Pocatello Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Blythe McLane prosecuted the case.
The Pocatello Police Department is part of the BADGES HIDTA Task Force. HIDTA is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives. The BADGES HIDTA Task Force is made up of federal, state, and local police agencies including the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office, Pocatello Police Department, Chubbuck Police Department, and the Idaho State Police.
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Federal Jury Finds Mother and Daughter Guilty of Medicare Fraud Scheme and Payment of Illegal KickbacksRead the Press Release
SAN DIEGO – A federal jury today convicted a mother and daughter from Melbourne, Florida, of multiple counts of health care fraud, payment of illegal kickbacks, and conspiracy to commit those offenses.
The mother, Cindy Justice, was the owner and president of PureScience Rx, a pharmacy located in Poway. The daughter, Ashleigh Davis, was the operations manager at PureScience Rx and was a licensed pharmacy technician.
Following an 11-day trial, a jury convicted the defendants of orchestrating a Medicare fraud scheme involving illegal kickbacks and medically unnecessary prescription drugs, largely tied to purported “footbath” treatments. Evidence showed the defendants paid marketers illegal commissions based on Medicare reimbursements in exchange for prescriptions generated through telehealth encounters that never involved legitimate medical examinations. The kickbacks were concealed through sham contracts and fabricated invoices falsely portraying the payments as hourly compensation.
Trial evidence further established that telemarketing call centers targeted Medicare beneficiaries and secured agreement to receive expensive medications regardless of medical need. Many prescriptions were fraudulently issued using the stolen identities of nurse practitioners. The defendants then billed Medicare as though the prescriptions were medically necessary and based on proper evaluations. Expert testimony confirmed, however, the drugs—particularly those ordered to be used in footbaths—were not FDA-approved or supported by recognized medical compendia for such use. Medicare ultimately paid more than $4.9 million on the fraudulent claims.
“Medicare exists to care for patients—not to bankroll sham prescriptions and kickback schemes disguised as medical treatment,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
“The FBI prioritizes Medicare fraud and meticulously investigates anyone trying to scam the United States Government and its taxpayers,” said TJ Holland, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Today’s conviction is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of FBI San Diego’s healthcare fraud team and our law enforcement partners at HHS-OIG to holding fraudsters accountable.”
The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on July 29, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blanca Quintero and George Manahan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Valerie Chu contributed significantly to the case.
DEFENDANT Case Number 24cr01229-LL
Cindy Justice Age: 70 Melbourne, Florida
Ashleigh Davis Age: 41 Melbourne, Florida
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud and Pay Unlawful Remuneration—Title 18, U.S.C. Section 371
Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine
Health Care Fraud—Title 18, U.S.C. Section 1347
Maximum penalty: Five years in prison and $250,000 fine (Conspiracy to Commit Health Care
Payment of Unlawful Remuneration – Title 42, U.S.C. Section 1320-7d
Maximum penalty: Four years in prison and $250,000 fine (Payment of Unlawful Remuneration)
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG)
Federal Jury Convicts Suburban Chicago Man of Threatening to Kill Federal and State Public OfficialsRead the Press Release
CHICAGO — A federal jury today convicted a suburban Chicago man of making a true threat to kill multiple public officials, including President Donald J. Trump, the 47th and 45th President of the United States.
TRENT SCHNEIDER, 58, of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., was found guilty of making a true threat in interstate commerce to injure a person. The jury returned its verdict after a three-day trial in U.S. District Court in Chicago. The conviction is punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
On Oct. 21, 2025, Schneider posted a video of himself on Instagram in which he stated, “People like me have suffered real [expletive] crimes from [expletive] judges, doctors, lawyers, police. They all should be killed. All of them should be executed for what they’ve done . . . I’m going to get some guns. I know where I can get a lot of [expletive] guns and I am going to take care of business myself. I’m tired of all you [expletive] frauds. People need to [expletive] die and people are going to die. [Expletive] all of you, especially you Trump. You should be executed.” The video also included a caption that stated, in part: “THIS IS NOT A THREAT!!! AFTER LOSING EVERYTHING and My House Auction date is 11.04.2025 @realDonaldTrump SHOULD BE EXECUTED!!!”
On the same date, Schneider appeared at the Lake County, Ill. courthouse and told the judge presiding over Schneider’s pending foreclosure case that he would burn the courthouse down.
The conviction was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Dai Tran, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by the Lake County, Ill. Sheriff’s Office and the Winthrop Harbor, Ill. Police Department. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hanna Helwig and Paige Nutini.
“Let this conviction send a clear message that it is never acceptable to threaten a political figure or a member of the judiciary,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Political violence is not only intolerable, but it is a serious crime. Working closely with our law enforcement partners, the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office will find, arrest, and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those responsible for criminally threatening the safety of our elected officials and judges.”
“Threats of political violence are not a joke,” said SAIC Tran. “They are a federal crime. The U.S. Secret Service vigorously pursues all threats to harm the President of the United States. I am proud of our agents’ work in this case and thank our partners at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Winthrop Harbor Police Department for their assistance in bringing this defendant to justice. I also want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Illinois for prosecuting this case to its conclusion.”
Federal Immigration Officer Pleads Guilty to Bribery ConspiracyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that HENRY YAU, a former supervisory deportation officer in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”), pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon to conspiring to solicit and accept bribes and gratuities. In exchange for bribes and gratuities, YAU abused his influence and status as a supervisory deportation officer to disclose confidential law enforcement information to unauthorized recipients, tip off an individual about an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and arrest a particular individual (“Individual-1”) that members of a bank fraud conspiracy were seeking to silence and intimidate.
“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers are entrusted with enforcing our country’s immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “They deserve our respect when they carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism. Henry Yau failed his fellow officers and the people of New York when he breached their trust in exchange for bribes and gratuities. He does not deserve our respect. He deserves a conviction.”
According to the allegations contained in the Information, court records, and statements made in court:
YAU was a Supervisory Deportation Officer with ICE, which is a law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”). ICE’s stated mission includes protecting the U.S. through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety. Between in or about 2015 and in or about November 2024, YAU was employed as a Deportation Officer with ICE. In or around September 2021, YAU was promoted to Supervisory Deportation Officer. YAU was assigned to the ICE New York Field Office, located in Manhattan. As an ICE Deportation Officer, YAU was given access to several password-protected law enforcement databases operated by DHS and other law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) databases containing the status of immigration-related applications filed by aliens, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) databases containing information about border crossings, criminal history databases containing people’s arrest and conviction records, and ICE databases containing records relating to arrests and removals of aliens from the U.S.
From at least in or about 2015 through at least in or about 2024, YAU participated with others in a scheme to obtain bribes and gratuities in exchange for disseminating confidential law enforcement and immigration information, processing the entry of foreign nationals and other individuals into the United States, and arresting Individual-1 at the request of members of a bank fraud conspiracy. The confidential information that YAU disclosed to others included confidential law information regarding the status of a pending federal investigation into a particular individual by the FBI, as well as information about the immigration status of foreign nationals and border crossing histories. The bribes and gratuities that YAU solicited and accepted included, among other things, cash payments, dinners at expensive restaurants, and top-shelf bottles of alcohol.
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YAU, 43, of New York, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to accept bribes and gratuities, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI. Mr. Clayton also thanked CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility, the DHS Office of Inspector General, and the New York City Department of Investigation for their assistance with the investigation.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit and Violent Organizations & Crime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew K. Chan, James Ligtenberg, and Ni Qian are in charge of the prosecution.
Exeter Man Sentenced to 58 Months in Prison for Bank Fraud and Ammunition OffensesRead the Press Release
PROVIDENCE – An Exeter man was sentenced today in federal court in Rhode Island for his role in a bank fraud scheme and being a felon in possession of ammunition, announced United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda.
Edmilson Rodrigues, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose to 46 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank fraud and being a felon in possession of ammunition, and an additional 12 months to be served consecutively for violations of supervised release, for a total of 58 months’ imprisonment. Rodrigues previously pleaded guilty to the charges on December 19, 2025.
“Rodrigues’ decision to engage in yet another check fraud scheme while on supervised released reflects a blatant disregard for the law and for the victims he chose to exploit,” said United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda. “This office will not hesitate to hold accountable those who repeatedly prey on others for personal gain and we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the public.”
According to court documents, Rodrigues participated in a multi-year scheme involving stealing mail and generating counterfeit checks. Initially participating in depositing fraudulent checks and withdrawing funds, he later recruited others to do the same, exposing them to potential criminal liability and causing financial harm.
Court documents also reflect Rodrigues engaged in related conduct connected to the broader scheme, including travelling outside the area and using false identifying information. His actions were part of an ongoing pattern of fraudulent activity that extended beyond a single transaction.
“Rodrigues was still on supervised release for check fraud when he chose to return to his criminal ways and launch yet another check fraud conspiracy. He not only stole checks from the mail but also recruited others to join in his scheme to steal the hard-earned money of innocent people to enrich himself. This repeated disregard for the law has earned him several more years in federal prison,” said Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “Fraud and financial crime are a top priority for HSI and we’re working alongside our law enforcement partners to help Rhode Islanders keep their money safe.”
Rodrigues has prior federal convictions for similar fraud-related conduct.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christine Lowell and Denise Barton.
The matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance of the Providence and Newport Police Departments.
Elk Grove Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Trafficking Heroin and FentanylRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Delanious Ward, 57, of Elk Grove, was sentenced today to nine years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, Ward is among seven defendants arrested in 2024 and charged with trafficking narcotics as part of a multi-agency operation targeting cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl traffickers Ward was a manager or supervisor of a vast drug network that stretched to New Orleans, Louisiana. During 60 days of wiretaps, Ward was intercepted trafficking fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin, and was found in possession of cocaine and fentanyl upon his arrest. Ward pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2024.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Justice, the California Highway Patrol, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sacramento Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron L. Desmond is prosecuting the case.
