Latest Records
Newest first across public DOJ and U.S. Attorney press releases.
1 May 2026
Two Massachusetts Men Plead Guilty to Their Roles in Multi-Million Dollar Bank Fraud RingRead the Press Release
BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston to their roles in a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud banks in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Victor Kolawole, 26, of Brockton and Keith Wainaina, 24, of Lowell, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. U.S. District Court Judge Julie E. Kobick scheduled sentencings for July 23, 2026 and Sept. 9, 2026, respectively. In July 2025, Wainaina and Kolawole were arrested along with four others.
Beginning no later than December 2022, Kolawole and Wainaina conspired with Phalentz Vernot and others to defraud local banks. Specifically, Vernot obtained, without authorization, the names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers and bank account numbers of customers of various local banks. Vernot and Wainaina then identified individuals to pose as these customers and procured fake identification documents with the victim customers’ names but the imposters’ photos. Vernot and Wainaina then drove the imposters to banks, where the imposters presented the fake identification documents and withdrew large sums from the victim customers’ accounts in the form of Cashier’s checks. Wainaina and Kolawole then deposited those checks into bank accounts they controlled and used the funds to purchase additional Cashier’s checks payable to Vernot. Vernot used some of the money to pay the individuals posing as bank customers as well as bank insiders who helped to facilitate their scheme, including by intentionally skipping customer verification protocols. Wainaina deposited, or attempted to deposit, more than $762,000 in Cashier’s checks drawn on victims’ accounts into bank accounts he controlled. Kolawole deposited approximately $373,000 in Cashier’s checks drawn on victims’ accounts into bank accounts he controlled.
Vernot pleaded guilty in December 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026.The charges of bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud provide for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of $1 million or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $500,000 or twice the amount of money involved in the laundering transactions, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year prison sentence consecutive to any sentence received on the other charges. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New Haven Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Connecticut State Police and the Gloucester (R.I.), Sutton, Concord (Mass.), Dracut, Westwood and Abington Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristen Kearney of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Two Individuals and a Corporation Charged with Conspiring to Violate the Clean Air Act and Illegally Emitting Pollutants in Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, returned an indictment today charging Ramón Plaza-Gregory, Ileana Cortés-González, and Mo-Na-Co Biomedical & Environmental Corp. (Monaco) with five violations of the Clean Air Act as well as conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act. The charges relate to emissions from Monaco’s commercial incinerator in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, which is owned by Plaza-Gregory and operated by both Plaza-Gregory and Cortés-González.
According to the indictment, Monaco was permitted to incinerate pathological waste, subject to limitations on the type of materials that could be burned and the amount of emissions that could be released. Starting in August of 2021, Plaza-Gregory and Cortés-González burned unpermitted materials, used malfunctioning equipment, and exceeded emissions limitations. After an inspector from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the defendants of the violations, Plaza-Gregory began operating Monaco’s incinerator on weekends and holidays. The defendants continued to operate the incinerator illegally and emissions excesses were documented again in July 2024. In September 2024, Monaco’s emissions permit expired and was not renewed, yet the Defendants continued to operate the incinerator on weekends and cause emissions up until at least April of 2026.
“The Clean Air Act is a foundational piece of American environmental law, and when its clear guidelines are disregarded, we are committed to enforcing it,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) “Commonsense enforcement actions will help keep our communities healthy.”
“Ensuring that all residents of Puerto Rico enjoy a healthy environment free of hazardous waste and other pollutants is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and our federal and local partners,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to protecting our communities from environmental and health hazards.”
“Environmental crimes are not abstract or victimless crimes — they impact the health, safety, and quality of life of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Carlos R. Goris for the FBI's San Juan Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to investigate these violations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
“Monaco knowingly violated its Clean Air Act permit first by burning biomedical waste, and, once its permit lapsed completely, also continuing to burn pathological waste like animal carcasses. There is no telling what harmful pollution was emitted from improper and incomplete incineration,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “The company president deliberately concealed these violations by failing to record basic information about what was being burned, by not even maintaining a functioning temperature gauge, and by operating on weekends and holidays. Environmental protection depends on companies attempting to comply with the law in good faith, and these knowing and repeated violations and intentional evasion of Clean Air Act requirements justify criminal penalties.”
The Clean Air Act is the country’s primary tool to fight air pollution in an effort “to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation’s air resources so as to promote the public health.” In order to do so, polluting facilities are required to operate pursuant to permits that set limits on what, and how much, pollution can be emitted.
Both Plaza-Gregory and Cortés-González are scheduled to appear before Magistrate Judge Héctor Ramos of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for their respective initial appearances. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each charge. Monaco faces a maximum penalty of $500,000 in fines per charge.
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI’s Aguadilla Resident Agency which participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico.
Report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations at epa.gov/tips. You can provide tips anonymously if you do not want to identify yourself.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Two Individuals and a Corporation Charged with Conspiring to Violate the Clean Air Act and Illegally Emitting Pollutants in Puerto RicoRead the Press Release
A federal grand jury in San Juan, Puerto Rico, returned an indictment today charging Ramon Plaza-Gregory, Ileana Cortes-Gonzalez, and Mo-Na-Co Biomedical & Environmental Corp. (Monaco) with five violations of the Clean Air Act as well as conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act. The charges relate to emissions from Monaco’s commercial incinerator in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, which is owned by Plaza-Gregory and operated by both Plaza-Gregory and Cortes-Gonzalez.
According to the indictment, Monaco was permitted to incinerate pathological waste, subject to limitations on the type of materials that could be burned and the amount of emissions that could be released. Starting in August of 2021, Plaza-Gregory and Cortes-Gonzalez burned unpermitted materials, used malfunctioning equipment, and exceeded emissions limitations. After an inspector from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the defendants of the violations, Plaza-Gregory began operating Monaco’s incinerator on weekends and holidays. The defendants continued to operate the incinerator illegally and emissions excesses were documented again in July 2024. In September 2024, Monaco’s emissions permit expired and was not renewed, yet the Defendants continued to operate the incinerator on weekends and cause emissions up until at least April of 2026.
“The Clean Air Act is a foundational piece of American environmental law, and when its clear guidelines are disregarded, we are committed to enforcing it,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) “Commonsense enforcement actions will help keep our communities healthy.”
“Ensuring that all residents of Puerto Rico enjoy a healthy environment free of hazardous waste and other pollutants is a top priority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and our federal and local partners,” said U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow for the District of Puerto Rico. “We remain committed to protecting our communities from environmental and health hazards.”
“Environmental crimes are not abstract or victimless crimes — they impact the health, safety, and quality of life of our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Carlos R. Goris for the FBI's San Juan Field Office. “The FBI is committed to working with our partners to investigate these violations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
“Monaco knowingly violated its Clean Air Act permit first by burning biomedical waste, and, once its permit lapsed completely, also continuing to burn pathological waste like animal carcasses. There is no telling what harmful pollution was emitted from improper and incomplete incineration,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “The company president deliberately concealed these violations by failing to record basic information about what was being burned, by not even maintaining a functioning temperature gauge, and by operating on weekends and holidays. Environmental protection depends on companies attempting to comply with the law in good faith, and these knowing and repeated violations and intentional evasion of Clean Air Act requirements justify criminal penalties.”
The Clean Air Act is the country’s primary tool to fight air pollution in an effort “to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation’s air resources so as to promote the public health.” In order to do so, polluting facilities are required to operate pursuant to permits that set limits on what, and how much, pollution can be emitted.
Both Plaza-Gregory and Cortes-Gonzalez are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hector Ramos-Vega of the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for their respective initial appearances. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each charge. Monaco faces a maximum penalty of $500,000 in fines per charge.
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI’s Aguadilla Resident Agency which participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico.
Report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations at epa.gov/tips. You can provide tips anonymously if you do not want to identify yourself.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Federal Inmates Charged with Possessing WeaponsRead the Press Release
SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Kajuan Woods, age 37, and Patrick Alexander, age 36, both federal inmates, were indicted separately by a federal grand jury on April 28, 2026, with possessing contraband in prison.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on or about March 15, 2026, while an inmate at the Federal Correction Institution Schuylkill (FCI Schuylkill), in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, Woods possessed an inmate manufactured weapon, specifically a four-inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a cloth handle, commonly referred to as “shank.”
Assistant United States Attorney Tatum R. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
Patrick Alexander, age 36, was indicted by a federal grand jury while an inmate at FCI Schuylkill, with possessing a weapon. The indictment alleges that Alexander possessed a weapon, specifically, a six-inch piece of metal sharpened to a point with a white cord handle on April 3, 2026, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
Assistant United States Attorney James M. Buchanan is prosecuting the case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service investigated both cases.
The maximum penalty under federal law for both cases is five years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Two Admit to Selling Fentanyl, Methamphetamine Near Schools, PlaygroundRead the Press Release
WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Two men have admitted to trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine near protected locations in Wheeling, West Virginia, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey.
Jason Hill, 42, of Cleveland, Ohio, pleaded guilty to the distribution of heroin and fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a protected location. According to court documents, Hill, also known as “Tay,” was selling the drugs near Wheeling Central Catholic High School and West Virginia Northern Community College. He’s facing one to 40 years in prison.
In a separate case, Matthew Luff, 41, of Wheeling, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to the distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a protected location. According to court documents, Luff sold more than 13 grams of methamphetamine near Heritage Port Playground in Wheeling. Luff is facing 5 to 40 years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid is prosecuting the cases on behalf of the government.
Investigative agencies the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; and the Wheeling Police Department.
Fentanyl has been designated by President Donald Trump as a weapon of mass destruction due to its extreme lethality which poses a grave threat to public safety, even in trace amounts. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, and repel the invasion of illegal immigration.
U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.
Tickfaw Man Sentenced for Distributing Kilograms of FentanylRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LA – LARRY G. TURNER, (TURNER), age 52, of Tangipahoa Parish, was recently sentenced by U.S. District Judge Barry W Ashe to 168 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney David I Courcelle. TURNER previously pled guilty to Conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, more than 400 grams of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); §841(b)(1)(A), and 846.
According to the indictment, beginning on a time unknown but continuing until at least June 26, 2025, TURNER and several other individuals, conspired to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, multiple kilograms of fentanyl throughout the Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, and Washington Parishes region of the Eastern District of Louisiana. The conspiracy mainly revolved around TURNER’s residence in Tickfaw, Louisiana. The execution of a federal search warrant at TURNER’s residence led to the recovery of over five (5) kilograms of fentanyl, in counterfeit pill form, along with multiple firearms.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), Hammond Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, 22nd JDC District Attorney’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana National Guard. FORT was also assisted by the Louisiana State Police, Bogalusa Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit.
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This Week in Fraud: DOJ’s New Fraud Division Announces Numerous Fraud Enforcement Actions and a New Strike Force to Investigate and Prosecute Fraud on the West CoastRead the Press Release
Yesterday, Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald of the Fraud Division announced the formation of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force, a multi-district initiative to increase resources dedicated to prosecuting health care fraud in California, Arizona, and Nevada. “Our message today and every day is simple: If you steal from the American taxpayer, the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will do everything possible to award you free housing in a federal prison,” said Assistant Attorney General McDonald at the press conference. The Strike Force will surge at least 10 additional federal prosecutors to the region who will work in partnership with the HHS Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other law enforcement partners.
In addition to this surge of resources to the West Coast, the Fraud Division is announcing the following fraud enforcement actions taken this week across the country to hold accountable those who defraud the American people.
Benefits Program Fraud
An illegal alien from Mexico was indicted in Albuquerque, New Mexico for allegedly using forged immigration documents and another individual’s Social Security number to fraudulently obtain bank accounts, vehicle financing, and consumer loans while residing illegally in the U.S. The charges include fraud and misuse of a visa, social security fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
Two Romanian illegal aliens pleaded guilty for their role in a conspiracy to steal SNAP benefits by using skimming devices to obtain EBT card data and PINs. The defendants used the stolen information to make fraudulent purchases of SNAP‑eligible items, which they later shipped out of state. The defendants agreed to pay full restitution and now face potential federal prison sentences.
A federal judge sentenced Shermeca McCrary, a Johnston County Social Services caseworker, to six months in prison and three years of supervised release for her role in a scheme to steal over $100,000 in SNAP benefits. McCrary abused her position to access and divert funds intended for qualified recipients and was ordered to pay $102,000 in forfeiture.