Below is the status of Ward’s co-defendants:
On Jan. 16, 2025, Albert Gurley, 51, of Sacramento, was sentenced to seven years in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin,.
On March 27, 2025, Manuel Greenhalgh, 33, of Sacramento, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin.
On May 15, 2025, Kevin Yancy, 57, of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin.
On Sept. 19, 2024, Agustin Gonzalez, 63, of Manteca, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2026.
On Oct. 31, 2024, Craig Hunter, 51, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2026.
On Oct. 31, 2024, David Byrd, 53, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 4, 2026.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
El Salvador Resident is Found Guilty for 1997 Double MurderRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON – Oscar Diaz Romero, aka Oscar Alonzo Salguero, 47, of El Salvador, was found guilty yesterday in D.C. Superior Court, for charges related to the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Jose Roberto Molina and 22-year-old Jose Noel Coreas on August 9, 1997, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine F. Pirro.
Diaz Romero was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder on March 25, 2026. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman scheduled sentencing for June 5, 2026.
“This verdict reflects the unwavering commitment of our justice system to pursue accountability, regardless of how much time has passed, as this criminal killed two men and fled to El Salvador,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “It should serve as a reminder that even when delayed, justice is never forgotten—and never denied.”
According to the government’s evidence, in the early morning hours, on August 9, 1997, Diaz Romero and several friends were hanging out on the 2nd floor of the then-Las Rocas restaurant in the 2400 block of 18th Street, NW. A little before 2 a.m., a group of young men came in, and a fist fight started. Soon after, Diaz Romero pulled out a revolver and fired several times. One round hit and killed Jose Molina, a 22-year-old father of two. Another round hit and killed Jose Coreas, who was out celebrating his 22nd birthday. The defendant fled the scene and the country.
Diaz Romero was arrested in El Salvador in 2024 and extradited to the United States in January 2025. He has been in custody since.
Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.
This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs worked with the Government of El Salvador to secure the arrest and extradition of Diaz Romero.
It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dennis Clark and Richard Carlton.
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Dodson man sentenced to over 5 years in prison for various assaults on Fort Belknap Indian ReservationRead the Press Release
GREAT FALLS – A Dodson man who violently assaulted several victims on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation was sentenced today to 64 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, Acting U.S. Attorney Tim Racicot said.
James “Jimmy” Has The Eagle, Jr., 41, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to one count of aggravated burglary, one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of domestic assault by a habitual offender.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on July 17, 2024, Jane Doe 1 and Has The Eagle caught a ride to a residence in Lodgepole. Has The Eagle started getting angry at Jane Doe 1 and started beating on her in the vehicle. When they got close to the house, he pushed Jane Doe 1 out of the moving truck and into the street.
Jane Doe 1 ran away to hide around the corner of the house, but Has The Eagle found her. He punched her several times, pushed her down on the ground, and then kicked her in the face with his black fire boots. She lost consciousness after the first kick. When she later regained consciousness, she went into the house and locked the door. Has The Eagle tried to get inside a few minutes later, eventually kicking the door in. Jane Doe 1 tried to hide, but he found her in the bathroom closet. As he was screaming that he would kill her, Has The Eagle wrapped a yellow extension cord around Jane Doe 1’s neck and was strangling her. He was screaming with the cord wrapped around both of their necks, yelling that he was going to kill both himself and her.
Medical records identify that Jane Doe 1 had bruising to her bilateral temples and forehead, with significant swelling to the left cheek and bruising under her left eye with diffuse tenderness to palpation of her face. The records note there were numerous bruises to Jane Doe 1’s extremities, as well as ligature marks to her anterior neck and bruising on the posterior neck to the left of midline.
About a week before the assault of Jane Doe 1, Has The Eagle violently assaulted Jane Doe 2, and their child, Jane Doe 3, in a vehicle on their way to Hays on July 11, 2024. During the drive, he demanded to stop at a house of a known drug user. Jane Doe 2 said no, angering Has The Eagle. Jane Doe 3 began to argue with him and threw a can at him. He flew into a rage and he forcibly grabbed Jane Doe 3, pulling her into the seat with him where he began punching her in the face with his fist.
Jane Doe 2 pulled the vehicle over and Has The Eagle dragged Jane Doe 3 across the pavement. Jane Doe 2 went to help Jane Doe 3, but when she opened the door, he hit her in the eye, face, head, and shoulder/upper arm with tire chains. Jane Doe 2 stated it “knocked [her] for a loop” and she felt dizzy. She expressed still feeling the effects of the assault in September, nearly two months later. Jane Doe 3 suffered black eyes and scraping on her arms from when she was dragged out of the vehicle.
Prior to the assaults of Jane Does 1, 2 and 3, Has The Eagle had been convicted of at least four domestic assaults. Specifically, he was convicted in 2007 of a misdemeanor Partner Family Member Assault (PFMA) before the Havre City Court, and a second misdemeanor PFMA before the Hill County Justice Court. He was also convicted of Abuse of a Family Member before the Fort Belknap Tribal Court in 2021, as well as Elder Abuse and Assault in 2021 before the Fort Belknap Tribal Court.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Myers prosecuted the case. The FBI and Fort Belknap Law Enforcement Services conducted the investigation.
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D.C. Trio Pleads to Armed Robbery Conspiracy Spanning Six Weeks, 13 Incidents, and Two JurisdictionsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON -- Three District of Columbia men pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to their roles in an armed robbery conspiracy that involved carjacking victims at gunpoint and targeting fast-food workers, convenience store employees, FedEx drivers, and a GameStop in the District and Maryland over a six-week period in early 2024, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Kanard Bishop, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery in violation of the Hobbs Act, and to using and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Edward Leroy Brown, 26, aka “Shiesty,” and Khalil Boyd, 20, pleaded guilty to the same charges. All three defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison on the firearm count alone, which must run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment. Judge Rudolph Contreras scheduled sentencings for August 5, 2026.
“These defendants chose to carry out a campaign of armed robbery and carjackings across multiple communities,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Their calculated pattern of violence put innocent people in harm’s way – this behavior will not be tolerated. Today’s guilty pleas send a clear message: those who terrorize our communities will be brought to justice.”
According to court documents, beginning on Feb. 14, 2024, and continuing through March 28, 2024, Bishop, Brown, and Boyd, agreed to rob retail stores and carjack victims at gunpoint across the District of Columbia and Maryland. Over the course of the conspiracy members of the group carried out or attempted at least 13 separate robberies and carjackings.
The conspiracy began on Feb. 14, 2024, when Bishop and Brown entered the Big Ben Market in Capitol Heights, Maryland, pointed firearms at an employee, and demanded cash. When they could not access the register, they fled and drove to a nearby McDonald’s, where they opened the drive-through window from the outside and pointed a firearm at an employee before fleeing again. On March 17, 2024, Bishop and another conspirator carjacked two victims at gunpoint in the 4400 block of Southern Avenue SE. The two stole the victim’s 2008 Mercedes Benz, and also robbed both victims of their cell phones, wallet, ID, credit card and $2,000 in cash.
The pace of the conspiracy accelerated dramatically on March 20, 2024. In the early morning hours, Bishop and Boyd carjacked a victim at gunpoint in the area of 2000 35th Street NE, stealing his 2018 Dodge Durango. The group then used the stolen Durango to attempt a third McDonald’s drive-through robbery, rob a Denny’s restaurant on Benning Road NE where Bishop ripped a cash register off the counter, rob a 7-Eleven in Landover, Maryland, where Bishop jumped the counter to grab the register, and rob a convenience store in District Heights where they forced an employee inside at gunpoint and stole about $200 and tobacco products.
On March 27, 2024, Bishop and Boyd carjacked another motorist at a gas station in District Heights, Maryland, knocking him to the ground during a struggle before fleeing in his 2022 Dodge Challenger. Later that day, Bishop and Boyd approached two FedEx employees, who were working in a FedEx truck at the intersection of Burns Street and G Street SE. Wearing masks and pointing firearms at both workers, they took wallets, cellphones, and four packages from inside the truck.
The conspiracy ended on March 28, 2024, at a GameStop in District Heights. Bishop and Brown entered the store, struck an employee, and demanded that workers open the cash registers and the safe. When police arrived, both fled on foot with firearms. A detective shot Brown in the lower body as he fled and took him into custody. Police recovered a loaded ghost gun from Brown -- a privately manufactured firearm with no serial number, untraceable by law enforcement. Bishop threw his loaded firearm to the ground as he fled and was also apprehended.
Boyd, who had remained in the stolen Challenger outside the GameStop, fled the scene after police arrived. He carjacked another driver at gunpoint, stealing a Nissan Rogue. While attempting to escape, Boyd crashed into two police cruisers -- one marked and one unmarked -- before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot. Officers apprehended him. Police recovered a loaded Glock 23C .40 caliber handgun from the vehicle.
This case was investigated by the FBI Washington Field Office Violent Crime Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department’s Carjacking Task Force, with valuable assistance from the Prince George’s County Police Department.
It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Blake J. Ellison. Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Jackson, Alex Schneider, and AUSA Omeed Assefi investigated the case. Valuable assistance was provided by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Parrone who is now with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
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Coralville Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison after Jury Found Him Guilty of Possessing a Firearm as a Felon and Trafficking MarijuanaRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Coralville man was sentenced on March 25, 2026, to 13 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at trial and sentencing, in February 2025, Ricardo Wiley Steward, 46, a felon, illegally possessed a loaded, stolen pistol, at a residence in Coralville. Additionally, Steward sold marijuana from 2024 to 2025 in the Iowa City area. As a felon, Steward was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Furthermore, Steward has numerous convictions related to violence, including assaults.
On October 28, 2025, following a two-day trial, a jury found Steward guilty of felon in possession of a firearm and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. The jury did not find Steward guilty of possessing the firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Steward will be required to serve a four-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Iowa City Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Convicted Felons with Firearms Sentenced in Operation Take Back America CasesRead the Press Release
ALBANY, Ga. – Two South Georgia men with prior criminal convictions who were both on state parole at the time of their federal offenses have been sentenced to prison for illegally possessing firearms in separate Operation Take Back America cases.
Jacques Lamar Hill aka “Jac DaDon,” 27, of Thomasville, was sentenced to serve 108 months in prison to be served concurrently to any state prison sentence in Lowndes County, Georgia, Superior Court Case No. 2021CR962A to be followed by three years of supervised release in Case No. 7:24-CR-23-001 on March 25. Hill pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on April 30, 2025.
Porterfield Stokes, 69, of Valdosta, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release in Case No. 7:24-CR-31-001 on March 25. Stokes pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on May 1, 2025.
Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands presided over the cases. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Repeat criminal offenders caught illegally possessing firearms in the Middle District of Georgia will find their cases in federal court, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Our office will continue to strongly enforce this federal law, as we work alongside our law enforcement partners at every level to protect communities.”
“Both Jacques Lamar Hill and Porterfield Stokes are repeat offenders who continue to pose a significant threat to our communities by illegally possessing firearms despite their prior criminal convictions,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI is committed to working alongside our local law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable and ensure that those who violate federal firearm laws face the full weight of the law.”
“These arrests and sentences demonstrate the strength of our partnership with our federal counterparts and our shared commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable,” said Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan. “Individuals who choose to illegally possess firearms pose a dangerous threat to our community. We will continue to work together to ensure they are removed from our streets and held accountable for their disregard of the law.”
According to court documents and statements referenced in court in the Hill case, FBI agents and Valdosta Police Department officers were investigating armed drug trafficking by Hill out of his Williams Street apartment in Valdosta in 2020. Hill, who was on state parole at the time and is a confirmed member of a criminal street gang, sold marijuana and alprazolam two times to a confidential informant during controlled purchases. Under surveillance, agents observed frequent drug activity from Hill’s apartment. Agents executed a search warrant on April 9, 2020, and found a stolen semi-automatic pistol with a 16-round capacity magazine, a Beretta pistol with a magazine and an AR-style rifle with a large magazine. In addition, officers found ammunition and a large amount of marijuana along with individual bags of marijuana, alprazolam pills, digital scales and cash. As part of the investigation, officers reviewed Hill’s public Facebook account, which displayed photos of Hill holding large quantities of cash and firearms. One photo posted to Hill’s account on March 12, 2020, showed him standing by a white vehicle holding the AR-style rifle, which appeared to be the exact one seized by officers at his apartment on April 9, 2020. Hill is being held accountable for possessing the AR-style rifle and the Beretta pistol. At the time, Hill was wanted on an outstanding warrant in Thomas County, Georgia. Hill has a lengthy criminal record to date, including several felony drug distribution convictions and a violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act in Thomas County.
According to court documents and statements referenced in court in the Stokes case, the Valdosta Police Department received a tip in November 2023 that Stokes, a convicted felon on parole, had firearms and drugs at his home on North Troup Street. On Nov. 8, 2023, police and his parole officer went to Stokes’ residence. Stokes let them inside and admitted to having two firearms and showed officers where he was keeping the pistols in his bedroom. Stokes has a lengthy criminal record in the community spanning nearly five decades, with convictions for felony drug distribution, aggravated assault and illegally possessing firearms. He was on parole for a 2018 state conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana at the time of this federal offense.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The Hill case was investigated by the FBI and the Valdosta Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.
The Stokes case was investigated by the FBI and the Valdosta Police Department with assistance from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels prosecuted the case for the Government.
Convicted Felon Sentenced to over 14 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Firearm Used in a Brundidge, Alabama ShootingRead the Press Release
Today, Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced the sentencing of a Montgomery, Alabama man for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On March 24, 2026, a federal judge sentenced 43-year-old Brian Oneal Guice to 174 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court records, on April 7, 2024, law enforcement officers responded to reports of shots fired at a convenience store in Brundidge, Alabama. Upon arrival, officers learned that the individuals involved had fled the scene. One bystander sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and received medical treatment. Investigators quickly identified Guice as a person of interest in the shooting.
On May 1, 2024, members of the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Guice at an apartment in Troy, Alabama. At the time of his arrest, Guice was found in possession of a handgun. Due to his prior felony convictions, Guice is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
A forensic examination of the recovered firearm linked it to shell casings collected from the April 7th shooting. In imposing the sentence, the court considered the firearm’s connection to the shooting, Guice’s criminal history, and other relevant factors.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Brundidge Police Department, and the Troy Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Assistant United States Attorney Christine Levi prosecuted the case.
Columbiana County Man Sentenced to More than 12 Years in Prison after Pleading Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse Content ChargesRead the Press Release
CLEVELAND – A 44-year-old Columbiana County man has been sentenced to prison for using a social media platform to receive and distribute images and videos of children being sexually abused.
Myrl M. Reynolds Jr., of Wellsville, Ohio, has been sentenced to 151 months (12 years and six months) in prison by U.S. District Judge Patricia A. Gaughan, after pleading guilty in December 2025 to Receipt and Distribution of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, and to Possession of Child Pornography, also known as Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM). He was also ordered to serve 10 years of supervised release after imprisonment and pay $13,000 in restitution.
According to court documents, investigators found that Reynolds used a social media platform to connect with others to trade CSAM and have discussions about sexual abuse of children. However, some of those he connected with were, in fact, undercover federal agents. In one instance, Reynolds bragged to an undercover agent that he sexually abused a 10-year-old minor and that he was interested in “younger/incest” pornography. Separate from those interactions, the social media platform received cyber tip reports after nearly 70 CSAM files were flagged for being trafficked by Reynolds.
Reynolds’ electronic devices were seized during a search warrant execution, and he was found to possess nearly 500 CSAM images and videos. His files included the sexual abuse of infants and the torture and rape of prepubescent children. Investigators also found evidence that he specifically sought out children through the social media platform to discuss his sexual fantasies.
The investigation leading to the indictment was led by the FBI Youngstown Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. King for the Northern District Ohio prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative is led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country and marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/PSC.
To report child exploitation, please visit cybertipline.org, or call 1-800-843-5678, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Cohoes Woman Pleads Guilty to Assaulting a Federal AgentRead the Press Release
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jade Dunckle, age 31, of Cohoes, New York, pled guilty today to assaulting a federal officer engaged in official duties. First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia made the announcement.
According to plea documents previously filed in the case, on September 17, 2025, members of the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision visited the defendant’s Cohoes residence in search of a fugitive felon to be arrested. While members of the Task Force searched the defendant’s residence for the fugitive, the defendant became belligerent, bit one of the Deputy United States Marshals on the forearm, and screamed “I’ll bite you b—ch!”
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone said: “Deputy U.S. Marshals put themselves in harm’s way every day to capture dangerous fugitives and protect the public. Attacking the federal agent trying to arrest a fugitive is a quick way to turn yourself into the next defendant. This Office will aggressively prosecute anyone who assaults and interferes with lawful arrests made by brave federal agents faithfully doing their jobs.”
Acting United States Marshal Christopher Amoia said: “The guilty plea in this case sends a clear message that acts of violence against federal law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. Deputy United States Marshals serve on the front lines of public safety every day, often working to apprehend dangerous fugitives and protect the integrity of our judicial system. Assaulting a federal officer is a serious offense, and those who engage in such conduct will be held fully accountable under federal law. I commend the professionalism and resilience demonstrated by the Deputy United States Marshal involved in this incident, as well as the efforts of the investigators and prosecutors who ensured that justice was served.”
Dunckle is scheduled for sentencing before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci on July 29, 2026. She faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, and a term of supervised release up to one year. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The United States Marshals Service is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case.
Clinton Man Sentenced to 60 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing 11 Guns as a FelonRead the Press Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Clinton man was sentenced on March 26, 2026, to 60 months in federal prison for possessing firearms as a felon.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, in January 2025, law enforcement found 11 firearms at the Clinton residence of Caleb J. McManus, 22. Of the 11 firearms McManus possessed, six were handguns and one had an obliterated serial number. McManus is prohibited from possessing firearms because of his felony convictions, including a 2024 conviction for fraudulent purchase of firearms from the Iowa District Court for Clinton County that he was on probation for at the time of this offense. McManus also has prior convictions for assault with a firearm.
After completing his term of imprisonment, McManus will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Clinton Police Department investigated the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Clearfield County Resident Sentenced to More Than 10 Years in Prison for Fentanyl and Methamphetamine TraffickingRead the Press Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Morrisdale, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court to 121 months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release, on his convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines imposed the sentence on Brandon Kifer, 45.
According to information presented to the Court, from in and around February 2023 to March 2023 in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Kifer conspired to distribute and possessed with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture of fentanyl and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Drug Enforcement Administration and Pennsylvania State Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Kifer.
Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Elderly Victims Throughout FloridaRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Xin Liu, 40, a Chinese national living in Apopka, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea today.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Elder fraud is a devastating crime that is growing increasingly common, as fraudsters like this alien and her China-based co-conspirators prey upon our vulnerable retiree population to enrich themselves. Stopping elder fraud depends upon educating the public about schemes like this, and encouraging victims to report these crimes to law enforcement as quickly as possible. My office will continue to investigate and aggressively prosecute every member of these fraud schemes to hold them accountable for their heinous crimes and achieve justice for their victims.”