A defendant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa—Joshua Brandon Johnson—was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release for laundering over $20,000 from a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan by withdrawing fraudulently obtained funds to evade child support garnishment. The defendant was ordered to pay $20,208 in restitution to the Small Business Administration.
In Indiana, Joseph M. Merk was sentenced to four and a half years in federal prison for stealing nearly $600,000 through multiple fraud schemes, including PPP loan fraud, identity theft, and tax evasion. He was ordered to pay more than $492,000 in restitution.
Health Care Fraud
A Michigan pharmacy technician pleaded guilty to a $5.6 million health care fraud scheme, admitting he billed Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers for prescription drugs he never dispensed. He also illegally prescribed oxycodone to drug traffickers in exchange for cash, without regard to whether the prescriptions were actually prescribed by physicians or dispensed in good faith.
The U.S. government seized approximately $2 million from Expert Wound Care PC, a California-based clinic accused of submitting fraudulent Medicare claims for skin graft substitutes and services that were never provided. According to court documents, between September 2025 and April 2026, the clinic submitted over $46.6 million in claims—$34 million of which were approved—despite billing for procedures that didn’t occur. The seizure was authorized by a federal court in Los Angeles.
Scam Centers
DOJ announced the coordinated takedown of scam centers leading to at least 276 arrests. These centers targeted Americans who have suffered millions of dollars in losses from such schemes.
Tax Fraud
Harry Lamar Curtis III, a Houston business owner and former CPA, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failing to pay more than $1.6 million in payroll taxes due to the IRS. The defendant admitted that he failed to file required business and personal tax returns for many years while withholding taxes that were never remitted to the IRS.
Corporate & Financial Fraud
The Fraud Division announced the sentences of two former CEOs of a non-profit medical organization headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, for defrauding the company of almost $2 million. The defendants were sentenced to 40 months’ and 24 months’ imprisonment for their crimes.
An Oregon payment processing broker, Jeremy Todd Briley, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for facilitating over $14 million in unauthorized debits and attempted debits from victims’ bank accounts by providing services to sham companies posing as legitimate merchants. Between 2017 and 2023, he maintained payment processor relationships for the sham companies so that they could process fraudulent debits. Despite repeatedly receiving information that the debits processed on behalf of the sham companies were not authorized by the victims, Briley concealed the fraudulent activities of the sham companies in various ways, and he arranged for a payment processor to deceive banks by manipulating return rates on the fraudulent debits.
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On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Selling over $8 Million of Dangerous Recreational Drugs Known as “Poppers” That Were Mislabeled as Tape CleanerRead the Press Release
A Texas man pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of criminal conspiracy related to misbranding volatile alkyl nitrites, known by their street name as “poppers,” and selling them as inhalants in violation of federal law. Although the labeling for poppers products often misleadingly claims they are sold as cleaning agents, poppers are commonly misused for recreational purposes by being inhaled through the nose. Critically, misuse of volatile alkyl nitrates can cause serious adverse health effects, including irregular heartbeat, vision loss, and death.
“The defendant helped sell more than $8 million of dangerous drugs misbranded as cleaning agents, while concealing their true intended use as recreational inhalants,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Volatile alkyl nitrites, or poppers, can cause serious and sometimes fatal health effects. Yesterday’s plea reflects the Department’s commitment to keep Americans safe by prosecuting those who participate in the distribution of illegal substances in our communities, particularly when false and misleading labels are involved.”
“Yesterday's guilty plea demonstrates The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who distribute falsely labeled products that endanger public health," said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations Kansas City Field Office. “Nitrite ‘poppers’ can cause serious adverse health effects, including death, when ingested or inhaled, and the FDA will continue to take appropriate actions to protect the public health.”
“Misrepresenting hazardous products to evade federal safety requirements is illegal,” said Acting Chairman Peter A. Feldman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). “To protect the safety of the American public, CPSC will work with our federal law enforcement partners to identify violations, shut down criminal operations, and hold offenders accountable.”
According to court documents, Brett Sandy, 41, of Austin, Texas, worked for an Austin-based poppers manufacturer from January 2019 until in or around February 2025. Sandy oversaw the bookkeeping for the company and spoke with customers seeking to purchase poppers to misuse as a drug. Sandy admitted that the poppers shipped from his employer, with names such as “love potion” or “pumpkin spice latte,” were falsely labeled as “tape cleaner” to defraud the FDA and the CPSC about the intended purpose of the substances. Sandy also admitted that he facilitated the sale of hundreds of bottles of poppers from his company to an individual with the understanding that the individual intended to distribute them as a drug at a “sexy singles party.” In pleading guilty, Sandy agreed that the evidence shows that, while he worked for the company, it sold more than $8.4 million in unlawful poppers products.
Sandy pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and one count of conspiracy to violate the Consumer Product Safety Act. He faces a statutory maximum term of five years in prison for each count. A sentencing date has not been set. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FDA Office of Criminal Investigations is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Max J. Goldman of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.
Consumers who have experienced an adverse event (illness or injury) after using nitrite “poppers” should consult their healthcare providers. To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), visit Industry and Consumer Assistance and Reporting Unlawful Sales of Medical Products on the Internet.
The Health and Safety Unit within the Department’s Criminal Division works with law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute violations of federal laws designed to protect public health and safety. The unit focuses on corporations and individuals who make and sell dangerous drugs, food, and other consumer products that could cause significant harm to Americans. For more information, see https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-fraud/health-safety-unit.
Texas Man Charged with Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A Texas man appeared in federal court on April 30, 2026, after being charged by criminal complaint on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, for allegedly possessing a substance containing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A). William Mayes, Jr., 35, was detained following his initial appearance.
The complaint alleges that Mayes, Jr., was found in possession of 300 pounds of a substance containing methamphetamine after a traffic stop conducted by the Illinois State Police led to a search of his vehicle.
If convicted, Mayes, Jr., faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, a maximum $10,000,000 fine, and not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release.
Agencies participating in the investigation include the Illinois State Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Weir is representing the government in the prosecution.
The public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Tennessee Man Pleads Guilty to Wire FraudRead the Press Release
ABINGDON, Va. – A Tennessee man, whose non-profit had no revenue and no employees when he fraudulently received a CARES Act loan intended to help small businesses, pled guilty yesterday in federal court.
Paul Eugene Welborn Jr., 67, of Mountain City, Tenn., pled guilty to wire fraud related to misrepresentations he made on his application for a CARES Act loan.
The CARES Act is a federal law, enacted in March of 2020, that was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act authorized the Small Business Administration to provide loans of up to $2 million to eligible small businesses that were experiencing a loss of revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the CARES Act authorized the SBA to issue “advances” of up to $10,000 to small businesses within three days of the business having applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan.
According to court documents, Welborn founded a non-profit called Wings of Hope in 2011. When Welborn applied for a CARES Act loan in 2020, Wings of Hope had no employees, and little or no revenue or expenses. On his SBA loan application paperwork, however, Welborn claimed Wings of Hope had $2 million in gross revenue, employed more than 12 people and had $2 million in annual expenses, including $330,000 in costs of goods sold, $410,000 in nonprofit costs of operations, and $260,000 in lost business rents.
As a result of these misrepresentations, on June 9, 2020, Wings of Hope was awarded a $159,900 EIDL loan, which included a $10,000 advance.
Welborn improperly used the funds for numerous personal expenses, including purchases at Omaha Steaks, QVC, HSN, Amazon, Macy’s, Best Buy, and various fast-food restaurants. In addition, Welborn transferred portions of the loan funds between various personal bank accounts.
First Assistant United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci and Kareem A. Carter, Special Agent in Charge of IRS – Criminal investigation, Washington DC Field Office made the announcement.
The Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations and the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Whit Pierce is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Subject Arrested and Federally Charged for Deadly Berea Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, KY.— A federal criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in Lexington on Friday charging Brailen Weaver with armed bank robbery, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and causing death with a firearm in the course of the crime of violence.
According to the criminal complaint, Weaver entered a US Bank in Berea, Ky, on April 30, 2026, at approximately 1:57 p.m. Upon entering the bank, Weaver immediately shot and killed a bank employee and then killed a bank teller. Weaver checked multiple drawers in the bank and immediately left. Investigators worked throughout the day to identify a suspect, as the perpetrator was hooded with a black mask. Weaver was ultimately identified as a suspect and his vehicle was located later in the evening. Law enforcement attempted to stop Weaver’s vehicle, leading to a pursuit that exceeded 100 miles per hour. Weaver ultimately crashed his car and then fled on foot. Around 3 a.m. this morning Weaver was captured.
“As alleged, this deplorable act of violence in broad daylight has left two families in Kentucky with unthinkable loss. Our hearts go out to them,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “On day one, President Trump and this Department of Justice reprioritized tackling violent crime. Thanks to the relentless pursuit of law enforcement, Brailen Weaver is off the street and behind bars, and he will now face justice for his alleged heinous actions.”
“The FBI sends our condolences to two families who lost their loved ones in this horrific act of violence,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “In the days ahead, we will work 24/7 with our partners to conduct a full investigation and see to it that the individual responsible is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Senseless violence has no place in our community. Two innocent people lost their lives due to greed and a complete disregard for the value of life. Thankfully, through the tireless efforts of the Kentucky State Police, FBI, ATF, Lexington Police Department, and many other law enforcement partners, a suspect is in custody and no longer able to wreak havoc in the Eastern District of Kentucky. We will do everything within our power to vindicate this terrible loss,” said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
“A senseless tragedy unfolded in Berea, KY yesterday after a coward with zero regard for human life allegedly murdered two bank employees and then led law enforcement on a dangerous pursuit throughout the eastern Kentucky region. Fulfilling a pillar of the FBI's mission to protect the American people, FBI Louisville along with numerous law enforcement partners was able to safely apprehend the subject and restore safety to the citizens of Berea and the surrounding areas,” said Olivia Olson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office. “We offer our condolences to all who were so tragically affected by yesterday's indefensible acts, and we will stop at nothing to ensure this alleged murderer is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“While I recognize that we’ve tragically lost two fellow Kentuckians and send our most heartfelt condolences to their families, I’m grateful this incident was brought to this conclusion – apprehension of the suspect with no further harm to our communities and law enforcement." Phillip J. Burnett, Jr., Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police “There is inherent danger in this profession, but the professionalism and cooperation among multiple local, state, and federal partners enabled this successful outcome. Our personnel will continue to support this investigation and work to ensure successful prosecution, bringing justice to the victims' families.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI, ATF, Kentucky State Police, and Lexington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mary Melton is representing the United States in this case.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations. The Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Weaver is scheduled to appear in court for his initial appearance on Monday at 2 p.m., in Lexington.
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Statement Regarding Recent Media Reports on Court RulingRead the Press Release
The following may be attributed to First Assistant United States Attorney Charles C. Calenda:
“Yesterday, a report appeared in both local and national media pertaining to U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose of the District of Rhode Island and her decision to release Bryan Rafael Gomez in connection with a habeas petition seeking his release. Those media accounts erroneously state that Judge DuBose made the decision to release him with knowledge that authorities in the Dominican Republic had issued an arrest warrant in connection with a homicide in that country.
As our recent filing in this matter makes clear, Judge DuBose did not have knowledge at the time of her ruling that Gomez was wanted by authorities in the Dominican Republic.”
The Court’s Order to Show Cause is attached.
2026_05_01_-_26cv245mrd_gomez_-_ecf_07_-_resp._to_order_to_show_cause.pdfSouth Carolina Man Ordered to Pay $271,444.86 for 2022 West Virginia Turnpike Crash that Polluted Paint CreekRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Dennis Eugene West, 58, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, was ordered to pay $266,444,86 in restitution on April 29, 2026, for negligent discharge of pollutants into United States waters. West was previously sentenced to three years of federal probation and fined $5,000.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 24, 2022, West was driving a tractor trailer in the northbound lane of the West Virginia Turnpike/Interstate 64-77 when he crashed while crossing Skitter Creek Bridge in Fayette County. Numerous totes containing alkyl dimethylamine that West was hauling ruptured as a result of the crash, and the pollutants spilled onto the bridge and ultimately discharged into Paint Creek. The discharge of the pollutants into Paint Creek, a tributary of the Kanawha River, continued until August 25, 2025, and caused adverse impacts on the aquatic life of the creek including the killing of several species of fish. The crash also shut down that entire section of the West Virginia Turnpike for more than 12 hours.