Court records show that while Liu was in the United States pursuant to an H-1B visa, she conspired with a person from the northern region of China and others to defraud elderly victims by using fraudulent telephone calls and electronic messages. Liu’s role in the conspiracy was to pick up packages of cash and deliver them to other conspirators. Between July 22, 2025, and July 30, 2025, on at least six separate occasions, Liu drove to various locations throughout Florida and picked up or attempted to pick up more than $95,000 from the victims. One of the victims lived in an assisted living apartment complex for seniors in Gainesville, Florida. Liu personally verified the contents of each package and was paid with a portion of the fraud proceeds. Liu’s actions resulted in substantial financial hardship to at least one victim.
Liu faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and is expected to be transferred for deportation proceedings at the conclusion of her sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Gainesville Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Chichester Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
Chichester Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Firearm Possession
CONCORD – Thomas Young, 46, pleaded guilty today in federal court to unlawful firearm possession before U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty, U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announces. Sentencing is scheduled for July 2, 2026.
According to the court documents and statements made in court, Young was previously convicted of a felony drug offense in New Hampshire. On February 8, 2024, Young sold a firearm and ammunition to a confidential source.
The charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person provides a maximum prison term of 15 years, a maximum fine of $250,000, and not more than 3 years of supervised release. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led this investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Krasinski is prosecuting the case.
Chicago Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Defraud Active U.S. Military TroopsRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Chicago, Il., man was sentenced in federal court today for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.
Dwayne D. Adams, 33, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Judge M. Douglas Harpool, for one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. Adams was sentenced to 27 months incarceration and ordered to pay $165,821.74 in restitution to the victims.
Adams conspired with others to defraud United States military service men and women through the use of social media. Adams is the third and final defendant to be sentenced for his role in defrauding active service members of the United States military.
According to court documents, Adams conspired with others to contact service members who had recently joined the United States military through various social media platforms. Upon communicating with each military member, a person within the conspiracy would use the information obtained from the social media platform contact to then contact the service member claiming to be a senior military official. In their fake role as a senior military member, Adams and others would tell each service member they were receiving the incorrect salary and were owed more money than they were being paid. Adams and others involved in the scheme advised each victim that they needed to return their prior pay using a cash application. Adams and others told the victims that they would receive a higher salary amount from the military once they returned their prior pay. If a service member followed these instructions, the members of this scheme would take the monies transferred and would never return any monies to the victim.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Department of the Army - Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Straw Purchase CrimeRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Isaiah Levi Creasey, 23, of Charleston, pleaded guilty today to making a false statement in connection with a purchase of a firearm.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 25, 2025, Creasey purchased a Glock model 19X 9mm pistol from a licensed firearms dealer in South Charleston. As part of his guilty plea, Creasey admitted that he purchased the firearm for a juvenile and falsely certified on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Federal Firearms Transaction Records Form 4473 that he was the purchaser of the firearm when he knew he was buying it for the juvenile. Creasey further admitted that he intended to deceive the firearms dealer into believing he was the actual buyer of the pistol, and that following the purchase he gave the pistol to the juvenile who was waiting in his vehicle outside of the business.
Creasey is scheduled to be sentenced on July 28, 2026, and faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
United States Attorney Moore Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Charleston Police Department.
Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Lesley C. Shamblin is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:26-cr-9.
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Canadian National Pleads Guilty to Leading Group that Trafficked More Than 850 Kilograms of Meth and Cocaine from U.S. into CanadaRead the Press Release
LOS ANGELES – A Canadian national pleaded guilty today to leading a criminal organization that – during a roughly one-month span – trafficked from the United States into Canada hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine worth up to $17 million.
Guramrit Sidhu, 62, of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise.
Sidhu is the lead defendant in a 23-count January 2024 federal indictment targeting a drug trafficking organization. He has been in federal custody since October 2024 after being extradited from Canada.
According to his plea agreement, from September 2020 to February 2023, Sidhu led an organization responsible for trafficking drugs from the U.S. into Canada for distribution.
From September 13, 2022, to October 24, 2022, Sidhu orchestrated the distribution of eight separate drug loads, totaling approximately 523 kilograms (1,153 pounds) of methamphetamine and 347 kilograms (765 pounds) of cocaine, which law enforcement seized. These drug loads had an estimated wholesale value of approximately $15 million to $17 million.
After buying the bulk quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine in the U.S., Sidhu arranged for the narcotics’ transportation into Canada via long-haul semi-trucks for further distribution. Sidhu provided telephone numbers and serial numbers on bills of currency for couriers to use as a “token” for identification purposes during the delivery and transportation of the cocaine and methamphetamine.
Sidhu and co-conspirators then retrieved the cocaine and methamphetamine from locations within Canada for further distribution.
United States District Judge John A. Kronstadt scheduled a July 9 sentencing hearing, at which time Sidhu would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Sidhu is the seventh defendant to plead guilty in this matter. Several other defendants have pleaded guilty to criminal charges in this case and have been sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 27 months to 108 months.
The FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (LA IMPACT), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, United States Customs and Border Protection, and law enforcement authorities in Mexico investigated this matter. Significant assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with the Canadian authorities to secure the arrest and October 2024 extradition of Sidhu.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Larocque of the Transnational Organized Crime Section is prosecuting this case.
Butte County Man Sentenced to 20 Years and 10 Months in Prison for Attempted Child Sex Abuse OffenseRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kevin Leslie Gipson, 60, of Oroville, was sentenced today to 20 years and 10 months in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
“Today’s sentence holds the defendant accountable for his sickening attempt to sexually exploit a child,” said U.S. Attorney Grant. “Thanks to law enforcement intervention, no child was actually harmed. But this case underscores the ongoing danger that the defendant poses to our community, especially in light of his prior convictions for sexually abusing young children. Our office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting those who seek to harm children and ensuring they face serious consequences.”
“The FBI and our Crimes Against Children Task Force are relentless in identifying and apprehending depraved individuals like Kevin Gipson who prey on innocent children,” said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. “Our agents stopped Mr. Gipson before he could harm a child, and our investigation ensured he will now serve a significant federal prison sentence. I’m proud of our agents and task force officers who tirelessly investigate these cases to make our communities safer for children.”
According to court documents, in July 2024, Gipson communicated with an individual he believed to be the father of a 10-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover officer. Gipson communicated his desire to perform sex acts on the child and planned to meet the undercover officer and child at a hotel room to do so. Gipson purchased various sex-related items in preparation for the encounter and bought a stuffed animal with the intent to provide the stuffed animal to the child. When Gipson approached the undercover officer with the stuffed animal, he was arrested by law enforcement officers. Gipson pleaded guilty on April 24, 2025.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, and the Sacramento Valley Hi-Tech Crimes Task Force/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Delaney prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. Click on the “resources” tab for information about internet-safety education.
Brooklyn-Based Ninedee Gang Member Sentenced to 145 Months’ Imprisonment for Covid-19 Unemployment Benefits Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
Darnell Jones, also known as “EJ,” was sentenced today by United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry in federal court in Brooklyn to 145 months’ imprisonment for wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft. During the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic, from March 2020 through August 2021, Jones used stolen personal identifying information to fraudulently obtain more than $800,000 from federally funded unemployment insurance programs established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As part of the sentence, Jones was ordered to pay $838,120 in restitution to the New York State Department of Labor. In addition, as part of his April 2025 guilty plea, Jones admitted to obtaining personal identifying information, including bank account information, between May 2021 and October 2024, to commit wire fraud with an intended loss of more than $2.7 million.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.
“Today’s sentence demonstrates that those who defraud innocent victims and pilfer federal funds to support violent gangs will face severe punishment,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “To successfully dismantle violent gangs who terrorize our neighborhoods and communities, it is essential that we cut off their sources of income, including from fraud schemes like the one perpetrated by the defendant here.”
Mr. Nocella also thanked the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General and the New York State Department of Labor, Office of Special Investigations for their assistance on the case.
“Darnell Jones, a Ninedee gang member, stole more than $800,000 intended for unemployment benefit recipients to fund the enterprise’s illicit operations and firearms procurement. Jones manipulated financial programs designed to support vulnerable New Yorkers during a global pandemic just to unlawfully facilitate the gang’s criminal activity. Alongside our law enforcement partners, the FBI will continue to stem any source of revenue supporting the viability of gangs plaguing our communities,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
“Darnell Jones stole more than $800,000 in federal funds meant to help vulnerable New Yorkers during a global pandemic and used those funds to bankroll a violent gang,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. “Today’s sentencing sends a clear message: anyone who steals from the government will face real consequences, and the NYPD will aggressively pursue anyone who seeks to defraud and victimize others. I am grateful to the NYPD investigators, the FBI, and the prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their pursuit of justice in this case.”
As set forth in court filings in connection with sentencing, Jones is a member of the Ninedee Gang, a violent criminal enterprise operating out of the Louis H. Pink Houses in East New York, Brooklyn. Ninedee Gang members were affiliated with the “5” and “6” Pink Houses apartment buildings and engaged in gang-related violence within and outside of the New York City Housing Authority complex. The Ninedee Gang protected its turf through violence, made money by selling drugs and committing fraud, and sought to silence those they perceived to be working with law enforcement.Jones led the Ninedee Gang’s fraud schemes, also known as “scamming,” and worked with other members to earn money for the gang through check fraud, postal money order fraud, and unemployment benefits fraud. For example, beginning in approximately November 2020, Jones sent a co-conspirator text messages containing the names of 10 New York residents in order to obtain personally identifiable information (PII) for those individuals without their knowledge. The co-conspirator sent Jones the requested individuals’ dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers. In exchange, Jones paid the co-conspirator with cryptocurrency. Subsequently, Jones submitted fraudulent claims for unemployment insurance benefits to the New York State Department of Labor using the stolen PII. As set forth in court filings and as established at the trial of Ninedee Gang leader Maliek Miller, text messages in 2020 showed that Jones coordinated with fellow Ninedee Gang member Kevin Wint about pooling their money to purchase “glicks” or “plates,” which are references to firearms. Notably, in August 2021, law enforcement agents recovered two firearms, which were outfitted with laser sights, in a residence shared by Jones and Wint.