As part of his guilty plea, West admitted that he operated the tractor trailer while under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Law enforcement determined that West’s Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was more than 0.08 percent. West Virginia law prohibits any person from operating a commercial motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.04 percent or more. West further admitted that he did not have a permit issued pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act to discharge pollutants, including alkyl dimethylamine, into Paint Creek or any other water in West Virginia.
West also pleaded guilty on behalf of his trucking business, Gadsden, Gaillard and West LLC, to negligent discharge of pollutants into United States waters. The trucking firm’s insurance policy, which covered West, previously paid over $900,000 toward environmental containment, site cleanup, personal injury expenses, property damages, and other related costs.
“The defendant chose to transport a hazardous chemical while intoxicated, and that reckless decision didn’t just break the law — it put lives at risk and scarred this community’s environment,” said United States Attorney Moore Capito. “What followed, however, was a remarkable show of professionalism and resolve. I want to recognize the investigators from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and the West Virginia State Police, whose work ensured accountability in this case. Equally important are the first responders — men and women who ran toward danger, not away from it — who secured the scene, protected the public, and worked tirelessly, hour after hour, to contain the damage and begin restoring what was harmed. Their swift, coordinated response turned what could have been far worse into a situation this community can recover from. Their commitment deserves not just our thanks, but our respect.”
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger ordered the restitution and imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes and Special Assistant United States Attorney David Lastra prosecuted the case with assistance from Financial Litigation Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Combs.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-175.
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San Antonio Felon Pleads Guilty to Bombing ATMs in 2025Read the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio felon pleaded guilty Thursday to two federal charges related to ATM explosions in September 2025 and his possession of multiple firearms, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Dustin Jay Ammons, 44, attempted to destroy ATMs at two San Antonio banks on Sept. 12 and Sept. 26, 2025. Surveillance video showed Ammons arriving at the banks in a black Ram 3500 pickup truck, wearing black gloves with a skeleton hand design, a black hooded jacket or sweatshirt, dark blue pants, and black and white training shoes, and placing pipe bombs at the ATMs. The footage from both videos also showed explosions that resulted in unsuccessful breaches of the machines.
On Dec. 12, 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a federal search warrant at Ammons’s residence. Inside the garage, agents discovered a homemade explosives lab containing Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN). Agents also located firearms (including a 9mm short-barreled rifle), magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition throughout the house, as well as a pipe bomb in Ammons’s vehicle.
ATF queried the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) for Ammons and his address, and found no firearms, short-barreled rifles or destructive devices registered to him. Additionally, Ammons does not possess a license or permit allowing him to possess, manufacture, transfer, or ship explosive materials such as PETN.
Ammons has been previously convicted of multiple felonies, including possession of a stolen firearm, possession of burglary tools, and multiple counts of theft and burglary of a building.
Ammons pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one count of explosive materials, transport by non-licensee. He faces up to 15 years in prison for the possession charge and a maximum of 10 years in prison for the transport charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The ATF, FBI, and San Antonio Police Department are investigating the case with assistance from the San Antonio Arson and Bomb Squad and Bexar County Fire Marshal.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting the case.
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Sacramento Man Charged with Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned an indictment Thursday against Anthony Julian Ramirez, 32, of Sacramento, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on Jan. 14, 2026, Ramirez was the passenger in a car stopped by law enforcement officers for a traffic violation. During the stop, the driver of the car was found to have multiple pending arrest warrants and admitted to having drug paraphernalia in the car. Officers searched the car and under Ramirez’ passenger seat, found a loaded Springfield Armory Hellcat 9 mm handgun. When booking Ramirez into jail following his arrest, deputies also found a round of 9 mm ammunition in his shoe. Ramirez is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of multiple felony convictions, including for burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, and five convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The FBI and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Reputed Drug Dealer Who Tortured Women He Accused of Stealing Drugs Sentenced to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
FLINT — On April 30, 2026, a federal court sentenced Bobby Boseman, a.k.a. Killa B, 46, of Flint to 235 months in prison for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and maintaining a drug premise, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced.
Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Terence Green, Chief of Police for the City of Flint.
U.S. District Court Judge F. Kay Behm imposed sentence on Boseman following his guilty plea for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and maintaining a drug premises.
According to court documents, between February 26, 2021, and August 3, 2021, Boseman used and maintained his residence on Tebo Street in Flint to manufacture, distribute, and use cocaine. He also directed and led others who sold drugs from the home and allowed his drug customers to use drugs there. On three occasions during this time period, police recovered from the home drugs, firearms, and large amounts of ammunition.
Court documents reveal that during Boseman’s arrest on August 3, 2021, police found two naked and injured women in the home. According to the women, Boseman accused them of stealing some drugs and kept them naked and unfed for days, beat them, and forced them to engage in sexual acts. The women’s faces and bodies were bruised and bloodied. One of the women suffered a collapsed lung while the other’s eyes were nearly swollen shut.
“Only a coward beats women. And only a pimp forces them to sell their bodies. This rapacious drug dealer treated these women worse than animals,” said Gorgon.
“Make no mistake, the FBI will not tolerate those who invoke fear, violence, and exploitation in our communities,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “This defendant chose to torture women, distribute dangerous drugs, and inflict lasting harm through ruthless criminal actions. This sentence ensures the defendant will have years in federal prison to reflect on those choices while justice is served. I commend our FBI Flint Resident Agency team, alongside the Flint Police Department and Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG) for their investigative work throughout this investigation.”
This investigation was conducted by special agents of the FBI, in conjunction with the Flint Police and Flint Area Narcotics Group (FANG). The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ann Nee and Anthony Vance.
Repeat Felon Sentenced for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
MOBILE, AL – Jacques Devone Sullivan, 51, of Mobile was sentenced on May 1, 2026, to fifty-three (53) months in prison for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Sullivan was also sentenced to fifty-two (52) months to be served consecutively for violating his probation in a case involving Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Felony.
According to court documents Sullivan has multiple prior felony convictions for Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, Driving Under the Influence, Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Felony, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.
After his convictions, on May 10, 2024, the United States Probation Office along with deputies from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of Sullivan’s residence after receiving information that Sullivan was distributing fentanyl. In his bedroom deputies found a firearm, which was manufactured outside Alabama, and ammunition. Sullivan admitted he was a felon and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Following the term of incarceration, Sullivan will be placed on three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama made the announcement.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms along with Mobile County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Hutchins III prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence
from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Puerto Rico Man Pleads Guilty to Clean Water Act Violation in Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research ReserveRead the Press Release
A Puerto Rico Man was charged and pleaded guilty yesterday for violating the Clean Water Act for construction and filling activities on a property in the las Mareas area of Salinas, Puerto Rico.
According to court documents, Orlando Rivera-Alejandro placed fill material in Mar Negro, within the waters of the United States, and within the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (JBNERR), despite knowing that the area was a federally protected reserve. Between January 2020 and March 2022, Rivera-Alejandro built multiple structures on top of the filled area, including a gazebo and a concrete boat ramp. He also constructed a dock and numerous concrete-filled PVC poles within Mar Negro, discharging concrete directly into Mar Negro during the construction. Rivera-Alejandro did not seek or receive approval to fill the area or to engage in construction within Mar Negro. At no point was Rivera-Alejandro permitted to do so.
As a part of the plea agreement, Rivera-Alejandro has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine and remove all structures and alterations to the property and to engage in remediation of the environmental harm, damage, and changes that altered the property from its natural state. Rivera-Alejandro is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1.
The photographs below depict the property in May 2019 and in March 2022, demonstrating the illegal construction.
The JBNERR was designated as a reserve in 1981 to protect the wetlands and study the biological and societal impacts of estuarine habitat, as well as provide recreation and educational opportunities to local communities. The reserve is home to the endangered brown pelican, peregrine falcon, hawksbill turtle and West Indian manatee. Congress enacted the Clean Water Act in 1972 to protect and maintain the integrity of the waters of the United States. It prohibits the discharge of any pollutant and fill material into waters of the United States except when a permit is obtained from the United States.
This case is part of an ongoing investigation into the destruction of wetlands in Puerto Rico. Rivera-Alejandro is the sixth individual convicted for illegal construction within the JBNERR in recent years. Previously convicted individuals include Luis Enrique Rodríguez-Sánchez, sentenced in June 2024; Awildo Jiménez-Mercado, Rafael Carballo-Diaz, and Nathaniel Hernandez-Claudio, sentenced in September 2024; and Pedro Luis Bones-Torres, sentenced in March 2025.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, and U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI which participate in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Crimes Task Force.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Attorney Patrick M. Duggan of ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth A. Erbe for the District of Puerto Rico.
Pharmacy Technician Pleads Guilty to $5.6M Health Care Fraud Scheme and Illegal Distribution of OxycodoneRead the Press Release
DETROIT — A Michigan man pleaded guilty yesterday to defrauding health care benefit programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, by billing for prescription medications that he never dispensed and providing unlawful prescriptions of oxycodone to drug traffickers in exchange for cash.
According to court documents, Ali Naserdean, 32, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, was a pharmacy technician at three metro-Detroit pharmacies. From 2019 through 2022, Naserdean and his co-conspirator submitted false and fraudulent claims to health care benefit programs for prescription drugs that were not ordered by a doctor and never dispensed to the patient. Naserdean and his co-conspirator used forged prescriptions from doctors to hide their scheme, when the patient had never seen the listed doctor and the medication had never actually been prescribed. Naserdean and his co-conspirator caused over $5.6 million of loss to Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Additionally, from 2019 through 2022, Naserdean provided unlawful prescriptions of oxycodone to drug traffickers in exchange for cash, without regard to whether the prescriptions were actually prescribed by physicians or dispensed in good faith.
Naserdean pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and possession with intent to illegally distribute oxycodone. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 1 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division; U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan; Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan of the FBI Detroit Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ethridge of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) made the announcement.
The FBI Detroit Field Office, HHS-OIG, and the City of Dearborn Police Department investigated the case.
Trial Attorney Jeffrey A. Crapko of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul A. Kuebler for the Eastern District of Michigan prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the Fraud Division. The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program, currently comprised of eight strike forces operating in federal districts across the country, has charged more than 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion since 2007. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.
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Pensacola Man Indicted for Distributing Fentanyl and Possession with Intent to Distribute Meth, Fentanyl and MarijuanaRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Kamron Jasmane Fountain, 22, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on three counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Fountain appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for June 22, 2026, at 8:30 am in Pensacola before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, Fountain faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each drug distribution count and at least 10 years and up to life imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana count.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Peabody Man Sentenced to over Four Years in Prison for ExtortionRead the Press Release
BOSTON – A Gangster Disciple gang member from Peabody, Mass. was sentenced in federal court in Boston for making threats of physical violence to extort money from two victims.
Damien Willette, 31, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns to 51 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In September 2025, Willette pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make interstate communications with the intent to extort and making interstate communications with intent to extort. Willette was indicted in March 2025 along with co-conspirators William Walley and Michael O’Shea.
Willette, who was incarcerated with his alleged co-conspirators, threatened two individuals – a former Gangster Disciple who was recruited into the gang by Willette (Victim 2) and their romantic partner (Victim 1) – while serving state prison sentences.
Willette expected Victim 2 to provide him with financial assistance during his incarceration from November 2020 to May 2024, as well as to his fellow incarcerated gang members. Gangster Disciple gang members refer to this practice as “aid and assistance.” Willette told Victim 2 that he would be “blessed out” of the gang if he continued to provide “aid and assistance.” However, Victim 2 attempted to disassociate from the Gangster Disciples gang soon after his recruitment. When Victim 2 stopped providing assistance, Victim 1 continued on his behalf.
On or about March 2023, Willette and his alleged co-conspirators started threatening the victims with physical violence if they stopped providing money to them while they were incarcerated. For example, Willette warned the victims that if they failed to provide “aid and assistance,” Victim 2 would not be “blessed out” when Willette was released from state prison. Willette specified that he would have gang members pistol whip the victims that “it’s going to be bad for you and everyone you know” if they failed to provide “aid and assistance.”
Michael O’Shea was sentenced in January 2026 to 51 months in prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Correction and the Lawrence Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip C. Cheng of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pakistani National Pleads Guilty for Leading an International Human Smuggling OrganizationRead the Press Release
A Pakistani man pleaded guilty yesterday for leading an international human smuggling conspiracy that brought illegal aliens from Pakistan into the United States using sham film production companies.
According to court documents, Abbas Ali Haider, 49, of Sialkot, Pakistan, operated two fake Pakistan-based companies – Diamond TV World Productions and Multimedia Advertising Ltd. – to bring Pakistani nationals illegally into the United States. From approximately September 2019 through September 2023, Haider fraudulently obtained visas for Pakistani nationals to travel to Ecuador, Cuba and Colombia under the cover of legitimate business travel when their real destination was always the southern U.S. border. Posing as employees of Haider’s fake companies traveling to work on films, the Pakistani nationals were admitted to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Haider’s network then guided them to the U.S.-Mexico border where they illegally crossed into California, Texas, and Arizona. For this, Haider charged each person as much as $40,000.
Haider was extradited to the United States from Mexico in July 2025.
Haider pleaded guilty to conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States for private financial gain and bringing in illegal aliens for profit. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30, and faces a minimum penalty of three years in prison and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine for the District of Arizona, and Acting Special Agent in Charge, Kevin P. Murphy of HSI San Diego, made the announcement.
Homeland Security Investigations Calexico led U.S. investigative efforts, working in concert with HSI’s Brasilia, Quito, Tijuana, and Caribbean attaché offices and the HSI Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s International Interdiction Task Force; U.S. Border Patrol; the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Miami; and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations office in Detroit provided substantial assistance. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and extradition of Haider.
The investigation and indictment were supported and prosecuted by Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Department’s lead effort in combating high-impact human smuggling and trafficking committed by cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). A highly successful partnership between the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), JTFA investigates and prosecutes human smuggling and trafficking and related immigration crimes that impact public safety and border security. JTFA’s mission is to target the leaders and organizers of Cartels and TCOs involved in human smuggling and trafficking throughout the Americas. The Attorney General has elevated and expanded JTFA to target the most prolific and dangerous human smuggling and trafficking groups operating not only in Mexico and the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but also in Canada, the Caribbean and the maritime border, and elsewhere. Led by the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and supported by the Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section, the Office of International Affairs, and the Office of Enforcement Operations, among others, JTFA has dedicated Assistant United States Attorney-detailees from the Southern District of California; District of Arizona; District of New Mexico; Western and Southern Districts of Texas; Southern District of Florida; Northern District of New York; and District of Vermont. JTFA also partners with other USAOs throughout the country and supports high-priority cases in any district. All JTFA cases rely on substantial law enforcement resources from DHS, including ICE/HSI and CBP/BP and OFO, as well as FBI and other law enforcement agencies. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 455 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling and/or trafficking; more than 400 U.S. convictions; and more than 350 significant jail sentences imposed, and forfeitures of substantial assets.
Trial Attorney Bethany Allen of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section on detail from the Office of International Affairs and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Kreamer Hope and Evan Wesley for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.
Over 250 New Federal Immigration Cases Added in Western District of TexasRead the Press Release
SAN ANTONIO – Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Texas filed 253 new immigration and immigration-related criminal cases from April 24 to April 30, announced U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. Charges were brought against human smugglers and illegal aliens with past convictions for numerous DWIs, violent crime, sex crime, drug trafficking, and multiple prior removals.
Among the new cases, Julian Hernandez, a U.S. citizen, was arrested in El Paso and charged with alien smuggling. A criminal complaint alleges U.S. Border Patrol agents observed four individuals run toward a vehicle parked in a parking lot, lay down in an effort to conceal themselves and, after the vehicle drove toward them, entered the vehicle. Agents responded and followed the vehicle to a residential area, where they allegedly observed the driver running away from the vehicle. The driver, allegedly determined to be Hernandez, was caught and the four illegal aliens were placed under arrest. The complaint alleges Hernandez attempted to transport four illegal aliens to a stash house and had been offered $200 for each individual he successfully transported.
Guillermo Gonzalo Taperia-Ruiz, an illegal alien from Guatemala, was found approximately six miles east of the Fort Hancock Port of Entry. He had previously been removed from the U.S. for the fourth time on Oct. 31, 2025, and has been convicted multiple times for charges including statutory rape, assault causing bodily injury, domestic assault, and a DUI.
Geronimo Reyes-Delgadillo, an illegal alien from Mexico, was found approximately 25 miles east of the Fort Hancock POE. He was last removed in 2015. In 2010, Reyes-Delgadillo was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to 18 months of probation.
Mexican national Francisco Antonio Marquez Sanprano was taken into ICE custody from the Bastrop County Jail, where he had been arrested for an alleged DWI. Marquez Sanprano has been convicted for DWI twice before and was also previously convicted for one count of failing to stop and give information and one count of giving false information. He’s been removed from the U.S. three times.
Jose Alberto Castro-Gatica, also an illegal alien from Mexico, was taken into ICE custody from the Travis County Jail following his second DWI conviction. Castro-Garcia has also been removed from the U.S. three times and, in January 2020, was twice convicted for improper entry by an alien.
These cases were referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas comprises 68 counties located in the central and western areas of Texas, encompasses nearly 93,000 square miles and an estimated population of 7.6 million people. The district includes three of the five largest cities in Texas—San Antonio, Austin and El Paso—and shares 660 miles of common border with the Republic of Mexico.
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.
Indictments and criminal complaints are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Oklahoma City Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for $1.1 Million Health Care Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – NATASHA ALLMON, 49, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 20 months in federal prison for health care fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
According to public records, from January 2021 through December 2023, Allmon had an agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) to provide behavioral health counseling services. During that time, Allmon submitted, and caused to be submitted, thousands of false and fraudulent claims to BCBS for behavioral health counseling sessions purportedly provided to family members. Court records allege that Allmon routinely claimed to have provided 60-minute psychiatric treatment sessions to family members nearly every day of the year and, at times, claimed to have treated beneficiaries for more than 24 hours in a single day. In total, Allmon submitted approximately $1.4 million in claims for services, receiving close to $1.1 million in reimbursements from BCBS.
On August 1, 2025, Allmon was charged by Information with health care fraud. Allmon pleaded guilty on August 15, 2025, and admitted she knowingly executed a scheme to defraud a healthcare benefit program.
At a sentencing hearing on April 28, 2026, U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti sentenced Allmon to serve 20 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. Allmon was also ordered to pay nearly $1.1 million in restitution to BCBS. In announcing his sentence, Judge DeGiusti noted the prolonged nature of Allmon’s fraud scheme, the significant loss to BCBS, and the seriousness of health care fraud against private and governmental insurers.
This case is the result of an investigation by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney D.H. Dilbeck prosecuted the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
Reference is made to public filings for additional information.
O.C. Medical Scan Provider Agrees to Pay $8.3 Million to Resolve False Claims Allegations It Unlawfully Paid Doctors KickbacksRead the Press Release
SANTA ANA, California – An Orange County-based provider of medical scans has agreed to pay $8.3 million plus additional money based on future revenue to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it violated federal law by paying referring cardiologists excessive fees to supervise positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Modern Nuclear Inc. (MNI), a La Habra-based mobile PET scan company, agreed to pay a total of $8,334,350.
“Paying illegal kickbacks to doctors so they refer patients undermines the integrity of federal health care programs and needlessly increases costs,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Patients deserve care based on their medical need and not on a doctor or company’s financial interest. Our office will continue to bring such cases to hold wrongdoers accountable.”
“We will diligently pursue and hold accountable healthcare providers that seek patient referrals through illegal kickbacks and other unlawful financial inducements,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “By rooting out financial relationships between healthcare providers and referring physicians that corrupt the medical decision-making process, we will continue to protect and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
According to the Justice Department, from September 2016 to January 2025, MNI knowingly submitted false or fraudulent claims to federal health care programs arising from violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute. Specifically, MNI allegedly paid kickbacks to referring cardiologists in the form of above-fair market value fees, ostensibly for cardiologists to supervise PET scans for the patients they referred to MNI.
These fees substantially exceeded fair market value for the cardiologists’ services because MNI paid the referring cardiologists for time they spent in their offices caring for other patients or while they were not on site at all, or for additional services beyond supervision that were never or rarely actually provided.
MNI purported to rely on an attorney-opinion letter regarding fair market value that the United States alleged was premised on fundamental inaccuracies and that the consultant ultimately withdrew.
In connection with the settlement, MNI entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement (CIA) with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). This agreement requires, among other compliance provisions, that MNI implement measures designed to ensure that arrangements with referring physicians are compliant with the Anti-Kickback Statute.
The agreement also requires that MNI implement a compliance program to identify and address the Anti-Kickback Statute risks associated with other financial arrangements and retain an Independent Compliance Expert to perform a review of the effectiveness of the compliance program.
“Paying kickbacks to physicians — as alleged in this case — can undermine the integrity of the Medicare program by interfering with impartial medical decision-making,” said Special Agent in Charge Robb R. Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “This resolution demonstrates our agency’s continued commitment to holding Medicare providers accountable and ensuring that medical decisions are driven by patient needs, not illegal incentives.”
“As alleged in this civil settlement, Modern Nuclear compromised the Federal health care system,” said Special Agent in Charge John Helsing of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “DCIS remains committed to combating health care fraud by holding providers accountable and protecting TRICARE, the Department’s primary health care program, from abuse. The work done by DCIS, our investigative partners, and the Department of Justice ensures that resources are preserved for the legitimate care of our service members, their families, and retirees.”
The civil settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by relators Matt Lieberman and James Whitney. Under those provisions, a private party or relator can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Lieberman v. Modern Nuclear, Inc., et al. (No. 8:23-cv-01646-DOC-KES) (C.D. Cal.). The relators will receive 16% of the total recovery in this matter.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, with assistance from the HHS-OIG and the Defense Health Agency Office of Inspector General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the HHS at (800) HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
Assistant United States Attorney Paul B. La Scala of the Civil Division’s Civil Fraud Section and Senior Trial Counsel Sanjay M. Bhambhani of the Justice Department’s Civil Division handled this matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Newburgh Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Receipt and Distribution of Child Pornography, and Extortionate Interstate CommunicationsRead the Press Release
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today that CARSEN MANSFIELD was sentenced to six years in prison by U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel for receipt and distribution of child pornography and extortionate interstate communications. MANSFIELD previously pled guilty to one count of receiving and distributing child sex abuse material and one count of extortionate interstate communications.
“Carsen Mansfield didn’t just traffic in sexually explicit images and videos of children—he threatened them to create more,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “In a city where kids are online every day, that kind of conduct is especially dangerous, and we will go after anyone who uses the internet to prey on them. New Yorkers want their children protected from this heinous conduct and we’re listening.”
According to the Information, plea agreement, other public court filings, and statements made in court:
On August 1, 2024, MANSFIELD, while in Newburgh, New York, communicated with an individual (“Individual-1”) on X (then Twitter). MANSFIELD used the X username “expogirlsss.” MANSFIELD and Individual-1 discussed exchanging sexually explicit content with each other. The defendant said, “[b]et and is there anything you’d like to trade in return? Or just take a look?” Individual-1 replied, “just take a look and if I like I’ll maybee trade.” The defendant replied, “[o]kay, I’ll send some tonight.”
MANSFIELD then sent Individual-1 approximately 2 videos. One of the videos is of a topless woman on her knees with a penis in her mouth (“Adult-1”). MANSFIELD described Adult-1 as his “sister.”[1]
Individual-1 then messaged MANSFIELD, “u expose ppl?” MANSFIELD replied, “[y]eah I do, but upon request.” MANSFIELD then sent Individual-1 approximately 7 additional videos and 5 images, one of which was a sexually explicit video of a minor, Minor Victim-1, fully naked and masturbating (“Video-1”). MANSFIELD then messaged Individual-1, “[u] got anything for me or nah? I was really hoping for at least a lil sum.” MANSFIELD had originally received the video of Minor Victim-1 on SnapChat from Minor Victim-1. Minor Victim-1 confirmed that MANSFIELD shared the video without her consent.