Eight Ninedee Gang members have been prosecuted for their gang-affiliated crimes, which included the prosecution of seven Ninedee members for their roles in the July 2020 murder in-aid-of-racketeering of Shatavia Walls. Seven Ninedee defendants have pleaded guilty and an eighth, Maliek Miller, was convicted at trial in June 2024 and faces a mandatory life sentence.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gang Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Emily J. Dean and Irisa Chen are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Elizabeth Reed and Marlane Bosler.
The Defendant:
DARNELL JONES (also known as “EJ”)
Age: 31
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-369 (DLI)
Defendant Convicted at Trial:
MALIEK MILLER
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New YorkDefendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty:
QUINTIN GREEN (also known as “Wild Child”)
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New YorkJOE SANTANA (also known as “Baby Joe”)
Age: 21
Brooklyn, New YorkChayanne fernandez (also known as “White Boy”)
Age: 25
Brooklyn, New YorkKEVIN WINT (also known as “Kev G”)
Age: 32
Brooklyn, New YorkSHAKUR BEY (also known as “Speedy”)
Age: 28
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)
RAQUEL DUNTON (aka “Rah”)
Age: 39
Brooklyn, New YorkE.D.N.Y. Docket No 24-CR-344 (LDH)
Bronx man pleads guilty to bank fraud conspiracy and ID theftRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Edwin Robles, 38, of the Bronx, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. to conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, which carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that in January 2025, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, co-conspirator Vance Ashley was recruited by members of the conspiracy to pose as other persons and make unauthorized withdrawals from the other persons’ bank accounts. Ashley agreed to do this in exchange for money. Between January 28 and February 3, 2025, Ashley drove with Robles and co-conspirators Edward Richardson and Michael Herrera, to bank branches in Wilmington, Delaware, Liberty, NY, and Lock Haven, PA, where Ashely used the identifications of other individuals to make, or attempt to make, unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.
On February 5, 2025, the defendants drove to a Northwest Bank branch in Lockport, within the Western District of New York. Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal of from the account of an individual residing in Erie, PA. Ashley also purchased a bank check using funds from the account. That same day, the defendants drove to another Northwest Bank branch in Williamsville, within the Western District of New York, and again Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal from an account and purchased a bank check using funds from the account of a victim from North East PA. Also on February 5, 2025, Robles unlawfully the identification of another person during a felony violation.
The total loss amount, including actual loss and intended loss, is $91,300.00.
Ashley was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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Austin Felon Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas – An Austin felon was sentenced in federal court to 235 months in prison for methamphetamine trafficking and possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Blane Spear aka Jonathan Garza, 32, was investigated in June 2024 for selling large amounts of methamphetamine in the Austin area. Austin Police executed a search warrant at Spear’s residence on Aug. 26, 2024, finding him to be in possession of two small bags containing methamphetamine. The search also resulted in the discovery of more than 1,291 grams of methamphetamine, 89 grams of fentanyl, 309 grams cocaine, 159 grams of heroin, and more than $10,000 in U.S. currency. APD also discovered Spear, who had multiple prior felony convictions, possessed 11 pistols, three of which had been reported stolen and one of which was equipped with a machine gun conversion device.
Spear was federally indicted on Oct. 15, 2024, and transferred into federal custody on Oct. 29. 2024. The two-count indictment charged Spear with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty to both counts on Dec. 4, 2025. On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman sentenced Spear to 235 months in federal prison on the meth trafficking count and a concurrent 180 months in prison for the firearm possession.
“This case serves as yet another great example of the cohesiveness that makes our federal and local law enforcement partnerships work as well as they do,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “The Austin Police Department investigated a significant tip that, while rejected by the state, resulted in a great federal case and led to a career criminal being removed from our community for two decades.”
"This sentence sends a clear message that those who traffic dangerous drugs and illegally possess firearms will be held accountable,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran of the FBI San Antonio Field Office. “Acting on a referral from the Austin Police Department, we worked together to disrupt a major drug trafficking operation. Through the FBI Austin Safe Streets Task Force, dangerous offenders are brought to justice—helping keep our communities safe.”
The FBI and APD investigated the case with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Guess prosecuted the case.
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Arrest of El Salvadorian Illegal Alien Who Assaulted Federal Officers Rounds up Maryland Operation Take Back America ProsecutionsRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A criminal complaint against an El Salvadorian illegal alien, who attacked federal law enforcement during a traffic stop, is one of several prosecutions the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland recently announced in connection with the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the prosecutions with Acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins, U.S. Immigration.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland filed a criminal complaint against Santos Alvarenga-Rodriguez, 47, for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers in Howard County, Maryland. According to court documents, law enforcement gave Alvarenga-Rodriguez verbal commands to exit his vehicle, but he refused, leading to a physical altercation that caused injuries to officers.
Additionally, a violent Ecuadorian alien pled guilty in federal court to illegally re-entering the United States after her prior removal. Vanessa Yalixa Munoz-Baque, 31, pled guilty to the re-entry charges after she was previously removed from the U.S. in August 2023. Munoz-Baque illegally re-entered the U.S., again, on November 3, 2023, and began residing in Frederick, Maryland. Then on September 11, 2024, local law enforcement apprehended Munoz-Baque in Frederick on attempted murder and assault charges.
In addition, Edgar David Vasquez-Garcia, 34, a Guatemalan illegal alien, received an 18-month, federal-prison sentence for illegally re-entering the United States. Vasquez-Garcia, 34, pled guilty to the charge after he was previously deported from the U.S. in July 2014. Then in October 2023, law enforcement discovered Vasquez-Garcia back in the U.S. after they arrested him in Edgewood, Maryland, on second-degree assault charges, for which he was later found guilty.
U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Cesear Geovany Gomez, 36, in connection with illegally re-entry charges. According to court documents, on July 28, 2017, authorities deported Geovany Gomez back to Guatemala, but he never sought, nor obtained, the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for re-admission. Geovany Gomez was deported from the U.S. on two prior occasions, and following his latest illegal re-entry, he was convicted for first-degree assault in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Also, U.S. District Court Judge Ajmel A. Quereshi sentenced Jairo Mendez-Miranda, 29, for illegally entering the United States. Earlier this month, law enforcement arrested Mendez-Miranda in Montgomery County, Maryland, after officers checked the license plate of the vehicle he was driving. The officers then discovered a restriction code indicating he may not be legally present in the United States. Authorities previously deported Mendez-Miranda on two other occasions.
Additionally, a federal grand jury indicted a Mexican illegal alien in connection with re-entry charges. Fortunado Cuatlatl-Flores, 44, is charged with illegally re-entering the United States after he was previously removed from the country following an aggravated felony. According to court documents, on February 20, 2026, law enforcement encountered Cuatlatl-Flores in Wicomico County, Maryland, while performing an area-enforcement operation. Cuatlatl-Flores was previously convicted of felony child sexual abuse.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended ICE-ERO and HSI for its work in these investigations. Ms. Hayes also thanked the Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted these federal cases.
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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A Lenior County Social Services Employee Stole over $100,000 from SNAP Benefits Program, Pleads GuiltyRead the Press Release
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A Lenior County Social Services Employee who resides in Wayne County engaged in a scheme to defraud more than $100,000 in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits administered by the USDA and managed by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services (“DSS”). Deshaune White, 24, pleaded guilty to Theft of Government Property and now faces a maximum term of ten years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a Forfeiture Money Judgment of $102,000.00 (when sentenced later this year.)
“What a shocking abuse of trust for a state employee to steal taxpayer money from hurting families. No longer will we tolerate the petty misery of the destruction of society and order by vicious selfishness. It is that much worse when it’s an inside job. Cheaters. Never. Win,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle.
Between June 2022 to January 2024, White using his position and privileges as a North Carolina Department of Social Services case worker, unlawfully accessed the SNAP accounts of qualified individuals and stole $102,000 in government funds for his own personal use.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II accepted the plea. The United States Department of Agriculture - OIG, and the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan Ontjes is prosecuting the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:25-CR-48-M.
Wednesday 25 March 2026
Zuni Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Firing Shotgun at Occupied VehicleRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for federal firearms offenses after he fired a shotgun at an occupied vehicle parked outside of a home on the Zuni Pueblo.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents, on the evening of February 2, 2025, Cody Laweka, 35, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, drove with another person to a home on the Pueblo of Zuni. The person with whom Laweka drove had a shotgun in his truck bed. On the way to this residence, Laweka asked to use that shotgun. When Laweka arrived at the residence, he exited the truck with the shotgun and shot at least twice at a car occupied by John Doe. After this shooting, Laweka got back into the truck with the other person and left the scene. No one was hit by Laweka’s gunshots.
The following day, the FBI went to apprehend Laweka at another home in Zuni. Laweka fled when he spotted officers but was eventually apprehended. During a subsequent interview, Laweka admitted firing the shotgun at the car, and tossing the shotgun along the highway. Police searched for the shotgun but never found it.
At the time Laweka committed these crimes crime, he was on supervised release for committing a prior federal crime.