On or about August 4, 2024, MANSFIELD, while in Newburgh, New York, communicated with Minor Victim-2, who was located in Michigan, on Discord. MANSFIELD used the Discord username “nonme45.#0.” The defendant sent Minor Victim-2 a series of sexually explicit photographs (the “Minor Victim-2 Photos”). At the time that the Minor Victim-2 Photos were taken, Minor Victim-2 was 14 years old.
After sending Minor Victim-2 the Minor Victim-2 Photos, MANSFIELD then demanded that Minor Victim-2 send him additional sexually explicit material. MANSFIELD threatened that if Minor Victim-2 did not send him additional content, then he would release nude photos of Minor Vicitm-2. MANSFIELD stated, “[w]ell I have these pictures and if you don’t send me more I’m going to send them to your friends and family.” He added, “[y]our my slut now [and] failure to make me happy will end up exposed to your friends and family.” Minor Victim-2 told MANSFIELD that she was not going to send him pictures and asked him to delete them. MANSFIELD replied that he was “gonna pay you to make some stuff for me while I had these pics,” and “[b]ut if you don’t wanna do stuff I’ll just post everything it’s fine.” Minor Victim-2 asked MANSFIELD why he was threatening her. MANSFIELD replied, “I love power, and tbh most of the time I do this to sisters of people to get videos of them sucking off their brothers but you are an exception.”
* * *
In addition to the prison term, MANSFIELD, 24, of Newburgh, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.
Mr. Clayton praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, Detroit Field Office, as well as the Town of Newburgh Police Department.
The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia M. Reville and Margaret Vasu are in charge of the prosecution.
[1] Adult-1, who is not MANSFIELD’s sister, confirmed that MANSFIELD shared the video without her consent.
Muskogee County Resident Pleads Guilty to Misprision of FelonyRead the Press Release
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jessica Ann James, age 41, of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to an Information of one count of Misprision of Felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The Information alleged that beginning in or about October 2024, and continuing until on or about December 16, 2025, James, having knowledge of the actual commission of a felony cognizable by a court of the United States, to wit, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), concealed the same and did not as soon as possible make known the same to some judge or other person in civil or military authority under the United States.
The charge arose from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.
A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
James will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Olivia Staubus represented the United States.
Multiple Aliens Charged with Illegally Voting in Federal Elections and Making False Statements while Applying for U.S. CitizenshipRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – Four resident aliens in New Jersey were charged in separate criminal complaints in connection with illegally voting in federal elections and making false statements while applying for United States citizenship, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced today.
According to the separate criminal complaints filed against them, David Neewilly, 73, of Atlantic County; Jacenth Beadle Exum, 70, of Bergen County; Idan Choresh, 43, of Monmouth County; and Abhinandan Vig, 33, of Monmouth County, were non-citizens when they registered to vote in New Jersey. On their respective voter registration forms, however, they falsely certified and attested that they were United States citizens. In order to register, and to vote, in federal elections, a person must be a United States citizen.
“As alleged, the defendants broke federal law by voting in elections they were not eligible to participate in, and then made false statements under oath to conceal that conduct. Today’s charges reflect this Office’s commitment to protecting the integrity of our election system, and ensuring that those who attempt to circumvent both our voting laws and our naturalization process are held accountable.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
“This administration will not tolerate aliens who attempt to vote in our elections when they know they are not eligible,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “As alleged, these green card holders lied in order to register to vote and then lied again to immigration authorities by falsely claiming never to have voted in a federal election. This Justice Department will use every authority to protect the integrity of U.S. elections, including by prosecuting any noncitizens who lie about their legal status in an attempt to vote.”
“Securing our elections from criminal actors here at home and around the world is one of the top priorities for this FBI,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Noncitizens voting is a federal crime - period - and while other administrations may have looked the other way in the past, those days are over. We continue to work around the clock with our interagency partners to ensure those who engage in such conduct will not get away with it.”
“HSI is actively investigating and rooting out election fraud wherever it can be found,” said ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “This case shows that there is still work to do. Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, HSI is committed to ensuring integrity in our election systems and ensuring that American citizens — and only American citizens — are electing American leaders.”
“The subjects are alleged to have knowingly circumvented one of our most sacred rights as citizens, the right to vote. The FBI and our partners will continue to pursue justice for those in violation of federal law, and keep the integrity of our elections intact,” said FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy.
“This case highlights HSI’s dedication to safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s democratic and immigration processes,” said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy. “HSI remains committed to collaborating with law enforcement partners to identify and address violations that threaten public trust in federal institutions.”
According to the criminal complaints, each of the defendants, still without United States citizenship, cast ballots in at least one federal election. Neewilly voted in the 2020 and 2024 general elections, Beadle Exum and Vig voted in the 2020 general election, and Choresh voted in the 2022 general election. The 2020 and 2024 general elections each included the election for the office of President and Vice President of the United States, and the 2022 general election included the election for Members of the House of Representatives.
The criminal complaints also allege that after illegally voting in federal elections, the defendants each applied to become United States citizens by submitting applications for naturalization (an “N-400”). An N-400 requires the applicant to swear under penalty of perjury that the information provided in the application is complete, true, and correct. Each of the defendants falsely claimed in their respective N-400 to have never registered, or voted, in any federal elections.
Neewilly was charged with Voting by an Alien in a Federal Election, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 611; and False Statements in Relation to Naturalization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1425(a). He had an initial appearance on April 22, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sharon A. King in Camden federal court.
Choresh was charged with Voting by an Alien in a Federal Election, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 611; Procurement of Citizenship or Naturalization Unlawfully, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1425(a); and False Statements in Relation to Naturalization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1015(a). He had his initial appearance on May 1, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais in Newark federal court.
Vig was charged with Procurement of Citizenship or Naturalization Unlawfully, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1425(a). He had his initial appearance on May 1, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais in Newark federal court.
Beadle Exum was charged with False Statements in Relation to Naturalization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1015(a); and False Statements in Relation to Naturalization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1425(a). She had her initial appearance on May 1, 2026, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais in Newark federal court.
If convicted, the defendants face the following maximum sentences:
CountOffenseMaximum Penalties1Voting by an Alien in a Federal Election, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 6111 year’s imprisonment2False Statements in Relation to Naturalization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1015(a)5 years’ imprisonment3False Statements in Relation to Naturalization / Procurement of Citizenship or Naturalization Unlawfully, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1425(a)10 years’ imprisonmentU.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy; and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the investigations.
These cases were brought under the United States Attorney’s Office’s Election Integrity Task Force, a coalition of federal law enforcement partners focused on preserving and protecting the integrity of elections conducted in the District of New Jersey.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. McCarren and Joseph McFarlane of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Bleiberg of the Criminal Division.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaints are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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neewilly.complaint.pdf choresh.complaint.pdf beadleexum.complaint.pdf abhinandan.complaint.pdfMobile PET Scan Provider to Pay $8.33 Million to Resolve Allegations of False Claims Act Violations Based on Unlawful Kickbacks to Medical PracticesRead the Press Release
Modern Nuclear Inc. (MNI), a provider of mobile positron emission tomography (PET) scans headquartered in La Habra, California, has agreed to pay a total of $8,334,350.71, plus additional amounts based on future revenues, to resolve False Claims Act allegations that it paid referring cardiologists excessive fees to supervise PET scans in violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). This settlement is based on MNI’s ability to pay.
The United States alleged that between Sept. 1, 2016, and Jan. 14, 2025, MNI knowingly submitted false or fraudulent claims to federal health care programs arising from violations of the AKS. Specifically, MNI allegedly paid kickbacks to referring cardiologists in the form of above-fair market value fees, ostensibly for cardiologists to supervise PET scans for the patients they referred to MNI. The United States alleged these fees substantially exceeded fair market value for the cardiologists’ services because MNI paid the referring cardiologists for time they spent in their offices caring for other patients or while they were not on site at all, or for additional services beyond supervision that were never or rarely actually provided. MNI purported to rely on an attorney-opinion letter regarding fair market value that the United States alleged was premised on fundamental inaccuracies and that the consultant ultimately withdrew.
“We will diligently pursue and hold accountable healthcare providers that seek patient referrals through illegal kickbacks and other unlawful financial inducements,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “By rooting out financial relationships between healthcare providers and referring physicians that corrupt the medical decision-making process, we will continue to protect and safeguard taxpayer dollars.”
“Paying illegal kickbacks to cardiologists so they refer patients undermines the integrity of federal healthcare programs and needlessly increases costs,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “Patients deserve care based on their medical need and not on a doctor or company’s financial interest. Our office will continue to bring such cases to hold wrongdoers accountable.”
“Paying kickbacks to physicians — as alleged in this case — can undermine the integrity of the Medicare program by interfering with impartial medical decision-making,” said Special Agent in Charge Robb R. Breeden of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG). “This resolution demonstrates our agency’s continued commitment to holding Medicare providers accountable and ensuring that medical decisions are driven by patient needs, not illegal incentives.”
“As alleged in this civil settlement, Modern Nuclear compromised the Federal health care system,” said Special Agent in Charge John Helsing of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Western Field Office. “DCIS remains committed to combating health care fraud by holding providers accountable and protecting TRICARE, the Department’s primary health care program, from abuse. The work done by DCIS, our investigative partners, and the Department of Justice ensures that resources are preserved for the legitimate care of our service members, their families, and retirees.”
In connection with the settlement, MNI entered into a five-year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the HHS-OIG. The CIA requires, among other compliance provisions, that MNI implement measures designed to ensure that arrangements with referring physicians are compliant with the AKS. The CIA also requires that MNI implement a compliance program to identify and address the AKS risks associated with other financial arrangements and retain an Independent Compliance Expert to perform a review of the effectiveness of the compliance program.
The civil settlement resolves claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by relators Matt Lieberman and James Whitney. Under those provisions, a private party or relator can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex rel. Lieberman v. Modern Nuclear, Inc., et al.,case number 8:23-cv-01646-DOC-KES in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The relators will receive 16% of the total recovery in this matter.
The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, with assistance from the HHS-OIG and the Defense Health Agency Office of Inspector General.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating healthcare fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, can be reported to the HHS at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Sanjay M. Bhambhani of the Justice Department's Civil Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul B. La Scala for the Central District of California.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
Note: Language from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service quotation has been updated from a previous version
Minneapolis Men Sentenced for RICO and Fentanyl Trafficking ConvictionsRead the Press Release
In the last week, Tyreese Giles, 25, and Ernest Ketter, 30, both of Minneapolis, were sentenced after each was found guilty by a jury at trial. On April 23, Giles was sentenced to life in prison after a jury found him guilty of Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Conspiracy, which included a gang-related murder. On April 29, Ketter was sentenced to 95 months in prison and three years of supervised release after a separate jury convicted him of a drug trafficking conspiracy.
“These defendants terrorized their communities,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Members of this gang armed themselves and hunted down suspected rivals on the streets of Minneapolis and openly sold fentanyl, an extremely deadly drug. These sentences exemplify the Criminal Division’s unwavering commitment to holding gang members and their associates accountable and to restoring safety to communities plagued by violence.”
“These sentences reflect the sustained, coordinated effort required to dismantle a violent gang that brought fear and deadly drugs into the Minneapolis community,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Joseph Persails of ATF’s St. Paul Field Division. “ATF and our partners leveraged crime gun intelligence and complex investigative tools over several years to hold these individuals accountable. This outcome sends a clear message that those who drive violence and traffic fentanyl will be identified, investigated, and brought to justice. We are grateful for the continued partnership and dedication of all agencies involved in this investigation.”
“The Highs and their associates caused untold damage to our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office. “These defendants were part of a racketeering organization engaged in murder, gun crimes, assaults, robberies, and fentanyl trafficking. The sentences handed down in this case cannot repair the death and destruction these defendants created, but they should send a message to others seeking to glorify crime and violence at the expense of our neighborhoods. The FBI and our partners will use every available resource to stop those who seek to prey on our communities.”
“Tyreese Giles and Ernest Ketter treated entire neighborhoods like territory to control — through violence, fear, and profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Adam Jobes of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chicago Field Office. “These sentences send a clear message: if you build a criminal enterprise on bloodshed, you will be held to account. IRS-CI special agents followed the money — tracking illicit proceeds and exposing the financial lifelines behind this violence — to help our federal, state, and local partners dismantle this organization and protect the people of Minneapolis. Cases like this show how IRS-CI plays a critical role in all types of investigations. When we expose the financial engine driving violent crime, we don’t just disrupt these groups — we help take them off the streets and make our communities safer.”
“Yesterday’s sentencing is an example of the resolve of U.S. Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners to uncover and bring to justice drug traffickers who, through their network of criminal enterprise, prey on our communities” said Inspector in Charge Bryan Musgrove of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Denver Division. “We will not tolerate these criminals distributing lethal substances such as fentanyl while participating in other criminal activities and destroying the lives of many who fall victim to addiction and despair. Let this be a warning that no matter where you are, you will be held accountable for your illegal activity, restoring safety to the communities we serve.”
Giles was convicted in May 2025 for his involvement in the Highs — a violent Minneapolis street gang that controlled territory north of West Broadway Avenue, including a gang-related 2021 murder. Highs members and associates committed murders, narcotics trafficking, weapons violations, burglaries, assaults, and robberies on behalf of the enterprise. Ketter was an associate of the Highs convicted of conspiring to distribute fentanyl in June 2025.
On Sept. 9, 2021, a prominent Highs member was shot and killed at a barbershop in Minneapolis. About two hours later, suspecting that members of a rival gang ─ the Lows ─ were responsible for the killing, Giles and others traveled to Low’s territory looking for rivals to retaliate against. Surveillance footage showed Giles outside the open Pennwood Market in Minneapolis, where he found the victim and opened fire. As the victim tried to flee, Giles killed him outside of the store, shooting him in the back as he tried to hide.
At Ketter’s trial, evidence showed that he was a high-level supplier of fentanyl pills to the Highs. In October 2022, a search of Ketter’s residence turned up illegal firearms, including a machine gun, drug distribution materials, and approximately 30 grams of fentanyl pills and powder. Text messages showed that Highs members owed Ketter money for 20 kilograms of drugs he had previously supplied.
The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the ATF, FBI, IRS Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota Department of Corrections, and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Trial Attorneys Brian W. Lynch and Alyssa Levey-Weinstein of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albania Concepcion and Rebecca Kline for the District of Minnesota prosecuted this case.
Melbourne Man Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Enticing Overseas Minors to Engage in Sexual ActivityRead the Press Release
Orlando, Florida – Kasey James Caudill (29, Melbourne) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe to life in federal prison for coercing and enticing minors to engage in sexual activity. Caudill pleaded guilty on August 5, 2025. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, in August 2024, Caudill persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced a minor to engage in the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In addition, between August 10 and 12, 2024, Caudill persuaded, induced, enticed, or coerced another minor to engage in the production of CSAM. The victims were both located in the Philippines. Caudill sent money to the children’s caregiver via PayPal in return for the videos and images of CSAM of her children, ages 7 and 12.
“Those who target, exploit, and abuse children should know that we will leave no stone unturned to bring them to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. “I applaud our law enforcement partners for their diligence and cooperation in investigating this case beyond our borders.”
“Protecting children from exploitation is a sacred duty, and it is through unwavering collaboration, determination, and courage that law enforcement agencies across the globe are able to locate and rescue victims of these heinous crimes from monsters and bring them to justice,” said HSI Jacksonville Assistant Special Agent in Charge Tim Hemker. “This level of accountability demonstrates the power of partnership and the relentless commitment of HSI Orlando, HSI Manilla, HSI Portland (Maine), and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office to safeguard the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Department of Corrections Probation and Parole. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kaley Austin-Aronson and Patrick Flanigan.
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 United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), 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.justice.gov/psc.
Medford Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Abusing a Minor VictimRead the Press Release
MEDFORD, Ore.—A Medford, Oregon, man was sentenced to federal prison today for sexually abusing a minor victim in his care and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
David Michael Burnett, 37, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison and a lifetime term of supervised release.
According to court documents, starting in June 2024, Burnett sent five videos of himself sexually abusing a minor victim in his care. Investigators seized Burnett’s devices and found over 300 videos and almost 8,000 images of CSAM.
On August 1, 2024, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a two-count indictment charging Burnett with sexual exploitation of children and distribution of child pornography. On February 3, 2026, Burnett pleaded guilty to both counts.
U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Medford Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Judith Harper.
This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
Maryland Man Indicted on Unauthorized Computer Access Related to a Maryland Medical System and Identity Theft ChargesRead the Press Release
Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland man is facing federal indictment stemming from an unauthorized computer access scheme involving a Maryland medical system.
Matthew Bathula, 41, of Clarksville, is charged with two counts of unauthorized access to a protected computer, and one count of aggravated identity theft while working as a pharmacy clinical specialist for Company A, a medical system located in the District of Maryland.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office.
“Bathula’s alleged actions are a reprehensible invasion of privacy. He betrayed the trust of his employer and co-workers, as he gained access into the private worlds of nearly 200 victims without their knowledge or consent,” Hayes said. “We, along with our law-enforcement partners, are committed to holding individuals accountable who commit cybersecurity crimes, thereby harming unsuspecting people.”
“Matthew Bathula is accused of weaponizing technology to spy on hundreds of unsuspecting victims for eight years,” Paul said. “I am proud of the swift and thorough response by FBI Baltimore’s team of investigators who handled this case with urgency, care, and sensitivity. They worked diligently to identify and notify each of the 195 victims, who are located around the country, in just four months. The FBI will always investigate, pursue, and hold accountable those who hide behind screens and keyboards to exploit and violate the privacy of others.”
According to the indictment, between July 2016 and September 2024, Bathula intentionally accessed Company A computers without authorization and obtained information from protected computers. Through this unlawful access, Bathula obtained victims’ usernames, passwords, cookies, images, videos, and other data.
Bathula also used various cyber intrusion techniques — such as keylogging, cookie managers, mailbox-rule creation, and file masquerading — to obtain access to personal and professional accounts of people who were current or former employees, in a relationship with a current or former employee, and others affiliated with Company A. This enabled Bathula to access victims’ online services such as Google Photos, iCloud Photos, Gmail, and Microsoft 365, and social media accounts. Additionally, the mailbox rule Bathula created automatically deleted incoming emails with the subject heading Critical Security Alert. This rule prevented Company A cybersecurity personnel from knowing their accounts were compromised.
Bathula’s repeated exportation of browser cookies allowed him to import cookies into an internet browser and access victims’ accounts on other devices without their authorization. This enabled Bathula to maintain unauthorized access to victims’ accounts on his personal electronic devices from locations outside of Company A’s network.
Additionally, between February 2023, and continuing through July 2024, Bathula installed a spyware software program on one or more of Company A’s computers. Through using the software, Bathula conducted video surveillance of people present at Company A, and recorded victims without their consent, including people engaged in breast pumping.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
If convicted, Bathula faces up to 10 years in federal prison for unauthorized access to a protected computer (Company A), five years for unauthorized access to a protected computer (victims) and a maximum of two years for aggravated identity theft. By statute, the aggravated identity theft must run consecutive to any sentence imposed on Count Two. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Sullivan who is prosecuting the federal case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Subject Arrested and Federally Charged for Deadly Berea Bank RobberyRead the Press Release
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky will be holding a press conference to provide an update and information regarding the arrest and federal charges of the suspect in the deadly Berea bank robbery.
WHERE: U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Kentucky, 260 W. Vine Street, Suite 300—Lexington, Ky. 40507
WHEN: FRIDAY, May 1, 2026 at 2 p.m.
CONTACT: Gabrielle Dudgeon, Public Affairs Specialist(859) 229-7996
Luzerne County Man Indicted for Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
SCRANTON- The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Andrew John Murphy, age 42, of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, was indicted on April 28, 2026, by a federal grand jury on child exploitation charges.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Murphy produced child pornography from around December 2023 through April 2026. The indictment also alleges that Murphy distributed child pornography on or about April 21, 2026.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kyle A. Moreno is prosecuting 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 individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 50 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following the finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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Little Sioux Man Sentenced to 50 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Little Sioux man was sentenced on April 21, 2026, to 50 years in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, law enforcement seized electronic devices during a search of the Harrison County residence of Trevor John Collison, 34. A forensic examination of the seized electronic devices showed that Collison used the devices to produce numerous hidden camera images and videos containing child sexual abuse material of five minor victims.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Collison will be required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Collison was also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Council Bluffs Police Department, and Alaska State Patrol investigated the case.
April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month and marked the two-year anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security’s national public awareness campaign “Know2Protect: Together We Can Stop Online Child Exploitation.” Resources are available at www.Know2Protect.gov.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
Lincoln Man Sentenced to 188 Months’ Imprisonment for Methamphetamine ChargeRead the Press Release
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Jaden D. Reiman, 31, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on April 23, 2026, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Reiman to 188 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Reiman’s release from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.
This case involves a Mexican source of supply of methamphetamine who supplies the Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa, areas with methamphetamine via a local network of drug couriers. The conspiracy involves customers calling the source’s TextNow number and ordering drugs. The source then sends a courier to meet them and complete the transaction.
On August 23, 2023, investigators observed the Reiman meet with a known drug courier at an Omaha location and conduct a drug transaction. Investigators followed Reiman and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle he was riding in as a passenger. After a canine alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from within the vehicle, a search of the vehicle revealed approximately 174 grams of actual methamphetamine concealed in a water bottle. The investigation revealed Reiman had ordered the methamphetamine from his source of supply and received it from the courier who investigators had seen meet with Reiman. A search of Reiman’s phone revealed numerous contacts with the methamphetamine source. Reiman intended to distribute some or all of the methamphetamine found in his possession.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Lime Springs Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
A man who distributed methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison.
Dustin George Burnikel, age 45, from Lime Springs, Iowa, received the prison term after an October 27, 2025, guilty plea to one count of distribution of a controlled substance.
Between June 2022 and January 2024, Burnikel received packages containing controlled substances through the mail from an individual in California. In August 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an individual who was working with law enforcement. In October 2023, Burnikel sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer.
Burnikel was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Burnikel was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment. He must also serve a five-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
Burnikel is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam J. Vander Stoep and was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector Service, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, and the Waterloo Police Department.
Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl.
The case file number is 24-CR-2036.
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Last week of April sees another 244 charged as part of Operation Take Back America effortsRead the Press Release
HOUSTON – A total of 239 cases have been filed in immigration and border security-related matters from April 24-30, announced Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck.
The Southern District of Texas filed a total of 163 criminal complaints for illegal entry, while another 53 people face charges of felony reentry after prior removal. The cases also include charges against 28 people allegedly involved in human smuggling. Most have prior felonies such as narcotics, violent crime, immigration crimes and more.
As part of the new cases, Mexican national Jose Luis Anguiana-Ruiz was allegedly removed from the United States just a few weeks ago – April 6. However, authorities discovered him again in the country near Mercedes, according to the charges. The criminal complaint alleges he has a conviction for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Law enforcement also allegedly discovered Honduran national Degny Oshmarlin Molina-Villatoro near Roma, despite having been previously removed June 2, 2025. According to the complaint, he has previous convictions for aggravated assault, carrying a concealed weapon and two illegal reentries.
Four more felons were also allegedly found in the McAllen area despite having been removed previously - Maria Asucena Martinez-Hernandez, Guadalupe Gutierrez-Moreno, Homero Rodriguez-Martinez and Servando Morales-Diaz, all of Mexico. The charges allege all had been previously removed following their various convictions of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, felony possession of marijuana, importation of meth, illegal reentry, burglary of a habitation and/or assault on a public servant.
All six did not have legal authorization to be in the country, according to the allegations, and face up to 20 years in federal prison, if convicted.
In addition to the new cases, a federal jury in Houston found 36-year-old Mexican national Luis Alberto Banda Acosta guilty of unlawfully reentering the country without authorization. The defense attempted to convince the jury he was involuntarily present under duress and had been kidnapped and forced to swim across the border. However, the jury heard evidence he was freely residing in the United States, including traveling to multiple locations, receiving pay stubs and making purchases at a lingerie store.