Laweka pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence and discharging that firearm. The Court recommended Defendant complete the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), the Bureau of Prisons’ most intensive treatment program. Upon his release from prison, Laweka will be subject to three years of supervised release.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Pueblo of Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones and Nicholas Marshall are prosecuting this case.
Winter Park Man Sentenced to over 14 Years’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking OffensesRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Henry Baker (30, Winter Park) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julie Sneed to 14 years and 8 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Baker pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, Baker and his grandfather, Arthur Bradshaw, were members of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that distributed fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and bromazolam (a synthetic drug used to make counterfeit Xanax tablets) in Central Florida. During the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) investigation of Baker and Bradshaw, an undercover agent purchased 9,000 counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills from Baker and Bradshaw over the course of four controlled purchases during the summer of 2024. The transactions took place in Winter Park, Sanford, and Casselberry.
On September 24, 2024, a federal search warrant was executed at the Winter Park apartment that Baker and Bradshaw shared, resulting in the seizure of 1,069 grams of methamphetamine, 17 grams of fentanyl, 85 grams of cocaine, and 803 grams of bromazolam. Just before executing the search warrant, Baker and Bradshaw were arrested by DEA agents as they were leaving the apartment.
The case against Arthur Bradshaw remains pending.
This case was investigated by the DEA, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office - Special Investigations Unit, and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office- City County Investigative Bureau. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson.
West Tennessee Man Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for Production and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
Jackson, TN – Cody Ray Brewer, 30, of Saulsbury, Tennessee, has been sentenced to 70 years in federal prison for production and possession of child pornography. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.
The investigation in this case revealed that Brewer engaged in various illegal sexual acts with a minor at a residence in Hardeman County, Tennessee in early January 2025, and that he set up a camera in the minor’s bedroom to record those acts. Following the execution of a search warrant at the residence, investigators found several sexually explicit videos on the device that Brewer used to record the videos and on Brewer’s cell phone.
Brewer was later charged with one count of using and coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, one count of being a person with custody or control of a minor who knowingly permitted the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and one count of possessing a cell phone that contained visual depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Following his guilty plea to the three-count indictment, United States District Judge S. Thomas Anderson sentenced Brewer to 70 years in prison and ten years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Child exploitation and production of child pornography is an abhorrent offense that scars the victimized children forever. For his depraved and predatory behavior, Brewer deserves this effective life sentence in prison, where he can never hurt another child.”
This case was investigated by members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bolivar Police Department, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, and the Horn Lake, Mississippi Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Josh Morrow prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
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For more information, please contact the 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.
Washington man guilty of distributing fentanyl resulting in two fatal overdosesRead the Press Release
JUNEAU, Alaska – Following a five-day trial, a federal jury convicted a Washington man today of distributing fentanyl pills that resulted in the overdose death of two men in Skagway.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between Jan. 1 to 13, 2023, Jacob Cotton, 34, of Spokane, Washington, agreed to sell and mail approximately 150 fentanyl pills to an individual for distribution in Skagway. The object of the conspiracy was to have Cotton buy fentanyl in Spokane for a cheaper price, ship it to Alaska and then charge a premium price for purchase in Skagway. Cotton and the individual agreed to split any distribution proceeds.
At the time of the agreement, Skagway was “dry,” meaning there was no fentanyl available in the community.
United States Attorney's Office, District of Alaska; U.S. v. Jacob Cotton, Case #: 1:25-cr-00002On Jan. 9, Cotton shipped a parcel containing the pills from Spokane to the individual in Skagway via the U.S. Postal Service. The parcel was delivered sometime between Jan. 11 and 12. On Jan. 12, the individual contacted multiple people indicating the pills were available for purchase, and sold pills to multiple people, including a 44-year-old man.
On Jan. 13, around 11:30 p.m., the individual selling the pills was found unresponsive on his bathroom floor and later declared decease after attempts to revive him. This victim was 28 years old at the time of his death. On Jan. 14, around 4:30 pm., the 44-year-old man was found dead in his bedroom. The State of Alaska Medical Examiner’s Office later determined both victims died from acute toxic effects of fentanyl.
On Jan. 15, law enforcement searched the 28-year-old victim’s residence and recovered a plastic bag with 62 fentanyl pills hidden in a computer tower.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence of records confirming Cotton’s shipment of drugs, digital messages and other forms of payment connected to the illegal drug sales.
Cotton was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. The federal jury also found Cotton guilty of a “death resulting” enhancement for both victims, which required proof that the fentanyl pills Cotton distributed were the cause of each victim’s death. A sentencing hearing will be set for a later date. Cotton faces between 20 years and life in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska, Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Saccone of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Seattle Field Division and Skagway Police Chief Jerry Reddick made the announcement.
The DEA Seattle Field Division and Anchorage District Office, and Skagway Police Department, as part of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Task Force (SEACAD), investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack Schmidt and Carly Vosacek are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of drug trafficking and violent crime.
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Walden Attorney Charged with Filing False Tax ReturnsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (“IRS-CI”), Harry T. Chavis, Jr., announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging JOHN REVELLA with four counts of subscribing to false tax returns for 2019 through 2022. REVELLA surrendered today and was presented in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.
“John Revella allegedly filed false tax returns that underreported income from his law practice,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “Cheating on your taxes is stealing from those who pay their fair share and from the public services that New Yorkers rely on. This Office will continue to pursue those who attempt to criminally shift their obligations onto honest taxpayers.”
“When a licensed attorney with real knowledge of the law tries to hide his alleged misconduct, IRS‑CI is there to follow the money and bring the facts to light,” said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr. “Today’s indictment reflects the power of coordinated financial investigations and underscores IRS‑CI’s commitment to following the facts, uncovering the truth, and holding individuals accountable when they abuse the financial system for personal gain.”
As alleged in the Indictment:[1]
REVELLA was admitted to the practice of law in New York and maintained a solo practice in Walden, New York, that focused primarily on real estate transactions. REVELLA deposited funds he received in the course of his law practice into an Interest on Lawyer Account ("IOLA") he maintained on behalf of his law practice. REVELLA did not maintain an operating bank account for his law practice.
REVELLA withdrew legal fees he earned from his practice's IOLA account primarily by drawing checks made payable to himself from the account and then cashing those checks at the bank. From 2018 to 2022 inclusive, REVELLA cashed approximately 1,700 checks in a total amount exceeding $1.1 million.
Although REVELLA reported between $22,700 to $30,750 in income from his law practice on his 2019 through 2022 tax returns, he failed to report a total of more than $1 million in such income during that period. As a result, REVELLA failed to pay a total of more than $380,000 in taxes during those four years.
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REVELLA, 48, of Walden, New York, is charged with four counts of subscribing to false tax returns, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison.
The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the investigative work of the Special Agents of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the IRS-CI.
This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney James McMahon is in charge of the prosecution.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the Indictment and the descriptions of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Violent Extremist Network “764” Member Pleads Guilty to Sexually Exploiting Minors and CyberstalkingRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A member of a violent extremist network pled guilty to child sex abuse charges in federal court today, stemming from a November 2025 arrest.
Erik Lee Madison, 20, of Halethorpe, Maryland, pled guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child and cyberstalking. Madison sexually exploited at least 10 minor female victims.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Chief Amal E. Awad, Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACOPD); and Chief Robert McCullough, Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD).
According to court documents, from November 2024 until November 2025, Madison, a member and associate of “764,” a criminal organization of Nihilistic Violent Extremists, used the internet to create and share extreme content — such as gore, violence, and child pornography — to extort and blackmail vulnerable teenagers. Madison used the internet to sexually exploit minor females and encourage them to engage in self-harm. The minor female victims were from various locations inside and outside of the United States.
Madison used the internet to cause minor females to produce or stream sexually explicit conduct, cut themselves with razors, and cut signs and words on their bodies. Additionally, Madison coerced the female minor victims into using their blood to write various signs, along with Madison's monikers, on a wall and then they streamed it to Madison. He also encouraged the victims to injure animals.
Then Madison extorted the victims through a variety of methods, including threatening to harm them and their families, “leak” or disseminate depictions of the victims engaging in cutting and sexually explicit conduct, “dox” the victims and their family members, and threatening to “swat” victims and their family members.'
Members of “764” use known online social media communications platforms as mediums to support the possession, production, and sharing of extreme gore media and child sex abuse material with vulnerable, juvenile populations. These individuals often conduct coordinated extortions of teenagers, blackmailing the victims to comply with the group’s demands.
Madison faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor. He also faces a mandatory maximum sentence of 10 for cyberstalking. Sentencing is set for Tuesday, June 16, at 11:30 a.m.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
The Justice Department remains vigilant against the threat of Nihilistic Violent Extremist (NVE) networks, like 764, that operate within the United States and around the globe. NVEs often target vulnerable individuals, including minors, using social media platforms to share child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and gore material, and groom victims toward committing acts of violence. Victims are often extorted, coerced, compelled, and blackmailed into complying with NVE demands, including self-mutilation, online and in-person sexual acts, harm to animals, sexual exploitation of siblings and others, acts of violence, threats of violence, suicide, and murder. For more information on how to protect children and others, read about the online risks here: Parents, Caregivers, Teachers — FBI and the FBI’s March 2025 public service announcement.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI, AACOPD, and BCPD for their work in the investigation.
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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Veterans Affairs Senior Executive Charged with Concealing Gifts and Cash Received from Government ContractorsRead the Press Release
windom_indictment.pdfWASHINGTON – John H. Windom, 64, a member of the Senior Executive Service who previously served as Executive Director of the Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization (OEHRM) in the Department of Veterans Affairs, has been charged in relation to his alleged failure to disclose his receipt of thousands of dollars in cash, casino chips, gift cards, and other gifts from contractors while leading the project.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro, Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Veterans Affairs Inspector General Cheryl L. Mason.