In another trial victory, a Laredo jury convicted a 21-year-old Laredo man of transporting an alien and conspiring to do so following a three-day trial. On Dec. 15, 2025, Erik Rafael Salas drove a white pickup truck, traveling in tandem with another suspected smuggling vehicle. He soon led authorities on a high-speed chase near Laredo while transporting several illegal aliens. Salas crashed into a private gate after spike strips punctured his tire. He then bailed out of the vehicle along with the aliens. One of them testified how she feared for her life as Salas drove recklessly to evade authorities and even asked him to stop. Salas now faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
In Corpus Christi, Jesus Grimaldo aka Chuy received a 121-month sentence for leading a human smuggling organization that resulted in death. The court found a death occurred during the scheme and would not have happened but for his leadership role. The investigation began after authorities discovered a deceased man in Brooks County who died from heat exposure. Analysis of the victim’s phone revealed multiple payments to Grimaldo through CashApp and Zelle. Authorities determined he arranged transportation from the Rio Grande Valley and profited from smuggling individuals in extreme heat, including in vehicle trunks.
The cases are referred or supported by federal law enforcement partners, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, ICE - Enforcement and Removal Operations, Border Patrol, Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with additional assistance from state and local law enforcement partners.
The 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 and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Under current leadership, public safety and a secure border are the top priorities for this district. Enhanced enforcement both at the border and in the interior of the district have yielded aliens engaged in unlawful activity or with serious criminal histories, including convictions for human trafficking, sexual assault and violence against children.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas remains one of the busiest in the nation. It represents 43 counties and more than 10 million people covering 44,000 square miles. Assistant U.S. Attorneys from all seven divisions including Houston, Galveston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo work directly with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state and local levels to prosecute the suspected offenders of these and other federal crimes.
An indictment or criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.
Kanawha County Man Sentenced to More than 15 Years in Prison for Federal Drug Crime and Supervised Release ViolationRead the Press Release
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jonathan Kennedy, 45, of St. Albans, was sentenced on Thursday, April 30, 2026, to 15 years and eight months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine and for violating supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made in court, between May and August 2025, Kennedy participated in a conspiracy that distributed methamphetamine in St. Albans and elsewhere. As part of his guilty plea, Kennedy admitted that a co-conspirator in California shipped several pounds of methamphetamine to locations in Kanawha County during the time period. Kennedy further admitted that he took possession of the methamphetamine and re-distributed it after arranging for another co-conspirator to pick up the shipments at the delivery locations.
Kennedy also admitted that he provided half-pound quantities of methamphetamine to a co-conspirator in St. Albans on May 30, 2025, and June 24, 2025, each time after the co-conspirator contacted him seeking methamphetamine for re-distribution to a customer. On June 25, 2025, Kennedy distributed approximately 690 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant in St. Albans.
On August 22, 2025, law enforcement officers intercepted a package en route to a Dunbar address and found it contained approximately 38 pounds of methamphetamine. Officers replaced most of the methamphetamine with a non-narcotic substance before the package was delivered to the Dunbar address. Kennedy admitted that he arranged for a co-conspirator to pick up the package and deliver it to a St. Albans address where Kennedy later took possession of it. Officers approached and arrested Kennedy shortly after he picked up the package.
At the time of this offense, Kennedy was serving a term of supervised release as a result of his October 4, 2022, conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Kennedy possessed a Dickinson model XXPA 12-gauge shotgun on June 30, 2022, the opening day of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, during an incident at Jet Life Apparel on Leon Sullivan Way in Charleston in which shots were fired. Law enforcement officers recovered the shotgun and a second firearm in an alley near the business following the incident. Both firearms were loaded with high-capacity drum magazines.
Today’s sentence includes eight months for violating supervised release. Kennedy has a long criminal history that includes eight felony convictions, six of them for federal offenses.
“This isn’t just a drug case — this is a three-decade campaign of destruction. Nearly 40 pounds of meth, shipped in from California, funneled straight into our community like poison through a pipeline,” said United States Attorney Moore Capito. “Even prison didn’t stop him. Even supervision didn’t slow him. That tells you exactly who we’re dealing with. We stayed on him because the stakes were too high to do anything less. Today, that pipeline is shut down, and this community is safer for it. And let this be understood — if you bring this kind of poison here, we will hunt you down and make sure you don’t get a second chance to do it again.”
Capito made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), which is composed of the Charleston Police Department, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Nitro Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department and the South Charleston Police Department.
United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy B. Wolfe prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:25-cr-166.
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Illegal Alien from El Salvador Indicted: Two Counts of Assault on a Federal Officer with a Deadly Weapon and one count of Destruction of Government PropertyRead the Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment Thursday against Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, 36, a national of El Salvador residing in Stanislaus County, charging him with two counts of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon and one count of destruction of government property, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
According to court documents, on the morning of April 7, 2026, four federal immigration officers conducted an operation in the city of Patterson to locate and arrest Mendoza Hernandez because he is illegally present in the United States. Officers stopped Mendoza Hernandez near an onramp to Interstate 5 by activating their emergency lights. Mendoza Hernandez pulled over on the right shoulder.
During the stop, Mendoza Hernandez identified himself and an agent informed Mendoza Hernandez that he was being detained and instructed him to step out of the vehicle. Despite repeated requests, Mendoza Hernandez kept his car running and did not comply with agent requests. Mendoza Hernandez eventually drove forward and hit an agent with his vehicle. Mendoza Hernandez then quickly shifted the vehicle in reverse and abruptly accelerated in a rapid backward motion. While in reverse, Mendoza Hernandez violently collided with the front of a law enforcement vehicle parked behind Mendoza Hernandez.
After striking the front of the agents’ vehicle, Mendoza Hernandez’s vehicle then directly faced two of the agents assisting in the stop. After a brief pause, Mendoza Hernandez accelerated forward toward the agents. One of the agents was in the direct path of Mendoza Hernandez’s vehicle and jumped out of the way to avoid being hit. Mendoza Hernandez jumped the center median and drove the wrong way against traffic toward the freeway. He then crossed the median, stopping his car on the side of the road.
During this incident, and in response to the vehicle’s movements, agents discharged their firearms at the vehicle and hit Mendoza Hernandez several times. Agents rendered medical aid at the scene and Mendoza Hernandez was transported to the hospital. After receiving medical treatment, Mendoza Hernandez was medically cleared and taken into FBI custody on Monday, April 13, 2026.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department helped secure the scene and provided substantial public safety assistance while Mendoza Hernandez recovered in the hospital. The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office provided substantial support following the incident. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hitt is prosecuting the case.
On April 20, 2026, the District Court ordered Mendoza Hernandez to remain detained pending trial in this matter.
If convicted of the assault charges, Mendoza Hernandez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. If convicted of the destruction charge, Mendoza Hernandez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Husband and Wife, and a Third Individual Charged with Firearms TraffickingRead the Press Release
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A federal grand jury in the District of Puerto Rico returned an indictment charging José M. Ayala-Rivera, his brother Erick Osorio-Rivera, and Erick’s wife Bianca Vidal Vázquez-Millán with the unlicensed business of dealing in firearms, announced W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are in charge of the investigation.
According to the indictment, beginning on a date unknown but no later than October 2024 and up to August 2025, the defendants, not being licensed importers, manufacturers, dealers, and collectors of firearms, did knowingly conspire to transport into and receive in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico firearms purchased in the state of Massachusetts. The object of the conspiracy was to use the United States Postal Service to, covertly and without notice, transfer, trade, give, transport, and deliver firearms purchased or otherwise obtained outside of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to persons residing in Puerto Rico.
Defendants Osorio-Rivera and Vázquez-Millán acquired firearms in Massachusetts, where they resided, and arranged for them to be sent to Puerto Rico via the Priority Mail service from the U.S. Postal Service. Defendant Ayala-Rivera received the firearms in Puerto Rico and stored them in a residence.
All defendants are facing one count for: (1) conspiracy to receive firearms from out of state, (2) transfer firearms out of state, and (3) send firearms via a common carrier without written notice. Osorio-Rivera and Vázquez-Millán are facing one count for shipping a firearm without providing notice to the carrier. If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to five years in prison.
U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico; Jason Stankiewicz, Special Agent in Charge of ATF Miami Field Division; and Bladismir Rojo, Postal Inspector in Charge, Miami Division made the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pedro Casablanca and Jeanette M. Collazo-Ortiz, Chief of the Violent Crimes Section, are in charge of the prosecution of the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Honduran Illegal Alien Sentenced to Time Served for Illegal Re-Entry of a Removed AlienRead the Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – CARLOS ROBERTO GUARDADO-RAMIREZ (“GUARDADO-RAMIREZ”), age 46, a native of Honduras, was sentenced on April 22, 2026 by United States District Judge Greg Gerard Guidry, after previously pleading guilty to re-entry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8 United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle. GUARDADO-RAMIREZ was sentenced to time served, one-year of supervised release, and payment of a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee. He has been detained in federal prison since December 10, 2025.
According to court records, the defendant was found in the United States on December 3, 2025, having reentered the United States without authorization from the Attorney General of the United States after being previously deported on May 4, 2006. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans received information that an individual identified as GUARDADO-RAMIREZ, had been previously removed from the United States and had returned. GUARDADO-RAMIREZ was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Officers in LaPlace, Louisiana on December 3, 2025, in the Eastern District of Louisiana for re-entering the United States after removal.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Carter K.D. Guice, Jr. of the General Crimes Unit is in charge of the prosecution.
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High-Ranking Sinaloa Cartel Member Sentenced for Drug Distribution and Money Laundering ConspiracyRead the Press Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. – A Mexican national and high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel was sentenced last week by the Honorable Catherine C. Eagles, Chief/Senior United States District Judge in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (MDNC) to 336 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride and a concurrent 240 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence will be followed by a total of five years of supervised release.
Emmanuel Martimiano Leon-Soto, age 42, of Naco, Mexico, was charged along with 37 other individuals in November 2024 by a federal grand jury seated in the Middle District of North Carolina with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine hydrochloride. Leon-Soto is also known as Manny, Jose Manuel Lopez-Castro, Jesus Lopez Castro, Pedro Beltran Zazueta, Pedro Zazueta Beltran, Emmanuel Gomez, Emanuel Leon, Emanuel Leon-Soto, Manuel Leon Soto, Jose Manuel Lopez Castro, and Emanuel Pena Gomez. He was one of 10 defendants in the case also charged with conspiracy to launder the proceeds of the drug trafficking scheme.
Prior to his indictment, Leon-Soto was designated as a Regional Priority Target (RPOT) by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program. He is a high-ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel (also known as Cartel de Sinaloa, Mexican Federation, and Guadalajara Cartel), which has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Cártel de Sinaloa is one of the world’s most powerful drug cartels and one of the largest producers involved in the smuggling, importation, and distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine into the United States.
“Mexican Cartel kingpins poisoning America will face justice in every judicial district in our country. Leon-Soto and his co-conspirators distributed staggering amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in our district and beyond,” said Dan Bishop, United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. “The sentencing represents the culmination of a broad collaboration of law enforcement partners determined to disrupt and dismantle Sinaloa Cartel operations in our homeland. Be assured we will continue to use all available resources to attack the criminal organizations that flood our streets with dangerous drugs.”
“Today marks a significant victory for the many law enforcement agencies that worked together to dismantle this organization,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “The Postal Inspection Service remains committed to protecting the integrity of the mail, disrupting illicit drug trafficking, and safeguarding the American public. This success is a direct result of the strong collaboration among our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.”
“This arrest strikes at the heart of a cartel network responsible for flooding our communities with deadly drugs,” said Mark M. Zito, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in North and South Carolina. “HSI and our partners are relentless in pursuing those who profit from addiction and violence. We will continue to dismantle criminal organizations and protect the public from the devastation caused by fentanyl and other narcotics.”
“Today’s sentence underscores our unwavering commitment to bringing drug traffickers to justice,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we will continue to target those who threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.”
“This sentencing sends a strong message to those criminals trafficking drugs. We are committed to identifying and dismantling drug trafficking and money laundering networks by targeting the individuals who facilitate or profit from these operations,” said Special Agent in Charge Donald “Trey” Eakins, Charlotte Field Office, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation. “Our special agents utilize their financial expertise and legal authority to collaborate with partner agencies, tracing illicit financial activity to disrupt the distribution of fentanyl and other drugs within the United States.”
“The Marshals are committed to reducing violent crime by taking criminals off the streets,” said Catrina A. Thompson, U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of North Carolina. “We are proud to play our part in disrupting these networks and helping to reduce the availability of dangerous drugs and make all of our communities safer.”
Investigating agencies include the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS Criminal Investigation, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Harnett County Sheriff’s Office, Fayetteville Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office, Candor Police Department, Mesa (Arizona) Police Department, Davie County Sheriff’s Office, Forsyth County Drug Task Force, Mooresville Police Department, Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, and Surry County Sheriff’s Office.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle Pousson, Randall Galyon, and Nicole DuPré.
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Harrison County methamphetamine dealer sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violationRead the Press Release
MARSHALL, Texas – A Marshall man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for a drug trafficking violation in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Avis Delynn Jones, 41, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on May 1, 2026April 15, 2026.
According to information presented in court, on March 17, 2023, a search warrant was executed at Jones’ University Avenue residence in Marshall resulting in the discovery of 440.7 grams of methamphetamine concealed in children's backpacks found in the kitchen. In addition, investigators found cocaine, marijuana, a stolen firearm, U.S. currency, and distribution paraphernalia such as digital scales and plastic bags.
Jones also has prior Texas felony convictions for injury to a child, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, out of both Harrison and Gregg counties.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The case was investigated by the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and Marshall Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.
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Gregg County man guilty of federal firearms violations in Longview drive-by shootingRead the Press Release
TYLER, Texas – A Longview man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Jamichael Devorea O’Quinn, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a machine gun before U.S. Magistrate Judge K. Nicole Mitchell on May 1, 2026.
According to information presented in court, on May 18, 2024, the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office responded to a drive-by, machine-gun shooting of a high school graduation party near Longview. Eyewitnesses and gunshot victims identified O’Quinn as a shooter. Further investigation revealed O’Quinn publicly bragged on a social media platform about his distinctive blue machine gun conversion device, commonly referred to as a Glock Switch, while warning of his willingness to use the weapon.
The attached images of social media posts were presented in court, which included multiple images of a pistol with a distinctive blue machine gun conversion device installed on its slide.
O’Quinn was arrested on July 26, 2024, during a traffic stop in Longview, during which a firearm outfitted with a machine gun conversion device was seized. Ballistic testing confirmed the firearm was the same gun used in the shooting on May 18, 2024.
O’Quinn faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. The maximum statutory sentence is provided here for information purposes, as the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
O’Quinn has also been indicted in Gregg County and charged with murder in an unrelated drive-by shooting. An indictment is not proof of guilt, and a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“Our focus in this case was to bring some measure of justice for the victims of this shooting. The illegal possession of a machine gun cannot, and will not, be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “The families of Longview deserve to live free of fear. My office, federal agents, and local law enforcement will never tire in their efforts to root out and hold accountable those who inflict violence on our communities.”
District Attorney John Moore said, “The Gregg County District Attorney’s Office is proud to work with our partners to share a strategy that has improved public safety in Gregg County.”
“ATF is proud to stand alongside our local, state, and federal partners in bringing this offender to justice. This case highlights the real and growing danger posed by illegal machine gun conversion devices, which turn firearms into extremely lethal weapons. Through strong collaboration and determined investigative work, we were able to hold a violent offender accountable and make our communities safer. We will continue to prioritize cases like this to disrupt criminal activity and protect the public.” said Special Agent in Charge Brian Garner
“The Longview Police Department will not tolerate illegal fully automatic weapons in our city,” said Longview Police Chief Anthony Boone. “We will continue to utilize every available state and federal resource to combat criminal activity in Longview, Texas. We are thankful for the partnership and support of the Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’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 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.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Longview Police Department; the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office; the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office; and the Texas Department of Public Safety. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Farahnak and Emil Mikkelsen.
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Grand jury indicts six defendants in financial fraud scheme impacting victims across the countryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging six defendants with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft for their roles in a financial fraud scheme. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of two years in prison and a maximum of 30 years. Named in the indictment are:
- Jeffrey Fleischer, 36
- Crystal Velez, 36
- Blaine Webster, 40
- Reginald Seals, 47
- Johnny Ray Mcduffie, 36
- Anthony Zorilla A/K/A Anthony Velazquez, 28, all of Buffalo, NY.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated between August 2023 and May 2024, the defendants are accused of conspiring to fraudulently obtain funds from financial institutions by depositing stolen United States Treasury checks into bank accounts opened by the defendants. The defendants used fraudulent identification documents to open the accounts and then withdrew the funds from those bank accounts.
According to the indictment, the defendants obtained stolen United States Treasury tax refund checks that were payable to other persons, and then used fraudulent identification documents to open bank accounts in the names of the persons the tax refund checks were payable. The checks would then be deposited into the fraudulent bank accounts, allowing the defendants to withdraw or transfer the funds from the accounts for their benefit. Accounts were opened at various financial institutions including Northwest Bank, Evans Bank, Good Neighbors Credit Union, ServU Credit Union, Sweet Home Federal Credit Union, Erie Federal Credit Union, Corning Credit Union, Greater Niagara Federal Credit Union, Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union, and High Point Federal Credit Union. The financial institutions were located in Buffalo, Amherst, Getzville, Niagara Falls, Painted Post, and Corning, NY, and Erie, Pennsylvania. The defendants are accused of stealing the identities of more than 12 victims living in NY, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, Connecticut, and Oregon, with estimated losses totaling more than $1,300,000.
The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno. The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Michael Carpenter, Northeast Field Division, the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Charles T. Perras, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia, the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass, the Town of Niagara Police Department, under the direction of Chief Craig Guiliani, the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Erie and Niagara County Crime Analysis Centers.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Former U.S. Congressman and Lobbyist Convicted of Acting as Unregistered Agents of Venezuela in Connection with $50 Million ContractRead the Press Release
MIAMI – A federal jury in Miami found a former U.S. Congressman and lobbyist guilty of secretly lobbying on behalf of the Venezuelan government and laundering millions of dollars tied to that work, in violation of the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).
“These convictions expose a simple truth: the defendants sold access and influence to a hostile foreign regime for money,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “They accepted millions tied to the Maduro regime, concealed that relationship from the United States government, and used trusted personal and political relationships to secretly advance the interests of Venezuela’s regime. In South Florida, where so many families fled communist oppression, that kind of betrayal carries real weight. The Foreign Agents Registration Act exists to protect transparency and safeguard our democracy from covert foreign influence. If you secretly act on behalf of a foreign government in violation of federal law, you will be investigated, prosecuted, and convicted.”
"Today’s verdict sends a clear and powerful message: our democratic processes are not for sale to foreign adversaries. Choosing to prioritize personal greed over legal transparency, David Rivera and Esther Nuhfer violated the Foreign Agent Registration Act by lobbying for the interests and benefit of the Venezuelan government,” said Brett Skiles, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “Using coded messages and laundering millions of dollars to fund personal lifestyles and political campaigns, these defendants thought they could operate in the shadows. This conviction proves that no matter how much 'coded language' is used or how high-ranking the conspirators may be, the FBI and its partners will remain steadfast in identifying and investigating those who covertly serve foreign interests at the expense of the American public's trust."
“This verdict underscores what can be achieved when federal partners combine their investigative strengths,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “Following the money is what IRS Criminal Investigation does best, and our agents worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to uncover the illegal activity driving this foreign influence scheme. IRS Special Agents will continue to pursue criminals, regardless of how sophisticated the scheme or influential the individuals involved.”
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, David Rivera, 60, and Esther Nuhfer, 51, obtained a $50 million contract with a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned and state-controlled oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), to advance the interests of the Venezuelan regime in the U.S. Without registering as foreign agents as required by law, Rivera and Nuhfer lobbied U.S. officials — including then-U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Representative Pete Sessions — and arranged meetings between U.S. policymakers and high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including then-President Nicolas Maduro and then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez. In text message exchanges, Rivera and Nuhfer used coded language to describe their activities.
The evidence further showed that Rivera used approximately $600,000 from the contract proceeds to fund his Florida state congressional campaign, among other personal uses. Nuhfer used approximately $455,000 of the proceeds for the purchase of a residence in Key Colony Beach.
The jury found Rivera guilty of conspiracy to violate FARA, a violation of FARA, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and four counts of engaging in transactions in criminally derived property. Nuhfer was convicted of conspiracy to violate FARA, a violation of FARA, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and one count of engaging in transactions in criminally derived property.
Rivera faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. Nuhfer faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones; Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office; and Special Agent in Charge Ronald A. Loecker of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), Florida Field Office, made the announcement.
Senior Trial Counsel Harold Schimkat, Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Cruz, and Trial Attorney David Ryan of the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case.
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 22-cr-20552.
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Former IRS Revenue Agent Charged with Embezzling more than $12 Million and Money Laundering as the Then-CFO and Controller of New Jersey-Based CompanyRead the Press Release
NEWARK, N.J. – A Bergen County man and former Revenue Agent for the Internal Revenue Service was arrested on April 30, 2026 for embezzling more than $12 million and money laundering as the then-Chief Financial Officer and Controller of a fuel company based in New Jersey, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.
“As alleged in the complaint, Robert McCloughy — a former IRS Revenue Agent entrusted to enforce the tax laws — used his position as a company’s CFO and Controller to steal more than $12 million and then launder the proceeds for his own benefit. This Office is committed to rooting out sophisticated financial fraud and holding accountable those who illegally exploit their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of others.”
- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer
Robert M. McCloughy, 43, of Carlstadt, New Jersey was charged in a three-count complaint with one count of wire fraud and two counts of engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property. McCloughy is expected to have his initial appearance on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cari Fais in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
McCloughy previously served as a Revenue Agent with the Internal Revenue Service. In or around 2009, McCloughy was hired by a New Jersey-based fuel company (“Company-1”), where he served interchangeably as the CFO and Controller. From around March 2017 through March 2025, McCloughy misappropriated approximately $12 million from Company-1, separate and apart from what he was paid in the normal course. He did so through at least two methods: (1) causing Company-1’s payroll company to pay him unauthorized “expense” reimbursements; and (2) causing unauthorized transfers to be made from Company-1’s bank accounts to his personal bank accounts. To hide the fraud, McCloughy made false entries in Company-1’s books and records. Then, once McCloughy received the misappropriated funds, he engaged in money laundering transactions, including gambling large sums at online sportsbooks and casinos.
The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense or of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest. Each charge of money laundering carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or twice the amount of criminally derived property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer credited special agents of IRS — Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan, and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Maltese with the investigation.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division in Newark and Carolyn Silane, Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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mccloughy.complaint.pdfFlorida Woman Sentenced to over Five Years in Prison for Interstate Travel to Engage in Sexual Conduct with A Minor and for Victim TamperingRead the Press Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On April 30, 2026, Kasey Lynn Skaggs, 27, of Jacksonville, FL, was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment by the Honorable Thomas A. Varlan, United States District Judge, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Following her imprisonment, Skaggs will be on supervised release for 15 years and will be required to register with state sex offender registries and comply with special sex offender conditions.
As part of the plea agreement filed with the court, Skaggs agreed to plead guilty to two counts in the indictment charging her with one count of interstate travel for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b); and one count of tampering with a victim to destroy evidence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(2)(B).
According to court filed documents, investigators with the Homeland Security Investigations-Internet Crimes Against Children (HSI-ICAC) Task Force and local law enforcement investigated a report of child sexual abuse in 2024. Investigators found that from December 2023 to February 2024, Skaggs, along with co-defendant and husband, Jeffrey Lee Robertson, traveled across state lines on three different occasions into the Eastern District of Tennessee to have sex with a 14-year-old female. On the victim’s phone, investigators located text and social media messages between the two defendants, enticing and talking to the minor about illicit sexual acts they would do together. Further evidence was found of the two defendants instructing the victim to destroy evidence of their communication when they believed they had been caught.
U.S. Attorney Francis M. Hamilton III of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the announcement.
The criminal indictment was the result of an investigation by HSI-ICAC, 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Department of Energy, Office of Inspector General and Lenoir City Police Department.
This investigation was led by HSI-ICAC Task Force Officer Cortney Dugger.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Kolman represented the United States.
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 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 www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.
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