“As alleged, the defendant exploited his senior position for personal gain and concealed gifts and financial relationships that created serious conflicts of interest in the health care of our nation’s veterans,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Such conduct is not only a betrayal of the public trust—it undermines confidence in the institutions dedicated to serving those who have sacrificed for this country. Our office will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute public corruption wherever it occurs, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the integrity of the programs that support America’s veterans.”
According to the three-count Indictment issued today, between 2017 and 2021, while Windom was leading the $16 billion acquisition and deployment of the VA’s Electronic Health Records solution, then one of the largest information technology contracts in the federal government, he concealed from the VA, executive branch ethics officials, and the public that he was also accepting, and sometimes demanding, extravagant gifts from a group of contractors and subcontractors who worked on the project he was overseeing.
The Indictment charges Windom with Concealment of Material Facts, False Statements, and Falsification of a Record or Document in relation to his failure to report his receipt of such gifts, which he had a legal duty to do.
“This indictment sends a clear message that the VA OIG is committed to holding individuals accountable, including VA employees who are alleged to have misused their position of public trust for personal gain,” said Inspector General Mason. “The VA OIG thanks the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this investigation.”
The charge of falsification of records and documents carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The charge of making false statements carries a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count. The charges also carry potential financial penalties. The maximum statutory sentence for federal offenses is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes.
Investigating this case are the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the FBI Washington Field Office, and the Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Miller.
An Indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Or at https://www.justice.gov/usao-dcUruguayan Man Pleads Guilty to Agreeing to Move Money into the U.S. in Violation of U.S. Sanctions Relating to Venezuelan OfficialsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A Uruguayan man pleaded guilty yesterday to agreeing to use an unlicensed money services business to circumvent U.S. sanctions relating to Venezuela by transferring approximately $100,000 from the Dominican Republic into a U.S. bank account.
According to court documents, Irazmar Carbajal De Jesus, 60, agreed to transfer approximately $99,500 delivered in cash in the Dominican Republic to a specified bank account in Ft. Lauderdale. Law enforcement agents advised Carbajal De Jesus’s partner that the funds were from a sanctioned person from the Venezuelan government who needed help moving them to the U.S.
“This defendant agreed to move money tied to a sanctioned Venezuelan official into the United States, using coded language, fake invoices, and layered transactions to try to hide what was really happening,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “Sanctions are not symbolic. They are a critical national security tool, and anyone who tries to evade them by exploiting our financial system will be identified and prosecuted. Our Office will continue to protect the integrity of U.S. banks and hold accountable those who attempt to turn them into conduits for illicit funds.”
Carbajal De Jesus and his partner advised that the fee would be 20 percent for this service, which included creating fake invoices to justify the transactions to the banks and the use of several accounts to transmit the funds. Carbajal De Jesus referred to the funds in coded language, identifying them as a “boy who needs to be taken to school.”
Carbajal De Jesus pleaded guilty to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida, and Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
The FBI International Corruption Unit in Miami investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nalina Sombuntham for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Barbara Levy of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section are prosecuting the case.
The Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section's (MNF) mission is to take the profit out of crime, eliminate drug cartels, and protect the U.S. financial system. MNF pursues criminal prosecutions and criminal and civil asset recovery actions involving: financial facilitators who launder profits for criminals; financial institutions and their officers and employees whose actions threaten the U.S. financial system and financial institutions; international money launderers who support transnational organized crime; and the top command and control of international drug trafficking organizations.
MNF’s International Unit investigates and prosecutes cross-border money laundering schemes involving transnational criminal organizations, cartels, foreign official corruption and related money laundering affecting the U.S. financial system and prosecutes criminal cases and civil forfeiture matters to recover the proceeds of those crimes.
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 25-cr-20426.
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United States Sues San Clemente-Based Towing Company for Illegally Auctioning Vehicles Owned by Military MembersRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – The Justice Department today filed a lawsuit against an Orange County-based towing company alleging it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by illegally auctioning over several years nearly 150 motor vehicles owned by members of the military.
According to the lawsuit, from August 2020 to April 2025, San Clemente-based S&K Towing Inc. illegally sold or disposed of as many as 148 vehicles owned by servicemembers, many of which were towed from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Even though S&K’s contract with Camp Pendleton required it to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, the company made no effort to comply with the SCRA, which requires tow companies to obtain a court order before selling or disposing of a vehicle owned by an SCRA-protected servicemember.
“The men and women who serve in our nation’s military deserve peace of mind in knowing that their legal rights will be protected at home while they are away serving the United States,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “It is unacceptable and illegal for a business to sell or dispose of these vehicles without abiding by the laws that protect servicemembers.”
“Towing companies must respect and abide by the federal laws that protect members of our Armed Forces,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Servicemembers are often absent for extended periods due to training and deployments and may not know that their vehicle has been towed. The SCRA plays an important role in providing these servicemembers with adequate legal protections, including notice and the opportunity to have towing and storage fees adjusted in light of their military service.”
In May 2024, a Military Legal Assistance lawyer contacted S&K Towing and explained that the company was violating the SCRA. In response, a manager at S&K Towing told the attorney that “We do this all the time.” After this exchange, S&K Towing continued to sell and dispose of vehicles owned by SCRA-protected servicemembers without obtaining court orders. Some of the vehicles S&K sold or disposed of were registered to addresses on Camp Pendleton. In other cases, S&K auctioned vehicles even after they were told that the owner was in the military.
This case is being handled by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Since 2011, the Department has obtained more than $484 million in monetary relief for more than 149,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the Department’s SCRA enforcement efforts, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.
Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA may have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations can be found at legalassistance.law.af.mil.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Launches Inaugural Federal Prosecutor Leadership Academy for Miami-Dade High School StudentsRead the Press Release
MIAMI – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida recently hosted its inaugural Federal Prosecutor Leadership Academy, a two-day program designed to introduce high school students to the mission and work of the Department of Justice and inspire the next generation of public servants.
The inaugural class included 33 students representing 10 high schools across Miami-Dade County. Throughout the program, students engaged directly with federal prosecutors, law enforcement agents, and members of the judiciary to gain a comprehensive understanding of the federal criminal justice system.
“This program is about access and mentorship at an early stage,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “For many of these students, this was their first real interaction with federal prosecutors, law enforcement agents, and judges. That kind of exposure matters. When young people can engage directly with professionals in public service, it turns something distant into something possible. Early access like this can shape the trajectory of a student’s life and give them a clearer understanding of how they can one day serve. As a career prosecutor and former state trial judge, I’ve seen in my own development how mentorship opens doors and helps build the next generation of public servants.”
Over the course of two days, students participated in a series of interactive panels and presentations led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and federal law enforcement partners, including representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Secret Service, and the City of Doral Police Department.
Programming included:
An introduction to the Department of Justice and the structure of the U.S. Attorney’s Office
Roundtable discussions with Assistant U.S. Attorneys from the Civil Division, General Crimes Section, Violent Crime and Special Victims Section, and Economic Crimes Section
A panel on pathways to becoming a federal prosecutor
A presentation on the “nuts and bolts” of a criminal investigation
A law enforcement panel highlighting interagency collaboration in federal cases
A guided office tour and a visit with a U.S. Magistrate Judge
Building on the success of the inaugural program, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will host a second session of the Federal Prosecutor Leadership Academy on April 6-7, which will welcome students from private high schools across Miami-Dade County.
The Federal Prosecutor Leadership Academy is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s broader community outreach efforts aimed at strengthening public trust and building a pipeline of diverse future leaders in the justice system.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office looks forward to continuing the program in the years ahead.
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U.S. Attorney's Office Entered Settlements Exceeding $900 Million and Collected over $70 Million in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2025Read the Press Release
BOSTON – United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced today that the District of Massachusetts entered settlements with defendants for more than $900 million and collected more than $70 million in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2025. Of this amount, $30.5 million was collected in criminal actions and $39.6 million was collected in civil actions. The Office also recovered more than $48 million in forfeited assets.
Additionally, the District of Massachusetts worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and Department of Justice components to collect more than $557 million in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $556.9 million was collected in civil actions and $75,165 was collected in criminal actions. The remaining amounts will be recovered over time.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office had another a record year. Significant defense contracting and health care fraud settlements will return more than $900 million to the American taxpayers. We also collected more than $70 million in other civil and criminal actions and forfeited over $48 million in criminally derived property. This Office has continued to set the standard for securing and recovering assets for victims, holding wrongdoers accountable and protecting taxpayer dollars. We will continue to aggressively pursue enforcement and collection actions to advance those goals,” said U.S. Attorney Foley.
In Fiscal Year 2025, the Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit (ACE) entered into settlements with defendants totaling over $900 million. These included the agreement with Raytheon Company to resolve criminal and civil allegations of fraud against the government in numerous defense contracts. Raytheon agreed to pay $147 million to resolve the criminal allegations and $428 million to resolve the civil allegations – making it the second largest government procurement fraud recovery under the False Claims Act (FCA).
The ACE Unit also entered into a $425 million resolution with Teva Pharmaceuticals to resolve allegations that Teva paid kickbacks via two co-pay assistance foundations in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and FCA. This resolution stands as the largest co-pay assistance settlement to date.
In Fiscal Year 2025, the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) was responsible for the collection of over $30.6 million in restitution for victims, criminal fines and special assessments, as well as forfeiture of $48.2 million in criminal proceeds or other property involved in crimes. This forfeited amount includes approximately $22.5 million in forfeited cryptocurrency. ARU recovered an additional $7.35 million in an appearance bond enforcement action against a Greenwich Conn., mansion owned by a fugitive.
ARU completed the collection of the entire $48,344,036 in criminal restitution awarded to victims of a health care racketeering conspiracy committed by the founder and six former executives of Insys Therapeutics. Additionally, ARU filed several civil forfeiture cases to recover funds for fraud victims, including victims of cryptocurrency and elder fraud scams, and obtained forfeiture of over $5 million traceable to a business email compromise scheme targeting a Massachusetts workers union. It also filed a civil forfeiture case against seized cryptocurrency alleged to be the property of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini, who was charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
The District of Massachusetts’ Civil Division is led by Assistant United States Attorney Abraham R. George, Chief of Civil. Assistant United States Attorney Brian LaMacchia, Chief of the Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit, leads the District’s efforts in affirmative civil enforcement and Assistant United States Attorney Carol Head, Chief of the Asset Recovery Unit, leads the District’s forfeiture and restitution efforts.
U.S. Attorney Charges Ulster County Woman with Receipt and Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today the arrest of GABRIELLE EICHERT for receiving and distributing child pornography. EICHERT was taken in federal custody today and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court.
“The sexual exploitation of children is way too common,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “We need to get predators off the streets and send the message: you will be caught, and you will go to prison. As alleged, Gabrielle Eichert received and distributed material that re-victimizes vulnerable children and fuels further abuse. We are committed to identifying and holding accountable those who participate in these offenses. We will use every available tool to protect children and ensure that justice is served. If you have information to report, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.”
As alleged in the Complaint:[1]
On March 17, 2026, Gregory Graff was charged in the Southern District of New York with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Those charges followed his arrest in Orange County, New York, on January 22, 2026, by the New York State Police. The investigation of Graff, who lived and worked in the Southern District of New York since at least in or about June 2024, revealed that Graff and EICHERT used a chat application to exchange numerous images of minors, including prepubescent minors, engaged in sexual activity. During their exchange of messages, Graff and EICHERT discussed their mutual interest in sexually explicit images of minors and discussed their efforts to obtain additional such images.
EICHERT was arrested on March 24, 2026, by New York State Police. Prior to her arrest, EICHERT admitted that she exchanged messages with Graff, and that she and Graff exchanged images of minors, including prepubescent minors, engaged in sexual activity.
There may be other victims. If you have information to report, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov.
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EICHERT, 32, of Kingston, New York, is charged with one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography, which carries a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The statutory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Clayton praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, New York State Police Troop F – Computer Crimes Unit, New York State Police Troop F, New York State Police Troop K, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marcia S. Cohen and John Wynne are in charge of the prosecution.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
Two Sentenced in Connection with Luxury Vehicle Theft Ring Involving Millions and Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Two Charlotte men were sentenced to prison today for their involvement in a multi-state stolen vehicle conspiracy involving millions of dollars in high-end vehicles and trafficking large quantities of marijuana, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina, and Chief Estella D. Patterson of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making today’s announcement.
Andre Lamar Sumner, 43, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Erren Woodson, 40, was ordered to serve 51 months in prison and two years of supervised release. Sumner and Woodson previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of marijuana.
“Sumner and Woodson were criminals from head to toe – driving around in expensive stolen vehicles, engaging in fraud, and dealing drugs with piles of guns and ammunition,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Thanks to the work of law enforcement, all of this crime is over, and Sumner and Woodson will be in federal prison.”
“These defendants boldly participated in this luxury car theft ring across at least 10 states and took extra steps to conceal their crimes. Despite their efforts, they could not deter the dedicated law enforcement professionals at the FBI and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department who meticulously traced and tracked their crime spree and brought them to justice,” said Special Agent in Charge Reid.
“Today’s sentencings continue to underscore the power of strong partnerships and our shared commitment to protecting this community,” said Chief Patterson. “The specialized work of our SCARLET Detectives was instrumental in dismantling this network and holding these individuals accountable. This case is a clear example of how coordinated work between local and federal agencies disrupts organized criminal networks, prevents violence and ensures that those who endanger our neighborhoods are held fully accountable. CMPD will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to stop violent crime before it occurs and safeguard the people of our great city!”
According to filed documents and statements made in court, the FBI and CMPD’s Stolen Car And Recovery Law Enforcement Team (SCARLET) determined that Sumner and Woodson were involved in a high-end stolen vehicle ring involving luxury cars and trucks from car dealerships, rental car companies, and private individuals across the United States, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Missouri.
Sumner operated as a “fence” in the conspiracy who sold stolen vehicles to Woodson and others. A fence is someone who acts as the middleman and finds or deals with buyers for stolen property. Sumner sought to fence high-end stolen vehicles such as luxury models made by BMW, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce, as well as trucks and other expensive models from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and RAM.
According to court records, Sumner sold the stolen cars to buyers at prices significantly below their fair market value. To avoid detection and maximize resale value, Sumner conspired with others to alter the stolen vehicles’ original Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and fraudulently register them with various state motor vehicle agencies. As court documents show, during the conspiracy, Sumner possessed or had personal knowledge of at least 31 stolen vehicles estimated to be worth more than $2 million.
Sumner also kept some of the vehicles for personal use. On or about September 13, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sumner’s residence in Charlotte, where they located four stolen vehicles outside his residence: a 2020 Ford Explorer that was stolen in New Jersey in December 2022; a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk stolen in New Jersey in January 2023; a 2021 GMC Yukon Denali stolen in South Carolina in January 2023; and a 2021 RAM TRX that was stolen in Pennsylvania in January 2023. All four vehicles displayed fraudulent VINs.
U.S. v. Sumner et al. – Stolen 2021 GMC Yukon Denali recovered from Sumner’s residence on September 13, 2023
During the car theft conspiracy, Sumner was also involved in drug trafficking, which helped fund the purchase of stolen vehicles. During the execution of the search warrant at Sumner’s residence, law enforcement located approximately 71 pounds of marijuana. Officers located additional evidence of narcotics trafficking at Sumner’s residence, including: approximately two pounds of psilocybin/psilocin mushrooms; three firearms (a Palmetto State AR-15, a Cobra .380 pistol, and a Ruger P-series handgun, each with loaded magazines); approximately $118,619 in U.S. currency; as well as narcotics packaging, money counters, a vacuum sealer, and digital scales.
U.S. v. Sumner et al. - AR-15 firearm recovered from Sumner’s residence on September 13, 2023
According to court documents, Woodson was also an armed drug trafficker who possessed expensive stolen cars. On multiple occasions, Woodson received or purchased stolen vehicles from Sumner, knowing they were stolen. Woodson regularly communicated with Sumner to discuss the available inventory of stolen vehicles and prices for the stolen cars.
During the conspiracy, Woodson received or was otherwise aware of at least eight stolen vehicles, including: a 2023 Chevrolet Corvette; a 2021 Dodge Durango; a 2018 Ford F150; a 2022 GMC Yukon; a 2023; GMC Yukon; a 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Wagoneer; a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300; and a 2022 RAM TRX. Six of these vehicles were located by investigators, displaying altered VINs, and were in Woodson’s possession or in the possession of other individuals affiliated with Woodson.
On December 20, 2023, law enforcement recovered a stolen 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray from the residence of an individual associated with Woodson.
U.S. v. Sumner et al - 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray seized on December 20, 2023
As with Sumner, Woodson was also involved in narcotics trafficking during the conspiracy, which helped fund the purchase of stolen vehicles. On December 20, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Woodson’s residence in Charlotte, where they seized approximately 86 pounds of packaged marijuana and approximately 7.6 pounds of packaged psilocybin/psilocin mushrooms, intended for distribution. Law enforcement also seized nine firearms, including: rifles, shotguns, pistols, and a revolver, $586,000 in U.S. currency and two stolen vehicles: a 2018 Ford F150 and a 2021 Dodge Durango.
U.S. v. Sumner et al. - Various firearms seized from Woodson’s residence on December 20, 2023
U.S. v. Sumner et al. – Stacks of cash seized from Woodson’s residence on December 20, 2023
In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Ferguson commended the FBI and CMPD’s SCARLET unit for their investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys William Bozin and Daniel Ryan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte are in charge of the prosecutions.
Two Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Unlawfully Being in the United StatesRead the Press Release
TULSA, Okla. – Two Mexican nationals were sentenced for Unlawful Reentry of a Removed Alien after being found more than four times in the United States unlawfully, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
Today, U.S. District Judge Raul M. Arias-Marxuach sentenced:
- Jose Alberto Sandoval-Hernandez, 63, to eight months imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release.
- Efrain Munguia-Alverez, 39, to 12 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
In August 2025, Sandoval-Hernandez was arrested for driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a collision involving property damage, and driving without a valid driver's license. Sandoval-Hernandez fled from the scene on foot and was detained by officers. While booking Sandoval-Hernandez into jail, agents discovered that he had been previously removed from the United States in 2015, 2019, and 2022. Court dockets show that Sandoval-Hernandez pleaded guilty to his state court charges and was sentenced to 31 days in jail.
In a separate incident in October 2025, Munguia-Alverez was arrested for a traffic violation and driving without a valid driver's license. While being booked into jail, agents discovered that Munguia-Alverez had been removed twice in 2008, once in 2011, twice in 2016, and once in 2019. Munguia-Alverez was prosecuted by this office in 2019 for Unlawful Reentry. He was sentenced to time served after being held for six months for his 2016 state violation and his 2019 federal violation, and was removed from the United States. State court dockets show that Munguia-Alverez has several aliases and had been previously convicted of several state crimes, including possessing controlled substances, providing law enforcement with a false id, and public intoxication.
Both men will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and are expected to face removal proceedings upon release.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ammon Brisolara prosecuted the case.